Bloodlines.

Chapter Fifteen: Negan Gets to know Carl And alyssa.

Negan led the group through more winding corridors until they reached a room far larger and more lavish than the rest of the Sanctuary. The centerpiece was a massive four-poster bed with dark sheets that seemed almost untouched. In one corner of the room, a plush arrangement of couches surrounded a small table. Negan turned and grinned at Carl and Alyssa, motioning toward the couches.

"Sit down, kid," he said, gesturing casually to Carl. Then his eyes flicked to Alyssa, his grin widening. "You too, miss grimes. Let's get started. I wanna get to know you both a little better."

Carl hesitated, his eyes narrowing in defiance. "Why?" he asked.

Negan chuckled, clearly entertained. "Why?" he repeated, mockingly. "You kids go on a little suicide mission, you take out three of my men, and you think there wouldn't be consequences? You're smart enough to know that I can't just let this slide." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp and predatory. "And, well, I'm curious. You two have my attention. I want to know what makes you tick."

Alyssa huffed and crossed her arms, her expression a mix of disdain and exhaustion. "I'm not a kid," she muttered, her voice biting. "I'm twenty."

Negan's grin only grew wider, and he let out a laugh. "Twenty, huh? Well, color me corrected. You're not a kid; you're a full-blown adult," he said, dripping with sarcasm. He gestured to the couch again. "Go on, sit your grown-up ass down, sweetheart."

Alyssa's jaw clenched, but she moved toward the couch, sitting stiffly. Carl followed, reluctantly dropping onto the cushions next to her, his eyes never leaving Negan.

Negan spun Lucille in his hands, leaning casually against one of the bedposts. "Now, let's talk. I gotta know, what's the plan? You sneak into my home, guns blazing, thinking you're gonna what? Kill me? Rescue your little buddy Daryl and ride off into the sunset?"

Alyssa glared at him, her knuckles turning white as her fists clenched at her sides. "That's exactly what we're going to do," she said through gritted teeth.

Negan laughed loudly, shaking his head. "Oh, miss grimes, you got guts, I'll give you that. But let me tell you something, sweetheart—this ain't a fairytale. I don't care how tough you think you are; you're in my house now. And I make the rules."

Carl's voice cut through the tension. "You're scared of us."

Negan stopped laughing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to the boy. Then, a slow grin spread across his face again. "Scared of you? Kid, I'm not scared. I'm impressed. You got balls, and I like that. But don't mistake my amusement for fear. You two are alive because I let you be alive."

Alyssa leaned forward, her voice cold. "You're not going to break us."

Negan tilted his head, studying her for a long moment. Then he smiled again, but this time it was darker, more calculated. "Oh, miss grimes," he said softly, almost mockingly, "you and me? We're gonna have so much fun figuring that out."

Negan turned his attention to Carl, his grin fading into something more curious and sinister. He cocked his head, Lucille resting casually against his shoulder as his gaze locked onto the boy.

"I want you to take that patch off," Negan said, gesturing toward Carl's missing eye.

Carl stiffened, his hand instinctively going to the patch. "No," he said firmly, his voice steady but laced with anger.

Negan's grin returned, a slow and calculated smile. "Oh, come on now, kid. Don't make this awkward. Take it off," he pressed, his tone teasing but insistent.

Alyssa immediately bristled beside Carl, her fists clenching. "Leave him alone," she snapped. "He's a kid, not one of your freak show attractions."

Negan chuckled, shaking his head as he turned to Alyssa. "And you're his big sister now, huh? The fearless protector. It's adorable." His grin grew wider. "But I wasn't talking to you, miss grimes. I was talking to him."