Love After Loss (Teen/Adult)

Calvin smiled as they walked. "Will we see the pirate man?" He asked, looking up to her. His blue eyes glanced around as they walked, taking everything in. He was extremely excited to live there, in a much bigger place. He had a little skip in his step. "Where first?" He asked, rubbing his little nose with the back of his hand, sniffing lightly.

Eve watched him, nodded sympathetically. "No, it's okay." She told him, offering a smile. "I understand." She said, getting a pretty good look at they walked past. "It's okay, we can skip this. I don't mind." She gave a small nod. Eve linked her hands in front of her, watching around as they walked. "The garden sounds like a very good place to start." Eve smiled as she nodded, thinking Calvin could help out by watering plants, and maybe collecting fruit and vegitables if they had any. Whereas Eve thought she could make herself useful by helping Stephen whenever he went out of camp, also by cleaning. The only two things she knew how to do. Help and clean.

"You're sister isn't too fond of us, huh?" Eve gave a soft smile. "I understand that we're on trial, I mean, you need some reassurance that we're not burdens, it's just, I can't promise Calvin will be totally focused if he has a set task. I mean, he's three. He can't work all the time. He's godda play and socialise so he isn't all secluded when he's older.." Eve said softly, expressing her worries. "I just don't think it's fair on him, y'know?" She asked. "Don't get me wrong, Ill do as much work as I can, just so we're accepted, but I was thinking maybe Calvin can have the lighter set jobs? Like running errands? Mate he could water plants and stuff?" Eve asked.

She watched him with big bluish eyes, glancing the way she knew Calvin and the girl called Beth had gone. Eve knew he would be asking a lot of questions, being the curious little boy he was. She only hoped he stayed polite and well behaved. The boy had his tantrums and she hoped the day had tired him out because bedtime was always a struggle with Calvin if he wasn't tired. Eve noticed her thoughts were drifting off to things that were irrelevant, so looked back to Stephen.

Beth smiled down at the little boy. "Well, that pirate man is my dad. He's usually busy, sadly. But hey, I'll make you a deal, I'll be sure to tell him you asked for him." She said, walking down the more colorful, large hallway and to the play room. There were a few kids already there, maybe two or three Calvin's age, but the rest were a bit older. "This is the play room, and well, library as well. It's though that door over there."

Stephen tilted his to the side slightly as Eve spoke. Not that he didn't understand, because he did. He wouldn't want his little brother doing work either. But, kids didn't have to work here. That's why they had Beth, she kept them occupied and busy throughout the day with little activities. Being merely a child herself, this came as no problem. However, his sister... That was a question he was going to try and find his way out of.

"He doesn't have to work." Stephen said, after he'd stopped to talk to her. "He's a child, we don't ask anything from them- well, only for them to be careful around the fences." He reached out and rested a gentle, beaten up hand on her shoulder, for reassurance. For hope in this little camp. Hope in him...

Stephen was starting to get the impression that he portrayed his camp as more of a prison, and not the home it was meant to be. He'd never meant to make it sound like the rules were like that, and he would clarify. When he had time... Now. Now was the time to fix his little mess.

"I believe I've made you think that we are in an actual prison. That's not how it's meant to be... I didn't mean for you to think you would get thrown out over something like being rude or anything. I had meant, when I spoke of this earlier, anything like; sexual crimes, stealing, beating, etc... That's the only crimes you will get thrown out on. Trust me.. You and your brother are fine."

"Thank you, ma'am." Calvin grinned, his expression lighting up more when he saw other kids his age. It had been a long time since he had, and he was very excited. "Can we play?" He asked, pointing to the other children, still holding Beth's hand. He didn't wait for an answer before he was pulling her over to the children, is hand near the toys. He hasn't seen any in so long, he was almost scared to touch them. He looked up to Beth for reassurance.

