VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴42

The fight continued through the night and into the morning. 

Daryl had a plan to empty gasoline into the water, set a fire, and divert the herd there. Regardless of how much that truly helped, there were still dozens of walkers to fight hand to hand.

When it was finally.. finally clear, Ellie dropped to her knees in exhaustion.

Anna dropped beside her and the two rest on one another in a lazy hug. They were crying- for what, neither was sure.

There was hardly anyone left in Alexandria. Those that were too weak to fight, never stood a chance. Those that tried, half failed and still got taken out.

Slowly, everyone was grouped around the infirmary. Injuries could be taken care of there and they could get their thoughts back in order.

Ellie and Anna hardly let go of each other. Their arms were wrapped around one another in a tight side hug as they stumbled over themselves and the other.

Glenn and Maggie were in a similar situation as Glenn helped her inside to get her leg looked at better by Denise. The girls follow, but Ellie hesitates when she sees Michonne standing in another doorway with tears streaming down her face.

"I'll catch up," Ellie tells Anna. Anna nods and continues walking behind Glenn and Maggie.

Ellie makes her way over to Michonne., "Michonne?"

"Ellie," Michonne startles, wiping her tears away furiously. "Hey. You're safe."

"I am.. Is everything okay?"

For once, Ellie felt like she and her family got off lucky. The farm, prison, and everything in between seemed to target the ones she loved most. Now, Glenn, Maggie, and even Anna and Josh were safe. Ellie was over the moon.

"It's uh.. It's.." Michonne struggles.

"Michonne?" Ellie worries, stepping closer.

"Carl.."

Ellie's heart sinks to her stomach.

"He.. Did he- is he-" Ellie panics, stumbling over her words.

"He was shot."

"Shot?" Ellie questions, rage and confusion taking over. "Shot?"

Michonne realizes that Ellie thought Carl was dead. She pulls Ellie into the other room where Rick and Carl were. Carl was still asleep- the side of his face bandaged as Rick looked exhausted and strained next to him.

"Ellie," Rick greets, a lump in his throat.

"Is he.." Ellie asks, voice cracking.

"No, no, honey. He's gonna be just fine," Rick reassures. "He's gonna be alright."

Ellie breaks from Michonne and hurries across the room. Rick opens his arms out to her and she gives him a big hug, trying to find comfort in him just as much as she tried to give him comfort.

Somehow, the hug of a teen girl made Rick break. He quietly cries, hiding his face in her shoulder. But, it shouldn't surprise anyone. Ellie was Carl's best friend. They were like siblings most of the time. When things were hard for one, the other would help or suffer right beside them. 

"I'm sorry," Ellie whispers, hugging the older man tighter.

--

The cleanup was going to take weeks. Ellie couldn't remember the last time their watch shifts had been so strict.

So many people died during the chaos. People had attacked, murdering a bunch. Then, the herd broke through and even more people were killed.

Ellie was put on Carl-watch for the most part. Rick needed to lead since Deanna Monroe had been one of the many people killed during the herd and couldn't juggle the cleanup, regrouping, rebuilding the wall, Judith, and monitor Carl all at the same time. Ellie swore to not leave his side.