An awkward silence lingered among the people. Their defeated and somewhat worried faces made Clementine, even though she was trying to do otherwise, slightly afraid.
No one there seemed to really want to talk, about anything. In a way, she understood, it wasn't every day that she was kidnapped by some crazy person.
But, of all the people there, she was the one who should feel frustrated, and she deserved at least some answers to her questions, and there were many.
They had been in that van for hours, she had no idea where she would be taken, and what's worse, every minute she stayed there was another minute away from the last place she saw Lee.
What if he showed up at the cabin?
What if he wasn't that far away and had been attracted by the gunshots?
Sighing, the girl braced her back against the cold metal of the van, preparing herself for one more attempt to get some answers... it was the least she could do in that situation.
- So... where are we being taken?
she asked, turning her head and running her eyes over the people in front of her, waiting for one of them to start talking.
- To his camp.
Luke answered after a while, not taking his eyes off the ground.
- And where is this camp?
She insisted, hearing a sigh in their midst, which she ignored.
- It's in a hardware store. A long way from where we were, a day's drive, something like that.
Luke answered, and the girl looked away, getting a little thoughtful.
- Okay... and what did you do to get chased all this way?
she asked, and Luke was silent again, looking a little hesitant to speak.
- Did you kill someone?
she asked, and a few people looked at her with surprised eyes.
- What? Who do you think we are?!
Rebecca asked, in her typical annoyed tone, causing Clementine to roll her eyes and just ignore her.
- Why do you always get so angry about useless things? It was just a question. It's not like I haven't already killed too.
She said, arching an eyebrow at Sarah's incredulous, even slightly frightened expression.
- We haven't killed anyone. Let's just say that we and Carver didn't see things the same way, and we didn't want to be part of what he was doing... so, we ran away.
Carlos answered, sighing tiredly afterwards.
- Is that it?
the girl asked, her eyebrows furrowed. It was a rather silly reason to chase someone.
- Clem, it's more complex than it seems... I'm sorry to involve you like this.
Luke said, leaning his arms on his knees and bowing his head.
- So... is he going to kill us?
she asked, slightly afraid.
She didn't know if Carver would kill her for being with them, and she didn't want to stay to find out. Besides, these past few years she had learned to expect everything from people.
- What? No... I don't think so... but he wants to punish us.
Luke said.
- Punish you for running away? What a stupid excuse.
Clementine said, looking away and shaking her head slightly.
She was frightened by the whole situation, but she had learned to hide her feelings well.
- You don't understand, Carver is different... he's worse.
Rebecca said, looking at the ground with a genuine expression of fear.
- He is a cruel, dangerous and very smart dictator. No wonder he managed to find us even from so far away.
Carlos said, shaking his head slightly in regret.
- Then... we will have to kill him before we get out of there.
She said, resting her hands on her knees, and ignoring the glances that were sent in her direction.
- What?
Luke asked.
- What is it? If he chased you for so long, he will do the same when you run away again... the safest way is to kill him.
She said, arching an eyebrow in confusion at their somewhat incredulous expressions.
- Whoa, Clem... killing is not something that should be taken lightly like this.
Alvin said, surprised, and even a little uncomfortable by the way the girl said it.
- I know, I would never think of killing him if I had another option... but the more you talk about him, the more it seems to be the most rational thing to do. I don't want to have this guy chasing me again.
She explained, still with the same expression.
- I know what you mean, but the way you said it made it sound like you've killed a lot before... you spoke so normally, like you do it every day.
Luke said, looking at the girl with a strange expression.
- I haven't killed that many people, just a few, and in necessary is the one who is used to killing, I am just used to seeing him do it.
She said, looking at the bandages on her forearm, it was itching.
- Lee is the guy who takes care of you, right? He is the one who taught you...?
Alvin asked, and the girl looked at him.
- Yes, we've had several encounters with bandits over the years.
The girl answered, running her hand through her hair.
- What exactly did he teach you? As I said before, we're not used to finding little girls with blood on their hands.
Luke asked.
- What do you mean "exactly"? He taught me how to shoot, how to use a knife, when to trust someone, when to shoot, when to hold up my hand. I don't go around killing, if that's what you're thinking. Even if I wanted to, Lee would never let me.
She answered, looking at Luke with an arched eyebrow.
She had the slight impression that they now thought she was a little psychopath... or sociopath, something of that sort.
- Did he teach this to a little eleven-year-old girl?
Charles asked, and Clementine narrowed her eyes, not liking the man's tone.
- If he hadn't, I would have died. Nick would have been bitten by that runner, maybe the same would have happened to Luke.
