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When It Falls Apart
It took less time than expected for Javier and his group to arrive at the old public works building where the truck they were after was stored, which made the four of them relax a little. However, this wouldn't last long, as they heard distant tell-tale signs of walkers.
"Clem," Javier said. "You and I will get the truck. Kate and Gabe, stay back here. Be ready for anything."
"Maybe Gabe could come along," Clementine suggested. "I need someone to watch my back, after all."
Gabe looked just as surprised as Javier and Kate.
"Are you sure?" Javier asked.
"I'm sure," Clementine replied.
"Alright then," he said, motioning for Gabe to join them.
Slowly, they walked toward the building, passing an old pick up truck, an excavator, and a bulldozer as they went.
"That bulldozer would be good for clearing the muertos out of our way," Gabe said.
"Yeah, but it and the excavator are too slow for an escape," Clementine replied.
As they finished talking, they reached one of the truck doors for the building and Javier carefully opened it up. Once inside, they found the armored truck Ava told them about.
"Think it'll open?" Gabe asked.
"I'd say there's a 50/50 chance it will," Clementine replied.
With a quick check, Javier opened the driver side door.
"Smart***," he said, as he slowly climbed in.
As he began to look around, the unexpected happened. Across the garage, the lights for the office turned on and two men appeared, talking to each other. Moving quickly, Javier ducked down and the teenagers hid behind the truck. As they tried to listen in, Kate crept inside.
"Early risers," she said. "We have to hurry before more show up."
"Can't start the truck without those guys noticing," Javier said. "However…"
"However what?" KAte asked.
"If we push it," Javier replied. "We could have a good amount of distance between us and them before starting it."
Without a word, Kate climbed into the driver seat.
"I'll steer," she said. "You guys push."
"You read my mind," Javier replied, with a smile.
Without further discussion, they set to work and slowly began pushing the truck out of the garage. After what felt like an hour, they finally had enough distance to feel safe about starting the truck and stopped.
"I doubt they'll be able to hear us from here," Kate said, as she stepped out. "Even if they do, it's not like they can stop us, now."
"No, but they can alert Joan," Clementine replied.
"There's no key in there," Kate added. "Guess it'll have to be hotwired."
Javier nodded, knowing he would have to be the one to do it, and walked over to the door. Just then, he realized something.
"Ah ****," he said. "Need something to strip the wires."
With some direction from Kate, he found a tool box with a pair of wire cutters inside. Things finally seemed to be going their way...until a walker grabbed his wrist faster than he could think. Acting fast, he grabbed a stray crowbar and bashed the creature's head with one hit, freeing his hand in the process. The brief struggle over, he got up and walked back to the truck. There, he opened the door where the wires were and cut each one. Working systematically, he began working to start the truck...until he heard a crashing noise.
"We've got company," Clementine said.
Javier looked up.
"Just great," he said. "Turning the headlights on attracted their attention."
Working fast, he carefully put the remaining wires together three times before the truck finally started.
"Everyone in!" he said, as the two guards ran out in time to see what was happening.
Without further conversation, everyone got inside and Javier stepped on the gas, leaving the garage and the walkers behind.
Meanwhile, Jeff, Tripp, and Eleanor were busy getting what they could ready. Mariana had helped for a while, but decided to sit down on the couch, after the worries over her family began to become a hindrance. Jeff noticed this and decided to see if he could help her.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I'm just...worried about them," she replied.
"They'll be fine," he said. "If they can survive this long with you, I'm sure they'll be alright. Besides, they have Clem with them."
"Clementine's been with you since the beginning of this mess, right?" she asked.
"Well, not that long," Jeff replied. "Several months into this, I found this sad and lonely nine-year-old girl outside Savannah, Georgia. Everything had gone wrong for her, leaving her the last known survivor of her group. I took it upon myself to help her learn how to survive and how to know who can and can't be trusted. Other than a few times we've been separated, we've been a team ever since."
"Whoa," Mariana said, in amazement. "No wonder she was so happy to see you again at Prescott."
Jeff smiled and nodded in response.
"The way I see it, that's a team that'll never be separated," Tripp added, from the kitchen. "You two have lasted longer than most groups do, from what I've heard."
"That's exactly right, Tripp," Jeff replied.
"I hate to break up story time," Eleanor interrupted. "But I see Joan coming this way."
"**** it!" Tripp said. "Jeff, get Mariana out of this apartment. Take her somewhere safe."
"What about you two?" Jeff asked.
"We'll think of something," Tripp replied. "Just get going before it's too late!"
Without another word, Jeff lead Mariana out the door and down the hallway. They nearly made it to the apartment he had chosen when he heard footsteps a little too close for comfort. Thinking fast, Jeff told Mariana to go to the closest one. However, he was forced to go back the way they had come from and hide three apartments down from her.
"This isn't good," he whispered to himself.
