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Crossroads
Part Nineteen
The scream tore from Dean's throat unbidden. It erupted from his mouth to vibrate in the air around him as he watched his dad use Lucille to beat Bobby's head in. He yanked at his arms, using strength he didn't even know he possessed to pull himself free, to charge right at the man who was supposed to be his father. He crashed right into him, not sure how Lucille didn't end up hitting him, as he tackled Negan in the stomach, sending them both to the dirt.
"Dean!" but the young hunter didn't care about his dad's shout of his name, he had already scrambled from Negan, crawling back to Bobby. Part of the older hunter's head had been caved in from the two blows that had come down on it. The cap that had always been a part of Bobby since Dean could remember was gone, laying bloody on the ground. With shaking hands Dean turned Bobby over, peering into the rapidly paling face of his friend.
"Bobby? Oi Bobby!"
"D…D…Dea…"
"Don't talk Bobby," Dean hushed the man. An eye looked at him, blood shot and wide, though filled with pain. The rest of the face was turning a purple colour, a little contorted due to the first blow knocking part of the skull out of place. "Y…you need to keep still."
"Dean," the young hunter quietened at the sound of his name. He stared at Bobby, who was gazing at him so intently. "Don't …"
"Don't?" Dean asked, reaching down to pick up Bobby's hand, it tightened a little, but nothing compared to what the man's strength should have been. "Don't what? Bobby?"
"D…don't …k…kill him." Dean stilled, his jaw locked. He couldn't say a word as he watched the life drain from Bobby's face and he died right there on the road of Alexandria.
"Bobby?" the man lay lifeless. "Bobby? Come on Bobby, you can't do this," Dean gripped the dead hand in his grip and shook it. "Bobby!" Dean flinched as something landed on his shoulder.
"He's gone, son. Lasted longer than most though, guess that's Bobby for you." Dean could hear the voice, he knew who it was that was talking to him, but he didn't care. With an animalistic snarl, he spun, knocking the hand from him, he jumped on top of Negan.
"Dean!"
"He's dead! He's dead! He's dead!" Dean cried, pummelling Negan with his fists, aiming for any part of his body. Dean's mind was lost in a haze of thoughts, all of them featuring Bobby's head smashed under Lucille.
"Dean! Get off me, boy!"
"How could you do that to Bobby?! How?!" Dean shouted, spit flying from his mouth even as his dad glared up at him. Dean should have expected one of the Saviours to make a move. He should have known that they would, you don't just tackle a leader to the ground and don't expect the followers to respond. A crack landed on the back of Dean's skull, making his vision black out a little, it was enough time for hands to go under his arm pits, allowing them to jerk him away from Negan. A punch landed on his own face, but Dean didn't care, he welcomed the pain, it let him forget about Bobby.
"Oi, oi, don't beat him to hard, will you? I need him conscious." The beating stopped, but the grip on him tightened. "Get him up." The hands manoeuvred Dean into place, a hand went into his hair to lift his face up so that he was looking Negan dead in the eye. "What was that all about son?" Dean spat, as his dad came down to his level, kneeling in front of him, even as the crowd of Alexandrian's shifted uneasily.
"You killed Bobby," Dean's voice almost choked on the sob that wanted to escape.
"Yeah," his dad shook his head and he had the audacity to look ashamed. "That was a real shame."
"Why?!" Dean cried. "Why would you do that?"
"He was getting in the way."
"Of what?"
"Dean, you shouldn't worry so much about it. It doesn't -"
"He was like a dad to me!" Dean yelled. Negan flinched, the sympathetic look that had been on his features instantly vanishing. "He was the best and you killed him. For what? Because he dared to say something to you?"
"He was getting between us," Negan said, which forced a hysterical laugh from Dean.
"'Getting between us?'" Dean mocked. "He was being my friend and you killed him."
"He would have turned you against me."
"He worked for you. He was a Saviour."
"Only because it kept him alive," Negan snapped. "Marcus has been keeping tabs on Bobby, he knows Bobby was wavering. It was only a matter of time before he turned against us."
"And can you blame him?" Dean yelled. He didn't care that he was in the middle of the street, that he was airing some of his family's dirty laundry for all of Alexandria to hear. "You keep people chained to you through fear. But all that's going to do is make things worse."
