I lived alone, in one of the smaller homes of the town. If you can even call them small. I woke up naturally, and slowly sat up in bed. It was eight in the morning, the usual time my body clock wakes me up. I went downstairs to my kitchen and brewed a cup of coffee and decided on skipping breakfast for the morning. I walked outside and sat on my porch, my morning routine I started early on here.
I heard a commotion coming from the gates and looked over. Deana, her son Spencer, and Aaron, were standing with a group of outsiders. I had never seen them before and they looked like they had been through hell and back. Quickly, I ran upstairs and put on a pair of jean shorts, a tank top, and my combat boots I always kept by my front door. Deana let me keep a knife on my at all times, as I and Spencer were the few in charge of protecting the others around here, if needed.
The knife was wrapped securely around my thigh and I walked over to the frantic group. They seemed to be arguing about their weapons and how they were uncomfortable just giving them up. Deana explained they would be in the armory and were able to be checked out anytime they left the gates.
"She has a knife!" A distraught, scrawny man with curly hair said. I didn't want to get pulled into this conversation rudely, and almost said something but Deana spoke first.
"She is part of our protection group. If anything were to go wrong inside the community, she's able to help. Rowan, meet Rick Grimes and his group. Aaron has invited them to stay, but it seems they are weary. I completely understand and we want to assure you this is a safe-zone, a completely gated area, with 24/7 protection." I simply nodded, trying to determine their character.
I looked around at the group, they really looked like they haven't had a stable camp in months, maybe a year. One man out of the group, stood gripping his crossbow and seemed that he could snap any minute. He was quiet but I could tell he would be able to fight when needed. I liked him.
"Rick, I know you and your group have been through a lot. I can assure you however, that you are safe here. We all have responsibilities and if you agree to stay, we will house you, feed you, and you will spend a good life here. This is a place to raise your children and know you have a future. We have been here since the beginning and have yet to run into complications." Deana continued.
Rick and his group silently looked around at each other, trying to determine what to do. I didn't blame them for being so hesitant. These people really have been through it all. Rick explained earlier that the last safe-zone they were at turned bad in only a few short days. They have been on their feet since then.
"Okay. We will respect your rules and put in our work. Our weapons will be handed over and we will do what it takes to gain everyone's respect as you will earn ours." Rick said. I determined him to be the leader. I assumed Deanna would set him up with Spencer and I's protection committee. It was easy to tell who would go where just by looking. There was a woman with short gray hair, she had a motherly face to her. She would work with the older community, where I volunteer. The man with the crossbow would be set to go on runs with Aidan, Deanna's other son. I went through the others in my head, planning to get names later.
"Thank you for agreeing, Rick. Aaron will show you your homes. We have two set aside for you all, with plenty of space for everyone." Deanna smiled and began to walk away with Spencer. She walked up to me first saying, "get to know them. You were in there shoes not too long ago." She politely smiled and left. Spencer walked by me, nudging me on the shoulder, something we did playfully when we see each other. When I arrived he quickly became like a brother to me.
I caught up to the group with Aaron, as he showed everyone there homes. I finally was hearing their names. Rick, Carl, Judith, Michonne. Daryl was the one with the crossbow. I was going to enjoy him. Maggie and Glenn, they were a couple. Abraham, Rosita, Eugene. Sasha, Gabriel, Tara, Noah, and Carol. They were split up between homes. Rick, Carl, Judith, Michonne, Daryl, Carol, and Noah were in one home. Abraham, Rosita, Eugene, Tara, Gabriel, Maggie, Glenn and Sasha were in the other. I almost felt bad, they were all together between two houses, but our homes we offered could almost be classified as mansions.
"Hello." I smiled slightly at the group with Rick. The others were already getting settled and I would have to introduce myself later. "My name is Rowan Anderson. I volunteer to help the older community and patrol the town with Spencer, making sure everything is in check. You're the first group we've allow entered since I have been here, so if you need any help settling in, feel free to come to me. It is nice to meet you all and I hope you all find comfort in Alexandria." I gave a warm smile to them all.
"I'm Rick. I'm sorry for the way I yelled towards you earlier. We're a defensive and stubborn group." Rick laughed slightly. "But thank you. Do you live here with family?" He asked.
"It's no problem, I've been in your shoes. But no, I've been alone since the beginning really. I finally found sanctuary here though about a year ago." I replied, no longer wanting to press the family topic. Rick understand because he just smiled gently. I turned around to go to my home. I glanced over my shoulder quickly and gave a small smirk in Daryl's direction. There was something about him.
