AUTHOR'S NOTE: Rest in peace, Lee…
Song/BGM: "Alive Inside" – The Walking Dead OST
.:THE WALKING DEAD: GOODBYE, CLEMENTINE:.
Chapter 1 – What Remains
Breath squeezed through his lungs, wheezed out into something similar to a breath of air. Lee Everett opened his eyes slowly, trying to keep his gaze on Clementine. By now she was the only thing he cared about, the only thing that kept him from grabbing the gun in her hand and putting a bullet in his own brain.
And the pain of feeling helpless…
Unbearable.
There were no tears left for Lee Everett.
He knew it. And he hated it.
But he had resigned to the fact that he was going to die. And maybe, four months ago when he first found Clementine and looked back at the Atlanta cityscape, looked his brother in the eye for the last time…he knew he wouldn't make it.
He just never thought it would end like this.
Neither did Clementine.
Her face was splattered with the walker's blood she had just killed; still holding his gun shakily and staring at him, tears running red down her face. She sniffled and stood, but she didn't take aim.
"And Clem…" he whispered, his eyelids drooping.
He could feel the pain racing through his limbs; a few seconds later he didn't feel anything at all, not even the warmth of his own body. There was no time left. How long had the clock been ticking?
"What is it?" she murmured.
He had just enough strength to look up at her one more time.
"Keep that hair short."
She blinked and nodded. "I will. I'll cut it myself," she promised.
"And always…" His head drooped.
"Wh-what is it?"
"No, don't worry…be alright…"
"You will," she said frantically.
"…I'll miss you…"
Clementine squeezed her eyes shut, trying desperately to keep the tears away.
"I'll miss you, too."
His eyes closed for the last time, his head sagged slightly to the side.
She stared at him, allowing the tears to fall. They fell onto her gun, making her hold slippery. And she wanted to let the gun drop…so, so bad. But he had asked her, and she would do it. She had to.
"You have to shoot me, honey. You have to make sure I don't turn."
"I don't know if I can."
"You can do it, Clem. You're strong."
She allowed small whimpers to escape, staring at the friend who had been more to her than her parents had been. He had always protected her, risked his life for her. Even when he was bitten, he risked everything to find her and made sure she was safe.
She lifted the gun, her arms shaking, her heart breaking.
She turned her head away; her aim shaky but sure.
She pulled the trigger.
The bullet pierced him…
And her heart.