ELLA FOUND GLENN SITTING BY HIMSELF ON THE FRONT PORCH STEPS, twirling his hat in his hands while he was deep in thought. She made her way towards him from the RV, her footsteps caused the boy to look up at her and give her a smile.
"You know, I think I could get used to living here. . . if Hershel and his family allows us to stay after we've found Sophia. We could make this a safe haven for us and we could be safe. We wouldn't have to live on the road."
Glenn looked around, nodding. "Yeah, it could be. One day."
She smiled softly. "Do you think there could be little kids running around here from everyone conceiving children?" she joked.
"Yes and no," he started. "I can see us living here with a garden and kids running around, but I can also see Hershel not letting us stay here and kicking us out."
She pressed her lips together. "Okay. Why is that, Glenn?"
He held her gaze for a moment as he contemplated that answer. He looked away for a moment then he looked back at Ella, a frown placed on his face. "Because I don't think Hershel wants strangers living on his farm."
"Yeah, probably not."
The pair went silent. They looked out in the distance, their eyes scanning the treeline for walkers in the distance as the birds chirped from above.
She opened her mouth to say something until they heard someone shout something.
"Uh, we're going to need a little help here!"
Ella snapped her head in the direction of the voice, only to come to realize it was Dale. She and Glenn quickly went down the steps, they jogged over to him.
"What is it?" Glenn asked.
Dale turned to the pair and sighed. "We have a bit of a problem."
Her eyebrows furrowed as he led them over to the well with a group of people surrounding it, including Maggie. When she reached the well, she got down on her knees and heard the moans. The smell from the well was absolutely awful from the undead man clawing at the stone wall.
Dale turned on a flashlight, peering into the hole. "Well, it looks like we've got a swimmer."
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THEY PULLED OFF the wooden boards hammered down to the well. They circled the well while the undead man reached at the group, groaning. Ella was leaning forward, her knees on the grass beside Glenn.
"How long do you think it's been down there?" Glenn glanced up at everyone, a questioning look on his face.
"Long enough to grow gills," Andrea frowned. Ella looked away from the well, no longer be able to actually look at it without wanting to throw up. Andrea continued, "We need to get it out. Cover the well back up and close it off. It can't be doing that water any good."
Lori nodded in agreement as Ella gave her a look, before Andrea spoke again. "God knows what it's doing to it." Lori put her hands on her hips.
"Easy. Put a bullet in it's head," T-Dog replied. "I'll get a rope."
Ella shook her head, speaking up to protest. "Woah guys, no. That is stupid."
It was probably the most stupidest plan she'd ever heard of. If they were to shoot it in the water, it'd most likely get its brain everywhere. If it had been in the water long enough and they pulled it out, the body would completely pull apart.
Glenn slowly looked over at Ella. "Why not? It's a good plan."
Maggie spoke up, agreeing with the Walsh girl. "It's a stupid plan. If the thing hasn't contaminated the water yet, shooting it will. Then we won't have water and we'll have to scavenge it in town." Maggie told them.
Shane sighed. "They're right, we can't risk it."
"It has to come out alive." T-Dog spoke up.
"So to speak."
Ella's gaze drifted to the well, her eyes landing on Patricia and Beth who were gazing out at them, concerned looks etched on their faces.
"Maybe some meat will lure it out? I can grab some ham from the fridge." Maggie suggested.
Ella nodded. "I'll come with."
They disappeared into the house, the group outside talking about the walker.
When the two females came back, Ella dropped the meat and dashed towards the group at the well. Her heart caught itself in her throat. They managed to tie Glenn up.
As she was reached them, they started to lower Glenn down into the well. Ella peered down into it, eyes widened in fear.
"This is crazy," Ella whispered. "That thing is going to kill him!"
Glenn looked up. "Thanks for the optimism!"
Ella ignored his comment. "Do we really have to do this?" she asked.
"Well, we're already doing it." T-Dog told her. Ella sighed in defeat and looked back down at Glenn, her heart hammering in her chest.
"Have I mentioned I like your new haircut?" Glenn asked as he shined a flashlight down on the walker. "You have a really nice shaped head."
Shane chuckled. "We'll get you out of here in one piece, bud. Don't worry."
"Living piece. That living part is important," Glenn exhaled. "Nice and slow."
Maggie shook her head. "Oh, you people are crazy!"
Shane sighed. "You want to get it out or not?"
Maggie didn't answer, because she wanted to get it out, so she knew she should trust these people and think about the good side of things.
Dale pointed inside the well. "Maggie, give us an eye."
Maggie glanced inside. "Doing okay?"
"Doing great. Livin' the dream!"
"Little lower. Little more."
Suddenly, the metallic tube that was holding Glenn broke, causing the rope to rapidly descend Glenn down towards the walker and the grimy water.
In a panic, everyone grabbed onto the rope. Ella gasped and tried to pull it up, her feet sliding.
"Get me out of here!"
Everyone tried pulling him up frantically, their eyes wide as Glenn screamed. They continued to pull until he was at the top. Once he was safe from the walker, Ella brought him into a tight hug.
She was thankful he was alive.
After that, they used Maggie's horse to pull the walker out of the well. It was a pretty heavy creature, so using the horse was probably the best plan.
As the walker was raised, it reached its arms out for T-Dog. Ella gagged from the putrid smell, the smell of it in her mouth, which caused the bile to rise in her throat.
Abruptly, the walker split in half.
Everyone let go of the rope and looked at the body. One half was in the well, along with its guts and the other half was laying in front of the well.
"We should seal this well off." Dale stated.
Shane absentmindedly rubbed his neck. "Yeah, might be for the best."
"What about-" Maggie began.
T-Dog grabbed the pump and plummeted it into the walker's head over and over again. Ella grimaced and looked away.
He looked at everyone. "Good thing we didn't do anything like shoot it."
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LATER THAT NIGHT, Ella sat on a folding chair in front of the RV, her eyes looking for any walkers. She couldn't sleep due to the thought of Sophia winding up here, or a herd of walkers passing through. She wanted to be on high alert for any threats or for Sophia.
A candle was lit beside her on the grassy ground as she hummed to herself. The sound of crickets and owls filled her ears, sending her into a peaceful bliss.
She laid her head on the back of the folding chair, closing her eyes for a brief second. Her eyes were so tired. She definitely needed to sleep.
She opened her eyes again and looked out into the distance, but this time, she noticed someone going out of camp and carrying a lantern. Someone who had long dark hair, a purple flannel, and light blue jeans. Ella realized it was Lori.
Ella sat there for a moment, watching as Lori got further away from the house, kneeling down beside a tree stump. Ella raised her eyebrows, before she brushed it off and went inside.