Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or any of characters

A/N: Hello everyone, here is the 5th chapter: where Clem and her friends head out to hunt for food in the woods while continuing to prepare for the upcoming battle against Lilly and the raiders...until they finally arrive.

Reviews and comments will be appreciated

Chapter 5: Calm Before the Storm

Morning had arrived, much sooner than expected as the bright rays emitting from the sun had shined through the window in Violet's dorm room as she and Clementine remained asleep on the blonde's bed from their very first intimate moment together last night. The older teenage girl groaned softly, as the bright rays were hitting her closed eyelids and struggled to sleep a little bit longer so she could enjoy laying in her bed with her girlfriend resting comfortably beside her...but sadly, the insanely bright rays just wouldn't let it be. The blonde had groaned softly, as she eventually woke up from the annoying light that brightened up her dorm room.

"Damn, that stupid fucking sun." Violet muttered softly, annoyed that morning had came so soon and the sun just had to wake her up as she wanted nothing more than to enjoy her own private paradise with Clem, as she savored every moment of their very first sexual experience last night.

After she glanced over to her left side, the annoyed look quickly faded and changed into an amused grin as Clementine was still asleep. The older blonde couldn't help but admire how innocent and adorable her younger girlfriend looked while sleeping...which turned into a small frown, as she noticed the dry blood from the scar on her left cheek.

'That arrow...it could've killed her. We're just lucky the coward who fired it was a horrible shot.' The blonde mentally stated, while softly pressing her pointer finger up against the dry grazed skin, which obviously healed during the night as they slept and tracing the healed scar on her girlfriend's cheek before pulling her finger away as the African American teenage girl was slowly waking up and greeted her with a soft smile.

"Morning Clem." Violet stated softly as her younger girlfriend slowly woke up, no doubtingly from feeling her finger tracing the dried scar of the flesh wound she received yesterday.

"Morning Vi. Feel better from last night?" Clementine answered back with an equal soft smile and asked her older girlfriend if she felt better from their near death experience...and savored every moment of their very first intimate moment together after they said the words 'I love you' to each other.

"Better. I'm feeling much better from...our special moment together last night." The older blonde replied with a warm smile, as she appreciated her girlfriend's concern if she felt better, especially since she was very traumatized from the arrow nearly killing the younger teenage girl...and how their romantic/intimate moment together last night was what she needed and brought them closer together.

"I'm glad." The younger teenage girl stated, showing she was glad to hear that Violet was feeling much better since last night and they leaned in, locking lips in an innocent good morning kiss.

Their moment was sadly interrupted however...as someone had soon knocked on the locked bedroom door, much to the two girlfriend's annoyance as they heard Louis calling from the opposite side of the locked room!

"Clem. Clem, are you and Violet up yet?" The older African American teenage boy asked, while softly knocking on the door and hoping he hadn't woken the two teenage girl's up too early.

Even though Violet was annoyed that Louis had interrupted her's and Clementine's moment and practically wanted to chew the older teenage boy out...her younger girlfriend held and pulled her back onto the bed, much to her surprise.

"Maybe if we're real quiet, he'll go away." The African American teenage girl advised playfully: suggesting if they stayed as quiet as they could, that Louis would eventually give up and walk away and was met with soft chuckling from the older blonde, as she found her girlfriend's sense of humor amusing.

"Guys, I can hear you from out here. I know you're awake." Their friend countered, stating he had heard the two girlfriends talking and giggling as he no doubtingly pressed his ear up against the door to see if they were awake or not!

"Alright, alright. We're coming." Clementine answered, as she and Violet had climbed off the bed and the blonde immediately threw her vest back on, placing it over her shirt before she unlocked the door and opened it, to be greeted by the older African American teenage boy waiting patiently.

"Yes?" The older blonde asked, trying to keep her voice civilized as she could while having a good idea to why Louis had knocked on her door: to merely check on her from last night.

"Just thought I'd see if you were doing better since last night. Feeling better Violet?" He answered truthfully, which confirmed her hunch as he was simply checking to see if his friend and current leader was back to her usual self after their traumatizing experience with the arrow last night.

"I appreciate it Lou. I'm doing much better." Violet stated, showing she appreciated his concern if she had recovered from her nervous breakdown and was indeed feeling better...especially from her first sexual and intimate experience with Clementine last night.

"Well, I'm glad." Louis stated with a warm smile...but swiftly glanced away in a different direction, much to her's and Clem's confusion.

"What?" The younger African American teenage girl asked, wondering what caused the older boy to glance away...and would soon be embarrassed by the answer, alongside her girlfriend.

"Uhh..." He merely grunted, while pointing directly at their jeans...and the two girls stared mortified after glancing at what the older teenage boy was pointing/gesturing at: their unzipped flies!

Both Clementine and Violet blushed madly from embarrassment, as they completely forgot they undid each other's zippers while they were pleasing/pleasuring each other last night! Without saying a word, the blonde merely lifted up a single finger which Louis clearly understood as 'one moment' and swiftly closed the door. Once she and her girlfriend quickly zipped up their flies, Violet reopened the door and much to her's and Clem's annoyance...the older African American boy had a huge grin on his face and arms crossed against his chest: suggesting he wanted details of what the two girlfriends did last night so he could tell Mitch and the others.

"Shut up." The blonde stated plain and simple, ordering the older boy not to say a word of what he just witnessed to the others much to his amusement.

"Not a word. Not a single word." Her younger girlfriend instinctively added, backing her up and telling Louis to keep his big mouth shut so he and the others couldn't make them miserable later on.

"I'm not saying anything." Louis stated plain and simple, with the grin still visible on his face as he could always mention what he just saw to Aasim and the others much later, so they could have fun messing with the two girlfriends later on during the day.

"Louis, we mean it. Not a fucking word." Clementine firmly replied, showing she and Violet were serious about wanting him to keep quiet about what he just saw the moment they answered the door.

"Okay, okay. I won't say a word. Omar is already serving breakfast and he asked me to let you guys know before all the food is gone." The older African American stated, bringing both hands up to show he got the message and how Omar asked him to let them know that breakfast was being served before heading outside to get some chow before it was gone.

