Thanks to gaara king of the sand for the help.
They had been on the road for a while before Carver agreed to allow them to stop for the children to use the bathroom.
He had Tavia lead them a bit away from the truck so they could go. Clementine thought about running, she wondered if she would be fast enough to escape, but decided against it, know it would probably only end up with her or Sarah getting shot.
She waited a few moments for Sarah to finish peeing, the younger girl herself hadn't had to go, but had been told to "try" by Carver as he didn't want to take another break anytime soon.
Clementine watches as a moth lands on a tree in front of her. She innocent wonders what it would be like to just… fly away. Clementine reaches out to touch the moth, but it flies off just as she get close enough.
"Girls," Tavia's voice makes her jump. "I told you five minutes! You better be done by now!"
"Y-Yeah, one second!" Sarah called fixing her pants. She looked to Clementine and said, "Thanks for coming with me. It's scary out here. I know they made you... It's still nice that you came."
"We're friends. Why wouldn't I?" Clementine said. "Besides, we're safer if we stick together."
Sarah smiled at that. "Yeah, you're right."
"Girls!" Tavia exclaims again.
"We're finished, just calm down." Clementine scoffed.
Tavia sent the young girl a look. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you, kid. Come on."
The two girls followed as she escorted them back to the truck.
"Sarah, I'm going to do something risky, okay? If things start to get out of hand, do you think you can have my back?" Clementine whispers to her friend.
"I... I don't want you to do anything scary." Sarah said.
"...Just hang back if you don't want to help me." Clementine said.
"B-But you shouldn't do anything to make them mad. They have guns..." Sarah said.
"I'm not scared. And you don't have to be either." Clementine replied.
Sarah frowned. "But I am. I'm scared of getting shot... I just want to be with my dad again."
Clementine sighed as the truck came into view. She had a plan, but she didn't know how this would go. And she hoped Sarah wouldn't mess it up.
Carver noticed their return. "Get 'em tied up and back in the truck."
Tavia nodded.
Carver began speaking on the radio to someone. Clementine watched, with narrowed eyes. It was now or never.
Tavia was tying Sarah's hands
"It ain't polite to listen to other folks' conversations. Has anyone ever taught you that? Where's your manners?" Carver spoke directly to little Clementine.
Clementine glared at him. "It's not polite to kidnap people and force into a truck. Did anyone ever teach you that?"
Carver smirked at that slowly approaching her. "You're a little brat, aren't you? A feisty, little brat." He knelt to her level and placed a gentle hand on her cheek. "But I like you."
"I don't like you." Clementine coldly responded, slapping his hand away.
"That's alright, honey. You don't have to." Carver chuckled as he straightened up. "I'm gonna have to tame that tongue of yours. Tavia, tie her up."
Tavia nodded.
Clementine didn't waste another second, she took a breath for confidence and with Carver's back to her she reached into her training bra, pulling a knife. She lunged at the man only for Bonnie to exclaimed, "Bill, watch out!"
Carver heeded the warning, quickly turning to the little girl and seizing her arm just in time to keep her from stabbing him. "You're a sneaky little bitch, huh?" He tightened his grip on her arm, forcing a whimper from the small child's lips. He didn't release her grip even when the pain had forced her to drop the knife.
"Bill, stop!" Bonnie said, "You're gonna break her wrist."
"She fucking deserves it after pulling a stunt like that!" Carver hissed.
His fist squeezed the child's fragile wrists until she thought they would shatter. He studied her eyes. "Afraid?"
"No." Clementine shook her head.
Carver laughed, contempt and pity in the sound. "You should be. It should be terrifying to know you can be broken, at any time.
Clementine couldn't suppress the shudder that went through her.
She fought back tears as she tried to pull away.
"Stop! Don't hurt my friend!" Sarah called.
"Shut the fuck up!" Carver ordered causing the teen to flinch. "Get her into the truck."
"Bill-" Bonnie started to protest.
"Now!" Carver exclaimed.
Bonnie opened the truck and ushered Sarah inside.
"Clem- Let go of her you sick fuck!" Kenny snapped only for the truck door to be closed again before he could get another word in.
Clementine felt Carver's stone grip ease finally and blood returned to her wrists.
"Try something like that again and next time I won't be so nice. Let this be your warning." Carver sneered. "You got any more weapons on you?"
The girl kept quiet, refusing to speak a word.
Annoyed, Carver delivered a sharp smack to her cheek. "Answer me." He ordered.
"N-No." Clementine finally mumbled.
Carver didn't buy it for a second. He looked to Tavia and Bonnie and said, "Check her."
The two women nodded and began searching the girl for any weapons.
"Check her shoes, her clothes, make sure that brat doesn't have anything that can be used as a weapon." Carver said.
Bonnie and Tavia proceeded to check the girl, who struggled a bit.
"Clementine, please… Don't make Bill angry." Bonnie pleaded to her in a quiet voice. "Just let us check you."
"Screw you." Clementine snapped.
"Clementine…" Bonnie groaned.
"Found something." Tavia suddenly said. "Kid had a damn razor."
Clementine's eyes widened. "…I…"
"I thought you didn't have any weapons." Carver grumbled.
"I just-"
"You're just fucking liar. You're just making things worse for yourself, honey." Carver said. "You can't be trusted, Clementine. And this can't go unpunished."
Clementine was nervous for what he would do.
"Strip." Carver said, shocking them all.
The girl's eyes widened; she hadn't been expecting that. She was stunned. "Wh-What?"
"Your clothes. Take them off." Carver said. "Pants, shirt, shoes. Take them off. Now."
Clementine just remained still as a statue.
