Last Part

Days passed, and Ji Hyo’s condition remained stable—if that was the right word for it. Her body continued to show signs of decay: her skin grew paler, colder, and her movements were slower than before. But her mind remained intact, her thoughts sharp and her voice clear.

The group had grown accustomed to her presence, even though it still made some uneasy. She was no longer just a friend or a comrade; she was a mystery they couldn’t afford to ignore.

“Walker herd, half a mile north,” Ji Hyo announced one afternoon, her voice calm as if stating the weather.

Rick nodded, trusting her instinct without hesitation. “We’ll steer south, through the hills. Let’s move.”

As they packed up and moved out, Ji Hyo walked beside Michonne. “It’s getting harder,” she admitted quietly.

Michonne glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

“I can feel them more strongly now,” Ji Hyo said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like… they’re calling to me. The longer this goes on, the harder it is to fight it.”

Michonne’s expression softened. “You’re still here, Ji Hyo. That’s what matters. And as long as you’re here, we’ll fight with you.”

Ji Hyo nodded, but the weight of her situation felt heavier with each step.

---

Later that evening, the group set up camp in an abandoned barn. The air was thick with tension, and Ji Hyo sat alone near the edge of the barn, staring at the stars through the broken roof.

Glenn approached her, carrying a small tin of food. “You should eat something.”

Ji Hyo shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

Glenn hesitated, then sat beside her. “You’ve been saying that a lot lately.”

She looked at him, her cloudy eyes filled with sorrow. “I don’t think my body needs it anymore. I don’t feel hunger, or thirst… just this cold emptiness.”

Glenn frowned, his chest tightening. “You’re still you, Ji Hyo. No matter what’s happening to your body, you’re still here. That’s all that matters.”

“I’m scared, Glenn,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “What if I lose myself? What if one day, I wake up and I’m… gone?”

Glenn reached out and placed a hand on hers. “Then we’ll fight to bring you back. You’ve saved us more times than I can count. Now it’s our turn to save you.”

---

That night, Ji Hyo dreamed of the walkers. She was standing among them, their guttural growls filling her ears. She didn’t feel afraid—instead, she felt drawn to them, like they were a part of her.

When she woke, her hands were trembling, and her chest felt tight. She didn’t tell anyone about the dream.

The next morning, as the group prepared to move, a small group of walkers stumbled toward their camp. Ji Hyo stepped forward instinctively, holding up a hand.

“Wait,” she said.

To everyone’s shock, the walkers hesitated. They stopped a few feet from her, their heads tilting slightly as if confused.

“What the hell?” Daryl muttered, raising his crossbow but not firing.

“They’re not attacking her,” Maggie whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Ji Hyo took a shaky step toward the walkers, her heart pounding. She could feel their presence in her mind, a dull hum that grew louder as she approached.

“They don’t see me as prey,” Ji Hyo said, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside her.

Rick motioned for the group to stand down, his gaze fixed on Ji Hyo. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I think I can control this.”

She reached out a trembling hand, and one of the walkers stopped growling. It stood still, its milky eyes staring into hers.

The group watched in stunned silence as Ji Hyo stepped back. The walkers remained motionless until she turned away. Then, as if on cue, they shuffled off into the woods.

“What the hell just happened?” Daryl asked, lowering his weapon.

“I don’t know,” Ji Hyo said, her voice barely a whisper. “But I think… I think they listen to me.”

Rick’s face was grim, his mind clearly racing. “This changes everything. If you can communicate with them, control them…”

“We could use it,” Michonne said. “But it’s dangerous. For her and for us.”

Ji Hyo looked at the group, her expression conflicted. “I don’t want to be a danger to any of you. But if I can help… I’ll do whatever it takes.”

The group fell silent, the weight of the moment sinking in. Ji Hyo wasn’t just fighting to survive anymore—she was becoming something entirely new. Something that could tip the balance in their fight against the undead.

But at what cost?