Chapter 15: Hall of the Mountain King

~Negan~

"I'm sorry to bother you, sir," D.J. says after I open my door for him. "But there's a… very pressing matter that you need to attend to."

"It's one in the fucking morning," I say. "It can't wait?"

"I don't think so, sir," D.J. replies. "She was very insistent on seeing you now."

"So this matter's a she?" I question. "Who?"

"The Orphan, sir. She's here."

"Well, goddamn. Let's go say hello."

I can see inside the conference room as I approach; Clary sits with her back to the door, humming and her feet up on the table. I stand in the doorway for a minute, just watching her. She doesn't seem terrified, despite being in the heart of the enemy's territory. In fact, she seems almost at ease, as if she's already accepted all the possible outcomes of the situation.

"Kid, you really must want to die, coming here," I say.

Clary jerks in surprise, getting to her feet as she turns to face me. "Negan."

"I mean, I always knew you were a fiery little spitfuck," I continue, "but I never thought you'd come here. On your own. Unarmed."

"Just because I'm unarmed doesn't mean I can't fight," Clary returns.

I smirk, looking her over. "Oh, I don't doubt that." Clary takes a step backwards as I walk further inside, her eyes never leaving me as I cross the room, standing at the opposite end of the table. "You've got spunk, kid. I knew it from the moment I met you." I take a seat, leaning against the table. "So… what brings Little Orphan Annie to the Sanctuary?"

"Death," she simply answers.

I raise an eyebrow at her. "You do anything to me, there's over a hundred Saviors between you and the fences. They'll kill you."

"Then you'll burn cheek to cheek in Hell with a dead girl walking," she replies. She glances down with a sigh before back up at me. "I'm not here, Negan, for your death. Rest assured, that day will come; but it is not today. I'm here because I need you."

"You must be truly desperate to come to me for help."

"I am," Clary admits. "I'm willing to ask the devil for a favor."

"You are serious, aren't you? Look at you, here with the Saviors. Do your people know where you are, what you're doing?"

"I have no other choice," she says. "The only other option is that everyone dies. You, me, your men, my men. We all join the undead. But people are a resource. So you and I have to figure things out, or else that's what's gonna happen. I'm here because I think we want the same thing."

I smirk. This kid's good. This definitely isn't her first negotiation. "And what might that be?"

"An end to this," she says. "Negan, I want this to be over. I think you and I are the only ones capable of finding a solution."

"You know what I want," I tell her.

"You mean who," Clary corrects.

"Clever girl," I say. "I want Rick. You can keep your Widow, you can keep your King, but I want Rick."

Clary doesn't even think about it for a second. "You can have him. You can have Rick." She takes a seat across the table from me. "The only reason I kept him breathing this long was because of Carl. Now he's gone, and Rick is showing his true colors. I always knew Rick was dangerous, but I didn't think he was this stupid."

"You mean like trying to take me out with a whole caravan of my men right in front of me?"

"Exactly. My dad once said that Rick thinks he's keeping us safe, but he's putting us in danger. He kills and he kills and he can't leave shit well enough alone. He gets our people killed. He got Carl killed. He got Glenn killed."

"Glenn?"

"The… the second one, that night. The Widow's husband." Clary glances down. "The baby's father." She looks back up at me. "You took a father away from his unborn child, and Glenn would've made the best father in the entire world. He was already the best brother, and we weren't even siblings by blood. What you did that night, that's not something I can forgive and it's not something I'll ever forget. But I have to put that aside for right now, 'cause there's a bigger threat out there."

"I'm guessing you don't mean the dead."

Clary nods once. "When we were still back in Georgia, he got my brother Merle killed. He got Eric killed. My dad's dead because of him."

"Oh, shit," I murmur. "I'm sorry about your father. I know you probably don't believe me, but I am."

"You said that about Carl, too," Clary replies. "Every revolution has a martyr, but I didn't want Carl to be ours. I heard you, over the radio, when Rick told you. I heard all of that."

"I meant what I said. I respected the little one-eyed squirrel. And I respect you, too."

"Negan, those plans you had. What if… what if I'm in them? Instead of Carl? What you wanted him to be, to become… what if that's me? What if I become that?"

