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the-delta-42 · 5 months ago

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The Walking Dead Game What Ifs: What if Carver attacked Clementine at the Cabin?

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Bruised

What if Carver attacked Clementine at the cabin? (TW: Violence against a child)

Carver looked down at the girl, knowing that she was playing dumb with him, “How about I make you a deal.”

“What?” Said the girl, shortly.

“You tell me where my people are, and I’ll leave you here unharmed.”

“I don’t kno—” The girl was knocked to the floor by Carver’s backhand.

“Where are they?”

“I don’t know who you’re—” He grabbed her collar and slammed her against the wall, making her hat come off.

“Where the fuck are they?” Thundered Carver, before tossing the girl down the stairs and stomping down after her, leaving Sarah cowering under the bed as she listened to Carver beating Clementine.

Clementine grunted as she skidded over the counter, desperately trying to get back on her feet, as she ran through the basic self-defence Christa had taught her. The man, Clementine assumed he was this Carver she heard mentioned, grabbed her arm and twisted it until it made a cracking-pop, producing a scream from Clementine.

“Where are they?!”

“Fuc-” Carver back handed her, before landing several punches on her face, chest and abdomen. Clementine didn’t have a chance to react as Carver picked her up and threw her out of a window, the glass cutting into her back as she went through it.

Carver stormed outside, before he started punching, kicking and throwing Clementine, the girl letting out a pained scream when her broke her other arm and crushed her fingers into the ground. He grabbed her and slammed her into the porch of the cabin.

“This is your last chance to tell me where my fucking people are, before I turn your head into a pulp.” Snarled Carver, holding Clementine up by her throat.

“Go,” Rasped Clementine, deciding to channel her inner Kenny, “Fuck yourself.”

Carver snarled, before slamming her back against the porch, dropped and back handed her until she hit the deck and didn’t get up. Carver sneered, he was certain that she was dead and decided to leave her to turn.

Sarah slowly crawled out from her hiding space and nervously made her way down the stairs. It’d been a while since Carver was there and it was quiet. The entire house was destroyed, Sarah shivered at the sight of blood covering the surfaces and the broken window in the kitchen. She nervously opened the door and froze when she saw Clementine, coughing as she tried to crawl into the cabin.

Sarah quickly grabbed Clementine and dragged her back into the cabin, the younger girl whimpering slightly as Sarah moved her. After getting Clementine into a seat, Sarag grabbed some water and wetted a rag, just like her dad showed her.

Clementine didn’t say anything, while Sarah tried to remove the blood covering her face and torso. Sarah jumped when the door opened, whirling around, thinking it was Carver, Sarah grabbed a knife and pointed it at the intruder. Who turned out to be Luke.

“God.” Swore Luke, as Carlos and Alvin came up beside him, “What happened?”

“What do you think happened?!” Snapped Rebecca, before catching sight of Clementine, “What the fuck?”

Carlos strode over to Sarah and took over cleaning Clementine up, “Shit.”

“What is it?” Asked Luke, as Carlos dug through his pockets.

“The way her nose was broken,” Said Carlos, before pulling out an old pen, “one of her nostrils has been blocked, I can’t reset it until after this issue is dealt with.”

Clementine suddenly rasped, making everyone freeze, Carlos started to slowly reach for his gun, before Clementine coughed up a bloody piece of phlegm.

“I,” Clementine wheeze, looking at them, “I didn’t let him in. He kept asking where you were. I, I didn’t say anything.”

“Hold her still.” Said Carlos, looking at Luke, “Her arm’s dislocated.”

Carlos relocated Clementine’s shoulder, getting a cry of pain from her, Luke handed him the pen barrel, removing the ink cartridge and end cap.

“Okay, Clementine,” The girl looked at him, “this is going to hurt, okay?”

Clementine winced as she nodded, as Carlos used the pen to shift the blockage, resulting in a fresh spurt of blood, to go down her front. He quickly reset her nose, getting a small whimper from her. Carlos made some make-shift splints of Clementine’s broken bones, and relocating any dislocated joints.

“We need to leave.” Hiss Rebecca, glaring a Luke, “See what he did to her? I’m surprised he left her alive.”

“Do you think he left her to turn?” Asked Alvin, looking between them.

“This is fucked.” Groaned Luke, looking at Carlos treating Clementine, “We can’t move Clementine in her state.”

“We can’t stay here!”

“Why did he attack her?” Asked Alvin, interrupting Luke and Rebecca’s argument, “He doesn’t usually just attack people.”

“Because he’s crazy!” Snapped Rebecca, as Sarah looked at the floor, guilt covering her face.

“Sarah,” Said Luke, getting everyone’s attention, “What happened?”

“She wouldn’t have seen anything, Luke,” Dismissed Carlos, carefully bandaging Clementine’s arm, “She stayed hidden.”

Sarah looked down again, before mumbling, “I took a picture and Carver saw it.”

“Sarah.” Sighed Carlos, as he finished patching Clementine up.

“I-I’m sorry.” Sarah started to tremble.

“I can walk.” Rasped Clementine, looking up at Luke, “I might be a bit slow.”

Luke didn’t look happy as Clementine said that, getting a sigh as Carlos quietly spoke with Sarah.

“Could you walk any slower?” Grumbled Nick, getting a pained glare from Clementine.

“I’m walking on a broken leg, what’s your fucking excuse?” The group found that an injured Clementine was a Clementine without a filter.

“What the fuck happened to you, anyway?”

“Carver kicked her ass.” Interjected Luke, from the front, “Clem, why don’t you walk with Rebecca?”

“Because every bone in my body hurts?”

Luke sighed, before looking ahead, “There’s a clearing not too far away, we can rest there.”

“Clementine, sit over there.” Ordered Carlos, pointing at a stump while going through a bag, “I need to check your bandages.”

Clementine quietly grumbled, limping over the stump and wincing as she sat down.

“This is taking too long.” Muttered Luke, looking at Alvin.

“Well, Becs is walking for two.” Responded Alvin, getting an eyeroll from his wife.

“He’s talking about Clementine, genius.”

“We should’ve stayed put.” Continued Luke, “Give her more time to heal.”

“We don’t have time, Luke.” Reminded Rebecca, “I know she only got…hurt because she ran into us, but we need to keep moving.”

“I can hear you.” Called Clementine, “and I’m going as fast as I can.”

“Her constantly moving isn’t helping her recovery.” Said Carlos, looking over at them.

“Someone could carry her.” Suggested Luke, before noticing everyone staring at him, “What?”

“I’m not an invalid!” Yelled Clementine, before wincing and grabbing her chest, “I can walk just fine on my own.”

“Yeah, Luke’s carrying her.” Decided Rebecca, looking at Luke.

“This is embarrassing.” Grumbled Clementine, her arms folded as she scowled, since she refused to admit that she was pouting.

“Well, you’re lighter than you look.” Joked Luke, getting a harrumph from Clementine.

“Is everything alright up there?” Asked Rebecca, as Luke glanced back.

“Just sayin’ Clem’s lighter than she looks.”

The silence from the rest of the group was deafening, before Sarah looked at her dad and asked, “Is he saying Clementine’s fat?”

“Okay!” Clementine started violently wriggling, “Put me down!”

The scuffle, if it would be call that, somehow ended with Clementine hanging upside down from Luke’s arm, while Luke kept a firm grip on her waist.

“Guys, a little help?” Luke looked at the rest of the group.

“Nope, I’m good.” Said Nick, as Clementine continued to wriggle.

Luke sighed, before dropping Clementine.

“Luke!” Snapped Carlos, glaring at him.

“Sorry.” Muttered Luke, helping Clementine up, “You okay?”

Clementine glared at him, before limping away, while Luke winced.

“Y’know,” Said Nick, “Seeing you fuck up makes me feel better about staying in the shed.”

“Shut up.” Snapped Luke, quickly catching up to Clementine, before calling back, “There’s a bridge ahead, we could rest there.”

“Great, Becs needs to rest.” Responded Alvin, getting a swat from Rebecca.

“What’s taking them so long?” Demanded Alvin, looking down at the bridge.

“Maybe they’re rolling in the hay.” Suggested Clementine, getting incredulous looks from the others.

