AN: Hahahahahahahahahaha! I've created an army of Kenny haters! Come! Let us curse his name and be complete dicks to him in all of our Walking Dead playthroughs!

…Naw, go ahead and like him if you want. And omgdghsgfjfn 100 reviews?! Holy moley! Thank you so much you guys, I've never hit three digits before! That's insane!

One last thing: I'm going to be on vacation for a week and won't be able to access the internet, so this is going to be the last chapter for a while. Sorry!

Walking down the pathways of the camp to clear my head (as was Lilly's suggestion), I watch as people go through the charred remains of their homes; searching for anything that could possibly be salvageable. Cookware, clothes, old knickknacks from the seventies… it doesn't matter what they find; just that it means something to them.

I casually put my hands in my pockets as I walk by browsing their stuff as if I'm going shopping. I see a mixture of sad faces, along with disgruntled and hopeless ones. Can't say that I blame them for feeling that way – after all, they haven't had to deal with this kind of situation since all of this first started. And now, to just suddenly have all of your stuff torn apart or burned… it'd be devastating.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the sun reflecting off of a plastic CD case – almost completely unscratched, save for a few on the case itself. Nobody seems to be around, and I wouldn't want it to get trampled on, so I bend down carefully and examine it.

The writing on it floods back some memories that are kind of painful to reminisce. Nick Cave's "O' Children" – the same music Sarah and I heard on the way to the park that one day. I can't ever escape this, can I?

"You like that one, eh?" an older woman suddenly asks, coming out from behind one of her boxes. How I hadn't seen her is beyond me.

"My mom used to play it for me when I was little," I explain, smiling sadly as I turn it over in my hands. I then hold it out to return it to her. "Sorry, I'm guessing you're going to put this with your other stuff. Here."

"Keep it," she waves off, putting some of her other items neatly into a box.

"Umm… are you sure? I mean, it's yours."

"I must have listened to that song about a thousand times already," she says with a small smile and a shake of her head. "Besides – you, my dear, look like you could use a little light in your life. A pretty young thing like you shouldn't have to bear the weight of the world all by yourself."

Quickly muttering a thank you, I peel away from her and widen my eyes in surprise; listening as she softly chuckles behind my back.

"Such a shame… growing up in a world like this…" she whispers, making me wish that I could just hide from everything. If some lady that I've never met in my life can read me like an open book, then what does that say about people I do know?

And what she said… am I really biting off more than I can chew?

…..

"Clem, please talk to me…"

Rolling my eyes and grunting, I try brushing past the imposing form of Luke, who's standing there looking really ashamed and stupid – as he should be, along with all the rest of them who contributed to Lee being gone. Remorse is great and all, but it doesn't change a damn thing.

It certainly doesn't bring Lee back.

"Look, I know you're pissed off at me," he sighs while (of course) running his hand through his hair, "But… there's gotta be something I can do to make it up to you! Anything!"

"You do realize that Nate forced Eddie and Lee to kill each other, right? So you calling Lee "dangerous" means that Eddie was the same way. I should've figured you'd agree with everyone else, seeing as what you were telling me a few nights ago. And it's too late for you to do anything! You kicked out one of my closest friends! We're done, Luke!"

Preparing to storm away, I take a few steps before groaning and remembering what Lilly had told me earlier. I know they're not the worst people in the world, but there was still no excuse for what they did. Luke's the only person I've talked to about this so far, since there's no way that I'm going near Kenny any time soon.

"Why did you do it, anyway?" I ask, putting the CD away in my pocket. I've got some big pockets for that kind of thing. "You all knew what Lee meant to me, but you let him out to die anyway."

"I was planning on doing it to Kenny as well… I already told you, Clementine: they're dangerous! The more you stick around them, the easier it is for you to get hurt! You saw how fast they turned on each other! What if that were to happen to you?"

"It's still not your call."

"I made a choice, and I'm living with the consequences – same goes for Lee," he justifies himself, folding his arms across his chest. "I'll admit: I've fucked up before in my life. I ain't too proud to admit that. But that don't apply here. I only agreed so that Kenny and Lee wouldn't kill each other!"

Well, that's a little surprising… and difficult to believe.

"You told me earlier that Lee was some kind of monster," I point out accusingly, "So don't tell me that you didn't want this to happen! You all hated Lee just because he was willing to do what you couldn't do! You still can't!"

"Now hold on just a minute – "

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S GONE?!"

Quickly dropping our conversation, the two of us head over to where Kenny, Mike, Jane, Bonnie and Lilly are; with Lilly practically screaming at Kenny. Great, what else is new?

"Calm down, would ya?!" Kenny argues back, pacing to and fro, "It wasn't my fault! The fucker must've slipped out when we weren't looking! Don't go all bat-shit crazy on me now! We can do this without him!"

