"Drop the knife," The woman orders, "Now."

I notice my heartbeat as I calmly extend my arm out and drop the knife on the road.

"Alright, now hands up," She tells me, kicking the knife further away, "Nice and slow. If you're feeling froggy, there's more than one gun on you and your friends, just so you know."

I put my hands up at the side of my head as I start to stand. I peer over to the Jeep from the side of my eye.

"Smart girl." She says wryly.

"Best thing a girl can be out here."

"Couldn't agree more," She replies, "Don't know that I would call scouting my outpost smart though."

"You wouldn't?"

"No," The woman retorts, "I'd say it was the kind of thing a regular 'ol idiot would do."

I shrug my shoulders very slightly. "Well, I have my moments."

"I'll say." She roughly grabs my jacket and turns me around.

We meet face to face and when we do, both our expressions change as we get a look at each other. Her eyes scan my face, as if trying to decide my identity.

"We good?" A man yells out from somewhere behind her in the woods.

That seems to break the daze she's in."Yeah, we're good."

With the word from their leader, five more people step out from the woods, two of which I can hear behind me. They move to the Jeep, pointing their guns on my people. Lourdes shares a glance with me when I meet her eyes.

"Tell your people to get out of the car with their hands up," The woman tells me, "Any attempts at heroism and someone dies."

I look back to the woman, seeing that her stoney gaze means what she says. I nod. "Out!"

My group gets out of the Jeep with the impatient help from her people. One of the men yanks Lourdes out as she steps a foot onto the road. She curses him in Spanish, which he seems to get a kick out of. The rest of them stand by the car with their hands up, both observing these people bitterly as they disarm them and looking over at me for say. But there's no choice but to be compliant.

I blink to the woman standing in front of me. Her eyes haven't left me. The hint of shock or surprise she had when she first got a look at me is gone. She's got a cold air to her and an even colder look.

"They got anything good?" She asks.

An old, haggard looking woman coughs. "Just their guns. They food they got ain't shit."

The leader nods, staring at me. "You headin' home?"

I stare back, hands still up. "It's been a long day."

"Yeah," She takes a hard hold of my arm, "Well, it ain't over yet. Move."

When we reach the radio station, it's a little darker. They left the Jeep in the road because they needed all hands on deck to make sure none of us had the opportunity to get the upper hand, which seems unlikely since they've tied our hands together. They didn't seem worried about it, I think they plan on coming back for it.

I grow increasingly unnerved as we move closer to the station, but I stay collected. The guards at the gates notice us coming out of the woods.

"What do we have here?" One asks the woman.

"Spotters," She informs him, displeased, "I can tell by your question that you weren't doing perimeter rounds."

"Shit, Paula, what the hell were you out there doing, if not watching the perimeter?" He says with attitude.

"We had orders from home base that we were taking care of," She retorts, "If I were you, I'd lose the tone; we did our job. If these assholes had guts to move in on you, they would've caught you by surprise."

The man scoffs, looking us over. "There's six of 'em. They wouldn't get far."

"No, but the way I see it, you and Torres here would no doubt be dead before they were stopped." She shoves past him. "Move."

She leads us through the radio station. As we pass through the halls, I peer inside the rooms. Each room that was once a work space is now a living space for one or two men. Aside from the leader and the old woman, I haven't seen any other women. Some men, who have become aware of our presence whistle at either I or one for the other women in my group.

We stop at a door, which she unlocks and opens. The man by her shoves Martin in, then Connor, and then the rest. When comes my turn, the woman stops him.

"Wait, I wanna chat with this one," She says, looking at me for the first time since we started walking, "She's the leader."

"Sure thing, sugar." The man replies, which makes her roll her eyes. She then pushes me further down the hall. "Go."

I walk until she stops me. She opens another door and forces me inside. I look around the darkish, empty room. In the bleak light, I see polaroids taped to the back wall. I squint as I try to make them out. My eyes open more when I see them clearer.