“Do you know what that means?” Asked Rebecca, staring at the girl.

“…Sleeping.”

Rebecca found herself sighing in relief, not looking forward to explaining the birds and the bees to her. The group froze when they heard someone running up to their position, Luke appeared with Nick and a man in a grey jacket.

“Who’s this?” Asked Alvin, as the man locked onto Clementine.

“Matthew,” Answered Luke, “he’s staying in the cabin on the other side of the bridge.”

“What happened?” Asked Matthew, looking at the group.

“A guy’s chasing us,” Said Luke, “he attacked her because she wouldn’t tell him where we were.”

Matthew frowned, before sighing, “Come on, we’ll take her to my group, the lodge’s gonna be warmer.”

“Wait here.” Matthew looked at them, “I’m gonna tell the rest of my group about you, hopefully Kenny’s in a good mood.”

The man was gone before they could protest, Luke looked down a Clementine, the girl was refused to be carried, complaining whenever Luke tried to pick her up.

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” Yelled a Floridian-accented voice, as a man with a thick beard and a trucker’s hat stormed out.

Luke automatically stepped in front of Clementine, hoping to hide her from the man.

“Kenny, they’ve got kids.” Protested Matthew, following Kenny out, with an Indian woman and a bald man.

“And we ain’t got the supplies for ‘em!” Yelled Kenny, making Clementine frown.

Clementine stepped out from behind Luke and looked at Kenny.

“Holy Shit.”

Kenny froze, before looking down, “Clementine?”

The girl grinned and limped towards Kenny, wrapping her arms around him. Keny crouched down and reciprocated, before frowning and holding the girl at arm’s length.

“What the fuck happened?” Kenny took in Clementine’s injuries, before glaring at the group, “Did they do this to ya?”

“No,” Answered Clementine, “some guy called Carver is after them. He tried to make me tell him where they were.”

Kenny frowned, continuing to look Clementine over, “What’d you say?”

“I told him to go fuck himself.”

Kenny let out a snort, before looking at the group again, “Can you vouch for these guys, Clem?”

Clementine nodded, “They patched me up.”

Kenny sighed, before standing and picking Clementine up, “Alright, that’s good enough for me.”

“I can walk on my own!” Squawked Clementine, with Kenny ignoring her as he walked into the lodge.

Clementine winced as she entered the lodge, after they had dinner, Clementine had gone with Walter and Mathew to check the perimeter for Walkers, where they met a strange woman. Clementine had suggested that they check her for weapons, after Kenny had come out to investigate. Then, after the woman had left, the wind turbine had gone crazy, leading to the two groups try to fix it. Which led to Clementine using a rifle for the first time and aggravating her already bruised body, before being sent inside by Luke. It was funny, she didn’t notice how the cold made her hurt until she was out of it.

“Clem, what’s happened?” Asked Rebecca, waddling towards her.

“The turbine-” Clementine was cut off by rapid gunfire. Rebecca swore, before grabbing Clementine and leading her up the stairs.

In a matter of seconds, in Clementine’s mind, the group outside was being forced inside. They heard a number of voices, including the strange woman from earlier. Then, she heard his voice. Carver was walking around below, calling out for Rebecca, talking about ‘their’ child. Clementine, in her hurry to disappear from view, accidentally knocked the box with the decorations over. The resulting noise led to the strange woman, Bonnie, coming up the stairs.

Bonnie stared at the three, before the girl spoke, “Fuck.”

Which was how Clementine found herself staring up at the man who’d beaten her to a pulp nearly a week prior.

“…How the hell are you still alive?”

“Because you hit like a girl.”

And Clementine was backhanded to the floor.

“You still hit like a girl.”

A solid kick to the side, followed by a punch, and her leg being stomped on, followed by another punch, a backhand and another, final, kick.

The group of hostages all stared at Clementine, terrified that Carver had killed her. Before a pained whine escaped the girl, “ow…”

Carver rolled his eyes, gesturing for the girl to be put with the others. Bonnie carefully shifted Clementine so she was next to Rebecca, they didn’t bother to restrain her, wondering what harm a child with a concussion could do.

Then one of Carver’s guys got hit in the head, leading Carver to kill Walter. Then he took Alvin and started to march him towards the window, talking to him about someone called George. He held the gun to Alvin’s head, when Clementine suddenly charged at him. Bonnie thought the girl was running pretty fast on a broken leg, only for her to get backhanded by Carver’s gun.

It had the desired effect, with Carver pushing Alvin to the side and picking Clementine up. A few seconds later, Kenny walked into the lodge, his hands above his head and a dark glare aimed at Carver.

The ride back to Carver’s settlement was quiet, if Clementine ignored the sound of the adults, Clementine thought calling them grown-up was immature, arguing.

“-haven’t you seen what he did to Clementine?!” Demanded Rebecca, glaring at Kenny.

“I saw him beating a little girl, while the rest of you fuckers watched like it was a fuckin’ show!”

“Dad…” Sarah nervously looked at her father, “Clementine doesn’t look very good.”

As if on cue, Clementine lurched forwards and threw up. Kenny wrinkled his nose as the half-digested ‘meal’ from the night before.

“Is that supposed to happen?” Asked Matthew, glancing at Clementine.

“She can’t see that we’re moving, she has a concussion and Carver hit her in the stomach several times.” Said Carlos, slowly, “I’m amazed she lasted this long.”

“Clem?” Rebecca looked at the girl, “Are you alright?”

“I can’t go to school today, mom.” Slurred Clementine, everything still spinning, “I think I threw up.”

Clementine suddenly slumped against Sarah, getting a frown from Carlos.

“Is she asleep or unconscious?” Asked Nick, trying to shuffle away from the trickle of vomit.

“Hold on.” Sarita gave Kenny an apologetic look, before leaning close to Clementine’s ear and screeching, “WAKE UP!”

The truck suddenly veered, as Clementine groaned, before slowly righting herself, “I gotta pee.”

The truck stopping, and the sound of one of Carver’s men stomping out and coming to the back of the truck reached their ears, before the man appeared, “What the fuck are you doing back there?!”

“I gotta pee.” Repeated Clementine, wriggling.

“Seriously?”

“Yep.”

The man sighed, “Does anyone else need to-?”

“Kinda.” Admitted Sarah, as the man sighed.

Thirty minutes later, Clementine found herself staring at a moth, or a butterfly, she couldn’t tell, while Sarah finished up.

“Are you about done over there?” Yelled the man, from besides the truck.

“Yeah, one second! Thanks for coming with me. It's scary out here.” Said Sarah, “I know you had to too, it’s still nice that you came.”

“We're friends.” Winced Clementine, “Friends look out for one another.”

Clementine and Sarah return to the truck.

“Everything come out alright, girls?” Asked the man, frowning at Clementine’s dazed look.

“Troy.” Growled Carver, “Get 'em tied up.”

“Will do...” Nodded Troy, grabbing Sarah’s hands and tying her up.

“Well, we're on our way, probably thirty minutes out.” Carver spoke into a radio, “Make sure everyone's prepped. Emotions might be running high. Carver out.”

Carver returned the radio to his belt and looked at Troy, “If I find out you've been wasting fuel to keep that fuckin' heater going, I'll make you walk back.”

“Nope.” Troy shook his head, “Froze my ass off... just like you told me to.”

Carver frowned, before glancing down and spotting Clementine staring at him, “It ain't polite to listen to other folks' conversations. Has anyone ever taught you that? Where's your manners?”

“I know.” Answered Clementine, not caring, “I still think you hit like a girl.”

Carver snarled, before slapping Clementine, knocking her to the ground, “Get her in the truck.”

“What happened to her?” Clementine glanced at a girl a couple years older than her, no doubt referring to how she looks like death warmed up.

“Bill did.” Answered Bonnie, making a brunette woman frown.

“Bill did that?” She glanced at Bonnie, “Bonnie, what they fuck have you gotten us into?”

“He trying to set an example.” Clementine didn’t think Bonnie believed herself, the other woman clearly didn’t.

“By what?”

“Shel, let’s,” Bonnie swallowed, “let’s talk about this later, okay? We’ve got work to do.”

