A/N: hi hunny bunnies, sorry about the cliffhanger, it was simply too many words! But I worked hard to get this out this weekend so hopefully that makes it up to you all!

___

Machinate [ mak-uh-neyt ]: to contrive or plot, especially artfully or with evil purpose.

___

- Rick's POV -

The oppressive sunlight is the only thing anchoring me to the concrete beneath my boots, its intensity boring into the back of my scalp. My mind reels, every fiber of my being ablaze as I shoot a glare filled with hatred at him-the asshole standing elevated on his little pedestal, a smug smirk etched on his irritating face, leaning against the worn yellow railing.

Negan, in his twisted generosity, was gracious enough to arrange us at gunpoint. Bregrudingly but silently, we formed a line as ordered, while his Saviors shoved rifles in our faces. We now stand motionless on the harsh concrete, positioned in front of the stairs and the landing where he stands.

It's an unsettling reminder of the first night we met Negan. When he lined us up, tormented us, nearly made me cut off Carl's arm, and killed Abraham and Spencer.

Acrid bile concentrates in my molars from the memory as I look at this place- a decaying amalgamation of concrete, metal, and glass, a factory crumbling at the edges from age. The mere sight of it strengthens my resentment.

Cass has been held behind these deteriorating walls the entire time. If only I had chosen this disgusting place over that damn college, I would've gotten her.

Yet, I'm here now.

Fate is one hell of a bitch.

Negan shifts his amused gaze away from my rage-filled eyes, directing his attention to one of his subordinates behind him, Simon. I can't see or hear what he's saying from here, but from his gestures and the vein popping in his neck, he's clearly agitated. I furrow my brows in confusion, grappling with the unsettling feeling that something bad is about to happen.

What are we doing here?

An uneasy tension surrounds me as I glance to my right, where, at the end of the line formed by my family, Daryl stands, his gaze fixed blankly on Negan. I know Negan is incredibly angry about Daryl and Cass.

But he can't be-

Abruptly, my focus is jerked back to the elevated landing, a jarring clang reverberating through the air as a metal door is forcefully thrown open and slammed shut. Squinting against the harsh sunlight, I struggle to see what's going on in the somewhat shadowed doorway. Near the entrance, a flurry of bodies creates a brief commotion, and then, as if time itself has frozen, the world around me grinds to a halt.

Because there she is.

Held by her upper arm, she cowers in the bright light, wearing a ridiculous cocktail dress. My heart drops as Negan's faded voice calls out, dripping with malicious delight.

"There she is!"

But I don't spare him a glance; I can't tear my eyes away from her.

Cass.

My Cass.

A suffocating wave of emotion engulfs me, causing me to stumble backward, my mouth parting as a shuddering exhale escapes me. It's surreal- finally laying eyes on the woman I love after four months of agonizing separation. Four months of staring at her name scribbled on a wall, yearning for it to somehow transform into her.

And now, here she is, right here, about twenty feet away. It's almost too unbelievable.

Cass, still frowning, lowers the hand that has been shielding her face from the sunlight. Squinting through the light, her tentative gaze sweeps past Negan's shoulder, and then she freezes. As her beautiful eyes widen in shock upon seeing us standing in front of her, my heart sinks.

A chill runs down my spine as I fully take in her appearance- her now pale skin from a clear lack of sunlight, her shadowy under-eyes, and the visible fragility of her limbs. Cass is beautiful- she always will be- but a visceral pit gnaws at my stomach at the physical toll from whatever twisted shit Negan has subjected her to.

Then, after what feels like an hour, Cass's sweeping gaze finally locks onto mine. The immediate relief I feel is a desperate gasp of air after months of drowning. The shock of seeing her sends my heart into a frantic rhythm, because finally once again, green meets blue.

But just as quickly as the love of my life looks at me, Cass's eyes quickly avert, and she lowers her head, the graceful arc of her posture diminishing into a more defeated stance.

...What has he done to her?

"Cassie, my dear wife, come here. I got some people I want you to meet," Negan's voice, sharp and abrupt, pierces the air, prompting an involuntary flinch from Cass.

The relief of seeing Cass is abruptly swallowed by a suffocating surge of rage as Negan, with a condescending click of his tongue, curls his index finger in a beckoning motion, coercing her toward him.

My jaw tightens with fierce agitation as I watch Cass take reluctant steps toward Negan. She seems diminished, like a shadow of the incredible woman I know. Seeing it is killing me.

