Fire With Fire // D. Dixon

chapter forty-four

The chaotic onslaught on the Sanctuary had thrown Chloe Grimes into a state of disarray.

Six months pregnant and separated from Negan, she had initially planned to escape and seek out her father, hoping to find safety in his presence.

However, the guilt that began weighing heavy on her heart compelled her to search for Negan instead, knowing the sacrifices he had made for her well-being.

As the battle raged on, Chloe maneuvered through the labyrinth-like corridors, her mind filled with an overwhelming desire to find him.

Finally, in the midst of the Sanctuary's courtyard, she spotted the small trailer where Negan often sought refuge. Her heart raced with anticipation as she pushed her way through the chaos, desperate to find him.

There were so many walkers, too many for her to take on alone. Alas, she killed just enough to make it into the trailer, stopping to catch her breath once she got inside.

And there he was, standing tall and resolute, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern as he saw Chloe approaching.

"Chloe? What the hell were you thinking? Those bastards could have fucking eaten you alive!" Negan retorted angrily to the pregnant woman standing before him, covered in blood and sweat.

Their eyes locked, as the sounds of growling and snarling walkers filled their ears. The chaos from the world around them seemed to fade into the background. Chloe's breath caught in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes.

She was so overwhelmed, she was traumatized. This was all so familiar. Running. Fighting. Trying not to get killed. It was all so exhausting.

"I'm just fucking glad you're okay..." Negan's usual bravado melted away, replaced by a vulnerability that mirrored her own. Without a word, they rushed into each other's arms, seeking comfort and solace in their embrace.

"I can't do this anymore, Negan," Chloe whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I don't want to have to make these choices...between wanting to kill you or save your ass."

Negan held her tightly, his grip firm yet tender. His voice was laced with a mixture of guilt and determination as he spoke, "I'm sorry, Chloe. I should've protected you better. I should've never let you get caught up in all this mess."

Chloe shook her head, "This war...it has to stop. So many people have died, too many. We're all fighting for something we believe in, something we think is right. But I just want it to be over."

Negan's eyes softened as he looked into Chloe's tear-streaked face, "I want that too, Chloe. More than anything, I want this damn war to be over. I want you and that baby to have a chance at a normal life. But it's not that fucking simple, you know that. You're Dad wants me dead, he'll stop at nothing to get that. I should have killed him when I had the chance."

Chloe froze, seeing the unresolved anger in his face, her gaze filled with determination, "No, Negan. You didn't kill him and you won't kill him. I know you think you're doing what you think is right, getting revenge for what happened at the satellite station, but nobody is right. Either one of you. But I can't keep living like this. I can't keep fighting and risking our lives every day. I need you to understand. I need you to let me go, to let me be a good mother to my child."

Tears welled up in Negan's eyes as he struggled to find his words, something he never did, "Chloe, you are already the best mother that baby could ever have. It may not be the best circumstances, but you have this fire in you that keeps you alive. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe. But we can't just walk away from this. We have to finish what we started."

Before Negan could continue, the trailer door swung open, and Gabriel burst in, his face pale with terror. He had stumbled upon something he didn't understand, nor did he really have the time to unpack what he had seen. Negan and his unusually tear-stained face and Chloe who seemed to be calm in Negan's unusually gentle embrace.

The interruption broke the fragile moment between Negan and Chloe, jolting them back into the harsh reality of their surroundings. With a heavy sigh, Negan released Chloe from his embrace, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and determination.

"We'll finish this conversation later, Chloe," Negan said, his voice filled with a sense of urgency, "Right now, we need to get the fuck out of here. We'll find a way to make things right, I promise."

Chloe nodded, her heart heavy with unspoken words. She understood the weight of their situation, the gravity of the choices they had to make.

As Gabriel watched them move away from one another, his face remained stoic. He didn't understand, but he was sure he would figure it out with time.

Without uttering a word, Negan pounced on Gabriel. Chloe moved to separate them, stopping Negan from punching any more that he already had.

"Stop!" Chloe yelled, making the walkers pound on the surrounding walls even more. Negan pulled away, grabbing all of the weapons in the process. Negan unclipped the magazine, noticing just how full it was.

"This one still has a full clip." Negan spoke with an incredulous smile. Gabriel sighed, rolling his eyes as he listened to the man in leather. Chloe shot both men a look.

Gabriel sat up, "There wasn't any point in firing it. I didn't have enough."

"Yeah," Negan sighed, before looking back at Gabriel, "but you could have gone down fighting, you big baby."

"Really, Negan? Now's not the time." Chloe spoke, pushing his shoulder out of frustration. Negan only chuckled at the girl, before stepping away from Gabriel.

"I'm just pulling your dick, breaking your balls a little bit," Negan jokes, "You done good. Smart play. Let's get you properly on your ass."

With Negan's hand outstretched towards him, Gabriel was shocked. He had expected any kindness, especially not him offering leniency in any form. He could only wonder what else Negan had in store for him.

All he knew was that it couldn't be good.

Alas, the three were trapped in the trailer. There was only so much one could do in such a confined space.

Negan, of course, was the one to break the silence, "Your friend Rick is an asshole."

Gabriel was quick to fire back, "You're an asshole."

Negan only laughs, having clearly expected that response. All of them had been so quick, so eager to defend Rick Grimes. Though he'd never truly understand it, he knew that he had managed to keep his group alive. That, in and of itself, demanded respect.

"Yeah, I am. But he's gonna get people killed." Negan responded, sliding down the wall to sit down again.

Gabriel didn't look at him, but he spoke again, "By you."

"See, I killed the widow's husband and the ginger...but I didn't get them killed. That was your boy Rick. Big difference."

"That right there," Chloe spoke harshly, glaring daggers at Negan, "You keep saying shit like that and it really pisses me off. My Dad did what he thought he had to do, to protect us. I told you about all of the fucked up people we've ran into on the road...the people that made us react that way and yet you still just don't fucking get it!"

"I do, Chloe. Believe me, I do. But, your Dad took it too far..." Negan spoke to the girl, before looking back at Gabriel again, "You know, I saw you stop for that Gregory idiot. You were there, you saw the whole thing...you heard his little speech. Why would you stop for that bearded prick?"

Gabriel took a deep breath, "What I fear is a fruitless death."

Negan couldn't help himself as he laughed, "Jesus Christ, you've gotta be kidding me. He split on your creepy little ass. The point of your life would be saving that dickhead?"

"That wouldn't be it. There had to be some reason I did what I did..." Gabriel paused, his head snapping in Negan's direction, "Maybe this is the reason."

"What?"

"I think...I'm here to take your confession." Gabriel only smiled.