forgotten roses (negan)

part 03 - the new recruits

"A bit higher," Simon mumbles quietly to himself, "got him!"

A smirk grows on my face, "give me that, handlebars, it's my turn."

Simon rolls his eyes and hands me the revolver, "suit yourself."

Almost aimlessly, I take down two, three and then four walkers. The walkers by the Sanctuary are all dead in mere seconds, I notice as I reload the gun, handing it to Simon, "your turn."

"Today is your first negotiation, sweets, and it's not going to be pretty."

A single walker limps on the road, immediately biting the bullet, "as I expected."

"Let's review, Blondie, what are we mostly looking for when we take shit?"

"Food, guns and shit for Negan. Next question?" I say, raising an eyebrow before taking out another walker with the handgun I took from Simon's pocket.

"What's your name?"

"Negan. Anything else?"

"Nope, Blondie, you know your shit. And to top it all off, you're a really fucking good shot. Tell Negan I said hi," Simon winks.

With an eye roll, I sit down on the concrete floor of the post and Simon is quick to slump down next to me.

"We're visiting those Hilltop assholes in about ten minutes. I'll take charge but I want you as second-in-command. Negan told me you are to be protected at all costs. If you die, he'll kill me. Got it?"

"Got it. And I'm not going to die, Simon, not tomorrow, anyways," I add, which earns me a disapproving scowl from Simon.

"No one knows when they're going to die, dumbass, not in this time and age, anyways. When I tell you to be careful, please," he sighs, "just be careful."

"Alright, handlebars, looks like they're gathering everyone. Is Negan coming today?"

"Nah," Simon replies, hopping up from the ground, "I'm your Negan today." He holds out a hand to help me up, which I graciously take and nod in thanks.

I walk forward to the ladder, about to climb down when Simon grabs my shoulder, "no, Blondie, I'm going before you, remember? Be careful."

"Oh," I exclaim as Simon descends down the latter, motioning for me to come down.

I grip the metal tightly with every step I take, my heart leaping every time I step down.

"Don't look up my skirt, asshole!" I yell down at Simon.

"Sorry, Blondie! Boys will be boys!" He shouts back with laughter, skipping the last three steps and jumping down from the ladder. I, however, take Simon's advice and climb down every step until I am back on the ground.

Be careful. Be careful!

I brush off my skirt and tuck the hand gun into my back pocket. Simon and I head out and begin to load up into a black truck, but only before I feel someone grab my shoulder.

I jerk my neck to see who it is; it's Negan.

"Thought I'd say goodbye," Negan says with a cocky tone, "I had fun last night," he winks.