Chapter 15

I would assume the people emerging would be have some form of authority here. The first one to come out was a tall man. He was wearing a light shirt and jeans I could tell he was cop or something just from the way he walked. His beard was long and messy but he still looked strong, confident. The gun on his hip would be something to watch out for. The second man looked similar. His hair was dark and tangled and a huge crossbow sat over his shoulder. Man would I love to shoot that. Maybe he would let me one day. Finally, the woman with the brown hair followed them. I was glad she was there. She made me feel safe but.. maybe that was the point? For them to make me feel safe and then attack? I guess I wouldn't know if I didn't do something. As they approached the gates, I jumped down from the tree and stepped forward.

"Any of you people Rick?"

My question hung in the air, strong and clear. All three of their mouths fell open as I walked into view. Damn, I guess I look worse than I thought. I honestly didn't even know what I looked like anymore. The mirror in the gas station was shattered, covered in blood, and I did not want to know the story behind that. So, too put it lightly, I hadn't seen what I looked like in forever. I must have changed a lot. Probably a mess as well. I had no doubt I looked like a walking disaster. What I didn't know what that they had had an entirely different opinion of me before they saw what I looked like.

Earlier

(Authors POV? I don't know what to call this. Maybe 3rd POV?)

No one really knew what to think when a radio came out of nowhere and almost hit Maggie in the face. I mean, how does that happen? Most people would just come out guns blazing. I guess Eliza wasn't just anyone though. She had a better plan than that. The radio made it inside though, just like she planned. It went straight to Rick, considering this was before the council.
"What is it?" He had asked as Maggie ran inside, out of breath and sweating.
"Someone just tossed a radio over the gate!" and everyone in range of her voice turned their heads. "We didn't see anyone, just this thing coming crashing through past my head!" As Maggie explained the situation, no one could help but feel worried. Someone had seen them and it seemed like they wanted to talk.

Everyone's first assumption was that they would be dangerous. When it was finally decided to talk to whoever had obviously wanted to communicate, you could use many words to describe what happened when no one answered. People were confused, puzzled, thrown. The list could go on and on. Ricks voice rang out a second time.
"Hello? Is anyone there? Hello?" and for another moment, it remained silent. Nothing but static came through until, to everyone's shock, a young girl's voice answered.

"Hello? Who are you?" She had tried to sound strong but to Rick, it was obvious how hurt she was in every sense of the word. The conversation carried on until it was decided that they would meet her outside. Rick had chosen to Daryl to come with him and Maggie volunteered, stating that the young girl may feel better having a woman out there instead of three, scary looking, men. Rick had tried to protest but he was no match for Maggie. Really, no one was. She was definitely a force to be reckoned with. So out they went, to look for stranger who sounded no older than a child. What other choice did they have? To leave her out there would be the same as murdering her. You can imagine their surprise when a little kid came out of the trees, looking anything but scared.

(Eliza's POV)

It was obvious they weren't going to say anything so again, I asked them my question.
"Are any of you Rick or are you just gonna stare at me all day?" and that seemed to snap them out of their stupor. The man in the cop uniform stepped forward.
"That would be me."
"Well Rick, I hope we can come to an agreement today." I said, trying to sound older and professional. I could tell they were surprised by this.
"So do I. Can I ask why you'd like to join us Eliza?"
"You may. As you've probably figured out by now, I'm alone and recent events have caused me to decide it is no longer safe this way. I promised someone I would find a group someday and today is the day." It would better for me to be straightforward with these people. I wanted to be honest with them (for what reason, the world will never know).
"Did you leave your weapons?"
"I did, yes."
"Okay then. There's only one more thing to do then." Wait what? "I need to ask you three questions." Oh, thank god. I had no clue what he meant before that.
"And what would those questions be?"
"How many walkers have you killed?" What kind of question is that? I have no idea."
"I don't know. Probably between 100 or 150. I stopped counting at 50" They glanced at each other, obviously shocked.
"How many people have you killed?" Rick asked. I really had to think about this one. Had I killed anyone? I didn't think so.
"None, as far as I know." Was the answer I decided on. Finally Rick asked me the third question.
"Why?" Why? Why hadn't I killed anyone? I wasn't sure. I knew I needed to answer so I just winged it.
"I've never had a reason to.. I've barely spoken to anyone in months."
"Months?!" The brunette woman suddenly exclaimed.
"Well, yeah... I mean, I stopped counting the days when I got caught up in a wildfire."
"But you're a kid!" God, she was so naive.
"I'm not a kid anymore. I haven't been a kid in a long time. I'm just a survivor now." I growled with a glare. This topic was an extremely sensitive one to me. I was absolutely livid that my childhood had been taken from me so viciously.
"Sorry..." She apologized. "I guess after all this, no one is.
"No.. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have took it out on you. It was my fault." The woman smiled and she started seeming more and more familiar. I could've sworn I had met her before

