Shambles- The Walking Dead [Alden x Maggie] [1/2]

47- Stubborn since the day he was born

Some time later everyone had gathered inside the old shack. Alden was still busy trying to wrap his head around everything.

"Still can't believe Magna survived a cave collapsing on her," he sighed as he shook his head. He and Maggie sat next to each other on one of the old couches and he leaned against her chest, listening to her heartbeat.

"Excuse me. Can I have your kind attention, please?" Eugene began as he stepped into the middle of the room. "I have some things I– I need to confess and request." He took a deep breath and continued, "I've been in radio communocano with someone outside our orbit. A new person. And we set up a time to meet."

"As in another community?" Alden cocked his brow and sat straight up.

"Well, yes. But I've been talking with a girl named Stephanie," he replied.

"And I am Uncle Sam." Alden shook his head in disbelief. Names didn't matter as long as they were strangers. Names could be made up easily.

"I'm more concerned about what you told them about us," Maggie said.

"And I'd like to know about the meeting part," Tara added. "Because what's that about?"

"We all remember Dante, right?" Magna asked. "She could be another spy."

"Uh," Eugene stammered perplexed, this wasn't the reaction he expected.

"Just how long have you been talking with her?" Maggie tilted her head slightly.

"I have some of the same questions..." Ezekiel began seriously as he stood up. "But if Eugene's instincts are that this... Stephanie... may be a new ally, then let's hear him out before we jump to conclusions. We're all on the same side here."

"Now, some of you are well aware that I relocated to Hilltop, uh, in pursuit of a metaphorical fresh start," he sighed. "I struggled for a while. I buried myself in work and communitie duties and... and that work manifested a voice from the void. And..." He breathed out shudderingly and then smiled brightly. "She became a friend. Some of you might claim that I'm foolish to believe in future friends and new alliances but... after everything we just lost, I'm willing to be the fool. I simply ask that you spare me your derision, as a hopeful expectation of new, good people is wholly worth the risk."

"You're not a fool," Jesus promised him. "Years ago I brought our communities together and we beat the Saviors together. We took a gamble on each other and look where we are now. This might bring in another ally and that might change everything."

"Seems like it's settled," Maggie said. "You can go, Eugene. I won't order anyone to go with you but we will give you, and whoever decides to join, enough supplies to make the journey. But be sure not to give them too much information about our community."

"Thank you. Thank you," Eugene smiled.

Tara smacked her hand down on Eugene's shoulder. "I'll be joining you."

"And so will I," Ezekiel added. "We shall prepare for our voyage."

Not long after the small group set off with what little supplies they had managed to gather for them. Just before the group left, Yumiko had also decided to join them.