"You sayin' you wanna work for me?"

"Negan, I don't know what I want. But I know how to adapt, I know how to lie, I… I know how to kill. I don't know what it is you wanted Carl to become, but I will take his place at your side."

"Okay," I say, nodding. "You've always had my respect, kid. I never believed for a second that you were the leader of that group, but the way you stood up for them, the way that you put yourself in harm's way, that took balls. You've got some big ole lady cojones. I respect that. Job's yours after this." I look down at my hands, remembering how it felt when Lucille died. "You… you seem like you're keeping it together."

"When Lori died, Rick went nuts. But he didn't go off the deep end like he did with Carl. He wasn't the way he is now. Frankly, Negan, I'm… I'm scared of him. He's ripped someone's throat out with his teeth. I don't know what else he's capable of. The Saviors Jesus took at the satellite station… Rick promised 'em sanctuary, promised 'em mercy, and then he killed 'em."

"He broke his word," I say, but Clary doesn't seem to hear me. She's too lost in her own mind.

"But it wasn't all of 'em, though. No. The ones he killed, they had escaped while we were dealing with the walkers. Our own people, dying and turning 'cause of contaminated knives. Which, despite what it cost me, was a brilliant move. The Saviors that ran, Rick dragged me with him after 'em. And Alden, he pleaded with Rick not to kill 'em, to bring 'em back. Rick said he wouldn't kill 'em. We tracked 'em to the dive bar Alden told us about, and walkers found us. They cut us free to help fight, and Rick killed 'em all. I didn't want to kill. I can't kill anymore. One of your men attacked me, so I cut him and hoped he'd still be alive so I could get him help after, and I hid under the bar. I hid from Rick. And then I watched him kill the people I wanted to save. Even if they were your men, they were still human."

Clary chokes back a sob, surprising me. Holy shit, she's really not faking it. She's terrified of him. She's turned on him.

"Clary," I say, a great deal softer than how I normally speak. "Look at me." I get up, moving to sit in the chair beside hers. "Clary, kid, look at me." Clary lifts her head, wiping her eyes. "Hey. Tell me what you want."

"I want it to be over," she whispers. "I want this war to end. I don't want to die, but if I do, I want you to make sure that Aaron, Daryl, and Jesus survive. Don't let your men kill them. Please." She sobs, tears rolling down her cheeks. "And… and..."

She's having trouble getting her words out now. "Hey, hey, hey. Look at me, kid. Focus on me." Clary swallows her sobs, getting them under control as she wipes her eyes. I ask, "Do you want me to kill Rick?"

"I don't want anyone else to die, but if you have to kill Rick so no one else dies, then yes." Clary's hand goes to the twenty-two pendant that hangs around her neck. Her grey eyes, misty with tears, bore into mine. "Negan, I want Rick Grimes dead."

~Dwight~

Simon and I are waiting for Negan as he exits the conference room, Clary still inside. Negan closes the door behind him, leaning against the wall. "Jesus H. Christ," Negan sighs, rubbing his face. "I pity the poor kid. She's terrified. Completely scared to death of Rick. Whatever she saw him do, it broke her. She's completely out of the fight."

"So now's when we do it," Simon says.

"Do what?" I ask.

"Kill her. She's the Orphan. She's powerful. And she was dumb enough to come in here, unarmed. It'd be fish in a barrel!"

"She's a kid!" I object. "We can't kill her! And if we did, her brother would lead their people and they would kill every last one of us for what we did!"

"So we throw her to the wolves. Let her get bit and drop her on the Hilltop's doorstep just before the fever takes her. Or kill her on Hilltop's doorstep!"

"Simon, what the hell—"

"No," Negan interrupts. "No. She will not be harmed. Nobody touches her."

"But you said it yourself!" Simon objects. "'We kill the right people in the wrongest way possible.'"

"And I said nobody touches her!" Negan shouted. I take a step back. It's not often Negan loses his cool to that extent, and over Clary, of all topics. Negan lowered his voice, growling, "Nobody touches the Orphan. She's just a damn kid. Do you understand me, Simon?"

