Muffled whimpers fell from her lips. Clementine wanted to scream for help. The girl was trapped in a nightmare, pinned down beneath a figure. She tried to escape, but it was all in vain. The man's hands moved towards her pants and she screamed. Her heart pounding in her little chest, she was in a complete panic. "P-Please... Do-Don't!"
"You're all mine…" The figure replied.
"N-No! NO!" Clementine cried.
"Mommy?" Crystal called. "Mommy, wake up!"
Feeling her daughter shaking her, Clementine quickly jumped awake. Sweat dripped from her face along with tears.
"Mommy, are you okay?" Crystal's voice was small and uncertain, full of concern.
Clementine could feel tears fall from her cheeks. She told herself her nightmare was over. She was safe.
After an interminable amount of time, Clementine's whimpers stopped.
"Why are you crying, mommy?" Crystal asked. "You had a bad dream?"
Clementine couldn't bring herself to answer, lost in her own tears.
Crystal frowned and hugged her teenage mother. "Are you scared?"
Clementine couldn't help but nod.
"What are you scared of?" Crystal asked.
Clementine didn't respond.
"I'll protect you, mommy." Crystal said. "We're safe here."
"I... I'm okay, baby..." Clementine finally managed to get out.
"You're not sad?" Crystal asked.
"No... I... I'm fine." Clementine lied. She wasn't fine.
"Do you need water?"
Clementine's throat did feel a bit dry, but she shook her head. "N-No... Let's just go back to sleep."
"Okay..." Crystal agreed, laying back beside her mother. "I love you, mommy."
"I love you too, baby..." Clementine said.
Cuddled close beside the three people she loved the most, Clementine felt much calmer. And eventually, she was able to once again drift off.
When morning came, Clementine was already awake. However, the kids noticed she wasn't fully awake. She was in one of her away modes. The way she got when she was sad and didn't want to or couldn't talk to anyone.
When Aleena tries nudging her, Clementine simply pulls the pillow over her head.
Crystal and AJ both frown.
"I don't think she's feeling good…" AJ said.
"Why?" Aleena asked.
"Cause of bad dreams…." Crystal answered.
"What bad dreams?" Aleena asked.
"She always has nightmares." AJ said.
Aleena scrunched up her nose before hugging Clementine. "I'll lay with you, mama! Until you feel all better."
"We should let her rest." AJ said.
"She'll be scared alone..." Crystal said. "I should protect her…"
"Nu-uh. She's tough. Anyway, we can check on her." AJ said.
"…Okay…" Crystal agreed. "Come on, Leena…"
"I wanna stay with mama!" Aleena said.
"She's sick. Leave her alone." AJ said.
"No!" Aleena huffed. "I wanna stay!"
"Don't fight… That will make mommy sad." Crystal said. "Leena, let's get some breakfast. We can bring some for mommy too."
Aleena paused for a moment before slowly letting Clementine go. "Okay. We'll be back, mommy."
No response.
Aleena hoped off the bed and took Crystal's hand.
The three children left the room, leaving Clementine alone.
When the three youngest in the group had shown up to breakfast without their mother the older kids quickly sense something was wrong.
Even after everyone had been served and started to eat, Clementine didn't come out to join them.
Aleena was refusing to touch her food. Both Crystal and AJ were trying to convince the little girl to eat her oatmeal.
"What's the matter, Leena? Is it too hot?" Violet asked.
"N-No…" Aleena sniffled. "I want mommy."
Crystal paused, "Mommy's okay… She's resting."
Marlon had raised a brow. "What's wrong with your mom?"
"She's sick! Mommy's sick!" Aleena exclaimed.
"Nu-uh!" Crystal said. "Mommy's not sick!"
"Yes she is!" Aleena insisted.
"She's not!" Crystal argued. "She doesn't have any coughing or a tummyache!"
"Mommy's sick! Mommy's sick!" Aleena repeated.
"Alright, girls, settle down. If your mommy's not feeling well, arguing won't help her feel better." Violet said. "Is she sick or not?"
"She's not sick. She's sad." Crystal said.
