In the cool breeze of the early evening, Michonne paces slowly back and forth across the deck of the tower scanning the area both inside the community and out. By far, everything has been steady until someone in the shadow line of the trees on the far side catches her attention. Though the figure is in the distance, Michonne leaps into action with nothing but a feeling of who it might be. The Samurai swiftly climbs down from the tower skipping a few steps half way down with her focus on the area. She races for the gate where another Alexandrian is keeper.

"Open up!" demand Michonne running towards them. The gate keeper does. "Man the post!"

Michonne dashes for the side of the community where the figure was last seen.

Holding the handle of the sword connected to her back, Michonne carefully and quickly examines the area in attempts to find a fresh trail. Eventually, she picks up a few fresh tracks and heads off. At first closer together, the tracks are now spreading further apart indicating that the Being is now running. Michonne picks up the pace but watches her own footing as not to contaminate the trail. Due to the increasing number of pine needles on the forest floor, the tracks become faint with every step until they go cold. Michonne isn't as skilled in tracking as Daryl or her cousin but knows enough to get by. In this case, instinct directs her and she follows.

{ Music Selection: Jesu Dulcis Memoria by Dan Gibson }

The last of the sunlight is fading through the canopy casting shadows in the lush, dark green forest. Crickets and frogs begin their evening song as the forest falls silent of the bird's. As calming and harmonious as nature's beauty may be, sorrow still lingers.

Finally, after two hours, Michonne catches up to exactly who she suspected it to be. It's Tessa but she is not alone. Though her cousin's back is to her, Michonne conceals herself behind a large enough tree to observe her bazaar behavior.

In somewhat of a clearance, Tessa stands frozen. Tears erupts from her eyes as she collapsing to her knees in front of a male Walker. It is 'alive' but its body is crushed beneath a fallen tree trunk. The creature snarls and grabs for her though she keeps her distance. She sobs... and sobs... and silently weep.

Baffled, Michonne frowns at this. She wants to reveal her presence but also wants to observe and make sense of what she is seeing. What is she doing or better question, what is she thinking? So many questions shroud her mind about this encounter. After a few moments, Tessa, now shaking with tears, draws her knife, steps on the hands of the grabbing creature and puts it down. It's groans and snarls cease but Tessa's cries are still heard as she breaks down in frustration, stabbing the knife in the ground in the process.

Michonne leans against the tree letting this moment sink in with an expression of concern yet confusion on her face. Seeing this contradicts everything Tessa has told them. She turns back to see her gathering sticks and other loose forest debris to cover the remains of the now completely deceased being. Once done she bows her head in a moment of silence, before grabbing her belongings and heading off in the opposite direction from Michonne.

Once Tessa is out of sight, Michonne creeps over to the buried creature. With her sword, she uncovers it's face. There is a stab to its temple and blood streaming down it's face. The Walker is still pretty fresh, possibly recently died a week or two ago. It's facial features still in decent shape for Michonne to make out that it is a young African American male, about Tessa's age, full trimmed beard, and brown complexion. Michonne sighs and re- covers the body. She looks in the direction Tessa headed before starting back to Alexandria.

Later that night, Michonne lays awake and naked next to a sleeping Rick under the thin, silk sheets. She stares at the ceiling in thought until finally, she gets up to sneak around the room and get dressed.

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Now lightly dressed, she opens the bedroom door where Carl and Judith are to check on them. Carl is sleep in his bed as Judy in her crib. Now for one more...

Through the dark, Michonne maneuvers her way through the house seeing only the shadow of furniture. She comes to a stop before the living room and looks to the sofa but Tessa is not there. Michonne panics and goes through the house swiftly but quietly. She checks the kitchen, behind any other closed door downstairs and then realizes...

Michonne heads up the stairs to the empty bedroom. Upon opening the door she is relieved to see Tessa lying sleep in the bed. Hesitant, she creeps over to her. From what Michonne could tell, Tessa cried herself to sleep due to the tear stains on her face. She looks peaceful but at the same time troubled in her sleep. Michonne sighs deeply.

The cool of the quiet night, Michonne walks down the lit street alone in thought until a voice calls out.

"Hey…"

She turns to see Daryl sitting on the railings of Carol and Morgan's porch smoking a cigarette.

"Hey," Michonne says smiling wearily. " What's with you?"

He shrugs.

"Carol and Morgan... they're having a "Moment'," explains Daryl dismissively. Michonne cracks a smile.

"Aw, poor baby," tease Michonne.

"Ugh…" he passively grunts. "I can't sleep through that… Where you off to?"

Michonne sighs and shakes her head. In truth, she doesn't even know.

"I don't know. Just... out."

Daryl puts out the cigarette and goes over to her.

"Guess I'll take a walk too."

The two head down the street at pace. They are silent for a moment until Michonne finally speaks her mind.

"Tessa cried herself to sleep."

Daryl just looks to her and silently listens as she continues.