"Yes, sir," Simon grumbles, not happy about Negan's latest orders. He stalks off, and Negan sighs. He says, "It's late. I'm going back to bed. D, I want you to put someone on her all night. I know it's short notice, but if it's all you can manage, at least keep a guard posted by the door. Do whatever it takes to keep her safe. She may come down to being what wins this war."

"You got it," I affirm. Negan leaves for the night, and I whistle to two of my guys, bringing them over. "Jason, you've got the first shift. No one comes in this room without my say, alright? Just me, you two, and Negan. That's it. Nate, take over in a couple hours. You two figure out how you want to divide your shifts."

I leave them, walking inside the conference room. I close the door behind me, but Clary doesn't even turn to look at me. She's curled up in a chair, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them. Clary's already small, but this makes her look even tinier. I can't help but pity her; she was once so strong and now she's just this terrified child.

I lean against the table in front of her, looking down at my hands. I glance up at her, asking, "You want to talk about it?" Clary shakes her head. "I'm sorry."

Clary lets out a sob, bowing her head. I place my hand on her shoulder, taking great care not to startle her into thinking I mean to harm her. Instead, she latches onto me. She wraps her arms around my waist, her head against my chest.

For a long few minutes, I don't move. I don't know what the fuck to do. I'm not used to this, having a scared kid that's fighting battles that are much, much bigger than she is clinging to me. A kid, I think to myself. She's a fucking kid on the front lines of a revolution. Wars don't need to be fought by kids, especially when it costs them everything.

So I just hold her, arms wrapped tightly around her, because what do kids do when they're scared? They look to an adult for help, to make it right, to make them feel safe.

So I just hold her, hoping that by caging her against my chest, that I'm making her feel at least a little safer. "Listen to me," I whisper to her. "Clary, listen. Simon's planning a coup against Negan. He's acting tomorrow, and it might be the end of Negan. If he succeeds, Simon will kill you. Negan's already had to stop him once. We gotta get you out."

"No, no, no!" Clary rushes, clutching me tighter. "No, I can't go back! Rick—he–he'll—"

I hiss, "Simon will do the same or worse!"

"You can stop Simon, but Rick can't be stopped!"

"Rick doesn't know that you're here, what you're doing. But Simon? Simon wants you dead. He knows who you are, what you've done in the past, and he wants to kill you."

"If he does," Clary whispers, "bring my body to Hilltop, alright? And… and Daryl will wanna kill you, but you tell him what happened. You tell him that I went out for the same reason Merle did. He'll understand then."

"Hey, hey, I'm not gonna let you die," I promise her, leaning down to look at her. "You can't die. If you do, it's over. No one will survive this war. Do you have any weapons?"

"I left my gun and crossbow back at Hilltop. I gave them my knife, but they didn't search me." Clary bends down, pulling a switchblade out of her boot. "I still have Merle's old switch."

"Keep it on you at all times," I order. "Alright? And put it some place where it's easy for you to grab it. If Simon comes after you, you fight like hell. You don't stop. You kill that son of a bitch, you hear me? You kill him and you get back to your family."

"D, I don't even know where in the hell my family is, let alone if they're still alive."

~Aaron~

"Is he dead?"

On the inside, yes. I'm so starved and dehydrated that I'm probably pretty close physically, too.

I open my eyes, the cool rain quickly waking me. I lift my head to find myself surrounded by the women of Oceanside. I push myself up onto my elbows, staring them down despite being on the ground below all of them.

"You blamed Enid," I say, "for Natania's death. But it's really the Saviors. What they did to you, what they turned you into… it's their fault. You hide. You don't trust. You don't live the life the way you want to because of them. They hurt you, and they're gonna keep on hurting you. Unless you do one thing! Fight!"

I collapse onto my back, unable to support myself any longer.

The Oceanside looks to Cyndie.

Cyndie shares a look with Beatrice, then gives a nod. She orders, "Get him up. Bring him with us."

~Dwight~

Negan's door swings open before I even finish knocking. I lower my fist, telling him, "I hope I didn't wake you."

Negan shakes his head. "No, I'm still awake. What do you need, D?"

"Can I come in, sir?" I request. Negan steps aside, holding open his door, and gestures to one of his chairs. I take a seat, Negan sitting opposite of me on the couch. "I talked to Clary, just to let her know that I was keeping some of my guys posted outside the door."