"Sad?" Louis asked.
"She's having an off day. She doesn't talk on off days…" AJ told them.
"Does she usually have off days?" Aasim asked.
AJ shook his head. "This is this first for a long time."
"What happens on off days?" Violet asked.
"She's quiet… Quieter than a mouse." AJ said. "And she doesn't eat anything…"
"She doesn't play. And no-nofing can make her happy." Crystal said.
"Nothing?" Violet asked.
"Nofing! Not even cuddles." Aleena pouted.
"Why is she sad?" Louis asked.
AJ and Aleena shrugged.
"Because she had a bad dream." Crystal said.
Brody frowned at that. "Aw, what about?"
"I think… a bad guy. She was crying last night." Crystal said.
"Mommy doesn't cry." Aleena said.
"Mm-hm. When she has bad dreams." Crystal said.
"Mommy's too tough to cry." Aleena claimed.
"Just because she's tough doesn't mean she can never cry." AJ said.
"AJ's right. It's okay for her to cry sometimes…" Violet said. "Who's the bad guy in your mommy's dreams?"
"I don't know… Mommy said she was scared though…" Crystal replied.
"Maybe I should talk to her." Marlon stood.
"Me too!" Aleena jumped to her feet as well.
Marlon quickly stopped her. "How about you stay here and finish breakfast. I won't take long."
"You sure that's a good idea?" Violet asked.
"I guess we'll see. Keep an eye on the kids." Marlon said.
Violet sighed but nodded as Marlon walked away.
Clementine didn't react to the knock on her door, nor did she move an inch when it opened.
"Hey…" Marlon called to her. "Everything okay?"
When he got no response, he wondered if the girl was asleep.
"You awake, Clem?" He asked.
Nothing.
"Omar made some breakfast. Nothing special. Just some oatmeal." Marlon said. "Do you like oatmeal?"
Marlon scratch the back of his head as the girl still said nothing.
"Well… we fed the kids… We'll save your food…" Marlon said. "Want me to bring you something?"
He felt like he was crazy, he knew at this point she wouldn't respond so why was he even trying. "I'll leave you alone then…"
"My babies…." Clementine finally muttered.
"Huh?"
"They're okay?" Clementine asked, sitting up.
"They're fine. Don't worry." Marlon said. "They were just a bit worried about you… Want me to bring you something to eat?"
"N-No… My bag." Clementine motioned towards her backpack.
"You want your bag?" Marlon asked.
Clementine nodded.
Marlon walked over to the corner of the room and grabbed the backpack which was leaned against the wall. He brought the bag to the girl. "Here."
"T-Thanks." Clementine accepted the bag. She unzipped it and pulled something out.
Marlon was a bit surprised to see a stuffed bear. "That yours?"
"Don't laugh…" Clementine muttered.
"I wouldn't. Nothing wrong with needing a toy. You're still a kid after all." Marlon shrugged.
"I'm not a kid." Clementine whispered.
Marlon barely caught it. "Okay then. I guess even adults like stuffed animals sometimes." Marlon said. "Your kids said you were having an off day…"
Clementine just shrugged as she held onto the teddy bear.
"Was it something we did?" Marlon asked.
"Just… bad memories…" Clementine replied.
"Cause the card game?"
"Nightmares…" Clementine simply said.
"About?"
The girl frowned, before shaking her head. "I… I can't… I'm sorry."
"Hey, hey… you don't have to. It's alright." Marlon looked to the tattered bear. "Uh, what's its name?"
"His…" Clementine corrected.
"What's his name?" Marlon asked.
"Promise." Clementine said.
"That's an interesting name. How'd you come up with that?" Marlon wondered.
"Because he's broken… Like me…" Clementine said.
Breakfast had been over with for nearly twenty minutes before Marlon and Clementine finally made their way outside.
Marlon felt like he had almost broken pass the girl's walls, or at least successfully cheered her up. Though he wondered what had happened to her. It was clear she didn't want to talk about it, but she was obviously traumatized.
"The queen has arrived." Louis smirked. "Welcome."
