Lee woke up in a forest, he coughed, before catching sight of Carley a couple feet away from him. The woman rolled over and stumbled to her feet.
“Lee?” Her voice was raspy, as Lee got up, the man nearly falling over when he realised his arm was still missing.
“Where are we?” Asked Lee, looking around.
“I was hoping you’d tell me.” Huffed Carley, as Lee coughed.
“No, no,” He shook his head, “you’re dead. Lilly shot you.”
“I remember turning around and finding Lilly’s gun in my face.” Said Carley, before spotting Lee’s arm, “What happened?”
“I got bit.” Answered Lee, stumbling, “Bit funny, I don’t feel like crap.”
A cough got their attention, a brown-haired man sat up. It took them a moment, before they recognised him as Ben.
“How’d you grow so fast?” Asked Lee, as Ben frantically checked his abdomen.
“I’m alive?” Ben turned and looked at Lee and Carley, “Wait, am I actually dead?”
R
Clementine was leaning against her desk, staring at Marlon and Brody, Minerva and another red head stood off to the side with Tenn, while Mitch glared around the room.
She turned and looked at Louis, “I’m assuming those mushrooms you found weren’t the healthy kind.”
“How is this my fault?” Demanded Louis, “They could just be some new breed of walker!”
Clementine gave him a flat look, “Right, some tell me what happened while I was gone.”
“AJ wanted to go with you to Richmond and sulked because he couldn’t go. He and Willy snuck of with a stick with a knife taped to the end of it and came back with Tenn.” Said Violet, staring at Minerva, “They all appeared at some point after that.”
“There’s also Lilly and some old fuck in the basement.” Chimed Louis, getting a glare from Clementine.
“Okay,” She nodded, “I’ll start there, Violet, we’ve got supplies from Richmond that need to be stored.”
Violet nodded, stopping when Clementine grabbed her arm.
“Keep an eye on our returned friends.” Murmured Clementine, “Something’s not right.”
Violet nodded, before hitting Louis, “C’mon, let put them to some use.”
Clementine sighed, before looking at someone who’d stayed behind, “Mitch?”
“What do you plan on doing?”
Clementine sighed again, “I’m going to try and provoke Larry into a heart attack.”
Mitch stared at her, “You’re going to solve a problem…by making another problem?”
“It’s the best I can think of.” Confessed Clementine, leaning back against the desk.
“You said Lilly was more dangerous after her dad died.” Said Mitch, “Killing him again would make her more-er dangerous.”
Clementine blinked and stared at Mitch, “How the fuck did you say something that was smart and stupid at the same time?”
Mitch glared at her, before they heard shouting outside.
“What now?” Growled Clementine, stalking out of the office with Mitch following after her.
“Put it down, now!” Yelled Violet, as Clementine and Mitch came up behind the crowd.
“You think we’re fucking stupid?!” Came a familiar voice.
“Brave coming from some dick shaking our fence!”
“C’mon, we can all be civil about this!” Clementine stopped, before frowning and pushing her way through the crowd.
“What’s going…” Clementine stopped and stared at the other side of the fence, “…on?”
Luke stared back at her, as Clementine looked over the group he was with. She spotted Nick and Pete towards the back, she slowly looked over the others with them, Kenny stared at her, while others from the Cabin group quietened down.
“…Clementine?” Asked Luke, jerked Clementine from her thoughts.
She turned and looked at Louis.
“Hey, I haven’t done anything!” Protested Louis, getting an eyeroll from Clementine.
“Put them in the hospital,” Sighed Clementine, gesturing to the building built from some supplies from Richmond, before looking over the crowed, “Hold on…where’s AJ?”
“He’s alive?” Asked Luke, with Clementine ignoring him.
“Er,” Louis looked at Violet, “he’s…fishing.”
“We don’t know where he is.” Admitted Violet, “He wasn’t here when we came out.”
Clementine groaned, “Okay, Mitch, come with me, Violet,” the blonde perked up, “you’re in charge until I get back.”
Violet nodded, getting a whine from Louis.
“Louis, you’re coming as well.” Called Clementine, walking towards the gate, “I don’t want to hear Violet bitch when I get back.”
“We’re comin’ too.” Said Kenny, making Clementine stop and turn to him.
“No, you’re all going to follow Violet to the hospital until we figure out what’s going on.” Clementine and Kenny stared at each other, before the man smirked.
“All right.” Kenny nodded, “We’ll talk when you get back.”
Clementine sighed in relief, before nodding.
R
Lee, Carley and Ben trudged through the forest, the boy that found them, AJ, said they would be welcome in their community. He pointed at a Walker, “That’s James, he pretends to be one of the monsters.”
“What?” Asked Lee, as the Walker looked at them.
“What’re you doing out here?” Asked the Walker, losing its limp and striding over to AJ.
“Helping people.” Answered AJ, as a man in a long coat, wielding a chair leg spotted them.
“AJ!” The man ran towards them, swinging the leg at James.
In a fluid motion, James grabbed the chair leg, kicked the man between the legs and pushed him to the ground. A moment later, another man and a young woman appeared near him.
Lee felt the air leave his lungs, recognising Clementine. Clementine stared at Lee, her demands dying in her throat. She suddenly felt lightheaded, the next thing she knew, she was falling backwards with her world going dark.
Mitch caught Clementine as she fell, looking at Louis, “Is she usually like this?”
Louis winced as he shook his head, “No.” He straightened up, walking towards her, “Give her here.”
Mitch passed the unconscious Clementine to Louis, before he looked at the people, he jerked his head and they set back off to the school.
R
Alvin watched Rebecca pace, before the blonde woman, Violet, walked in.
“Where’s Clementine?” Demanded Rebecca, glaring at Violet, “Where’s my son?!”
“AJ’s just got back with some other… ‘visitors’,” Violet looked around, “Clementine’s unconscious.”
“Is she alright?” Asked Sarah, from her place next to her father.
“She’ll be fine,” Dismissed Violet, “it’s probably nothing.”
“My dad’s a doctor.” Said Sarah, getting Violet’s attention.
“We have a nurse.” Dismissed Violet, leaving the room.
Walking towards the medical area, Violet spotted Ms. Martin checking Clementine over. Seeing the nurse walking out of the greenhouses was a tiny bit terrifying. There had been more of their friends coming back, which made Louis order them to expand their boarders.
Clementine sitting up made Ms. Martin step away, the young woman looked around and spotted Violet. Ignoring the older woman, Clementine walked up to Violet.
“Can you please tell her I’m fine?” Asked Clementine, pointing at Ms. Martin.
“No one faints for no reason.” Said the nurse, frowning at Clementine, “I know you don’t like feeling vulnerable, but you need rest.”
“I need to get supplies if we’re gonna expand.” Argued Clementine, stepping forwards and stumbling.
“I’ll contact Richmond,” Said Violet, “but, Ms. Martin’s right. If you fainted, it could be something serious.”
Clementine sighed, “Look, Vi, I need to keep busy. If I don’t, bad things tend to happen.”
Violet drew herself up, “Clementine, as one of your vices, I’m taking control of the group until Ms. Martin has cleared you.”
Clementine’s jaw dropped, getting a cheeky grin from Violet, “All you need to do is sleep.”
Clementine’s jaw closed with a snap, before stalking back to Ms. Martin. Violet sighed, before turning around. Marlon, Louis and Brody stood a couple feet away from her.
“What?”
“You just sent our leader,” Said Louis, dumbstruck, “who flayed a guy after what happened to Ruby, to bed.”
“And you’ve shared a bed with her.” Retorted Violet, heading to the Admin building, “Clem’s radio’s in the office, right?”
“I don’t know,” Shrugged Louis, grinning, “I was a bit preoccupied.”
Violet gave Louis a flat look, “You’re the reason she’d been confined to bed rest.”
Returns 6 (T/W: MENTIONED PAST PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE OF A CHARACTER AND IMPLIED BRAIN DAMAGE.)
Clementine frowned as they tried to tow the buried ambulance out of its hole. Instead of digging around it, like she’d suggested, they decided to dig a ramp in front of it. She heard Lee and Carley stand either side of her, while the two toddlers hung off their namesakes.
“How come you didn’t mention them?” Asked Lee, as Little Lee poked and prodded his stump.
“It’s a long story.” Answered Clementine, as the ambulance jolted forwards a foot, “god damn it.”
“Language.” Scolded Carley, as Little Carley gnawed on a ball.
“I bet Violet a pack of batteries that it wouldn’t move.” Said Clementine, as the ambulance was pulled up the makeshift ramp, “I really hope we haven’t wasted three weeks.”
“Hey,” They glanced at Nick, “There’s water being spat out.”
Clementine frowned, before making her way over, “What do you mean there’s water being spat out?”
Lee and Carley followed after her, pausing as the small trickle of water coming from the hole the ambulance had left.
“What was here back at the start?” Asked Lee, making Louis frown.
“Well,” Louis looked at Aasim, “Aasim, what was here back at the start?”
“It was a massive ditch, before it was filled in shortly before the world ended.” Said Aasim, “It had a fresh water stream running through it.”
“So,” Clementine looked at him, “we could clear all this and have a water source nearby.”
“We’d have to secure it and make sure no Walker’s get in it,” Said Aasim, “but yeah, we could.”
Clementine gave them a grin, just as Ruby hurried up to them, “Clem, AJ’s had one of his turns.”
“Turns?” Questioned Lilly, getting a sigh from Clementine.
“C’mon, I’ll explain on the way.” Said Clementine, as she started walking towards the school, “Where is he?”
“Grounds by the greenhouse,” Said Ruby, “I think either Justin or Alex was pesterin’ him.”
“Clementine?” Asked Christa, as Clementine scowled, “What are AJ’s ‘turns’?”
