eight

The next morning, Ariana woke to the familiar creak of the heavy steel door to her cell. She blinked against the harsh light spilling in from the hallway, her heart skipping a beat as she noticed Atlas standing in the doorway. His usual imposing presence was there, but today, there was something else, a softness in his expression that caught her off guard.

"Morning." Atlas said with a faint smile. "Time to get up. We've got a busy day ahead."

Ariana sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"What do you mean?" She asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

She had learned quickly that every day in the Sanctuary was unpredictable, and she braced herself for whatever might come next.

"Negan's orders." Atlas replied, leaning casually against the doorframe. "He wants you to start pulling your weight around here. I've been tasked with finding you a job."

Ariana couldn't help but snort. "A job? What am I supposed to do? Sort through dead walkers for fun?"

Atlas chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite."

"Why can't I just stay here?"

Atlas gave her the all too familiar sympathetic look."Ariana, this is your home now. He thinks you might be useful in the infirmary. You've got a sharp mind, and that's where it'll do the most good."

"Why the infirmary?" She asked.

Atlas shrugged. "I think he sees something in you. Figured you'd be more help keeping people alive than doing grunt work."

"And if I say no?" She asked, though she already knew the answer.

Atlas didn't bother with a response, his eyes narrowing as if to remind her that refusal wasn't an option. Instead, he gestured for her to follow him.

"Come on. I'll take you to Dr. Carson."

Ariana's pulse quickened at the mention of Carson. She hadn't heard that name in a long time. The last time she'd seen him was the last time she did a trip with Michonne to Hilltop. The thought of seeing a familiar face, someone she could possibly trust in this nightmare, sent a shiver of hope down her spine.

As they walked through the winding corridors of the Sanctuary, Ariana kept her expression neutral, careful not to let on how much this meant to her. She could feel the eyes of the other inhabitants on her, but she ignored them, focusing instead on the sound of Atlas's footsteps and the distant murmur of voices from the other rooms.

When they finally reached the infirmary, Ariana's heart was pounding in her chest. Atlas pushed the door open, revealing the familiar sight of medical supplies, old beds, and the sterile smell of antiseptic. Dr. Carson was standing at a counter, his back to them as he sorted through a tray of instruments. Ariana took a deep breath, steadying herself for the reunion.

"Doc." Atlas said, his voice breaking the silence. "Got someone for you."

Emmett Carson turned slowly, and for a moment, his eyes locked with Ariana's. A flicker of recognition passed between them, but Carson quickly masked it with a neutral expression.

"This the new recruit?" He asked, his tone flat.

Atlas nodded. "Negan wants her trained up. Says she's got potential."

Carson gave a small nod, then turned back to his work.

"I'll take it from here." He said, his voice curt, as if dismissing Atlas.

Atlas lingered for a moment, his eyes flicking between Ariana and Carson before he finally turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. The sound of the door clicking shut echoed in the silence.

As soon as they were alone, Carson let out a long breath and turned to Ariana, his eyes softening.

"Ariana." He said quietly, his voice tinged with both relief and concern. "I didn't think I'd ever see anyone again."

Ariana swallowed hard, the tension that had been building up inside her finally easing just a little.

"Same here, Carson." She replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we need to keep this quiet. No one can know we know each other."

Carson nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"You're right." He nodded. "But it's good to see you alive."

Ariana managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You too."

"Does anyone from Hilltop or Alexandria know that you're here?"

Ariana swallowed the cry forming in her throat. "No."

"That's a shame." Carson sighed. "That would've been a good way out. For now, you need to blend in. Negan wants you to work here, so that's what you'll do. But keep your head down, learn what you can, and don't give them any reason to suspect anything."

Ariana nodded, the seriousness of his words not lost on her.

"I'll do what I have to." She said, her voice firm. "But I need to know, can I trust you?"

Carson met her gaze, and after a moment, he nodded.

"Yes." He said. "You can trust me, Ariana. But we're on thin ice here. One wrong move, and it's over."

The weight of his words settled heavily on her, but Ariana pushed her fear aside. She had survived this long, and she wasn't about to let her guard down now.

"Okay." She said, squaring her shoulders. "Let's get to work."

Carson walked her through the basics, his instructions clear and concise. Ariana absorbed everything he said, her mind racing as she tried to process the flood of information. The work was grueling, the sight of blood and wounds unnerving, but she kept her emotions in check, determined to prove herself.

As the day wore on, she found herself slipping into the routine, her hands moving almost automatically as she tended to patients and assisted Carson with whatever he needed. But even as she focused on the tasks at hand, a part of her mind was always on alert, aware of the danger that lurked just beneath the surface.

By the time the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the small windows, Ariana was exhausted. But there was a strange sense of satisfaction in knowing that she had made it through the day without drawing suspicion.

Atlas returned as the infirmary quieted down, his expression unreadable. "You did good today."

Ariana looked up, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Thanks." She replied, though the word felt hollow. She knew this was far from over, this was just the beginning.

Atlas motioned for her to follow him back to her cell, and as they walked through the darkening corridors, Ariana kept her eyes on the ground, lost in thought. She couldn't shake the feeling that this fragile peace wouldn't last long.

When they reached her cell, Atlas hesitated before closing the door.

"You really did well today." He repeated, his voice softer this time. "Just keep it up, and maybe things will get easier."

Ariana nodded, though she didn't fully believe him. "Maybe." She said, stepping into the cell.

As the door clanged shut behind her, Ariana sat on the edge of the cot, her mind racing. The day had been a blur of emotions and revelations, and she knew that the real challenge was still ahead of her. But as she lay down, closing her eyes against the darkness, one thought kept echoing in her mind.

She wasn't alone in this. And that knowledge, fragile as it was, gave her a sliver of hope to cling to in the midst of the nightmare.