Sweet and Salty ~ Carl Grimes

Amber Alert - 103

For the trigger warnings summary, go to the bottom of the chapter!! This one is pretty bad trauma-wise mentioning everything Will did!!

Eugene and Brooks finished up in the workshop, and both headed back to their separate rooms. Having Eugene know that Brooks hasn't actually been with Negan this whole time was a weird feeling, because it felt like a weight lifted... But, also a weight added. If she perished in this war, at least someone would be alive to tell her family that she didn't die a traitor, but then again... Eugene could switch up and tell Negan at any time. Brooks really, really didn't trust him.

But, Brooks was hoping that with this 'disease' spreading round the Sanctuary that it would buy her people some time. See, it took Brooks a minute, but she realised the only person who could take Negan down - was Negan. He was too powerful, too smart, his army too big. She needed to slowly destroy his forces before her side stood even the slightest chance. 

One thing Brooks didn't expect though? Was too like it so much in the sanctuary. Killing her friends, watching Negan get sick was harder than she thought. Through the window she'd been watching worker after worker carry out dozens of bodies of the deceased. They'd had to call in men from other outposts just to keep things running in the sanctuary, which reminded Brooks of just how many men Negan had and how crucial her part in this whole plan was.

She wanted nothing more than to go back to Carl, her dad, Michonne, Judith, and everyone else she loved... But, she couldn't. She couldn't have them knowing. The more people who knew the more dangerous it was. Brooks didn't care if it was weeks, months, or even years, she wouldn't leave Negan's side until it all fell down.

Well!... That was the plan, at least.

Because when Brooks stepped foot into her bedroom, the door shut behind her, a hand was placed against her mouth and another arm wrapped around her waist to keep her still. Brooks tried thrashing around, grabbing at the arms, but they were too strong for her. Just as Brooks was about to start kicking the legs of the person behind her, there was a voice in her ear. "Shh, it's me, Brookie. It's me. It's Daryl, you're okay. You're safe." He whispered, and her movements slowed to a stop.

His arms slowly released her, and so Brooks took a step forward before turning around to face him. Brooks hadn't actually seen Daryl since the incident with the iron a few days ago. He still had a prominent black eye, and several other injuries across his face. She bet he had more hiding under his clothes which he seemingly stole from a deceased saviour. "Wh- what are you do-? How are you out? You're supposed to be in your cell."

"I know, Jesus came by with Carl, broke me out. I couldn't leave without you, so he left me the key and went back to Hilltop. I've been plannin' it the past couple days, findin' the best time to slip out without anyone knowin'. Come on, baby, I've got this all planned, we can just go now. We can go home." Daryl explained quickly, trying to grab her arm again but Brooks took a step back.

Brooks didn't want to have this interaction, because she didn't know what to do in this situation. She couldn't tell Daryl what was happening, because he would tell Rick, who would tell Carl, who would tell the world. She couldn't exactly send him back to his cell, but realistically she shouldn't just let him walk either. "Daryl... I am home." Is what she settled on.

His brows furrowed, and he rolled his eyes. "Come on, girl, it's just me and you. You don't gotta keep this up."

"I ain't keepin' anythin' up, this is just who I am now. I'm Negan." Brooks responded, standing her ground, putting up the same mask she had been for weeks.

Daryl's jaw clenched. "I don't give a fuck if you're God, I'm your uncle, I'm in charge, you do what I say and that's final. So get your ass out that door now, we're leavin'."