Eve noticed his head tilt, and only hoped she was making sense. She didn't want to seem like she was complaining, because she wasn't. She nodded lightly when he said Calvin didn't have to work, Eve glanced to his hand on her shoulder, but gave a small smile. She didn't mind it too much. "It just kinda sounded like he'd have to help give to the camp, but I guess it's okay if he helps out with the small things. I don't want him growing up thinking he doesn't have to do anything." Eve smiled brightly.

She shook her head when he told her he thought she saw it as an actual prison. "No, not at all." Eve said softly, resting her hand on his which she assumed was still on her shoulder. "It's quite the opposite, actually. This place is like our Safe Haven. We can relax here. We can live without the fear of being killed by the walkers." Eve said softly. She smiled as she looked down. "I'm still finding a way to thank you for taking us in." She smiled with a soft shrug.

Beth couldn't help but laugh at how this little boy was. It wasn't something she'd seen in a long time, I mean, the whole asking part. She was used to the other kids pretty much running her over to get to the toys, not this, not being pulled along and asked. "Of course we can!" She said, kneeling down by the toys, "are you sure you don't want to ask them if you can join in their game?" She asked softly, only now noticing how he was covered in dirt, and small cuts. "Tonight, ask your sister if she'll take you to the showers. You need to clean those little cuts, don't want them getting infected."

Stephen smiled softly in reply to her at first, though of course he was trying to think of sole ways Calvin could help. And there were a few; pulling weeds out of the garden, feeding some of the animals, and some other little things. It was a place full of opportunities despite how small he had made it sound earlier.

When she finally finished speaking, he opened his mouth to talk, but for once he was almost speechless. He couldn't have said it better himself. But the last thing, there were always ways to repay someone, now weren't there? He could think of quite a few, but hell, he barely knew her. "There are always ways, honey. Always." He still hadn't moved his hand from her shoulder just yet, it was rather comfortable there with her small hand rested on top of his

Calvin looked up to Beth, grinning brightly. He looked over to the other kids, shaking his head quietly. He was too shy around other children. He leafed through then toys, smiling at a little car he found, running it along any surface he found, even Beth's shoulder. He looked up at her, nodding. "I will. But she needs to get the water too!" Calvin said, nodding authoritively.

Eve smiled lightly, chuckling when he didn't know what to say. She rose an eyebrow at what he said. "Just what are you implying, mister?" She asked, watching him. "I am grateful, but maybe not that grateful." She smirked, Eve chuckled lightly, noticing how he kept his hand on her shoulder. She blinked her bluish eyes softly, looking up to him.

"Come on, you still owe me that tour, remember?" Eve smiled, taking his hand from her boulder, using it to pull him along, which she struggled to do at first, because of her size, but soon managed to pull him along. "So? The garden?" She looked up to him, flashing a smile.

"Of course!" Beth giggled softly, before she turned at the waist so she could keep an eye on him. However, she did notice how shy he was around the other kids. Why was that? She couldn't help but wonder how long it's been since he'd been around others his age, or even played around... Deep down, she was a little concerned. "Hey, Calvin, why don't you want to play with the others?" She asked softly, resting a hand on too of his head with a small smile. "They'd love to play with you! I'll introduce them to you if you'd like, or we can just play with the toy cars here, if you'd rather."

Stephen blinked, shaking his head at what she thought he was implying. "No, no- I- no." He managed before he was dragged along behind her. Which, he pulled his hand away to push open the door to the large garden. He was almost blinded by the bright summer sun in the progress. "Welcome to the garden," he smiled.

It was a nicely sized plot, beautiful plants, and plenty of people working in it to keep it perfectly healthy. This, this was their lively good. Without it, how could they keep moving forwards? How could they survive? They couldn't. The food supplies in towns were all expiring, which made it risky to eat. He didn't want to put his family in risk because he was too lazy to ho.

"And we do have animals," he gestured over to the wooden, hand built pins. They had pigs, horses, a couple cows, and even some chickens. "Hardest part is killing them for food... But you have to do what you have to do." He shrugged.