“And how is it that we're repaid for our trust? With treachery? With deceit? With theft?” Snarled Carver, pacing in front of an injured Luke.

“They caught him.” Muttered Clementine, her hand unconsciously gripping the radio she’d stolen for him.

“Yeah, that's what it looks like.” Answered Kenny, scowling at Luke.

“Whatever you were planning is over, it's done.” Snarled Carver, brandishing the other radio, “You can't just run from your problems. You can't just up and leave when it gets tough, 'cause there's nowhere else you can go where it ain't. Tough is all we got now. Get that through your fuckin' skulls. Luke here, he can't help you now. You gotta help yourselves. You gotta help me find the strength to forgive you. Now, you can start... by telling me where the other one is. I'm gonna count to three. If that radio ain't in my hand by then, we'll have to make things more difficult. One. Two.”

“Maybe you—” Clementine was cut off by Kenny grabbing the radio from her and holding it up.

“It's right here. I got it.”

Carver held out his hand, prompting Kenny to step forward, Sarita approached him, trying to get him to stop, “It's alright.” Kenny slowly walked up to Carver, “Sorry about that. Not sure what I was thinking.” Kenny dropped the radio into Carver's hand.

“Three.” Said Carver, before smirking, “You really think I’m that stupid, don’t ya?”

“What?” Kenny froze.

“You’re not a smart man, Kenneth,” Carver’s eyes landed on Clementine, “you’re not small enough to go around unnoticed.”

Clementine was shoved forwards by Troy, until she was in front of Carver, “I shouldn’t be surprised, but I honestly expected better of you, Clementine.”

“Then you’re a fucking idiot.”

Clementine felt something hit her. At first, she thought it was Troy’s rifle, only to realise the pain was coming from her front. The second blow knocked her to the ground, she thought she heard someone come into the yard, the third blow made her hit her head on the ground, the fourth blow made her world got dark.

“-start talkin' about maybe...” Clementine recognised Luke’s voice, “leavin' some folks behind.”

“No!” Snapped Sarita.

“There is no other way.” Defended Luke, from where the rest of the group was gathered.

“This is bullshit.” Spat Rebecca, she sounded angry.

“Well, I don't like it either,” Defended Luke, “but guess what? It's where we're at.”

“We’re only here because of you people, and now you intend to leave us behind?!” Said Matthew, Clementine thought he sounded angry too.

“So, we should risk all of our lives?” Asked Carlos.

“What are you saying?” Demanded Rebecca.

“Nothing.” Carlos backtracked, “I'm... I'm just thinking out loud here.”

“We ain’t leaving Clementine!” Snarled Kenny, “Either we all go, or not at all! Especially since she’s only like this because you fucked up!”

“I got hungry; I wasn’t thinking.” Groaned Luke.

“Well, you’re not thinking straight,” Snarled Kenny, “nearly got Clementine killed!”

“We can’t leave Clementine.” Sarah spoke up, “It’s not fair.”

“Life ain't fair, Sarah.” Chided Luke, as Clementine limped over to them, “We're just tryin' to make the best of a bad situation, here. No one wants to leave Clem.”

“Then why are you suggesting it?” Clementine made her presence known, “I heard you. You suggested leaving me behind.”

“Look, Clem,” Luke winced, “We can risk people who can’t pull their weight.”

Luke seemed to realise what he said was a mistake, given how Clementine and Rebecca glared at him.

“Stop whining.” Clementine’s voice was cold, “Carver’s beaten me to a pulp twice…three times.”

Luke opened his mouth to protest, before thinking better of it.

“Alright...” Luke winced, “Well, then, what now?”

“We get the hell outta here.” Said Kenny, as Bonnie returned with some other people.

“Like now, now?” Asked Luke, frowning.

“Yes!” Snapped Rebecca, as Clementine heard someone walking up behind them.

“Where are we goin'?” Asked Kenny, “In case things get squirrely and we gotta make a break for it, we need a place to meet up.”

“We could meet out at Parker's Run.” Suggested Mike, looking around, as Clementine turned around.

She saw the brunette and the girl from the other day, with a hippie, a teenager and an Asian man.

“The hell is that?”

“It's a Civil War site just a few miles north.” Said the Asian man, “Tourist trap. Got signs all over. Just follow the road.”

Everyone looked at him and the small group he was with, Clementine looked back at her group, noticing a red mark on Sarah’s face.

“Bonnie told us what happened,” Said the man, looking at them, “Bill’s gotten too dangerous.”

“That putting it mildly.” Muttered the black-haired girl.

“Becca.” Shel hissed.

“We’ve got some weapons and supplies.” Said the teen, “If you’re really set on Parker’s Run.”

“We stopped there after we escaped the first time.” Rebecca looked at her group, “Luke and Carlos know where it is. It's not that far.”

“Well, at least if a few folks know where it's at, it'll be easier to find if we're split up.” Murmured Kenny, “Alright, that works.”

“Then we just need someone to go set off that PA, right?” Luke looked around, “I mean, you never bothered to explain who's supposed to do that.”

“Almost sounds like you don’t want to leave.” Muttered Becca, as everyone looked at Clementine.

“Wait, wait, hold on.” Luke looked at them, “She's the plan?”

“Why's it always me?” Asked Clementine, as the Asian man walked up to her.

“I’ll meet you in the office, I’ll work on getting Alvin out.” Clementine looked up at the man, before nodding.

The group split in two, one half gathered by the wall, lifting Clementine so she could grab onto the rope. The other to grab weapons and supplies.

“Be sure to remember to flip the switch for the outdoor speakers.” Said Rebecca, “Just the indoor speakers might not draw the herd. It's right on the microphone box.”

“Right.” Nodded Clementine.

“By default, it's set to play music, so you should just have to turn it on, right?” Rebecca instructed, “Then climb back up and drop into the stockroom. We'll meet you there.”

“Down into the office, outdoor speaker switch, turn on PA, up to the roof, down into the stockroom to meet you guys.” Recited Clementine, “That right?”

“Perfect.” Smiled Rebecca, as Mike pulled on the rope to raised Clementine to the roof.

“Be careful!” Called Sarita.

“'Kay.” Nodded Clementine, looking down.

“Clem!” Called Rebecca, “Make sure Vince brings Alvin.”

Vince and Wyatt supported Alvin, while Carver angrily paced in front of them, ranting. Then a gunshot made Carver grab his ear, before Clementine dropped down with a smoking gun.

Clementine didn’t bother to listen to what Carver was saying, instead choosing stay with Rebecca to watch Kenny bash Carver’s head in with a crowbar.

Afterwards, Clementine, Kenny and Jane took out a few Walkers, and the large group started covering themselves with Walker guts.

“Girls,” Clementine, Sarah and Becca looked at Carlos, “Stay close to Rebecca.”

“Sarah,” Luke got her attention, “Remember what I told you to do.”

“Keep an eye on Clementine.”

“Good.” Nodded Luke, then Troy appeared, and Jane shot his dick off.

“Come on.” Instructed Jane, as the Walkers converged on a screaming Troy, “Don't make any noise, got it? They might hear something they don't like. And for fuck's sake, walk. Act like you belong and you will belong.”

Clementine found herself towards the front with Rebecca, Becca seemed to be keeping Sarah facing forwards.

“I’m surprised no one’s shooting at us.” Muttered Clementine, getting a snort from Becca.

“The ones staying are stuck in a closet.” Said Becca, as Rebecca groaned.

“Rebecca? What’s wrong?” Asked Sarah, as Rebecca started breathing heavily.

“I, I think that was a contraction.” Clementine froze, “I, I, I think the baby’s coming.”

“What? Now?!” Demanded Becca, as they passed through the Herd and entered the forest.

“No, next year.” Snapped Clementine, sarcastically, “Yes, now!”

“What are we supposed to do?! Have you delivered a baby?!” Becca looked at Clementine and Sarah.

“Not a live one.” Answered Clementine, “Putting it down wasn’t easy.”

“You killed a baby Walker?” Asked Becca.

“No, her mother did.”