All of the sudden, I feel a hard force slam into my back and I fall to my knees. The door shuts behind me and the hammer of her gun clicks back.

"What was the plan, huh? You were gonna try and take this place?"

My eyes move to where I think she is behind me. "We need medicine."

She comes into sight, staring down at me. "Well, why didn't you just ask?"

I huff under breath at her cool question that she knows the answer to. "Your people don't seem the type to let people borrow a cup of sugar, Paula."

Paula looks me over. "Good observation. Pippa."

I glance up at her, more human. "You do recognize me. I thought for a moment you didn't."

"No, I recognized you," She says with no fondness, "You're alive."

"So are you."

Paula scoffs. "What about Jolyon?"

"Yes, he's still alive, too."

"Where is he?" She asks.

"Home."

"Where's home?"

I shake my head. "I'm not gonna tell you that."

She scoffs again. "Why is it that you think that?"

"Because I know what your people do to communities and I don't want that to happen to mine," I tell her, "My boys are there. I'm not gonna put them in danger."

"Boys?" Paula knits her brows. "Oh...yeah, that's right. You were pregnant last time I saw you."

I nod my head. "Yeah, I was."

"So, you had the baby…" She walks the room, "And he's... still alive?"

"Yes, he's four now."

Paula glances up at nothing, as if in thought. "Aren't you lucky?"

"...Dan and the girls?"

"Dead," She coldly replies, "All of them. When it hit bad, I got trapped at my office. I spent two days trying to get back and when I finally did...they were already dead."

My heart feels for her. "I'm so sorry."

"Yeah," Paula scoffs, blinking back down at me, "You're gonna be."

"I meant about your family."

"I know," She glances at her gun, "I don't want your pity, Pippa. But you're gonna wish you had mine."

"Why is that?"

"Because despite what you think, you are going to tell me where your community is and then you're gonna take me there," Paula makes stoic eye contact with me, "And since you were clearly staking us out for an attack, I'm afraid someone's gonna have to pay for that."

That resounds in my chest. "You mean be killed?"

"Your actions have consequences," She answers, "And I think the best type of consequence is one you can learn from. You can't learn, if you're dead, so unfortunately you're gonna need to dig a grave."

My nostrils flare. "We didn't attack you. We just spotted the radio station by happenstance. We were scavenging."

"You were going to come back with more people," Paula argues in a reserve tone, "Don't insult my intelligence." She sizes me up. "Neither of us got this far because we were stupid."

"No," I shake my head, "But I'm not telling you where my community is."

"I think you'll find you'll have a change of heart," Paula suggests, "Your refusal to cooperate has consequences, too, you know."

"You mean, you'll kill one of my people that you have locked in that other room?"

"You can picked which one, if you'd like."

I scoff with chagrin. "C'mon, Paula, let's talk about th-" I'm silenced by a swift blow to the head with the butt of her gun. I push myself up, touching my head and wincing at the intense pain. Blood starts to trickle out.

"Let's get one thing straight," Paula says, "You and I aren't gal pals. Our kids may have been friends, but that doesn't mean shit to me now and it's not gonna do you any special favors, got it?"

I bite my lip, angry as I feel the split. I look up at her. "Yeah, I got it."

"Good," She says, "Now that we're clear on that, I want to know where you call home's at."

"It's my job to protect my people."

"Well, now it's the Saviors' job," She retorts, "Where is it?"

I hold her gaze. "Go to hell."

Paula huffs, indifferent. "Alright, have it your way," She goes towards the door, "I'll start with the girl."

She means Nanda. I shut my eyes. "No, wait."

Paula pauses at the door, turning my way.

I stand up. "I didn't come here to attack you."

"Bullshit." She opens the door.

"Wait, okay, yes; that was the plan," I flinch at the sting of sweat and air mingling into my cut, "At least it was for my people."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She raises a doubtful brow. "You're the leader, aren't you? It was your call."

