The Ruins Part 2 (Sequel to The Ruins)

Chapter 30

Negan had bitten his nails down to the nub. "Where did you leave her at? No wait, forget it. I don't want to know where you fucking dumped that little ingrate. She can go ahead and fucking rot in whatever god forsaken hole she was left in. So where is she?"

Alec was noticeably startled by the question having been given barley any time to get into the room before Negan started in on him and rolled his eyes on how Negan even being so incredibly pissed to hell, he still has some empathy for Mal yet very childish so it makes Alec laugh a bit.

"Relax, we found Fairview. Her friends and the kids are there for 'er. If you're up to meet her, it's just a couple hours away-"

A vase is thrown at him. "It's couples hours away? Four hours, Alec! What if something bad happens to her or worse? What if one of those shit heads gets her bitten? How the fuck am I suppose to help if she's that far away?"

Alec puts his hands up. Thankfully he had dodged the vase; this not being the only time he played victim to one of Negan's temper tantrums. "Negan, she's fine okay? Relax, I gave 'er a walkie from Vix and told her to keep it on the private channel so you can listen in on 'er calls whenever you want-"

Negan cuts in. "Don't tell me what I fucking can and can't do." His face was red with rage, frowns burrowing his eyes and good Alec can handle and even seen Negan having an angry tone. Usually, everyone would be scared however with Alec, he's okay with it. Slamming his fist into the wall, he steams down a bit before sighing and slumping down in his desk chair. "Was she alright when you left?"

Negan's tone was filled with anger but lased with worry. Alec smiles fetching his leader, his best friend a well-deserved, and much needed a drink from his mini-bar in the office. "She's not talking, mostly about you, but she's good. I mean, she's one tough girl. She became constable in that town; people think she's a Fairview, yet she does say she's a Savior."

Grinning to appreciate the great friend he has for Mal. And to see Negan still cares for her, but reluctantly tries to hate her for what she'd done.

Negan perks up. "Really?" Alec nods, handing him the glass. Negan sighs, taking it motioning for his right hand to get one for himself, which he quickly accepts. "Negan, it's the Fairview, one of the most docile obedient trademarks you own. And Mal can really kick ass, especially with her friends. Vix, Lalon, and... Lugh." Alec takes a drink, trying to pretend that the alcohol made his cheeks blush than thinking about Lugh, most of the nights with him. Negan caught his gaze but forgets about it by taking a swig of the drink.

"I mean what could possibly happen?"

-:-:-:-:-

Mal found Captain Strunk's gift as soon as she'd gotten to the house. She couldn't help but stare at it as she laid it out on her bed: A police uniform, the full jacket and tie, complete with patches. Instantly, she imagined what Tom would of looked like before the Black Night, in the badge and khaki shirt, to the hat, to the chasing criminals.

She scolded herself, knowing it would feel like dressing up- don't let this place make you think otherwise, not for a second. You may be behind a wall, but everything beyond that is still the same. Everything in here is still the same, it's just hidden. Don't drop your guard. She puts the uniform in the closet.

"Not going to wear it, constable." Lalon said.

"It's weird. We're here for reporting about the KillGames."

"Sucks, doesn't it? About three times those games came back."

"It is."

They exit out of the house. The trees around them were filled with birdsong, and cicadas droned incessantly in the tall grass. Mal leaned her forearms on the fence and sighed.