Thanks to gaara king of the sand for the help.
Thank you all for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate it!
The others waited for the child to continue.
"It was a long time again…" Clementine said. "She was in my old group… Last I saw her… she stole our RV and took off."
"There's a lot of people named Lilly, I'm sure this isn't the same person." David said.
"Maybe…" Clementine said.
"Look, regardless of who this person is, I feel like we shouldn't just assume they were being nice. Even when there doesn't seem like a catch, there usually is." Molly spoke up.
"Usually, but this could be an exception." Clint said.
"Could or could not. I just think we should keep our guards up. Just in case." Molly said.
"And I think you're being paranoid. Look at all this! With this, plus the stuff you and Clem found, we don't have to worry about struggling anymore. We can ration this stuff and wait the winter out." Clint said.
"Where is this camp of hers?" Molly asked.
"She didn't say. She just told us it wasn't far." Lingard spoke.
"What's it matter? They didn't have to give us this stuff, but they did." Badger said. "It's more than you brought back."
Molly shot him a glare. "Do you always have to be an asshole?"
"I'm just saying…" Badger shrugged.
"If you guys are okay with this, fine. But I think we should all keep our guards up." Molly said.
The others didn't seem to listen to her. Molly huffed shaking her head in response.
"Molly?" Clementine looked to her with concern. Lingard had finished treating her injured cheek.
"Come on, Clem…" Molly said.
The child nodded and made her way over to her guardian. The two walked away while the others looking through the supplies, gawking and awing about how much there was.
As time continued to go by, the group worked on making the mall a more secure location. No other news had come up about this Lilly woman, but Molly didn't know what to think about her. Clementine seemed confused as well, she wondered if this was the same Lilly she knew.
Throughout the winter the supplies did prove to be helpful, but Molly still wondered if there was a catch. What reason would a stranger just give them supplies?
The group seemed to have kept contact with Lilly, however Molly and Clementine still had yet to see the woman. It seemed her food deliveries would come by the hand of one of her group members. The only appearances she had personally made herself they hadn't been around for.
As winter turned to spring the group once again talked about moving location. Badger began to bring up a small community not far that was practically empty.
One that he and some others had scouted out to make sure. Molly found it strange, but the group agreed to move there.
When they got there, they noticed the place was damaged, but it wasn't anything they couldn't fix over time. They had to clear out several geeks within the community, but that wasn't much of a problem either.
The place had buildings set up like apartments, which allowed them to spread out a bit more.
As they settle into the small community Molly couldn't help but feel concerned when rumors started to fly around town. Rumors of how the community became empty, how it had been attacked.
Molly wondered who the hell would attack a community like that. The place wasn't huge. Sure, it was comfortable, but it didn't have the strongest walls or as The New Frontier settled in, their best source of protection proved to be their people. Molly had concerns that it would become a target of more attacks, if whoever attacked the place found out they were there. They would assume the people who they had attacked the first time were still alive.
More rumors of other community's falling due to attack spread around the town. Molly was surprised their group hadn't been targeted yet. It didn't make sense.
However, when she heard Badger and some others talking one day everything quickly became clear as day.
She had simply been running errand, when she passed by Badger, Lonnie, and some others.
"They didn't even know what hit them…" Lonnie said.
"I wasn't expecting it to work…" Another guard huffed.
"It was easier than I thought it would be." Badger said.
Molly rose a brow, wondering what they were talking about. Walking a bit more as to not seem suspicious, she made she they didn't notice her but kept within earshot to hear their conversation.
"The people at that ranch didn't stand a chance. Her people already did most of the work, we only had to let the dead in. You be surprised by how much supplies they had. Too bad we had to split it." Badger said.
Molly furrows her brows at that. Realizing hitting her like a truck, her eyes widened.
She felt sick. The New Frontier was responsible for the destruction of these communities. They weren't finding empty communities by luck; they were ridding the communities of people themselves. They weren't stumbling upon supplies to bring back; they were either looting places, or allowing geeks to overrun the communities.
How many people died? How many families were destroyed thanks to this group, this group that she was a part of. The woman walked away from the men as they continued talking.
Molly couldn't help but wonder if David was aware of what was going on. However, she had her doubts, David could have a bad attitude at times, but he wasn't a bad man. She couldn't understand why any of the four leaders would condone this type of thing.
She needed to talk to David.
