Chapter 14

"Negan's here." Rick said as he noticed Spencer talking to him through the gate. "Go help Olivia finish dividing the supplies." I nodded, and quickly took off toward the Armory/ pantry.

Once I came around the corner, Olivia almost jumped out of her skin, a heavy sigh of relief coming over her when she saw it was me.

"He's here." I said solemnly, instantly Olivia became tense. "Why don't you go watch over Judith, I'll take care of this stuff okay?"

"Oh no, you don't have to." Olivia started.

"No, I will, and I am, you don't need to be here for this okay? Go watch over Judith." I said again. She complied, leaving swiftly to Rick's house.

I was about to enter the house to get to the garage when I was stopped by Father Gabriel. I didn't know much about this man other then everyone else had ill feelings toward him.

"Hazel, may I ask you a favor?" Father Gabriel said kindly.

"What's up?" I smirked back.

"I need to dig a grave." He came right out with it.

"What?" I blinked at him confused.

"Just come with me." I followed after him. We rushed over to the graveyard unseen by the Saviors. Father Gabriel handed me a shovel, and he started digging right away with his shovel.

"Okay, spill, why're we doing this?" I began to dig as well.

"They can't know about Maggie, I figure if we say she's dead, he won't be looking for her." Father Gabriel said happily.

"Sounds good to me." I continued to dig until we had dug down about a foot and half, then quickly filled it back in.

"Thank you, now hurry back to the armory." Father Gabriel shewed me away.

I quickly ducked into the house, noticing Rick and Negan were heading there. I went into the garage, pushing it open, seeing Rick holding Negan's baseball bat, Negan standing next to him with smile on his face. I also noticed behind them, stood Daryl, looking beaten, bruised, practically broken, seeing him this way put pain in my chest.

"Hi." I spoke softly after a moment of silence.

"Show him where the guns are." Rick ordered.

"The armory's inside." I said coolly. I led the way to the armory.

"You run the show in here?" Negan asked. I stopped turning slowly to look him in the eyes, I was not going to show this man fear.

"I just keep track of it all, the rations and the guns." I said simply.

"Good, smart. Don't let me stop ya. Take her out boys, show 'em the goods." I started walking again.

The Saviors that followed me began grabbing armfuls of guns, taking them out to the truck. Daryl walked in looking at the floor helping them also, my breath hitching in my throat every time I looked at him. A women with dark hair and blonde tips, wearing a scowl on her face came up to me, snatching the inventory notebook from me. She began leafing through the notebook, going over every item twice, until finally she directed her scowl at me.

"You're missing two guns." She stated.

"What?" I breathed.

"There are two guns in here." She pointed at the notebook. "That aren't here." She pointed to the racks and bins of guns.

"Well I-I don't know where they'd be." My voice cracked, destroying my facade.

"Come on." The woman grabbed my arm roughly taking me outside to Negan. Negan was standing on the porch of someone's house, the woman shoved me up the steps, and I quickly stood next to Rick.

"Arat, we don't do that, unless they do something to deserve it." Negan scowled at her.

"Yeah, we went through the inventory, guns in the armory, guns they had around the walls, they're short. Glock 9 and a .22 bobcat." Arat handed the notebook to Negan. He opened it up to the marked page looking over the inventory as well, then coldly looked at Rick.

"Is that true?" Negan said angrily.

"We had some people leave town. Those guns probably went with them." Rick began his excuses.

"So she sucks at her job, is that what you're saying?" Negan implied.

"No, no, I'm not saying that." Rick became nervous.

"There should be a full accounting here, right? Top to bottom, am I right?" Negan pushed for an answer from me.

"Yes, the inventory's correct." I stood up straighter looking Negan in the eye again.

"Good, but not so good too. You see what's in here isn't in there. You're two handguns short. Do you know where they are?" Negan spoke softly, I shook my head in response, Negan then looked at Rick. "That's disappointing, I thought we had an understanding. You see this, this shows that somebody is not on board, and I can't have that." Negan looked back at me, my stare unwavering. "I don't enjoy killing women." Negan scowled. "Men, I can waste them all the live long, but at the end of the day sweetheart, this was your responsibility." Negan was very close now.

