Clementine was hunkered down beside me curled up into a tight ball. Her hat lay freely on the ground as I stroked her thick curly pigtails. I watched the fire lick the thin breaches that served as its fuel. I glanced around at the other sleeping figures in the dark, they all slept seemingly peacefully but the group still felt so much smaller without Pete. My eyes dropped to Nick, he had lost so much so quickly. It was amazing that he remained so stable. I knew people who had broken up over less.
I heard rustling and my mind snapped to action my free hand jotting to the rifle that lay beside me. The other, holding tightly onto Clementine. To my relief, it was just someone stirring from their sleep. Relieved, I took my hand away from the gun and leaned back against the log that served as my pillow. I might have only been there for a single night but I missed the couch at the cabin, sure it had been lumpy and hard but it was far better than the cold ground I lay on now. I had agreed to take watched and no one had said anything in protest. They were starting to trust me, but I had half a mind to wake Clem from her sleep and take off now before anyone noticed. I glanced down at the small girl, looking at her bandaged arm that was tucked close to her head and rested on my chest. She needs more time to rest, one more day. I watched over the exhausted fire as someone sat up and looked around. Luke brushed a hand through his messy hair before looking through the low dancing orange flames to met my eyes.
"Have you been on watch all night?" He asked his voice still thick with sleep.
"Yeah, it's only been a few hours, though," I said fighting back a yawn the bubbled in my throat.
"I'll take over, you should get some rest. Long walk ahead of us tomorrow." I smiled weakly knowing I should refuse his offer but, this was no offer. I settled in beside Clementine, trying not to disturb her from her sleep but a question popped into my head.
"Can I ask you something?" I questioned and Luke looked up surprised, probably not expecting me to say any further.
"Uh, sure, yeah." He stumbled.
"How is it you can trust people so easily?" I asked wrapping my arms around Clementine trying to get comfortable. Luke gave a breathy laugh before responding.
"What makes you think I trust easily?"
"You've been pretty trusting toward Clementine and myself."
"Maybe I just like you guys." He said smirking jokingly. "You've not given me any reason not to trust you. But when it comes to normal people I'd like to think I'm a little more skeptical."
"Normal people?"
"Not a pair of injured girls we found being attacked in the woods, one of which happened to have saved our asses once before," I smiled, I suppose I didn't really fall under the category of normal.
"Since we're on the subject, why is it so hard for you to trust people? If you don't mind my asking." He said politely. I thought about his question debating whether or not to lie about it and tell him some fake story.
"I've had some bad experiences, just like everyone else. I just find there is a choice few people left in the world who you can really trust with your life, I've not met many of them." I don't know why I told him the truth or at least part of the truth. He gave me a solum look. He had dealt with Carver and therefore knew what I meant. But it wasn't Carver who had ruined my trust in people, not entirely.
"Yeah, I get that. But you can trust us. I promise ain't nobody here going to betray your trust."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I know these people, plus I think they're starting to warm up to you two." He said looking down at Clem for a short second.
"You're safe with us."
"Nowhere is safe anymore, not with Carver after us. Not that there was anywhere before."
"Well once we get up those mountains we should lose the fucker. There's an old ski resort on my map that looks promising. It's pretty damn far, though."
"How long till you think we'll reach it?"
"Four, maybe five days. These next few days will be hard. I just hope we can handle it."
"I better get some sleep then, huh?" I caught a small smile play out on his lips before he met my eyes.
"Yeah, you should. Goodnight." He said softly and I hide my smile as I closed my eyes.
"Night."
AN: Hey guys sorry for the short chapter, I thought I'd add in some cute filler here. Please review or comment opinions on what you want to see. The next chapter will have some twists and reveal some stuff. Also, I'm looking for some help in terms of developing relationship, so please I ask again comment ideas. I would really appreciate it.