Thanks to gaara king of the sand for the help.
And as always, thank you everyone for reading and reviewing!
When Molly awoke to banging on her door at the crack of dawn the woman was confused.
She sat up rubbing sleep out of her eyes as the knocking continued.
"Molly open up!" A voice called.
"What the hell is going on…?" Molly mumbled to herself. It was too early for this shit…
"Is that David?" Clementine sleepily asked, having been woken as well. "Why's he here?"
"I don't know…" Molly said.
"What's going on?" Clementine asked.
"No idea, kid. Stay here. I'll check it out." Molly said.
"Okay…" Clementine said.
Molly got up and opened the door a crack, staring out at the figure on the other side. "Yeah?"
"Open the door, Molly."
"What the hell are you knocking so early for?" Molly huffed.
"Open the door now." David repeated.
She did so and was surprised to see David with a few guards. The group proceeded to aim their guns at the woman.
"What the hell?" Molly's eyes widened.
"I should have known this was some kind of power grab." David suddenly grumbled.
"David, what the hell are you talking about?!" Molly inquired.
"You pack your shit. You're getting out of here!" David said.
"What?"
"Joan's dead! I know you're the one who killed her!" David snapped.
"What the fuck? I didn't kill anybody!" Molly argued.
"After that fight you had. It's obvious, Molly!"
"David, I didn't kill her! I wouldn't do that!"
David shook his head, "Enough of your lies. We're kicking you out. Can't take a risk that you'll kill anyone else."
"What about Clem... you're just gonna kick me and my girl out for nothing?" Molly asked.
"Clem's not going with you. She stays." David said.
Molly wasn't about to let that happen. "You're not taking my girl from me."
"You don't have a choice." David argued.
"Molly? What's going on?" Drawn by all the noise, Clementine rushed into the room, looking concerned.
"Stay back, Clem." David ordered.
"No, I want to know what's going on!" Clementine said.
"Clem, go to the room and grab your stuff." Molly told the girl.
"But- But... what's happening?" The child frowned.
"Just do what I say!" Molly said.
David shook his head, "The girl stays. You're going."
David's men went towards the girl ready to grab her.
Clementine's eyes widened and panic hit the child as she immediately exclaimed. "No! NO! NO! Don't fuck me!"
"What the fuck?" David sent Molly a look, feeling both confused and sick at what the child had said.
"l want Molly." Clementine exclaimed. "l wanna stay with her!"
"She's not leaving me." Molly said. Taking advantage of their distracted moment, as the men were looking concerned about Clementine, Molly managed to disarm the closest guard to her, aiming the gun at them. "You want me to leave, I'll go. But my girl stays with me. Come here, Clem." The child ran to Molly hugging her. Molly patted her on the back. "It's okay, kid."
"I don't know what's going on…" Clementine mumbled, shaking a bit.
"I know, Clem… We're just… leaving…" Molly said.
The men looked to David for order of what to do.
"…Let them go." David muttered.
The guards obliged, backing off.
"Now, drop the gun." David ordered to Molly.
The woman glared at him but did so.
"Pack your stuff. I'll give you a few minutes." David said.
It wasn't long before they had gathered their belongings and they found themselves escorted towards the gate and outside. Neither of them knew what they would do.
Clementine looked to Molly hoping she'd have an idea, "What do we do now...?"
"I don't know Clem... But we'll figure something out." Molly said.
"It's just us again..." Clementine said.
"Yeah... Maybe that's just the way things are supposed to be..." Molly said.
"Maybe you're right..." Clementine said.
"Come on, kid. Let's move..." Molly said.
Clementine nodded, gently taking her hand. "Okay..."
No matter what happened, they would stick together, always. It's what they did. It's what they would continue to do for as long as they could.
The two ended up back where they first started, at the same trailer where Ava had met them.
"Wh-Why did they kick us out? We didn't do anything wrong." Clementine said.
"They… think I killed Joan." Molly explained to the child.
Clementine was surprised by that. "Joan's dead?"
"…Yeah… David said she was…" Molly nodded.
"But- But why would they blame you for that? You didn't do anything wrong!" Clementine exclaimed.
"I know, Clem…"
"Joan was naughty anyway! Maybe she deserved to die." Clementine said.
"Don't say that, kid." Molly said.
"Why? It's true! They kicked us out for no reason! We're not the naughty ones, Joan is!" Clementine said.
"Please calm down, Clementine. And stop using that word." Molly sighed, rubbing her temples. "Just say bad instead."
"What are we gonna do now?" Clementine asked.