"Look we can work this out." Rick cut in.

"Oh! Yes we can!" Negan turned to Rick again. "And I'm going to right now." Negan turned to me once again. "This was your job and you screwed up. Keeping track of guns, that shit is life and death." Negan said darkly. "Rick, find the guns, or she dies, you have until the end of the day. For now, we're gonna get cozy in the shade, with some lemonade." Negan smiled at me, Rick swiftly leaving.

Negan put his arm around me, leading me over to some yard furniture, in front of Spencer's house. Glasses and a pitcher of lemonade brought to us. "So while we're waiting, tell me a bit about yourself darlin'." Negan said smoothly with a smile, getting comfortable in his chair. I looked at him with little to no emotion, as I slouched back into the chair getting comfortable as well. "The silent type huh, fine." Negan shrugged, resting his foot on his knee, looking around the streets, watching his Saviors ransack our homes. Negan then let out an irritated sigh. "You know I'm gonna have to kill you if they don't find those guns, right? I don't like killing women, but if this is the only way I can get these lessons through your people's thick skulls, so be it."

Negan seemed more upset about this than I did. Of course I was afraid I would have to face the baseball bat that killed my friends, but I would be with them again. I would be leaving Daryl behind though, who I know would be hurting. I still couldn't get Daryl's broken and beaten figure out of my head, I had never seen him so low; there had to be a way I could help him, save him.

"Why're you doing this?" I looked Negan in the eye, he peeked up a little.

"To save you, all of you. Everyone now days needs saving, and that's what we do." He seemed impressed with himself.

"Why did you take Daryl?" I asked with an edge to my voice.

"Because I see something in Daryl that's Savior material. I want him to be part of this, he would be a great asset to my team." He said smoothly. "You know you are very attractive, especially looking me in the eye the way you do, I like it." He gave me a crooked smile. I remained silent, biting my tongue to keep from saying anything. "Trying to get your point across, you're strong and independent, I know the speech. You don't think I see women like you everyday?" I clenched my jaw in frustration. "Hell I have women like you in my community, the only difference between you and them, is the eye contact, and the way you carry yourself, darlin'." I took a deep breath still staring him down, I would not let my gaze be faltered by this man.

It took hours, at least it felt that way, but finally Rick showed up. By now we were out by the truck, watching one of Negan's men harass Enid.

"What'd you got for me Rick?" Rick handed Negan a silk bag, Negan emptying the contents into his hand, holding the two missing guns. Relief washed over me, a steady breath leaving my lungs. "Well would you look at that, they were here after all. Funny how a little 'holy shit somebody's gonna die' lights a fire under everybody's ass. So tell me Rick which one of your fine folks almost cost her the rest of her day?" Negan put the guns back in the bag handing it to someone in the truck.

"Doesn't matter." Rick said quietly.

"Oh it does matter, you need to get everybody on board, everybody, or... we just go right back to square one." Negan stated.

A savior closed up the truck, and they all loaded up, all but two of the trucks drove out of Alexandria. I took a while to collect myself, trying to get control of my breathing, and my thoughts, before heading toward the gate. About halfway there, I noticed Michonne had returned, with a deer on her back and a rifle in her hand, I quickly hurried over. "You sir... are special." Negan grinned at Rick. I took the rifle from Michonne handing it to Negan, he handed the rifle to one of his men.

"Now that you know we can follow your rules..." Rick began.

"Yes." Negan sang.

"I'd like to ask you if Daryl can stay?" Rick asked. I immediately looked at Daryl who was standing alone.

"Not happening." Negan answered quickly. Rick quickly biting his tongue, stopping whatever he was about to say. "You know what, I don't know? Maybe Daryl can plead his case, maybe Daryl can sway me." Negan looked at Daryl, who wouldn't look anywhere but the ground. "Daryl?" Daryl almost seemed to flinch realizing all attention was on him, but he remained silent, turning his head away. Negan laughed in delight. "Well you tried."