"Don't act like you've gone deaf. Do it, or they can do it for you." Carver motioned to her guards.
"Wh-Why are you doing this?" Clementine whimpered a bit.
"This is your punishment, maybe you'll think twice about going against me." Carver said. He looked to his guards, take her clothes.
"Bill, are you serious?" Bonnie asked.
"Dead serious. Stop questioning me and do it." Carver said.
"N-No! No!" Clementine exclaimed.
"Shut up." Tavia ordered as she approached. She and a reluctant Bonnie began removing the young girl's clothes. "What about her undergarments, Bill."
Clementine sent him a look of terror. "Pl-Please… Please don't…"
"Let her keep them." Carver said. "I'm not a bad guy, honey. I think this should be lesson enough."
Tavia nodded.
Clementine now found herself embarrassed and shivering in her training bra and panties.
"Get the girl tied up and in back with the rest of 'em. We got a bit of a drive ahead of us." Carver said, picking up her fallen clothes. "You'll have to earn these back."
Tavia tied Clementine's hands and opens the back of the truck.
The group was shocked upon seeing the girl.
"Clem? What the fuck did you people do to my girl?" Molly inquired. "Where are her clothes?"
"Get in." Tavia ordered, brushing off Molly's question.
"I'm talking to you!" Molly snapped.
Clementine made her way inside with a bit of struggle. She was even more embarrassed with her group seeing her in this state.
"Where the hell are her clothes?" Kenny inquired.
"Are you okay, Clementine?" Sarita asked. "Where are your clothes, sweetie?"
The more they asked that the more embarrassed she felt.
"The hell did he do to you? Hey! Did he hurt you? Hey. Hey!" Kenny exclaimed.
Tavia ignored them, shutting the door.
Clementine stood still, whimpering for a bit. Most of the group was surprised, having never heard the small girl cry.
"Come here, Clem." Molly urged. She noticed her girl seemed traumatized. She had seen her like this before.
Clementine obliged, going over to her guardian. Molly allowed the girl to sit close enough that, if Molly's hands weren't bound, she would be in her lap.
"What did they do to you?" Molly asked the girl.
"T-Took my clothes away…" Clementine simply mumbled.
"Sarah told us you pulled a knife on him, what the hell were you thinking?" Carlos spoke up. "You put yourself and MY DAUGHTER at risk."
"Leave her alone, Carlos." Molly ordered.
"No. She's going to get us all killed doing things like that!" Carlos said.
"I was trying to kill him! I would've done it if it wasn't for Bonnie…" Clementine frowned.
"You need to keep your girl under control." Carlos said to Molly. "Stay in a child's place, Clementine."
"Don't talk to her like that!" Kenny snapped.
"Did I do something wrong, Molly?" Clementine asked in a small voice.
Molly shook her head. "No, Clem… You didn't."
Carlos huffed at that.
The group rode in silence for a while.
Kenny suddenly broke the tense silence. "Alright, we gotta do something. Come on. Anyone got anything sharp? Anything? We need to get these bindings off!"
No one responded.
Kenny narrowed his eyes, trying to think of what to do. "Hey! Clem help me find something to get these off. Anything sharp that could cut these..."
"Like what?" Molly asked.
"Anything sharp. A fucking- I don't know, anything!" Kenny said.
"And what good is that gonna do?" Rebecca huffed.
"The hell is wrong with you people? We gotta get out of here." Kenny snapped.
"Why bother? We'll just get punished…" Clementine mumbled.
"Hey. Don't talk like that." Molly said. "We're going to be fine."
"We'll be fine, if we get the hell out of here. You people need to wake up! We're in a fuckin' precarious position here. We gotta do something about that!" Kenny said.
"Settle down, Kenny. They took everything. We have to keep a level head." Carlos grumbled.
"He's right. You don't know Bill like we do." Rebecca said.
"Bill? This whole time it's Carver, Carver, Carver, now he's fuckin' Bill? Oh, I see what it is. Y'all are just gettin' a ride home, aren't ya? That's what's goin' on here." Kenny stated.
"Say that again." Nick said.
Kenny shot him a warning look. "I'd stay out of this, boy.
"Mister, I ain't a boy!" Nick snapped.
"No, right...you're a man." Kenny mocked.
"You don't understand. He's different...he's worse." Rebecca said.
"The fuck are you talkin' about?" Kenny inquired.
"He wants to punish us." Rebecca answered.
"Is…Is he going to kill us?" Clementine asked, nervously.
"I don't think so. He would've done it by now." Rebecca said.
"He won't get the fucking chance." Kenny said.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with!" Carlos suddenly snapped.
"Oh, he gave me a pretty good goddamn idea back at the lodge, and I don't intend to sit around here and let that happen to the rest of us! I'm tryin' to help!" Kenny said.
"I'm sure Walter really appreciated your help!" Carlos spat.
"Like you helped Alvin?" Rebecca questioned.
Kenny lowered his gaze at their cold words.
"That's not fair! You're blaming him for the actions of a madman." Sarita defended.
"I am pointing out that, regardless of intent, there are consequences to rash actions. Something that he seems to be misreading as capitulation." Carlos said.
"I dunno what the fuck you're saying, but I know it's bullshit! We have to do something!" Kenny said.
"Kenny..." Rebecca called, with a sigh. "You can't reason with him."
Kenny looked around noticed broken piece of pipe. "Oh, shit. Jackpot!" He stood and made his way to the pipe, hoping to loosen his restraints.
"Sit down. You're going to get us all killed!" Carlos snapped.
Kenny ignored him as he used the jagged edges of the broken pipe to start cutting through his ties. "Y'all don't know what you're talking about. We get cooped up in some kennel like a buncha fuckin' dogs, it's over."
