The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over Alexandria as the group gathered near the gates. Jihyo stood in front of them, her hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized jacket. For once, there was no vehicle roaring behind her, no dramatic entrance or loud horn. Just her, standing there, quiet and serious.

“I’m leaving,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

The group stared at her, stunned by her words.

“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Rick asked, stepping forward. “Why? Is there something wrong? Did someone say something?”

Jihyo shook her head. “No, it’s not that. You’ve all been… decent. But it’s time for me to move on.”

Daryl frowned, crossing his arms. “Move on to where? Ain’t nothing out there but walkers and trouble.”

She gave a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve always done better on my own. You know that.”

“You don’t have to,” Michonne said. “You’ve got a place here. With us.”

Jihyo looked at them all, her expression softening. “I appreciate it, I really do. But this place… it’s not for me. It never was.”

“What about your cars?” Rosita asked, glancing toward the garage where Jihyo’s impressive collection sat.

Jihyo shrugged. “They’re yours now. Do whatever you want with them. Sell them, drive them, I don’t care.”

The group exchanged glances, disbelief etched on their faces. Jihyo without her cars? It felt wrong, like the world itself had shifted.

Daryl took a step closer, his voice quieter now. “You sure about this?”

Jihyo nodded. “I’ve never been more sure.” She looked at him, her eyes holding a weight that made his chest tighten. “Take care of yourself, Daryl. And… take care of them, too.”

“We’re not just letting you walk out there alone,” Rick said, his tone resolute. “Not without a reason.”

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. “I don’t have a reason I can explain,” she said finally. “But I need this. I need to figure some things out.”

The group fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them.

“When are you leaving?” Aaron asked quietly.

“Now,” Jihyo replied.

Her words hung in the air like a final goodbye. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the gate.

“Wait!” Daryl called out, but she didn’t stop.

The group followed her to the gate, watching as she stepped outside.

She paused for a moment, looking back at them. “Thanks for everything. Really.”

And then, just like that, she was gone, her figure disappearing down the road.

The group stood there, staring after her. The silence was deafening.

“She’ll be back,” Rick said, though his voice lacked conviction.

Daryl shook his head, his jaw tight. “No, she won’t.”

For a long moment, no one spoke. The world felt a little emptier without her presence, her chaos, her laughter.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, they could only hope she would survive—wherever the road might take her.