(a pic of Lou Lou above just bc I love her <3)

A/N: Sorry that this one took a bit longer to update, it was just my 21st birthday over the weekend and my family actually expected me to be social and go on a trip with them (how dare they) So I didn't have time to write!

Also, I got some validly confused questions about Glenn and Negan and all that- basically, Negan is just an idiot and really has no idea of the relationships of the group. He saw either Sasha or Rosita crying over Abraham and assumed it was over Spencer and then Cass (and you guys hehe) thought it was Glenn.
Anyway thank you all for your patience, and as always, so much love to you all <333 I hope you enjoy!

___

- Cass's POV-

"Spencer, I don't have the fucking patience for this anymore." I snap, not believing that I'm stuck with the same man who betrayed me, again.

For fuck's sake.

Spencer sushes me, his eyes widening. "Cass- You need to be quiet, please," Spencer urges me desperately, looking behind his shoulder before searching my face with panic.

Sighing, I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose and trying not the let the tiny space we're shut in get to me. "I cannot believe I'm in this situation, again." I snap, attempting to reel back my anger as I drop my hand from my face, keeping my voice lowered.

"Cass-"

"How are you putting me in this situation—again?" I repeat angrily, my frustration evident as I throw my hands up in defeat, meeting his traitorous eyes. "What is with you becoming the little puppy dogs of narcissistic psychopaths? First Phillip, now Negan? What is wrong with you?" I demand incredulously, my chest heaving with a mix of anger and disbelief as I fix my gaze on the man in front of me.

Spencer sighs and his cheeks flush with what better be shame. The broom beside him rocks precariously as he shrugs, his broad shoulder nearly sending it crashing to the floor.

"After I left Alexandria, I had nowhere to go. The Saviors found me and brought me in, alright? It just- happened," Spencer explains briefly with another heavy sigh, averting his gaze and rubbing his forehead as if trying to erase the memories.

Nodding sarcastically to his story, I can't help but silently question the universe, wondering if it has a personal vendetta against me. "Listen, Spencer, I don't have time for this. I need to get back-" I begin, only to be abruptly cut off by him.

"To being one of Negan's wives? What happened? I thought you were with Rick?" Spencer questions incredulously, watching me with confusion, his hazel eyes searching my expression, darting down to my black dress and heels.

I stare at him for a second, disbelief settling into a simmering anger at what just came out of his mouth.

"You think I want this?" I snarl furiously, my words laced with an intensity that makes Spencer flinch backward, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected harshness in my tone. "I was kidnapped, you fucking idiot," I seethe, shaking my head in frustration.

I can't believe I once had sex with this man.

"Do they know?" Spencer asks carefully, his voice measured, making me slowly look at him. I meet his concerned hazel eyes, my stomach twisting with a mix of anger and vulnerability.

The grief on Daryl's face and his disbelief at seeing me alive flash through my memory, reminding me of my harsh reality. I shake my head, grappling with the lump lodged stubbornly in my throat.

Spencer lets out a sigh, his hand running through his hair as he shifts uncomfortably on his feet. "Alright. Here's the plan. You need to talk-"

"- I don't need your damn advice, Spencer. I can handle myself just fine." I snap darkly, advancing a step closer to the traitor and narrowing my eyes. A sudden surge of pregnancy hormones accelerates my anger, coursing through my veins like a fiery undercurrent.

"You have... no idea how angry I am now, being stuck here," I growl, not needing to explain the extent of what I endure or the damn parasite inside me driving me to the brink.

"So when I tell you to just, for once, fuck off- I mean it," I seethe harshly, the edges of my vision pulsating red, adrenaline skittering through my veins.

Spencer blinks at me, his eyebrows raising slightly with surprise. The low light of the nearby bulb casts a strange shadow down his face, emphasizing his expression of disbelief.

"Now- get out of my way," I order sternly, my chest heaving with rage as I glare him down expectantly.

A defeated expression crosses Spencer's face, and he concedes, turning off the light before carefully opening the door to let me out.

