~Two~
The following morning, Eve stirred awake before her alarm could jolt her into consciousness. She turned off the clock with a deft hand and shifted her gaze to the ceiling above to see the first gentle tendrils of morning light infiltrate the room through the curtain's thin fabric, casting a warm, soft glow. As she lay there, contemplating the day ahead, Eve couldn't help but acknowledge the persistent weight of uncertainty that clung to her thoughts in the early morning hours.
For everyone else in Alexandria, it was just another day, but for Eve, the hours that ticked away drew her ever closer till she faced the formidable council and the ultimate decision of Rick Grimes. The possibility of securing permanent residency in this community was both a tantalizing dream and a daunting unknown. Tara had admitted to Eve that the community was pretty stringent with who they accepted, and needless to say, it had done nothing to ease Eve's restless mind. Despite her concerns, she clung to what little hope she could muster with an unwavering determination. It was the only thread that kept her from unraveling completely.
But dread still clung to Eve's heart; each beat echoing with the weight of her fear. She couldn't help envision what might transpire if Rick's decision failed to align with her hopes. Would they decide to eliminate her? Or merely release her to fend for herself in the unforgiving world beyond Alexandria's walls? The thought of returning to the desolate unknown sent shivers down her spine, making her appreciate the sanctuary she had here like nothing else.
Once the morning sun had lit up the bedroom, Eve got out of bed and completed her morning routine. Then she dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen, finding Tara nibbling on a granola bar while sipping on a steaming cup of coffee. Tara's surprise was palpable as she turned to see Eve enter the room, her eyebrows arching so high they almost disappeared into her hairline.
"Well, good morning to you, sunshine!" Tara exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening. "Haven't seen you up this early before."
Eve glanced at Tara as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Couldn't sleep," Eve muttered with a hint of saltiness as she sat next to Tara at the kitchen island.
"Bad dream?" Tara inquired as she casually took another bite of her granola bar.
"Something like that," Eve replied cryptically.
Tara possibly sensed that there was more to the story but didn't comment, and Eve was thankful she chose not to pry any further.
Instead, her roommate slid the generous ziplock bag filled with plump granola bars over to Eve.
"Want one?" Tara offered, extending the bag of homemade granolas. "Carol made 'em. They're delicious but don't quite match the strawberry ones she made when they were in season this year."
Eve reached for a granola bar and took a bite. "Peach?" she inquired, savoring the flavor.
Tara nodded, rose from her seat, and poured the remnants of her coffee into the sink. She turned her back to Eve with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"I'll have to get her to make those strawberry ones next year so you can try them."
Eve tried to hide her disappointment by taking a hasty gulp of coffee, but Tara astutely caught it.
"What is it?" Tara asked with deep, genuine concern that painted her expression with worry; her brows furrowed.
Grappling with her inner dilemma, Eve swiftly downed the rest of her coffee, her eyes darting around the room as she pondered whether to reveal the truth or concoct a hasty story for Tara. After a moment of contemplation, Eve chose the path of honesty.
"You think Rick's gonna let me stay?" Eve locked her gaze onto Tara, her only confidant in Alexandria, seeking transparency in their friendship. "You mentioned they hardly take in newcomers anymore."
Emotions welled within Eve, and she despised herself for it, but she could no longer suppress them. A solitary tear defied her will and travesered her cheek.
"What if Rick doesn't like me?"
"Oh, Eve..." Tara's voice oozed empathy, those two words resonating with such compassion. "Look," Tara began as she returned to her seat. "You have nothing to fret about. Trust me. I've known these people for a considerable amount of time, and believe me when I say you're more than welcome to stay here indefinitely."
Eve wiped away a few more tears that had traitorously fallen, then raised her gaze to meet Tara's. "Are you sure about that? What about Rick? Michonne mentioned-"
Tara smirked and calmly said, "Let me let you in on a little secret around here. Michonne advises Rick on his decisions. It's not the other way around. You're in!"
Eve's face contorted into a confused expression. "Are you absolutely sure about this? Has Michonne explicitly informed you that I can stay?"
Tara withdrew her hand from Eve's knee, displaying casual confidence. She gave a nonchalant one-sided shrug before continuing, "Well, not in so many words, but I know these people," Tara asserted with unwavering confidence. Tilting her head to one side, she smiled reassuringly at Eve. "You're in, trust me."
In an unexpected surge of emotion, the dam Eve had been struggling to uphold finally crumbled. Her eyes welled with tears, and an overwhelming sense of relief washed over her. Without hesitation, Eve leaned in and embraced Tara tightly, a gesture that was met with an equally warm and comforting response.