Molly radioed David, quickly asking for his 'twenty'. When David gave his location she went to speak with him. The man seemed confused on what was so urgent that she couldn't wait to talk to him.
"Is everything okay, Molly?" David asked.
"You tell me that." Was the woman's response.
David cocked a brow at her words. "What are you talking about, Molly?"
"How did we get this camp?" Molly asked her.
"What?"
"How did we get this camp?" Molly asked again.
"You know… Badger and the others scouted it out, it was empty, so we moved here." David said.
"And how did it get empty?" Molly questioned.
"I don't know. It was empty when we got here." David said. "We all saw the damage, we had to clear out the rest of the dead, the place was probably attacked at some point."
"Attacked by who?"
"How am I supposed to know that?" David replied.
"Are you sure it wasn't attacked by us?" Molly asked.
"Of course it wasn't. We don't do stuff like that, Molly. You know that." David said, surprised she would insinuate something of the sort.
"I don't know anything, David. All I know is this place was attacked and somehow we ended here…" Molly said. "And now I'm hearing talk about other communities being attacked."
"What other communities?" David asked.
"I don't know… Some kind of ranch." Molly said.
"We don't attack communities, Molly. That's a wild accusation and it came out of nowhere." David said.
"It's not coming out of nowhere. I heard Badger and the others talking." Molly replied.
"Badger's an idiot. He says a lot of things that aren't true." David said. "We wouldn't attack a community unless they gave us good reason to."
Molly shook her head, not convinced.
"What's going on with you?" David asked. "You've been so paranoid lately… Maybe you need a break…"
"A break from what?" Molly asked.
"All the runs… When's the last time you got a full night's rest, Molly?" David asked her.
"Don't try to switch the focus." Molly said.
"I'm not. I'm actually concerned." David responded.
Molly was quiet, she could tell by his behavior that he was genuinely concerned. And it seemed that David was oblivious to the attacks that had been going on. She hadn't thought he had anything to do with it in the first place, but the fact that he was confused proved that he didn't know what was going on.
She needed to do some more investigating. She needed to figure out what was going on. She would have to speak with Clint, Lingard, and Joan.
"Molly?"
"I'm fine, David. Just… forget I said anything." Molly said before turning to walk away.
"Just take care of yourself, okay. Let me know if you need a break." David called to her.
Molly didn't respond as she left his apartment.
When she got to Lingard's apartment and knocked at the door there was no response. Molly knocked again, but there was still no response.
The woman worried if the man was okay and called out to him.
Still no response, but upon trying the doorknob she realized that it was unlocked. The woman hesitated but turned the knob, opening the door.
"Hello?" She called out.
Still there was nothing.
Molly slowly entered the home and immediately noticed Lingard slumped over in a chair. "Oh shit!" She rushed over to him to check that he's okay. "Lingard?"
The man is still breathing, and his eyes flutter open, but he looks out of it. "Who's there?"
"It's Molly…"
"Molly? How… How did you get in here?" Lingard asked.
"The door was open…" Molly explained. "You're not looking too well, are you okay?"
"I- I'm fine… Don't worry…" The man stammered.
Molly helped him to sit up. "Are you sure?"
"I'm fine… What brings you here?" Lingard asked.
"I came here to talk to you…" Molly said.
"Oh, about?" Lingard asked.
Molly noticed he was struggling to stand. She went to help him up.
When she did so, the man made his way to a nearby table and Molly noticed the medicines that littered the table. As the man did his best to move the medication from her view, the woman quickly noted he must have been high.
"I don't think you're in any condition to hold a conversation right now." Molly said.
"Nonsense." Lingard mumbled, still seemingly out of it. "I've told you, I'm fine."
"You're not fine. Not at all." Molly disagreed. "What are you high on?"
"High?" Lingard was shocked that she noticed.
"You're clearly not sober." Molly said. "It's pretty obvious…"
"I… have a bit of a problem…" Lingard admitted. "I've been trying to deal with it…."
"Who knows about it?" Molly asked.
"David… and the others…" Lingard said. "Can you honestly blame me? With all the shit going on in the world. This is how I escape."
"I'm not here to judge you. Even though I do think it's selfish of you to use the medicine for the sake of getting high…" Molly said. "I'm here to have a conversation. If you're sober enough to do that."
"I can talk. What did you want to about?" Lingard asked.
"I've heard rumors of communities falling… being attacked." Molly said.
"That's nothing new, Molly. Communities face attacks all the time." Lingard said.