Sighing, Clementine prepared herself, “Back when AJ was six, we made contact with a small group of travellers. We traded with them, let them stay the night. In the morning, they took off with AJ and Willy. We don’t know what happened specifically, but Willy told us that AJ had an accident, and they humiliated him for it, forced him to act like a baby, smeared it on him. Since they had horses and we were mostly on foot, it was almost a couple of months before we caught up on them. Willy was abused and assaulted, thankfully they didn’t try raping either of them, but AJ, he was crawling around, babbling, soiling himself, crying because he needed changing or wanted attention. They even knocked out his teeth to ‘sell the act’. We ran into Javi shortly before we found them, he actually took us to them. We got them back, though AJ kept kicking up a fuss and lashing out at us. I got hit pretty hard, it hurt like hell, but we managed to calm him down. I stayed behind at their camp for a bit, readying the horses, taking their weapons, supplies and the stuff we gave them.”
“Then what happened?” Asked Christa, frowning.
“I stuck them in their caravan and set it on fire.” Responded Clementine, “We used the horses to get back here, but AJ kept kicking up a fuss, screaming, crying, doing everything that would get a Walker’s attention.”
“Not trying to be funny,” Said Lilly, “but should you really be doing this? With your condition?”
Clementine stopped and sighed, looking around, Ruby decided to speak, “When AJ and Willy were taken, Clem was pregnant. AJ fussin’ and lashing out at everyone… caused her to miscarry.”
“We had to restrain and gag him.” Clementine suddenly continued, “We got back here, and Javi brought Lingard out here. He said that AJ’s brain regressed his mental state in order to protect him.”
“He eventually recovered,” Said Ruby, “but… he had to stop going out on hunting trips and supply runs. It didn’t happen every time, but while he was out there, he kept regressing or whatever the fuck it’s called.”
“He’d kept dropping on his butt and, nine times out of ten, would start wailing.” Said Clementine, “He would go from an asset to a liability. We came up with a game where we’d hide a thick book and AJ had to find it.”
As they got closer, they heard AJ’s wails, along with various sneered and laughs from a small group of people.
“Look at the baby.” Sneered someone, Clementine thought his name was Justin, as he raised a stick and brought it down on AJ, resulting in a fresh set of wails, “Look! He’s shit himself!”
“And pissed.” Laughed another, just as Clementine came up behind him, pulled out her gun and shot him in the ear. Clementine followed up by shooting each member of the small group, hitting them in the arm or leg.
“The next time any of you,” Clementine’s voice was cold and sharp, “even think of hurting him, or anyone, again, I’ll kill you again. Understood?”
There were some nods, except Justin, who brandished a knife and tried to cut Clementine, only for her to grab his arm, spin him around and shoot the top of his thigh. Calmly putting her gun away, Clementine groaned, before hefting AJ onto her hip, stepped over Justin and walked into the Admin building.
Sighing, Ruby hauled Justin up, before grabbing the others, “Y’all were lucky, the last group that triggered AJ’s turns got flayed.”
“Because they made AJ regress?” Asked Christa, looking alarmed.
“Well, no,” Conceded Ruby, “They were a cannibalistic rape gang, but Clem did flay ‘em… with mine and Omar’s help.”
Lilly blinked, “I would’ve thought her Whisperer friend would’ve helped with that.”
“James and Clem don’t see eye to eye,” Shrugged Ruby, “mainly cos Clem’s got a bit of a vindictive streak when it come to a member of the group gettin’ hurt. Said it reminded him a bit too much of the Whisperer’s.”
R
Clementine silently tossed the yo-yo back and forth; everyone was more or less asleep. She saw Lee and Carley quietly talking by the cellar’s entrance. Having to explain the source of AJ’s turns and Ruby mentioning the losses it caused made her angrier that she’d anticipated. Normally, she’d be drinking, but Louis and Violet had the foresight to hide all the alcohol in places she couldn’t find or reach. Larry had tried to talk to her about it, asking if he was a liability as a whole, which of course made her point out his heart condition, but told him AJ was mostly confined to the grounds.
Except when he gave them the slip. Groaning, Clementine ran a hand down her face, they’d gotten lucky when AJ brought Lee, Carley and Ben to them, and with Tenn the time before that.
“Headache?” Asked James, dropping down next to her.
“AJ had another turn.” Said Clementine, “A big one, full on bawling and wailing. Some of the returned decided to… fuck, I don’t know what they decided to do, but it triggered him, and they thought it was funny.”
“…Okay, I heard you’d been shot and hiding wounds again.” Said James, after a moment, “Did you kill them like the last guys?”
“No, I shot the main instigator in the ear and put a bullet in some arms and legs.” Said Clementine, “I shot the main guy in the ass when he tried to stab me.”
Clementine sighed, “I told them what happened, Carlos made an ‘official’ diagnosis and said AJ needed a therapist.”
“I’ll let you know if I find one.” Said James, getting a snort from Clementine, “Of course, I’ll have to ditch my herd for it.”
“One of the new arrivals was one, I think.” Shrugged Clementine, “Getting AJ cleaned up was a nightmare, Rebecca intervened and took over, since Christa apparently told her about it.”
“What did she say?” Asked James, leaning back.
“You shouldn’t overexert yourself in your condition.” Repeated Clementine, before sighing, “I keep getting this feeling that something bad’s coming. I don’t know how, or what or why, I just know something’s going to happen.”
James sighed, “I suppose we’ll deal with it when it comes.”
Clementine hummed, before leaning back, “Hopefully, we’ll be able to weather it when it comes.”
R
Justin grumbled as he dragged the freak out of the school. He’d ‘recovered’ after being cleaned up, like a fucking baby. Justin took a great deal of pleasure shoving the brats out soiled underwear into his mouth. They’d gotten to an empty barn, before the brat started whining again. Growling, Justin released his grip on his hair, dropping him. He started releasing muffled cries, making Justin sneer and kick him. One kick turned into several and the brat descended further into muffled cries and wails. Pulling the makeshift gag out of the freaks mouth, loud wails and screams started piercing the air, Justin smacked him with it and continued beating him.
Justin started pulling the freaks clothes off, before returning to kicking and hitting him. Typically, he started crying for ‘mommy’. Flipping him over, Justin went to stomp on his teeth, when something barrelled into him.
Looking up, Justin saw Louis pinning him, while the brat’s caretaker started trying to calm it down. He saw a woman in a purple jacket haul her back when the brat started thrashing and kicking his legs out. Justin started laughing at him, “Freak!”
The boy’s caretaker’s eyes settled on him. Justin froze, as the woman got to her feet and stalked over, unhooking a fire axe from her belt, “Louis. Move.”
Louis nodded, getting off of Justin and grabbed the wrist of his dominant hand. Justin was confused, until he saw the woman raise the axe above her head and brought it down on his wrist. It only took one strike to sever the limb, before she slammed the blade of the axe into the ground next to his head.
“I thought you were gonna kill him, Clem.” Said Louis, as Justin hunched over his bleeding wrist.
“I am.” Clementine’s voice was cold, “I’m just making sure he doesn’t have the mercy of a quick death.”
The next thing Justin knew, everything was black.
R
Clementine sighed, running a hand down her face. It was just typical. One of the guys that came back was the school ‘bully’. Erin, Maddie and Therissa had all separately gone to Ms. Martin and told her that Justin had been coercing them. They’d also found Nick unconscious with a head injury, presumably done by Justin when he was dragging AJ out of the school.
Clementine couldn’t wrap her head around how no one saw or heard him. Duck and Becca were on watch, as were Minerva and Violet. Feeling that she was just going to give herself a headache, Clementine looked over at the window, they were still setting up a council to help run things. Michonne and Morgan had been a great help with the expansion effort, they’d gotten the expanded areas walls up, they’d started putting the makeshift buildings in place.
Ironically, the day after they’d moved the ambulance, more tools, solar panels and a generator had arrived with Lingard from Richmond. Glancing over at a bed in the corner of the office, Clementine silently watched as AJ suckled on a pacifier and made messy scribbles on the wall. A wave of frustration, annoyance and sadness washed over her. It’d been two weeks since Justin dragged AJ out of the school and he still hadn’t bounced back, because of his size, Clementine had to employ one of the guys, while she and Rebecca worked on keeping him calm. He should grow up, a snide voice that reminded Clementine of Jane echoed through her head, there are toddlers that are more mature than him. But those toddlers weren’t abducted and psychologically tortured for some sick fucks amusement. Quietly groaning and pinching the bridge of her nose, Clementine started to stand up, just as AJ started whining.
Emitting a louder groan, Clementine walked over to the door and wrenched it open, “It’s happened again.” Clementine announced to the small group talking outside of the office.
R
Rebecca sighed, sitting down next to Clementine. The young woman was scowling as a piece of paper, while AJ, a ten-year-old, crawled around on the floor babbling like a baby.
“What’s the longest he’s been like this?” Asked Rebecca, making Clementine look up and lose her scowl.
“Not including the month and a half when that caravan turned up?” Clementine thought back, “Three months. Dealing with him after he bounces back in never fun, mainly because he’ll hide himself in his room and not come out for a couple of days. Though, sometimes that’ll just send him back down into the deep end.”
“What did that therapist say?” Asked Rebecca, as Clementine ran a hand down her face.
“He needs to be ‘compos mentis’ before she can do anything,” Answered Clementine, “Whatever the fuck that means.”
AJ stopped crawling around and sat up, before looking around him. The infant-like wonder replaced with an expression of confusion. Spitting out the pacifier he’d been suckling on, he looked up at Clementine, “It happened again, didn’t it?”
“Yep.” Clementine straightened up, “Do you remember what happened?”
“Someone grabbed my neck.” Said AJ, before flushing red, “Ooh.”
