rag doll | TWD

[23] welcome to the tombs

come together --- aerosmith version

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[POV]

Despite having a plan to deal with the Governor, the group still braced themselves for the worst-case scenario. They packed their bags and loaded up the cars, positioning them strategically just outside the prison fence for a quick getaway if necessary.

As tensions ran high, JJ noticed Carl pulling away angrily from Rick. 

She crossed her arms and leaned against the car. "I've never seen him this mad. Even with Lori. He's just--- he's shut down."

Rick sadly looked over to his son, "He's still a kid. It's easy to forget that sometimes."

While JJ stood beside Rick, her eyes landed on Daryl. Since they had buried Merle, JJ and Daryl had grown closer. Their relationship had gone from being members of the same group to someone they didn't hate to be around anymore. 

Despite what JJ had confided in Maggie, her feelings for Daryl hadn't faded overnight. Daryl now looked at JJ differently, seeing her as more than just Rick's sister.

Rick did one last sweep of the cellblock, ensuring everything and everyone was ready for whatever might come. JJ, Glenn, and Maggie stayed hidden behind the makeshift walls on the walkway, prepared to defend the prison.

Which they did. Decked out in body armor, the three defended the prison, firing off multiple rounds as the Governor's men retreated from the prison. Bullets flew from all angles towards their trucks, sending them on their way back to Woodbury.

"Get the hell out of here!" Glenn shouted, shooting rounds at them alongside JJ and Maggie.

JJ managed to get a few last hits at their truck as the Governor and his team retreated.

Maggie stood up, lifting her helmet's shield. "We did it?!"

"We did it," Glenn confirmed, breathing heavily. "Come on down," he told the two, signaling that it was safe to leave their positions.

They met up with the others in the courtyard. "We did it. We drove them out," Rick announced proudly to the group that stood there. 

"We should go after them," Michonne suggested, her voice firm.

"We should finish it," Daryl agreed.

JJ nodded, her adrenaline still pumping, "Finish the fuck out of it."

"It is finished. Didn't you see them hightail it out of here?" Maggie motioned, trying to calm the rising tension.

JJ looked to her friend, then her brother. "They're probably on their way to regroup as we're standing here."

"JJ's right. We can't take the chance. He's not gonna stop," Glenn added.

Carol nodded, "They're right. We can't keep living like this."

"So we take the fight back to Woodbury." Maggie reminded, "We barely made it back last time."

Daryl shook his head, "I don't care."

"Yeah...let's check on the others. Come on," Rick said, leading the group.

They reconvened inside the prison cell block, where Hershel, Beth, and Carl were bringing Judith back in. The tension eased slightly as they saw their loved ones safe, but the urgency to protect their home from the Governor remained strong.

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[JJ]

I leaned against the truck, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on me. My hands trembled slightly, but I was determined to see this through and end things with the Governor once and for all.