WARNING: This story contains heavy foul language, detailed death, implied sexual content, and an extreme amount of feels. I DO NOT own The Walking Dead, any of the mentioned characters in this story, or "You" (because apparently it's illegal to kidnap people and keep them in your basement).

Chapter Seven

The Motor-Inn

Your P.O.V.

The radio was going off in the back-round... giving news about the state of different parts of Georgia... but you weren't focused on that right now. For the moment, you were lost in your thoughts. You eyes were set on Larry. That son of a bitch had punched Cry right in the face, and almost prevented him from leaving the Drug-Store alive. That was a dick move. But... you felt a little more angry than you should have. You didn't know where the fuck you would be without Cry. He'd saved your life already on so many occasions... without him, you were dead. And...

You believed you were starting to develop feelings for him.

You wanted to say you weren't. Cry was a really good friend, and you were sure he didn't have feelings for you back. You didn't want him to think of you as a secret fangirl who'd always had an amazing crush on him. Sure, during the years that you'd watched Cry on YouTube, you'd found him attractive, but you were never downright in love. And now... you felt like a little part of you just wanted to be with him. He was beginning to stay inside your thoughts more and more. Whenever he touched you, you blushed, or acted awkward. You found his regular attitude to be more and more adorable, and when he laughed, you felt like melting. But you didn't want it to be like this... you didn't want your feelings to freak Cry out. Plus, you'd only known him for a few days! Wasn't that creepy enough? Besides... you knew not to get romantically close to people during an apocalypse... because something bad always happens to them. Always. You would blame yourself.

Still, that didn't mean you couldn't be incredibly pissed at the guy who almost killed your friend. Cry had worked his ass off to get him those fucking pills, and he just punches him in the face?! No! Just... no. You wanted to kick his ass. ...No. No, you WERE going to kick his ass.

You attempted to move off of the balcony you currently stood upon and go in Larry's direction, but a hand on your shoulder suddenly stopped you. You looked to your left... to find Felix staring at you. He slowly shook his head.

"Not now." He spoke, as if he could read your thoughts. "Later, when things aren't so crazy. Everyone is getting over panic, and..." He gestured to Doug, who looked pretty miserable as he sat by a laptop. "...loss. Now isn't a good time."

You wanted to argue, but you knew the man was right. Now wasn't a good time. Not now, while everyone was calming down. Instead, you sighed, and gave a small nod, before looking back over the balcony.

"Thanks, Pewds."

"Don't worry about it, [Your Name]." There was a smile in Felix's voice. He took his hand away from his shoulder and took the pose that you had – crossing his arms and resting against the wooden rail of the balcony.

Your group of... damn, how many people was it now? ...Your large group had made their way to the Motor-Inn that Glenn had mentioned as you guys were leaving the Drug-Store. The Inn was safe... or so you thought. There were plenty of rooms for people... a little bit of food, and big dumpsters and walls that blocked anything from getting in. It was a perfect living situation. ...This place could be permanent.

You watched everyone as they began to get comfortable. As mentioned before, Doug had moved beside a broken laptop, trying to get it working. Kenny and Katjaa were speaking by their truck, by Glenn. The young Asian man was standing beside his pizza-delivery car, listening to the radio that was on the inside. A little ways away from him, Cry stood, listening to the same radio. In the middle of the parking-lot, a big fat RV sat... something that had been there before your group arrived.

Clem nd Duck sat there together. Clementine looked upset, her head looking down toward her hands. Beside her, Duck went on and on, talking and talking, never seeming to stop. Though you thought Duck was a cute little kid, you knew this moment was not the right time for him to be talking and talking.

You considered going down and comforting Clem, but before you did, you noticed Cry and Glenn finish up a conversation they apparently started. The two shook hands, before Glenn climbed into his car and drove off. You blinked, confused, but by the look of Lilly's face (who had been behind Glenn's car, and was now walking away), you realized that Glenn had left. For good.

That left ten people left in the group. Ten survivors. You watched as Cry moved away from the spot he had been standing in, and went to speak to Kenny.

Cry's P.O.V.

"Hey, Kenny." I spoke as I approached Kenny and his wife. Kenny looked to me, his brown eyes looking me up and down, before he delivered a little smile. His smile vanished as quick as it had come, though.

"Close call back there." He commented. ...I slowly nodded.

"Thanks for picking me up."

"No problem." Kenny replied. "We have to take care of each other."

"Yeah..." I replied. "We do."

