Chapter 2
"What comes After"
"Open the gates Kal." Jesus was preparing to leave the Hilltop.
"Going on another run?"
"Yea, now hurry I gotta head out."
Kal opened up the Hilltop's gates to let Jesus out. But as he watched Jesus leave, he couldn't help but feel like there was something suspicious going on with him. Ever since Rick and his group came to the Hilltop after Negan had killed Abraham, Jesus has seemed like he's got alternate missions in mind.
"What's up with Jesus?" Asked the other guard at the gate.
Kal turned to him, "Not sure. But he might be getting into trouble. I heard the Saviors got to that guy Rick's group. He might be worried about them since they're his new friends."
Back at Alexandria Negan and his men are finally let inside to have their tour and share of supplies.
Negan came strolling in through the gates, "Now you see that, that is some damn fine service! We were actually about to be turned down at your gate. I mean, who is that asshole anyway? But did I get mad? Did I beat his brains in? No! Instead, we take out the dead ones coming at your gate! Just like that! Now that is some fine service! I recommend you all learn from that."
Negan looked to Rick with a big grin as Rick just stared at the ground, "Hold this," he passed Rick Lucille.
"Now look at this place! You all are living in houses like Kings! How many people you got here?"
"Forty nine—I mean forty eight…" Rick replied
"And I'll bet you got about twenty houses here. Yep, you'll have lots to offer up."
Rick stared down at Lucille as he was holding it in his hands. The very weapon that beat Abraham to death, and who knows how many others.
"Well Rick? How about you show us around!"
"What would you like to see first?"
Negan leaned in to talk to Rick, "My men are gonna search the houses a bit, speed up the process. And while we're at it, just wanna let you know we won't be taking any of your food for now. It's slim pickens in there. And I can't be the only one to notice you got the fat lady in charge of the rations can I? Regardless if you all starve to death, I get nothing. So your food stays with you… for now."
"What you you expect me to say?"
"How about a Thank You! Listen Prick, I know we didn't get off on the right foot. But I didn't want to kill your red headed friend, you forced my hand. I can be reasonable too if you just cooperate."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
Negan started to walk away from Rick when suddenly his interest was caught by a brave voice.
"You should all go home… before you learn just how dangerous we all are.
Negan turned his head to find Carl standing up straight with his hand on the handle the gun in his holster.
Negan chuckled, "Pardon me young man, but did you just threaten me? I mean it sounded like it, but I like to be real sure when it comes to these things."
Rick quickly turned back to find Carl talking to Negan, "Carl? Go back to the house!"
"Um Rick I'm in the middle of a conversation right now. Please don't be so rude. Now kid… where were we? Oh yea, your giant man sized balls. What was is you were saying again?"
Carl gave up on his threat and just continued to stare into Negan's eyes. Not letting any ray of fear or defeat show.
"Heh- that's what I thought. Now why don't you listen to your dad and go home,"
The Saviors started to collect what they found good enough to take and started to load up their trucks. Michonne walked out of the house and stood next to Rick as they both watched it all unfold.
"I don't like this," Michonne stated.
"I can see that but none of us do we're just gonna have to—"
Aaron came running towards them, "Rick! C'mon you gotta hurry!"
"It's Olivia! She's not giving up some of the supplies! She's gonna get herself killed!"
Back at the infirmary Olivia was trying to stop one of the Saviors from taking too much medication by holding him at gunpoint.
"You said half damnit! Give it back!"
Negan heard the commotion and walked into the scene, "Ma'am Please don't misunderstand my associate, if you count again, you can clearly see that half of your medication still remains."
"Go ahead and take cold medicine, aspirin! But anything serious—please just leave it! The morphine! The OxyContin! We need that, and he's taking it all!" Olivia shouted.
"The fact is that he took less than half of your medication so we're all good here." Negan replied.
Rick barged into the room, "Olivia put the gun down!"
"Rick we need this stuff! We don't even have a doctor anymore, if anything serious happens like what happens to Carl…"
Rick knew they needed it, the last thing he wanted was for Negan to take everything they so desperately need, "Negan listen, all of these meds, they're important and—"
"Let me just stop you right there Rick. These walls are all the medicine you need. A deal's a deal, we're taking half. Unless you'd like my men to pass and go shop through your food supply instead."
"No. It's fine. Just take it," Rick was disappointed in himself, he'd never felt so powerless.
"Alright well I guess we're done here. Thank you all for your time." Negan began walking out the door but as he was about to leave he stopped and turned around to face Rick still holding Lucille.
"Oh wait! I almost forgot, couldn't leave Lucille with you! And after what she's done, why would you want her anyways right?" Negan took Lucille from Rick.
He leaned in closer to Rick, "In case you haven't caught on, I just slid my dick down your throat. And you thanked my for it."
Negan and his men walked outside the gates to load up in there trucks. Rick, Aaron and Eugene followed behind them to close the gates and make sure they've all left.
"Where's Daryl?" Eugene asked
"Didn't want to be here when the Saviors came, he left early this morning to go on a supply run," Aaron replied.
Olivia came bolting out of the infirmary, heading towards Rick. Many other Alexandrians came out as well.
"Rick! What are you going to do about this? They can't just keep taking all our stuff like that! Everything we've worked so long and hard for!" Olivia was furious.
"Yea what the hell are we going to do Rick? What are you doing?" Tobin added.
"Let me just put this clearly! I'm not in charge anymore… Negan is!"
Everyone just stood in shock. They were all quiet. Staring at the man they once knew to be their leader, the best one they could ask for. But now, all they see is a man in fear for all their lives.
Rick looked around at all of them, "This is how we survive now! Under his rules! And if you don't want to do that, then fine! I'll open this gate up and you could hit the road! See how far you get!"
Spencer stepped up to Rick, "Rick calm down. You don't—"
"This is serious! I'm not letting anyone else fly off the handle getting us all killed! If any of you don't see eye to eye with me, tell me right now and I'll open this gate! Anyone?!"
No one said a word. They all just stared at Rick, "That's what I thought… now we need a new stock inventory. We have to be more supplied for the next time they come so there's a lot of work to get done around here… get to it."