To maintain appearances, I have to reluctantly walk side by side with Spencer as we make our way back to the wives' quarters. I avoid eye contact, clenching my jaw to suppress my tumultuous surge of hormones. The internal struggle rages on, leaving me torn between wanting to scream, cry, or choke Spencer out.

Not a word is exchanged between us as Spencer stops in front of the double doors. Without breaking my stride, I march past him, slamming the door shut behind me.

The second I walk in, Louise swiftly crosses the room as she spots me, her eyes scanning my expression with concern. Without a word she grabs my hand, gently leading me to the couch tucked away in the back corner.

"How'd it go?" Louise asks softly as we sit down together on the small couch, far away enough from the other wives so they won't hear.

I release a shaky sigh, attempting to cool the multitude of emotions stirring in my chest. "Seeing Daryl like that-" stopping myself, I close my eyes, wincing at the haunting memory of him cowering in the corner like that. "-It was h-hard," I mutter quietly, blinking back the hot tears threatening to spill.

Louise rubs my shoulder comfortingly, her brows crinkling in a way that reminds me of Rick. "I don't know him, but that must've been horrible. I'm so sorry," Louise murmurs, prompting me to meet her gaze and give her a grateful smile.

As her blue-green irises search my face, waiting for me to speak, a surge of emotion crashes over me.

"Everyone- Rick- they... think I-I'm dead," I breathe weakly, my bottom lip quivering, my hoarse voice clawing up my throat. I still can't believe it. What they must be going through...

Louise's expression furrows with deep emotion before she suddenly leans forward, enveloping me in a tight hug. I choke out a sob as I hug her back, finding comfort in her arms. "We'll prove them wrong," she breathes, her confident tone sending remnants of reassurance through me.

Nodding into Louise's shoulder, I cling to the hope that we will- that I'll come home.

Pulling away gently, Louise smiles sympathetically at me, quickly brushing the tears from my cheeks. "It's gonna be oka-"

"-We need to help Daryl escape," I interrupt Louise desperately, sniffling in an attempt to reel back another sob as Louise drops her hand from my face.

Her brows furrow slightly, tilting her head to the side with confusion, her hands settling in her lap. "But our plan-"

"It can wait. It has to," I stress, grabbing Louise's hands tightly and searching those familiar eyes in the hopes that she'll understand. "What he's goin' through down there-" I cut myself off, looking down as I try to contain myself.

"After everything Daryl has done for me, our family, I need to help him," I urge Louise, watching the reluctance gradually fade from her expression as she hears me out.

"When we get out of here, when you become part of our family too, you'll see. Daryl..." I trail off, glancing to the side as I try to find the right way to describe him.

"..he's the most loyal, kind, and loving man I have ever met. Rick and I both see him as a brother. Please help me help him," I beg Lousie quietly, my heart aching at the idea of Daryl being stuck here for even a day more.

Louise studies my expression thoughtfully as I speak, and in a heartbeat, relief surges through me as that dimpled smile spreads across her face.

"Fine. I'll help you free this Daryl," Louise agrees, smiling with a faked reluctance, making a grin creep across my face. It's like the weight of the world has fallen from my shoulders knowing that I'll be able to help him escape.

"But-" Louise breathes, making me sniffle, turning to her espectantly. "I'll need you to help me with something."

- the next afternoon -

The end of the searing-hot iron makes contact with the man's face with a hiss, eliciting a scream of pain from the Savior that resonates and aches in my eardrums. Beyond him, I watch the discomfort and fear rippling through the crowd of onlookers, all of whom, like me, are forced to watch.

Negan's expression is contorted with anger as he rips the iron back, taking a layer of the man's skin with it like melted cheese.

Louise curses under her breath from beside me, her words barely audible but laced with clear disgust. Through my periphery, I catch a glimpse of her looking away, eyebrows raised and mouth pulled downwards. Amusement washes over me as I realize she and her brother have the same disgusted expression.

