Redemptive Opportunities

Chapter 10: Chuck and the train

Hey everyone, Assassin and Writer here with chapter 10. I was going to update yesterday, but I went to go and watch the new Avengers Age of Ultron movie. It was a great movie.

He awoke the next morning to Clementine shaking him. "Lee? There's something blocking the road. I think it's a train."

Lee got up and proceeded outside to join the others. There was the train blocking their way to Savannah yet again. No doubt Chuck was watching them from somewhere, tempted to scare them away. Lee decided to go and talk to Katjaa who was sitting in the same position as before with Duck, Ben and Travis. Everyone else was investigating the train, except for Lilly who was standing on her own by a tree.

"Are you and Duck holding up okay, Kat?" he inquired.

"I think we're alright, Lee," Katjaa answered with a light smile.

"Yup, we're good!" Duck agreed.

"Kenny, Mark and Carley are checking out that train." Ben spoke up while he was sitting with his knees up by his chest. "Lilly went over there on her own for some reason."

"I think it's best we leave her alone for now," Lee replied, knowing that the woman was still in deep mourning over the loss of her father.

"Yeah, that might be best," said Travis.

Lee decided to go and check with the others on the train. Carley was looking inside one of the train cabinets where the three tools were inside, Mark was standing on the top of the train and Kenny was inside the train.

"Anything useful in there we can find?" Lee asked Carley, playing dumb.

"Just a couple of tools." Carley replied as she leaned back with the wretch in one hand. "Still, they look strong enough to hurt a walker."

Same as before, Lee took out the spanner and placed it in his back pocket. Before exiting the RV, he remembered to take the pencil so that he could read the indentations of the torn page.

Kenny was seated in the driver seat, trying to figure out how this train worked. He turned around when he heard the door open. "Hey Lee, I thought if we can get this train running, we can get to Savannah."

"I think you're right," Lee agreed. He walked over and picked up the notepad. "The page is torn, but I can kind of make out these indentations." He scribbled onto the paper and, once again, the instructions were perfectly clear.

"Damn, nice job, Lee." Kenny praised with a nod. "How'd you know how to do that?"

"Clementine showed me how to do it on a leaf-rubbing," Lee half-lied. It was true that this had happened, but not this time.

"Well, we'll have to thank her for it later." Kenny replied while he turned back towards the controls. "Well, you better get to it before lurkers show up."

"Good idea," Lee nodded. He walked over and followed the instructions a second, time, causing the train to work a little more.

The engines of the train roared to life and Kenny cheered enthusiastically. However, before they could go, the train was still stuck on the back part of the other boxcars. Lee went back to unlock it and no doubt he would be meeting Chuck soon once he got there.

However, the old man wasn't there when he arrived. He was most likely talking to the others, and when Lee looked out, there was Chuck giving Clementine candy. Lee took the map (since Chuck didn't really mind before) and went to loosen the panel.

After using the wretch to break apart the boxcar, Lee climbed back inside the boxcar and there was chuck, waiting for him like before. This time, however, Lee was not surprised.

"You touch any of my stuff?" Chuck inquired.

Lee decided to be truthful this time around. "Just this map, we were going to borrow it."

"That's okay, you can have that." Chuck assured in a normal tone. He patted his finger against his head. "I got them all memorized up here."

"Name's Lee," Lee introduced himself again.

"I'm Chuck. Charles, if you fancy." Chuck introduced himself. He nodded his head towards the others. "That your crew out there?"

"Yup. The one up in the can is, too. That's Kenny."

J"I saw y'all coming through and thought about scaring the pants off ya." Chuck admitted with a grin. "But I couldn't bring myself to do it."

"Thanks, I guess?" Lee smiled.

"Well, I better let you get back to whatever it is you're doing. I already talked to the rest of your group and they warmed up to me right quick in direct sunlight." Chuck responded while he jumped out of the boxcar to join the others. He finished off his sentence before leaving Lee's sight. "Well, all except for the girl in the black jacket anyway."

"Yeah...that's just how she is," Lee gave a nod. He led Chuck out of the train, and Clementine ran over to him.

"You met Chuck." Clementine stated with a small smile. "He gave us all candy, Ben and Travis too!"