“The bathroom’s over there,” Said Clementine, gesturing to a door, “you have some clothes in the bag. Do you want any—”
“No.” Rushed AJ, grabbing the bag and all but running to the bathroom.
Rebecca swallowed, “Is…is he going to be alright?”
Clementine frowned, “That’s the first time he’s remembered immediately before a turn.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“I hope so.”
R
“I think this is a good place to put up camp for the night.” Said Stan, looking over at Vera.
“Yeah.” Nodded the woman, “Tisha, Hank, start setting up. Lowell, Tyler, Johnny, you’re with me and Stan on watch.”
There were some grumbles, before Vera looked at the shadows, “Bill, where do you want Tavia and Troy?”
“Have them cook.” Bill walked forwards, “Where’s the informant?”
“No idea.” Shrugged Vera, “Maybe he’s been picked up by those Delta nuts.”
Bill growled, stalking over to a tree.
“Is Carver acting weird to you?” Asked Hank, after a moment.
“He’s near his son,” Shrugged Tisha, “he’s got reason to be het up.”
Carver ignored them, looking at some lights in the distance, no doubt, that was the school his son was at. Part of him wondered what Clementine told him about his parents. Did she buy into the lie that Alvin was the boy’s father? How would he get into the school and get his son? How will they escape without Clementine following after them?
Brushing his thoughts away, Carver turned back to the camp. He had more than enough time to plan. Meanwhile, a couple miles ahead of Carver, Sarita glanced at Jane, the woman guiding a girl through the forest, heading for the lights. Richmond said Clementine was there, and, for Sarita, where Clementine was, Kenny was there too.
Louis quietly groaned as he entered his and Clementine’s shared dorm, he quietly noted that Clementine was already asleep, with Rosie curled up on the foot of the bed. Shedding his coat, Louis climbed into the bed and wrapped himself around Clementine and let sleep claim him.
Meanwhile, down in the grounds, Lee looked over the ground.
“It surprising how much she’s grown.” Said Kenny, getting Lee’s attention.
“I wanted her to be with you.” Confessed Lee, “We didn’t know Omid and Christa, and, well, I think we all saw Christa’s reaction to Clementine.”
Kenny grunted, before looking over at a Walker head, “What do ya think of that Louis boy?”
“I think he’s nice.” Answered Lee, getting a huff from Kenny.
“I think he looks a little gay.” Said Kenny, crossing his arms, “But, if he makes her happy.”
Lee let out a laugh, before sighing, “And all that shit with Lilly and her faction. What do you think Clem plans on doing with her?”
“Fuck if I know.” Answered Kenny, glancing back towards the gym, “I still need to talk to Duck. I, I’m not sure if he’ll cope.”
“Going by how he was talking that girl’s ear off,” Remarked Lee, sending Kenny a smirk, “I think he’ll adapt.”
Kenny frowned, but nodded, “I was hoping Kat or Sarita would’ve been with him.”
“Doug, Mark and Chuck aren’t back either,” Said Lee, “I don’t now about Molly or that Jane character Clem mentioned.”
“I hope not.” Snorted Kenny, “The bitch told Clem and me that AJ was dead and tried to frame herself as a victim.”
“What about Luke’s reaction?” Asked Lee, “He didn’t seem to take it well.”
“He and Jane decided to knock boots while Alvie was being born.” Scoffed Kenny, “I’m glad Clem only saw them after they’d finished.”
Lee hummed, spotting Carley walking around the perimeter with Violet, before he looked up at the stars.
R
Clementine yawned, before gagging. Hastily clambering over Louis, Clementine grabbed a bin and threw up into it.
“Ooh,” Groaned Clementine, as Louis shifted himself into a sitting position, “this fucking sucks.”
“I heard the end is far worse.” Commented Louis, getting a glare from Clementine.
“Why am I attracted to you?”
“Because I’m irresistible.”
Clementine was prevented from retorting by throwing up again. The door burst open, with Violet holding a broken lamp above her head.
“I heard something fall.”
“It’s just Clem’s condition.” Said Louis, as Clementine retched.
“Oh.” Violet lowered the lamp, “Right. I’m going to bed now.”
Louis frowned as Violet left, “It’s morning.”
“She had the nightshift.” Said Clementine, her voice echoing in the bin.
“Oh, right.” Louis groaned, “Do you want a hand with your leg or are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” Clementine waved him off, “Can you watch the new guys, please?”
“Okay.” Louis nodded, before grabbing his coat, “Do you want AJ to give em a tour?”
Clementine gave him a thumbs up as she dry-heaved.
Wincing as he stepped outside, Louis hopped down the steps and walked towards the Gym, he saw the girl a little older than AJ running around, as Willy opened the gate for a small group of survivors. Groaning, Louis redirected himself towards the gate.
“Thank you,” Said a red hair woman, “we were travelling for months and we were attacked. It’s a miracle we found this place.”
“Who’re you?” Asked Louis, silently kicking himself for not picking up Chair-les.
“Oh,” A brunette turned to him, “Are you the leader here?”
“Not quite,” Louis looked over them, he counted seven of them, “but I talk with her regularly.”
The group glanced at each other, before a man in glasses spoke in a thick Russian accent, “We are travellers.”
“Yeah, I gathered.” Dismissed Louis, glaring at them, “Names. Now.”
“Right, I’m Shel,” Said the brunette, “this is my sister, Becca,” she pointed at a woman with black hair around his age, “Vince,” an Asian man, “Wyatt,” A white man with a thick beard, “Russell,” A black man, “Mike,” another black man with part of his left ear missing, “Bonnie,” the woman with red hair, “and Arvo.” The Russian man.
Louis eyed them, “Okay, I’ll speak with some people and put you up in the Gym.”
“We can help.” Said Bonnie, eagerly.
“Yeah, but we need to check all of you for bites.” Dismissed Louis, turning around, “AJ!”
Bonnie and Mike froze as Louis called for AJ.
“Yeah?” Asked a Ten-year-old, appearing from a bush.
“Take them to the Hospital,” Instructed Louis, “I’ve got to check on some things.”
AJ nodded, before looking at the group, “You need to leave your weapons here.”
“Why?” Demanded Becca, glaring at AJ.
“Because we don’t trust you.”
Bonnie carefully put her rifle on the ground, slowly followed by the others. Arvo looked around the community, he glared at some of the people, just as Bonnie gasped.
“Luke!” Mike stared at Bonnie ran over to the man they’d seen drown, “How?”
“I don’t know.” Answered Luke, “I’m sorry, but I’m a little busy right now.”
Bonnie watched as Luke walked away and pick up an axe.
“You done?” The group looked at AJ, who didn’t seem impressed, “Because you all need to be checked.”
R
Clementine looked at the new arrivals, she didn’t care for most of them, but she kept her eyes on Arvo, Bonnie and Mike.
“Aren’t these the guys that left you and AJ to die?” Asked Louis, glaring at them.
“Yeah,” Said Clementine, her eyes fixed on Arvo, “my only issue is that cunt.”
“Why?” Asked Violet, looking away from the new arrivals.
“Because,” Clementine pulled the collar of her shirt to the side, revealing a circular bullet scar, “he fucking shot me.”
Violet glanced as Arvo, putting her hand on her knife when she saw Arvo take a step forwards. AJ was less subtle in his warning, opting to point a gun at Arvo. Arvo gave Clementine a hate filled glare, his face contorting into a sneer.
“Put him in the basement.” Said Clementine, as Louis grabbed the Russian, she turned and looked at Bonnie’s group, “Have you been checked for bites?”
“Duh.” Responded Becca, Clementine looked them over.
“Go to the Gym, we’ll talk with everyone there.” Clementine got up and walked out the door.
“This way.” Said Violet, gesturing for them to follow her.
R
Lilly looked up as someone was shoved into the basement. It was a Russian man, since he was screaming at the doors as they shut. She heard her Dad grumble about the man.
“I KILL YOU!” Screamed the Russian, “I KILL YOU, CLEMENTINE!”
The doors opened and someone threw a violin at him, before the doors closed again. The Russian screamed himself hoarse, before collapsing to the ground. The doors opened, and Lilly saw Clementine limp down the stairs. She didn’t spare the Russian a glance and instead looked at Lilly and Larry.
“So,” Her voice was neutral, “we’re trying to figure out what to do with you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Demanded Larry, glaring at Clementine.
“Lilly,” Clementine nodded at the woman, “attacked, abducted and killed members of the community here. Some, myself included, aren’t sure if she can be trusted.”
“So,” Sneered Larry, stomping up to Clementine, “Lee can be trusted, but my daughter can’t?!”
Clementine glared up at Larry, “You’re a walking liability, if I were you, I’d watch my temper.”
Larry sneered, as Clementine looked at Lilly, “When you’re let out of here, you will be watched at all times, you won’t be allowed weapons and any tools you use will be done under the supervision of senior members of the community.”
Lilly huffed, before nodding. Clementine sighed, before gesturing for them to follow her, “Thankfully, one of the people that came back was a doctor, so we might have your medication.”
Neither said anything, as Clementine stepped over the breathless Russian.
“What did he do?” Asked Lilly, looking at the back of Clementine’s head.
“He shot me.”
R
“Deep breath.” Instructed Clarissa, listening to Larry’s heart, “You said you’ve got angina?”
“Yeah.” Grunted Larry, as Carlos checked Lilly over.
“Cough.” Lilly followed Carlos’s instruction, “Hmm.”
“What’s wrong?” Asked Clarissa, looking over at them.
Carlos readjusted his stethoscope and repeated his command, frowning, “It sounds like she has the beginnings of a chest infection.”
“Hold on.” Clarissa glanced at Larry, before going over to Carlos and Lilly and repeated Carlos’s tests, “Do you smoke?”
“No.”
“Have you been around people who’ve smoked?”
“No.”