"Yes, but I…" I exhale, "I came here to see Negan."

Paula looks me over. "Negan?"

"Yes," I nod my head, "I want to talk to Negan."

Her brows gather slightly. "How long have you been watching us?"

"Just today," I tell her, "But I know about the Saviors and Negan and I-"

"How?" Paula inquires.

"Does it matter?"

"It does."

I shake my head. "Look, just get me Negan."

Paula's stare grows somehow colder than before. "I am Negan."

I furrow my brows. "What?"

She exits the room and shuts it, locking me inside the dark. I watch her shadow disappear from under the door. What did she mean by that?

A man asks her something too low to hear and she replies with; "No."

The room is cold as hell, which must mean it's late. Even with my jacket on, it still feels like thirty below. I'm tired enough to sleep, but I wouldn't dare. I listen to every sound and movement. I'm too afraid of hearing gunshots. So far, nothing but footsteps passing and conversations about nothing audible.

No one's been by to offer food or even just water, but to be fair on their hospitality, I didn't think anyone would. I could use some water though. I'm thirsty and I keep clearing my throat because it itches.

My head is pounding, thanks to Paula. The blood has clotted, but I still have a dull, thumping pang.

I try to decide what Paula meant when she said she was Negan. I didn't see any signs of him when being led through the station. If he were here, he'd have shown his face by now.

I remain cool, calm, and collected. Paula's not the only one who can breathe that air. No use in sitting in here panicking like I'm sure she wants me to.

I imagine the Jeep's been brought back by now. Aside from the camping supplies, the thin spread of food, and a gas can, they're not going to find much. We've got maps, which is what Paula probably wants, but our maps never have Halcyon's location marked down.

The door unlocks with a creak. I stare at it in waiting. To my surprise though, it isn't Paula; it's one of the men that she had with her.

"Evening." He greets.

"Evening," I greet back, suspicious of the friendlier tone, "Where's Paula?"

"She's busy," The man answers, "She wanted me to check on you."

"How sweet of her," I rasp, doubtful, "But if she wants to know how I am, tell her to come see for herself."

The man chuckles, leaning his arm onto the doorframe. "Damn, you don't scare easy, do you? Paula's bad side is not someplace you want to be."

"I have a feeling I'm already there," I retort, "I'm as well as anyone stuck in a cold, dark room can be, so you go tell her that."

"Sure." He nods, looking me over.

"What?" I ask with attitude.

He shakes his head mildly, still looking at me. "You're pretty."

I scoff. "Am I?"

"Yeah, you are," He comes further in, closing the door a little, "And from the sound of it, quick-tempered."

I start to get to my feet, keeping my eye keenly on him.

"I like women with a little bark and bite."

"Yeah, well...," My hand feels the wall my back's against, "Didn't anyone ever tell you to stay away from things that bark and bite?"

"Yeah," He smirks, "But I can't help but like mean bitches." He gets close to me, breathing on my face. "Besides, I know it's all for show."

I turn my face to the side, leaning back.

"You'll be all soft and sweet as soon as someone tosses you a bone." His hand touches my waist.

I bend back his hand. I grab his other arm, so I can bring my knee up to this groin with force.

He doubles over, gasping, and holding his tackle.

"Just so you know," I breathe, "Any bone of yours you toss me, you're not getting back."

"Fucking bitch." He chokes out.

"What happened? I thought you liked mean bitches?"

The man charges me. We clash and he gets a good grip of me when I go to hit him again. He brings his fist to the side of my head, then shoves me back hard against the wall. My head smacks the wall as he pins me there.

"Simmer down, sugar" He taunts, holding my arms with his forearm above my head. "I like a little struggle, but that was a fucking cheap shot."

I see his hand reach down below us. I take the opportunity to head butt him as hard as I can pinned to the wall. He steps back, holding his forehead. I shake off the pain and then shove my foot to his stomach. When he's on the ground, I step over him and head to the door.