"Communities like the ranch?" Molly asked.
"Mccarroll ranch?" Lingard frowned. "I had… heard it had gotten attack, but I was hoping it wasn't true…"
"Yeah, well I heard it was true… And I've heard that these attacks were at the hands of our people. That The New Frontier has been raiding and looting places." Molly said.
Lingard hummed in response. "And who exactly are you hearing this from?"
"It doesn't matter who said it… I want to know if it's true." Molly said.
"If it was don't you think one of the groups would have retaliated by now?" Lingard said.
"Not if they're dead. Not if our group members have terrorized them, stole their stuff and, let geeks into their homes to finish the job," Molly said.
Lingard looked surprised by this, "Where are you coming up with this idea?"
"I'm not coming up with this on the fly, Lingard. This is what I've heard." Molly said. "Something about a ranch getting attacked."
"I think your hearing getting the best of you… Or perhaps you just have an overactive imagination." Lingard took a seat again, leaning back and looking as if he was ready to fall asleep. "You should take a pill and relax."
Molly shook her head at that. "This is ridiculous. You should pull yourself together too. You're supposed to be a role model."
"I never asked to be." Lingard shrugged.
Molly didn't respond as she turned to leave his home.
David was clueless, and Lingard was too high to really even process what she was saying. She decided to check in with Clint and then Joan.
Upon arriving at Clint's house Molly began to knock on the door. Much like with her visit to Lingard there was no response. However, this time there was no way to enter the place.
She knocked a few times but when she still did not get a response, she decided to come back to him and check in with Joan instead.
When she reached Joan's place she was surprised as right before she could knock the door opened. Clint stepped out looking surprised to see her.
"Oh, Molly… I wasn't expecting to see you here." Clint said.
"I wasn't expecting to see you either." Molly said. "I was actually looking for you. Since you're here, would you and Joan actually have a few moments to talk."
"Well, uh… Joan's not feeling too well…" Clint said.
Molly didn't know if she believed that.
"But we can have a chat back at my place if you'd like…" Clint offered.
"…Sure…" Molly agreed.
"I see, so you believe that our group is attacking other communities. What reasoning would we have to do that?" Clint asked.
"The supplies. The land… I don't know, Clint. But I can think of multiple reason. The issue is this isn't who we are. It shouldn't be who we are. We shouldn't be destroying lives to make ours better." Molly said.
"I agree… But you have nothing to worry about Molly. We're not destroying lives to better our own." Clint tried to reassure her.
Molly refused to believe his words. "Then what do you call it?"
"I call it, you being paranoid. We haven't done anything of the sort." Clint said. "Rumors are just that- rumors. And I assure you, if something this big was going on. You'd be the first to know. You've by all means earned our trust."
"If you say so… But I'm not being paranoid." Molly said.
"I think you should go home, Molly. Try to relax for once…" Clint said. "I'm sure you're not used to the calm, but do me a favor and enjoy it."
Molly sighed but nodded in response. "Sorry I bothered you…" She said.
Although she didn't feel at all at ease, the leaders clearly weren't giving her anything. She would have to figure out what was going on another way.
"Seems like you had a long day…" Clementine noted as Molly plopped herself down on one of the cots in their little apartment. "Where'd you go?"
"Had some errands to run." Molly told the young girl.
"You were gone longer than I expected." Clementine said.
"Was… questioning some people." Molly told her.
"About?"
When Molly hesitated to answer Clementine sent her a look. "We promised to be honest with each other, remember."
"I know… I just hate making you worry, kid." Molly said.
"I worry more when you don't talk to me…" Clementine said. "What's going on?"
Molly paused but then spoke. "I heard Badger talking earlier… about some communities, including this one… that have been attacked."
"Really?" Clementine asked. "That's awful."
"Yeah, it is…. But even more awful… I think we're the ones responsible for the attack." Molly said.
"Holy shit…" Clementine muttered with wide eyes. "But- But I thought we weren't naughty people…"
"We're not, Clem… But… Some people here… just might not be as nice as we thought…" Molly said.
"Is it Joan…?" Clementine suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Joan… I thought she was too nice… Like fake nice…" Clementine said. "I don't like her."
"I don't either, Clem." Molly sighed.
"So what are we gonna do? Are we gonna leave?" The young girl asked.
Molly shook her head. "No, kid… We're gonna figure out what the hell is going on here?"