Clementine rolled her eyes. It wasn't long before the twins hugged her.
"Are you better now, mommy?" Crystal asked.
"I'm better, sweetie. Don't worry." Clementine said.
"I thought you would never wake up, sleeping beauty." Louis joked.
"I wasn't sleep… I was… thinking." Clementine said.
"About…?" Violet asked.
"It doesn't matter…" Clementine replied.
"AJ mentioned you were having a bad day. Wanna talk about it…" Brody asked.
"I…" Clementine trailed off.
"It's okay if you don't want to…" Violet said.
"I'm sorry… I just… I just don't think I can." Clementine said.
"Hey, it's fine. I'm not gonna push you to talk." Brody said.
Clementine didn't respond.
"Well… we saved you some oatmeal. It's gotten a bit cold though…" Ruby spoke up.
"I appreciate it." Clementine said.
"So… are you and the kids gonna stick around?" Violet asked.
"What do you mean?" Clementine asked.
"I mean, here. With us?" Violet asked.
"I… haven't made up my mind yet." Clementine answered.
"Please…. Can we? I don't wanna sleep in the car anymore." AJ said.
Clementine looked to the boy. "The car's gone, buddy. We couldn't sleep in it even if we wanted to."
"Good. Cause I don't want to." AJ said.
"Look, I'll think about staying… No promises." Clementine said.
"Fair enough." Marlon said. "Go on and eat something."
Clementine did so. The oatmeal was cold, but she had eaten much worse. She savored it.
Over the next few days, Clementine quickly became acquainted with the other kids at the school and before long, they were all starting to bond, over meal, over card games and board games.
After only a few days, she had actually begun to consider the kids friends.
Violet and Louis noticed Clementine and Marlon hung out more and more. The both wondered what was going on between the two.
To Clementine, Marlon was a good friend. He was someone she could vent to, and he could do the same with her. They were both struggling to keep people safe and alive, they understood each other's stress.
Clementine was often on edge. They could see why AJ was such a jumpy kid, Clementine could be the same way. She was apprehensive and almost panicked each time anyone unexpectedly touch her. She would have nightmares and then pace the night away.
No one had confronted her about it until now. She paced the halls until a voice asked, "Bad night?"
Clementine jumped, turning towards the source of the voice. "...I guess so."
"Nightmare?" Marlon asked.
Clementine simply nodded.
"What about?" Marlon asked.
Clementine sighed. "I... I can't, Marlon..."
"Clem... You trust me, don't you?" Marlon asked.
"I do… but-"
"Then tell me..." Marlon urged.
Clementine was hesitant. "You... You guys asked me about the girls' father..."
Marlon nodded.
"I… have nightmares about him…" Clementine admitted.
Marlon waited for her to continue.
"Well... He...H-He did... s-stuff to me..." Clementine said.
"What stuff?" Marlon asked.
Clementine tried to figure out how to respond. "Kis-"
Marlon raised a brow. "Kissing?"
Clementine shook her head. "He... He fu-" She stopped herself. "He just hurt me, okay..."
"Hurt you how? Clem, what did he do?" Marlon asked.
Clementine bit her hard enough to draw blood. She didn't answer though.
Marlon sighed, he was starting to piece things together. "Uh… Wanna step outside for a bit?"
"N-Now?" The girl asked.
"Sure. Why not?" Marlon said.
"It's late..." Clementine pointed out.
"Everyone's asleep. I could get Rosie and-"
The girl stopped him. "R-Rosie?"
"Just in case." Marlon said.
"I... I don't know." Clementine stammered. She still was nervous around the dog.
"How much longer are you gonna be scared of her?"
"Forever… Sorry, Marlon, but I don't really do well around dogs. They scare the hell out of me, since I was eleven." Clementine replied.
"You never told me why." Marlon said.
"I got attacked by one… I thought he was nice, but he… turned on me…for a can of beans." Clementine said.
"Well… Rosie wouldn't do that. She's sweet. And I think she likes you already." Marlon said.
"I don't know about that…" Clementine muttered.
