revenant|c.g.|

xxiv

"Any sign of them?"

The question caught Clary off guard, her head turning to see Rick making his way from the ladder towards her. With a soft shake of her head, she moved her gaze back to looking out into the direction nod where Solaris had been hiding. "Nothing. I really thought—" Clary clenched her jaw, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword.

Being in silence, she noticed the usual comfort she felt in her Angel of Death garb had yet to provide her with a sense of calmness. Instead, she felt fearful of what lay ahead, a surprising feeling for her as battle had been where she always felt she was at her strongest.

She allowed her thoughts to fade before she turned back to Rick. "I'm so sorry, Rick. I really thought I could get them to stand by us." The girl was surprised when the man shook his head softly, standing besides her to rest a hand on her shoulder. "You did everything you could. We just gotta be ready."

With that, both Rick and Clary looked towards the road to see multiple garbage trucks making their way to Alexandria. "Besides, we got some numbers. We'll be okay." Clary only nodded her head, allowing the man to depart before looking to the forest for a while longer.

As everyone began to gather, Clary made her way to where Rick stood, Michonne standing by his side along with Carl. However, upon seeing the girl approach, Carl made his way to her. The group had begun to dissipate as Carl found his place in front of her, a soft smile upon his lips. "You okay?" Carl asked, the girl only nodding before grabbing his wrist. He was confused, until he saw her fiddle with the leather cuff around his wrist. The same one she had given to him one night that seemed years ago. "Just worried. I hate that you're on the front lines." She let his wrist fall upon seeing the blade inside, assured that he would be able to get out of a tight spot if need be. "I know, but it'll be okay. I'm just glad that you actually listened to my father and are hanging back." Clary allowed her eyes to meet his, a small ounce of annoyance in her eyes that faded as he smiled softly.

However, she couldn't ignore the deep feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Carl, if anything happens today—" Clary clenched her jaw. She had never been one for goodbye speeches before a battle, a trend she wouldn't have to break as Carl brought his hand up to her cheek. "The only thing that will happen today is the end of Negan and the Saviors. Okay?" Clary simply looked at the boy, his eye a bright blue that seemed to calm her. She nodded her head softly, agreeing with a whisper.

"Clary. Carl."

The two teenagers looked to their side to see Rick with his eyes on them. "It's time." The two nodded as he walked away before turning to each other. Clary was surprised when the boy traced her cheekbone with his finger before placing his forehead against hers. "Please don't make me wait until after this to tell me you love me." Clary let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love you," she said softly, a smile appearing on his lips. "I love you, too." Carl tried to close the distance between them, but the girl only pulled away. "I need some form of insurance. You get me when we win this thing, okay?" Carl let out a soft laugh, nodding as he had known early on she would deny him something. "I'll hold you to that." With one last look to each other, neither declaring their terror that it would be the last, they made their way to their posts.

Clary had been positioned in one of the taller houses, becoming a sniper, much like Michonne who stood in the same position in a house close by. It wasn't a surprising thing, the two Grimes' men forcing their loved ones where they were safe. It just annoyed the sword wielding women, who only agreed as they knew they were just as deadly with a gun as they were with their blades.

As Clary entered the home, going to the rooftop balcony, her eyes fell upon the slight of stature woman leaning against the rails. She wore her auburn hair in a tight braid, a rifle in hand to match the one slung over Clary's shoulder. With her footsteps, the woman turned around and gave the girl an unimpressed look. "Dean?" The girl nodded her head, knowing the Scavengers were anything but conversationalists. The woman nodded, placing a hand on her chest. "Uri." Clary only nodded her head once again, making her way to stand by the woman as the two brought up their guns.