“Labour is divided into three stages:” Rattled Sarah, “the dilation stage, expulsion stage and placental stage. The dilation stage is the longest, while the expulsion stage lasts 30-60 minutes, and the placental stage takes from a few minutes to up to 60 minutes.”

Clementine, Becca and Rebecca stared at her, “How do you know that?” Asked Clementine.

“I read a medical book.” Answered Sarah, “We’re going to need to get your eye checked soon.”

Clementine waved her off.

“Oh, finally.” Groaned Becca, as they reached Parker’s Run. They’d joined up with Luke and Jane, who led them to the meet up point.

Clementine rolled her remaining eye, before spotting Kenny, Sarita and Matthew. Nick and some of the people who helped break them out standing around Alvin.

“You made it.” Said Kenny, as soon as he spotted them.

“Yeah, we got lost for a bit, Rebecca’s going through contractions.” Said Clementine, “Sarah’s been watching them.”

“They’re roughly thirty minutes apart.” Said Sarah, as Vince walked up to them.

“Hey,” His tone was sombre, “things, er… it’s Alvin… he, er, he hasn’t got long left.”

“Shit.” Muttered Clementine, glancing back at Rebecca, “Just what we need.”

“Where’s Carlos?” Asked Luke, looking around.

“He’s doing his best to…to ease Alvin’s passing.” Answered Vince, as Bonnie, Mike and Shel arrived.

“Everyone here?” Asked Shel, looking at them, “Because, as much as I hate to say it, the guts plan worked.”

The group heard Carlos’s footsteps as he walked up to them, “He’s almost gone, he’s… he’s asking for Rebecca…and Clementine.”

“Why’s he asking for Clem?” Luke frowned, as Vince ushered Clementine and Rebecca over to the tent Alvin was in.

“Hey.” Rasped Alvin, from his place, propped up against a beam, “How are you?”

“You look horrible.” Said Clementine, taking stock of Alvin’s injuries, “And I thought I had it bad.”

Alvin let out a wheezy laugh, “I think you got the worst of it, Clem.”

“I’m not the one dying.” Said Clementine, after a pause, “How do you feel?”

“Not good.” Alvin gave a chuckle, as Rebecca crouched down next to Alvin, “Hey, Becs.”

“Alvin.” Murmured Rebecca, gently touching his cheek.

“I didn’t want to go without sayin’ goodbye.” Rasped Alvin.

“But why am I here?” Asked Clementine, “Carlos said you asked for Rebecca and me.”

“Well,” Alvin let out a pained laugh, “Becs and I had talked about taking you in, before Carver caught up with us.”

Clementine swallowed, “I… I would’ve liked that.”

Alvin smiled, before coughing and wincing, his breathing becoming more and more laboured, “I think it’s time.”

Outside the tent, the rest of the group waited for Clementine and Rebecca to step out. A few moments later, Rebecca stumbled out, sobbing. Then the pop of a gunshot was heard, and Clementine stepped out of the tent.

“Al—” Rebecca choked, “Alvin’s gone. C-Clem…”

“Stopped him from turning.” Finished Luke, as Clementine walked up to them.

“I think I saw Jane go to the observation deck.” Said Clementine, her voice emotionless, “I don’t know what she’s doing.”

“How’re you feeling, Clem?” Asked Bonnie, getting Clementine to look at her.

“I’ve had to put down a member of the group, I’m walking on a broken leg, Rebecca’s in labour, and I’m missing an eye.” Bonnie winced as Clementine spoke, “So, aside from those sources of pain, I’m fucking fantastic.”

“Clem,” Said Luke, after a moment, “can you help Jane? Please?”

Clementine nodded, “Sure, I’m taking Sarah or the other one with me.”

“…you mean Becca?” Asked Shel, getting a nod from Clementine.

“Okay, girls, you go with Clem.” Decided Luke, making Sarah open her mouth in protest, “I know, you want to help your dad, Sarah, but since you’re apparently the closest thing we’ve got to a nurse, you need to keep an eye on Clementine.”

Sarah closed her mouth and walked away with Clementine and Becca.

“So, what, you’re like a sponge when it comes to books?” Jane glanced at Sarah, who nodded.

“My mom used to put a book in front of me when I was little,” Said Sarah, “Tia Rosa said I’d wander off.”

“Hey.” Clementine looked away from the telescope and towards Becca, “There’s someone coming.”

“A good someone or a bad someone?” Asked Clementine, frowning.

“I dunno,” Becca looked back, “but he’s heading this way.”

“Crap.” Hissed Jane, “All of you hide.”

Clementine tried to hurry over to them, only to trip on her shoelace, “Son-of-a-bitch!” And landed in her front with a thud.

Clementine opted to stay still, hoping the guy though she was a corpse. She heard him limping along the deck, pausing as he spotted her. Clementine swore she felt a tickle of something going to her empty eye socket and shook her head, accidentally flinging the gauze off, “Shit.”

“Don’t move.” Said the guy, he had a thick Russian accent.

“Can I cover up my eye first?” Clementine tried to feel around for the piece of gauze.

“What?” Clementine looked at him, he looked to be in his late teens, and he had a leg brace and thick glasses.

“I dropped the gauze covering my eye.” Said Clementine, at the guy examined her.

“You are hurt.” He said slowly, Clementine blinked at him.

“Yeah, and?”

The guy lowered his gun, before hobbling over to Clementine. As he reached her, Jane appeared behind him.

“Jane, no!” the Guy was suddenly restrained, as Jane shoved him against the railings, “Jane, he’s not attacking us.”

Jane glared at him, as Sarah kicked Jane’s leg, causing the woman to let the guy go.

“Sorry about her.” Apologised Clementine, getting up, “We…don’t really know her.”

The guy looked at them wearily, just as the black teen from Becca’s group ran up to them, “I heard yelling.”

He stopped and stared at the scene in front of him, Jane was holding her leg, Sarah was standing next to some stranger, and Becca was helping Clementine to her feet.

“It’s nothing, Russell.” Said Becca, before looking at the bag the Russian had dropped. After a brief second, Becca opened the bag, “Whoa.” Clementine glanced down a paused at the number of drugs in the bag.

Clementine didn’t pay much attention to what the guy was saying, but she heard him say his name was Arvo and the drugs were medicine for his sister. That, in Clementine’s mind, decided things.

“We’re not taking them.” Said Clementine, looking around.

“But these could help you, Rebecca and Luke.” Protested Becca, as Sarah closed the bag.

“Not if we’re stealing them.” Argued Clementine, “Besides, for all we know, we’re on his or his groups turf.”

Clementine worried that the others wouldn’t agree with her, until Sarah held the bag out for Arvo to take and Russell escorting him back to his group.

“That was stupid.” Said Becca, watching them leave.

“I’ve been with a group that stole from someone before,” Said Clementine, “it caused his family to die, and led the group to their deaths. I’m not making the same mistake, not if I can avoid it.”

After leaving Jane to get the unit open, with Luke joining her, the three girls returned to the rest of their group. Carlos was starting to guide Rebecca through childbirth, with Sarah observing, which left Clementine and Becca on guard duty, both giving Bonnie, Wyatt and Mike a quick greeting when they returned with big bottles of water and a coat.

“How’s ya eye?” Asked Kenny, stopping next to Clementine.

“It hurts.” Clementine tried to shrug off, before sighing, “Kenny, we… ran into someone on the observation deck. He had a load of medicine, and… and Jane wanted to rob him.”

Kenny stiffened, already knowing what Clementine was referring back to, “Did you take ‘em?”

“No,” Clementine shook her head, “he needed them for his sister and, given what happened last time we stole from someone, I don’t want to run the risk of it biting us further down the line.”

Kenny frowned, “While they could’ve helped us now, after what you told me about that bastard in Savannah, I think you made the right choice.”

“Do you think Lee would’ve done the same?” Asked Clementine, leaning back on her heels.

“I know he didn’t like taking those supplies,” Admitted Kenny, “he knew that we were starvin’. I remember hearing him and Carley talkin’ about it, God, what I wouldn’t do to go back to that time again.”

Clementine shivered, and looked around, “Where’s Luke? He should’ve finished helping Jane by now.”

Kenny snorted, “I’ll go look for him, keep an eye out.”