"Tell you what, I'll help you get over that fear…" Marlon offered.
"How…?"
"Leave that to me." Marlon said. "For now, we can just sit outside, get some air."
"...Okay..." Clementine reluctantly agreed.
The two teens found themselves laid on one of the picnic tables, looking up to the sky.
"I always wonder why people have to go through so much hell..." Clementine muttered. "It's so unfair."
"Maybe to know how it feels to be happy..." Marlon said.
"Maybe..." Clementine said.
Marlon sat up and looked to her. "So that guy... Is he still alive..."
Clementine paused. "I hope not..."
"You don't know?" Marlon asked.
"It was years ago when we escaped..." Clementine replied.
"Escaped?"
Clementine didn't respond.
"How old was he?" Marlon asked.
Clementine raised a brow at the question. "I don't know… Older than me…"
"A little or a lot?"
"…Lots…" Clementine muttered.
"So… you had to escape from him… He had you trapped or something?" Marlon asked.
"He was after this group... They had saved me... but... I guess he... liked me..." Clementine said. "He kept us trapped at a hardware store. We spent a while trying to find a way to escape. They had me get a walkie-talkie, but… that plan failed."
"What happened then?" Marlon asked.
"He…He punished us…" Clementine whispered.
Carver dropped the bloodied radio, leaving Kenny injured on the ground.
The group was in panic from what had just happened.
"This should teach you all not to cross me."
AJ was crying. Clementine felt like the child's cries were getting louder and louder.
"Shut him up!" Carver snapped at Rebecca.
"I… I'm trying!"
"Now!" Carver ordered.
Rebecca rocked the baby, doing her best to calm his cries. Carver's impatient glare only made her feel nervous. When the infant's wails slowly turned into whimpers she sighed.
"Bonnie, hand me the child."
"What?" Rebecca gasped.
"The baby, now, Bonnie."
Bonnie frowned and stepped over to Rebecca. "I'm sorry…"
Rebecca's eyes widened, and she started to panic. "Please don't! Don't take my baby from me!"
"Bill…"
"NOW!" Carver ordered, like a spoiled child.
Bonnie took the baby from Rebecca's hands. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't take my baby from me… Please… Please…" Rebecca begged, becoming hysterically. It was no use.
With AJ now in his arms, Carver walked towards the exit. "No support for y'all tonight. Maybe an empty stomach with give you folks some perspective."
Clementine was sure supper was the last thing on anyone's mind.
"Rebecca kept begging him to bring AJ back, but he told her he'd take her to him instead. He… He took her out the pen, but never brought her back…" Clementine explained.
"Holy shit… So how did you guys escape?" Marlon questioned. He knew there was more to this story, something told him Clementine had gone through complete hell.
"We… didn't…" Clementine said. "Well… We did, but not for a while.… It was…"
Marlon noticed the girl seemed to be searching for her next words. "You don't have to say anymore…"
"Thanks… I just… It's hard to talk about…" Clementine said.
"I'm sure. It sounds like a nightmare…" Marlon muttered.
"Worse…" Clementine said.
"I shouldn't have brought it up… Sorry." Marlon apologized, looking guilty.
"Don't worry about it…. We should… try to get some rest." Clementine suggested.
"Yeah, alright. See you tomorrow." Marlon said.
"Goodnight, Marlon."
Clementine headed inside and made her way back to her room. The children were fast asleep. She just hoped she'd be able to get some rest as well. With the kids huddled into one bed, Clementine took on to herself, not wanting to wake them.
She remembered how the twins had both been super persistent that night, asking to sleep on the top bunk. Clementine, of course had refused. It was too dangerous, just the thought of her little four year olds sleeping up there made her nervous. The girls had always been small for their size. They still were. They were still able to fit clothes designed for a three-year old, sometimes even a two-year old.
Clementine laid down and tried to rest. She grabbed her teddy bear and cuddled close to it, hoping she wouldn't have any nightmares.
Early the next morning, a knock came to Clementine's door. Clementine stirred and looked over to the kids, they were still fast asleep.
