Deadland

Chapter 87- Manipulated

(TW!! Mentions of abuse, drug usage, and s/a!!)

I'm standing next to Nick, waiting for Negan and the rest of us to be allowed into the walls of Alexandria.

Where Damien is.

Where Alyssa is. 

The bruises are visible, the abuse hasn't stopped-who thought it would? But, I don't know why anyone would care. It's a normal thing. 

Approaches the gate, whistling brightly. He bangs his bat on the gate twice.

I still haven't figured out why he calls his bat Lucille or where Lucille even is. I've been too high or locked in Nick's room to ask. 

"Little pig, little pig! Let me in!" Negan exclaims, waiting for the two gates to open. 

Spencer opens the curtained portion of the gate, Negan smiles at him. "Well?" 

"Uh...who are you?" Spencer asks, stupidly. 

"Oh, you better be jokin'!" Negan chuckles, holding his bat up. "Negan, Lucille. I know I had to make a pretty strong first impression." 

Behind Spencer, Rick approaches, his brows furrowed and his expression icy. He stares intently at Negan. 

"Well, hello, there." Negan's smile fades. "Do not make me have to ask." 

Rick sighs, "You said a week. You're early." He walks over to the gate and slides it open. 

"I miss you." Negan chortles. A Walker growls from behind him. "Oh, Rick, come on out here. Watch this. Callin' it!" Negan yells, turning to the Walker with a grin on his face. 

Rick watches as Negan smacks the walker on the side of the head and laughs. "Easy peasy lemon squeezy!" 

"Alright, everybody." Negan addresses all of us. "Let's get started. Big day." 

Rick looks at the dozens of us on the outside of the walls. I slouch behind a Savior so that he doesn't see me until he has to. Though, through the cracks of everyone's heads and shoulders, I can see him look at Daryl, horror flooding his eyes as he sees his battered form. 

"Hey, Rick, you see that, what I just did? That is some service! I mean, we almost get turned away at the gate." Negan points to Spencer. "'Who is that guy, anyway?' Do I get mad? Do I throw a fit? Do I bash some ginger's dome in?" 

My body tenses. I never really had time to process Abraham's death. Before being beaten, raped, and high on drugs in a span of around twelve hours. 

"Nope. I just take care of one of these dead pricks that could've killed one of y'all." Negan twirls his hand, "Service." 

He smiles brightly and hands Lucille to Rick, "Hold this." He says, walking into Alexandria. He beckons us to follow him. 

Once inside, a few feet away from the gate, he stops. "Hot diggity dog! This place is magnificent! An embarrassment of riches, as they say. Yes, sir, I do believe you are gonna have plenty to offer up." 

I scan the community. This place doesn't even feel like home. My old house has my clothes, my sister and Damien sleep there. My name is written, though painted over, on the walls. But, I feel nothing for this place. I feel nothing for the Sanctuary. 

I don't feel like I have a home right now. 

Rick turns to Daryl and begins approaching him, "Daryl, hey-" 

Negan speaks sternly, "No." He quickly walks over to Rick. "Nope. He's the help. You don't look at him, you don't talk to him, and I don't make you chop anything off of him."