The Other Dixon || c.g

•twelve• ellie

We were all sitting in the living room eating, talking and even laughing sometimes. Actual laughter. All of our moods had improved because we had found each other. I looked at Carl remembering a sleeping Ellie upstairs, Michonne only got here an hour ago but its dark already with candlelight and the moon being the only way we can see and we need to tell them about her. Carl nodded at me as if he could read my mind.

''There's something we need to tell you'' Carl spoke up. Michonne and Rick looked at the both of us with questioning eyes.

''We're not alone'' I cut in, saying it like that probably wasn't the best way to put it since Rick reached for his gun and Michonne already had her hand on her sword. ''No don't freak out, what i mean is that we found someone on our run'' I added in.

''She was alone and needed our help, so we brought her back here'' Carl lied like we planned, they can't know we weren't here last night or what happened, Rick would freak out.

''Her name is Ellie, she's fourteen and is really nice. Please let her stay'' I begged Rick, knowing he's strict with letting people in.

''Why didn't you tell me about this as soon as i woke up?'' Rick asked clearly irritated.

''Because we didn't want to stress you out and she's asleep anyway so we waited, i was going to tell you before but then Michonne got here'' Carl said. They were both quiet for a moment.

''When she wakes up I'll decide if she can stay or not. Where is she sleeping?''

''In a bedroom upstairs'' I answered.

''Okay well even if you trust a complete stranger i don't, so when you two go upstairs to bed i want you to lock her in the room until tomorrow morning. Am i clear?''

''I'm going to bed so i'll do it now''' Carl said and got up, going upstairs. I said goodnight to the adults and followed Carl to our room. I checked that he locked Ellie's door and he had, I know Ellie wouldn't try anything and that we can trust her but if it makes Rick feel better. When i got to our room it was dark but i could tell he was already in bed so crawled under the sheets and cuddled up next to him. I felt his arm wrap around my waist as he pulled me in closer to his body. I fell asleep instantly to Carl's steady breathing and heartbeat.

~~

I rolled over stretching when i felt how empty the bed was beside me, i opened my eyes and saw that Carl was already awake and must be downstairs. I got up and pulled my jeans and t-shirt on and throwing my clean hair thanks for the working water into a messy ponytail. I pulled on my shoes and left our room to check on Ellie. I unlocked the door and poked my head inside to see that she's still sleeping, i left the door open so the noise of us talking downstairs would wake her eventually.

''I would rather have Judith's formula-'' I stopped at the bottom of the stairs at Carl's voice. It was quiet after he said that.

''I'm going to go finish my book'' He said before i heard his footsteps heading my way, i starting walking again so he didn't think i was eaves dropping and he ran into me as i rounded the corner.

''Sorry Addison'' He looked at the ground trying to walk past me, obviously upset because he was thinking of his baby sister. I stopped him and made him look at me, he breathed out holding back tears and i kissed him lightly before walking away so he could be alone. I sat next to Michonne pouring some cereal into a bowl.

''What happened to her?'' Michonne quietly asked.

''After Rick and I found Carl, we were walking to get out of there hoping someone had Judith. But her car seat was outside the cell block. Just on the ground and no one was there. We walked over praying she was okay but she wasn't in there.'' I started tearing up.

''But that's a good thing isn't it? Someone grabbed her out of the seat and left'' Michonne sounded full of hope and i shook my head no.

''There was blood stained all over it'' I lowered my head and Michonne looked away blinking the tears out of her eyes.

''We were naive to think we could protect a baby in this world'' Michonne whispered and we stayed silent for awhile until a small voice spoke up from the doorway.

''Good morning'' Ellie said standing in the doorway. I pushed away my empty bowl and stood up moving over to Ellie and slightly pulled her into the room.

''Ellie this is Michonne'' Michonne did a half wave sort of thing and i smiled, knowing that she isn't good with knew people.

''Nice to meet you'' Ellie said and Rick came into the dining room from the kitchen.

''Rick this is Ellie'' He just stared for a while judging her before moving to extend his hand. She shook it.

''Rick'' He stated his name and pulled his hand back.

''I'm Ellie, its nice to meet you'' He nodded at her. Those were probably the most awkward introductions ever.

''Carl! we're going for run'' Rick called loud enough for Carl to hear.

''You're not'' Michonne said to Rick after she stood up from her seat.

''Why not?''

''You were unconscious yesterday'' She stated, her voice flat and serious.

''Well I'm awake today''

''You need to be strong, Just rest. We got it'' Michonne said and Carl came into the room holding the bags we were going to fill. Michonne started walking to the door and we all followed.

"Stay safe, You kids stay with Michonne. All of you have each other's backs" Rick said when we got outside. He pulled Carl into a small hug and Carl hugged back, they've been getting along since we got back yesterday before Rick woke up. I wonder how long it will last.

"We got it dad, we'll be back soon in a couple of hours" Carl said before we left walking down the driveway and I turned to wave goodbye to Rick, he waved back before turning and going back inside. Ellie and Michonne were walking in front of Carl and i as we walked down the street. It was the opposite direction to where Brett's camp was. I felt Carl's hand in mine as he squeezed lightly before moving and putting his arm around me, pulling me closer. I kissed his cheek as we kept walking behind the others.

We stopped outside a decently big house and started drawing our weapons as we walked to the front door, i wish i still had my gun but the governor had taken it. Michonne had her katana, Ellie and I with our knives and Carl with his handgun. We stood around the door waiting for Michonne to open it. She did and we raised our weapons entering the house and splitting up to clear rooms like the usual. The bottom level was clear and I saw Ellie going up the stairs to clear the top level so I turned around, heading to the kitchen. Carl and Michonne were already throwing decent food into bags when I heard Ellie's scream come from upstairs.
I turned and sprinted out of the room, moving as fast as I could to get upstairs as I followed her scream. I turned to the left as I reached the second floor and saw Ellie struggling to keep a walker off of her as she laid on her back, arms outstretched holding it away in front of her. I entered the room quickly driving my knife into its skull. The walker went limp and Ellie forcefully pushed it off of her quickly standing up, blinking away the tears.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly and pulled her into a hug once she nodded yes to my question, she wasn't hurt.

"What happened?" Michonne asked from behind us, Carl was standing next to her.

"I came in to clear the room and the walker jumped out from the closet behind me. But I'm okay" Ellie explained still shaken up.

"C'mon let's finish so we can get out of here" Carl said grabbing my hand and leading me downstairs to finish getting all the food from the kitchen.

*Ellie POV*

Michonne gave me a comforting smile before leaving and following Carl and Addison downstairs to get the things we need.

"Fuck, shit... damn it" I mumbled and kicked a desk chair over. I sat down on the boys bed of the room I was in trying not to cry. I need to talk to Addison, What am I going to do now? I let a single tear fall as I pulled back my sleeve revealing the walker bite on my forearm.