hiraeth | c.g. |

ix

"Talking walkers. I can't believe it," Michonne said softly. Clary shook her head as she moved with her pistol in hand, ready to shoot at anything alive or dead that came across her path.

With the news of Daryl and the rest of the search party at risk, Clary had worked fast to get out and search for them. While wanting to go alone, Michonne believed there was safety in numbers. Ultimately, the two compromised by keeping a small group consisting of both women and Carl. The two younger members of the group hadn't spoken to each other, with Carl walking a few steps behind them to keep watch of their backs. 

"Did you believe the dead could roam the Earth at the beginning of all this?" Clary asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman beside her. Michonne let out a sharp breath that sounded surprisingly like a laugh. "Yeah, you're right," Michonne agreed as Clary looked behind the two of them, her eyes falling upon Carl as he held his rifle in hand. He held it firmly, his eye watching the treeline carefully.

"It's been years since he's visited the other communities. Years since he's seen anyone other than those in Alexandria." Michonne let out a soft breath. "Years since he's seen you, and I think that's what hurts him the most."

Michonne looked over to Clary, not surprised to see the Commander's gaze now dead-set on the road before them. "Look, Clary—" the young woman shook her head. "Not now," she seethed, giving the woman a dark look.

"It's been three years, Clary. We should talk—" Clary shook her head. "About what? About you casting me out? About you closing off Alexandria to everyone? To me?" Clary shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about."

Michonne clenched her jaw. "There is. Alexandria was your home and—" Clary scoffed. "Was." Looking forward, Clary let out a soft breath. "I— I know I fucked up. But you were the one that said to never come back, and whatever you say can't change that." The young woman shook her head. "Let's just focus on saving our friends so we can go back to pretending the other doesn't exist."

Before Michonne could respond, her eyes wide at the harshness of her tone, Clary stopped as she heard a sharp bark. "Come on, he's got their trail." Michonne nodded as Clary looked behind her, sending a nod to the young man that followed them.

It eased Michonne's mind slightly that the two of them were able to set emotions aside when working together, as much as she knew it pained the both of them. While Clary and her were no longer close, she could see the mask she tried to put on because it was one she saw on Carl every day.

The three made their way through the forest, silent as they followed the hidden trail that seemingly only Clary could see. The two watched as she bent down, looking at the prints in the mud, her eyebrows furrowing. "What is it?" Michonne asked as she stood up, holstering her gun and unsheathing her sword from its home at her hip.

"They were in a hurry." Her heart grew cold as she realized what that meant, her eyes scanning over the dragging steps as well. "A herd's after them," Clary declared, looking at the dog that sniffed at the prints. "Bear, search!"

Michonne watched as the dog sniffed the prints once again before sprinting to search for their friends as Clary had commanded. The young woman followed close behind, forcing Michonne and Carl to follow right at her heels.

They ran through the dark forest as the sun fully set, leaving them in darkness and in the thick of fog as it blanketed the woods. However, the group of three didn't let it hinder their search, with them following after the dog that led them. It wasn't until they reached a cemetery that they heard anything, familiar voices shouting and grunting in pain.

With the clanging of a metal gate, Clary whistled to signal to both Michonne and Carl that they had reached them. They followed the wall until they reached the gate of the cemetery, Clary's eyes falling on Eugene.