It's apparently update like crazy week XD. Yes, I have updated again and will probably work on chapter 45 after this is done. Sadly, I am not to proud of this chapter. I like the beginning and the end, but other the whole entire midlen is pretty much just over dramatizing stuff and telling you what you already know :( I'm sorry. But it's like 500 words longer though!
I'm actually confused to how I'm updating so much... it seems as though Im hanging out with my friends a lot, making memories such as, "You don't break a mans candy cane!" XD I'm sorry... long story.
Review time!
Guest: It's alright :) the Clarah wont overpower anything so it shouldn't be annoyingly in the way.
PeanutFangirl: cx (Hugs back) yes, the Clarah is pretty cute. sorry to have scared you. At least I update a lot. XD
zomb3xor: I love Mathews teasing too XD I think its a Mathew-ish thing to do!
ONTO THE STORY!
Troy closed the gate again and my friends swarmed around Nick, who was still on the ground. I had gotten up from my bed and tried to push past my friends in order to get to him. A huge smile was plastered on my face. I felt excitement rush into when I saw the edge of his hat. I gently pushed past Rebecca and Carlos and looked at the man. I couldn't see his face very well, since he was looking down and his had had cased a shadow over his face when it had already been dark. My smile grew when I finally got my good look at him.
"Nick!" I shouted in delight and pounced him. Landing right on top of him, I laughed. Wrapping my arms around his neck I squeezed.
"Clem!" He laughed and hugged me back. Luckily for me, he missed my freshly made wounds. I'm sure I would've hissed or cried out, causing everyone to find out about the punishment Carver had given me. Mental note: careful about the touching.
"Where have you been?!" I asked, happiness coated in my voice. He didn't answer he just buried his face in the crook of my neck and whispered something that I didn't understand. I wrapped my fingers into his hair and pushed it slightly, keeping him where he was. I rested my forehead at the top of his head and listened to his breathing.
"That's a good question," Carlos cut into the reunion, "Where have you been? Where's Luke?"
He finally moved his head and looked at the doctor. That's the first time I got a good look at his face. What I saw angered me. Bruises. That's a summery. One above his left brow. Two more were easy to see, one on his right jaw, the other just below the right eye. one of may hands reached out to touch the one by his eye.
"What happened?" My eyebrows knitted together and I clenched my teeth. My concerned voice continued, "Did Carver do this to you?"
"I'm alright Clem," He said simply, cupping my left cheek with his hand and caressing it with his thumb. He looked at the group and went back to the question at hand, "Don't worry, Luke's alright. He's hiding. I got caught on purpose to deliver information."
"And what would that be?" Kenny asked, straightening his hat, "Cause it seems to me you guys gave away your position."
Nick rolled his eyes before continuing, "You guys know the radios Carver and his group have around?" Everyone gave a nod, "Well, Luke needs one of those. He says that if he was one then he can listen for patrols and find an opening."
"That's a stupid idea," Omid put in, emotionless as ever, "Have you guys heard about the herd that's supposedly coming through?"
"Yeah," Kenny said, "I heard that shit bird Troy mention it. I was actually thinking that might be a good time to get out of here!"
"Through a herd?" Nick scoffed, "That's not only stupid, but impossible."
"Actually," I heard a new voice and turned to see this girl. She had brown hair that was in a pixie cut and dark brown eyes, "I do it all the time."
"First thing I hear you say," Another person of whom I didn't know looked at her, "And it's bat shit crazy."
"Wait," Kenny spoke again, "I want to hear this."
The girl smirked, "When you cover yourself in their smell, rub the walker guts all over you, they cant tell you from one of them."
"What?" Nick said, bewildered, "What the hell are you going on about?!"
"It's true," I added. I looked down in sadness as I thought about what had happened nearly two years ago, "I've done it too. Lee covered me before we escaped the Marsh House."
"Good one Lee," Kenny muttered.
I thought for a second before adding, "We should go with the herd-"
"Good girl," Kenny beamed at me.
I gave him a look before continuing, "But getting Luke a radio would be a smart idea no matter what we do."
Nick nodded, "Agreeable."
"I can get behind that." Kenny said.
"SO the only question is who gets the radio." I said.
All head (Except Nicks) turned towards me. And I knew what they were all thinking... Why is it always me?
"Wait," Nick said when he came to realization, "Her? Oh hell no."
"It does sound risky," Rebecca agreed.
Kenny looked at them both, "Yeah, it does. But it's our best shot."
"She's small enough to sneak around," The woman muttered.
"I can do it," I said with full confidence. Nick gave a disapproving look as Kenny gave a proud one. Nick opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off, "I know I can do it."
I wont lie, part of me was terrified at the moment. Heart hammering, palms sweaty, wide eyes, all that kind of stuff. Having managed to sneak into the stock room, I saw Tavia. She's just talking to Hank on the radio, unaware of my presence. Peeking up a bit, I saw that her back was turned. I quickly curled my fingers around two of the radio's and lifted them, freeing them from their chargers.
"What are you doing?" A voice said. I quickly ducked down and hid, more frightened then before, "You know that Carver doesn't like cigarettes."
"Aww," I heard Tavia talk, "C'mon Vince."
"No," He said sternly, "He'll be able to smell the smoke. Somebody would get in trouble for it. And you know how Carver is." He pause, "You know what? No. I'm telling him right now."
