The drive was quiet. No one spoke as they drove to their destination. Earlier it has been decided that they would go to Kansas. There was a great stronghold in Topeka that embraced newcomers. Paul decided to tag along. Everyone was okay with him coming along, everyone except Clementine. Clementine fought to leave Paul where they found him. She changed her mind, however, once her group reminded her he would die if they leave him.
The sun is going down. Clyde, who chose to drive, drove toward the nearest town. The group needed their rest and the car needed a gas refill. Jules and Amber were already asleep, Brandon was paranoid and kept his eyes on the road around him, Paul read his book with what little light the sun provided, and Clementine rocked Alvin Jr. trying to get him to sleep.
Knowing that the sun would go down completely soon, Paul paused from reading his book and closed it. He looked at Clementine and smiled.
Paul: So you knew my cousin. He was quite the professor last time I saw him. He was a down to earth guy. He kind of reminds me of his father. What was he like when you met him?
Clementine: Lee was nice. He took care of me and showed me how to survive.
Paul: That's unlike him. My cousin never liked children. He was married, but he never had any. He saw them as a nuisance. You must be special to make Lee care for you.
Clementine: He's gone now.
Paul: I know. You don't need to tell me what happened. I'm sure it's alright. Even if it isn't it wouldn't make a difference. That isn't your child. Tell me, whose child is it?
Clementine: I'm his parent now.
Paul: I see, so you're taking care of him yourself. How long has it been since you began taking care of him?
Clementine: It's been over nine months. In the beginning, I had Patricia to help me take care of him. When we added Jules to our group she helped me take care of him as well.
Paul: It's good to have people to count on isn't it? Even in a crazy world like this you can find people to count on. Kind people.
Clementine was silent.
Paul: How old are you? You look so grown up, but I know you are still a kid.
Clementine: I'm twelve.
Paul: Perfect! I'm sorry. It's just been awhile.
Clementine: What do you?
Paul: You see, before this apocalypse I used to teach children your age and younger. Actually I was a professor at a university, but I taught children on my spare time for the sheer joy of it. It wasn't uncommon for me to get students your age. How about it Clementine. Do you want me to be your school?
Clementine took her time thinking it through. Lee was also a teacher and once offered to teach her. She knows she doesn't know Paul too well yet, but she still yearned for the old days. He seemed nice. Clementine thought it through and came to a decision.
Clementine: Yes.
Paul: That's perfect. Maybe, you'll pass some of the knowledge I teach you to AJ. Clementine, it must be over three years since you went to school. It might feel weird, but don't worry. Contrary to what's around you the world isn't different. The world is filled with monsters. The Abnormals is only an addition. After a few classes with me maybe you'll begin to understand.
Clementine: AJ fell asleep.
Paul: He's a handsome little guy isn't he.
Brandon: Clyde, our tail.
The awake members looked behind the car to find another car speeding toward them.
Brandon: It's them. They saw the bodies and now they want us. We have to take them out.
Clyde: You don't know that. What if it's not them?
Brandon: We can't take the risk.
Amber, who slept on the passenger's seat, woke up.
Amber: Why are you guys so loud? What's going on?
Brandon: It's the bandits. They found there dead and now they're trying to kill us.
Clyde: We don't know that.
Brandon: We can't take any chances, get the guns.
Amber was the keeper of the guns and she began passing them out to everyone. Clyde refused to take one, Paul refused a gun as well.
Paul: This is wrong.
Clyde: I agree with him.
Amber passed Jules as she was still asleep. When the gun was passed to Clementine, Clementine took the gun.
Clyde: Clementine seriously?
Paul: Killing is wrong. Even if it is them we can find another way.
Clementine: I need you to hold Alvin.
Paul took the baby in hand.
Paul: Don't do this.
His eyes and his voice were sincere as if he was pleading with her. Clementine looked at him. The tears swelling in his eyes captured her, but only for a few seconds. She felt she couldn't take any risks. Clementine aimed her rifle at the car gaining way behind her and shot. The kick hit her shoulder. Despite the pain, she aimed her rifle again and fired. Brandon was not one for hesitation. He aimed at the driver's side of the car and fired again and again and again.
Clyde: Shit!
Clyde pushed the gas petal harder trying to lose the car behind them.
Brandon: Slowdown I can't shoot like this!
Brandon was not able to get a response. Bullets were being returned from the car behind them. And they were firing assault rifles. A bullet came by and scratched Brandon on the neck.
Brandon: Get down! We're outgunned! Clyde get us out of here!
Clyde: We're on the open road there's nowhere to go!
Paul: Clementine! Seatbelt.
Amber: Shit! Drive faster!
Clyde: This is as fast as it goes!
Amber: How much further!?
Clyde: About four and a half miles.
More and more bullets were fired at them. Their car at an open top, but it was still well armored. Bullets could hardly make it through to hit them in their seats. A few did make it through and they startled Clementine. She covered her head when they came by, but she looked up after realizing Alvin Jr. was screaming. She looked up at Paul and his head was down. He was hit.
Clementine quickly reached for Alvin Jr. and as she did Paul's head had reared again. Clementine dived for the rifle she dropped on the ground. As she pulled up the gun instead of seeing a hungry Walker, she saw a face filled with surprise and fear.
Paul: Wait! Wait! I'm not dead.
Clementine: I thought you were a Walker.
Paul: Shooting my head is a sure way to make sure I don't become one.
Clementine: Why was your head down?
The shots fired were getting closer to Clementine and Paul. They both put their head down quickly to avoid certain death.
Paul: No time! I'll explain later!
Clyde: This is bad! It's a blockade!
Ahead of them was a blockade consisting of five trucks on the road and in front of the town. In front of the trucks were more men with assault rifles.
Clyde: We aren't going to make it though. I have to go off course! Shit!
Paul: Have faith! Everything will be fine! Relax!
Clyde ignored Paul and slowed down enough to make a hard turn right without flipping over the vehicle. Clyde maneuvered the car past the trees as best as he could. At that moment, he discovered something new about himself. He had the ability to maneuver cars better in tight situations under pressure and doubt. He got deep into the woods before the head of the car collided with a tree. The airbag left Clyde dizzy, but not unconscious. Though dizzy he got out of the car.
Clyde: Amber, Clem we got to go. Get out. Paul! Jules! We have to go! Get out! Brandon! Brandon! Brandon. Damn.
Brandon was facing backwards when the car went into the woods. When it crashed he flew backwards and hit his head on the tree. The back of his head was open and his blood spilling. Everyone else had they're seatbelt on. Everyone except Clyde, Amber and Jules. Clyde and Amber were lucky enough to have the airbags popup when they did. Jules was hiding under her seat, huddled up in fear.
Clementine was a little out of it but came to. Alvin Jr. was also alright. He wasn't in a car seat, but Clementine held him very tightly upon impact. Alvin Jr. was still very conscious and very loud. Paul shook Clementine shoulder to get her attention.
Paul: Get out of the car. Hurry. They could be tracking us.
Clementine did as told. She unbuckled herself and got out of the car. Paul stayed in the car to try to calm Jules down and get her out. Clementine looked at the passenger's side and saw Amber asleep.
Clementine: Clyde, get Amber. We have to move.
Clyde went to Amber and first put his hand below her nose to see if she was still breathing. Once he confirmed she was still alive he pulled her out and put her on his back.
Clyde: What do we do now?
Noise came from the direction they came from. Clementine looked and she saw lights far in the distance. In the distance, the group was also able to hear the barking of dogs.
Clementine: We keep moving.