But watching Negan's hand quickly wrap around Cass's waist and forcefully pull her into him nearly sends me over the edge. Cass winces as she's roughly pulled to his side, her body bending awkwardly in the middle.

A surge of red-hot fury blazes through the core of my being, a searing flood that threatens to engulf me. It takes significant effort to restrain the fierce urge to kill him right here and now. My remaining self-control is slipping through my fingers as I watch him touch the woman I love.

Daryl's voice, raspy with restrained anger, attempts to cut through the tension. "If you hurt her-" he begins, but Negan dismissively rolls his eyes, his cold glare fixating on Daryl.

"Oh shut up or I will," Negan snaps, the flare of anger that courses through me almost overwhelming, leaving me on the verge of tearing him to shreds.

Beside Negan, Cass stands frozen, an unfamiliar vulnerability emanating from her. Seeing this unfamiliar side of her is agonizing- especially knowing there's nothing I can do to help her.

"See, dear wife," Negan proclaims loudly, turning to look down at her, "We found your little note this morning!" he announces and I watch as Cass, head still bowed, freezes. Panic courses through her, clear in the rapid rising and falling of her chest.

Swallowing hard, I fight against the strong urge to envelop her in a warm embrace to let her know she's safe. To make sure she never feels any of this again. As Cass trembles, the desire to protect her intensifies, a fierce determination rising within me despite the nagging guilt of my inability to protect her before.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Negan asks, removing his hand from Cass's waist and granting her a momentary reprieve as she steps aside. She only briefly glances in our general direction, her expression crumpled with what seems to be regret.

Her throat constricts, a silent struggle echoing in the rapid blinking of her beautiful eyes as she struggles to come up with an answer.

"Here. Why don't you go to him?" Negan suggests cruelly, his seemingly friendly tone carrying an undertone of malevolence that sends a shiver down my spine.

Cass's head lifts slowly to meet Negan's gaze, confusion etched across her face. "W-What?" her quiet, trembling, voice asks, and I have to look down, my eyes clenched shut from the pain of hearing her voice.

Usually honey-smooth and warm, her voice is now hollow and shaken.

Glancing to the left, I see Glenn and Maggie standing close together, their expressions etched with intense worry. To the right are Michonne and Daryl, glaring Negan down, mirroring my anger.

"Go on. Hug the man you love," Negan spits with venom, the bitterness in his words palpable. A callous slap on Cass's ass makes her stumble forward, sending a surge of even stronger anger coursing through me. Despite the uproar of emotions inside, I clamp down on any obvious reaction, desperate to make sure I don't do anything to jeopardize her safety.

My breaths come in ragged, disjointed intervals as I struggle to maintain a semblance of composure.

My world is shaking through the oppressive tension, making me blink rapidly as I watch Cass nod after a pause before turning toward the stairs on the left. She takes them slow, looking like a wounded deer in her high heels and wobbly knees.

Panic sets in as she reaches the concrete we stand on, advancing toward me.

Oh god.

When Negan realizes-

She's getting nearer, moving down the lineup of her closest friends. I can see her expression crumple with emotion as she walks past Glenn and Maggie with no acknowledgment. A faint trace of relief tugs at me seeing that she's smart enough to do that, despite the clear toll it's taking on her.

Then, she's right in front of me, a breath away, and the world comes to a screeching halt once again. With my heart pounding, my vision narrows, tunneling my focus solely on her.

Her copper hair, which I remember being more vivid when I used to run my fingers through it. Her skin, now paler than before, that I used to kiss and caress. And those eyes I would lose myself in, aren't looking at me. Instead, they are trained on the ground as she... walks past me.

I suppress my strong surge of shock, trying my hardest to maintain my mask of indifference. Pretending that having Cass simply walk past me isn't filling me with a complex surge of emotion.

First is the relief, that I chose the smartest woman in the world who knows that if Negan knew the full truth, this wouldn't be the punishment. Yet, intertwined with that relief is a pang of pain, seeing her walk past me without a second glance.

And then mixed with both, is a conflicting but undeniably fierce jealousy as she goes to my brother.

Turning my head, I watch as she stops in front of Daryl, finally lifting her head to meet his gaze. A teary smile twitches across her face, one that makes my heart splinter in my chest.

