Up The Wolves | Negan

Chapter Sixteen: Proof

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

"Oh, can you just shut the hell up?" I asked, lightly hitting my head on the wall behind me.

"I mean, it's admirable, it really is, this plan you have to get my guard down again before you kill me, but do you really think it's gonna work like that?" Hallucination Negan asked and I raised my eyebrows at him, "I mean, how long do you think you'll pretend to be in love with me before you actually fall again? Two weeks? Then what?" He smirked.

"The fact is, Negan knows I used to feel something for him, so all I have to do is pretend I do again. It'll be the me he's been waiting for," I explained, knowing nothing would come of it considering the guy in front of me didn't really exist.

"I'm not stupid, Lou. I know you think I'm stupid because I say some stupid things sometimes-"

"All the time," I corrected him.

"But I do have a brain and a pretty big one at that," he winked and I rolled my eyes, "You're not gonna fool me. Not again," his smile dropped as he stared me down.

"What was that? All I heard was blah, blah, and blah," I said. I knew it was just my inner consciousness arguing with my logic and it was a valid argument, but hearing it come from Negan's voice was not helping me learn from it.

Suddenly the door unlocked and swung open, revealing Joey, who handed me today's breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and what would you know, it was another dog food sandwich. Instead of dropping it next to me, he held it out.

"I wanna talk to Negan," I demanded, standing up on wobbly knees.

"No can do," he shook his head.

"Oh no, now what?" Hallucination Negan asked with a laugh. I snatched the sandwich from Joey and threw it at the wall where Negan disappeared and turned back to Joey.

"Get him. Now. He's gonna want to hear this."

Joey shut the door, I assumed to go get Negan, but the interesting thing was that I didn't hear the lock click. I leaned up to the door with interest, listening for movement on the other side before I slowly twisted the handle, hearing the latch click as it opened. I popped my head out of the door and glanced around the hallways, eyes wide. This could be my chance—only if I got caught I'd be in much more trouble.

An idea struck my brain, much to my dismay when I heard Negan's voice from behind me and shook my head, determined to leave this vision behind sooner rather than later. I still knew the way through the Sanctuary, but I had to get where I was going before anybody noticed me or else spilling my plan would come off as an excuse more than the truth.

I snuck my way through the halls, getting past multiple rooms of people before finding my destination and staring at the tall door with recognition. Memories hit me as soon as I turned the handle, looking at the bed, the sofas, the door to the bathroom. I already wanted to run out of here as my hand lifted to my throat, as if hovering over the ghost of a bruise. Still, I kept reminding myself that this was a good plan.

"Do you think he'll be happy?" I heard, turning to see Negan—but not Negan, leaning against Lucille on the coffee table.

"Shut up," I whispered to the illusion, making my way to the clothing drawer. I probably had some time before Joey and Negan got back to my cell to find me gone, maybe not enough for a shower, but a fresh change of Negan's clothes couldn't hurt. I sighed, knowing none of his jeans or even sweatpants would fit my waist as I simply threw the old and dirty shirt over my head and replaced it with a gray one of his, then headed to the bed.

I waited patiently, sitting on the edge of the bed with my legs crossed, for him to return. I would've fallen asleep if I didn't have fake-Negan keeping me up with idiotic jokes that I used to hear in middle school.

"Spell I-Cup," he grinned and I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. Suddenly, the door clicked and I straightened up, watching as he stepped over the threshold, Lucille over his shoulder and a tense look on his face. He didn't notice me as he shut his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose and letting out a deep sigh, leaning against the closed door.

"Something on your mind?" I asked and he instantly jumped to the ready, holding Lucille up as if ready to bash in brains before realization hit him.

"Lou?" He questioned and I looked between him and the version of him that was standing behind him with a false puppy dog pout.

"You look tense," I added, jumping off the bed and stepping closer to the tall man, "Anything I can do to help? Maybe a massage?" I offered, watching confusion overtake his features. It had only been maybe two days since our spaghetti date, so I didn't blame the confusion.

"Have you eaten too much dog food?" He questioned and I forced out as realistic of a laugh as I could muster.

"I haven't eaten any of that shit," I replied, "I just realized that you were right," I sighed, turning around and sliding over the back of the sofa in front of him into a sitting position, "Before I ran away, I was scared, you know. Not scared of what was out there or what you'd do to me," I lied, "I was scared because it hurt to leave. I was scared because I had actually... started to care about somebody who wasn't myself or my family, and it scared the shit out of me, so I left," I watched the fake Negan grin at my story as the real one stepped around the couch and sat on the one opposite of me, a genuine look on his face that told me he was listening, "I wanted to keep being strong and independent; the boss-ass-bitch I've always been. But when Joey left my cell unlocked I couldn't bring myself to try and leave. All I wanted was to tell you..." I let out a sigh.

"Lou, what are you doing?" He asked.

"Go for the leap. What a star moment, if only Broadway still existed," the hallucination grinned.

"Yes," I said, hopping off the couch and over to real Negan, who seemed to be Error-ing out at my words. I crawled onto his lap, hands pressed against his chest where I could feel his steady heartbeat speed up, "I want to come back to you, to this. All of this," I lied through my teeth, leaning closer to his face as I hesitantly placed a kiss on his cheek, "If you'll have me."

Slowly, a grin crossed his face. The same evil grin that could've been attractive if there wasn't sadistic intent underneath it.

"Just wait until Daryl gets a load of this," he spoke, and instantly my facade broke.

"D-Daryl?" I questioned, pushing myself off of him and to the couch beside him.

"Well, maybe I'll have to wait until he's conscious again. Oh, didn't I tell you?" He questioned, standing up, "Your buddy Daryl's been in the cells too, unfortunately not doing as well as you. And he just tried to break out too, so, of course, I had to teach him a little bit of a lesson," he explained, turning around to me, "Now, don't look so shocked, Lou! Isn't this what you wanted? All of this?" He questioned. I could feel my confidence wavering, but I couldn't. I needed to stick to the plan—be close so I can end it.

"It's okay," I said softly, pushing myself up and stepping closer, "You do what you need to do. I understand," I added, watching his grin leave as I turned to the door, "I'll show myself back to my cell," I finished, walking to the door.

"Are you serious?" He questioned, sincerity in his voice, "About wanting this?"

"I'm not that dumb," fake Negan said, standing in front of my only exit, "If you fall for it, you'll probably die," he added with a short shrug, smacking his own Lucille on the door.

"I am," I responded softly without turning to face the real Negan. I felt his fingers slide around my wrist as he pulled me back to his chest.

"Can you prove it?"