Back at the armored truck, Javier and company were waiting for Ava to contact them. As they sat, Gabe decided to teach Clementine how to play different card games, while Javier and Kate watched the sunrise.
"Feels nice to be driving around with two kids in the back seat again," Kate said, with a smile.
"Sure does," Javier replied. "Though, there are things I sure won't miss."
"Such as?" Kate asked.
"New Frontier giving us trouble," Javier replied. "Among other things."
Kate smiled, then looked back where Clementine was teasing Gabe about one of the rules of the card game they were playing.
"I think he likes her," she said.
"They do seem to be getting along better, now," Javier replied.
There's more to it than that, Javi," Kate replied. "Remember how you, Jeff, and Mari were teasing him back at the apartment?"
"Yeah," Javier replied.
Then he realized what Kate was getting at.
"Oh!" he said. "So Mari was right?"
"Mhmm," Kate replied. "It's not fair, really."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"In a short while," she replied. ""Their little romance will be pushed aside, as we get back to the fight."
"Then they better enjoy it," he replied.
"We better enjoy it, too, Javi," Kate said. "We never did figure out what was going on between us."
"Well, we kinda had some problems come up," Javier replied.
"You say that like I wasn't there," she teased.
The two continued to talk about events, including the times they both thought they were going to die. Eventually, Kate decided to get an answer to the question that had been nagging her for days.
"Javi," she said. "I know things have been rough. Nearly losing Mari, you being taken hostage by New Frontier, and so many other things. Even then, you and I have had our moments. Moments were we got closer than ever. I know there were times I seemed like the strong one, but...you being by my side helped a lot."
"I had to be there," Javier replied. "With David believed to be dead, someone had to be there for you and the kids."
"And that's just what we needed," Kate said. It made the difference."
"The kids needed someone to set an example for them," Javier replied. "Besides, I can't turn my back on family. Not anymore."
"I get it," Kate said, with a smile. "Look, there's no graceful way to say this, so I'll just say it. Those moments we've had… I know they were a little hot, confusing, and maybe some of them meant nothing, but… Before whatever happens, tomorrow, happens. I want you to know that I want to give whatever this thing is between us a chance. I know David being in our lives again complicates things.. Do you feel the same way?"
"Absolutely," Javier replied without hesitation.
"Oh my god, really?" Kate said. "So.."
Her next question was cut off by a kiss from Javier, gaining attention from the teeagers behind them.
"About time," Clementine whispered.
"You knew this was coming?" Gabe asked.
"Just a feeling," she replied. "When you see people in your groups begin to fall in love, over and over, you tend to pick up on the signs."
Gabe was about to reply when Kate spoke up again, unaware of the audience she and Javier now had.
"Okay," she said. "So we're doing this. You do realize that a weird conversation with David is coming, right?"
"It would be the right thing to do, in this situation," Javier replied. "Can I just say how lame it is?"
Kate was about to reply when she was interrupted by Ava on the walkie.
"Javi! It's an execution over here. Joan's planning on hanging David in front of everyone!" she said. "You've got to get over her, now! Leave the truck. If they see it, he's as good as dead. If you can just get into the square-"
The sudden silence raised all kinds of alarms for them.
"This isn't good!" Clementine said.
"Was Ava caught?" Gabe asked.
"Calm down, Gabe," Javier replied. "She may have just been forced to cut off to avoid detection. The only way to know is to do as she said."
The decision made, Javier left Kate in charge of the truck while he, Clementine, and Gabe snuck into the main square.
Elsewhere, Jeff had his own problems.
"Ava, do you copy?" he said.
Once more, he got static. With their walkies on the same frequency, Ava's message to Javier had gone to him, as well. The fact that she had been cut off not only worried him, but also brought back some unpleasant memories. To make matters worse, Javier had gone silent as well. This meant only one thing to Jeff: The plan was falling apart.
As he walked into the square, he heard a voice above the gathering crowd.
"I don't know about the rest of you- but I didn't want to be here today. The people of Richmond deserve to be safe! David Garcia has to be punished for what he has done!"
"Joan," he said, as the owner of the voice came into view. "Looks like she's about the hang David...I can't save him alone."
"You're not alone," Clementine said from behind him.
Jeff turned to see her with Javier and Gabe.
"You guys had me worried," he said. When I didn't hear anyone reply, I thought the worst."
"We had to keep quiet," Javier whispered.
"For years, now," Joan continued. "Richmond has been governed by one simple principle: strong council, strong community. But, unfortunately, the actions of one council member: our security expert David Garcia, have put us all in-"
"She's lying to you!" David interrupted, earning a glare from Joan.
Quickly, she returned her attention to the crowd.
"I'm sorry to have to show you this," she said. "Truly, I am. But you all need to see." She motioned to the guards behind her to drop a curtain. "Just look what he's done!"
The makeshift curtain fell to reveal the bodies of Lonnie and Badger, earning gasps from the crowd. The group slowly moved closer to the stage, still trying to keep from being discovered.
