Bloodlines.

Chapter 10: negan takes daryl.

As dawn broke over the clearing, the light revealed the full scope of the group's devastation. Their faces were pale and streaked with tears, each of them frozen in horror.

Alyssa knelt on the ground, her chest heaving with rage. She was beyond snapped, her fury visible to everyone. Even in her broken state, the group could see the fire burning inside her—a fire that was now dangerously close to consuming her.

Daryl, still pinned to the ground by the Saviors, thrashed weakly, his face a mix of desperation and guilt. He looked toward Alyssa, who refused to meet his eyes, her focus locked solely on Negan.

Negan, now fully illuminated in the light of day, strolled casually along the lineup, his presence commanding and cruel. "Here it is, folks," he said, his voice loud and theatrical. "The grand prize game." He stopped in front of Rick, grinning wickedly. "What you do next decides if your crap day becomes everyone's last crap day... or just another crap day."

The group barely moved, their expressions numb as Negan gestured to his men. "Get some weapons to everyone's heads," he ordered. The Saviors obeyed immediately, pressing guns against the heads of each kneeling member.

"Good, good," Negan said, his grin widening. "Now level them with their noses. So if you have to fire, it'll be a real mess." He laughed loudly, clearly enjoying the tension that crackled in the air.

Alyssa's fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood. She shook with rage, her eyes burning holes into Rick as he knelt silently, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

Negan suddenly turned his attention to Carl, his grin growing. "You," he said, pointing at the boy. "Come here, kid. Right here. Now."

Carl hesitated for only a moment before standing. Alyssa's head snapped up, and a shout ripped from her throat. "NO!" she screamed, trying to get to her feet, but the Saviors around her shoved her back down.

"Don't do this!" Alyssa shouted again, her voice raw and desperate.

Negan ignored her entirely, his focus on Carl. As the boy walked forward, Negan grabbed him by the arm and yanked him closer. "Good boy," he said mockingly, wrapping his belt tightly around Carl's arm and forcing him to lie on the ground.

"Spread them wings, kiddo," Negan ordered, pulling Carl's arm out to the side. Carl's face was stoic, his bravery masking the fear that flickered in his eyes.

Negan turned to Rick, his expression darkening. "Alright, Rick," he said, his voice dropping into something far more menacing. "Here's what's gonna happen. I want you to take my axe..." He gestured dramatically to the bloodstained axe he had used earlier. "And I want you to cut your son's left arm off."

The group collectively gasped, their horror renewed. Alyssa screamed again, thrashing against the hands of the Saviors holding her down. "NO! YOU CAN'T!" she shrieked, her voice piercing.

Negan turned his head slightly toward her, his smirk returning. "Pipe down, Miss Mouth," he said casually. "This here's between me and your daddy."

Rick stared at Negan, his face pale and sweat beading on his forehead. His hands shook as he remained frozen, his gaze darting between Carl and the axe lying nearby.

"I'm waiting, Rick," Negan said, his tone cheerful. "And trust me—you don't want to keep me waiting"

Negan's grin faded into a menacing glare as he crouched slightly, pointing Lucille at Rick. His voice dropped, firm and commanding.

"If you don't do this," he said, his tone sharp and unforgiving, "all of your friends get taken out. Every single one of them. Including Little Miss Mouth over there."