"Violet?" The African American teenage girl asked softly, as they watched the older teenager boy walk away and exit the dorm building...while suspecting that Louis was planning on telling Mitch and the others about what he just saw at some point when they weren't there to stop him.

"Yes Clem?" The older blonde asked, while already knowing what it was her girlfriend was about to say or ask.

"Remind me to kill him if he mentions anything about what he just saw to Assim and the others." She answered, showing she would literally murder Louis if he told the rest of their friends about seeing their zippers undone the moment they answered the door.

"Heh, you'll have to get in line on that one." Violet replied with a soft grin and chuckle, showing she planned on killing the older African American teenage boy first if he thought about embarrassing them in front of the others before trading an amused smile with the younger teenage girl.

But before they headed outside to get some breakfast, the older blonde had softly reached for her girlfriend's hand and led them towards the closest washroom with Clementine closing the door behind them. Once inside, Violet searched the drawers and took out what she had been looking for: a clean light blue cloth that she placed underneath faucet and turned the knobs halfway, making the water warm enough while soaking the towel before removing it and bringing it close to the younger girl's face. After quickly understanding why her older girlfriend brought them inside the bathroom, Clem had simply smiled softly and closed her eyes, allowing Violet to clean her face and the blonde smiled in return before she began her task. It hadn't taken her long, as the dried blood had easily washed off the younger teenage girl's cheek and luckily for them, the scar hadn't reopened as the blonde wiped the towel around the grazed skin and she was soon finished.

"Are we done?" Clem asked as she watched her girlfriend place the towel on the sink and examined the healed scar, simply wanting to make sure she hadn't caused it to bleed while she had removed the dried blood from her cheek.

"Yeah, we're finished." Violet answered, confirming she was indeed finished and smiled softly at how flawless Clementine's face was...even though she would always carry the scar as a dreadful reminder of the cowardly sneak attack before her younger girlfriend softly kissed her lips, which she instinctively returned before they pulled away.

"Thanks." The younger teenage girl stated, thanking the older blonde for wiping the blood off her face, even though both the scar and arrow would constantly remind them that she could've died last night.

"Anytime." She answered with a soft grin, before planting a soft peck on her cheek before they exited the washroom to eat breakfast, while hoping there was still some food left.

Once they stepped outside in the courtyard, the two girlfriends were greeted by their friends who were already sitting behind the picnic table having breakfast while Omar passed out bowls that were filled with cut up pieces of meat and beans.

"Morning Clem." AJ stated with a smile as he and Tenn glanced towards the dorm building while sitting together across from Louis, which drew the attention of the rest of their friends.

"Hey Violet. Are you feeling any better?" Ruby asked, wondering how their friend and leader was feeling from the last minute sneak attack from the mysterious archer whom shot at them last night.

"I'm okay Ruby. I'm feeling much better...and I, kinda owe you guys an apology...for what I did last night." The blonde teenage girl answered truthfully, reassuring her friends that she was indeed feeling better from the encounter with the mystery arrow... and slowly began to apologize for walking out on them last night.

"Violet, it's alright. We get it. We were all freaked out from that arrow." Aasim stated softly, showing he and the others weren't upset or disgusted by her walking out on them and reminded the older blonde that it wasn't just her that was frightened by their unexpected encounter with the arrow, as it could've killed Clem if the coward who fired it wasn't a horrible shot.

"That reminds me, how did look out duty go last night?" Clementine asked, as she and her girlfriend were curious if any other attacks were made on the school after their encounter with the arrow...and would be deeply surprised by the answer.

"This might sound hard to believe Clem, but...it was completely quiet the entire night." Willy answered, stating that no other attempts to attack the school were made throughout the night much to her's and Violet's deep surprise.

"The whole night?" The older blonde asked, as she and Clem were surprised to hear that no other attacks were made during the entire night!

"It's true...Willy and I were on lookout duty after we relieved Louis and Ruby at the end of their shift last night. We didn't see anyone or anything." Mitch replied, confirming what the younger brunette stated was true, along with Louis and Ruby who nodded in agreement.

'There were no other attacks after the arrow? What the fuck is going on here?' The African American teenage girl mentally asked, as she was completely baffled by her friends telling her and Violet that no other attempts were made on the school after the last minute sneak attack from the mystery archer who shot at her!

Even though they were confused from hearing that last night was completely quiet after their unexpected encounter with the mysterious attacker, Clem and her older girlfriend had sat beside each other, with Tenn and AJ sitting on their left/right while eating the breakfast that Omar had cooked for them and the others, which he revealed was practically pinto beans cooked well done with small chunks of rabbit meat, which they thought was rather good...even though Aasim was slightly surprised by what kind of animal meat was added to the beans.

"So Tenn, did you enjoy spending the night with AJ in his and Clem's room?" Violet asked, wondering if her surrogate younger brother had slept well while spending the night with his best friend in her girlfriend's dorm room.

"Oh, yeah. AJ and I slept pretty good last night. How about you and Clem, Vi?" Tennessee answered, stating that he and the younger boy slept peacefully last night...even though they were worried that another attack would've followed after the arrow and asked the older blonde how she and Clementine slept in return.

"We, um...we slept pretty." She answered a bit hesitantly but truthfully, stating that she and her younger girlfriend indeed slept well during the night...due to their very first intimate moment together.

While Mitch and the others were slightly surprised by the level of uneasiness they detected in the blonde's voice, Clementine couldn't blame Violet as she practically had a good idea on how incredibly awkward and embarrassing it would've been, if their friends ever found out what they had actually did last night. But thankfully for the two girlfriends, the others had simply gone back to eating their breakfast...even though Clem had been abnormally quiet the entire time and hadn't eaten that much, which didn't go unnoticed by her older girlfriend, son and rest of their friends.

"Clem, is everything okay?" AJ asked as he noticed how quiet his guardian/mentor was as she was obviously bothered by something and didn't answer.

"Clem? Is something on your mind?" Violet asked after the six year old boy and luckily for her, she got an actual response from her girlfriend.