Lee looked over at the two boys, who were both eating their candy simultaneously. Ben looked up somewhat sheepishly, while Travis gobbled away at his candy.

"Welcome," Lee decided to acknowledge Chuck.

"Thank you." Chuck thanked with a nod. He took a seat on a log and held his guitar beside him.

He began playing, and since Duck wasn't bitten this time, he was able to enjoy it. He seemed somewhat mesmerized by the guitar.

"Well, everyone, I think we've got this train running fine," Lee announced. "So, just gather whatever you have and let's be on our way."

Everyone obliged, even Lilly, who seemed to be reluctant about it.

After grabbing their supplies and weapons, the group boarded the train as usual and they were off to Savannah soon. Like before, Kenny offered Chuck a ride and the older man agreed since they were basically taking their home.

The ride wouldn't be so dreadful since Duck wasn't bitten, so he and Clementine for out their crayons and began drawing. It would be a long while before they reached Savannah (and most likely meeting Omid and Christa in the process), so they would need to entertain themselves somehow.

Kenny and Katjaa were together in the train cab, Carley and Doug were talking to one another nearby, Ben and Travis were just outside the boxcar, Mark was sleeping and Lilly was at the front of the train.

Lee knew that the time was coming for Clementine to learn how to survive, and he hoped to get to that before Chuck told her she was going to die (if that would happen). Maybe Duck could learn, too.

The old man was currently sitting by the edge of the boxcar door, casually watching the trees go past.

Lee didn't know whether to talk to him, due to most of their conversation happening the first time.

But while they were here, Lee thought it was best to teach Clementine how to survive now and while he was at it, see if he could convince Kenny to allow Duck to train as well.

"Clem, you mind if we talk for a minute?" Lee asked of the little girl, who was still coloring fiercely.

"Sure, Lee." Clementine agreed as she placed her crayons down and followed her guardian towards another part of the boxcar.

"Listen, sweet pea. We need to come up with a plan for when we get to Savannah," Lee explained. "I think we should also teach you how to protect yourself, and make sure you can't get grabbed so easily."

"What do you mean by protecting myself?" Clementine questioned, although she had the feeling she would not like the answer.

"One second." At that, Lee walked over to Carley and Doug. "Guys, I hate to interrupt, but Carley, do you mind if I use your weapon for a little bit?"

"Uh, sure." Carley replied as she took her pistol out from her pocket and offered it to Lee. "Might I ask what for?"

Lee lowered his voice slightly. "I think it's time that Clementine learns how to protect herself, invade something happened to me. Maybe I can convince Katjaa and Kenny to let Duck learn, too."

Carley and Doug turned towards one another for a moment before responding.

"I think it's a good idea, Lee." Carley agreed as she handed him her Glock 17 to use. "In this day and age, everyone needs to know how to protect themselves."

"I think it's good too, but are you sure, Lee?" Doug inquired. "You know firing a gun for the first time can feel scary."

"I'll make this feel as easy for her as I can," Lee assured them. "She'll get used to it in no time."

"All right, good luck, Lee." Carley wished him the best with a nod.

Lee returned the nod and returned the nod before returning to Clementine was waiting patiently for him to return.

He slowly held out the gun for the little girl to see, causing her eyes to widen.

"Learning to survive involves things we don't always want to use," Lee explained, "but it's crucial. Now remember, it's just a thing. It's not meant to scare you."

"Okay." Clementine skeptically replied as she accepted the gun into her hands. "It's heavier than it looks."

Lee smiled down at her. "Let's get started now," he said.

Luckily, Mark was awake at this point. Lee walked over and placed one of Chuck's empty wine bottles onto a box. He then walked back over to Clementine.

"Alright, aim carefully at the bottle and I'll cover your ears," he told her. "Don't lock your elbows." Here, he positioned her arms correctly.

Clementine closed one eye to get a better aim and fired the gun, hitting the bottle on the first try, but it startled her at the same time, just like before. "Eeek!"

"It's all right," Lee assured her. "Try again now." He unlocked her elbows again.

Clementine did as he instructed and aimed down the sights of the weapon. Carley, Doug, and Chuck were watching together while Duck had gone to his parents in the train cab. She fired the gun a second time, and hit the bottle without much effort than last time.

"I got it!" she cheered.

"Yeah, good job!" Lee praised. "Let's practice some more."

