CosmicArmor-Sorry but I love to end on a note where you wonder what's going to happen next.
JJChandler-Jane had a very survival of the fittest attitude, if a group seems weak move on. But the problem is, she's a very dependent person along with some cowardly bits evident in season 3. As much as she want's to be a cold loner she needs a group, or at least one person she can depend on.
Windyrat-Yeah i'm pretty sure Lee would have been just as shocked as Sarah was if he was there for that haha!
Guest-Clem does blame herself for Sarita, especially because she heard Lee telling her not to cut off her arm but she ignored him anyway. Now Lee is taking the blame and brunt of Kenny's grief for her, making her feel even more guilty.
-To be honest Matthew's death was a bit of a last minute idea, I was debating if I should have anyone die at that trailer park but Nick was never on that chopping block, in the end I felt that I needed to focus on other characters over Matthew.
The Good The Bad The X-Boy-Kenny almost snapped fully at Lee but their friendship and all the shit they've been through, that is planted deep inside him, he just couldn't bring himself to hurt him. On the other side of things Molly and Jane are talking and sharing war stories, and to Molly all she is seeing is her old self, a selfish loner looking out for number one only.
Smeake-Glad you liked it bud.
Worker72-Again as I always say Clem, while mature, is a kid. She isn't a wonder girl who needs to be more competent than almost every adult in the group. I figure have her tutored more or less by Jane and Molly this chapter was better than her just being a leader figure at 12.
Ash The Aura Guardian-Hey good to see a new reviewer, glad you like it and I appreciate the compliment on my writing as a whole. Lee is indeed being questioned and undermined due to his handicap but he is still, quite obviously, very able and Lee's strength isn't his ability to fight it's his ability to lead. And if they notice it or not he's been doing that for them and doing it well. As for Jane being proved wrong would definitely do her some good.
Enjoy
Jane, Molly, Nick, Luke, Clem and Sarah all walked down the trail of the forest heading back to their temporary camp at Parker's run, each of them in a different state. Clementine walked with Sarah who was slowly receding back into her shocked state, she hadn't said a word since they left the park but at the very least she was walking. Clem looked over to her and let out a short sigh, "Sarah I know how you're feeling...but if you want to talk...i'm here." She said as she rubbed the back of her neck. Sarah continued to walk, she didn't even seem to hear Clem.
"She's gonna need time." Jane said to Clem with a quick glance back, "Might want to just give her a little space."
Clementine let out a small nod and walked a bit faster giving Sarah a little distance. Just then Nick let out a deep groan and fell to his knees. "Everyone hold up!" Luke exclaimed before quickly kneeling to Nick's side, "You okay?"
"Y-yeah, no, i'm fine. Just need to-to catch my breath." He shakily replied as he held his arm,
"Bullshit man you're shaking." Luke said dismissively, "Move your hand." Luke said as he took hold of Nick's arm that was holding his bullet wound. He carefully pulled it away as Nick winced in pain, Luke squinted his eyes and turned his head away as he could see puss and a dark coloring forming around the wound. "Ah, shit." He said as he put Nick's hand back over it,
"Bad? I bet it's fucking bad." Nick said lowering his head, "It's weird, it ain't hurting much anymore, just feels...warm."
"Don't worry, we'll get you back to our people and get you right as rain." Luke said firmly, "Can you stand?"
"Yeah, yeah, just-just help me up." Nick said holding out his free hand,
Luke helped pull Nick to his feet and the group began to walk once again. Clementine looked around and saw that rather than Sarah lagging behind the most, it was rather Molly. She had her head lowered and was strangely hugging herself. Clementine stopped for a moment and decided to wait for Molly to catch up to her. As she did Molly looked over to her and gave her a halfhearted smile. "Molly, are you okay?"
Molly let out a little sniff and nodded, "Yeah Clem i'm alright."
"What's wrong? Is it something with Lee?" She asked very concerned,
"No, it's Matt." She said with a small break, "He was a great person, we'd lived together for months back at the Ski Lodge. He was one of the nicest, kindest people you'd ever meet, especially now. Just seeing him like that, it's happened before and it's bound to happen again but...it really fucking sucks."
"I know, I found my parents like that." Clementine said as she too lowered her head,
Molly wiped her eyes and let out a short sigh, "I'm sorry kid." She said sincerely as the two walked, "It's good to feel this though." She added on after a moment,
"Why?" Clem replied,
"It gives purpose, meaning. Our time is short, and we need to make the most of it with the people we have. I'll miss Matt like hell but the memories, all the good times, that's what I still have." Molly explained before giving a small laugh, "I love being able to say that, if not for Lee I don't think I ever would have. He saved me from myself."