"How's she doing?"

"With what?" I ask. "She's losing her family, her home. She's been on the front lines of this revolution since they started it. She's a fucking kid."

"I know," Negan says after a moment. "What the hell happened to this world that kids have become soldiers?"

"What the hell happened that made her come here?"

"Rick," Negan answers. "She's scared of Rick."

"She's terrified of Simon, too," I say. "That's actually why I'm here. We need to talk about Simon."

~Clary~

Dwight kept one of his men posted outside the conference room at all times, not trusting any of the Saviors. He knew that Simon would be willing to bribe one of the Saviors into killing me, so he kept the ones that he knew couldn't be bought with me.

It's midday when the door to the conference room opens. Nate, the Savior currently on guard duty, leans inside. He asks, "Are you hungry? Negan brought you lunch."

I start to object, "Oh, I–I–I–I can't—"

"Don't even finish that sentence," comes Negan's voice. Nate pushes the door open wider, allowing Negan to enter before closing it again. I stare up at Negan, asking, "Why? We're enemies."

"We're allies now," Negan corrects. He puts the tray down in front of me, consisting of a sandwich, an apple, a bottle of water, and a—

"It's the last chocolate one," Negan says, gesturing to the pudding cup as he sits in a chair to my right. "I hoped you liked chocolate. I figured with everything you've been going through, you could use a little pick-me-up."

"So it's pity?" I guess, and Negan looks down, not wanting to admit that he feels pity for the Orphan. "Negan." He looks up at me. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, kid," Negan says.

I pick up the pudding, staring at it. I can't help but smile, reminiscing. "Carl loved chocolate pudding," I say, then glance at Negan. "I watched him eat an entire 112 ounce can once, minus the few spoonfuls I ate. We were kids then—for just that moment, at least. Chocolate pudding didn't change the fact that we had both killed by then."

"How many?" Negan questions as I take a bite of the sandwich. "How many people have you killed? How many people has Rick made you kill?"

"I don't know," I admit, putting down my sandwich and pushing the tray away, no longer hungry. "It was sixteen when we got to Alexandria, but you know that. It was fifty-three when Eric died. When Simon hit us the other night, I didn't count. I don't know how many it was, but I do know that half the people I've killed have been Saviors. The, uh, the night we hit the satellite station, I killed fourteen. I was the one that burnt your men alive on the kill floor. I used gasoline and a cigarette."

"You're one resourceful little spitfuck, aren't you?" Negan sighs, sitting back in his chair. "The ones you killed—Paula, Donnie, the other ones you burnt—they all got what was coming to them. The ones at the satellite outpost, they couldn't follow a command to save their life. It's what cost 'em theirs in the end."

"Would you say that about Alden?"

"You know Alden?" I nod. "Of course. He went to the satellite outpost to build the fence, and they were the ones your people took. He grew on you, didn't he?"

I'm a bit more hesitant this time, but I nod again. "He saved my life. Twice. He's smart, a charmer. He's got a big heart."

"Look, kid, I'm in charge of a lot of people. I don't know all of them all that well, but I can tell you that everything that you just said about him's true. Alden's one of the good ones. He's not a dipshit like the ones that get sent to that outpost. He volunteered to go, to head the team building the fence because he wanted to keep his people safe."

"They're not his people anymore," I object, a tad harsher than I mean to. "Sorry. But... Alden's not a Savior anymore."

"You won him over."

"Well, it was my good looks that did it, obviously."

Negan laughs. "Oh, I like you, tiger." He stands, sliding the lunch tray back towards me. "Eat, kid. Keep your strength up. If you want to get out of this room for a while, just tell Nate. He'll walk with you, keep you safe. And tiger?"

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Don't worry about Simon. I'm taking care of it."

I lean forward, folding my arms against the railing as my legs dangle over the edge. I watch the Saviors on the factory floor below, going about their day to day life. Behind me, I hear the sounds of a quiet conversation. I rest my chin on my arm, watching someone sit down next to me out of the corner of my eye as Nate walks away. Dwight leans back against the railing, fiddling with the flask in his hands. "So this is the life of the Saviors," I say. "Huh. Not as glorious as I thought. Or dastardly."