"Cry, uh..." Kenny mumbled. I blinked. He looked to be again, after glancing away. "Earlier, I meant to ask you what you would do if... Clementine's parents don't show up."

"Oh..." I mumbled.

"You think that's gonna happen?" Kenny asked.

"Her parents showing up?" I asked. He nodded. I shook my head. "No... I don't."

It hurt to admit it, but it was true. I'd listened to them die on their Answering Machine back at Clementine's house. There was no way they were still alive. It was over for them.

"Well..." Kenny paused. "I want you to know that I think you've got it in you, Cry. You and [Your Name] are doing well with her. It's almost like the two of you really are her parents. I think you both can take care of that little girl just fine."

I lightly blushed at the mention of [Your Name] and I almost being like Clem's parents, but nodded anyway. "Thanks, Ken. We're trying our best."

"You got it." Kenny nodded. He turned and continued talking to Katjaa, thus concluding the conversation between the two of us. I watched him... and watched his wife. They were a strong couple. They could get through anything together. I liked that about them.

I let my eyes scan the rest of the parking-lot, until finally, my gaze landed on Doug. The chubby blond/brown haired man was fiddling with the laptop. Beside that, a radio spoke of the dangers in the city with a soft volume. I felt a pang of pity for the man. I slowly approached him.

"How you doin', Doug?" I asked, when I'd arrived at his post. He stopped fiddling with the laptop, but... didn't bring his gaze up to me. He looked angry. I almost felt frightened. "Doug?"

"We couldn't... save her, could we?"

My mind flashed to Carly.

Oh.

"I don't so. It happened pretty fast." I admitted.

"I..." Doug hesitated... and then sighed. "I... I know it's stupid. We just met... it's dumb, but uh, I mean it's... it's... probably just that survivor thing, but... I think I really liked her."

My heart dropped. I felt sorry for the guy. I considered patting his shoulder, but decided not to. He didn't seem like the kind of guy that always wanted comfort.

"She liked you too," I informed, forcing a small smile.

"Thanks, Cry." Doug mumbled. "Anyway, I'd rather be alone, I think..."

"Sure." I replied. I turned to walk away... but before I could, his voice called to me again.

"Wait, Cry?"

I turned back. "Yeah?"

"How did you choose?" Doug asked. "I mean... we both needed you, but you picked me."

"I didn't." I admitted.

"Oh." He mumbled.

"Sometimes... we don't make choices," I continued. "We just... do what we do."

"I just wish you would have picked her." Doug sighed. I bit my lip, but said nothing. Then, he looked up to me again, his eyes a little dimer than usual.

"Cry... don't you dare loose [Your Name]." He said suddenly. I tensed. What? "She's a good woman, Cry. And you two are close. I know you said you guys weren't together, but... I know you want it to happen."

I nervously scoffed. "Wh... What? N-No, way-..."

Doug gave me a Don't-Pull-That-Shit-On-Me look. ...I gave in, and lowered my voice to a whisper.

"Is it that obvious?"

Doug lightly chuckled. "Just take care of her, Cry. She's got a good head on her shoulders. You, her, and Clementine are a family. Family is important. Don't you dare loose your family."

Doug reached up and pat my shoulder and gave me a smile, before going back to his thing. I watched him for several moments... letting his words process through my mind, before turning and walking away. I couldn't think about that right now. I needed to check in on everyone else.

As I walked, my eyes slunk over to Larry. He glared at me from where he stood. I glared back, and then made my way over to Clementine and Duck. I couldn't take Larry's shit at the moment. As I approached the children, I noticed that Duck wouldn't shut his mouth for more than a couple seconds. As I arrived, I waved him off.

"Hey, Duck, you wanna cool it for a minute?" I asked. Duck turned and looked up to me, and then nodded.

"Okay, sorry."

I turned back to Clem... and noticed her miserable expression. I crouched down, and took one of her hands in mine.

"Clem?" I asked. "I'm... uh... sorry there's not a lot of kids here."

"No!" Clementine sighed. "It's not that. It's... I... got grabbed again."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"When Felix and [Your Name] were taking me out of the store. [Your Name] slipped, and Felix went back for her. And then I got grabbed."

"Did Felix get you?" I asked. I mean, obviously, he saved Clem or she wouldn't be here, but I'd asked the question anyway. Clementine nodded.

"He did, but I fell, and my Walkie-Talkie broke. Glenn had the other one..."

I winced. I forgot to ask for that damned thing back.

