The engine rumbled loudly as Lilith sat in the front seat, waiting for her dad. Had this been a month ago, she would've been excited to go confront any community who tried to push back. At the very least, indifferent. But now, sitting here alone in this massive truck, Lilith felt sick to her stomach at the thought of what today would hold.

Something about these people was just different, and she knew they wouldn't just sit back and take it. That scared her—the unknown. Deep in thought, Lilith jumped when the driver side door opened and Negan climbed inside, propping up Lucille on the seat in between them. The teenager rolled her eyes at the action.

"You ready, baby?" Her father asked.

She raised an eyebrow, "You talking to me or the inanimate object?"

Negan chuckled, "Why not both?"

Sighing Lilith redirected her gaze out the window, "So, she actually agreed to this? Sasha. There was no threats or coercion?"

"Nope, only civil compromise."

"Hm," Lilith was suspicious but said nothing, not in the mood for arguing.

Then, the caravan set off.

_________________

As they arrived at Alexandria's gates, the pit in Lilith's stomach grew. They'd ran into a few obstacles on the way there, with Rick's people copying her father's signature fallen-tree diversion. But now, they were here.

Eugene's voice rung out as the caravan slowly approached. Lilith could almost see the betrayal the people of Alexandria began to feel.

"All checkpoints are covered. Every contingency is already met," The man stated through a megaphone as he stood inside the front of his vehicle. "I come armed baring to barrels of the truth. A test is upon you, and I'm giving out the cheat sheet."

Brakes squeak and hiss as the entire caravan comes to a halt. Eugene's confidence visibly wavers.

"H-hello," he greets his former companions, "I come salved with the hope that it is my dropped knowledge that you heed. Options are zero to none. Compliance and fealty are your only escape. Bottom-lining it—you may thrive, or you may die. I sincerely wish for the former. . . for everyone's sake. The jig is up and in full effect. Will you comply Rick?

The man in questioned stared in rageful silence. Even from a distance, one could see Rick's stance falter completely. After a moment, he finally spoke up. "Where's Negan?" he demanded.

Another pause filled the thick air before Eugene's voice replied, "I am Negan."

At his words, the deal was sealed. Rick and his people would not hold back. There was a long period of quiet where the knowledge of Eugene's betrayal sunk in. Then, something shifted. Lilith felt it. It wasn't until after Rick quickly ducked down that she realized what it was. They had planned something.

But it hadn't worked.

The young girl watched as the people whom Rick thought were his allies turned against him. Lilith was just as shocked as they were. She'd been so caught up in trying to solve her moral dilemma that she became completely in the dark about her own people's plans. She had no clue how long ago her father had conspired with these new allies. She had absolutely no clue who they even were.

The front gate was slid open, leaving only a chain link fence to separate the two sides. Beside her, Negan chuckled to himself before getting out of their truck. Lilith followed suit. They both made there way closer to Eugene, but the young blonde in front of their vehicle, leaning against it. Only her father approached their new genius friend to stand beside him.

With Lucille over his shoulder, her father excitedly began another one of his famous monologues.

"You ever hear the one about the stupid little prick named Rick who thought he knew shit but didn't know shit. . . and got everyone that he have a shit about killed? It's about you!" He pointed to Rick with enthusiasm. "Y'all are gonna wanna put your guns down now," he ordered.

Lilith kept a straight, unamused look on her face. Not wanting to appear sympathetic, but also refusing to come off as malicious as her dad was.

"No one drops anything," Rick responded. He turned to the woman holding him at gunpoint, they exchanged a few words. The woman's response seemed only to upset him even more.

"You push me. . . and you push me. . . and you push me, Rick! You just tried to blow us up, right? I mean, I get me, my people. . . But Eugene? He's one of yours. And after what he did—he stepped up. You people. . . are animals. Universe gives you a sign and you just. . . shove your finger right up its ass!" Negan taunted, jamming his middle finger in the air as he said the last part. He laughed to himself before calling out, "Dwight, Simon. . . chop, chop!"

The two men climbed on to the front truck, which Eugene had previously been on, and propped a coffin upright to face the gates. Lilith's father climbed up to stand beside the coffin. "So, you don't like Eugene anymore," he started, "You guys gotta like Sasha! I do, too." He tapped the coffin gently with his bat, "Got her right here packaged for your convenience, alive and well. Now, I brought her so I wouldn't have to kill all of you, and not killing all of you could get complicated. See, I know there's a lot of firepower left in there, Rick. So, I'ma make this simple. . . I want all the guns you've managed to scrape up. Yep. . . I know about those, too. I want every last grain of lemonade you got left. I want a person of your own choosing. . . for Lucille."

