"Come on Ellie!" I grab her hand and pull her with me through the forest.
"I'm coming! We're not even supposed to be out here. Maria would kill you if she found out we went out."
"Yeah but I never get out. And I'm with you so I'm safe." I smile at her as I pull her to the place I wanted to show her. I sometimes sneak out when Maria is busy. She has a tight leash on me when it comes to leaving the walls. I'm almost 16 and she's only just considering me for group patrol. Ellie got on almost a month after she was here. When we reach the quarry I pull Ellie next to me and drop her hand, "Well, what do you think?" I asks.
"I think I'm staring at water."
I roll my eyes at her, "Yes Ellie, water. Water that we can swim in."
"You know I'm still not the best swimmer" Ellie tells me as she stares at the water.
"Yeah but I'm here so you'll be good." I smile at her and she continues to stare at the water worriedly, "Ellie, you'll be okay I promise." She looks at me and nods. I smile at her and start to undue the button on my jeans.
"What are you doing?" Ellie asks.
"I'm going swimming."
"You're taking off your pants." I look over at her as I pull my pants off my legs.
"Yeah. I don't want to ride back in wet clothes." I pull my shirt over my head so I'm just in my underwear. Ellie just watches me as I jump into the water.
"You know if someone comes it's a lot more difficult to run while trying to grab your clothes." I just smile at her and watch as she hesitantly takes off her shirt and pants. She jumps in the water next to me and splashes me in the process. When she swims up she still thrashes around a little bit so I grab her to help her steady herself.
"See I got you." I tell Ellie and she calms down, "here I'll help you float on your back. Just relax and let the water keep you afloat. When you're good close your eyes and listen to your surroundings." Ellie nods to me as I help her on her back and keep my hand grazing on her back. When she balances herself I slowly pull my hand away and let her float. She has a small smile on her face and I just watch her. Her hair is down today which is rare for Ellie and it spreads around her head as she floats. I look at all of her freckles scattered along her face. I always love to look at them because I love freckles and wish I had them. Ellie doesn't like them that much which I don't understand because they're adorable. Ellie starts to open her eyes so I look away and go on my back.
"I see why you like this place." Ellie tells me.
"Yeah it makes me feel somewhat at peace, not like I'm just stuck."
"You mean like stuck in Jackson?"
"Yeah."
"Why? You've been here your whole life it's safe. Secure."
"I don't know if I'll ever feel secure." I tell her. We stay floating next to each other, "You got experience outside Jackson. You've seen other places and sure I know it's scary out there, but I don't know, I don't think I'll ever feel okay if I never experience anything but Jackson."
"You're out right now."
"It's not the same. I've never even left Jackson." I stop floating and Ellie follows my actions, "This is still Jackson."
"Well maybe I'll take you out sometime." Ellie tells me.
"Yeah?"
She nods, "Yeah."
YOU ARE READING
Secure// Ellie Williams
Fanfiction"I don't know if I'll ever feel secure." Ellie x OC