"I-I'm sorry..." I spoke sympathetically. "That really sucks, Clem."

"Thanks..." Clementine's voice got a little quieter. "I know I need to be tough... I'm just sad. I..." Tears started to form in her eyes. "I know it doesn't make any sense, but it's how I used to talk to my Mom and Dad! And now they're gone... it's gone!"

Awwwww, Clemmy!

"Maybe we can find you another one." I said.

Clementine tore her gaze away from mine, and pulled her hand away. "I'll just keep this one, I guess."

"Cry."

I blinked, and looked to my right, to see Larry standing by the stairs that led to the balcony, and the upper rooms. I raised my eyebrow in question.

"C'mere for a sec." His gruff voice commanded. I sighed, and looked back to Clem.

"Let me go deal with this." I told her. She nodded. I stood and moved away, heading toward Larry.

"What do you want?" I asked, my brows knitted together to form a frown (though he couldn't see me doing that). Larry glared.

"You... like my daughter?" Larry asked, gesturing to Lilly, who was... somewhere where I couldn't see her. I crossed my arms.

"She's fine...?" I asked, a little confused. Larry blinked.

"Fine, eh?" He asked. "Well, just fuck you, Ryan."

My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped. I uncrossed my arms and nearly took a step back. That fucker knows my name!

"That's right." Larry sneered. "I know who you are. And if you go near my daughter, or step out of line ONCE, ...so will everyone else."

I stepped back, but he took a step forward, and leaned in close, his face only inches away from mine. He glared. I could smell his disgusting breath.

"I know who you are." He repeated. "And I don't give a shit about what happens to you. But if anything happens to my daughter, that little girl you got with you, or the snappy little cunt with the wounded leg... Heh. You watch your ass."

Before I could get a word of my own in, Larry roughly shouldered me as he walked by. I watched him go, trying to stop myself from glaring and snapping back at him.

Your P.O.V.

Lilly had asked you and Felix to follow her, so you did. She led the two of you down the stairs of the balcony, and onto the ground. The three of you began to approach Cry... and you watched as he stared at Larry while he walked away. The brunette's fists were clenched so tight, his knuckles were turning white. A wave of worry went through me. Had something happened?

"Cry." Lilly spoke up. Cry quickly looked over his shoulder, then turned to face you guys. He took a couple steps toward the three of you and wave a little wave.

"'Sup?" He asked.

"Can we talk to you for a second?" Lilly asked. Cry hesitated... and then nodded.

"My Dad would be dead if it weren't for you." Lilly started. Cry tensed. You worried again.

"That... uh... reporter is dead because of me..." Cry mumbled, his voice soft.

"You can't be like that," Lilly started. "You're only one man."

"It's my fault," You suddenly chimed in, a feeling of guilt washing over you. Cry's head snapped in your direction. You continued. "If I hadn't followed Felix out of the store, I could have helped Cry save both. My absence got Carly killed, and..." You looked away. "I'm sorry..."

You suddenly felt a hand rest on your shoulder. You looked up to see Cry. Not his face, though. That was irritating.

"It was in no way your fault." Cry said. "I told Felix to protect you and Clem. You did the right thing by going."

"But-"

"It doesn't matter!" Lilly cut you off. "Look, the point is-"

Gunshots. You looked up and around. The motor-inn grew quiet. Even Duck, who had been talking and wouldn't shut up. Out of sudden instinct, you grew closer to Cry. Cry wrapped his arms around you and protectively pulled you close. The two of you looked around as you tried to find the source, but there was nothing there. The gunshots were faint, like they'd come from a couple miles away.

"I hope that's the sound of us winning this thing!" Kenny suddenly chirped. You looked over Cry's shoulder and saw Kenny approach. He joined the little make-shift circle of people that you, Lilly, Cry, and Felix had created. Lilly smiled.

"Me too."

"This motor-inn is pretty damned defendable," Kenny started. "We blocked off the entrances with some cars, and if we keep someone on watch, we can stay here until the military rolls through."

"I actually agree with that plan," Lilly sounded surprised.

"Me too." Cry and Felix spoke at the same time.

"We got beds, we got water, and most importantly, we got light," Kenny listed off. "There are worst places to call home."

"Yeah, you're right." Lilly agreed. "You know guys, I think it's going to be okay."

Then, suddenly, the lights went out. You huddled closer to Cry. Cry wrapped his arms tighter around you, but suddenly, he lightly chuckled.

"I so fucking saw that coming!"