When the dead roam - (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 78 - The sanctuary

♪ We're on Easy Street ♪ And it feels so sweet ♪ 'Cause the world is but a treat ♪ When you're on Easy Street ♪

The Saviors called their home 'The Sanctuary'. It was a society filled with hierarchy and laws that , if broken, bread seriously life threatening consequences. The 'workers' served the followers and the followers served the 'right hand men' but everyone, served Negan - they were Negan. They were his robots; the soldiers that he sent to war when he needed to convey a message...but with every message is a response.

The grounds were shielded with high metal fences. 'Walkers' were attached to them by long metal chains - perfect for keeping enemy's out and keeping workers in. Men in torn, lettered jumpers tended to the dead, feeding them scrap meats and checking the integrity of their restraints.

Daryl Dixon was a prize. He was tough - a fighter, a survivor and anything else he needed to be and this put him at a serious advantage. Negan didn't like the opposing side to have advantages. He wanted the hunter on the winning side of the war.

In order for Daryl to join the Saviors, he had to give in to Negan. They had to break him down enough so that he begged to be reborn. For the first few days of his captivity, he was left naked on a cold cell floor. The only warmth he felt came from the red blood dripping from the fresh wounds across his body. Darkness had overtaken everything and the lights outside the room barely shone underneath the door.

Dwight played the same tune on a loop, repeating the same song over and over again; driving Daryl to the brink of insanity. Every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day. Each time the hunter found himself drifting into a light sleep, the volume would get louder and louder.

♪ We're on Easy Street ♪ And it feels so sweet ♪ 'Cause the world is but a treat ♪ When you're on Easy Street ♪

After a few days, Dwight had yanked open the large grey door and thrown some clothes at him. He held out a tiny sandwich, housing a slim layer of out-of-date dog food and waited for Daryl to take it. The first couple of times, he had laughed and moved it away as he neared, so this time, Daryl jumped for the food and brought it to his lips quickly.

"I ain't ever gonna kneel" he grumbled, shaking his head at the blonde male as he shovelled the disgusting food into his mouth.

"Yeah, I said that too" Dwight sighed, leaning against the door frame.

"I know"

"That's the thing, you don't" he said, grabbing the door and slowly shutting it. "But you're gonna"

Once again...darkness.

♪ We're on Easy Street ♪ And it feels so sweet ♪ 'Cause the world is but a treat ♪ When you're on Easy Street

Daryl tugged the clothing onto his bare body and dived at the door. His shoulder connected with the wood but it didn't move. He scratched at the lock, clawed at the paint and kicked the framework but his energy faded quicker than the doors integrity. When the door was locked, there was no escape. He was trapped there.

- - - - -

Fat Joey was an idiot. He was a good follower and a good friend but he was a complete and utter, moron. However, it aided Daryl's escape greatly. After his daily tinned food sandwich, the Savior had left the cell door open a fraction too much, leaving the hunter a small window to run back to Alexandria.

He scaled the walls. His bare feet tapped off the concrete below and his fingers traced across the ripped wallpaper. The dimly lit hallways offered plenty of cover and he found himself ducking into the shadows every few seconds to keep himself hidden. At the end of the hallway was a fire exit. Green lights flashed above the wood and a large metal leaver hung across the frame. He ran forwards, pushed the bar down and bolted into the midday sun.

The car park around him was empty of Saviors. Four motorbikes stood across small parking spaces and he jogged towards the first one, checking each vehicle for keys before two familiar notes echoed around him.

The Saviors tune bounced off the brickwork as they surrounded his body.

He turned swiftly and brought his fists up high, readying himself for the fight but none of them approached him. One whistle overpowered the others, growing louder as Negan pushed his way through the group and into the center of the circle.

He stopped in front of Daryl, Lucille in hand and a smirk on his face. "Are we pissin' our pants yet?"

The group of men chuckled and crossed their arms over their chest. Negan held his bat over his shoulder and pointed at one of his followers. "Who are you?"

"Negan" the man said proudly.

He moved the bat along. "Who are you?"

"Negan"

"Who are ya?"

"Negan" they chorused.

"You see that?" He asked Daryl. "I am everywhere and this was your shot to prove to me that that fundamental fact was sinking in, and you failed! Which sucks, because your life was about to get so much cooler" he pointed at the first male. "Am I right?"

Fat Joey smirked and crossed his arms. "Damn right"

"Now, Dwight gave you some options. I don't think you get it yet. So, I'm gonna break it down for you. You get three choices. One, you wind up on the spike and you work for me as a dead man. Two, you get out of your cell, you work for points, but you're gonna wish you were dead. Or three, you work for me, you get yourself a brand new pair of shoes and you live like a king!" He said, never breaking eye contact. "Choice seems pretty obvious but you should know, there is no door number four. This is it. This is the only way"

Daryl didn't avert his gaze from the man in front of him. Not even as he laughed and swung Lucille at him. The wood never connected with his skin; it stopped an inch away from his temple.

"Wow! You don't scare easy." Negan gasped. "Much like your girl back home. I love that...but Lucille...Well, it kinda pisses her off. She finds it to be disrespectful. Lucky for you, she's not feeling too thirsty today" he took a step wards him. "But I am"

Daryl narrowed his eyes as the male glared down at him.

"So...I'm gonna go...get me a drink!" he laughed before turning on his heel and walking away. "Saviours, as you were!"

Daryl prepared himself. He refused to back down so he threw the first punch; knocking a man backwards and causing blood to poor from his cracked lip. Before he had chance to throw another, he was pushed to the ground and a shoe connected with his rib cage. He tried to defend himself but at every turn, he was defeated.

A pair of hands grabbed the back of his jumper and he was dragged back towards his cell.

♪ We're on Easy Street ♪ And it feels so sweet ♪ 'Cause the world is but a treat ♪ When you're on Easy Street ♪