VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴38

Ellie pulled herself to sit on the ledge of the roof. Her feet dangled over the dozens of walkers below.

The sun was beginning to set. Ellie was getting cold. But, she was so numb she hardly felt it.

She doesn't know what to do.

She thought about praying. But, God hasn't been listening for a couple years so, what was the point in that?

She thought about going back to Alexandria. But, that was dangerous. It was dark and there were too many walkers around. She'd never make it down the street, let alone miles back to Alexandria.

For a split second, Ellie thought about jumping off the ledge of the building. Only for a second.

That made her think about the gun in the backseat incident with Carl.

Things were really, really bad just those few weeks ago.

Arguably, it was worse now.

Then, she was grieving Beth and Hershel, their lost home, and the empty road ahead.

She was still trying to figure that out. The only difference was she technically had a home to return to.

But, now they've lost Noah. And Glenn. If Ellie was even able to make it back on her own, she'd have to face Maggie. She was going to be so overwhelmed by everything.

And this.. This was Glenn. Sure, Ellie didn't like him for a long time. He tried to hard. He was too nice. Ellie knew why he acted that way, now. It hurt. It hurt thst he had to try so hard. It hurt that she didn't understand why he was trying so hard to begin with.

She'd have to deal with four times the amount of sad wyes and sorry words. She told Daryl how much she hated that. Now, in Alexandria, she'd have to deal with even more people acting that way.

Ellie thinks about Hershel. She always thought about him, though. It wasn't much of a change.

He always wanted what was best for her. He tried so hard. No one deserved what he got in the end- but, Hershel really didn't deserve his end.

They were able to bring Beth's body back with them. They couldn't even bury her, though.

Ellie gets nauseous at the memory.

There was no dirt or grounding close enough in Atlanta. They didn't have a good enough vehicle to carry everyone plus Beth's body. Eick said it would've been too morbid and cruel to just carry the girl's body with them until they found a safe spot.

No.. Instead, they put Beth's body in the trunk of a broken down car and left her there. The most they could do was cover her with a blanket and just.. leave.

Hershel was still out in those fields. Ellie doesn't dwell on it in fear of throwing up on the walkers below. They hadn't noticed her. The ones that were after her had eventually gotten bored and drifted elsewhere.

Matt's body was still out there. Patricia, Jimmy, and Otis' bodys.. out there. Noah.

Ellie looks down at the dark alleyway to Nicholas' body.

Nicholas was a piece of shit. Ellie knew he had a hand in Noah's death. And if that were true, he had a hand in Anna and Josh's father dying. And if that were true, God only knows how many more people he'd indirectly killed. Nicholas deserved to rot down there.

Despite the walkers beginning to clear, Ellie hadn't caught sight of Glenn's body yet. She wonders if there was anything left of him.

She runs through the names again.

Hershel, Beth, Matt, Noah, Oris, Patricia, Jimmy..

Ellie decides to wait no matter what. The walkers will clear all the way eventually. She'll be able to go down amd find Glenn's body. She probably won't be able to bring him back with her, she's not strong enough for that. But, she can find something to cover him, go back to Alexandria, and lead the way to him so they can give him a proper burial. It's the least she can do for being late.

Ellie had supplies in her backpack. Josh was adamant that they bring food and water. Ellie's stomach growled, but she ignores it. She didn't want to eat. It would just be a repeat of Gabriel's church where she threw up so violently.

She doesn't sleep, either. Her guard would be down. The nightmares would set in. It was too dangerous to even blink.

The final walker strolls out of the alley. The sun was just barely up.

Ellie looks around for a way down. She sees a little hatch on the roof and heads to it, opening the rusted door. She climbs down a creaky ladder that places her in a closet. She opens the door, knife in front of her. The store was clear and she sighs to herself, heading to the window. 

She climbs out and uses the pallet outside as a ladder. Her feet touch the gravel and she slings her backpack around her so that both straps are secure on her shoulders. 

She takes a second to question if she was really ready for what she was about to see. Glenn either completely tore apart or a walker for of him.. was she ready to face that? Put him down if he'd turned?

Ellie thinks about Hershel, Matt, Patricia, Otis, and Jimmy. They could still be walkers out there. 

Ellie decides it's best to put Glenn down. Hershel, at first, thought the walkers were just sick people. Maybe, there was s tiny part of them still in there. Still suffering.

Ellie didn't want Glenn to suffer.

She starts by grabbing a walker by the ankles, dragging the body to flip over. It was right on top of Nicholas' body. 

She kneels beside Nicholas, face scrunching at the horrible smell that came from his ripped apart stomach. His eyes were open.

Confused, Ellie pokes her knife against his face, spotting a bullet wound in his head.

Maybe Glenn did shoot Nicholas.

Ellie purses her lips, figuring it doesn't matter. Nicholas deserved this.

There's a soft groan.

Ellie jumps to her feet, pulling her gun out with speed.

She surveys the area but doesn't see any walkers.

Another sound followed by a thump.

Ellie spins, watching for any slight movement. 

A hand inches out from under the dumpster.