-Chapter Two-

-The Other Side-

All Daryl could see was darkness as a sackcloth had been roughly placed over his head.

"Where am I going, Dwight?"

"You keep your mouth shut!" Dwight said and jabbed him the back with the butt of the rifle.

He was walking and the sound of the engine had been turned off.

"I need to know where I'm going, Dwight. Tell me."

Dwight scowled at Daryl.

"Do you ever shut up, Daryl?

"All I want to know where I'm going, Dwight."

Dwight kicked Daryl to the ground.

"I think he's had enough, Dwight. I don't want this to turn into a kicking match."

Daryl heard Negan's voice over everything else.

"We're here."

The sack of cloth was lifted from Daryl's head and he saw a metal gate in front of him.

"Where am I?"

Negan stepped in front of him, holding Lucille by his side.

"Home sweet home, Daryl. I mean, look at it. Isn't she fucking beautiful, isn't she? God! Inhale that shit. That's what freedom and zombie flesh smells like."

Daryl flinched when Negan raised Lucille.

"You're so jumpy, Daryl. God. Lighten up, Buddy. I'm done with Lucille for another couple of days.

"What's this place called?"

Negan whistled.

"Sanctuary."

Daryl flinched again

"I'm not going to hit you, Daryl. I need someone like you here. That's the first time that someone ever took a swing at me, for a couple of months, last person to take a swing at me."

Negan was laughing.

"What did you do to him?"

He playfully bashed his against Lucille.

"Knocked him into the ground."

"Dead?"

"Dead. His poor mother couldn't even recognise his face. He fucked with me and I had to fuck him back, twice as hard.

"You're a monster."

"No. I'm realistic. You're going to have to learn to realise that the whole world has changed, Daryl. We aren't going to just sit back and let Rick take stuff from us."

"We could have made a deal with you. We could have worked together."

"Why would I want to work with Rick? He stole from me. I already had a deal, and Rick broke it. God, he's only been on the scene, for what, like five minutes. And everything fucking changed, Daryl. I honestly, I wish that we could go back to what life was like before, having tv dinners in front of the television, with my family."

He held his hand over his chest.

"But I don't want to. This is my life now."

"Where I am going now?" Daryl asked and coughed loudly. The cold air rattled his chest.

"Put the bag over his head, Dwight. Bring him through. Open the fucking gate.

Dwight quickly put the sack of cloth over Daryl's head. The air now smelt of sweet potatoes again.

He was dragged to his feet and then pushed forward by Dwight. Daryl was walked through the gate and he did not know what was going to happen next. His breathing did not match with anything that he had done before. His knees were weak and his body was numb.

A door opened

"In here, mind the step, Daryl," Dwight said and Daryl

His hands were reaching out in front of him.

The smell of leather and engine fuel hit him.

"Turn left."

Daryl turned left down the corridor.

Dwight was whistling and then stopped in front of an iron gate.

"Let me open the door, Daryl. Don't move. Or, I'll take your legs off. Understand?

"Yes."

The cloth rose with Daryl's breaths. Daryl heard a pair of keys jingling loudly, and then the iron gate slowly opened with a creek, as if it was protesting.

"I can't see."

The cloth was yanked from his head and Daryl was now staring into a small dark jail cell.

"No. Not in here."

Daryl held onto the sides of the wall.

"Let me go."

"Let go of the walls, Daryl."

Dwight fired against the wall, barely missing Daryl.

"Now!"

Daryl let go off the wall and was pushed into the jail. The four walls felt as if they were suffocating.

Dwight was whistling.

"I'm going to kill you, Dwight."

Dwight smiled as he closed the gate and locked.

"With what?" Dwight said and a smile stretched across his face, before quickly disappearing.

Daryl was plunged into darkness.

"Help me! Let me out of here."

An hour had passed, when he heard the soft footsteps echoing down the hall.

"You've got to get me out here," he said and poked his hand through the gap between the bars.

"Why should I help you?" she asked as she was nearing the jail cell.

He heard the voice.

"Beth?"

"Daryl?"

"What are you doing here, Beth?"

"I could ask you the same thing. I am here because Negan saved me."

"Saved you"? Daryl asked.

"You look like shit, Daryl," she said with a smile.

"You don't know, do you, Beth?"

"Know what?"

"He killed him, Beth. He killed him."

"Killed who, Daryl?" Beth said and she could see the tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Carl."

"No. He wouldn't do a thing like that. Not Carl, Daryl. Negan's a good guy."

He saw the blank look on her face.

"A good guy, Beth, sweetheart?" it was the first time that he had called her sweetheart for a couple of months.

"I don't believe you, Daryl."

"Get me out of here."

"I can't."

"I live here now."

"I need to get back to Rick."

"I've been living here for the last couple of months, Daryl. This is my home."

"You belong with Maggie and Glenn. She doesn't even know that you're alive or dead."

His voice broke and Beth became tense.

Beth walked forward and pressed herself against the iron bars.

"I'll talk to Negan."

"You will?"

"I'll see if I can get you released."