"Hmm, what? Did you or AJ say something?" The younger African American teenage girl asked as she immediately came back to her senses, confirming she had indeed been preoccupied on something and the older blonde knew exactly what was on her mind.

"Were you thinking about what Willy and Mitch told us about last night?" Violet asked, as she could just tell that her girlfriend was struggling to understand the logic behind the last minute sneak attack by the mysterious archer.

"Yeah...It's just...I can't wrap my head around what happened last night. We come under attack by some asshole who randomly fires at us and then takes off. It just doesn't make any sense." Clementine answered with a soft nod, confirming her girlfriend's suspicions and stating that she just couldn't understand the completely random events that took place last night.

"You're not the only confused from what happened Clem. Makes you wonder what it was even all about." Louis replied softly, as he and the others couldn't understand the logic or motive behind the last minute sneak attack on the school either.

"I...may have a theory that could explain what we went through last night." Aasim stated softly, informing his friends that he had a theory that could help make some sense of the random and chaotic events they unfortunately went through the moment the mystery archer fired the arrow.

"What's your theory?" Violet asked as she, Clem and the others turned their attention to the Indian-American teenage boy as they were interested in hearing his theory.

"Okay...I know this might sound a bit far-fetched, but...I think there's a good chance that the asshole who shot at you and Clem could've been a bandit. He must've thought that you two were easy targets to rob, only he screwed up the shot, missed and heard Clem shout out to us after he fired the arrow. Once he realized there were more of us...he obviously lost his nerve and took off." He started off softly before taking in a breath to calm himself and shared his theory with his friends: stating that the mysterious attacker could've been a mere bandit, a thief who saw the two girlfriends as easy targets to rob whatever they had on them...and ran off like the coward he was after he fired at Clementine, only to miss due to his lousy aim and hearing the younger teenage girl warning them after the arrow grazed her.

"I think that's possible." The African American teenage girl stated while turning to Violet, showing she agreed with Aasim's theory as it was the only logical explanation that made complete sense of last night.

"So do I." The older blonde instinctively replied as she also agreed with the Indian American teenage boy's theory about, as did Ruby and the others.

"Well, hopefully last night was our only encounter with that chickenshit bandit. Since he knows there's more of us...he'll never set foot near the school again and if he does, we'll be ready for him." Mitch stated with a confident smirk, thinking that the bandit who fired at Violet and Clementine was long gone and would never bother them ever again, but if the cowardly thief ever did try to attack them again...they'd be prepared, with everyone nodding in agreement.

Once Clementine and her friends had gotten the mystery archer off their minds, they went back to eating their breakfast before the food became too cold. After they had finished eating, Louis and the others had stepped away from the picnic tables and went straight to their own casual routines: Mitch had gone straight to his work station in order to fix the primer on the ignition cap, as the fuse either refused to light or died out a few seconds while he and Willy attempted a test run yesterday. While the older teenage brunette had gone straight to work to make the necessary adjustments to his handmade explosive, his younger best friend and Aasim headed for the Admin building to begin work on the swinging log trap for when Lilly and her people finally arrived. Ruby was helping Omar with dirty dishes and silverware while Louis was standing outside the main gate: keeping an eye out for walkers or any sign of the raiders.

While their friends were doing their own things, the two girlfriends were sitting down on the steps to the dorm building with AJ and Tenn right beside them. The older scar faced boy had handed his surrogate older sister a sketchpad with six separate drawings that he and his best friend had worked on last night which were: an open field littered with colorful flowers, a wooden cabin by a small creek, a red and blue bird flying in the bright sky surrounded by clouds, a castle surrounded by a moat, an igloo and a raft floating on the ocean by a beach.

"Wow...Tenn, AJ. These drawings are very good. You guys are getting more skilled every day." Violet stated as she carefully examined the drawings the two smaller boys did on their own and was deeply impressed by how detailed and beautiful their current drawings were before handing them to her younger girlfriend.

"Wow, these drawings are just...just very beautiful. You and Tenn are really becoming professional artists, kiddo." Clem replied as she nodded in agreement with the blonde as she was just as amazed by the drawings her boy and Tenn made last night after their unexpected encounter with the arrow.

"Thanks Clem. We're glad that you and Vi like our drawings." AJ stated with a soft smile, as he and the older scar-faced boy were glad that their surrogate guardians were amazed by their latest drawings before his adoptive mother handed Tenn his sketchpad back.

"Violet...I was thinking since that mystery archer is gone, it might be safe to send a hunting party out in the woods." The younger teenage girl stated softly while turning to her girlfriend, suggesting they could hunt for food as they didn't need to worry about the bandit who fired at them yesterday.

"I saw thinking the same thing. The food is almost gone and we only have enough to last us for, probably...two or three days." The older blonde replied, showing she agreed with Clementine's proposal of sending a hunting party out in the woods...as what little food they had left at the school was nearly gone and only had enough to last them for either two or three days, at best. The only subject they needed to discuss: was who to send?

"I highly doubt Mitch would volunteer: he's too focused working on his bomb and both Willy and Assim have their hands full working on the traps in the Admin building." Clem stated while pointing out that they couldn't ask the combative brunette: as he had an annoying habit of tuning out everyone and everything around him so he could perfect the home made explosive and how both Willy and Aasim were no doubtingly putting the final touches to the swinging log trap, which would give the raiders one hell of a surprise when they finally showed to attack them. They couldn't risk sending Ruby, due to her being the closest thing they had to a nurse and they couldn't send Omar, as he didn't have that much experience hunting.

"Guess, that only leaves...you, me and Louis." Violet stated as she knew that it was up to her, her girlfriend and the older African American teenage boy to venture out into the forest to bring back food for their whole group...but was a bit hesitant, due to their unexpected and traumatizing encounter with the arrow.

Clementine frowned, as she had sensed the fear in the older blonde's voice and couldn't truly blame her: as they had no idea what to expect once they walked past the gate...especially since they weren't sure if the bandit who fired at them last night was truly gone.

