VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴56

That night, mom and I were cuddled on the bed together. Sasha took the couch and Jesus slept somewhere else for our comfort.

A piercing sound echoes and I cringe, snuggling into mom's shoulder before loud music begins to play. I raise up as mom wakes and I climb over her and meet Sasha at the door.

"The gates are open. There's fires.." Sasha says, peering through the small window in the door. "The music is coming from a car."

I jerk the door handle, but it was locked or blocked from the outside. Sasha hurries to thw window, but it was also stuck.

"I have to turn that thing off," Sasha huffs.

Mom picks up a chair and places it on the table.

"Doctor Carson said you have to take it easy," I remind.

"I can't let you two do this alone," she argues.

"Sit," Sasha demands.

Mom nods and motions up.

Sasha climbs onto the table, then chair. She heaves herself up and onto the roof of the trailer through the emergency hatch. I repeat her motions and she grabs my hand, pulling me up to my feet.

"You okay with this?" Sasha asks as we peer across the field.

It was pitch black- except for the fires. Walkers were beginning to get in through the open gates.

"Yeah.." I force myself to stay strong as I take my knife out. "Yeah, I'm good."

"You sure?"

"I've gotta train somehow, right?"

"This way," she ushers.

We climb down onto the porch, then off the side of the railing.

"That car, the music," I say. "It's only gonna bring more in. Do we go for the car or the gates?"

"Car first."

We run through the herd that was gradually building in numbers. I slam my hands against the car when we arrive. There were metal grates all over the windows and handles. It was like a cage.

I elbow the metal, but it doesn't budge. I stab at the latches, but they were sealed tight.

I shout in alarm when Jesus grabs my hand. "We need to close the gates!"

"You lied!" I blame Sasha as I jog past her.

The sound of a vehicle makes us all pause.

Mom was in a tractor, backing up in our direction.

"Dammit, Maggie," Sasha sighs.

I grab Sasha's arm before she could run to her.

"She's okay!" I shout over the loud music. "She.. She's done this before!"

"What?" Sasha questions.

"The gates!" Jesus reminds.

We fight the walkers all night. Jesus and Sasha tried to give me pointers on killing walkers as we went. It lasted all night and into the morning.

--

It was morning. Time for us to leave the Hilltop.

As mom was arguing with Gregory- Jesus and Sasha were there to back her up. I sat outside in the main room and waited. I was exhausted after last night.

They weren't in there long. Jesus ran into the room and grabbed my arm, hoisting me off the couch. I sputtered in surprise as he shoved me, mom, and Sasha into a closet.