The idea for this story comes from spoilers and rumours seen online and is not necessarily what I think will happen in October, at least not this week anyway!

There are scenes of show typical violence and one scene of implied/attempted rape (nothing graphic) Each chapter will have any additional warnings if needed.

Enjoy and please let me know what you think.

Chapter 1

Aaron had been allowed to take the now unconscious Maggie and carry her into the RV, where he gently lay her on one of the narrow cots. He'd been grateful she'd passed out and been spared the sight of her husband's battered body laying in a spreading pool of blood. It had been bad enough she'd witnessed the first brutal blows and he knew the sound of her pitiful, heartbreaking screams would never leave him. Blinking back the tears he gazed down at her, her hands folded over her stomach, instinctively protecting her unborn child.

He moved to one side as Eugene and Rosita struggled with a semi conscious Daryl, weak with blood loss but still trying to convince them he was fine. Finally they managed to settle him on the other cot, giving a sigh of relief as he lay back, drifting off into a disturbed, pain filled sleep. At once Rosita pulled at his blood soaked shirt, doing what she could for the gunshot wound on his shoulder.

Silently Eugene headed for the cab, climbing numbly behind the wheel and starting the engine. He glanced behind him, making sure everybody was on board.

Carl and Sasha sat apart from everyone, silent sobs shaking the woman's slender shoulders as she hunched over, grieving for the man who'd only just asked her if she wanted to settle down, to consider starting a family with him.

Carl was dry eyed, his frustrated anger obvious in the way he held his body, tense and still, fists clenched at his sides.

Michonne was at Rick's side, the leader still and silent as he stared out of the open door, unable to take his eyes off the two bodies they'd been forced to leave behind. Several Saviours approached the corpses and he was sickened to hear laughter as one kicked at the battered remains of the young man he'd been through so much with. Blind fury swept through him as a second stood over the other motionless form, hawking up a mouthful of phlegm and spitting it onto the dead man's jacket.

"Wonder what was going through his head when he did that" the man mused "I mean what made the asshole think it was a good move to jump up like that. Weren't like he was gonna save the other one" he turned away dismissively, already losing interest.

"Seems like a dick move to me"

Rick rose to his feet, Michonne reaching to stop him at the same time.

"No!" she hissed "Not now. We have to get Maggie and Daryl to Dr Carson at Hilltop. They're the only priority now"

As Rick reluctantly sat again a large figure filled the doorway, the still bloodstained bat resting over his shoulder. His eyes were amused as he took in the scene in front of him.

"You weren't thinking of trying anything now where you?" he asked "only I can tell you that would not be a smart move. That would most certainly get more of your people killed and I really don't want to do that" He paused, waiting for an answer, clearly annoyed when he was met with silence.

"I asked a question, it's not too much to expect a reply is it?" he drawled "after all it's just good manners" He swung the bat from his shoulder, pointing it straight at Rick's face.

"Let's try this again. You weren't thinking of trying anything were you?" He pushed the bat closer to Rick, grinning when he saw the man flinch at the blood and unidentifiable objects still clinging to the barbed wire.

"Best answer quick, Lucille don't like to be kept waiting"

Swallowing back his frustration and anger, Rick raised his eyes, his gaze meeting that of the man towering above him.

"No Negan" he ground out "We weren't thinking of trying anything"

Negan smiled, lowering Lucille and turning towards the RV door.

"Good, that's what I like to hear, total submission" he paused on the top step, "Get your asses out of here now. I'll be seeing you again in seven days to collect what you owe me" With that he strode away, slamming the door behind him.

Eugene pulled out of the clearing, steering the cumbersome vehicle through the trees until he found the paved road again. At once he accelerated, wanting to get the injured to Hilltop as soon as possible.

They had barely gone five miles when the first motorbikes roared past them. Eugene slowed as the bikes swerved across the road, blocking it. The riders dismounted, standing alongside their bikes with rifles raised. In the mirror Eugene saw several more bikes and a car pull up behind them.

With no other choice he stopped, turning the key in the ignition with shaking hands.

"Everybody out of the RV" A voice demanded "Now, before we decide to open fire"

Slowly, reluctantly the group made their way out of the vehicle.

"On your knees, you know the drill" the Saviour ordered, smirking as the small group of survivors obeyed.

Negan strolled towards them, a reflective look on his face as he studied each person closely.

"Where's the rest of them?" he demanded "should be two more"

"They're still in the RV, they're both unconscious, we need to get help for them. Please let us go" Rick was prepared to plead this time, to do what it took to get his people to safety.

Negan nodded to two of his men.

"Go check it out" he ordered, before facing Rick and the others again.

"You know" he started "after you left I got to thinking. I decided I couldn't trust you, there's still too much defiance left in you. I decided I needed an insurance policy to stop you trying anything when we come to collect our dues next week" He smiled again.

"So one of you is going to be my guest, just until I feel there's not going to be a problem. I just need to decide which one I'm taking"

"No, there's no need. There'll be no trouble, I give you my word" Rick tried to rise but was pushed back to his knees by a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Your word means nothing. I can see in your eyes you want to tear me to pieces with your bare hands and I get that. I took out two of yours and you're pissed, it's understandable. It also leaves me with a problem" Negan sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"You're two able bodies down now and I need you to be strong enough to get my stuff for me" He studied the kneeling figures, his gaze lingering on each woman a little longer than was necessary.

"You've some fine looking women here and that causes me another problem. I have a camp full of men and bringing attractive women into it isn't the best idea, so I guess they're all out"

He smiled again as he stopped in front of Carl, staring down as the boy glared back up at him.

"Damn boy, you're one creepy son of a bitch" he smirked "Does anything scare you?"

"Only the thought I might not see you die soon" Carl's gaze was unwavering, and for a second Negan felt a brief flicker of something that might have passed for fear before he shook it off with a laugh.

"Hell I like you" he bellowed, grinning when he saw a desperate Rick being restrained by two Saviours as he tried to get to his son.

"Relax cowboy" Negan turned away from Carl "I know better than to take your boy. I know you'll fight Heaven and Hell to get him back and that's not what I want"

There was a commotion at the door of the RV and the two men Negan had sent to check inside appeared, a limp Daryl slumped between them.

"I was just messing with you, I always knew who I was going to take." He nodded to Eugene and Aaron.

"Couldn't be them, like I said you need all the workers you can get, couldn't be a woman or your boy so really just leaves Dwight's little friend here. He's injured so that makes him a liability and a distraction to you. We'll take him and as a favour I'll get my Doctor to patch him up. All being well you'll get him back good as new in a couple of weeks" His smile was cold as his men began to drag Daryl to the car parked behind the RV.

"Of course, if there's any problem you'll be getting pieces of him back for weeks. It's impressive how much can be removed before a body gives up and dies" Negan turned to follow his men, ignoring the protests and cries behind him as the unconscious hunter was bundled into the back seat of the car, one of the men sliding in alongside him.

"I suggest you get your lady friend in there to Hilltop as soon as possible then get to gathering up my stuff"

Negan raised his hand in a mocking farewell, as he slipped behind the wheel.

"Guess I'll be seeing you in 7 days"

Chapter two will be up in the next few days.

Please let me know what you thought.