Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.
It wasn't long until the adults had come back from working. Gill got up and he said, "I think I'm going to ask about dinner. I'm pretty hungry." Gill said.
"Okay." Clementine said. She and Danielle got up and followed Gill, but she noticed that Sarah was still laying on the bed. Danielle continued to head downstairs. Meanwhile, Clementine watched Sarah as she looked up at the ceiling which made Clementine worry. She knew the teen was deep in thought since she wasn't reading a book. She figured that she would let Sarah have some time to herself just as her adoptive father had suggested. Clementine continued to head for the door and went downstairs.
Once downstairs, she saw Luke heading for the stairs. "Hey kiddo. How was your day?" Luke asked.
"It was good after having a rough start." Clementine said.
Luke nodded and he asked, "Is Sarah upstairs?"
Clementine nodded and she said, "I think she's doing better. She had a short conversation with me, Danielle, and Gill."
"Well, that's progress." Luke said. "I was on patrol with Eddie today. He told me that the factory is where we'll have dinner every night. It's easier on everyone to gather at the factory than for them to go from door to door with food."
"Is Eddie still mad at Wyatt?" Clementine asked. She remembered how the two had gotten into a bad argument at dinner over Nate last night.
"Nah. They made up. That's the thing with best friends. No matter how mad they get with another, at the end of the day, they're still there for you." Luke said with a frown.
"You seem sad." Clementine said.
Luke sighed and he said, "Yeah… it's hard, Clem. I know Nick wasn't the nicest guy in the world to you and that wasn't fair, but he was my friend and I miss him. It's not easy to find a friend that knows you inside and out. It's something you develop over the course of your life." Clementine nodded. While she and Nick didn't always get along, he was still a part of the group and the group was like a family. "Anyway, I ought to get ready for dinner and see if Sarah would be willing to come."
"Okay." Clementine said.
"It was nice talking to you again, kiddo. It seems like we haven't done that for a while with all the craziness that's been going on." Luke said. He showed a small smile.
"Yeah… you're right. Maybe you can help me with training again." Clementine said.
"Kiddo, after what you've been through, the last thing you need is training. Focus on being a kid again and then we'll talk." Luke said.
"Okay." Clementine said. Luke went past her and headed upstairs but she stopped him by calling his name. "Luke… I'm sorry… about hurting you."
Luke turned to her and smiled. "It's alright, Clem. I know you didn't mean to do that." Luke said.
Clementine nodded. She was thankful that Luke was willing to accept her apology. Luke continued going upstairs. Clementine turned around and saw Sarita gathering up the toys that she used to entertain Genevieve in the living room. Danielle was helping her.
"Thanks for helping me, Danielle. I appreciate it." Sarita said.
"You're welcome." Danielle said.
"Do you need any help?" Clementine asked.
"I think we got it." Danielle said. "But thanks Clem." She seemed to have calmed down from earlier. She was back to being her cheerful self.
They went toward the stairs; however, Clementine noticed a rabbit plush toy on the couch. She figured it was Genevieve's though it did appear to be worn. "I'll get this one." Clementine said as she picked up the rabbit plush toy.
Danielle turned back and she said, "Hold on, Clem. That's mine. Her name's Flopsie."
Clementine was slightly surprised by this. Regardless of the trauma that Danielle experienced, she still had some innocence left in her. "Sorry. I'll put her back on the couch." Clementine said.
Danielle smiled and she said, "Thanks Clem." She went upstairs with Genevieve's toys in her arms. Clementine wondered if Danielle needed someone to talk to about her experience. She seemed like a nice girl, but she also seemed hurt and lonely at times. She knew that she felt better after talking to her mother and Danielle did mention that what she went through would be something that she would only talk to an adult about. Clementine knew that her mother was probably the best person to talk to since she had comfort her, Sarah, and Genevieve in the past. She would have to find her and ask her if she would be willing to talk to Danielle.
Clementine noticed Matthew walking over to sit on the couch. "Clementine… what kind of mischief did you bring upon Rita today?" Matthew asked. Clementine smiled. It seemed like he was returning to his normal self. She could still tell that he wasn't as happy as he was at the ski lodge when Walter was alive, but he was cracking jokes.
"Nothing much. I played with Gill and Danielle for most of the day." Clementine said.
"Hmm… I see… We'll have to change that. You got to capitalize on the situation. There are three of you and only one of her." Matthew said. "I'd say you should cause some mayhem and make sure to take pictures."
"Matthew, what are you doing?" Alvin asked as he approached the two in the living room. Rebecca followed behind him with Genevieve in her arms. She had Genevieve's diaper bag in hand.
"Oh nothing." Matthew said. "I may have mentioned that she and the other kids should play some harmless pranks on Sarita. Don't worry. I didn't suggest anything about burning the house down."