"The same thing we were doing before. We stick together, stay smart, and survive on our own." Molly said.
"Okay… this is so unfair." Clementine frowned.
"I know it is, kid… But life's unfair…" Molly said.
"I know…" Clementine sighed.
"We're gonna be alright, Clem."
"You always say that." Clementine said.
"And it's always true…" Molly replied.
"I guess…." The little girl simply muttered.
The two spent several days in the trailer, rationing supplies, going out to gather food or water every now and then.
They quickly readapted to being on their own. It wasn't like they had lost touch anyways considering back in The New Frontier, they did several runs for that group.
Sometimes Clementine just wished things were easier. This is why she convinced herself to never get too comfortable.
As the days went by with it being just the two of them, they were surprised when an unexpected visitor showed up knocking one night.
Keeping her guard up and her weapon drawn, Molly proceeded to open the door. She was both relived and shocked to see who was there. "Ava?"
"Hey there, Molly." The woman greeted. "It's been a while."
"Yeah, it has… Wasn't expecting to see you here." Molly said.
"Yeah, well, here I am…" Ava said. "Mind if I come in?"
"Sure," Molly moved to let her in.
Clementine immediately tensed upon seeing her. "Wh-Why is she here?"
"Relax, kid. I'm not here to cause trouble." Ava reassured her.
"Your group kicked us out! We don't want to talk to you." Clementine snapped.
"That wasn't my choice, Clementine." Ava frowned.
"I don't care whose choice it was. No one stopped it." Clementine said.
"Clem, settle down." Molly said to the child.
"But—"
"Let her talk…" Molly stopped the little girl then turned to Ava. "What brings you here?"
"Well… I'm not supposed to be here." Ava said.
"I figured... so why are you here?" Molly said.
"...I wanted to make sure you two were okay..." Ava said.
"We're fine..." Molly shrugged.
"Yeah… It looks like you two are doing okay…" Ava said then took a look around. "Damn… It feels like deja-vu huh? Us all being here?"
"Yeah... it does... except things are worse for us this time..." Clementine said.
"Clem…" Molly sighed. "Would you get to the point Ava? I don't think either of us are in the mood to chat right now."
"I'm sorry, Molly. If it makes you feel better, I know you didn't do it." Ava said.
"How?" Molly asked.
"Well, there's consequences for those actions and I know you wouldn't be so reckless. Especially when you have her to look out for... You wouldn't take the risk with her over some stupid argument." Ava said.
"No, I wouldn't..." Molly huffed. "After all the shit we've done... this is how they repay us..."
"I'm really sorry. I wish... I wish things were different..." Ava said.
"Don't we all…" Molly muttered.
"What's in the bag?" Clementine suddenly asked, noticing the duffle bag Ava was carrying.
"Oh, this… I uh… I brought you guys some supplies." Ava said. "It's not much, but I figured it would be better than nothing…"
"Is THAT why you came here? We don't need any handouts." Clementine said.
"It's not a handout… It's a thank you, for everything you've done for our group." Ava said.
"Yeah, wish we had known how things would work out…. I would've never let you brand my girl." Molly grumbled.
"I'm sorry about that, Molly…" Ava said. "I'm sorry to both of you…. I know things aren't easy."
"No. They aren't…" Molly agreed.
I'm really glad I found you both. I know this is hard. I'm so sorry about what happened. I know this wasn't easy for David to do…" Ava said.
"He didn't have to do it in the first place. We didn't do anything naughty." Clementine said. "Joan was the naughty one…"
"Clem, hush…" Molly said.
"Look, it's not much, but... Here." Ava hands Molly a duffle bag. "Listen, it's dangerous out here… Whatever you do, you can't let what happened get to you. I know you're both capable… but still… And… just because it didn't work out, doesn't mean it won't work out somewhere… There's an old airfield, about ten or so miles south of here-Prescott. There are good people there. They'll let you stay… If you're interested."
"I never want to join a group again." Clementine said.
"Never say never kid." Ava said.
Clementine huffed, "Never…"
"You know, from the first time we met, right here, surrounded by absolute hell... You were a light in the darkness, a hope for a better world! Never lose that light, Clem... It's what makes you special, Clem. It's what keeps the rest of us going." Ava said.
Clementine didn't know how to respond to that.
"I should get back, before anyone notices I'm gone…" Ava said.
"What are you going to do about Lilly?" Molly asked. "I'm sure she's the one behind all this…"
"David's conducting an investigation… I'm gonna do some investigating of my own too… From there… I'll try to recruit some people to help us put a stop to whatever is happening." Ava said.
