Enid was used to the whispers.
When she'd first arrived in Alexandria, Deanna had welcomed her with open arms – a quiet, traumatized teenager who had survived the world outside their walls. She'd been assigned a place to live (with Olivia in a charming townhouse above the armory), a job (organizing the pantry and making deliveries to the elderly residents) and even friends ("Hey, how's it going? I'm Ron and this is Mikey. Um, Enid, right?")
Enid remembered how Deanna's sharp eyes had sparkled. "Don't mistake our hospitality for charity, Enid. You're a survivor; this community needs survivors."
Those first few weeks had gone by in a strange blur. Enid remembered bits and pieces, as if they'd happened to someone else. Falling apart in the shower. Powdered scrambled eggs and stale cornflakes. Making out with Ron on his parents' bed. Afternoon math lessons with Mrs. Miller. The pool table in Mikey's basement –
("I think he's gay," Ron told her in secret. "Not that I have a problem with that! It's just… look, we're already dealing with Aaron and Eric. It's a small town – not everybody's so open minded, you know?")
– pretending not to hear her name whispered in secret conversations.
("Did you know she saw her parents get eaten? Poor girl, no wonder she doesn't talk. I heard there wasn't even anything left behind to turn.")
For a while, Enid had been the talk of the town. Not that Alexandria was big enough to be called a town. No, it was more of an all-American suburban neighborhood, thrusted into a post-apocalyptic reality. Alexandria's residents, haunted by a constant existential dread, took comfort in the most basic form of human entertainment: gossip.
Coming back to Alexandria brought all those memories to the forefront of Enid's mind. It seemed like she was right back where she started, a traumatized teenager once more. Back in Alexandria; back in the limelight. At least this time she didn't have to face it alone.
"Ignore them," Enid whispered to Claire as they passed a few curious onlookers along their way. "Let's just find Cas. If we're lucky, the Casserole Brigade hasn't got to him yet."
Claire gave her a baffled look. "The what?"
"You'll see."
As the two pulled into the main road, they spotted Castiel. Even from a distance, he looked dazed, shuffling ahead like a walker without prey. It didn't take long for somebody to come to his aid. Leaving her post in the storeroom, Olivia hurried to catch Castiel right as he stumbled. She pulled his arm around her shoulder, calling out for help as she did.
Help arrived in the form of one Rick Grimes. Enid swore under her breath. The only reason they'd left Castiel alone that morning was because Rick was supposed to be busy. They'd never counted on Castiel literally falling into his hands.
Enid caught Claire by the wrist, stalling her. "You gotta be normal about this," she whispered, mindful of the onlookers.
Huffing, Claire shook off her hold. "Just watch me."
Up ahead, Rick and Olivia all but dragged Castiel towards the storeroom house's front porch. They got him to sit on the steps without much resistance. Olivia kept her hand on Castiel's shoulder, holding him upright. He looked incredibly off-putting dressed in his ragged, blood-stained coat, oblivious to the heat and the scent of human sweat permeating the air.
If he'd hoped to avoid attention, he sure had picked a lousy time for a stroll around the neighborhood. On restocking days, many of Alexandria's residents liked to stick around the storeroom, hoping to barter for better rations in exchange for labor or other trade goods. Castiel was drawing a bit of an audience, although most of them at least had the decency to pretend otherwise.
Enid couldn't begrudge their curiosity. They'd all watched Castiel being carted into town, unconscious and mortally wounded, a chunk of his face literally chewed off. And yet there he sat, looking like hell warmed over, sure, but clearly recovering, with a face that was merely bruised instead of torn open. How could anyone explain that?
Hoping Claire would follow her lead, Enid found her seat next to Castiel. He looked awful, shoulders down and slumped like it pained him to look up. Plastering a look of concern on her face wasn't difficult, all things considered.
"You shouldn't be out of bed, dummy," said Enid and took his hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly.
Startled, Castiel lifted his head. "Enid?" he rasped.
"Hey." Enid smiled and squeezed his hand again. Focusing her thoughts, she sent out a pseudo-prayer: Alright, listen up. We don't want any trouble with Rick today. Whatever he asks, just tell him you don't remember, okay? Just say: I don't remember.
