hiraeth | c.g. |

x

The gates of Hilltop opened slowly to welcome the group as they arrived at the community, the creaking low and mellow. The people of Hilltop gathered with smiles on their faces when they realized the people that had left had now returned. However, upon seeing their fallen faces and the body lying on a horse, they knew something was wrong.

As they made their way to stand before the Barington house, Clary watched as Tara approached. As if by instinct, the young woman stood close to Jesus' body, almost as if trying to protect him in the way she couldn't before.

Tara looked at her with eyes wide in shock, the disbelief begging Clary to tell her it wasn't true. But it was. "I'm sorry," was all Clary could say, the older woman placing her hands on the cold back of her friend for a moment.

Tara was silent for a moment, gripping his clothing with shut eyes. "Thank you for bringing him back." Clary nodded softly, wishing she could do more to comfort the both of them. 

As Daryl and Magna took Jesus' body from atop the horse, Clary felt eyes on her, forcing her to look up to meet Enid's gaze. Immediately, the young woman made her way to Clary, not hesitating to engulf her in a tight hug. They didn't speak, not needing to. After years of friendship and their close bond, all they needed was each other.

As Clary pulled away, she saw Enid's eyes fall to the wound on her side. "Come on, we should get you fixed up." Clary shook her head, stepping away. "No, not until we get answers from her."

Looking at the girl they had brought, Enid followed Clary's gaze before clenching her jaw. "Is she the one that did it?" Clary shook her head. "No, he's dead. But it was her people that did it. She says it's just her but, if she's lying, that means having her puts us at risk." Enid nodded, looking at Clary before clutching her hand. "Do what you have to, but come by the infirmary as soon as you're done."

Before Clary could argue, Enid looked at her with worried eyes. "Please, CJ. These people took Jesus already, don't let them take you, too." With that plea, Clary nodded, squeezing Enid's hand comfortingly before stepping away.

"Clary." Both young women looked up to see Carl approaching, cocking his head towards Michonne as she and Daryl grabbed the girl from the top of the horse she rode. Clary quickly departed from Enid, joining Carl before they walked behind Michonne and Daryl, following them to the cells.

Questions were thrown their way, but Clary's eyes only stayed on the back of the girl's head. It wasn't until she felt a hand grip her arm that she was pulled away, surprised to see Tammy Rose the one to clutch her. "You get her to speak, no matter what. You do what you gotta do."

Clary nodded softly, surprised at the dark look in the woman's eyes, knowing that it probably mirrored her own. However, upon feeling a hand guiding her by the small of her back, she looked away to see Carl giving her a questioning look. With a reassuring nod, she followed the group into the cells.

"Get inside," Daryl demanded, Michonne and Tara taking over the hold of the girl. They dragged out a chair before throwing her into it, Michonne ripping off the blindfold only for the girl to look at both Michonne and Tara in fear.

"No more bullshit!" Michonne demanded as she faced the girl. Clary made her way to stand in the corner, leaning against the wall with her dark eyes focused only on the girl.

"How many more of you are there?" Michonne questioned, the girl leaning back as she breathed heavily. "I already told you. They're all dead."

As she began to cry, Clary's jaw clenched. "My family's dead. Please, just stop." Michonne scoffed. "Not until you start answering our questions."

Tara leaned forward. "Your name. Start with your name." The girl scoffed. "I don't have one. None of us do. None of us did. That's not how it worked."

Frustrated, Clary made her way past the two women, procuring her switchblade before holding it to her throat. "Why do you walk with the dead? Why do you wear their skins?"