The Woman at The End of The World. (Daryl Dixon)

fortysix.

I stir when I feel someone drag something over my head forcefully. I crack my eyes open, seeing Owen standing over me with the arrowhead necklace Daryl had given me for my birthday in his grasp. I shrink back, feeling cold fear sinking its teeth into my soul. In his other hand, I see Daryl's coat and Michonne's vest.

He grins menacingly while Daryl pulls me into his arms, glowering at Owen. Without uttering a word, Owen jumps out of the van, slamming the door behind him, encasing us in the black hole.

For a moment, I bury my face against Daryl, trying to swallow the fear and panic that's eating me alive. He's back. Owen is really fucking back.

"Blue, ya are tremblin'. It's okay. He ain't gonna get you while I'm here. He's gonna have to kill me first." Daryl soothes the panic, allowing me to keep it a bay just awhile longer. My hands fall onto something wet along his arms.

"You're bleeding, Dare. What happened?" I trace the blood along his arm. "Did he?" I wouldn't put it passed Owen to hurt my archer.

"Nothin', ain't nothin' to worry 'bout." His voice tight and angry. I frown, as everything hits me at once. The pregnancy. Owen. A giant fight. I ran away from him. I nod, swallowing the panic building in my throat. I try to pull away, but he drags me closer. "So, that was him? The ex?"

"Yeah. That's Owen." I quietly confess.

"That slimeball that you were fighting? That's the ex you told us about?" Glenn inquires.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry." Daryl's chest rumbles against my face. His hands working diligently to rub my back.

"Me too. I kept a lot from you..."

"Stop, I get it now. Ya was scared and losin' control. I shouldn't have pushed ya. I just ended pushin' ya away." A chorus of whistling sounds from somewhere outside the black hole we are trapped in. Unease dances up my spine. I burrow deeper into Daryl's body. "I need ya to know something, Blue, 'cause I don't know what's gonna happen out there. I love ya." Daryl whispers. "I love ya a lot."

"I love you, too, Dare."

"I have for a long time, Vanessa." His voice serious.

The doors to the van swing open, revealing Dwight and Owen. While Dwight reaches for Daryl, forcing us apart, Owen wraps his hand in my hair, dragging me out, kicking and screaming. Anger and fear fighting for control on who is going to rule this time. "Put me down you fucking piece of shit. I'm gonna fucking kill you." I snarl. "Even if it's the last thing I do." I guess, anger won.

He chuckles under my threat, "on your knees, cunt." His hands find my shoulders, pushing me down roughly. His mouth reaches my ears, "not if I kill you and your lover boy first." Fear takes a bite out of my soul, creating little goosebumps along my flesh.

"Maggie?" Glenn's small frightened voice drags my attention over my shoulder. Anger pulses through my veins, watching a strange man kick Glenn to the ground.

"On your knees!" Dwight barks out. I reach for Glenn's hand, intertwining my fingers with his. I spot that the others of our group have joined us; I'm on the end with Glenn to my left, Rosita sits on his left; Daryl, Michonne, Abraham, Maggie, Rick, Sasha, Aaron, Carl and Eugene. Fear grips itself further in my soul upon seeing Maggie look like she knocks on deaths door. They must've been taking her to Hilltop to see Dr. Carson.

"We got a full boat. Let's meet the man." A tall dark-haired savior announces, knocking on the door to the RV.

Owen forces Glenn and I to let go of each other, stepping on our hands. I frown, peering over at my self proclaimed brother-in-law.