"You love him, right?" Clementine asked with a little smile,
"I do, a lot." Molly said returning the smile,
"Good." Clem replied finally holding her head back up, pushing the feeling of sadness behind her once again.
The group now walking in silence made it closer and closer to the park without issue, yet just at the edge of the forest Nick, abruptly, fell to the ground, "Nick!" Luke exclaimed. Everyone quickly gathered around him as Jane looked around the forest for any walkers that heard Luke's yell. Luke took hold off Nick's face and shook it slightly, "Nick, Nick, you there? You hear me?"
Nick's eye's fluttered open for a brief moment, "P-Pete?" He murmured out. Luke looked at him confused and in fear as his eyes slowly rolled back and he past out,
"Shit! Shit what the fuck do we do!?" Luke asked looking around at the others wildly,
"First thing you're gonna do is shut the fuck up." Jane hissed out to him, "We have no idea what's out in these woods."
"Right, right right right, sorry." Luke quickly said,
"We're almost there." Molly said looking up, "We can drag him back, let's get him up." Luke nodded quickly and sat Nick's body up. The pair took an arm each and put it around them. With Nick's feet dragging on the ground the group took off once again, this time almost jogging made it to the camp in mere minutes. Lee who had been watching for them ran out to meet them with mike right behind him,
"Holy shit, what happened?" Lee asked in shock as Mike took over for Molly with Nick, "Are you okay?"
"We're fine. Nick got hit last night, he's the one not doing okay." Molly replied as Luke and Mike dragged Nick away with Sarah following.
Lee looked around for a moment and frowned, "Matt?" Molly just shook her head in response and he lowered his for a moment and too a slow breath. "How's Sarah?"
"Not good." Jane said as she crossed her arms and leaned back a bit, "Girl is broken, is barely functioning."
"She would have died if not for Clem, she got her moving." Molly said with a soft smile towards Clementine. Lee looked at her a but pride filled, seeing exactly what she was capable of doing and what type of person she was becoming. Lee turned around and lead the others back towards the rest of the group, "Anything new with Kenny?" Molly asked,
"Haven't heard a word from him, i'm starting to think someone is gonna have to bring him back." Lee said as he slipped Carver's revolver back into his belt,
"I can do it." Clem pipped in,
Lee looked down at her a bit surprised but dismissively shook his head, "I appreciate that you want to help sweetie but I don't know if it's safe." Lee admitted,
"Kenny won't hurt me Lee." Clementine replied immediately,
"I-I don't know about that. We all saw what he did to me, I don't know exactly what his frame of mind is. I think that I should talk to him, see where he is mentally." Lee said as firmly as he could but everyone could tell the uncertainty in his voice,
"I'll talk to him," Clementine said firmly, "He was mad at you but I'm the reason he's feeling this way. I cut off Sarita's arm, I need to be the one to fix it."
Lee let out a slow sigh, he knew this was eating at her bad but fixing it just wasn't possible. "Molly, Jane you guys go on ahead, I need to talk to Clem." Lee said softly as he turned back to her. Molly let out a nod and started to walk away, Jane raised a brow but quickly shrugged and headed off as well. As soon as they were out of earshot Lee knelt down, "Clem, I know you want to fix this, to make him whole again but you just can't."
"But I-" Clementine tried to say,
"No Clem you need to hear me. You did what you did with good intentions but it didn't work out. You can't change the past and that means you can't fix it, Kenny lost Sarita and that whole just can't be filled. You can go in there and tell him the truth and try but at best he'll forgive you." Lee saw Clem lower her head almost defeated, "We know Kenny he'll come out of this but it'll leave a mark just like Katjaa and Duck did."
Clementine lip trembled and bit but she fought back against her tears, "How do I-what do I do. I feel horrible Lee, I just...feel bad."
"I know sweetie but you have to forgive yourself, you did all you could do in that situation." Lee said putting his hand on her shoulder,
"I need to tell Kenny, I need to know what he thinks." Clementine said with almost pleading eyes,
Lee's face tightened a bit, he was a bit reluctant to give in yet he could see she was hurting and this would be the only thing to give her some peace, "Alright, i'll be just outside the tent." Lee finally said,
A look of relief came over Clementine's face, "Thank you, Lee." She said softly. Lee nodded and stood back up, the pair headed back towards the tent Kenny sat in. As they reached the tent Clementine moved forward and took hold of the opening. She slowly inched her way inside while Kenny sat with his back to her, just staring at the tent wall.