"Us?" Molly asked.
"If Lilly's really behind this… we'll have to work together to take her out of power before she can destroy more lives… I hope to see you two in Prescott… That's the only spot I can think that would be safe to meet with you…" Ava said.
"Just… Don't do anything until you have a real plan… We can't afford to have someone try to be a hero and end up getting themselves killed." Molly said.
"I'll keep that in mind." Ava said. "You guys be safe… Hopefully, I see you in Prescott soon."
"Take care of yourself, Ava." Molly said.
"You too… See you both around…" Ava replied.
With that Ava left. Molly opened up the duffle bag looking through the supplies.
"What now?" Clementine asked.
"Maybe… we should think about heading to Prescott." Molly said.
They two spent another week surviving on their own. It was nothing new to them, they were used to gathering food and being alone. Molly had talked to Clementine about Prescott on a few occasions, but both of them were hesitant to go after what happened.
Everything was fine for them now… However, Clementine knew that once the warm weather passed and it started to get cold again, they would struggle more. And she didn't want to face another winter like the previous one.
"Maybe... we should give it a try..." Clementine suddenly said.
"Give what a try?" Molly asked.
"Prescott..."
Molly wasn't expecting the child to suggest that. "Are you sure?"
Clementine nodded. "They probably have supplies and… beds to sleep in…"
"I thought you didn't want to go there…" Molly said.
"I didn't, but… it's worth checking out… If things get bad, we can always leave, right?" Clementine said. "We don't even have to stay long. Maybe just for a night though."
"Right… Alright… We'll check the place out." Molly agreed. "And see what it's like…"
"Sounds good to me." Clementine said.
Molly nodded. "First since that something's out of place, we leave."
"Deal."
The trip to Prescott took a mere two days from their spot, however when they arrived, they were surprised to see the walls of the place. It differently looked safe. As they approached, they suddenly heard a voice call to them, "That's far enough!"
Clementine flinched and Molly noticed they had a gun aimed at them.
"Any weapons you have, drop them. Now."
They huffed and did so. Molly hesitantly placed Hilda down.
"Alright... Don't do anything stupid."
Before long, the gates opened. A blonde man approached with two others and began checking them for any weapons.
"Alright… Follow me…" The blonde man spoke.
The others grabbed their dropped weapons and Molly and Clementine proceeded to follow him.
"Welcome to Prescott. Sorry for the unfriendly welcome. You can never be sure what type of folks you're dealing with. The name's Tripp."
"Molly…. This is Clementine."
Tripp hummed at that. "Those names actually sound pretty familiar."
"Really?" Clementine asked.
"Yeah… Anyway, it's nice to meet you folks." Tripp said. "Make yourselves comfortable, and uh, I'll be holding onto your weapons for the time being."
"Hold on, Hilda's not just a weapon. We've been through a lot together." Molly argued.
Tripp rose a brow, "Hilda?"
"That's what I call her. Don't judge." Molly said.
"It's just interesting, that's it… I'll hold on to her for now… If I feel I can trust you, you'll get her back." Tripp said.
"…Fine. Just… Be careful with her." Molly said.
"I will." Tripp said. "So do you two plan on staying a while, if so, we'll have you checked for bites, then I can give you a tour."
"We don't have any bites." Clementine said.
"Well, little missy, we gotta be sure…" Tripp replied. "Especially if you two plan to stay here."
"We wanted to check the place out first, then we'll decide if we wanna stay or not." Molly said.
"Fair enough…" Tripp said. "Eleanor will check you two out. This way."
"Why do we gotta get check if we're not bit?" Clementine asked.
"It's mandatory for newcomers, kid. Nothing personal." Tripp said.
"Okay…" The child muttered.
Tripp led them to some kind of infirmary where a woman, Eleanor was. "Eleanor, we have a couple guest."
Eleanor looked to them. "Hey there."
"This is Molly and the kid is Clementine." Tripp introduced them.
Clementine frowned at being called a kid but said nothing.
"Nice to meet you both." Eleanor said, offering them a smile.
"You too." Molly said.
"You know the drill, check them for bite, let me know the verdict and we'll go from there." Tripp said.
"Alright, Tripp." Eleanor said.
"Thanks, Eleanor." Tripp said, turning to walk away.
"Alright, let's check you two out." Eleanor said.
Molly nodded, although Clementine seemed hesitant. "It's okay, kiddo…"
"Do- Do we have to take our clothes off…?" Clementine asked.
"Not completely… I just gotta check you for bites, sweetie…" Eleanor said.
