So, I thought I'd upload this pretty quickly, if only to give the reader a little more to go on. If you're enjoying this story, it would be really kind of you to let me know as this Chapter took far longer than it should have.

Breakaway Chapter 2

"Here's home" Rick gestured to the overbearingly large prison that had been modified into a fortress for his people. It hadn't taken them long to reach the 'camp'. It wasn't a difficult leap for Evie to make to know that he had been purposely evasive when describing the scope of his group, no doubt in case she didn't work out. Out of nerves, Evie tugged at her rucksack strap on her shoulder. They were both smiling at her bewilderment and after a few seconds of processing, she joined them. "We have to be quick. There's been a build up of walkers around the fences." He pointed to a group of the tainted, no doubt what they called walkers. She nodded quickly, following after Rick and Carl who made a quick jog to the large metal plates they had obviously installed themselves.

"This place is amazing!" She shouted over the groans of the dead, a huge grin gracing her face as she chased them in. Rick chuckled to himself as he assisted in the closing of the heavy doors after she entered.

"Who's this?" Evie turned at the foreign voice, only to discover they had been joined by a dirtied man with long hair and a crossbow slung on his back.

"Her name's-"

"My name's—"

Both Rick and Evie stopped and looked at each other. He coughed before he gestured his hand forward for her to carry on. "My name's Evie."

"She'll be joining us." Rick continued. "We found her on her own..."

She stifled a chortle. "I think you'll find I found him." Evie looked over at him with amusement as he shook his head, attempting to hide a smirk.

"True enough. This is Daryl." He pointed to the rugged man with the crossbow, who nodded his head. "He's part of the council we spoke about on the way here."

She scowled slightly, recalliing the conversation. "You never said if you were on the council—"

"I'm not." His hands subconsciously fell on his hips, his body betraying his attempt to hide his authority. Evie hummed knowingly. He was so in charge, whether he wished to be or not.

"Carl will show you where you're staying and introduce you to everyone. I've got some work to do." Evie watched him leave, almost stopping him to ask about her weapons as he carried them away, but decided against it. He said he had to trust her. She'd show him he could.

"This way." The boy said with a friendly smile, leading her to a door. She was already passing a lot of people, they were sizing her up and it frightened her. So far, Rick had been accommodating, but that didn't mean everybody would be the same. Once she had been led to an opening, he turned and gestured to a couple of different directions. "W-we like to give new people the choice of where they'd feel more comfortable staying. Especially if they've been alone. There's empty beds in both C and D wing. Often the people who have been alone a long time like to be with whoever they first spoke to, so y'know... you know someone. It's been awhile since we met anyone new though so..."

"I..." Evie said nothing for a long time. "Sorry, it's just this is all a bit overwhelming. Having a roof over my head... somewhere where I can really sleep..."

He nodded in understanding. "I know." He paused, shuffling on his feet. "Should we say C wing, then? It's where me and my dad stay. As well as Glenn, Maggie-"

"Yeah. That would be... thanks, that's fine." She crossed her arms nervously, the eyes of passers-by making her nervous. She missed people, but she felt so small right now, claustrophobic even. She just needed to sit down.

"Okay, follow me." He led her a little further down some corridors before coming before an open barred prison door, allowing her to enter first. Evie was greeted by the welcoming, but nervous, smiles of even more people. Everyone stopped to stare at the newest member of their ever expanding group.

A young woman with straight brown hair was the first to come closer. "Hey there. My name's Maggie." She waved Evie over as another man of a similar age put his arm around her lovingly. She then pointed at each person individually, speaking their names. "This is Hershel, my dad. Then there's Beth my sister..." They both smiled at her gently, as if she was a cornered animal who might startle.

"And I'm Glenn." The man tugging on the woman, now known as Maggie, said. "Over there is..."

Evie's head began swimming, her legs felt weak beneath her. Her heart was hammering violently against her chest. This was all too much, too soon. She needed to sleep... she needed to- Her feet fell from below her and she tumbled quickly to the ground.

"Is she okay?" Rick appeared from behind Hershel who had been watching over their newest group member after suddenly passing out in their presence. The woman had obviously not gotten enough sleep in a substantial amount of time and the intrusion of so many strange, unfamiliar faces would have been of no benefit to her.

"Yes, I believe she will be. She probably hadn't slept in days, if the depth of her sleep is to be any indication."

"Just how long had she been out there by herself..." Rick muttered more to himself than anybody else. He had his back leaning on the cell door, an expression of pure discontent evident.

