Solitary {2} : The Walking Dead

Chapter Sixty-six.

 We're all friends.

Daryl and Iris walk in front of the horse and wagon, leading the way home with Dog staying in between them, Iris stares down at the floor, exhausted from everything that has happened.

She looks up at the gates of Alexandria open up, Daryl grips onto her hand as they look around at the mess, they stop in the middle of the community, Iris stops and looks down at the burning bodies.

"Uncle Daryl! Aunt Iris!" Judith calls out, Iris and Daryl turn to look at the kids running over to them, Daryl wraps his arms around Judith, lifting her up and hugging her tight, RJ runs to Iris and she lifts the boy, holding him tight.

The pair lower the kids back down, Judith quickly wraps her arms around Iris, "hey kid" the redhead smiles, "i missed you" the girl says, "i missed you too" Iris replies, pulling away and kissing the girl on the head.

"Hey." Daryl says, Iris looks back and watches him pull Carol into a hug, "Is that it?" Carol asks, looking at the supplies, "Yeah." Daryl says, pulling away and hugging Lydia, when he lets go of her Iris quickly pulls her into a hug.

"Where's Negan?" Lydia asks, pulling away, "He left." Iris says, she looks back at Daryl, "he ain't coming back here." Daryl says, "I'm sorry kid" Iris says, turning and grabbing a crate of food, "Here you go. Just take one." Daryl says, handing out the apples.

Iris looks up and notices a familiar face, she quickly puts the food back onto the wagon before running and wrapping her arms around the woman, Connie hugs Iris back, they pull away slightly and Iris looks at the woman's face "i'm so sorry. I tried to get to you" Iris says.

Connie reads her lips, she signs something to the woman, "she said 'i know. It's not your fault" Kelly says, Iris steps back and lets Daryl hug Connie, "Happy to see you." Daryl says, signing the words, Iris hugs Kelly, smiling at her as she pulls away.

Iris stands back and watches everyone "Hey! Got something coming!" Jerry shouts, Iris runs to the gate, climbing up the ladder and standing next to Jerry, Maggie and Daryl next to her, "These guys with you?" Jerry asks, Iris grabs the bow that they leave on the watch tower as she looks down at the people dressed in white armour.

She pulls an arrow back and aims it at the strangers, "Guess not." Jerry says, "Everyone get ready!" Daryl orders, "Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. We're all friends." Iris lowers her bow, "holy shit" she whispers.

"We're all friends. They're here to help." Eugene says, Iris quickly climbs down the ladder, Maggie and Daryl following her, she pulls open the gate, "eugene" she smiles, running and giving him a hug, "hello" the man says, hugging Iris back.

She steps back and eyes the strangers, watching them closely as they make their way into Alexandria, Daryl stands behind her, also watching closely.

..........

"Ezekiel, Yumiko, and I set out on a journey. Charged ourselves with finding hope in our darkest of days. Suffice to say, we hit the proverbial jackpot. It's probably best that I step aside so you all can hear it from the horse's mouth as it were. I give you Mr. Lance Hornsby, diplomatic representative of The Commonwealth." Eugene says.

Iris watches a man in a nice clean suit stand in front of the group, "Hello. I'm Lance. Thank you for allowing us into your home. I must say I am impressed with everything you've built here and what I've heard of your other communities. But it's clear... you've fallen on hard times and that is where The Commonwealth is more than willing to help." the man explains.

"If you remain, we can provide labour and materials to help you build back all you've lost. However, if any are interested... I do have another, potentially more interesting choice to offer." he continues, Iris looks over at Daryl standing next to her, he looks back at her, equally as unsure as her.

SIX MONTHS LATER.

Iris watches as Daryl steps forward, "Open up." he says, "Doesn't have to be this way." Maggie says, Daryl pulls his helmet off, "Yeah. Yeah, it does." Daryl says, Iris steps forward, standing next to Daryl, she pulls her helmet off, "come on Maggie, open the gate" she says.