Clementine's tongue caught in her throat immediately and she couldn't bring herself to speak. Kenny, however, did it for her. His gravelly voice spoke up yet he didn't even look back, "Do you know what it feels like to be on the edge of death?" Clem's face dropped in sadness and she gulped nervously, "Peaceful, it feels peaceful." Kenny answered.
Kenny turned his head sideways and with a small crack in his voice he said, "It was like I was floating away, watching the whole thing happen to me." Clem saw him clench his fists, "And then I woke up again," Kenny said with his eye flaring up, "Nothing's changed. I'm still taking a beating everyday. Katjaa, Duck, Sarita, no peace, no rest." Kenny said dropping his head. Clem felt her heart drop and she continued to let him speak his mind, "The punches just keep coming. Carver should have just finished me off, folks don't need me around I ain't helping anyone. They need someone like Lee, not me...not me."
Clementine narrowed her eyes and took a step towards him, "That's not true, you help ME, all the time. I need you. " Clem said sincerely,
Kenny cocked his head a bit as Clem talked but sighed not truly believing it, "Hmph, I've seen you take care of yourself more than any three adults put together. But uh...thanks for sayin that."
Clementine walked up to Kenny and knelt down next to him, "Kenny I have to say that-"
"That you were the one to cut off Sarita's arm? Yeah, I know." Kenny said, "Lee wouldn't have done it right then." Kenny said rather calmly as Clem watched him nervously, "I ain't mad atcha, I get you were trying to help." Clementine then watched as he winced in pain while instinctively moving his hand to his wounded eye,
"Are you okay?" She asked softly,
"Don't you worry about this. Hasn't killed me yet anyway." Kenny replied as he peered over to her,
Clementine looked at him annoyed, "Don't be stupid, it could be infected." She reached over and slowly took hold of the rag lifting it up causing Kenny to take in a sharp painful inhale. Clementine let out a disgusted look and she quickly looked away lowering the rag once again.
"Well?" Kenny asked only for them to be cut off by Luke yelling,
"Oh shit! Does that mean what I think it means?!" Luke exclaimed causing both Kenny and Clem to quickly head outside. As they left they saw the group gathered around Rebecca while Luke was clearly panicking, "Shit, shit, shit, shit." He continued to say aloud,
"Luke." Lee said to him yet he continued, "Luke." Lee said again a bit more forcefully still Luke ignored him, "Luke!" Lee shouted causing him to stop and look at him, "Calm down and shut the fuck up." Lee growled out to him, Luke closed his mouth and nodded slowly.
"Are you okay? How does it feel?" Mike asked Rebecca with a concerned tone,
"It feels wet, that's how it feels." Rebecca said a bit irritated,
"What's going on?" Clem asked the group,
"Rebecca's water broke." Bonnie replied,
Lee took control of the situation quickly seeing how everyone was giving worried looks, "Alright everyone just take a breath. Rebecca, sit down, you have to stay as calm as you can." Lee said as he helped her sit down on the edge of the fountain, "Kenny you're the only one here that's been through this thing. What do we need?" He asked as Kenny stared off into the distance,
"Kenny!" Molly shouted out in frustration,
"Just give me a second." Kenny said with a quick glance to her,
"Lee, you know she can't travel in this condition." Luke said wide eyed,
"Yeah I know that Luke." Lee replied with an annoyed glare before he turned back to Kenny, "Ken, come on focus."
"Right, right, sorry." Kenny said turning back to the others, "Were gonna need clean water for one, and blankets."
"We need to get outta this damn cold as well." Bonnie added on,
"Well that map shows a couple buildings nearby, maybe they have something we could use." Mike pointed out,
Lee nodded and stood up, "Then we need to search them, you heard Kenny we need water and blankets." Lee lead Mike, Bonnie, Jane and Molly towards the sign on the bulletin board that stood nearby, "We got the gift shop and a museum." Lee said as he traced his finger along the map, "We have to split up and search them at once."
"I think me and Jane could handle the gift shop, it's nearby and that means we'll be close to the others incase they need help." Molly replied,
Lee nodded, "Then I'll take Mike and Bonnie and check out the museum, well take a quick once over and be back as soon as possible."
