"I'll see you in a bit." Clem says to Lee before approaching her two friends. Lee watches her go, holding Carley's hand whilst she holds her crutches. Sarah and Duck smile widely when she stops in front of them and turns around to listen to Bill.
"We missed you!" Sarah whispers.
"It's good to see you're okay, Clem." Ben adds from behind her.
"Same with you guys."
"They didn't hurt you in there, did they?"
"No. Actually, they gave me ice cream?"
"Real ice cream?"
"Yeah, it was amazing, I won't lie."
"Ah, hell. Don't drink too much of the Kool-aid, darling. Please." Kenny warns.
"What's that mean?" Sarah asks, receiving no response as her friends shrug.
Carver gives them a look with his eyebrow raised, but quickly moves on, giving Rebecca and Alvin a look over. The pregnant woman was far away from Alvin, looking dejected and confused with her bottom lip pouted out, while Alvin looked frustrated, holding himself in a similar way to his wife across from her, both on opposite ends of the pen. He nods.
"There's been increased lurker activity along the fence, so be mindful when outside the walls. The herds 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," As he speaks, he looks over every member of the group, giving direct eye contact in every case, from Reggie to Walter to Lee to Carley. He notices a few glares from Nick, Walter and Christa, while others just seem annoyed or frustrated. Only Reggie and Danny appear to be at all bright today, and even then Danny is more neutral than anything. "there might be some folks who might be sore about what happened, about how things went, well that's all in the past now."
Clementine looks around at her friends. She can hear Kenny growling behind her. Next to her, Ben looks like he's holding back a few emotions himself. Pete and Nick's fists have tightened, but Lee seems quite passive, attentive even. Then, behind her, she hears Duck and Sarah giggling. Carver takes notice, too, but tries to ignore them. Clem steps on Duck's shoe. "Ow, watch it." He whispers in response, a big smirk on his face. Sarah laughs behind her hand as Clem shushes both of them with a silent finger over her lips. Duck rolls his eyes, making Sarah laugh harder, trying to keep it all in. Clem looks back to Bill, who stares at her soul.
"...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 continues. His attention is directed now to Reggie and Danny at the front of the crowd. "Reggie, Danny, you're both nearly back in, through this method. Soon enough, so long as you continue to work hard and maintain your good behaviors, you'll be welcomed back in with open arms."
"How'd you sleep?" Carver's warm smile is immediately brought to an impatient frown as Sarah ignores him to chat to Clem. The eleven year old feels her heart skip a beat when his eyes meet their little group.
"Er, thank you, Bill!" Reggie replies happily.
"I can't wait to sleep back in my bed! Man, it's been too long, eh bro? Thank you, Bill." Danny exclaims, punching Reggie in the shoulder, who chuckles in response. Carver smiles at them.
"Let these two be an example to you all. Salvation…"
"I was so tired last night!" Duck whispers, quite loudly back. His voice carries and a few divert attention away from Bill's speech to look at them.
"I know. Being in that van for so long really killed my energy." Sarah replies. Carlos doesn't hear her, his attention fixed on something in his head.
"Hey, guys, pay attention." Clem hushes directly, maintaining her vision on the boss of Howe's.
"Sorry.." Duck groans, rolling his eyes with a big dramatic sigh. Sarah rubs her arm, remaining quiet. She takes a few small steps towards Duck and leans down to his level, only a few inches shorter than hers.
"Michael will continue on with the expansion of the new-"
Sarah begins whispering into Duck's ear mid sentence, "What a stick in the-"
"CARLOS, KENNETH!" The two men jump at the sound of their names being called, a look of shock remaining on Kenny's face for seconds longer than Carlos', who instead looks more scared.
"...Yes?" Carlos questions before Kenny can. With a fiery anger in his eyes, Bill continues.
"Your children seem to be in need of correction." Carver says. Carlos quickly turns to his daughter.
"I'm sorry I- Sarah, apologize to Mr. Carver."
Shakily, she does. "I'm s-sorry sir!"
"You too, Duck." Kenny seems a bit more hesitant to bow down to Bill, but he senses the danger proceeding his son and decides to swallow his pride and move along.
