Broken

New Home

I take my seat by Yumiko, no one says anything as we get farther and farther from the old factory. I turn back to look at Kelly, she is half curled in on herself. Magna is still crying, Connie is staring off into the forest and Luke just looks tired.

"I know what it's like, to worry about your family," Michonne says, making Yumiko turn away from looking at her family. "To carry the burden of protecting them, to feel guilt when they suffer," Michonne continues. "She'll be fine," Yumiko says, "We all will." The woman sniffles, before wiping her face. "Because you have to be," Michonne says, "I would know," I look up at her. She gives me a nod when our eyes meet. "I just want us to have a home, you know. Somewhere safe," Yumiko says. "You will," Michonne reassures.

Michonne pulls us to a halt, "This is as far as I go," she says.

Siddiq tries to talk her into going the whole way there. My attention shifts the the approach of hooves from down the road. Two riders with Hilltop spears approach, "You from Hilltop?" Michonne asks.

"Yeah and you?" the older of the two men asks, "Alexandria," Michonne answers, "We're headed there now. We have a message, we have one of yours, Rosita Espinosa. She was injured," I sit up slightly.

"Let them know that Michonne and the others are heading to Hilltop. Tell them we're safe," the woman says. The two men ride off in the direction that we just came from. I turn my head to watch them go.

Michonne starts forward. Connie is staring off into the woods like she sees something. I tap on Yumiko's shoulder. She turns to look at Connie. "What is it?" she asks aloud and in sign.

DJ starts to move the wagon. I grab his arm, "Wait," I say, he stops again. I kneel in the seat so I can see into the woods as well.

"Do you see something?" Luke asks the woman the same way Yumiko did. Connie stares for a second longer before snapping out of it.

She signs that it's nothing and Kelly repeats it for the group. Siddiq clicks his tongue and we're back off on our way to Hilltop.

The path to Hilltop is clear of walkers but the fields and everything look abandoned as we get closer. There's a till in the field some horses just left there, it's deathly silent. "What's going on?" Luke asks, "I don't know," I say.

I spot Dianna in the watchtower over the wall. She yells something to whoever is down on the other side. Michonne stops once we get closer to the gates.

"State your business," Dianna says as she puts her bow on the wall so we know she has it. I make eye contact with her and she gives a small smile.

"We're here for Rosita," Michonne says. "We met your messengers on the road," Siddiq says. "They told us what happened," I say.

"And the others?" Dianna questions, "They're good people looking for a home, I told them that the Hilltop would consider taking them in," Michonne says.

Dianna doesn't move, Michonne gives a nod as she unclips her sword from her belt. I toss my bow and arrows on the ground before doing the same with my gun and knife.

The other five in the wagon follow suit after Yumiko, people come out to take the horses and wagon, we all get out and move slowly towards the gates.

"Where's Rosita?" Siddiq questions. I spot Enid, "She was unconscious when she got here, dehydration and heat exhaustion mainly. She'll be fine," the woman says. Her hair is bobbed now just above her shoulders. I smile at her, she smiles back. It feels like forever since we've seen each other.

Tara is standing with her arms crossed, Dianna is looking just as deadly beside her. Tara looks over at me with softened eyes. I smile at her.

"Where's Jesus?" Michonne questions Tara, "He's out with the search party looking for Eugene," the woman answers. "Eugene's missing?" Michonne asks, "Since when?"