revenant|c.g.|

xiii

The Grimes household was quiet, the inside dark until the morning sun began to rise. It was just as dawn started to scatter sunlight over the community that a figure broke the stillness of the quiet night. They approached the home, knocking on the door and waiting to see if anyone was home. With no one approaching from the inside, the figure stayed on the porch, waiting for the man she wanted to see.

It was as she waited, with the sun rising before her, that anyone sparing a glance to her would realize it was Clary. And people did pass, silent in their thoughts of previous events, never once checking to see if the distraught girl was okay. With her far off look, most chose to leave her alone, knowing the haunted look in her eyes was from not only the previous night but for all the nights of survival prior.

And Clary didn't care to speak to them as she sat on the porch chairs, only able to think of Negan as she sat in the seat he had been in. Her usual fire would push her immediately off of the chair, probably wanting to burn it, but her exhaustion kept her rooted to the seat as she tried to keep her eyes from closing.

To no one's surprise, the girl had yet to get a good night's rest, rather allowing insomnia to take her body over. Clary knew what Carl would say if he had learned of her lack of sleep, especially after telling him that she would rest. She had told the boy that she would sleep in her old home after he suggested staying with him, but in reality she had spent the night walking the streets of Alexandria. Clary had been unable to even step foot on the porch, terrified of what memories lied within.

So instead, her night had turned into a patrol, walking along the gates or taking over a watch. She had even found herself sitting in silence as she watched Montu walk around in the corral. It had been peaceful, silent, but it was the silence that reminded her that her newfound family had been split. That, although she had people here, the family she had created was elsewhere.

Her thoughts were disturbed as footsteps approached, causing her to look up to see Rick approaching. The man looked distraught, walking with his head low until his gaze fell upon the girl seated on his porch. "Clary?" The girl stood from her seat in the porch chair, smiling softly in greeting. "Can we talk?" Rick didn't hesitate to nod, worry gnawing at him as he saw the look on the girl's face. He opened the door, allowing her in before they both made their way to the kitchen.

It was silent for a moment before Rick looked to the girl. "Is everything okay?" The girl remained silent for a moment before she shook her head. "We both saw it. The death. The blood. His smile." With the faltering look of the man, the girl clenched her jaw. "He enjoys it, Rick, being in power. He enjoys breaking people like you, like me, like us."

Clary watched as the man said nothing, instead moving closer to the counter of the kitchen and leaning against it. He bowed his head, whether in thought or frustration towards her, she didn't care. She moved closer, wanting him to hear her. "We can't live like this, Rick. My people tried and they're dead because of it." She let out a sigh. "I know you wanted to be safe but being under Negan is so far from it. I know you're trying to keep us alive, but surviving and thriving are too different things and I can't stand by and—" the man cut her off with a raising of his hand. "I know. And we're not going to."

Clary took a step back, surprised the man didn't fight her on her words. She watched as Rick let out a sigh before pushing away from the table and standing to his full height. His eyes fell upon her, looking to her as if seeing her for the first time. He might have been doing so, he thought, because it hadn't been till then that he saw her as something other than a kid like his son.

With that in mind, he nodded. "I talked to Michonne, and she said the same thing. She said that we had to fight, so we're going to." He was silent for a moment before letting out a puff of air. "But I wouldn't have realized if it wasn't for you and my son." Clary's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he continued. "I see my son unafraid to put his life on the line to kill Negan, and he said it was to avenge those he's killed, but I also know it was to get to you. Those... feelings he holds for you? I never thought I'd see my boy fight so hard for someone." Clary was surprised as a small smile graced his face. "But I see why, because you taught him how to fight. Not just with a blade but with his words and his actions as a person."