"But we shouldn't stay…. I don't want to be at a place with naughty people." Clementine said.
"…Not everyone here is bad, Clem." Molly said.
"I know… they're naughty. That's worse than bad." Clementine replied.
"No, Clem… They're not…" Molly said. "Look, we just need to figure out what's going on then we'll make a decision from there. But if there's a way we can stop this… then we have to stay here and make sure they don't hurt anyone else."
Clementine nodded. "Okay… We'll stay here… I just hope they don't hurt anyone like Carver did to me…"
"They won't, Clem." Molly said.
"I hope not…"
Molly could tell the girl was nervous. "Hey, look at me…"
The child did.
"Whatever happens, you know we're gonna be okay, right?" Molly said.
Clementine gave a small. "I know…"
"Good… I won't let anything bad happen to you." Molly said.
"I won't let anything bad happen to you either." Clementine replied.
"Thanks, kiddo."
As the days continued more rumors circulated of the attacks that were potentially caused by The New Frontier.
Each time Molly brought this up with David, Clint, or Lingard they denied the rumors were true. David and Lingard actually seemed confused on the matter, though Clint came across as evasive whenever she brought it up.
If she was going to get any sort of clarification Molly felt she needed to speak with Joan, but that seemed to be nearly impossible. Each time she tried to talk to Joan the woman would make up an excuse for what she couldn't speak, or flat out refuse. Something was obviously going on.
Joan would often claim to be busy when Molly tried to pay her a visit so the woman wasn't getting anything out of her. But she knew she couldn't just give up yet. She needed to get more information on what the hell was going on.
Knowing she would get nothing out of the leaders, Molly decided to confront to source of the "rumors". When Molly approached Badger who was patrolling outside, the man immediately smirked at her.
"Come to take my shift?" Badger asked.
"No. I've come to talk to you?" Molly said.
"You wanna talk to me?" Badger faked a gasp. "That's a first."
"Yeah, well this is important." Molly said.
Badger shrugged, looking as if he didn't care. "Well, I'm all ears."
"I've been curious… How is it you always end up bringing so much back?" Molly asked.
"Maybe I just know where to look." Badger shrugged in response.
"You sure about that?" Molly questioned.
"Pretty sure, Molly." Badger said. "What's this all about?"
"I'm just concerned…"
"Concerned for what reason?" Badger asked. "Maybe you just don't want to admit that I'm better at finding supplies than you."
"Or maybe you just don't want to admit that you steal those supplies from innocent communities. What was the most recent one? Mccarroll Ranch?" Molly asked.
Badger immediately looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You sure?"
"Positive." Badger huffed. "Now, do you mind getting lost. You're distracting me from my work."
"Alright then…" Molly said. She could tell from his behavior that something was up. "I heard you talking though…"
"About what?"
"About the ranch getting attacked. They didn't know what hit them? Sound familiar?"
Badger's eyes widened but he quickly said, "I have no idea what you're talking about…"
"I'm sure you do." Molly turned to walk away.
"It ain't polite to listen in on other folks' conversations! You know that's called eavesdropping!" Badger called to her. "Not that I know what the hell you're talking about."
Molly rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah." She responded.
"You've heard about the attacks?" Molly asked Ava as the two head out together on another run.
"I've heard the rumors. Yeah…" Ava said.
"I don't think they're rumors." Molly replied.
"You don't?"
"No… I heard Badger mentioning them like it was more than just that." Molly said.
"You know Badger just likes to talk shit…" Ava said.
"That's what David said, but I think it's more than that." Molly said.
"What do you mean?" Ava asked.
"I think they're actually doing these attacks." Molly said.
"Damn…" Ava muttered, "Are you… sure?"
Molly sighed and asked. "Let me guess, you think I'm just being paranoid?"
Ava shook her head. "Actually, I think it would make sense… When you factor everything in… How they get so much supplies and the rumors going around… It does seem pretty suspicious."
"Exactly. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks so…" Molly said.
"If this is true… this could be bad for all of us." Ava said. "How long before one of those groups show up looking for revenge?"
"I know, we gotta figure some thing out." Molly said. "David's in denial. He doesn't think our people are capable of something like this…."
"I know these people enough to know they wouldn't do something like this with receiving a greenlight from one of the higher ups." Ava said. "And I know for a fact David wouldn't give the go ahead for something like that."
