Author's Notes:
December 13, 2020. It's been almost a year and a half since I updated this story and... it feels good to be going back to it (pardon the entirely intended pun). I apologize for the delay everyone, and for my long-time fans, you deserve an explanation.
Before this story went out on hiatus, I had a grand idea to get the community involved, which allowed for the submission of OCs that would later appear in the story. Unfortunately, the number of submissions I received was few, and none quite fit into the overall picture quite as smoothly as I would've liked. It became a struggle to plan around them, and I delayed, hoping to receive more or have a flash of inspiration. Neither arrived and finally tried to put pen to paper, I had developed writer's block.
Then other projects took over my life for a while, many of which, as you may have noticed, took me away from this site. Long story short, when I got my AO3 account about a month ago, I started writing a TWD CYOA fic in a similar vein to BYCAM found here, called No Tomorrow. It helped me get past my writer's block for this fic and find the motivation to continue it. For those curious, the description is as follows:
"You wake up at the beginning of the apocalypse, transported into the world of TWD. Every time you die, you find yourself in a new body. Will you ever return to the real world? Or will you lose your sense of self first?"
If you are interested in reading No Tomorrow, then the link is: works/37840600/chapters/94488790. I can unfortunately not send the rest due to 's limitations, but the website is AO3 (Archive of Our Own). Same account name, so you can't miss it. I only just wrapped up the first episode, so there's still time to catch up. There are also a bunch of other TWD CYOA's there too, so if you're BYCAM fans, you'll want to check it out.
Still, I know people are here for the main attraction, the first chapter in years. I thank you all for your patience and hope you enjoy it. I promise future chapters will be back to their usual size, but there are some things I needed to take care of in this one first.
EPISODE II: ALL OUT WAR
Chapter 10: Special Forces
The month following Mark's death had been the toughest yet. Mark was a kind soul, and for him to die in such a fashion was a difficult pill to swallow. Even Larry, who had acted like he had hated Mark and made it no secret, was respectful and solemn in the days following it. While Lee and Mark were developing a quick friendship, the time traveler, Clementine, who watched Mark die, was undoubtedly hit the hardest.
I shouldn't have let him play hero and confront those guys alone. I shouldn't have been careless and left our ax out in the hallway. I shouldn't have gotten us involved with the bandits this soon.
The pressure of keeping everyone alive was getting to Clementine, and Telltale whispering in her ear to stick to the script was becoming all the more tempting. As a result, Clementine was resentful of rescuing Jolene and Danielle, even if she hated herself for it knowing saving Dani was the right thing to do.
Luckily, Clementine had very little time to reflect over those weeks on anything past surviving at the moment. Despite their relationship crumbling, Jolene was loyal to the Motor Inn group and had continuously expressed her intent to stay. Without the RV and a plan, everyone agreed to bunker down mostly; and supply runs became more and more infrequent.
Daryl continued to visit Jolene and Danielle whenever he could and even offered the group some tips and advice on hunting, with Merle making a more aggressive push to control Macon. Even Clementine had to admit that she was learning things from the bandit. It certainly helped Daryl earn trust with the group, even if he was a prick to almost everyone.
That didn't mean the group didn't have the occasional scare. Even if Daryl had done his best to keep the Save-Lots crew off their back, they were out for blood. It's just delaying the inevitable. Suppose Clementine hadn't been paranoid and encouraged the group to build up their defenses early. She's sure stray arrows in the wall would have found their way into someone's skull.
It was one of those hunting days, just over three months into the apocalypse, which Daryl would later remember as the worst day in his life.
Clementine remembered this day as anything but fondly. If her now near-photographic memory (due to the number of times she had lived the events) served her right, this is the day they'd meet Ben and the St. John's. Clem was as equally excited as she was nervous. Sure, Ben was a friend of hers, but looking back, even she had to admit he's a giant fuck-up. More pressing, however, is the issue of the St. John's Diary.
Andy, Danny, and Brenda are much too dangerous to keep alive. Without Mark, there's no telling whom their first target might be. But if I kill the St. John's, all heat their deal with the Save-Lots bandits keeps off of us dissipates. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if they attack us tomorrow. Clementine found herself in a no-win situation, in checkmate, where her only option, it seemed, was to sacrifice a piece for the greater good. No, I can't think like that. This fact was eating Clementine alive.
Clementine watches as Lee brings his ax down upon a walker's head from afar. Lee dispatches the undead man quickly without even being noticed. The reason why is obvious enough: the half-eaten carcass of a rabbit at the monster's feet.
"Well, that's another meal lost," Clementine groans.
"A rabbit's hardly a meal, Clem, but…" Lee hesitates, "I take it we're all hungry."