Clementine swallowed nervously. "O-Okay… Please just… don't do anything naughty to me…"
Eleanor frowned upon hearing that, "I… I promise you I won't."
"…Okay…" Clementine said.
"I'll go first Clem…" Molly said, sense the child's nervousness. "Let's get this over with…"
Eleanor proceeded to draw the curtain to the infirmary and then check both of them for bites. Once she determined they were all clear she allowed them to fix their clothing and radioed Tripp.
Tripp soon arrived to get them, however Eleanor stopped Molly and asked in a hushed voice, "Is your little one okay?"
"She's fine…Don't worry about her…" Molly said.
"Okay, I just…" Eleanor paused. "Did something happen to—"
"I said she's fine." Molly quickly cut her off.
"Sorry… Sorry… I should mind my business. Go on…" Eleanor said.
Molly didn't hesitate to walk out.
"Alright, since you're all clear, I can give you folks a tour, help you get familiar with everything in case you do decide to stay." Tripp said.
"Sounds good." Molly said.
Tripp nodded and began showing the two around introducing them to people in town.
As one of the guards switched out shifts, Clementine's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Ke-Kenny!"
The man looked to them at the call of his name and froze in shock. "Holy shit!"
"You folks know each other?" Tripp asked.
Clementine rushed forward, practically tossing herself into his arms. That was enough to answer Tripp's question.
"Yeah. We do..." Molly walked over to Kenny. "Never thought I'd see you again old man."
"Likewise, Molly." Kenny said.
"Well since you all know each other how about I get someone to take your post while you finish the tour. Let you all catch up." Tripp said.
"You sure?" Kenny asked.
Tripp nodded calling one of the guards on the radio.
"I'm so happy to see you again!" Clementine said to Kenny.
"I am too, darlin. I am too." Kenny said, giving her a pat on her head. "I'm so Goddamn happy right now!"
"Are the others here?" Clementine asked.
"Oh, you two are in for a big surprise." Kenny replied with a grin.
They were in for more than a big surprise. Shel and Vince were there, along with Becca and Sarah. Sarita was holding AJ who was now a toddler in her lap.
Sarah immediately hugged both Clementine and Molly as she saw them.
Although not a lot of their group members were present, specifically Wyatt and Russell seemed to be missing. They were beyond shocked to see Christa and Omid along with a little one who must have been their daughter.
Clementine immediately hugged the two and said with excitement, "You have a baby!"
"Yeah, we do. This is Genevieve." Christa said.
"She's so cute!" Clementine said.
"Thank you, sweetie." Christa replied.
"You grew up fast, didn't you? How old are you now, Clem?" Omid asked.
"Twelve." The child replied.
"Twelve? Geez, you're making me feel old, kiddo." Omid said.
Clementine chuckled a bit at that. As she looked around, she noticed the others in the room. When she noticed how big AJ had gotten the girl was surprised as well. "Look how big AJ's getting!"
"Yeah, he's growing fast." Kenny said.
"Last time I saw him he was so tiny…" Clementine said.
"Yeah, he was… It's been so long…" Kenny said. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"It's nice to see you both again." Vince said.
"You too. I never thought we'd run into each other again." Molly said.
"I don't think any of us did. When we got here, we were hoping to find you, since you had mention Virginia." Shel replied.
"Who are they?" A young boy asked, looking curious. He had to be a year older than Clementine at most.
"This is Clementine and Molly," Shel introduced them. "And this here is Gill."
"Nice to meet you, kid." Molly said.
"You too…" Gill replied.
Clementine seemed hesitant to greet him.
"Say hello, Clem…" Molly said.
The child offered a simple wave in response. She then went over to Sarita, "Can I hold AJ?"
"Of course." Sarita said, allowing her to take the baby.
"How about you get to know Gen too." Omid placed the toddler down.
Clementine nodded, excitement filling her little face.
"I think we got a lot of catching up to do." Molly said to the others.
"For sure." Shel said as everyone nodded.
After a while the adults of the group gather around a table to chat. Clementine was playing with AJ and Genevieve while Sarah and Becca chatted away with her about small things
"So where have yall been?" Kenny asked Molly. "I'm sure you two have been through some interesting shit."
"Believe me, we have…" Molly said.
"Well, fill us in. We'd love to know everything." Kenny said.
Molly decided there was no way she would tell them everything. She didn't know how they would react yet. Especially Kenny and Christa, she was sure they would disapprove of some of the choices she made with Clementine or allowed the child to make herself. "We were alone for a while… But eventually we ended up with a group… Things were okay at first… We helped them gather supplies, helped them with defenses, did a lot of stuff.
