Within

one

The dining room in their home in Alexandria was filled with a familiar warmth, the kind that came with shared meals and quiet conversations. The flickering light from the oil lamps danced across the walls, casting long shadows that seemed to blur the lines between past and present. They sat around the small table, their plates loaded with whatever they could scrape together, canned beans, dried meat, and fresh vegetables from the garden. It was simple, but it was theirs.

Ariana sat between Michonne and Carl, trying to focus on the meal in front of her. But her mind was somewhere else, caught up in the unease that had been building between her and Michonne for what felt like days. She could feel it simmering beneath the surface, waiting to spill over.

Michonne's gaze was a constant and heavy presence. Ariana knew that the inevitable confrontation was looming, like a storm gathering on the horizon. She'd been bracing herself, but the anticipation was becoming a physical weight.

"We need to talk." Michonne began, her voice cutting through the oppressive silence.

Ariana's fork clattered against her plate, a sharp discordant note in the otherwise quiet room. She didn't look up, her eyes fixed on the remnants of her food.

"About what?" Her voice was almost a mere whisper, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within her.

Michonne leaned forward, her expression a mixture of concern and determination. "About you going out alone. It's too dangerous."

Rick glanced up, his expression serious but measured. He didn't say anything, but Ariana could see the worry mirrored in his eyes. Carl was quieter than usual, his attention seemingly on his plate, but she knew he was tuned in to every word.

A bitter laugh escaped Ariana's lips. "Dangerous? This whole world is dangerous. I've adapted. I've survived." Her voice hardened. "I'm not a child, Michonne. I'm only a few years younger than you."

Michonne's eyes narrowed. "It's not about treating you like a child. It's about protecting you. Things are different now. The Saviours are out there. It's not just walkers anymore."

"I'm not a liability." Ariana replied, trying to keep her frustration in check. "I'm doing what I've always done, getting what we need to survive."

Michonne shook her head slightly, her voice soft but insistent. "This isn't about being a liability. It's about being part of something bigger. You don't have to do this alone, Ari. We're stronger together."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Ariana knew that she was right, but the idea of staying behind, of letting others take the risks while she stayed safe, felt unbearable. She needed to be out there, to keep moving, to feel like she was contributing.

"I need to be out there, Michonne." She said quietly, glancing between her and Rick. "Sitting here... it's not enough. I can't just watch from the sidelines."

Rick spoke up then, his voice calm but firm. "We understand that, Ariana. But you don't have to go it alone. We can plan these runs together, make sure everyone comes back safe."

"I appreciate that." She replied, struggling to find the right words. "But this is something I need to do. I like going alone."

Carl finally looked up, his voice quiet but steady. "We just want you to be safe, Ari. That's all."

The room went quiet again, the weight of Carl's words sinking in. Ariana looked at him, then back at Michonne, her hand reaching out to rest on hers. The concern in her eyes was undeniable.