"What, did you think Negan just sits around, rubbing his hands together and muttering 'Rick' disdainfully all day?" Dwight deadpans.

"Of course not! I'm not stupid, D," I return, glaring at him before I crack a grin. "He pets one of those hairless cats while muttering 'Rick.'"

Dwight lets out a chuckle, taking a swig from his flask. He offers it to me, and I'm never one to pass up a drink. I take it, taking a long drink. "I meant to ask you earlier," Dwight says, keeping his voice quiet so no one overhears us. "I didn't get a chance to. How's Tara? Is she okay?"

I nod. "She's alright. Your arrow was clean, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Simon was going after her. He would've killed her, and I owe her, so I did what I could." Dwight sighs, glancing at his watch. "It's almost time for Simon's plan."

"He knows?" I question, taking another drink.

"Who?"

I glance towards Dwight. "You know who."

"He knows," Dwight confirms.

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be, I guess. No matter what, I think someone is going to die today."

"I hope it ain't you," I whisper, taking another drink.

I don't look at Dwight, but I can see him staring at me out of the corner of my eye.

"I thought you hated me," he says, glancing up as a Savior passes. "After shooting you, your brother. And torturing him."

I glance over my shoulder, making sure we're alone again. "We've been over this. I don't hate you. In fact, I trust you." I drink again. "I trust you more than I trust Rick."

"Wow," Dwight says, blinking in surprise. "You trust the Savior that shot you more than your leader."

"Rick's not a leader. He's a liar and a killer. I mean, we've all killed now, but there's a line between having killed and being a killer. He's too far gone past it. Rick's done things that make Negan look like a saint. I'm a lot more scared of Rick Grimes than I am of Negan." I make sure no one's listening before I whisper, "And you're not a Savior."

"No, I am not," Dwight replies. "I'm with you, remember?"

"Yeah," I drawl, handing Dwight's flask over as he gets to his feet.

Dwight goes to take a drink, then lowers it with a defeated sigh. "You drained my flask."

"I've had a hell of a rough week," I say.

"That you have," Dwight agrees, clasping my shoulder. "I'm sorry. For all that you've lost."

"We're sorry an awful lot these days."

"Unfortunately, we are," Dwight agrees, releasing my shoulder and starting to walk away.

"Hey," I call. I turn, pulling my legs up as Dwight pauses. "Good luck, D. You're gonna need it."

"What I need," Dwight teases, "is a drink. But somebody drank mine."

"You offered it," I retort. "Maybe I should've saved you some. You're about to do something pretty stupid."

He looks down at his watch. "It's time."

Dwight whistles to Nate, signally for him to return to guarding me. I turn back to the factory floor below, promising, "You make it out of this, I'll owe you a drink, D."

"Dix," Dwight says, and I turn back to him. He tosses his flask to me, and I catch it. "I'm gonna hold you to that."

I give him a small grin, tucking the flask in my jacket. "I'll see you around, D."

~Dwight~

I leave Clary inside with Nate, walking outside and lighting a cigarette as I stand at the dumpster, waiting for Simon and his group. I shift on my feet, never straying more than a foot from the spot Negan had me put my cigarette out yesterday. I don't turn as the door opens, and I let out a small sigh as I hear Gary's voice. Of course, he's in on this, I think as he says, "Some shit, huh?"

I turn to face him as he approaches, Simon and Gary in the lead. Gregory trails behind them. "Yeah," I agree.

"Gotta think you wanted this before we did."

I don't respond. Simon steps forward, standing toe to toe. He looks down at me for a moment, then nods.

"If you're here right now," he says, then turns to face everyone else, "you're in. We can talk about approaches and finesses, but you are in. No take backs. We need to make this quick, quiet, and respectful. Man's done a lot for us. We owe him that much, and he deserves it." Simon turns to me. "You have some legitimate personal issues with the man. The kill is yours if you want it. Something quiet. I mean, not a knife. Can't make it that personal. A silencer. Dwight?"

"I'll think about it," I say, but I won't.