"You don't know that." Rebecca said.
"Yeah? Well, I been in this situation before. You ever been a prisoner?" Kenny asked.
"We've all been prisoners. Why do you think we left?" Carlos replied.
"Then that should be more reason for you folks to want to leave." Kenny said. "It's like I'm talking to a brick wall with you people."
"Exactly how we feel right now." Nick scoffed.
"I swear, you better bite your tongue, boy. You people don't wanna help, but you sure as hell love hearing yourselves whine." Kenny huffed.
"Kenny, calm down, please…" Clementine said. "Maybe we can just come up with a plan."
"That asshole stripped your clothes, Clem. We can't sit here and let that crazy fucker pull some other bullshit. You gotta have my back here, kid." Kenny said.
"I want to… But… I'm scared." Clementine admitted.
"And it's okay to be scared, but we gotta do something," Kenny said.
"I… I guess." Clementine mumbled. "Maybe Kenny's right, we could fight back."
"Clem, the adults are talking." Carlos shushed the girl.
Clementine rolled her eyes. "Is that what this is?"
"Clem, it's fine… Don't feed into them." Molly said.
Kenny successfully cuts his ties. "Alright, now we're talkin'. Come here, Clem, I can cut yours off too."
Clementine seemed hesitant.
"Carver will be on the other side of that door with ten people." Carlos said.
Sarah starts sobbing.
"There, there, baby. It's okay. Everything's gonna be fine." Rebecca comforted the teen.
"Kenny, the odds are against us here. We have no weapons. If we try anything, we're gonna get people killed." Molly said.
"The only people getting killed will be the people on there side." Kenny claimed.
"Would you use your head for once? There's nothing we can do right now. You're not going to stand a chance against bullets!" Molly said.
"Sounds to me like y'all given up." Kenny huffed.
"At this point, maybe Luke is the only hope we have." Carlos said.
"If he was gonna do something, he would've done it by now." Kenny said.
"Who knows what he's dealing with. Anything can happen out there." Rebecca said.
"I'll tell you what happened: he abandoned us." Kenny simple replied.
"You don't know that." Nick said.
"I know he ain't here." Kenny responded.
"He may not be around, but he wouldn't just leave us behind." Rebecca said.
"That guy is a flake. I could tell the second I set eyes on him." Kenny said.
"Kenny, please calm down. Please." Sarita pleaded. "Please…"
"I'm calm, Sarita! I look angry to you?" Kenny snapped.
"Luke will help us." Clementine said. "He has to."
"Oh, yeah? When? After that crazy fuck's killed us all?" Kenny exclaimed.
"Kenny, back off!" Molly ordered.
Kenny immediately regretted his actions as he noticed the look of fear on little Clementine's face. "I… I didn't mean that. I didn't mean to yell at you, Clem."
"It's okay…" Clementine mumbled.
"No. It's not okay." Rebecca spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Clem…" Kenny said. "I just… overreacted."
Clementine just nodded.
"Hey, look, Clem…" Kenny started.
The truck shook harshly as it drives over uneven ground.
"We're close." Carlos mutters.
Kenny straightens up, "Okay. Let's do this."
"They have guns. What exactly do you expect to do?" Rebecca asked.
"I'm gonna punch the first son of a bitch I see. Then I'm gonna take his gun and use it to shoot the NEXT son of a bitch I see." Kenny told them.
"Just sit down!" Carlos ordered.
"Shut up, Doc! This ain't your call." Kenny said before turning to Clementine. "Hey, Clem, just...if something happens, just help out, okay? Don't, you know, get yourself hurt or nothin', but any help'd be good. Hey. Clem. Look at me. You trust me, right?"
"You're not dragging her into the this, Kenny. I'm not gonna let you." Molly said in a stern tone.
The truck starts beeping.
"Kenny! Please, just... Just listen to them. They know him...what he's capable of." Sarita said.
"Clem," Kenny spoke to the child again.
"Kenny, stop!" Molly snapped. "She's a little child, don't try to force her into this crazy plan of yours."
"It's okay, Molly." Clementine said. "I... I trust you, Kenny. I'll...I'll do what I can."
"Alright. It's okay to be a little scared. But we gotta do this." Kenny said, turning to the door. "Alright...everybody re-"
Before he can finish his sentence, the truck shakes. Kenny hits his head against the door and falls down.
Sarita gasps going to check on him. "Kenny! Kenny, are you okay?"
"Is he okay?" Rebecca asked.
"I think so." Sarita answered after a moment.
"Oh...what hit me?" Kenny asked.
"It's probably for the best." Carlos said.
As the truck came to a stop the door of the truck suddenly opened.
Tavia, Bonnie, and another guard stood at the door.
"Alright, up and at 'em." Tavia spoke.
They usher the group up and outside.
"Hold on… How'd you get your restraints off?" Tavia asked Kenny.
Bonnie closes the truck door as Tavia examines Kenny's wrist.
"Fuck it. Just get a move on." Tavia sighed.
Keeping their captives at gunpoint, the guards escort Clementine's group through the camp, which Clementine realizes is a hardware store.
"Where are my girl's clothes?" Molly questioned.
"Bill said she has to earn them back. This is her punishment." Tavia said.
"This is bullshit! She's small, she's gonna freeze." Molly snapped.
"Maybe she'll learn her lesson that way." Tavia replied. "Keep moving."
Clementine frowned, making sure to keep close to her guardian. She flinched when she suddenly heard a voice over the PA system. "We've got some familiar faces back with us tonight. Now, I understand some of you are confused as to why we'd bring these people back when they left us as they did."
"I think I've got an idea." Tavia said.
