Living with the Dead.(twd)

The Guessing Game. (193)

MADISON'S POV.

"Oh Madison, what have you done ?" Negan sneers.
The guns points at Carl although I watch the saviors eyeing me. I'm afraid if I move too suddenly they might shoot.

"Negan, what the hell are you doing?" I pant.
"I already told you. There has to be a punishment."
I jump, not expecting the large crowd around us to cheer in a harsh, approving manner.
"Think rationally here. There's kids in here." I remind him, as I look towards the smaller ones clinging to their parents, it only frightens me that they're not frightened at all. In fact I can see the excitement in their eyes as they watch Carl pinned to the ground.

"I know that, we all know that. The parents can choose if they stay or not. I don't approve of them staying but that's not my choice. They're the future here and they need to know the rules here too." Negan acknowledges.

"Negan, listen to me-"
"NO! YOU LISTEN MADISON! I've ignored what you done for the past few days but we're all done pretending you're innocent here. This isn't just a punishment for him. It's a punishment for you too."
"This again? Really? I didn't let Daryl go. I don't know how he got out." I shout back at him.

Everyone falls quiet. I bet it's not often they see someone shout at Negan.
Negan raises his eyebrow in disbelief.
"Look I get it, there's been a crime and everyone wants a guilty villain. But I'm not her. I'm sure it looks like it's me but don't you think that's a bit obvious. This whole thing has been wrapped up nicely for you with a nice tidy bow on top. Negan, you know me. You know me long enough to know I'm not that stupid, even if I was desperate, I'm not that stupid." I rant.

Negan tilts his head to the side.
"I guess... I guess I could reconsider that but what about Carl being here. Surely you tipped him off? Is he who you went to go see?" He demands.
"No." I lie.
"I'd also like to know how he got here. So maybe if people minded their own damn business we could get to the bottom of this shit." I snap, glaring at the crowd. They look as if they want to turn away but their eyes are glued to Carl, still pinned against the ground by a saviors foot.

"Why don't we get you off the floor." Negan suggests, giving him a hand up off the floor.
"This boys got a temper. Hit one of my men over there." He points behind me and I turn around to see Jace.

Of course he fucking hit him!

Without knowing, and without giving myself permission to do so, my legs move for me, guiding me towards Jace and when I'm close enough my fist snaps forward, I feel my muscles contracting in my arm and I feel all my strength being pushing forward as my knuckles graze harshly against his jaw, leaving a throbbing sensation in my hand. When Jace lunges for me he's held back by two saviors and Negan drags me back.

"Dammit Madison! You gotta cut that shit out. It really gets annoying after a while."
"Can't help it." I shrug. "He cut my fingers off." I cradle my hand in my other, hoping the horrible throbbing will stop. 
"Yeah, I get it, but enough! Cut it the fuck out cause it's really grinding my gears." He settles.

"Okay I'll make a deal. I'll stop punching your men-"
"And throwing things out the window at them." Negan pushes.
I roll my eyes "and throwing things out the window at them if you listen to what Carl has to say before you punish him. All you have to do is listen. He has more answers than you have questions so just sit down and talk to him." I persuade.
I watch as Negan looks between us two. Debating what to do.
Should he punish him, kill him or listen to him?