"We'll call a meeting," Simon continues. "And that's it. The next order of business is to set the break, to start the healing. The catalyzing event to facilitate that is the destruction of Hilltop and its residents, but not before we make them watch as we kill the Orphan right on their doorstep. Sorry, Dwight, I know you like her. We'll make it a monument of compliance for Hilltop. Sorry, Gregory."

He's not sorry.

"Then, we get on with our lives. Right, Dwight?"

No time like the present, huh?

I whistle. It's his whistle. For a second, I don't get a response.

Where is he? Where is he? Come on, Negan!

The whistling starts.

There he is.

Negan emerges from where he had been standing, hidden behind the dumpster. Negan claps my shoulder, saying, "Thank you, D. I'll take it from here." He shouts, "Nate!"

The door swings open, Nate emerging with a somewhat panicking Clary. Oh, fuck, what's he doing? What angle is he playing? Just leave her alone already! She's a kid!

Negan calls, "Clary, dear, will you count for me? Down from three, if you will." Okay, she can't get hurt counting, can she? Clary looks a little confused, glancing between Negan and I. I give her a nod, and she starts to walk down the stairs. "Stay where you are, kid."

So Clary remains where she is on the steps, calling out, "Three… two… one…"

At one, silent bullets are fired into all of Simon's men, with the exception of Gregory and Simon himself. Clary squeaks in surprise, covering her mouth with her hands, as Nate steps forward to defend her, unsure of what happened. Arat, D.J., and Norris emerge from behind a van, weapons aimed at Simon and Gregory.

"Nate, you're relieved of your duty," Negan says. "Clary, dear, come down here with me and Dwighty boy."

Nate walks back inside with a nod, and Clary joins Negan and I, standing between us. She glances down at Gary's body, saying, "I wanted him."

"What was that?" Negan questions.

"Gary. He was on my list. He nearly killed my dad, and I said I'd kill him for it."

Negan glances at Clary as Arat and her crew reach us, Arat taking Simon's weapons. "You gave the order," Negan says. "It counts. You got him, kid, and you got a little taste of the boss man's power."

Enraged at the deaths of his men, Simon charges towards us. I don't know if he's going after Clary because of who she is and how Negan let her give the kill order, or if he's going after me because I sold him out to Negan. Either way, I grab Clary and pull her back with me. D.J. and Arat lunge forward at the same time, subduing Simon.

"You alright?" I ask Clary, not releasing her arms quite yet as we take a few steps forward in case I have to pull her back again. Clary gives me a small nod.

Negan chuckles, watching as Simon struggles. "Now there is the Simon I know! He comes right at you instead of the backstabby bullshit."

Simon is fuming; if he were a dog, Cujo would be running from him with his tail between his legs. I push Clary behind me, using one arm to separate her from Simon. She sticks close to me, grabbing the back of my shirt with one hand.

"Why?" Simon demands. "After everything he did to you, huh? Why do this?"

"He'd win," I simply say.

"You killed all the garbage people, Simon," Negan chastises, turning and bringing Lucille down on Gary's head, preventing him from reanimating. "After I specifically told you not to do that shit." Negan brings his bat down on the head of the next dead body. "But… after all this… and me being me… I'm still gonna give you your shot. You wanna be the man, you gotta beat the man. If you can do that, then hell, you should be the man."

I turn my head just enough to look at Clary, whispering, "Stay close to me."

Clary remains at my side, her hand hovering above her hidden switchblade. I put my hand over hers, looking down at her as I quietly promise, "You'll be okay. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Everyone!" Simon calls, forcing all attention to him as he stands in the middle of the ring of Saviors, Negan opposite him. "After this is done, we get to work." He walks around the perimeter as he speaks, and I drop my hand from Clary's as he nears, sneering. He stops in front of her, lip curled in revolt as he looks down at her. "And we start by killing her. We make her people watch as we kill their beloved Orphan right in front of them!"

I take half a step, putting myself in front of Clary. I lift my chin, ready to face off with Simon if I have to. I make my choice clear. I choose Clary over Simon. The Saviors all know that Negan's always respected her. They know she's here now, maybe with us. They watch me side with her, they watch Negan respect her, and they watch Simon want to kill her. It'll be a no brainer for the rest of the Saviors when it comes to the Orphan.

If Simon wins.