"Vi...I'd understand if you want to stay here and keep an eye on the boys while Louis and I head out into the woods." The younger teenage girl stated while placing a comforting hand on her shaken girlfriend's shoulder, assuring the blonde that she and Louis would be alright while hunting for food in the forest and wouldn't think any less of her is she wanted to stay at the school.

"No...No, it's okay. I'm going with you guys." Violet stated softly with a warm smile, showing she appreciated her younger girlfriend's concern and reassured her that she would be fine while they headed to the hunting zone.

"Are you sure? Because you can always take your..." Clem softly asked while informing the blonde that she could take her time ...and was cut off after she planted her lips overs hers in a loving kiss, which she instinctively returned...while both AJ and Tenn simply rolled their eyes.

"Say Tenn...was it like this when Violet was dating...?" The six year old boy started to ask as he turned to the older scar faced boy, wondering if the blonde had kissed Minnie in public like she and Clementine just did.

"Trust me AJ, you'll get used to seeing them do that every now and then." The twelve year old boy answered softly, telling his best friend that he would get used to seeing the two older girls kissing in front them and the others.

"I promise Clem, I'll be alright." The older blonde stated after they broke the kiss, reassuring the younger teenage girl that she would be fine while they were out in the woods and Clementine smiled in return, while nodding to show she was convinced her girlfriend was indeed ready.

"I guess its you and me on look out duty again AJ." Tenn stated casually, as he knew his adoptive sister needed someone on the wall to keep an eye out for the raider's while she, Clem and Louis were out hunting with the six year old boy nodding in agreement since Mitch and the others were too busy doing their own projects/chores.

"Clem...be careful out there, okay?" The younger boy started off, asking his adoptive mother to be very careful while she, Violet and Louis were out in the woods...especially if the raider's were any near the hunting area: just like they were at the fishing cabin the other day or if they had another unexpected encounter with the bandit who shot at them last night.

"We'll be careful kiddo. We won't be gone long and remember, if you and Tenn see somebody you don't recognize...tell the others right away." The African American teenage girl answered, promising her son that she and her hunting party would be extremely careful and reminding him that if he and the twelve year old boy spotted someone who wasn't her, Louis or Violet to inform Ruby and the others right away with the two younger boys nodding in agreement.

"Okay. Good luck out there." AJ stated softly, showing he and Tenn understood that if they spotted someone they didn't know, they would alert Ruby or Omar right away and wished both Clem and the older blonde the best of luck hunting out in the woods before he and older scar faced boy started walking towards the lookout platform.

While the two smaller boys had climbed up the ladder to the platform, Clementine and Violet had walked over to the target range that Louis set up two days ago for archery practice and grabbed the three bows that were resting on the archery rack, along with three separate quivers and enough arrows for them to use while out in the forest. After they gathered the necessary gear they needed for their hunting trip, the two teenage girls began walking towards the front gate where they saw Louis leaning back against the lookout wall with his left leg propped over his right and eyes closed, suggesting that he was simply resting his eyes.

"Hey Sleeping Beauty, nap times over." Violet casually stated with her younger girlfriend smirking and giggling at her choice of words as the older African American teenage boy immediately opened his eyes.

"Oh, you're a riot Violet. You and Clem should really consider doing stand up comedy." Louis replied sarcastically, while smiling at the same time since the blonde had developed a sense of humor due to her relationship with Clementine.

"We'll take it under advisement." The younger African American teenage girl stated, claiming she and her older girlfriend would consider doing stand up comedy...while sharing a secret amused look with the blonde as they both silently mouthed the words 'When Hell freezes over.'

"Are you guys going hunting?" The older teenage boy asked while already knowing the answer, as the bows and quivers filled with arrows they were holding and carrying behind their backs made it rather obvious.

"Yeah. The food is nearly gone, so Violet and I are heading to the woods. We could use your help Louis." Clementine answered, confirming that she and her girlfriend were indeed heading out to the hunting zone while offering him the third bow and quiver filled with arrows, which he happily accepted.

"I'm ready to go when you guys are." Louis stated, showing he was more than happy to help, due to being bored from having to keep an eye out for whatever walkers were lurking outside their gates and couldn't pass up the opportunity to put his newly learned archery skills to the test.

"Ruby, Omar! Louis, Clementine and I are heading out to the hunting zone. We'll be gone and back in two hours!" Violet stated while calling out to their nurse and chef, informing them that she and her hunting party were heading out into the forest and would return to the school in two hours.

"Alright. Just remember to stay safe!" The redhead replied after the older blonde told her and Omar where she, Clem and Louis were going as they walked out the front gate and started heading towards the hunting zone.

As Clementine and her hunting party walked through the forest towards the hunting area...she, Violet and Louis had cautiously glanced around, scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger, specifically: the bandit. Even though the cowardly thief hadn't made any other attempts on their home after shooting the arrow last night...the young teenage girl and her friends knew it didn't mean he was truly gone and suspected that he was simply hiding out somewhere in the forest and if some small chance they encountered the bandit, they'd be ready. But fortunately for them, the forest was completely silent as no walkers were heard or seen which helped ease the tension as the three teenagers continued with their walk towards the hunting zone.

"So Violet..." Louis started off in his casual tone with a playful grin on his face, as he had been entertaining the idea of prying out the details of what exactly happened between the older blonde and Clem last night.

"Yes Louis?" The blonde asked, wondering what the older African American teenage boy was about to ask her...even though she had a rather good idea to what he was about to say.

"What exactly happened between you and Clementine last night after our unexpected encounter with the arrow?" He answered, which confirmed her suspicions and earned an annoyed groan from the two girlfriends.

"Seriously?" Violet asked in annoyed tone, not believing that her friend would press his luck at trying to learn what she and her girlfriend did in her and Tenn's room after the bandit fired at them last night!

"What? It's a valid question!" Louis countered, stating that he was simply asking a harmless question about what she and Clem did in her dorm room!

