Running From You I Negan x Maggie (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 12: The night we met

"When the night was full of terrors

And your eyes were filled with tears

When you had not touched me yet

Take me back to the night we met"

The Virginia summer sun was relentless that week, and Alexandria was especially busy. Many residents were preparing for a visit to the Commonwealth, drawn by promises of a more abundant life offered by the new community. However, the reduced staff left those who stayed overwhelmed with work.

Negan was out in the field, prepping the soil for the next planting season, wearing only a tank top as he drove the hoe into the hard, dried earth. Sweat trickled down his back, and the exhausting morning heat pressed on him, but he focused on the task, determined not to let his mind wander back to his last conversation with Maggie — a conversation that still haunted him.

Nearby, Jerry and a younger guy were unloading supplies brought in by the scouts. Negan observed them for a moment, noticing the boy's extreme effort, and commented: "Hey, kid, take it easy with those boxes. At this rate, you're going to faceplant in the dirt."

The boy scoffed, not even bothering to look at him. "Piss off, Negan."

Negan just shrugged, sighing as he returned to his work. But a few minutes later, he heard a dull thud: the kid had passed out. Jerry was by his side, trying to revive him.

"Shit. I told him, didn't I?" Negan muttered, setting the hoe down.

"Hey, Negan, can you give me a hand?" Jerry asked, visibly concerned.

Negan nodded and quickly grabbed a canteen of water, splashing some on the boy's face until he began to regain consciousness. "Come on, kid, let's take a walk to the infirmary."

With the boy still dazed, Negan guided him to the infirmary. There, he found Jess, who, upon seeing the scene, crossed her arms with a sigh.

"Let me guess. Another one who passed out?" she remarked, exhausted, though with a faint smile.

Negan settled the boy into a chair and nodded. "Seems like it. This heat's too much for anyone trying to act tough. Seeing a lot of this around here?"

Jess let out a weary sigh, brushing the hair from her face. "More than I'd like, to be honest. These past days have been hard. A lot of people going, fewer people to split the work... I'm at my limit."

Negan raised an eyebrow with a small smirk. "If you need help, I can lend a hand. Believe it or not, I was a PE teacher before all this. I know how to take care of people who are worn out."

She laughed, tilting her head, and replied in a light tone, "Well, in that case, I think I really do need it," she said, teasing. "And look, I guess you're not too bad with patients... as long as they're not trying to punch you, this might actually work."

He laughed, somewhat surprised by her tone, but composed himself with a smile.

"Hey, I know I'm not at the top of anyone's trust list around here. But I want things to change." Negan thought about Maggie's words from that night; he didn't want to be seen as a burden.

Jess studied him for a moment, giving him a small smile. "I'd really like that, and I'm sure others will say the same. Everyone here needs something to believe in."

He returned her smile, surprised by her understanding.

"Well, I'll spare you the pity session. I promise to help however I can."