"Wyatt was our last shot! Don't you get that?!" Lilly yells, her face boiling with rage and frustration, "How the hell are we supposed to make peace with these people without him?! It was supposed to be a trade! We'd give them Wyatt, and in exchange they'd leave us alone!"

"That was kind of a long-shot, no offense or anything," Jane pitches in, shrugging her shoulders as Lilly glares at her. "Well, you've seen these guys. They're unpredictable and would sooner stab you in the back than go with their word. They'd probably wait a couple of days for us to let our guard down, and then they'd come rolling over this place."

Even though I'm not on the best terms with her (or anyone right now), Jane does make a good point. Nate the Snake; that's what I've been referring to him as lately. He and Tavia fit together pretty well, I'd say.

"So what now? Where do we go from here?" Bonnie asks, giving an apologetic frown as she looks at me.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose with her index finger and her thumb, Lilly audibly sighs as the rest of them (including Kenny) wait in anticipation. Knowing him, he'll probably disagree with whatever she has to say.

"Not that I'm the one who's calling the shots for you guys anymore," Lilly says more calmly, "But I vote that we hold down our guns and try to make peace in a different way. We try to reach a deal, and if that doesn't work then… I don't know."

"Sounds to me like you're saying we should surrender," Kenny quips, scoffing at the very idea.

Rolling her eyes, Lilly's glare then turns towards the aging man. "If you're so smart, then what do you think we should do?"

"Fight back and don't let them flatten us into the snow!" Kenny suggests as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "They're weaker right now! If we hit them with their knickers down, then we should be able to beat them practically into submission! And if worse comes to worse, then we make our fucking stand right here! We'll be better prepared next time!"

"Look around you, man. We ain't exactly strong here, either. They killed at least half the people in the camp, and most of those were people who can fight," Mike says, gesturing to the burned-out tents.

"All I'm saying is that if we strike fast and hard, then there's a chance that we can end this thing once and for all!"

"That doesn't bring back the people we've lost…" I mention, getting a nod from Luke. If he's just trying to butter me up, then it's going to take a lot more than that.

"She's right," Luke agrees enthusiastically, probably thinking I'm like every other twelve year old girl he's ever known. Grow up, Luke! "I vote that we stay here. There's no need for any more bloodshed; we've lost too many people to this thing already. We should stay here, try our best to rebuild and salvage what we can, and wait this thing out. All in favour?"

Everyone except for Kenny, who just rolls his eyes and mutters something about Nate shoving our peace treaty up his ass. Gross.

I hope he's wrong about that…

Lee's POV

Well, this is familiar.

Out in the cold, freezing my ass off, and alone. The sad thing about this is that I'm practically accustomed to this sort of thing by now; what with Molly dying a year ago while I made my way north.

The only difference this time is that those bastards kicked me out.

"FUCK!" I yell out of frustration, kicking over a pile of snow as I adjust the straps of my backpack. Personally, I feel that I deserved to be tossed out like a wad of scrunched-up paper, but that doesn't make it any less painful.

Oh Clem… I've been gone for maybe two hours, and I'm already starting to miss you, sweet pea. At least I know you're safe with Lilly still around, but… god, what am I without her? An empty shell of a man, that's what.

Subconsciously, I must have stumbled upon the remnants of Nate's camp, as I see the familiar valley with all of the crates and auto parts scattered about. What's different about it this time is… all the bodies lying around. There are rotting, decaying corpses just sitting there; unmoved and unburned. How can people possibly live in these conditions?

This place is literally like a concentration camp. (AN: I don't want anyone to be offended by this, so I'm very sorry if I have in any way.)

Hmm… I've got an idea about this place though. Obviously I won't try and kill every fucker in here, as that would just be suicide. But maybe I can try to ease the hostilities. If it means keeping Clem away from danger, then you'd better believe that I'll do it.

Treading carefully down the hill as to not slip, I make my way through this graveyard of dead bodies. I won't lie – this is really freaking me out.

The stench of death runs through my nose and practically makes me gag when I first encounter it. There's dried blood splattered about the ground and on people's clothes, while I see skin starting to peel off of dead limbs and faces. Luckily the flies aren't out yet since it's the middle of winter, but that doesn't do anything to make this scene look less terrifying. There aren't any groans present, so they at least did these people the courtesy of shooting them in the head before they came back to life.

As soon as Hank sees me approach the crates, I immediately put my hand up in surrender as he aims his weapon towards me.

"I come in peace," I state loudly as the rest of their camp slowly make their way over to see what's going on. Geez, I sound like E.T. right now. "Where's your leader? I just want to talk to him… help to sort some things out."