"It might not come all at once...but time will heal these wounds...so be patient with them until it does...and take solace in knowing that they're here to help us make our home a better place. All these feelings you have of anger...betrayal...hate. They're all valid. No one needs to forget what they did...but we do have to find it in our hearts to forgive them." Carver continued giving his speech.
"Molly, look how much food they have..." Clementine said.
"I hope you ain't saying what I think you're saying." Kenny scoffed.
One of the guards, Vera approaches Carlos. "Carlos, we need you for something."
"Can it wait until morning? We're all exhausted." Carlos sighed.
"It's pretty urgent. Shouldn't be too long." Vera said.
Carlos just nodded as Vera led him away.
Sarah's eyes widened. "I need him. I need my dad. I can't...he's...he looks after me."
"He'll be back..." Clementine reassured.
"When?"
"I don't know… but he will be back." Clementine said.
"Thanks, Clem." Sarah replied.
"With the added manpower joining us this evening, I have no doubt that we will continue to grow and prosper." Carver speaks.
His words make Clementine dislike him even more.
Before long the group stops at a fenced in area. "Make sure y'all stay off the fence. Bill can see if you're messin' with it." Bonnie warns.
"It's no longer enough just to survive...it's our obligation to make this community a beacon of hope..." Carver speech continues as Bonnie allows the group into the yard.
"Thanks, Bonnie." Nick mumbles.
"Yup." Bonnie replies.
"-To provide a light...a bright light. Bright enough to shine in all this darkness. So that is what we'll do." Carver ends his speech, much to Clementine's relief. She wishes he would just stop talking forever."
Tavia and Bonnie take off the ropes around everyone's wrists.
Molly immediately removes her jacket and wraps it around Clementine's small form, helping the child zip it.
Clementine was grateful. The jacket was oversized on her and covered her as if it were a dress. "Thank you…"
"Bill's not gonna like that. He said, she's being punished." Tavia said.
"I don't give a damn what he likes. She's my responsibility. And I'll be damn if I let her walk around like that." Molly said.
Tavia simply shrugged.
"Y'all best get some rest. Because come tomorrow, Bill gonna have you working hard." Bonnie said. She motions to a cot. "That's for you, Rebecca."
Rebecca looks at a cot in the corner and scoffs. "Yeah, it would be. Fuckin' Bill. Keeps me out in the cold, but at least I'll be comfortable."
Their attention is suddenly grabbed as a voice greeted, "Hey, guys."
Rebecca gasps. "Reggie?!" She quickly hugs the one-armed man. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. What did they do to you...?"
"This could've been worse, trust me. I'm lucky to be alive." Reggie said.
"It's my fault." Nick mumbled with a frown."
"No, it's really not. I would tell you if it was. This happened well after you guys left." Reggie replied. "I guess I should say it's nice to see you, but…" He trailed off.
"I know. I feel the same way." Rebecca replied.
"Reggie helped us. When we ran away." Sarah whispered to Clementine.
Clementine looked to the girl then back to Reggie. "What happened to his arm?"
"Clem, that's not something you should ask." Molly whispered to the child.
"But… I want to know…" Clementine said.
"I don't know what happen. He was supposed to come with us when we left. We were all running out together... But then he fell...and everybody kept running. I know he had both his arms then…" Sarah said.
"They got me working outside. Lurker snuck up on me while I was hammering something. Luckily, they took the arm off quick. Saved my life." Reggie explained to the group who also seemed curious on how he lost his arm.
Rebecca frowned, "That's awful... I'm so sorry."
"Look, it was my choice to help you guys." Reggie said. He then noticed the newcomers and greeted, "Hello."
"Oh, right. Let me introduce you. We were with them when we got caught." Rebecca said.
"Hey, I'm Reggie." Reggie introduced himself first.
"That's Sarita." Rebecca motioned to the woman.
Sarita offered a kind smile. "Hello."
Rebecca then gestured to Kenny. "And that's Kenny."
Kenny: Heya.
"That's Molly. And the little one is Clementine." Rebecca said.
Reggie noticed Clementine's curious gaze on him. "Hello! Sorry if this freaks you out. It's okay. Freaks me out too, sometimes."
Clementine felt flustered at that. "N-No… I'm sorry… I just…"
"It's okay, kiddo." Reggie cut her off. "It's very nice to meet you, Clementine." He offered her a handshake which she accepted. "Hey, where's Carlos?"
"Bill's already got him lookin' at some folks." Rebecca explained.
"Oh...okay. Good. What about Pete? And Luke?" Reggie asked.
Everyone's expressions fell.
"Can you guys save it for the morning? Some of us gotta be up early." A man's voice called.
"Who's that?" Clementine asked.
Sarah shrugged. "I don't know."
Rebecca was unsure as well. "I don't recognize the voice."
"No problem. Sorry about that." Reggie called back.
Mike puts his pillow over his head and turns around.
"Okay, that's Mike. He's kind of a dick when he's tired, but...like I said, he saved my life, so...I put up with that shit. Bill put him to work outside the wall with me." Reggie explained, keeping his voice quieter than before.
"I'm so sorry." Rebecca frowned.
"Stop with all the sorry. It was my choice. Besides, he said once you were all caught, he'd let me rejoin the group, so...I'm glad you're here. I'm just joking." Reggie said.
Rebecca nodded. "I know."
"I mean, he did say that...but I'm not happy about it. It's probably bullshit..." Reggie said.
Clementine notices a woman sitting at a picnic table and watching them and asked innocently, "Who's she?"
Reggie followed the young girl's gaze, "Hmm? Who?"
"The girl over there." Clementine said.
With attention on her the woman gets up and walks away.
