Playing For Brains

The sound of trucks filled the air as Spencer reached for the binoculars hung lazily around his neck. He noticed a convey of five vehicles heading this way. He slowly climbed down the ladders of the lockout podium, reading the gate as the sound of metal clanging rang out. As he pulled the screen back, he took in the tall man that had a huge grin plastered to his face.

"Little pig, little pig let me in" the man sing songed in a chirpy voice.

Spencer looked on in confusion, taking in the other trucks behind this new man.

"Who are you?" Spencer asked.

"You have got to me joking me. Negan- Lucille. I know they told you about me" Negan replied annoyed.

"Let him in" Ricked shouted out of breath from running.

Spencer looked at the man behind him before turning back to the gate and opening it in annoyance.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Mr not today not tomorrow. I am here for the grand tour" Negan grinned as Rick tensed.

As Negan made his way into the community the multitude of vans began to fill the community, releasing the gang of men and women inside.

The residents of Alexandria cautiously ventured to see the commotion that was growing near the entrance as the main group noticed some familiar faces, including one they new well. Daryl.

"Hey, are you good?"

Negan pushed out Lucille, pressing it to Rick's chest.

"You don't talk to him. He is my property now and he is not to be spoken to on any terms"

Rick made eye contact with Daryl, noticing the black eye and wondering what his friend had endured the past week.

"Now you are probably wondering what happened to your other friend. Arlie" Negan started in a loud voice, gaining the attention of the Alexandrian's.

"See your friend has gotten with the cause and has decided that she will not be moving back to the suburbs. She has taken one for the team to look out for the ones that she cares about, particularly Daryl here. We made a special deal and she has decided to become one of my wives. She doesn't need to worry about the world out here anymore but she did mention a special someone that she was going to miss. So do we have the lovely caring Beth here?"

The blonde looked at the man in shock of hearing her name come out of his mouth, let alone that her friend had asked about her. She stepped forward, but Rick held his hand out keeping her away from the guy in front of them.

Negan whistled.

"Damn, she has good taste. A little young for my liking but I can see why she likes you. You see she really wanted to come and see you but I couldn't let her come out given the level of protection she is now to receive as my wife, but I can ask you if you would like to come and see her. She said I shouldn't and that your sister most definitely wouldn't let you but looking at you, you are a big girl so I gotta ask. Would you like to move to the city to live with your friend?"

Beth was shocked unable to reply. She couldn't believe that Arlie had mentioned her specifically, or that she had chosen not to come back here. She wondered the reason why. Then her thoughts went to her sister at Hilltop that she had to leave behind in case of a situation such as this. She wondered when she would next be able to see her sister, and knew that there was no way she would let her sister lose someone else to Negan and his men.

"She isn't going anywhere with you" Rick scowled, refusing to let this man take any more members of his group.

"We want to see Arlie. To make sure she is okay" he added.

"Hey Daryl. Can you tell these lovely people that your friend is fine. That Arlie is okay and was given the option to do what she wanted to do"

Daryl just nodded his head slightly, not taking his eyes of the floor.

"I gave her the option, to become a worker for me like Daryl here, to be my wife or to come back here to you lovely folk. Arlie chose to stay and become my wife, keep an eye on your boy here. See despite her telling me these two are just friends, she is sure willing to give a lot up to keep this guy safe" Negan chuckled.

Rick looked at Daryl once more before turning to Beth to let her know she wasn't going anywhere. Arlie had made her decision and they had to deal with that.

"Anyway, why don't we see what you have in this place. Arlie has told me so much about this place but it is even better to explore it in person. No wonder she wanted to come back, look at these cute little houses" Negan walked past Rick, pushing Lucille into his hands and headed towards the houses where a small group of residents had congregated.

Rick led the way throughout the community to offer Negan a tour, while his men tore through their belongings, loading anything of interest into the vans. The tour ended at the armoury where the saviours were loading every single gun that the community owned into the van.

"You see this? This makes me realise just how many guns you have, some of these are ours right? From the satellite station. Well this is the kind of thing that just tickles my balls. A little cooperation and everything is pleasant as punch. We really are reasonable people" Negan motioned to Olivia who was showing the men where each weapon was that correlated to her inventory, her whole body a mess of anxiety. Rick steadied her hand that held a shaking book, handing it to Beth who was surprisingly calm with the situation.

As they finished loading the truck and it headed to the gate so did Negan with Rick slowly plodding behind.

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

"YES" Negan turned looking at the man in front of him.

"I would like to ask you if Daryl can stay" he asked, doubtful of himself.

"Not happening" he paused "you know what? I don't know. Maybe Daryl can plead his case. Maybe Daryl can sway me. Daryl?" he turned to the redneck, staring him down for an answer.

Daryl stood looking at the ground, not making a sound.

"Well, you tried. 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. I want you to hear that again. If you don't have something interesting for us... somebody's gonna die. And no magic guns. It's getting late. Let's go home."

"I think you and I, we've redefined our understanding. Let me ask you something, Rick. Do you want me to go?"

"I think that'll be good"

"Then just say those two magical words"

"Thank you"

"Let's move out! Oh wait. How careless of me. You 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 slapped Rick on the back before walking towards the front of the truck.

"In case you haven't caught on... I just slipped my dick down your throat and you thanked me for it"

"And Rick, maybe next time I can bring my wife to come visit. Let her see her friend for a catch up. Anyway duty calls. Maybe I will even have time to screw one of my wives today. Maybe one you know" Negan winked at Rick a disgusted look crossing his face as Daryl visible cringed from where he was sat.

As the truck pulled away Rick breathed a sigh of relief, but knew that this was only just the beginning. He had no idea where to go from here.