New Beginnings

Evelyn’s eyes rested on Rick’s back, watching him as they were lead past the fences of the prison. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was the same man after all this time in the new world - she certainly wasn’t the same woman she had been before. It’d been a promise she made to herself, not to think back on who she used to be, on what she used to have. But it was a difficult promise to keep.

She was taken aback, as they got further into the prison yard, by the number of people that were starting to appear. Three young men were working in the middle of the open yard, working on building some sort of wooden structure. A kind looking woman was filling a small bucket from large rain catchers, and there were two others in riot gear patrolling the catwalk above them. As she and Cherry’s group were led through toward the doors of one of the cell blocks, each person they passed turned to stare at them. Some were more approving than others.

“Alright,” Rick began as he reached the large cell door, “Now… This is your only warning. Don’t try to pull anything. I’ll let you keep your weapons for now; but I promise that if you try anything, and I mean anything, we will put an end to you. That clear?” His voice was stern. She eyed him evenly, slowly nodding her head.

“Understood.” He mirrored her expression and turned to the door, pulling it as far open as it would go. Evelyn looked to Cherry as they entered the cell block, and together, they ushered in their small, tired group, suddenly protected from the outside heat. She glanced around; people were doing laundry here. They had drawings on the walls - clearly done by small children. She felt a lump in her throat as she heard laughter down the hall.

“Eve?” Cherry murmured close to her, concern written on her face.

Evelyn swallowed down the emotion, keeping her strong outward appearance as she spoke, “I’d almost forgotten what that sounded like.”

She heard a gasp; she turned quickly to see Dean standing at the bottom of the small row of steps, staring at a table that was full of food. The stack of canned goods towered above the boy, and he eyed it all with a sense of wonder. Evelyn looked to Rick, who was checking in with someone inside the next partition of cells. He seemed used to all of this. She wished she could feel the same way.

Cherry went to Dean, kneeling by him. “You’re gonna get to have some of that all to yourself, sweetie,” Eve heard her friend say, watching Dean envelope her in a massive hug at the words. She pushed away the feelings that were gnawing at her.

“Beatrice?” she questioned, gesturing to a cushioned seat at one of the tables. The survivor made her way over, sitting down with gratitude.

Evelyn softly patted her shoulder, and looked to Amanda, Alicia, and Todd, who were stunned silent as they surveyed the building.

“You’re safe here,” Rick said to the group, loud and clear for them all to hear. “The fences have kept walkers out for months. We’re still building things here, but… you are safe in here. We’ll set you up with some blankets for tonight, you’ll stay in this section of the cell block.”

“Thank you,” Beatrice said before Evelyn could, “This is wonderful.” She gave a small cough, clearing her throat and turning to watch Dean with Cherry.

“You’re welcome. And - we do have a doctor here. He can take a look at her if you like, before you leave tomorrow. Rebecca will set you up with your rations. Once the sun’s up tomorrow, we’ll make sure you’ve got some decent transportation, maybe a little ammo, and send you on your way.”

Evelyn hadn’t seen generosity like this in a long time. She approached Rick. She remembered him better with every minute that went by. “Thank you. You’re saving their lives; I hope you know that.”

“It’s just one night,” he responded, before turning and walking back out of the cell block, Daryl close at his heels.

---

Evelyn found herself sitting on the floor against the wall, knees up and elbows resting on them as she watched the five people in her charge. Dean was sitting close to Alicia, tucked into her side as he ate a can of warm Spaghetti-O’s. His smile was wide across his face, his dirty skin stretched over his bright cheeks. It was the first time any of them had felt safe in months.

She rubbed her hands over her face. Beatrice was being seen by their doctor, named Caleb, and Todd had gone with her. Amanda sat quietly, staring into the white top of the table in front of her. Evelyn’s stomach sunk as she thought of what she and Cherry had done to Amanda. Her eyes quickly cast back to the floor.

“That can’t be too comfortable,” Cherry’s voice interrupted Eve’s thoughts as she sat beside her, gently nudging her side.

“I’m good, Cher,” Eve replied softly, looking back up at the group. Cherry gave her another nudge. “Really, I am.”