Eve's mind whirled with a maelstrom of thoughts as she contemplated the integrity of Tara's words. If, indeed, what Tara had shared was accurate, did this signify that Eve had finally achieved something she had scarcely dared to dream of? If this opportunity were genuine, it meant the end of her life on the run, the ceaseless scavenging for sustenance, and the perpetual questioning of every stranger she encountered on the unforgiving road. Could it be that she had, at last, discovered a place where she could truly belong?
At three o'clock that afternoon, Eve made her way to the armory, where she retrieved her firearm and a couple of rounds. Determined and focused, she headed toward platform three, situated at the far end of Alexandria.
To her surprise, instead of encountering Tara, the usual morning shift guard, a new familiar face awaited her. It was the man who had given her the bag of goodies intended for the prisoner the night before. He came over to the ladder and extended a helping hand, his face beaming with a smile.
"Eve?" he questioned as her feet planted on the platform.
She gave him a nod. "Yeah."
"I'm Justin." His smile broadened. "Sorry I didn't introduce myself last night. I'm filling in for Tara today... Obviously," he blushed as he informed her.
"Nice to meet you, officially," Eve laughed.
"Apparently, Tara had some 'important business' to take care of,''' Justin shrugged as if he didn't believe what Eve's roommate had told him. "I'd napped a little too long and was running late to take it to him. So, I appreciate you helping me out. Hope he didn't cause you any trouble."
"He was fine," she assured him. "I placed the bag beside the cell, then left."
"Good," Justin exhaled in relief.
Unable to suppress her curiosity any longer, Eve blurted out, "Who is he anyway?"
For the past two weeks, she had known about the sole prisoner in Alexandria but hadn't given it a second thought. Until last night. As Eve finally laid her head on her pillow, after she and Tara had finally watched "Back To The Future II," the man concealed within the darkness of the cell had clouded her mind.
Justin's gaze swept across the perimeter before he replied. "Honestly," he confessed, his eyes shifting to meet Eve's. "I'm not exactly 'well-informed' around here."
"I heard he's a killer," Eve informed him.
"Yeah," Justin nodded. "That I do know, at least. Killed people close to Rick, which eventually turned into an all-out war."
Eve's brows furrowed in thought. "Why did Rick not kill him?"
Justin gave a casual shrug, then walked over towards the ladder. "Well, my time here is up," he remarked, a casual smile on his face. "Hope to see you around."
He gave her a parting wink, and then, with a swift descent, Justin disappeared from the platform, leaving Eve's mind to race. She lifted the binoculars from the stool and peered through them, eyes sweeping across the opened clearing. To her relief, there was no trace of any movement.
With the entire afternoon stretching before her, her thoughts gravitated toward the enigmatic prisoner and the past he had with Alexandria. Eve wondered if Tara had known the people he had killed. Tara had mentioned her long-standing connection with Michonne and Rick, but she seldom spoke about her past.
An hour later, a visitor arrived.
"Hello! Hello! Tara exclaimed, her voice echoing as she ascended the ladder. Upon reaching the platform, she laid a hand on Eve's shoulder. "Guess you realized I played hooky today?"
"Uh-huh," Eve responded cautiously, her gaze fixed on the mischievous smile on the woman standing beside her.
"I went for a little visit," she announced.
"Where?" Eve asked nervously, fearing the answer.
"Well..." Tara began, leaning against the wall railing, her hands gripping it firmly. "You seemed really worried this morning, so halfway through my shift, I decided, 'Why wait for Rick? Let's ask the source directly.' So, I had a chat with MIchonne about you."
Eve's heart raced, and the words were difficult to form. "And what did she say?"
A grin spread across Tara's face. "She gave you the greenlight!" she exclaimed joyfully. When Eve remained speechless, Tara playfully nudged her shoulder. "Eve, are you with us? You got the go-ahead, girl!"
Eve was in utter disbelief, almost unable to find her voice, so she simply pulled Tara into a tight hug.
"Is it really true?" Eve whispered into Tara's shoulders.
Tara's enthusiastic nod was met with tears of gratitude. Eve clung to her roommate tightly.
Her voice quivered when she said, "Tha-thank you!"
Tara rubbed her back. "Don't worry about it."
Once Eve composed herself, she gently pulled away from Tara, and then together, they glanced out over the wall.
"Walkers. Ten o'clock," Tara suddenly alerted.
Eve instantly went on high alert. The shift in mood was instantaneous as both women raised their firearms, taking aim at the approaching walkers. With their weapons trained on their targets, they dispatched the group of ten walkers efficiently and quietly, thanks to the silencers attached to their guns.
"You're pretty skilled with that gun," Tara commented while she opened her gun's bullet chamber to inspect it. "How did you learn? Was it after the virus?"
