ORDER (sequel to Trouble) [TWD]

ultimatum

"Kiko.."

"No talking!" Simon snaps at Daryl.

Again, Sakiko flinches.

Negan had taken Rick into the RV and drive off. The sun was just now starting to come up and they still weren't back yet.

They were at least granted access to get off their knees. No food, water, bathroom, sleep, talking.. nothing. 

Sakiko could only sit on the ground and wallow in her pain.

She asked Simon to get up if only to move closer to Ryan's body. But, he wouldn't allow that. He simply smiled and scolded her like a toddler.

Michonne asked if there was anything they could do to help Daryl and Maggie- both sick and injured. But, of course, that was a big 'no', too.

Sakiko's knees were pulled to her chest, something she always did when looking for comfort. Her right fist was around her fingers of her left, clutching her wedding ring.

Every piece of her body ached. Her husband's body was just a few feet away and she couldn't do anything.. anything.

The RV pulls into the clearing and Sakiko feels just the tiniest bit of relief.

Rick was back. He was going to fix this like he always did.

But, the sight of Negan literally dragging her leader on the ground just made another piece of her break.

Sakiko couldn't even hear what Negan was saying. Then, she felt a gun at the back of her head. She inhales, leaning back into the metal.

"Pull it.." she whispers to whoever was holding the gun to her head.

"Darlin," Negan calls to Sakiko, "You wanna share with the class?"

Sakiko opens her eyes, meeting his. She didn't have it in her to glare or sadistically smile. She was just.. blank.

"Don't forget now, you came separate. If I didn't know any better.. I'd say your good ole pal Rick here marched hubby to his death."

Sakiko shakes her head. He wasn't getting in her head. Rick was her leader. Family.

"You," he points to Carl, "Come here."

Nanami's eyes widen and he and Carl hold onto each other a little tighter.

"Come on," Negan ushers, "Now."

Carl slowly releases Nanami's hand. Carl was the only person still on his knees. He refused to look even a bit comfortable. He wouldn't waver in the face of these people.

Negan takes his belt off and wraps it around Carl's arm. Nanami was going to pass out. This couldn't be happening. Negan makes Carl get on the ground, drawing a line on his arm.

"Please.. Please don't," Rick quietly begs.

Sakiko's head tilts. A surge of anger suddenly rushing through her.

Ryan and Abraham were dead.. Rick was going to break now? People were dead. And he was going to coward out only now that his family is involved?

Call Sakiko selfish, because she knows she is. But, fuck. That hurt.

Was she not enough? Was Ryan? By default, Glenn, Maggie, Hershel, Rosita, Eugene, Sasha.. Everyone severely affected by deaths?

"You don't have to do this," Michonne speaks up, "We- we understand. Please."

"You understand," Negan smiles, "But, some don't."

Did Sakiko understand?

Sakiko understood that Negan was going to die a slow, painful death.