"I think this is a simple choice." Rick spoke up. "Eliza, welcome to our group."
"Thank you Mr. Grimes. I appreciate it. I actually do have to confess to something though." I stepped forward and took out my knife. It landed on the ground with a clang. "I hope you understand why I kept this with me."
"You're a smart girl Eliza. Thank you for being honest with us. If you don't mind, I'm going to take this for a while. It'll be returned to you as soon as we decide it's safe." I was glad Rick didn't mind. I felt a weird sense of pride when he called me smart.
"Thank you, sir." and with that, they led me inside. There were actually even more people than I previously thought. Among them was a tall woman holding a boy by her side who, if I was right, was about my age. Beside them were two men I would later come to know as T-Dog and Glenn. The lady they called Carol stood behind them. I turned around to speak to Rick again when I heard a voice.
"Eliza?" I knew that voice anywhere. I turned my head and there, standing with his younger daughter, was Hershel Greene. Wait... Maggie! That was the brunette woman! I was overcome with excitement but found it surprisingly easy to contain. Maybe it was because of the whole 'walkers in the barn' thing. I suddenly turned and hugged Maggie.
"Oh my gosh. I thought it was you but I couldn't quite tell! I'm so glad you're alive!" She cried out.
"Maggie, Hershel, Beth, you know her?" Rick suddenly spoke up. I had almost forgotten about him.
"Yes! She was that girl we told you about!" Hershel said.
"The one your boys shot at?" Rick seemed shocked. I guess they didn't tell him how old I was.
"That's the one."

(The chapter isn't over but I'm sorry for all the dialog. I know It's kinda annoying.)
"Well, you've sure been through a lot. Where's Clary?" Maggie spoke up and, at that, I went silent. I said nothing and decided, instead, to study the floor. She took the hint but started explaining to Rick who Clary was. I loved the way she described her. Caring, kind, beautiful, brave. Exactly how I would've described her. I guess everyone else just assumed my parents were dead.
"I'm betting you don't want to talk much about this? How about we get you a cell for the night. It's getting late anyways." Rick said. "I think it's safe to put you in the cell between my sons' and my wife and I's cell." As he walked up the stairs, me trailing behind him, Ricks' wife, Lori, and his son, Carl, followed us.
"It's this one right here. There are extra blankets if you want one. Remember, I'm right next door if you need anything." Rick nodded to me. Suddenly, Lori spoke up for the first time. It was in that moment I realized she was pregnant.
"Rick, I'm sure the poor girl's tired. Let's let her settle in and rest, ok?" The Grimes family turned and walked out, Carl giving me one last glance before leaving. He seemed so curious. Maybe we could be friends. I was sick of talking after being on my own for so long. I liked these people but it was a relief to finally be alone. I really was tired. Probably more than I thought though because as soon as I laid down on the bed (as uncomfortable as it was) I was out like a light.

I woke up hours later, when it was still dark outside. I sat up and saw a small pile of clothes on the floor, just inside my cell. I assumed either Lori or Maggie left them for me and I was grateful. A bit dreary, being all grey, but who was I to complain? My current clothes were a mess and someone was considerate enough to get me new ones. When I finished changing, I took a peek out the sheet covering the cell door and saw a small light coming from the cell on my right. Wasn't that Carl's cell? Why was he up? I didn't want to scare him so I called out his name.
"Carl?" I heard him startle so I guess I scared him anyways. He quickly got up and came to the door.
"What are you doing up?" He asked.
"What are you doing up?" I countered.
"I was reading." He told me.
"Oh, really? I love reading!" Maybe I could join him? "Would you mind if I came in?" He seemed wary but stood aside, gesturing for me to enter.
"What do you have?"
"Comics mostly."
"Great! Comics are awesome." I felt my inner-kid coming out again at the mention of comics. I had a huge collection back at home.
"Really? A girl likes comics?" He did not just say that to me! Obviously, girls' read comics too.
"Of course! God, all boys are the same. My other friend said that too." StarDestroyer1999 couldn't believe it when I said I read them. I had to send him a picture of the massive pile on my floor just to prove it.
"Well, it's not that common." He passed me a comic, one which I had already read, and sat back down on his bed. I sat beside him and began reading.
"You're name's Eliza right?"
"Yeah."
"Hershel talked about you a lot."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Neither of us seemed that good at making conversation so we just kept reading. I almost jumped when he spoke up.
"What happened to you?" I knew the question was coming but I just couldn't answer it yet. My face went dark and tears pricked my eyes but I wouldn't cry. I could not show so much weakness in front of this boy I had just met.
"Maybe I'll tell you another time." He seemed to understand and didn't bring the topic up again. We kept reading but neither of us noticed when we started nodding off. In his half-asleep state, Carl switched off the flashlight and we leaned against each other, too tired to really care. The last thing I saw before falling asleep were his blue eyes slowly closing. Wow, they were so blue. It was almost unnatural. I had never noticed that. What nice eyes to have... and then I was asleep.

I can still picture the surprise on Lori's face the next morning when she woke the both of us up. We saw her glance down at the comic books and knew she had found us out. She laughed and walked out.
"Don't be late for breakfast!" The pregnant woman called as she headed downstairs. Carl and I looked at each other and just shrugged. At the exact same time we just said "Oops." and burst out laughing. It felt good to laugh again. I hadn't done that in a long time. Maybe I would like being here more than I thought. Maybe it would be more than just a place to stay.