I heard footsteps, signaling that he was walking away. I also heard Tavia run after him, "Vince!"
I let out a breath of relief. Climbing over boxes, I finally reached the top. I lifted the skylight up and got out of that room. Avoiding the watchers on top of the roof, I went back to the broken ladder. Climbing down what I could, I looked down to see Mike. He readied his arms and I jumped down into them. Everyone looked at me with hopeful eyes.
"Well?" Kenny asked.
Sarah looked at me, "Clem, don't keep us waiting."
Taking one of them out of my pocket, I lifted it up in victory and smiled. Everyone smiled back. Kenny was walking over to me, but Nick had dashed and was already cupping my cheeks with his hands.
"Good job baby girl!" He laughed and praised. That smile made me realize how much I really missed him.
"Thanks," I smiled.
Kenny came in and ruffled my hair, "Go on and get some sleep, we have work to do in the morning. I smiled and obeyed that order. Taking one of the beds, I laid there. it took awhile, but I eventually closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Kenny was indeed right. There was work to be done this morning. Nick, Kenny, and myself were circled around the radio. Each of us having a staring contest with it, and I don't know who's winning. I folded my arms as I thought about who might deliver the radio. Nick said that Luke was hiding out in the comic book store. He also mentioned that Luke wasn't doing well.
"Clem should take it," Kenny said, dragging me out of my thoughts.
Nick shook his head, "Luke's expecting me. Maybe I should."
"Clementine wouldn't be suspected," Kenny said.
Nick shrugged, "Well neither would you. What real reason is there for her to do it?"
"Reason?" Kenny looked at him like he was stupid, "There are a million reasons! She can hide. She knows him. She got the damn radio for us in the first place."
"HEY!" I heard Troy yell for us. Kenny grabbed the radio, hiding it behind his back. "I've got you teo again today and I don't want to pulling off the same kind of shit you did yesterday!"
"Right Troy," Nick said.
We all took probably three steps before Kenny crouched in front of me.
"Oh look at that!" He faked a laugh, "You've got your pockets hanging out." I felt the weight of the object filled my right jeans pocket and my baggy grey shirt cover it, "Don't want you to get snagged on anything."
Nick and I exchanged glances. Kenny just whispered a quick reassuring word to me before Troy led us down the hall. I kept my hands down my sides to avoid anyone seeing the object. I was a bit afraid, sure, but there wasn't much to be afraid of. We didn't get very far before Bonnie came up to us.
"I have this one," She said and pointed to me.
"Shit," Troy cursed, "Sorry Bonnie, I forgot."
"It's alright," She simply said, "C'mon city mouse."
"Ummm," Kenny stumbled on his words, "She'd rather stay here with us."
I smiled at him. I glad that old softie cares. I just replied, "Kenny, it's alright."
Bonnie looked at us strangely. She just shrugged it off and gestured me to follow her we were walking to who knows where. And he was going on and on about something that I wasn't paying attention to. She must've noticed this, because she led me to a private room and gave me a look of concern.
"You alright Clementine?" She asked.
I wasn't to sure about how I should answer. I looked to the ground, then back at her. Maybe if she knew, if she had any idea that Luke was here she'd just let me leave. Let me find him. But how can I trust her? How do I know that she wont go tell Carver? Bonnie is many things, but she's always been unpredictable. Hard to tell what she's gonn do next. But she wouldn't be opposed to letting us leave again, would she? Maybe she'd even come with us this time.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" She knitted her eyebrows and her southern accent filled the room.
"Bonnie," I said, finally giving in. I lifted my shirt so she could see it, "I have to go to Luke."
Her eyes widened, "Clem?"
"And all I need from you." I continued, "Is to just not care about where I am for fifteen minutes."
She looked away, most likely debating my request. He hand rested on her hip and a sigh escaped her before she said, "If you get discovered and my name comes up, Carver will be the least of your problems."
I smiled before nodding in understanding. I turned and dashed, remembering where the comic book store was. Happy that Troy was nowhere to be found, I walked outside and found the place. Opening it up and entering, the smell of wax filled the air. God knows what from. I looked around, calling Luke's name while doing so. It wasn't very long before I heard the door open.
"What the hell are you doing in here?!" I heard Troy and he yelled upon seeing me. He didn't give me anytime to answer his question. He sent a hard smack across my face and pulled me by my hair, sending painful tugs to my scalp. He practically dragged me back to the pen pushing me to Nick after he saw him. Nick said something that I didn't hear when my eyes landed on Luke and Carver. Luke was beaten, bloody, and bruised. He looked up at Carver with hatred.
"Alright," Carver yelled, holding up a radio, "Who has the other one?!"
Nobody spoke up. The silence filled the air and added dramatic effect. My heart hammered. Damn it. The number of things that could happen to me when he finds out played in my head. Beaten, whipped, cut, hurt, all of the above. Doesn't sound appealing.
"Alright!" Carver yelled again, sticking out his hand, "If I don't have that radio in my palm by the time I count to three, you will all regret it. One. Two."
Taking a deep breath, I tried to fess up, "I've g-"
"I have it right here!" I felt it being taken out of my pocket and looked up to see Nick.
As I said, not horribly happy with it. Next one will be better.
PeanutFangir: Are you gonna- OH HELL NO! GET OVER HERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!
Me: (Gulp) I'v gotta go... BATMAN OUT ;)
PeanutFangirl: NO! GET THE FUCK OVER HERE!