Calvin grinned, though looked up to Beth, then to the other kids. "I'm scared." He said quietly, holding onto Beth still as he played. He looked to the car when she next spoke, shaking his head. "Uh-hu." He said, not feeling safe enough. He'd probably drag Eve with him when he felt brave enough. He giggled with a grin when he saw some dinosaur toys, picking them up, hitting them against each other, acting out a fight between a Triceratops and a T-Rex.

Eve chuckled, laughing at him. "I know, I know." She smiled, shaking her head with a small laugh. "Gosh, keep your panties on." She smirked, rolling her eyes playfully. She squinted her eyes when the sun beats down on them, smiling as she glanced around. "It's beautiful." She smiled, walking over to the pig pen, smiling brightly. "It reminds me of the farm my parents had before Calvin was born." Eve said softly, grinning at the chickens and the horses.

"I love it here already. It reminds me so much of home." Eve smiled. She was just your typical farm girl until her family moved to the city. She loved getting the chance to help out with the animals and the crops they would plant yearly. Eve let out a happy sigh, glancing around again. She knew she would be spending a lot of her time here, when she wasn't playing with Calvin and helping Stephen out.

Beth smiled softly down at the little boy. "Don't be scared, honey." She stood up, then glanced around the room quickly. "I have to go, would you like to go with me, or stay here?" She asked, tilting her head to the side once again. "I'm supposed to go and help take care of the baby piglets." She said softly, though something told her she needed the little boy to come with her. After all, he was acting super shy around the other children after all. "Would you like to come with me?" She asked, "Or you can stay here with the others."

Stephen smirked. Of course she knew. However, maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad idea. After all, women were running quite thin, weren't they? It seemed a lot of them were killed by the walkers, as they weren't all strong enough to fight it through. When you ran into a woman now a days, there had to be something special about her.

"It's nice, I'll admit that. The runs, though... that's the part you have to worry about. Every time we go out of this place there is a huge chance we wont be coming back." He said, giving a slight shrug. "I hope to keep you and your little brother safe, if you'd let me that is." Stephen lead her over to the fresh blueberries, picking one, and then bringing it to his mouth to eat. It was so sweet, and ripe. Amazing how little things like that could mean so much. "Want one?" He asked.

Calvin watched her, as if deciding. He looked down to the Triceratops. "Can I bring this?" He asked, holding it up above his head incase she couldn't see. "I like pigs, but Eve said we couldn't get one because people will try to kill it." Calvin told her, nodding as though to show it was true. "Eve is a vegi-vegeni-tarian." He told her, getting up to his feet from his knees. "That mess she don't eat meat." He said, proud of himself that he remembered, but Eve would always take him to McDonalds and Pizza places, as long as there was a vegetarian option, but even that didn't matter.

Eve smiled, glancing around as she watched the chickens peck at the dirt. "Where did younger these guys from?" She asked curiously, looking to Stephen. She listened to him. "I know the risk. The odds were always against us when I took Cal with me, I didn't trust the guys at the camp to take care of him." Eve told him, smiling lightly when he next spoke. "Well, Im not gonna refuse." Eve smiled softly.

She followed him when he walked to the blueberries, amazed how healthy they were. Not one dead leaf. The stems looked pretty strong and healthy too. She watched him as he ate the blueberry. It kinda made her mouth water. She didn't know how long it had been since she had eaten fresh fruit. "Please." She smiled, nodding at his offer, her eyes scanning for a good looking blueberry.

"We have to eat our pigs, sadly." Beth said quietly, hoping she wouldn't upset the small boy. It was a good thing to see the children here growing up with some kind of moral, instead of being killers like the rest of the humans that were left. Beth had lost her 'soul mate' as well, when he'd went on a supply run with Stephen. However, she never let the emotion show- all in all, she was comfortably numb from the inside out. "But of course you can bring it! He might like to play in the dirt, too. Don't you think?" She bent down and picked him up, making sure he didn't drop his little toy. "Your sister will like it here, then. We have a huge garden!" She added, putting as much of a dramatic tone on it as she could. She walked with him rested on her hip out to the piglets. "you should name one." She winked, lowering him onto his feet. There were only two piglets left, and each were female. But, she thought it'd be nice for him to be able to name one of them, maybe it'd give him a little bit more happiness, if that made since.

