The Ruins Part 2 (Sequel to The Ruins)

Chapter 63

"That's impossible! This place can't be KillGames!" Mal shouted.

"Nothing's impossible in this world of wonders, young Mal," said Preacher Jack with a soft chuckle. "You haven't been here for a long time, Negan. None of our fellowship need fear that dinner or his violent ways. A bright new day has dawned out here in the Lord's paradise."

Mal suddenly got up and flung herself under his legs but she was struck across the face with an open-handed slap that was so shockingly fast and hard that it spun her around and back to her hands and knees.

Negan cried out as he knee'd Hammer. His eyes bulged, and the man coughed and released his hold. Negan slammed him backward with a two-handed punch that sent him crashing into the black man. They both went down and tangled limbs and vile curses.

With a howl of rage, Negan whipped out Ellie and swung it with all his strength at Preacher Jack's grinning mouth.

It never connected.

Preacher Jack was old- in his sixties, with a face as lined as a map and a body as frail-looking as a stick bug- but he stepped into the blow and dodged the swing. Then Negan recovered to punch him, but failed at the capture.

"Surprise, surprise," whispered the preacher. With his free hand he punched Negan full in the face. Negan reeled back, bright blood spurting from his nose and lips. He then got kicked on the stomach and suddenly fell.

"Digger, Hammer- take their toys," said the preacher. The two men seethed for a moment, their hands opening and closing. "Don't make me repeat myself."

They shot frightened looks at the old man and immediately bent to strip Negan and Mal's weapons. Once stripped they brought them to their knees, kneeling upon the preacher.

He stood over them. "Oh, how strange the world must be go you young people. Strange, and wondrous and full of mysteries," he murmured. Weird shadows swirled in his pale eyes. "I know what questions must be screaming inside your heads right at this very moment, indeed I do."

Negan spat blood out of his mouth. "It's more saying I'm gonna shove a gun up your ass, you'll be screaming my fuckin' name before I fuck the holy fuck out of you before pulling the trigger."

Preacher takes Mal's machete and drove the tip into his cheek. "Such a mouth."

He drove the weapon into the soft ground and leaned towards Mal. "Now answer me this, what do you see in her? Is it the kindle of her fruit you want? So pure and fresh." He reached out and clamped her jaw. "She's not fresh, she had been taken. Tell me Negan, have you been blessed by her fruit?"

"Don't you fucking touch her, you fucking piece of shit-!" Negan was screaming.

He lets go of her face, brushing her jaw from his grip. He looks between Mal and Negan, and barks a laugh.

"Oh, do I see you care for this flower. You love her?" Preacher Jack quirks his head, his smiled growing brighter. "My, my. This is a surprise. I can see it, I mean, Charlie did once had a taste. She is... young. She will be blessed for the fruit and will open for The Lord."

"Fucking worthless piece of shit, you don't deserve to fucking live. You don't ever fucking put your hands on her!"

"I won't pledge myself upon the wickedness of her sins. I'm a simple man."

"Why?" Mal demanded, snarling at him like a piece of meat, and not letting him touch her again this time. "Why KillGames?"

"When word came to me that Negan and this blonde girl had murdered Charlie Marion, well... I knew that The Lord was calling me to do other work."