Heartless ➳ TWD² [COMPLETED]

Chapter XXI ➳ Stradivarius

➳ ON the road to Hilltop, Michonne and Saddiq were on the horses in front of my own while D.J. directed the homemade car with horses moving it for them. My girls sat in the back with Luke and his group.

"How much further have the patrols cleared?" Michonne asked D.J., who was seated next to Yumiko in the front.

"'Til the Route D river bend," D.J. replied, shrugging. "Their rig's about five miles past that." A beat went by before D.J. added, "If their story checks out."

Yumiko nearly broke her neck to glare at him, staring him down and honestly appalled that he would say such a thing like that. He's the one to talk. Nevertheless, I just rolled my eyes and took a deep breath before looking down into the cart down beside me and my horse.

"How are you girls doing?" I asked my kids, who looked up at me when I spoke to them. Mollie sat beside Luke in one of the chairs, with Tory in her lap as she protectively placed her arms around her little sister. "Okay?"

Mollie nodded and answered for them, "We're good, Mom. Just ready to get there and see everyone again."

I nodded and sighed out, "I know, honey. Me, too."

I could hear Magna complaining about how Michonne has her knives and how she wants them back. I sighed before Yumiko turns and tells Michonne, "Look, I'm sorry about Magna. She can be a bit hotheaded."

"That's one word for it," Michonne countered, still a little annoyed by the complaining woman. I didn't care for the attitude, either.

"She's been on edge since we lost Bernie," Yumiko tried to defend her girlfriend. I can understand that internal suffering, too.

Saddiq peaked his head forward and asked, "Was he with you long?"

Yumiko glanced away and sighed out, "Long enough. He loved getting under Magna's skin. He, um, used to wear this absolutely horrid shirt. It was like looking into creation, itself. In paisley. God, it was horrendous. But, Magna hated it. She said just looking at it gave her a migraine. So, Bernie wore it every day for a week." There was a moment of silence before Yumiko added, "Honestly, I think she came around on the shirt. Just like she came around on him."

"Like family," Michonne squeaked out, speaking truth right now.

Yumiko looked up Michonne and questioned, "This place... Hilltop. It's safe?"

"It is."

"What's it like?" Yumiko wanted to know more since she appears to be very inquisitive, which I admire.

"It's been a while since I've been there," Michonne claimed, sighing. "You'll have to ask Tess back there."

Yumiko glanced back at me before looking up at Michonne again. "Then, how do you know it's safe?"

"I promised my daughter that I would get you there, and I will," Michonne claimed, briefly glancing down at Yumiko. "You're just gonna have to trust me."

Magna pointed to me and questioned, "What's your take on it?" I stared down at her in question. "Hilltop's safe?"

I nodded and openly admitted, "Yes. As long as my twin brother and best friend are alive, Hilltop is always safe and sound. They take good care of that place." I gulped and, then, whispered, "It used to be my home."