Chapter 22-Act Of Faith
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl climbs off of his bike, followed by Alden as Negan, Carl, Morgan, and Dwight. Daryl looks at the group as they walk towards them. "What the hell is he doing here?' Rosita asks as she looks at Negan.
"I'm going to be safer here, alright," Negan says.
"Shut up," Dwight says.
"We should not cross this line, Daryl," Cyndie says
"It ain't your choice. You two don't like it. Gates right there. Alexandria and Oceanside are waiting," Daryl says. "This is how we save Troy. I ain't giving 'em Negan. But I'll make them think I am,"
"Then he goes back to the cell?" Rosita asks.
"No," Daryl says. "Not completely. If this works and he keeps up his end of the deal. He gets to come out and work around the community with someone watching him if Rick doesn't want that at Alexandria. I'll do it here,"
"He killed Abraham, Glenn, and Spencer," Rosita says.
"Yeah, he did. But I ain't letting Troy die because of that. Again the gate is right there. I told Rick and Maggie. We'll do this without the other communities," Daryl looks at John. "You're with me, right?"
"Always," John says.
"Anybody else besides these two have a problem with this?" Daryl asks.
"Of course they wouldn't. They didn't live through it," Cyndie says.
"I had nothing to do with what Simon did to your people," Negan says.
"Shut up!" Cyndie yells at him.
"How many times am I going to hear that today?" Negan asks.
"A lot, probably," Dwight says.
"This isn't a debate. You got a problem with it. Leave," Daryl says. "Come on," He says to Negan, who starts to follow him. They walk past Cyndie and Rosita, who glare at Negan as the group follows Daryl into the big cabin. Daryl looks at Eugene, who stands up when he sees Negan.
"Eugene," Negan says. "You still have your pretty head-on,"
"You going to give me shit too?" Daryl asks him.
"I do not believe I have the right to do so," Eugene says. "Do we have a plan?"
"Not yet," Daryl says as Negan looks at Shane.
"You still gonna make me wish I stayed in that cell?" Negan says.
"That will depend on how this places out," Shane says. "How long do you think it will take for Maggie to show up here even more pissed off?"
"An hour," Daryl says as he pulls out a map. "Where are they?" Negan grabs a pencil and circles a small area of the map.
"What's there?" Tobias asks.
"An old Savior outpost. We used it pretty early on. Only people alive that know about it are Jed and me," Negan says. "That is where he'll be,"
"Our plan isn't going to be go in there guns a-blazin' right?" June asks.
"No," Morgan says. "We need one, though,"
"I'm working on it," Daryl tells them. Daryl looks at Laura. "How many saviors are gone?"
"At least a dozen. Maybe more," She says.
"How long do you think Jed will wait?" Amanda asks.
"Not longer than a day or two," Luciana says.
"I know," Daryl says. "I'll get a plan. It's barely past noon. We have time,"
"Let me see that radio," Negan says to Laura.
"No," Cole says.
"If you want this to work. You have to trust me a little," Negan says.
"The start of a negation often requires an act of faith," Strand says, repeating what he said to Al. "Let him show us his,"
"Give it to him," Daryl says. Laura pulls the radio off her belt and holds it out to Negan, who grabs it.
"Jed, this is yours truly. Are you there?" Negan asks.
"I'm here, Negan," Jed says. "What do you need?"
"I heard about the spineless spy you have in your possession. No harm has come to him, has it?" Negan asks.
"Besides for when we took him, no," Jed says.
"Good, make sure he is all nice and tightly when you bring him for the trade. We don't want them taking me back because he looks like the pile of shit that he is," Negan says.
"Understood," Jed says.
"Good, hang tight and make sure we are ready to roll out when I get there. We don't want Rick and his pricks trying anything, do we?" Negan says.
"No, sir," Jed says.
"Good, Negan out," Negan says before he shuts the radio off. "There is my act of faith. That work for you, boss?" Negan asks Daryl with a grin on his face.
"Yeah," Daryl says. Negan hands Laura the radio.
"Now what?" Alicia asks.
"Three of you watch the walls. Make sure nobody shows up without us seeing 'em," Daryl says. "Amanda, Dwight, and Daniel can do that," The three of them nod as they leave the cabin.
"What about the rest of us?" John asks.
"Go make sure we'll have everything we need. John, Shane, Morgan, and Alicia will stay in here with me and Negan and figure out how we are going to do this," Daryl says. Everybody nods as they slowly leave the cabin.
Maggie's P.O.V
Maggie was getting in Al's van when the gate to Alexandria opened, and Jesus and Aaron drove back in with a trailer of wood. They stop by Rick's house and get out of the car. "Hey, Maggie. What are you doing here?"
"Daryl took Negan. The True Saviors have Troy, and now Negan is at the campgrounds with them, making a plan. Rick has already left with Michonne," Al says.
"Is that where you are going?" Jesus asks.
"I'm going to try and stop him before he does something stupid," Maggie says. "You guys are welcomed to join us," Aaron and Jesus climb into the van, and they leave Alexandria.
Carl's P.O.V
Carl looked at the gate as Rick pulled the car into the campgrounds. He turns off the car and gets out. Michonne and Rick walk up to Carl. "Where are they?" Michonne asks.
"In the cabin," Carl says. "Are you going to help him?"