“Your lungs have a slight wheeze to them,” Said Carlos, after a moment, “It might be nothing, but I’m going to try and run some tests.”
“Thank god for the Commonwealth and their scientists.” Muttered Clarissa, going back to Larry.
Outside, Clementine watched as wall extension was lifted up, she thought she heard Pete yelling at Nick, before she spotted Luke walking towards the Admin building, she knew he wasn’t happy about Jane, given the stink eye he’d been giving Kenny.
“Ooh.” Clementine looked down and frowned as Omid and Christa’s daughter, Kenlee, was looking over the edge of the balcony, “Can I help?”
“You’re three weeks old,” it didn't escape Clementine how weird it sounded, “once you’ve learnt to look after yourself, I’ll bring it up with your mother.”
“How the fuck did this get here?” Demanded Clementine.
Nick shrugged, as Louis looked up from his place in the hole.
“I’ve heard of burying a body,” Said Louis, hauling himself out of the hole, “But, I guess, burying an ambulance is a first.”
“We dug six feet until with hit the roof.” Explained Marlon, as Clementine hopped into the hole.
Walking on the roof of the ambulance, Clementine crouched down and put her ear to the roof.
“I can’t hear anything in there,” Said Clementine, “we could salvage any medical supplies.”
“And any gas in the tank.” Added Louis, making Lilly scoff.
“Gas expires,” Lilly glared at the ambulance, “Anything in there is probably useless.”
“I hate to be the one to ask this,” Everyone looked at Aasim, “but, how do we get inside it? We don’t have the tools.”
Clementine frowned, before glancing at both ends, “Then, I guess we’ll have to dig the doors out.”
“We?” Questioned Louis, “Clem, you can’t do shit with your condition.”
Clementine gave Louis a flat look, “I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”
“You are missing a leg.” Nick pointed out, recoiling at Clementine’s glare.
Louis held out his hand and pulled Clementine out of the hole, “Besides,” Louis put his hand on her shoulders, “you still need to talk to the other community leaders.”
Clementine let out a sigh, before nodding, “Alright, where’d you put the map?”
“It’s still on the table.” Answered Louis, getting a nod from Clementine.
They watched her walk away, seeing her call Violet and a couple others over to her.
“What do you mean ‘other community leaders’?” Asked Nick, frowning at Louis.
“It’s part of the coalition effort.” Answered Louis, “It was originally started with Alexandria and some other communities in the fight against the Saviours, it later included the Commonwealth. Clem and Javi, the leader of New Richmond, went to them and negotiated various trade routes. They’ve recently started an effort to rebuild some of the fallen communities, like Woodbury and Wellington.”
“Have any of them been successful?” Asked Marlon, glancing around.
“Well,” Louis grabbed some shovels and passed them around, continuing as the dug, “The Delta was reorganised and a place in Howes up north was rebuilt, A prison somewhere in Georgia is being cleared out. There was talking about The Kingdom being re-established, but things are still up in the air.”
R
Clementine’s head jerked back, ignoring the stings of pain from the brush hitting tangles in her hair. She heard the door open, admitting a couple of people.
“What the hell?” Christa stared at Kenlee brushing Clementine’s hair.
“It was this or let her help with the hole.” Answered Clementine, as Kenlee hummed, “What’s wrong?”
Christa was silent, getting a good look at Clementine. It’d been just over ten years since she saw her, and the irritation she’d felt in the first week had faded away. Clementine looked and sounded far older than she actually was, the younger woman’s eyes were tired, and she’d gained some grey hairs.
“Christa?” Clementine frowned when Christa didn’t respond, “Christa!”
Christa jumped, before pointing outside, “Some more people have shown up.”
Clementine groaned, before getting up, “This is gonna be fun.”
“Your hat.” Said Kenlee, pointed at the bloodstained garment.
Clementine nodded, before grabbing it and putting it on.
“I’m surprised your still wearing that.” Remarked Christa, as she, Kenlee and Clementine walked towards the gate.
“I gave it to AJ,” Answered Clementine, “about five years ago, but a couple weeks after that, he came up to me with it, and told me to put it on. He said something about how I looked weird without it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I didn’t listen to him at first,” Said Clementine, “then he stood on my legs and practically shoved it on my head.”
“How’d that turn out?”
“AJ kept shoving it back on my head, it was ridiculous.” Chuckled Clementine, sighing as they reached the gate, “Alright, Willy, what’s wrong?”
Clementine looked up at Willy, who pointed a few yards away from the gate. Frowning, Clementine squinted, seeing a few people wandering around the forest.
“I thought they were walkers,” Said Willy, “but they’re moving too smoothly.”
Frowning, Clementine unholstered her pistol and aimed it towards the group, “Stop right there!”
The people stopped, getting a sigh from Clementine, “Approach the gate, slowly.”
“We ain’t a threat.” Said a man, getting a scowl from Clementine.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that one before.”
“Look, we’re just looking for someone.” Said another man, “We was looking for a place to get in, so we can look for them.”
“We…” A woman’s voice, “We need help. We don’t know where we are.”
Clementine frowns, as a man around her age slowly approached the gate, followed by a man with dark skin, then a woman slightly older than her and a couple around Kenny’s age.
“I’m,” The first man stuttered, “I’m Adam,” he pointed at the woman, “that’s my sister, Elizabeth. T-those guys,” he gestured towards the dark-skinned man and the older couple, “are Gill and his parents.”
Clementine blinked, before turning her head to look at Christa, “How full is the Gym?”
R
Clementine’s head hit the desk with a dull thud, letting out a grunt of pain, Clementine turned her head, so she was looking at the wall. She was vaguely aware of Rosie scratching at the door, whining about something. Clementine continued to stare at the wall, before a knock on the door jerked her out of her thoughts.
“Who is it?” Clementine looked at the door, waiting for it to open. When it didn’t, she frowned and stood up, limping over the door, “Louis, if that’s you, I swear to god-”
As soon as she opened the door, Clementine was sent to the floor with a sharp pain in her shoulder. Groaning, Clementine looked up, seeing Arvo point a pistol at her head. The crack of a gunshot made her close her eyes, feeling the bullet splinter the floorboard next to her head. Carefully opening one eye, Clementine saw Arvo with a rather large hole in his head, before he fell over.
Lilly stepped into view, holding a sawn-off shotgun, kicking Arvo.
“What the fuck was that?!” Clementine heard Kenny yell, as darkness overtook her.
Louis skidded to a stop, seeing Lilly standing over that Russian guy that’d been let out of the basement, with half his head missing, while Clementine was lying on the floor of the office, unconscious and bleeding from her shoulder. Louis ignored Lilly, darting past her and going straight to Clementine.
“What was-” Ruby arriving got a glance from Louis, “Oh, fuck!” Ruby took a position on Clementine’s other side, “Louis, help me get her shirt off.”
“Happy to.” Quipped Louis, humour clearly being forced into his tone.
Ruby rolled her eyes, as Louis carefully shifted Clementine into a sitting position, allowing Ruby to unbutton the top few buttons before freezing.
“Ruby, why have you stopped?” Asked Louis, urgently, “What’s wrong?”
“She’s not wearing a bra.” Stumbled Ruby, looking up at the assembled crowd, “Perhaps the fellas should, y’know…”
“Right.” Mitch nodded, “Everyone who has a dick, outside. C’mon, Louis.”
“Why?” Protested Louis, “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before.”
“Now.”
Louis looked up at one of the women, “Okay, someone hold her.”
After a moment, the dark-skinned woman, Louis thought she was Christa, moved forwards and took his place. Louis left the office, but not before delivering a kick to Arvo’s remains.
“There isn’t an exit wound,” Said Ruby, almost immediately, “So, I need to get it out.”
Christa finished removing Clementine’s shirt, pausing at the number of scars Clementine had. Some looked like they’d been old injuries, while others were obviously from torture, as Ruby wrestled a small fanny pack from her pocket. She removed a pair of tweezers, a scalpel, cotton and a bottle of peroxide.
“The stitching stuff’s in my other pocket.” Said Ruby, prompting Carley to reach into the pocket and pull it out, “Thanks.”
“What’s the scalpel for?” Asked Christa, looking at Ruby.
“Make it easier to get the bullet out,” Answered Ruby, “Clem keeps a bottle of water in the desk, along with a rag, we’ll need it to clean the blood away.”
“Already found it.” Sarah dropped next to Ruby, “What can I do?”
“You sure you’re not gonna freeze up again?” Frowned Ruby, throwing a glance at Sarah.
“I’ll try.”
“I’m going to need you to hold the wound open, while I look for the bullet.” Instructed Ruby, as Clarissa arrived at the office.
“What happened?” Clarissa stepped past Bonnie, “Carlos said someone had been shot.”
“That fuckin’ Russian fuck shot Clem,” Said Ruby, cleaning the area, “I’m tryin’ to get the bullet out.”
Clarissa paused, before taking a step back, “Okay.”
Clementine let out a groan as Ruby sliced across the bullet wound, the scalpel scraping against the bullet. Ruby frowned, “Well, that don’t make any sense.”
“What doesn’t?” Demanded Christa, as Ruby grabbed the bullet and removed it.
“She shouldn’t be bleedin’ this much if the bullet is that close to the surface.” Ruby frowned, before pouring some water into the wound, “Aw, you gotta be fuckin’ kiddin’ me.”
“What?” Christa looked at Ruby, before glancing at Clarissa.
“This bitch,” Scowled Ruby, “Has been hidin’ wounds. Again.”
“What?” Clarissa moved forwards and looked at the wound.
“Is that a…” Clarissa trailed off, making the others look down.
“…That’s a hunting knife.” Christa looked at Ruby, “How the fuck did a hunting knife get in there?”
Ruby frowned, “Obviously, she was stabbed.”
“When?”