Lilith wasn't surprised at his words. She'd learned not to be anymore, but that didn't make her feel any less sick to her stomach.

"Daryl. . ." Negan continued, "Oh, I gotta get me my Daryl back. I see you," he gestured to his eyes. "And the pool table and all the pool cues and chalk, and I want it now. . . or Sasha dies. . . and then all of you. Probably." He smirked as he finished.

He was met with only more silence and cold glares. The air was becoming impossibly tense, Lilith felt like she was suffocating. Against her better judgement, she called out.

"Come on, Rick. . . Just because we brought her here in a casket doesn't mean she has to leave in one," She begged. She tried, with anything in her, to mask her tone and sound liker her father, commanding, or at the very least, indifferent.

When they continued to receive nothing from the man, Negan sighed, scratching his forehead. "You know what? You suck ass, Rick! You really do! I don't wanna have to kill her, but that's exactly what you're gonna make me do!"

"Let me see her."

Finally, Lilith thought to herself upon hearing Rick's words. Her father smirked again.

"Alright. . . just give me a second—might have to get her up to speed. You can't hear shit inside this thing." He turned, knocking on the casket again. "Sash, you're not gonna believe this crap."

But when he opened it, it wasn't Sasha that came out. Well, not anymore. A dead version of the woman snarled loudly, knocking Negan to the ground.

Lilith's eyes widened. "Dad!" She shouted, sprinting towards him. Around her, gunfire started, but she kept forward. By the time she got to him, another savior had pushed the now-walker off of the man, only to fall victim himself. She grabbed onto her dad, pulling him up.

She felt one of his arms go around her back as he moved them both out of the line of fire. They ducked behind one of the large semis, the older man groaning in frustration. "Shit. . . plan B it is."

___________________

It all happened too fast for Lilith to comprehend. All around her, gunfire and dead people. She didn't know how to process what was going on or where it would lead. All she knew was somehow she ended up here, beside her father, Dwight, Simon—Carl on his knees and Rick approaching in dread.

Déjà vu.

"Hello again," Negan greeted darkly. Once Rick was on his knees beside his son, he spoke up again. "Well, shit, Rick. You couldn't just stick with us, could ya? You had to go out and find these filthy garbage people." Looking at the leader of said people, he said, "No offense." She shrugged, taking none.

Lilith felt lightheaded. This is the first time she'd ever been completely in the dark about what was gonna happen, especially now that his "Sasha" plan had gone awry. She didn't know what to expect—whether he was only trying to scare them, or he was actually gonna kill Carl.

"Oh, Rick," He taunted, "This is just gonna make you sad. Broken. You're gonna wish you were dead." Sighing, he pinched his nose, "I like having fun. I do. But maybe you think that the guy who did what he did to your friends. . . wasn't me. Like that was some sort of a put-on. Like I'm not the guy with the bat, I'm just the guy that makes your kid spaghetti."

He paused. "Oh shit. Maybe this is all on me. Maybe I messed up. I gotta make it right—gotta start all over again," he shook his head. "Let me tell you, Rick. I've noticed. . . quite a few similarities between my girl and your boy. Hell, I think they've noticed it too. And that. . . is what's gonna make this so much harder."

His words made Lilith flinch. It wasn't the former half of Negan's statement that she lingered on. It was the very last part, what's gonna make it so much harder. Her stomach sunk deeper than she'd felt it in a long time. He was actually gonna do it.

Carl kept his head tall, glaring as he spoke, "You're not gonna win."

Lilith let out an exasperated sigh. "Carl," she said, shaking her head and giving a look that begged him not to make things worse.

"Yes. Carl. . ." Negan continued, "It is over. Why don't you point your one ball up the street there and take it all in?"

After he said that, a cry erupted in the air. A scream that was cut off aprubtly, like someone falling and hitting the ground. Rick's change in demeanor added to that theory. Lilith watched her father crouch in front of the man. "Oh. . . wow. You just lost someone important to you right now—like, just now. Jesus. That is timing. Well, Rick. . . you chose this. I truly don't know what more I could've done to warn you. This isn't a warning. This. . . is punishment."

His next words confirmed what Lilith had been dreading, and she had to look away.

"I'm gonna kill Carl now," He stated, "I'm gonna make it one nice, hard swing—try to do it in one because I like him. I just want you to put that in your brain for a minute. I'm gonna kill Carl, and then Lucille here. . . she is gonna take your hands."

The blonde girl breathed heavily, her heartbeat echoed in her ears. She didn't know who she was angrier at, her father or herself for getting attached. She should've known he wouldn't change, but she convinced herself he would anyway. And now, here they were. Same as always.

"You can do it right in front of me," Rick spoke up. "You can take my hands. I told you already—I'm gonna kill you. All of you. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. . . but nothing. . . is gonna change that, nothing. You're all already dead."