"Nothing happened. I checked in on Violet to make sure she was alright and she asked me to keep her company just for the night. I slept on Tenn's bed and she slept in hers." Clementine answered half truthfully, stating that she simply checked in on her older girlfriend after their encounter with the arrow and kept her company throughout the night...while leaving out how they shared their very first sexual moment together.

"Vi...is that true?" The older African American boy asked while turning to the blonde, wondering if what the younger teenage girl just said was true or not...and noticing the soft smile on her face.

"Yeah. I asked Clem to spend the night in my room to keep me company." Violet answered, confirming what her girlfriend just said was true: how she spent the night in her room at her behest...and smiled, as she was grateful that Clem had thought of a perfect cover story in order to get Louis off their backs.

"Satisfied?" The African American teenage girl asked, demanding to know if the older teenage boy was happy by their answer and hoped he would stop trying to pry information out of them, along with her blonde girlfriend.

"Mmm...for now." Louis answered casually, stating that he had bought their cover story...at least for the moment, much to Clem's and Violet's relief as they turned to each other.

"Thank you." The older blonde mouthed, thanking her younger girlfriend for getting the older African American teenage boy off their backs.

"You're welcome." Clementine mouthed back while smiling at the blonde, as they no longer had to deal with Louis' annoying attempts to get them to reveal what they really did after the bandit fired at them last night as they continued walking through the woods.

Fortunately for the three friends, they were not too far away from their main destination thanks to the carved markings they had etched into the trees, which helped guide the way to the hunting zone and back towards the school. Once they reached the hunting area, Clementine had swiftly spotted a rather easy target: a red squirrel nibbling on an acorn on the forest floor right by a tree. Knowing she had the perfect opportunity to score her hunting group their first catch of the day, the younger African American teenage girl drew out her bow, readied an arrow and took aim with the squirrel continuing to nibble on what would be its final meal. Without wasting a second, she fired and sent the arrow flying silently through the air and smiled softly, as the arrow had hit its mark: the squirrel gave off a single high pitched squeak as the arrow had penetrated its back, pinning it to the ground.

"Damn, now shooting there Rambo." Violet stated, complimenting her younger girlfriend on her impressive archery skills and patting her on the back as she managed to hit and kill the squirrel with her very first arrow, while she and the others ended up missing when they started hunting for food in order to survive.

"Not bad...even though its just a measly squirrel." Louis stated while also complimenting the younger teenage girl...whilst feeling a bit jealous as she already bagged them their first catch in mere seconds arriving arriving at the hunting zone!

"Beginner's luck. Besides, we have plenty of time to hunt as many animals as we can find before heading back home." Clem stated, feeling rather pleased with claiming her very first kill on their hunting trip and smiled at the 'Rambo' comment her blonde girlfriend made due to her marksmanship with the hunting bow that formerly belonged to Marlon.

Knowing that the younger African American teenage girl's words were true, as they only left the school five-six minutes ago, both the older blonde and African American teenage boy drew out their own bows in order to bag their very own first kills in order to catch up with Clementine. However, before they could get down to searching the forest for any worthwhile prey to last them and their friends for a short period of time...the three friends had turned to their left as they heard and spotted a shrub bush rustling heavily: suggesting that something, mainly an animal was moving inside it. As Violet and her friends had turned to look at each other, they aimed their bows directly at the bush and waited for whatever animal to come out of its shelter...Clementine had noticed something off about their surroundings.

"Violet. Louis, wait." The younger teenage girl stated, ordering her hunting party to hold their fire while lowering her bow and glancing around, as she had instinctual feeling that something was wrong.

"Clem, what's the matter?" The older blonde asked, as she and the older teenage boy were confused to why her younger girlfriend had stopped them from firing as whatever was hiding in the shrub bush was about to come out!

"Do either of you hear that?" She replied, asking Violet if she or Louis even noticed how quiet the forest currently was...which confirmed her suspicions that something dangerous was close by.

"Hear what?" The older African American teenage boy asked, as he and the blonde had no idea what Clementine was talking about...and they would be deeply surprised by the answer.

"Whenever the forest goes quiet, that usually means a predator is nearby." Clem answered, informing her friends that whenever the forest became quiet it was a sure sign that a predator was not too far away...much to their great shock and surprise!

"You're just messing with us...right?" Louis asked, thinking that the younger African American teenage girl was pulling their legs about there being a predator nearby much to the older blonde's annoyance.

"She isn't joking around Louis. Just look!" Violet countered, knowing that Clementine was right as she noticed how quiet the forest was and pointed back towards the shrub bush, as something truly unexpected happened: four-five adult rabbits and a small family of raccoons had bolted out of the bush and swiftly ran past them!

"What the? Where are they going?" The older teenage boy asked, as he was completely baffled after seeing a small group of raccoons and rabbits sprinting right towards and past him and his friends!

"They weren't running towards us...they were running from something else." The younger African American teenage girl stated plain and simple, having her bow armed and ready while turning to her blonde girlfriend, as they both knew what it was the animals were fleeing from: a walker.

Without wasting a second, Clem and her hunting party had aimed their bows directly at the shrub, as they knew that whatever the rabbits and raccoons had escaped from was bound to come charging out from the bush. As soon as they took aim, the bush had stopped shaking...as if whatever was hiding inside knew the three teenagers were aiming right at it which caused Violet and her friends to look at each other while keeping their bows aimed at the bush. However...that was when they heard loud shrieking erupt out as whatever the smaller animals had fled from finally decided to reveal itself and came charging out of the shrub!

"Holy shit!" Louis cried out while taking a few steps back, as he was caught completely off guard by the intimidating shrieking from what had charged right towards him and his friends...while Clementine and Violet stood their ground and fired a single arrow!

~Back at the school, two hours later~

Shortly after Clem and her hunting party had walked past the gate and headed towards the hunting zone, AJ and Tenn had spent the past two hours working on new art projects or playing the 'Count the Walker' game on the lookout platform. The two younger boys had enjoyed the peace and quiet...until they heard a loud shriek like cry echoing out and a small flock of crows had shot up towards the sky!

"AJ, did you hear that?" The older scar faced boy asked as he and his best friend heard the loud shrieking like cry echo out and could tell right away that it came from the forest!

