The Walking Dead: The Chronicles of Clementine
Prelude
After parting ways with the Garcia's, Clementine's search for Alvin Jr was her priority one. She was able to gain a few leads of possible places AJ could have ended up at from those that remained at Richmond. It wasn't long before Clementine was able to locate AJ...and from that point onward, the two of them would remain inseparable...that is, until the day they would be separated again... This story takes place after the events of Telltale's The Walking Dead Season 3, but roughly 18 months before the events of The Walking Dead: The Final Season. This story focuses on experiences and people that Clementine encounters as she traverses the Virginian/Maryland border searching for Alvin Jr, who had been separated from her yet again due to a massive walker herd that had passed through. Clementine can only hope that the skills and teachings she imparted on the young 5 year old were enough to keep him alive long enough before she reunited with him... if she was fortunate enough to ever do so. This is a story of friendship, love, betrayal, and sacrifice. This is but another chapter in the Book of Clementine's Ordeal among... The Walking Dead.
Chapter 1: Separation Anxiety
Clementine slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the bright lights that shone overhead. Using her left hand, she raised it, to help shield some of the blinding light. "Ugh...so...bright..." she muttered as she slowly tried to sit up.
"Oh, you're awake?" A raspy female voice asked. Turning towards the sound of the voice, Clementine noticed it's owner belonged to a woman, probably in her late-forties or early fifties. She was wearing a white coat, with a stethoscope around her neck – a doctor by the looks of things.
Clementine just looked at her, unsure of what to make of the sight before her. Her last experience with a doctor hadn't exactly been the most pleasant... Be that as it were, Clementine broke the uncomfortable silence, "Yeah... could you... do something about this light?"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," she said as she switched off the overhead light and pushed it around towards the rear of the observational chair, "I was just...making sure you didn't have any-"
"Bites?" Clementine interrupted, her tone a blend of a question laced with a touch of sarcasm. She didn't need to give Clementine an answer, it made the most logical sense anyway. Wherever Clementine ended up... it was only natural that those who found her and brought her here would vet her thoroughly to make sure their community wasn't at risk. It wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last either...
"Yes, that's standard. But we also wanted to make sure you weren't suffering from any other conditions, injuries, or afflictions."
"Well, how did I check out?"
"You sustained bruising to your ribs and some minor internal bleeding around the aforementioned area... you were unconscious when we found you...covered in walker guts... we almost mistook you for one of the walking dead."
Clementine remembered, she had covered herself with walker guts so that she and Alvin Jr could pass through a roving walker herd...in that brief moment of recollection, Clementine had suddenly broken out into a cold sweat. Alvin Jr... what happened to Alvin Jr? "Where's AJ?! Is he okay?! Ngghhh..." Clementine winced and fell to her knees, clutching her side as she had hastily tried to get up from the chair too quickly. "Careful!" The doctor said as she helped Clementine back up to the chair, "It's too soon for you to be moving around so hastily. And as far as this "AJ" person you're asking about... I'm afraid I don't know. When we found you, you were alone."
Clementine's heart sank as tears started to well up in her eyes and trickle down her face, she exclaimed, "No...he's only a kid... he needs me... he's in danger if he's out there by himself!"
The doctor placed her hand on Clementine's shoulder, as if to offer her a means of comfort, she asked, "How old is this boy?"
"He's five years old... I've been watching over him ever since he was born. I've lost him before, but... ever since I reunited with him we've been together ever since."
"Well I'm sorry, but again, you were the only person out there... but... I know it's not much, but we didn't see any children amidst the walkers we encountered before we found you... or after while on our way back here. Perhaps... someone found him and rescued him... keeping him safe, like you've done up until now."
Clementine didn't want to think of AJ being in the 'care' of anyone else... but it was still better than considering the alternatives... that AJ was found by 'bad' people or worse... she shuddered at the undesired possibilities.
"My name is Lynn. Lynn Williams. I'm the Doctor here at Annandale."
"Annandale?"
"Yes, sweetie, Annandale, Virginia... well this 'sanctuary' is only but a small fraction of Annandale. When 'it' started, Fairfax County militia set up 'safe zones' or sanctuaries in all surrounding cities within the county... however, it didn't take long for most of them to be re-categorized as 'dead zones'. We're one of the only few left... but..." Lynn trailed off, resulting in Clementine interjecting, "But... what?"
Lynn averted her gaze from Clementine, smiling weakly, she shook her head calmly, "No, you needn't worry about it. It's nothing you need to concern yourself with. For now, just focus on R&R. It'll still be a few days before you're even remotely ready to start moving around... and when that time comes, we're going to have to have a discussion with the council regarding..."
"What to do with me?"
"Now... don't say it like that. We're not bad people here... uh... I'm sorry, I introduced myself but never took the time to ask you your name."
"It's Clementine."
"Clementine. Such a lovely name. If you don't mind me asking... how old are you?"
"I'm... wow, it's been a while since I've thought about it. The days come and go... I've been focusing so much on survival and living one day to the next..." Clementine started to trial off as her mind continued to process. It wasn't long before she looked back up at Lynn and replied, "I'm sixteen."
"Sixteen and it was just you and...AJ, you said? How did you survive all these years? Surely you had others or a group or something... pardon me, but, I find it hard to believe a little girl surviving all on her own out there."
"No... there were others. But... I'm sorry... I don't really want to talk about it."
"I understand, Clementine... I'm sorry for bringing up such bad memories... I've been here ever since the start so... the closest I've come to experiencing the hardships outside the Annandale walls was hearing stories from those we've come across from the outside..."
"Wait... did you say... you've been here since the 'start'? How? Cities never last... settlement's, whatever... they always fail... how is it that this place has been here since the start?"
"Clementine... look, I don't know what places you've experienced in your time 'out there' since the start of it all... but please don't say things like that. Sure life under the Council's jurisdiction is strict, but it's fair. As long as you 'give back', I'm positive the Council will let you stay. Truth is... we could use more able hands... We've lost quite a few people over the last few months... most of them Men. Now, normally I wouldn't suggest such a thing to a sixteen year old girl... but something tells me you're quite capable. I believe you have quite a bit you could offer this community, Clementine."
Lynn smiled warmly at Clementine, to which Clementine returned the smile, "I appreciate it, Dr. Williams. But..." she started to say before Lynn interjected, "Just 'Lynn' is fine, Clementine. And you don't have to make a decision now. I know you're worried about AJ... but, just keep in mind that you could really help us out here. Just rest for now... I'll fill you in about how you can help in more detail once you're stronger. Fair?"
Clementine realized that Lynn wasn't taking 'No' for an answer... but still, it's not like she had any idea as to AJ's whereabouts... for now all she could do was focus on getting stronger. And... considering the people here did save her life... it only seemed right to help out for a little while to return the good will.
Next time, on The Walking Dead...
Clementine, rested and recovered, decides to take Lynn up on her proposal to help out at Annandale. But before that can even happen, Clementine must meet the Council of Annandale to decide if she's eligible to become a citizen of Annandale.