"The system keeps people alive Dean," Negan said, though his tone was hard, uncompromising. "People need to be kept in line."
"Do you listen to yourself?" Dean asked. "Your insane, all of this is insane. It's never going to work dad. In the end, they'll just kill you. Hell, I might even let them." Negan didn't respond to Dean's outburst straight away. He rocked back on his heels, his face turned a pale colour, then he stood.
"You'd let them kill me? Your own father?" Dean didn't answer as Negan stared down at him, face impassive. "My own son, he would allow me to die because I tried to keep him alive?" Negan stepped back, Lucille was on the ground a little away. His dad picked her up, wrapping his fingers tight around the wooden bat. He swung it back and forth, then Negan suddenly jerked his head beyond Dean. The sound of scuffling feet came to his ears.
"Oi, let go of me!"
"Kid!" Dean called out, as the boy was forced in front of Negan, pushed to his knees and held in place by the demon that had grabbed him. His dad stood over the boy, but he wasn't looking at him, his eyes were locked on Dean, who could only watch everything play out.
"I think maybe, I've been a little to lacks with you, Dean," Negan spoke as though he was talking to a child. "I thought I could show you over time, but now, perhaps drastic measures are needed. Force him down." The demon pushed Kid to the ground, so that his front was pressed to the dirt. "Get his arm out, I don't want to risk hitting his head." Another Saviour rushed forward, grabbing Kid's hand, yanking it out before the boy, holding it flat to the dirt. "You know, I already tried to take his hand," Negan spoke to Dean, whose eyes were wide and sweat started to bead on his forehead. "He was being a brat, but he was important to you, so I spared it. Now though," Negan lifted Lucille, so that it was above his head. He turned a smug smirk on Dean, who tried to lunge from the grip of the Saviours that held him.
"Dad! Don't you touch him! Dad! Negan!"
"Maybe this will teach you. Don't worry, Dean, I won't let him die." Negan swung, Dean yelled, Kid screamed, a shot rang out, cutting through all the other noise. Dean jerked, as one of the Saviours that was holding him fell to the ground. He was swiftly followed by another as bullets started to fly. Dean turned and stared as Rick, Michonne, Maggie and several people he didn't recognise descended on the group of Saviours, guns out and shooting.
"Get them!"
"Aim for Negan!"
"We'll be over run."
"For the Kingdom!"
"Dean?! Ya' alright?" the hunter gasped as someone came down beside him, trying to get his attention. "Dean?"
"Daryl?" Dean blinked, confusion still clouding his mind. The man was still in the jump suit, but he had a gun in his hand and the chains were gone. "What?"
"Dean!" that scream got the hunters attention. He jerked his head up, shoving Daryl aside to look for who he should have prioritised first.
"Kid?!" But the boy was no longer on the ground, instead he was being held by Negan, as he and the Saviours battled their way to their trucks. Their gazes caught, and Kid tried to kick himself free.
"Dean!"
"Kid!" Dean pushed himself to his feet.
"Dean, you can't -"
"Get out of my way!" Dean snarled shoving passed Daryl, though making sure to take his weapon, he was going to need it. The young hunter gave chase, though the rain of bullets were a hindrance and by the time Dean was within shouting distance of Kid and Negan they were at the trucks. Negan had opened one of the doors and was about to shove Kid inside when Dean lifted the gun in his hand and let off a shot. It missed, but it had an effect, Negan spun, taking Kid with him, placing him in front of his body like a shield.
"You going to shoot me, Dean?"
"Let the boy go."
"I do, and I get riddled with bullets," Negan said even as the trucks engine started, and some started to pull away.
"I can make a head shot." Negan laughed.
"Do you want to take that risk?"
"Just let him go dad," Dean almost pleaded. "This is over."
"It's never over Dean," Negan shook his head, that smile still on his face. "This is just a setback. You think these people will able to beat me? You underestimate me."
"Just let Kid go, he's nothing to you."
"But he's something to you," Negan said, and Dean tensed. "I think I'll keep him, just until your ready to come home."
"Dad -" a shot came, striking the truck with a crack. Kid shrieked, and Dean wanted to turn and yell at whoever had shot that. Couldn't they see the boy?
