Bloodlines.

Chapter Nine: The lineup part Two

Negan pushed Alyssa roughly back down to her knees, forcing her back into her spot in the lineup. He crouched down to her level, his dark grin still plastered across his face as he reached out and wiped a streak of blood off her cheek with his thumb.

"What's the matter, Miss Mouth?" he drawled mockingly, tilting his head. "Jokes not funny anymore?"

Alyssa glared at him, her whole body visibly trembling—not with fear, but with pure, unfiltered rage.

"I'm gonna kill you," she spat, her voice steady despite the blood on her face and the weight of the situation.

Negan's grin widened as he grabbed her chin firmly, forcing her to hold his gaze. "What?" he said, feigning ignorance, leaning closer. "I didn't quite catch that. You're gonna have to speak up."

Alyssa didn't flinch, her piercing blue eyes locked onto his. "Not today," she said coldly, her voice unwavering. "Not tomorrow. But I'm gonna kill you."

Negan sucked in a sharp breath, tilting his head as if impressed. "Jesus," he said, chuckling softly before glancing back at his men. "Dwight, what weapon did she have?"

Dwight stepped forward, looking a bit nervous. "Couple knives," he said, "and... an AK-47."

Negan let out a loud laugh, his grip on Alyssa's chin tightening slightly. "An AK-47, huh?" he said, the amusement clear in his voice. "You're full of surprises, Miss Mouth."

Releasing her face, Negan stood and began walking down the line, eventually stopping in front of Rick. "Simon here," he said, gesturing toward his right-hand man, "is my right-hand man. Having one of those is important. I mean, what do you have left without them? A whole lotta work."

He paused, tilting his head toward Rick. "You have one? Maybe Daryl?" he said, his tone taunting.

Rick remained silent, his glare burning holes into Negan, but his face was otherwise unreadable.

Negan smirked, turning his attention to the Saviors standing nearby. "Give me the axe Rick the Prick had on his way in here!" he barked.

Simon stepped forward, handing Negan the axe without hesitation. Negan gripped it in one hand, Lucille still resting casually on his shoulder in the other.

Without warning, he turned back to Alyssa, grabbing her by the shirt and dragging her to her feet. "Alright, Miss Mouth," he said, his tone laced with mock cheerfulness. "You're coming with me."

He started pulling her toward the RV, her feet barely keeping up as she struggled against his grip.

"I'll be back!" Negan called over his shoulder, his grin wider than ever. "Maybe Little Miss Mouth will be with me. Maybe she won't."

The group erupted in chaos.

"ALYSSA!" Daryl shouted, his voice raw with panic as he thrashed against his captors, trying to break free.

Rick's face twisted in anger and fear, but he stayed silent, his hands shaking.

Carl began to struggle against the Saviors restraining him, his voice breaking as he shouted, "ALYSSA! LET HER GO!"

The RV door slammed shut behind Negan and Alyssa, leaving the group outside helpless and paralyzed with fear.

Negan shoved Alyssa roughly into one of the seats in the RV, her shoulder colliding with the wall as she caught herself. He slammed the axe down onto the table with a loud thud, the sound reverberating through the cramped space.

"Let's go for a ride," he drawled, his grin wide as he moved to the driver's seat. He fumbled with the ignition, the engine sputtering but refusing to start.