"Yeah, I've ruled him out. I don't think Lingard is involved either…" Molly said.
"That leaves…"
"Clint and Joan…" Molly finished.
"But… How would our people be able to take out entire communities without some of us knowing?" Ava asked.
"I don't think they're working alone…. I think they have someone else helping them carry out these attacks." Molly said.
"Really? But who?" Ava asked.
"That's what I've gotta figure out." Molly replied.
Molly had been gone for a while on another run with Ava. Clementine had been keeping to herself drawing quietly, however she didn't want to just sit around. She wanted to find a way to help her guardian. She was curious herself on who was behind the attacks. She knew Molly had talked with all the leaders with the exception of Joan, Clementine wondered if the woman would speak to her.
Curiosity got the best of her and the child stopped her drawing and made her way to Joan's house. She can hear Joan's voice from inside, along with a second voice that sounds a bit staticky.
"One moment," Clementine hears Joan huff. Moments later the woman answers the door, looking annoyed. However, when she noticed little Clementine, she quickly softens her expression.
Knocking multiple times until Joan let her in.
"Oh, Clementine, what brings you here?"
The fake kind tone in the woman's voice made Clementine's skin crawl. "I wanted to talk for a little while… If… If that's okay…"
"Talk? To me?" Joan asked.
Clementine nodded.
"I… I guess that's fine."
Clementine was surprised she let her in. She knew the woman had refused to see Molly on numerous occasions. Clementine figured the woman took her for an innocent child.
The girl nearly scoffed.
Joan allowed the girl to take a seat and asked, "What did you want to talk about?"
"Well..." Clementine inwardly swore trying to think of something fast. "Molly... hasn't been letting me go on runs as much as I used to."
"And you came to me with this, why?" Joan asked.
"I was hoping you could convince her..." Clementine said.
"Why me?" Joan asked the child.
"Well, David would agree with her. And I'm pretty sure Clint and Doctor Lingard would too." Clementine said. "Please... you know I'm capable. Can you just plead my case?"
"You want to go against your guardian's wishes?" Joan asked.
"I just want to help more." Clementine said.
Joan hummed at that. "I wouldn't be opposed to it... In fact I think you'd be a perfect candidate for some of the runs..."
"Really?"
"Of course. You're a child... Children have an innocent about them that just evoke trust." Joan smiled.
"Is... that a good thing?" Clementine asked.
"It'd be good to have you on the frontlines." Joan said.
Clementine was a bit confused by that.
"Does Molly know you're here?" Joan asked.
Clementine shook her head. "No. She went on a run with Ava... They're not back yet."
Joan's smile seemed to widen at that. "How about I get you some water and then we chat more?"
"Okay..." Clementine agreed.
Joan went to grab a water bottle. As she went to do so, Clementine looked to the walkie talkie on the table. Slowly she picked it up. She looked at the channel, it was a different channel than the one Molly's radio was set on.
The girl hesitantly pressed the talk button and in a tiny voice uttered out a, "Hello?"
There wasn't a response and before she could say another word, Joan returned to the room. The woman's eyes widened, and she quickly marched over to the small girl.
"Don't touch that!" The woman snatched the radio from her hand.
"I-I'm sorry… It's just… my parents had a radio like this… I've always liked them." Clementine lied, trying to keep an innocent expression.
"Well, it's not a toy for little girls to play with…" Joan said. "I think you should go back home."
"Bu-But I thought we were going to talk." The child said.
"Go home, now." The woman ordered.
"O-Okay… I'm sorry… Please don't be mad at me…" Clementine stammered as she stood and headed towards the door.
Joan didn't respond as she ushered the child out. Joan then shut the door and Clementine made sure to keep quiet as she pressed her ear against it. She could once again hear Joan talking to someone.
"Who was that?" Came the staticky voice.
"It's nothing to worry about. Just a child getting curious." Joan said. "I do think you and I need to have a serious discussion though."
Clementine leaned in closer, trying to hear better.
"Later… I got things to do now." The voice from the radio said.
The little girl huffed, disappointed. She was hoping to find out exactly who Joan was speaking to. But at least she could give Molly the information she had found out.
The child moved away from the door, and headed back to her own home, hoping Molly would get back soon.
"I'm telling you, Molly, Joan's working with someone," Clementine said.
"I thought it was weird that she wouldn't talk to me, but how do you know this?" Molly asked.
"I went to her place and—"
"Hold on, you went to her house?" Molly asked.