“Dean hasn’t tasted Spaghetti-O’s since he was sitting in his own kitchen, since before the outbreak. Look at how happy that kid is.” The words did help, despite Eve’s attempts to remain stoic, causing a small smile to lift over her lips.

“I’m glad he feels better. Have you eaten your share yet?” Eve asked, turning to glance at her friend. Cherry rolled her eyes.

“No. Have you?” There was a silent pause as Eve refused to answer. “Exactly.”

“I’m not sure if you heard Rick earlier, but they’re going to give us a car. Maybe two, if a minivan won’t fit all of us. Although it should, if we can find one before we have to leave.”

“Is this what you’re sitting here thinking about?” Cherry chuckled, running a hand through her matted hair, “Look… I get it. But that’s tomorrow. We can start planning for that later tonight. For now… Take a walk. Look around. He said we can stay in here, and we can go outside to the yard.” Cherry paused and looked sternly at Eve. “This is the best we’ve had it in so long. Don’t let these hours go by before you get to enjoy it a little yourself.”

Cherry smiled, squeezing Eve’s hand before standing and walking back to Dean and Alicia. Eve was left with her thoughts, Cherry’s words running circles in her head. Carefully, she stood, making her way toward the door. She glanced back at the group.

Amanda was still silently boring her eyes into the table’s surface. Alicia was joking around with Cherry, Dean giggling into his half-finished can of Spaghetti-O’s. They seemed… better. Content, for the moment. They were taking advantage of the safety. Of the comfort. Cherry glanced up from her jokes with the other two, meeting Eve’s eyes. She gave a nod. She had this.

Taking a breath, Eve turned and made her way outside, walking down the ramp. She saw the men working on the structure in the middle of the cement, and stopped to observe. They had clean tools, buckets of nails, fresh cut wood. They were wearing gloves. It all seemed so out of place; the world was ending around them and they were building something new.

She made her way past them, seeing the large rain collectors again, this time with no one tending to them. She got a little closer, her dry lips begging her to kneel down and take gulps of the water without hesitation. She stopped in front of the nozzle, fingers curling into her palms. They hadn’t said she could. But oh, how she wanted to.

“You thirsty?” a voice spoke behind her. She turned on a dime, switching around on her heel and facing the voice as fast as she could. “Whoa, it’s alright - I was just asking.”

The woman in front of her seemed nice, her hair cut extremely short and a brass knuckles blade hanging right there on her belt. She immediately came across as tough and smart, wiping her hands off as she held other containers to fill.

“I’m sorry,” Evelyn spoke, straightening herself up and brushing down the front of her clothes.
“Didn’t mean to startle you,” the woman said, smiling as she went past her and to the collectors. She started pouring water into her container. “You didn’t answer my question?”

“Oh, I’m fine, thank you,” Eve responded, watching as clean, clear liquid flowed into the large cantine. It looked cool and refreshing, but she stood there quietly nonetheless.

“Well, if you or your group want some, now would be the time. After you leave tomorrow, the opportunity will be gone,” the woman said, taking a big swig of her fresh water and giving one last passive aggressive grin as she walked away. The message was clear, at least - but Evelyn at least appreciated the permission.

As she glanced around the prison’s property, her gaze was stopped on Rick, where he stood in the middle of the green field with Hershel. She made her way towards them, passing the workers again.

“Well hi, there,” Hershel greeted as Evelyn finally reached them. “How’s your group?” His eyes were sincere as he looked down at her.

“They’re much better, thank you. I haven’t seen Dean smile in months.” Her eyes found Rick’s.

“That’s wonderful. And I heard you have two of your members seeing Caleb, right?”

“Yes, he’s going to see if there’s anything we should be looking for out on the road. Medicines, whatnot. He seems like he’s very good.”

“Oh, he is, he is.” Hershel trailed off, eyeing the two of them. “So, it seems you know each other from before. How?”

Rick didn’t say a word, glancing to her before shaking his head. He opened his mouth to speak. “It doesn’t matter how, Hershel. With all due respect.” Evelyn’s eyes burned into the side of Rick’s head. “We’ve all changed quite a lot from who we were before. Wouldn’t you agree, Officer Grimes?” Her voice was cold; lingering. He didn’t know how to respond - she smiled at Hershel and turned, walking away without having asked about the water at all.