I open it, but as I go to leave, I'm met with a gun in my face and Paula's behind it. I step back into the room, putting my hands up.

Paula follows with the gun on me. She looks over at the man, who starts to stagger to his feet.

"What's going on?"

"Came to see if she'd give up the location of her community," He holds his head, "She fucking came after me and tried to escape."

Paula looks back at me.

I just look back, hoping to convey that that's not what he came here for.

She twists her mouth to the side, unhappy. "Get out."

He shuffles out, shooting daggers my way. "We should just kill her; bet those assholes in the other cell will fucking sing like canaries once their leader's just another picture on the wall."

I watch him leave. I feel pain from the fight, but I ignore it externally. When he's gone, I blink back to Paula, who's looking right at me.

"He-"

"I know," Paula says, glancing me over, "He didn't, right? Didn't get the chance?"

I gather my brows, bewildered. I shake my head. "No, he didn't."

She nods, motioning to the wall with her gun. "Sit down."

I stand there for a moment, analyzing her body language. I then walk backwards to the wall, sitting down on the ground. Some of the polaroids fell off the wall in the struggle and onto the ground. I can't help but glance at the one turned right side up. It's disturbing, they all are.

"I liked Dan better."

Paula scoffs. "Yeah, well, Dan's dead, so…"

"You chose a guy like that to replace him?"

"The life I had before is gone," She replies, "I can't get it back and I'm not interested in trying to replicate it. You can't in this world; it's all about surviving, doing whatever it takes to make it as long as possible."

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"Yeah, it does," She looks my way, "You're awfully optimistic to think otherwise."

"You used to be optimistic."

"That was before I realized that optimism is a delusion stirred up by idiots, who waste their lives thinking everything will be turn out alright in the end, because they think life has meaning."

I look down at her boots and the ground around them. "Where's Negan?"

"I'm Negan." She answers dryly.

I shake my head slightly. "Is he dead?" I look up to her.

Paula's eyes scan mine. "Why are you so interested in Negan?"

"Is he alive?" I inquire.

She stares me down. "Why do you want to know?"

A small pain hits me. "He's dead, isn't he? He's died and you've taken over?"

"No, he's not," She says, still trying to understand my interest, "Why do you want to talk to him so badly, huh? Most people hear the name and do whatever it takes not to meet him. Why is it different for you?" She asks, "If you don't work for us, why did you put yourself in our sights?"

I bite my lip. "I have to see him."

"Why?"

"...Because I know him," I finally reveal, "From before, like I knew you."

She furrows her gaze.

If it weren't Paula, changed as she may be, I probably wouldn't say what I'm about to say. "My youngest son?"

Her furrow deepens.

I keep my earnest eyes on hers. "Negan's his father."

Paula stares. "You're lying; you just want me to get him here."

"It's the truth, I swear," I vow with weight in my words, "If you can get a hold of him, tell him that I'm here. Tell him Pippa Barnes wants to talk to him and he'll know who I am."

"As endearing as that sounds, Pippa, it also sounds like a load of crap to me."

"It's not," I claim, "Do you remember when I told you I was pregnant? I had already found out that I was having a boy then."

Her eyes pierce mine. She remembers.

"You asked me if my boyfriend was excited to have a boy," I continue, "And I told you that the father and I weren't together. That he was a coworker and it didn't work out."

She's silent, still trying to read me for any falsehood.

"Negan was that coworker," I tell her, "We broke things off right before I found out."

"Did you tell him?"

I lower my gaze. "No, he had other things to worry about."

"Like what?" She rudely retorts, doubtful that I'm honest.

I exhale through my nose. "A sick wife." I glance up at her again. "That's why we broke up."

Paula scoffs, looking off.

"Get him on the walkie, I'll prove it's the truth."