"David murdered these men in cold blood!" Joan said. "I watched in happen before my eyes. Two of the best men I ever knew- cut down in their prime! Is this who you want in charge? Someone this reckless? This cruel? Not if I have anything to do with it!"
"I can't believe this is happening," Gabe whispered. "She's really gonna do it. She can't."
"Keep your cool, Gabe," Jeff said. "Joan may be smart, but we're smarter."
"We can't mess this up," Gabe said, as he turned to his uncle.
"Javier!" Joan said, making the group freeze in shock. "I heard you were going to crash our little party. Why not come up and show your face to everyone?"
"Happy to!" Javier replied, without hesitation. "Been waiting for this."
"I'll try to not disappoint you," Joan said, sarcastically. "I had a very interesting conversation with your friend Eleanor last night. Isn't that right Eleanor?"
"That's..that's right," Eleanor replied, as Jeff glared at her.
Joan then went on about how Eleanor revealed the whole plan to her: from how they were going to turn the people against her to freeing David. She then made a bold statement.
"Did you really think the plan was going to work?" she asked.
"I still plan to do it!" Javier replied.
"Appreciate the honesty," Joan said. "Which makes this...so much harder. Here in Richmond, people who put themselves before the rest don't last long."
"Sounds like someone I dealt with a few years ago," Jeff replied.
Clementine gave him a look that said she knew he was referring to their troubles with Carver.
"And how did that turn out for you, Jeff?" Joan asked.
"We took down the community with very little effort," Jeff replied. "Of course, that was a community set up in an old hardware store."
"There's the difference, Jeff," Joan said. "This isn't some small setup. You can't just come in here and hope to take it over or destroy it." She turned to the guards. "Bring them out."
To the shock of everyone in the group, as well as David, Tripp, Ava, and Mariana were lead out of the shadows. Tied and with guns to their heads.
"Mari!" Javier called.
"You sick, twisted *****!" David yelled.
The trio were forced to their knees before the crowd, as Javier and Jeff tried to wrap their minds around the unexpected turn of events.
"David tried to tear this community down," Joan continued. "Told his people where to get weapons and sure enough, they picked us clean! Did you really think you could ride in and use our own weapons to stage a coup? Something like that...just can't be let go. You've put me in a no-win situation here. So I'll do the same in return! All of them deserve to die for the crimes of your people. However, I'll let you choose one to save, Javi. Just one."
"No!" Ava shouted.
"This can't be happening," Tripp said, with his eyes on Eleanor.
"No!" David cried. "Joan, don't do this!"
"I can't turn back now," Joan replied. "Not after what they did."
"Mariana is innocent in all of this!" Jeff called. "Let her go!"
"So willing to defend the helpless," Joan replied. "So typical of you, Jeff. I haven't forgotten all the trouble you've caused us, in the last few months!"
"Your people started it!" Jeff yelled, clearly enraged. "I haven't forgotten that the now deceased Badger murdered ten innocent children in cold blood, while the men in his charge held me in place to watch! I haven't forgotten how he then almost killed the innocent girl whose life is now threatened by you! I can keep naming my reasons for fighting your men, but I think I've made my point!"
"The blame game!" Joan said, as she chuckled. "How cute! You bring up the past, as if you're some saint in all of this. Have you forgotten that in both situations you mentioned you killed over a dozen good men in total?"
"They deserved what they got!" Jeff said.
"We've dragged this on long enough," Joan said, clearly ready to end the situation. "Javier. Choose before I choose for you."
Javier looked up at Joan, unable to reply.
"Maybe this will help you think," she added.
Suddenly, Jeff, Gabe, and Clementine all had guns to their heads.
"Time's running out to choose, Javi," Joan said. "So choose quickly and wisely. Your friend. Your brother's Lieutenant. Or his daughter."
"Javi, I know this is hard," David said. "But please, for the love of God, save Mariana!"
The stress was too much for Javier, but he knew he had no other options.
"Mari should live," he said, as he gave Tripp and Ava an apologetic look.
On stage, Ava cursed at the fact she would die, but was thankful Javier made the right choice. Tripp echoed her reaction and looked at Eleanor, for what he expected to be the final time.
"You've made David happy, yet upset, all at once," Joan said. "Regardless, I admire your loyalty to family." She motioned to one of the guards. "Shoot her."
"What?!" Jeff exclaimed.
"What the ****, Joan?" David yelled.
"Wait! I said Mari should live!" Javier said, as the gun was put to his niece's head.
"You did," Joan said. "But there's something else you must understand. Betrayal."
"You can't do this!" Eleanor shouted. "She's just a kid!"
"I can do anything I want!" Joan spat, as she turned back to Javier. "You brought this on yourself! Do it!"
As the order was given, Jeff let out an enraged yell and charged at the stage, leaping up and diving toward Mariana as a gunshot rang out.
Who will live and who will die, as the final chapters of this story approach? Follow and favorite this story, if you want to find out!