Consequence

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ellie snorted a growl of her own that could rival the monsters beyond them. "Just fucking go Dina!" Exhaling a huff, Dina did as she was told. She placed her foot in Ellie's hands as she pushed her up towards the top of the gate. Dina struggled but managed with quivering arms to pull herself up. She then twisted and angled herself to lean over, legs tangled within the bars to steady herself and reached for Ellie's hand below. She took her hand and propelled herself up and over just in time as the horde slammed bodily against the blockade. Ellie and Dina lost their balance; slipping and falling with heavy thuds onto the ground on the other side. Hands gripped and slashed at the air through the bars of the gate, the two girls heaved with breaths of relief as they watched their attackers flail in anger at not being able to reach their prey. Ellie reached up with a dirtied sleeve and wiped the sweat away from her face, then slipping off her backpack she pulled a bottle of alcohol and soaked a rag. Making sure it was stuffed inside, she flicked a match and lit the material; hurling the Molotov over the fence.

It smashed with an echo in the empty street as clickers shrieked at the movement and stumbled over towards it. Ear-piercing howls rattled from their throats as the flames engulfed them and the runners nearby. Ellie stood with twisted satisfaction as she watched the fuckers burn. No longer even bothered by the smell of burning flesh and clotted blood.

Her attention was pulled back by the sound of heavy panting behind her, and she whipped around to see Dina collapsing from pure exhaustion. "Dina!" She called. Rushing to her side to help her back to her feet. With her arm wrapped around Ellie's neck, she supported her weight and both girls hobbled along, away from the devastation left in their wake.

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They'd been walking for a while, both tired and sore. Bloody and bruised. Dina was weakening, her body slumped against Ellie's side as tried to hold the brunette up as much as she could but Ellie's strength was quickly waning too. Her eyes scanned the area for a potential safe haven, then as if answered by the very heavens above she spotted one.

"Hey...what do you say we rest in that theatre?" She gestured at the building with a flick of her head and Dina nodded weakly. "That sounds so fucking good."

It didn't take long to get inside and thankfully the place was empty. It was quiet but this time it wasn't unnerving. It felt comfortable. Safe. Ellie had already decided this was the right place to stay before looking for her mother and Tommy. At least until they both got their strength back. Turning on her heel to face Dina, the girl had already taken it upon herself to sit down. Ellie buised herself with reinforcing the door; giving her girlfriend a moment to breathe. She moved to stand beside the couch Dina was sat on. Noticing that she was still breathing heavily, almost choking down sobs. Tentatively she kneeled beside her; a hand reaching out to rest on her knee in concern.

"Hey." Ellie nudged gently. "You wanna tell me what's going on with you?"

Dina didn't answer straight away. She also; Ellie noticed, couldn't seem to look at her either.

She exhaled slowly, her breath trembling as tears pricked her eyes. Her hand sweeping across her stomach and glassy gaze aimed at the floor.

"Ellie..." She whispered in a broken sob. "I think I'm pregnant." She confessed. And Ellie's blood ran cold. No...how could she be?? She huffed a scoff and rolled her eyes. There was no way. How could she be sure? She tried not to let out a bitter laugh when Dina confessed that she'd suspected for a few weeks. A few weeks?! Before they'd even left Jackson. And yet she'd still demanded to come. Put herself at risk like that. Ellie's head swam with dizzying thoughts. Her chest burning and stomach twisting with fierce anger.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Ellie yelled. Her hands tugged at her sleeves; knuckles turning white with how tightly she was pulling at them. Dina slowly rose to her feet, a pained look shooting across her face as she hobbled towards her. "I'm sorry, I wasn't sure. I didn't want to be a burden-" "-Well you're a fucking burden now aren't you?!" She interrupted angrily. It all made sense now. The fatigue, the sickness, the mood swings. This wasn't happening. It wasn't happening! Except it was. And as much as Ellie wanted to comfort Dina. Wanted to hold her and kiss her and tell her everything would be okay. She couldn't shy away from the bitter betrayal she felt that twisted itself within her like venom. She didn't have time to deal with this, she needed to find her mom and Tommy and bring them back here. Ada would know what to do. She'd know how to help Dina.

The girl in question turned towards her; reaching out to take her hand. But Ellie flinched away before she could stop herself. She didn't miss the hurt look in Dina's eyes and Ellie hated herself for being the cause of it. But she knew better than to comment. She needed time to calm down lest she say something she couldn't take back, and then Ellie really wouldn't be able to forgive herself. She turned on her toe and looked towards the ticket booth and corridor that led towards the staging area.

"Uh...I'm gonna make sure this place is secure." Ellie uttered. She hated how awkward she sounded. How broken. "Once I'm done, I'm gonna head out and try looking for my mom and Tommy...You stay here and rest." She didn't give her the chance to reply as she walked out of the room. Leaving with it the thick tension that swelled behind them.