VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴117

Aaron explained to us in detail how he and Gabriel were out on a 'recruitment mission' with some other Commonwealth soldiers. The leader was a wolf in sheep's clothing, though. I nearly laughed at the irony until he told us about how the leader snapped and was shooting everyone at the camp they were supposed to be helping. Even his own men who dared defy him.

Gabriel was still there. Still in trouble. 

"Thoughts?" Mom asks me.

I hold my hand out and she places the map there. The map had been given to a boy who rode up to Hilltop while Elijah and Marco were on watch, but he died from previously sustained injuries. That's when Hershel came to get me and Anna.

I rub my lips together and pace a few steps as though it would make me think easier. I study the map closely and nod to myself in thought.

"If they think this place stole the weapons, they're not gonna give up. And like you said.. those people now know that a group as big and resourceful as Commonwealth is out there, so they won't let this group live without an alliance."

"That was the plan," Aaron sighs.

"It's stupid," I warn. "No alliance means you wipe them out so they don't come back."

I felt Mom's gaze on the side of my face. But, I was set in that way.

The Governor came back. Terminus came back. Negan came back. They always do. That's why you end it before it starts.

"But.. Gabriel is there," I sigh.

I know things are still tense between Gabriel and me. Even if he swore that it was in the past, I couldn't help but feel guilty.

"We've gotta get him outta there," I continue. "Is this the best way in?"

I hand the map to Aaron and he tilts his head. "Yeah.. but.. Where did you get that?"

"You gave it to the guy that rode into Hilltop," Mom answers.

"No I didn't," he denies.

"Then.. who did?"

"Gabriel?" I decide. "Before he was taken, maybe he got the message out."

"I.." Aaron sighs. "Maybe.."

"Either way, Gabriel is in trouble. Who all is going with me?" I ask, already walking down the road.

"Ellie, wait," Anna huffs. "We need a plan."

"I gave a plan. We go in that route and we get Gabe out."

"And the Commonwealth soldiers?" Mom asks.

I place my hand on my gun and sigh. "We do what we have to do."

"Commonwealth won't like it," Aaron points out.

"They're gonna kill that entire group. We pin it on them and say we helped out. We-"

"Lie?" Anna cuts me off. "We lie?"

"It's not lying. We're just bending the truth."

All eyes fall on Mom. She is the leader, after all.

"We have to save Gabriel," Mom decides. "Anything else is collateral damage. If we can save some of those lives and make an alliance with them.. even better."

I turn on my heel and continue down the road.

--

"Are we going to talk about it?" Anna asks.

I crouch down to the floor and send her a look. "Now? While we're sneaking into a place?"

Anna shrugs. "Yeah.. we can wait."