Dakota sat in shock as her group drove back in the truck that they had parked as an emergency round the corner. No body had said a word but there was a tension in the truck that felt heavy , it was like she could feel it pressing into her making her feel more cramped in this truck. She could hear Maggie's Shakey whimpers and closed her eyes in guilt. She had so much guilt.

She remembered the week before the outbreak, She was in her dorm room Studying when she heard her FaceTime ringtone, she smiled and reached out and pressed Answer,

She pulled the phone away from her and smiled when her dad came on,

"Hey Doll, you busy?"

"Nope just studying , are you at work?"

"Yeah but there doing Laps so it's all good. Anyway are you coming down for spring break? Feel like I haven't seen you much?"

She smiled and said,

"Yeah I'll get the train on Friday and I'll stay the week. I have packed bits already. I miss you when I don't see you"

Her dad chuckled and said,

"You too Doll! Right I better put these guys through the Ringer. Be safe , are you sure you don't want me to drive and pick you up?"

She shook her head and said,

"Nope I'll be fine , it's only three hours. Just make sure you have Pizza ready"

Her dad chuckled,

"Ok love you"

"Love you to dad , bye"

That was the last time she had spoken to her dad. The day the outbreak happened neither of them could get through to each other on the phone as the Internet was Down and Lines were to busy to contact people.

She couldn't believe that her dad was this 'Negan' everybody had been so scared of! Dakota has always known her dad had never been Perfect, she was aware of the constant cheating he had done behind her mums back, but he was always good to Dakota. They were best friends in many ways. That's why she couldn't understand what has happened? She had changed from her old life, she wouldn't have even considered taking a human life when now unfortunately its Necessary at times but even though she couldn't see it and she didn't know who it was at the time , she had heard every thing and it sounded like her dad Enjoyed killing her friends. Dakota shuddered at the memory.

She couldn't believe Glenn and Abe were gone. They had lost so many people but loosing Glenn had cut her deep. They had been through the whole apocalypse together. She was very fond of Abe, he was a good person and she was devastated he was gone.

The car came to a stop and Dakota realised they were inside the safe walls of Alexandria, she got out and walked numbly into her house which was shared with Tara. She saw everybody rush to Rick and the others and she knew Rick was telling them about The deaths and the new threat – Dakotas Dad.

She knew every one would most likely disown her , they would probably think she was on his side , a double agent if you will.

She walked in the house, relieved to see it empty and walked into her room and laid on her bed. Her chest hurt and her arms hurt. She couldn't hold it in anymore and let her tears flow. She cried for Glenn and Abes Death, she cried for her mum who wasn't here anymore and she cried about her dad.

After about 30 minutes, she heard a sharp knock at the door. She wiped her face and took a breath in to prepare for what they would say. She hesitated at the door before opening it to see Rick, he looks haggard and about 15 years older at that moment. He was rubbing his beard and said,

"Can I come in?"

She nodded and moved to the side letting him in, she sat on the bed and watched him while he figured out what to say to her.

"Negan is you Father?" He said bluntly.

Dakota nodded and looked away ashamed.

She stood up and said,

"Look Rick you have to believe me I honestly never knew that he would turn out to be my dad, I mean I knew they had the same name but I didn't think it could even be a possibility. I haven't seen him since before the outbreak happened. He was a fucking gym coach and a widow for fucks sake! I don't know what has happened to him but he is not my Father anymore!"

Rick looked at her wearily,

" I do believe you. I have known you since the beginning, to be honest your like a daughter to me and I know you wouldn't lie to us. I just don't know to do. I was meant to protect them and I didn't. That man Terrified me . Not because he himself scared me but the fact that he can hurt my group, my family and I can't do a damn thing about it! I don't know how our group will get over This Loss."

"I'm so sorry" she whispered crying.

Rick shook his head and walked towards her wrapping his arms around her,

"It's not your fault. We will deal with him. Our community will survive. We just need our strength back"

Thy pulled away and Dakota said,

"Maggie,Rosita?"

Rick took a deep breath in and rubbed a hand over his growing beard,

"Not good. Maggie is laying down and well Someone is trying to calm Rosita down, she's out for blood"

"Mine or Dads , I mean Negans"

Rick put his hand on her should reassuringly and said,

"I will explain to the group ok, don't worry they will understand"

Dakota nodded greatfully and said back down in her bed when Rick left. She didn't know who her dad was know and for the first time was genuinely scared of him.