Stephen picked a few of the fresh berries, and passed them to her. "For some reason, the walkers had walked right past them. The horses, they could out run them, and I guessed they had learned that they couldn't take down a cow." He chuckled, taking her hand, and gently letting the berries fall into it. He couldn't help but feel bad for her, though. After all she'd been through, then those assholes at the other camp... deep down he wanted to go up and shoot everyone of them. "I wouldn't have either, when women run as low as they are now... tons of things happen, guys'll get off in anyway they can, trust me, I've seen it unfortunately..."

It was so unfortunate what people would go so low after it happened, after everything changed.. criminals were released; murderers, rapists, molesters... the list went on and on. Sadly, theses were most of the people who were left alive, because they knew how to survive.

"Oh. It's okay. I like meat." Calvin smiled, holding onto Beth when she picked him up, nodding. "I wanna name one." He grinned excitedly, running to them when he was put down, grinning at the piglets. Laughing at the noises they made, showing them his Triceratops toy. "Is that the momma?" Calvin asked, pointing to the bigger pig, he looking up to Beth. He already liked it there. He had a place to play, to run around. And a place with animals. What else could a kid ask for? He also thought he found a new friend.

Eve smiled, letting him take her hand to put the berries into it. "Thank you." She smiled gratefully, popping one of the berries into her mouth, surprised how good it tasted, under the circumstances. She smiled, looking to him as she listened. "The animals are lucky, in that case." Eve said softly, nodding at what he next said. "Unfortunately, I've seen it too." She said softly. "It often meant tripping one of the other guys to keep the zombies behind." Eve told him. She had heard the stories. Of what some people, desperate to survive did.

Eve was lucky enough to start out with a camp without any of the criminals, but sometimes it felt like she had walked into one full of it. She hated the fact Cavin would have to grow up around such people, so decided to leave, and find a new, better place to raise him, and she was lucky enough to have had Stephen approach them after saving them from a walker. She knew she and Calvin both would have been dead if it wasn't for him. Eve felt she owed her life to the handsome stranger, which wasn't such a bad thing, in her eyes anyway. As she got lost in her thoughts, Eve subconsciously was still eating the berries from her hand, though offered the last to Stephen.

"Yes, that's old Bess." Beth said, flashing a small smile down to the boy before she pushed the makeshift wooden gate open. "They're both girls," she added, "so you might want to pick a girly name!" Of course it didn't have to be girly, but she was having too much fun spending time with the little boy. He was the kind of hope she needed to keep pushing through. In all honesty, she'd been threw a lot. Even slit her wrists before... In attempt of killing herself. But, Stephen caught her in time and helped her. That's why she followed him everywhere. She looked up to him like a father.

Stephen nodded softly, letting his eyes fall as she spoke. "My best friend did that a while back... After I found out he was trying to steal my wife. He obsessed over her, pulled a damn gun on me in front of everyone. Eventually... He got to the point he was trying to get me killed, and don't get me wrong... Shane was like a brother to me. But what he was doing, was not only scaring my wife, but me as well." He rubbed the back of his neck, only bringing his hand down to take the berry that he was offered. "At least you don't have to worry about anyone like that here, you know. If you have any problems though," he trailed off as he threw the blueberry into his mouth, "you can come to me and I'll take care of it."

Trust me, he was more than happy he'd stumbled across her. He would have hated to see her hurt though, that was what was getting to be the problem; he was becoming overprotective of someone he didn't even know. He wanted her, which was sad in this case. Since she had no interest, and face it; he wasn't the best guy to fall for. But he did have his perks.

