I Hold On

Worn ebony leather soles kicked up dirt, dust and gravel as Ellie sauntered back to camp. Her hips swayed with a dangerous rhythm and her brilliantly lit emerald green eyes never strayed anywhere but ahead. The sweltering Georgia heat and overbearing sun overhead combined with her furious boiling blood made a deadly combination. She wanted to tear Shane's head right off with her bare hands. The man had no sympathy or any sort of empathy for others; he was too callous for his own good.
The redhead knew damn right well he had no idea the things she had been through or what she had survived, but even the most ignorant of people had to know not to even mention someone who was contemplating suicide and bring them into things; that suicide happy girl was her sister for Christ's sake! That was what had set Ellie off into her now fuming, aggressive and quick fiery tangent. She wiped at her forehead, brushing away the fading crimson colored locks from her face and the copious amount of sweat that collected there. She had about three or so more miles until she reached Hershel's farm. Just as she kicked a rather large pebble into the side of the road, the familiar sound of an engine roared behind her and a seafoam green Hyundai Tuscon came driving up a few feet beside her.
"Get in."
The southern drawl of a man's voice demanded and she scoffed and kept on walking, kicking up more dust and gravel in her wake.
"I'm pretty sure this lil' walk back to camp ain't gonna do me no harm."
Despite how much her legs were burning and how bad the sun was beating down on her, Ellie stayed stubborn and kept on walking. That was until Shane boldly drove up and pulled over right in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. She gave him a deadly glare when he went to step out of the car and stood by the ajared drivers side door.
"Listen, I pushed it when I brought your sister into things- not to mention your father, who I'm sure was a great man."
He gave her a small smile but she ignored his attempt at being sincere.
"That's sure as hell one sad excuse for a fuckin' apology."
She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes burning holes into his own chocolate brown hues.
"Look, it's the best I can do with what I've got. I was only tryin' to get you riled up. When shit hits the fan it isn't easy-"
She cut him off, snapping at him as her temper hit an all time high.
"You don't think I don't know that? You think I'd be here right now if I didn't know how to take care of myself or my sister? I'm not some dumb broad who needs savin' Shane. I'll have you know I watched both of my parents sacrifice themselves for Ariel and I and I'll be damned if let some man make me forget what I've learned just because he wants to play King of the Mountain. So you can shove that pathetic apology up your ass 'cause I don't wanna hear it."
She whipped her fiery red tangles of hair over her shoulder and went to turn away before she swore she heard the beginnings of a deep chuckle. In turn she spun back around on her heels, green eyes glaring sharp daggers at the man.
"You think what I'm sayin' is fuckin' funny?"
When he didn't answer right away and instead decided to stare at her with that stupid smirk plastered on his face, she became increasingly bold and approached him, getting right in his face to a point where thier noses were almost touching.
"I suggest you wipe that stupid ass grin off of your face and speak up 'cause I asked you a question officer."
Ellie was now out of her comfort zone and her temper was what was driving her. Shane just got under her skin in a way no man ever did and it drove her insane to no end.
"And I think you're over steppin' your jurisdiction lil' girl. I have every right to laugh at you. You say I'm playin' King of the Mountain, but look who's throwin' a tantrum over nothin' and all up in my face tryin' to make a point when I already gave my apology."
He stayed still, his tone level, his eyes giving off something dark and unreadable; Ellie wasn't going to quit.
"You think I'm throwin' a fit over nothin'? I don't give a damn if you were tryin' to 'rile me up' or whatever the fuck you call that back there. You crossed the line when you brought Ariel into it and my deceased father no less. Maybe if you knew how to give actually give out a real apology and quit bein' a dick I wouldn't have to be all 'up in your face', now would I?"
Neither one of them spoke after that. They just stood there at each others throats, locked in a stand still of intensively focused eye contact. Right when Ellie thought the two of them were going to more than likely bake to death in the hot sun, that's when a drawn out sigh exited Shane's lips and he put his hands on her shoulders. The woman raised a brow at him but kept quiet all the same. It appeared as if he decided to be the one to break the silence and man up because Ellie sure as hell wasn't going to. She had already spoke her piece and wasn't going to speak until he apologized properly.
"Ellie, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I brought up Ariel- contemplatin' suicide ain't nothin' to be jokin' 'bout. I'm also sorry I brought up your father. I can tell he raised you right. You're stubborn as hell but you're a damn good fighter. I hope you can forgive me for bein' such a dick."
The sincerity in his voice was astounding and she swore she didn't even hear a hint of sarcasm. Shane was being dead serious for once. She took a deep breath, gazing at him with skeptical green hues.
"Apology accepted."
Her brow furrowed though when he continued.
"Wait- I ain't done."
He dropped his hands from where they had rested on her shoulders and moved aside and opened the passenger side door, turning back to her afterwards before she could even speak another word.
"Come with me."
His gaze was intent as he watched her.
"Excuse me?"
She put both of her hands on her hips.
"Come with me, on that run to look for Sophia."
His eyes were still serious.
"But I-"
He interrupted her before she even got the chance to really say anything.
"I mean it Ellie. Be my back up, please?"
The redhead couldn't help but smile and shake her head out of pure astonishment. It sounded like he was begging her.
"You trust me even though I obviously suck at shootin'?"
She teased him with a grin.
"Hey, you ain't that bad off. I was messin' with ya which was makin' you lose your focus. I'm sure when the time comes when and if we gotta face the real deal, you'll do jus' fine. Like you said, you didn't jus' survive this long on good looks alone."
He never once broke eye contact with her.
"Aw, you think I'm good lookin'?"
Ellie gave him a saucy wink.
"Are you gonna get in the car or not red?"
He bypassed her playfully dealt question and smirked at her while motioning to get in the vehicle.
"Yeah sure, why not. It ain't like I got anythin' better to do."
The woman rolled her eyes and slipped past Shane before getting into the passengers side of the Hyundai.
"Buckle up now darlin'."
He continued to smirk and she rolled her eyes again before doing as she was told.
"Yes sir, officer."
Ellie slung the seat belt over her chest and locked it into place just as Shane closed the door for her and headed over to the drivers side and got in. She watched him as he too buckled up and started the car with the keys he had left in the ignition. Before she knew it, they were half way down the road and driving past Hershel's farm.

Notes

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