"Elizabeth?" Dwight called out as he knocked.
I sat up a bit quickly, startled by him.
This was my first morning waking up in my new room, so it took me a minute to adjust.
"Yeah, comin'" I called out as I stood up and walked over to open the door.
"You need to get dressed and come with me" He said quietly, his face sad.
Dwight always had a worried expression, but this was worse.
"What's going on?" I asked.
But he just shook his head, "Don't ask questions. Just get ready, I'll be waiting out here"
He pulled my door shut.
I felt a bit sick to my stomach at what could be wrong.
I let out a sigh and quickly changed my clothes.
I walked into the bathroom and splashed some cool water on my face.
After that I pulled on my boots and went back to the door.
Dwight didn't say anything, he just started walking down the hall.
I hesitated at first, but started to follow him towards the stairwell.
He never said anything and once we got to the bottom of the stairwell, Negan was waiting for us.
"Well hot damn! She is alive!" he laughed, placing a hand roughly down on Dwights shoulder.
He stepped in closer to me, smirking.
"Today is gonna be a big day. You've gotten to see the rules and the benefits. I think you need to see the punishments now" he laughed.
"Don't worry, Dwighty boy here is gonna take care of ya" he turned and walked out to the hall, Dwight followed him and I fell in behind Dwight.
We were heading to the door that led out to the trucks.
To the right were stairs that led down into the common area where most of the people were.
Negan stepped over to the ledge that overlooked them.
The room went silent and everyone kneeled to him.
It was odd to me.
I had seem him either alone or around his top men, but never seen how the other people reacted to him.
"The Saviors have gone out into the world and fought the dead and come back with some really good shit" he paused, looking back at me and smirking.
"Some of that stuff can be yours. If you work hard and play by the rules. Today, everyone gets fresh vegetables at dinner, no points needed!" he laughed.
Everyone in the room began to cheer and clap.
Once they settled down, he continued
"However, we have some business to take care of. Someone here, hasn't been playing by the rules. And we all know what that means!" he turned and walked towards the stairs, walking down to where everyone was.
"On your feet!" he called and people started to crowd around where he was now standing.
I went down with Dwight, but he stopped me towards the back of the group.
Then I saw it.
There were two men, one man was tied to a chair, the other was kneeling with a black bag over his head.
They were both in front of a large furnace that was hosting a roaring fire.
The man who was tied to the chair was shaking, he knew what was about to happen.
Negan turned and handed his bat off to Simon.
"You know the deal.. What's about to happen is gonna be hard to watch. I don't wanna do it, I wish that I could just ignore the rules and let it slide. But I can't..why?" he asked.
Everyone in the room clearly replied, "The rules keep us alive!"
"That, is, right!" he put emphasis on each word.
"We survive, we provide security to others. We bring civilization back to this world! We are the Saviors!" he said proudly and then began to circle the man,
"But we can't do it with out rules. Rules are what make it all work. I know it's not easy. There is always work, there is always a cost!" his voice was starting to get louder.
"But if you try to skirt it, if you try to cut that corner!" his voice echoed.
But he began to laugh, "Well then it is the iron for you" he said so matter-of-factly.
Negan stepped over to Simon, giving him a nod as he began sliding on some gloves.
"Sammy, oh Sammy boy" he sighed as he stepped back over to the man in the chair.
Simon pulled a red hot iron from the fire, offering it to Negan.
He carefully took it off the hook.
"I'm sorry, but it is what it is.." he sighed.
He waited, almost as if he was giving him a moment to prepare.
But then he stepped over and pressed the iron to his face.
The man began to scream and I covered my mouth, backing up.
Dwight took a hold of my arm, holding me in place.
I felt sick to my stomach.
The screams soon stopped as the man passed out.
Negan pulled the iron away and handed it back to Simon.
"Well look at that, ah Jesus he pissed himself" Negan laughed.
He stepped over to one of the workers who was standing there with a mop.
He wore a dirty sweatshirt with an "A" painted on the front.
He leaned in close, "You're gonna clean this up" he instructed.
The man looked up and locked eyes with me only for a moment before doing what he was told.
Negan backed up, "Alright Doc, I'm all finished. You can do your thing"
A man in a white coat stepped forward, looking over the unconscious man.
Two of Negans men grabbed him out of the chair and the Doctor led them away.
"Well, the pussy passed out. But it's settled, we're square. Everything is good! Now, let Samuel's face be a daily reminder to him and to everyone else that the rules matter! I hope that we all learned something today, because I don't ever want to have to do that again!"
Negan turned away from the crowd of people and walked over to me, leaning in close.
"That was some pretty crazy shit, right? You probably think that I'm a lunatic, huh?" he laughed.
He turned back to the crowd of workers.
"It's been a long morning, I want my workers to leave and have a relaxing day. Reflect on what has happened here!" he called out happily.
All of the workers began to leave except Negans men.
I started to walk away too, but Dwight grabbed my arm again.
"He wants you to stay for the whole thing.." Dwight mumbled sadly.
We stayed at the back of the group of his men.
They were now all circled around the man who was kneeling.
"Now, onto more pressing business. Simon here.." he paused, looking to Simon who handed him his bat again.
"Caught this stupid little bastard snooping around my shit! Not only that, he killed two of my men!" he pulled the bag off the mans head.
I stumbled back, recognizing the boy.
"Patrick?" I gasped.
Dwight pulled me back a little, turning away from the men and leaning close in.
"I know this is hard, but you need to keep your mouth shut. Negan doesn't need to know that you know him. He doesn't know the boy belongs to a group, to your group." Dwight whispered quickly.
He turned back and stepped in front of me.
Patrick began to look around at the men who were staring at him.
"Please.. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." he started to plead as he sobbed.
Negan just laughed, raising the bat over his head.
"Sorry just ain't gonna cut it, kid." he threatened.
Patrick started to cry out louder, "Please, I'm so sorry, I made a mistake.." but his words were cut off when Negan came down with the bat, right on the top of his head.
Patrick fell forward. That was it, he was dead.
"Holy hell that felt good! Little more just to be sure" he laughed and started to hit Patrick's lifeless body again and again.
The men all laughed and cheered.
I stumbled back, feeling light headed. I was sure I was gonna pass out.
Dwight moved and put his arm around me, pulling me in close.
"Come on" he spoke softly as he led me away.
We walked up the stairs and around the corner to the stairwell.
Once the door closed behind us, I pushed him away.
He sighed, "I'm sorry. But you needed to keep quiet to keep your other friends safe. Right now Negan isn't pursuing them, let's keep it that way." he was trying to reassure me.
I nodded, "I know" I said quietly.
He started to pull me close again, but I pushed him back.
"I'm fine." I protested and started my way up the stairs.
Once I was in the hallway, I ran to my room.
I slammed the door behind me and fell back against it.
I slowly slid down it until I hit the floor, pulling my legs up to my chest, I allowed myself to cry.
I thought this place would be okay, I thought it would be good.
But I just watched my friend be murdered by someone I once trusted.
Someone that I once loved.
I tried to push any thoughts of him or of what happened away.
After a few minutes, I stood and went to crawl into my bed.

