I don't own TWD or any of the characters; only my OC's. Sorry for any grammar mistake, enjoy!
'' Man…that chick sure was hell bent on killing these dudes.'' One of the Saviors said as he drove.
Negan chuckled from where he sat in the truck: '' We followed them for how long? Two days!? She ran for two fucking days straight and then killed the fuckers! It was fun to watch those assholes being chased and all afraid. Yep! It's always nice to see a pair of tits doing something else other than crying and complaining.''
One of his men, Connor, didn't seem to appreciate their new charge: '' I'm not sure if it was a good idea to bring her with us.'' He mumbled.
Their leader straightened on his seat: '' Perhaps, but it's useful to have someone able to do shit around! You heard her; she hunted them through two states; that means she can track. More, you've seen her: she can fight well enough and there are more dead than living. We need people; the more we are the better.''
They all glanced at the unconscious girl lying in the back of the pick-up, watched by Dwight.
Xxxxxx
Her first thoughts were confused, but as she gradually woke up, the more she realized she wasn't in Hell or Heaven. She wasn't dead; if she had been in Hell it would have been worse and in Heaven she would not feel the pain she felt now.
The girl grunted as she tried to sit up, a voice startled her.
'' I wouldn't do that; you're a freaking mess.''
The man from yesterday…or a few hours earlier; the leader. She immediately went to grab her weapons, but the blades were not at her hips anymore. The leather clad man noticed her movement: '' It didn't seem comfortable to sleep with huge knives.''
He sat not far from the makeshift bed she was in; the man was calmly sitting in a chair, hands folded under his chin and his awful bat wasn't there. She relaxed a bit and let herself fall back on the mat, observing him quietly.
'' So…what's your name? ''
'' I'm Amelie…'' she murmured.
He extended his arms, as if presenting a show: '' …And I am Negan; you're in what we call the Sanctuary and I'm the boss. We saved your ass, brought you here and patched you up.''
Amelie stared at the ceiling: '' Why?''
Negan appeared to find that funny: ''Why? WHY!? You wanted to bleed to death on that road or what? Listen, we don't go around taking anybody in; you looked like you could take care of yourself and use a weapon. ''
She did not like this man; he appeared in a joyous mood, but she remembered how volatile it felt on the road.
'' You patched me up and brought me here…I guess you also gave me some antibiotics; nothing is free.''
A huge grin split his face: '' This is exact-fucking-ly why I'm here! You're one quick wench, aren't you? ''
The girl said nothing and waited for him to continue.
'' We work with a point system here; you have to fucking work to earn your keep. You want food? You earn points. You want clothes? You earn points…and you obtain points by working. You get the gist. ''
Slowly, she sat up, trying to no wince: '' I get it and I understand: it took some of your and your men's time to get me here. You wasted meds and bandages on me: you saved my life… and I will repay this debt. ''
The leader clapped his hands together: '' Aw-fucking-some! If everyone was like you it would be so much easier… ''
It happened with others? And by the sound of it, it didn't go so well. Amelie frowned and sat straighter: '' … I want the brand of the meds and the quantity of bandages I used; I will go out and bring it back or the equivalent of it…I'm even ready to do two more runs for your group.''
The man chuckled and raised his hands in the air as if to calm her: '' Calm your tits; I'm sure you'll repay me. You're weak; you can't go out now, you'll be a dead weight. There are a few jobs you can do around; I'll have my wife show you.''
On this, Negan rose and called for a woman to come in.
'' This is Amber; Amber this is Amelie. ''
The girl was surprised: Amber looked rather young… she couldn't be a day over 25 or 26 years old and Negan was at least in his mid thirties or early forties. The women saluted each other as the leader left.
Amber eyed up and down: '' Well… you look like you've been through a lot. Care to take a bath? ''
With enthusiast, she nodded.
Once Amelie was cleaned, Negan's wife showed her the place; the Sanctuary was large. It was spacious, the middle of it being a factory of something; she didn't ask of what. There were houses and other buildings used as such. Amber told her about the jobs she would do and where she should and could go.
Everything was fine until came the rules; the rules made her…uncomfortable.
