VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴26

Hershel used to watch an old television show in the morning when Ellie was leaving for school. She couldn't remember what the name of it was or many details about it.

What she does remember is just how painfully perfect it seemed.

Neighbors talking on a whim. Barbeques. No hard work and stress.

Alexandria made Ellie think about that sitcom.

Everyone lives their lives like there was no worry.

They laughed and smiled while talking like they didn't have to keep eyes in the back of their head.

They ran and played like they weren't leaving behind dead friends and family with each step.

They drank a variety of beverages like they never licked rainwater off of leaves before they passed out.

They wore clothes and jewelry like the rest of their wardrobe wasn't covered in blood and human remains.

Ellie would've been jealous if she wasn't so sick.

She walked by Josh's side as he explained the history of Alexandria.

Deanna was a congresswoman. Reg, her husband, was an architect.

When things went down, Deann took lead seamlessly. People were afraid and wanted someone with experience to look up to. Ellie understands that because that's how Rick became their leader. That was the only thing that made sense so far.

Reg was the one to put up the walls with a team of workers. The dozens of people behind the walls stayed jusr that. Behind the walls.

There were a few exceptions to that. Deanna wanted to expand the community and do her part in helping to restore the world. That's when recruitment started.

Enid walked up to the gates on her own. She had been alone out there and saw the gates while passing by. Ellie grew to respect the older girl by a ton. She ran off on her own once and wasn't sure what to do for a couple hours. Enid was on her own for a couple weeks. Ellie couldn't imagine.

Josh, Anna, and their father were recruited by Aaron and Eric.

The family had been shacked up in an art museum for the better part of a year. When food ran out, they had to move. They were on the road for a couple months when Eric found them and brought them back.

All that time on the road made them want to join the run crew. But, Deanna said Josh wasn't fit and Anna was too young. Their father could join, though. So, he did.

And yet.. All that time on the road and their father dies on his first run with the Alexandria crew.

Anna was already shutting people out, but the death of their father made it worse. Josh took charge when things were so bleak and he swore to not let anything happen to them again.

"Screw earning our keep," Josh admits. "I'd rather stay alive and have my sister stay alive."

Ellie felt bad. The group had lost plenty of people on runs. Otis, Zach, Bob.. it was a risk and everyone knew it.

"How'd it happen?" Ellie wonders.

Otis, after years of secrets and manipulation, was found out to have been murdered by Shane.

Zach was bit by a walker no one saw until it was too late.

Bob was bit and kept it a secret until the final moment.

"It was just wrong place, wrong time. Aiden did everything he could, but.. it was too late."

"Aiden?"