Castiel gave her a look of bewilderment, so she was pretty sure he got the message.
It was Claire's turn to join them on the wooden steps. Tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder, she plopped down on Castiel's other side and leaned back on her elbows, wearing an expression of bored indifference. Enid knew Claire well enough to know that she was secretly fuming.
"Hey guys," Claire said oh-so-casually, stretching her legs. As she did, she 'accidentally' knocked Rick's leg off the bottom step, which he'd been leaning on. "Sorry," she offered unconvincingly.
Rick let out a quick exhale, eyes narrowed. "You two got here quick," he stated, flicking his gaze between Claire and Enid, the latter trying her best not to squirm under Rick's calculating gaze.
Rick had never really bought into their 'kidnapped by a cannibal' story. Which was ironic, considering that part was technically true. Unfortunately, Claire's concern over Castiel tended to manifest in hostility, which wasn't doing them any favors either.
Ugh, where the hell was Carl when they needed him? Was that damn bean bag really that comfortable?
"It's such a nice day for a stroll," Claire replied with a tight smile before bumping Castiel's shoulder with her own. "Isn't that right, Cas?"
Castiel merely grumbled in response. Clearly in pain, he at least seemed oblivious to the rising tension. Small mercies, Enid thought. They could have a celestial-level incident on their hands if Castiel thought for one second he'd needed to protect Claire from Rick Grimes.
"I was under the impression Cas here was tryin' to leave," Rick drawled, eyeing Castiel in a way that was entirely too predatory for Enid's liking. "In a big hurry, too. Am I wrong about that?"
Castiel dragged his face out of his hand to respond. "I don't remember."
Something tightened around Rick's eyes. He looked tired. "Which part?" Rick asked. He sounded tired, too.
"Pick one," Castiel grumbled.
Don't antagonize him, Enid scolded Castiel silently. It may not seem like it now, but Rick's not someone to underestimate. We shouldn't be giving him or anyone else around here any more reasons not to trust you.
The 'you don't have to be a dick about it' was meant to be implied but considering Castiel's stink eye, he'd heard her loud and clear. Ah well, directing her thoughts in a pseudo-prayer was hard enough without having to worry about the subtleties of subtext. It wasn't her fault Castiel turned into a grumpy baby when he was ill.
"Why don't we head back to the infirmary now, Cas?" Enid suggested out loud, already snaking her arm under his. "You look pretty beat."
Castiel gave her an irritated look that said, 'I'm a billion years old, I think I can handle this wacko dad-cop just fine on my own.'
Rick gave her an irritated look that said, 'I could've cracked this sonofabitch days ago if it weren't for you meddling kids.'
Claire just looked irritated.
It was possible that Enid was projecting. A little.
"Oh, but it is a nice day, isn't it? It's good to spend some time outside," interrupted Olivia, her voice taking on a slight soothing tone. She wasn't oblivious to the rising tension, just good at pushing past awkward situations.
Enid felt a swell of affection. They hadn't always seen eye to eye, but Olivia had always done right by her.
"You are looking so much better today, Castiel," Olivia added, adjusting her glasses. "Although we really should get somebody to look at you. You might've pulled some stitches."
Enid winced. Castiel had never had stitches; instead, he had staples to hold his innards in place after Carl had pushed them back inside him. Just a few days ago, Castiel had taken those staples out himself, which had been both gross and fascinating to witness.
Tell her you feel fine, Enid instructed.
"I feel fine," Castiel parroted. His voice was like gravel on chalk and entirely unconvincing.
"It was that miracle soup of yours, Olivia," Claire piped up, her voice deceptive in its sweetness. "It was so good, I swear. Cas thought so too. Right, Cas?" She knocked her knee into his.
The look on Castiel's face almost set Enid off. She coughed into her hand, masking a laugh.
"It was certainly edible," Castiel offered mildly, probably going for a compliment.
Instead of taking offense, Olivia giggled. "You're sweet," she said, swatting his arm lightly. Castiel followed the movement of her hand, looking baffled.
Oh, boy.