Eve replied with a sad smile. "It was my dad. He was a chief of police and had made sure all his kids knew how to properly handle and shoot a gun properly by the time we all turned thirteen."
Tara nodded appreciatively. "He did a great job teaching you."
Eve chuckled softly and added, "He considered a trip to the gun range a perfect family outing."
Tara let out a soft snort, offering Eve a half-smile when their eyes met. "He sounds like a good man."
Eve smiled back while thanking her.
"Sooo..." Tara began, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I've got another surprise."
Eve's smile vanished in an instant.
"It's nothing bad, I promise," Tara implored, holding onto Eve's forearm. "Aaron and Eric are hosting a small gathering at their place tonight. I was wondering if you'd join me as my plus one?"
Eve initially wanted to decline, feeling unprepared for a party. However, she stopped herself from reacting negatively, considering all Tara had done for her. She felt indebted to her friend, and guilt washed over her for even contemplating refusal. How could Eve say no to her only friend in Alexandria? Especially when Tara was looking over at her with hope in her eyes.
"Sure," Eve replied, keeping her voice casual. "I do like Aaron and Eric. It sounds like it could be fun."
Tara gave her a skeptical look, not entirely convinced, but her roommate chose not to delve into whether she believed it or not.
"I'll take what I can get from you," Tara admitted. "It starts at nine tonight."
Eve nodded and inquired, "Will there be a lot of people?"
"No, it's just a small gathering," Tara assured her.
Eve's shift was over at nine, and she left the platform to return to the house. It had been warm that evening, so she took a quick shower to wash away the sweat. Once out of the shower, Eve changed into a t-shirt and jean shorts, put a little makeup on her eyes, then left the house, allowing her hair to air dry.
Heading towards Aaron's and Eric's house, Eve stamped down her nerves, and when she turned the final corner, she saw that the 'small' get-together was already in full swing. Aaron and Eric had moved their pool table out from within their garage and had placed it on the short driveway. A small crowd gathered around it, watching as two men she'd worked with in the gardens last week played against each other. Music spilled out from a jukebox inside the garage, and a couple of women were line dancing beside it with red solo cups in hand.
As Eve came closer to the house, she was greeted with warm smiles from faces she knew and some she didn't. Against her inner struggle to chat and make small talk, Eve forced herself to introduce herself to those unfamiliar. Afterward, she stood with them, watching as the pool game grew intense.
"Guinevere!" a voice called out from behind her.
Eve turned as Eric came down the small stairs and into the garage. He sported a broad smile on his face. She excused herself from the few she was next to and went to Eric. They embraced.
"Bout time you got here!" he said with a kidding tone.
"Had to get presentable after sweating all day on watch."
Eric linked his arm through Eve's, leading her toward the main house.
"I thought Tara said this was supposed to be a small little get-together?" Eve asked him.
They ascended the stairs in tandem.
Eric laughed. "Well, you know Tara, she can't really keep her mouth shut when she plans these things."
Eve stopped walking and turned to give Eric an incredulous look.
"Let me guess," he speculated. "Tara told you that this was mine and Aaron's doing?"
When Eve gave him a look that said everything, Eric smiled and shook his head.
"Of course she did. Well, we're going to have a good time either way."
And with that, Eric looped his arm through hers and walked down the short hallway that held Aaron's license plate wall, which was almost finished. Eve was shocked and genuinely at a loss for words. This whole thing was for her? All these people were here because of... her? A stranger who certainly did not deserve any of this. They turned the corner and entered the kitchen.
"There she is!" Tara bellowed as she held both her arms open before her. "The woman of the hour!"
The large kitchen was packed full of people who'd already begun to partake in the festivities as most held red cups in their hands. Everyone cheered, saluting her, and Eve felt her whole body flush.
"Welcome to the small get-together Eric and Aaron pulled together!" Tara said jokingly, knowing that Eric had already filled her in.
Everyone laughed then Eric leaned in closer to Eve. "Tara started a little earlier than all of us."
"Someone get this woman a drink!" Tara said a little too loudly for indoor conversation.
"I noticed," Eve said, looking at Eric with a raised brow. But Eve smiled and laughed as she looked back over at Tara. "I'll have what she's having."
And that was one of the last coherent things Eve remembered. The night passed in a blur, having not eaten since her break at six earlier in the day.
When Eve finally came out of the fog, she found herself walking alone on the street with a bottle of wine in hand. She was headed home. It felt weird to think about actually being able to live here for good. Eve lifted a hand to her face and wiped. Wha-? Was she actually crying? She stopped walking and tried to compose herself as she wiped away the remainder of the tears that had escaped.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Eve took a deep breath and looked to the left. Her heartbeat quickened as she realized where she was...
Standing next to Alexandria's only cell.