Alvin rolled his eyes as he sat down on the sofa. "You'd have to build us a new house if that happened." Alvin said.
"Umm… yeah… about that…" Matthew said. "I have no experience in building anything except maybe a gingerbread house." Clementine looked over and noticed that her mother was behind the couch with Genevieve. She must have been changing Genevieve's diaper. As Clementine got closer, the foul odor made that apparent. She decided to wait until her adoptive mother had finished changing the baby.
"Alright baby girl. All clean." Rebecca said. She looked over to Clementine and she said, "Hi sweetie. Can you hold your baby sister for a minute or two?"
Clementine nodded and she held out her arms to Genevieve. The toddler leaned over to Clementine and allowed the girl to hold her. Clementine followed Rebecca who went into the kitchen to throw away the dirty diaper and to wash her hands. "M-Mommy." Clementine said as she bobbed Genevieve in her arms.
"Yes baby?" Rebecca asked as she finished washing her hands and dried them on the towel.
"I was wondering if you could do something for Danielle." Clementine said. Rebecca looked over to Clementine with a questioning look. "She's really nice, but she also seems really hurt… like me but worse."
Rebecca went over to Clementine and squatted down to her eye-level. "She went through a traumatic experience." Rebecca said. "I could tell."
Clementine nodded and she said, "Maybe you can talk to her. I've always felt better when you've talked to me."
Rebecca sighed and she said, "Sweetie, it might not be that simple, but I'll try. I do want to help her just like you. She didn't have anyone to help her through the trauma she experienced."
Clementine nodded and she said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Rebecca said. She frowned before she continued, "Have you seen Sarah at all today? Has she come home?"
"Yeah. She got home a few minutes before you and everyone else got home." Clementine said.
"Okay… Good. I was afraid I would have to send Luke out to go find her." Rebecca said.
"I think she's getting better. She seemed to have a normal conversation with me, Gill, and Danielle." Clementine said.
"Maybe…" Rebecca said. She didn't seem too convinced that Sarah was getting better. "Anyway, I need to go talk to your daddy to see if he can bring me back dinner."
"You're not coming?" Clementine asked.
"I can't. I'll be busy trying to talk to Danielle. It won't be easy to talk to her about… what happened." Rebecca said. She seemed to know what happened to Danielle and was hiding it from her daughter. "Just help daddy with Genevieve and I'll stay here with Danielle and talk to her."
Clementine nodded and she said, "Okay." Rebecca nodded before she got up to leave the kitchen. Clementine followed behind her.
Rebecca went over to Alvin and she said, "I'm going to stay here with Danielle while the rest of you get something to eat."
"Why are you staying?" Alvin asked. "Did Danielle get in trouble?"
"No. I just need to talk to her about something… in private." Rebecca said. "Clem will help you with Gen."
"Okay babe. I'll ask Jonah if I can bring you back something to eat." Alvin said.
Rebecca nodded and she said, "Thank you."
Luke, Danielle, and Sarita walked down the stairs. Luke sighed and leaned against the wall. "Well… I guess we'll have to convince Jonah to let us take a meal home for Sarah. She won't talk to me… Hell, she won't even look at me." Luke said.
Clementine frowned. She thought her friend had made progress. Unfortunately, she was wrong.
"That's too bad." Alvin said.
"There's got to be something we can do to get her through this… I'm at the end of my rope…" Luke said. He sounded frustrated. He must have been upset to see Sarah like this.
"I know how you feel, Luke. I wish there was something we can do, but… she needs more time." Rebecca said. Luke grumbled in response. "I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's where we're at. Sarah knows that she can talk to us and that we're here to help her."
Luke sighed and he said, "I guess you're right."
There was a knock at the door. Luke was closest to the door and went to open it. "Hey. Just wanted to let you know that dinner's ready." Clementine could hear Julie say from the door.
"Thanks Julie." Luke said. He stepped away from the door and allowed Randy and Patricia to enter the house.
"Mom. Dad." Gill said as he ran over to his parents. He hugged Patricia who returned the hug.
"Did you have a good day, sweetie?" Patricia asked.
"Yeah. It was a lot of fun." Gill said. "How was your day?" He and Patricia separated from the hug.
"Boring and tedious." Randy replied. Patricia rolled her eyes in response to Randy's blunt answer. "You'll have to tell us about your day on the way to the factory."
Gill nodded and joined his adoptive parents as they went toward the door. Julie had already left. She probably went next door to tell Wyatt, Eddie, Shel, Becca, and Russell that it was time for dinner.
"Alright. We better head out before all of the food is gone." Luke said.
Clementine still had Genevieve in her arms who seemed to be content. Alvin grabbed the diaper bag and went over to Rebecca. "I'll be back babe. I love you." Alvin said as he kissed his wife.
Rebecca returned the kiss and she said, "I love you too."
