I wanted the road to be quiet. Negan did not. I had to sit in his car in the backseat, and he kept looking at me in the mirror with his vicious smile.

- So, tell me sweetheart, what did you do before the world went to shit?

I thought for a moment, before looked him in the eye and said:

- Does it really matter anymore?

- Oh it fucking does matter. I need to know if you're capable of something more valuable than just looking pretty with your sad eyes. -he laughed. I hated that he laughed at me.

- I worked for the government. - I said simply, still not wanting to reveal him anything about me. Maybe I could lie. I'm good at lying. - back office and stuff like that.

- You fucking kidding, right? I could've sworn you were more interesting than that. It's a shame. A fucking shame. - he winked at me. - Don't worry, darling, we'll find something for you to do.

I was locked into a room. It was quite a nice room. After searching the whole place for something to use as a weapon just in case, and finding absolutely nothing, I sat quietly in an armchair. All I heard was the clock ticking away my time. And then someone's footsteps. The door flew open. Negan. Of course.

- And now, we chat. – Negan said as he walked in with the baseball bat in his hand. He sat down on the bed which was just in front of me. Close but not too close. – Ah…don't look at me like that. I'm not gonna kill ya or anything. I'm not as bad as you and your people think I am.

- So…Why am I here? – I asked casually, and to be honest I really wanted to know why I was there. I had an idea, but I hoped it was not the case. – If you just want me to have sex with you, you'll have to rape me because I won't give in.

- Rape you? Nah…I don't do the rape thing, darling. And you'll give in. – Again that smug face and a wink. – But, I want to teach those fuckers back in your camp a lesson. And of course, I need you if I want to break that Daryl guy.

- Why would you need me for that?

- Did you know he speaks in his dreams? Oh yeah...Grace. He was so fucking annoyed when Dwight mentioned your name in front of me. - Negan spoke with such enjoyment about others' suffering that I felt sick.

I couldn't let him win. I wanted to live, to see Daryl, to go back to Alexandria, but I also wanted to make Negan suffer. To get under his skin, to make him believe that I'm under his spell and then kill him with his own fucking Lucille.

- So I'm your bait? – I asked without showing any emotion regarding his previous comments.

- For now, yes.

- Are you going to let me out or this room is my own prison cell?

- I fucking like you, you know. Others would just freak the fuck out. And here you are asking real questions. I fucking like that. – he stood up, and came closer to me. – It's up to you darling. You choose right and you can be the queen of this place. Choose wrong, and you can pray for death for the rest of your life, 'cause you are gonna suffer. It's up to you.

- What if I don't want do the whole queen thing?

- Then what do you want to do darling?

I felt uncomfortable. His look was so intimidating, but I just couldn't let him see my discomfort. I needed to be ready and put all my emotions aside if I wanted to win this game. I needed to sell my soul to the devil just one more time. I took a big breath, and convinced myself that the game was on:

- Right now? A shower would be nice. – I said with my poker face on. He slowly smiled at me and laughed out loud.

- Ahaah…I'm gonna fucking love having you here! But for now, I need to keep an eye on you so one of my best men will escort you everywhere you fucking go.

I was indeed escorted. Dwight was my shadow. He never talked to me, he just showed me the place, waited for me while I took a cold shower and walked me to my "cell". It was a different room, with no furniture. The only thing inside the room was a dirty mattress and a flickering lightbulb. Great. It reminded me of the prison we used to live in. Oh god how much I missed that fucking prison.

I spent my night trying to sleep at least a few hours but Negan was dancing on the back of my brain. For a few moments he disappeared from my thoughts and I found myself thinking about Rick, Carl, Michonne…Maggie…and all the others. And Daryl. I wondered where they kept him. He looked terrible. The bruises on his face made my heart break. I just wanted to be next to him right now. Tell him that Glenn's death was not on him. I knew he was blaming himself. Maybe tomorrow I can see him. Maybe, if I'm smart, Negan will let me see him. I was willing to make any sacrifice just to make sure he was okay. And then I finally fell asleep.

I was woken up by Dwight the next day. He took me to the same room I was in yesterday. It was probably Negan's own residence. As I walked in, Negan welcomed me with his gritty smile.

- Slept well darling? I had a fucking nice dream about you and me. – he gestured Dwight to leave so it was just the two of us now. – but first, let's talk business. So tell me sweetheart, what do you want?

- I have a deal for you.