VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴52

Enid and I took over mom's full shift so she could rest.

It felt strange to be with Enid. I really only knew her as Carl's kind of- not really - almost- girlfriend. If Carl was on watch with Anna, would he feel the same way?

When the shift was over, I brought Enid back to my house so I could make her lunch as a thank you for being onguard with me for mom.

Then, mom had an idea to cut her hair. I opted out. As cool as it would be to see her like the her I grew up with- short hair and all, I didn't trust myself with hair design. So, I set out to make lunch as Enid cut mom's hair. Enid said she used to cut her dad's hair, so I figured she was a safer bet than me.

I was almost done with lunch when mom screamed. 

I ran back into the room to see her on the floor. She clutched her stomach and sobbed. Panicked, I yelled at Enid to go find Rick. I was still injured, so Enid was faster. I stayed with mom and tried to lay her on the ground. I put a wet washcloth on her head by time Rick and a few others burst into the door.

It was all a blur after that.

Carl tried to tell me not to go. I gave a very pointed 'fuck you' in his face and shoved a spare gun in my bag before running to the RV to be by mom's side.

Then, Rick tried to stop me as well. Once again, though nicer, I told Rick 'with all respect, I love you, but fuck you' and ran into the RV before he could argue anymore.

We left soon after.

Besides myself and mom, Rick, Carl, Abraham, Sasha, Eugene, and Aaron tagged along. I stayed in the back beside mom's bed the entire ride.

It felt longer than usual. We kept making stops. I didn't ask. I was too busy keeping a towel on mom's head, giving her water, and checking vitals I knew to.

While we were on the road, I think about Paula. Maybe Michelle. Donnie. One of them had to have hurt mom and somehow hurt the baby. Maybe it was just the stress of it all. 

"Ellie.." she breathes out.

"Yeah, mom?" I ask, brushing her hair back.

"Could you.. sing.. please?"

I wipe the sweat from her forehead. I nod and settle into a gentle song that dad and I had wrote once before.

When I'm finished, she's shaking and smiling.

"I remember.. when you wrote that.. Mat.. Matthew s-said.." she struggles.

I frown and ease closer to her, massaging her arm.

"He- He said that you.. you were an legend in.. in the mak-making.."

My face strains as I try to not cry. My neck feels tight and I nod soundlessly.

"He was.. a good- good d-dad." 

"Mom.." I sigh.

"I took you-your time with hi-him. I.. I need.."

"Mom, stop," I beg.

"If I don't.. make-"

"Mom," I state more firmly. 

"You an- and Glenn.. Take care of-of each-"

"Mom!" I cry. "I know what you're trying to say. Stop it, please."

She shivers more despite the sweat dripping from her skin.

"You're gonna be fine. Green Bean is gonna be fine. We're gonna get to Hilltop and then I'll go back to Alexandria and get Glenn when he's back from getting Daryl. We'll all be together and it'll be fine."