"Oohh.." Calvin smiled, reaching down to stroke the piglets. "Um.. Fifi." He grinned, after one of the TV shows he used to watch. "And.. Belle." He nodded, looking up to Beth to see if she liked the names. "Can I help?" He asked, hopping over to her, getting distracted by the piglets and following them, giggling loudly. His shaggy bown hair lightly bouncing as he ran.

Eve nodded softly, resting her free hand on his arm, the only part of him she could reach that was appropriate. "She was smart then, if she stayed with you." She said softly, offering a gentle smile. "I'm sorry, but your best friend sounds like a Grade A dick." She said honestly, looking up at him. "I'm glad he didn't kill you. I wouldn't know where I'd be without you." She said sweetly, letting her hand gal to her side once he took the berry from it. Eve smiled lightly. "I appreciate that. I really do." She grinned. "But I don't think we'll be having any problems here."

Eve knew she liked Stephen, yet she didn't know to what extent. She knew she was appreciative and grateful for helping out her brother and herself. Eve had noticed a loveable quality about Stephen that she was giving into, but she knew better than to act on it. She had lost his wife after all,and she supposed she didn't want to be compared to her at every waking second. He didn't seem like the person who would. Eve realised he was getting ahead of herself and snapped out of her daydream, glancing around the area. Spotting Calvin, she smiled. Glad he was having fun too.

Beth, of course, loved the names. How could she not? They were classic. However, the moment she looked up, her heart dropped. A spark flew across the sky, and info their home, causing the walls to collapse. No. No, this couldn't happen. She picked up Calvin, and with all of her might ran to Stephen and Eve. "Guys! He's back!" She shouted, eyes flooding with tears. This man, the one in charge, he was very, very bad news. And they all knew it.

Stephen had opened his mouth to reply to eve, but before he could get it out the "cannon" struck the wall right behind him. He moved forwards, and wrapped his arms around eve, giving her protection from the shrapnel that flew out. Of course... At least it wasn't the main cell block, meaning it wouldn't hurt them one bit, but the thing was, when Beth told him who was there, it was like all the blood rushed from his face. He was pale as a ghost.

He pushed Eve behind him, then whispered something to Beth. He didn't want anyone hurt, so he was going to try and get everyone out just in case he couldn't solve the problem.  Whatever that might be.

"Well, nice to see you all again!" The man shouted from outside the fence, his eye covered with a patch... Andrea had stabbed him in the eye the last time she'd seen him. "You have a nice place here, Stephen." He murmured, though he already knew everything. He knew the layout, and would do whatever he could to get it. "I want to make you a-"

"No deals. My family's here. We are not leaving, so turn your damn tank around and go back home!" Stephen walked slightly closer, though his hand was on his gun, ready to use it if he needed to. "Just go home. We just want to live in peace." He said, only loud enough for them to hear.

"That's what I thought you would say," the man smirked, shaking his head softly. "You need to be out by sundown tomorrow. If you're not, well blow the place up." And he left. Got in his  truck, and had his people follow him.

Stephen turned and looked to everyone else who'd came outside. "We.."
"Well, what do we do?!" Someone shouted.
"I don't know. I... Let me figure it out."
"Well, if you don't knew, then we are leaving. Who's with me?" Well, that got rid of a few unwanted people... But it also made it harder to fight.

"Eve," Stephen turned, and wrapped his arms around her. "You need to go. That man is insane.. I won't put it past him to come in and murder us all. I can't let you or  your brother get hurt.  I promised."

Calvin squealed and began to cry when the loud sound errupted suddenly. His big blue eyes were looking around, squinted because of his tears, near enough screaming for Eve. She took him into her arms when Beth came over, Eve gently rocking him. The boy had never been a fan of loud noises. Eve looked up to Stephen when he wrapped his arm around her to protect her, she was still stunned.