"Yeah, I did. That noise came from the forest where the..." The six year old boy answered while nodding, confirming that he heard the shriek like scream and stated how it originated from the hunting area...where his mother and her hunting party had gone to hunt for food!

"Ruby! Omar! Something has happened! " He cried out while turning towards the courtyard, calling out to the redhead medic as she and Omar had heard the loud scream, along with Mitch as he had finished making the necessary adjustments to the bomb!

"What the fuck was that?" The older brunette asked, as he had never heard an awful noise like that before in his life while Ruby and Omar had sprinted across the courtyard towards the lookout post.

"AJ, what's wrong?" Ruby asked while she and the 2nd African American teenage boy looked up at the two smaller boys acting as their eyes on the wooden scaffolding.

"That awful noise we just heard... it came from the forest: from the the hunting zone!" Tenn answered, informing their nurse and chef that the 'scream' they just heard originated from the woods...more precisely, the hunting area!

"Clem, Violet and Louis are out in the hunting zone." Omar stated as he and Ruby looked at each other with concerned looks, as their blonde leader and her hunting party were still out hunting for food to bring back to the school.

"Tenn...I see something moving from behind those trees and bushes." AJ stated as he caught a glimpse of something moving through the trees, but couldn't tell what it was as the leaves had obscured his line of sight.

"Talk to us Tenn. What do you and AJ see?" The redhead stated softly while asking the two smaller boys what they saw outside the gate with Mitch joining her and Omar behind the lookout platform, along with Aasim and Willy as they had also heard the 'scream' and ran outside to see what it was.

"We can't tell. Whatever is out there is walking behind the trees." The older scar faced answered, informing Ruby and the others that the leaves from the trees had made it impossible for him and his younger best friend to see if something or someone was approaching the gate.

"Willy, you and Assim got your knives ready?" Mitch stated while turning to the younger brunette and Indian-American teenage boy, asking if they had their knives on them before the walked through the gate to face whoever or whatever was approaching their home.

"Yeah, got 'em right here Mitch." Willy answered as he and Assim took out their knives, showing they had the combative brunette's back...until they heard AJ shout out.

"Hold up. Tenn and I see somebody walking out of the woods...I think..." The six year old boy stated, informing Ruby and the others that he and his best friend had a much better view and spotted someone about to step out from behind the bushes and trees...while Assim and the others waited nervously, as they had no idea who it was that was approaching the gate...and immediately saw who it was: Louis.

"Louis! You're back!" AJ cried out excitedly, happy to the older African American teenage boy as he had returned to the school, safe and sound along with the others.

"Hey there little dude." He replied back with a warm smile while waving 'hello' to the smaller boys on the lookout platform, whom instinctively waved back while Mitch had unlocked the gate for him to enter the courtyard.

"Thanks for the heart attack Louis. Willy, Assim and I were just about to walk through the gate with our knives out." The older brunette stated bluntly and sarcastically at the same time, thanking Louis for nearly scaring him and the others half to death as they thought a walker or the raiders had finally arrived.

"Oh, sorry guys. I didn't mean to give you a scare." The older African American teenage boy replied, apologizing while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly...and that was when Omar and the others had noticed what was tied around his belt: at least seven squirrels tied by the tails secured to the right side of his jeans and five rabbits that he was holding by the ears in his left hand!

"Wow Louis...you, Clementine and Violet bagged all these?" The 2nd African American teenage boy asked, as he, Ruby and the others were amazed by the number of rabbits and squirrels he and his hunting party had hunted and bagged while out in the hunting zone!

"Yeah, we did...but those rabbits and squirrels aren't what we'll be having for dinner tonight." Louis answered, confirming that he and the two girlfriends had indeed bagged the rabbits and squirrels...and cryptically stated that they would be having something else for dinner, much to their confusion!

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked, as she and the others were surprised that the small forest animals that he, Clem and Violet had hunted and collected weren't going to be for dinner!

"Louis? Where are Clem and Violet?" Tenn asked, as he and AJ finally noticed that their adoptive sister/mother weren't with the older teenage boy when he approached the gate and they began to worry that scream they heard must've belonged to one of them.

"Are...Are they...?" The six year old boy began to ask, but couldn't as he and his best friend couldn't bring themselves to hear the answer.

"Oh, no. No. Tenn, AJ. Clem and Vi are alright. They're right behind me...they are just bringing in the main course." Louis replied, informing, AJ, Tenn and the rest of their friends that Clementine and Violet were alright: how the two girlfriends were right behind him and were just lugging in the...unexpected kill that would be their true meal for tonight while glancing over his shoulder.

"The main course? Louis, what the fuck are you..." Mitch asked in an irritated tone, showing that he was becoming annoyed by whatever game he was attempting to play on on him and the others...only to be cut off after they heard two familiar voices grunting and the older African American teenage boy had glanced over his shoulder.

"Hey Omar, would you mind taking these while I lend Clem and Violet a hand?" Louis casually stated while turning to their cook, asking if he could take the rabbit and squirrels while he helped the blonde leader and her girlfriend bring in the 'main course'.

"Uh, sure Louis." The second African American teenage boy answered while gladly accepting the dead small forest animals from his friend, as he could try plenty of new recipes involving rabbit and squirrel meat.

However...after he handed the dead forest rodents to Omar, that was when both Clementine and Violet had walked out from behind the trees while lugging something, obviously a dead animal which their friends fairly guessed must've been slightly for the two teenage girls to drag by themselves by its left and right rear legs.

"Vi, you doing alright?" Clem asked through a strained voice, as the mysterious grand prize they both shot and killed was slightly heavier than they imagined.

"Yeah, I'm alright. This fucker just weighs more than we thought." The older blonde answered through a similar tone, assuring her younger girlfriend that she was doing fine and confirming their friends hunch about whatever animal they had killed back at the hunting zone and were currently dragging behind them...and nearly dropped their jaws in deep surprise once they saw it with their own eyes.

What were the two girlfriends dragging behind them, you ask? A full grown wild boar with two arrow heads embedded between its forehead!