"I saw her slip into the woods today and tracked her just beyond the creek you found her. There she was… She was crying over a Walker then buried it."

A slight frown folds on his face upon hearing this. She has killed Walkers before, no problem. What makes this one so special?

"Why? What did she tell you?" ask Daryl.

" I haven't confronted her yet but you are right. She's hiding something," confess Michonne, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

He senses this must be hard for her confronting a family member about their wrong doings. Daryl has dealt with such situations with Merle. Though confronting his brother was a lot more intimidating being that he was older and tougher than Daryl originally was. Yet in Michonne's case, it's wanting to trust her younger cousin and believe she is innocent of anything. If Tessa's not, depending upon severity, Michonne would have to find balance and possibly sacrifice either her baby cousin or the community.

"I'll do it," speaks Daryl softly but firm.

"No. I will," says Michonne owning up to the responsibility. "She was very distraught over it so… I'm just giving her a little space… The reason you're right, I think she may have known that Walker in life. Which means…"

Daryl knows what it means. That there is a whole lot Tessa isn't telling them. He places a hand on her shoulder for comfort.

"Hey… whatever it is… its probably not even that serious."

"Probably….I feel terrible. My only living relative and I know little to nothing about her anymore."

"You do."

"I don't…." snaps Michonne growing emotional towards the situation. "Growing up she would call me to tell about school field trips, friends and any other things going on in her life. But other than tending to Andre, I was always busy... putting my attention on things that doesn't even matter anymore. Even now, you're more attentive to Tessa than me. The one person that SHOULD matter MOST to me and I use excuses like not wanting to baby her. But mostly, I fear that if there is betrayal… I will have to kill her. "

"No, you won't. It's be fine," assured Daryl. He knows she's just thinking too much into it. "Look, you're right to give her space. As much as I wanted, I couldn't keep up with Merle… and about that day, I don't think I ever thanked you for trying to reason with him."

"You don't have to," says Michonne recollecting herself. "Merle had his reasons to do what he did. He gave us a chance… That's something we could all respect."

"Yeah... but Merle's never done anything like that in his whole life."

Michonne looks to him. A soft smile overlaps on her previous sorrowful expression. Wow how much their friendship has grown since the day he pointed his crossbow in her face. When Michonne arrived at the prison a stranger, she unknowingly reunited Daryl with his brother. Now, things have come full circle and he has miraculously returned the favor. Karma.

"Daryl, thank you. For keeping an eye on her when I didn't."

Heartfully, he shrugs and nods.

"It's what we do."

They continue down the street.

The next morning clouds hang in the sky. In the bedroom she slept, Tessa places a backpack on the bed and stuffs a few items inside. She glances around making sure she has everything but on the night stand is the picture of her, Michonne and Michonne's Mom. Tessa sorrowfully look at it before a knock is heard at the door. She knocks the backpack on the floor and kicks it under the bed just before the door opens. Michonne enters.

"How are you feeling?" ask Michonne calmly closing the door behind. She stands at it and makes eye contact with Tessa from across the room.

Tessa silently looks at Michonne who's demeanor is well… straight forward.

"I'm fine... What's up?" ask Tessa curious of why she asked.

"I just came to see what you were up to," shrugs Michonne making her way to Tessa.

"We've all been busy so I thought to see you. Do some catching up."

Tessa is suspicious of her behavior and it's making her rather uncomfortable. Almost as if Michonne is trying to 'feel her out' on something. The moment feels dragged out and heavy but Tessa keeps her nerve.

"Well, I was actually on my way out," says Tessa dismissing the offer.

"Where?"

"Just... see what needs to be done…. Catch you later."

Tessa heads for the door but Michonne calls out.

"I followed you into the woods the other day."

Tessa stops coldly but doesn't turn to her. She inhales a breath before speaking what she had hoped to avoid.

"I know," says Tessa. "I just hoped you'd never ask."

"Then you also know that I'm not a simpleton," defended Michonne. " You knew that Walker."

"…. Yes. Yes I did," admit Tessa as she turns to her older cousin.

Michonne stands strong expecting a deeper confusion.

"He was an accompanist... and someone I was in love with."

Michonne now stares at her with sorrowful concern though Tessa, however, seems unaffected as if she has come to terms with this fate. Her expression is hardened by a soft glare and by her exotic appeal. Love, for friends or family, is the most important thing in these dark times and the devastation of losing anyone is never underestimated. Tessa turns away but is surprised when Michonne goes over, grabs her from behind and pulls her in for a warm hug. Caught of guard, Tessa gradually melts in the embrace. They hold the moment until, realizing something, Michonne coldly breaks away.

"Accompanist... for what?" she ask.

Tessa takes a moment to respond but simply says.

"Surviving."

"Don't be vague," says Michonne firmly. "Surviving what? And don't say Walkers."

The cat's out the bag and there is no putting it back in. Tessa takes a deep breath and sighs calmly keeping direct eye contact with Michonne.

"I was apart of a group..."