"Now, this is another goddamn reminder of what happens when you think that stealin' from me is a good idea!" Negan bellows, his voice reverberating through the expansive room, its deep timbre commanding attention from the onlookers. The collection of what seems to be close to a hundred and fifty Saviors remains quiet, their eyes trained on the man who now crumples to the ground, whimpering pathetically.

Making sure to hold my well-maintained mask of meekness, I look up in feigned fear, meeting Negan's gaze as he passes the still-hot iron to a nearby Savior. I don't miss the layer of skin and blood dripping from the hot metal.

Negan stands in front of me, blocking the view and making my stomach drop. "Oh don't be scared darlin'. You're never gonna have that happen to your pretty face," Negan's smooth voice reassures me as he swiftly closes the distance between us, his fingers gently caressing my cheek and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

It's humiliating to know that every single Savior standing nearby is watching us.

Repulsion churns in my stomach, but I swallow it down, replacing it with a small, forced smile as I blink up at him, putting on the facade of a helpless little wife.

Negan smirks at me momentarily, seemingly pleased by my display submission. He then glances at Louise at my left, his grin widening at what he sees. "Now don't go bein' jealous Louise, there's more than enough of me to go around," Negan purrs with a brazen grin, and I have to fight the overpowering urge to roll my eyes.

Asshole.

"See you ladies later," Negan muses with a low, sly tone, punctuating his words with a wink. He then turns, barking orders to his higher-up officers before leisurely sauntering out of the room, Lucille propped on his shoulder, her barbed wire glinting in the light.

As Negan exits, the tension in the factory floor immediately begins to dissipate, and I can't help but release a small exhale of relief.

The room fills with low conversation as my gaze shifts to the weeping man still on the floor, cradling his face in anguish.

Despite my ingrained instincts as a surgeon, a sense of apathy holds me back from wanting to help him, not a shred of compassion stirring within me. Not one fucking bit.

Because before Negan singled out this asshole for what he did (stealing some of the stuff Negan stole from Alexandria), I overheard his conversation in the crowd.

This imbecile and his two cronies, all who were there to steal from Alexandria, were joking lowly, making repulsive comments about Sophia, Beth, and Enid. Disgusting, degrading, and vile comments about the three underage girls.

My girls.

They were saying that if Negan would've let them, they would've 'taken' them right there.

I nearly blacked out.

Louise, hearing them and seeing my expression, had to grab my arm, her fingernails digging in sharply, reminding me of our situation. It took every ounce of my strength to restrain myself from lashing out at those pigs.

The desire to unleash my raging hormones, to the point of literally ripping their fucking throats out, was a struggle to hold back, to say the least.

I stare at the disgusting man in front of me, sporting a wound that not only promises permanent disfigurement but also the risk of infection and if we're lucky- death.

And I don't feel a single ounce of sympathy for that asshole.

"Psst. Come on," Louise urges me in a hushed tone, her hand on my elbow, gently pulling me to the side.

Tearing my gaze away from the piece of shit on the floor, whom I was dangerously close to kicking, I lock eyes with Louise, seeing the determination in her gaze.

Recalling our previously discussed plans, I nod in agreement, trailing behind her as she navigates us through the crowd.

We're going to meet up with another member of our 'rebellion', one of the guards Louise knows pretty well. The price for helping Daryl escape is helping Louise with this. 

As we leave the main floor, Louise leads me down a series of dimly lit and winding hallways to whatever secret meeting place they've decided on. This takes a while for us to carefully maneuver through without being seen, dodging Saviors in adjacent hallways and occasionally slipping into empty rooms to avoid unwanted attention.

Eventually, Louise leads me into what seems to be an abandoned wing on the second floor, complete with cobwebs, dilapidated furniture, and shattered windows.

I cough into my shoulder, the air thick with dust, and squint through the dark corridor. "No one comes here anymore but us," Louise whispers, her voice barely audible over our footsteps as we venture further into the dilapidated wing.

