rag doll | TWD

[80] stradivarius

listen to the music --- the doobie brothers

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[POV]

6 YEARS AFTER THE BRIDGE

JJ's motorcycle came to a stop just outside the gates of Hilltop, followed closely by an old, battered Jeep. As the engine sputtered to silence, she swung her leg over the bike and stood up.

She glanced up, spotting Tara on watch, who was already leaning over the edge of the lookout tower, a grin spreading across her face.

"JJ?" Tara called down.

The blonde smiled, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sun. 

"It's been a minute."

"It has." She glanced back at the Jeep, where Tara struggled to make out the faces, "Hope you don't mind - I brought some guests back with me." 

The gates creaked open, and Tara stepped out to meet them. A woman around JJ's age exited the Jeep, standing beside it as JJ walked forward, greeting Tara with a tight hug.

"Glad you're back," Tara said with a smile, pulling back slightly. 

"Me too." She glanced over her shoulder as a little girl, no older than six, sprinted from the Jeep, grabbing onto JJ's wrist with a firm grip. "Tara, this is..." JJ began, but the girl interrupted.

"Stephanie." The girl told Tara confidently. "But she," Her hand motioned to the woman standing next to the Jeep, "calls me Stevie, and she calls me Evie and Stevie and Eve and Vie." She motioned to JJ, shrugging, "Good luck shortening my name even more."

Tara chuckled at the girl's bluntness and then turned her attention to the other stranger next to the Jeep.

She smiled, unsurely but friendly, "My name's Marcy. The community we were at, my community..." Marcy took a deep breath.

"It's been a rough time. I didn't know where else to go, so I figured Hilltop was the safest bet." JJ cut in. "I knew Marcy before. She, Maggie and I were close in college."

Tara grinned, "Of course." She turned to Marcy and Evie, "I'm Tara, welcome to Hilltop. Any friends of JJ's are friends of ours. Sounds like you'll fit right in here."

As Tara headed off to find Jesus, JJ stood by the gate, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings of Hilltop. It felt good to be back, even if a bit surreal after being on the road for so long.

When Jesus arrived, he didn't waste a moment, wrapping JJ in a warm hug. "JJ," he greeted with a warm smile, "it's good to see you back."

JJ returned the hug. "Glad to be back," she replied, though a hint of unease crept in. "Where's Maggie?"

At her question, Jesus and Tara exchanged glances that didn't go unnoticed by JJ. Her heart dropped, and an anxious knot formed in her stomach. "Did something happen?" she asked.

"No, no," Jesus quickly reassured her, sensing the worry in her tone. "She went out with Georgie. We have a lot to catch up on." His eyes shifted to Marcy and Evie, softening as he changed the subject. "But first, welcome to Hilltop. I'm sure you're hungry from the ride here. We can get you some food and show you where you'll be staying."

Marcy managed a weary smile, clearly exhausted from the road. "That'd be great, thanks."

"I'm starving," Evie chimed in dramatically, drawing out the word for emphasis.

JJ couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully. "You had a protein bar an hour ago. You're not starving."

Tara and Jesus chuckled at the little girl's exaggerated complaint.