Chapter Text
Layla's breath came out in gasps as she fought to keep up with Carl and Enid. She'd been relieved when they finally ditched the roller skates but even sneaking through the woods she had a hard time keeping them in sight without getting caught; every step she took seemed to land on a dry branch or a hidden hole in the ground. They'd stopped at the tree line to watch the Hilltop gates. Slowing her breathing Layla crept closer trying to see what they were looking at and her stomach did a flip when she finally spotted the Saviors loading up their trucks.
Enid started making her way around the Hilltop fence leaving Carl to watch the Saviors. Layla had made it a few feet away when Carl turned with his knife drawn
"Layla?" He asked, his whisper laced with anger and confusion "what are you doing here?" Kicking at a tree Layla gave him a sheepish look
"I know what you're gonna do and I wanna come with." Carl shook his head and glared at her
"not happening." Layla glared back feeling a spark of bravery take hold in her chest; peering around the other side of the tree she watched the Saviors closely, seeing them head for inside of Hilltop
"we go now we can make it into the truck," she said taking a step forward before being yanked back by her shirt collar. Using his good eye Carl watched nervously waiting to see with anyone had spotted her
"look if you really wanna help then stay here with Enid, Maggie, and Sasha but there's no way I'm taking a little kid with me." He managed not to yell but hissed in pain when Layla kicked his shin with all the force she could manage, up on her tip toes she flicked the brim of his hat
"say some shit like that again and I'll kick more than just your knee. They have my dad, I'm gonna get him back," Carl pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep sigh willing his patience to hold out
"look I'm sorry but you and I both know that if I let you come Daryl will kill me." Layla looked from him to the truck then down at her feet giving him a small nod. And before he could even open his mouth she ducked under his arm and took off running for the box truck hearing him behind her.
With a little hop she'd launched herself through the plastic curtains and into the back of the truck; Carl managed to duck onto the truck just before the engine started and was helped to his feet by a stunned Jesus.
The truck had started to move again and Carl, Jesus, and Layla all poked their heads up from behind the boxes. Jesus stood and made his way to the opening of the truck; after a moment of contemplation he cut into the bottom of a white box and grabbed a bottle of maple syrup, squeezing it onto the road behind them.
"Leaving a trail for later," he explained after catching the bewildered looks he got from the kids "but I think we're getting close now, we should bail and follow on foot." Carl and Layla gave each other skeptical looks before turning wearily to Jesus
"how?" Carl asked
"it's easier than it looks, we're going slow enough and we're in a blind spot so we should be able to run or roll with the fall then we can follow them." Layla was about to move to the back of the truck when Carl grabbed her wrist and squeezed lightly
"can you go first to show us?"
Layla thought he sounded too young and unsure to be believable but to her surprise Jesus nodded and jumped out of the back of the truck; once he was a few yards away they peeked out of the curtains and gave him a small wave before ducking back into the truck. Carl looked grim now.
"Can you show us? Really? What are you five?" Layla snarked, Carl glared as he brushed past her for the crate of guns
"got him out didn't I?" He shoved a hand gun into her hands and she nearly dropped it. It was heavier than she'd been expecting.
"Okay well what's the plan now genius?" The truck began to slow and Carl motioned for her to duck down with him behind the crates, a dangerous look in his eye
"shoot the hell out of everything until we hit Negan."
Outside of the truck they could hear Negan giving orders to his underlings. When a man stepped onto the truck Carl and Layla held their breath, palms sweaty against the handles of their guns as they waited for the right moment to catch the Saviors by surprise. The box that Jesus had cut broke open sending bottles of potent liquor crashing to the ground, the smell burned Layla's nose and she fought not to cough. Carl jumped up and shot the man before he could register that there were people on the truck then started firing wildly at the opening; Layla followed him but couldn't bring herself to fire her gun. It sat heavily in her hands as her heart started to stutter and her throat began to close. Her ears rang as she scanned the faces for her dad.
Movement caught her eye and she turned to see Daryl standing by a chain link fence, his face looked bruised and battered and he was dressed in filthy grey sweats with a giant orange 'A' spray painted onto it. Seeing the pain in her eyes Daryl shook his head ever so slightly knowing she was about to call out to him.
"Aren't you two just adorable." All the determination that got Layla onto the truck began to fizzle out when she saw the crazed look in Negan's eyes. Her stomach dropped and suddenly she was six again, surrounded by strangers and wishing that her dad and uncle would come to save her. Using a large man as a shield Negan stared at Carl with a sick smile
"did you pick that gun because it looked cool?" He teased "you totally did right?" Refusing to give in Carl glared and aimed the gun at Negan's head
"I don't know about your little friend here," Negan jerked his head toward Layla "but I ain't gonna lie kid you scare the shit outta me." It was hard to tell if Negan was more pissed or impressed at Carl's attempt on his life. The man in front of Negan lunged at Carl who immediately shot him, unable to turn quickly enough however he was tackled from the side; Dwight wrestled the gun from Carl's hands and pointed it down at him, foot pressing on his chest. Distracted by the display Layla didn't notice another goon had come up to her. He yanked to gun from her hands and grabbed her by the collar of her shirt. Calm as could be Negan called Dwight off
"is that any way to treat our new guest?" He chided holding a hand out to Carl "keep the girl nice and safe for us, I'm gonna show the kid around." Grabbing her wrist as well the man holding her started guiding her toward the dark grey building unbothered by her shouts and protests and she fought to keep Daryl in sight.
No matter how hard she pounded on the door or how menacing her glare was the door remained locked and immovable. After what felt like and hour of trying Layla relented and flopped to the floor, still staring daggers at the door and muttering curse words to herself. Despite her outward anger Layla felt quite foolish and afraid. She should have told Carl they needed a better plan, should have trusted Jesus more. Most of all she wished she hadn't let herself be taken away so easily; led away by the scruff of her neck like a helpless kitten.
In the back of her mind she could hear Merle snarling at her, telling her to toughen up and get her shit together. No one else would have been beaten so easily. Feeling her cheeks and ears burn with shame Layla took a book off the shelf beside her and chucked it at the closed door.
Like magic the door swung open and Layla scrambled to her feet as Negan stood in the doorway holding his bat and a plate of food; he walked into the room and settled himself into the arm chair.
"C'mon kiddo lighten up," he said flashing her a grin "here, have a pear." The pear rolled across the floor and bumped against Layla's shoe, she snatched it off the floor before backing against the wall.
"You sure are a skinny little thing, ain't they feedin' you in Alexandria?" He joked. When she only gave him a guarded glare Negan shook his head before picking up the sandwich "so-" he started, taking a large bite "I know why young Mr. Grimes paid me a visit today. What I don't know is why you are here little miss-" he looked at her expectantly as he chewed.
Layla wanted to tell him to go to hell- the Merle in her head agreed with a cold laugh- but her dad's voice quietly warned her against anything rash. Negan was a jack-ass for sure; but he was not a jack-ass you wanted to piss off or be caught lying to.
"Layla," she mumbled looking down at her shoes.
"Miss Layla- wonderful- so tell me, why the hell are you here young lady?" Different voices rang through her mind as she tried to keep her breathing steady, her throat beginning to ache.
"I came here- to get my dad," she told him, her voice coming out weaker than she'd hoped. Negan grinned widely and set the sandwich down
"hold on now," Layla's hands shook "are you telling me that you- are Daryl's kid?" She nodded, fear filling her stomach with ice.
"Hot damn!" He shouted suddenly making Layla drop the pear; her legs buckled and her throat gave a sharp stab as it closed "oh don't worry kiddo, there's nothing to be afraid of! Why would I get rid of someone who just made my life so much easier?"