Episode 4:Beacon Of Light- The Lighthouse

A/N- Tensions will rise, things will heat up soon. We got another decision to make at the end of the chapter to vote on, so enjoy guys. :) Thank you for all the reviews and support so far!

After a moment of cooling down while watching the dimming sunset, Clementine walked back into the outpost, followed by Michael. The group were crowded together near the moat of the boathouse, discussing certain matters.

"Everyone managed to find some stuff, right?" Dusty asked them all.

"We sure did. My back pack is pretty heavy now." Brooke told him.

"Mine too." Hazen added, adjusting the straps on his shoulders whilst struggling with AJ.

Clementine smiled to herself. She knew Michael would be happy to know that coming here was worth it. "Hey you two." Dusty greeted them when he finally noticed the kids approaching.

Lucas stepped forward and approached Michael. Clementine watched them wearily as Lucas placed a hand on Michael's shoulder and smiled down at him. She half expected Michael to shrug off his dad's hand, but instead he lifted his head and met his father's gaze. "It's good to have you back." He stated, giving Michael's shoulder a gentle squeeze before removing his hand.

"It's uh..." Michael paused. "... Good to see you too, dad."

Lucas turned his attention back to the group. "Y'all ready to go?" He asked.

Dusty nodded. "Yeah, lead the way."

On the way out, Brooke stopped by Clementine and handed her a backpack. "Got some supplies in there." She stated, watching Clementine put the backpack on her shoulders and adjusting the straps. "Not too heavy for you?" She asked.

Clementine shook her head. "I can handle it."

Brooke gave a slight smirk as she offered her a closed fist in front of her. "Good girl." Clementine look really confused at first, but then Brooke realized the little girl's lack in understanding. "Bump it." She simply instructed her.

(o) Fist Bump Brooke.

Clem's eyebrow quirked as she tentatively raised her fist, mirroring the redheaded woman and matched it, making contact, still unsure if she was doing it right. "Like that?"

(?) Brooke liked that.

"We'll work on it." She chuckled while the others and then them began to head out.

The group filed out of the outpost, and they moved out into the incoming dark night. With little sunlight remaining, Lucas took out a flashlight to brighten their surroundings. Michael also had his lighter out, giving the area a small orange glow. So after walking along the water's edge for sometime, a fog had began to roll in, making it much harder to spot any walkers lurking in the shadows.

"We'll be there soon." Lucas announced.

The group gave no reply, they just continued to trudge wearily. Clementine glanced around at everyone, making sure that they were all there. "I can't wait to get some rest." She stated aloud.

Michael looked up from the flame and nodded. "Me too. It's been a while since I had a good night's sleep..."

"You all have bed rolls, right?" Lucas asked, looking over his shoulder. "I don't have any beds." He informed them.

"We managed to grab some from the outpost." Dusty replied.

Lucas nodded. "Good... That's good."

A silence washed over them, with only the comforting sound of each other's footsteps for company. The silence was then broken when there was a splutter of coughs and wheezing. Clementine glanced over her shoulder and saw AJ coughing, pools of sweat running down his forehead and a pair of rosy red cheeks. Hazen was staring down at the infant with a look of concern.

"Is he okay, Hazen?" She asked.

Hazen paused. "I think so. Maybe he's just a little under the weather."

"Maybe." Clem murmured. She was a little concerned, but she hoped that AJ would feel a little better once they had a roof over their heads.

"Clem." Lucas beckoned her over with a hushed whisper.

Clementine glanced over at Hazen and AJ one last time before picking up her pace and walking next to Lucas. "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to ask you a few things... About Michael." He informed her.

"Why don't you just ask him?" She questioned.

"I would, but I'm not sure if he'd actually want to talk to me." Lucas replied with a grimace.

"Well... What do you want to know?"

Lucas paused, considering what question to ask from his mental list. "What happened to his hand?" He asked.

"He got bit awhile ago, on his thumb, and had to cut off part of his hand so he wouldn't turn." She told him.

