How Negan's Kill Will Change Aaron In The Walking Dead Season 7

Watching your friend get slaughtered by Negan would probaby change you a bit. For 10 characters on The Walking Dead, they'll be feeling those effects throughout the seventh season.

One of those characters, who may or may not survive the brutal and fatal beatdown Negan is bowstowing upon somebody's skull to start the coming episodes is Aaron. Speaking to the actor burdened with bringing the Alexandria native to life, Ross Marquand, ComicBook.com has learned how those moments will change the recruiter.

Quick to point out the changes are hypothetical, depending on, "if Aaron survives," Marquand says all of the characters, Aaron included, are "going to have to see where their allegiances lie."

"I think so many people put their faith and their trust in Rick and his ability to lead both his group and the Alexandrians through a place of prosperity and peace and certainly, with where we're at now, all of that is now called into question For Aaron specifically, he's supremely worried now whether it's Rick at the helm or himself or someone else in Alexandria, now that Negan's group knows about them, is his community safe?"

The safety of Alexandria has long been at the forefront of Aaron's mind. After his bag full of photos lead the Wolves to their front door, he has felt a huge responsibility to protect his neighbors.

"He's been with the Alexandrians since the beginning," Marquand points out. "Is he going to be able to protect not only his lover, Eric, but is he going to be able to protect the community itself? Is he going to be able to protect the people that live there? That's a real key. I think for him he's always known that diplomacy is his best strong suit, but now he's faced with a group that doesn't respond to diplomacy at all. He's going to have to decide, 'Can I diplomatically deal with these people or will I have to take arms against them and see if it's going to be a showdown?'"

The Walking Dead returns for its seventh season on October 23 at 9 PM ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.