Once we've gotten pretty deep into the hallways, Louise finally comes to a stop. Before I can ask what she's doing, she's gently pushing aside an empty bookcase with a loud creak that makes her cringe. Louise keeps going anyway and I watch as the bookcase moves, revealing a sizable hole in the concrete wall, leading to a nearly pitch-black room.

Flashing me a quick grin, Louise brushes off her dust-covered hands on her dress before gracefully slipping through the hole and into the room.

Well, here goes nothing.

Carefully maneuvering around the bookshelf and through the hole in the wall, I follow Louise into the room, cringing at the layer of dust and cobwebs hanging dangerously low. As my eyes adjust to the dark room, I hear Louise speaking to someone excitedly.

"Here she is," Louise beams, prompting me to walk over with a smile, being able to make out their figures now in the dark. However, my smile drops immediately upon laying eyes on the man standing in front of her.

"You're fucking kidding," I say flatly with frustration, blinking at him in disbelief, not believing that he's here again.

Spencer sighs. "Cass-"

"-D'you realize who this asshole is?" I demand, whirling on Louise, who simply blinks at me in confusion.

"What are you talking about? I've known Spence for a few months now, he's been helping us a shit ton," Louise breathes, her eyes squinted as they dart between me and Spencer.

"This is the guy who betrayed us at the Prison. I told you about him. I told you what our family went through because of this idiot," I seethe, sending Spencer a dirty look.

Spencer cringes, closes his eyes, and ducks his head.

"That's him?" Louise asks, her eyes wide as she turns to the culprit beside me, her mouth parted. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she demands, her expression hardening with disgust.

Spencer runs a hand down his face. "Look. That was a mistake, I know. I was an idiot- a coward." Spencer admits honestly, gulping as he looks between us, wringing his hands. "I was just angry and jealous 'cause Cass didn't love me back. I was stupid," Spencer breathes, shaking his head at himself and looking down.

"I've apologized for what I did. I tried. But I know that's not enough. That's why I'm here. Trying to stop Negan before he does what Phillip did or- worse," Spencer explains, his voice tightening slightly as he mentions Phillip.

My brows furrow together in thought as I narrow my eyes, scrutinizing the man in front of me. Taking in his exhausted but genuine expression and his pleading eyes.

"He's done nothing but help," Louise offers quietly, making me look at her for a moment and her sincere and slightly concerned expression.

Letting out a slow exhale, I shift my focus and meet Spencer's gaze. "You want to help- really?" I ask, searching his expression, my heart pounding away in my chest at the prospect of possibly trusting this man again.

"Like Lou said, I've been helping. Before I even knew you were here," Spencer tells me, his hazel eyes darting around my face, his breathing uneven.

I raise my chin slightly as I search his expression in the low light. He's a good liar. I'm fully aware of that fact. How do I know he's telling the truth?

Spencer sighs, looking to the side for a moment, seeming frustrated. "What can I do? To prove to you that I'm here to do anything you need. How can I get you to trust me?" Spencer asks desperately, his chest heaving.

I lean back slightly, taken aback by his question and genuine expression. Despite my reluctance to trust this asshole, there's another- more logical-  part of me reminding me that I don't have many other options.

And I need as much help as I can get.

"Okay. You're going to help us get Daryl out," I decide, making relief flood through Spencer's expression.

"Done. I can-"

"-I'm not finished." I interrupt sternly, making Spencer stop and pause, closing his mouth and nodding at me to continue. I spare a glance at Louise, my stomach twisting with slight nerves at what she'll think of me with my next sentence.

"I want you to help me kill two Saviors," I declare simply, making Spencer's eyebrows raise, shock flooding through his expression. "I don't know their names but I know what they look like," I explain coldly, crossing my arms tightly, nerves tingling under my skin.

"Cass," Louise breathes, making me turn to her, surprised to see the slightly amazed expression on her face. "The two guys talkin' about the girls?" she asks carefully, looking at me in a whole new way- and not in a bad way.

I nod once, fighting a smile of relief that Louise isn't scared off. Instead, she has that same look in her eyes that Rick does- when he knows something bad needs to be done to protect our family.