"Holy...shit." Mitch muttered softly as he, Willy and Assim stared surprised the mere sight of the rare catch the two teenage girls had killed and bagged while out hunting in the forest!

"That's...that's a wild boar." Ruby stated while muttering softly, as she recognized the animal Violet and Clementine had shot and killed, due to her past experience hunting wild boars with her father before being sent to Ericson's and was deeply amazed they had actually killed a live one: as boars were extremely rare in this part of Georgia.

"Violet, you or Clem need a hand with our pig?" Louis asked, offering to help the two girls with bringing their main prize through the gate and into the courtyard.

"It's alright Lou. We've got it." The blonde answered, showing she and Clementine appreciated the offer for extra help, but reassured her friend that she and younger girlfriend could manage on their own as they were merely a few feet away from the main gate and once they stepped onto the dirt path leading up to the school, the two girlfriends had easily dragged the dead boar through the gate into the courtyard.

"Holy shit. So, uh, Violet? Who shot and killed the boar? You or Clementine?" Assim asked as he, Mitch, Ruby and Willy were surprised that their blonde leader and her hunting party had managed to bring them back a wild boar for dinner and were curious to who killed the wild pig: her or the African American teenage girl.

"Actually...we both shot it at the same time. So technically, it's mine and Clem's." Violet answered truthfully, informing the rest of their friends that she and her girlfriend had shot and killed the boar together, much to their deep surprise.

"So Omar, how much meat do you think we can get from this pig?" Clementine asked while turning to the 2nd African American teenage boy, curious to how much meat the boar, rabbits and squirrels would provide the whole school.

"Well...it's rather hard to say for sure. But...I'm pretty sure that if I skin and cut him just right, along with the rabbits and squirrels...we should have enough meat to last us for us a week and a half, at best." Omar answered honestly, stating he wasn't entirely sure how much meat the animals that Clem, Louis and Violet had hunted and brought back would the entire school...but estimated that they would have enough meat for over a week, much to his friend's delight!

"Great work you guys!" Assim stated as he patted Louis on the back and shook both the older blonde and younger African American teenage girl's hands, congratulating his three friends for bringing back enough food for the whole group!

"It was really all Clem and Violet. They're the ones who bagged the most kills." The older African American teenage boy replied, while giving all the credit to the two girlfriends as they had killed and collected most of the animals they had hunted back in the forest.

"You did manage to get some kills yourself Louis." The younger teenage girl, while reminding her friend that he also managed to kill a few squirrels and rabbits before they returned from the hunting zone...even though and her blonde girlfriend did bag the most kills.

"Mitch...help me carry and carve this big boy up. We're gonna have seasoned pork for dinner tonight." Omar stated happily, asking the older brunette to help him carry the boar towards his cooking station and announcing that he would serving seasoned pork meat for the main course tonight, much to his friends glee.

"Sounds good! We haven't had any pork in a long while." The combative teenage boy stated with a rare smile on his face, especially after hearing the 2nd African American teenage boy announce that they would be having pork for dinner as he grabbed the boar by its rear right leg and dragged it behind him as he followed Omar to his 'work station' which was near the cooking pot by the picnic tables.

Shortly after Mitch and Omar had walked away with the dead animals to prepare them for dinner later tonight, Clem and the others had spent the rest of the day relaxing in the courtyard, doing their own things: Louis had walked over to the archery range to improve his marksmanship with a bow and arrow while Ruby had gone on over to the gate to keep an eye out far any walkers. Willy and Assim had taken swapped with AJ and Tennessee on the lookout platform, as they had finished making the necessary adjustments to the log trap inside the Admin building. Once they switched places with the younger brunette and Indian-American teenage boy, AJ had embraced his adoptive mother while Tenn wrapped his arms around the older blonde, showing they glad that their adoptive mother/sister had returned from their hunting trip safe and sound.

"It's good to see you and AJ too, Tenn." Violet stated with a warm smile, as she and her girlfriend could tell the two younger boys were glad they had returned from the forest alive.

"When we heard that scream, we thought..." The twelve year old boy replied softly, stating that when he and his best friend heard the 'scream' echo out from the forest...they naturally assumed the worst.

"We thought you, Violet and Louis were gone." AJ added, claiming that they and the rest of their friends thought the three of them were either being attacked or killed by walkers.

"Oh sorry, kiddo. We didn't mean to give you and the others a scare." Clem stated softly while holding her son in her arms, while apologizing for scaring her boy, Ruby and the others half to death, especially since they thought they boar shriek was either her, Violet or Louis screaming.

Once they sat down behind an empty picnic table, the older scar faced boy had placed his sketchpad onto the table and showed his surrogate older sister and her girlfriend the new drawings he and the six year old worked during their shift on lookout duty. The four new drawings the two younger boys did were of: a farm with pigs, cows and horses outside the barn, a small family of rabbits sitting in a field covered in flowers, four different colored fishes swimming in a small pond and a red bird, possibly a red cardinal on its nest in a tree.

"Wow, AJ...these new drawings are absolutely beautiful." The African American teenage girl stated, complimenting her son and his best friend on their artistic skills, as their four new drawings were beautifully detailed.

"Really?" Tenn asked as he and AJ smiled, as they were pleased by how better and more realistic their drawings were becoming.

"Yeah. You guys are truly becoming professional artists." Violet replied with a soft grin, agreeing with Clem on how their drawings were becoming more life like as their drawing skills improved.

"Thanks Clem, Vi. We really appreciate it." AJ stated with a huge grin, thanking his guardian and the older blonde for their kind words before he and the twelve year old boy high-fived each other, as they were now professional artists in the mother's/sister's eyes.

Time had flown by quickly, as the sun began to set and night had soon arrived, with the moon shining brightly over the school yard. The residents had continued to preoccupy themselves the past couple of hours: Ruby, Willy, Tenn and Assim were playing a friendly game of Go Fish while borrowing Louis' deck of cards whilst the older African American teenage boy had decided to play his piano one last time in the music room before his friends decided to use it for fire wood. Mitch had been assisting Omar in skinning and chopping up the boar, as they had finished removing the fur/cutting up the rabbits and squirrels and knew they needed to store the meat inside the cafeteria, in order to hide it from the raiders before they eventually arrived to attack the school. Violet was simply walking around the courtyard while Clementine and AJ were on the lookout platform.