Alvin walked over to Luke and the others. Clementine noticed that Danielle looked confused as she clung to her rabbit plush toy. She must have been used to eating with Nate at dinner.
"Danielle, can you come here please?" Rebecca asked.
Danielle looked back with a confused look and she said, "Umm… okay." She walked over to Rebecca. "Am I in trouble?"
"No sweetie. I just want to talk." Rebecca said.
Clementine felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see her adoptive father looking at her. It seemed everyone was leaving the house to head for the factory "It's going to be alright, baby. Your mommy can handle this."
"Okay." Clementine said. She walked out of the house with Genevieve in her arms. Alvin followed behind her. Unlike last night, the group seemed to stay together.
Sarah's POV
Sarah noticed that the house had become quiet. She could hear a couple voices from downstairs. It didn't seem like that the two voices were there to babysit her which was what she was hoping for. All that time she had spent with Julie was wonderful. She was a kind and caring woman who understood the pain that Sarah had went through. But she didn't have the right answers. She didn't know how to get rid of the pain. The pain that had caused so many nightmares… She was forced to relive the deaths of her mother, her father, and her boyfriend every time she closed her eyes. She was sick of it.
Sarah pulled out a knife from underneath her pillow. She was somewhat glad that Clementine didn't see the knife that she hid in the pocket of her hooded sweatshirt. Once Clementine, Danielle, and Gill had left, she placed the knife under her pillow so no one could see it. Tonight was going to be the last night of her life. She was going to end it by slitting her wrists and bleeding out in the bathroom. She got up from the bed and tip-toed to the bedroom door. Her hand shook as she went for the door before turning the doorknob and heading into the hallway. Once she reached the hallway, she made her way to the bathroom. One of the two people within the house was yelling now. It was as if there was an argument between the two people. It almost sounded like the person who was yelling was Danielle.
She went toward the bathroom while reassuring herself that everything was going to be fine. She would see her parents and Zeke again. In addition, Clementine had friends and was safe, so she wouldn't be lonely. As for the others, like Luke and Rebecca, they would be alright.
Sarah entered the bathroom with no difficulty thanks to the yelling. She went over to the sink and place the knife against her wrist. She huffed as tears formed in her eyes. She seemed to huff more and more as she tried to force herself to cut her wrist. "Come on… Come on… I have to do this." Sarah whispered as tears flowed from her eyes.
Surprisingly, memories of Zeke flashed through her mind. "Hi… You're Sarah, right?"It was the first thing he had ever said to her. More memories of the archer who stole her heart flashed through her mind. "I know that I think you're cute, nice, fun, and pretty." He said that when they had started dating. However, the most painful memory was four simple words. "I love you, Sarah.." It was like he was in the room with her.
She opened her tear-filled eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. She was stunned when she saw Zeke standing next to her. "Don't give up." She heard his voice. He said that when he was teaching her how to shoot a gun. She blinked and the hallucination disappeared.
She lowered her hands and she thought it over. Zeke never gave up. His life was full of trial. He grew up without a mother, was beaten and abused by his father, and watched his little brother die in his arms. He had lost everything, but he never gave up. Sarah wiped the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her hooded sweatshirt. She wanted to cry but fought the urge to do so. "I won't give up…" She whispered to herself as her voice cracked.
She could hear whimpering from downstairs which was accompanied by a soothing voice. Sarah went to the door and left the bathroom with the knife in her hand. She walked downstairs and saw Rebecca holding Danielle on her lap while gently rocking her back-and-forth on the couch. The child whimpered a little bit in Rebecca's arms.
Rebecca looked up to Sarah and was shocked to see her. Her eyes widened when she saw the knife. "Sarah… what are you doing with that?" Rebecca asked. She seemed worried as if Sarah was going to do something drastic.
Sarah dropped the knife and she said, "I… I was… going to kill myself… tonight..."
Rebecca frowned. "Why would you think that would be a good idea?" Rebecca asked.
Sarah looked down. She could feel Rebecca's disappointing stare on her. "I don't know." Sarah said. She didn't have any answers.
There was a long pause between them. Rebecca sighed and she asked, "Are you alright?"
Sarah shook her head and she said, "I want the pain to stop." She looked back up to Rebecca. She was unsure why she was looking to her for an answer.
"Sarah, sweetie, I know you want the pain to stop, but it might be a while till it does. These things take time. Just know that we're all here for you… Me, Alvin, Sarita, Matthew, Luke… You don't have to figure this out on your own. You have us." Rebecca said.
Sarah knew this, but for some reason, she had pushed them away. She should have known better. She should have found comfort from the people who knew her best. Sarah looked up to Rebecca and she said, "I'm… sorry that I pushed you and everyone away."
"It's alright, honey." Rebecca said. She made a gestured to her to come sit at the couch next to her.
Sarah obliged and went over to the couch. For once, she didn't feel angry and guilty.
…To be continued.