VILLAINESS [TWD]

➴129

"Pamela Milton has covered up Lance Hornsby and Sebastian Milton's crimes!" I shout to the masses. "Lance attacks smaller communities and murders entire groups. Then, he takes their supplies and land to claim as Commonwealth's!"

I grip Sebastian's collar tighter, causing him to flinch. "And Sebastian here sends the poor out into herds for his own entertainment!"

The crowd boos. I knew they already knew about Sebastian based on what was happening when we entered and what Josh relayed back to me.

"I am both an outsider and considered poor by Commonwealth standards. What would happen to me if I didn't have the knowledge os survival? Would I be just like those that the Miltons and Lance Hornsby got killed?"

The crowd screams in protest. I hear an older man yell that Sebastian killed his daughter. Another cries out that her son has been missing for a year.

"I guess we'll just have to find out.." I say.

I cut Sebastian's hands free and he jumps. I turn him around so he's facing me.

"What is your play here?" he asks.

"You heard what I told the people. You have a new reputation with them. So.." I pause.

I grab Sebastian's hand and place it on the grip of my father's gun. His eyes widen.

"You can either prove them right and shoot me," I offer.

Sebastian tries to get out of the hold, but I keep him there.

"Or.. you can change."

"Change?" he repeats.

"I killed people I hated. I killed people I loved. I killed people simply because I was bored or they were in my way. I want to be better. I don't want to be like the ones I hate. I'm giving you a chance to change- just like I have."

I release the gun and it stays in Sebastian's grip. With a deep breath, I kneel on one knee in front of him.

"You're crazy," he repeats.

"I'm desperate," I admit. "And you're out of options."

"What happens either way?"

"If you kill me.. they'll riot. You'll be killed by my family. The Commonwealth will never be the same. Your mother will probably die trying to avenge your death, or out of spite by the Commonwealth residents."

"And if I don't?"

"Then, you can turn your shitty life around and make a change. People will see that you're trying. You'll be on the road to earning their trust again. And you'll be a hero."

Sebastian points the gun at my head and inhales, shaky and tense. I wonder if he's ever even touched a gun before.

"Why me? Why not Lance? He's the one attacking your home, no?"

"Because I have a little brother."

"What?"

"You and I.. we live in a generation of confusion. Me and my best friend talked about it a lot. We can still remember walks in the park. Movie nights at a theater. School gossip. Not feeling responsibility and fear every day."

I know that the Commonwealth still had these things. But, Sebastian knew that the things I was talking about were still different. They were special because of when they took place.

"And now.. All we know is being a leader's child," I state.

Sebastian's eyes widen and I know I struck a nerve with him.

"We think that maybe we have to finish the work our parents do. Or that the responsibilities they put on us are crushing us. But.. we have no choice. Our parents are leaders and we follow them. But, Sebastian.. I want you to know something."