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After the Interviews
The room felt heavier once the interviews ended—like everyone had said too much and not enough all at once.
"So," Rick said at last, breaking the silence, "where do we sleep?"
Raven folded her arms, grounding herself before answering. "Well, Rick, since there's only one house available besides mine and my kids'—"
"Beth is not your kid!" Maggie snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the room.
Every head turned.
Raven didn't flinch. She slowly lifted her gaze to Maggie, eyes calm, unreadable. "I wasn't finished," she said evenly. Then she looked back to Rick. "There's one house you could all stay in together. But it'll be tight. Tomorrow, I'll show you the other housing options so you can choose."
Rick nodded, clearly sensing the tension. "And work? Food, watch shifts, responsibilities?"
"We'll go over all of that tomorrow," Raven replied. "You've been through enough today. Get some rest."
A few murmured agreements followed her as she turned toward the door. She didn't look back.
The moment Raven stepped into her house, the weight lifted.
Beth and Enid barreled into her, arms wrapping around her waist so tightly she nearly laughed from the force of it.
"There you are!" Enid said, grinning.
Beth pressed her face into Raven's shoulder, breathing her in like proof she was real. "I was worried."
Raven kissed the top of her head. "I'm okay. I promise."
She pulled back just enough to look at both of them. "You two hungry?"
"Yes," Enid said instantly.
Beth nodded. "Please. I love your cooking."
Raven smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "Alright. Sit."
The kitchen filled with the sound of sizzling pans and quiet conversation—Enid talking about something Abby had said, Beth leaning against the counter just to stay close.
It almost felt normal.
Then came the knock.
Raven froze.
She looked out the kitchen window, and her breath caught.
Wyatt.
Her heart stuttered. She wiped her hands on a towel and opened the door.
"Hey, babe—" Wyatt started, then stopped short. "You're bleeding."
Raven glanced down at her sleeve, stained dark red. "I don't care."
Before he could say anything else, she grabbed the front of his jacket and kissed him—hard, desperate, like she needed to remind herself he was real.
He kissed her back, surprised but smiling.
She didn't know then that it would be the last time.
The next morning, Raven sat behind her desk, notes spread in front of her. Names. Strengths. Weaknesses. Trauma written between the lines.
A knock echoed.
"Come in."
Hershel stepped inside, calm as ever. "Morning."
"Hey," Raven said, offering a small smile. "How's today treating you?"
"Could be worse."
She nodded. "I need your help. Your people trust you—and I need honesty."
He sat. "Ask."
"Sasha. Daryl. Maggie."
Hershel sighed softly. "Sasha's hurting. She'll want something that keeps her busy. Watch duty. Guarding weapons."
"I won't put new people near guns yet," Raven said gently. "But I can have her on cameras—with someone who won't push her."
"That's good," Hershel said. "She needs purpose."
"And Daryl?"
"Hunting," Hershel said without hesitation. "That's who he is."
Raven hesitated. "I already have a hunting group. They don't like outsiders."
"She's capable," Hershel said. "Nursing. Tracking. Farming. She kept us alive more than once."
Raven nodded. "I know exactly where to place her."
She slid another paper across the desk. "As for you—you're our vet. Animals need care, and I'm not trained for that."
Hershel's face softened. "I'd be honored."
"Can you tell Rick I'll announce assignments at three?"
"Of course."
After he left, Raven leaned back, exhaustion settling in. Her thoughts drifted to Judith—and Kate. She'd have to keep Kate far away from the baby. Maybe with Enid. Beth liked having her around.
She'd manage it.
She always did.
Later, Raven found Wyatt near the outer fence.
"Hey," she said, catching up to him. "I'm assigning Maggie to your team."
He glanced at her, expression unreadable. "She new?"
"Yeah."
He shrugged. "Fine. Just send her over."
Relief flickered through Raven—brief, fragile.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Wyatt walked off, unaware of the knot tightening in her chest.
