"Consumed by Grief"

Aaliyah's vision snapped back into focus, and with a raw, anguished scream, she launched herself towards Henry's head, her feet pounding the earth as she ran. Her eyes were fixed on the gruesome sight, her mind reeling with horror and grief. "HENRY!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the forest, a sound that was both primal and heartbreaking. Michonne, Carol, and Daryl rushed after her, their faces etched with concern, but Aaliyah didn't care. She didn't see anything except Henry's lifeless head, his eyes staring blankly into space. She reached out a trembling hand, her fingers brushing against the pole, and then, in a moment of madness, she grasped the pole, her grip tightening around it as she screamed again and again. The others tried to pry her fingers loose, but Aaliyah held on, her body shaking with sobs. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of grief, unable to escape the overwhelming pain. Michonne gently tried to reason with her, but Aaliyah was beyond consolation. As she stood there, frozen in her anguish, the forest seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening and twisting around her. The air was heavy with the stench of death, and Aaliyah felt like she was suffocating under the weight of her own sorrow. Suddenly, Daryl's voice cut through the air, his tone low and deadly. "We need to get out of here," he growled, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "Now." But Aaliyah didn't budge. She was stuck, her mind and body consumed by her grief. It was as if she had become a part of the forest, rooted to the spot, unable to move or look away. Carol gently placed a hand on Aaliyah's shoulder, trying to comfort her, but Aaliyah shook her off, her eyes still fixed on Henry's head. "No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I won't leave him." Michonne's face was set in a determined expression. She knew they had to get Aaliyah out of there, but she also knew that they couldn't force her. Not now. Not when she was still reeling from her loss. As the silence stretched out, Aaliyah's screams gradually subsided, replaced by ragged gasps for air. Her body began to shudder, her grip on the pole slowly loosening. It was then that Michonne gently wrapped her arms around Aaliyah, holding her close as the young woman's body convulsed with sobs. Slowly, Aaliyah's eyes lifted, her gaze meeting Michonne's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, a connection forming between them. And in that moment, Aaliyah knew that she wasn't alone. She had her friends, and together, they would find a way to navigate this darkness.