Chapter 1
"What Comes After"
It has been almost a week since the lineup with Negan. And not one person that was there had forgotten the sounds of Abraham's brutal death. Negan said he'd be back to collect Rick's offerings of half their supplies in a week. So the Alexandrians did the best they could to scavenge enough so that they would have enough for themselves too. Yet, their food supply continues to run short.
Rick woke up, went into the bathroom, and just stared at his reflection for a minute. Everything he's ever accomplished, everything he's had to do to keep his family safe, none of that mattered anymore. His people… his family… their lives are no longer theirs anymore. Everyone is under Negan, no matter what walls they hide behind, he'll always find a way to get in. And who knows what he'll do when he does, so for now, Rick knew the only way to keep his family alive, was to cooperate with him. For now.
"Hey.." Michonne walked into the bathroom, "you okay?"
"Today's the day." Rick turned to her
"I know. I know this can't be easy for you, especially you, but like I said no matter what, I'm still with you. Whether it's through hell and back, I'll always be there with you. I just don't see a way out of this without putting ourselves in danger, without losing people. But we can't just let them come in here and take whatever they want forever," Michonne said.
"I don't think there's ever going to be a time where we're safe from losing people. But there is a way out of this… there has to be. I have a plan, and letting them come in here to take our stuff is part of it, but only part of it."
"So what's the plan?"
"They're going to come in here, take out supplies, and they're going to interact with us, all of us. They have to believe we're scared, they have to believe we've surrendered."
"But we haven't."
"No… and we're not going to."
Rick leaned in and gave Michonne a kiss before he got ready to face Negan. He walked downstairs after getting dressed to find Carl ready in the living room putting a gun in his pocket.
"Carl… what are you doing?"
"They're coming right? We gotta be ready just in case they try to hurt anyone else, because I'm not letting anyone else die. Not again."
"They're not coming to kill us. Remember, he needs us to work for him and-"
"Oh so what? Now you're his bitch?! We're not going to live like this! We're not weak!"
"Hey! Watch your mouth! We're not weak, I know that, but we're not stupid either. What do you think they'll do if you shoot one of them? You think you can take 'em all out? I get why you're mad at me Carl… you think I let Abraham die. Well I didn't ask to be a leader. But I am. And for now, we're going to cooperate with whatever Negan says, but just for now. Understand?"
"Yea… whatever,"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Negan began knocking on the gates of Alexandria. He'd brought many of his men to come and inspect Alexandria along with collecting their supplies.
"Little pig! Little pig! Let me in!"
Spencer heard the knocking. He went up to the gates, surprised to see Negan and all his men.
"Um… who are you?" Spencer asked.
"You gotta be kidding me… Negan? Lucille? Oh c'mon I know I must have made a pretty strong first impression! You know what, go get Rick… he'll know what to do. In he mean time we'll tidy up here."
Negan and the Saviors started to take out the walkers that came towards the gates. Rick came while they continued to fight off the walkers. He saw how strong they were, they took them out quick and easy. After Negan killed the last walker he turned around to find Rick standing at the gate.
"Oh Rick! Hello there. Now don't you make me have to ask."
"Open it up," Rick commanded Spencer.