Heartless ➳ TWD² [COMPLETED]

Chapter XIII ➳ Goodbye

DARYL led the way for us on his motorcycle, taking out any stray Walkers in the way down Route B. We remained steady on our horses, thumping along.

I heard Alden talking to Ken about how Marco wants to learn about blacksmithing now, too. I smiled, but Alden couldn't tell that I was about him. I felt eyes on me and looked over at Brie, who stared at me. "What?" I smiled, innocently shrugging.

"Oh, we already know how Ken feels 'bout Tess," Alden laughed, now glancing over his shoulder at me. "There's no secret that he has hearts in his eyes when she's around."

I started to smile and chuckle, while seeing that Ken was trying to hide his red cheeks from me. "Oh, stop teasing, Al," I said to Alden, smirking. "At least, he knows how to make a move, unlike you."

Brie was still staring a hole in me, but I chose to ignore her daring glare and focus on the conversation in front of me. "Yeah, yeah," Alden chuckled, his own cheeks red, too. "Whatever you say, Tessa."

"You're gonna choke for calling me that, Aldie," I teased back, and he kept smiling. "Still, don't feel bad about it, Ken. You'll always be my favorite guy around here."

Ken smiled and replied, "Thanks, Tess. This is why you are the very best."

Just then, Daryl came flying up on his motorcycle with Rosita on her own Four-Wheeler. We came to a stop and waited on the news.

"TWO other herds meter into Silvia, so now it's even bigger," Rosita claimed now that we were at the bridge. "One of them came through here, and the backend took down the bridge. Took the walkie-repeater with it."

"What 'bout Route A?" Daryl asked. "Is that clear yet?"

"It's still too close to the herd," Rosita answered, as I slightly peeked over the edge with Rick. That water was rapid today.

"We can get to Alexandria from this side," Michonne suddenly spoke and said, "until it passes."

"No," Maggie immediately barked back. "Route A has taken days to clear before. I need to get home to Hershel."

I walked up to Maggie and rubbed her arm. "We'll get you back to him," I reassured before turning to look at everyone else. "Any other options?"

"We could take Route D. It's early enough in the day," Carol suggested, shrugging with pursed lips.

Rick spoke up next, "Keep an eye on the trade road, in case anyone else tries to move through." He started to walk towards his horse. "Gabriel, y'all can head back to Alexandria from here. The rest of us... we can go to the Sanctuary or Hilltop, stay the night, and head off from there. Take care. Get home safe."

"What are you gonna do?" Brie asked me as I was getting back on my horse. "Going home or going with them?"

"I'm going with them," I claimed, heading up on my horse. "Go back to Alexandria and tell the kids that I'll be home tomorrow. I wanna help Maggie get home to Baby G."