My heart racing so fast I'm worried it might just stop, I watch as gingerly, Cass loops her arms around Daryl's neck and pulls him into a hug. Her face is resting on his shoulder closest to me, so I can see the way her eyes close with relief as she exhales slightly.

Despite knowing that it's for the best, a painful ache grips my chest as I watch them. Unexpected yearning surges within me, suddenly desperately wishing to trade places with Daryl as his arms respectfully wrap around her mid-back.

Cass lets out a small breath, as if bracing herself. Then, with a subtle lift of her chin, she whispers something discreetly into Daryl's ear, making him immediately go rigid.

Cass sighs, before whispering again, her expression firm, striking me with confusion.

Daryl hesitates again. Then, ever so slowly, Daryl's shaking hands lower, until they're resting on the curve of her ass. My eyebrows involuntarily shoot up, as I try to figure out the complex surge of emotions coursing through me.

Did she just-

"Alright, that's enough!" Negan's commanding voice erupts, laced with unjust possessiveness that only irritates me further. Daryl immediately lets her go, his hands flying off her as if scalded by a hot stove, his gaze darting to meet mine apologetically.

But I'm focused on Cass as she withdraws from Daryl slowly, before turning in my direction to walk back to the stairs. She's slumped again, slowly making her way down the line of our family, whom she still doesn't acknowledge. From this angle, I can see the way her bottom lip trembles, sending searing pain through my chest.

She draws near me again, each step echoing in my senses. As she approaches, my breath catches in my throat, my heart momentarily freezing. I watch her carefully, trying to capture every second before she walks past me again.

In a heartbeat, it happens-Cass trips, seemingly on nothing, and quickly falls to the ground, making my heart lurch. Without a second thought, instinct drives me forward, and I catch Cass in my arms before she hits the ground. My hands wrap securely around her torso, flexing as I stop her disturbingly light body from meeting the concrete. I pull her up and then swiftly close to my chest, steadying her on her feet.

The panic of the moment leaves my lungs burning, as if I've forgotten how to breathe, especially when Cass finally looks at me. Feeling her body against mine again, being this close, is a bittersweet taste of heaven. She's here, in my arms, blinking up at me with that crumpled expression. The world fades into insignificance, drowned out by this moment of being here with her.

I gulp, my heart shattering for her, every part of me screaming to run away now that I have her with me. "Are you alright?" I ask softly, the question hanging in the air, not entirely sure if I'm asking her about her fall or everything she's been through.

Then,

Her expression suddenly relaxes, not one fragment of that former weakness or fear that's been taking over her expression left. Cass's brows knit together with firm determination, a newfound strength radiating from her eyes, making my stomach flip.

"I'm okay," Cass assures me, her voice soft but stern, her suddenly strong eyes searching my expression. There's an unspoken plea in her gaze, silently urging me to understand the unspoken meaning beneath her words.

My heart quickens its pace as I blink at her in complete astonishment while Negan's abrupt shout echoes through my temporarily dulled hearing. I watch as Cass flinches, then somehow morphs into that same meek and feeble expression and posture she had before as she pulls from me.

My body aches from her touch withdrawing, but I watch in discreet amazement as she trudges weakly away from me, each step carrying a weight of weariness that betrays the strength she just briefly revealed.

I'm in a daze as she returns to Negan's side, trying to contain my amazement and burning pride.

She's been... pretending?

As I stand there, trying to process the news, I watch Negan turning his attention to her trembling figure. I realize from the way he's treating her that he clearly has no clue of how dangerous she truly is. 

Her head still bowed, Cass's eyes briefly dart up to meet mine, that familiar twinkle of life still left in her eyes, before she looks away again to hide it.

I clench my jaw, looking down to stop myself from grinning ear-to-ear with pride.

That's my wife. 

"Cassie, what is the one rule that I have for my wives?" Negan asks with a feigned attitude of curiosity, pure anger pulling down his expression as he glares down at her. His sudden tone shift makes my stomach bottom out.

Uneasiness flutters through me as I watch Cass gulp, her vulnerability surfacing again. "To not cheat—" she begins before being cut off.

"To not fuckin' cheat on me!" Negan roars, his deep bellow ringing through the concrete jungle that surrounds us. Cass flinches, closing her eyes with a wince.

Negan turns, his glare shifting back to Daryl, who stares back at him unflinchingly. His expression turns cruel and twisted before he turns back to Cass.