“Probably when she went travellin’.” Answered Ruby, “She mentioned helpin’ Richmond with some shit.”
“How come no one noticed?” Asked Carley, frowning, “And how are we going to get it out?”
Ruby frowned, before raising Clementine’s arm and looked at the armpit, “She’s stitched the entry wound up. The bullet must’ve jerked the blade enough to start bleedin’ again.”
“Okay,” Sarah swallowed, “What do we need to do?”
Ruby frowned, “I’m not usually one to do this, but I need someone to start a fire.”
“How big?” Asked Sophie, her arms folded.
“Big enough to heat Clem’s knife,” Answered Ruby, “It should be in her desk, next to her gun.”
Sophie made her way over to the desk, opening a few draws, before finally finding the knife, “Okay, what now?”
“See that bowl?” Ruby nodded to a bowl, as she reopened the knife blade’s entry room, “Start a fire in it.”
Sophie nodded, rushing over to the bowl and hunching over it. Ruby grabbed the knife blade, carefully wriggling it, before looking at Sophie, “How’s that fire comin’?”
Sophie let out a quiet cackle, as the fire grew. Violet glanced at Clementine’s shoulder, “Maybe we should use the spoon to cauterise it.”
Ruby paused, before nodding, “Good call.”
Violet moved to the desk and grabbed a small spoon, before giving it to Sophie. The pair carefully dropping the spoon into the flames and carefully carrying it over.
“Okay,” Ruby looked at them, “We’re gonna have to be quick.”
Without another word, Ruby pulled the knife blade out of the wound, with Violet grabbing the hot spoon and shoving it into the wound. Clementine let out an extended groan, “Ffffuuuuck.”
“Don’t be a baby.” Scolded Ruby, before looking at Violet, “Right, that should do it. Just need to close her back up.”
The group watched as Ruby stitched the bullet and stab wound, before helping Clementine into a sitting position, “C’mon, let’s get ya to the hospital.”
Clementine let out a whiney groan, “Do I have to?”
Ruby frowned, before looking at the back of Clementine’s head, “Yes, you’ve hit your head.”
“Oh.” Clementine blinked, “Well, that explains why my head hurts.”
Christa frowned, before helping Ruby get Clementine up.
“Why does my arm hurt so much?”
R
“Wait, Clementine had a knife in her shoulder for the past three months?” Gabe frowned at the radio.
“Yeah,” Answered Kate, “Had it since that incident retrieving Clara.”
“I know it’s not meant to make me feel bad,” Gabe glanced at his girlfriend, “but it’s starting to.”
“Clem’s the one in trouble.” Said Kate, “You won’t believe how white she went.”
“Well, my ex-girlfriend’s pain tolerance aside,” Gabe butted in, “Eleanor’s happy for the twins to be moved.”
“I’ll let Clem and Louis know.” Promised Kate, “I know Clem wasn’t happy about leaving them in Richmond, even if people started flooding Ericson.”
“How did they convince her, by the way?” Asked Clara, frowning.
“They mentioned the Delta stirring up.” Answered Kate, “If there one thing Clem hates more than leaving her kids, it’s having her kids in a warzone.”
“How bad was it?” Asked Gabe, as David and Mariana entered the room.
“Well, I think, since it was AJ who told her,” Responded Kate, “she left it at a stern lecture, as opposed to punching their teeth out.”
David let out a snort, getting Gabe’s attention, “How’re the twins gonna be moved?”
“Lingard’s managed to convince Samuel to loan the ambulance to him,” Answered David, “Ava’s already volunteered to go with them.”
“Yeah, Paul’s probably going to go over their hospital,” Said Kate, “see how badly they’re holding together.”
“How bad is it?” Asked Clara, sitting down.
“Well,” Answered Kate, “let’s just say I understand why Clementine brought the twins to Richmond. They’re still working on the place.”
“Well,” Sighed Clara, “they don’t have the flu anymore. So, hopefully, they’ll be running all over the place soon.”
“I think Clem knows we’re talking about Lee and Carley.” Said Kate, “Because she’s suddenly glaring at me.”
Duck watched as Sam, a dog he’d come across, trotted in front of him. James had come across them a week ago and said he’d take him to a settlement, Duck felt like he should be afraid, but he wasn’t. He was also taller, or James was just short. Part of him wanted to find Clementine, she was his age, so she’d be a better measure.
“Are we there yet?” Asked Duck, getting a groan from James.
“Y’know, I’m a pacifist,” Said James, looking back at Duck, “but you are making me question my beliefs.”
“Who’s this dumbass?” Duck jumped as a blonde and a red head appeared out of the bushes.
“He mentioned Clementine.” Said James, “He’s your problem now.”
With that, James vanished into the woods, Violet looked at the man James brought them, “So, how annoying are you?”
R
Clementine looked over the group of people in the gym, she could see Luke talking with Lee, while Carley talked with Rebecca and Alvin. Kenny was glaring at Nick with Pete, Carlos and Sarah were tucked away in a corner and Ben was on his side, asleep in another corner.
Clementine felt a wave of dizziness hit her, prompting her to lean against the wall. Lee glanced up and spotted her, quietly ending his conversation with Luke and walking over to her.
Lee stopped a foot away from her, making Clementine swallow.
“What’s the last thing you told me to do before you were put down?” Asked Clementine, her voice shaking towards the end.
“Keep your hair short.” Answered Lee, softly.
“How?”
“I don’t know.” Answered Lee, “I remember you putting me down, then I'm in the woods somewhere.”
Clementine swallowed, “Is it the same with everyone else?”
“More or less.”
Clementine nodded, grabbing a chair and dropping into it, “Okay, what do you want to know?”
“What happened to my baby?” Asked Rebecca, making Clementine look at her.
“Okay, but can you please hold any questions until after I’ve finished.” Sighed Clementine, taking her hat off, “Things got real bad after you, y’know, turned. Luke drowned, Bonnie and Mike took off with Arvo, that Russian guy Jane tried to steal from, taking all the supplies. I caught them trying to leave, Arvo shot me, and they left us to die.” Clementine let out a shaky sigh, “Jane decided to…’prove’ Kenny was dangerous, by saying…that AJ died. Kenny, understandably, lost it. I think he killed her, but it turned out that AJ was in a car. He stayed with us for a while, then, while teaching me how to drive, I lost control of the car and crashed it, sending him through the windshield. He distracted a herd of Walkers so AJ and I could escape. It was just the two of us for a while, some days were better than others, I lost a finger on a bad day. But we ended up running into a patroller from a group calling themselves the New Frontier.” Clementine shrugged her jacket off and rolled up her sleeve, showing them her brand, “Them branding themselves should’ve been a big red flag, but they had food, medicine and supplies, everything. Then AJ got sick, and I took some to treat him, they found out and kicked me out, while saying AJ was too sick to travel and that he was dying.” Clementine ran her hands down her face, “Things got dark for a while, but I ended up meeting a guy, Javi, things then happened really fast, I was a hostage for a bit, but Javi, somehow, managed to topple things in the New Frontier, gained control and, thankfully, found out that AJ was alive. He got them to tell me where he was and, I went and got him.” Clementine took a deep breath and continued, “We travelled for a bit, and, eventually, we arrived here. We ended up caught in a crisis, killed and, miraculously, helped people tear down a group calling themselves the Delta. I got injured in a fight and got bit.” Clementine gestured to her prosthetic, “I told AJ to put me down, and instead he decided to take my leg. Now, well, we’re here.”
There was a beat of silence, before Rebecca spoke, “What does AJ stand for?”
“Alvin Junior.” Answered Clementine, “Kenny came up with it.”
“How bad did things get?” Asked Luke, making Clementine look to the floor.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Said Clementine.
“Has he…?” Asked Alvin, concern on his face.
“Killed?” Finished Clementine, “Yeah. Most of the time it was in defence of others, other times…let’s just say he’s already got a high Walker count.”
R
“Right,” Said Kate, “We’re here.”
Christa, Omid and Kenlee stared up at the school, they saw a blonde, a red head, a young man and a dog walking towards a building. “Clem’s in charge of this place?” Asked Omid.
“Yeah,” Answered Kate, waving to someone to open the gate for her, “she’s good when it comes to leading.”
“Yeah,” Called down a boy on a watch tower, “she got a home, and we got a mom!”
“Shut up, Willy!” Yelled someone from a group in the grounds, “Who the fuck decided to electrify the water?!”
“It’s killing infection!”
“For fucks sake Trey!”
“Clementine’s in control?” Said Christa, doubtfully.
“She’s probably busy.” Dismissed Kate, as they walked into the grounds.
They were guided to a hospital, where a Latino man and a Black woman checked them over. Two young women were helping them, while Kenlee practically demanded to be put down.
“Don’t wander off.” Warned Christa, as the Black woman examined her for bites.
“He’s clean.” Said the Latino, “A bit dehydrated, but nothing to serious.”
“Same with her, although slightly malnourished.” Commented the Black woman, looking at Christa, “We set up some temporary dorms in the Gymnasium, I’m sure Sarah or Ruby could show you to them.”
Christa nodded, as the Latina led them out of the hospital. Christa stopped when she saw Kenlee talking to a boy a year or two younger than her, and a couple feet away from the boy, was a young woman with a prosthetic leg. She was wearing Clementine’s hat. Christa stared at Clementine, getting a frown from her.
“Is everything alright?” Asked Clementine, walking towards them.
“Clementine?” Whispered Omid, making Clementine pause.
“Omid?” Clementine looked at him, before looking at Christa.
Christa didn’t say anything, getting a sigh from Clementine, “You better catch up to Sarah, she doesn’t like people falling behind.”
Christa started to chew her bottom lip, as Clementine walked away from them.
