Within

twelve

The harsh buzzing of her alarm jolted Ariana awake, her heart racing as the events of the previous night came flooding back. Sunlight streamed through the small window of her room, casting a warm glow on the concrete walls. For a moment, she lay still, her mind reeling as she contemplated what the day might hold.

With a deep breath, Ariana swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet meeting the cool floor. She padded over to the small dresser, eyeing the limited selection of clothes with a critical gaze.

Negan's words echoed in her mind:
"Wear something pretty."

After careful deliberation, she settled on a fitted black tank top and a pair of jeans. It wasn't exactly "pretty," but it was the best she could do with her limited wardrobe. As she dressed, Ariana couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread. What did Negan have planned for her? The uncertainty gnawed at her as she ran a brush through her tangled hair, wincing as she worked out the knots.

A soft knock at the door made her jump. She opened it to find Sherry standing there, a knowing smirk on her face.

"You've got a big day ahead."Sherry said, slipping into the room. Her eyes widened as she took in Ariana's outfit. "Is that what you're wearing?"

Ariana frowned, glancing down at herself. "What's wrong with it?"

Sherry shook her head, clicking her tongue.

"Honey, if you're spending the day with Negan, you need to step it up a notch." She rummaged through Ariana's meager wardrobe.

Sherry's nimble fingers danced through Ariana's limited wardrobe, pulling out items and holding them up with a critical eye.

"Aha!"

She exclaimed, triumphantly brandishing a forgotten sundress that had been shoved to the back of the drawer. The dress was a soft blue, patterned with delicate white flowers.

"I've never seen that before." Ariana murmured, running her fingers over the fabric.

Sherry's eyes sparkled. "It's perfect. Slip it on, quick!"

Sherry's deft hands worked their magic, transforming Ariana's appearance with a few expert touches. A hint of blush brought warmth to her cheeks, while a swipe of mascara made her eyes seem wider, more luminous. As well as working her magic on Ariana's untameable hair. As a finishing touch, Sherry dabbed a soft pink gloss on Ariana's lips.

"There." Sherry said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Now you're ready to face the big bad wolf."

Ariana turned to look at herself in the small, cracked mirror hanging on the wall. The reflection that stared back at her was almost unrecognisable. The sundress hugged her curves in all the right places, its hem swishing just above her knees. The soft blue working well with her dark brown eyes, making them sparkle with an intensity she hadn't seen in months.

"I look..."

Ariana trailed off, unable to find the right words. The woman in the mirror was a far cry from the exhausted, worn-down survivor she'd become accustomed to seeing. This version of herself exuded a quiet confidence, a hint of the person she used to be before the world fell apart.

Sherry squeezed her shoulder. "You're beautiful."

A knock at the door made both women jump. Ariana's heart raced as she smoothed down her dress, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable. Sherry gave her an encouraging nod.