"You don't let me go and these people will fill me full of bullets, it won't matter if the boy gets hit to." Negan pointed it out so simply that it made Dean sick. "You don't want him dead, do you Dean?"
"Dean," Kid whimpered, his hands were trapped by Negan's strong arms, his face was frightened, scared.
"You going to sacrifice him Dean?" Negan asked, and Dean knew that he wasn't. He wasn't going to get Kid killed. The gun lowered slightly, and Negan took the chance to throw Kid in the back of the truck, then climbed in. The wheels spun, and it was out of there before Dean could think to do anything else. The noise that surrounded him meant nothing to the young hunter, all he could do was stare after the truck, as it smashed its way out of Alexandria, Kid and his dad inside. He didn't know how long he stood there, but when he felt something pointed at his back, he finally felt the need to refocus. He turned, Rick and the gang were there, staring at him, though it was someone he didn't recognise that was aiming a gun at his head. He narrowed his eyes and let his mind take in the words that were being shouted.
"He's his son! We should kill him!"
"Dean, didn't do anything."
"Being related to that bastard is enough," it was a man who was talking, he had some sort of armour on, though it had been pieced together and probably wouldn't hold up long. Dean cocked his head and took a step forward which made everyone still.
"You want to shoot me?" Dean asked, staring at the man whose rifle was starting to shake. "You want to kill me? Go ahead. It won't make a difference."
"Dean," the hunter ignored Eric, the man was being held by Aaron, pale and shocked by what had just happened.
"Because even if you shot me, it wouldn't hurt as much as I do right now," Dean took another step forward and in a daring move, shoved the rifle down and away from him. No bullet was fired. "Now if you can all excuse me. I need to see to my friend." And with that Dean walked through the gathered crowd of Alexandrian's, Hilltop residents and other people he had no idea where they came from. He walked back towards Bobby. He would give his friend a hunter's funeral, the man at least deserved that. After, he would find a way to end this for good.
Dean made Bobby's pyre outside of Alexandria. He knew he could have done it within the community, but it didn't feel right. So, he went beyond the wall, gathering what he needed to see to Bobby's last rights. Of course, the band of rebels wouldn't let him go alone. He was Negan's son, they couldn't let him just wander around. Luckily Daryl had volunteered, and no one wanted to argue with the crossbowman. Dean was grateful to him, as he was quiet and kept out of the way, letting Dean do what he needed to do for Bobby. When all was prepared, Dean had carried Bobby's body out of Alexandria, no one had touched him, or the cap that had been at his side. Dean had laid him on the pyre, making sure the cap was placed on his head. Dean lingered a little on his face. It looked nothing like it should, bloated, with blood staining it and misshapen from the blow of Lucille. Dean raised a hand lowering the brim of the cap. "I'm sorry," he muttered, tears pricking at his eyes before finally falling to land on Bobby's pale dead skin. "I'm so sorry Bobby." Not wanting to break down completely, Dean stepped back, he'd already doused the pyre in gas and salt, but he had nothing to light it with. Panic welled up in Dean for a moment, but it was quickly eased as a lighter was held out in front of his face. Turning he saw Daryl had come closer, a grim look pressed into his features.
"Here," he mumbled. Dean paused a moment, then gripped it, taking it from the callused hands of the crossbowman.
"Thanks," Daryl grunted. Dean wasted no time, striking the lighter, he knelt and passed the flame over the trail of gas he had made. It worked quickly, fire racing towards the pyre, which lit up in flames, burning Bobby's corpse away to nothing.
"Why'd ya' burn him?" Dean was surprised by the question but didn't let it show.
"It's a hunter's funeral," Dean said.
"Hunter's funeral?"
"Hmm, we all get salted and burned, it's way to stop our sprits from coming back. Top tip. Best way to take down a ghost, spirit or other spiritual nasty, salt and burn the bones." Dean didn't know why he was saying all this, maybe it was because it was distracting, allowing his brain to focus on something than everything he had just lost in the space of a few hours.
"He let me go, ya' know?" Daryl's gruff voice said.
"He did?"
"Yeah, got the chains off. I let Rick and the others in."
"That's good."
"He was a good man."
"I know."
