thirty

Negan stepped out into the open courtyard of the Sanctuary, his demeanor still relaxed but his mind spinning with thoughts of Ariana and Carl. The faint buzz of activity around the compound barely registered as he strode toward where Carl had been led away. He passed by a group of Saviours standing by one of the trucks, their eyes lowering respectfully as he walked by. Negan didn't pay them any mind, his focus solely on the task at hand.

Carl stood by the edge of the courtyard, flanked by two Saviours, his eyes scanning the surroundings with the wariness of someone who had seen too much.

Despite the bravado he had shown earlier, there was a glimmer of uncertainty in his gaze as he watched Negan approach. Negan could see the tension in Carl's posture, the way his hands flexed and unflexed by his sides.

"Alright, little serial killer." Negan drawled as he reached Carl, his grin wide and easy. "Time to head home. I promised Ariana I'd get you back to Daddy. And I think Daddy needs a little visit."

Carl's jaw tightened at the mention of Ariana, his eyes narrowing.

"You should let her go. And Daryl." He said, his voice steady but laced with anger. "They don't belong here. They belongs with us."

Negan chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement."See, that's where you're wrong, kiddo. Ariana's right where she wants to be. Besides, we've got a good thing going on here. I'm not about to mess that up."

Carl's fists clenched, and he took a step forward, his voice rising. "She's not safe here with you! You're just using her, like you use everyone else!"

Negan's grin faded slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. He leaned in closer to Carl, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone.

"Listen up, you little shit. I've given Ariana more than you can imagine. Protection, comfort, someone to care about her. And I'm not about to let some punk kid tell me what's best for her."

Before Carl could retort, Negan straightened up, raising a hand to signal one of the Saviours nearby."Dwight! Get the truck ready. We're taking our young friend here for a little ride back to Alexandria."

Dwight nodded and headed off to prepare the truck, leaving Negan and Carl alone for a moment. Negan turned his attention back to Carl, his expression softening just a bit.

"Look, Carl." He said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I know you care about her. I get it. But Ariana's strong. She can handle herself. And as long as she's with me, no one's gonna hurt her. You've got my word on that."

Carl didn't respond, his jaw still set in a stubborn line. He glanced over Negan's shoulder, his gaze falling on the door to the infirmary, where Ariana was still inside. His eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of longing crossing his face before he looked back at Negan, his resolve hardening once more.

The truck rumbled to life, its engine cutting through the tense silence. Dwight motioned to Carl, signaling for him to get in the back. Carl hesitated for a moment, his eyes still locked on Negan's, before he turned and walked toward the truck, his shoulders squared, as Negan followed him.

"Negan!" Ariana called out, her voice carrying across the space as she ran towards them.

Negan, already climbing into the passenger seat, turned to look at her, one eyebrow arched in mild surprise. Carl, seated in the back of the truck, looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he saw her.

Ariana jogged over to the truck, her heart pounding. "Negan, let me come with you. I want to take Carl back to Alexandria." She said, her voice urgent.

Negan leaned against the side of the truck, his expression thoughtful. For a moment, Ariana thought he might agree. But then he shook his head, his face settling into a firm, resolute look.

"No, Ariana." He said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You're staying here. This is between me and Rick's kid. I've got it handled."

Ariana's brow furrowed, frustration and anger bubbling up inside her. "Negan, please! You promised me you wouldn't hurt him. If you're going to take him back, I should be there to make sure he's safe."

Negan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He stepped closer to Ariana, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

"Ariana, listen to me. I said I wouldn't hurt him, and I meant it. You've got to trust me on this. But you can't come. This is something I need to do alone."

Ariana crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Why not? Why can't I come with you? He's my friend. I have the right."

Negan's eyes flickered with irritation, his jaw tightening.

"Because." He said sharply, his voice taking on a hard edge. "I don't want you getting mixed up in this any more than you already are. Carl came here to prove a point, and I'm taking him back to show Rick who's really in charge. Bringing you along complicates things."

Ariana's fists clenched at her sides, her frustration boiling over. "Complicates things? You think this is a game, Negan? You can't just play with people's lives like this! Carl is my friend, and you're taking him away like it's nothing. You're using him to get to Rick, aren't you?"

Negan's eyes softened for a moment as he looked at Ariana, seeing the fear and anger in her eyes. He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands.

"Ariana." He said, his voice gentler now. "I know you care about him. And I care about you. That's why I'm doing this. To show you that I can keep my promises. Carl will go home, safe and sound. You just have to trust me, alright?"

Ariana stared up at him, her heart torn between the love she felt for Negan and the loyalty she had to her family and friends. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he wouldn't hurt Carl. But the fear gnawed at her, making her doubt. She pulled away from Negan's touch, shaking her head.

"I can't, Negan. I can't just stand by and do nothing. Please, let me come with you."

Negan's expression hardened, his patience wearing thin. "I said no, Ariana." He repeated, his voice cold. "You stay here. That's final."

Ariana's face fell, her eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal. She watched as Negan turned away from her, climbing back into the truck. Carl's eyes met hers from the back seat, a silent plea for her to do something, to stop this. But as the truck's engine roared to life and it began to roll toward the gates, Ariana felt helpless, her anger simmering beneath the surface.