"He cut it off himself?" He asked, slightly taken aback.

Clementine nodded, confirming his suspicions "Yeah."

(?) Lucas will remember that.

"Damn..." Lucas breathed, lifting his free hand and and running it down his face. "I should have been there... I should have helped him. I might have been able to stop him getting bit."

"You couldn't have done anything about it."

"Maybe. Maybe not." Lucas responded grimly.

The lighthouse then came into view. The large tower was painted with white and red stripes, but the beacon that had once shone brightly at the top had been shut off a long time ago. The sound of walkers came from nearby through the darkness though, their groans eminent.

"It's pretty... tall." Definitely taller than her old tree house... a lot taller actually Clem thought.

"Well it's supposed to be Clem, so boats out on the lake can see the light." Brooke stated plainly to her.

"Welcome to my home." Lucas proclaimed half-jokingly. "It's been home for the past three weeks, anyway." He muttered, coming up and pushing the door open to allow the group to pile into the living quarters. The living quarters was a fairly large room. There was a hot stove with some coal burning, along with a large table with several chairs around it. There was a book shelf in the nearest corner, and regular shelf in the opposite corner and a few sea-themed pictures hanging on the stone cold walls, as well as some pots and pans on hooks. "Don't mind the dead outside. I switch the light on every so often to attract the ones nearby. They're attracted to the light like a bunch of moths."

"Why would you do that?" Clementine asked.

"It's to make sure they're not wandering around in the village. I'm just trying to help out any survivors that might be heading to the outpost."

"That's real good of you." Brooke commented warmly.

Lucas shrugged. "It's nothing, really. You got to help out your fellow survivors after all."

Another cough interrupted them. Clementine turned to see Hazen rocking AJ as the infant began to cry. She quickly approached him and held out her arms, and Hazen handed her the bawling child without protesting.

"What's the matter, AJ?" She asked. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired...?" She paused. "Do you need a nappy change?"

Lucas walked over and put the back of his hand on AJ's forehead. "He's rather warm. Sweaty too." He commented.

"You think he's sick?" She questioned.

"He might have a fever, Clem." Lucas informed her.

Clementine began to panic. "It's not bad, right? He'll be okay, won't he?"

Lucas scratched the back of his head. "It's hard to say."

"What do I need to make him better?" She asked. She wanted to help AJ any way she could.

"Medicine is your main priority." He told her.

"But we don't have any baby medicine." Clementine replied, becoming more and more anxious. She looked around at the group, who were being awfully silent. It was starting to make her feel very lonely... Almost lost.

"We'll figure something out, Clem." Michael said comfortingly. "Dad, do you have anything to help?" He asked his father.

"Sorry, but I've only got stuff for myself. Not for a baby."

"We have to do something!" Clementine exclaimed.

"We can't do anything right now, Clem." Dusty told her. "But we'll talk about it more in the morning. You never know, AJ might feel better by then, okay?"

Clementine lowered her head and rocked AJ. "I hope you're right."

"You can set up your beds down here or up in the tower. It's up to you. Just don't mess around with the light." Lucas warned them.

Clementine put AJ down on the table for a bit whist she laid out some bed roll on the cold concrete floor. Most of the group set up in the living quarters, and Michael was the only one who was unaccounted for. He was probably up in the tower no doubt.

Lucas put some pieces of wood on the stove, helping the fire burn a little bigger and brighter. Once he had refueled the stove, he slumped down on one of the wooden chairs by the table and met Clementine's gaze. "I'll keep an eye on AJ for you." He told her.

"Thank you, Lucas." Clementine replied gratefully with a nod.

"No problem." He responded, before turning his attention to the rest of the group. "I'm going to collect some fresh water from the nearby river at first light if anyone wants to join me. I'm trying to avoid drinking straight from the lake."

"I'll go." Hazen spoke up.

Clementine paused, lost in thought. It would be nice to explore the nearby area and have a look around the woodland. "I'll come too." She volunteered.

Lucas smiled. "Well, you two best get some shut eye, then."

