Chapter 1

It's already dark. Kmart and the kids are gathered around the bonfire having some fun. Kmart is telling the kids fairy tales. Well, they requested her to do a little story telling before they even go to sleep. It's the third day of Kmart in Claire Redfield's convoy and she already got along with the people in it. Thanks for her being so bubbly and happy, the people in the convoy loves her dearly already. Well, except for the leader. She's a tough and hard hearted one. She doesn't know why but the redhead seemed aloof to everyone else. She never looked at her and she never talked to her.

A little far from where Kmart and the kids were, Carlos, Betty and Mikey are watching them, talking with amusement from Kmart's personality.

"Look at her, she's really amazing." Carlos commented.

"Yeah, she's cool and everybody likes her." Betty added.

"Well except for the redhead." Mikey said.

"She's riding with her, right?" Betty asked.

"Yeah." Carlos nodded.

"How can she manage it?" Betty looked at Carlos.

"Well, I don't know maybe you should ask her."

"She's a bubbly person, maybe she's not that affected when Claire's getting annoyed at her." Mikey said.

Just as Mikey said the redhead's name, Claire appeared from their back. "Are you three talking about me?"

Carlos, Betty and Mikey turned to look and saw Claire with a pissed off look.

"N-no. Actually we were talking about Kmart." Carlos answered.

"Mikey tell them to go to sleep now and tell Kmart to wait for me in the Hummer, I'll talk to her later.. Carlos, Betty I need to talk to you." Claire said.

"Okay, ma'am." Mikey said and left his companions.


Claire was about to go back to the Hummer after her meeting with her co-members when suddenly, Carlos approached her.

"Claire!" Carlos called out.

Claire stopped from walking and looked at the approaching Carlos. "What is it Carlos?"

"I just want to ask you something."

"I'm waiting."

"Are you okay?" Carlos asked and looked straight in Claire's eyes.

"Why did you ask?" Claire frowned.

"Well, lately I noticed you're tired always." Carlos answered.

"Isn't that normal?"

"You were never like that before. Are you getting enough sleep?"

"I'm fine, no need to worry." Claire smiled slightly. Carlos smiled at Claire because he never seen her smile like that in months.

"Well, if you need something. I'm always willing to help." Carlos said and let go of Claire.

Claire nodded in response and left Carlos.


"Hi Claire." Kmart greeted once the redhead opened the front door of the Hummer.

Claire looked at the smiling teen then hopped in the car. "Mikey said you want to talk to me?"

"Yeah. I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Since you're already part of this convoy I want you to work for the convoy." Claire began.

"You're appointing me a work? You're trusting me?" Kmart happily asked.

"Yes, but this task I'm giving you is not that simple."

"Okay, I'll try my best to do it."

"Okay, here it is. Since you're already attached with the kids, I want you to go watch over them during the times we're doing our daily task." Claire looked straight at Kmart.

"Okay. I get it."

"Not only that. I also want you to help Otto serving food to the convoy."

"Hmm, is there anything else?" the teen asked.

"None for this moment. Just do the things I said."

"Okay."

"And for now. I want you to take a rest. We'll be back in the road tomorrow."

"Okay. Goodnight Claire." Kmart said and prepared herself to sleep.

"Goodnight." The redhead greeted back, not looking at the teen.

After a moment of silence, Kmart got up and sat down again. "Claire, aren't you going to take a rest?"

"Later. I still have some things to attend to." Claire said and started to study the map she's holding.

"Okay. Goodnight again." Kmart yawned and lay down on the seat again.


Claire is still awake, still studying the map. She's already sleepy but she couldn't go to sleep for some reason. She put down the map and looked outside. Everybody is asleep aside from Carlos who is patrolling for the night. The man is on the top of the truck with gun on his side.

Claire wanted to go outside to have a little chat with her friend before she go to sleep when suddenly she heard her companion at the back seat moaned. Kmart is having a bad dream again.

Kmart's eyes are close with tears. She's saying something with a name. Claire immediately went to the back seat and tried to wake Kmart up.

"Kmart! Kmart! Wake up." Claire called out and shook Kmart.

Kmart stirred up and moved a little. She opened her eyes and saw Claire in front her. "Claire? What happened?" Kmart sat up and wiped her eyes.

