It was quiet and depressing in the cell block that night. As soon as the sun was beyond the horizon, the mood followed it down, sinking beyond sight.
Beth began singing to lift their spirits and it worked, while the others stood or sat beside those they were closest to; drawing comfort from one another.
Rick came down the stairs with Judith in his arms and stood next to Eve, Daryl, and Hershel in front of Randall's cell on the bottom floor.
"Some reunion, huh?" Daryl said.
"She's in a jam." Rick nodded solemnly.
Hershel chimed in, grimly. "We all are. Andrea's persuasive. This fella's armed to the teeth. Bent on destruction."
"So, what do you wanna do?" Daryl asked Eve but surprisingly Rick interrupted.
"I think I know a place where we might be able to get more firepower."
The three of them turned, giving the previous leader all their attention.
"When I left for Atlanta with the bag of guns, I couldn't take all of it. I left most of the bigger heavier weapons behind and a lot of ammo. There were also some stores that kept a gun behind the counter that people didn't know about — I did, I signed the permits."
Eve's eyes lit up as she and the others exchanged a look. "If you can get them, then I have some ideas."
Rick nodded. "I'm goin' on a run."
"I'll head out tomorrow." Daryl volunteered.
"No, you stay here. You're needed more at the prison and keep an eye on your brother." Rick shook his head.
"I'm glad you're back. Really." Rick spoke sincerely. "But we can't have him acting up right now. If he causes a problem, it'll be on you."
Daryl already knew this point and had accepted the responsibility since Merle followed him back, but hearing someone else say it, solidified it.
He nodded, heavily. "I got him."
Eve loosely intertwined her fingers with his. She wanted to say that if Merle caused a problem, she'd handle it, but Daryl is more than capable, and she chose not to undermine his resolve. And truthfully, she's got more important things on her plate to deal with. Merle's not stupid; Disagreeable and a pain in the ass, but not stupid. She's confident that he won't act up to the point where Daryl won't be able to handle it himself.
Rick nodded, satisfied, and continued. "I'll take Michonne."
"You sure that's a good idea?" Daryl asked.
"I'll find out." Rick gently bounced Judith as the infant vigorously chewed on her own fingers.
"And Carl. He's ready."
Having made their plan, both boys looked at Eve for approval and Eve had the strangest feeling of being a parent giving permission for a sleepover but she's glad that Rick hasn't forgotten he's not in charge anymore but she can still rely on him like a second right hand; on the same level as (if not slightly behind) Daryl.
In the end, she nodded, giving her approval.
The conversation naturally ended and Beth's soothing voice filled the silence once more.
Eve gave Daryl's a squeeze before she gently pushed herself off the wall and motioned a lazy finger at the door, Daryl nodded and let her go outside to check on Carl and the others on watch.
After everyone went their separate ways to try and get some sleep, the couple laid in bed quietly, and Eve was unbelievably grateful for the silence.
More and more lately she's been feeling pressured to speak, to let the others know what she's thinking because most of them don't have more than a rudimentary level of tacit understanding between them.
It's like putting her brain on public display and that's an uncomfortable thought for just about anyone.
Her brain is her safe space, she used to be comfortable in the knowledge that if she didn't want to speak or had nothing to say, she didn't have to, but the more she's gotten involved with people, the more she's felt she has to.
And when Daryl wasn't here, there was no one to interpret her thoughts or work things out together with and let him do the explaining; aside from Glenn and he was busy being consumed by his own vices.
Now that he's back though, a great deal of that pressure lifted.
She still prefers to let other people talk and just listen until she has something to say but thinking about how she's in charge now and can't be as quiet as before left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Eve glanced at Daryl, seeing that he's still not asleep and had a strange impulse.
She hesitated before lifting his arm up.
Daryl was confused but let her take his arm and lift it behind her head. Eve rested her cheek against the crook of his shoulder and curled her arms up between her chest and his side.
It took Daryl a minute to figure out what to do with his hand now because she's never done anything like that before, eventually he wound up just resting it around her shoulders, quietly accepting it. The corner of his lip unconsciously quirked up and he internally scoffed at himself for thinking it was kinda cute but left it at that.
The next morning, Eve and Daryl were up first, before the sun and put their gear on, and quietly slipped down the stairs to check on Randall.
Eve was relieved to find that he did it. He made it through the night. He is one tough kid.
Once they were satisfied, the two of them went into the tombs. Checking for certain things as they went and pausing in places to inspect as they made their way further and further.
The further they went, the more walkers there were, even though they'd been sending people down here to clear it a little further every time.
Eve vaguely recognized the path as they went. It was dark and confusing the last time she came down here so it was difficult and they took a few wrong turns but marked their path as they went so it was easy to get back until they finally found it. The way she and T-Dog got out.
It felt like a rat running through a maze the last time she was down here but with Daryl and no pressure, it was far less imposing than last time.
Daryl followed her carefully outside and under the cover of darkness, the two of them slipped out into the woods.
Eve was a little giddy to finally get to use these night vision goggles for real.
Her vision turned green as she pulled them down over her eyes. Daryl followed her for once as they trekked through the woods quietly, he stepped where she stepped, watched their backs as they slowly moved, sweeping the forest like shadows for people who shouldn't be here.
Contrary to belief, it was alarming that they weren't finding anyone.
They swept the entire forest surrounding the prison. Twice. Until it was finally sunup, and they didn't find a single person.
However, when the sun rose, Daryl found something that put them at ease.
Signs that people had been here, for long periods but they obviously weren't anymore, and it didn't look like they intended to return.
Daryl straightened up, dusting his hands together after using them on the ground to discern the tracks like a forest whisperer.
"They were probably gathering info. That's good news for us. Means whatever they took back, ain't gonna be the case for much longer."
Eve nodded, her lip quirking up in a half smirk.
The two of them went back through the outer fences in the front this time and got back into the courtyard the same way Daryl had when he first came back the other day.
Just in time to see Rick, Carl, and Michonne getting ready for the run.
Eve tipped Carl's hat and he swatted at her hand, glaring at her for the teasing before giving her a hug. She tried not to think about how fast he's getting taller.
"Be cautious." Eve muttered.
"I will." Carl nodded and Eve pointed at his gun holstered on his thigh.
He nodded, confirming. "Full clip."
She smiled, satisfied and Daryl informed Rick of their morning walk's revelations before getting to the gate and they watched the trio take off on their run.
While they were gone Eve, Daryl, and Glenn got on with setting up according to Eve's plans, but she had added a few more...finishing touches that really made people look twice at her and be glad that she's on their side.
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