"He gave me summat for ya'." Dean barely reacted to the nudge to his side, but when he did finally turn to look he blinked surprised.
"What?"
"He passed it me when he let me loose." Daryl said as he held out the demon killing knife. "Told me to keep it safe until I could pass it on to ya'."
"He did?" Dean said, shaking hands reaching out to take the familiar weapon. It felt good in his hand, fingers wrapped around the hilt easily, taking the weight. Daryl grunted, giving Dean a moment to collect himself before asking.
"What is it?"
"Demon killing knife."
"Demon killing?"
"That's exactly how it sounds."
"That knife can kill demons?" Daryl questioned to which Dean nodded. "I'm having a hard time believing it."
"Oh, believe me, it works." Dean held it a moment longer before slotting the weapon onto his belt. "Thanks."
"No problem." They waxed into silence, the sound of the flames sparking the only thing filling the heavy, still air.
"Ya' know we'll get Kid back, right?" Dean tensed at the words, though they were softly spoken. Daryl had come a little closer, into Dean's space. The young hunter said nothing, though he stiffened a little at the close contact.
"We?"
"Yeah."
"You think I'll still be alive to get him back?"
"Rick won't kill ya'."
"It's not all up to him."
"I won't let 'em kill ya'," Dean was surprised at the passion in the crossbowman's voice. He turned to take in the man. He could just make out his eyes behind the wild mess of hair, he had to hold in the gasp that wanted to escape him. They were bright, piercing, as though they would set fire to the hunter if he stared at them to long. Daryl reached out, but then stopped, letting his hand fall to his side. "I won't let 'em."
"I'm Negan's son."
"Ya' Dean," Daryl shook his head. "Ya' ours and so is Kid." That almost got Dean's water works going again, but he held it in, he wasn't going to cry in front of Daryl, no way.
"Thanks." They stood there, watching as the fire burned Bobby's corpse to nothing. The sun sunk lower in the sky, but still Dean stood there, he would stay until the fire was completely out. As evening came, Daryl was joined by Eric and Aaron. They stayed a little way back, so as not to disturb the hunter, but Dean knew they were there. As well as Rick and a few of his other key members. Dean was grateful that they kept away, giving him time with Bobby. It was hard not to think of the man and remember how he died. His dad had killed Bobby. No Negan had killed Bobby. That man was not John Winchester. John Winchester would never hurt someone like that, especially someone he called friend. But what stumped Dean was the why. Why had Negan done it? Because Bobby had called him out? Had been wanting to leave? Or was it as simple as Bobby getting between Dean and Negan. The thought had never once crossed Dean's mind that his dad could be jealous of Bobby. Back in the other reality, Dean and Sam had spent more time with Bobby than with their own father, and it had never once bothered the man. Dean knew Sam considered Bobby his father. Dean, though the man was like a second father to him, knew Bobby wasn't his old man. More like an uncle. He was still fortunate or unfortunate maybe, to have memories of the Winchester family from before they were hunters. When John Winchester could just be a dad to his sons instead of a teacher, protector and hunter. Dean knew that he would have to do something about Negan. For one he had Kid and Dean was under no illusion that he would hurt the boy if he did not do as Negan wanted. Also, Kid was good leverage to use against Dean. Negan would know that he would just need to threaten the boy where Dean could see, and Dean would respond, probably stupidly. He would not let Negan hurt his son. But what could he do about it? The communities wouldn't trust him. He was the son of the man who had threatened them, killed their friends. He was surprised that guy hadn't taken the shot.
"Because they respect you. As I knew they would." Dean's fingers twitched, though it was the only show of his surprise.
"What do you want Gatekeeper?" Dean's voice was quiet, low, so that Daryl and the others wouldn't hear. He didn't even turn his head to look at the girl, who was stood at his side, a black dress with a veil over her hair and face adorning her.
"I'm just paying my respects."
"You didn't even know Bobby."
"Oh, but I did," she said and the fondness in her tone gave Dean reason to believe she wasn't lying. "I watched him a lot, seen as he was important to you. He was a good man."
"Then why did he have to die?" Dean spat, though the Gatekeeper sighed.
"This was inevitable."
"No, it wasn't."
"Who's the gatekeeper of the universe here?" the Gatekeeper said, though Dean could sense the smile in her tone. "Dean, Bobby's death was not your fault."