"Oh, yeah, right. Okay, so she's fuckin' weird. They found her sneaking around outside the camp covered in guts and just, like, the grossest shit." Reggie said.
Rebecca urged the children to look away. "It's probably best not to stare."
"I know how it must look, but...it's really not that bad here." Reggie said.
Rebecca frowned at that, sending him a look of disbelief. "Reggie..."
"No, I'm serious. Where else are you going to find food like we have? We've got the canned stuff, and now with the greenhouses coming along, we've got fresh food." Reggie said. "The building's getting more and more secure all the time...mostly through forced labor, but that's only temporary. They've even got the solar panels working...when was the last time you had electricity, huh?"
Sarah furrowed her brows, "Well, we just came from a lodge with a wind turbine and-"
"It's not a competition. I'm just saying, it's not as bad as you think. We're building something great here, guys. A real community. Bill is making it happen. Look, I've made mistakes, and he's forgiven me." Reggie said.
"That doesn't make up for what he's done, Reggie." Rebecca argued.
"I know that, but I'm starting to see what this place offers... I didn't before, and with the accident...it's just that much more important now." Reggie said.
"Carver killed my friends." Clementine said.
Reggie was surprised to hear that. "Okay, I don't know what happened, but...maybe he had his reasons—"
Kenny cut in, "His reason is he's a crazy piece of shit."
"He killed Alvin too..." Rebecca said.
"Oh my gosh… I'm so sorry, Rebecca." Reggie said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder for a moment. "Listen, I'm really close to getting let back into the group. Once that happens, I can do a lot more to help you guys be more comfortable."
Rebecca pulled away upon hearing his words.
"Comfortable? What do you think this is?" Kenny spat.
"I just don't want you to mess things up for me. I've worked really hard to get to this point. Will you please just try not to cause any trouble? At least until they release me. Then, once I'm out, I could help you more. Maybe even help get you out." Reggie said.
"We won't get you in trouble." Clementine assured him.
"But that doesn't mean, we're not gonna try to find a way out." Molly said.
"Exactly. The kid doesn't speak for all of us." Kenny said.
"They're expecting me to keep things in line out here." Reggie said.
"Well, if Carver's such a "great guy", I'm sure you've got nothing' to worry about." Kenny replied.
Endless seconds crept by with no response before Reggie sighed. "We can at least talk about it more in the morning. Just have a quiet night and chat again tomorrow."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing." Rebecca shook her head.
"Look, the fact is, Bill had every reason to kill me when I helped you guys...but he didn't. Obviously, I don't know what happened while you all were gone, but he's given me a second chance, and I know he'd do the same for you." Reggie said.
"Reggie...I don't want a second chance. After what he did to Alvin...I want him dead. He killed my husband in cold blood and I want him dead. The very sight of him sickens me. Being trapped here with him, it's torture. All I want to do is put a bullet through his head and burn his corpse." Her voice broke.
Her words were so cold that it made everyone uncomfortable.
Rebecca inhales sharply then suddenly grabbed at her stomach. "I need to sit down."
Sarita nodded. "Yeah, come on. Sarah? Can you go see if there's something for her to drink?"
"Okay."
"Yeah, there's water over by the benches." Reggie said.
Sarah, Rebecca, Sarita, and Nick walk away.
Reggie sighed to himself. "That didn't go as planned...should've actually made a plan."
He walked off leaving Molly, Kenny, and Clementine to themselves.
"Man... fuck that guy. I don't think we can trust him. I mean, clearly he's already drank too much of the Kool-Aid." Kenny said.
"I think he's just scared." Clementine said.
"Everybody's scared. It ain't an excuse to sound like a nutcase." Kenny replied.
"Reggie's not the problem. Carver and those guards are. We need to find a way out of here." Molly said.
"That's what I was saying the whole time in the truck. Finally deciding to listen to me now?" Kenny huffed.
"We didn't have a plan in the truck. We still don't have a plan. But that doesn't mean we can make one." Molly said.
Kenny sighed and nodded, "So what's the plan professor?"
"We take a look around for starters." Molly said.
"Fair enough." Kenny said. "Hopefully there's something we can exploit to get out of here. We're in a tight spot. Gonna have to wriggle our way out."
Molly nodded. "Clementine and I can have a look around."
"Those asshole guards are gone for now. This is our chance." Kenny said. "Don't worry about Reggie. I'll go run interference on him."
"Alright, good." Molly said.
Kenny walked over to chat with Reggie, in order to keep him distracted.
"Come on, Clem. Let's split up and see what we can find."
Clementine nodded and the two began searching around for a way out.
Clementine checked for any weak spots in the walls, and holes or gaps. But she was having no uses. She continues searching and thought about talking to the other group members to learn more about this place.
She approached the strange woman from early but was startled back when the woman shot her a cold glare. Clementine opted to talk to someone else. She walked over to Mike who was laying on his side. "H-Hello?"
Mike didn't even look at her. "Get lost."
Clementine frowned, but obliged, not wanting to piss him off.
She decided to try to talk to Nick who she noticed was laying against a cot. "Hi, Nick."
"Hey, Clem." Nick greeted back. "Just thinking about Luke. Just...there's no way he's gone. That he left. How about it? 'Cause me, I known him for damn near twenty years now and I can't buy it. Course, I can't say the thought never crossed my mind. Things change. The whole damn world changed. Yeah. Yeah, he's still out there. You watch."
"Why wouldn't he help us before we got here?" Clementine asked.
"I don't know. I just know he's out there still. He's smart. Smarter than me, that's for sure." Nick said.
"Maybe he will come. I can't see him leaving you guys behind." Clementine said.
"Us guys, you mean." Nick corrected.
