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The air felt thick—too thick to breathe.
Negan stood only a few yards away, Lucille resting against his shoulder like a promise. Walkers now hung back behind him, eerily calm... as if they were afraid of him.
Carl tightened his stance in front of Raven.
Daryl moved to her side, crossbow loaded, jaw clenched so hard it trembled.
Her brother looked like he wanted to disappear.
But Negan?
Negan smiled.
"Aw, look at this," he said, spreading his arms wide. "My girl got herself a welcome party. Guess daddy still makes an entrance."
Raven flinched.
Carl snapped, "Don't talk to her."
"Oooh," Negan smirked, leaning forward just enough to taunt without stepping closer. "Protective boyfriend? That's adorable." He pointed Lucille toward Raven. "But I'm not talkin' to you, kid. I'm talkin' to her."
Raven tried to stand tall—tried to be brave—but her legs felt like water.
Daryl noticed.
His voice dropped low. "Don't listen to him. He lies. That's all he does."
Negan laughed.
"Oh, Daryl, buddy, you wound me. I prefer the term 'motivational speaker.'"
Then he looked right at Raven.
And everything in her body went cold.
"You have her eyes," he said to her brother first. "But you..." He pointed right at Raven. "You got her face. Just like your mama. No wonder they hid you."
Raven's heart slammed against her ribs.
Carl turned his head slightly toward her. "Don't let him—"
"I'm not done, kid," Negan cut in, staring into Raven's soul. "You know I tried to come for you, right? Tried to bring you home. But those cowards stole you away."
"That's not true," Raven whispered.
Negan's brows lifted with faux pity.
"Sweetheart... you lived in fear your whole damn childhood. You think I caused that? No. That was them—terrified I'd take back what was mine."
Raven's vision blurred at the edges.
Her throat tightened.
Her hands shook.
"No... no..." she whispered, but her voice wasn't steady—wasn't strong.
Carl caught her trembling hand, squeezing it hard.