His words simmered in the hot air for a moment, and then Negan began to laugh. Oh, did he laugh.,"Damn. Wow, Rick. . . Okay." Standing up, he moved to stand behind Carl, taking off his hat.

And just as he pulled his arms back to swing, just as Lilith decided she would never forgive him, a tiger jumped out of nowhere—tackling a random savior and indirectly saving Carl's life.

A goddamn tiger.

_________________

Despite the utter confusion, Lilith quickly tried moved toward her dad when she felt a hand tightly grip the back of her shirt. She was dragged away from the large cat by Dwight, and they ducked behind a car to avoid the gunfire that had quickly erupted. Simon and Negan hid behind a second car nearby shortly after.

Pulling a pistol out of the back of his pants, Dwight handed the girl the weapon. She grabbed it frustratedly. "This is it?" she asked, hoping for something at least a little bigger. The man shrugged, turning to shoot. She huffed and did the same.

The gun quickly ran out of bullets, only a clicking sound coming from the firearm. "Shit," Lilith muttered. Looking around, she saw her father and Simon slowly making their way back to the trucks, ducking behind cars and other things as they went. "Dwight, we gotta move," she said.

The blonde man looked and nodded, taking the first step away from cover, he continued to shoot. Lilith tried her best to stay behind him. They moved quickly, nearly running. They had almost made it behind another car when an excruciating pain shot up the girl's leg.

She cried, falling flat on the ground. Looking down, she saw the bloody hole right above her ankle, then, glancing in the direction it came from, she saw someone. Maggie Rhee. The widow.

Lilith half-laughed, half-scoffed. "I fucking knew it," she grumbled.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dwight hesitate, probably debating whether to leave her or turn back. Thank god he chose the latter. Reaching out, he tried to pull her up, but she accidentally stepped on the wrong foot, making her stumble again.

"Shit!" Dwight cursed, attempting to drag her. He continued to fire at people as he did so. At one point, stopping to lean down and say to her, "Keep moving, I'm right behind you."

She wasn't gonna say no to that. Hopping on her good leg, she headed in the direction which looked safest—between two nearby houses. She kept looking behind her to make sure Dwight was following—meaning she wasn't facing forward—meaning she didn't see the person coming before they crashed into her, throwing her to the ground a third time.

"Ah fuck!" Lilith called out. She squinted through the tears that filled her eyes because of the pain. When she sat up and her vision cleared, her breath faltered, because there she stood.

Enid, but between the two girls, a loaded gun with the safety off.

For a moment, neither said a word. They both just stared, trying to guess what the other would do. When it became clear that neither was gonna make a move, Lilith opened her mouth to speak.

"Enid-" she tried but was met with a sharp inhale from the brunette girl, who tightened her grip on her weapon. Lilith swallowed, trying to mask her nervousness about looking down the barrel of a gun. She slowly sighed, collecting herself and giving Enid a look that said hear me out. "Enid, put the gun down," she told her.

The girl shook her head, "Mm mm."

Carefully, Lilith chose her next words, ". . . Why not?"

She could tell Enid wasn't expecting that response, "Be- Because. . . I can't trust you."

"You can't trust me to do what?"

"To. . . not kill me!"

Lilith couldn't help but scoff, "Enid, I'm unarmed and wounded. I'm not going to kill you."

"Not now, but you could try later."

"I'm not gonna try to kill you later."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to! I don't want you dead, Enid." There was another pause. Enid didn't respond, leaving Lilith to try again to get away. "Please. . . put the gun down," She asked gently.

Enid breathed heavily, clenching her jaw as she debated what to do, and then grunted, "I can't."

Lilith's heart pounded like a drum in her chest. She exhaled slowly, her breath shaking.

"Okay," she said quietly, "fine. . . I get it. I understand why you think you have to. And. . . I'm not angry. If you're actually gonna kill me, I want you to know that. It's okay. . . I forgive you."

Upon hearing her words, Enid's breath hitched. Her eyes teared with without realizing it, and she just stared at the blonde girl in shock.

Then, another sound caught their attention. A loud engine roared to life across the way. Negan's truck. The two girls' heads snapped to the sound and then back to each other. Looking each other in the eyes, they saw what the other was truly feeling for the first time. Enid, anxious and confused. Lilith, completely and utterly terrified.

The brunette groaned, stepping forward which caused Lilith to jump. But, instead of shooting her, Enid grabbed her hand and placed the gun in it. Then, she pulled her up and pushed her away. "Go!" She yelled

After getting over her shock, Lilith complied. Limping towards the moving truck as fast as she could. It circled the community as if looking for something. Her. Upon realizing this fact, she felt a sense of relief at not being left behind. Still, not wanting to sit and wait, she turned to cut in front of the vehicle rather than following behind it.

