A/N: yay! I updated on a Sunday! Hope you all like this one. Let me know your thoughts and I'll see you all on the next! Enjoy tonight's episode!
Chapter Fifty-Three: Redbone
'Riley walked with Rick down to the farm, it was a perfect day, not a cloud in the sky, not too hot and a slight breeze that blew the tall grass in a slow and gentle rhythm. The Walkers had thinned out and it seemed like for the moment everything was going to be okay. Even if not long term at least they had a day like today. "it's kind of funny ya know…." Rick looked over at the Dixon as she eyed the few Walkers who walked beyond the fences "that it took a world like this for me to get the family I needed…". Rick let a sad smile fall to his lips "it's a world like this that brings people together…gives them who they need, makes them who they are, shows them what they can do, who they can be…". Riley smiled at Rick and looked down towards the pigpen, where Carl stood with Herschel and Beth "well…. I'm glad that I ended up in this one". Rick nodded and pulled Riley into his side "me too kiddo…me too"'
Negan watched as Riley slid down the wall, her crossbow laying in her lap. She was watching him, watching her and it unnerved him. It was like she was reading his thoughts, and in all truth she probably was. "it's kind of funny ya know….", Negan turned to peer out the window "you ending up here, after your old man refused to give you up"
Riley smirked and shook her head "the things you found funny were never all that funny".
Negan laughed and rubbed his chin…. he missed that…. missed having somebody who told him how it was, someone that wasn't scared to talk back, someone that treated him like a father…whether Riley knew it or not, she always had a comeback and it reminded Negan of how a child would interact with a parent. Letting out a breath he turned to the priest.
"well if it isn't sir creeps me out…."
Gabriel looked from Riley to Negan before addressing the man "aren't you afraid…aren't you upset, if you just took Rick's plea all this could have been avoided"
Negan took a seat on the bench "I think you got that wrong Pope John…. if she…." He stopped and pointed a glove covered finger at Riley "just took my plea all of this could have been avoided"
This time it was Riley's turn to laugh "I'm not your puppet…I know you, even if I walked back in there with you, it wouldn't have ended, you would have still wanted to kill Rick and all the others, so if the outcome isn't going to truly change why go and stay with someone that you hate and would kill you if it came down to it" Negan swallowed and turned away "I would never touch you…" he mumbled watching Riley's reflection from the dusty mirror on the wall
'Negan watched Riley from the window, she was sitting on the fire escape, cleaning her bow, her eyes every now and then dancing over the forest that enclosed the back lot. Pushing himself out the small opening he took a seat beside the girl, his own eyes taking in the greenness. Negan had so many questions he wanted to ask the girl, but didn't know where to start and didn't want to seem to invested "before all this…" Negan's head snapped over to Riley as she spoke "my father…my father told me that Dixon's can't be weak, that we don't show emotions, that we don't get involved with people because they only hurt you….you stick with family and family alone." Riley looked away from the trees and down at her crossbow "was probably the only real and polite conversation I ever had with that man…. he was an asshole", Riley spoke with a sad chuckle. Negan watched as Riley squeezed the rag in her hand. "he beat all of us…me the worse…I looked too much like my mom and it hurt him to much, Daryl and Merle were great though…they did everything they could to keep me safe….it's just funny thinking about it now, I guess it's true…" Negan watched as Riley stopped and pointed "I knew I saw one…" looking in the direction she pointed Negan too saw a deer weave in and out of the thicket. Standing Riley swung her bow over her shoulder and took off down the ladder. Negan too stood and called down to her "what's true…". However, Riley was too focused on the deer and didn't hear Negan call after her…'
Night had fallen and the Walkers weren't thinning out or slowing down. Riley sat on the bench her eyes peering through the mass in hopes of seeing something "I think tomorrow we got to try and make a move, we can't be sitting ducks anymore"
Turning she watched the darken outline of Negan run a hand down his face "and how do you suppose we do that". Riley turned and sat with her legs underneath her "I wasn't really including you in this "we" …."
Negan smiled and was happy that the blackness covered his body "oh my my goose…I'm most certainly part of the "we" ….". Negan then gestured to Gabriel "he on the other hand, seems like dead weight so…."
Riley stood and walked forward her bow aimed at Negan's head "you don't touch him…."
Negan held up his hands "settle down goose…. I thought you were into the ladies…what's the holy man got that you need…."
Riley lowered her bow and gritted her teeth "it doesn't concern you…"
'Tara stood beside Riley, the meeting was over and she was going to head out in a little less then an hour, she could feel how anxious Riley was…not because of what happened or what was going to happen but because she was leaving her family…Riley hated herself for not being there for Carl and Judith. "we'll be fine" Tara spoke, sliding her hand into Riley's, feeling the hunter give it a squeeze "I know…" Riley mumbled. Riley felt the small silver band that sat on Tara's finger and let out a heavy breath "when this is all over…let's get married for real". Tara stopped breathing and turned so that she was fully facing her love "what…" Riley turned as well and smiled a sad, broken smile "I love you…and I truly thought I would never love again…." Riley spoke her eyes going distant for a moment "I know it doesn't have to be official and to us and everyone around us we are already married but….but…..Beth always wanted to and I always found a way to get around it and then she…she…and I know you want to and I don't want something to happen and to have not done everything I could to make you happy….." Riley took a breath "and I'm rambling aren't I….". Tara laughed and felt tears form in her eyes "yeah…but its okay…" Riley reached forward and wrapped Tara in a hug "Gabriel said he would whenever we were ready…." Tara laughed again and pulled away in order to see Riley's face "you asked Gabriel already…." Riley shrugged her shoulders "it's a long story". Tara smiled and nodded "I love it…and I love you". Riley kissed Tara softly on the lips, "love you too"'
No one slept that night, the Walkers at the door and the thought that someone would kill one another kept everyone on high alert. "you still have that drawing" Negan asked softly. Riley looked over at the man and nodded "yeah…. not as good as the real thing but yeah I still have it…."