Rein it in, Casanova! thought Enid, earning a look of bewildered confusion of her own
An argument broke out by the garage's entrance; something about the trade value of hand soap. It wasn't long before someone poked their head outside and called out for Olivia to intervene.
"Work's never done," Olivia sighed in disappointment before taking her leave.
Enid was surprised, however, when Rick decided to tag along as well. She couldn't understand why he'd bother with Liz and Anna's little spat. Sure, they were part of the Casserole Brigade, but Liz and Anna were generally harmless. Rick had been so eager to question Castiel – and now he was just taking off? Something wasn't adding up.
With Rick gone, a few onlookers took the opportunity to join them. Eugene was the first to shuffle into their fold, wearing that disconcerting stare of his. Next came Father Gabriel, greeting them with his way-too-pleasant smile. And then, to make matters worse, came Raquel and Barbara. The Casserole Brigade… or at least, a part of it.
"It's so nice to see you out and about, Castiel," said Raquel, a long-time resident of Alexandria, a senior member of the Casserole Brigade, and the town's biggest gossip. She spoke his name with a strange infliction, like she wasn't quite sure how to pronounce it properly.
Castiel squinted at her.
Enid suppressed a shudder.
'The Casserole Brigade' was a term she'd picked up from Ron, back in the early days. It sort of stuck. The Brigade was an overly-friendly group of women who secretly ruled over Alexandria. Or pretended to, at least. They made it their business to know everybody's business. Even after the Wolves had taken some of them out, they were still a force to be reckoned with.
Enid inched closer to Castiel.
"I'm Raquel," the woman continued smoothly before gesturing to her unsmiling friend. "This is Barb. We've heard so much about you from our dear friend Olivia." Her dark eyes glinted and her smile widened a fraction. "Have you met Father Gabriel yet?"
Gabriel inclined his head. He was, as far as Enid was concerned, an honorary member of the Brigade and as such could not be trusted.
"And this is Eugene," Raquel quickly added, sounding somewhat less enthusiastic.
Eugene continued to stare at Castiel, wearing a strangely slack expression.
"Hello," said Castiel after a brief pause.
"You have a peculiar voice," Eugene stated in a monotone.
"Don't be weird, Eugene," Barbara coughed into her fist.
"Don't mind him. It's just that it's been so long since the town had newcomers." Raquel looked at Claire and Castiel and smiled a motherly smile that was almost, somehow, full of teeth. "We didn't think you'd make it… considering."
Claire sat up straight, her smile tight. "Considering."
Castiel tilted his head, brows furrowing. "Considering?" he echoed.
Raquel's eyebrows scrunched up in a show of concern. "Oh, it must have been terrifying," she said in a low, secretive tone. She leaned closer to Castiel. "The bite? The sickness? I can't imagine what that must've been like. Especially for you, Claire. I mean, you're so young."
Castiel's gaze snapped to Claire, "You were bitten?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Claire gritted her teeth. "I got better."
Gasping, Raquel briefly covered her mouth. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry." She actually sounded sincere. "I thought you knew. Well, it's a good thing you both ended up in Alexandria, isn't it? Any other community, well, they would have shot you dead! We're still a lot more civilized here. Unlike… well. You've met them."
"I don't – " Castiel started to say.
Claire clamped a hand over his wrist. "We're fine now, thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers, Rachel."
"Raquel."
Claire huffed. "Whatever."
Calm down, Enid thought at Claire and then immediately felt like an idiot. It wasn't like Claire could hear her.
Raquel raised an eyebrow. Despite her annoyance, her smile remained saccharine sweet. "It's good that you're taking such good care of your dad."
"He's not my dad," Claire said.
"I'm not her father," Castiel said at the same time.
"Oh," Raquel said, sweeping her gaze over Claire's hand on Castiel's wrist. "You two seem so close."
Claire bristled. "He's my dad's twin brother," she lied with a sharp, insincere smile. "Can't you see the resemblance?" she added empathetically, squeezing Castiel's wrist.
"I see," said Raquel, holding a hand over her heart. In another life, her blunt, bitten-off nails might've been blood red. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"Of course not." Enid nodded, knowing exactly how much the Brigade loved to pry.
