The Walking Dead: Life with The Whisperers

9) Initiation

It was two days since Zega's death at the hands of Negan. Now he had been instructed to meet Alpha in the same place Zega died. He did so, and when he arrived, a lot of whisperers surrounded the area again. Not as many as whisperers are here as they were during Negan and Zega's fight. But there were a lot.
Negan and Alpha stood face to face. 'Kneel.' She ordered in a strong, commanding voice. He did so. On one knee. He was almost ashamed of himself. Back in the day, he used to have people kneel before him.
She placed her hand on his forehead then said the words: 'Do you agree to abandon all of your past thoughts? Your past identity? To forget what was and become what is? To agree to wear the skin of the dead to blend? To do as the alpha commands?'
Negan said "I do" and then she continued. 'Then I nearby relinquish your name, Negan. Your new name will now be... Zega.'
Negans heart stopped for a moment, and he became filled with rage. He hated the thought of replacing Zega (or Alice) but he bit his tongue. 'Thank you.' He said. His voice was strong, and he felt the blood pumping through his veins signifying his bottled up rage. I'm gonna fucking enjoy killing you. You bitch. Alpha released her hand from his head and told him he could stand. He did so and all whisperers, including alpha, seemed to disappear into the woods and return to their camp.
Negan stuck around for a few minuets to be alone with his thoughts. He had to plan. He needed something, anything to give him leverage against Alpha. A sign of weakness, maybe another moment of passion like they shared last week. Anything. How would he kill her? He thought of decapitation. That would help as he could deliver her head to Rick in person. That would be if he wasn't shot by an Alexandrian in sight.

The next morning, Negan was awoken by being kicked on the foot by Beta. He opened his eyes, rubbed them and saw the gigantic man looming over him with an intense look. Negan grimaced. 'Man, you are not what I want to see first thing in the fucking morning...' he croaked, clambering to his feet clumsily. 'Alpha wishes to see you, Zega. Do not keep her waiting.'
Beta calling Negan "Zega" was more insulting than being called "initiate." And Negan had a feeling Beta was doing it on purpose. 'Absolutely my Führer!' Negan mocked with a nazi salute. Beta ignored the insult and walked off by the camp fire. The fire wasn't for light as it was already day, but for breakfast. Whisperers were eating meat. Negan wasn't hungry which was actually surprising as Negan had quite an appetite. It's what helped build his massive frame.
    'Alpha.' He said. She had her back turned to him, she was shaving her scalp with a straight razor. They were at an isolated part in the camp. A place where whisperers would under no circumstances, enter unless specifically requested by Alpha herself. The only whisperer aloud to enter without authorisation was Beta.
'Ah, Zega. Good.' She said, cleaning her head and drying it with a hand-made towel created with leaves and grass. 'I'm here to teach you the quintessential essence of what it is to be a whisperer.' She began. 'How to walk amongst the dead.' She said. Negan smiled. 'I already know how to do that. And I already have a mask.' Alpha's face dropped. It was either shock, or disappointment. 'And how would you know that?' She asked. 'Zega taught me.' He replied. There was a moment of tense silence. But the two of them did not break eye contact even once.
'Is that so?' She finally said. Negan gave a cocky nod and a shit eating grin. 'Okay. Show me.'

Thousands of them. Thousands of zombies all stagnant. 'My people control where they go. Right now, they are amongst the dead.' Alpha explained. Negan was amazed at how many zombies there were. He and Alpha were standing on the edge of a cliff after passing through a small factory. This was the same place Alpha had brought Rick at gun point, unknown to Negan though as he was still Rick's prisoner.
'How long did it take you to accumulate this amount of walkers?' He asked, his eyes wide with amazement. Both Alpha and Negan had their masks on.
'A couple years.' She answered. 'I want you to walk amongst them. Let's see how well she taught you.' Alpha grunted, referring to Zega. 'She taught me so well, I'll be un-fucking-scathed when I return.' He said, giving Alpha a smack on the ass. She looked at him stunned. 'Catch ya on the flip side sweet cheeks.'