"What?" Spencer questions, looking at me with wide eyes.

Shifting my focus from my sister-in-law, whom I like more and more with each passing moment, I meet Spencer's gaze again.

"Can you do it or not?" I snap, my impatience growing as I glare back at him.

Spencer looks at me for a moment, with that same look he had back at Alexandria when he told me he no longer recognized me. But it dissipates, quickly replaced by a hardened determination.

"Done."

___

After the meeting with Spencer, Louise and I are making our way back to the wives' quarters. However, just as we approach the doors, about to walk in, we're stopped by the guard stationed outside.

My heartbeat lurches to my throat, panic momentarily suffocating me, fearing that we've been caught- that we might suffer the same fate as that asshole Savior did earlier.

But the guard's attention is solely on me as he lets me know that Negan has requested my presence, the same words that kill me a bit more every time I hear them.

Louise squeezes my hand once, offering a semblance of reassurance before I reluctantly follow the guard to Negan's room.

The dreaded sound of Negan's voice seeping through the door signals the beginning of my agony, prompting me to slip into my persona. I slump my posture, making myself look smaller, and rearrange my expression. Time to put on the timid, fearful act that Negan falls for every damn time.

Stepping inside and shutting the door carefully behind me, I spot Negan standing by his desk, engrossed in some paperwork, Simon beside him. Simon appears more agitated, urgently whispering to Negan, not even bothering to look at me as I walk in.

I catch a snippet of their conversation, something about a 'mole,' causing my stomach to flinch.

Shit.

Looking up and spotting me, a wide grin stretches across Negan's face, and he raises a hand to silence Simon. "Cassie. I was wonderin' where you were," Negan purrs, the sultry tone sending waves of nausea through me.

I casually tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to cover up my disgust. "Sorry. I'm here now," I say quietly, my voice deliberately low and unassuming.

Simon sighs, his hand resting on his belt. "Neegs, we're not finished. We need to find out-"

"-Jesus Christ, Simon, calm down. I need a damn break," Negan snaps, causing Simon to stop, his mouth pressed in a firm line. He looks at me, squinting slightly, before taking the paperwork from Negan and storming out.

Negan sighs heavily, rolling his eyes.

"W-What was that about?" I ask softly, blinking with feigned innocence at Negan as he settles into an armchair.

"Simon thinks there's a damn mole tryna bring me down," Negan chuckles, shaking his head. "Like anyone could if they tried," he sighs confidently, not seeming remotely worried.

But he should be.

I slowly walk over and carefully perch down on the armchair beside Negan. "I don't think anyone could. I-If they did, they wouldn't hurt us wives, would they?" I ask worriedly, knitting my eyebrows together with feigned fear as I search his face desperately.

Negan turns to me, a fond smile pulling at his face. "Oh, don't worry, sweetheart. Simon's just paranoid. And I would never let anyone hurt my wives, let alone the woman carrying my baby," he purrs lowly, his hand resting on my bare knee as he leans in, his gross breath fanning over my face.

It takes considerable strength to keep from spewing vomit in his face as I smile bashfully back at him. "I trust you," I blatantly lie sweetly, angling my head down submissively.

Negan's fingers grab my chin softly, tilting my head so I meet his gaze. He searches my face, a strange look crossing his expression. "Maybe it's 'cause you're finally speakin', but damn, I'm starting to realize how beautiful you are," Negan murmurs thoughtfully, earning a flustered and bashful look as I blink back at him.

The moment stretches into an eternity as Negan gazes thoughtfully back into my eyes as if trying to somehow read me. I blink back at him, smiling warmly and tilting my head to the side as I think about the only thing that brings me joy.

That I'm going to kill this motherfucker.

Before I have time to react, Negan swiftly leans in, kissing me aggressively, grabbing the back of my head. Dread and disgust swirl heavily in my chest, and I have to clench my hands tightly to stop myself from pushing him off of me.

You're Rick's. No matter what happens here, you're his. I remind myself as I sit there, rigid like a board like usual.