"Lee, I want to go too." Clementine said as she walked up,
Lee peered back to her and gave a small nod, "Fine Clem will join us as well." Lee turned around to face the group, "I don't expect us to be gone too long, based on walking distance and the search we should be back within two hours. If we're not back before that come looking."
"If you're late and you make me worry, I will kick your ass." Molly said with a little grin,
Lee moved over to her and kissed her head lightly before turning to a small trail that lead towards the museum, "C'mon." He said leading the others along.
As Lee's group disappeared into the distance Molly turned to Jane, "Let's go see what we can find in the gift shop."
"Molly hold up for a sec." Luke called to her as Jane headed past the brick ruins towards the building by the river,
Molly paused and turned back to him, "What's up?"
"Lee just kinda left without telling the rest of us anything, what's going on?" Luke asked a bit annoyed,
"We're looking for somewhere safe and the stuff Kenny needs. He's checking out a museum while me and Jane are checking out the gift shop around the back,
"Right," Luke said with a nod, "Thing is Rebecca ain't the only one who needs help here. Sarah's in a state and Nick...that wound ain't getting better." He whispered to her as he looked back at Nick who was sitting with his head hanging,
"Okay, okay, I'll keep my eye out for anything Nick could use." Molly replied trying to reassure him,
"Alright." Luke said with a relieved nod, "I'll watch the perimeter for ya'll until everyone gets back here."
"Good, perk up buddy. We're gonna be fine." Molly added on before she turned around and headed towards the gift shop,
Luke held a dejected look as he watched he leave, "Yeah...right."
Molly moved past the ruins and entered a field, at the other end sat a two story building, clearly this was the gift shop. To the left was a strong running river and to the right was thick woods. Ahead of her she spotted Jane sitting at a picnic table holding her head. Molly walked over to her with a raised brow, "What are you doing?"
"Hey." Jane replied as she ran her fingers through her short hair, "Just stuck in thought, not the best habit to have these days."
"Tell me about it." Molly said with an agreeing nod,
"Still it's not so bad to have someone watching your pack." Jane said getting to her feet, "So what do you say partner, want to check out the deck?"
"Partner?" Molly said with a smirk, "Are we already at that stage?"
The two women began to walk to the stairs leading to the second floor, As they approached the stairwell Molly looked over to Jane and said, "You know you don't look okay, right?"
"Yeah but who does nowadays." Jane replied with a shrug, "Let's just focus on this right now." She added as she looked straight forward,
"I hope this place is what we're looking for, god knows we need a break." Molly said as she eyed the building,
The two slowly made their way up the rickety staircase and found that the store itself was locked behind a security gate. Jane let out an annoyed exhale and walked over to the gate, "It's locked." She said as she took hold of a padlock. Jane reached into her back pocket and pulled out the file she found earlier, "Maybe I can pick it."
"Right, with a nail file." Molly said dismissively,
"Hey, versatility is not overrated." Jane replied easily,
"Uh huh, but let's go with something more tried and true." Molly said as she pulled out a hair pin from her long hair, "See, perks of having long hair." She added as she knelt down and began to pick the lock,
"You ask me the cons outweigh the pros." Jane said as she wandered around the deck,
"Bet you see a lot of things that way." Molly muttered out,
"Huh?" Jane asked as she looked back to her,
"I said that this place being locked is a good sign." Molly replied, "Rebecca could have the baby here too."
"Yeah I bet there's food too." Jane added on. After a moment Jane said, "I can see the tops of buildings out there, Rebecca couldn't make it until after but that'd make a good first stop."
"On the road to where?" Molly asked as she continued to jiggle the padlock,
"Anywhere, we sure as shit can't stay here forever." Jane retorted,
"Yeah, got me there…come on you fucker open." Molly grunted out,
"Molly." Jane quickly whispered out, "Someone's coming."
"What?" Molly asked as she looked back at Jane as she crouched down,
"Someone can't tell, they're carrying a bag." Jane replied as Molly moved over to her, "We should stay down, just watch what he does. Last thing we need is someone seeing us and telling who ever they are with about an easy score." The pair heard a metal clicking sound as well as the distinct sounds of him climbing the stairs,
"Maybe I should just talk to him." Molly whispered out quickly,
"Your call, but hide first. Now." Jane said as she scrambled over to the secondary starwell. Molly looked around and quickly moved to a prop cannon sitting on the deck. The two waited as the young man limped towards a trashcan and attempted to stuff the bag into it.
