Within

eighteen

A loud, urgent knock on the door shattered the tranquility of the room and woke them up from their sleep. The unexpected sound made them both stiffen, their evening of intimacy abruptly interrupted.

Negan's face turned from tired satisfaction to intense focus as he pulled away slightly, his expression hardening.

"Stay here." Negan said in a low, commanding tone as he quickly reached for his discarded clothes.

Ariana nodded, her heart still racing after waking up from sleep and from their earlier passion but now she was filled with concern at the sudden disturbance. She watched as Negan dressed with swift efficiency, his demeanor shifting from intimate to authoritative in an instant.

Negan opened the door to reveal Dwight, his face pale and filled with urgency. Dwight's eyes were wide with panic, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts.

"Negan, we've got a serious problem." Dwight said, his voice tense. "The outpost... there's been a massacre. A group came and... and. They've killed everyone in their sleep."

Negan's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he processed the gravity of Dwight's words. "What the hell are you talking about, Dwight? How did this happen?"

Dwight stepped inside the room, not even noticing Ariana's presence as his focus remained solely on Negan. "We just got the report. They overran the outpost and killed everyone... guards, workers, everyone. It's chaos. We need to act fast."

Negan's jaw clenched as he absorbed the information. "Damn it. I knew something like this was going to fucking happen tonight. How many survivors?"

Dwight shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. "None. It was a complete wipeout. Some may have ran out into the forest. We have no clue. We've got to get a plan together and figure out our next move. The satellite outpost is compromised."

Negan's face was a mask of steely determination as he processed Dwight's urgent news. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, but Ariana's mind was consumed by one overwhelming thought: Atlas.

As Dwight continued to explain the severity of the situation, Ariana's eyes darted towards the door, her heart pounding with fear. She couldn't shake the image of Atlas at the outpost, a place she now feared might be a death trap.

Ariana's breath caught in her throat. "Atlas is at that outpost." She blurted out, her voice trembling. "He's... he's supposed to be there."

Negan's gaze flicked to her, a flicker of concern crossing his features before he hardened his expression. "Atlas? Damn it."

Ariana's eyes filled with tears as the enormity of the situation sank in. "You have to do something. He's my friend. I can't lose him."

Negan's expression softened, and he took a step closer to Ariana. "I understand. We're gonna figure this out. Dwight, get us every detail you can. I need to know exactly what happened and what our fucking options are."

Dwight nodded, already moving to relay instructions. "I'll get the information right away."

As Dwight hurried off, Negan turned his full attention to Ariana. He reached out, gently taking her hands in his, his touch surprisingly comforting. "Hey, look at me."

Ariana's gaze met his, tears streaming down her face. "What if it's too late? What if he's already..."

Negan's eyes were intense, filled with a mix of determination and empathy. "We don't know that yet. Until we know for sure, we can't give up hope. I'll do everything I can to find out what happened and make sure we get him out if he's still alive."

Ariana's gaze held his, seeking solace in his words. She could see the fierce resolve in his expression, a promise of action that was both reassuring and intense.

Negan's voice dropped to a menacing, low growl as he spoke. "And I ain't just gonna find out what the hell went down. I'm gonna make those bastards pay for every damn bit of it. They'll fucking regret the day they crossed paths with us."

Ariana's heart skipped a beat at the cold determination in his voice. "You mean you're going after them?"

Negan nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Damn right I am. Whoever did this, they crossed a line, and they'll answer for it. They've stirred up a hornet's nest, and they're gonna get stung. I promise you, Ariana, no one gets away with somethin' like this. Not on my fucking watch. Some good fucking men have lost their lives."

Ariana's eyes widened at the fierceness of his words, a shiver running down her spine as the implications of his promise sank in. The intensity of Negan's resolve made it clear that he wasn't just talking about retaliation; he was talking about something far more personal, a vendetta that would drive him to seek out and punish those responsible.

The harsh reality of their world, with its cycles of violence and retribution, became glaringly clear. Negan's promise was not just a statement of intent but a harbinger of the bloodshed that was to come. Ariana could sense that this incident would only escalate the already volatile situation, leading to consequences that would ripple through their lives and the lives of those they cared about.

Negan's eyes softened slightly as he looked at Ariana, a rare glimpse of the depth of his care for her. "I know this is hard, but we'll get through it. We'll find out what happened and we'll make sure they fucking get it. You have my word."

Ariana felt the anger build up inside of her. "Make them pay."

"You're speaking my language sunshine." Negan smirked, pulling her in for another kiss. "That's my girl."