"Yeah… Us guys." Clementine said. "Nick… What's this place like?"
"It's like a prison. Never been to one, but I'd imagine it was like this." Nick muttered.
That didn't make Clementine feel good at all.
Nick yawned and spoke. "Guess I oughta try and get some sleep. You should too. They're gonna ride our asses tomorrow, for sure."
"Okay." Clementine said.
"'Night."
"Goodnight, Nick."
Clementine decided to check in on Sarah, Sarita and Rebecca.
"Hey Sarah,"
"I'm trying to be good." Sarah said.
"What?" Clementine said.
"Reggie asked me to be good, so I'm being good. I don't want him to get in trouble. I'll talk to you later." Sarah said.
"Why can't we talk now?" Clementine asked.
"Because you might do something like you did outside. Like what you did to make Carver take your clothes away." Sarah said.
"I didn't make him do anything. He did it because he's an asshole."
"Let's just talk later, Clem. Please… I don't want to get in trouble either." Sarah said. "I don't want you to get me in trouble."
Clementine felt a bit offended by her words. "…Fine." She went over to Rebecca and Sarita who were talking.
"…I didn't treat him very well these last few weeks...things got so complicated so fast...it became all about getting through each day... I'm trying real hard to remember the last time I told him that I loved him... I've been wracking my brain...but I just can't remember..." Rebecca mumbled.
Clementine knew she was talking about Alvin. "I'm sure he knew...in his heart, I'm sure he knew."
"I hope that's true." Rebecca mumbled. "I'll be fine. I appreciate you checking up on me. How are you, sweetie?"
"I'm… okay… I wish Carver would give me my clothes back, it's cold out here." Clementine said.
"He shouldn't have taken them in the first place." Rebecca huffed. She then mumbled something that only Clementine heard. "Damn pervert…"
"What's that mean?"
"Huh?"
"That word you said."
"It's… Nothing, Clementine." Rebecca said. "Why don't you check in with Molly, I think it's probably gonna be time for you and Sarah to head to bed soon."
"…Okay…" Clementine said going over to her guardian. "Did you find anything?"
"Nope. This place is pretty secure." Molly huffed. "What about you?"
"No luck…" Clementine said. "We should talk to Kenny. Let him know."
"Okay." Molly agreed.
The two made their way over to Kenny who was turned to them upon noticing them approaching. "Mind giving us a minute?" Kenny asked Reggie.
"Not at all, I'm gonna head to bed soon anyway." Reggie said.
They moved from Reggie's earshot and Kenny spoke, "Well, out with it. D'you see any way outta here?"
"Not really. We're the only way out. They cut the ladder and the fences are strong. Did you see anything?" Molly said.
"No… Damn... I was hoping at least Clementine would catch something these old eyes missed...they're gettin' more and more useless." Kenny huffed.
Suddenly the gate opened and Tavia returned with Carlos.
Sarah beamed and ran over to hug him. "Dad!"
"Everyone head to bed!" Tavia called before shutting the door.
A while passed before everyone settled down on the cots. Molly made sure to stay close to Clementine to keep the child warm.
"Some of these folks ain't too keen on leavin'...it's up to us to figure out a way outta here. You two up for it? It's your decision..." Kenny spoke to them.
Clementine nodded. "I'm ready. Of course I am."
"Good...good. Confidence is good. You gotta have the right attitude." Kenny said. "What about you Molly?"
"We don't have much of a choice. I'll do what I can." Molly said.
"Good. We should get some sleep. We'll need it." Kenny said.
Molly agreed. Clementine closed her eyes, feeling her guardian, gently rubbing a hand over her curly hair, eventually lulling the child to sleep.
Morning came far too soon for Clementine's liking. The group was forced up and about and shuffled to an area where Carver stood ready to give another lecture. Clementine noticed that some of the group members were missing.
"There's been increased walker activity along the fence, so be mindful when outside the walls. The herd's moved a little closer as of this morning, but that still doesn't necessarily mean we'll be hit. Know we're monitoring the situation. Now... There are some folks might be sore about what happened...at how things went. Well, that's all in the past now. Some of you are new to our community. Some of you are members who went astray. But know that you can find redemption here...forgiveness...by proving your worth through what will undoubtedly be hard work." Carver spoke.
"Where's Molly?" Clementine speaks up.
"Sent her to work on fixing the fence with Kenneth and Michael. She has a smart mouth. Had some words to say regarding you, figured she could cool off." Carver said.
Clementine felt a bit nervous about being separated from her guardian. Part of her felt that Carver had separated them on purpose. "I can help her."
"No. You only go where I tell you to go and do what I tell you to do." Carver said. "Now quiet down."
Clementine frowned but fell silent as Carver continued going over their duties for the day.
Sarah turned to Clementine, tuning Carver out, and asked, "How'd you sleep?"
Carver glared at Sarah, as a warning for her to quiet down. "I'll let Reggie be an example to you all. Salvation is available, but it must be earned."
Sarah however continued talking. "I was so tired. I didn't even realize it."
"Be quiet, Sarah. We can talk later." Clementine said.
"You don't have to be rude about it…" Sarah huffed.
"Kenneth will be taking over Reggie's duties outside the wall. Michael will continue on showing his value." Carver continued speaking.
"I just thought it was nice to finally—"
Annoyed, Carver snapped, "Carlos!"
"Yes?" Carlos hesitantly speaks.
"Your child seems to be in need of correction." Carver response angrily.
"I'm sorry, I-Sarah, a-apologize to Mr. Carver." Carlos tells his daughter.
Sarah does so. "I-I'm...sorry, sir."
