A Hard Lesson to Learn

Chapter 12

"I understand that Rick, but I think she needs more time to recuperate after everything. What will you do if she gets out exploring around and finds out Negan is still alive," the doctor asked keeping his voice barely above a whisper.

"She won't," Rick said huskily. "Kali needs to know people care about her being here, even if it is just Michonne and I. Can we move her tomorrow?"

"She won't like it and I don't," Siddiq said earning a glare from the man, "but tomorrow we'll get her set up back in her old room at your house. That way she's under your supervision."

"Thanks, Doc. I'll see ya bright and early okay? Are you going to do a therapy session in the morning?"

"I was planning on it, but it all depends on her," Siddiq replied.

"I want to be here."

Siddiq was hesitant to agree. He knew Kali was not Rick's biggest fan right now, but the man was his "leader" and his son had openly welcomed him into their community against his father's wishes. "Fine," he finally agreed after a minute, "but if she starts to get upset, you have to leave."

"Okay," Rick agreed, "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Siddiq."

"Night Rick."

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When he left the infirmary in the late evening, Rick headed straight home. He needed to check on Negan. Since he had delivered the news that Kali had been "killed" the man refused to eat. Rick would take him a sandwich and a drink each night only to return in the morning to a full plate and a half-full cup. Even the little bit of liquid he was drinking, was nowhere near the amount he needed.

So, when Rick made his way down to the basement that night, he had a bowl of soup on the tray in his hands. Maybe this would be easier on Negan's throat when he swallows it. "Negan," he called once he was down the stairs. Rick huffed as he made his way over to the cell bars. He grabbed the chair that he had sat in when he delivered the news about Kali.

"Negan," he called as he put the tray down on the floor just under the cell bars. Gently, Rick pushed the tray deeper into the cell trying not to spill the content of the bowl. "You need to eat," he said sitting down. Rick looked into the cell, the moonlight shining through the window was barely enough to provide light. He could see the silhouette of the man that sat on the cot pressed against the back of the wall. "Negan."

"Rick," replied the hoarse voice.

"Eat," Rick demanded.

"Are you going to stay and talk to me," the man asked. "It sure is lonely down here. Having no one to talk to. You stay, I eat."

Rick wanted to leave. He didn't want to give the man the satisfaction of controlling what he did. He should have gotten up and left the basement without another word, but instead, he stayed. He sat there in that chair well into the night talking with Negan, reminding the man to eat. Rick could hear the slurp as Negan swallowed the soup down. The soup had to be cold by the time that Negan finished it, but the man ate every drop.

"Why did you do it, Rick?"

"Do what? Keep you alive? We need to show these people that we are going to be civilized again. When they do something wrong, they'll be punished for it. Death isn't the only option now. We're changing," Rick explained.

Negan scoffed. Rick heard the springs of the bed squeak as the man stood to his feet. His bare feet padded against the cement floor. Negan stood in front of him, the bars separating them. He wrapped his hands around the cool metal. "You kept the wrong one us alive, Rick. I don't deserve to live. She did. She didn't deserve what you did to her," Negan's said his voice laced with sadness.