Hazen laid down on his bed roll, and Clementine did the same. Dusty and Brooke were already lying down and preparing for sleep, but Lucas yawned and heaved himself off the chair. "I'll go check on Michael." He said to no one in particular, and began to climb the stairs.

Once he was out of earshot, Dusty rolled over and faced Clementine. "You sure you want to go down to the river with him?" He asked.

Clementine nodded. "Yeah, I just want to help out, that's all. Maybe have a look around too."

"You trust him?"

"I trust Lucas, yeah. Maybe you should too. He's been nice to us so far, why can't you just give him a chance?"

"After the shit we went through, how do we know he's not like Katherine's group, or any common bandit?" Dusty protested.

"This is Michael's dad we're talking about." Clementine insisted. She couldn't really believe what she was hearing. Dusty had always trusted people, and this seemed so unlike him.

"We don't know much about Michael, either..."

"Of course we do!" Clementine exclaimed.

"Keep your voice down." Dusty hushed her with his whisper. "You may know some stuff about Michael, but I don't, he only talks to you, remember? We just need to keep our guard up, that's all I'm saying."

"What happened to you, Dusty? Why are you acting like this?" Clementine dared to question.

Dusty narrowed his eyes. "For your information, I realized that some people in this world can't be trusted. If you try to see the good in someone, they'll just throw it back in your face. Just like..." His eyes watered. "...when Katherine killed Maree, and when Xavier got Vaughn killed." He whimpered, rolling over with his back to Clem.

"I'm sorry, Dusty." Clementine apologized. "I'll keep an eye on, Lucas... If that's what you want."

Dusty was silent and completely motionless. Clementine sighed and rolled over, facing away from him. A moment later she closed her eyes and attempted to get some rest.

Alvie was sick... Dusty wasn't acting like himself... Could things get any worse? Maybe the morning would bring some light on the dark situation.

"Ready to head out?" A voice asked, giving her shoulder a poke. Clementine fluttered her eyelids and looked up at the man that was standing over her. Lucas met her gaze and smiled. "Come on, sleepy head..." He persisted.

Clementine yawned and then nodded, sitting up and then climbing to her feet. Hazen was already awake and was leaning against the front door. The little girl glanced over at the table only to find that AJ was missing. "Where's AJ?" She asked Lucas, who had promised to keep an eye on him.

"He's upstairs with Michael. He volunteered to take care of the lad while we're out." He informed her.

"How is he?" She questioned further.

"I ain't gonna lie, Clem, he's the same as he was last night. Maybe worse." Lucas informed her sadly. "But we'll find a way to help him, and he will get better, I'm sure of it."

Clementine nodded. "Let's focus on getting that water, then we'll find a way to help AJ." She suggested.

"That's the spirit." Lucas responded, handing her a jug. He then turned around and approached Dusty who was talking to Brooke. "Listen man, do you think I could have my weapons back? I don't want to go out there defenseless."

"I think I should hold onto them." Dusty replied sternly.

"Are you fucking kidding me? I've done nothing but help you this entire time and this is how you repay me?" He asked, a little angered by Dusty's attitude.

"No hard feelings, Lucas, but... We barely even know you."

"Oh, so it's trust issues, huh? What kind of person do you think I am?"

He crossed his arms. "I'm just looking out for my group."

"Come on Dustin." Brooke tried to convince him. "We're his guests here."

"Dusty..." A voice interrupted the two arguing men.

Clementine looked past Lucas to see Michael by the stairs, with AJ in his arms. "My dad's a lot of things, but a murderer ain't one of them. You can trust him with his weapons, he's not going to use them on any of us."

"Lucas has let us stay in his home, Dusty. He's trusted us, and he's trusted you with his weapons. You should give some of that trust back." Clementine chimed in.

(?) Dusty will remember that.

Dusty sighed, reaching behind his back and producing Lucas's revolver and small ax. "I want you to return these when you get back." He warned, handing him the weapons.