"You were having a bad dream." Claire answered.

"What? I'm sorry. Did I bother your sleep?" Kmart sat up properly.

The only response Kmart got from the redhead is a stare. Claire is just staring at Kmart. The teen frowned at Claire.

"Claire? Did you hear me?"

"Yeah. And no, you didn't bother me at all. I was actually about to go to sleep." Claire said and went back to the front seat.

"Claire?" Kmart muttered as she lay down on the seat again.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." Kmart said as she closed her eyes.

Claire looked at the teen and shook her head. Claire sighed and decided to go outside the Hummer.


Claire went to Carlos to ask for an update. "What's the status here?" Claire asked, looking up at Carlos.

Carlos made his last puff and threw his cigarette as he looked down at the leader. "Well, everything's clear here Claire. No sign of anything." Carlos jumped off the roof of the truck.

"Got any smoke?"

"Here." Carlos handed Claire a pack of cigarette.

"Thanks."

"How's the young lady?"

"Who do you mean?" Claire frowned.

"I mean, Kmart. How's she?"

"She's sleeping and she's fine. But she was having a bad dream again."

"Guess that's normal. But she's great and bubbly with kids and everyone here in convoy."

"Yeah I noticed that."

They fell silent. They are watching the desert as the only sound they can hear is the wind blowing.

"How's Kmart with you?" Carlos broke the silence between them.

"She's okay."

Carlos nodded only for a response. Yes he was hoping for more answer but he saw the hesitation on the redhead.

"I suggest you take a rest now." Carlos said. Claire looked at him then back to the horizon.


Kmart woke up by 7:30 in the morning and she was taken a little bit by a surprise when she found out that Claire is still sleeping. Kmart silently opened the door and jumped off the Hummer without Claire getting awake.

Kmart went immediately to Otto to grab some breakfast and to have a little chat with the man too. "Good morning." Kmart happily greeted.

"Good morning young lady." Otto greeted back with a smile.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to wake up earlier."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I was supposed to help you serve food to the convoy. Claire told me that last night."

"Oh really? Claire did that?" Otto smiled at the teen as he gave her breakfast.

"Yeah. And if she finds this out, I'll be dead."

"Don't worry I won't tell her. Where is she by the way?"

"She's still sleeping in the Hummer."

"Oh."


Kmart went back to the Hummer with a food in her hand. It's Claire's breakfast. She was hoping that the redhead is already awake and there she found Claire fixing her hair inside the Hummer.

"Good morning Claire." Kmart smiled at the redhead.

Claire nodded at the teen without smiling and went back to what she was doing earlier.

"By the way. I brought you breakfast." Kmart said.

"Thanks but I'm not that hungry." Claire said.

"Seriously?"

Claire eyed Kmart as Carlos approached them. "Good morning ladies." The soldier greeted.

"Good morning Carlos." Kmart smiled at him.

"Good morning Kmart." Carlos smiled back.

"Got something to say?"

"Are we going back to the road now?"

"Just give me a minute. I'll radio you when I'm ready." Claire answered.

"Okay, copy that." Carlos nodded and left the two girls.


"Aren't you going to eat your breakfast?" Kmart asked.

"Just hopped in the car and I'll eat that later when we get to the next stop." Claire answered.

Kmart jumped in the Hummer and put down the food at the backseat.

"I have something to say Claire." Kmart began.

"Save that for later. I have to inform the others first." Claire said and picked up the radio in her pocket.

Claire turned on the radio. "Carlos?"

"Claire." Carlos replied.

"We're ready to go on the road. Tell the others."

"Okay."

In just a matter of minutes, the convoy is back on the road again. "What were you saying again?"

"I have something to tell you." Kmart replied.

"Yeah, then what is it?"

"I wasn't able to help Otto this morning."

Claire looked at her then back to the road. She didn't reply, instead, she focused herself on driving.

"I woke up late. I'm sorry."

"Just make sure to be responsible enough next time." Claire said emotionless.

They didn't speak after that and from there, their entire ride until the next stop was filled with silence. Claire didn't look at Kmart again.


AN: Tell me what you think guys, thanks!