"When you say we, you mean you and Clementine. Why was a child helping with defenses?" Christa suddenly asked.
"Because she's not just a child. She's capable." Molly said. "Just like Lee knew she was able to handle certain things and allowed her to do so, I did the same."
"Go on…" Omid urged her to continue.
"The group we were with called themselves The New Frontier." Molly said.
"The New Frontier? That group with that weird symbol? Those folks were no good…" Vince said.
"You've heard of them…?" Molly asked.
"Who hasn't… With the things they've been doing… I can't believe you let Clementine involved in a group like that…" Christa huffed.
"That's… not what happened, Christa… They weren't doing that stuff before…" Molly said.
"I find that hard to believe…" Christa said.
"Why's that?" Molly asked.
"We were in Wellington… Everything was fine. Until these angry maniacs showed up and decided, why not attack the place and let walkers inside. They were crazy, demanding food and supplies. Stuff we needed. And when the decided what we offered wasn't enough they just attacked! They didn't care that there were children there. Children Clementine's age and younger! Families and…babies… It was sickening." Christa said.
"Howe's was the same way," Shel said.
Molly's eyes widened at that. "You went back to Howes…?"
"Not to stay…" Shel said. "We were desperate, needed supplies and Wyatt suggested that we go back and gather what they could find… We knew things were bad there, but we were out of options, and we knew the place had food at some point."
"Apparently that Jane girl had started rebuilding the place, there were families there and everything…" Kenny said.
"That's how we met Patricia and Randy." Sarita said.
"Who?" Molly asked.
"Gill's parents." Shel explained. "They were the only survivors from the attack at Howes… Them and their son…"
Molly frowned at that. "So Jane…?"
"Yeah… She was dead…" Kenny said.
"We didn't know where else to go, so we decided to come to Virginia, hoping you and Clementine would be here since you mentioned it." Vince said. "I'm glad we found you… well you found us…"
"What happened to Russell and Wyatt?" Molly asked.
Shel lowered her head. "Russell… didn't make it… He got bit saving me after we got out of the rest stop …"
"Fuck... what about Wyatt?" Molly questioned.
"When we first got here we were staying at a ranch for a while. Wyatt's buddy, Eddie was there so he decided to stay." Vince explained.
Molly felt dread hit her. "Oh shit. Was it McCarroll Ranch?"
"Yeah, that's the one." Vince said.
"Fuck... I… I heard that place got hit too..." Molly said.
"Oh my gosh... no..." Shel frowned, feeling sick to her stomach.
"Fuck… What the fuck…?" Vince frowned as well.
"Those people of yours they're out of control!" Christa said.
"They're not my people. Now anymore." Molly said.
"Regardless they can't just get away with what they've done." Christa said.
"I know... that's why I want to come up with a plan to deal with them..." Molly said. "I think this woman is in charge, someone named Lilly. She gave us supplies and I think she's calling the shots from the outside."
"Lilly?" Kenny echoed.
"Yeah... Clem thinks she might know her..." Molly explained.
"Well fuck! If it's that Lilly I sure as hell have a few words for that crazy bitch!" Kenny said.
"Kenny, calm down, please." Sarita frowned.
"So I take it that you know her too?" Molly asked.
"I sure as hell know her! She's batshit crazy!" Kenny said. "She killed Carley, and then stole our RV, leaving us high and dry after Duck…" Kenny stopped himself, suddenly feeling depressed at the thought.
"I'm sorry, Kenny…" Molly said.
Sarita tried to comfort him.
"So, we need a plan…" Christa said. "Because these people obviously don't care who they hurt. We can't let them keep destroying lives. How long until the attack this place."
"We're not gonna let that happen…" Molly said.
"Tell us everything about this group of yours." Christa said.
"They're not my group… But I'll tell you whatever I can…" Molly said.
"The New Frontier was run by four different leaders, they have a large group. Several military trained people. One of the leaders, the woman who I believe was working with Lilly, was murdered and Clementine and I got kicked out because of that, since Joan and I had gotten into an argument earlier that day. The other leaders seem oblivious to what's going on, but I think Lilly had been calling the shots through Joan and having them raid and loot other communities…" Molly said. "Unfortunately, I didn't get to find out anything else before we were forced out."
"I'm sure they're not going to stop this anything soon…" Vince said.
"So we have to get to them first…" Kenny said.
"Exactly…" Molly said.
"And how the hell are we supposed to do that?" Christa asked.
"That's what we have to figure out." Molly said.
As the day continued, Clementine and Molly would give a spot to rest for the night.
