The response came from an unexpected source. Evan didn't claim to know everyone in the compound, no, but when people liked to make themselves known as much as Jacquelyn Danvers did, it was hard not to remember their face or voice. Of course, fortunately, she didn't make herself known in the same way others around here did, which could be considered more than a small favor, given Evan's current stress level.
The boss. Evan snorted a laugh at being called that. He'd never felt very boss-like, even when Charlie called him “boss” practically every time they spoke. He made no outward flinch at the mention of Leah, though it wasn't an easy task. Since their fight, things have been tense on the best days. They hadn't really talked about whatever had happened, why she'd decided that she still needed to run around out in the infected wilderness when she was carrying their child. It was still hard for him to swallow, too, especially after all she'd been through the last time she'd been pregnant.
“Marigold managed to catch the cold that's running around,” he explained instead, not allowing the stress and worry to show on his face. “So, Leah's staying with her sister until she shakes it. With the baby on the way, we don't want her coming down with anything.” It was one of the first times Evan had spoken of the child with someone outside of his family, but somehow, it felt hollow. The rumor mill had taken the wind out of his sails, he supposed.
She asked him what he was here for and he shrugged a shoulder. “I'm not sure, exactly,” he chuckled a little bit. “To see what was left? To see if there was enough to get things started again, maybe? We need some kind of laboratory. To stay ahead of things.” A simple enough explanation, and it satisfied him, so that was good enough.
Of course, the more prevalent question was, “What, exactly, are you here for?” he asked in return.