Eve could only listen to what was being said. Her bluish eyes narrowed when she listened to the man, muttering under her breath. However she looked up to Stephen when he wrapped his arm sround her again, only this time he told her they had to leave. "What? No we cant.." Eve said softly, shaking her head. "Id rather be killed by my own kind than one of those things." Eve told him. "Either way, it doesn't really seem you're keeping your promise." Eve said, pulling out of him arms, still holding Calvin who was beginning to calm down. "There is no way we can all be safe out there. The best we can do is fight for our home, at any cost. Forget the people who have given up before the real fight has started." Eve said, looking to those people with a hard stare, before looking to everyone else. "The least we can do is fight with what we've got." She said softly.

Eve only hoped she could convince them, she used to be terrible with small speeches in her English classes. Eve suddenly got a little nervous that they would just laugh and not consider her ideas. She had only been there a few hours at the most, and already she thought of it as her home, but also Calvins. She needed to make sure he would be okay, which maybe have meant hiding him if they did fight. The whole message in Eves little speech was that she wasnt going to go without a fight, and she hoped they felt the same way.

(Ugh, sorry! Had my phone taken away for a while. >.< back now, though.)

Stephen shook his head when she spoke. It made him think she had no idea what she was getting into anymore. She had no idea how this would play out, and neither did he. But he did know it wouldn't be great. They were out numbered, and running low on ammo. The possibilities of them being slaughtered, wad pretty high. He didn't want to take that chance.

"You don't seem to understand," he murmured, glancing to Beth in hope she was agreeing with him. Sadly, she wasn't. She was shaking her head at his statement. And he knew she wasn't the only one who thought the same thing. That they should fight, to stand up for what they thought was right. "It'll be a slaughter! We will all be dead." He shook his head, turning away from them before he began to walk to the building.

Beth sighed, "you can get to him. Go, try and make him change his mind. I can't do it, and neither can anyone else. But you might be able to get through that thick skull of his." She said, gesturing towards the way he was walking. "I can help with the whole ammo thing. I.. I think I can at least, but first he needs to say something other than leave."

"And it'll be the same if we have to live out there!" Eve said, the first time she had risen her voice, and she didn't like it. "None of us want to be a walker, that's why we want to try and save it." Eve sighed softly, watching him walk away. "Thank you, that would be great. Any help is beneicial." Eve nodded then looked up to Beth, giving it little thought before carefully passing a now sleeping Calvin to her, rushing after Stephen, though numerous thoughts we running through her mind.

Why would he listen to her? He barely knew her. Why would he promise her things? Why was he refusing to fight? She knew the risk was high, but unfortunately, it was a price she was willing to pay in order to save a place where so many could live in peace without being afraid. Eve rubbed her hands together, trying to figure out something to say, but she thought it best to his wing it as usual.

"Stephen.." She said softly, reaching out to take his hand as he was walking. "I don't want to give this place up without a fight.." She said softly. "I know.. I really do, I know you're scared of losing people, after losing so many loved ones. I'm terrified of losing Calvin, but Stephen.. We have to try, and show this guy whose in charge here. And from what I've seen.. That's you." Eve said softly, still holding his hand. "Maybe, if we're lucky.. We can kill the guy.." She said softly. "I was just thinking of a good old fashioned ambush." Eve said quietly, running her thing over his fingers. "Will you join us?" She asked hopefully.

Stephen shook his head softly, not wanting to hear any more of it. How could he say yes or no? He wasn't scared of just losing people. He was scared that every single thin that he'd built up, the relationships with his people, all of it would be gone and they'd all be back on the streets, bouncing from house to hours to try and stay safe. To keep form being eaten alive by walkers.

"Why do you think that it'll work? Huh? I mean, not to say you don't know what you're doing, but obviously you have no freaking idea what exactly you're getting into right now. Yes, we could come out smelling like roses, but on the other hand, we could all be killed. Not only that, but tortured and forced to watch our other family members be murdered in front of our eyes. Once they come back, it won't be peaceful." He had been there oh-too- many times with this same person. Only, Stephen wasn't brave enough to stand up to him.

He pulled his hand away, and finally gave into the pressure. "Fine, well do it. But, when something happens, like I know it will, don't come crying to me." He turned away and ran his hands over his face, hazel eyes closing tightly as he thought.