Desperately, I clench my eyes shut, attempting to shift my mind to a different place, imagining I'm with Rick instead. Raw longing pulls at my chest at the idea of being Rick again.

But just as Negan would typically move things along with intensity, he unexpectedly stops. Freezing before abruptly pulling away, he studies my face.

I clear my throat, determined not to betray my inner feelings, forcing a sweet expression to mask my discomfort.

"Wait- can we fuck?" Negan asks, his brows pulling together with deep thought.

I pause, staring at him, my mouth slightly agape in genuine confusion. "I-I'm sorry, what?" I ask, furrowing my brows and tilting my head to the side. He usually never asks me, it just... happens.

Negan nudges his chin toward my stomach. "The baby. Is it... safe?" he questions, watching me expectantly with the rare sight of genuine concern in his eyes.

Blinking at him, my stomach flips as I realize the gleaming opportunity perfectly laid out in front of me.

Shaking myself out of my shock, I pretend to realize what he's saying, moving my mouth into an 'o' shape. To be fair, this is the first time he's initiated anything since finding out about my pregnancy.

"Well, I can't know how far along I am without an ultrasound. I could be months pregnant or days pregnant." I explain gingerly with a gulp as Negan watches me intently.

"But um- it's risky. Especially if I'm not that far along. Penetrative sex can cause miscarriage," I lie, injecting a touch of disappointment into my expression. "But if you don't want the baby, this could be a way-"

"-No. I want the baby," Negan interrupts quickly, his brow furrowed in contemplation. I close my mouth, trying to keep a straight face and hide my growing hope.

"I know you met Derek while we were dealing with that asshole Carlson," Negan murmurs, making me nod, my heart aching slightly at the memory of the sweet kid. I hope he's doing okay.

"I always thought he should have a sibling," Negan continues thoughtfully, absentmindedly rubbing the stubble dotted along his jaw.

I nod, waiting patiently for his decision while my nerves go insane within my body. Glancing to my right, I look at the painted window, wondering with a tight chest if I'm about to be freed of this torture.

Negan sighs heavily, placing his hands on his knees with a clap, making my head snap back to him, my heart lurching. "Alright. No fuckin' then. I got other wives for that," Negan decides with a dirty grin, prompting me to nod solemnly as he stands up.

"It might be best. You know, for the baby," I concede, feigning a pout as Negan extends a hand, helping me to my feet.

Holy fucking shit.

As I stabilize on my heels, somehow maintaining my poker face, Negan pulls me forward, leaning down to my ear. His vile hot breath fans across my ear and neck, sending a chill of disgust down my spine.

"Just between us- you're my favorite." Negan whispers, making me let out a sound of surprise, genuinely taken aback.

I force a wide smile as Negan pulls away, allowing him to lead me out of the room. "Wow, favorite?" I ask softly with raised eyebrows, pretending to be touched by the unsettling news.

Negan chuckles and opens the door which immediately sends a wave of relief crashing down on me. I've never been able to leave Negan like this- so soon and without...

"Carrying my baby like a good wife will make you my favorite," Negan muses with a wink before bending down to kiss me again, which I endure. Luckily it's a quick peck that I don't return, my jaw clenched.

Suppressing my overwhelming disgust, I manage a strained smile of goodbye to Negan returning to his room, alone. As the door closes behind him, I clear my throat, determined to preserve my act for the guards.

With measured steps, I make my way back to the wives' quarters, my heart racing.

Once safely out of sight from the guards, I hastily duck behind a wall, clamping my hand over my mouth, my heartbeat racing. Before I can stop it, the floodgates open, and hot tears of emotional release and utter relief stream down my face.

A smile of amazement begins to grow across my face. I never have to endure sleeping with Negan again.

A surge of relief courses through me, and I let out a quiet, relieved exhale.

I'm free.

Glancing down, my fingers gingerly hover over my lower abdomen as a strange feeling flutters through me, my heart aching.

"Thank you," I whisper to the baby growing inside me, my wavering voice laced with deep emotion, a lump forming in my throat.

