Third Person POV

"What the hell do you mean you lost them?!" Negan growled, narrowing his eyes in anger at the two men standing in front of him.

Harlan and Emmett stood in front of his desk, hands behind their backs in a military stance. They were relaying what happened on the supply run to Negan, and how the two kids had gotten away. They were really embarrassed at the fact that two kids had gotten the drop on them and got away.

Harlan was the first who spoke up. "They got the drop on us. Took us by surprise and--"

Negan held up his hand, cutting him off, and looked at the two of them, studying Harlan closely. He motioned to his own face and said, "Which one gave you the shiner?"

"The blond, sir." Harlan cleared his throat nervously. "Kid has a mean right hook...sir."

"Ah..." Negan seemed to be thinking hard about something. He was surprised that the two kids got away but more than that he was blown away by the fact that Niall had done that much damage to one of his mens face. The kid was more like Carl than Negan had dared to admit.

Both were run by the primal instinct to survive. Whether they knew it or not.

Negan sighed and stood up, gripping Lucille tightly in his hand. "Gather the men. We're going to Alexandria."

Niall's POV
I had been introduced to everyone inside the community since I've been here and I was surprised that I was welcomed with open arms. The people here were nothing like Negan and his men.

Carl had introduced me to his baby sister, Judith and she was the most adorable thing in the world. She had pale skin like mine with rosy cheeks and bright big blue eyes. Her little knubby hands would grab hold of my finger and hold it close to her face whenever she could. Judith was quiet for her age, almost like she knee she had to be.

Carl told me she was three. When I looked at her, she reminded me of my nephew, who I hoped was still alive as well as my brother. And my parents.

"What do you think you'd be doing now if the world hadn't gone to shit?" Carl asked me. I was sitting on the front porch of their house, in a porch swing, my legs thrown over Zayn's lap, who was sitting beside me. Carl had been sitting there, picking at some grass he had pulled out of the ground.

I looked up at the sky, before tilting my head toward him. "Honestly, I don't have the slightest clue." A lazy smile began to form on my face as I started to visualize what we'd still be doing. "Probably still touring the world and preforming for fans. Or maybe I'd go back home for a long over due visit with my family."

I glanced over at Zayn, who was asleep and jerked my thumb in his direction. "I'd possibly be trying to keep this guy out of trouble."

Carl and I laughed lightly at the sound of a gruntled response muffled from sleep by Zayn. The sun was starting to set and I found that whatever scary things out in the dark, nothing was worth more than this. I was happy. For the first time in a long time, I was really happy.

I felt like I belonged. I was supposed to be here. And I was fine with that. Maybe when we get things together and we won't have to worry about the Saviors, we'd set out to find Clementine, Lee, Liam and Louis. They were out there somewhere, looking for us too. I know it in my heart.

~*~

I didn't remember falling asleep but I must have because when I opened my eyes it was daylight. And I was back in my room lying in bed. I became aware of arms firmly wrapped around my waist, a head resting gently on my shoulder. There was a light heaviness on my legs and lifting my head slightly, I saw Harry lying across them, snoring lightly.

Which meant that Zayn was the one lying behind me. I smiled to myself as his breath tickled my neck and I realized that I'd missed this. It wasn't completely the same without Liam and Louis and even Clementine but it was what I had to settle for until the gang was reunited again.

Knowing that I was fine and we were all together, I fell back asleep feeling safe.

~*~

Later on that day, I was walking by one of the guard towers with Zayn, holding hands and I was surprised that everyone here was okay with this. I mean back before all this started, it was a problem but I guess after everything went to hell, people became more accepting.

As we were passing the tower though, we heard the guard up there yelling something about Negan and the Saviors coming this way. I tensed and felt Zayn squeeze my hand before he was pulling me toward the house we were staying in.

The minute I entered the door, I shot up the stairs and into my room. Once I geared up, I saw Zayn had done the same and in my hurry to get my weapons, I totally didn't see Harry.

"What are we going to do?" Harry asked.

I shake my head. "I'm not going back there. I'd rather die, so I'm gonna fight."

The sound of a gunshot followed by yelling forced me into action. I took off down the stairs, knowing full well that Zayn and Harry were only one step behind. Once outside I made my way to Alexandria's gated front entrance. There was a standoff between Negan and his people and Rick and the few people he had. There was no sign of Carl or Judith. Probably for the best if this went sideways.

