Solitary {2} : The Walking Dead

Chapter Seven.

I'm Lydia.

"You're all done" Siddiq says, "thanks" Iris mumbles, slowly pulling on her top and walking out of the trailer, she walks over to the cellar, seeing Michonne, Tara and Daryl standing outside, "I don't trust a word coming out of her mouth." Michonne says, "We'll get it out of her." Daryl says "We try again in the morning." Tara says.

"You'll have to do it without me. Taking my people back first thing. Can't risk them not knowing about this back home." Michonnne says "Okay. Thanks... for being here and for helping. That group you brought in, I'm gonna let them know they can stay. Guess it's my call now. That's what he would've done." Tara says.

"Thanks, Tara." Michonne says, "I'm gonna stay. See if i can help talk to her" Iris says, Tara turns to Iris "thanks" she smiles, walking away, Iris looks back at Michonne nodding to her before walking away. Iris makes her way into Maggie's office, smiling as she looks up at the paintings on the wall.

She looks down at her backpack on one of the chairs, opening it up she pulls out a new top, carefully she lifts her once white top over her head, she quickly turns and looks at the door as it opens "sorry" Tara mumbles, "it's fine" Iris says, pulling her new top over her head "how's your arm?" Tara asks, watching Iris shove her bloody top into her backpack, "fine" Iris says, turning and looking at Tara.

"So, you're gonna stay?" she asks, Iris runs her hand over her face, "it's okay" Tara says, her words coming out filled with sadness, "i- i don't know what i'm doing" Iris says, looking at Tara, "i don't know anything anymore" she adds, Tara walks over to the redhead, gently wrapping her arms around her, "it's okay" Tara whispers.

Tara pulls away when she hears a knock at the door, "come in" she says, Iris moves back to the desk and looks up at the pictures as the door opens, "they need you to pick a spot for Jesus" Iris turns to see Daryl standing in the door, "i'm coming" Tara says walking out the room, Iris looks at the floor, anxiety clawing at her gut, "hey" she mumbles, glancing up at him.

"Hey" he says, the two fall in silence again, Iris nervously picks at the skin around her nails, "i gotta go" Daryl says walking away, Iris opens her mouth to say something but no words come out, Iris looks up at Hershel's painting, "im trying" she whispers, letting out a sigh and walking out of the building.

............

Iris stares out the bedroom window, looking up at the sky as her mind runs wild, she slowly stands up, trying to make sure she doesn't wake Michonne up, she grabs her coat and quietly walks out of the room. As Iris steps outside she carefully pulls her coat on and starts walking down the path, she stands in front of the gates and looks up at the guards, letting out a whistle and she waits for them to open the gates.

Iris strolls down the dirt road, listening to the animals as they call to each other, she sits on a log laying on the side of the road, reaching into her coat pocket she pulls out her tobacco and papers, "you know smoking kills right?" Iris rolls her eyes as she lifts the cigarette to her mouth, licking along the paper and sticking it down.

"Everything kills nowadays" Iris mumbles, holding the cigarette between her lips and holding the weak flame of her lighter to the end of the stick, "this place is weird without everyone here" Iris looks at the girl next to her, "what's wrong?" "I miss you juniper" Iris mumbles, looking away from the girl.

Iris looks over at the Hilltop walls as she smokes her cigarette, she looks at the figures standing at the top, "you feel guilty don't you. Because the last time you saw Maggie was full of anger" Iris ignores the words "you not here Juniper. You're dead. My mind is tired... That's why I'm seeing you" Iris says, standing up and walking back to the gates. She sits on the porch, leaning her back against the wall and slowly closing her eyes, letting sleep take over.