She said. She didn't want to throw in anyone's face what she did or anything like that, especially not the people who helped her, but she couldn't help being a little irritated by Carlos' tone. As if Lee was just irresponsible and didn't know what he was doing.
Irresponsible, in fact, was Carlos himself, who did not teach Sarah the same things. Just one look was enough for her to know that the girl had never even held a gun.
That, and the fact that she was shaking at the very first shot back at the cabin.
- We appreciate it. Seriously, especially Nick... he's not doing so well with everything that's happened with Pete.
Luke said, turning to his friend, who had a distant expression and was staring at the ground, not even seeming to pay attention to the conversation.
- No need to thank me, we're even. And don't take it to heart, Carlos, I'm just saying that he felt it was necessary for me to learn these things... and it was indeed necessary.
She said, looking at the doctor, who sighed.
- I understand, but he wouldn't need to teach you these things if you were in a group. Or if he was capable enough to protect you.
He said, and the girl's eyes widened in indignation.
Apparently the doctor had a memory problem; he could no longer remember that she had been separated from Lee because they had been surrounded by a herd of runners.
However, she just sighed, she didn't need to say anything to Carlos, and it doesn't matter what he thinks. He didn't know Lee, and he didn't know her, to really have any idea what he was talking about.
Besides, why would she let herself be affected by the words of a man who thinks he can protect his daughter from all the dangers of the world? It was a stupid thought, and even Lee has said that.
- If that's what you think. Whatever makes you sleep well at night, Carlos.
She said, shaking her head and leaning back against the metal wall of the van.
The silence lasted again, and time passed without her noticing.
Looking to the side, she could see most of the people sleeping, or just with their eyes closed.
She sighed, she couldn't sleep, and wondered how they could fall asleep in a situation like that?
Well... they still had each other, so they weren't as restless and anxious as she was... it could be a reason.
The girl bowed her head, thoughts racing furiously through her mind.
She sighed softly in frustration as she remembered one of the books in her backpack. A self-defense book, it was quite useful, too bad the river made the pages too wet, that book was gone.
A shame, she hadn't finished reading it... Well, at least Lee had read some of it.
Books were one of the only forms of entertainment they had, besides containing incredibly valuable information. Good thing, for them, that people were more concerned with robbing and killing others than paying attention to important books.
A medical book, for example, could save a life... it was a shame that these were somewhat rare. And they only managed to find one during those years.
... Man, at that moment she had lost two days to go after Lee... damn.
The girl was brought out of her thoughts when she felt the van brake suddenly, causing her body to be rocked to the side with some violence.
- Holy shit, the brakes ain't work for shit!
The voice of that man, Troy, rang out from inside the van, and the people woke up little by little.
The back of the van was opened, and they looked at the three people facing them, all armed with assault rifles.
- Okay, let's go.
Troy said, and Clementine sighed, standing up with some difficulty, feeling her body numb from being in the same position for so long.
One by one they began to exit the vehicle, and Clementine ran his eyes around, surprised that the place was so big.
Around it were a few tents and places built of wood and some other materials. An expansion of the original camp, she guessed.
From the marks on the ground, they had built those dormitories, or whatever it was, in the old parking lot of the place.
There were people walking back and forth, guards making their rounds. The place was lit by several torches scattered about, but most of the light came from the lamps lit outside the store.
"They have electricity..."
The girl couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. She could barely remember the last time she had seen light bulbs on.
She didn't have time to admire the place, since they were forced to walk towards the store.
The inside of the place was really large, and they used the huge shelves as paths to move around.
The amount of food they had must have been enormous. It seemed like a nice place to stay... if it wasn't run by a crazy dictator.
And speaking of the devil, this same dictator was giving a speech that the girl was not willing to listen to, his harsh and somewhat unpleasant voice was not good for her ears.
- Come with me, Doc, we have a little job for you.
Troy said, looking over his shoulder at Carlos.
- Can't it wait until tomorrow? We're all tired.
- Just come the fuck on.
Troy said, and Carlos sighed, walking right behind him.
- No, wait...he's my dad...I need him...he takes care of me.
Clementine arched an eyebrow at Sarah's words. She didn't think anything bad of the girl, she hadn't talked to her enough to have any absolute opinion about her.
But come on, she wouldn't die if she stayed away from Carlos for a few moments... of course, Clementine would never say that.
She herself was not so different from Sarah in this aspect.
Without saying anything, she started walking again, following the others who were already a little further ahead than her.
- Don't stay near the fence. Bill might see you screwing with it.
The red-haired woman said, unlocking the lock on the gate that led to a part of the courtyard.
- Thanks, Bonnie.
Nick said, and the girl arched an eyebrow.