... It saved me.

[ A/N: baby redemption arc? LMAO ]

- that night -

My upper back, exposed by my dress, is cold as I press against the cool concrete of the wall behind me, trying to make myself look as small as I can. As I wait impatiently for my cue, my chest heaves, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Come on Spencer.

The hall envelops me in eery silence, interrupted only by the distant, repeating melody of a cheerful song emanating from one of the cells. The wait for Spencer's elusive signal has stretched on for what feels like an eternity, prompting me to start mouthing along to the song's lyrics in an attempt to distract myself from my mounting nerves.

Engrossed in silently mouthing the lyrics, "...easy street, and it feels so sweet," I freeze at the sound of a quiet two-tone whistle.

Spencer's whistle.

My stomach tightens as I peel myself from the cool concrete of the wall, gingerly turning the corner toward the cell hall. Anticipation courses through me, my senses on high alert as I step into the unknown, guided by Spencer's signal.

As I near them, a figure emerges in front of Daryl's cell, waving his hand in one swift motion. With my heart lodged in my throat, I nod and swiftly run over, my bare feet padding on the gross floors. The only inconspicuous way for me to get around for this mission is to go barefoot, unfortunately. It isn't exactly super discreet to be sprinting around in 6-inch heels with an escaped prisoner.

My heart racing and chest heaving, I meet up with Spencer, who after a nod, quietly and quickly unlocks the cell before swinging it open. He clicks on his flashlight, casting a narrow beam of blue light that illuminates Daryl's cell.

The cell is even darker than when I visited him yesterday as the hallway lights aren't on. We had to do this in the middle of the night- it was the only way to get Daryl out with the least amount of possible witnesses.

Spencer gave the guard on duty the sleeping pills I provided him, giving us this fleeting window of opportunity. We just need to be fast and quiet enough that we don't wake the idiot guard up.

Through the bleak light of Spencer's flashlight, I find Daryl's dark and crumpled figure in the corner, stirring slightly in his sleep. My heart pangs again at the sight, but I push it down, reminding myself that we're getting him out.

"Daryl!" I whisper urgently, my heart lodged in my throat as my friend jumps awake, turning his head to the side to look at me, blinking through the flashlight's beam.

I hear a muffled curse from Spencer as he takes in Daryl's disheveled appearance, but I ignore him, determined to focus on the task at hand. I step into the dimly lit and squalid confines of Daryl's cell. Before I can make it far or utter a word, Daryl's on his feet, hastily crossing the distance between us.

With his hands on my shoulders, Daryl leans down slightly, squinting through the shadows to scrutinize my face. "You 'lright?" he asks, his voice tainted with that same weak rasp as before, his chest rising and falling with exertion as he searches my eyes for reassurance.

I don't blame him for being worried. I was supposed to check up on him sooner, but with everything going on, I didn't get the chance.

I nod briskly, a small smile breaking across my face. "I'm fine. Come on, we need to go. Now," I urge him with determined urgency, prompting Daryl to nod in understanding. His eyes shift past me to Spencer, widening briefly before narrowing, anger contorting his already exhausted expression.

"No time to explain- he's helping. Let's go!" I whisper hastily before seizing Daryl's arm through his stained sweatshirt and dragging him out of his cell.

As I pull Daryl down the hall, I hear the discreet sounds of Spencer skillfully breaking the lock on Daryl's cell behind us, to make it look as though Daryl managed to escape on his own. Now Spencer has to disappear and make look like it's the guard's fault for sleeping on the job.

Guiding Daryl through the labyrinth of hallways I've begun to memorize, I use the same tactics Louise did to keep us unnoticed before we met with Spencer. At one point I have to hold out my arm and push Daryl against the wall as someone walks by the nearby hallway.

Before long, we finally arrive at the exit door Louise instructed me to go to, leading to the specific courtyard we decided on. In that courtyard, we'll find another gate that Louise has already unlocked, providing Daryl with a gate to slip through undetected.

Louise is currently distracting the guards who should be stationed out there, and god knows how much time that will buy us.