Clementine slowly got up and went to answer the door and was surprised to see Marlon.
"Hey, did I wake you?" Marlon asked.
"Uh, don't worry about it…" Clementine said. "What's up? Why are you up so early?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk with me." Marlon replied.
Clementine was surprised. "This early? Where to?"
"Not far… Rosie wants to tag along too." Marlon said.
Clementine jumped went she spotted the dog beside Marlon. "I… I don't know… What if she bites me?"
"She won't bite you." Marlon said. "Come on, you wanna get over this fear, don't you?"
"Not really… I'd just rather avoid dogs…" Clementine said.
"Come on, Clem… You trust me, don't you?" Marlon asked.
Clementine didn't know why he always asked her that same question. "Trust you… Not her."
"Well, I trust her. That's worth something right?" Marlon asked.
Clementine shrugged.
"She's friendly. Come on…"
Clementine gave in.
"She knows your scent, you can go on and pet her." Marlon urged the girl.
Clementine's eyes widened, and she shook her head.
"It's okay. Just scratch her ears," Marlon said. "She's not gonna bite you."
Hesitantly, Clementine get Rosie a gentle pet on the head before backing away.
"See, she likes you." Marlon said. "Here, you can hold the leash."
"A-Are you sure?" Clementine stammered.
Marlon nodded. "Once you get more comfortable, we won't have to bring the leash."
"O-Okay…" Clementine took the leash.
"Come on." Marlon said.
Clementine gave a nod and they headed outside.
Taking early morning walks had become an established routine of theirs. Clementine felt like it helped to clear her head.
Laughing and conversing with Marlon was something Clementine enjoyed. By the third day of their walks, Clementine had become comfortable enough around Rosie that she didn't need to be on a leash.
That morning as they took their walk, a bit later than usual, they arrived back just as the others were waking up.
The other kids sent them looks and exchanged whispers.
As they sat down for breakfast the question on everyone's minds arose.
"Where were you two coming from this morning?" Mitch asked.
"Nowhere really. Just walking?" Clementine answered.
"Cool… Did you two talk about anything special?" Mitch asked.
"Like what?" Marlon asked back.
"Anything?" Mitch questioned.
"Umm… No really." Clementine said.
"Oh…" Mitch huffed.
Clementine and Marlon exchanged confused looks.
"Clementine and Marlon sitting in a tree!" Willy suddenly exclaimed.
Clementine felt her cheeks heat up. "W-We're just friends. Knock it off."
"Sure… Friends." Mitch chuckled.
"Enough. You heard her. We're just friends." Marlon said.
"If you say so." Mitch shrugged.
"Well… Vi and I were gonna go fishing later on. Wanna tag along, Clem?" Brody asked.
"Sure." Clementine said.
"Don't go, mommy!" Aleena quickly clutched onto her mother.
Clementine sighed at that. "Leena…"
"No…" Aleena whimpered, holding tighter.
"We're not going anywhere yet, sweetie. Don't worry." Brody said.
Aleena didn't ease up her grip.
"Leena, it's okay… Just finish your food. Mommy's not leaving now." Clementine reassured the girl.
"O-Okay…" Aleena said.
The kids continued their breakfast.
AJ waited until breakfast was over and the twins were playing before asking, "Can I go? Fishing, I mean."
"If you want to. Just promise to stay close to me." Clementine said.
"I will. I promise." AJ said.
"Good."
Later that day Clementine had gone out with Violet, Brody, and AJ to catch a few fish for dinner.
"You know, I've been thinking, I wish we could all go on a road trip together." Brody said.
Violet scoffed. "Road trip? Why bother? It's not like there's anything worth seeing anyway."
"Oh, c'mon. I'm sure there's a lot to see. Maybe Clem can show us around." Brody said.
"Me?" Clementine asked.
Brody nodded. "Yeah. You're able to get a car working, and drive."
"Barely." Violet said.
"C'mon, Vi!" Brody sighed. "I've never driven in my life, but I'd love to learn."
"Are you sure you trust my driving? I promise I don't usually crash." Clementine half joked.