“I’ll be sure to scream as loud as I can.” Quipped Clementine, going back to look at the tree line.

The air was quiet, with Clementine absently hearing Carlos guiding Rebecca and Becca making noises with her mouth.

“ARE YOU TWO FUCKING KIDDING ME?!”

Clementine frowned and turned, “Was that Kenny?”

Carlos looked at them, “Let’s get moving, they must’ve gotten the deck open by now.”

Slowly, the group made their way up to the observation deck, where they saw Kenny pacing in front of and embarrassed Luke and Jane.

“Of all the fucking childish and irresponsible things,” Seethed Kenny, “we’re trying to get shit done and you two are rolling in the hay!”

Clementine frowned and whispered, “What’s that mean? Because those two don’t look like they’ve been sleeping.”

“It means they were having sex.” Answered Becca, getting a frown from Clementine, “What?”

“I thought Luke was gay.”

“Do you want to hold him?”

Clementine looked down at the baby, before hesitantly taking him. She glanced outside, after disturbing Jane and Luke, Russell had rejoined them, with a couple pain killers given to him by Arvo’s group, and they secured the deck. Rebecca’s screamed from giving birth had summoned a herd of Walkers, fortunately, since they’d managed to secure the deck, they didn’t get anyone and wandered off after losing interest.

She heard Jane leaving, but didn’t bother to follow after her. Kenny talked about walking to the town she saw through the telescope. Carlos didn’t like it, neither did Luke, but Clementine thought Kenny’s plan was reasonable, since they needed to look for supplies. After giving the baby back to Rebecca, Clementine decided to get some sleep. They had a long journey tomorrow.

Next Story: What if Kenny was leading Delta?

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the-delta-42 · 1 month ago

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The Walking Dead Game What Ifs: What if Nick shot Clementine?

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What if Nick shot Clementine? Prompt Submitted by Guest on FF.net

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The first thing Clementine was aware of was people shouting. She couldn’t decipher what they were saying, so she shifted and started speaking, “I—” Clementine was cut off by a gunshot and a sudden stab of pain in her side.

“Nick!”

“What the fuck is wrong with you!”

Clementine started to scramble away from them, quickly turning and getting to her feet, she ran into the forest, deciding to take her chances with her mangled arm and her, now, injured side.

Luke stared after the girl, while Pete wrenched the gun from Nick’s hands.

“That was the last thing anyone of us needed.” Snapped Pete, casting a glare around them, “Luke, come with me.”

“Where’re you going?” Demanded Rebecca, getting a pissed off glare from Pete.

“Luke and I are going to find her and explain that what Nick did was an accident.” Said Pete, “Hopefully, we’ll find her before someone else does.”

Reluctantly, Luke followed after Pete, giving Nick a reprimanding look. The rest of their group watched as Pete and Luke disappeared into the forest.

“Maybe…” Carlos spoke, after a moment of silence, “maybe we should’ve just…”

“What?” Demanded Rebecca, “Patched her up? How the hell do we know that she’s not one of Carver’s?”

Carlos sighed, before looking at Nick, “Let’s just get inside before any Lurkers show up.”

Clementine didn’t know how long she’d been running. She was hot and dizzy, and everything was a haze to her. Her foot caught on something, making her tumble down across the ground. Finding herself unable to move, Clementine saw a pair of feet appear in her vision. Bracing herself for when the Walker started eating her, Clementine attempted to close her eyes, before a hand slapped her face and she felt something press down on the bullet wound. Groaning, Clementine looking at the source of the pressure.

“…Christa?” Croaked Clementine, as Christa carefully picked her up.

“Yeah, it’s me,” Muttered Christa, “you’re gonna be fine, Clem.”

For Clementine, everything went dark. Christa tried not to worry about how wet Clementine’s clothes were or the amount of blood on her shirt. She’d managed to give the bandits the slip, even managed to snag a couple of guns and a large hunting knife from them. Clementine looked small as she carried her, Christa dispelled her train of thoughts and ducked into a shed.

Carefully setting Clementine down, Christa lifted her shirt up. Grimacing at the bullet wound, Christa carefully lifted Clementine and looked at her back, finding an exit wound. Sighing in relief, Christa rummaged through her pockets of the limited medical supplies she had.

Meanwhile, Luke and Pete followed Clementine’s blood until it abruptly stopped. Pete frowned, before kneeling down and looking at them.

“Where’s she gone?” Asked Luke, looking around, “Did she stop bleeding?”

“No,” Said Pete, “She collapsed, and someone picked her up, but Lurkers have completely covered their tracks.”

“You don’t think she’s with Carver, do you?” Asked Luke, getting a frown from Pete.

“No,” Pete stood up, “they would’ve come for us by now.”

Luke sighed, “We better get back, don’t want to worry the others.”

Sighing, Pete nodded and the two backtracked towards the cabin. Leaving the cold trail left by Clementine and whoever took her.

Clementine winced as Christa helped her walk, Christa found the dog bite and had stitched it up along with the bullet hole in her side, after Christa discovered that Clementine had injured her left leg when she fell. Christa managed to find a bunch fish traps, so they got to eat for the first time in a while. They had just reached a bridge and started crossing when a guy in a grey hoodie ran up to them. He’d given his name as Matthew, where they met his group. Led by Kenny. Soon, they were inside the lodge, with Matthew leaving to go back down to the bridge.

“I thought you were dead.” Said Clementine, looking up from Kenny.

“Same,” Said Christa, “the last time I saw you, you were getting swarmed by Walkers after you and Lee tried to save Ben.”

“Yeah, well,” Shrugged Kenny, “I almost was. Ben was screaming so loud I couldn’t hear myself think. I didn’t realise I’d gotten out until it happened.”

Christa looked around the lodge, Walter was making dinner and Sarita, Kenny’s girlfriend, was rummaging through some boxes, “This is a nice place.”

“Yeah,” Kenny laughed, “we’re stopping here for a bit before moving on north. There’s a place called Wellington, high walls and cold ass winters that’ll freeze Walkers right up.”

“We were heading the same way.” Said Christa, “We got attacked by some bandits and Clem and I got separated for a bit.”

“Really?” Asked Kenny, looking around, “What happened?”

“Clem managed to get away, I was stuck with them for a bit,” Said Christa, as Clementine rubbed her arm, “I managed to get a couple of guns and some supplies before escaping. I stumbled across Clementine shortly afterwards.”

Kenny nodded, “How bout you, Clem?”

Clementine swallowed, “I, er, I got chased and I fell into the river. I washed up at a campsite, and I met a dog there, his name was Sam.”

Kenny frowned, “Okay, what happened then?”

“I found a can of beans,” Continued Clementine, “I gave some to Sam and, I don’t know, he attacked me. He bit my arm.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Interrupted Christa, “her arm was mauled, I’m surprised that it wasn’t infected.”

“I, I kicked him onto some spikes, and I put him down.” Clementine swallowed, “I almost got killed by a Walker, but a couple of guys saved me. They… they were taking me to their group when they saw the dog bite and, and thought it was a Walker bite. I think I passed out, when I woke up, I heard people yelling. I, I just started speaking and one of them shot me.”

Kenny and Christa stiffened, as Clementine continued, “I ran. I think I heard them yelling for me, b-but I just kept running. I don’t know how far I got, but I tripped on something. Christa found me not long after.”

“Jesus.” Swore Christa, as Kenny snarled.

A couple days later a truck turned up. A man with a furred collar appeared, looking inside the lodge through the window, when Clementine and Christa found him.

“Who the hell are you?” Demanded Christa, pointing her gun at the man.

“Hello,” Smiled the man, his voice was gruff, “I’m sorry to startle you. I’ve just collected some of my people and we’re on our way home. Just stopping by and checking that there ain’t anyone in need here.”

“We’re fine.” Said Christa, keeping her gun aimed at the man.

“You’re not very trusting, are you.” Mused the man.

“My kid and I were attacked by some bandits, never hurts to be cautious.” Said Christa, getting a nod from the man.

“That’s fair.” The man started walking away, “Best of luck to you.”

