I rubbed my temple and let out a sigh. Carver has been making me work full time shifts and my body isn't use to it. Every night I either spend on watch or in meetings. Carver has made it a point to make weekly meetings with everyone in his stupid group. I'm not there to talk, just observe. Carver has made it a point that I need to learn proper organization, or whatever. I ran a hand through my hair. I also am having to deal with Rebecca. Her mood swings have been directed at either me or Alvin. It's frustrating because I have been doing everything in my power to make sure nobody knows about her pregnancy. I've found her clothes, smuggled her extra food, and made sure she's up to date on her vitamins.
"Hey Clem," I heard a voice but I didn't turn my head to see who it was. I'm too tired, "You okay?" The voice asked, worried.
"I'm fine," I replied slowly, still rubbing my temple. I moved my fingers to the side and began to rub in a circular motion. My hands were soon replaced with their hands. I let my arms fall limp and enjoyed the extra pressure that the other pair of hands were able to make.
"Clem, open your eyes," They were closed? I let out a protesting sound before obeying. It felt like my eye lid's were made of steel. As soon as I was able to get them open they just shut again.
"Who is it?" I said, still rather slow.
"It's Nick," He laughed. His voice turned concerned however, "When was the last time you had any sleep?" I thought about it. I'm too tired to think. Guess?
"Three days ago," I answered.
"Holy shit, Clem! Why didn't you say anything?"
"Swear," I said in my half conscious form.
I heard a small chuckle come out of his throat, "C'mere," As soon as he said that I felt my self being lifted off the ground. I didn't bother to ask what he was doing. I curled up a little bit and grabbed a small handful of his shirt. I can't explain why, but this position makes me comfortable and feel relaxed. I don't think Nick minds, no matter what I do he just snuggles me a bit closer. Soon afterwards, I felt myself being put down.
"Hey Nick," I heard Luke, "What's wrong with our little spit fire today?"
"Carvers exhausting her," He sighed, "Hasn't slept in three days."
"Damn. Remember when we were ten and we tried to stay awake for a whole week?"
"And you got this amazing sugar high that led you to put a hole in my wall? Yeah, I remember," Nick paused, "DO me a favor and go get her some coffee?"
"Has she ever even had coffee?" Luke asked, "Is it okay to give her some?"
"What?" I asked, but it only came out in a breath, "What's a coffee?" Luke looked at me for a second.
"Yeah," He nodded, "I'll be right back. I know Carver has some."
"Nick," I asked as I reached out my arm to what I think was him. He sat me in his lap and stroked my hair. I saw Luke roll his eyes.
"Uncle Luke will be right back," He said in a bit of a mocking tone. I knew it was to bother Nick. Everything Luke does in to bother Nick.
"Bye," I said, "Uncle Luke."
"Man," Nick smiled over at his friend, "Shut up!" Luke left and Nick kept stroking my hair. I wrapped an arm around his neck and tired to use his shoulder as a pillow but he shook me, "Wake up kid!"
"No," I shook my head... kinda, "I don't wanna!"
"Stop complaining!" I felt myself wake up a little when I remembered I had to check stuff for Rebecca again.
"Where's Rebecca?" I asked and my voice wasn't as slow this time. Nick looked confused at the sudden question and urgency.
"I don't know," He shrugged.
I growled, "I'm suppose to look at the clothes!" Reggie recently found some baby clothes and I promised to look at them for her.
"Clothes?" Nick shook his head, "You really do need sleep." I mentally cursed myself fot forgetting he didnt know about Rebecca. I was about to say something, but a new smell hit my nose. The smell was strong and woke me up a bit. I turned my head and saw Luke, who had a mug with steaming liquid in it. I knitted my eyebrows in confusion.
"What is that?" I asked and was curious about why it looked appealing.
"You know what coffee is, right?" Nick looked down at me but continued to stroke my hair.
"Kinda," The word sounded familiar. I searched my head about the possibility of where I had heard it. Unfortunately, I got nothing. Luke moved me from Nicks lap to his.
"Here," He handed me the mug, "Try it." I obeyed. The coffee was warm and it tasted like vanilla and caramel. I sucked it all down as fast as I could! Went the sup was empty Luke looked at me, "You could have made it last longer that a second."
"That was amazing," I said. Apparently, I really like coffee.
"Coffee is pretty great," Nick agreed, He looked behind him, "Luke, I'm sorry, but I have to get back to work before Carver notices I'm gone," He looked at me, "Watch out for her, will you?"
"Aye, aye Captain," Luke put on a cheesy pirate accent.
"I can take care of myself!" I insisted, "I've done it before."
Nick rolled his eyes, "I know, baby girl." He got up and left. Luke looked down at me.
"Baby girl?"
"I guess that's my new nickname," I shrugged. I don't mind if Nick called me pet names. He think I don't notice, but he avoids calling me sweet pea, "He's called me that a few times now."
Luke ruffled my hair, "Kid," he hugged me, "I'm pretty sure you saved him."
"Pete," I called for the older man when I saw him. He turned and looked at me. I haven't seen much of the old man lately.
He threw me a smile, "There's my favorite niece!" All these jokes about Nick and I being related are really getting on my nerves.
"Haha very funny," I rolled my eyes, "How've you been doing?"
"I'm fine Clemmy," He looked around to make sure no one was looking before he kneeled down to my size and said, "DO you really think leaving is a good idea?"
My eyes widened, "You don't?"
"I'm thinking," Pete said, "I just don't know yet."
"Pete," I said his name, "You gotta trust the group. All of us. We'll get outta here. I promise."
He patted my head, "Don't make promises you cant keep,"
"I didn't," I said, confidently and stared him in the eye. His smile grew bigger and he gave my arm a small squeeze.
You're such a good girl," He said.
"Clementine," I heard my name spoken in a whisper. I turned around and saw Sarah, "You have to come with me,"
"Why?"
"Theres something you gotta see!" I was suddenly very curious and followed the fifteen year old. She took us to the stock room and we hid behind a stack of boxes. We moved one slightly and I saw Bonnie and Luke talking, "Be quiet," Sarah shushed me, "Or they'll hear us!" I nodded and did my best to listen to what they were saying.
"Luke," Bonnie said, "I'm sorry, I- I just cant go."
He took one of her hands, "Why?"
"After Leland and Dee," She looked down, "I spent a long time hating myself more than I did before. I was alone and I regretted just giving up. I just cant do it again."
Luke moved his other hand and used it to cup her face. He began to wipe her cheek, "I understand. But Bonnie, we need to go. Nick, Rebecca, everyone. I don't even want to think about what could happen to Clementine if we stayed. Carver is trying to turn her into something. And honestly, I think it's working. The looks she tends to have in her eyes and the way she acts sometimes... it's kinda scary. Especially since she's so young. She's younger than Sarah." That stung a bit.
"You're right," Bonnie agreed , "She needs to get out, and so do you. I'm staying here."
He looked at her with sad eyes, "I'll miss you when we leave, Bonnie."
"I'll miss you too," His hand left hers and now they both were cupping her cheeks. Sarah was smiling like an idiot, but so was I. Luke leaned forward and his lips met Bonnies. Bonnie backed up slightly, but she slid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him back. Sarah and I both squealed, very loud, too loud. I quickly used my hand to cover Sarah's mouth. It was a useless attempt however. I heard the boxes move and when I looked up I saw a very embarrassed Luke.
"Clem!" he flushed pink. I quickly pushed Sarah to her feet and I got up on my own.
"Code Red! Code red!" I yelled as we were dashing out of there and both Bonnie and Luke were blushing, "This is not a drill!"