"Sorry.." Duck half-asses, barely even looking at Carver.
"No, no. That ain't gonna cut it." Both kids' faces glance up with fear at him. "I can't have this kind of behavior on day one of your reform. Both of you, discipline them, now."
"What did you just say?" Kenny asks, appalled. Sarita puts a hand on his shoulder.
"I said discipline them. A slap across the mouth should do it. Should make them think twice before opening it up again! Go on, we'll wait." The entire crowd stares at the parents and their children, expressions of disgust, remorse and shock on their faces. Bonnie, Tavia and Shawn all look away. Troy seems to find it amusing.
"Woah, woah. I've never laid a finger on my boy, and I ain't starting today." Kenny hisses, getting in front of Duck, Clem and Sarah protectively.
Carver approaches them all, walking past the crowd as they part to make way for him, all terrified in their own right. "This isn't your decision anymore, Kenneth. Oh, and not some namby pamby shit, either. A good hard smack! Otherwise, Troy here will do it for you, and I don't think you want that. He can be… overzealous." He looks back at Troy. "Is that the word?"
"If it means I'll slap the shit outta them, then yeah." Troy's husky voice answers as he licks his lips.
"Woah, woah! Ain't this a bit much? They talked out of turn; let's move on."
"Lee, not now. This isn't your child. Clementine was trying to focus." He turns back to Carlos. "Come on, Carlos! We're waiting!"
"Daddy..?" Sarah takes a step back, heavily breathing with her arms frozen as she fearfully stares into her apologetic fathers eyes.
Duck tugs on Kenny's sleeve. "Dad, w-wait, I really am sorry- I-I didn't mean.."
Bill snaps his fingers. "The time for apologizing is over. Do it."
Kenny looks like he's about to murder him. Lee looks at Kenny with a shake of his head, ordering him to back down. "..Just do what he says." The ex teacher sighs.
"Lee?! No fucking way! He's talking about hurting my boy." Kenny yells, shocked at Lee's subordination.
"I know! But.. it's better than the alternative." Lee replies, looking stern. Kenny ignores him, getting into a battle stance.
"I'm sorry, Sarah." Carlos mutters, his voice breaking as he approaches her slowly. "Just close your eyes, I'll be quick, sweetie, I promise." The young girl begins crying, shielding herself as she sniffles.
"So this is how things run around here, huh..? Child abuse?" Walter shakes his head.
"Wait, please, let me do it!" Sarita pleads, her own voice trembling. Carver gives a scoff.
"No offense, Sarita, but it's gotta be a real parent. Hurry up!" The leader shouts, waiting on Kenny and Carlos.
Clementine didn't like the look of this. She was standing near Duck and Sarah, so.. Maybe she could claim responsibility for it all and take their pain? Or maybe that would just lead to something worse? Or maybe she should just stay out of this one and let Carver lead. The very thought made her shiver, especially as Kenny's hands turned to fists. What would happen if he ended up punching Carver? Nothing good, she was certain.
So, how could she help?
Choices
A: Stop Kenny from hurting Carver
B: Claim responsibility
C: Do nothing
Relationships
Lee: 14/15 (He allowed you to go with your friends, and is now regretting that choice)
Carley: 15/15
Christa: 12/15
Molly: 13/15
Chuck: 15/15
Kenny: 9/15 (He's furious, not at you but at Carver.)
Duck: 15/15 (He could really use your help here)
Ben: 15/15 (He feels bad for you, being caught in the middle of this)
Walter: 6/15
Sarita: 7/15
Luke: 10/15
Pete: 13/15
Nick: 10/15
Carlos: 10/15 (He'd prefer if you just let him handle this)
Sarah: 13/15 (She desperately needs your help)
Alvin: 9/15
Rebecca: 10/15
Carver: 7/15
Tavia: 5/15
Stan: 5/15
Shel: 6/15
Becca: 3/15
Bonnie: 7/15
Johnny: 5/15
Shawn: 7/15
Wyatt: 6/10
Eddie: 6/10
Troy: 2/15
Justin: 6/15
Danny: 5/10
Reggie: 5/10
Sam: 5/15
