A/N Thanks to those who have followed, favourited and commented on this work so far.

Sorry for the delay in posting but I've had a lot of both internet connection and computer issues over the last 10 days or so, this is actually the third attempt at this chapter. It's more of a scene setting filler chapter, not the most exciting but needed for future chapters. Names of the Saviours and description of the Sanctuary are from the graphic novel and from now on some scenes are inspired by the season 7 trailer.

So possible spoilers ahead from now on.

Enjoy! - I hope

Chapter 4

Negan studied the man in standing in front of him. He was battered and bloody, clearly in pain but he stood tall and straight, head held high as he stared right back, defiance in his eyes, despite one being swollen almost shut.

He pushed the half dressed woman from his lap, telling her to return to her quarters and she left quickly, pulling her short robe closed around her near naked body and shooting Daryl a sympathetic glance as she passed him.

Daryl ignored the woman, keeping his attention on Negan as the man rose from behind his large desk and swaggered towards him. He moved with the arrogance of someone who believed he was in complete control of the situation and Daryl had to admit to himself that right now he was. He saw Negan looking him up and down, appearing satisfied at his appearance.

"Well now, look at you" Negan sneered as he circled him, taking in the bare feet and cuffed hands, the filthy ill fitting clothes.

"Looks like you're ready to start earning your keep" He stopped behind Daryl, noting his captives shoulders tense as he approached him from behind, stopping a few feet away. He reached out, grabbing a handful of Daryl's hair, forcing his head back as he leant in closer, satisfied at the shudder than ran through the man's body at the close contact.

"You get nothing for free here, as long as you're my guest you earn your keep. You get points for working and trade those points for food and lodgings. At the moment you owe me a shit load for your care over the last five days" He released his grip and shoved Daryl forward, throwing him off balance, causing him to stumble against the heavy desk.

"You owe me for the water you got, use of the bathroom and shower, the clothes on your back and the bandages on your shoulder" He stopped, rubbing at the stubble on his jaw reflectively.

"The food and pain meds the Doctor gave you will be charged at double rate being as you weren't meant to be getting them. Going to charge that damn woman as well, just to make a point " He grinned at the shocked expression Daryl tried and failed to hide.

"You think I didn't know about her midnight visits? She might be a good doctor but she sucks at being discreet. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do to her for disobeying my orders. I want to take my time and think of something special"

Daryl opened his mouth to defend the doctor, to try and take full responsibility for any punishment when Negan's fist hit him hard on the jaw.

"From now on you don't talk unless I say so" Negan was in his face, his hand gripping his chin and forcing his head up.

"You understand what I say?"

Daryl glared at him, swallowing back a harsh retort, instead lowering his eyes before mumbling a quiet, defeated reply.

"Yeah, I understand"

The punch to the ribs caught him by surprise and he doubled over, wheezing, fighting the urge to throw up.

"Did I say you could talk?" Negan yanked his head back again, grinning down at him "A nod would have done. Now try again, do you understand?"

Angry and humiliated Daryl managed a brief nod, as Negan shoved him away, the laughter of the other men loud in the small room.

Negan swept Lucille up from her place on his desk, casually swinging her over his shoulder as he opened the door.

"Bring him" he ordered as he strode away.

After being shoved down several long corridors and down two flights of stairs Daryl was pushed through a door, suddenly finding himself outside. After days of being locked up inside the bright sun felt good and he lifted his face, enjoying it's warmth on his skin. A hard shove in his back sent him stumbling forward, almost falling.

"Keep moving" A rough voice demanded, a hand gripping his arm and forcing him to walk. He glanced around, trying to take note of everything. He was in a large open area full of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Several people were unloading a truck, bringing out box after box of food and weapons. As Negan approached they all stopped what they were doing and dropped to one knee, their heads bowed in respect. Daryl noticed several men wearing clothes similar to his, all had letters painted onto their torsos and all looked broken and exhausted. Most were bruised and battered, and several flinched as Negan strode past them.