Those were the first words he had said the whole way, and they were right away to thank the enemy?
"Oh, that's right, they were here before...why didn't she run away too?"
The girl followed with her eyes, a dark-skinned woman remove the ropes from her wrists, and the gate to the courtyard was opened.
- Hey, asshole. Get away from the gate!
She heard Troy shout at someone, pointing his rifle in some direction inside the yard, in which she had no view.
- I swear, I don't understand why Carver hasn't killed you yet... after you killed our people, I would have put a bullet in your head right there.
Troy said angrily, turning to them and waving them in.
- And I would have killed you too, why don't you just realize this at once and stop testing my patience?
A deep, angry voice answered Troy, and Clementine's eyes widened as she heard it.
Ignoring the guns that were suddenly pointed in her direction, the girl ran into the yard, and focused her eyes on Lee, who was standing with his arms crossed in front of the fence.
- Lee!
she shouted his name, running towards him and jumping on him for a hug.
Lee was surprised at first, but caught her still in the air, returning the hug.
The girl wrapped her arms around his neck, and her legs around his waist, sinking her face into the side of his neck.
- Clem... Jesus, thank God...
He said with a relieved sigh, pressing her tighter against his body, until they broke away from the embrace, and he put her down.
- Are you okay?
He asked, in a mixture of relief and concern, kneeling down to her height and looking down at her bandaged arm.
- Yes. What about you? I saw you being surrounded by the horde, and when I woke up I tried to go after you, but-
- It's all right Clem, it was a close call, but I'm fine, you can stop and breathe now.
He said with a small smile amused by the girl's panic. Although, understandable. He felt as if he could celebrate seeing her again.
- Okay, enough of this shit! You'd better shut the fuck up and get some rest, because you're not going to get much rest starting tomorrow! You will all be hard at work!
Troy's annoying voice interrupted their little moment, and Lee stood up, sighing angrily.
- I swear, I'll kill this guy.
Lee grumbled, crossing his arms and staring coldly at Troy, who was chatting something with an armless guy further ahead.
- What was that when I arrived?
the girl asked, looking at him.
- Well, after I threw you into that river, I used the body of the runner holding me as protection and walked along the edge of that hill. It was pretty hard to push the bodies behind me down the hill, but somehow I managed... luck, script, call it whatever you want.
He began to explain, looking away from Troy and looking at Clementine.
- I ran for a long time, and when I lost the herd, I started looking for you. I met up with some people, at first, they seemed friendly, but after I refused to go with them to their camp, they tried to force me. Well, I killed four of them, I would have killed Troy too if it wasn't for that guy, what's his name again...? Carver?
Lee said, putting his hands on his waist and sighing wearily.
-...I even considered you dead...I saw the herd surrounded you...
Clementine said, holding tightly onto his shirt and looking at him with a tearful look on her face.
Lee smiled warmly at the girl and put his hand softly on her shoulder, pulling her gently against his body.
- Honestly, I didn't look much different from you. I pushed you into the river without thinking, on impulse, but then I realized that you wouldn't be free of danger. Alone in a forest... but, as I always say, you are a strong little girl... stronger than I ever was.
he said, and the girl smiled.
- This is pure flattery.
She said amused, crossing her arms.
- Hah, one day you'll understand. So, what's the story?
he asked, looking at the girl's bandaged arm.
- I was chased by a runner. I fell and cut my arm... good thing we got that medical book, and that I paid attention to my mother.
She said, and then looked at the group in front of her, who occasionally glared at them.
- And then I met that brown-haired guy, Luke. He took me to his group, they have a doctor, he took a better look at my wound, gave me food, and let me rest. Well... they had a history with Carver, and I ended up getting involved.
She said, and Lee looked thoughtful for a while.
- Well, then I guess I have to thank them. They took care of you and brought you to me, I like them already.
He said, and the girl smiled slightly, rolling her eyes in amusement.
- They are nice... well, Rebecca, the pregnant woman, she complains a lot, but she is harmless.
She said, starting to walk beside him towards them.
- Hey, Luke, right?
Lee called out, and the young man looked at him with an arched eyebrow.
- Ahm, yeah?
- Clem told me you helped her, I appreciate it.
Lee said, extending his hand toward Luke, who shook it after a while, a little awkwardly.
- Don't sweat it, man. She's a tough little girl, she's already repaid for the help.
He said with a small smile, looking at Clementine.
- So... she said that you have a history with Carver... what is he really like?
Lee asked, crossing his arms and running his eyes over them.
- A crazy psychopath who does whatever he wants and kills anyone who opposes him.
Rebecca said, putting her hands on her waist.