Molly and Clementine got to meet Gill's parents as they came to bring the boy home.
Some of the other start to head back to their respective areas as well. Christa and Sarita both had to promise little Clementine that she could play with the toddlers tomorrow in order to get the child to agree to leave.
That night Clementine slept soundly like Molly hadn't seen her sleep in such a long time. A sleep like that was exactly what the little girl needed.
When morning came Molly and Clementine headed back to meet with the group. Some of the group members seemed to be missing, having duties to preform around town, leaving only Christa, Sarita, and the children.
As Clementine played with the toddlers again, Molly couldn't help but smile. For once the little girl just seemed so carefree.
"How is she..?" Christa suddenly spoke, pulling her out of her thoughts. "…Kenny and Sarita mentioned what happened to her."
"She's... okay... she has her moments when things get bad, but she's okay..." Molly said.
"Has she... talked about it?" Christa asked.
"No... She doesn't usually talk about what happened." Molly said.
"Maybe she should. Maybe I can try talking to her." Christa said.
"If she doesn't talk to me, what makes you think she'll talk to you?" Molly asked.
"Maybe you just don't know what to say." Christa replied.
"I've been taking care of her for over three years now... I'm pretty sure I know how to talk to her." Molly said.
"How did that even happen?" Christa huffed. "Omid and I were supposed to look after her. We looked for her for so long... We were supposed to find her."
"At least someone found her. I took care of her. Kept her safe." Molly said.
"Safe? You called being raped safe? If she was with Omid and I that never would have happened." Christa hissed.
"What are you saying?" Molly asked.
"I'm saying, maybe if she was with us, things would've been better for her… That poor kid…. She deserved better." Christa said.
"I doubt you would've done any better with her…" Molly said. "I don't need you to tell me what I should and shouldn't have done. I've kept her alive, and that's more than I can say for anyone in that group."
"Maybe… But that doesn't mean you've done the best with her."
"I think Clem would say otherwise. Judge me all you want, I have no regrets with how I've taken care of her… She's a capable survivor, because I helped her to be." Molly said.
"And she was also raped in your care…"
"You don't know what happened. I wasn't there during most of the abuse… I would never ever let my girl get hurt."
"Your girl…"
"She is my girl… I've been taking care of her for years." Molly said. "And I'll be damned if I let anyone step in and try to take over."
Christa didn't respond for a while. "I wouldn't do that… I just hope you know what you're doing with her…"
"I'm doing my best…" Molly simply said.
The rest of the day had been calm for the most part. The group spent more time trying to come up with a plan on how to handle The New Frontier. Molly kept an eye out for Ava, but the woman had yet to show up.
That night when they went to their assigned area to sleep, Molly decided to have a conversation with Clementine.
"So... what do you want to do now, kid?" Molly asked the young girl.
"Can we stay here? Please?" Clementine asked.
"I figured you'd ask that." Molly said.
"Can we? I really want to… Our friends are here…" Clementine said. "I missed them a lot, Molly."
"I know you have…"
"So can we please stay?" The child begged.
Molly sighed. "We'll stay, for now… But remember what we've talked about… If anything goes wrong,"
"We leave, I know…" Clementine said.
"Good…"
Clementine smiled a tiny smile happy that Molly was allowing them to stay.
The days flew by and the two started to settle in. Ava still had yet to make an appearance and Molly could only hope the other woman was okay. Although Clementine felt anxiety in the pit of her stomach, and she worried about getting too comfortable she had to admit that she enjoyed this place.
They had food, shelter, and most important to Clementine her "family" was here. People she cared about, people she loved.
This was what she had been longing for, for so long. To finally feel at home again.
And there was no way they could let anyone mess this up. She just wanted things to work out at this place. She needed things to work out.
The child had Molly, but sometimes, she still felt alone even with the woman. And she was tired of feeling so alone…
The more comfortable they got the more Molly encouraged Clementine to socialize, as she did the same. They knew just about everyone in the town by now.
However, when Molly tried to persuade Clementine to hang out with Sarah, Becca, and some other children in town the child was hesitant.
"I'm sure you'll have more fun if you get to know some kids your age." Molly said.
"How can I worry about having fun when Lilly and the New Frontier are out there?" Clementine asked.
"By not worrying about The New Frontier." Molly said. "Don't worry about them."
"I can't help it… If they're out there destroying communities, what's stopping them from destroying this one?" Clementine frowned.
"I'm gonna figure something out… But while I'm doing that, I want you to try not to worry so much…"
"I can't help it, Molly."