The night had been quiet as usual, as the young teenage girl and her boy had carefully glanced directly at the woods outside the gate and spotted a few walkers prowling around past the trees.

"Clem...that man from the train station...He's going to be with the raiders when they finally show, isn't he?" AJ stated softly, while asking his mother if a certain someone would be with the raiders once they finally arrived to attack their home.

"Abel...yeah. He might be with them." His mentor/guardian answered honestly, as she knew who her son was referring to and just knew that Abel would indeed be with Lilly and the rest of her people.

"Your bad dreams...they are about him, aren't they?" She asked softly, as she knew the reason to her boy asked if Abel would be accompanying Lilly and the rest of their people: as the six year old boy had woken up several times in the middle of the night the first week they had returned to the school, having nightmares about the middle aged man.

"Yeah..." He answered softly, confirming that his nightmares were indeed about Abel before glancing through the binoculars in his hands to continue scanning the forest for any signs of danger.

"AJ...it's alright if Abel frightens you. You know how to deal with that." Clem stated softly, reassuring her son that she wouldn't think any less of him to admit that he was scared of Abel...especially after the middle aged man shot him when he and Lilly chased after them when Violet and Louis came to their aid after they were exiled from the school.

"He doesn't frighten me..." The six year old boy stated, claiming that he wasn't afraid of Abel...but became silent as a rather dark thought entered his mind.

"But when he and the raiders finally show...I call dibs. I'm one who gets to kill him." He added, claiming that he deserved the right to kill the middle aged raider when he, Lilly and their people finally arrived to attack their home...much to his mother's shock.

"AJ, I don't like the way you're talking. Killing is never easy, or fun or be treated so casually." Clementine stated while looking deeply concerned at her son, especially after hearing him say that he wanted to be the one to murder Abel!

"...Is it because I'm trying too hard to be good because of Marlon?" AJ asked softly while turning to his mentor and guardian, wondering if the reason why he wanted to kill Abel was because of what he did to Marlon on the night he murdered Brody and tried to frame Clem for killing her.

"It's just that you never should think about killing like that, AJ." The African American teenage girl answered, informing her son that he should never think about murdering people, especially if they are heartless monsters who would kill without any ounce of remorse.

"But what if we played Rock, Paper, Scissors for it? If I win, you change your mind...I call dibs on Abel." The six year old boy stated softly, showing he understood that he should never think about killing people, especially since that's what got him in hot water with Louis and the others (minus Violet and Tenn) when he shot and killed Marlon...but asked if they could play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide whether or not he would get to kill the middle aged raider.

"I can take him Clem. I'm not being...casual." He added softly while reassuring his adoptive mother that he could handle Abel once he, Lilly and their people finally showed themselves.

"Hmm...alright. It only seems fair." Clem stated softly, showing she didn't any argument in her boy's request to play a small game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide if he should have a shot at facing Abel when the raiders finally arrived.

"Really?" AJ asked, surprised that his mentor and guardian had agreed to his request!

"Best two out of three, sucka...and no take backs." She answered playfully with a soft smile, stating whoever won two out of three rounds in a single game would be the winner.

"No take backs...sucka." The six year old boy replied while mirroring the smile, showing he understood and was perfectly fine with the conditions of the game before they both formed a fist and started counting from 1 to 3.

The game hadn't lasted long as Clem and AJ were tied on the first round, due to them playing 'rock'. The young African American teenage girl had ended up being the winner of their little wager: as she had switched to 'paper' while her boy continued to play 'rock'.

"Sorry kiddo. I win." Clementine stated with a small grin, pointing out that she had won their little game much to his disappointment.

"Crap." AJ stated softly, showing he couldn't believe that he lost the wager...and knew he had to honor the conditions of the game since he lost and his mentor/guardian won.

"Now no more about 'dibs'. Okay?" She stated softly, asking her son to let his request to kill Abel go...since she didn't want him to become a cold blooded killer.

"Alright..." The six year old boy answered softly, showing he would stop asking for permission to kill the middle aged raider before looking through the binoculars one last time...and spotted something that nearly made his heart stop.

"Clem...I see something...out in the woods." He stated softly while glancing up to Clementine, informing her that he spotted something peculiar in the forest right outside the gate.

"Walkers?" The African American teenage girl asked, thinking that her boy spotted walkers prowling behind the trees and bushes.

"No...it's something else. Here, take a look too." AJ answered, stating that what he saw wasn't walkers and offered his mother the binoculars, so she could see for herself.

After she accepted the binoculars, Clem had glanced in the direction that her son was looking in...and immediately spotted what he was talking about. The young African American teenage girl had spotted someone that she never hoped to see again: Abel...only he wasn't alone. He was walking in front of two Cleveland Bay horses, pulling a wooden caged cart, obviously guiding it past the the walkers with an African American woman guarding the rear. Once she saw the middle aged raider, Clementine had swiftly lowered the binoculars and turned to her adopted boy.

"Those are no walkers. Good work AJ." The teenage African teenage girl stated softly with a proud smile, congratulating the six year old boy on a job well done...as he spotted the raiders right outside their walls!

"C'mon. We need to warn Violet and the others." Clem added, knowing that they needed to warn their friends that time had finally come as the raiders finally arrived with AJ nodding in agreement as they slid down the ladder. The battle for the school...would soon begin.

A/N: There it is everyone, the 5th chapter to A World with You: A Violentine Story. I would like to deeply apologize to my fellow fanfic authors and loyal reviews for the four month wait. I had been going through a bad case of writer's block and frustrated with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic going throughout the entire country. I would also like to apologize if this chapter feels a bit off, it was the best I could with what I could I think of. I promise the next chapter won't take so long, as it will be posted sometime next weekend.

Please, be sure to read and review. Until next time, bye.