"No, it's Negan's."
"And what are you going to do about that?" Dean licked his lips. He didn't know what he was going to do about that. He could kill Negan, that's what everyone else seemed to want to do. But what would it achieve? One of the other Saviours would simply rise, or maybe one of the demons that Negan kept in line, and then they would all be in some serious trouble. But he couldn't just let Negan carry on with what he was doing. Not matter what he thought, forcing people to bend to his will through fear would not work. It was wrong, it was dangerous, it would get more people killed. Unbidden Dean's mind went back to Bobby's final moments. He'd been avoiding thinking of them ever since his death, but now they came back so clear. Bobby's bruised and bloodied face, his skull caved in, but he looked at Dean with such clarity, as though he could see something Dean couldn't. "Don't kill him."
"I have an idea." Dean turned to look at the Gatekeeper, who was watching him with a soft gentle smile on her lips. "It really is obvious when you think about."
"The simple solutions are usually the hardest to see."
"And a pain in the ass to accomplish."
"Are you going to tell them?" the Gatekeeper turned to Daryl, Aaron and Eric, as well as Rick and a few others that were waiting for him.
"No, they wouldn't understand."
"Can you stop them?"
"I have to try."
"Even if you have to stay here to do it?" Dean's heart clenched, but he pushed it aside.
"I'll do what I have to." He walked away, leaving the Gatekeeper and Bobby behind.
"He shouldn't be going."
"He's given us details of the Sanctuary that we never would have gotten otherwise. He knows it best."
"He's still Negan's brat, what if he runs off when we're in the thick of it?"
"Dean would never do that." Dean sighed, this was an argument he had heard since the whole plan to take on the Saviours had come about. Dean had been involved with most of the planning. Of course, that had been a conscious choice on his part, but some of the residents of Hilltop and the other community they had joined with, the Kingdom, had some issues with that. Rick has accepted Dean back into Alexandria warily, though it seemed with the loss of Kid he was less willing to hold a grudge against Dean for not knowing that his father was Negan. Dean was quick to offer his knowledge of the Sanctuary and had been brought into the inner circle of things. Daryl had stayed by his side, along with Aaron and Eric, the latter having latched onto him with a vengeance since everything had gone down. Being so in on the workings of the plan exposed Dean to the leaders of Hilltop and the Kingdom. Dean had been shocked to see Maggie as Hilltops new leader. He had tried to avoid the woman in the beginning, but she had soon cornered. They had talked. It had been difficult, but Dean was thankful that he had come out alive and that Maggie didn't blame him for her husband's death. Dean knew she placed the blame for that squarely on Negan's shoulders. It was deserved, but it didn't make Dean feel any better. The leader of the Kingdom was strange. The people there saw him as a king and he spoke like some weird old English actor. He was a tall black man, with long dreadlocks that fell down his back. Dean thought that most of what came out of his mouth was bullshit but didn't feel the need to call him on it. Neither had anyone else for that matter, but that was probably because he brought Carol back with him. Ezekiel, that was his name, hadn't once spoke out against Dean sitting in on the planning, even though he knew he was Negan's son. Maybe if he had spoken out against it, Dean wouldn't have to listen to these pointless arguments.
"Oi, lets all just calm down," Dean said, coming between Eric and the irate Kingdom resident, who looked as though he was going to punch the ginger haired man if he didn't back down.
"Don't you tell me what to do," the Kingdom man snarl, but Dean just sighed.
"Look, it's a little late for you to be moaning about this now. Yes, I know the plan and yes, I'm going with you for the confrontation. But I am not going to betray anyone. If you didn't know, Negan has my kid and killed my friend. He's no father to me." Even though he said the words, he knew the last part was a lie. Negan was his father and always would be. He just hoped that he could push passed that long enough to get through this. The Kingdom man looked fit to argue, but Eric to the opportunity to drag Dean away.
"Damn idiot," Eric muttered.
"Don't blame him, he can't help it."
"You aren't Negan." Dean shrugged.
"They don't care about that. They just need someone to blame."