Waving for Daryl to follow, I gingerly open the door to the courtyard, quickly making sure the guards are still gone. Once I see it's clear, I walk through and Daryl follows.

As the door closes behind us, I pause for a moment, savoring the sensation of the rush of fresh air flooding into my lungs. It's like heaven, heaving real, fresh oxygen to inhale, nothing like the stuffy and thick air of the Sanctuary.

My breath forms visible clouds in front of me as I look up at the sparkling stars, visible through the slight fog hanging in the air. I haven't been outside for months now.

"Cass?" Daryl's rough whisper breaks the moment, bringing me back to reality and away from savoring the fleeting feeling of freedom.

"Right, take this," I breathe, handing Daryl a crudely drawn map by Spencer of how to get to Alexandria from here. Daryl doesn't take it, making me sigh at his stubbornness before shoving it into the pocket of his sweatpants.

I grab Daryl's arm, leading him to the outside gate, reminding myself of the little window of opportunity we have, especially out here, exposed like this. All it takes is one Savior stepping out for a smoke break to jeopardize our entire plan. Then we're dead.

Yanking open the outside gate, I prompt Daryl to follow me through, out to a side alley taken over by weeds and decaying cars. I wonder for a second if it's the same building and vines I used to stare at through the chip in the paint.

God, that feels so long ago now.

Once Daryl has followed me outside, looking around curiously and seeming much more awake now, I swiftly walk behind him, making my way back to the gate.

"Cass! What're you doin'?" Daryl questions, his voice laced with panic and confusion, grabbing my elbow to get me to stop.

Inhaling slowly, I turn to Daryl with a wistful smile, my stomach twisting with pain. "I'm not coming with you," I tell him gently, watching his eyes widen, his mouth parting as he begins to shake his head in disbelief.

"N-No, Cass, after I left you before, I-I can't-" Daryl argues desperately, taking a determined step forward, back to the gate. I lunge forward, my hands on his chest, forcefully pushing him back.

"It's okay, Daryl," I whisper, blinking back tears and the horrible sensation settling in my chest. "I have stuff to finish here," I tell him softly, making his expression contort with confusion, his brows pulling together.

Negan wouldn't exactly just be fine if his pregnant and apparently 'favorite ' wife just up and disappeared. And I intend to bring that fucker down.

"What're you..." Daryl starts, searching my expression with bewilderment.

I hear a noise behind me, making my heartbeat lurch, knowing it could be the guards. I don't have enough time.

"Do not let Rick come after me, okay?" I order quickly, turning back to Daryl, a knot of worry tightening in my chest as I impatiently search his face. Daryl's expression just crumples further, clearly about to argue but I quickly speak first.

"And tell him..." A smile cracks across my face, warmth flooding through my chest. "...tell him that I like Louise," I breathe through my bittersweet smile, pushing through the strong emotion tightening around my throat.

Daryl just blinks at me in bewilderment, his mouth agape.

"Bye, Daryl," I breathe, before turning and beginning to walk through the gate, preparing myself to return to my personal hell.

But before I can get through, I feel Daryl's strong hand grabbing my arm and pulling me back. "I'm not leavin' without you." Daryl urges roughly, making me quickly turn to him, my heartbeat lurching at how loud his voice was. 

"Daryl, please trust me. This is the only way," I assure him honestly, before quickly hugging him tightly, catching him off guard. "There are clothes for you in the building marked on the map. Be safe," I whisper in his ear, patting his back once before swiftly letting go and darting through the gate, shutting and locking it behind me.

As the gate shuts with a final, resounding thud, I flinch at the sound of Daryl banging against it, trying to get back in. After shouting one more time for him to leave and swallowing back a sob, I sprint across the courtyard, wrench open the door to the main building, and return to the depths of hell, leaving my chance at escape behind.

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A/N: Omg okay, we are FINALLY caught up with Cass's parts so now we can continue with the plot from here :))) I'm so excited for everything that's to come!!! Thank you again for all your support and love <333