Christa and Clementine watched the man walk away, before brushing it off and going back inside. A week later, a group of people turned up. Clementine frowned as Kenny, Christa and Sarita rushed out the door to confront the people.

After a moment, making sure that Walter was still busy with the food, Clementine followed them out. They were yelling, making Clementine worry that they’ll attract Walkers. Pushing her way to the front, she looked up at Christa, when someone said her name.

“Clementine?” Turning to look at the group, Clementine froze.

“What?” Christa looked down, before looking back at the group, then the penny dropped, “Shit.”

“What?” Asked Kenny, glancing to the side.

“I think these are the people Clem talked about.” Said Christa, tucking Clementine behind her, “The ones that shot her.”

Kenny immediately raised his rifle and aimed it at the group.

“Wait!” Said one guy, “It was an accident!”

“Like hell it was!” Bellowed Kenny, “How the fuck do you accidentally shoot someone?!”

“She moved man.” Protested a guy in a baseball cap.

“Of course she’d move,” Snapped Christa, “she’s not dead!”

Clementine looked around the group, she recognised Luke, but she couldn’t see Pete. There was a heavyset man with glasses, a heavily pregnant woman, a man in a flannel shirt and a guy in a trucker’s hat holding a rifle. Frowning, Clementine searched through their group.

“Where’s Matthew?” Asked Clementine, making everyone go silent.

“We haven’t met anyone called Matthew.” Said the heavyset man, looking at them, “Look, we’re not looking for trouble. If you want us to, we’ll leave.”

Christa looked over them, before looking at Clementine, “How about it, Clem? You’re the only one they’ve met before.”

Clementine looked at Christa and Kenny, “They… they could stay, just for tonight.”

Kenny and Christa didn’t look happy about it, but silently allowed it. Sighing, Kenny gestured for them to follow him, they almost had a problem with the guy in the hat when they were asked to leave their weapons by the door. After that, everything was quiet and somewhat peaceful, then Clementine saw Walter by their weapons, before he went outside.

“Hey.” Clementine looked up at the guy who wanted to keep his gun, “Er, Clementine, right?”

“Yeah?” Nodded Clementine, as the guy, Nick, looked at the floor.

“I, er,” Nick scowled, “I wanted to apologise for, y’know, shooting you. I freaked out and acted without thinking. I’m sorry.”

Clementine blinked and stared up at him, before he hurried off somewhere. Everyone was quietly talking amongst themselves when the wind turbine supplying them with power suddenly went crazy. The adults went outside to fix it, leaving Clementine with the heavyset man and the pregnant woman, Alvin and Rebecca. Rebecca was panicking about something, while Alvin tried to keep her calm, looking out the window, Clementine saw Kenny and Christa dealing with the turbine and the Walkers, while Luke vanished off somewhere. Clementine sighed and looked down at her gun, idly removing and reinserting the magazine.

“You okay there, Clementine?” Asked Alvin, making Clementine look up.

“Yeah, just bored.” Shrugged Clementine, wincing slightly as she shifted, “Where’re you planning to go?”

“Don’t know.” Answered Alvin, “I’m just focused on Becs and our son.”

“How do you know it’s going to be a boy?” Asked Clementine, just as a bullet tore through window. Thinking quickly, Clementine grabbed her gun and pointed it at the window, “Guys?”

Clementine slowly made her way down the stairs, spotting the guy from the week before walk through the door, holding a gun to Nick’s back, “You’re the guy from last week.”

The guy didn’t say anything to her, marching Nick and the guy in the flannel shirt, Carlos, in at gunpoint, as a couple of people marched Christa, Sarita and Walter in. The next thing Clementine knew, they were all on their knees with the guy from the week before stalked in front of them. Clementine flinched as the guy, Carver, grabbed Carlos and started beating him. Shifting slightly, Clementine felt her knife shift in her pocket. Discreetly as possible, Clementine removed her knife from her pocket and started to cut her bindings. One of Carver’s guys got shot in the head, making Carver grab Walter and haul him over to the window. Clementine heard a gunshot and a thud, followed by Carver yelling at Kenny.

Carver then came back and grabbed Alvin, with everyone yelling and crying. Carver had just reached the window with Alvin, when Clementine got up and charged at him. She plunged her knife into Carver’s back. Grunting, Carver let Alvin go, before grabbing Clementine’s wrist. Forced to let go of the knife, Clementine found herself being held by the throat, with Carver holding her hostage instead of Alvin.

Clementine looked around the community Carver had brought them to, there were at least a dozen people watching them. Carlos was led away somewhere, while they were guided to a yard by a woman called Bonnie. Looking around the yard, Clementine saw Pete and a girl wearing red glasses with a black eye.

“Uncle Pete!” Yelled Nick, running over to them.

Pete looked around the group Nick was with, his eyes settling on Clementine, “You found her?”

“No.” Christa spoke up, glaring at him, “They stumbled across her, while she was with us.”

Pete gave her a regretful look, “I apologise for her injuries, I have no real excuse or reason for it.”

Christa looked at him, “I guess you do a lot of apologising for him.”

Pete gave her a nod, before looking at the others, “Carver’s guys found me after that Lurker got me, took the leg. They’ve had me filling guns, they came back with Sarah a couple days after that.”

“Sarah,” Said Rebecca, walking over, “are you alri—”

Sarah got up and walked away. Frowning, Christa leaned down and whispered into Clementine’s ear, “Go talk to her.”

“Why me?” Clementine whispered back.

“Because you’re a people person,” Responded Christa, “and you have a calming effect on people.”

Clementine gave Christa a sour look before walking over to Sarah, “Hey.”

Sarah looked at Clementine, “You’re the girl that Nick shot.”

“Yeah.”

“Did it hurt?” Asked Sarah, tilting her head.

“Yeah.”

“Why are you with them?” Asked Sarah, as Clementine crouched down.

“We made the mistake of letting them stay for the night.” Said Clementine, “Did… you know them?”

Sarah nodded, “They left me behind in the cabin when they left.”

Clementine blinked, “…what?”

“The day after Nick shot you.” Said Sarah, “Pete and Nick went to get fish, Nick came back, and everyone left, Carver found me in the cabin. They all abandoned me and left Pete to die.”

Clementine didn’t know how to process that particular nugget on information, so she just nodded and sat down next to Sarah.

Sarah didn’t say anything to other members of her former group, despite Carlos trying to engage with her. Clementine was taken to the armoury by Bonnie to fill up magazines, where the woman gave her a coat she’d found at the Ski lodge, then another woman appeared and took Clementine to the greenhouses, where the guy missing his arm had her and Sarah pruning a pair of plants.

“…Did… did they talk about me?” Asked Sarah, making Clementine pause.

“I… I don’t think so.” Answered Clementine, “I didn’t stick around them very much. Except for Rebecca, but I think that was just to tell them if she started giving birth.” Clementine bit her bottom lip, “…What do you do here?”

“I do as I’m told.” Said Sarah, “Carver’s had me learn some first aid with another doctor he has here. Is it true you stabbed him?”

“Yeah.”

The door to the greenhouse opened and admitted Carver, with Reggie stuttering greetings to him.

“Sarah,” Carver looked at her, “take Clementine to Tavia, the guys need more nails.”

Sarah nodded, before leading Clementine away. Sarah left her with Tavia and went over to a doctor that was supervising Carlos and Sarita. Clementine found Kenny and Mike trying to fight, with Christa between them.

“I’d expect this from Clementine and another kid, not two grown adults.” Grunted Christa, as Kenny tried to shove her out of the way.

“What are you doing?” Asked Clementine, getting their attention.

“Nothing, they’re acting like children, Clem.” Said Christa, stepping away from Mike and Kenny, giving the pair a warning look.

Clementine frowned but carried the bucket of nails over to them.

“Lift with your legs, Clem.” Admonished Christa, “Not your back.”

Clementine immediately straightened her back and bent her legs, with Christa sighing and taking the bucket, “How’s your leg?”

“Still hurts.” Said Clementine, “that doctor said it’s a light sprain, whatever that means.”

