𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝖪𝖾𝖾𝗉𝗌 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖬𝖾 | ᴅᴀʀʏʟ ᴅɪxᴏɴ ³

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜɪʀᴛʏ ᴛᴡᴏ

«DEATH»

SIDDIQ'S FUNERAL AND FAREWELL brought the community together. Eugene, Ezekiel, and a few others returned to Alexandria to attend the funeral, in tribute to their departed friend.

Siddiq was a friend to many, a brother to others, and a doctor and healer to the community. His sudden absence left a void.

"I remember this passage from my studies," Gabriel spoke as he knelt by Siddiq's burial place, whose body lay underneath the soil along with many others before him. The ones who were gone.

Chloe's heart raced as she listened to Gabriel speak. Her mind wandered into dark corners. With Siddiq resting close to her father, she wondered when her time would come – the time when she would join them, the time when Daryl, Tom, Logan, and all those who loved her would gather around, paying their respects and saying their goodbyes.

Death did not scare Chloe in the slightest. What frightened her was the idea of losing them while she remained, mourning each and every loss. She had lost too many. Some found a final resting place, receiving the rites of burial and mourning, while others faded away like distant memories, never granted a place to rest.

Her mom, Angie, had been left behind at the prison, denied a proper farewell. Chloe never had the chance to bid her a proper goodbye.

Cody, too, vanished without a trace. Despite returning to the location where he succumbed to those relentless walkers, there was no trace of him.

And it all hurt. All over again.

Gabriel continued. "Written by a scholar centuries ago who was trying to understand the impossible "Let me live if life is better for me and take my life if death is better for me." He had surrendered himself to fate because his world defied logic."

"Defied justice," he said. "We created you from it and return you into it and from it we will raise you a second time."

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

As scheduled, the designated group departed from the confines of Alexandria's walls, each mounted on a horse, except for Daryl, who revved his bike. Their destination was the meeting point with Magna, Connie, Kelly, and Jerry.

"Hey," Daryl greeted them as they approached.

"Hey, D," Jerry grinned. "Good to see you."

"You too," Logan responded.

"How is it going, Tom?" Jerry asked.

"Alright," Tom smiled. He had refused to stay back.

"How's Rosita?" Magna inquired of Carol and Chloe.

"As expected," Carol replied.

"Let's get to it," Daryl directed, taking the lead.

"Screw these freaks," Magna muttered. "I say that in Siddiq's honour."

Walking side by side through the dark woods, there was still no sign of what they were searching for. Chloe kept close to Connie and Kelly, not feeling much like talking. In contrast, John, Merle, and Jerry couldn't seem to stop talking.

Chloe observed as Daryl followed Carol, who appeared to be wandering away from the group, but she left him to deal with her. Carol's obsession with Alpha and her recklessness annoyed Daryl.

They soon set up camp, lighting a fire to gather some energy for when the sun would rise again. And as they all gathered around the fire, attempting to get some rest, John suddenly burst into hysterical laughter.