"Sure thing, soldier." Lucas replied, taking his weapons and tucking them into his waistband. "Come on you two. Lets head out." Lucas ordered, pushing the lighthouse door open and leading the way.

The sun was beginning to rise, tinting the blue sky with its bright orange glow. Clementine breathed in deeply, taking in the fresh, crisp morning air. After walking some distance away from the lighthouse, the sound of running water was very close. The sound of the dead lurking in the woodland was loud too. "Keep an eye out you two." Lucas warned, his small ax in his right hand.

Clementine scanned the surrounding trees, keeping an eye out for any of the walkers that were shuffling around in the undergrowth.

"I'm going to check up ahead." Hazen stated, picking up his pace.

"Alright, the river's not far now. Can't miss it." Lucas informed him. As Hazen disappeared from view, Lucas turned his attention to Clementine. "So..." He began. "Is your leader always like that?" He asked.

"Not always... We just went through a rough time recently, that's all."

"Yeah? Mind filling me in a little?"

"We came across this group of religious people... And we lost three of our group members..." She informed him depressingly.

(?) Lucas will remember that.

His face fell at the bad news. "Aw damn. I'm glad I didn't run into them."

But only about another moment had passed when Clementine caught sight of Hazen again, except he was accompanied by a groaning walker. The little girl quickened her pace to give him some assistance, leaving Lucas behind.

*Groaah...* *Groach!*

Hazen cut the undead life of that walker in an instant when he smashed its skull with a small boulder that laid on the riverbed. He grunted and slammed it only twice until the corpse lay motionless, rotten blood already pooling around it. "No harm, no sound." He tossed the rock aside and un-slung his backpack off his shoulders.

Clementine grimaced at the scene, only for her expression to lighten up at the running stream that was just ahead. A fresh gulp of water sounded pretty good right about now. "I don't see anymore walkers... we should try to make this quick."

Lucas stepped forward as he came up right next to her and nodded with confidence. "Girl's right, let's fill'em up and get out of here."

"Yeah, sounds good." Hazen agreed as he knelled down on the stream's edge, and his face scrunched up. "Shit..."

"What's wrong?" Clem inquired as she approached the older teen. Hazen decided to show her, instead of tell her, and scoop up some water with his jug. Clem sighed when he put his brown colored water on display to her. "The water's full of dirt..."

"Goddammit," Lucas cursed, examining the stream before them. "This usually doesn't happen, I was hoping for some clean water today." He shook his head with a pause. "Well, it's a few miles but we could probably find another creek I know. The Lake will be our last resort..."

"If we want water to bring back then this won't be quick either way we do it now." Haxen told them as he gripped the side of his shirt and ripped off the edge. "Give me your bottle Clem."

"What are you doing?" Clem asked, but did so as Hazen firmly placed the cloth of his shirt over the mouth of his jug, and he began to fill up Clem's with the stream water.

"You can use a piece of cloth to filter out the dirt, coffee filters are pretty good, and some spare charcoal would make it Aquafina worthy. But other than from rain water, you'll always have some sediment it in without something like this."

"That's pretty smart." Clem praised his efforts as he took her jug and placed it over the cloth and began to pour through it. A small drip came from the bottle and slowly but surely, it began to fill up.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Lucas scratched his head embarrassingly, and he set everything up so that his jug could be filtered too. "Damn, I feel stupid."

Hazen ignored his comment and deduced this himself. "About ten minutes or so and we'll have a full gallon. We'll fill up the other one, and filter it out later..."

*Rustle* *Rustle*

Suddenly, Clem and Hazen looked off to their left and saw a bush beginning to rustle violently. Clem instinctively pulled out her gun and aimed it at the brush, and Lucas noticed this too as he mirrored Clem's stance while drawing his revolver. "Can you hurry up?" She asked him, expecting more walkers.

"Come on!" Hazen hissed at the slow progress he was making, only at about a quarter full and spilling drips on the bottle's sides. He placed the jugs on the ground and instead armed himself for the threat. "First this, then the water."

