'Staring out the window Riley listened to her father as he spoke, her eyes watching as the sun barely made its mark on the horizon. "Hilltop or the Kingdom are the best bets…. we have some of our own people there and they will be able to hide you if needed" Rick spoke watching Riley's form as she stood unmoving. "Daryl is at the Hilltop now…. Jesus said he may be moving to the Kingdom depending on what happens if the Saviors arrive". Riley closed her eyes, she knew Negan would come looking for her and would go through whoever he needed to in order to find her. Turning she eyed Judith who slept in Carl's lap, walking over she kneeled in front of her siblings, running her fingers through Judith's hair she glanced at Carl "no matter where I go…no matter where I try and hide…. he will find me…he will come for me and he will do whatever he needs, to get to me….". Standing she looked at her father "I'll go wherever you think is best….I'll go wherever they'll have me but just know…I will fight with you…alongside you…" walking towards he father she stopped and bit her lip "I made him believe that he was more important to me then he truly was…he wanted to….he asked if I would call him…he….he…." stopping she looked back to Carl as Judith rolled over and started to stir "you…" she spoke turning back to Rick "you are my father…my dad and I will fight with you…for you, no matter where I go I will be with you when the time comes…" Rick nodded and pulled Riley into his chest "we head out in a few hours…I need a minute with Riles…" Everyone nodded and left the room allowing the father to have a moment with his child.' Rick gently pushed Riley onto the couch and followed suite. He studied her for a moment taking in the raised and raw flesh. He watched as her eyes danced over the Morse code wall hanging "I know you didn't want to be there". Riley stopped breathing and lowered her eyes to her boots "I could have left…I could have tried to make my way back but I didn't so please don't try to tell me that it's okay…that all that matters is that I'm here now….because…because I was part of that…I caused that and I…I…" stopping Riley stood and walked towards the countertop where Michonne had the image of Riley, Carl and Judith all smiling stupidly at the camera. Lifting the photograph up Riley let a sad smile drift across her lips "I will make it right though….", turning she looked back at her father "I promise I will make it right"'
The drive was silent both girls lost in thought and processing what had occurred and what may. Rosita looked over at Riley watching as she kept her eyes focused on the stuffed moose that Judith had given her "we don't blame you…I don't blame you" she spoke.
Squeezing the plush toy, Riley stared out the window "blame isn't a two-way street"
Negan walked around the parking lot, his bat hanging loosely on his shoulder. He stopped in front of the main vehicle and looked out among his people. He locked eyes with Simon and Dwight "we aren't going to go easy on them anymore". Negan gripped the bat tightly in his hand making the leather glove he wore flex under the strain. "Your main priority is finding and locating one Riley Dixon. I want her unharmed and delivered to me personally". Negan stopped talking. Taking a breath, he walked towards Simon and Dwight "you find her and bring her to me…. that's an order I expect to be accomplished" With those words the convoy headed out. Negan stood and watched them go. Turning he headed back inside and back towards the one room where he truly felt human.
"The Hilltop is a good place" Rosita spoke "there leader is a dick but Maggie is slowly taking over so it's a possible community to grow with, fight alongside with"
Riley nodded "I know all about the Hilltop and Gregory" Riley replied "Simon was never a fan of his always came back with a story for Negan about Gregory and his incompetence. I know the people are hard workers, smart…. and with Maggie at the helm they'll make it, she was built to be a leader"
Riley stared out the window at the blur of trees. It had been a day since she escaped. A day since she wasn't trapped in the cement block and the hold of Negan. She still couldn't be calm though, happy that she was reunited with her family and friends. The threat and looming shadow that Negan was just around the bend plagued her mind. She knew he would come, or send Simon to hunt her down. He wanted her not just to fulfill some father-daughter roll but as a puppet in his game against Rick.