"But you know what? I'm a damn romantic." Negan snaps, his eyes cold and harsh, making Cass gulp, still averting her gaze. "So I'm gonna let you two little lovebirds stay together," Negan announces, making confusion flutter through me.

What is he...

Negan, seemingly content with his dramatic statement, turns away, shooting me a disdainful look before focusing on my brother. Then, his gaze finally settles on the man standing behind him, a figure with a steely determination in his eyes.

A jolt of recognition courses through me as I realize it's Spencer- the same asshole we exiled for the shit that he did to Cass and our family. The unexpected reunion sends a chill down my spine.

Of course that gangly idiot ended up here.

"Spencer, take them downstairs. To the place they met." Negan orders, his voice harsh and bitter, injecting a sudden surge of panic into my veins.

Wait-

I stagger forward, watching with wide, panicked eyes as Daryl gets grabbed by either arm and dragged toward the stairs. Whipping my head quickly to the side, I see Cass, her expression mirroring my panic as Spencer grabs her.

Amid the chaos, Cass turns to Negan, her chest heaving with a mixture of fear and determination. She utters something unintelligible from where I am, causing Negan's posture to stiffen. Despite this, he waves them off dismissively.

"No!" I shout, my voice rising with a surge of determination. Stepping forward, my heart racing, I refuse to accept losing them again.

Negan turns to me, his brows raised. "Excuse me?" he asks with an attitude, narrowing his eyes with a hint of incredulity. "You snuck my prisoner from me and hid him away, trying to hide the fact that he fucked around with my wife. And now you don't want me to punish them?" Negan demands angrily, tilting his head to the side as he glares at me.

Normally, there's a twisted amusement lacing his words, as if he's reveling in the chaos. But now, it's a genuine, visceral anger that adds an unsettling edge to the atmosphere.

"We can figure something else out-" I begin, desperate to spare Cass and Daryl from more suffering. My eyes dart over to Cass, standing near the doors, her gaze silently pleading with me.

Pleading with me to continue, or to stop, I don't know.

"What? Want to take their place, Rick? Don't you have kids back home? You're really gonna take these two idiot's place and fuck Carl and Judith over?" Negan asks me bitterly, making me falter.

Glancing back at Cass, I find her slightly shaking her head at me before mouthing 'stop,' the weight of her plea making my stomach drop. I look down, the realization of my powerlessness settling in. I should be protecting them, saving them, but I find myself cornered with no other option. None that would keep us all alive, anyway.

"That's what I thought. Take 'em down," Negan orders to his people, his tone rough. He doesn't bother to look back as Cass and Daryl are led away, breaking my heart as they go.

Desperation to see her for as long as possible claws at me as my eyes remain fixed on Cass, her gaze locked with mine. Just before she disappears into the shadows, she raises her hand so that she can nudge the tip of her nose with her forefinger, giving me one last wistful smile before she disappears into the darkness.

Bittersweet relief surges through me. Our thing. Our sign.

She's okay.

At the other double doors, I watch as Daryl walks in with the other guards, steadfast and unyielding, not glancing over his shoulder.

God damnit. We just got him back.

As if my lungs had been frozen this entire time, I let out a painful sharp exhale.

How did I let this happen?

The weight of guilt and regret bears down on me, a heavy burden that I struggle to shoulder as I look down, attempting to comprehend what to do. Every fiber of my being screams for a solution, a way to undo the mess unfolding before my eyes. The pain seeps through every part of me as I grapple with the harsh reality.

I have to find a way to save them.

When I glance over my shoulder, meeting the worried looks of Michonne, Glenn, and Maggie, my resolve transforms into a steely determination. We're going to get them out, no matter what.

"Next time, keep your people in line. Get them out of here," Negan orders some of his guards nearest to us, and under the ominous presence of loaded guns, we're herded out of the area and into our car.

I stumble into the driver's seat, my mind still reeling as I'm forced to follow the escort that leads us back to Alexandria. Every part of me is screaming to turn the damn car around, to go back for them. Leaving, driving away like this, feels so wrong. The road blurs as I fight hot tears of frustration, overwhelmed by the tumult of thoughts swirling in my head.

"Rick, we need to go back. We can't just leave Daryl there, leave Cass there! You saw her, she was terrified!" Glenn implores desperately from behind the back seat, his words echoing my internal turmoil. I briefly glance from the road to meet his earnest gaze, his dark brown eyes searching mine desperately.

