Too Far Gone // D. Dixon

chapter fifty

The chaotic onslaught on the Sanctuary had thrown both Maren and Daryl into a state of disarray.

The pair had initially planned to escape and seek out Rick, hoping to find safety in his presence. However, the guilt that began weighing heavy on Maren's heart compelled her to search for Negan instead, knowing that she couldn't just leave him.

As the battle raged on, Maren and Daryl maneuvered through the labyrinth-like corridors, her mind filled with an overwhelming desire to find him. It was not going to be an easy task. Fighting against the walkers as they ran, they'd taken down quite a few, making it to the outside once again.

Finally, in the midst of the Sanctuary's courtyard, she spotted the small trailer where Negan often sought refuge, "There!" Maren shouted to Daryl, as her heart raced with anticipation as they pushed their way through the chaos.

There were so many walkers, too many for her to take on alone. Alas, they had managed to kill just enough to make it into the trailer, stopping to catch their breath once they had gotten inside.

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

"Maren? Daryl? What in the hell were you thinking? Those bastards could have fucking eaten you alive!" Negan retorted angrily to his daughter standing before him, covered in blood and sweat. He glanced at Daryl, a silent fury headed his way as he thought that Daryl had allowed her to risk her life for this. Daryl understood his anger, but decided now was not the time to get into that.

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. Maren'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 shit anymore, Dad," Maren whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I don't want to have to make these choices...between wanting to kill you or save your dumb 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...I should've protected you better, I should've never let you get caught up in all this mess."

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

Negan's eyes softened as he looked into Maren's tear-streaked face, "I never wanted this...I want this damn war to be over, but it's not that fucking simple, you know that. Rick wants me dead, he'll stop at nothing to get that. I should have killed him when I had the chance."

Maren froze, seeing the unresolved anger in his face, her gaze filled with determination, "No. 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 that damn 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 and Daryl go."

Tears welled up in Negan's eyes as he struggled to find his words, something he never did, "I can't just walk away from this. I have to finish what I fucking 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 Maren who seemed to be calm in Negan's unusually gentle embrace, and then there was the ever-cautious Daryl.

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

"We'll finish this conversation later," 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 fucking promise."

Maren nodded, her heart heavy with unspoken words. She understood the weight of their situation, the gravity of the choices they had to make. She moved back to Daryl, seeking comfort in his embrace.

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. Daryl moved to separate them, stopping Negan from punching him any more that he already had.

"Stop!" Maren 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. Maren 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."

"Now's not the time." Maren spoke, making direct eye contact with her father. 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 four of them 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," Maren spoke harshly, glaring daggers at Negan, "You keep saying shit like that and it really pisses me off. Rick 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, Maren. Believe me, I do. But, Rick 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.