BLOODLINES [twd]

{7}

Negan glanced over at Glenn. Glenn looked overwhelmed by the entire situation. Unlike most of the others, he was already crying. Emotional.

Negan looked back at Lucas who was watching Glenn. It was like the younger man was waiting for a cue from Glenn.

Spite built up in Negan's chest for Glenn all at once.

Bailey never showed Negan affection. She hated her father.

And yet, Glenn was able to call Lucas off with a mutter of his name- even when Rick, Negan, and Saviors couldn't make him. stand down.

Negan already hated Glenn. He made his decision there. Glenn was not going to be able to be a better man than Negan for much longer. Negan couldn't bare the thought of another person having more power over people than he did.

Glenn had control of Lucas and that made Negan think of Bailey. Glenn had a thing for this other woman here as well, the sick one- she was quiet until he was in harm, then she was screaming in defiance. Even the ginger man looked ready to pounce when Glenn was in danger.

"Don't any of you do that again," Negan warned. "I will shut that shit down.. no exceptions."

Negan's eyes fell back onto Glenn.

Glenn took a deep breath. Negan scowled.

"First one's free.. It's an emotional moment," Negan said, putting his charm back on with a smile. "I get it."

Glenn shivers, though he doesn't make a move. 

Negan continued poking and prodding at the group. Waiting for more reactions to see who else to kill when it's time. Or, was Glenn the only one? No.. where would be the fun in that? Glenn seemed to be the heart of the group. He needed to break the heart, soul, and spirit of this group that killed so many of his men.

Eugene was a sobbing mess. He was willing to sacrifice himself for the group by getting in that RV all alone and trying to thwart their plans. He wouldn't hit the way Negan needed.

Carl was Rick's son. He was cold and dangerous. A threat, even. But, Rick would never break if Carl was dead. He would go bloodthirsty.

Aaron was a wild card. He didn't say much. He didn't do much. Negan couldn't quite get a read on him. He didn't seem to be related to or in a relationship with anyone else on the lineup. He wouldn't work, either.

Daryl was possible. He was shot by Dwight. He didn't do much, either. He didn't have a reaction to anything. He might not care about the others.. or he might be a secret leader in the force. Negan had to play with him more, too.

Rick was an obvious 'no'. He needed these people to see their beloved leader in shambles. Today was about breaking Rick, not killing him.

Maggie, Michonne, Rosita, and Sasha were women.. Negan loved Lucille and Bailey too much to even consider harming them.

Lucas was a miniature Glenn in the making, it seemed. He had more confidence than Glenn. But, that could just be that Lucas is younger and more defiant. Plus, Lucas reminded Negan eerily too much of Bailey.

Negan's eyes landed on Abraham. He was still stone-cold and unwavering. He was ready for a fight. He was ready to protect these people. But, there was a hint of determination that Negan only saw when he looked in the mirror- the need to survive for someone else.

But who could Abraham need to survive for? No one else had Abraham's features so there was no relative. Negan looked up and down the line. He needed just a little more information. He was putting the pieces together, but they weren't all there yet.

"Eenie," Negan decided. "Meenie.."

He watched their reactions carefully. He pointed the bat at someone and looked at the others to see what they thought. 

The game continued. Rick flinched when the bat was in anyone's face- the eyes of a leader.

Maggie and Glenn flinched when the bat was pointed at one another- plus, Lucas. Negan assumed it was Maggie and Glenn as husband and wife. Maybe Lucas was Glenn's relative.

Michonne flinched when Carl and Rick were in danger. Negan decided that Michonne and Rick were together. He already knew that Carl was Rick's son. 

Negan pointed the bat at Abraham and he smiled. Sasha and Rosita both flinched. There it was. The answer to his questions. At least partly. Abraham had to live for these two women.. maybe one.. maybe both. Wife or relative. Somehow, someway, they were connected.

"It," Negan stated.