Shooting at people in defense on occasion, she kept up her pace. Once she was within yards, she screamed, "Dad!"

Her voice echoed in his skull as he frantically looked around to try and see her. Finally, he spotted her, trudging through the overgrown grass. The truck swerved, going over the curb to reach her. The door swung open and a hand pulled her inside.

"Goddamn it honey! Don't fuckin run off like that — scared me to death!" Negan's voice told her harshly.

She didn't look up at his face, and she could hardly make out his words due to her injury finally taking full effect. Looking down, her ankle was a disgusting sight — a dark red mess matted with dirt and grass. She sighed, laying her head on her father's lap, closing her eyes in pain.

Staring out the window of the moving truck, she watched her surroundings change from suburban homes to trees and nothingness. Then,, Lilith felt the pain and exhaustion overtake her. Her vision clouded, and then went dark, and remained that way for the rest of the trip home.

_________________

Lilith came to in her room, laying on her faded comforter. Her ankle was clean wrapped. Her bedside lamp was the only light on. Across the room, a figure sat in a chair. She could tell by his posture—elbows on his knees with his head down—that it was her father. She got his attention when she sat up. He moved closer, sitting on the foot of her bed.

"Hey darlin'" he said to her.

She smiled at him sadly, getting right to the point, "I thought... when I heard the truck engine start... you were gonna leave me."

His shook his head vigorously, "Oh baby, no! I would never — you never even have to think that cause it will never happen. I promise."

Fidgeting with her hands, she stared at them anxiously, "How can I be sure? You tried to kill a kid today. One you said reminded you of me."

Negan said nothing, just put his hands on his head in frustration. He couldn't seem to find the right words.

"Why?" Her voice made him pick up his head, "Why, out of all people? You liked Carl! You even admired him! Besides, what happened to your 'don't kill kids' rule?"

"Look, honey, I don't know. I'm sorry, but it was the most effective way to get everyone back in line. They were getting too comfortable," Negan explained.

"Bullshit, they weren't comfortable. They were angry. Angry at you for coming after them over and over again while leaving absolutely nothing behind! They felt powerless!"

"Powerless?" He repeated, "Did what happened today look like powerlessness to you?" Lilith shook her head and clenched her jaw. "They shot you, Lili," he pointed out.

"Maybe I deserved it," she shrugged her shoulders.

Negan exhaled loudly, leaning back, "What is this? I mean, what, all of a sudden you think we're the villains? This has always been the way we've done things. This place thrives because we make the hard decisions and we do the hard things! Since when do you not understand that?"

"I used to think your way was the one and only way. I was so sure of it. Because, if it wasn't, why would you choose it? The dad I knew, the dad you were, would've done anything to protect me from the horrors I see everyday."

"I am still that man, Lilith! All of this, all of this I did for you! To protect you!"

"Ugh! That's what you keep saying!" She moved off her bed to stand up in front of him, careful not to put pressure on her bad leg. "That's what you always say! That you built this for me! That you do all of these awful, inhuman things for me! But don't you get it, I never asked you to! I never wanted you to! And now I am begging you to stop!" She breathed heavily while recovering from her screams.

Negan didn't look at her, only at the floor in front of him. He still held Lucille in his arms.

"You scare me now, dad," Lilith spoke normally, "I don't feel safe around you anymore."

She continued to receive nothing from her father. No words, no glances, nothing.

"Did you hear what I just said? I said I don't feel safe!" She tried again. But still. Silence.

"Fucking look at me!" She screamed. Her throat burned from how loud she became. Tears threatened to spill, but she refused to let them. After once again receiving nothing, she exhaled, shaking her head. "I don't know who you are, anymore," she told him.

Then, she turned around, grabbing the crutches that leaned against the wall which her dad had brought up from the infirmary. She made her way outside to the front where everyone was congregated. Negan trailed behind, hanging his head low in shame — only picking his head up and changing his mood when meeting Simon, Eugene and other high ranking saviors whom were already there.

He exchanged a few words with all of them, more with Eugene than the rest. Lilith leaned against the wall near the doors as her dad stepped up to the railing. She hated how he could just turn off whatever he was feeling. Granted, that did make her a bit of a hypocrite.

She watched displeased as the announcement left his lips.

"Okay!" He shouted, raising his arms, "We are going to war!"

___________

(word count: 3386)

WOW! a hefty chapter! i wanted to get this whole episode in one so here we are.

buuuut......

YAY WE FINISHED ACT ONE!!!! I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN BUT IT DID!!

get hype cuz it only gets crazier from here.
lemme know ur thoughts. love yall.

- chloe <3