revenant|c.g.|

xxxix

The woods were filled with nothing but soft whistles of wind as it blew through the leaves, only disturbed as a figure walked through the woods. She had a bow in hand, a quiver over her shoulder that she reached towards to grab an arrow. Knocking it into the bow, she continued to walk, listening for any sounds of danger. All she could hear was the low growl of a walker as it stepped past the trees and became the focus of her view. As it turned towards her, she drew back the bow, taking a breath before she let the arrow fly.

Having only fired one arrow, she was surprised as two flew towards the walker, each arrow embedding itself in its sunken eye sockets. The girl let out a soft groan, not surprised when she felt an elbow nudge her side. "Daryl—" the girl began, only for him to let out a humored noise. "First rule, Jo, you gotta call it." That was all the man beside her said as he made his way to the fallen walker, shouldering his crossbow and pulling the two arrows out.

As the man made his way back to the girl, handing her the arrow she had used, she rolled her eyes playfully. "Last I remember, you were training me. I feel as if that's calling automatic shots." Daryl only shrugged, locking the arrow back into his crossbow. "Last I checked, I make the rules. Call it." Although a sharp tone, the ghost of a smile on his face let Clary know that Daryl was humored, the both of them able to have easy banter after months of training and working together.

Rubbing the arrow across her jeans to remove the blood, Clary placed the arrow back into her quiver. "We got any more stops?" Clary asked, Daryl shaking his head. "Nah, just wanted to make sure the routes were clear. We're good to head back." Clary nodded, following in his steps as they made their way back to the main road, following it to Solaris.

"You and your people sayin' yes to Rick?" Daryl asked after a few moments, Clary letting out a sigh at his words. She knew that the man had found out about Rick confronting the girl and asking for help, after all if he hadn't known she would have asked for his advice anyways.

Clary only shrugged, her eyes dead set on the path before them. "Honestly, I'm not sure." Daryl nodded, knowing that the choice was a tough one, especially for the young leader. "I know it's part of hope for the future, but it's also my people having to aid the people that killed dozens of them. It's hard to pick the right choice."

With a huff, Daryl agreed, to which she shrugged. "But it isn't up to just me. I'm meeting with my Lieutenants as soon as we get back to see what we should do." Daryl nodded softly. "Good, too big a choice to put on just you." At that, Clary scoffed. "Not the biggest one, but in the end, this isn't just about me. It's about the future, even if I can't see it, others can."

After a few moments, Daryl spoke once more. "You think they'll go for it?" The young Commander could only shrug. "Since I've presented the idea, word around town is that it's looking pretty even right now. People don't like it, not when we have to work with the Saviors. But I also think they want to build a better future, so they want to start at the bridge." Daryl nodded his head softly, knowing she was right. However, the thought of the man that had led the Sanctuary sat in the back of their minds.

As they approached the tall walls of Solaris, Clary looked to the sky to see the sun was soon to approach high noon. Daryl let out a sharp whistle, the guards at the gate knowing it was the two of them and to let them in. As they waited for such, Daryl turned back to the girl. "And what about you? You gotta know rebuilding that bridge means helpin' the people you—" Daryl's words fell quiet but she knew what he was going to say.

The people she had killed. The people she had hunted. The people she had wanted dead. Still wanted for some of them.

Clary nodded her head softly, clenching her jaw. "Yeah, I know," Clary began, continuing on as the gates fully opened. "It's not up to me anyway. The Lieutenants are divided evenly with Carl. The only time I step in is if it ties, then I become the deciding vote. Only then will it become my choice." Daryl nodded softly. "And what would your choice be?"