Punishments…fights to the deaths…burned faces… Exile and stuff like that.
Alarm bells rang in her head at this; it was a complete red alert. She might be young, but her father had been a wise, intelligent man and he taught her well. This place and the people here were stinking, badly.
Xxxxxx
5 weeks later, mid October 2011.
Her shoulder was mostly healed even though it was still a bit sore, but she could use it. She had exercised it a soon as she could and trained daily after that.
Life had been rather simple in her recovery time; she had prepared food and repaired clothing. The teenager lived on the second floor of an old warehouse. She made the room homely enough. She woke up every morning and did her tasks, ate, trained and went back to sleep. Amelie had felt like a robot during that time, but now the girl was okay.
She had been three times outside and as she expected, she had been right: her suspicion and feelings about this group wasn't misplaced. They were all nuts; all of them. They were violent, barely had morals…they were killers.
And the worst of them? Negan. He ruled with an iron fist and whoever opposed to him was quickly disposed of, strangers or members of his own group alike. They were exploiting other groups and communities; the Saviors threatened them or killed them…The poor victims were forced to give them food in exchange of '' safety''.
It was so wrong…but, Amelie rapidly understood that she could not voice her opinion about it just like that. So she kept to herself and quietly observed everything and everyone around and it paid.
She knew who got the best stuff around, be it medicine, candies or valuable items. She knew who cheated on the system points. She knew who were sneaking out at night to meet with one of Negan's wives.
That was something too, the leader had three of them: it was… disgusting. In her eyes at least.
Well, with her knowledge, she could black mail many people here and it was 'her safety net' in case something happened. More importantly, she had begun to seize Negan up.
The man was vicious as they came, but he was intelligent and reasonable to some extent. One who tried to appear stupid and gruff, but was in reality intelligent, was someone to be cautious with. And cautious with him, she was.
The teenager couldn't help, but notice that even though it was rough by moment with the Saviors, everyone was eating, they were few deaths and in general, everything was working fine. Sure, a lot a fear and cruel actions were implied in the process, but it was working. There was practically no attack made on them and they were safe from the walkers. Amelie could see that this small empire must have been thought well through and through to work properly. Time and strategies had been involved here... And she doubted that the men surrounding Negan were responsible for it.
A knee nudged hers: '' Hey, Munchkin, What'cha thinkin?'' asked Tom.
He was one of the few people here she liked. He was in his mid fifties, calm and wise. Amelie also made friend with Amber and another man who frequently came on runs with her, Kevin.
She shrugged: '' Thinking about going home; it was my initial plan. ''
They were sitting behind the truck, slightly being moved from right to left on the bumpy road.
''All way up to Canada, by yourself?! You're one crazy lass.''
'' After this run, my debt will be paid. ''
He patted her shoulder: '' I know; but you're useful here. ''
Probably true. She thought more than the dumbasses around and came up with good ideas once in a while. She wasn't a good fighter; she could throw a good punch and a kick, but she wasn't a fighter…she could shoot with a hunting gun and used her blades on a basic level…but Hell, she could run. She had been a runner before all that in high school; she was fast, full of stamina and agile. Those traits were important now, in this new world. The girl could climb on about anything and was silent as a cat. Her speed and quick reflexes had saved a few men. Her tracking skills were not bad too…sadly, she wasn't a really good shooter, but she had brought meat back a few times. Even a deer once.
Tom was staring at her again: '' You know… you only told us you were Canadian. The rumors around say you came here chasing two men and that you killed them…and you were here in the first place because winters are too harsh in Canada.'' He began.
It wasn't Tom's style to gossip and push for information; he looked a bit nervous…but it was barely noticeable. His sat in a casual way enough and he appeared relax, safe for the little pearl of sweat going down his temple.
Amelie smiled; lately, Amber has been annoying her with questions about her past and about her future plans…And Kevin as well. Now Tom? The only three people she talked to? She found herself wise to have not revealed anything about herself. Someone, and she knew very well who, wanted to gain information about her.
Tom frowned: '' Why do you smile stupidly like that? ''
''Oh…I just understood something. ''
Pleased with her little discovery, she began to tell him her 'story'.