"She's not. It's an act," I tell them breathlessly, a small smile of pride pulling across my face as I see the confusion on their faces. "I know- she told me. She's pretending for Negan's sake," I explain. In the passenger seat, Michonne looks at me, her eyes widening in a mix of surprise and admiration.

"Holy shit," Mischonne breathes, bringing a hand to her mouth, making me grin, feeling extremely proud of the woman I love.

"But I agree," I continue, glancing back at Glenn and Maggie behind me, meeting their concerned gazes. My smile fades as a fierce determination washes over me.

"We're going to go back. And this time, we're not leaving without them," I decide, turning my focus back to the road. The rage tightens my grip on the steering wheel, my jaw clenched tightly.

"And once we've gotten them back, I'm going to kill Negan."

___

___

- Cass's POV -

With the unexpected force of the shove, I'm sent sprawling into the dimly lit and rank cell, nearly faceplanting before I catch myself, my palms and knees stinging from hitting the concrete floor. Gasping, I muster a shuddering exhale and push myself back onto unsteady feet, my eyes locking onto Spencer's apologetic expression as he begins to close the heavy door.

Beyond the closing barrier, I catch a glimpse of Daryl as he's thrown into the neighboring cell across the hall. The metallic clang of my cell door closing echoes in my ears, enveloping me in an oppressive darkness that feels suffocating.

My frustration manifests in a resigned sigh as I tilt my head back, staring at the dark ceiling.

Well, fuck.

Spencer's hushed, "I'll get you out," barely registers before his retreating footsteps fade away, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the rank and claustrophobic space.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I turn to face the dismal reality. The cell, a nauseating blend of filth and despair, is an unwelcome reminder of the futility of escape. I run my trembling hand over my face, the residue of anxiety and disbelief lingering on my fingertips.

There's no way me or Daryl are getting out of here. Not after last time.

The rancid atmosphere within the confined space seems to cling to every surface, a sickening reminder of the predicament I find myself in. The walls, coated with an indistinct layer of grime, bear the toll of the people who were trapped here before me.

I sigh, closing my eyes, finding solace in reliving the fleeting moments of bliss I just experienced. The vivid memory of seeing Rick floods my mind, the details and sensations still fresh. I swear I can still feel his warm hands on me, still smell him lingering on me.

Behind my closed eyes, I see his eyes, looking back at me as he caught me when I 'fell', just as I knew he would.

Knowing I was able to reassure him that I'm okay... that he doesn't have to worry, is a heavy weight off my shoulders. I saw it in his eyes- he knew. Especially after I did the nose thing.

God, I miss him already.

Unable to escape the chill that permeates the air of this gross cell, my arms instinctively wrap around my body in a futile attempt to comfort myself.

The yearning to relive those fleeting moments with Rick transforms into a desperate mantra, each mental replay offering a brief reprieve from my harsh reality. The longing for Rick's warmth and the reassurance reflected in his eyes intensify with each replay, creating a bittersweet refuge in the confines of my mind.

As the hours pass, I curl up in a ball in the cleanest corner I can find, attempting to find solace and calm my racing thoughts. The happiness from the brief reunions with Rick, Glenn, Michonne, and Maggie gradually wanes, replaced by an overwhelming worry about what it all means for them.

And if Rick was angry before, it's not going to be any match for him now. He's going to come back. No doubt about it.

I just hope my other plan will have kicked in by then.

___

My restless night takes an abrupt turn when the door to the cell is wrenched open, flooding the confined space with a blinding light that makes me flinch. Pressing myself against the cold wall, a surge of nervous energy courses through my veins as I cover my eyes, not knowing what's happening.

A strong hand grabs hold of me, yanking me to my feet, and as I blink past my surprise, I see Spencer at my side. Before I can utter a word, he shoots me a sharp look of warning and swiftly pulls me out of the cell. Blinking in confusion, my senses muddled, I stumble out into the hallway to find Negan waiting with a group of Saviors, their collective demeanor suggesting that this little reunion is far from a friendly one.

The knot of anxiety tightens in my stomach. Oh God. What have they done?

"I'm still deciding what to do with you. Especially with the whole... baby situation." Negan grunts, gesturing down at my stomach, his words making Spencer tense beside me. I cringe, realizing this is the first time he's heard about it.

