Rounding one last statue they pulled onto a road that lead up to a factory style building. It was a huge structure surrounded by a chain-link fence. There were concrete barriers on each side of the entrance where two guards were stationed.
And then Noell heard it, that fucking groaning! There were biters around and they were close! She was immediately put on edge at the realization. That was sound that she was sure she'd never become desensitized to.
As they drove closer, she observed more closely and saw that there were undead all around the outside of the fence. Speared through to the chest and other random body parts to keep them immobile. At least that's what she assumed to be the case.
As if sensing her unease, Negan put a hand on her thigh rubbed in leg in a comforting manner. Looking over at her, he tried to ease her mind "Don't you worry about them Elle, they're just to ward off other biters, think of it as a sort of camouflage."
His usage of a nickname put a smile on her face and there was that pesky old warmth again..
Giving her a crooked grin of his own, he then leaned slightly out the open window, beckoning the guards for entry. Once they were behind the secured walls, Noell took the time to take everything in. In all honesty it seemed like a pretty well setup place, then that's when she noticed it. A small garden patch. Her eyes watered a bit, her trip down memory lane coming back to haunt her.
She made a mental not to at a later date to beg Negan to take her to visit it.
Putting the SUV in park, Negan looked over at his newest member. Her eyes were a little watery, lips drawn in a tight line. He knew that one had to be painful. The sight made his heart clench.
"I'd ask what's wrong hun but that'll have to wait a bit. Let's get inside and I'll see who I can find to pick that lock." He said with a smirk as they both exited the vehicle.
She made another mental note to think of a way to truly thank this man. A simple 'thank you' would not do at all. She owed him everything.
After a quick discussion with Simon, Negan left said man in charge to make sure the supplies gathered was distributed properly. He lead Noell up the stairs, and entered the building. They walked onto a small platform that had a balcony that overlooked a large open area that was full of people.
It had been awhile since Noell had been around such a large group of people as this was. She looked down to avoid any possible eye contact, but that didn't help with the heavy feel of their stares bearing down on her.
Lightly swinging Lucille, Negan went to lean over the balcony, he whistled loudly gaining back everyone's attention. The response was immediate as everyone got on one knee.
Having not expected that, it was a startling sight.
Even while Negan commanded most of their attention, Noell couldn't bare the staring that she knew was still going on. So she moved to hide behind his large frame. Fighting off a panic attack from rearing its ugly head, she focused her mind on Negans commanding voice. Letting it anchor and soothe her fraying nerves.
"Now not only have we come back with even more fuckin supplies and amenities for y'all. We've also gained a new member to our humble abode." Feeling her behind him, Negan glanced over his shoulder. He frowned a bit seeing her trying to make herself as small as possible behind him. Her eyes were shut tightly, body shaking a bit. Looking back over at the crowd, his frown deepened even more. Not all but a lot kept flicking their gazes over at the small woman. Fuckwads. That sure as shit is gonna stop.
Gently grabbing hold of her shoulder, she peeked up at him. His eyes conveyed concern, all she could do was nod that she was fine. The both of them were getting sick of this one-sided conversation. He pulled her close to his side as he continued speaking.
"This is little lady here is Noell. Rescued her from some nasty motherfuckers, they locked that pretty face of hers up in this heinous as shit thing" he growled out gesturing at around her head. "Now if anyone, and I mean e who thinks they can pick a this lock, Noell turn around baby" he pointed at the back of her head "this lock right here, or has any ideas as how to get this off in the most noninvasive way possible, raise your fucking hands."
Noell turned back, just in time to see two different people raise their hands. Her eyes watered again, but this time from relief.
Pointing at the two men who raised their hands, Negan told them head up to his office. "Oh and one more fucking thing." he started saying as he still saw some people staring holes into Noell "Knock that fucking staring shit off. Didn't your parents tell y'all that staring is fucking RUDE? I will shut that shit down no exceptions!" he bellowed. Curious eyes immediately gazed elsewhere. Satisfied with the reaction, he dismissed the them all.
Grasping hold of her hand, Negan lead Noell up a flight of stairs, explaining what each level held. He promised an actual tour later as they reached the top level, where his office was located.