An ambush would be the best way, it would probably prove to have a higher rate of success if they did it that way. God knew if the "governor" took down the fences at the prison, they'd be screwed. That was their only protection from the outside world.

And all of a sudden, he realized she was right. "Fine. Fine..." He said, turning towards her once more. "You're in control. I'll help, but I'm no good with tactics."

Eve looked down, feeling like she was being scolded in a way. She closed her eyes lightly, nodding quietly with what he was saying, hoping to interject but couldn't find the right moment, so just left it, he was probably tired of hearing her voice anyway. She could only listen at the moment. She let out a light sigh when he spoke about torture and murder. He was making her doubt her own ideas, and she didn't like it, but Eve kept quiet.

She was kinda upset at how easily he assumed she didn't understand their problems, but she knew a lot at the age of 19, maybe not education wise, but she knew how to fight for something she wanted. Years of practise went into the skill. Eve bit her lip from saying something when he basically told her not to look for sympathy in him. She couldn't help but think of Calvin. What if he was the one that died? Eve wouldn't be able to cope. When he pulled his hand away from hers, it scared her a little, enough to make her jump, she rubbing her hand lightly.

"Mhm." Eve hummed, walking back to the group, biting back tears of worry. She carefully help Calvin, watching his innocent sleeping face. "I'm just going to put him in our cell. Ill be back so we can talk tactics." Eve told them, quietly walking off, her head low, watching Calvin quitly. He knew how to find her, and if he got scared he would just stay in the room, Eve would close the gate anyway.

Stephen had not meant to make it sound like he was scolding her, but what was he supposed to say? That everything would be alright? She needed to know that he had no faith in this. In surviving at this point. But he was trying not to be such an ass. Guess that didn't work, eh? Well, he couldn't be perfect all of the time. And now, he was more than worried.

As she walked away, he just nodded silently. He and the rest of tre councilors had yet to discuss everything. Though he was almost positive that they'd agree with Eve. Funny thing was, her having all this say in it might have been a good thing. Maybe he would be able to lay down his hat as councilor and just let someone else deal with all the annoyance of it.

He rubbed the back of his neck as he turned to look through some of the maps he had laid across his desk. Some of them had small markings, others were nearly blank. However, now was the fun part; if they were going to ambush, then they'd have to find out exactly where the others peoples camps were. He had no doubt that they would be scattered.

Eve quietly carried Calvin up to the cell. She laid him down on one of the bunks, tucking him in. She knelt beside him, running her fingers through his hair. "Don't sorry Cal. Ill keep us safe. That's how it is. That's how it'll always be." She said softly, kissing his forehead. "Just you and me, bud." Eve said softly, resting her head on the bed. Wow, she could have fallen asleep right there. It seemed so long since she had a nice long nap, but now wasn't the time.

Eve reluctantly got up, kissing Calvins forehead. "I'll be back up soon. I promise." She whispered, running her thumb against his cheek before walking out of the cell, closing the gate. Eve walked back to the others, trying to figure out just how they would do this. An ambush was the best way. If they were hidden, it would maximize their chances of victory, and survival. Now all she had to do was figure out how they were going to manage it.

As she approached them, she saw the maps but didn't pay too much attention to them. "Firstly. Does anyone have anything they would like to suggest?" Eve asked. This wasn't just her fight, and she wanted everyone to at least have a say in what they would do. "First of all, who doesn't want to fight? Bare in mind this has to be just one person. Someone will need to care for the children. It is unfair to include them in this." She said, nor wanting Calvin, or the other children hurt. They were the future after all.

An older woman stepped forward and raised her hand, "I'll watch the children." She said, though Beth wasn't quite as happy with this. That had been her job for oh-so-long. Guess she'll get over it? Sure hope so. If she didn't, there would be a lot of hell. Her father was head of council for a reason, he was one of the wise men there. One that had a huge heart, one that would protect his family with his all.

