revenant|c.g.|

memento

The sky was dark, not with the coming night but rather due to the gray clouds that hung overhead, heavy with rain. The gathering people knew that they were about to be accompanied with a storm, the air thick with the scent of the rain. But it was a joyous day, especially for the people of Solaris as they stood at the walls of what had been their home. A home they had been forced away from, but had now returned to.

The plans to build up their home had been made. The taunts painted on the walls by the Saviors would be washed off. The homes ravaged by fire and destruction would be replaced by mobile homes or fully deconstructed to make room for crops for farming. Training areas would be created close to the Barracks. The Big House and the Meeting Hall would stand tall once more. There were plans for everything and almost all of the people of Solaris were happy to return and get to work to rebuild.

Almost.

Clarissa Rhee wished she could share in her people's joy as she stood at the front gates of her old community. It had taken her many moments of controlled breathing to make her way to the gates to stare at the red letters once more. 'Long Live the Commander' the words read, staring back at her just as they had months prior. They were part of the images that flashed in her nightmares, forcing her to remember everything she had gone through, everything her people had gone through. It was just short of torture.

However, she found solace in the fact that she was joined by her people, her friends, and the other communities as they all were prepared to assist her and the people of Solaris in rebuilding their home. However, the process would not begin for another week as she and her people had other business to attend to. Eight months had been a long time to wait, but as she saw the van nearing, she let out a deep breath. Whispers from the Solaris members sounded as they knew who sat within, coming to greet death and it's Angel.

As the vehicle neared, other cars, trucks, and horses came from behind like a trail. The van came to a halt as it neared the entrance, Rick stepping out of the driver's seat while Carl exited from the passenger side. Immediately, Carl made his way to Clary as Rick gave her a short nod in greeting, to which she returned to the leader.

Just as she was dressed in her own gear, Carl was dressed in the clothing of the Second Commander, decorated in his armor and paint for the ceremony. The only differences between them were that her face was bare of war paint and that she had the usual red fabric draped over her shoulder while he wore the gray. His hand grazed against hers, the closest form of love he could greet her with as they were not a pair to show their affection in front of their people.

"Is he in there?" Clary asked, her eyes looking to Rick to answer his question, to which he nodded. "Yes," Rick began, only for him to let out a sharp breath. "But, Clary, this isn't the way. We can hold onto him just as we did—" Clary shook her head. "No, we can't."

The two Grimes men watched as she looked to her people, her eyes scanning their eyes, holding a hunger for revenge. Clary shook her head. "You took away everything I had fought for that day by saving Negan," Clary stated before returning her eyes to Rick's. "I can't let you do the same to my people. I won't." The man before her clenched his jaw before nodding, looking past her to see a sturdy, wooden post where a few Guards had been stationed. "Is that where you want him?" Rick asked, to which Clary nodded. With one last look, Rick made his way to the back of the van, Clary able to hear shuffling before the doors shut.

Coming around the corner, Clary held her breath upon seeing the disheveled appearance of Charles Micson, the greatest traitor to Solaris. Clary could admit she was surprised as Rick walked him past, her eyes falling on the man. His usually well-kept hair was greasy and had grown out quite a bit, the length messy and skewed. He looked gaunt, his eyes a bit sunken in and his face pale. However, he still held that smirk, one that she believed was the very look he must have had upon seeing the destruction of Solaris the first time. The destruction he had caused.