VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴45

"Ellie, honey, wake up."

Drowsy, I roll over to look at mom.

"Hey, we're going out."

I sit up and stretch. "Where are we going?"

"Rick and Daryl found a man on their run yesterday. He's taking some of us to his community."

My half asleep brain races to catch up.

"We're going in hopes of setting up a trade system with them."

"They just met yesterday? Are we sure he's a good guy?"

"Rick thinks it's worth a shot. So, come on. We're leaving in a little."

She stands and before she leaves, I speak up again. "Who all is going?"

"Me, Glenn, Rick, Michonne, Abraham, Daryl, and you."

"Mm.. No, no.." I stretch again. "I'll stay back."

"What?"

"Carl's staying- he'll need some help keeping the fort down."

"He's got Gabriel, Rosita, Sasha, an-"

"Yeah, but I'll have his back more." I scoot to the side of my bed and slide my boots on. "We're not kids anymore that need to stay in the house. We can protect this place."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," I assure, pulling myself to stand. "Me and Carl will handle things here."

Mom smiles and kisses my cheek. "Look at you. Growing up before my eyes."

"I think I've aged ten years in ten months," I admit as we walk out of my room and down the stairs.

"Think we all relate there, honey."

"Hey, you. two ready?" Glenn asks once we make it outside.

"I am. Ellie's staying," mom reveals.

"Staying?"

"I'm gonna help out on watch and stuff. Me and Carl can handle things here while you're out," I add.

"You sure?"

"You two are becoming the same person, gross," I mutter. "I'm sure."

"All right," Glenn says, pulling me into a hug. "Be safe. Keep people here safe."

"Keep them safe," I jerk my thumb in mom's direction.

"Always."

"We shouldn't be more than a day or two," mom insists, sharing a hug of our own.

"Just be sure and take it easy. Green Bean needs rest, too."

She smiles and we separate with more wishes of safety to each other. I spot Carl holding Judith to the side and make my way to him. We bid the others farewell and they drive away in the RV.

"My dad and Michonne are together," is the first thing Carl says.

"Huh?"

He shuffles Judith in his arms and begins to walk off.

"Huh?" I repeat, chasing after him.

"I'm gonna drop her off with Gabriel so we can go on watch. We'll talk there. I'll meet you up on the west post."

I stop walking and throw my arms up in defeat.

Who the hell was the guy the group left with?

My stomach growls and I throw my head back.

This was too much to take in at seven in the morning.

--

"So, you mean to tell me-"