"I'm not a fighter-"
"Yes, Beth. You are. I've seen it too many times, you're more of a fighter than anyone else in this room." Stephen said.

He crossed his arms over his chest, just watching the people in the room. Not many had an objection, but they also knew it was going to be hell. Absolute freaking hell. First off, how could they object? Just like Stephen, they knew they had to do what was right, even if a blood bath would accrue. The walkers were the least of their problems now days.

"I don't think you'll have an objection, but my question," Hershel said as he lowered himself down into a chair. "How are we going to beat them? We are outnumbered at least 10 to 1." A lot of the people in this camp were sadly older. That was where the problems came into play. Many of them wouldn't be able to fight this battle.

Eve looked to the elderly woman, nodding. "Okay." She smiled, glad that was sorted. She looked to Beth. "Yeah, and we need you for the ammo, remember?" Eve smiled softly, she had only suggested an ambush because no one put forward any better ideas. It kinda felt like if they failed, it would all be on her, and all that extra weight on your shoulders wasn't a nice thing to have. She ever felt more alone.

Eve listened to Hershels question, nodding. "Allow me to explain." She said, picking up several rocks on the ground, separating them into two groups. "These, are the rivals." She said, pointing to one group. "And this is us." She pointed to the smaller group, them began to set out the rocks that represented them into a formation. "I know that there are elders here, so I am thinking, putting them behind the fences, but they are armed, so they can easily kill those who do infiltrate the prison." Eve said, looking up to them. Just to make sure they were following us. She then separated the pile that represented them,. "This will be the younger of us. Out there, taking them down. I am suggesting horseback, it's much quicker." Eve told them.

She could only hope someone would offer more ideas, because she was just thinking what she thought would work, with the elders shooting down any people who came close, they would hopefully be safe as they were behind the fence, whereas the younger, and fitter people, could fight against them away from the fence. "But first.. We have to blow up that damn tank." She told them. Eve thought that was the only thing preventing them from success, and she would happily be the one to try and blow it up.

Darrel, one of the other members of the council, smiled pretty slyly at her suggestion. He knew exactly how to get rid of it, and it would be easy... Given, he could get close enough to throw a grande into it. That was the only hard part; getting close enough. "I'd suggest the same thing, though sadly, we only have two horses. Making it slightly harder for us to do that." He was a cocky asshole. That was no doubt, but he was useful. That's why he was here. He provided just as much protection as anyone else. Hell, he part founded this stupid project.

Stephen shrugged his shoulders softly, "we have more vehicles than we do animals, I'm afraid. Just as Darrel just said, though I think it'd be better to go on foot. Quieter. Maybe not as quick, but a lot quieter." He leaned against one of the hard concrete walls as he waited on others to speak for themselves and for the prison. "Your intentions are good, but you have to realize we have our limits." He added quickly. Though he was a little shocked at what she'd first said to Beth, about the ammo. He wasn't sure about letting her do that, not alone at least. He'd just have to send someone with her.

Other council me members talked it over, and eventually agreed on the plan. It was pretty much all said and done-- now to put it in action, that was another story.

Eve looked to Darrel, nodding with what he was saying. Even if it was cocky, she was glad someone spoke up. She chewed her bottom lip lightly. "Mm.. Okay. But the vehicles sound like a good idea too. Say, if we have two to a car, one drives, the other shoots? We can run them over at the same time." Eve suggested, glancing to everyone, glad they were now getting involved, it was much easier.

"But like you just said, if we are on foot, it's slower.. Unless who have a few on foot, and the vehicles are the surprise part of the ambush.. However, I suggest trying to take the boss down first.. Whilst he's in that tank." Eve said, looking to Darrel with a slight smile.

Eve listened quietly as they spoke it over, fiddling with her fingers, she hoped and wished that they could pull it off without any problems. She was sure they didn't want to loose more people, but she wanted them to have their home, and maybe she could even gain the acceptance of his sister? Who knew, but for now she had to just see how this all went.