BLOODLINES [twd]

{29}

The air in the Sanctuary's main hall was thick with tension, the cold stone walls amplifying the echo of each movement, each breath. Every Savior, from the highest ranking to the lowest grunt, was packed into the room, standing shoulder to shoulder, their faces marked by a mixture of fear and grim acceptance. They all knew why they were here—Negan didn't call a gathering like this unless someone was about to die or get the iron.

Bailey stood rigidly between Lucas and Benjamin, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The knot in her stomach twisted tighter with every second. She'd never seen this up close. Her father's brutality, that is.. even still, this felt different. This wasn't some nameless, faceless Savior being made an example of—this was Jared. 

And she was the reason he was going to die.

Negan stood at the front of the room, Lucille balanced on his shoulder, tapping rhythmically as he surveyed the crowd with a wolfish grin. His presence was all-consuming. The room seemed to shrink under his watchful eye as every Savior and wife of Negan's bowed to their knees.

"Should we.." Benjamin whispers.

"Just stay behind me," Bailey answered without looking at him.

Lucas was a bit grateful. He didn't have it in him to kneel for Negan again. Never again. The room felt even more stiff as Negan walked down the stairs. His speech was coming, the one that always preceded a bloodbath. And, as if on cue, Jared was dragged into the room by two burly Saviors, his face already bloodied, and his hands bound behind his back.

Bailey felt Lucas shift beside her, his tension radiating off him. She glanced at him briefly, his jaw clenched so tightly she thought he might crack his teeth. His hatred for Negan was palpable, but his restraint was impressive. For now.

Negan's voice boomed through the hall, slicing through the silence. "Well, well, well.. I'm sure all of you are wondering why we're gathered here today." 

He walked slowly, deliberately, each step measured. The room was silent, every Savior frozen in place, eyes locked on their leader. "You see, there's been a little.. misunderstanding in our happy little family." His grin faded, replaced by a hard, menacing glare. "One of our own forgot what it means to be part of this group."

Jared struggled against his captors, but it was futile. They held him tight, and his wild eyes darted around the room, searching for any sympathy or mercy. But there was none.

"Now," Negan continued, his voice lowering dangerously, "I've said it once, I've said it a hundred goddamn times.." As he spoke, he banged Lucille on the railing with each following word. "You. Do. Not. Touch. What. Is. Mine."

Bailey's heart pounded as Negan's gaze swept over her for a fleeting moment, a chilling reminder of just how personal this was for him. Her stomach churned as the crowd's eyes flickered toward her and then quickly averted, not daring to linger too long. Never looking her in the eyes.

"Jared here," Negan said, gripping Lucille tighter. "Well, he thought he could cross a line. Thought he could lay his filthy hands on someone off-limits. You all know Bailey, right? My daughter." 

His smile returned, but it was filled with malice, a sharp edge to his words. "And this scumbag here," he pointed at Jared with Lucille. "Thought he could go against me, against all of us, and take what he wanted."

The room seemed to shrink further, the tension unbearable. Bailey's breath hitched as she tried to steady herself. Her fingers twitched, and for a second, she felt Lucas's arm brush against hers. A small reminder that he was there, watching everything, processing everything. Benjamin was still a bit behind her, his eyes staring at the concrete floor as he kept his nausea at bay.