The Rocking Dead: A New Beginning

Chapter 13: Sacrifice

Tom's POV: We all prepared to drive to the sanctuary, me being the most hesitant. I didn't want to show my face to Negan now, especially since he has my fiancé. I have to say, it's weird calling him that given the circumstances, but that's what he is. We didn't get married before all of this, but I doubt it'll happen anytime soon. Nonetheless, I just want him back. But I have a bad feeling the plan will go south and Negan will want me instead of Joan.

Stay calm Tom, stay calm.

"You ready?" Joan asked as she walked up to me.

"Yeah. Let's get this done with. I just wanna see him again." I replied, following her to the car. It's just her, Blackie, Jeff, and me going. Axl's still sick and Vince and Nikki don't wanna show their faces there again. Sebastian has nothing to do with this so we don't want him getting tangled in all of it, especially while he's still mourning Rachel's death.

The drive to the sanctuary seemed to take forever. It's said that time always seems slow when you're anxious. That's been true for me since day one. Now more than ever. When we finally arrived, my heart felt as if it would fly out of my chest at any moment. This could all take a bad turn so quick. I don't need Joan or the others getting hurt, and I sure as hell don't want Eric to.

"Look who's back!" The savior at the gate said as Joan drove up.

"Just let us in." She said.

"Why should I?" He asked, "Y'all left here, and I know for a fact Negan doesn't want you back. So just fuck off." Joan quickly pulled out a gun and held it to his chin.

"I know you have a fear of death Ricky, so I'm actually suprised you're the one guarding the gate." She quietly said to him, "But here's the thing. We're here to talk to Negan. You're gonna let us in, we'll take care of our business, and you're gonna let us out. Cause trust me, I'm not afraid to make that fear of yours a reality." The guy signaled someone else and the gate opened. "Thank you darling." Joan drove forward.

"You're just as scary as in my dream." I said.

"I was in your dream?" She asked.

"I'm not gonna get into that now." I replied. We all got out of the car and waited for Negan

"Well lookie here." He said as he walked out, "The fuck do your four want now? Take over the joint cause you don't like my way of running things?"

"We're here for Eric." Blackie bluntly said.

"Heh, what makes you think you're gonna get that?!" Negan asked, laughing.

"Look, just give him back to us. He doesn't deserve to be going through this." Blackie said.

"Isn't Daryl enough?" Jeff chimed in. Negan smirked, rubbing his chin.

"I don't know." He said, "I may have to take one of you in exchange for him, seeing that it looks like you have nothing else to offer me." He looked directly at me as he spoke those words.

"Take me." Joan said, putting the plan into action. Negan furrowed his brows and looked at her, suprised.

"You'd be willing to stay here to get him out?" He asked.

"If it means he's safe with these guys, so be it." She replied. Negan was silent, eventually motioning for someone to go inside.

Minutes later, the guy roughly pulled Eric out. I looked at him, but refused to show any emotion so Negan wouldn't see it. Eric looked at me the same, clearly having the same idea. His hair was tied up and he was wearing a white sweater with an orange spraypainted "A" on it and sweatpants. Someone clearly beat him judging by the bruises and little cuts. It took everything in me to not show any emotion. Negan nodded towards me, letting him know he could leave. Joan started walking when Eric did, the two crossing each other in the middle. Eric was quick to hug me, tightly. He softly cried in my shoulder, clearly relieved to be with me again.

"Well, that exchange was quick and painless, we're done here." Negan said. The four of of walked back to the car, quickly leaving. The moment we pulled away, Eric and I hugged again, crying in each others arms.

"Don't leave me. Please don't leave my side." He said, his words muffled in my chest.

"What did he do to you?" I asked, afraid to know the answer.

"He's a fucking monster." He sniffled, sitting up, "I was stripped down the first day. He made his guys beat me every day. Yesterday though. I - they -" he trailed off. I could feel him shaking a little.

"What happened?" I asked, seriously. He was still silent, his breath hitching a little.

"One of them raped me." He choked out, tearing up again. My heart sank and anger towards Negan surfaced. I saw Jeff look back at us out the corner of my eye.

"And he let it happen?!" I loudly asked, slightly startling Eric.

"No, he had nothing to do with it." He replied, "He actually killed the guy who did it about an hour later when he found out. But I can't take the fact that it happened under his watch. I hate him." I clenched my fist at the thought. I pulled Eric into my chest as he started crying once more.

I'll fucking kill Negan myself...