"Then they should blame the man, not his son." Dean laughed, which only made Eric pout. They moved over to a pile of metal plates, each picking one up to carry to one of the trucks that filled the main street of Alexandria. It was all part of the plan. Rick and the gang had found where most of the compounds that the Saviours used to spread their influence were. They were going to attack them, as well as the Sanctuary at the same time. Cutting the main body off from their weapons supply. It was a siege. The oldest form of warfare there was. Rick was hoping they could force Negan to surrender, or for the Workers inside the Sanctuary to rebel to save their own lives. Dean had been a little sceptical, but once all laid out, it was a pretty good plan, with just enough holes in it for Dean to be able to work his own in the middle.
"You think Daryl will be ok?" Dean asked Eric who shrugged.
"That man doesn't know how to die," he said, which made Dean laughed. He knew Daryl was the best person to lead to Walkers to the Sanctuary, he was cool, calm and could think on the fly. Not that the crossbowman wanted to enact that part of the plan. Oh no, he wanted to be in the thick of things, going to the gates of the Sanctuary with everyone else. Dean was grateful that he wouldn't be there, it was bad enough Aaron and Eric would be.
"He'll be alright," Dean said. "I surprised Aaron is letting you tag along though."
"Like he could stop me," Eric snorted. Aaron had tried though, they'd had a huge argument about it, Dean had heard it in his own home, where he and Daryl had been camping out. Eric had won though and how Dean had wished he had lost.
"I've never seen you out beyond the wall before."
"I used to be a scouter before I busted my leg," Eric said as they stacked the plates beside a truck, where they were quickly picked up by someone else, who started to weld the metal to the truck.
"Yeah?"
"Oh yeah, I was a badass once to you know." Dean laughed, but it quickly washed away. Kid would have found that funny and Dean missed the response that would have come if he had been there. The hunter had managed to push away his worried thoughts about Kid. The boy would be alright, he had reasoned, he was strong, a hunter, Negan wouldn't hurt him. That's what Dean told himself at night, so he could get at least a few hours of sleep. Eric continued to chatter, unaware of Dean's thoughts, Dean let him, it was distracting enough. Soon the trucks were prepared and the group from Alexandria were ready to depart. It was still early morning, they had been prepping since the sun had come up, but now they were ready. Rick was making one last check, while the people that came from all three communities, Alexandria, Hilltop and the Kingdom, got into the trucks. Aaron joined Eric and Dean and together they got into the truck, along with Father Gabriel. Aaron drove and soon they were on their way.
"You alright?" Aaron asked Eric who smiled.
"I'm fine."
"I still think you should have -"
"You can think what you like but it isn't going to change anything," Eric cut Aaron off, who had the good sense to shut his mouth.
"God needs us all working together in this endeavour," Gabriel spoke. "We need everyone to prevail." Aaron snorted, gripping the wheel tighter.
"You think God's with us in this Father?" Dean asked, leaning forward from the back seat to talk to the priest.
"God is always with us."
"But we're going to kill some people," Dean pointed out. "Don't you think God would have a problem with that?"
"God believes in justice."
"And mercy."
"God gave humans freewill to act on the actions of others," Gabriel said, managing to keep that calm tone. "He is not responsible for the actions of man."
"No, otherwise he would have one hell of a lawsuit on his hands."
"Dean," Eric scolded.
"What, I'm just saying," the hunter said with a shrug.
"You seem to have an issue with God, Dean," Gabriel said it casually, but Dean could hear the pointed remark behind it.
"I don't have a problem with the big man upstairs."
"You don't believe?" Dean shook his head.
"Never been given a reason to."
"You want him to reveal himself to you?"
"Well, I'm not asking for a neon sign," Dean said. "But there's so much crap in the world now, maybe a little something to know that he's…I don't know, watching, gives a shit, maybe? It would be appreciated." Gabriel didn't answer straight away. Aaron was still driving, though Dean could see he was listening. Eric was looking between the hunter and the priest, as though he was worried the two would start fighting.
"You know, God may have shown you that he is there in more simpler ways."
"Oh yeah, how?"
"He brought you to Kid, perhaps?" Dean's mouth snapped shut and his hand clenched.
"That's got nothing to do with God."
"Maybe it does," Gabriel insisted. "He was with bad people and you saved his life."
"I met him by chance, if I hadn't been walking …"
"What made you walk that way? It seems as though you were in the right place at the right time."