Suppressing my uneasiness, I maintain a steady gaze, meeting Negan's eyes with unwavering composure. Louise had mentioned that Negan disapproves of outright violence against women, but he also told me I was his favorite wife and cheating is the one thing he hates more than anything else.

"But- I need your help," Negan breathes reluctantly, surprising me with the unexpected turn in his tone. His admission hangs in the air, making me blink at him in surprise, the weight of his words sinking in.

"We've got a situation."

___

Amazement flutters through me as I step into the main room, the same area where not long ago, I watched Negan brutally brandishing the iron against that man's face.

The room has undergone a drastic change, now resembling a clearly unsanitary makeshift hospital. Over a hundred people lie scattered around, their moans of pain creating a dissonant symphony that echoes through the grim space.

The acrid stench of vomit assaults my senses as we make our way in, and the unexpected sunlight streaming through the windows abruptly makes me realize it's daytime.

However, my thoughts of losing track of time in my cell are abruptly shaken by the horrifying sight that chills me to my core.

A man, hanging lifelessly by his neck from the yellow railing of the upper walkway. As I squint my eyes at the corpse, recognition dawns on me, realizing it's the guard we drugged asleep when helping Daryl escape. His face, drained of color, and his stiffened body tells me this happened at least three hours ago.

My stomach tightens as I spot the word "MOLE" etched onto his bare chest

The man Louise and Spence framed for what we did...

Cautiously, I shift my gaze to my right, meeting Spencer's eyes. His cold, unfeeling expression betrays no remorse, and he averts his gaze as quickly as our eyes connect.

Clearing my throat, I focus back on the numerous sick soldiers. "What happened?" I ask, turning to Negan, whose face is etched with a potent blend of anger and disgust as he looks at the sick people. His hazel eyes, typically sharp and commanding, now betray a storm of emotions, hinting at the severity of the situation.

He looks... worn down. His usually perfectly styled hair is ruffled, his faint wrinkles seem deepened, and his eyes are dull.

"I was hoping you could tell me," Negan responds flatly, his gaze meeting mine, a silent tension hanging in the air.

Okay, lie time.

Starting the next phase of the plan, I feign concern, my brows furrowed. "Can I examine them?" I ask gently, and Negan begrudgingly nods, granting me permission.

So, carefully, I begin maneuvering through the lines of groaning people. As I go, I notice that they are, in fact, all soldiers, sending slight relief fluttering through me, knowing I didn't hurt anyone innocent.

As I do a few up-close examinations, engaging in conversations with the sick soldiers, a common thread emerges in their symptoms- fatigue, nausea, vomiting, fever, faint pulses, and pale clammy skin.

The collective range of symptoms would suggest an aggressive strain of flu.

But... they also suggest systemic organ failure following an overdose of deadly medication.

A heavy guilt begins to claw its way into my consciousness, morphing into a mangled shadow that clings to me, its whispers incessantly repeating the consequences of my actions.

The realization settles heavily on my shoulders, transforming into a damning truth: I'm committing mass murder.

Despite my good intentions to save my people and finally destroy Negan and the Saviors, the stark reality isn't as easy to face as I thought it would be. The ethical dissonance between my plan and the grim reality gnaws at my conscience, threatening to overwhelm me with nausea.

"What's your verdict, doc?" Negan's voice, now devoid of the former lightheartedness it used to have around me, cuts through the rough atmosphere.

Turning around to face him, I meet the cold gaze of the devil himself, the one I've sworn to destroy. This monster, responsible for torturing me and taking the lives of my family members, is now facing the consequence of choosing me of all people to take.

It's hard to not smile at that fact.

"Looks like that flu that went around not too long ago mutated into something worse," I breathe, my chest constricting as I perpetuate my lie, amused by the irony of my previous greatest weakness becoming the key to saving myself and my family.

"They've got fevers, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting- it's not looking good. And the way it's swept through-" I cut myself off, not needing to feign the mask of dread as I glance around the room.

"It's going to get worse. Fast," I admit, my breath shallow with feigned nerves, the same shadow of heavy guilt clinging to me.

Negan clenches his jaw with a resolute nod, seeming to finally comprehend the gravity of the situation.

I look back at him, my expression crumpled with feigned worry and concern for him as he runs a stressed hand over his face. 

Just you wait, asshole.

___

A/N: I hope you all liked it, sorry if it was a bit shorter!! Happy Christmas Eve to those who celebrate! ily as always!! <33