"No kidding. Carley was complaining about Doug keeping her up half the night just naming types of pie. And that night before that, when Andre accidentally grabbed her rations, it looked like she was about to kill him."
"Just cut them some slack. Those two aren't the only ones on edge right now."
"Now that we've been all but officially kicked out of Macon, we haven't been able to restock. And Lilly won't even tell me exactly how much food we got left. And I'm the one responsible for getting us most of it!"
Lee shakes his head. "We're managing, but it's still not enough. According to Lilly, we're gonna be hitting the last of our food reserves before winter. And that's with you and Lilly's handling of the rations."
"You mean the Lottery, as Kenny calls it?" He doesn't have to be happy about it, but to consider it mismanagement? Clementine grates her teeth. "I get it. People see food, and they want to eat it, but you'll be thanking us soon enough when we'd otherwise have run out."
"Hey, you don't have to tell me." Lee defends. "It's important to keep the adults fed and functioning, even if that means someone else has gotta miss a meal sometimes. He's just worried about Duck getting enough. Same with AJ for us."
"It's an equal chance, though. Heck, I've missed more meals than anyone." That's why I hid an extra stash away for just myself and AJ after our last run. Granted, Lilly's definitely doing the same for Larry.
"I'm hoping Kenny and Daryl are having more luck out here than we are. Between the rationing and Kenny fighting with Lilly all the time, things are getting tense back at the motor inn. If we hadn't totaled that RV, maybe he would've taken off already."
The one positive to Mark's demise was that it meant Clementine had more chances to repair the damage killing Jake had caused to her relationship with Lee. Yet she was still struggling on that end, and Clem didn't blame Lee for thinking her partially responsible for Mark's death. I was. At the very least, she knew Lee still trusted her greatly.
"Then again, Kenny's a good man," Lee reasons. "He won't abandon us even if he's maybe better off without us."
"Katjaa and Duck are safest in a big group," Clem counters. "Going out on their own would've gotten them killed and left us with one fewer gun hand. A lose-lose situation."
Lee's eyes narrow in frustration. "And then there's Larry. Sure, Larry's looking out for Lilly and the kids and thinks I'm a danger to them, but - -"
"He's an old racist asshole. And he doesn't have the right to decide if you're a danger to us. Heart problems are not; I'm not going to just bow down to whatever he says. AJ is my responsibility, and if he doesn't like it, then fuck him." Clementine can't help but vent her frustrations. "And don't get me started about how he tried to murder you himself back in the drug store. Talk about a hypocrite! He's the one putting us in dan - -"
That's when Clementine notices a crow land on a nearby tree branch. She and Lee take position behind a small rock, the time-traveler taking aim at the bird.
"It's a long shot," Lee advises. "I'd hate to waste the bullet."
Clementine flashes a cocky smile. "Trust me. If I don't think I can hit it, I won't."
"Still, one bird's not worth the risk. Not when it could attract walkers, or worse, the bandits."
That makes Clementine hesitate. "Yeah, you're right. I just really want to bring something back to every - -"
AHHH!
The far-off scream spooks the crow, and it flies away.
"Is that Kenny?!" Lee asks.
More like Mr. Parker. "Let's move."
Compared to Lee and Clementine, Daryl and Kenny were having a far more fruitful hunt.
"Two small birds and a raccoon? Looks like we're gonna be eating well tonight," Kenny says, a small smile on his face.
Daryl rolls his eyes. "Who said this is for your camp, Popeye? Last I checked. I'm the one who bagged all three of these puppies."
"Like you'd really let little Dani and mama Jo go without a warm meal." Kenny shakes his head. "Seems you're settling into the family life well enough. A little too whipped, though."
"I ain't no one's bitch!" Daryl defends.
Kenny's brow furrows. "If you're not Jo's, you're your brother's. You like to play the middle, act like you aren't a part of whatever the fuck this is, but you are now, and eventually, you're gonna run out of road."
"I'm not turning against my brother."
"And yet, not once have you talked about his group. Do you even know any of those pissants' names?" Daryl's silence speaks volumes to Kenny's ears, so he presses harder. "Let's say those fuckers attack us today. Everyone's shooting to kill. Who are you aiming at?"
Daryl remains silent. It's not a valid option. "Well, I'm listening. What's it gonna be?"
"Nobody can kill Merle but Merle. Toughest asshole I ever met, my brother. Feed him a hammer; he'd crap out nails. That's the kinda man you've been talking about killing, Popeye."
"So, you've thought about it then." Daryl glares at Kenny, and the fisherman knows his luck's run dry, so he deflects. "Back before the dead, I didn't spend as much time with Kat and Duck as I should've, off on a boat somewhere. Thought I enjoyed the peace and quiet out on the water away from them, just like you do with hunting. We're a tough family, but the world the way it is now…."