"Yeah, and she was talking to someone on the radio! It was a woman." Clementine said.
"Why would you go to her house in the first place?" Molly asked.
"I was helping you investigate and proving your theory that someone is ordering these attacks." Clementine stated.
"Clem," Molly sighed.
"She was talking to a woman on the radio. And I didn't recognize the voice. Isn't that proof enough?" Clementine asked.
"It's proof for me and you, but we still can't prove a thing to anyone else." Molly said. "You shouldn't have gone to her place."
"Y-You're mad at me?" Clementine asked with a frown.
"I'm not mad, kid… But I don't want you to get yourself hurt." Molly replied.
"I won't…" Clementine said. "I'm just trying to help you."
"I appreciate it, Clem. But next time you have to talk to me first." Moly said.
Clementine lowered her head, "Okay… I'm sorry…"
"It's fine, Clem… I'm not mad." Molly said. "So… what else happened?"
"Well, I made up an excuse to want to talk to her and she let me in. She asked if you knew I was there and when I said no, she was ready to talk about something. She went to get some water and I tried to find out who she was talking to on the radio, but she came back before I could and yelled at me… She took the radio away and told me to leave…" Clementine explained.
"Yeah… That seems weird." Molly said. "And she asked if I knew you were there?"
Clementine nodded in response.
"That's just strange." Molly mumbled. "Look, I just need you to sit tight until I get back."
"Where are you going?" Clementine asked as the woman stood.
"To talk to David."
"I know you want to think everything's fine and dandy, but there's some real shit going on, David." Molly said.
David groaned, "You've been claiming there's real shit going on for a while. What is it now?"
"I've told you before and I'm sure you've heard the rumors going around." Molly said.
"I've heard. And I've told you before, The New Frontier wouldn't do this kind of stuff." David said.
"Well, maybe not with your knowledge. It could be going on behind your back." Molly pointed out.
"I doubt it, Molly."
"Why? You can't just keep turning a blind eye to this, David." Molly huffed.
"I'm not turning a blind eye to anything—"
"Clementine heard Joan talking on the radio… I don't know exactly what she heard, but Joan been acting pretty suspicious if you as me." Molly said.
"If you ask me, you're overreacting." David claimed. "We use radios to communicate with all the guards, you know that. I don't know what Clementine told you, but she's a kid, you can't really believe everything she says."
"I believe anything she says," Molly said. "She heard Joan talking to some woman, and the way Joan and some of the others have been acting doesn't make me feel any better."
"She could've been talking to anyone." David replied.
"Clem says the voice didn't sound like any of our guards." Molly said.
"Then…" David paused. "It was probably Lilly."
"Lilly? The woman who gave us supplies?" Molly asked.
David nodded. "You know that her and her people have helped us more than once. They're good allies, we didn't want to cut ties with them."
Hearing him say this, Molly realized that Lilly could be a part of these attacks. The woman frowned. "I need to get back to Clementine."
Before David could speak another word, the woman had already headed out.
When Molly returned Clementine immediately ran over to her, "You're back! What did he say?"
"He didn't believe it…" Molly sighed.
"He… thinks I'm a liar?" The young girl asked with a frown.
"No, Clem—"
"I'm not a liar!" The child suddenly exclaimed.
"I know you're not, kid. I know." Molly said.
"But David thinks I'm a liar! I'm not a liar! I know Joan's naughty! I know she is." Clementine said.
"Clem calm down please…" Molly said. "I know you're not a liar. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks."
"B-But—"
"Don't worry about what they think. They don't know you like I do…" Molly said.
"S-So you believe me, right?" The girl asked.
"Of course, I do…" Molly knelt to the young girl's level. "I… need you to do something…"
"W-What?"
"…Tomorrow… I need you to go back to Joan's house... And I need you to apologize." Molly said.
Clementine expression changed to a look of disbelief at what Molly was asking her to do. "What?"
"I need you to—"
"I won't apologize! I don't want to!" The child protested. "She's the naughty one, not me. Why should I apologize? I didn't do anything wrong."
"I know, Clem… Listen, I need you to apologize because…. Because I need you to get her to trust you…" Molly said.
"To trust me?" Clementine asked.
Molly nodded. "If she trusts you, she'll talk to you. And if she talks to you, we'll finally be able to find out whatever the hell is going on."
"…Okay…" Clementine nodded her understanding. "I'll do it."