"Oh, right, on second thought..." Brody chuckled a bit.
"Yeah, I think Clem just totaled the last working car in the world." Violet said.
"You said the car was gone… We're not going back to the car, right?" AJ asked.
"No, bud. It's broken." Clementine said.
"Good. I'm sick of the car." AJ said.
The kids continued walking until a shack came into view.
"Why didn't you bring the twins along?" Brody asked.
"Well... Crystal can't eat seafood. I didn't want to risk her touching it either. But I just figured I'd tag along to help out." Clementine said.
"She can't eat fish?" Brody asked.
"Nope. She's allergic." Clementine said.
"Damn... Well... I'm sure Omar can make her something else to eat." Violet said.
"Aleena too. Anything Crystal can't eat, Aleena refuses to eat." Clementine said.
"Aww... They're already so loyal." Brody said.
"Must be that twin bond." Violet said.
"Yeah. Must be." Clementine said.
Brody walked over to a broken-down truck. "I wish this old rust bucket was still working. We could just jump in and start driving. We could take turns sitting in the back- it'd be like driving one of those cars with the top that goes down!"
"We'd run out of gas eventually." Violet said.
"But still, it's fun to imagine, isn't it?" Brody asked.
Violet rolled her eyes and turned away.
Brody turned to Clementine. "Where would you go, Clem? If you could drive anywhere you wanted, if gas wasn't an issue."
Violet cut in, "Or a busted carburetor, or flat tires, or the transmission-"
"Buzzkill." Brody said.
Clementine thought before answering, "I'd drive up one of those long roads that wind around the mountains. Follow it all the way to the top."
"You could see over the whole world up there, I bet." Brody said with a smile.
"Yeah, you get a nice view while you die from frostbite." Violet said. "Sounds like the dream."
"C'mon, Vi. Will it kill you to live a little?" Brody huffed. "I've lived here my entire life. Heck, I'd say I know every inch of these woods. I'd kind of like to un-know it."
"No use dreaming of what could be. We've got shit to do." Violet said.
"Yeah... I guess we should get to work on those fish." Brody sighed before saying to Clementine, "We've got spears inside the shack. C'mon."
"You go ahead. I'll stay out here." Violet said.
Clementine was confused as to why Violet was acting so cold and stand offish but said nothing. Clementine, Brody, and AJ headed into the shack.
"Do you like my mommy?"
Marlon stopped what he was doing and looked in Crystal's direction. He wasn't expecting that. "What?"
"Do you like my mommy?" Crystal demanded, eying Marlon suspiciously.
"I... why are you asking me that?" Marlon inquired.
"Because... Because she's ours. You can't have her!" Aleena said.
"Hold on... I'm not trying to take your mom away from you." Marlon told the children.
"Then what are you trying to do?" Crystal asked.
"I… I'm just being her friend." Marlon said.
"You like her!" Aleena said.
"Friends are supposed to like each other-"
"No! Like-like!" Aleena exclaimed.
"I…" Marlon felt his face flush a bit at the question.
"Do you?" Crystal asked.
"I'm not answering that." Marlon quickly replied.
"Why?" Aleena questioned.
"Because I'm not. You kids go play with Tenn or something." Marlon said.
The twins frowned, "But-"
"Go."
The twins pouted but obliged. Marlon sat back with a sigh.
Clementine didn't know how long they had been out there, but she was glad when she finally caught a fish on her spear.
"Any luck?" Violet asked.
"I got... something." Clementine replied.
Violet looked over. "Good enough for me. Put it in the bucket."
Clementine put the fish in the bucket with the one Violet had already caught. The two continued their fishing.
"Hey, um, sorry if I was weird last night... about the whole room thing. Seeing someone else in there...it was harder than I expected." Violet said. "You'd think I'd be less sentimental by now."
"Don't sweat it. I'm glad we got to know each other." Clementine said.
Violet gave a small smile at that. "Yeah. I guess, I am too."
A silence fell over them again. Clementine smiled when she managed to catch another fish. "Got one."
"Cool." Violet said.
