In a world ruled by fear, survival comes with a price.
When her brother's attempt to overthrow the Saviors fails, Tessa finds herself under Negan's watchful eye-protected, controlled, and dangerously close to the man she should hate. As violence, po...
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The first explosion hit before the sirens could even start. The ground lurched beneath Tessa's feet, violent enough to knock her into the porch railing. Windows shattered down the street. Another blast followed—closer this time—sending smoke and debris into the air. People screamed. Someone cried out for their child.
For half a second, no one understood what was happening.
Then the whistling came.
Light. Casual. Almost playful.
Wrong.
Negan's voice followed—amplified and smooth—drifting over the chaos like this was nothing more than a scheduled announcement. He sounded amused. Patient. Like he had all the time in the world. He told them to come outside. Told them this didn't have to be difficult. Told them he'd explain everything once they did.
Another explosion tore into the outer wall.
Tessa felt the sound crawl up her spine.
Saviors poured through the shattered gate in waves, spreading through Alexandria with practiced ease. Fires bloomed along the road. Walkers groaned somewhere beyond the walls, drawn by the noise.
And then Carl Grimes walked into the street.
Alone.
Tessa froze.
Carl moved slowly, deliberately, gun raised but not aimed. Smoke curled around him, ash clinging to his jacket and hair. He didn't look back. Didn't hesitate. He stopped in the open, directly facing Negan—like this was exactly where he was meant to be.
"He's not home."
Negan blinked.
"Oh-ho-holy shit," he said, eyebrows lifting. "Everybody hold your fire. It's Carl. Look at you, answering the door like a big boy. I am so proud. Daddy ain't home, huh? Well, I guess he's gonna get back to a big old smoky surprise."
The Saviors shifted, murmurs rippling through them. Negan studied Carl openly now, curiosity replacing amusement.
Carl's voice carried—calm, steady, far too controlled for someone his age.
"There's families in here. Kids. My little sister. I don't want anyone else to die," Carl said. "This doesn't have to be like this."
"Well that shit just breaks my heart," Negan replied. "There's kids at the Sanctuary. You must've seen 'em. Even had a little baby at one of the outposts. I wonder what happened to her."
Tessa's chest tightened painfully.
She could see Carl's hands trembling just slightly around the grip of his gun—not fear, but effort. Like he was holding himself together through sheer will.
Negan tilted his head. "None of this shit's fair, kid. Hell, you know that. You had to kill your own mom—that is screwed up. Ergo, we need someone in charge who's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that shit doesn't happen again. Oh. Wait. That's me."
