twd: the last silence

Chapter 106 – The Bridge Between

The next day came with the rising sun casting soft orange light over the metal walls of the Sanctuary. The people stirred early, the rhythm of the new day falling into place—some headed to the gardens, others began repairs on the eastern fence. The quiet hum of survival filled the air.

Then came the rumble of engines.

Dust kicked up from the dirt road leading to the gate as two vehicles approached—one of them unmistakably an Alexandria truck. The guards stiffened at their posts. Whispers passed between them. No one panicked, but tension rippled beneath the surface.

By the time the trucks came to a stop just outside the walls, Negan was already walking up the stairs to the balcony with Lucille slung over his shoulder.

From behind the fence, Rick Grimes stood tall, arms crossed, his sheriff's eyes scanning the Sanctuary. With him were Michonne, Daryl, and Maggie.

Well damn, Negan thought. The family road trip brought the whole crew.

Negan stepped out, leaned on the rail, and looked down at the group outside. His grin was immediate.

"Well, holy shit. Ricky boy… long time no see."

He let the smirk linger, the same signature cocky tone, but there was something different in his eyes. It wasn't war in them. Not today.

Rick didn't smile. He didn't move. He simply sighed.

"We're not here for you."

Negan chuckled low under his breath. "Yeah, that's about the warmest welcome I ever get."

He leaned on Lucille, resting both hands over the bat. "I guess this ain't about old times, huh? You looking for someone?"

Rick nodded once. "Axel. Have you seen him?"

That name shifted the mood.

Negan's smirk thinned. Not because he was caught off guard—but because he knew this wasn't just a friendly check-in. It was concern. Maybe guilt.

It had been some days since the chaos in Alexandria. days since Axel tore through the Whisperers like a storm made of knives and fire, only to vanish into the forest like a ghost.

They'd all seen it—Rick's group. They'd seen him lose himself in the fight, smiling like the devil, covered in blood, hands shaking with the rush of violence. And then, as if realizing his own monstrous edge, he fled.

Axel didn't want to hurt the innocent. Not again. Not ever.

He ran before the beast could finish what the boy had started.

And now, they were here. Following his trail like a broken thread, back to the only place that once felt like home.

Negan straightened and nodded to one of the guards.

"Open the gates."

There was a slight pause of hesitation. Then the gate creaked open.

Rick, Michonne, Daryl, and Maggie stepped inside the Sanctuary for the first time

They were cautious. Watchful.

But what they saw… surprised them.

There was no fear.

There were children playing with a dog near the garden. A man fixed a solar panel while another offered him a sandwich. A woman gave a little boy a haircut on the steps. Laughter spilled out from an open garage, where someone was apparently retelling a dirty joke.

It wasn't a camp.

It wasn't a prison.

It was a community.

And for a brief moment, Rick glanced at Negan—who watched it all without saying a word—and the old hate flickered, but didn't catch fire. Because as much as Rick hated the man…

This wasn't what he expected.

Negan stepped down, one hand still resting on Lucille, and met them halfway.

"Yeah, I've seen him," he said, finally answering Rick's question. "He showed up two nights ago. Looked like death kissed him on the mouth and slapped his ass for good measure. Passed out cold."

Rick's eyes narrowed. "Is he okay?"

"Alive. Resting," Negan said. "Boy's tougher than nails, and twice as sharp. But you already know that."

Daryl looked around. "Why here?"

Negan shrugged. "Maybe he knew we wouldn't ask questions. Maybe he needed a place where people don't freak out when you bring down death and chaos with a smile. Or maybe—just maybe—he came home."

Maggie's jaw clenched. "So he's safe?"

Negan's tone shifted. He wasn't smirking now.

"As safe as he'll let himself be."

Rick nodded. "We'd like to see him."

Negan scratched the back of his neck. "He's not exactly taking visitors, but I'll let him know you're here. He respects you… even if you all look at him like he's the next bomb about to go off."

Rick didn't deny it.

Because deep down, they were all still trying to process what they'd seen.

Axel hadn't just fought the Whisperers.

He became something else in that battle. Something terrifying. Something necessary.

Something that still lingered in their minds two days later.

Negan led them through the main hall of the Sanctuary. People nodded at Rick's group but didn't stop them. There was no hostility. No fear. Just curiosity—and a bit of pride.

They were proud of Axel. That much was clear.

They stopped outside one of the rooms on the third floor. The door was slightly ajar.

Negan turned to them. "He's in there. Go easy."

Rick nodded. Negan stepped back.

Rick pushed the door open.

Axel sat on the edge of a metal-frame bed, shirtless, bandaged, his arms resting on his knees. His face was worn, tired, but when he looked up—

He smiled.

Not the wild, bloody smile from Alexandria.

But the soft, tired grin of a man who didn't expect company.

"Rick," he said. "Long drive?"

Michonne stepped forward first. "You ran."

Axel nodded slowly. "I had to."

"Why?" Maggie asked, her voice sharp.

Axel looked at her. There was no flirtation this time. Just honesty.

"Because the part of me that did what I did to Alpha? That part didn't want to stop. Not right away."

Silence.

He looked down at his bandaged hands. "I've killed people before. Hell, I've done worse. But this time… I almost liked it. And that scared me."

Daryl grunted. "You scared a lot of people, man."

"I know," Axel replied. "But I didn't want to scare the wrong ones. So I ran before I lost more of myself."

Rick stepped inside fully. "We're not here to drag you back. We just needed to know… are you okay?"

Axel looked at each of them. Slowly. Thoughtfully.

Then, he nodded.

"Not yet," he said. "But I will be."

They stood there in silence for a while. The noise of the Sanctuary buzzing faintly beyond the door.

Then Rick stepped forward and extended a hand.

"Come back when you're ready."

Axel took it. Firm grip. Solid. No shaking.

"I will."

Rick turned, and the others followed him out.

Negan stood waiting outside.

"Your monster's still got a soul," he said.

Rick looked back once more.

"Yeah," he muttered. "But he's still bleeding."

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