"I know, kiddo." Molly said. "But we're fine now… And I think you should try to take it easy… Let me do the worrying for once…"
"…Okay…"
Sarah held Clementine's hand as she, Becca, and Gill led her through the town to a little hang out spot with the other kids.
Clementine senses were on high alert the entire time. She was so worried their friends wouldn't like her.
Upon seeing the other kids who were gathered around playing board games and what not the girl felt like her heart would stop any minute. When Becca introduced the girl to them, and all eyes turned to her the girl felt her voice suddenly disappear. And for several moments she became an emotional mute.
However, when the kids greeted her, some even asking if she wanted to play the girl felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. Maybe things weren't going to be bad here.
Despite many of the kids who Sarah and Becca hung out with being older than her, they didn't mind hanging around Clementine. For the girl who craved validation, being accepted by Sarah's and Becca's friends made her feel good. At first, she never really talked to anyone much. She worried that if she did, they might think she was crazy…
She remembered how when they were with The New Frontier at times she would wonder if she was invisible. She knew she wasn't but the way the children would sometimes ignore her hurt.
She could be sitting right beside them, and they would not acknowledge her presence. So, she would limit her interaction with the other kids as much as possible.
It was rare for her to ever consider another kid as her friend. Most kids she just saw as other kids, people to hang out with so she wouldn't have to be by herself all the time
But as Clementine got to know the others, she felt a bit of her self-esteem returning. Glimpses of her old personality were returning, and she felt a bit more like a kid.
As her confidence grew. For once she in a long time she felt involved, not just tolerated.
Although Clementine was starting to feel more comfortable with hanging around other kids, she still preferred to keep to herself most of the time. Or hang out with people she knew well, such as Sarah and Becca.
However, there was one kid in particular who the girl found always wanted to hang out with her, even when she didn't want to play. Gill.
Whenever the girl hung around the other kids, she was wary when it came to the boys. She would keep away from them for the most part. But Gill was different. The kid was nice, but Clementine didn't understand what he wanted from her. She wondered why he was so nice to her. What was his hidden agenda?
Confused, she decided to go to Molly for answers.
"I-I just don't understand… He's so nice to me… But- But why? What does he want?" Clementine said.
"Clem, you don't have to think like that. I'm sure he just wants to get to know you." Molly said. "He seems like a sweet kid."
"S-So what should I do?" Clementine stammered.
"I think you should hang out with him. Try to become friends." Molly said.
"But… But he's a boy…" The girl said.
"And…?"
"What if he… does something naughty to me?" Clementine asked nervously.
"He won't." Molly said.
"How do you know?" Clementine asked.
"Clementine, not all boys are bad."
"I know that…" Clementine said. "But… I don't know him. What if he tries something…?"
"Then you tell him you're not interested. But, kid, I don't think he's going to do anything." Molly told her.
"Okay… I really hope not…" Clementine said.
"Just try to get to know him, okay?" Molly urged the child.
"Okay…"
With Molly's insistence, Clementine tried to be more open to getting to know Gill. As the two spent more time together, Clementine quickly realized that she enjoyed his presence and he really was a sweet kid.
The more they hung out the more she was starting to consider him a friend.
However, any feeling of ease and comfort quickly shifted away one day when the small girl overheard Molly and Patricia talking.
"I'm so glad you and your girl are here; Gill doesn't usually interact with any other kids." Patricia said.
Clementine didn't blame him. Other kids could be annoying at times. And she herself found it hard to fit in sometimes.
It was what the woman said next though, that made Clementine freeze.
"I think he has a crush on your little girl, he talks about her nonstop." Patricia said.
Hearing that made Clementine's heart drop. She didn't know what to think about that. She made her way to the other room, where she, Sarah, Becca, and Gill had been playing a board game. Hesitantly she took a seat.
"Are you okay, Clem?" Sarah asked.
"I-I'm fine…" The child muttered.
"You look a little pale." Gill pointed out.
"I said I'm fine…" Clementine said.
"O-Okay… Sorry…" Gill said, frowning a bit.
Clementine sighed. "I think I'm done playing for now…"
"Dropping out already?" Becca asked. "You're no fun."
Clementine didn't respond to the older girl's remark.
The three of them continue playing while Clementine kept to herself, once again in her own little bubble.
The girl felt panicked, she couldn't even understand why. But hearing Patricia say Gill had a crush on her, made her feel strange.
He couldn't have a crush… Why would he like her? She was disgusting… If he liked her what would he do to her? Would he try to…?
The girl couldn't stop the thoughts from running through her head. Her stomach hurt as anxiety filled her.
