VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴2

"Hi, daddy," Ellie greets Hershel with a smile.

"Well, aren't you up at at 'em today," he laughs, wrapping an arm around her. "I stopped by your cell to wake you up. I was wondering where you'd run off to."

"Nostalgic, I guess," she says, motioning to the crops. 

"She's been a great help, Hershel," Rick informs. "I might just have to keep her out here."

"By all means," Hershel agrees, kissing Ellie's head before whispering to her. "I'm glad to see you up and going, darling. I'm proud of you."

She beams under the praise, always the doting daughter. 

The group set to work in the summer sun. It isn't long until they hear a whistle from outside and Rick and Carl head to the gates to let Michonne in. Then, there is a carpool of two vehicles and Daryl's bike coming down the hill for their run.

"Hey, Ellie!" Glenn calls from the truck.

Ellie picks at the seeds in her hand. If she didn't hear him, she didn't have to acknowledge him.

"Ellie!" 

"Honey, Glenn is calling for you," Hershel pats her shoulder.

Ellie internally groans, dragging her feet to Glenn's door. 

"Yes?" she asks, crossing her arms.

"We're heading to that Big Lots store. Is there anything you want me to keep an eye out for? Anything you've been wanting?"

She fights to not roll her eyes.

Ever since Glenn and Maggie started hooking up, then dating, and now married.. He's tried everything in his power to get a bond with her. Glenn and Hershel were as close as ever and even Beth had nothing but good things to say about their sister's husband.

Ellie decided she wasn't going to crack. Just because the dude was married to her sister didn't change the fact that he was a stranger. And way too needy- he's been trying to get on her good side since they met.

She looks up at him and Glenn smiles. He was nervous, clearly, but trying his damndest.

"Sure," she decides, unwrapping her arms and setting her fists on her waist. "How about a new bedding set? Some posters for my wall. New CDs. Guitar string. Jewelry that didn't come off a walker."

She lists the items off, eyes becoming more narrowed as Glenn takes it all in with a nod.

"I'll see what I can do," he agrees, patting the door. "Anything else?"

"How about you get those first?" she huffs, hating just how freaking selfless he was.

"Sure thing, Ellie. I'll stop by your cell when we get back."

Michonne hops into the truck as well, the woman coming back just to leave again. Ellie huffs once more, stepping away from the truck. As the vehicles drive away, Ellie rolls her eyes.

"Dad booted me out of helping anymore. He's going to check the snare traps," Carl says as he approaches her. "Wanna hang out?"

Ellie plops herself onto the ground, dust flying around her as she places her elbows on her knees and chin in the palm of her hands. 

"Uh oh. What did Glenn say this time?"

"It's nothing he says it's just.. it's how he says it. And what what he's doing while he says it."

Carl sits down beside her, brushing his hands together to get the sting of farm work off his skin.

"Seriously, I mean.. He's with Maggie. So, what? Why does he have to be friends with me?"

"Adults are weird. He's probably just trying because he gets along with everyone but you."

Ellie glares at the closed gates. "I wonder why Maggie didn't go with him. She always goes on runs with him."

"You jealous?"

"Gross," she shoves Carl. "They're like.. Never apart. It's weird."

"You and I are almost never apart?"

"Yeah and we're not married, Carl. We're friends. There's a difference."

"We are best friends," Carl corrects.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she waves him off. 

"Why do you think Maggie chose Glenn? You said she used to have a lot of boyfriends. What makes him so special?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," she whines. "Daddy used to get onto her all the time. She's been dating since she was my age."

"You're like ten."

"Exactly!" she throws her hands up. "She's always had guys around. I still don't get how she's married."

"Beth dates a lot, too," Carl points out. "Jimmy, Zach.."

"Your mom dates a lot."

"Sensitive," Carl mutters, knocking his shoe into hers.

"Whatever. I just.. It's weird. Maggie is only my half-sister, but she acts like the boss of me sometimes. Even when daddy is in the room with us, she bosses me around like she knows everything."

"That's just because she's the oldest."

"Doesn't make her the smartest."

"True," Carl nods. "She's been through a lot since all this, though. Especially with the Governor."

"Why are you defending her? You're supposed to be on my side and talk about her like I do."

"I just think maybe she has some points. And you can't deny it's been a hard year or so on her."

"It's been hard for everyone, Carl. Don't forget it was my momma in that barn."

Carl purses his lips, knowing that was still a deep wound for her.

That day of the barn.. God, Carl still had nightmares about it. Seeing all those walkers in there- even Sophia.. It was unlike anything else that had happened.

As Ellie sighs with a distant look in her eyes, he knew she was remembering that day as well.

"Come on," Carl stands up, holding his hand out to her. "Let's go."

"Go where?" she frowns, entire body slumped as she looks up at him.

"Let's go hang out with Patrick. We can play ball or something."

"Patrick's weird."

"You're weird, Ellie," Carl laugh. "Come on. It'll be fun."

"Fine," she places her had in his. "But, I'm still going to story time."