Clementine nodded and Mar set up some more bottles nearby. She fired a couple of more rounds from her weapon, hitting each bottle without missing.

"Great job, Clem!" Lee praised with a smile. "You'll be a pro at this in no time, sweet pea."

"Thanks Lee." Clementine smiled as she handed him the Glock 17 back. "Do I also need to know how to use a rifle?"

Lee frowned. He felt that Clementine was a bit too small for that at the moment. "I think we should wait a little while for that, Clementine. The force of it might be a little much for you."

"Oh, okay." Clementine nodded as she held a hand to her arm. "Are we done or is there more?"

Lee walked over to Chuck's mattress and grabbed the scissors. "Can I use these for a few minutes?" he asked the old man.

"Sure, not like I need to use them." Chuck replied while he patted his guitar. "Everything I need is right here."

Lee smiled. "Thanks."

He approached Clementine, who looked slightly apprehensive when she took notice of the scissors. "So...you're not going to like this part."

"Are you going to cut my hair?" Clementine asked with a slightly nervous expression.

"I'm afraid so, Clementine," Lee nodded. "Now, I won't cut it too short, but it needs to be short enough so that a walker can't grab it."

"I'm going to look like a boy." Clementine frowned as she took off her hat and set it aside for a moment.

"Shush, now!" Lee scolded. He began to trim the girl's hair in the same areas as before.

"How come Carley doesn't have her hair short?" Clementine questioned while she crossed her arms together.

Lee turned to Carley, as he had no answer.

"I wouldn't let them even get close to me, Clem." Carley replied as he held up her Glock 17.

"You think you should get a haircut too, though?" Lee inquired. "And Katjaa and Lilly. It's a good idea."

"I don't think so, Everett." Carley replied with a slight grin.

Lee shrugged and continued cutting Clementine's hair. The little girl didn't think it was fair that she had to be the only one for this. A short time later, he was done.

Clementine patted her new haircut and frowned yet again. She took out the two hair ties Lilly had gave her a while back. "I got these from Lilly if they help."

"Sounds good," Lee replied. He took them and began tying them into Clem's hair, like little pigtails. "You look cute, Clem." He gave her a smile.

"I guess." Clementine replied as she took her hat and placed it back over her head. At least no-one could see her hair with her hat on.

He decided to go to the front to retrieve the map. "I'll be back in a minute," he told Clementine.

He passed Ben and Travis along the way and greeted them before arrived at the train cab where Kenny and his family were inside.

He wasn't sure if he should ask immediately about Duck's learning to survive. Speaking of Duck, he was chattering away to his parents when Lee walked inside.

"Hi, guys," Lee greeted them. "You mind if I see that map for a second, Ken?"

"This one here?" Kenny asked as he picked up the map and handed it over to his friend. A lot easier than the last time.

"Yeah, thanks," Lee replied, putting the map into his pocket. "I'll talk to you later."

"Later Lee." Kenny replied while he kept his eyes focused upon the tracks.

Lee exited the cab and returned to the boxcar where Clementine, Chuck, Doug, and Carley were waiting. He sat down beside Clem, who was looking out the boxcar door.

"I think this map will help us out in Savannah," Lee explained as he set the map down between them.

"That's good." Clementine agreed. "Like we're a team, right?"

"Of course we are, sweet pea," Lee assured her with a smile. Now, he had to think about what he was going to say when she asked about her parents.

"Lee, we are going to look for my parents when we're in Savannah, right?" Clementine inquired with a hopeful expression.

Oh, boy.

Lee looked away for a moment, then came up with something. "I'll tell you what, Clem. Why don't we find a shelter, and if all goes well, we can search for them." He hated lying to her, but what other option was there?

"...That sounds okay, I guess." Clementine agreed but looked somewhat disappointed.

"Alright," Lee replied. He would do whatever it took to keep who was practically his little girl away from the Marsh House at all costs.

But they had not stole from the strange this time and they had nothing to fear with the exception of the walkers and their safety.

For the time being, there wasn't much to do. Lee decided to ask Kenny and Kat about Duck's training after Omid and Christa came aboard.

That's the end of this chapter, ladies and gentlemen. Since it's been a few days since last update, we'll try and bring you another one tomorrow. Stay tuned until then.