R
Clementine groaned as she sat in the chair behind her desk. Rosie gave a whine as she looked up at Clementine. Sighing, Clementine hauled the old dog up, placing her on her lap. Rosie got comfortable and promptly fell asleep. Part of Clementine was glad animals didn’t turn, although, seeing Sam with Duck did make her freeze for a bit. Letting out a sigh, Clementine leaned back and closed her eyes.
A knock on the door made her groan, “Come in.”
She expected it to either be Louis, Luke or Lee, so when Christa poked her head in.
“Are you free?”
“Well, I’ve got a dog on me,” Said Clementine, “So, I don’t have much of a choice.”
Christa stepped in and closed the door, “We need to talk.”
“What about?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know.” Snapped Christa, glaring at Clementine, “Lee told me your little sob-story.”
Clementine raised a tired eyebrow.
“You got all of those people killed,” Accused Christa, “and you twisted a baby into a murderer.”
“You’re still upset about Omid getting shot.”
Christa reared back as if Clementine hit her, “If you hadn’t left your gun unattended-”
“Where do you think my caution comes from?”
Clementine looked up at Christa impassively, Christa saw an emotional detachment in Clementine’s eyes.
“Everyone dies. The world doesn’t need optimism, or pessimism. Before I came here, I killed everyone who was a threat to me and my loved ones.” Clementine leaned forwards, carefully cradling Rosie, “If you have a problem with that, then I suggest you take your little family and go back to Richmond.”
Christa stared down at Clementine, not recognising the woman in front of her, “What happened to you?”
Clementine leaned back in the chair and swivelled it, so she was looking out of the window, “I looked for you. The entire time I was with Kenny and AJ, I was looking for you and when I was alone,” Her voice cracked, “I saw you. It was the happiest I’d been in a long time. Then I heard you talking about me, saying you hoped I was dead or going through hell.”
“And?” Asked Christa, her stomach in knots.
“I grew up.” Answered Clementine, her voice thick.
Violet frowned as one of the new arrivals, Christa, left the office. Sighing and bracing herself for Clementine’s inevitable explosion. After knocking twice on the door, Violet let herself in.
“Clem?”
The chair didn’t move, prompting Violet to walk around it. Clementine sat there, holding Rosie and staring out the window with tears running down her face. Wrapping an arm around Clementine’s shoulders, Violet pulled Clementine into an embrace, with the flood barrier breaking and Clementine emitting quiet sobs into Violet’s shoulder.
TW: Abduction of several children, physical abuse, implied/referenced rape/non-con, and threatening/intimidating/abusive/homophobic language
“Why the fuck are you walking like that?” Demanded one of Carver’s guards.
“Like what?” Snapped AJ, really hating that he hadn’t started growing yet, Clem always said it’d happen soon and, in AJ’s opinion, it wasn’t happening soon enough.
“Like you’re still learning to walk,” Spat the guard, “like a retard.”
“I bet you’d know all about that, huh?” AJ tried to channel Clementine, only for his attempt to sound clumsy.
“One of the people we’re working with,” Said a big woman with frizzy hair, “they mentioned you, said they cut your toes off.”
“Oh yeah,” snickered the first guard, “they’re gonna cut your dick off, make you act like a baby again, fuck I’d like to see you in a diaper.”
AJ felt a ripple of fear, before he decided to open his mouth, “Why? Because you’re wearing one? Or because you like kids?”
The rifle butt to the face knocked AJ on his rear, for a moment, AJ was scared he was going to have a turn, only for the small, helpless feeling to not appear, instead he felt satisfaction at getting under the guy’s skin.
“Troy!” Snapped Carver, glaring at the man.
“Sorry, boss.” Muttered Troy, as AJ picked himself up and stumbled over to Willy and Tenn, who were gathered around Kenlee, Jaime and the babies.
“Ith Wuby fath ow pregamt?” Asked Hope, her speech obscured by her missing front teeth.
“I… think she’d just fat.” Said Willy, scratching the back of his head, “Just, don’t tell her I said that.”
“I’m gonna tell her.” Said AJ, making Willy jump.
“Don’t you dare.”
“I’m gonna.” AJ decided to taunt, which was how he found himself rolling around with Willy. The two weren’t actually fighting, it was something that Willy had found AJ liked to do during his turns, AJ didn’t know why but it made him feel safe. Then Willy was hit on the head with the butt of a rifle.
“Quit rollin’ around like a couple of fags.” Snarled Troy, getting another reprimand from Carver.
AJ frowned, Troy sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite… The realisation his AJ like a truck, “You’re the guy who had his dick shot off!”
There was a loud snort from another one of Carver’s guards, just as Troy knocked AJ out.
R
Clementine glared at the hole in the fence, before slowly turning around and looking at the other, “None of you, noticed a fucking massive hole?!”
“Most of us were asleep,” Said Mitch, as Christa frowned at the hole, “we can’t be blamed—”
“The hole’s new.” Interrupted Aasim, “The cut off points, they’re still shiny, hell, some of them are still sharp.”
“Then, why the hell didn’t we notice it getting cut?” Asked Violet, “Why the fuck didn’t whoever was on guard notice?”
Clementine silently thought through the guard rotas, scowling slightly at the two who would’ve been on watch at the time, “Where’re Marlon and Bonnie?”
“They’re probably asleep.” Said Violet, after a moment, “Do you think it’s that gang again? This does fit their mo.”
“‘Mo’?” Asked Aasim, “What the fuck is that?”
“Their mo,” Said Violet, “y’know, their method, how they do things.”
“That MO, shit head,” Retorted Aasim, “Modus Operandi. I know you can’t read, but knowing that it’s MO and not ‘mo’ isn’t hard.”
“Do you want to be shitting your teeth?” Snarled Violet, prompting Clementine to stick her fingers in her mouth and produce a loud whistle.
“If we could leave the arguments to after we’ve got the kids back, that would be great.” Said Clementine, her voice full of authority.
“What about the expansion effort?” Asked Mitch, looking at Clementine, “Those guys from the coalition are still putting walls and buildings up.”
“We can stay with them,” Volunteered Lee, looking around, “keep an eye on things, help out if needed.”
Clementine frowned, before nodding, “We’ve got some people in the old station, we’re going to head there, see if they’ve seen anything.”
“Sheldon and Moira might’ve,” Said Aasim, “but the others are usually out scouting and-or hunting.”
“We should split up,” Said Louis, getting everyone’s attention, “there’s the chance that this Carver guy, and his group, have holed up with the station, or the fishing shack, since both areas are pretty well stocked.”
Clementine frowned, before sighing, “Alright, Louis, Violet, Mitch, pick people out and take them with you. Lou, I want you, and your group, to check out the station, don’t try to attack them if they’re there, it’s just recon. Violet, I want your group to tackle the fishing shack, the same applies. Mitch, I want your group to take James, and check out the barn, they could’ve been taken there.”
“What’re you gonna be doing?” Asked Ruby, looking at Clementine.
Sighing, Clementine made sure she had her guns on her, “I, and whoever’s left, will be looking for Marlon and Bonnie.”
There were a couple of nods and mutters, before the group split into four and headed off to find the missing kids.
F
AJ bit down on the woman’s hand, getting a scream from her, he gone from not liking them to outright hating them, they’d kidnapped him and Willy, tore their clothes apart after AJ had an accident, the younger boy had been forced into a diaper that was too small for him and now they expected him to play that part of a fucking baby?!
A fist connecting with his cheek made him release his grip on the woman’s hand, he tried to claw at them, only for them to grab his hands and brandish a pair of plyers at him. The sight of tool frightened AJ, then the plyers gripped one of his fingernails and the man ripped it off his finger, getting a loud scream from AJ.
“Hold it still, I’m takin’ the toes!” Yelled a voice, as AJ felt someone grab a fistful of his hair before it was roughly torn out.
“Get off me!” Screamed AJ, just as his face was slammed into the ground, getting a mouthful of dirt and breaking a tooth on a rock. AJ let out a muffled scream as his foot burst into a fiery pain, it spread from his big toe to the rest on his right foot, before being repeated on his left foot.
“Fuck it,” Said their leader, “she’s gotta learn.”
‘She?’ Thought AJ, wondering who the man was talking about, then the man spoke again.
“Put her on her back, I want her to look at me when I take her.” Was the last thing AJ heard before he was suddenly rolled over.
He felt them resume pulling out his fingernails, as one of them pulled what little clothes, if just a diaper could be call that, off him. It took him a moment to readjust to the light, before he saw the leader unbuckling his belt.
AJ woke with a gasp, looking around, he saw that they were in the station that he and Clementine found before they ended up at the school, part of him wondered how long they’d been here, another part of him wondered where the people that actually lived here were. Usually, Moira and Sheldon were helping Elle with her dogs, and Asha and Jill would be on watch. He idly remembered Samantha, Mateo, and Jeanne, but they usually bounced between the school, the station, and the fishing shack.
“You okay, AJ?” Willy’s voice made AJ turn around.
“My face hurts.” Said AJ, after a moment, “So does my side.”
“Yeah,” Willy winced, “they threw all us in here, well, they didn’t throw the babies, but you get what I mean.”
“Yeah,” AJ stumbled to his feet, “they locked us in a room with a trap door.”
“Gah, Boo.” Tenn babbling got AJ’s attention.
“What?”
“Yeah, he… he used to do that a lot.” Said Willy, as Kenlee pushed a crayon into the door lock, “I’m surprised he didn’t go through this sooner.”
“Brrrb.” Tenn started blowing spit bubbled, getting an uneasy frown from AJ.
“Yeah…” AJ looked at Willy, “what is… ‘this’?”
“You know your turns?” Asked Willy, getting a nod from AJ, “Tenn went through something similar, only they were way worse, and he didn’t remember anything about them.”
“So, he’s damAged,” AJ’s voice cracked, making AJ freeze, “I… I wasn’t…”
“Why’d his voice squeak?” Asked Kenlee, looking at Willy.
