VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴68

Rick and Michonne showed up a bit later.

Once he had enough energy and I was able to slightly understand what was happening, Carl told everyone. I sat him down beside Siddiq's cot so he would be away from any waste that would make him sick faster. That would make us lose him faster.

When Rick and Michonne came down, I had my back against the wall, knees to my chest. I was still crying.

Michonne had more of a reaction to Carl's bite than Rick did. I think Rick was like me for the most part- he couldn't comprehend what was happening.

"Ellie, we're going to Hilltop," Daryl says, stepping over.

"Let me say goodbye to Judith," Carl requests.

Judith is passed down until she's face to face with Carl. Daryl extends his hand to me and helps me stand.

"I'm.. I'm staying," I inform.

"Your mom's gonna be worried," he whispers.

I shake my head. "She'll understand. It's.."

"Ellie, Carl's not gonna be here much longer."

I swallow the lump in my throat. "Then, I'll stay with him until the end."

"Ellie," Daryl calls again, looking at Rick and Michonne. "Maybe let them.."

"Carl got bit bringing Siddiq back because Rick wouldn't let him come in to begin with," I whisper. "This is Rick's fault."

"Ellie, don't-"

"If he just listened to Carl.. he wouldn't have been out there. This.. This is.." my voice breaks. "Carl has been alone too much. Enid isn't here, so I'm here."

Daryl sighs. He nods and pulls me into a gentle hug. Behind us, Judith begins to cry. The sound only breaks my heart more.

Daryl picks Judith up and leaves. Siddiq begins to tell Carl bye. Everything was moving so fast.

"Ellie," Michonne calls. "Are you.. are you staying?"

"I am," I nod. "Why?"

Michonne takes a step to me. She pulls me into a sudden hug.

"Because I don't want to do this without you," she whispers.

My hands tremble and I slowly rest them on her back. I try to stop crying, but it was a lost cause.

--

We were able to get Carl out of the sewers and into Gabriel's church.

Carl opened up about how the dark path he went on was for the worst. How we needed to find peace.

"Why'd you do it?" I ask, careful.

"Do.. what?" Carl asks.

"Why'd you tell me about Negan instead of this? Why did you.." I inhale. "Cause a fight. When we only have a little time left?"

"Do you want me to be honest?"

I hesitate, but eventually nod.

"I wanted you to get mad enough to leave. That way you didn't have to see this."

"Like when you locked Enid in a closet?"

"Exactly."

I sigh.

"The Woodbury thing was different," I tell him. "Even when it was going on.. me and you talked so much shit about the people."

"We were kids. We didn't understand it back then."