Clementine went to put it in the bucket.
"So, what's going on between you and Marlon?" Violet asked.
Clementine was a bit confused by the question and asked one of her own, "What do you mean?"
"Are you two together or... what?" Violet asked.
"W-What? No... We're just friends." Clementine said.
"Could've fooled me." Violet said.
Clementine's eyes widened, and she sent Violet a look of disbelief. "Really? You thought we were dating."
"I think all the rest of the kids thought so too." Violet replied.
"We're friends, that's it." Clementine said.
"Nothing more? You're not just saying that?" Violet asked.
"No. We're just friends."
"Okay… Good." Violet said.
"Why do you ask?"
Violet shrugged. "Well… I mean, he likes you and I figured maybe you liked him too."
"He doesn't like me." Clementine said. She could feel her heart pounding a bit.
"Of course he does. And I'm sure it's more than a friend kind of like." Violet said.
Clementine looked away. "Vi… Don't say things like that."
"I'm being serious. I'm surprised he hasn't confessed to you. I mean, someone else will if he waits too long." Violet said.
"Like who?" Clementine asked.
Violet didn't answer.
"What about Brody, I think he likes her." Clementine said.
"Him and Brody are good friends." Violet said. "He thinks of you in a different light."
Clementine furrowed her brows and opened her mouth to speak however was interrupted.
"Heads up, guys!" Brody called. "The haul's not looking that great!"
"Uh, yeah okay!" Violet called back before sighing. "Sometimes she just gets on my last nerves."
"Uh... I can tell." Clementine said.
"I mean, it's not like I hate her... I just..." Violet trailed off.
"She definitely thinks you hate her." Clementine said.
Violet huffed in frustration and stabbed her spear into the water. She didn't catch anything. "Looks like they wisened up. Maybe Brody had better luck with the traps."
"I got one!" AJ exclaimed rushing over. "Clem, I got one!"
"Good job." Violet smirked.
"I'll try to catch some more!" AJ said.
"Alright, don't go too far, kiddo." Clementine said.
AJ nodded.
"I don't know what the problem is between us. With Brody... I don't know why it's like this... Why is it so weird? I can never relax around her. It just keeps getting worse." Violet said.
"Maybe... because she never said sorry. About Sophie and Minnie and not being able to save them…" Clementine said.
"She tell you that?"
"More or less." Clementine responded. "She wants to talk about it, you know."
"I just... I feel guilty about the whole thing." Violet said.
"Why?"
"I was supposed to be out with the twins that day. I wanted to work in the green house so I asked Brody to cover for me. But then... I didn't even get say goodbye." Violet explained. "I... I wanted to talk to Brody, to tell her I didn't blame her for what happened. But everytime I tried I was reminded of who we lost. It was easier to just not talk about."
Clementine didn't get to respond before they noticed Brody approaching.
"We should get going." Violet picked up the bucket of fish.
"You guys catch any fish?" Brody asked.
"We caught quite a few. Enough for tonight anyway." Clementine said.
"That's good. We should head back." Brody said.
The others nodded, and they started walking back.
"The Grand Canyon." Violet piped up.
"What?" Brody asked.
"That's where I'd go. If we took a road trip. Start driving until we hit the Grand Canyon." Violet said.
"Yeah. That would be cool." Brody said. She slowed down her pace and whispered to Clementine, "Thanks."
"Hey, slowpokes, you two coming?" Violet called to them.
"Right behind you." Brody said.
The walk to the school was much less tense than before. Clementine was glad Violet had eased up a bit. She still couldn't help but wonder if what she said about Marlon was true though. She liked Marlon, as a friend. She didn't feel comfortable when it came to relationships...
When they got back to school Clementine went to wash her hands, telling AJ to do the same. During dinner she and the little children sat separate from the others, the four of them eating some ravioli that Omar had heated.
Clementine didn't want to risk Crystal having an allergic reaction.
"Mommy, did you wanna sit with your boyfriend?" Crystal suddenly asked.
"What?" Clementine was surprised by that. "Wh-Who's my boyfriend?"