Molly watched the kid perplexed by the whole thing for a moment before she slowly stood up, "Do you need some help?" She asked calmly. The kid jumped and quickly pulled out a revolver. He turned back, aiming at Molly immediately, "Whoa, whoa, easy, easy pal." Molly said as she watched the revolver that shook wildly in his hand,
"I-I do not wish to shoot you." The kid said with a thick russian accent,
"And I don't want you too. My name's Molly, what's yours?" She asked as she took a small step forward,
"I am Arvo." He replied, "I will go, I don't want to shoot anyone."
Molly saw as Jane slowly moved behind him, "Arvo you don't have to, just put the gun down and walk away." Molly said easily.
Before Arvo could react Jane reached out taking hold of Arvo's gun with one hand and shoving him with the second. Arvo stumbled forward and turned back only for Jane to point the gun in his face, "Back up and drop the bag." She said coldly,
"Jane take it easy, he doesn't want to hurt anyone." Molly said as she moved behind her,
"How can you say that, he just had a gun on you." Jane hissed back. She then took a slow breath calming herself, "Check the bag, see what it is."
Molly pursed her lips before reluctantly agreeing, as she crouched down Arvo narrowed his brow, "Please let me go, I need these things. "
"Holy shit." Molly said as she opened the bag only to reveal water and a lot of medicine, "This is a fuck ton of meds."
"Please they are for my sister, she is in pain. The pain makes her cry and the crying makes those things come. Please do not take them." Arvo pleaded,
"Sister or not we could really use these." Jane said icily, "Think about it Molly, Rebecca and Nick need those, hell Luke could use them too."
"No, you are not nice people." Arvo exclaimed as he coward a bit,
"I...I…" Molly whispered out as the conflicting thoughts battled in her mind. Crawford did this, the weak lost everything to them all in the name of something self preservation. Yet Jane was right...they needed this. "I'm sorry Arvo, we need these."
Arvo's face lit up in anger, "You will wish you had not done this." He nearly growled out. Jane's eyes narrowed and she took hold of his collar forcing him against the balcony, "N-no, what are you doing?" Arvo cried out as she pressed the revolver under his chin,
"Jane no! Stop it, don't hurt him!" Molly exclaimed as she ran up behind her,
"Yes, please, just let me go." Arvo whimpered out in agreement,
Jane eyed him for a long while before she leaned in close, "Don't you EVER come around here again. Next time you won't be walking away." Arvo nodded rapidly and Jane let him go. He limped as quickly as he could down the stairs and back towards the woods where he emerged in the first place. Molly watched him until she couldn't see before looking back to Jane who was leaning against the railing, holding her head in shame.
"Just what the hell was that exactly?" Molly asked with his face tightened with anger,
"I needed to make sure he wasn't going to come back here!" Jane shot back. Jane pushed past Molly, "Go bring the meds back to the others, I'll work on getting this place open." Molly watched her for a second before heading down the stairs.
As she reached the brick ruins Luke caught up with here, "Molly hey, any luck? Was checking with the others, said they hadn't heard from ya'll yet. I wouldn't guess there'd be much but Jane seems pretty resourceful."
"She's working on getting into it right now, it's locked up tight." Molly replied with a dejected tone,
"You know I can't figure her out, like she lays it on the line but never shows you anything at the same time." Luke said as he pulled the strap of the Ak over his shoulder, "What do you make of her?"
"I don't know." Molly said quickly,
Luke let out a slow sigh, "Listen I know you, Lee and Kenny got a history but those two...they aren't looking so good. Kenny seems broken and Lee he's doesn't seem to have it all together."
"And you're any better?" Molly said with an icy tone,
"Whoa, whoa, that's not what I'm saying. I just want to survive and that means picking the right side." Luke quickly stammered back,
"No Luke, that's not what it means! You don't start drawing a line in the sand to split the group!" She shot out causing him to back up a bit with a shocked expression,
"I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I was just talking." He said trying to calm her,
Molly turned away from him, "I should tell the others about the deck."
"Yeah, I'll be back over there in a few." Luke said quickly. Molly pushed past him and continued back towards the rest of the group as Luke looked up at the gift shop for a moment. He then headed up towards Jane.
Alright so things are falling into place, next chapter will be big so be ready for that and after that I feel a lot of you will be surprised. I hope you all liked this chapter and I'll catch you in the next one!