“Puberty.” Answered Willy, as Tenn start pulling at his shirt, then he started huffing, before letting out a whine.
“Is he—” Tenn letting out a wailing scream cut AJ off.
The kids covered their ears, as Tenn started wave his arms wildly, his voice cutting out as it tried to get shriller.
“GAH BAH! MAH-MAAAAAH!” Wailed Tenn, as AJ tried to get Hope, Lee, and Carley away from Tenn, who now had fat tears and snot running down his face. Glancing at Tenn, AJ winced when he saw that Tenn had wet himself, “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
“The fuck is making that noise?!” Roared Troy’s voice, before the door was shoved open.
AJ froze at the sight of Ricca and Finch, with Troy and Abel behind them.
“My baby…” Murmured Ricca, in her weak, whispery voice, before she started walking towards them. For a moment, AJ felt afraid, before he decided to call on the confidence that he felt while pretending to think like Clementine, and considered biting her. Only for her to breeze past AJ and start lifting Tenn up.
“Gah-Bah-Muh!” Whined Tenn, as Ricca started to carry him out of their makeshift cell.
“That’s a grown ass man.” Said Troy, as Ricca left the cell, “The fuck is wrong with him? He retarded or something?”
The kids, and Willy, just stared at Troy, Abel, and Finch. After a moment, Finch scoffed, and glared at AJ, “I guess we won’t be having our fun with you, seems like you just got replaced.”
AJ thought back to his dream, as Finch, Troy, and Abel left the cell. After they were gone, AJ thought back to all the nightmares he had, that usually caused him to have a turn. With a jolt, AJ realised that every time he had a turn, it was because he remembered something from his and Willy’s captivity five years ago, and the turn would always make him forget what had caused it. Almost automatically, AJ’s hand went to his forehead and hairline, where the dent in his head used to be.
Swallowing, AJ looked at Willy, before shakily looking to the window. They could see Tenn outside, crawling around, following Ricca.
“W-when you said Tenn was worse that I was,” Said AJ, “how worse?”
“Well,” Willy looked out the window, “if we get out of here, we might have to leave him behind.”
AJ swallowed, the thought of leaving one of their friends behind settling in a heavy weight in his stomach.
R
“Right, this is the end of the patrol route.” Said Clementine, as she and Ruby led Adam and Dani around.
“It’s the only place one of our guards could be standing to not see the hole in the fence.” Said Ruby, frowning.
“And neither Marlon nor Bonnie are here.” Said Clementine, before she spotted Mike coming towards them, “Any luck?”
“Nothing.” Said Mike, shaking his head.
“Where the fuck are they, then?” Muttered Clementine, looking down and freezing at the bloody drag marks, “Ruby, is that what I think it is?”
Ruby looked down and frowned, “They look like drag marks.”
Swallowing, Clementine reach behind her and pulled her gun out of her waistband. Silently signalling the others to follow her, she followed the drag marks and walked towards a small shed that had been recently cleared. Pushing the door open, Clementine paused at the sight of Marlon, hunched over Bonnie. She’d figured that he’s turned, then she saw that Bonnie was still alive. Squeezing the trigger, Clementine fired a bullet into the back of Marlon’s head, before she moved over to Bonnie.
“C-Clem?” Clementine almost reared back when she saw that Marlon had devoured Bonnie’s eyes, “Is… is that you?”
“Yeah,” Clementine knelt down, “Bonnie, what happened?”
“I… I saw Marlon cutting…. Cutting the fence…” Bonnie wheezed, “I… I came… back here to… to get my… my gun and… and radio… but… but Marlon had them…” Bonnie let out a choked sob, “I… I tried… tried to call… f-for help… b-but, M-Marlon… he… he’d already turned… he… he got… he got me…”
“That’s a fucking understatement,” Grumbled Ruby, assessing Bonnie’s injuries, “this is bad.”
“Don’t…. don’t let me… become one of… them things.” Begged Bonnie, “P-please… please, kill me…”
Swallowing, Clementine looked at Mike, before she looked back down at Bonnie, and pressed the barrel of her gun to the woman’s forehead.
“T-thank you…”
Clementine fired.
Swallowing, Clementine looked at her portion of the group, “We need to get the others back here.”
R
“I don’t get it.” Lowell got Carver’s attention, “They had two actual babies, and a toddler in there, and they chose… that.”
“No idea.” Shrugged Vera, looking up from her gun.
“Think they’ll let us kick the shit out of it?” Asked Troy, looking at the tents.
“What?” Carver looked over to where Troy was looking. The man that Finch and his woman took out of the cell was crawling around with a ridiculously small baby bonnet, bib, and a pair of underpants, “That guy?”
“Yeah.” Nodded Troy, glaring at the guy, who sat up, and tried to eat dirt.
“Why?” Asked Johnny, looking at Troy, “You jealous that he’s got a bigger dick than you?”
“Everyone has a bigger dick than Troy,” Scoffed Vera, glaring, “he should be put out of his misery.”
“That guy or Troy?” Asked Carver, after a moment.
“Both?”
“What’s wrong with him?” Asked Carver, focusing on Tennessee.
“Fuck if we know.” Said Zack, shrugging, “He weren’t there when we took turns with Alvin.”
Carver frowned, wondering what they meant.
“Well, Ricca ain’t gonna take much of an interest in him now,” Said Billy, before looking the women up and down, “although, now we actually have some women, I wouldn’t mind having a taste.”
“Come on, Josey,” Ricca’s unsettling voice was heard, “we have to fix what they did to you.”
“Huh-muh-buh-bah.”
“I know it’s going to hurt, sweetie.” Droned the woman, “But it’s to help you.”
“Brrlb.”
“I need you to be brave for me, Josey.” Tittered Ricca, as she started to guide the man into a nearby tent.
“Fuck, I think I’m gonna hurl.” Troy walked away from the sight.
“Yeah…” Vera followed after him, “I think I’ll join you.”
Carver, taking in one last look at the sight of a grown man crawling around and babbling like a baby and sucking on a pacifier, he sneered when he saw the ‘baby’ soil himself, and walked towards the station, he wanted to meet his son.
Returns 8 (T/W: MENTIONED PAST PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE OF A CHARACTER AND IMPLIED BRAIN DAMAGE.)
Lee silently watched as Clementine limped around the hospital, he’d suggested that they come up with a support group, to help them with any and all major injuries and how they’ll affect them.
“I bet your feelin’ really smart now,” Drawled Kenny, “aren’t ya?”
“Not really.” Shrugged Lee, as Violet’s eye followed Clementine, “What’s her problem with Clem?”
“Dunno.” Answered Kenny, “Maybe they had an argument or something.”
“Violet had a crush on Clem.” Ruby appearing next to them, “It kind of made her irrational when it comes to her.”
They saw Louis dart in, say something to Clementine, before he ran off and grabbed Clarissa and took her somewhere.
“Everything alright, Darlin’?” Asked Kenny, as Clementine walked over to them.
“You know that AJ’s has his turns?” Asked Clementine, “You know, acting like a baby, unable to function outside the school grounds?”
Lee and Kenny nodded, with Clementine letting out a shaky sigh, “We think it had something to do with the brain and psych damage done when he was… tortured. Part of his skull was caved in, it was a miracle that he was still alive.”
Clementine and the others didn’t notice that the rest of the people in the room were listening.
“Louis just told me that AJ just a massive turn and…” Clementine swallowed, “and the part of his skull that caved in… uncaved itself.”
“Shit.” Swore Kenny, “Think he’ll be okay?”
“Well,” Answered Clementine, “as soon as it happened, he stopped crying, Louis said he was going to get Ms. Martin, don’t give me that look, she reminds me of one of my old science teachers, but it seems whatever brought you guys back, fixed his skull.”
Kenny was silence, before looking at Clementine, “Think it’ll fix my eye?”
“No,” Said Lee, “it would’ve done that when we were brought back.”
Clementine nodded in agreement.
R
Carley and James quietly walked behind Clarissa, Louis and AJ. The loud crunch of his skull ‘un-caving’ itself had echoed throughout the yard, before AJ, still in a diaper, sitting in the mud and a pacifier shoved in his mouth, which he then spat out, looked and asked what was going on.
So far, they were half-way to James’s Walker barn, and AJ hadn’t started whimpering, hiccupping or trembling.
“Hic.”
Carley immediately zeroed in on AJ, who looked like he was holding his breath.
“You okay, Buddy?” Asked Louis, getting a nod from AJ.
“I, hic, think I’ve, hic, the hic, hic, cups.” Said AJ, before he looked uncomfortable, then horrified, and did his unsteady bolt to a bush, where he promptly threw up, “Why does my stomach hurt?”
“Oh, you were eating glue before your dent became undented.” Said Louis, slinging chairles over his shoulder.
“I can remember having the turns, and I feel like I want to cry over something,” Said AJ, “scaring Lee and Carley, c-crushing Hope… Louis, do… do you hate me? F-for what happened to Hope?”
Louis was quiet, before sighing, “No AJ, I don’t hate you, I hate the raiders that caused your turns, I hate those doctors who left a newborn with a kid with obvious mental problems.”
AJ opened his mouth, before they heard crying. Closing his mouth, the small group looked around, before Louis frowned and walked over to a bush, pulling the branches aside and freezing at the sight of a three-year-old girl, with Clementine’s eyes.
“Jesus Christ.” Murmured Louis, before crouching and picking the girl up, “Hey, what are you doing here?”
The little girl blubbered and bawled, while AJ stared at the girl.
“Who’s that?” Muttered Carley, looking at James.
“That’s Hope.” Said AJ, dumbly.
R
“How old are the twins?” Asked Kenny, looking at Clementine, “And why were they in Richmond?”