For the next two weeks, Clementine would have meetings with Joan and then piece Molly in on what was said. Joan did seem to trust little Clementine more than most people and the things she told the girl proved that.
"She's offered to send me on runs with Badger and the others. But she doesn't want you to know. She said I should tell you I'm playing with my friends." Clementine said. "She thinks you'll try to stop it…"
Molly didn't like how secretive this woman was when it came to her girl. Joan had started requesting to see the little girl, but only during time when Molly was busy. Molly was glad Clementine and herself had a close relationship and the girl didn't hesitate to tell her what was said.
"What if it goes bad? Should I go…?" Clementine asked, looking worried.
"No, Clem… I'm not putting you into that. Don't worry…" Molly said. "You've done enough already."
"Okay… I don't want to go…" Clementine said. "I… I don't want to be a part of people getting hurt."
"You don't have to." Molly shushed. "I'm not gonna let that happen."
"Ok-Okay…" Clementine said.
"And no one's gonna get hurt…" Not if she could help it.
When the day came that Clementine was to attend the run with Badger and the others, Molly kept the girl home. When Joan called for the child, Molly claimed she was sick. Joan didn't buy it.
"I was supposed to go today… Do you think she's mad at me?" Clementine asked. "Do- Do you think I'll be in trouble?"
"Don't worry about her, Clem. If she's mad, let her be. If she tries anything, I'll deal with her." Molly said.
"I just don't want anything bad to happen… I don't want to hurt anyone… I don't want to be naughty…" Clementine said.
"You're not naughty, Clem. Please don't use that word." Molly said.
"But if I went… I would be…" Clementine frowned.
Molly shook her head. "You're not like them… I know you wouldn't hurt anyone…"
"Not on purpose… I've hurt a lot of people in my life… I don't want to hurt anyone else." Clementine said.
Molly sighed at this, wrapping the girl into a hug. "Everything's going to be okay, kid…"
The two flinched when a knock came at the door. Molly broke from the hug and went to see who it was.
"Joan would like a word with you." One of the New Frontier's guard spoke. Molly was surprised by that. She had tried to talk to the woman so many times before only for her to refuse, but now she wanted to talk. That annoyed her a bit, but she wasn't going to turn down the chance to get some answers about what was going on.
"Stay here, Clem. I'll be right back." Molly called to the young girl.
Clementine nodded in response and Molly followed the guard to go talk to Joan.
When Molly got to Joan's place the woman let her in without a problem, apologize for being "busy" all those times Molly had come by to talk.
"It's fine… You wanted to talk to me?" Molly asked.
"Yes. About that girl of yours." Joan said.
"What about her?" Molly said.
"She's proved how useful she can be… And I think it's time you loosen her harness and let her dive on her own." Joan said.
Molly huffed at that. "She's twelve."
"But she's more capable than even most adults here. You and I both know this." Joan said.
"She's still a little kid. She doesn't have parents to look out for her, so I'm doing my best to keep her safe." Molly said.
"I understand. You must know we would never do anything to endanger your little one." Joan said. "Having such a sweet innocent face on our frontline could benefit all of us. She could be a voice of reason, helping us to form strong alliances with other communities."
"Communities that would soon collapse, right?" Molly asked.
"Whatever happens to them I wouldn't be able to say. But I want to assure you, we by no means would allow your girl to get hurt. We wouldn't do anything to put her in danger." Joan said.
"Except send her on a run with plans of destroying an entire community." Molly said.
The atmosphere in the room quickly filled with tension.
"What?"
"I know you're behind the attacks. You and whoever you've been chatting up on that walkie-talkie." Molly said.
"I have no clue what you're talking about." Joan claimed.
"Don't play dumb. I know exactly what you're doing! You and- Lilly, is it?" Molly asked.
Joan's eyes widened at that. "Get out…"
"Why don't you just admit it—"
"There's nothing to admit, now leave!" Joan snapped.
"I know you're responsible for these attacks!" Molly said.
"You don't know a thing! Get out!" Joel exclaimed.
"You can deny it all you want, but the truth will come out eventually." Molly said.
"OUT! GET OUT!" Joan continued screaming at her as Molly walked away from the house, drawing attention from multiple onlookers who seemed concerned.
Without hesitation, Joan immediately radio to the guards to keep Molly far away from her house.
Molly couldn't believe the nerve of this woman. Joan was clearly behind the scenes of something very wrong.