"You still gotta beat me first, Simon," Negan says.

Simon nods, turning back to the rest of the Saviors. "Just know that I didn't want this. But the Sanctuary must stand. This is not the man to prosecute this conflict. Just wanted to say, a grateful enclave—"

Simon cuts himself off as he spins and throws the first punch, knocking Negan to the ground. He pulls Negan back to his feet, throwing another punch. Negan stumbles, but he doesn't fall. Simon charges him, but Negan's ready. Simon tries to tackle him, but Negan drives his elbow down onto Simon's back, shoving him back. They trade punches, back and forth, back and forth. It's touch and go, both sides looking like they stand a chance. I don't know who will win, but I do know that both Clary and I are dead if Simon wins.

Simon knocks Negan on his back, and it's then that I decide to get them out. Gregory's already backing away from the fight, so I grab Clary's hand, pulling her with me after him. I take Gregory's arm, escorting them far enough away so we won't be heard talking. I hiss, "You need to get out of here, now."

"No shit," Gregory returns.

I take the map I had copied earlier out of my pocket, pressing it into Clary's hands. "Get this to Rick and the others," I tell her. "Tell them about tomorrow. It's the only move we have left." I hand her a set of keys. "I left a car for you two behind the coal chutes. Go."

Gregory slips away, and Clary starts to follow. I catch her arm before she can go, stopping her. I whisper to her, "Be careful with him. He's a coward and dangerous because of it. Watch your back." Clary gives me a quick nod. "Now, go!"

"If Simon wins, you gotta get out," Clary rushes. "You run, D. We'll be at the angel statue. We'll give you an hour."

"If Simon wins, I'll see you there," I tell her. "But don't you dare wait any longer! Go!"

Clary takes off after Gregory, and I quickly return back to the fight, hoping nobody noticed that I left. No one even spares me a glance when I return, too engrossed in the fight. Negan now has Simon on the floor below him, his hands wrapped around Simon's neck, slowly choking the life out of him.

"You went for it all at the Hilltop," Negan says. "You got Saviors killed, and then you ran away like a coward! You got shown up one too many times. Those people, they are always gonna know that there's a loophole, a way to skate. They are always gonna be looking for that chance to push back, so now I gotta kill all of 'em just like I'm gonna kill you!"

I can hear Simon's windpipe cracking from where I stand at the outer edge of the circle.

Negan stands, bleeding from cuts on his cheekbone and above his eyebrow. Simon's body remains on the floor, windpipe crushed. I close my eyes, breathing out a sigh of relief. Simon's dead; one less threat to the rest of us. Just go, Clary. Don't wait for me.

~Clary~

Jesus, Maggie, and Dianne rush to meet me as I walk Gregory towards the pen, empty now thanks to Rick and Morgan. Jesus asks, "Where the hell have you been? And why are you with Gregory?"

"I went to the Sanctuary," I admit. "It was the only way. I had to…" I pause for a moment, glancing away before looking back to them as I lie, "I had to try and meet with Dwight. I got this information. I ran into Gregory on the way out. That's where he ran after Henry opened the pen. I figured he should come back and rot here."

"Is that true?" Maggie questions, looking at Gregory. "You went to the Sanctuary?"

Gregory knows that I'm lying through my teeth about why I went, about how we got out; but he's too scared of me to do anything, especially after I threatened him on the way here. He simply nods, and Maggie nods to Dianne. Dianne takes Gregory's arm, escorting him to the pen and locking him in, the only prisoner.

"You said you had information," Jesus recalls, looking away from Gregory.

"Yeah, delivery from the dog," I say, passing the map to Maggie. Everyone gives me a look of confusion. "The Hound, from Game of Thrones, with the burnt face? I meant Dwight."

Maggie glances down at the map, then towards Gregory, who is still within hearing distance. She says, "Let's talk somewhere else."

We walk towards the workers' stalls, meeting up with Rick and Michonne. She hands the map to Rick, allowing him to look over it. Maggie asks, "What do we do?"

I take the map, looking down at Dwight's message. Tomorrow afternoon—Negan and ten men at the X. Other 11 person teams at each of the circles. End Negan, end the rest. End this.

I echo, "We end this."