"See all that?" Negan waved Lucille in the general direction of the workers "That's the first collection from Alexandria. I went a couple of days earlier than I said, just to see if I could catch them out. I wanted to make sure they weren't planning anything but it looks like your pals came through with a good haul for us" he smiled, giving Daryl a sly look.

"You know, not one of them asked after you, it was like they just didn't care" he grinned again, not missing the brief, broken look that crossed his prisoner's face before he composed himself again.

"We need to get you working but first you gotta be labelled" Negan nodded to the men behind Daryl and before he could move a hard kick to the back of his knee made his leg buckle and he fell forward, barely getting his cuffed hands in front of him to stop himself landing face first in the dirt. He tried to regain his feet but Negan pushed Lucille between his shoulder blades, holding him in place on his hands and knees.

"Anyone say you can get up?" he asked pleasantly.

Remembering just in time not to speak Daryl shook his head mutely, biting the inside of his cheek in an attempt to hold back the anger and frustration welling up in him. He heard sniggers from several of the men in the yard and knew they were enjoying his humiliation.

A tall, balding man with an impressive moustache sauntered over, a spray can in his hand.

"This is Connor" Negan politely introduced the smirking man, as he shook the aerosol can vigorously.

"He's my second in command around here" Negan stared down at the man kneeling in front of him.

"When I'm not around, what he says goes, you get that?"

Without lifting his head Daryl nodded again, knowing the only way he was going to survive was to play along with Negan. If being submissive and obedient was what it took to get him back to his family he would do it. He would take whatever The Saviours threw at him and bide his time. At the first opportunity he would be out of there and he would do his best to make sure he destroyed Negan on the way out.

As Daryl reluctantly stayed still Connor stepped over him, placing a foot either side of his thighs.

"Don't move" the man sneered as he ran his hand over Daryl's back, smoothing the fabric of his shirt flat before painting a large upper case A onto it. He stepped back and his foot lashed out, catching Daryl in the ribs and knocking him onto his side in the dirt. At once hands reached out grabbing the cuffs and yanking his hands above his head as he was pulled onto his back and held in place. Connor stood over him, shaking the can once more before leaning down and spraying a second A onto his chest.

"You can kid yourself it's A for Alexandria but we all know it's actually for Asshole don't we?" Connor rose and threw the can to one side. Daryl noted where it landed, planning on making the arrogant prick choke on it first chance he got.

He was pulled to his knees and told to stay there while Negan and Connor discussed the collection from Hilltop sometime in the next few days. Glancing around, trying to be discreet he took the time to study the Saviours compound.

It was surprisingly large, everything clustered around a large central building. It looked to Daryl like it had once been a factory of some kind, several stories high with a metal staircase clinging to the front wall. Three huge chimneys towered over the roof, giving the place an imposing, overwhelming feel. Through the open door of one of the smaller buildings Daryl could see box after box of supplies stacked on shelves and in a second he noticed rows of weapons neatly lined up against the walls, boxes of ammo nearby. Set away from the others was a large metal barn type structure, several horses standing listlessly in a small enclosure alongside it.

A high chain link fence surrounded the complex and Daryl could see dozens of walkers chained to the links, yet more impaled on wooden stakes embedded in the ground. Snapping, severed heads were scattered between the walker's feet and yet more snarling heads were stuck on tall posts. Daryl guessed these were those who had disobeyed or displeased Negan in someway, murdered and displayed as a deterrent for others.

A narrow, heavily guarded gate appeared to be the only way in or out and at regular intervals around the wall Daryl could see tall platforms, alert marksmen stationed atop them. Getting out was going to be a challenge.

"You think you're going to go running back to Rick like a good little lapdog and report everything you've seen here?" Negan's voice held a hint of amusement as Daryl was hurled to his feet by two men.

"Not happening. You're going nowhere until you've paid back for what you've had in the last few days, then you'll be working off what you've used while paying that back and so it goes on"

Negan grinned, "You're gonna be here a while" He nodded to the men either side of him.

"Uncuff him and get him started. I'm sure you can find something suitable for him to do"

With that he strode away without a backwards glance.

Thanks for reading

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