when i look at you | TWD

chapter eight. under the cars

THE RV SLOWED TO A STOP, THE ONLY THING BEING HEARD INSIDE WAS THE SOUND OF THE GIRL GROANING LOUDLY AS SHE WOKE UP, HER HEAD POUNDING.

Ellie opened her eyes slowly, her arm stinging as she heard a voice echo around her. She felt a hand on her arm, the voice was clear now and she shot up, breathing heavily as she looked around. "What... what happened? Did I save them?" Was the first thing that came from her mouth as she looked to her father.

Shane sighed deeply at his daughter and brought her into a hug. Pulling away, she was confused. Why was he acting like this? Why weren't they in the CDC? "El..." He started to explain. "You-there was nothing you could do. That man... he already had a plan to end his life. There... was a clock-" He stopped himself from talking as he watched the hope in his daughters eyes completely disappear within seconds and was replaced with tears.

"I'm not... I couldn't save anyone?" Her voice broke, not believing that there wasn't at least something she could do.

"No, baby. I'm sorry." Shane went to hug her again, but she got up, walking out from the RV with a frown on her face.

Jax was the first one to notice her as she walked out and he smiled, her trying to smile back but failed, walking towards the cars full of supplies. She approached Carl near a black, dirt covered car and looked inside, widening her eyes once she saw a whole container of canned food.

Carl noticed too and smiled. "Jackpot." He whispered and the two laughed, turning around to tell the group. Suddenly, Rick came into her view, ordering her to get under the cars.

She pulled the boy and dragged him under, the two breathing heavily as they heard the groans of the undead pass by them. Looking to her left, she saw Jax, sweat beading on his forehead as he looked back at her. He asked if she was okay with his eyes and she nodded, closing her eyes and just praying that the walkers would go away soon.

To her right, she saw Sophia start to get out from under the car as she had thought that the walkers were gone. Ellie had widened her eyes at the girl and started to get out from the car as well, her feet taking her into the woods, whimpering in fear.

The teenager started to follow her, but was stopped as an arm gripped hers tightly. "My dad's got it." Jax whispered in her ear and she turned to him, the two being inches apart. The boy looked to her lips for a split second and if it wasn't for her father staring at them this very moment, then he would have connected them.

Ellie sighed and wrapped her small arms around his torso, him hugging her just as tight.

The group awaited for Rick's and Daryl's return with Sophia. The men had gone out just before sunset and it was starting to get dark, worrying everyone.

There was rustling coming from the woods and every one shot their heads towards where Rick and Daryl emerging from the forest, without Sophia.

"What? You didn't find her?" Carol cried, Lori holding onto her in comfort.

Ellie just sighed and walked towards the RV, seeing T-dog with a large gash on his arm. "Oh, are you alright, T? That looks bad." She asked in concern.

The man held up an 'ok' sign with his fingers and nodded, shivering a bit. "The pills still haven't kicked in but when they do, I'll be good as new." He assured her and she nodded, walking away into one of the cars.

Eleanor looked to the stars, wishing that she had been in a different world. Where everyone was alive and undead creatures weren't coming to kill her.

Hearing footsteps walking towards her, she turned her head, rolling her eyes once she saw Lori. The woman didn't say anything once she sat down, the two sitting in silence, before Lori actually spoke. "I'm so sorry, Eleanor."

The teenager didn't say anything, pretending she didn't hear her as she kept looking to the stars.

"For everything. I never meant for you to hate me so much. I never meant for things to be so complicated. I wanted-" Lori spoke before the teenager cut her off angrily.

"If you wanted to do anything, you would've." Was all she said before walking back to where Jax was. She sat next to him and gripped his arm, leaning on his shoulder.

"Hey." Jax breathed out, leaning his head against hers.

"Hey." Ellie said in the same tone he did as she snuggled closer to him, wanting to forget this horrible day.