She turns my way. "You know what really spurs me about this little story? About you being here?"

I wait for an answer.

"That someone like you, someone who slept around and got knocked up twice by two different men, a goddamn lush, still has both of your kids, while someone like me who lived a nice, quiet life with my family lost everything. I mean, I know life ain't fair, but this really just pisses in my cornflakes."

I say nothing to that, though it stings, as well as saddens me.

"And now you wanna play house with Negan to complete your little patchwork family?"

Again, I say nothing.

She shakes her head in disbelief. She turns and walks to the door. "You don't even know if this Negan is the same one you're talking about."

"How many Negans do you think are out there?"

"You'd be surprised."

I stare after her, biting my lip. "They were best friends."

"What?" She looks over at me with knitted brows.

"Jolyon and Hannah," I clarify, mildly, "You said earlier that our kids were friends, but they were best friends."

Her brows to iron out.

"That's what either of them would say whenever anyone would say they were friends; they were best friends."

Paula's eye become stony, but lessened at the same time, if that's possible. She stares back, before leaving me in the cell and locking the door.

I sigh when I'm alone. I lean my head back on the wall, thinking. I'm not entirely sure that she won't kill us tomorrow. Or at least me.

When the door opens next, it's daylight, or at least I think it is, because the yellow hall lights aren't on.

I tilt my head forward off the wall, curious. Paula looks at me in the doorway.

"Thirsty?"

I nod my head.

She tosses me an old bottle of water that's label has been stripped off.

I twist the top off and take a gulp. The liquid burns my throat, so I spit it out, choking on what went down wrong.

"What the fuck?" I cough, "This is gin."

"I thought you were a fan of gin," Paula says, "You came to pick Jol up from my house smelling like it enough times."

"I'm sober," I clear my throat, still coughing, "Have been for four and a half years."

"Hm," She looks me over, indifferent, "I got a hold of home base for you."

I meet her eyes. "You did?"

"I did," She continues to study me, "Negan'll be here tonight."

"He's coming?"

"Yes," She confirms, "He usually doesn't make social visits, but when I told him that that a group of people had being staking us out and that the leader begged to speak to him personally, he was flattered."

"You didn't tell him it was me?"

"I figured he'll find out when he gets here," Paula replies, "It'll make the reunion all the more heartfelt, don't you think?"

I sigh. "You don't believe me. "

"I'm not sure."

"Why would I lie about something like that?"

"To lessen the blow your people are about to get because of this little stunt," Her eyes look me over with more suggestion, "Negan likes pretty women."

I scoff. "You think this is some fallback? I'm gonna try to seduce him, because my plan fell through?"

"Like I said; people are still alive because they do whatever it takes to stay that way; you're no different."

"You're right," I tell her, "I'm not."

She twists her lips to the side, nodding. "That's what I thought."

She shuts the door to the cell. I once again sit there in the dark. But this time, I'm nervous. Nervous to the point that I can feel it burn into my gut. Negan's coming.

The door unlocks again hours later. I rise to my feet, anxious. I brush the dirt off my pants. The door's opened ever so carefully. I take a breath, ready, I think.

"Pippa?"

I furrow my brows. "Lourdes?"

She comes into the room. "Thank god."

"W-what are you doing?" I ask her, confused. "H-how did you get out?"

"That old hag that kept checking in on us," Lourdes says in a whisper, "We knocked her out and took her keys. We're getting out of here."

"Out?"

"Yes, stupid, out of here," She grabs my arm, "Let's go."

I follow her and as soon as I'm out of the room, it's like a switch is turned on in me. I'm now bent on escaping this place.

"Where is everyone else?" I ask, hurrying through the halls with her and Martin.

"Clearing a path." Martin quietly tells me as we turn a corner.

A door behind me opens and a man steps out, he looks at Lourdes and I, knitting his brows.

"Hey, what the-" He's silenced by Martin hitting him in the back of the head with a gun he must have taken off of the old woman.