Clementine ran a hand down her face, the ‘support group’ was mostly them talking about random subjects, Clementine had an in-depth conversation with Larry about water filtration and wells. Since they’d gotten the old classrooms, canteen and playing field cleared, they’d been allocating tasks to each area. Currently, they were in the old staffroom.
“Lee and Carley,” Said Clementine, after a moment, “are just over a year old, and they were in Richmond because they got sick. We had a group of traders pass through shortly after they were born, one guy was coughing and spluttering, we don’t know how exactly it happened, but it was the whole thing of seeing babies and that shit, and he gave them tuberculosis.”
Kenny and Lee both looked horrified, being a reassurance from Clementine, “Don’t worry, the guy, Arthur, he didn’t know he had TB, hell, everyone thought it was hay fever or something.”
“We were lucky,” Continued Clementine, after a moment, “Lingard was visiting, decided to run some checks on everyone, that’s when Arthur found out that he had TB. We were able to get them treatment fairly quickly.”
“Is that why they were in Richmond?” Asked Lee, apprehensively.
“No, that was a while ago,” Dismissed Clementine, “that was just the first time a trader got close to them while he was sick. A couple months back, so guy gave them the flu and our hospital, if it can be called that, was still being put together, that’s why I took them over to Richmond. Carley developed a cough and Lee was wheezing, both Lingard and Eleanor agreed that it wasn’t anything to worry about, but…”
“I’m guessing that you got pregnant with number three just before you left.” Said Lee, getting a sheepish nod from Clementine.
“Holy shit.” Said Kenny, as Mitch ducked into the staffroom, before hurrying over to Clementine.
“We’ve got a problem.” Said Mitch, “Minnie got bit and had her right arm cut off.”
“Okay.” Sighed Clementine, getting up, “How much did she lose?”
“Just her forearm,” Said Mitch, “some Amish guy was wandering around helped her back here, gave his name as Jedidiah, I think, And Louis has come back with a kid, said you’d want to see her.”
Clementine frowned, “Did he give this kid a name?”
“Hope, I think.” Said Mitch, making Clementine freeze.
“Where are they?” Demanded Clementine, looking at Mitch expectantly.
“Office.”
Clementine strode out of the room, with Mitch trailing behind her.
R
Vera tried to creep up to one of the quieter entrances to that school, Johnny was a couple feet behind her and Bill and Tavia were with Jon ahead of her.
“It was really weird, what happened to AJ.” Said one of the people that the small community had on watch.
“I’m just glad he’s not shitting himself anymore,” said another, “what? Aasim, you’ve him shit himself, and his messes he’s left from his tantrums, or did you forget that he tore the graves apart.”
“Well, he did kinda get put through hell.” Responded Aasim, “Do you think they grew back?”
“AJ hasn’t mentioned it,” Responded the other person, “and I don’t want to think of that.”
“Hey, guys,” A third person, a woman, called up, “Your watch is over, come get some sleep.”
“Okay.” Said the second person, as Aasim looked over the gate and fence.
“Aasim?” Asked the third person.
“Coming, Ruby.” Said Aasim, after a moment, “I thought I saw something, must’ve been a bird or something.”
Carver’s recon group waiting for them to go, before trying to open the gate, only to find it locked. After failing to open the gate, the group waited to see if anyone was coming to take over the watch, before heading back to their camp.
R
Clementine watched as Louis took over teaching Hope to walk, the girl was still mentally progressing to her age, Clementine remembered Kenlee going through something similar when she and her parents first arrived.
“Clem?” Rebecca’s voice got her attention, “Can we talk?”
Frowning, Clementine got up and limped over to her, finding Christa was with her, “What is it?”
“We noticed something about AJ,” Said Christa, after a moment, “back when he told you about Hope?”
Clementine sighed, “You mean that he’s had bits of him cut off?”
“Did that happen when…?” Corrected Christa
“He was taken?” Asked Clementine, “I think so, I mean, he still had them when he was taken and the state we found him in…”
“Must’ve been hard.” Commented Christa, getting a sigh from Clementine.
“We don’t actually know what they did to him,” Confessed Clementine, “I saw him all bruised and cut up and… well, let’s just say I saw red.”
“That dog.” Said Rebecca, making Clementine and Christa look at her.
“What?” Asked Clementine, frowning.
“That dog, from that day,” Clarified Rebecca, “that girl, Violet, said it belonged to the group that took him.”
Clementine blinked, “It is?”
Christa looked at Clementine, “You didn’t recognise it?”
“I spent most of the time they were here negotiating supplies out of them,” Defended Clementine, “I didn’t even know they had a dog until we found it butchered a week later.”
R
Tavia frowned, listening to Jon talking to Ricca, “- as soon as these guys get that gate open, you’ll have as many kids as you want.”
“I want my Josey,” Said Ricca, in her creepy whisper-like voice, “I want my baby girl, she had those growths on her, I need to make sure they haven’t gotten worse.”
“Don’t worry,” Rasped Jon, “you’re going to have lots of ‘Joseys’, don’t you worry.”
“Those monsters are going to be lying to her,” cried Ricca, “telling her she’s a boy, attaching those things to her, hiding her real feet from her.”
“Don’t worry,” Soothed Jon, “when we get her back, we’ll rip those fake teeth out and cut the boy parts off her, like we planned to last time.”
“Josey’s scared of dogs,” Continued Ricca, “those animals will try to eat her.”
“They won’t,” whispered Jon, “she’ll eat them, like last time.”
“Are we gonna take the rest of them for meat?” Asked Ricca, making Tavia freeze, “Are we gonna eat this gang too?”
“Once we’ve had our fun with ‘em.” Promised Jon, as Tavia hurried away from them, intent on finding one of the others.
R
Kenlee didn’t know what to think of AJ, he was much smaller than her and he had all those weird meltdowns, but those apparently stopped when his head made that loud noise while he was crying in the mud like a baby.
“Why’re you so small?” Asked Kenlee, bluntly.
AJ looked down at himself, “I just am.”
“You’re my age,” Said Kenlee, bluntly, “you’re not supposed to be small.”
Kenlee was vaguely aware of her mom walking up to them, instead focusing on a squirming AJ, “Was Willy telling the truth when he said you got your dick cut off?”
“NO!” Responded AJ, before adding, “You’re being a bitch.”
AJ looked horrified at what he’d just said, before jumping to his feet and bolting off. Christa quickly grabbed Kenlee and pulled her somewhere private, as Rebecca went after AJ. From her place on the platform with Lee, Carley watched as James lead a handless Walker with its lower jaw missing away from the school with Louis and Violet following after him.
“Bird.” Hope pointed at a small bird sitting on the fence.
“Do you know what type of bird it is?” Asked Lee, crouching next to the miniature Clementine look-a-like.
“Small.” Answered Hope, before pointing at Jane’s daughter, “Jaime.”
Carley found herself sighing
R
AJ bit down on the woman’s hand, getting a scream from her, he gone from not liking them to outright hating them, they’d kidnapped him and Willy, tore their clothes apart after AJ had an accident, the younger boy had been forced into a diaper that was too small for him and now they expected him to play that part of a fucking baby?!
A fist connecting with his cheek made him release his grip on the woman’s hand, he tried to claw at them, only for them to grab his hands and brandish a pair of plyers at him. The sight of tool frightened AJ, then the plyers gripped one of his fingernails and the man ripped it off his finger, getting a loud scream from AJ.
“Hold it still, I’m takin’ the toes!” Yelled a voice, as AJ felt someone grab a fistful of his hair before it was roughly torn out.
“Get off me!” Screamed AJ, just as his face was slammed into the ground, getting a mouthful of dirt and breaking a tooth on a rock. AJ let out a muffled scream as his foot burst into a fiery pain, it spread from his big toe to the rest on his right foot, before being repeated on his left foot.
“Fuck it,” Said their leader, “she’s gotta learn.”
‘She?’ Thought AJ, wondering who the man was talking about, then the man spoke again.
“Put her on her back, I want her to look at me when I take her.” Was the last thing AJ heard before he was suddenly rolled over.
And fell out of bed in his room. AJ shook himself awake, that wasn’t what happened, after they took his toes they pulled his teeth out, so what was his nightmare diverting from actually happened?
AJ looked at his feet, he usually wore socks the entire time he was ‘sane’, as Willy put it, but his last few turns before his head ‘uncaved’ he’d ‘woken’ to his feet being bare and walking almost impossible. Swallowing, AJ hesitantly checked his bed, sighing in relief when he found that it was still dry. He didn’t know why, but he was afraid that if he had an accident he’d go back to acting like a baby. AJ shook his head again, before deciding to get dressed, maybe patrolling would help him get his thoughts together.
Using the furniture to help him walk, AJ made his way over to Willy’s bed and gently shook him away. After getting dressed, Willy helped AJ walk to the outside of the building, accidentally waking Tenn, Kenlee and Jaime, all of whom decided to come with them.
AJ rolled his neck as he and Willy walked along the perimeter of the school’s grounds, Jaime and Kenlee were a couple of feet behind them with Tenn bringing up the rear. Sighing, AJ looked toward the treeline, when he spotted a hole in their fence, “What the hell?”
“What?” Asked Willy, as Kenlee and Jaime stopped talking.
“There’s a hole in the fence.” AJ pointed towards the hole, “It’s big enough for a Walker to get through.”
“What do you think made it?” Asked Willy, unaware of the group of people who were restraining and gagging the other.
“No idea,” Said AJ, before he started to turn around, “what do you guys—”
AJ was suddenly restrained and had a ball of rags shoved into his mouth.
“I got the other ones.” Said a woman’s voice, carrying a gagged Hope and restrained twins.
“Great,” said a large man with a gravelly voice, “let’s head back to camp,” he put a hand on AJ’s shoulder, “I want to spend some time with my son.”