"Well, you both look a lot better. Especially you, Castiel." Raquel leaned closer to Castiel's bruised face and whispered, "Rumor has it you were injured rescuing these poor children. Is that true?"
"Oh no," Castiel said, eyes widening, "they rescued me."
Raquel's lips parted in surprise. "Oh." She looked around, uncertain for a moment, before meeting Castiel's blue gaze again. "They did?"
"They've all been incredibly brave," Castiel rasped with genuine sincerity. "Even in these tough and unfair times, when it's so easy to lose sight of each other. They've never let me down; or each other."
Aww, thought Enid.
Claire looked like she wanted to cry. Or kill someone. With her, it was hard to tell.
"We never would have made it back if it wasn't for you, Cas," Enid pointed out gratefully. He had to have known that.
"I would love to hear that story sometime," Raquel said and for once actually sounded genuine.
Was Enid off the mark here, or was Raquel eyeing Castiel with poorly-disguised interest?
"Over dinner, perhaps?" Raquel added with a coy smile, putting whatever doubts Enid had to rest.
Castiel, who appeared as if a strong breeze could knock him over, blanched at the mention of dinner.
"He's fine, thank you," Claire snapped.
Enid tried to hide her laughter behind a cough, but it backfired, leading to a genuine coughing fit. Raquel looked unimpressed. Claire looked murderous. Castiel helpfully thumped Enid on the back.
"Are you alright, Enid?" Gabriel asked in mild concern. Enid had forgotten he was there.
Wiping away her tears, Enid gave a thumbs up. She grinned sheepishly at Claire, who rolled her eyes. Probably shouldn't tease her, Enid thought guiltily. She could understand Claire's look of horror. After all, Castiel looked like her dad.
But, well. It wasn't like Enid could fault Raquel and Olivia for taking an interest. As bruised up as he was, objectively speaking, Castiel was handsome. Which probably meant Claire's dad was. Had been. Or maybe that was just Castiel's oddly charming self leaching through his awkward human suit. It was all very confusing.
Eugene slowly raised his hand. "Pardon me, but is this dinner on offer for everyone or is it more of a selective thing?"
"What do you think, genius?" Barbara snorted.
Dejected, Eugene lowered his hand.
Taking a small step forward, Gabriel took a step forward. "Castiel, is it? After the Angel of Thursday, I presume? It's an unusual name," he inquired with a polite smile, clasping his hands behind his back.
Enid perked up. "The angel of what now?"
"It's not unusual where he's from," Claire said. Technically, she wasn't lying.
"And where is that?" Gabriel wondered, tilting his face curiously.
"Heaven," Castiel promptly responded.
"It's a town up north," Enid rushed to explain.
"Way up north. In Alaska," Claire added smoothly although Enid knew her well enough to catch the hint of hysteria in her voice. "He's from Alaska."
"I'm from Alaska," Castiel repeated dutifully.
Hoping to change the subject, and more than a little curious, Enid turned to Gabriel. "What does the, um, Angel of Thursday do, exactly?"
Gabriel inclined his head. "If the topic interests you, there is a book I've picked up on a scavenging run just last week. It's called, hmm – " he paused to remember – "Ah yes, 'Of Celestial Beings and Angelic Lore'. It has the most wonderful illustrations. Would you care to borrow it, Enid? It's in my study."
Enid touched a hand to her heart. "I would love to."
"Well, the name fits," Raquel interjected with a smile that didn't quite crinkle the corners of her eyes. "Someone must be watching over you, Castiel – they way you came in… It's a miracle you're alive." She turned to Gabriel. "Don't you think so, Father?"
"Indeed." Gabriel smiled. "Although I believe that we've all survived thus far has been a miracle in itself. Perhaps someone is watching over us all."
"We could use a few more miracles around here if you ask me." Barbara spoke up, her expression bitter.
Although she was a card-carrying member of the Brigade, Enid generally found Barbara less irritating than the others. Rumor had it, Raquel had stopped Barbara from doing something desperate the night her husband had turned and bit both of their kids. She hadn't been the same since.
"It does tickle one's cerebral feathers," Eugene blurted, still staring at Castiel with a complete slack face, like he couldn't spare the effort. "If you pardon the expression."