'Riley sat across from Dwight, finalizing the plans for her escape. She replayed the words he spoke in her mind. How many seconds to wait, which door to use, how to not look back or stop running. Once all was said and done, Dwight stood and headed for the door "remember…" he spoke hand resting on the door knob "wait for the horn…and don't stop, don't turn, don't look back" Riley nodded her head "thank you Dwight…I mean it…you're not as bad as you think" Dwight smirked "maybe when this is over I can believe that…." Dwight took a pause and shook his head "one more thing…don't go to the Hilltop, I know that seems like the best bet for you but he'll check there first, and Gregory is a horrible lair and person" Riley smiled "…see you on the other side" Dwight nodded and turned, without another word the man was gone and the door shut softly behind him.'
"stop the car"
'Negan sat in Riley's room for hours, his eyes drifting over the small apartment. He smiled when his gaze found the small fridge and the alphabet magnets she had found while out on a run. He ran a hand over his face as he read the small words and sentences she had formed. Standing he picked up Lucille and walked towards the icebox. Kneeling he let his hand rest on the counter before sliding it downwards and erasing the jumble of upper and lowercase letters that spoke a sentiment that once rang true... he hoped had once rang true but now was nothing more than rumblings in the air…. "Negan loves Riley" …." riley…. negan…home….". With a heavy sigh he rearranged the letters, before shaking his head and slowly getting to his feet. Looking around the room once more he opened the door grabbing the walkie talkie from his hip and calling Simon "we got work to do…". Reaching back to close the door his eyes locked in on the fridge and he smiled, before slamming the door shut.'
Negan sat in his office, Lucille laying on the table. His eyes stayed focused on the piece of wood, having a silent conversation with it. The sun was setting and began to cast shadows over the walls, lowering his head into his hands he let out a dry and humorless chuckle. "I will find you goose…can't stay hidden forever…". Standing he grabbed his bat and left the small barred workspace, walking back to the one room where he was last truly himself.
'Simon walked down the hallway a bottle of bourbon in his hands, he was hopefully that the liquor would soften the blow of the news he had to report. Stopping in front of the gray door he took a breath and knocked "enter". Simon pushed the door open and glanced around his eyes coming to rest on Negan as the man played with a small toy that he couldn't make out "tell me something good Simon…". Simon cleared his throat and stepped forward placing the bottle of brown liquid on the table. Negan glanced up "what's this". Simon crossed his arms over his chest "she wasn't there….Gregory made it seem like he was harboring something….but turns out it was just hooch…" Simon waited as Negan continued to fiddle with something before standing and walking around the table "well, it seems like we have to keep searching then…" Negan picked up the bottle, grabbing Lucille he walked from the room "and believe me Simon if we don't find her….oh Lucille will get her own special bottle….just hope it doesn't have your name on it…"'
Riley walked down the street, Shiva a few paces ahead of her. It had been a few days since she was welcomed into the Kingdom. Ezekiel had taken her in with open arms, happy to have one more fighter among his group not to mention someone who had an idea of how the mind of Negan operated. Riley nodded to people as she walked, at the moment everyone was working on preparing vehicles and weapons for the upcoming surprise meeting with the Saviors. Stopping Riley looked towards the small grass knoll, and watched as Morgan stood with Henry, teaching the young boy to move gracefully with the staff. Kneeling she rubbed Shiva behind the ears "go find Zeke okay girl, I'll come see you later" Shiva leaned into the touch and seemed to smile at the hunter before turning and taking off towards the main building.
'Riley sat with the King, his tiger Shiva at his side. Carol and Morgan both had spoken to the leader beforehand, telling him how much they trusted and could depend on the Dixon. "I know I come with some baggage and a major bull's eye on my back, but I promise to not put you or any of your people in danger. I'm in this fight against Negan, I will do everything I can to protect your Kingdom as well as the rest". Ezekiel smiled at the girl "Lady Riley I have heard many a great things about you and am certain that you will offer a great deal to our battle and our victory." Riley kept her eyes on Shiva "thank you King for letting me…allowing me to stay." Ezekiel stood, Shiva following suite "come child let me reintroduce you to some of those you already know" Riley creased her brow but stood and walked slowly behind the King, Shiva walking along side.'
