Eyes Closed [TWD]

°•twenty four•°

The trade that Rick wanted to discuss with Maggie was about a bridge. A bridge that would connect all five communities closer- make trades and travel easier. Maggie complied and so the deal became that Hilltop would provide food and resources as long as the Sanctuary gave over their fuel as well as most work on the bridge.

It was only days after the deal was made that the five communities came together to work on the large scale structure.

And since then, over a month has past.

Meaning, it was rare that I got to see most of my friends. And considering how we'd spent nearly two years staying at Hilltop, only leaving for certain occasions, was very strange. Those that went to work at the bridge sight stayed in camps, hardly returning to their home communities.

Enid was the designated doctor for the workers there as Siddiq stayed at Alexandria and I stayed home at Hilltop, meaning Alden was quick to join the work force.

Cyndie and Kate also volunteered to help out, but we knew it was an excuse for them to spend more time together.

We only had a few other people from Hilltop that went to work- Maggie's deal coming true as our people stayed home to provide food and lumber.

Earl was still locked in the cellar, Maggie unsure on how long he should stay until he was pardoned for his crimes against her. And with Ken gone and Alden working on the bridge, Carl was left alone at the blacksmith booth.

And I was still in my job of many years now- working in the medical trailer and keeping careful watch of injuries or illnesses.

Which, is where I was when I got an unwelcome visit.

"Jade?" Michonne calls, peeking her head in the doorway.

I sigh, setting down my clipboard of patient information.

"I figured you would be here," she smiles, making her way inside.

"It is my job," I nod, the tense air of unsaid words weighing on us both.

It wasn't that I didn't care or love Rick and Michonne anymore- quite the opposite. If it was someone I hated that kept Negan alive, I could bear it. But, because it was two people that meant and do mean so much to me it felt like the biggest betrayal I'd ever lived through.

"It is. From what I've heard, you've been doing great," she says, leaning against the wall.

I couldn't handle the feeling- the attempts of small talk.

"Why are you here? Are you sick?" I ask.

She huffs a laugh, shaking her head, "No. I just.. I just wanted to see you is all."

I try not to let the words affect me, but couldn't deny the twinge in my chest.

"Why aren't you at the bridge working?" I wonder.

"I was stopping by hoping to talk to Maggie. The Sanctuary-," she admits.

In the back, a patient coughs a few times before settling back down to go to sleep. I stand from my seat, looking around to make sure the couple of patients didn't need anything before turning back to Michonne.

"Not here," I tell her.

 She nods and as I make my way to the door, she follows.

Once outside, it's only a couple trailers away before I lead her into Carl and I's.

"I've never been in here," she admits, looking around the place Carl and I called home.

It was surreal that we were actually living together, despite that we've been here for a year now. We were feeling like adults for once. Hilltop, over the last year, has been expanded. Thanks to Georgie's 'key to the future' book, we were able to build new homes- bigger homes, silos, windmills, corrals, and green houses. When more trailers were brought in, it was only a matter of time before Carl and I took the step into getting our own place.