ELEANOR . NEGAN

037.

The council were presented around the wooden table like the founding fathers of Alexandria. Chest puffed, back straight, their hands crossed over each other with that acknowledged glare. Eyes fitted from each other to the paper on the wood to the scratches on the floor.

Then they all looked at her.

"You're taking the piss." Elle said aloud, crossing her arms over her chest like some arrogant teenager. "No."

"Yes." Gabriel fired back. "The Council has agreed that as Alexandria gets restless, more people need to be temporarily detained."

Elle huffed out her cheeks and rolled her eyes. "No."

"We need that cell space, Elle." Aaron said, trying to plead with her. "He needs to be placed somewhere."

"Look," she was holding her head in her hands because she couldn't be bothered for this. "The guys insufferable."

"We know." Gabe counter-argued. "But you can handle it."

"Do you ever think that, I don't know, maybe I don't want to handle him?" They all sent her an unimpressed look. "Great, you know — you're meant to be my mates!"

"We are your friends," Gabe said with a small smile, oh shut up, "But he needs to go somewhere. And for his own peculiar reason... you're the only one that keeps him sane."

"Because I'm the only one he takes seriously."

Aaron nodded. "Like we said." Eleanor huffed through her nose and stood there like a lost dog. She just wanted to go home now. "So, the Council concludes that from this day forwards, Negan is released with secured supervision from Eleanor Stark."

She snorted, "This is why I couldn't sit here with you lot. I wouldn't be able to take it seriously."

"No, you're not up here because your potty mouth gets to the best of you." Her mouth dropped wide open and Aaron laughed. "Sorry, Elle."

"Not on." She coughed behind her hand before dropping it to her sides. Now this is where Aaron's words actually entered her brain and she frowned. "Can he sleep in the bathroom?"

"Goes against some human rights acts-"

"Okay, so I can put him in the bathroom." They looked up at her with quizzical and incredulous looks which made her grin. Oh well, she stepped back and did a little bow.

Dickheads.

-

Summer settled in nicely around Alexandria, the small community thriving even more after winter bid its farewell. The crops were full in colour and flavour and everyone had a more upbeat perk to their step - amazing to see.

Lydia was a new resident here. Had to after the Kingdom fell apart. Some people resided at Oceanside, the rest at Hilltop. Daryl and Carol would make their appearance ever so often but the death of Henry hit the woman harder than anything. She needed distance, so Daryl would supervise her.

Maya spent most of her time hanging around with Lydia. She was never the judgmental kind and so she never linked Alpha's brutal murder on people she's known for most of her life into Lydia. If anything, they made pretty great friends.

Maya would teach her better English and some amazing artists, and then when Elle was doing perimeter checks the two friends would rush inside and use her vinyl record player to eat away at their boredom. Lydia on the other hand, would teach Maya how to fight the same way Henry did but it didn't last very long when the girl complained and opted for a bow and arrow instead.