Negan nodded "good…it's important to have those memories…on something tangible or not..." he spoke pointing to his head.
It was quiet for a moment before Riley spoke out "you know I tried…and I found one that was kind of like what you described but not really….and I have no idea where it is now"
Negan let a sad smile cross his lips quickly before placing his hand in his pocket and pulling it out "I found it…" he spoke, eyes lost on the object "it meant a lot, that you went out and did that…I mean that"
Riley nodded and looked away from the man, both trapped in the memories of lost loves and regret.
'Riley woke up in a cold sweat, Negan hovering over her, holding her down "Jesus kid, you alright….". Riley pushed the man away and swung her legs out of bed, resting her elbows on her knees she ran her hands through her hair "yeah…. bad dream". Negan chuckled "I would think so…" he spoke sitting in the chair opposite Riley "want to talk about it". Riley looked up at Negan, a man she had come to trust…. she simply got up and walked to her backpack and removed the drawing from the plastic bag, she slowly handed it to Negan and sat back down. Negan looked at the drawing and bit his lip…he knew…. he wasn't stupid. Softly he reached forward and gave the image back. It was quiet for a moment, Riley holding the picture, lost in the blue eyes "I have a wife…back at home….at least I think I still do…. I don't know….". Negan nodded and stood getting a glass of water for the girl "first true love though…never dies, even if they do". Riley placed the picture beside her and took the glass. Negan sat down again and looked at the bat leaning against the pillar "I had a wife…. a real wife….". Riley looked at Negan and followed his eyeline. "She died just as this shit show was starting…. she had the big 'C', she was my everything, my rock, my anchor, we always wanted kids but the timing never worked out." Riley looked down at the floor. "when it happened, the dead walking the Earth, Lucille was in the hospital, I had just got back after searching the mall for this stupid little toy she wanted…. I figured if the love of my life was going to die, she was going to die happy and if that meant a stupid plastic toy, I would get it." Riley watched as Negan's eyes got glossy "was the worse decision I made, when I got back the hospital was going crazy, some people had already turned and Lucille was unconscious…" Negan looked at Riley and could sense the amount of understanding "love makes you do crazy things…. but it can also set you free….". Riley looked from the bat to the folded piece of paper "or keep you in a cage"
As the dim light of the sun slowly filled the cabin it was decided that they had to be the ones to make a move, take a chance at getting out. Riley mentioned an idea that had worked in the past and how it could work again…there were always risks but it was their best bet. Carefully Riley pulled in a Walker and once it was taken care of, she cut open it's middle and instructed the men on what to do. "no one's gotten sick yet from doing this…" Riley spoke as she finished covering herself. Gabriel stood also completely covered "and no one will…especially us, we're from Georgia". Riley smirked and looked over at Negan the man also almost done.
"alright then…Negan take the front, Gabe in the middle and I'll tidy up the rear…."
Negan nodded, he didn't like the idea of Riley in the back but he couldn't voice anymore concerns. Slowly he pushed the door open and walked gently outside, the Walkers around them pushed and pressed against their bodies but otherwise seemed to not notice or care. After a few tense moments they were all secure within the walls of the Sanctuary. Negan turned and looked at Riley "welcome home goose…" Riley shook her head "should I tell you now or do you want to see it for yourself". Negan took a breath and flung some guts from his shoulder "tell me what kiddo…."
Riley looked to the top level "that Simon has probably begun the brainwashing…"
Negan let a smirk drift onto his mouth, he swung his bat onto his shoulder and gestured for Riley and Gabriel to follow. As they walked behind Negan, Riley whispered to Gabriel "we'll get out of here okay….it will all be okay" Gabriel nodded at his friend and hoped she was right. While Negan seemed to have a soft spot for Riley that may not transfer over to him, regardless of what Riley says.
Slowly they reached the third floor and saw shadows and heard voices from the far hallway. Negan stopped walking and held up a hand. He smiled as he heard people asking about him, but it was quickly wiped from his face when the voice of Simon broke out. Gripping his bat, he began walking again, and slowly and softly began whistling the ever-distinct Negan tune.
Once in front of the crowd, Negan put back on the Negan charm, Riley watched as the blood from Simon's face dropped and he quickly replaced his desire for leadership with thrill of Negan's return. Words were had with everyone, before Negan declared he needed a shower.
"Arat…bring this one to number two" Riley looked to see Negan pointing to Gabriel
"no….no….no…. he…."
Negan held up a hand and Riley stopped talking, it was like she never left, she knew the game and knew how to play it. She looked at Gabriel and nodded her head, before he was taken away, she squeezed his hand, ensuring him she was with him.
"Riley…you remember where your room was…. go freshen up and then meet with us in the office…. glad to have you back where you belong goose"
Riley could only nod and turn walking down the hallway, as she went, she passed Dwight, she simply looked at the man as she didn't want Negan to see and pick up on anything strange. Entering her room, she shut the door and looked around. She wasn't going to stay here, with this man, she would find a way back, she would get out of here…
As she walked towards the bathroom she stopped and took in the forming of words located on the small fridge. She lowered her head and stepped into the washroom, shutting the door softly behind her
A/N: Review Please!