"Be careful, Beth. He's dangerous."

"No, he's not, Daryl.

Daryl had not seen Beth look so distant and blank.

"I'll be back."

She walked away from him.

Negan was sat behind his desk with the music playing softly in the background. He looked up to the door of his office as someone knocked quickly and furiously.

"Come in."

Lucille was lying across the table.

Beth opened the door

"Ah, Bethany. You look good today."

"Thank you! I found this summer's dress in the laundry room."

"I would keep wearing it, if I were you."

He took a drink from his glass.

"Drink?"

Beth shook her head.

"What can I do for you, Beth?"

"You killed him, didn't you, Negan?"

"Who?"

"Rick's kid?"

"You heard? Been speaking to our guest?"

"He was my friend."

"Your friend?"

"Carl.

"Yes.

"Why?"

"I needed to show that prick a lesson."

"Who?"

"Rick."

"Why would you need to show a lesson to Rick, Negan?"

"He stole from me. He stole from my family and I don't like. You know the medicine that we needed to save the baby, Rick caused that. He's the reason that the baby died.

"Yes."

"Rick's not a good guy, Beth. You've had your doubt. I can't believe that I've had one of Rick's team in my home all this time."

"I.."

"I know that you spent so time with him, but, Rick's bad news, Beth. I really hate doing this. I do. But, you need to realise that Rick is and always been bad news. What's happened since he's coming into your life?"

She remembered everything.

"I've lost everyone."

"Hmm," Negan said and stroked his beard. "If he didn't come into your life, you would have been still eating supper with your family and you wouldn't be here. Rick came into your life, and changed everything. Who died? Your family and friends? I bet you had a nice life, dinner at seven, bed by ten, waking up to the sunshine every day. God! I bet you would miss a day like that. I remember those days."

"You killed him. He never did anything to you."

Negan was smiling.

"Like I care. I saved you. I gave you a home where nobody else was going to do. I fed you, clothed, hell, I even looked after you. Where were they?"

"They didn't know where I was."

"They could have found out. If my friend had gone, I would do anything to get them back. They were your family and they left you."

"You would?"

"I would. Wouldn't you?"

"Is my sister still alive?"

Negan raised an eyebrow.

"Your sister?

"I forget you had a sister."

"Maggie?"

"Yes. She's alive. Pregnant as well."

"Pregnant. I have to go and see them."

"You're not going anyway, Beth."

"Why not? They're my friends. I need to let my sister know that they're safe."

"You need to stay here. You owe me everything."

"I'm thankful. I really am."

"You help me. I help you. You need to pay off your debt."

"Did you hurt her,

"Who?"

"Maggie."

"Why would I hurt her, Beth? She's pregnant."

"You must have been so close to her. I remember you talking about a sister and your father. I never knew my father, Beth, so I can't really say."

"What happened?"

"He left."

"Left?"

"Went out for a pack of smokes and never came back. Mom died when I was sixteen, and then I was left at my Grandmother's. Went to college, and then I became a high school gym teacher. Met my wife, she died, and now I'm here."

"Carl?"

"Beth. I'm sorry. I didn't know Carl was your friend. I didn't know how much you cared about him. If I did, I honestly would not have done it.

"You would have?" Beth asked through her tears.

"Of course," he said and kissed her on the forehead. "Rick's been hurting my people. Your family. They killed your friends and mine."

"I know."

"I just want the fighting to stop, Negan."

"I do as well. But it's not going to stop until Rick stops. How many times as he started fighting, Beth."

"A few."

"I still can't believe that you haven't told me about him,

"It never came up. I didn't know that was who was stealing our stuff."

"It was. He fucked up. I own him. I'll let you go when I'm done with Rick."

"Will you kill him, Negan? Please! Don't!"

"No. If he tries to kill me, I'll have to respond, but I don't think he will, after what I did to Carl.

Beth flinched.

"Sorry. Bad habits."

She remembered his face.

"I'll see you at dinner, Negan."

"See you, Beth."

Beth walked out of the room.

Beth was folding clothes in the laundry room.

"Are you okay, Beth?"

Beth was crying when Mark came from behind her,

"No."

"What's a matter? I heard that you've been to see Negan.

She turned around to face him.

"I'm glad that I've got you," she said and her lips captured his. "My sister is still alive."

"She is?"

"Where is she?"

"She's…

"What is it?"

"She's pregnant and Negan killed my best friend."

"Carl."

Mark had fallen silent.

"You were there, weren't you, Mark?" Beth asked and Mark would not answer her. "Tell me now, Mark, or you can leave this room.

"Yes, I was there."

"What did Negan do?"

"It was random."

"What was, Mark?"

"He used a nursery rhyme to pick out the person, it just happened to land on him."

Mark looked as if he was going to be sick.

"I've never seen anything like that it, Beth. God. He died. Rick was sobbing and so were the others.

"His name is Carl."

Beth pulled away from Mark and crossed her arms over her chest.

"He had a name."

"We are not the bad guys, Beth. You don't know what Rick has done, do you? He burnt an outpost to the ground, with people inside of it."

