VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴70

I drop one of the bags onto the ground and Eduardo picks it up for me.

"Ellie!" mom gasps, rushing forward.

Anna follows her and I spot Michonne. My eyes roll on instinct.

"Ellie, honey, what happened?" mom questions.

Daryl makes his way over as well, caught off guard by my state.

"There was a Savior on the road. Looked like he was keeping watch or something," I shrug. 

"Then..?" Anna asks.

I look down at the blood coating my clothes and skin.

"He put up a fight. I won," I answer.

"Are you okay?" mom asks.

She sets her hands on both of my shoulders and looks into my eyes.

"Shouldn't take chances anymore," I state. "I'm fine."

"And the Savior?" Daryl asks.

"Dead. Being gnawed on by a walker right now. Probably gonna be nothing but bones and blood by the end of today."

I lightly pull away from mom and begin marching up to the trailers. There were so many people here now. Hilltop, Kingdom, and Alexandria citizens all bunked into one place.

"Ellie.." mom calls.

I pause in front of Michonne. She gives me a look that I wasn't quite sure meant. What was the meaning in her eyes? That distant look?

"I'm gonna take a shower," I say, pulling the second bag's strap off my shoulder.

I shove the bag into Michonne's arms and she takes a step back from the force.

Then, I make my way to the main house to get all of the blood off me.

--

Daryl pulls the bike over and hops off. As he puts the stand down, I lean forward in the seat and rest on the handlebars.

"You wanna woman the horn?" he asks.

"Nah," I deny. "You can see farther."

"You ain't keeping lookout?"

I shrug.

"If you ain't gonna blow the horn or keep eyes on the road, why'd you come on lookout watch with me?"

"Cause you're the only person not giving me those sad eyes," I answer with ease.

"You ever think some of them need you? Enid?"

"Last I saw Enid, she was arguing with Michonne over those crates they found. If she wants to fight Michonne, she can do that."

"She mentioned that you were being.. in her face."

I scoff. "Just because I was talking shit doesn't mean I was gonna swing at her."

"Is that because you wanted her to swing first?"

"She won't. No matter what I do or say," I brush it off.

He's quiet for a few seconds. 

"You doing all right?"

I shrug again.

"You knew him longer than I did. You good?" I return it.

Slowly, he nods. "I guess I just.. Didn't think he'd be one that we'd lose eventually."

"That's how I've felt about everyone," I admit.

"How's that?"

"I never though Beth would go. Glenn.. he was too important to lose. My grandpa.. I just never thought I'd live a day without him there. Others, too. My dad and all.. Then, when y'all came to the farm.. all of you, too."