I skidded to a stop a few yards from the confrontation, hoping not to be seen yet. However, it was as if Negan sensed me and turned his head in my direction. The smile that formed on his face sent a shiver down my spine. It was creepy and was just out of place.

"Niall, been a few days huh?" Negan's grin widened. "Do you miss my little touches?"

I stared at him with a blank expression, my right hand gripping the handle of my gun tightly. However, Zayn started forward with the intent to do damage and I grabbed his hand. He looked down at me with a questioning look and I shook my head.

"Not worth it." I muttered.

Negan glared at us, his grin now looking forced and lifted Lucille up to rest on his shoulder. I spotted Harlan and Emmett with the other Saviors. They were looking at me with strange expressions, almost like they were trying to tell me something. But why?

"Now, I'm only here to take back what's mine." Negan started, pointing Lucille in my direction. "No sense in you guys getting involved right?"

I took a step forward and gave the man one of the coldest glares I could manage. "I'm not yours, you bloody twat. And I'm not coming back with you, so how about you take this merry band of mindless followers and crawl back into the hole you crawled out of."

Negan laughed after a moment and took a few steps in my direction. "I like you, kid. I admit that you have this...FIRE about you that makes it hard to ignore you."

"You heard him Negan." Rick piped up. "It's time for you to go."

There was a tense moment of silence before the man in question exploded. He spun around to Rick, shouting, "I'LL LEAVE WHEN I FUCKING FEEL LIKE IT! AND FOR YOUR SMART MOUTH, I'LL HAVE TO PUNISH YOU!"

I saw the moment he raised Lucille and I didn't think. I exploded into action pulling my gun, aiming and firing at Negan's feet. He froze where he was and slowly turned to face me, Rick momentarily forgotten. His eyes were dark with something I couldn't identify and he stared at me.

"Leave him alone."

"You dare to pull a gun and shoot at me?" He paused, his face morphing into one of fury and he stormed towards me. "ME?! HOW DARE YOU DO THAT, BOY?!"

I flinched back at his raised voice and fired at his feet again. "STAY...right where you are."

Zayn and Harry had pulled their guns out and had them trained on the Saviors. I glanced at Zayn, my eyes conveying my concern and he shifted closer to me so he could speak.

"It's okay, Niall. I won't let him hurt you. Any of them." He murmured in my ear.

I nodded firmly and turned back to Negan who had watched our exchange with a look of curiosity. "Please, just take your men and leave."

"This can go one of two ways, kid. You either come back with me willingly or I tell my men to open fire on your friends and take you by force." Negan said, giving me an ultimatum.

Whichever decision I made would end up with me going back to the Savior camp but only one way wouldn't end with anyone dying. I looked around at the people of Alexandria and realized that every single one of them were willing to fight him to keep me safe. I looked at Harry, who was glaring at the man his finger hovering over the trigger.

Finally, I looked at Zayn. The man that I loved, had grown to love. He was ready to fight Negan with everything he had to keep me away from him. He would die to do so. I knew it. It was then that I realized that I really didn't have a choice. I couldn't let people die for me, especially not Zayn, when I can stop it from happening.

"Fine." I lowered my gun and I could feel the stares and dumbfounded looks I was getting. "I'll come with you."

I could feel Zayn staring at me in disbelief. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward him, a deep frown on his face. He stared at me hard, eyes filled with fear and concern.

"Niall, what are you doing?" Zayn demanded. "You can't go back with that psychopath!"

I smiled sadly at him, grasping his hand tightly in my own small hands. I stared up into his golden-brown eyes, the ones I loved so much and I felt tears well in my eyes as I took a deep breath.

"I have to."

"Niall..." Zayn started, shaking his head.

I raised one of my hands to cup his face and a tear slid down my cheek. "I love you." Leaning up on my toes, I pressed my lips to his briefly before standing back. "Never forget that."

I'd never seen Zayn cry before but now...it was as if a damn broke and I had to turn away before I lost my nerve. As I began to walk toward Negan and his men, I heard him sobbing. I closed my eyes, trying not to cry in front of this monster.

I'm doing this for you, Zayn. I'll find my way back to you...

"Good choice, kid." Negan said gruffly. I ignored him and blinked away my tears as I was roughly grabbed and led out the front gates of what served as my home for the past few days.

I swear.

A/N: I cried writing the end of this chapter, like actually cried because I was really visualizing the scene. It brought tears and a whole lot of regret for why I did this, lol😆

Hope you enjoyed. New chapter soon.