But I dreamt of him.
I smiled as I moved my paint brush over the canvas.
Today was a quiet day, Lucille and Lucinda were out to lunch.
I was at the house alone with Negan.
The past few weeks had been odd.
We barely spoke and he had trouble keeping eye contact with me.
Lucille was a great friend, but I was closer now with Negan.
We just understood each other.
I knew that Negan wasn't one to easily open up about anything, but I could tell something was up. I could read it all over his face.
The knock at my door made me jump.
"Come in" I answered.
And Negan came through my door, closing it behind him.
He walked over, looking at what I was doing over my shoulder.
"Back at it?" he teased.
"Always" I replied, laughing.
But he stayed silent and I knew something was up.
I set my brush down and grabbed a rag, wiping my hands off as I turned to face him.
"What's wrong?" I asked, looking him over as I tossed the rag to the side.
"I'm tired of lying. I don't like liars.." he began.
My heart sank a bit.
I knew how I felt for him, though I made extreme effort not to make it obvious.
But at times, he did.
I knew he felt it too.
"I can't lie to myself anymore, Lizzie. I can't lie to you.." he shook his head, stepping in closer to me.
"About what?" I looked up at him, he moved his hand to brush my hair out of my face.
"About us.." he whispered and leaned in, softly pressing his lips to mine.
The kiss was soft and gentle, though I felt as if every nerve in my body was on fire.
He only let the kiss linger for a moment before pulling away.

I woke with a start after that dream.
It was a memory I liked holding on to, especially after I thought I lost him.
But now, it felt like a nightmare.
He wasn't that man anymore.
That's what I hated most about everything.
I sat up, moving to the side of the bed.
I sat with my head in my hands for awhile.
But didn't get peace for very long.
Someone was knocking on my door once again.
I let out a sigh and went over to open it.
Negan was standing there, already smirking.
I started to close the door on him, but he caught it. Forcing his way in.
"Now, now, Doll. Where are your manners?" he laughed.
I shook my head,
Was he serious? After all he had done, he was here acting so casual?
"You made me watch you kill.." I started to give myself away and quickly caught it.
"That poor boy and now you're here expecting me to jump for joy?" I pressed.
He smiled brighter, "Of course, doll. You had to see what happens when someone crosses me" his tone was almost threatening.
I looked up at him with disgust and that must have struck a nerve.
He reached up, roughly grabbing my chin.
"Be careful how you're looking at me right now, Elizabeth. You're lucky to be here, you're lucky that wasn't you" he spoke angrily.
He let go of my chin and the smile returned.
"Everyone here has seen some hard shit. I just wanted to make sure you weren't too comfortable with how I have been spoiling you." he laughed.
I backed away from him.
"I'm having a little dinner party for my wives.." he started.
"Wives?" I repeated, feeling my stomach knot up with a tinge of jealousy.
He laughed at my reaction, "Aww, is someone jealous? Don't worry, I wanted to see if you'd like to join us?" he winked.
I crossed my arms.
"Like hell I will" I looked away from him.
"Oh you will, eventually." he said confidently.
He walked back to my door and opened it, "I figured you'd say no. But I wanted you to know that I really wanted you there" He was mocking me.
"Well thanks for the offer, but I have to be up early to gather more shit for you" I was trying to be just as mocking.
But he smiled brighter, "That's my girl."

R & R is always appreciated! I'm loving building up the relationship between Elizabeth and Negan, especially with what's happened in the past. I hope that you are all enjoying it too! :)