In the car, she told Tom she was from Toronto and her group had been killed in June.
When Kevin joined her in the store she was scavenging, she told him she was from Manitoba and she had been separated from her group.
That night, when Amber invited her for walk and a snack, she told her she was from Ottawa and had been on her own since the beginning.
The day after, Amelie received the visit of one of Negan's goon at her door; the Boss wanted to speak with her in one hour.
Xxxxxx
''You wanted to see me, Sir?'' she asked innocently as she stood rigidly in front of him, her hands joined behind her back.
Negan was sitting behind a large wooden desk, his feet propped on it: '' Relax… don't stand so straight; it's not the fucking army here.'' He mumbled.
She relaxed her stance and they stared at each other, he finally shook his head: '' Are you a liar, Amelie? Because a really hate liars. '' He drawled.
''No, I'm not a liar… I'm an honest person.''
His eyes hardened and he removed his feet from the furniture.
'' Are you sure about that? ''
She nodded: '' Yes. However…I told three lies yesterday.''
His eyebrows shot up and he grinned: '' You did? Why? It's very bad to lie…so fucking bad.'' He chastised her.
''Because I don't like people snooping into my businesses.'' The girl looked directly into his eyes: ''If there is something you want to know about me; you only need to ask, Sir; I will truthfully answer you. ''
Understanding his little plan had been discovered a long time ago, he laughed. '' Shit; I'm getting beaten at my own fucking games by a damned teenager! ''
He shook his head: '' So you're from three different places and three different things happened to you?''
'' I had to verify if they were reporting to you, Sir.''
He wiped a tear from his eyes: '' Girl; I knew I made the right choice by taking you in.''
''You saved my life; I will be forever grateful for this, Sir.''
And it was true: Negan was a killer and a manipulative son of a bitch, but she wouldn't be alive without him today. She owed him her life.
'' speaking about being forever grateful… You still wanna leave?''
''Yes. ''
She could see her response displeased him, but he was trying very hard to not show it…and she wondered why. He rose and headed toward a shelf full of bottles before taking one and coming back to his desk with two glasses. He indicated her that she should sit and she did.
The leader filled one for himself and offered a drink to her, but she declined.
'' You still want to leave…why? You're safe here, you've got food…For fuck sake, you even have fucking friends! '' He exclaimed, throwing the hand that wasn't holding his drink into the air.
The young woman rubbed the back of her neck, ill-at-ease.
'' I- it's not my place here. '' she mumbled.
'' Not your fucking place? What the fuck does that mean?!''
'' It's not my country… It's way more dangerous here; there so much more people in the US than in Canada…which means more walkers and more survivors. To be honest: people are crazy here; the things you do to each other are unbelievable… And I can't even speak my first language…'' She explained.
Negan gulped down his glass in one shot; Amelie suddenly feared she had said too much.
'' So…you think, us, Americans are crazy? ''
Was she in trouble?
'' Yes.''
He laughed again: '' Damn right we fucking are! But I wouldn't trade my place to go in Canada… it's too much fucking north. I won't go freezing my balls off 6 months a year. Speaking of which, weren't you here because of that in the damned first place? You and your folk were coming south here like fucking birds for the winter?''
She nodded silently, trying hard to ignore to pain in her chest; she had come here accompanied.
'' Well…It's almost November; if you leave now you'll find yourself out there right into the fucking snow. ''
Amelie knew this…if she leaves now, she'll most-likely arrive at the end of October if she finds a car if not, it'll go to November… She won't have time to find a good shelter a prepare reserves, but the prospect of staying here wasn't thrilling her. It was even less thrilling because, for a reason or another, Negan wanted her to stay here and she didn't know why. She fidgeted with the daggers at her hips; she had foolishly thought she had the situation under control.
The leader became serious again: '' Listen, it's goddamn stupid to go now. Spend the winter here… You're useful and I could use more people like you around… And kid, it is fucking obvious that you're alone. ''
She looked down; she did not really have the time to grieve her father and little sister.
'' Don't pull that long face; it wasn't hard to understand why you were after these men like a rabid dog... I like that: it means you protect and defend what's fucking yours. And I want you to see the Sanctuary like it's yours.''