"It wasn't God," Dean denied. No, he knew it wasn't God, it was an interdimensional crossroads demon. One that somehow managed to let Dean's path cross with Kid's. Coincidence?
"God works in mysterious ways," Gabriel gritted out the line as if it wasn't at all cheesy. "If you had not met Kid, you may not have come this way. You may not have come to Alexandria."
"And that's a good thing?"
"We all have a path we must follow. A destiny some call it. Maybe this is yours." Dean didn't answer, he didn't know what he could say. He always hated arguing with priests, they had an answer for everything. They carried on in silence. The line of trucks that had set out from Alexandria were joined on the road by some from Hilltop. The Kingdom had been sent to deal with the remaining outposts of the Saviours, seen as they had the most numbers available. Soon they were making their way closer to the Sanctuary. The convey stopped a few times, so that those at the front could deal with any road blocks. Dean sat in the back seat, having retreated into himself as they got closer. He wasn't alone in his silence, Aaron, Eric and Gabriel were all quiet, all in thought, wondering if they would live to see the next day. Dean felt a weight sit on his chest at the thought that people were more than likely going to die. Would that be his fault? The convey took it's time making its way to the front of the Sanctuary. Dean knew the timing had to be key. Daryl and his group needed to round up the Walkers and getting them in position would take time. But as time likes to do, the moment was soon upon them. The trucks sped up and soon the convey was bashing its way through the front of the Sanctuary and into the courtyard, the same one Dean had first arrived in. The trucks parked in a long line, the metal plates that had been welded to one side of them creating a makeshift wall, that the rebels could hide behind when they came out of the vehicles. Dean got out a long with everyone else, pulling the demon killing knife, he'd been given a gun, but he wouldn't need it for this. He slid from the truck and started to make his way down the line of vehicles. Everyone was so caught up in getting ready for any Saviours to appear, no one paid attention to the hunter. As Dean made his way passed the trucks, he paused by the driver's side of each one, taking care to slip the keys from the ignition and cut the electric line, so it would be impossible to start up again. As Dean did this the rest of the group fired three shots simultaneously into the air. Dean ignored them carrying on, taking the opportunity to finish his deed. He backed up, the keys feeling heavy in his pocket, when he was far enough way he turned, though the sound of the door to the Sanctuary opening caused him to pause.
"Well, shit." Dean tensed but took the moment to fist the keys in his pocket and lob them as far as he could. "I'm sorry. I was in a meeting." Dean spun, ducking low he made his way back to the nearest truck. "I see you got your little mudflaps with you. So, I'm not exactly feelin' a reason for us to try throwin' lead at each other." Dean peered over the trucks. He could see the door, it was open, and Negan was stood on the small landing, with the stairs leading down to where the rebels waited behind their makeshift wall. Negan stared at them, that smug look on his face. "I care about my people. I don't want to just march into the line of fire because I want play 'my dick is bigger than yours.'" He paused and smirked "It is. We both know it. But I'm also comfortable enough to accept the fact if it wasn't. I'm certainly not gonna let my people die over that shit like you're about to." The last of the words were spat out, with venom lacing the tone. Dean shivered and gripped the demon killing knife tighter, he needed to keep it together. "So, Rick, what the hell can I do for you?" The leader of Alexandria didn't answer Negan though, instead he called to the Saviours that were stood with him.
"Listen," he said, voice calm and sure, but Dean had no doubt the man was sweating. "The Saviours inside. All of you have a chance to survive here. To survive this. You all can live if you surrender. Can't guarantee it any time but now. Right now." Silence followed Rick's announcement, none of the Saviours beside Negan moved, though some looked a little unsure. Suddenly the man laughed, a sinister chuckle, slapping a hand on the metal stairs.
"So, they surrender, and you and your little piss patrol doesn't kill them?" he asks in that showboating tone that Dean knows is a bad sign of things to come. "That sounds like a good deal! But what about me, Rick?" Negan's voice turned cold, calculating. "I told you. Twice. I know what's going to happen. You don't. You have no idea the shit that's about to go down. Let me ask you something, Rick - Do you think you have the numbers for this fight? Or are you going to use something else to get me to behave?" Dean tensed and some of the rebels shifted uneasily. "Where's Dean, Rick?"