"Marlon, is he your boyfriend?" Crystal asked.
"No… No… I don't have a boyfriend. He's just a friend… who happens to be a boy." Clementine said.
"But he likes you!" Crystal said.
"Well, yeah… We're friends." Clementine said.
"No… like-like!" Aleena added.
Clementine's eyes widened, and her face flushed. "He does not… Stop it."
"Your face is red." AJ said.
"B-Because I'm hot."
"But it's not hot out here." AJ said. "It's chilly."
"Well… the food made me feel hot." Clementine said.
"I feel fine." AJ said.
"Me too." Aleena said.
"Well… I'm hot, that's all. Finish your food."
The children did as she said going back to eating.
Clementine did the same, trying not to think about Marlon.
The morning walk with Marlon the next day felt anything but calm. Clementine felt nervous. She had tried to refuse their walk that morning, but Marlon insisted that they talk. Clementine gave in.
"I feel like you been avoiding me since yesterday. Did I do something wrong?" Marlon asked.
"I... No... I'm just had a lot on my mind." Clementine told him.
"You sure you're not upset?" Marlon asked.
"I'm sure. Trust me." Clementine said.
When Marlon suddenly stopped walking, Clementine raised a brow. "Marlon?"
"Clementine…. I've been wanting to talk to you about something." Marlon said.
"What is it?" Clementine already felt nervous. "Are… you okay?"
"I'm good… I just…" Marlon trailed off.
"Marlon?"
"Look, I'm just gonna out and say it." Marlon said. "I like you, Clem."
Clementine felt her heart skip a beat, but she tried to keep it cool. "Duh, we're friends."
"No… I like you more than that…"
The girl swallowed a lump in her throat, feeling her heart pound faster. "O-Oh… What about Brody?"
"Brody?" Marlon asked.
"I…I thought you liked her." Clementine said.
"As a friend… But you… You and me… we could be something. We should be something…" Marlon said.
"Marlon, I do-don't think I can…" Clementine said.
Marlon seemed surprised by her respond. "Why not?" His tone was a bit cold.
"I… don't do relationships." Clementine said. "L-Love is for suckers, remember?"
"It was… But maybe we can make things work." Marlon said.
"I… I can't…" Clementine said.
"What are you scared of?" Marlon asked. "You know I wouldn't hurt you…"
"It's not that… I just…"
"You trust me, don't you?" Marlon asked, voice sounding more manipulative this time.
"I'm… not ready to be with anyone…" Clementine said.
Marlon narrowed his eyes. "Really? So how come you've been playing with my emotions?"
"What?"
"You hang out with me all the time, go on walks with me…" Marlon said.
"Because we're friends… I didn't even know you had feelings for me." Clementine said.
"Of course you knew!" Marlon snapped.
Clementine was shocked when he suddenly snapped at her. "Marlon…"
"You're a fucking liar! A fucking liar!" He growled causing her to flinch.
"I… I'm not! I… I really didn't know…" Clementine said. "Just- Just calm down."
"You don't tell me to calm down!" Marlon retorted, irritably. His fists were balled, and he was moving closer to her, Clementine was a bit worried he might hit her.
"Y-You're going to draw walkers." Clementine said.
"I don't give a damn!" Marlon hissed.
"Marlon-"
Marlon grabbed the girl's wrists, jerking her to his side, her shove her against the tree.
Rosie started barking in the background, Marlon ignored her.
"Let me go..." Clementine tried to keep her voice calm, though she felt nervous.
Clementine tried to yank away, but Marlon tighten his grip. "You think it's okay to treat people like this?!"
"Let me go!" When the girl managed to yank her wrists free she shoved him back. "D-Don't touch me!"
Marlon stood still for a moment, stunned by what had happened.
Rosie continued back, and Marlon seemed to calm down slightly. The look of fear in Clementine's eyes made him feel sick. "We…We're done talking... Let's get back to the school."
Clementine didn't respond. She didn't mean to upset him, she just wasn't ready for a relationship. But the way he had reacted made her feel like she made a mistake in ever trusting him at all.
