Eutopia (Lloyd Hansen AU)

28

Autumn watched out of the window as Lloyd made for the waiting car below, a convoy of them heading out to leave Eutopia and make for Germany. He was targeting big agents old and new from the CIA, taking them down one by one. She knew that much. 

"Once we take down the big guns then we're well on our way to our goal". He'd said to her. 

"Who's next?" She asked, fearing that it would be Donald Fitzroy. 

Thankfully he'd said a name that wasn't familiar to her, so she felt a sense of ease despite him murdering her colleagues. 

Lloyd looked up at the window, catching sight of her before he got into the car. After her was gone, the gates were locked and the guards who he had instructed to watch the house, began their patrol. 

He'd contacted Denny some days ago, knowing that his 'friend' would be coming down to see the developments. More homes were being constructed as the project was now growing rapidly and a few other wives of the agents were now expecting children. Denny had asked after Autumn and Lloyd had smugly given him the news about Margot. 

He was bound to show his face now, to offer his begrudged congratulations to them both. No way was he letting Denny anywhere near his daughter, Lloyd was concerned about leaving Autumn even for this amount of time - but he knew that she would be safe. 

Autumn looked down at Margot in her arms and took her downstairs, placing her into the Moses basket before she got on with her daily clean. Even now she felt the unease at the possibility of Denny even trying to show his face. Before she wouldn't have. 

Afternoon came and sick of being stuck inside, Autumn placed Margot into her pram and took her on a walk, the guards also accompanying her. 

They walked the surrounding neighbourhoods, something she hadn't really done since her arrival. Tree lined sleepy suburban streets were quiet apart from the odd car or woman out returning from the town. 

"Good afternoon, Mrs Hansen..." Came the acknowledgements as they stopped to admire the baby. 

"Oh, look at her!" 

"She is beautiful!" 

"Mr Hansen must be so proud of her!" 

It all sounded so false in some ways. The upbeat personalities, the smiles. They only being kind for fear of saying something wrong? Did they think she'd tell Lloyd and he would resort to his methods of punishment? Were they afraid of her too? All the women here came from the same job, they all had the same role. 

Except her...

Autumn had never bothered about fitting in before, simply wanting to do her job and do it right. She'd had to apply it to here, but with no one to really talk to anymore now that Eva was gone, she felt quite isolated. 

"Have a nice day!" One of the women who had stopped said brightly and went to walk away. 

"Wait..." Autumn said as she looked back at her. 

The woman turned. "Yes?" 

"What's your name?" 

"Tammy..." 

Autumn smiled. "Nice to meet you...sorry, I still don't really know anyone here apart from a couple of people". 

Tammy smiled weakly. "Me neither" and now came back to her side, the guards watching from a distance. "I was told to stay away from you..." 

"By who?" 

"The other wives..."

She frowned. "But why? We're all in the same situation here?" 

Tammy nodded. "I know...but you're Mrs Hansen, and after being told about Eva...y'know? Other wives have said it was because she was your friend..." She now looked uncomfortable. 

"What exactly have you been told about Eva?" 

"I shouldn't..."

"Tammy!" She interrupted, "Please, tell me - how did they tell you she died?" 

Tammy now sighed and leant in. "They said because she was unable to get pregnant, that she took her husband's gun and shot herself".  She confided, "But you know the truth don't you? Because you're married to Mr Hansen..." 

She couldn't tell her the truth, at least not all of it. "Eva was my friend, but she didn't die because of me. This place? There are so many rules we have to follow, and if we fail? We're not fit for the project. My husband doesn't tell me anything, regardless of whether people think I have the privilege of that. I don't. I'm just like any other wife here. Eva killed herself because she knew what could possibly happen to her". 

Autumn had never thought that she would be lying, least of all to protect Lloyd. But if people knew that she had been forced to pull the trigger? They would avoid her even more than they already were. "I'm lonely. I may be married to Mr Hansen and have everything in other people's eyes, but I only have my daughter". 

Tammy nodded, looking sorry for her. "Would you like to come over one afternoon for coffee? That is if you're not busy with your baby". 

"You don't have to pity me. I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable". 

The woman shrugged. "If I'm honest? Some of the wives here are real bitches, especially the ones who have managed to get pregnant. You're right though, we're all the same, worked for the same place..." Her eyes went to the guards who were watching. "I'm not asking out of pity; I'm asking because I'd like a friend too". 

The smile was the first genuine one she'd seen in a while. 

"I'd like that. I'm Autumn by the way, just so you don't have to keep calling me Mrs Hansen". 

"Nice to meet you, what say we have coffee tomorrow morning? Would that be ok?" 

"That would be great".