Li'l Sparky // [Daryl Dixon]

Rick's Not In Charge Anymore

Season: Seven

Episode(s): Service

*Ryan's POV* 

To say I was on edge was an understatement. I was shaking. Today, Negan and the Saviors would collect their first tribute from Alexandria. I was terrified that someone else would die. 

When we arrived at Alexandria, Negan hopped out of the truck and swaggered over to the gates, whistling. He banged on it three times with Lucille. 

"Dun, dun, dun, dun," he muttered and looked at me with a smirk. I rolled my eyes. "Little pig, little pig, let me in!" 

The gates squeaked open, revealing Spencer, Rosita, and Eugene. 

"Well?" Negan asked. 

"Um, who are you?" Spencer asked. Jesus... 

"Oh, you better be jokin'!" Negan exclaimed. "Negan, Lucille. I know I had to make a pretty strong first impression." Finally, Rick approached the gates. He seemed relieved to see I was still breathing. 

"Well, hello, there," Negan grinned at him. "Do not make me have to ask."

"You said a week," Rick said as he opened the gates. "You're early." 

"I missed you," Negan gushed. Behind us, a walker growled. I attempted to pull an arrow from my quiver, then remembered they were confiscated from me. 

"Oh, Rick, come on out here," Negan said. "Watch this. Calling it!" He walked over to the walker and smacked it with Lucille. I flinched. 

"Easy peasy lemon squeezy!" Negan exclaimed like a child. Honestly, he was an actual dork. "Alright, everybody. Let's get started. Big day." My eyes landed on Daryl. He looked longingly at me. 

"Hey, Rick, you see that, what I just did?" Negan snapped me out of my thoughts. "That is some service! I mean, we almost get turned away at the gate. 'Who is that guy, anyway?' Do I get mad? Do I throw a fit? Do I bash some ginger's dome in? Nope. I just take care of one of these dead pricks that could've killed one of y'all. Service." He bowed playfully. "Hold this." He slipped Lucille into Rick's fist. 

We walked into Alexandria. I nearly dropped to the floor and kissed the cement. 

"Hot diggity dog!" Negan exclaimed gleefully. "This place is magnificent!  An embarrassment of riches, as they say. Yes, sir, I do believe you are gonna have plenty to offer up."

"Daryl, hey--" Rick started walking towards Daryl. 

"No," Negan stopped. "Nope. He's the help. You don't look at him, you don't talk to him, and I don't make you chop anything off of him." Rick nodded and turned away. 

"Same goes for everyone," Negan turned to Rosita. "Right?" She turned and walked away. Negan made an excited face and pumped his fists. "A lot of suspense there. I don't think she even knew how much. Alright, let's get this show on the road. See what kinda goodies you got in the cupboard!"

"We put aside half the supplies," Rick said. 

"No, Rick," Negan said as he established dominance with his signature "lean back" move. "No. You don't decide what we take. I do. Arat." 

The female savior known as Arat stepped forward, "You heard the man. Move out!" Negan started golf-clapping as the Saviors started their foray. 

I walked over to Laura. She rubbed my back, "I'll make sure no one gets hurt. I owe you, remember?" 

"Thanks, Laura," I grinned. Laura's eyes darted down for a moment, but I dismissed it as nothing. She joined her Savior pals. 

"They're just gonna search the houses a bit, keep the process movin'," Negan explained. I silently hoped that he wouldn't find Judith. "Alright. You gonna show me around or not? Well?" Rick moved out of the way and started walking. I saw Dwight harassing Rosita as I walked away.