nine

Ariana had spent the past few days working in the infirmary, and while the routine offered some comfort, it was impossible to ignore the heavy weight of her situation. Dr. Carson had been patient with her, explaining the ropes while keeping their past connection discreet. Their shared glances spoke volumes, but they remained professional, keeping their history buried under layers of secrecy.

The infirmary had become her refuge, a place where the chaos of the Sanctuary faded into the background. The work gave her something to focus on, something to distract her from the gnawing fear that came with being trapped in a place like this. Most of the Saviours who came through barely acknowledged her presence, more concerned with their injuries than with who she was. It suited her just fine. Anonymity was her best friend in this situation.

But Ariana knew she couldn't avoid Negan forever. The memory of their last encounter haunted her, and though she hated to admit it, she couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him. It was unsettling, to say the least. The tension between them was electric, charged with an intensity that made her pulse quicken in ways she wasn't sure she liked.

On the fourth day, while she was cleaning up after stitching a Saviour's wound, the door to the infirmary swung open. Ariana looked up to see Negan standing in the doorway, a smirk on his lips and a glint in his eye that made her stomach flip.

"Well, well, well." Negan laughed, his voice dripping with that maddening mix of charm and menace. "Look at you, playing nurse. I should get you a little outfit, you'd look great in that."

Ariana straightened, trying to steady her breath.

"Just doing what I've been told." She replied, keeping her tone even. "I'd prefer an outfit with a little more blood."

Negan's eyes swept over her, lingering in a way that made her skin tingle.

"I can see. I have to say, you wear the whole 'nurse' thing pretty damn well." He said, his voice lowering as he took a step closer. "But I think it's time for a little change of scenery, don't you?"

She raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the way her body reacted to his proximity.

"What are you talking about?"

He leaned in, so close she could feel the heat radiating off him.

"I've got something to show you, sweetheart." He murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "Something I think you're gonna like."

Ariana's pulse quickened, but she forced herself to keep her composure.

"I'm not interested in whatever game you're playing, Negan. I'd rather stay here."

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her. "Oh, this isn't a game, darlin'. This is very, very real."

Without waiting for her response, Negan turned to Dr. Carson. "Doc, I'm borrowing your nurse for a bit. Don't worry, I'll bring her back in one piece."

Dr. Carson nodded, his expression carefully neutral. "Just don't keep her too long, Negan. We have work to do."

Negan flashed him a grin before turning back to Ariana. "Yes sir! Come on, let's take a walk."

She hesitated, glancing at Carson, who gave her a subtle nod. Taking a deep breath, Ariana followed Negan out of the infirmary, her heart pounding in her chest.

As they walked through the dimly lit corridors of the Sanctuary, the silence between them crackled with tension. Negan's presence was overwhelming, his every move filled with a confidence that was as infuriating as it was intoxicating. She could feel his gaze on her, studying her, and it took all her willpower to keep her own eyes straight ahead.

Finally, they stopped in front of a heavy steel door. Negan pushed it open, gesturing for her to enter. Ariana hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

The room was larger than she expected, sparsely furnished but undeniably comfortable. A bed, a small dresser, and a chair were the only pieces of furniture, but it was a far cry from the cell she had been sleeping in. The walls were painted a dull gray, and the single window was barred, but it was an actual room... a real, private space.

She turned to face Negan, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What is this?"

Negan leaned against the doorframe, watching her with that damnable smirk. "Your new home, sweetheart. Figured you've earned an upgrade."

Ariana crossed her arms, skeptical. "Wow, very domestic. What's your angle?"

Negan's eyes darkened with something she couldn't quite place. "Maybe I just like having you around." He said, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "Maybe I like knowin' you're somewhere close."

She swallowed hard, the air between them thickening with something she didn't want to name.

"I'm not interested in being part of your collection, Negan. Your flattery and charm will you get nowhere."

He let out a low chuckle, pushing off the doorframe and closing the distance between them.

"Sweetheart, if I wanted you in my collection, you'd already be there. This? This is different."

Ariana's heart raced as he stepped closer, his body mere inches from hers. She could feel the heat coming off him, smell the leather of his jacket, and it was all she could do not to back away. But something in his gaze held her in place, a mix of danger and desire that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Different?" She challenged, her voice barely above a whisper.

Negan reached out, his fingers grazing her cheek, sending a jolt of electricity through her.

"Different because you're not like the others."He murmured, his eyes locked on hers. "Like I said, you've got fire, Ariana. And that... that turns me the fuck on."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she was lost in the intensity of his gaze. There was something undeniably magnetic about him, something that pulled her in even as every instinct screamed for her to run. But instead of running, she found herself leaning into him, her body betraying her mind.

Negan's eyes flickered with something dark and primal, and he closed the gap between them, his lips brushing against her ear.

"You belong here." He whispered, his voice sending shivers down her spine. "With me."

Ariana's pulse pounded in her ears, and she forced herself to pull back, putting some distance between them.

"You don't even know me." She replied. "You couldn't handle being close to me."

Negan straightened, his expression shifting to something more serious. "I know enough. And I like what I see."

She stared at him, trying to read the truth in his eyes, but all she saw was that same infuriating confidence, that unshakable belief that he was in control. And maybe he was. But she wasn't ready to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

"You can keep your room." Negan said, his voice casual again. "But just so you know, the door locks from the outside."

Ariana's eyes narrowed. "So I'm still a prisoner? How predictable."

Negan's grin returned. "That's not a nice way of putting it! Let's just say you're under my protection."

She wanted to hate him, wanted to lash out, but the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her, made it impossible. Instead, she clenched her fists at her sides, forcing herself to stay calm.

"What do you want from me?"

Negan's gaze dropped to her lips, his voice low and dangerous. "I think you already know."

Ariana's breath caught in her throat, and she took a step back, trying to regain control. "Actually, I'm not interested in whatever you want from me."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, sweetheart, I think you are. But don't worry." He added, his voice dropping to a whisper. "We've got plenty of time to figure that out."

With that, Negan turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him. Ariana stood in the middle of the room, her heart pounding as she tried to process what had just happened.

She was free of the cell, but she knew she was far from safe.