Too Far Gone // D. Dixon

chapter forty-seven

"Come on, kid," Negan put his hand out for Carl to grab, "I'll show you around."

Carl sat there, watching the man closely. He studied his movement as his face fought to remain as stoic as his father's. Maren watched him closely, making sure that nothing happened. 

"You know, you do that same damn stink-eye as your dad, except it's only half as good 'cause well...you know, you're missing an eye."

"Okay, you've had your fun, Dad. Take Carl back to Alexandria-" Maren quickly spoke, her hands pulling Carl up to his feet. He looked at her, angry, as he glanced back at Negan again.

"No way, Josè! This kid needs to learn some things, since apparently his father hasn't taught him any goddamn manners." Negan spoke, trying to get some sort of reaction out of the boy, but to no avail. This was going to be harder than he thought.

Maren gave Negan a warning look, a look he had seen many women give him, and he sighed. He watched Carl as the pair exchanged knowing glances, which all the more confused Carl. Did Maren actually trust this guy? He knew that he was her Dad but still. After everything?

"Now," Negan spoke to the two of them, "You two are coming with me."

They followed him, as reluctantly as possible. Maren watched Carl, trying to figure out what the hell he was thinking coming here. Was he trying to get himself killed? She knew Negan wouldn't hesitate with killing someone, but Carl? She hoped that her dad wouldn't dare lay a hand on him. She didn't know if she could help herself from killing him if he tried.

"What are you gonna do to me?" Carl spoke, his voice not wavering. He had stopped, next to Maren.

Negan turned around, rubbing his beard angrily, "Number one...do not shatter my image of you. You're a badass. You're not scared of shit, don't be scared of me. It's a disappointment. Number two...you really wanna ruin the surprise?"

Neither Maren or Carl said anything after that, they just stood next to each other and waited. Negan was sure to do something, show off his power at the Sanctuary. Maybe kill someone. Who knows.

As they walked inside, they were atop the balcony that overlooked the worker's area. It had been the first part of the Sanctuary Maren had seen, and now it was Carl's too. As Negan approached the overlook, the entire Sanctuary sank to the floor, looking up at Negan with respect.

"The Saviors have gone out into the world and fought the dead and come back with some really good stuff. Some of that stuff can be yours if you work hard and play by the rules," Negan started, looking back at Carl, "Today, everybody gets fresh vegetables at dinner. No points needed!"

The group applauded, as Negan turned to face Carl, "You see that? Respect."

Continuing on, Negan walked away with them in tow. Based on where he was leading them, Maren knew where they were headed. They were headed to Negan's room. 

Just before they walked in, Negan turned to his daughter, "Not you. I need to speak with Carl here. Alone."

Maren attempted to retort back, but was left to her own devices as her father closed the door.

- TOO FAR GONE -

Maren was left to wonder what was going on behind that door.

Maren stood in the hallway, waiting with Daryl by her side now. He watched her, sensing her increasing anxiety for Carl. He knew that she was worried, but he also knew that Negan wouldn't hurt Carl, not from what he had seen.

As if on cue, Negan came out of the room with Carl, "Come on, kid. Get up. It should be ready now." He spoke so nonchalantly, but Maren exchanged a glance with Daryl.

"What should be ready?" Carl asked, looking up at Negan. Maren gulped as the two spoke, knowing what was going to happen next. 

"The iron."

And so, off they went. Negan was quick to address everyone, looking down at everyone from his spot on the balcony. As usual, everyone kneeled. Maren sighed at the sight.

"You know the deal. What's about to happen is gonna be hard to watch. I don't want to do it. I wish I could just ignore the rules and let it slide, but I can't. Why?" Negan spoke, pausing as everyone spoke in union.

"The rules keep us alive."

"That...is...right. We survive. We provide security to others. We bring civilization back to this world. We are the Saviors," Negan smiled, "But we can't do that without rules. Rules are what make it all work. I know it's not easy...but there's always work. There is always a cost. Here, if you try to skirt it, if you try to cut that corner...then it is the iron for you."

Negan made his way down, grabbing the searing hot iron from Dwight. The man in the chair squirmed. Maren shifted where she stood, holding Daryl close as he stood beside of her. He looked at her, knowing where this was headed.

Ngean chuckled, "Mark...I'm sorry, but it is what it is."

The iron seared, the loud sizzle seemed to echo against the walls, the eerie smell of burning skin filled the room. Maren clutched onto Daryl, trying to pretend that this wasn't happening. Mark's screaming was ear-piercing, gut-wrenching. Eventually, he passed out, the pain had become too much for him to bear. The scene nauseated Maren, reminding her of what she had done to Dean just a day before.

"Ah, that wasn't so bad now, was it? Jesus. He pissed himself!" Negan spoke, handing the iron back to Dwight, "Clean that up. Doc, I'm all done. Do your thing."

Doctor Carson moved forward, trying to help the man. He had seen so many men in this condition, and worse ones. Every time made him just as sick, without fail, even though he did his best to hide it.

"Well, the pussy passed out...but it's settled. We're square. Everything is cool," Negan announced, "Let Mark's face be a daily reminder to him and to everyone else that the rules matter. I hope that we all learned something today, because I don't ever want to have to do that again."

Negan came back up the stairs, meeting the small trio again. He didn't miss the way Maren clung to Daryl, nor did he miss the evil glance that Carl had sent his way.

"Some crazy shit, huh? You probably think I'm a lunatic..." Negan whispered to them, "Come on. Let's go figure out what to do with you two while Daryl here goes and does something useful." Daryl wanted to argue, but with the look Maren had sent him, he knew it was better to just do what Negan said.

And so, the trio was now in Negan's room. It was silent, too silent.

"Why haven't you killed me? Or my Dad?" Carl asked firmly. Maren looked at him, glancing at her father occasionally.

Negan smirked, "You all work for me. Your dad? He's already getting me great stuff. And you, on the other hand, we shall see." Maren shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not wanting to seem like she was fully on Negan's side, that must be what Carl was thinking by now.

"Just let him go home, Dad. He doesn't belong here," Maren spoke, watching as Carl snapped his head to look at her. He was confused, his face showed that. How much had she told him about their group? Did she actually want to stay here? With him?

"It's more productive to break you, more fun too. You thinking that's stupid?" Negan asked, a smile still ever present on his face.

"I'm thinking we're different." Carl spat. Negan only smiled at the kid.

Negan moved closer, "You're a smart kid. What do you think I should do? You know I can't let you go. So...do I kill you, iron your face, chop off your arm...Tell me, what do you think?"

"You should jump out the window to save me the trouble of killing you." Carl was quick to stand up, getting close to Negan's face. Maren held her breath, wanting to stop them both.

Negan chuckled, "Now, there is the kid that impressed the hell out of me!"

"I think you're not saying what you're gonna do to me because you're not going to do anything..." Carl paused, his tone threatening, "If you knew us, if you knew anything, you would kill us. But you can't."

"Maybe you're right, maybe I can't..." Negan smirked, standing up, "Let's go for a ride. All three of us."

"What about Daryl? I can't just leave-" Maren starts, but Negan is quick to cut her off.

"This trip will just be the three of us."