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. She knew it was the damn boots, but the last thing she wanted was to hear her brother hit her with an I told you so. So, she was just thankful the group stopped for a break when they did.

JJ spotted Carol and Tyreese headed down by the water and decided to join them. "Hey." She greeted softly, squatting next to the two. 

They gathered the water in silence, the only sounds coming from the running stream. 

"We don't need to tell them about the girls. I don't want to," Tyreese broke the silence.

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

"I just need to forget it."

The blonde softly shook her head, "I don't think we'll ever be able to." Another moment of silence struck the three, until JJ finally stood up, "But I agree. We don't have to speak of it."

After the break, the group picked up and starting walking again. 

By nightfall, they'd stopped for good—no plans to move again until morning.

Rick stood with his sister away from the fire and the rest of the group. He kept his voice low, but genuine, "I owe you everything."

"She's my niece. I would've done anything for her." JJ shook her head, "But Carol and Tyreese - I wouldn't've made it without them."

"You would've." Rick assured her, glancing back at the fire, "I mean, hell, look at what you did back there. What you did, JJ."

She let out a small scoff. 

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

The blonde's eyes flicked to the fire. 

Rick paused, "I never said how sorry I was."

She shook her head, finally looking at him, "It wasn't your fault."

Her brother nodded, wanting to say more, but not knowing what to say. He squeezed her shoulder, then placed his hand to the side of her face to show his appreciation as he went back to the fire. 

JJ took a minute, leaning against a tree, staring into the fire. She watched as quiet conversations were shared and as her brother and nephew happily cradled Judith.

"I'll take first watch." She announced, moving to the very outer edge of where they had set up camp for the night. 

It was quiet. The wind was just loud enough to interrupt the droning silence. But after the past few days she'd endured, JJ was grateful for the quiet.

It gave her time to think, process -- being on death's bed at the prison, Hershel's horrific ending, taking care of a baby in the middle of the woods. 

Lizzie and Mika occupied her mind mostly. Her eyes would catch the occasional blink of a firefly in the midst of the trees. She thought about Mika. How her own sister killed her. And how Judith was about to have the same ending if they'd been a minute later. 

JJ was quickly pulled out of her thoughts when she heard the rustling of leaves behind her. In this world, her first instinct had become to raise her gun, which she'd gotten good at.