Beth nervously licked her lips and did not flinch when Mark held her face in his hands.

"Or the about the fact that he left you."

"That's what Negan said as well."

"Negan's a smart guy, Beth. He's been looking after us for a long time, and when we could have been lost in the woods. Do you still want to be out there, with all those zombies and crazy people? We're safer in here, okay, baby?"

Beth nodded.

"I'm sorry that I shouted at you, honey," Beth said and she kissed Mark and he pushed her against the washing machine. His hands roaming all over her body.

She was protesting in his mouth.

He pulled away from as she leaned against the washing machine. The noise of the washing machine rattled loudly.

She wanted to push him away when she was overcome with the emotions.

Mark kissed her again and his fingers were softly playing with the zip of her jeans.

Her zip made a loud noise.

"Baby," she whispered.

He looked into her face.

"What?"

"I'm on my period."

"Really?" he said and Bethany slid off from the washing machine.

"I'm really sorry, Mark, but I don't feel that great."

He kissed her forehead.

"We can wait until it's gone."

She brushed herself off.

"I'd like some chocolate and ice cream, Mark."

"You got that."

"Thank you!"

"Bethany?"

"Yes, Mark.

"I was wondering if we could move in together."

Beth was taken aback.

"I..."

"I know it's a big decision, but we could move in together, free up some space."

"Can I think about it, Mark."

"Yes."

She kissed him on the forehead.

"I'll see you at dinner."

She grabbed the basket of laundry and then disappeared.

Beth stepped out of the shower and left the bathroom. She turned around and Negan was standing in front of her.

"Negan? You scared me," she said and held a hand to her chest.

"Sorry. The door was open. Is it a bad time?"

"Close your eyes, Negan. No peeking."

Negan closed his eyes.

She quickly got dressed.

"Thank you for the clothes, Negan."

"I like people to have clean clothes."

"How was the dinner, Beth?" Negan asked.

"Nice?"

Beth felt that she was tired.

"What did you want, Negan?"

"I want to ask you about them."

"Who?"

"Rick."

"Why?"

"I want to know what kind of person

"I think he's a good man, but..."

"But what?"

"He did leave me, didn't he?"

"Yes. You're right, Beth. He left you and I found you."

His eyes were on her face.

"I gave you a place to stay. Give you food and clothes, but, I'm all asking is for you to work for me. Your sister could live here. We could live under one big roof."

"What about the other girls?"

"Who?"

"Sherry and Amber," she explained.

"That's different. They want to do it and you don't, I'm not going to force you to do anything."

"But you killed my friend."

"Beth?" Negan whispered.

"What?"

"I know what I did. Did you think that I want to kill a little kid?"

"No."

"You got that right, Beth. I had to make a choice. I had to prove that Rick should not have messed with me.

She felt dizzy and overwhelmed.

"Can I take a break?"

"A break?"

"From my cooking and cleaning duties. I think I need some time off. My friend just died.

"Yes. You can get a week off."

Beth smiled at him.

"Thank you so much."

"Enjoy your night."

Negan walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Negan rattled Lucille against the jail cell and Daryl shot up.

"Rise and shine, Daryl."

"What do you want with me, Negan?"

"I'm going to break you, Daryl.

"You're not going to break me, Negan."

"What's your name?"

"Daryl."

Negan shook his head.

"It'll look like it's going to take a while to break you, Daryl.

He saw something in his eyes.

"I know how to break you, Daryl."

"What?"

"Beth Greene."

"You leave her alone!"

"Oh, you've got a soft spot for her? I don't blame you. She's beautiful and a good cook. Why did you leave her?"

Negan smiled when Daryl protested loudly.

"I didn't leave her. We were…"

"Oh, but you left her, and then she was nearly kidnapped, you know? She barely escaped, and then I found. She was close to death when I found her. Without me, Maggie would have been looking to buying another one of her family members. Almost no family left. She was lonely and scared. Dying and cold. I gave her food, medicine and then guess what happened, Daryl? Rick came and stole everything. Such a bitch, isn't he? Beth, she's been great, she's been looking after the kids and helping us cook. I don't know what I would have done without her."

"Just let me and her go."

"Can't do that, Daryl. Sorry. But, you both stay here. Until I'm done with you.

Daryl was shaking in his jail cell as the music played softly.

"Have you touched her, Negan?"

Negan snorted.

"What kind of man do you think I am, Daryl?"

"Who do I think you are? I think you're a sick monster that goes around beating kids to death."

"Carl was just another casualty of this war. You realise that we're at war, don't you, Daryl?"

Daryl had a blank look on his face.

"War?"

"Yes. The Saviours are now at war with your friends, Daryl. Who you're going to join? Me or the other people?"

"Why would I join you, Negan?"

"Do you not to be on the winning side, Daryl?"

"I'd rather be with my friends."

"Fair enough. I'll break you sooner or later. Breakfast's in an hour, shower's two, exercise is that for three hours. Get some fresh air. Meet some new faces.

Negan walked away, banging Lucille against the wall as he disappeared.