Molly was surprised when David dropped by her place telling her they needed to talk.
"Joan told me you've been harassing her." David said.
"That's bullshit." Molly replied calmly. "I've tried to talk to her, but she wasn't having it until today."
"Oh, really? Did you not go to her home and cause a scene? People say they saw her yelling at you, Molly." David said.
"She called me there… She wanted to talk about Clem… I confronted her about the rumors." Molly explained.
"Molly, I've told you time and time again to drop it. They're just rumors." David said.
"They're not just rumors, David. She's working with that woman, Lilly and they're doing… something." Molly said.
"That's insane. Where is your proof?" David said.
"It's obvious! If you open your eyes and pay attention—"
"Enough!" David shook his head, taking a deep breath. "You need time off. You're stressed out, and it's clearly getting to you…"
"What are you saying?" Molly asked.
"Just like you sit your girl out of duty on days when she can't function, I think I have to do the same with you right now, Molly. You'll remain inactive until further notice. I can't trust you when you're paranoid like this." David said.
"David,"
"My decision, is final." David said.
Molly didn't protest any further, knowing it was no use. She allowed David to walk out and she took a seat, running her hands through her blonde hair.
"Molly, are you okay?" Clementine approached her guardian having overheard the argument.
"I'm fine kid…" Molly said.
"So what do we do now?" Clementine asked.
"There's not much we can do… They're not gonna just listen to us… We have to figure out a way to get some proof…" Molly said.
Clementine frowned but nodded in agreement.
Neither of them knew what they were going to do now…
"We have a bit of an issue…" Joan spoke into her radio with a sigh.
"What kind of issue?" A woman's voice questioned from the radio.
"I… Some of my people are very against the actions we've been taking lately…" Joan said.
"What does it matter, you're in charge, aren't you?" The woman asked.
"I share leadership, and two of the others aren't aware either…" Joan said. "If they find out, things aren't going to turn out good for me… I'm… going to have to put an end to this operation, Lilly."
"That's not how things work, Joan… I've been helping you're people out. And you promised to help me in return… You can't back out now…" Lilly said.
"I don't have a choice…" Joan said. "Molly and her girl have been digging around, and I know David will be against all of this if he finds out."
"Let them dig around all they want. It's a woman and a kid. How bad can they be?" Lilly replied.
"They're… not going to back off until they find something… The little girl, Clementine, she was the one who we planned to send to the front lines and—"
Lilly spoke over her, "Clementine?"
"Yes. That's the child's name…" Joan replied.
Lilly was quiet for a moment.
"Is everything okay?" Joan asked into the radio.
"I… I knew a Clementine… She was a sweet kid…" Lilly sighed. "Always wore a baseball cap."
Joan's eyes widened. "I- I think this is the same girl you knew…"
"Wh-What? How old is she?" Lilly asked.
"Eleven or twelve…" Joan said.
"Fuck…" Lilly muttered. "You need to get rid of them."
"What?"
"Kick them out or something, I don't want her involving herself in this." Lilly said.
"I can't just kick them out. The others would never go for it. They're too valuable. I… I just think we need to call things off." Joan said.
"…I think we should meet up and talk in person." Lilly replied.
"…Okay, when." Joan asked.
"Tonight."
"Alright." Joan agreed.
Joan made sure to keep quiet and out of sight as she made her way to the gate to meet with Lilly.
"Glad you made it." Lilly said as she noticed her.
"What did you need to talk about?"
"About our deal… It's not just something that you can brush off like it's nothing."
"I'm not doing that… I can give you supplies… Or whatever you want—"
Lilly shook her head. "No… That's not fair…"
"I'm sorry, I just… this is for the best…" Joan said.
"It's not right… After all I've done to help you… You want to go back on your word?" Lilly said. "I can't let that happen."
"I don't have a choice. Now I'll have to ask that you leave or—"
Lilly stopped her, drawing a knife and approaching the woman.
"Wh-What are you doing?" Joan stammered.
"If you're not helping me, you're just another obstacle towards my goal." Lilly said coldly.
"W-We can talk about this!" Joan stammered.
Lilly didn't respond as she moved forwards Joan screamed and Lilly glared, lunging towards her and stabbing the woman until Joan fell to the ground.
With the woman dead, she wiped the knife off and turned around to leave, knowing her screams were going to draw attention.
She would let this be a message to the others. They weren't going back on their deal.