VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴124

When I awoke the next morning, it was because someone was calling my name.

I open my eyes to Leah cupping my face. She smiles when she sees I'm awake.

"Well, now we can truly start," she says and stands up.

I raise my head and look across to see Mom sitting in a chair like mine, though she wasn't nearly as bound.

"Ellie," Mom gasps in relief, I could tell she thought I was already dead.

I jerk at the restraints around me. "Mom.. Where's Hershel? Anna?"

"This is all I've been waiting for," Leah says, cutting our conversation short. "So, how about we get down to business?"

"I thought you said it was personal between us," I recall.

Leah taps her finger against her gun. "For this case, it's all of the above."

"You know, it's funny.. Despite that Maggie and I have only been face-to-face once before.. we sure know a lot about each other."

Mom rolls her eyes. Leah chuckles darkly.

"Your father's name is Hershel. That's who you named your son after," Leah reveals, making Mom's eyes widen. "You were with your high school sweetheart and got knocked up with Ellie before you were an adult. And Hershel's father is Glenn, a survivor you met after-"

"Just get to the point!" Mom snaps.

I close my eyes like it would make me disappear. I hated that Leah only knew these things because I was stupid enough to tell her. But, maybe that was just the previous love and loyalty I had for her.

"Tell me, Maggie.. How did it feel seeing both your father and husband be killed in front of you?" Leah asks.

I could imagine the look on Mom's face. it made me sick. 

"That Matt was ripped from walkers before you and you were too weak to save him. That your sister was killed just when you were about to-"

"Stop it!" I shout, having enough of this game.

"I only know these things because you told me!" Leah argues. "And what does your mother know? Does she know the things I do?"

"Leah," I plead.

"Does she know that you left that dynamite on the bridge? Does she know that you killed Saviors? Does she know that you teamed with your Oceanside friends to kill more even after the war? Does she know that you snuck into Alexandria to kill Negan and ended up fighting with that preacher and Rosita? Does she know that after Beth, you tried to shoot yourself? Does she know that you killed your best friend?"

Mom shakes her head. I wasn't sure just how much of it she knew, but I could tell she was disappointed.

"Does she know that you locked Daryl in a cage? Does she know that you set that man up to be killed by Pope? Does she know that you dragged us to that farm? Does she know that you swore to kill Rick Grimes? Does she know that you killed anyone we came across on the road because you didn't dare forgive anyone new? Does she know that your body count is in the triple digits?"

"Okay! We get it," Mom says. "Come on. Just get to the point already. She knows the things she's done."

Leah crouches on the floor between us and looks at Mom. "Do you know that we attacked that town under Ellie's lead? That she stormed after you in the road first because she heard Negan?"

Mom's eyes widen, then she relaxes her face to hide it. "What do you want out of this?"

"For starters, I want to hear both of you admit something to each other. Consider this a confessional," Leah offers. "Ellie has kept so many things hidden from you.. let's clear the air."