Carver shook his head. "No, no. That ain't gonna cut it. I can't have this kind of behavior on day one of your reform. You discipline her now, Carlos."
"How do you propose that I—"
"One good smack across the mouth should do it. It'll make her think twice before opening it up again. Go on, we'll wait." Carver said.
Carlos frowned. "My... I'm not sure with my hand that I could—"
Carver cuts him off again. "Well, that's why you got two hands, Carlos. Come on. And not some namby-pamby thing, alright? A good hard smack. Otherwise, one of my guards will do it for ya. I don't think you want that. Go on, Carlos. Just get it over with."
"No, you don't need to do that. She's already scared. She won't do it again." Clementine spoke up in her friend's defense.
"Unless you want one of what she's about to get, I'd pipe down, missy." Carver said.
"But- But it wasn't her fault! It was my fault." Clementine said.
"Shut up!" Carver said. "You wanna take the blame, fine. You'll be punished too. You have a punishment you're due for anyway."
"I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry." Sarah said.
Carlos hesitated. "Close your eyes, honey. It's only going to sting for a second."
"Do it." Carver ordered.
Frightened by Carver's cold tone, Carlos smacks Sarah hard, and she falls to the floor, sobbing.
Carlos immediately felt remorse and frowned. "I'm sorry, Sarah."
"Stop! You're not coddling that girl anymore. Let her sit there and think about what she's done. Vera, get Carlos to his post. Everyone else should have their assignments. It's time to get to work." Carver said.
Tavia approached Clementine, "Clementine-"
"No. She's not ready yet." Carver said. "She needs to be punished."
Clementine looks to him, his words making her heart skip a beat.
"You wanted to take the blame, come here and get yours." Carver ordered.
"Don't you dare, Bill. She's just a little kid." Rebecca said.
"Stay out of this." Carver snapped. "Come here, Clementine."
Clementine hesitantly approached him, closing her eyes awaiting the hit.
"Take the jacket off." Carver said.
Clementine's eyes opened and she quickly shook her head.
"I was gonna give you your clothes back today, but after this… I think you need to be punished longer." Carver said.
"Y-You're crazy." Clementine said.
"You haven't seen crazy." Carver began to force the jacket from the struggling girl. Once he removed it, he finally delivered the slap when she wasn't expecting it. The girl brought her hand to her sore cheek, whimpering a bit. "Don't even think about crying. Next time you buck against me, it'll be more than a slap." Carver said. "Everyone get to work."
"Get up." Tavia ordered to the young girl. Clementine did so, trembling a bit.
"You're working in the armory. Follow me." Tavia said.
Clementine followed Tavia but stopped when several bags of soil fall from the roof.
"Clementine!" Tavia snaps, causing the girl to continue walking.
As Tavia leads her through the store Clementine hears whispers around her, she does her best to cover herself feeling humiliated by her lack of clothing.
"Woah, who the hell is that?" A teen girl around Sarah age draws her attention.
"She's one of the new people…" An older woman explained.
"Where are her clothes? Why's she walking around like that in front of all these people?" The teen asked.
Clementine just wanted to disappear.
"I don't know. She was with Carlos and Sarah and—"
"Ugh. Sarah? I wish she'd stayed gone." The teen said.
"She's had a hard time, Becca." The woman said.
"So have we, Shel. We're not sitting on the ground like babies." Becca replied.
Clementine just sped up her pace, not wanting to hear the two any longer.
They soon arrived at the armory and Tavia opened the door. "Go on inside. Bonnie's waiting."
Clementine entered and Tavia turned to leave closing the door behind her.
"Hey... I guess you're startin' your day with me." Bonnie motions for Clementine to have a seat, and she does so. "We're loadin' magazines."
Clementine picks up a magazine and fills it with bullets.
"That's it, you got it." Bonnie praised.
The two continue working in silence until Bonnie sighs.
"I suppose I owe you an apology... I wasn't truthful when I came across y'all at the lodge...and I was shown a kindness I never would've expected from a group of strangers. But...now folks are dead...and I can't help but feel I'm to blame. But the plan was for no one to get hurt. I truly believe that was the intent... At least, it was mine, goin' into it." Bonnie said.
"A lot of people are to blame... You led them to us. And even though Carver's the one who pulled the trigger...a lot of people caused this."
"I…I know… Your hands aren't completely clean either. You killed Troy." Bonnie said.
"He deserved it." Clementine replied. "I don't regret it."
Bonnie was shocked by her words. "You can't talk like that. You're a little kid. You-"
"That didn't stop you from kidnapping me or stripping my clothes." Clementine said. "The last thing I want to hear right now are excuses. You could've let us go, but you didn't."
"I thought if I was the one that found everyone, I could control it. Keep everyone safe...but that ain't how it went." Bonnie tried to explain. "I apologize...which don't account for much, but it's all I can offer right now."
Clementine just shook her head with disgust.
"How was your first night in the yard? I know it ain't so comfortable...but it's safe... Which is more than I can say about a lot of places out there." Bonnie said.
"You mean my first night in prison." Clementine retorted.
"It's not a prison." Bonnie argued. "Think of it as a…. sort of work release."
"Didn't they do those in prisons?" Clementine asked.
"I don't know. I've never been before." Bonnie then tried to crack a joke. "Don't tell anyone, I'm trying to keep a tough look."
Clementine didn't even bat an eye.
"Did Bill say anything about giving back your clothes?" Bonnie asked. "I talked to Bill him this morning, he said he might."
"He told me he won't…" Clementine said. "He took Molly's jacket from me. I was cold before, now I'm freezing."
"Well, you got them skinny arms, and you're pretty teeny-tiny... I'll try to talk to him again later on." Bonnie said.
