Within

six

The cold concrete walls of the cell seemed to be falling in on Ariana as she lay on the small cot, staring up at the ceiling. The echoes of Negan's last visit lingered in her mind, his words a tantalizing mix of threat and flirtation. She couldn't shake the feeling of his intense gaze, nor the strange allure it carried.

The dim light from the single, flickering bulb overhead seemed to be making it feel even more claustrophobic. Ariana tried to steady her thoughts, grappling with the confusion and frustration of her situation.

As she was lost in her thoughts, the cell door creaked open, and Atlas appeared once again. His usual stoic expression was softened by a hint of curiosity as he stepped inside.

"Negan's got some big plans for you." Atlas said, his tone oddly casual given the circumstances. "I told you he likes to keep things interesting."

Ariana sat up, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "And what's your take on this little arrangement? How do you feel about working for someone like him?"

Atlas shrugged, his face betraying little emotion. "It's a job, same as any other. We all play our parts in this crazy world. Hey, I bet you had shitty boss back before."

Ariana nodded, sensing a glimmer of camaraderie in his response. "You know, you're not as bad as I thought. Most of the Saviours I've met so far have been... less personable."

A small, genuine smile tugged at Atlas's lips.

"We're not all monsters, just doing what we have to survive." Before Ariana could reply, Atlas motioned for her to follow. "Come on. Negan wants to see you again. He's been itching to continue where you left off."

Her heart skipped a beat. The last time she had seen Negan, his interest had been both unsettling and intriguing. She followed Atlas through the winding corridors of the Sanctuary, her thoughts racing. What new game was Negan playing now?

They arrived at the large, imposing door once day that was Negan's room. Negan was seated behind the desk, his trademark grin plastered on his face.

"Look who's back." Negan chirped, his eyes lighting up as he saw Ariana. "Did you miss me?"

Ariana steeled herself as she stepped inside, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of defiance and reluctant intrigue.

"I can't say I did."

Negan chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "Rude. Well, I missed you. Or at least, I'm very curious about you. How's the cell treatin' you?"

"It's cosy." Ariana replied, her tone sharp. "Perfect for someone who doesn't want to be here."

Negan leaned back in his chair, studying her with a look of genuine interest.

"God Ariana! You don't know the things you do to a man. You are a breath of fresh fucking air. It's not every day I get someone who keeps me on my toes."

He stood up and walked around the desk, his movements smooth and confident. He came to a stop in front of Ariana, close enough that she could feel the heat of his body.

"I'm curious about you, Ariana. About what makes you tick. Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"

Ariana met his gaze, her resolve wavering slightly under the intensity of his stare.

"What's it to you? There's not much to tell. I'm just a survivor, like everyone else."

Negan's smile widened, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm sure there's more to you than that. You've got spirit. I can see it. Come on, tell me, what did you do before the world went to shit?"

"I was a teacher." She replied quietly. "Primary."

"Who on earth let you around elementary school students with that foul mouth of yours!" Negan exclaimed. "Well I'll be damned! That pretty little accent all making sense to me now. How the fuck did you end up here?"

"Who cares?!" Ariana snapped back. "England went to shit just like here anyway."

He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. The touch was unexpected and electrifying, sending a shiver down Ariana's spine. She fought to keep her composure, refusing to let him see how much his proximity affected her.

"You know." Negan said, his voice dropping to a low, almost seductive murmur. "I could use someone with your attitude around here. You've got a certain charm. It might be fun to see what else you have to offer."

Ariana's heart raced as she looked up at him. "I'm not a toy, Negan. I'm not here for your amusement."

Negan's grin didn't falter. "I don't see you as a toy. More like a wild card. And I'm always up for a bit of unpredictability."

He walked back to his desk and took a seat, his gaze still locked on her.

"How about this, get to know me a little better, and maybe I'll start to think of you as more than just a prisoner. I'm sure we could come to some sort of understanding."

Ariana hesitated, weighing her options. Despite her anger and frustration, she felt a strange pull toward him, a mix of fear and fascination.

"And if I refuse?"

Negan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Then we keep doing this dance until you decide you want to play along. But trust me, Ariana, it's much more enjoyable if you're part of the show."

Atlas cleared his throat, drawing Negan's attention momentarily. "Boss, you wanted me to take her to the lounge. We've got a bit of downtime."

Negan nodded, his eyes still on Ariana. "Right. Let's see how this plays out. Take her to the lounge, Atlas. Maybe she'll feel more at home there."

•••

The dimly lit corridors of the Sanctuary echoed with distant voices and the occasional clang of metal as Atlas led Ariana through the labyrinth of hallways. The atmosphere grew heavier with each step, the air thick with tension and unspoken despair. Despite the decor and attempts at creating a semblance of normalcy, the place felt oppressive, a gilded cage in a world already gone mad.

Atlas stopped in front of a set of heavy wooden doors, his expression impassive as he opened them.

"The lounge." He said flatly, gesturing for her to enter.
"They're waiting for you."

"Who?"

"Negan's wives."