"That has nothing -?"
"Is he out there with you? I wouldn't be surprised. The little bastard knows just how to piss his old man off." Dean heard feet on the metal stairs, as Negan stepped forward. "Have you forgotten what I've got in here Dean? He's been crying for you, you know. I almost put him in the cage, but I just couldn't do that. Marcus likes him though, says he's got potential." That got rage welling in Dean's gut.
"You keep him away from my boy!" Dean called, even as Eric and Aaron made their way to his side, stopping him from stepping out from behind the makeshift truck wall.
"There's my wayward son," Negan crowed, straightening his back to try and peer over the wall for a glimpse of Dean. "You know when I left you behind, I didn't expect you to have a belated teenage rebellion."
"What did you expect me to do?"
"Sulk for a while then come on back home." That got Dean laughing.
"You killed Bobby."
"A nesseccary sacrifice," Negan dismissed Dean's words easily. "He knew the rules and he was breaking them."
"So, you smashed his head in?"
"He would have been a risk in the future."
"The future," Dean muttered, shrugging himself free from Aaron and Eric to come up close to the trucks, but he didn't go beyond them. He wasn't that stupid. "Is that what you think all this is for? The future."
"You know I do Dean, so why don't you be a good boy and come home? We can be one big happy family." Dean laughed again, it sounded slightly hysterical, then again, he wouldn't be surprised if he had gone a little mad. It was just about time now.
"Oh dad, you have no idea." A loud crash broke through the air and Dean knew the time was now. That was the only warning they got before Daryl and his group took down the last of the fences around the Sanctuary, letting the Walker horde they had gathered through. It was only a second later that the first of the moaning creatures appeared. Shots started to fire, and the rebels went for their trucks, only to scream when they wouldn't start.
"What happened?!"
"It won't start! It won't start!"
"Rick!" Dean called, jumping passed the trucks and to the door of the Sanctuary. The appearance of the Walkers had taken Negan and the Saviours off guard. Some had lifted their weapons but weren't quick enough to get a shot off. It was enough time for Dean to grab a hold of his dad, who had come part way down the stairs. He wrapped a hand around his neck, going behind him and placing the demon killing knife at his throat.
"You close that door and he's dead!" Dean called to the Saviours who gaped.
"Like we care if you kill him," it was Dwight that answered, but Dean smirked at him.
"You think you'll keep the demons in line with him gone? Or the hunters? You'll be dead in an hour." Dwight paled, but it worked, the door to the Sanctuary stayed opened and Dean marched Negan up the stairs. "Rick, get everyone inside!"
"Dean, what the -!"
"Now!" Dean stood on the landing, waiting for the mixture of Alexandrian's and Hilltop residents to rush by him, abandoning their trucks to the Walkers outside, that were quickly overrunning them. As the last of the rebels crossed the threshold, Dean shoved Negan inside and slammed the door, locking it. The air was thick with tension. The rebels and the Saviours facing off against each other, separated on either side of the room. Maggie and Rick were at the front of the rebel group, Aaron and Eric close behind. Negan was heading his Saviours, who looked shocked and confused by this sudden turn of events. Dean stood alone in the middle of the two, not joining either side and knowing that he was right now, in a dangerous position.
"Dean, what's going on?" Eric asked nervously.
"What did you do?" Rick demanded.
"Son?"
"I came home dad," Dean said, a slightly deranged smile on his face. "I just brought some friends with me."
I'M DOWN HERE TO!
Just a quick note for those that didn't read the top one (I know some don't do it, I'm also guilty of it) I just want to tell you I've published my first novel! Yay! It's available right now for FREE on Kindle store, so please (I am on my knees) download it and give it a read. Again I know not everyone has a Kindle, but the app is also free to download on your tablet, phone or ipad and you can have access to thousands of books, many free or as cheep as 99p (that's under $1.50 for you readers from the US) All I would ask in return is a rating and a review for my work (just like Fanfiction really). If you love this fic or my other stories on here you will really like my own work. Scorched is the title under my name L J Horton, I'll try and put a link on my profile but you might be best just typing my name L J Horton into amazon or Kindle store along with Scorched, the title. I would be so grateful for any support you can give. Cheers!
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