Clementine just hoped she wouldn't make the situation worse.
"I was supposed to go...when Luke and Carlos and all them left. I was plannin' on leavin' too. When Luke approached me about it, I-I thought he was crazy. I mean, we're safe here. We got power. We got food. And Bill, he...he wasn't always like this." Bonnie told her.
"Why didn't you? Leave, I mean." Clementine asked.
"If I'm bein' honest...I guess I chickened out." Bonnie explained.
"So you attacked them instead?" Clementine asked.
"Hey, I didn't attack anyone. Bill did all that. I didn't want... I wasn't expectin' any of that to happen. I just wanted everyone to be safe. Out there ain't exactly all flowers an' rainbows."
"In here isn't either." Clementine huffed.
"I justified not goin' by tellin' myself it's easier to try an' change somethin' that's broken than start all over. Take this situation with the herd...that's the type of thing that rips a community apart. He keeps things in line...he's got a lot of this stuff figured out. I don't know... I guess I just wanted to be somewhere comfortable for a while." Bonnie explained.
"He's crazy." Clementine simply replied.
"He's just...overstressed." Bonnie responded.
"It's easier to just say crazy." Clementine said.
"If you don't go overstepping the boundaries, then you would see, he can be a good guy." Bonnie said.
"Nobody's safe here with Carver around." Clementine stated.
"You're safe if you stay on his good side." Bonnie replied.
"I would if I knew where it was." Clementine said.
"I mean, it ain't easy keepin' a group this big fed and protected. I don't envy that position. Figure that'd make anyone a little stressed. I'm not defendin' what he did. That was... I'm alive because of him. That's just a fact. And there's somethin' to that." Bonnie said.
"He killed my friends." Clementine said.
"Only to protect his own people. Kenny and Molly could've killed us all. You could've killed us all." Bonnie said.
"But we didn't." Clementine said. "I'm really wishing we did…"
Bonnie was hurt by that. "You don't mean that, Clem… Bill overreacted. He was in the heat of the moment and he overreacted."
"So what happens the next time he overreacts?" Clementine inquired.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that…" Bonnie said.
"This is bullshit…" Clementine mumbled.
"Luke had ideas about how things should go, but they didn't line up with what Bill was thinkin'...they butted heads, then Rebecca started showin', and that only made things worse. Maybe Luke was right about him... I wish he was around, but... I just hope he's safe." Bonnie said.
The radio on the table makes a crackling noise and Tavia's voice is heard. "Hey, Bonnie, I'm coming to get the girl. Bill wants to see her."
Bonnie picks up the radio. "Alright. We'll be here."
"Okay, I'll be right over." Tavia replies.
Clementine's expression drops, she just wonders what that madman wants from her.
"I'm sure it's fine." Bonnie tried to reassure her, noticing her worried look. "Oh, almost forgot. I grabbed something for ya."
Bonnie gets up and retrieves a puffy blue jacket. "I know Bill will probably get upset if he sees you with it, but maybe I can put it in the pen for ya. That way you won't get cold at night. What do you think? I found it at the lodge y'all were at. Think it might be for skiing. Had to wait for no one around to be around to show you."
"It'll keep me warm for a little while at least. But what if he just takes it away…?" Clementine asked.
"I'll try to get him to let you have it, and your actual clothes…" Bonnie said. "I'll have another talk with him later."
"Okay…" Clementine sighs.
Before long, Tavia enters and Bonnie quickly hides the jacket. "I'll see you later, Clementine."
"Come on. Follow me." Tavia orders Clementine.
"Where are we going?" Clementine asked, despite having already heard on the radio, she can't help but feel nervous.
"Bill wants to talk to you." Tavia said.
Clementine feels her heart pounding. What did he want from her?
Upon arriving at Carver's office Tavia knocked on the door.
"Come in." Carver spoke in a calm tone.
Tavia opened the door and ushered Clementine inside. "I brought the girl."
"Good. Leave us here." Carver replied.
Clementine swallowed nervously as Tavia left without a word.
"Come on in, Clementine. Take a seat."
Clementine was frozen by the doorway.
"Now, honey. I'm giving you an order. I expect you to follow it." Carver said.
"I don't take orders." Clementine said.
"You'll learn to." Carver stood from his chair and walked over to the girl, seizing her by her little arm he began to drag her to the empty chair on the opposite side of his desk. "Sit." He gave a her a push, forcing her to do so.
He then took his own seat. "I'm not mad at you, honey… I just want to ask you a few questions."
"About what?" Clementine asked.
"When we were outside, and you pulled that knife where did you get it from? Where were you hiding it?" Carver asked.
"What are you talking about?" Clementine asked.
"Don't. Don't you play dumb with me, honey." Carver said. "You've attacked me more than once, you're lucky I didn't have someone beat your little ass black and blue…"
Clementine frowned at that and looked away.
"Now I'm gonna ask you again, where were you hiding that knife. Where did you pull that knife from?" Carver asked.
"Does it matter?" Clementine asked. "You took it anyway."
"It matters to me, honey. Now answer my question."
"My...pocket." Clementine lied. "I had it in my pocket."
"Now I find that hard to believe. Because Bonnie, well Bonnie reassured me this morning that when she checked you at the lodge you didn't have anything in your pockets. So I'm going to ask you again. Where did you pull that knife from?"
Clementine hesitated to respond, moving a shaking hand she brought it to her training bra. "H-Here…"
"Well…. That's unfortunate…" Carver said. "I was trying to be nice to you, honey… But your actions today further proved that I can't do that. You can't be trusted. So you're gonna have to take that off."
"What?" Clementine asked.
"The rest of your clothes." Carver said. "Take them off…"