Clementine awoke. The tent was a dark as ever. The child slowly stood up, fortunately for her; there didn't seem to be as much nausea as there was a few hours ago, hopefully it will stay that way. Doubt it though, with all that moving around but surely; walking wouldn't bring that much harm to her, right? It is just couple of steps, one leg in front of the other.
The only reason the nausea got worse was because she was too busy trying to stay alive back in that herd and that was the only time it got worse. Regardless of that, she still decided that she was going to try and take it easy on herself.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she walked over to the tent flap and pulled it aside.
The sun was beginning to set, a reddish gray gradient painted the sky. Over by the billboards that had numerous posters and pamphlets were Mike and Bonnie conversing with each other. Clementine noticed the two large jugs of water sitting just beside them.
That man Mike, Clementine didn't mind him. He seemed like a valuable member of the group and that was good. Bonnie on the other hand, the catalyst of everything. From the lodge, to her eye. Only does anything productive when shit hits the fan, yeah that sounds like her. She did help Mike get the water jugs but Clementine couldn't find it in her to care any less; To the child, Bonnie was dirt, something that she walked all over not giving any thoughts because it's dirt. It's something that you step on when you get to your destination.
Carlos was standing by Rebecca assisting her through her contractions whilst Sarah, Sarita and Kenny sat by the fountain.
Where was Luke though? Suddenly, Clementine remembered what happened to Nick. It all happened so fast, she didn't even have time to register what happened before she was attacked by numerous walkers. Luke's best friend for nearly twenty years, gone. Just like that, and ripped to shreds.
Why did she feel like laughing though? The image of Nick getting shot in the neck only made the urge to laugh even stronger and a casual grin was etched onto the child's face. Her head hanged low, her back hunched and with her hand covered her mouth out of instinct. Why in the living actual hell was that funny to her? Was that funny to her or was it something to do with the subconscious? She even remembered being in shock when it happened.
Either way, it shouldn't have even been funny to begin with. Not even if it was some sort of sick coping mechanism, it shouldn't have been funny. But yet, here she was; trying her hardest not to smile. This was not what she should be feeling. Why wasn't she sad? Why wasn't she grieving? Nick was just as much of a friend as he was to Luke. Clementine was utterly confused mixed in with a set of joy. "W-Why..." She chuckled to herself. "Why am I laughing?" A few chuckles were let out.
Taking a deep breath... and failing in the process. Without thinking, she brought her left arm to her chest, her hand locking onto her right shoulder. The grin wouldn't leave her face and eventually she decided to go talk to Kenny; ask him where Luke was.
"Hi, Kenny." Clementine chuckled, the memory of Nick still in her mind.
"Oh hey, Clem. What're you laughin' 'bout?" Kenny asked with a cheeky smile.
"Oh, I-I just remembered something funny."
"What was it 'bout?" Kenny curiously asked.
"It was just a... uhh, a f-friend of mine told me a funny joke." The child stuttered, luckily Kenny didn't notice.
"Ahh alright."
"Hello, Clementine." Sarita offered a gentle smile. "Did you take a nap?"
"Yeah-"
"That's good, you should be getting plenty of those," Carlos interjected as he was still tending to Rebecca.
"Oh, by the way; Jane showed up." Kenny added.
"Jane?"
"Yeah."
"I thought she was gone, when she left back at howe's?"
"Yeah well, guess she couldn't be bothered waitin' 'round... you know, with you and Carver." When Kenny mentioned what happened, it felt like the atmosphere had dropped. It seemed like everyone except for Kenny had this weird expression on their faces.
Clementine paused. "Has anyone seen Luke?" She asked, looking around the group.
"He wondered off not too while ago, ah think Jane found an observation deck." Kenny explained.
The child didn't respond, she began walking in direction of the deck. She made eye contact with Bonnie on her way there. The redhead had a shamed look to her eye but Clementine ignored it and continued.
Clementine stopped in a courtyard. There was a river to the left of it that seemed to be causing most of the noise. Water swaying and flowing then there was wilderness. Tall trees to her right
She noticed the observation deck Kenny had mentioned and began making her way to it. Up ahead was a ordinary park bench, nothing too special about it. Clementine reached the stairs and began making her way up towards it.
Not even a second later, she heard moaning and was instantly on alert. It seemed to be coming from the top of the deck. Thinking someone could've been hurt, she rushed up the stairs.
"That wasn't normal," Carlos said.
"Who gives a damn!? Didn't y'all see what that bastard did to her!?" Kenny argued.
"We all saw what he did but-"
"But nothin'. Why the hell're we even havin' this conversation!?" Kenny angrily spouted.
"Because a child shouldn't be havin' thoughts like that," Bonnie reasoned.
"For real. I mean, seriously Kenny; poppin' out kneecaps and elbows!? What type of child thinks of stuff like that man!?" Mike stressed.
"Uhh the type that got her head bashed by the very same guy?" Came Kenny's repl
"I agree that Carver needed to be dealt with but the way she had done it..." Carlos trailed off.
"S-she was a bit scary," Sarah timidly added.
"Well, look it doesn't matter. Point is, Carver deserved it! I mean look at what he did to Walter and what about Alvin!?"
Rebecca's breath hitched for a moment at which Kenny had noticed. "I'm sorry, I'm just sayin' Carver is dead. Don't matter how she did it but he's dead end of story. Ah would've done the same thing if not worse," Kenny concluded.
"Yeah, I don't doubt that," Mike replied.
"Why were you on top of Jane?" Clementine frowned at Luke.
"I w-wasn't-urgh! Why're you here!? You should gettin' rest o-or somethin'," Luke nervously replied.
"I did get some rest, I took a nap."
"Well... g-go get more, talk to Kenny or whatever!"
Clementine leaned against the railing of the deck. "I thought you were keeping watch?"
"Ah am!"
"Then why were you on top of Jane?" Came snarky reply.
"He was giving me a back massage." Jane came out from around the corner.
Clementine paused then looked at Luke. "So you weren't keeping watch?"
"Alright, that's it!" Luke walked over to the child and directed her to the stairs. "Go ask Kenny to bring everyone here."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"...And nothing else?" Clementine cheekily asked.
"No." Luke simply replied.
"O...kay." With that Clementine began walking back to the group.
