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Scars Run Deeper Than You Think

"This ain't the way to Hilltop." I realised, my tone suspicious as I slowed down completely. Daryl turned with a struggle, Henry limping to a stop to look at me, too. I had been scanning the trees all day, eventually noticing how familiar they were becoming.

"We ain't going to Hilltop. Alexandria's closer. We can fix up there, then head to the Kingdom." Daryl told me, making his way forward again. My footsteps were hesitant behind him, even as we finally came upon the towering gates. I had always loved this community, but I couldn't deny the heaviness in my heart every time I stepped foot inside.

"You ever been to Alexandria?" I glanced at Henry, watching the way he peered through the bars. He shook his head, not taking his eyes off the movements inside. "You're gonna love it." My gaze switched to Lydia who had a constant frown, arms folded with nervous anticipation.

"Henry's hurt." Daryl explained, my stare moving up to see Michonne and Aaron at the watch post. They were looking at the girl beside me with narrowed eyes, understandably not trusting her. They hadn't seen the way she had changed, after all. "So is Belle. You were closest. I wouldn't have come, but we had no other choice."

"What about her?" Michonne gestured to Lydia, her eyes stern.

"She's with us." I told her, my features encouraging. I was starting to feel the blood on my back become warm, meaning the wound must've reopened. It's not like it was particularly closed to begin with.

We must've got through to her as the gates slid open, metal grinding against tarmac as I came face to face with the community I hadn't seen in years.

"I'll take Henry to the infirmary." I moved towards him, my face screwed up with pain as I helped him walk. I brushed it off, even with the concerned expressions of those around me, eventually reaching the familiar white door.

"Long time, no see." Siddiq smiled, taking the boy from my grip and setting him down on the nearest bed.

"Yeah, right. It's been, what, a couple days?" I laughed, sitting down beside him as he worked. "I did a couple sutures, nothing much. The tourniquet should've helped the bleeding."

I watched the needle pierce the skin around Henry's wound, the younger boy wincing with pain. It didn't take long for the hole to be sealed shut, a bandage stuck down to protect it.

"What about you?" Siddiq pointed at my back, where fresh blood was continuously pouring. "It doesn't look good."

I shrugged dismissively, waiting for Henry to limp out of the infirmary. He sat on the steps next to Lydia, his staff resting next to his injured leg. "I've had worse. I just couldn't reach it, and I didn't want them to worry."

I turned my back to Siddiq, his fingers gently lifting up the back of my sticky shirt. I could almost sense his frown when he set eyes on my wound, instructing me to lie on the bed.

"I'm surprised you lasted so long. It's pretty deep, gonna leave a nasty scar." He informed me, wiping a cramp cloth around the area.

"Great, I can add it to my growing collection." I grinned, my teeth gritting as he stabbed the needle through my skin. I didn't think I would ever get used to that feeling.

"What happened?" Siddiq asked lowly, worry tinting his words.

My lips fumbled for an explanation, eventually deciding on the truth. "Those Skin freaks really sneak up on you. I guess I'm losing my touch, 'cause one of them got me with a knife. Hurts like a bitch." I complained, hissing as the thread tugged tight. "I couldn't leave Lydia with those people, not after finding out what her mom was like."