Walking Home (Rick Grimes Romance)

Chapter 6.... Choice

Ricks POV...,

Lost in my own thoughts and with the pressure mounting I couldn't see may way through to an answer. Every scenario I ran in my mind didn't add up and came out with us loosing more if not dying in the end. The forced moment was upon us and fear was choking the life out of me. I didn't have a plan or at least a feasible one. What I had was a pipe dream ready to go up in smoke.

Standing in my living room staring out the window I had no plan for Daryl. I was just as overwhelmed now as I was the day he had escaped. The only difference now was I was out of time.

After Daryl's escape Negan had arrived within hours leaving a whole new level of terror in his wake.

"Rick..... Rick...." frantic and nearly rendered speechless Eugene ran breathlessly towards me. "Negans here."

I may have been looking at Erin but I didn't see him. Jarred I was trying to do the math between Negans last appearance and what we had collected. There was no question.... we were short and Negan was early.

With no option I began heading towards the gates of Alexandria. It was the fear in Eugene's voice that stopped me cold, "He's not at the front gates.... He's at your place...."

I thought I knew what absolute fear was. Believed I had felt uncontrolled desperation. I had felt despair and terror on more than one occasion. It was in this moment... Hearing Eugene's words I now understood the kind of terror that sucked the very life out you. Negan had returned and I was going to personally pay the price.

Perched on the steps of my front porch sat Negan and a nightmare so cruel I was ready to beg. To give the man what ever he wanted even if it meant my own life.

"See I told you your daddy would be home didn't I sweetheart." Bouncing Judith on his knee she wasn't crying thankfully but giving him a puzzled look.

Bone chilling cold plundered through my body as my limbs began to shake. My heart shuttered and started against my chest painfully. "What do you want?"

"Oh come on Rick, social graces start with the word hello." Smiling at Judith as if he was an old friend holding my baby Negan gently tapped her on the nose. Slowly dragging his eyes from Judith to mine all pleasantries dropped from his face. "Where's Daryl?"

Unable to hide my fear my voice shook slightly, "The last I knew you had him."

Unrepented anger flashed in Negans eyes as his face drew tight. Slowly shaking his head Negan let out a low whistle as he stood cradling Judith in his arms. "I don't think your daddy's on board with the plan anymore. Maybe we should go inside, have a chat and see what we can do about that."

"Come on Rick," giving me an expectant look Negan motioned to the door. "It's rude not to invite your guests in for a drink on such a hot day. Even Spencer... that was his name right? That poor bastard brought me some fine tasting liquor before I gutted him like a fish."

Caught in a situation beyond my control I had no choice but to comply with Negans demands as long as he held Judith. Keeping my head down I forced myself up the stairs to hold the door open for a man I never wanted in my home.

"Well?" I questioned when Negan didn't move. "Are you coming in?"

The smile of an unstable man crossed his lips as he stepped forth. "Why thank you Rick I'd love to come into your little humble abode. Your cooking tonight... I made spaghetti last time."

Bitting my bottom lip, reminding myself he held Judith, I played his game. Standing half way between the couch and the entrance I tracked every step he took.