In The End | Daryl Dixon

Chapter 54: The Saviors

So what happens now?" Michonne asked, turning to Jesus.

We were all gathered in an office, waiting for him to explain what had happened outside.

"Things like that don't usually happen here," Jesus began, his tone measured, "but, uh, it's settled."

"We heard the name Negan," Rick said, stepping closer to Jesus. "A while back, Daryl and Abraham had a run-in with his men. Who is he?"

"Negan's the head of a group of people he calls the Saviors." Jesus began, "As soon as the walls were built, the Saviors showed up. They met with Gregory on behalf of their boss. They made a lot of demands, even more threats. And he killed one of us--Rory. He was 16 years old. They beat him to death right in front of us. Said we needed to understand, right off the bat. Gregory's not exactly good at confrontation. He's not the leader I would've chosen, but he helped make this place what it is, and the people like him." 

"He made the deal." Maggie said. 

"Half of everything," Jesus said, nodding solemnly. "Our supplies, our crops, our livestock—it all goes to the Saviors." He turned to me, sorrow clouding his expression. "I met your brother a few months ago, when I was out on a run. I found him, and he seemed like a good guy. He told me how he got separated from his sister in Atlanta and had been tracking her to D.C. I brought him here because that's what we did back then—we helped people in need. He helped us build the stalls for the livestock, and he was even planning to help us with more housing." Jesus paused, closing his eyes. "The Saviors came for the supply drop, said it was short. As collateral, they were going to take Bonnie. While they were taking her, they were making some... vile remarks about what they planned to do to her. Tyler couldn't stand it. There was a fight, and in the end... they decided to take him instead. They said Negan would love to meet him."

I stood there, frozen, my heart racing in my chest, as Jesus's words hit me like a ton of bricks. The pain in his eyes was palpable, a mirror of the anguish that surged within me. He wasn't just telling me what had happened to Tyler—he was living it too.

"I should have done more," Jesus muttered, his voice quiet, but I could hear the weight of guilt in it. 

A tear slid down my cheek, and I wiped it away angrily, trying to push the pain back into some kind of cage. I was angry, and somebody was going to be on the receiving end of a protective sister willing to do anything to get her brother back.

"What do you get in return?" Glenn asked after a moment of silence.

"They don't attack this place. They don't kill us." 

"Why not just kill them?" Daryl asked. 

Jesus scoffed. "Most of the people here don't even know how to fight, even if we had ammo." 

"Well, how many people does Negan have?" Rick asked.

"We don't know. We've seen groups as big as 20." Jesus answered. 

"Now, hold up. So, they show up, kill a kid, and you give them half of everythin'? Even after they take her brother?" Daryl asked pointing to me. "These dicks just got a good story. The bogeyman, he ain't shit." 

"Well, how do you know?"

"A month ago, we took his guys out PDQ. Left them in pieces and puddles." Abraham said. 

"You, know we'll do it." Daryl said confidently. "If we go get her brother back, and this other guy, kill Negan, take out his boys, will you hook us up?" He pointed at Jesus. "We want food, medicine, and one of them cows." 

Jesus looked from Daryl to Rick. Rick shrugged, "Confrontation's never been somethin' we've had trouble with." 

Jesus thought for a moment before speaking again. "I'll take it to Gregory."