As usual, no one knew how to respond to Eugene. Castiel glanced at Enid with a raised eyebrow only to be met with a shrug.
"Is that a… common expression?" Castiel asked, his frown pulling at the bruises on his face.
Eugene gave a brisk nod. "It ought to be." He took a step forward until he was standing right in front of them, still staring at Castiel with bright-eyed fascination. "It's a curiosity – this level of tissue restoration, I'd say it defies the established norms and parameters of human biology – even our understanding of regenerative medicine. Now, these fine folks might be purty durn content to deem it a 'miracle' but I reckon we're fixing' to have a difference of opinion. No offense, Padre." His gaze shifted, briefly, to Gabriel. "Frankly speaking, I see only one plausible explanation."
"What?" Claire whispered. No one had ever warned her about Eugene.
"Extraterrestrials," Eugene blurted out, eyes widening slightly.
Everyone groaned in tandem. "Eugene," Gabriel said with a tight smile, his left eye twitching. "Why don't you take a walk?"
"Have you ever had an encounter of the third or fourth kind?" Eugene persisted, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Aliens?" he clarified impatiently when Castiel merely stared at him in confusion.
"Eugene!" Gabriel yelled.
Disregarding the priest completely, Eugene lifted his hand and extended a finger. With an impassive and measured approach, he brought his finger closer, seemingly compelled by unspoken curiosity to poke Castiel's cheek. Everyone fell into a collective state of fascination, captivated by the sheer audacity of his actions.
Castiel's hand snapped up, catching Eugene's wrist in a vice grip. Castiel's eyes narrowed.
Enid realized she needed to step in fast.
Cas! Please don't break the weirdo's hand!
Castiel dropped Eugene's wrist.
Eyes wide, Eugene stumbled backwards, swallowing thickly and rubbing his sore wrist. He flinched when Gabriel took his shoulder and firmly steered him in another direction.
"See if they need your help at the gate," Gabriel told him, not unkindly.
"Wow," said Claire, watching Eugene awkwardly shuffle away.
"He's an interesting young man," said Raquel, smiling tightly. "Special," her whisper was a little too loud. "He's not as adept at killing those – those walkers, you know – but not everyone is." She leaned forward, taking on a conspiratory tone of voice. "How many walkers have you killed, Castiel?"
"11,276," Castiel answered.
"Oh!" Raquel's smile wavered a little. She glanced, fleetingly, at Gabriel. "That's, um, specific."
Enid's eyes narrowed. Wait a minute…
"And how many people?" asked Gabriel, unnervingly pleasant.
Holy shit, Rick's put them up to this! Enid directed her thoughts to Castiel, trying not to vibrate out of her seat. He did! That sneaky son of a bitch! No wonder he left, it was all part of his plan!
Castiel frowned. He opened his mouth to speak.
Do NOT answer that question, Enid warned, a little hysterical. The how-many-people-have-you-killed thing? That's a Rick question, I swear it is.
Castiel closed his mouth.
She rushed to explain. Don't answer any more of their questions. They're quadruple-teaming you. Rick, the Brigade, Gabriel, maybe even Olivia. She hesitated. Probably not Eugene, though. He's just weird.
Castiel sighed deeply, exasperated. "Why does this matter?"
Thinking the question was directed at him, Gabriel frowned. "I'm sorry, but we must know. If you wish to stay in Alexandria – "
"Who said we want to stay here?" Claire demanded sharply.
Father Gabriel raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I meant no disrespect," he said in a soothing tone. "I understand it might be hard to talk about – "
Knuckles white over the railings, Castiel heaved himself to his feet, face pinched with effort. Enid and Claire scrambled up after him, afraid he'd fall without their support under his arms.
"Easy," Claire said as Castiel swayed in their hold.
Castiel took a long, steadying exhale. "There have been many," he told Gabriel, answering his question at last. He inclined his head and made a dark promise: "There will be more."
"Excuse me?" asked Gabriel and despite Castiel's glaring current weakness, Gabriel took a step back.
Castiel's gaze shifted towards the distance. "Were you expecting visitors?" he asked calmly.