Daryl looks over at Kenny, intrigued, so Kenny continues with a wince on his face. "I'm just saying you don't strike me as a family man, yet here you are. Appreciate the time you got with them."
I never would've expected someone like that out of his mouth. "Who taught you that?"
Kenny rubs the back of his neck. "It was something Clementine said one night. When everyone was gathered around the fire."
That girl again? Since meeting Clementine in the liquor store that day, something felt off about her to Daryl. Looking at Clem and AJ was like looking into a mirror of Merle and him. He had a hunch that the girl's independence was a sign of parental neglect and her numerous scars a sign of abuse. That dog bite is the biggest give-away. There was a kinship there, and he hated to see that.
"Fun."
AHHH!
Daryl and Kenny look around. It's a man's voice.
"Do you think that's Lee?" Kenny asks in a panic. I don't think so, but…
"Hurry."
Daryl runs as fast as his legs can carry him, Kenny hot on his trail. Soon enough, they arrive in a small clearing. Lee and Clementine are already there. Daryl notices the two students and a third man in a bear trap.
"Get it off!" the teacher cries out in pain. "Get it off me, goddamn it!"
"Travis, maybe they can help." if Daryl had to compare the first boy to anyone, it'd be Shaggy. They'd be a perfect match if not for his red hair.
The black-haired teen, dubbed Travis, looked at the group with complete distrust. "These might be the same guys that raided our camp, and we barely got away from that!"
"What 'guys'? Who raided your camp." Daryl asks. It can't be my brother's group; Merle said they were checking out the city today.
"I-I don't know! Guys with guns! Mr. Parker said we should stay off the streets! We were trying to be careful but-" Shaggy blurts out.
Kenny can't take his eyes off the teacher. "Why the fuck is there a bear trap out here?" My thoughts exactly.
"It's okay, we aren't gonna hurt you," Lee reassures.
Travis doesn't buy it. "Don't listen to them, Ben! Please, just let it go! We're not a threat to you!"
"Kid, chill out!" Kenny screams. "We'll try to help you, but you've got to shut the fuck up!"
"Ben, shut up! My dad was Special Forces. I know what I'm doing!" Why the fuck does that matter?
He doesn't get the memo. "Just see if you can get him out! After that you can leave us or whatever, I don't care! Please!"
"Was he bitten?" Lee asks.
"Bitten? No! I swear!"
Daryl grunts, thinking this will be simple enough. That was before looking at the trap. "Lee, this trap's been altered. There's no release latch."
The situation only gets more complicated as Mr. Parker's screams attract the attention of nearby walkers. "Shit, walkers! It's now or never, Lee!"
"Please," Mr. Parker begs.
"Clementine, get the boys back! Kenny, Daryl, keep those walkers off me!" Lee orders as he kneels down to look at Parker's leg.
The girl doesn't seem cooperative. "Damn it, Lee! Just off his fucking leg! We don't have the time or ammo to waste, and you ain't getting through the chain either."
"Clem's right. With all that blood and screaming, we're gonna be surrounded any minute!" Kenny agrees.
"There's gotta be another way!" Mr. Parker pleads. "Jesus, I need to walk."
Daryl can see Clementine's annoyance as she looks between Mr. Parker, the boys, and the walkers. She wants to do something. "Help Lee! I got the boys!"
Clementine nods, appreciative, and takes off her belt. She ties it around Mr. Parker's leg and tightens it till it makes the man wince. Why would she do that? To cut off blood flow?
Lee tries jamming the trap with his ax but doesn't help pry the thing open.
"Why is this happening to us?" Ben wonders. "Why would somebody do this?!"
Ben's question goes unanswered as Lee continues to work at the trap, trying a stick, which breaks under pressure.
Clementine glares at Lee. "It's now or never." Before standing up, the professor turned murderer sighs, mentally preparing himself to chop Mr. Parker's leg off. "Aim for below the belt. The less of his leg we take off, the better."
Mr. Parker can't believe it. "Oh, god. No, no, no! Try the trap again! Anything, please."
Lee is remorseful. "I'm sorry, but there's no other way!"
Following Clementine's instructions, Lee swings his ax down upon the leg. It takes four good swings to finally separate the man from the trap. Mr. Parker passes out from the pain. Looking at his teacher's missing appendage, Travis goes to throw up.
Or would have, if not for Clementine grabbing the black hair teen by the shoulder to keep him from running off and doing something stupid.
"If he's alive, grab him, and let's go!" Kenny hollers.
With the herd of walkers closing in, Daryl grabs Mr. Parker and throws him over his shoulders. I did not sign up for this. With Mr. Parker secured, the group of seven, Clementine bringing up the rear to make sure the kids don't lag behind, starts running towards the motor inn, to safety."
Hopefully, we can get some answers.