Lucille's POV
Today started out like any other day. I woke up, entertained the idea of rolling over and going back to sleep. Decided against it. Got out of bed, walked over to the wardrobe at the other side of the room, picked a worn out maroon shirt and jeans. I slid on my boots and headed out to the mess hall.
When I finally reached the front doors of the mess hall, I collected myself, pulled the door open and walked into the room. I was greeted by the usual morning chatter and commotion, forks clanking against plates and people groggily walking in and trying to start their day. I had almost made it to the front of the room when I noticed Sam was right beside me. Sam's my right-hand woman, so to speak. She's younger than me, a little shorter than I am, with shoulder length red hair. Jake and Rob following right behind her.
"The boys are ready to go on that run we've been talking about. Just as soon as you say when!" She said eagerly.
"Do you have the list?" I asked. It was still too early for my brain to properly function.
"Yep! I have it right here!" She answered eagerly, pulling out a small notepad from her back pocket.
"Have you checked with Charlotte? Does she need anything for the kitchen? What about Jonathan? You know he's been trying to get that old pickup running." I pressed.
"Done and done!" she chirped. Who in the world is this excited this early in the morning?
I glanced over at the boys, who both might twenty something. At the most.
"Okay boys, go by the armory after you get done here and I will meet you both at the gate in an hour."
"Yes ma'am!" They said in unison.
And with that they all turned and went their separate ways. As did I.
I started towards the front of the compound, walking along the dirt path. The wind picked up a little, the sun was barely peeking out of the clouds. It's actually nice out today. Autumn has always been my favorite time of year.
As I'm approaching the gate I see Jake, Rob, and Stan standing and talking. Jake and Rob are two of our six runners. They're brothers, though you couldn't guess it by just looking at them. Jake is shorter with dirty blonde hair that is buzzed and brown eyes, while Rob is taller with short curly black hair and blue eyes. Stan is one of our gate keepers. Stan's older, probably about 6'2" with grey hair and stubble and brown eyes. He was a sergeant in the Navy before the world went to shit. He and his twin brother have been with us for as long as I can remember. They're good people.
I finally came to a stop in front of the gate, and the guys all turn their attention to me.
"So boss, what are the orders today?" Stan asked
"No orders today, Stan. I'm just here to see off Jake and Rob."
"Are you two ready to go?" I asked, looking at the pair.
"Yes ma'am!" They said in unison. Again. What is with these two? I guess anyone would be super in-sync with their sibling, if they spent enough time together.
"Do you have enough water? Ammo?"
"Yes, mom." Rob says jokingly. I laugh.
Rob was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, and Jake wouldn't quit messing with the zipper on his jacket. They couldn't even stand still for more than two minutes..
"Okay… Well I'll see you two when you get back. Be smart. Be safe." I say pointing at the pair.
"Always!" Jake said excitedly. I could practically hear Stan rolling his eyes
I pulled Jake in for a hug. When we broke the quick embrace. I turned to Rob, who already had his arms open expectedly. I hugged him quickly, stepping back smiling at the pair before they turned and excitedly walked off toward the already opening gate and hopped into a beat up old Oldsmobile Cutlass.
"Those two lugs better make it back in one piece." Stan huffs, looking at the car.
"I think they will." I said, looking at the older man.
"You thinking and them doing are two completely different things.." he mumbled.
"You got me there, Master Yoda." I deadpanned. Looking back towards the now closing gate. Stan chuckled.
After the boys left on their run, I headed back to my office to read up on some paperwork. Who would've thought there would be so much paperwork in the damn apocalypse? But Sam insists. She says she works better when she's more organised. But what's "organized" about three, foot tall piles of papers? I can't exactly blame it all on her though. Half of the papers are from the people of the community: complaints, recommendations, requests, and I'm sure there's more. I just haven't came across it yet.
I was in the middle of reading one of those letters when someone knocked, slightly opened the door, and peek their head in. It was Max. When he noticed that I had acknowledged his presence, he walked in. Max is one of our guards. He's about my age, taller than me, broad shouldered, short black hair, tan, slight facial hair, attractive.. Just not my type. Unfortunately.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Max?" I asked, smiling up towards him, genuinely curious. Believe it or not, I don't get that many visitors. Especially while I'm working in my office.
"Just wanted to come by and see how not busy you where today." he answered with a smile.
"Well, as you can tell. I'am absolutely, positively, not busy at all right now." I teased back. Look down at my desk and back at him with a smile.
He continued to stand there and watch me. Obviously something was on his mind.
"Actually, I was wondering, if you would like to come over and have a drink with me tonight." He looked over at me hopefully.
Wow. This was… Awkward? I haven't been asked out since, well, I can't even remember.
"Max! Thank you for the offer! But I don't drink." Which was true. I've never really drank before. My husband did, but I simply never saw the appeal.
"Well… We don't have to drink. You can just come over and talk," he replied.
I had no clue what to say. I haven't been asked out in so long, I've forgotten how to reject someone.
I mean, I like Max. He's nice and decent to look at. But I just… I can't. My husband, well my "pre-apocalyptic" husband, was my "one and only". Hell, I never believed in "one and only's" until I met him.
"Um, tell you what. It's kind of a busy around here today, with Jake and Rob on a run, and all of this–" I gestured to the paperwork in front of me, "So, can I take a rain check?" I asked hopefully.
"Yeah! Yes! Sure thing! Rain check!" He said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His posture, not as straight as before. I felt bad for the guy. He's handsome, and I know about ten women who would do anything to have dinner with him. But.. It just didn't feel right.
"Well, I'll leave you to your work!" He added. Starting slowly towards the door. No longer looking me in the eyes.
"Have a good day, Max."
"You do the same, Lucille" he smiled, it slowly started reaching his eyes.
A few hours later, the light started fading. It's probably about seven o'clock, maybe eight. I had just finished dinner in the mess hall, which was some sort of potato casserole and a makeshift cranberry crunch for dessert. It was decent, all things considered.
I was heading back to my room when I heard something. It sounded like a car. Could it be Jake and Rob? It hadn't been that long since they left. Usually they're gone two days, at the least! They've never been back this early. I heard another noise. A car engine running.That's too loud to be just a car. Sounds more like a diesel truck. Who the hell had diesel gas now? I started back towards the front of the compound. And then it stopped. I sped up my pace as my feet carried me nervously towards the front gate. Apparently half of the damn compound was waiting there, too. Great, now it's a show.
The gate started opening. Who in the fresh hell did these people think they were?!
I was trying to push myself through the crowd when whoever it was started speaking. I could just hear the sly grin on his face.
"Okay, now. Who in the holy fuckity fuck is in charge here?"
I froze. My heart beating 100 miles a minute. It couldn't be. He- he couldn't…
And then he laughed, that unmistakable laugh.
I knew. It was him.
My husband.
Negan.