Martin's careful to catch him before his body hits the floor. He and I drag him back into the room and close the door very carefully.

We proceed. The smell of night air is suddenly on my face. We turn another corner and at the end of the hall is a door.

"Come on."

The three of us tread down the hall, swift and quiet. Lourdes pushes down the latch of the door and peeks out.

"Clear?"

"Clear." Connor answers.

She nods, pushing open the door for us to escape. The back of the station is empty, except for my people waiting for me. The woods are only about ten yards away.

"Where's the Jeep?"

"We'll have to leave it," Quinn says, "There's no way we could get it out of here without getting their attention. Besides the only road it can drive on would take us right to the front."

Lourdes touches my arm. "It'll be easier to hit the woods and hide on foot. As soon as we find a drivable car, we'll drive like hell back to Halcyon."

I nod my head. It's just a car. The six of us head for the woods. It's dark, but all we have to do is dodge the trees, rocks, and whatever dead might be out here.

We make it maybe a hundred yards before the sound of a siren wail and engines roar. They know we're gone.

"Fuck!" Connor curses as we run, realizing the same thing.

"Don't stop, get running."

But I slow down, coming to a stop. Martin looks over his shoulder. "Pippa!"

I look at him, panting. The rest of the group stops.

"Why are you stopping?" Lourdes ask breathlessly. "They're coming after us."

I look back. "They'll split up. Canvas the woods and the roads."

"Yeah, that's why we need to go."

I shake my head. "We won't make it to Halcyon. Not without a car."

"We'll find one, let's go!"

I shake my head again. "It'll find us."

"What?"

Bright headlights shine on their backs. Nanda looks over at Quinn through the glare. The driver honks the horn, long and loud. They keep walking.

The truck stops and car doors slam. "Hold up."

They stop at his command.

"Turn around, ladies," The man instructs, "Cool and with your hands up."

The three of them turn with their hands up. The driver and the two men with him raise their guns.

"Where's the rest of ya?"

"Don't know," Lourdes answers, "We got split up."

"Split up?"

"Yeah, it's dark." She says, trying to hold back the attitude.

The man scoffs. "Well, don't worry, you'll all be together again." He walks toward the women, as does the two others. "I gotta say, I know your bitch leader has a pussy, but I didn't know she was a pussy, running off like this when the boss man's close."

Lourdes furrows her brows, unsure of what he means.

"But, hey, she'd be stupid if she stuck around, so it's a lose-lose situation."

I step out and fire the gun, hitting him in side of the head. Before the two men have time to fire back, Connor and Martin ambush them, cutting their throats.

We're all quiet as it's done. I tuck the revolver in the back of my jeans with the safety on.

"How full's the tank?"

"Enough to get us home." Martin reports.

I nod my head. My eyes look ahead where the sound of another car comes rolling our way. "Get in."

Everyone piles into the truck. "Come on."

I stare in thought. "Go ahead, I'll catch up."

"What?" Lourdes complains, "No, you get your ass in the car."

"They already know where we are," I tell her, "Someone needs to slow them down."

"Slow them down how? By letting them kill you? Get in the damn truck."

"They won't kill me."

"You don't know that."

"They want Halcyon," I argue, "They'll kept me alive to get it out of me."

"Yeah, that's no better," Lourdes scoffs, "Now, if you don't get in this truck in two seconds, I'm gonna-"

"Status." Paula's voice comes out of nowhere. Martin looks down and finds a radio in the pocket of the door. "We heard a car horn."

"This is Pete," A man replies,"We're headin' in that direction."

Lourdes locks eyes with me.

The radio statics. "Atta boy, Petey," A deep voice says, "Bring 'em on back?"

Lourdes brows start to gather at the radio. Her eyes dart to mine, as if to see if I heard.

"I'm itchin' to meet this candy ass leader."

Her stare intensifies.