But three of them were surprised to see one of those fellow survivors stumbling out of the green bushes with a small duffle bag on his shoulder. The man fell to the ground, face first as two decaying walkers followed him out. "Help!" He reached out, spotting the three. "Help me!"

Clem glanced beside her at Hazen, half-expecting him to do nothing, but she was surprised to see that he picked up the rock he had earlier and sprinted forward. Clem knew he didn't want to make any noise, so that meant no guns, so how was he..? "Whoa..."

Lucas's eyes widened as well when Hazen had thrown and slammed the rock into the first walker's face, drawing the attention of the second one. Hazen backed up and looked at Clem and Lucas for support. Clementine however was more reactive as she rushed to his side and immediately tossed the large knife she gotten from Michael after Katherine was killed. Hazen yelped as he caught it and quickly dove it into the lurker's skull, and it slumped to the ground in front of him, dead. "Good one..." He smirked at her as he pocketed the knife for himself.

"That was... I don't know, what's the word? Reckless?" Lucas glared as Hazen as he crossed his arms at him. "Don't get overconfident, kid."

"Yeah... I get it." He nodded.

Clementine then addressed the man who had stumbled upon them. He was Caucasian with a bald head on top. His T-shirt was grey and his pants were green, but it wasn't until Clementine noticed the bite mark on his shoulder and neck that the man awoken for them.

"Please..." He weakly groaned, looking up at the little girl. "You have to help me..."

"He's bit Clem, look." Hazen pointed out. "There's nothing we can do for him."

Clementine ignored him. "What do you need?" This man was dying in front of them, she could at least hear him out.

"You have to take this..." The bitten man croaked. "There's a map inside... take it to my people."

"Check inside it." Hazen ordered her as she took the bag from him, unfastening it from his person. "Unzip it."

"Now hold on a damn second." Lucas protested as he somberly looked down at the fallen survivor. "Let's slow down here."

Yet, Clementine still complied and opened the bag. Their eyes widened when they realized what was inside: Diapers, baby clothes, baby food, toys, talcum powder, and some special medicine for infants: everything a baby would need for a long time. "...It's baby stuff."

"Take it... take it..." The man whispered as he breathed his final breathe in front of the shocked three of them. The man was now surely dead... bleed out.

Lucas slowly moved towards the dead man and looked over his shoulder at Clementine and Hazen. "Gotta make sure he doesn't turn." He murmured, raising his ax and bringing it down on the man's head. The ax cut deep into his skull, but Lucas swiftly removed it and rejoined the two of them, glancing down at the bag.

Hazen scratched the back of his head with a stoic expression. "Looks like we finally caught a break."

"What?" Clem questioned as she took the map this man mentioned earlier. "You're not saying we should keep this, are you?"

"This man just passed away right in front of you." Lucas added. "He gave us a dying declaration and that's the first thing you're thinking about?"

"No!" Hazen shook his head frantically. "You really have that little faith in me now? Jesus! ...I'm just saying we keep SOME of it for AJ, and give the rest back to this guy's people."

"Hazen, I don't know..." Clem shrugged, wondering what to do. This could do good by AJ.

"If we take some of this stuff them we're robbing from a group of strangers who have a baby too." Lucas argued with him. "We're not the only ones out here kid."

Hazen scoffed at him and turned to the little girl for support. "But think about AJ, we got basically nothing for him! We have to keep some of this stuff just in case this guy cleaned out everything from the spot. Look, no one will ever be the wiser... please Clem, you know Alvie needs this."

Lucas shook his head. "When we meet them, we can also ask these people where they sent this guy to get this baby stuff in the first place."

"We need to play if safe for Alvie." Hazen shot back with his arms crossed. "Besides, these people won't know any better."

Clementine looked from Lucas to Hazen and then the supplies they stumbled upon... what could they do?

[Split Baby Bag]

[Return Everything]

A/N- What should be done here? Alvin Junior is definitely sick, so could these supplies be the last chance for him? What about these group of mysterious group of strangers, who could they be? What should Clementine do? VOTE! Via Review, and stay tuned for next time! :)