The next time she saw the boy, things were awkward. The more interested they seemed in her, the more nervous she felt. So Clementine made it her mission to avoid him like the plague.
Gill picked up on this immediately and felt hurt. Though he didn't admit it to the girl.
Clementine realized when he went home that night things between them had changed.
For the next few days Gill didn't return. Clementine wondered why, she wondered if he would come back. She actually missed him.
"Gill hasn't come back for a while…"
"Yeah, I've noticed." Molly said. "Did something happen between you two?"
"I don't know… I think I hurt his feelings…" Clementine admitted.
"How? Did you say something mean to him?" Molly asked the child.
Clementine shook her head. "No… But I wasn't nice…"
"What do you mean?" Molly asked.
"I… was kind of ignoring him." Clementine said.
"You were ignoring him? Why?"
"Because... I... I heard Patricia say he had a crush on me." The child explained.
"Clem..."
"It made me nervous..." Clementine told her.
"It's okay for him to have a crush. You don't have to like him back." Molly said. "You can still be his friend though."
"I don't think he wants to be my friend anymore. That's why he hasn't come over..."
"Clem... I think he stopped coming over because he thought you didn't like him at all."
"But I do... I like him as a friend. I just... I feel bad now..." Clementine said. "Maybe I don't deserve friends."
"Don't say that, Clem..."
The child didn't respond but Molly could tell she was hurt. And the woman wanted nothing more than to help her.
Seeing how sad her girl had been, Molly finally decided to try to talk to Gill. Upon knocking at Patricia and Randy's door, Patricia answered.
"Molly, it's great to see you. How are you doing?" Patricia smiled at the woman.
"I'm okay..." Molly said.
"How's Clem?" Patricia asked. "I'm surprised you didn't bring her over."
"She's fine too... Sarita's keeping an eye on her for a bit." Molly replied. "Uh... Is Gill home?"
"Yeah... he's been a bit down lately... He won't really talk to me about why..." Patricia said.
"I think I have an idea..." Molly said. "I think it has something to do with Clementine."
Patricia raised a brow wondering what she meant.
She allowed the woman inside the house and before long the two sat down to talk.
"They didn't get into a fight, did they? Clem and Gill?" Patricia asked.
"Not exactly. Clem... overheard us talking and... it made her feel some kind of way. She kind of... started avoiding him. She didn't mean it...she's just been through a lot..." Molly explained.
"I understand. Maybe you should talk to Gill... He must be thinking that he did something wrong or she just doesn't like him." Patricia said.
"That's not the case at all..." Molly said. "Clem's just been through a lot. She has a hard time trusting people. Especially males..."
Patricia frowned at that, realizing what the child must have gone through.
"She'll take some time warming up, but I think she would be happy to have Gill as a friend." Molly said.
"I think that would make Gill happy too."
After spending a while talking Patricia led Molly to Gill's room and knocked at the door.
"Gill, can I come in?" Patricia called.
"Yeah." Gill said.
Patricia opened the door and said, "You have a guest."
Gill looked to Molly, "Hi..."
"Hey kid... I was hoping to talk to you... about Clem." Molly said.
"Is she mad at me?" Gill immediately asked.
"No. Not at all... I think she misses you actually." Molly said.
"Really?" Gill asked.
"Really... She has a hard time opening up to people... so doesn't mean to come off like she doesn't like you..." Molly said. "She does want to be your friend."
"Are you sure...? I just... felt like she didn't want me around." Gill frowned.
"Trust me. She does." Molly replied. "She's just been through a lot... She's been hurt a lot."
"Hurt how?" Gill asked.
Molly didn't want to go into detail. The boy didn't need to know all of that anyway. "In... a lot of ways."
"Why would anyone want to hurt her? She's a good person." Gill said.
Molly felt her heart warm a bit at his words. He definitely had a crush on her girl. "Some people are just cruel kid. They don't care who they hurt." Molly explained. "I just want you to know that she does want to be your friend... she just needs some time to learn to trust... and I ask that you be patient with her."
"I will. Of course I will." Gill said.
"Thank you." Molly said.
Gill nodded. "I'm just glad she doesn't hate me."
"She would never hate you." Molly said. Her girl would never hate anyone unless given a reason to.
Days continued on and when the group wasn't planning a way to stop The New Frontier, Clementine would often be hanging out with her friends. She and Gill were now hanging out nearly every day. Clementine had formed a close bond with Gill, Sarah, and Becca. And it felt good to the girl.
For the first time in a long time Clementine felt at home... She felt like she fit in... She just hoped that things wouldn't fall apart...