“It’ll heal in a couple of weeks.” Sighed Christa, “We’ll—”

Christa was cut off by some Walkers breaking through the glass. Everything became a mad dash, Clementine managed to deal with a Walker, before she been forced to deal with another after it chased her into another room. A Walker grabbed her sprained leg, resulting in a stab of pain to run up the length of her leg, letting out a short scream, Clementine tried to kick the Walker away from her. The Walker was wrenched away from her, with Christa shoving it towards one of Carver’s guards. Clementine grabbed her ankle, freezing when she felt something wet. Removing her hand, Clementine stared at the blood, before her eyes zeroed in on the bite mark on her left ankle.

Christa looked at Clementine, spotting the bite mark and freezing. Christa was suddenly shoved to the side, as Mike advanced on Clementine with a line of cord. Dropping down, Mike quickly located a tear in Clementine’s trouser leg and pulled it part, before roughly tourniqueting the leg and picking Clementine up. The man ran out of the store, with Christa following after him.

Christa’s leg bounced as she sat in the yard, she’d been guided in by Sarah, while Carver’s doctor worked with Carlos and Sarita. The sound of the gate opening made Christa look up, Mike was walking in with Kenny, Sarita, Carlos and Nick. Rushing to her feet, Christa made her way over to them.

“Is Clementine alright?” Christa looked around them, “Where is she?”

“Abrahms is watching her,” Said Carlos, “we had to cut her leg off.”

Kenny let out a growl, “Where do we go from here?”

“What do you mean?” Asked Nick, looking Kenny.

“That Luke fella flagged me down,” Explained Kenny, “He wanted a radio, said something about knowing their guard schedules.”

“How’re we going to get him one?” Asked Rebecca, as Christa frowned.

“Would telling Carver about him get us out of here?” Asked Christa, sending them into silence, “We’re here because of you, you led Carver to the ski lodge and got Walter killed, and you killed Matthew.”

“We couldn’t control any of that.” Said Carlos, as Rebecca gave Christa a glare.

“Clementine only got bit because Carver brought her here.” Stated Christa, as Pete went over to them.

“And it’ll take a few weeks before she’d be fit to travel.” Said Pete, looking around them, “Christa’s right, her, Clementine and the group they were with were only attacked because Carver caught up with you. Besides,” he gave Nick a hard look, “Bonnie and Vince are already working on getting us out of the yard.”

“What about Reggie?” Asked Nick, looking around, “Maybe he’ll help.”

“Reggie isn’t getting back in.” Said Sarah, matter-of-factly, “He’s been out here since we left the first time and he’s done enough to get out of here, but they’ve just ignored him.”

Kenny let out a snort, his eyes glancing towards the man at his place by the fire.

Meanwhile, inside the makeshift hospital area in the community, Dr Abrahms silently watched the girl as she slept. Carver had appeared and watched her with him.

“Why are you here, Bill?” Asked Abrahms, not looking away from her.

“That girl’s a survivor.” Said Bill, “She and her caretaker saw me off when I stumbled across their group.”

“Really?” Abrahms frowned, turning his head to look at Bill, “Why’d you bring them in?”

“We tracked our people to them, probably got half the story.” Carver frowned, “Things got a bit out of hand, one of the guys in that group saw us gathering our people up and shot Johnny.”

“Makes you wonder what they’ve been through if they don’t trust and assume the worst of people.” Said Abrahms, before sighing, “Sarah and Pete should be let out of the pen, they’ve learnt their lesson, and I’m concerned at how Pete’s leg’ll progress if he’s kept out there throughout winter.”

Carver sighed, “Anything else?”

“I think that nurse would do well if she was in here.” Said Abrahms, before sighing, “What’s going on, Bill?”

“What?”

“Your obsession with Rebecca and her baby, the state Carlos was in when you brought him in, what you’ve been doing to Alvin.” Abrahms glared at Bill, “I followed you because you were reasonable and honest. I thought you weren’t like Negan. Now, I’m not sure. Yes, I understand that Alvin killed George, but that man was a full-on bastard.”

“Dan,” Abrahms looked away from Carver and at Shel, “Russell’s injured himself.”

Abrahms sighed, before grabbing a first aid kit and looked at Carver, “Don’t go anywhere.”

Carver watched as the doctor left with Shel, before looking at Clementine, “I know you’re awake.”

Clementine opened her eyes and looked at him, “You lied. You weren’t gathering Rebecca and the others, you were taking all of us prisoner.”

“Those are the same thing.” Dismissed Carver, looking down at Clementine, “You know that better than the others.”

“They’re not the same thing.” Argued Clementine, “Gathering people doesn’t include tying them up.”

“Why are you so upset for them?” Asked Carver, “Sarah told me that Nick shot you, that nurse you and your caretaker were with said that Nick shot a guy in your group.”

“I’ve shot people.” Dismissed Clementine, “I’m not going to hold it against him.”

“You should.” Said Carver, “You and I are more alike than you’d think, Clementine.”

“I’m nothing like you.”

“Aren’t you?” Questioned Carver, “You’ve killed, I’ve killed. You’ve survived, I’ve survived. You know your way around a gun, and you can handle Lurkers better than so many people older than you. Our doctor told me how you stitched yourself up.”

“Everyone does all those things.”

“Sarah doesn’t,” Said Carver, “Becca doesn’t. Do you really think everyone knows how to use a gun?”

Clementine was silent, getting a smirk from Carver, “You only got bit because you sprained your leg a few days ago, everyone’s seen the limp. I’m willing to bet that you sprained your leg after Nick shot you.”

Clementine chewed the inside of her cheek, refusing to respond to Carver.

“You’ll move on from this,” Mused Carver, “because that’s what we do.”

Sarah watched as her former group and Clementine’s group argued. The sight made her upset, the only ones of the former group who were against leaving Clementine behind were Rebecca and Pete. Pete had said that if they left, he wasn’t going with them. Sarah supposed that Rebecca refusing also had something to do with Alvin being stuck in Carver’s office. Clementine had her leg cut off and her group was fighting to stay with her, while Sarah’s former group, her dad had left her behind and ran away.

Rebecca had said they’d gone back, but Luke had said they’d bring Clementine back and they took care of their own. They didn’t, Clementine was found by someone else, and they left her behind and Pete to die.

The gate opening got everyone’s attention, with Tavia walking in with Troy, “Sarah, Pete, you’re getting out of here.”

Tavia looked amongst the group that Carver brought in, “Who’s from the group that girl was in?”

Christa straightened up and marched over, followed by Kenny and Sarita, “Where is she?”

“She’s being watched by our doctor,” Said Tavia, “but, he’s convinced Bill to let you guys out. Don’t screw this up.”

Sarah gently tugged on Christa’s sleeve, “I can take you to her.”

Abrahms frowned as Stan measured Clementine’s leg, “Are you sure you’ve got the right materials?”

“I’ve got enough to make seven prosthetics,” Dismissed Stan, “The ones I’m making for her and Pete, they’ll be able to put them on and get walking before they know it.”

Abrahms continued to frown, before he heard Sarah leading some people, presumably Clementine’s group, into the medical area.

“I’ve got hers already sketched up,” Said Stan, still focusing on Clementine’s leg, “it’ll have to be adjustable, so it can ‘grow’ with her, but hopefully, she’ll be walking again before the year is out.”

“Will I be able to walk like I used to?” Asked Clementine, looking at Stan.

“Dan does,” Stan gestured towards Abrahms, “He and I were in the same unit together, dumb bastard stood on a landmine. Lee, our squad leader, had to apply first aid on our doctor. Heh, Sam and I found it hilarious.”

“Yeah, everyone was laughing until Lee punched Sam and broke his neck.” Said Abrahms, “Hell, I’m still splitting my sides about it.”

“Yeah,” Stan sighed, “Lee was a great guy, but his wife… not so much.”

“Was he a history teacher?” Asked Clementine, getting the men’s attention.

“Yeah… how’d you know that?” Asked Stan, leaning back, “Did… did you meet him?”

“He found me when everything ended.” Said Clementine, as Sarah led Kenny, Sarita and Christa into the medical area, “He looked after me, until he got bit.”

“Damn.” Stan bowed his head, with Abrahms doing the same, “How many does that make now?”