- Well... more or less what she said... he is a cruel dictator and very smart... you haven't been here long, have you? You would have noticed.
Luke asked.
- I arrived earlier today, in a van where they were carrying supplies... well, if he really is like that, I'm surprised he didn't kill me.
Lee said, sighing slightly and looking at the gate.
- Why?
- I killed some of his men, and I would have killed Troy if he hadn't shown up just in time.
He replied, looking away from them.
- Oh, really?! I like you already.
Rebecca said, turning to him.
- How did you get away last time? I see a lot of possibilities here.
Lee asked, looking around.
- We had help from the inside...I don't know how we're going to get away this time...I don't think there's a way to escape again.
Luke said, putting his hands on his waist and bowing his head.
- Of course there is. Several ways. Most end with Carver dead, some with the community in flames.
Lee said, looking curiously at the somewhat surprised, and some even incredulous, expressions on his face.
- Lee, come on man, I said earlier that I don't want you to spoil things for me, I'm very close to getting back with the group.
The armless man said, looking at Lee almost in supplication.
- Reggie, my dear friend, and I said I wouldn't take orders from someone, especially someone who kidnapped me. The most I can do, is kill Carver and his loyal followers, so you don't have to worry about coming back to the group. You won't have one to go back to.
Lee said, crossing his arms and looking seriously at the man named Reggie, who simply sighed wearily.
- Can you guys save it for the morning? Some of us have to get up early.
A male voice made itself present, and they turned to the man who was lying on a mattress in the corner, looking at them with a very unfriendly expression.
- Keep this up, and you'll never wake up again. But don't worry, you can have your beauty sleep now.
Lee said, rolling his eyes at the man, and causing Clementine to arch an eyebrow.
- You look pretty upset.
She said, and Lee sighed. He didn't normally act like this, even to strangers.
- Well, not surprisingly, besides kidnapping me, they took my things... and Carver destroyed my axe... I used it for years, where else am I going to find a weapon as good as that one?
Lee said, shaking his head slightly and sighing again.
- An axe?
Luke asked.
- He found that axe right when it started, it became part of his body, practically, because he used it so much. Well ... that's a good thing, maybe then you'll learn to use better weapons, and easier to handle.
Clementine said, crossing her arms and looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
- Oh, come on, Clem. That axe was great... well, I won't bother you anymore... you better get some rest, I'm barely here and Carver has already put me to work on an expansion they are doing.
Lee said, waving to them and walking away, but first, he waved to Clementine to follow him to a corner a little farther away.
- Well, talk to you later.
She said, turning and walking towards Lee, feeling their gazes on her back, but just ignored them.
- What's wrong, Lee?
She asked, sitting down next to him on the bed.
- I took a look at this place when I arrived. It's packed, the fences are reinforced, it's a huge place, and it's getting bigger with the expansions. But, being a big place, I could see some places we could use to get out of here, and I thought of some things.
He said, a little low, looking at the people in front of him. There was no one close enough to hear what he was saying.
- I need to check a few places better, but... well, we can tear this place apart from the inside out, run away, or kill Carver and take the camp for ourselves.
He said, and the girl looked at him wide-eyed.
- You want to lead an entire camp?
the girl asked, a little incredulously.
- My suspicions were confirmed by what Luke and that woman, Rebecca, said. Carver is a real nut job, but he's smart. What he is doing here, despite not using the best means, is something good. The expansion he put me to work in is a greenhouse, bigger than the one they have on the roof. Fresh food.
He said, turning slightly and looking at the girl.
- Like I said, we can destroy this whole place, we can just leave, or we can kill Carver and whoever is necessary, and take this place for ourselves. Those are the options I have seen, but that can change quickly, so don't feel pressured to answer. Either way, we're not getting out of here that fast anyway.
Lee said, crawling slightly backwards and propping his back against the wall.
Clementine looked at him thoughtfully for a while.
- You figured all this out in the few hours you've been here?
she asked, and Lee smiled slightly.
- Ah, sweet pea. What do I always say about being smart? All we need to do is to be smarter than Carver, that's all. For the record, I don't like most of the people here, they seem to follow the same ideals as Carver, so, I'm not really inclined to lead this place, but, to get the supplies for us.
He said, spreading his legs and arms a little as he saw the girl approach him, and then lay down on his chest.
-... That's a lot. Well, as you said yourself, we won't be leaving here so soon... tomorrow we can talk more... I haven't slept in a while.
The girl said, snuggling into his lap, and feeling Lee's arms around her.
- All right. Good night, sweet pea.
He said, pressing her lightly against his body, and looking at the blond haired woman further ahead who was staring at Clementine with a strange glint in her eye.