VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴74

Mom's words echoed in my head all week.

"Babe, you're burning the eggs."

I snap out of my thoughts and look down at the skillet. I curse under my breath, hurriedly flinging the food onto a plate.

Anna leans up from bed, pulling the sheet around her as she watches me.

"So much for breakfast in bed surprise," I mumble to myself.

"Hey," Anna calls. "Sit."

I hang my head in shame and plop on the edge of the bed.

"What's going on?" she asks, brushing my hair over my shoulder.

I fiddle with my fingers, trying to pick at my already dull nails to no avail.

"Ellie," Anna calls.

"My mom has been training me this week to start leading more. Not like when she had Hershel leading but like.. me being the main leader type leading."

"That's great, Ellie. That means.. That means she trusts you like crazy."

"But, it means that she's preparing me for a life where she isn't there.."

Anna frowns and scoots closer. She kisses my bare shoulder just beside my tank top's strap.

"I don't want to let her down. I want to work really hard so she doesn't have to worry. So she doesn't worry about me, Hershel, or this place."

"You could never let her down. Not really."

"Still.. I want to show her that she can put complete faith in me and these people.

"How? Like.. some big gesture?"

"I have a few ideas," I admit. 

"Name it. I'll help you in anyway I possibly can."

I rub my fingers over my lips. "I was thinking about Anne's junkyard."

"Okay.."

Jadis, now Anne, was leader of the Scavengers. They lived in a dump lot before Simon killed all of her people and Rick let Jadis move into Alexandria.

"There's a shit ton of supplies there. Things we can break apart and fix into new things. Metals for Earl to make into weapons. Wall enforcements."

Anna nods for me to continue.

"And I was thinking that maybe I.." I hesitate.

"What?"

"That I could lead a group there to get stuff," I lie.

"When will you realize that you're already a leader?" she teases, kissing my cheek.

--

"Marco!" I shout.

"Pollo!" Josh quirks from beside me.

"Dude," I give him a look.

He chuckles and nudges my arm.

"Idiot," I name, playfully shoving him.

"What's up, Ellie?" Marco asks.

"You ready to load up?"

"All set," Ken answers. "Kind of happy to leave. We got a lot of supplies, but this place smells.."

"Like a dump?" Marco asks.

"That's a little on the nose, but.. yeah sure," Ken shrugs.

I look around the junkyard once more.

"Now, what? Mini Boss Lady?" Alden questions.