The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter Two, TCOM Part III

Cisco: Do you think she'd like me back?
Ellie: So you do have a crush.
Cisco: Maybe just a little one.

Ellie smiled at her best friend.

Ellie: I... think she would, yeah. You should make a move.
Cisco: Honestly I think she has a thing for Josh.

They looked over at Madison and Josh who were indulged in a deep conversation.

Ellie: Maybe she does. But I'm sure you could win her over with your good looks and piano skills.

Ellie laughed, standing up and putting the guns she just loaded and the spare ammunition into the cupboard.

Cisco: Piano. Damn. Sure do miss that.

Cisco stood up after Ellie, putting the two pistols and spare ammo into the cupboard.

Ellie: I'm sure you do. Maybe we'll come across one stranded and alone when we're supply hunting.
Cisco: I would kill for that.

Ellie closed the cupboard.

Ellie: Oh and also, before I forget.

Ellie reached into her pocket, bringing out a small circular badge. It was dark blue but had white dots scattered all over it. She showed it to Cisco.

Ellie: Is this... good?
Cisco: What is it?
Ellie: Stars.
Cisco: Oh. Well in that case, yeah, it's good. Why? Who's it for?
Ellie: It's for Alex. And... no reason. Thanks.

Ellie smiled, walking past Cisco and slowly heading up the stairs.

Ellie knocked on Alexis' door.

Alexis: Come in.

Ellie slowly turned the doorknob, pushing the door open. Alexis smiled, walking towards Ellie and pulling her in for a hug. As soon as they pulled apart, Ellie brought the badge out from her pocket.

Ellie: I... I made you this.

Ellie handed the badge over to Alexis. Alexis turned it over, smiling.

Alexis: Stars?
Ellie: So that no matter what happens, you never forget that night.
Alexis: I never will.

Alexis poked the needle through her jacket, making the badge stick to her clothes.

Ellie: When you told me you had feelings for me, I was shocked. Then I started thinking. There's something I've always wanted to try with someone I care about. And I never have.

Alexis smiled at Ellie.

Alexis: What is it?

Ellie looked down at the ground nervously, whilst scratching the back of her neck.

Ellie: Have you ever... danced with anybody before?
Alexis: Nope.

Ellie smiled, looking into Alexis' eyes.

Ellie: Do you... wanna?

Ellie held her hand out to Alexis.

Ellie: Just us. No one else around.

Alexis said nothing but smiled and took Ellie's hand.

Ellie pulled Alexis closer, putting her hands on Alexis' waist. Alexis put her hands on Ellie's shoulders. Their bodies moved together perfectly. Neither of them knew how to dance, but they were doing an okay job. They gazed into one another's eyes, doing nothing but appreciating one another.

Alexis: You said you'd never danced before.
Ellie: I haven't.
Alexis: Then how do you know what you're doing?
Ellie: I'm gonna let you in on a little secret... I don't.

Alexis laughed slightly at Ellie's words and pulled her in for a hug. Alexis rested her head on Ellie's shoulder, closing her eyes and smiling as they continued to move together.

Ellie pulled away, looking into Alexis' eyes.

Ellie: Thanks for the dance.
Alexis: No, thank YOU for the dance.

The two girls stood in front of one another, admiring one another's presence until a loud yell from downstairs made them both jump. Cisco burst into the room.

Cisco: Guys, come downstairs. Now.

Alexis and Ellie exchanged glances before following Cisco out of the room and heading downstairs quickly.

Madison and Violet were arguing.

Violet: How could you do this? We trusted you, Maddie.
Madison: It's not about wrong or right anymore! You do whatever you have to do to survive.

The two girls were getting real close to one another, looking like they were about to kill each other.

Alexis walked over to them, pulling Madison's shirt, dragging her away from Violet.

Alexis: What the fuck is going on?

Violet looked into Alexis' eyes.

Violet: She's been stealing supplies. And keeping them in the vent outside.

Alexis looked at Madison.

Alexis: Is that true?

Cisco walked towards the three girls.

Cisco: Wait, wait wait... it was you?

Maddie froze up. She felt like she couldn't say anything. Ellie walked closer to her friends.

Madison: You knew?
Cisco: Yes. I found them. Ellie and I were going to find out who it was.
Ellie: What the fuck, Maddie.
Cisco: I expected better from you.

Madison took a step back in disbelief.

Madison: I... I'm sorry. I had to.
Violet: No. You didn't fucking have to.
Josh: We... we can't have you here, Maddie.

Josh looked over at Ellie, in hope that she agreed. Ellie gulped.

Ellie: He's... he's right. You can't be here.
Cisco: Ellie!
Ellie: I'm sorry, Cisco. But we can't have her here.

Violet stepped closer to Madison, clenching her fists. Until Sophia stepped in front of Madison. Everybody's eyes widened.

Sophia: If she's going, I'm going too!

Ellie looked down at Sophia in disbelief.

Ellie: Soph...
Sophia: No! She's who mattered to me most since Nick died. I can't do this without her.

The room fell silent.

Josh: Then go.
Violet: Josh.
Josh: No! She's twelve, now. She's not a kid anymore. She can make her own decisions. And if that's what she wants, she can have it.
Violet: Okay... okay.
Alexis: We should vote.
Cisco: Fucking vote?
Alexis: What? You got a better idea?

Cisco looked down at the floor.

Alexis: Didn't think so.