Transformation

All rights belong to The Walking Dead

Spoilers for Episode 5x13 "Forget"

Michonne looked at herself in the full length mirror wrapped in only a towel. She was riveted by the small droplets of water still cascading down her shoulders. She couldn't remember the last time she really looked at herself. In the many abandoned houses she had rummaged through since the Apocalypse started her main focus was always finding food and supplies. Most of the time she didn't even give herself a customary glance in the bathroom mirrors. Survival had pushed that luxury to the side.

In her life before she was what others would call vain, but to her she was just confident. She started growing her locs during her first year of law school. Before that she rocked a short, cropped style. Mike used to beg her to cut her hair. He loved the feel of rubbing her perfectly shaped head. But she didn't want to cut them because her little baby boy used to love to wrap his finger around a single loc. He would stare up at her with the wonder and fascination only a child in awe of their parents could invoke. Michonne clutched her chest as the pain of remembering Andre became physical. A single tear ran down her still damp face.

She shook herself back to the present and glanced over her shoulder at the bland dress she'd chosen to wear for the "Welcome" party Deanna was throwing. The old Michonne wouldn't ever be caught in such a frock. Her wardrobe was filled with dresses, blouses, and skirts in shades of green, orange, and purple. She sighed realizing she would never be the old Michonne again, and she was tired of being a warrior. Alexandria was a new start.

She walked back into her bedroom and took out the only other dress in the still mostly bare closet. It was a beautiful, white sun dress. She brought the dress back with her into the bathroom and stared at herself a little longer. She nodded after time, finally coming to a decision. She picked up the scissors and cut off one loc at a time. Silent tears blurred her vision as she saw the final results in the mirror. It was like greeting an old friend. She just hoped her baby boy still recognized her when they met again.