I couldn't believe Daryl didn't say anything, I was hurt that he wouldn't say anything to stay here, what was he doing? What was it that made him not even want to stay here anymore? "Now what you got to do, is get over that tall wall of yours and try harder out there. Earn for me... because we're coming back soon, and when we do, you better have something interesting for us, or Lucille she's gonna have her way." Negan leaned toward Rick. "I want you to hear that again, if you don't have something interesting for us, somebody's gonna die, and no more magic guns." Negan smiled. "Arat, grab the deer. It's getting late." Negan called back.

Michonne dropped the deer with a sneer on her face, slowly stomping away in irritation. Rick took a few steps after her, until Negan's voice stopped him again. "Man, I love a gal that buys me dinner and doesn't expect me to put out." Negan laughed.

I watched Dwight make his exchange with Rosita for Daryl's motorcycle, that I couldn't hear. Dwight climbed onto the bike loudly revving it up, driving it over to Daryl.

"You can have it back, just say the word." Dwight spoke to Daryl, who didn't move or say anything. Dwight shook his head then drove off, leaving our community. I realized Dwight was wearing Daryl's vest, anger building in my chest. I was also upset for Daryl, he just got his bike back, and Dwight was rubbing it in his face.

"So nobody died." Negan said in a cocky manner. "And you know what I think, I think you and I, we've refined our understanding. Let me ask you something Rick, you want me to go?" Negan approached him.

"I think that'd be good." Rick said shaken, his rage on the edge of spilling over.

"Then you just say those two magical words." Negan said softly. Rick shifted his weight from foot to foot, biting the inside of his cheek, leaning closer to Negan.

"Thank you." Rick said roughly. Negan laughing.

"Don't be ridiculous." Negan nudged Rick playfully. "Thank you." Then a Walker started stumbling it's way toward us. "Would you look at that, you need our help." Negan said smugly. "Davey hand me that candlestick over there." The savior handed Negan the large candlestick quickly as requested. "You know what I think Rick? I think we're both gonna come out of this winners." Negan started backing away, toward the walker. "Watch my form!"

Once Negan turned away I could see the wheels in Rick's head turning, as he began to grip Negan's bat tightly. I rushed over swiftly getting to Rick's side, I grabbed his arm. Instantly Rick's grip loosened and he was back to reality, just as Negan got done with the stray walker. Negan sighed heavily with satisfaction looking back at Rick and I. "Yup, win-win. You should clean that up for next time." He said smugly. Negan's eyes fell on me once again. "You know, I ain't totally satisfied with our haul." Everyone looking at Negan in shock. What did he mean, they already took almost everything! "Sweetheart, how would you like to come back with me?" He sucked his teeth looking me up and down. I kept eye contact once again standing tall, not letting this monster get the best of me. Rick looked at me, emotionally spent, this would take its toll I could tell.

"Wait, no-" Rick cut in.

"Excuse me?" Negan glared at Rick, anger in his voice. "I said I am not satisfied, I will take what I want until I am satisfied." Negan lectured. "Now come along sweetheart." Negan held his arm out to me, I didn't falter as I let him take me into his side. "Let's move out!" Negan guided me over to what I assume used to be a delivery truck, directing me to sit in back. "Oh wait." Negan chuckled, dropping his head back for a second. "How careless of me. You didn't think I was gonna leave Lucille, did ya? I mean after what she did, why would you want her? Thank you for being so accommodating, friend." Negan slowly reached over for Lucille, Rick passing it to Negan.

Rick still had that blank look on his face, with sheet of sweat on his forehead. Negan leaned over to Rick, whispering something into his ear with a smile on his face, Rick not even flinching. The truck started up, jerking back as it started to move. The door was wide open on the truck, I looked out at my home and friends that I was going to miss.

The closer we came to the Sanctuary, my mind raced faster and faster I knew decisions would have to be made. Whether they hurt people or not, my feelings didn't matter here; as long as I got Daryl and I out of here, or just Daryl, and anyone else that wants to come along. I knew if I did what Negan wanted I may not be the same person when I leave here, but if it meant helping and saving my friend, I would do it. I also knew that Negan used actions and consequences to get what he wanted, so if I didn't comply, he may very well use Daryl and our friends back home against me.