Starting Over

7 Months Later:

The old rest stop didn't look like much, but it would serve a purpose for many who traveled near it. Clementine knew they couldn't stay long, but it would be a good place to seek shelter for a while. As she thought about the long awaited rest, Jeff spoke up. "Ok, Clem, I got a scenario for you," he said. "Okay," Clem replied. "If I ever find a beautiful woman," he began. "Fall in love with her and have a son with her...what do you think of Jeff Jr as a name?" Clementine knew he was joking, but couldn't resist a witty reply. "One of you is enough for me, Jeff," she said, with a smirk. "Oh, that stung like a walker bite," he replied, in mock offense. After taking a few minutes of making sure the area was clear, they approached the doors for the restrooms of the abandoned building. "Ok, Clem," Jeff began. "You use the women's restroom to clean up. I'll be in the men's room." "Okay," she replied, as she opened the door.

Once inside, Clementine took out a bottle of water and placed it on the sink, then grabbed some paper towels that were unexpectedly still in their dispenser. While cleaning her face, Clementine was too distracted to notice she was no longer alone. A teenage girl had snuck in, having heard her inside, and was ready to rob her of whatever she had. "Don't move." Clementine gasped as she saw her own gun pointed at her face. "Make a move, and you're done," the teenage scavenger said. For the first time in months, Clementine was afraid. Where was Jeff? How did this girl get in without her hearing? "Please," she begged to the other girl. "I don't want any trouble." The girl smirked. "Too late for that, kid," she replied, as she began to look through the backpack. "Hmmm...nothing good," the scavenger noted. "Junk, junk, junk. Well, what have we here?" The girl picked up the torn photo of Lee and inspected it. "Who's this?" she asked. Clementine remained silent. "Not gonna talk, little fish? How about giving me that hat, then?" "No!" Clementine yelled. The hat was all she had left of her parents and she wasn't about to give that up. She nearly lost it, after the events on the train, several months ago, and wasn't going to lose it again. "You can't have my hat!"

While this was going on, Jeff carefully opened the door. He knew Clementine was in trouble, so he had to do his best to end the situation without harm coming to her. Cautiously, he tip toed into the room, hoping the unknown girl would be too busy searching the backpack to notice him. "Alright, I have to know," the girl said to Clementine, picking the photo up again. "You wouldn't keep this unless this man was important to you. Is he your daddy? What a bozo." Jeff saw his young friend glare at the girl, when she said those words. If Clem had her gun, he thought. That girl would be regretting those words. He then carefully moved away from the door, ready to save the day. He would succeed. He would keep his promise. He- "squeak"

The door ruined his stealth, as the girl turned on instinct and fired.

"JEFF!" Clementine yelled.