"Who can say? I'd suggest when she wakes up again we take the introductions a little slower, however."

"Yeah..." He agreed quietly. "She saved my life, you know. And Carl's. She didn't have to, but she did. It's easy to forget that people like that still exist... Even after everythin'" Hershel's gaze descended to the dark blood stains that now plagued Rick's clothing.

"This world creates monsters enough for everyone." It was hard for both of their minds not to wander to 'the Governor'. "It's rare for someone who has been exposed to such hardship to come out the same as they were before." Rick nodded in agreement, taking a glance at the drained, almost lifeless, woman sleeping soundly next to his trusted friend. "I suppose it's only lucky you did take your gun with you this time. You seem to have a habit of 'forgetting' it." Hershel smiled knowingly as he shifted uncomfortably in response. "Well it seems like you have a guardian angel, anyway." The older man peered down at the young woman in his care. "But divine power can only achieve so much on its own." Rick rolled his eyes. He felt as if he was being lectured by one of his high school teachers again. "We only say it because we worry for your safety."

He dipped his head in acceptance. The conversation was interrupted when they heard Daryl calling his name. "Rick! We got another." Two in one day? If that wasn't a sign that the situation had gotten strange, he didn't know what was. Perhaps 'divine power' was playing a trick on them, and not necessarily a pleasant one.

He turned to leave, but his steps faltered. He dared a glance back. "How long do you think she'll sleep for?"

"Long enough." Hershel rose from the bed, placing a guiding hand on Rick's back. "Come. It seems we have another new member." They both left the cell, willfully leaving the cell door open.

It took a few moments for Evie to register that she was waking up and that she'd even fallen asleep in the first place. She wasn't sure how long she had been out, but it was most certainly the longest rest she had gotten in a long time. Blinking away the sleep, she glanced around the dark empty cell, and smiled. This was what it was like to wake and feel alive.

She garnered the strength to get up, but winced at the aching throb at the side of her skull. Evidently her fall hadn't been a smooth one. Huffing, Evie left the cell, listening to the quiet breathing of the people sleeping around her. Everything about the scene was serene and calm, no matter the darkness. The only visible light was provided by the moon through the barred windows. The natural source illuminated the table benches and as quietly as she could muster, she slid herself in one – taking a few minutes for just her.

Looking around in the darkness would once have been unnerving to her. Now, for the first time in so long, she felt safe despite the shadows. Even before the dead started walking, she had felt alone, abandoned, and definitely resentful of the fact her parents had left her all by herself when she was eight. The next time she saw them she was watching them descend into an empty grave. She had been so alone... and even then she had vowed to never be in that position of solitary confinement again. It hadn't quite worked out that way, because life... or at least this life... could not have been predicted.

But, despite it all, Evie believed that everything happened for a reason. She had to believe it.

Her thoughts were disrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps behind her and she turned to a man she didn't recognise. "Sorry, I didn't realise anybody else was awake."

"No, no... it's okay. I've only just awoken." She smiled earnestly at the stranger, who sheepishly stretched his hands behind his sides, as if deciding what to do with them.

"Have we met? I've only just got here and I've been trying to meet everybody, so I'm sorry if I've forgotten your face... although, I have to say that would be quite difficult." She rolled her eyes at the obvious flattery, the stranger coming to sit by her.

"No, we haven't met. I've only just got here myself."

His lips formed an 'o' shape as he clasped his hands together on the table. "Well, that explains everything." She smiled. Compliments were far and few and it had been a very long time since someone tried to flatter her. "Name's Bob."

She could just about make out a welcoming hand held out to her and she took it firmly. "Evie."

"That's a very pretty name, Evie." She shook her head, attempting to hide her embarrassed grin. "I may not be able to see that smile, but I know it's there." This man really had no qualms, did he? She sighed, resting her head on her left hand.

"So, when you say you just got here...?" The words were muffled due to the new barrier created by her hand and all she could think is that she sounded like one of the dead... the hand quickly left her cheek.

He nodded, unaware of her inner voices. "Arrived yesterday. One of their people, Daryl I think his name was, found me out by myself. I had been alone for quite some time... It was a nice surprise to see someone who didn't quickly decide to try and put a bullet in my skull."