Reaching the knoll, Riley waited as Henry finished his lesson. She took in how Morgan worked with the boy, how she could clearly see the struggle within the man no matter how hard he tried to pretend like there wasn't anything wrong. Henry smiled and bowed in front of Morgan, grabbed his staff and ran off saying something about finding Carol. Morgan picked up his staff from the ground and turned locking eyes with Riley "hi Morgan"
'Riley needed to get away, the walls of Alexandria were closing in around her. Deanna had yet to give her a job and she was going stir crazy. Weaving in and out of the streets she came to the back fence and made her way up and over. Landing on the forest floor she took a breath and tried to regain her bearings. She was hearing them all over again. Each one with a different mood, a different energy, a different reason for showing up. She just needed a minute. With one last look back, she gripped her bow and headed into the trees. Having walked a few miles away she took a moment and took in her surroundings. She turned to the left when she heard a soft rustle, swinging her bow in front of her she took off after the noise. Coming into a small clearing she watched as Morgan stood, mumbling to himself, his staff out and ready. She knew what was happening, what was going through his mind. Raising her bow, she let an arrow fly, it landing into a tree directly in front of Morgan. The man spun and locked eyes with the Dixon. "hi Morgan" she whispered. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around the forest with Morgan, both silent but both understanding.'
Riley and Morgan walked together back to the center of the community. She was just about to ask Morgan how the visions were doing when she spotted Carol exiting the hall were Ezekiel worked. Only she wasn't alone. The man she was with had his back to her but the vest…the wings….
"Daryl" she whispered and took off towards her brother.
Carol smiled at her friend "I know he's a little…a little quirky but it works…." Carol stopped short, her smile growing, she placed a hand on Daryl's shoulder and uttered only two words "turn around"
The sun was setting and Riley sat on the porch steps of the run down church hall that was used to house various pieces of equipment. The work that was done today would be put to the test in less than a day. Rick had decided to ambush the Sanctuary. Taking them off guard and hoping that Negan would see that not only did the Hilltop, Kingdom and Alexandria match them in numbers but also in strength and that this fight wouldn't go easy on him. Riley watched as Morgan walked the dark paths, his head bowed and the staff clasped tightly in his hands. She made a note to talk with the man, spend more time with him and even though she too struggled, be an outlet for him.
"penny for your thoughts"
Riley smirked at the drawl, she was unsure of how to handle her reunion with Daryl. Both had been through so much by the hands of the same person. Just like when they were younger.
"Daryl…I'm sorry…I didn't know…" Riley whispered "I don't know what happened, why I stayed, why I didn't see it…"
Daryl stood walking down the steps "Rye bread…" before Daryl could continue Riley stood, her eyes drifting from Morgan over to her brother
"don't Daryl…I know you where there, you saw it, you felt it, you feel guilty as well, but I… I was there…. with him every day for almost two months, I was actively involved. I went out…I did runs and hunted and not once did I try to make my way back. I thought maybe he sent someone out with me, watching, waiting for me to make a mistake, lead him to our door, but that's no excuse, I failed my family, I never tried, I missed so much, I wasn't there…I wasn't there for you or any of them. There's no coming back from that. We will however, beat him and make him feel exactly what being held under someone's foot feels like….I will be there and I will not fail any of you again"
Daryl watched Riley, her face disfigured and her eyes hardened and haunted. He nodded and took a step forward pulling her into his body "its not on you Riley…. just remember that….". Leaning down he placed a kiss onto her head "come on we have a busy day tomorrow…lets head in"
The moon lit the room with a glow that was harsh and bright. Negan stood in the doorway, his eyes floating across the room, with a sly smirk he glances at the fridge looking at the arranging of the letters on the metal box. With one final scan of the room he chuckled and turned slamming the door behind him.
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