“Well,” Abrahms scratched his neck, “Sam got his neck broken by a coffee table. Clara, Danny, Mick and Razer were killed by that landmine. Al blew her brains out in the first few days. Skip, Dick, Tom and Harry were eaten by the dead. Del’s god knows where. You and me are here, and we now know that Lee’s dead… Shit, it’s just us left.”

“Fuck.”

“Hi.” Sarah waved at them, before pointing at the three adults, “They wanted to see Clementine.”

“Well, I’m just about finished.” Said Stan, getting up, “I’ll get to work on her leg tomorrow, since I’m going to attaching Pete’s to him.”

Abrahms gave the man a wave as he left, before giving Clementine and her group some privacy.

Christa swore she heard Kenny muttering darkly as he looked at an engine, “How bad is it?”

“Why did Clem have to mention I worked on a vehicle?” Grumbled Kenny, “When she’s walkin’, she’s gonna be helpin’ me.”

“She also mentioned that you were a commercial fisherman.” Said Russell, a teen from Carver group, “but it’s winter and we’re nowhere near water.”

“Yeah, well—” Kenny’s retort was cut off by a gunshot. Alarmed, the three rushed back inside, in time to witness Reggie get shot in the head. A couple feet from him, Carver was on his back and staring blankly up at the ceiling.

“Is he…?” Christa looked to the source of the voice, a girl a couple of years older than Clementine.

“Yes.” Said Abrahms, getting up from his knees, “We—”

A bullet impacted the top of Carver’s head, putting him down before her turned.

“Need to do that.” Finished Abrahms, looking for the source of the shot. Clementine stood with a gun pointed at Carver’s corpse, as brunette supporting her.

“Well, that solves one problem.”

Everyone looked from Carver’s body to a guy holding a restrained Luke, “Caught him trying to steal food.”

Troy immediately raised his gun and aimed at Luke, making Abrahms draw a pistol and aim it at Troy. Tavia aimed at Abrahms, Vince aimed at Tavia, Vera aimed at Vince, Wyatt aimed at Vera, Tyler aimed at Wyatt, Shel aimed at Tyler, Tisha aimed at Shel, Russell aimed at Tisha, Lowell aimed at Russell, Bonnie aimed at Lowell, and Hank, the guy holding Luke, aimed at Luke’s head.

Clementine, after a moment raised Shel’s spare gun and aimed it at Hank.

“Put it down, Dan.” Said Tavia, after a moment.

“Christa,” Said Dan, after a moment, “can you take the kids to that closet over there?”

Hank pointed his gun at Clementine, “No one moves!”

Vince gave a small snarl, “Everyone, drop your guns.”

“Like hell!” Shrieked Tisha, moving her gun from Shel to Vince, “We’re not fucking stupid.”

“You look stupid.” Said Clementine, resulting in Tisha aiming at her.

Unseen by almost everyone, Christa slipped into the weapon closet and took enough guns for her group and Luke’s group, discreetly handing weapons to each person as she passed them, before giving a gun to Kenny.

After a moment, Christa and the two groups aimed at Carver’s guys.

“Oh, look.” Said Abrahms dryly, “You’re out numbered.”

Troy took his gun off Luke and aimed at Rebecca’s abdomen, “Fine.”

A sawn-off shotgun pressed against the back of Troy’s head.

“I never liked you,” Stated Stan, “you fucking psychopath.”

Slowly, Vera lowered her gun, with Becca taking it from her, as Wyatt switched to aim at Tyler. Hank, deciding he’d had enough, shot at Clementine. The resulting fire fight was short, with both Stan and Abrahms killing Troy, Vince taking a hit to the shoulder from Tavia. Tisha, Tyler and Lowell hit their targets in non-fatal areas, while they themselves and Tavia were gunned down fairly quickly. Hank turned his gun on Kenny and shot his left eye out. Vera, taking her gun from Becca, shot Hank in the face. Abrahms, stepping over the dead, rushed over to Shel, where she was kneeling over Clementine and pressing down on a bullet wound near the centre of her chest.

“Let me look.” Abrahms examined Clementine, “There isn’t much bleeding, and her breathing isn’t laboured.”

Carefully lifting the girl up, Abrahms checked her back, finding an exit wound, “She’s lucky, an inch in any direction, she’d be dead.”

Carlos glanced at them, before looking up at the office, “I’m going to check on Alvin.”

“Sarah,” Abrahms ordered, “get some medicine and medical supplies and go with him. Sarita, I want you triaging the wounded down here.”

“Who put you in charge?” Demanded Nick, getting a glare from Abrahms.

“In the time of a medical incident, doctors and nurses become the de facto leaders until the chain of command is reestablished after everyone has been treated.” Said Abrahms, “Understood?”

Carlos ran his hand down his face, accidentally smearing some of Alvin’s blood on it. Rebecca had gone into labour, while Stan and some others sealed the entrances and exits. The massive herd of Lurkers passed without issue, with Shel and Becca putting down anyone who’d been killed by being shot in the chest. Kenny, and the other wounded, were tended to by Abrahms, Christa and Sarita helped Rebecca give birth.

“How is he?” Wyatt’s voice made Carlos jump.

“He’ll live.” Said Carlos, “But it’ll be a long recovery.”

Wyatt nodded, “We’re going to fall back on some of the expansion efforts, use some of the supplies to reinforce our walls.”

Carlos nodded, before walking down the stairs and looked around. Nick and Mike were keeping the damaged door shut, while Stan worked on it.

“I think they’re starting to leave.” Said Mike, making Nick crouched down and look at them, “We can stop holding the door down now.”

“You can stop holding it down when I say you can.” Said Stan, “We don’t want any getting in if you’re wrong.”

The two men grumbled, but didn’t move.

“We’ve got a few working cars,” Kenny looked around, “so we can get our asses outta here soon.”

“We could stay here for the winter,” Said Christa, “move on when it’s warmer and safer.”

“It’d also give Clem and Pete more time to heal up,” Added Luke, “I don’t know about you, but the cold makes me ache.”

“You got your ass kick.” Said Mike, bluntly, “Of course the cold’s gonna make you ache.”

“But, Christa’s right,” Said Jane, “we have enough to last us through to spring and it’d be safer to stay here until our injured and young are ready to be moved.”

Kenny frowned, he didn’t like the idea of staying, but he knew solid reasoning when he saw it. It’s something Lee would’ve thought about.

“Well,” Grunted Kenny, “let’s how this pans out.”

Below the office, Clementine, Becca and Sarah were showing three people who turned up a few days after the herd passed through, showing them where they sleep and worked during the day.

Coming back into the main area, Clementine saw Rebecca and Alvin looking at their baby, Abrahms and Sarita were checking the injured, Clementine absently rubbed the bullet wound, and Kenny and the others were coming down from the office. Luke and Jane went off somewhere, while Mike, Bonnie, Russell and Nick went to stand watch. Clementine let Sarah guide her over to the other injured, just as Kenny dropped down next to Sarita, as Carlos checked on Alvin and the baby.

“What are you gonna call him?” Asked Kenny, looking over at them.

“We haven’t really discussed it,” Confessed Rebecca, “We were so worried about Carver finding us and we couldn’t agree on if he was a boy or a girl.”

“I,” Alvin coughed, “I can’t think of anything.”

“You could name him after his father.” Suggested Kenny, looking from the baby to Alvin, “We could call him AJ for short.”

“He does look kinda like an Alvin.” Agreed Clementine, before tilting her head and squinting her eyes, “But, if you squint, he also kinda looks like a potato.”

Alvin started to laugh, before grabbing his chest and wincing, “Ooh, it hurts when I laugh.”

“I think you’re right,” Said Rebecca, after a moment, “I think AJ will suit him.”

“He’s beautiful.” Murmured Alvin, as AJ slept.

“Wait a few weeks,” Warned Kenny, “he’ll cry though the nights and makin’ all sorts of mess.”

“Don’t be disgusting, Kenny.” Reprimanded Christa, sitting next to Clementine, “There are little ears about.”

Clementine gave Christa a disgruntled look, as they all made quiet conversation. No one knew how long they’d actually be here, but they had to make the best of it.

Next Story: What if Clementine died instead of Sarah?

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