I hold her gaze. "Go, I'll be fine."

"No, Pip, Lour's right," Martin says, " We don't know these people, they might kill you as soon as they get a hold of you. We can't leave you here."

"Yes, you can," I reply, "Go back to Halcyon, if I don't come back in three days, then come back with Ursa and burn the whole place down."

"You think you can get out twice?"

"I can try," I smile assuringly, "All I gotta do is get them to take me out on the road."

Martin looks at me, nodding slightly. "I don't know, Pippa. You got kids at home."

"And you'll tell them I'll be back soon."

"What if-"

"You tell them that," I make clear, moving my eyes to Lourdes, "Lour?"

She looks. She nods her head. "We gotta go."

"Lourdes?" Martin snaps her head towards her. "You can't be serious."

"You heard her," Lourdes sit back in her seat, "Three days."

Martin hesitates, staring at the wheel.

"Go," I tell him, stepping up onto the foot rail. I touch his face and kiss him. "That's an order."

He breathes, troubled, but he nods. "Don't get killed, Barnes."

I smile. "Go."

I slam the door shut and they all look at me as Martin puts the car in drive and pulls away. As soon as he passes a lone tree, he speeds up to get out of here. I watch them go, until I can't see them anymore.

Lights illuminate the ground. I take off to the right. The headlights following behind me catches up in no time. I keep running to try and drive them off my group's trail.

Bright lights blind me suddenly, making me come to a screeching halt. I turn away from the light, holding my forearm up to shield my eyes. The lights shut off.

"Well, looky here," A man says with an arrogant tone, "We found ourselves the leader."

The car behind me catches up, coming to a pause.

"Check her."

A younger man approaches me. "Hands up, darlin'."

I raise my hands, staring at him as he rudely checks my jacket and pants. "You're not gonna find anything there."

He smirks. "I don't know, a nice ass ain't nothing. She's clear."

"Where's the rest of your little band of assholes?"

"I don't know, we got seperated." I answer.

"Well, doesn't that suck for you." The man retorts. "But I guess you'll get that private meeting with Negan after all. Load 'er up."

The younger man pulls me to the car. Another drops a sack over my head and bounds my hands together. I'm shoved into the back.

"We're gonna head back with her," The man shouts out, "Go search for the rest; see if Cooper found 'em."

The car starts up. I can barely see anything with this itchy sack over my head. The drive is a short one. The car pulls into the staton, or what I have to assume is the station, because of the light that makes it through the holes in the burlap.

Car doors open and I'm dragged out of the car, stumbling as my foot catches. "You're in for it now, honey."

I don't speak, I just let them lead me to wherever they're taking me. I can hear my breathing and feel the warm of it hit my face.

"Where's the rest?" Paula inquires.

"We didn't find 'em," The man reports, "But we found the leader."

"I'll take her," She grabs my arm, hard, "Go get the others. They didn't make it far."

Paula leads me inside. "What's the matter? You get cold feet about seeing your old flame?"

When I don't answer, she knocks me against the wall.

"He's here?"

"Yep," She confirms, "Got here while you were getting fresh air. Can't say that he's happy with you wasting his time."

"You, or me?"

She yanks to a stop, slamming me to the wall. I can just barely make out her face. "You know something, Pippa? Negan is exactly who you deserve, if he wants you that is."

I don't reply, I just stare as well as I can.

She makes me walk again. We wind down the halls. She pushes a door open.

"Well, shit."

My heart skips a beat.

"Who do we have here?" He asks with a familiar tone. "The ring leader?"

"Yeah, this is the one," Paula shoves me down to my knees, "She's the one who wanted a meet and greet."

"And then took off like some pussy?" He chuckles.

I hear footsteps.

"Alright, asshole, let's talk.'

The bag is yanked off my head. I steady my breath as I look up. He stares back at me. His cocky grin sinks.


Thanks for reading! Hope you all enjoy!