Evie released a half smile, knowing exactly the words he breathed. "Yeah, me too." Bob looked over with a slight disbelief. "I had been on my own for... I don't even know how long. I questioned my own ears when I heard Rick's voice. To be honest, I'm still going through the shock." He listened intently and that alone was overwhelming enough for Evie. Perhaps she truly had met a kindred spirit. She started to speak in great detail about her life when the outbreak started, how she ended up alone – skipping over the parts about her partner as much as possible. He seemed to understand and made no attempt to press the matter. Whenever there happened to be some similarities, he'd join in and recall fateful tales of his own experiences of hell. This wasn't just a conversation, it was a good one. Just the wish of a conversation was hard enough for her to belief to come true.

"Well, I have to say, perhaps the reason we're so similar is because we were made for it each other." Bob said nonchalant. Evie laughed out loud before placing a palm over her lips to muffle herself. She had been trying not to wake anyone up.

After composing herself, and trying to avoid gazing at his feigned hurt expression, she removed her hand. "Yeah, that makes total sense. It seems our old pal god is now matchmaker too."

"Well, he can't be a complete asshole all the time." They both started laughing again despite themselves.

After a moments peaceful silence, Evie glanced out of the window, surprised to see the sun already rising. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry. I've kept you awake all night..."

Bob shook his head as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I was with fine company. Plus, that was probably the nicest night I've had in a very long time. So, how about you accept my thank you instead?" She couldn't stop it. She didn't have the strength. Tears gleamed her eyes and fell silently down her cheeks. "Woah, woah. What's the matter? I thought we were getting on so well."

She snorted unattractively as the tears choked her laughter. "We are." A comforting hand was rubbing her shoulder and that only made it worse. "I'm sorry. I'm just not used to such kindness..."

He hummed in acknowledgement, removing his hand. "I get it. But perhaps we don't have to worry about that any more. Perhaps, here, we have a chance to find that kindness again."

His words were beautiful and she doted upon every one, her lips trembling with the staggering amount of happiness that consumed her. Evidently her tear ducts hadn't received the memo, and were currently betraying her. "I-I just feel like I have to keep pinching myself, to know that this is real."

He smiled. "Then do it. Pinch yourself. If it keeps you aware and here, then it's worth it, because we're here to stay." He squeezed her arm gently once more, before dragging himself from the table. "I think I'm gonna get a few hours rest before everyone else wakes up. You should think about doing the same."

She let him leave, allowing the conversation to mull over her mind – a reminder it was real. After wiping the tears from her eyes, she looked down at her arm... After a moment, she reached round smiling and pinched it gently. Yes, she was still here. Yes, this was real. And yes, she was delighted.

Before she could clamber from her seat another—more familiar—voice sounded from behind her. "You're awake." Evie came face to face with the man who had offered her the world, whether he knew it or not. He leaned calmly against the wall, a shadow from the rising sun cast against his face. "We didn't know if you'd even wake today."

Her eyes grew in shock. "Was the fall that bad?"

He smirked, shaking his head and pushing himself off the wall. "No, but you looked terrible."

She puffed hair out of her face, exaggerating her irritation. "Well, thank you very much. The next time I save a tall, handsome stranger, I'll make sure I wash first." An awkward silence passed when neither said anything. Honestly, she was busy berating herself for saying something so stupid. It had been said in jest, but she wasn't talking to Bob anymore. "Eh... speaking of which... are the showers operational? I could really use one."

Rick paused before nodding, then gestured for her to follow him as he went out the room. "Unfortunately there's no hot water, but it runs just fine."

She scoffed. "The sound of water in general sounds unbelievable. I think I can cope with it being cold."

"Fair enough." They were comfortably silent as he led her through the prison, him pulling out keys to unlock doors as they went. Once they had entered one particularly lonely corridor, he pointed to the darkness in front of them, tilting his head in the same direction. "It's just through there." Evie squinted her eyes, just about able to make out a door at the far end. "Everything you'll need should already be in there, even old prison jumpsuits. You could always change into one of those, if you'd like your clothes cleaned."

"Thank you." Evie managed to brush past him towards the direction he had gestured. However, she stopped short, turning to face him once more. "I... I really appreciate all the kindness I've been welcomed with. I know you probably get that a lot and will only turn around and say 'it was nothing', but it wasn't. It was something. So, thank you. Truly thank you."

He nodded humbly, his hands twitching at his hips. "You're welcome."

Evie responded with a sad smile, seeing the truth behind his eyes. "You honestly don't know your worth, do you?" Without another word uttered, she turned on her heel to enjoy the marvelous gift she had been given – a shower.