Nick looked around him at the unfamiliar surroundings. He saw a mirror at the end of the hallway he was in. He walked over to it and looked at himself. He saw that he was once again around 10 or 11 years old and he was still wearing the same hat. He remembered his uncle giving it to him, because he didn't need it. He looked at the backpack he was wearing, which was nothing special.
"Hey, Nick." A voice called out from behind Nick.
Nick didn't turn around. Instead, he looked in the mirror to see a younger version of Luke, just sitting behind him. Nick turned around to face Luke, who was just giving him a dead stare.
"Why'd you kill me?" Luke asked, angered.
"You didn't give me a choice." Nick's prepubescent voice spoke.
Luke chuckled. "Yes you did. You made the wrong choice."
Nick turned around and started pounding his head. "This is only a dream."
Nick kept saying this to himself, before Luke stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "It's alright buddy. You'll be in hell with me soon."
Nick looked at Luke with shock. "Stop! Just leave me alone."
Luke smiled an evil smile. "Why should i? I'm forced to fuckin' rot down here. I'm just tryin' to drag you down with me."
Luke began to laugh evilly and Nick started to scream.
Nick gasped as he awoke. He looked around him and saw that he was still in Howe's hardware. He laid back down on the wooden bed and began breath heavily. What the hell was that? Nick hadn't experienced this ever since his best friend died. Nick looked at the other wooden beds to see other survivors sleeping in them. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, Nick sat up and grabbed his hat, sitting next to his pillow. He walked over to the steel bars to the parking lot of the hardware store. He replayed the memory of him and Luke running to a trailer's park to try and save Sarah. He also remembered the spot where Carlos died exactly. Even though it had been two years, Nick bowed his head in silence for his fallen friend. He could hear walking above him and knew that Kenny was on the roof again. He walked up the stairs leading to the roof and saw Kenny pacing back and forth.
"Hey, are you okay, Kenny?" Nick asked, concerned.
Kenny looked back at Nick. "Oh, I'm fine. What're you doin' up?"
Nick didn't want to tell him about the dream. "I just couldn't sleep, is all."
Kenny nodded and looked over the parking lot. He gestured for Nick to stand next to him. Nick walked over to him and stood, looking at the parking lot.
Kenny sighed. "You were right about letting people in. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
Nick smiled. "Hey, don't worry about it. I understand."
Kenny gave a faint smile as he continued to look over the parking lot, which had nothing, but salvaged cars. "How's Clem?"
"She's still asleep."
Kenny nodded. "Good."
Nick looked at Kenny and noticed a crude eyepatch over his bad eye. "Did you make that yourself?"
Kenny chuckled. "Sure did. I was sick of wearing a fuckin' band aid wherever I went."
Nick looked at his golden watch to see the time. He looked at the sunrise and knew that his watch was synced. Nick patted Kenny on the back and began to walk to the exit. Kenny wanted to say something, but shrugged it off. Nick walked back down the stairs and into the courtyard, where Clementine was still sleeping. Nick didn't notice Alvin at first, but saw that he was laying right next to Clementine. Nick smiled and walked over to Clementine. I really shouldn't wake her up. Against his and Kenny's judgement, he shook Clementine.
"Hey, time to wake up." Nick said as he shook Clementine.
Clementine yawned as she stretched. Nick gave her a confused look and she looked back at him with surprise.
"You know, you're missing something." Nick smiled as he picked up her hat.
Clementine rolled her eyes and grabbed the hat. She looked at Alvin, who was still sound asleep. Don't worry, goofball. You can sleep in. Clementine stood up from her bed and gave Nick a hug. Nick wasn't expecting it, but he hugged her back. Goddamn has she grown.
"Well, that was unexpected." Nick joked.
Clementine shrugged. "No time like the present."
Nick nodded and turned around.
"Wait."
Nick looked back at Clementine. "Yeah?"
Clementine sighed. "Do you know where Kenny is?"
"Yeah, he's up on the roof. Why?"
Clementine looked down in embarrassment. Nick looked down at her. "What's wrong, Clem?"
"I really don't want to talk about it right now. I just need to talk to Kenny."
Nick was confused, but nonetheless, he told her where Kenny was.
"Thanks, Nick."
"Don't mention it.
Nick watched as Clementine walked up the stairs to the roof. Nick stood there, just thinking about what she could've possibly been embarrassed about. It could just be her growing up. Nick shrugged it off and walked upstairs into Carver's office. He remembered walking in to see Alvin's body sitting there, just motionless. Nick gave a moment of silence once more. He walked over to Carver's chair and sat down in it. He let out a sigh of relief as he sat down. He put his legs on Carver's desk and chuckled to himself.
"Who's in control now, Carver?"
After a few minutes of sitting in Carver's chair, Nick quickly grew bored and stood up. Nick shook his head and walked out of the room. He could hear faint voices coming from the door to the roof and knew that it was Clementine and Kenny talking. Nick, out of sheer curiosity, opened the door slightly and began to listen to the conversation.
"So, is it natural or is there something wrong?" Clementine asked Kenny.
Kenny sighed as he didn't want to talk about Clementine's "problem". "Look, all I can tell ya is that It's what women have to deal with. There's nothin' I can do, Clem. There should be some down in the stockroom. If there isn't, you'll have to use paper towels or somethin', ok?"
Clementine sighed. "Ok."
Nick cringed as he knew what Clementine was dealing with. It didn't sicken him, but it was really strange to hear that Clementine was now dealing with this.
He opened the door and walked up to the roof and could see that Kenny and Clementine were staring at him as they didn't expect him to walk up to the roof.
"Nick? What're you doin' up here?" Kenny asked, growing frustrated.
"I just heard you guys talking and what's going on?"
Clementine looked at Kenny with desperation. "Look, Clem's just tellin' me personal stuff. You really shouldn't get involved, boy."
Nick shook his head in frustration and walked away.
"Nick, wait!" Clementine yelled as she ran after him.
Kenny didn't move. Instead, he just observed the road to try see if anything was coming. I'm ready for anythin' from the walkers. Just try attackin' us, you dumb undead fucks.