"Yeah," Rick says. "I may not completely agree, but he's my brother. I'm always with him," Carl nods as Rick goes into the cabin with Michonne. Carl gets up and follows them. He watched as Rick and Negan stared at each other.
"Have your dick-measuring contest later," Shane says.
"Maggie with you?" John asks.
"No, but I imagine she isn't far behind us. I radioed Carol on the way here. She's with you. She said she'll be here as soon as possible," Rick says. Daryl nods as Rick, Michonne, and Carl walk up to the map.
"Want to fill us in on the plan?" Rick asks.
"We plan on faking the trade-off. Daryl will take Negan to Jed at a meeting place of Negan's choice. The rest of us will raid their base and kill them. When Jed comes back, we'll kill him," Morgan says.
"You are putting a lot of trust in him," Michonne says.
"We don't have a lot of choices. We need Troy out of there before the gunfight starts, or they'll kill him," Daryl says.
"Do you know where you'll meet?" Alicia asks Negan.
"I have a pretty good idea," Negan says. "It will be somewhere far enough away for you to kill them,"
"Will he be armed?" Rick asks.
"He'll have a knife," Daryl says. "Let's set it up," Negan nods as he grabs the radio John had grabbed from Laura.
"Jed, are you ready for this?" Negan asks.
"Yes, sir," Jed says.
"I have a meeting place. You'll be bringing their prick, and they'll bring me," Negan says.
"Where at?" Jed asks.
"Where this started. We'll take it full circle," Negan says. "From our first meet to our last,"
"When?" Jed asks.
"10:00 tonight," Negan says. "Be there, Jed, so we can leave," Negan turns the radio off.
"Why there?" Michonne asks.
"It will give you some time, and it's a vast open space. We'll see any traps," Negan says.
"We still got a few hours," Carl says.
"We should rest before the party shows up with their pitchforks and torches," Negan says.
"Go on. Let me talk to Rick," Daryl says. Everybody nods as they leave the room.
Rick's P.O.V
Rick looks at Daryl. "I know you don't like what I'm doing," Daryl says.
"But you were right. I would do the same if I had to," Rick says. "You've been there for me during my worst times. I'm here for you now," Daryl nods. "But when this is over and if I take him. They'll kill him. Somebody will kill him,"
"I know. That's why he'll stay here," Daryl says. "Nobody here hates him as much,"
"Can you live with him being here?" Rick asks.
"I may not like him. But I put that grudge behind me when Alicia shot me. I can do it," Daryl says. Rick nods.
"It won't be easy. They won't make it easy. Maggie, Oceanside, everybody that hates him, and that is a long list," Rick says.
"Rick, this was never going to be easy," Daryl says. "Why didn't you kill him? I've wondered why,"
"Carl. He had a dream where everybody was happy, and I was old. Negan was there, he was helping people, and he was one of us. I want that world for Carl and Judith. I need it to be real," Rick says. "Starting it off with Negan dead would have never worked. It was for Carl and all of us," Daryl nods. "Come on. We should rest," Daryl nods as he walks outside.
Negan's P.O.V
Negan sat in the infirmary as June was organizing everything. "Can I help at least? I feel like I'm back in that cell doing nothing," Negan says. June looks at him. She points to a bag.
"That has all the bandages. Put them in that drawer," June says. Negan nods as he grabs the bag and starts to put the supplies away.
"You the cowboy's wife?" Negan asks.
"His name is John," June says.
"Are you John's wife?" Negan asks.
"No. I'm his girlfriend," June says. Negan nods as he continues to put the bandages away. The door opens, and Carl walks in.
"I'll take him June," Carl says.
"Have fun," June says. Negan sets the bag down and follows Carl out.
"Felt like I could die from the pressure of that tension," Negan says as he follows Carl down the stairs. "You live here?"
"No, I live in Hilltop. Thought after this maybe not for long," Carl says.
"She isn't going to kick you out over this," Negan says. "She'll be pissed, but you didn't do it,"
"My Dad spared you because of me," Carl says.
"You think that was a mistake?" Negan asks him.
"No," Carl says. "Maybe some of the others will feel the same after today,"
"Doubt it," Negan says. He looks around the campgrounds. "This place is better than the Sanctuary. It isn't some old fucked up factory," Carl nods as he looks around.
"Daryl and Aaron found it a while ago," Carl says as they hear Al's van.
"Time to face the music, kid," Negan says. They look at Daryl as he walks up to them with Rick.
"You might want to go to the big cabin," Rick says.
"I'll stay. It's me they have the problem with," Daryl nods as Tobias opens the gate and let's Al drive her van in. Maggie is out of the van first.
"How long was that?" Shane asks Daryl, who looks at him.
"About an hour. Two maybe," Daryl says. "Maggie, I don't have time for this right now. Wait here if you want to. But we got shit to do,"
"What is your plan?" Maggie asks him.
"I ain't telling you. Sorry Maggie, but there is too much of a chance you'll screw it up. You don't care if Troy lives or dies. The rest of us do," Daryl says. "You want to talk. We'll talk in the cabin while they finish,"
"Fine," Maggie says as she walks towards the cabin. Daryl sighs as he follows her.
Thanks for reading. Tensions continue to rise as the group gets ready to save Troy. The next chapter should be the final chapter involving the true Saviors. Also I will be changing my schedule. I will be uploading every Tuesday and Friday. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.