rag doll | TWD

[33] strangers

we're an american band --- grand funk railroad

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[POV]

The group'd been walking for what felt like forever. But really, it'd only been a number of hours. They were tired, hungry, thirsty and everything else in between. 

JJ's feet were killing her, but she would never admit it. It was her boots. She knew it, but she didn't wanna hear 'I told you so' from her brother. She was just glad the group stopped for a break when they did.

She noticed Carol and Tyreese down by the water, so JJ went to help. "Hey." She greeted softly, squatting next to the two. 

The gathered water in silent for a moment before Tyreese said, "We don't need to tell them about the girls. I don't want to."

JJ continued to stare at the water while Carol looked to Tyreese, "Why?"

"I just need to forget it."

"I don't think we'll ever be able to." JJ mumbled, continuing to go about her business. She eventually looked up to her two companions. "But I agree. We don't have to speak of it."

After their break, the group began walking again. 

That night, they had stopped again, not planning to move until morning. 

Rick stood in front of his sister away from the fire and the rest of the group. He kept his voice down, "I owe you everything."

JJ shook her head, "she's my niece. But Tyreese and Carol- I don't think we would have made it without them."

"You would've. I mean, hell," Rick looked back the way we came, "look what you did back there."

She scoffed. 

"You're strong, JJ. You did all those years when Shane..."

JJ looked at the fire. 

"I never said how sorry I was."

She moved her eyes to her brother. "It wasn't your fault."

Rick nodded, putting a sturdy hand on her shoulder, then to the side of her face to show his appreciation. 

JJ watched the camp's fire burn some more, but after a while, she stood up, "I'll take first watch" and went to the perimeter of the camp, sitting next to a tree. It was quiet. The wind was just loud enough to interrupt the droning silence. 

JJ thought about the past month and everything that'd happened. Having to go from being deathly ill to the prison collapsing to taking care of a baby in the middle of the woods hadn't given her much time to think. 

Lizzie and Mika occupied her mind mostly. She looked out at the fireflies blinking in the woods. She thought about Mika. How the young girl had met an unfair, gory death from her sister and how Judith was about to have the same ending. 

JJ was distracted from her thoughts when she heard the rustling of leaves behind her, so, as if an instinct now, she stood up and raised her gun. 

Daryl wasn't fazed. When she realized it was him, she lowered her gun and sat back down. 

"My turn to take watch. Go get some sleep. You look exhausted." He joined her by the tree.

JJ shot him a look before placing her chin on the butt of her gun, deeply sighing. "Can't sleep anyway. Might as well keep watch."

Daryl scoffed. 

She raised her head, looking to him and shifting positions, "What?"

"You, not being able to sleep."