"You've had your say! We should just shoot you and be done with it!" one of the assholes yell, brandishing a pistol and aiming it directly at me… as does everyone else. All of their weapons are pointed at me threateningly – I've just walked straight into the lion's den.

"I've been banished from Wellington!" I explain, examining the faces of those around me. I'm playing with fire at this point. "We've all got friends and loved ones that we want to keep safe! What good is there in continuing this pointless war? All it's going to do is add to the body count! Let me talk to Nate! The least you can do is to hear me out!"

"Lower your weapons," Tavia orders, to which everyone reluctantly obliges. A wave of relief washes over me, but it's only temporary. "Follow me, and I'll take you to him. Don't try anything."

"Trust me," I reply, making a stiff exit with the bushy-haired commander, "I wouldn't be coming out of this alive otherwise."

Following her lead, we make our way up the stairs and past prying eyes – all giving me death glares and just waiting to get their hands around my neck.

Making a few more twists and turns, she finally opens a door to one of the maintenance areas for motor vehicles… and sitting there is the one man who more than anything I wish would just kick over and die. Fucking Nate…

"Empty out your pockets – your stuff goes over on the work table," Tavia instructs coldly as I pull out my pistol, my torn-up photo of my family and a leaf drawing that Clem gave to me two years ago. I never go anywhere without it.

"You guys brought a guest!" Nate acknowledges, tipping his hat to me in a welcoming gesture.

"Lee says that he wants to discuss terms… and that his group kicked him out," Tavia explains; her face giving away nothing as she talks. "Nate, if I hear any shit coming from here, then I'm marching in with my gun out. Understand?"

"Yes dear," Nate agrees sarcastically, pushing out a folding chair for me to sit on. With that, Tavia grunts and makes her exit, leaving the two of us alone. Let's see who breaks first. "So what's all this nonsense about a peace treaty? We should hurry this up – I've got a golf game at five."

"You're gonna fucking listen to me," I snarl, glaring at him straight in the eye. "No more funny business or any bullshit, got it? This is serious. Nobody else needs to die."

Nodding his head with an impressed look on his face, Nate motions for me to continue. I swear, I've never met a more psychotic individual in my life.

"If you leave them alone," I begin, taking in a deep breath and closing my eyes for a moment, "You… can have my life. You can kill me, or make me work for you – whatever. That's what you wanted, wasn't it? You told me that you wanted me dead because of what I did to your friend."

"You're just full of surprises today, Mr. Everett," Nate comments, chuckling slightly as he shakes his head. "But do you honestly think I gave a flying fuck about that kid? Seriously? No! We've got five of those people downstairs who could've done his job cleaner than him! Before all this shit went down, he was a damn fry cook! Got paid minimum wage, and he still managed to kill Arvo for us."

"Then why…"

"Because I needed to get rid of Eddie! That's why!" he explains, cracking his knuckles as he leans back in his chair, "I could tell that you were a survival type of guy when I saw you – Eddie was a punk-ass bitch who smoked weed all day. So, when I needed him taken care of, I figured that I'd just let you do it for me instead. Worked out pretty nicely too, didn't it?"

"You fucker…" I growl, getting ready to pull a pistol out on him – at least until I realized what that would do. "What the hell do you want then? For peace, I mean."

"It's… not really what I want. More like what Tavia and her crew want."

"Which is?" I ask, growing impatient with his stalling.

Leaning forward and folding his hands over the table, Nate glowers at me before answering.

"They want the fucker that killed their old leader… Carver, I think it was? That's the only way they'll even consider it."

Absolutely not. Never in a hundred years would I sell out Clementine to these bastards. They'll have to take her over my rotting corpse. I would sell out Kenny, but I don't think I could live with that on my conscience… even though I'm still shocked as to how Kenny can still live with himself over the things he's done…

Of course, I could just play the dumb card here.

"Afraid that I don't know who you're talking about," I tell him, folding my arms across my chest defiantly.

"Is that right?"

"Yes."

"Well then," he gloats, brandishing a smirk that makes my blood run cold. "I suppose I can just ask my old pal Wyatt then, eh? I'm sure he'd be more than willing to tell us."

He must notice my paling complexion, because it only makes his grin even more evil and sadistic.

"Yeah! We heard all about how you guys locked him up and were holding him for ransom! Now, I'm not much of a strategist, but that kind of defeats the whole diplomacy thing now, don't ya think?"

"Leave them be," I warn shakily, "Just don't hurt…"

"The little girl you were with?"

"I'll kill you if you go near her… I swear to motherfucking Christ I will…"

"Well, that's a mighty big threat coming from you, sonny boy," he chuckles mirthlessly, clearing his throat as I stand up to leave. "Where do you think you're going, tiger?"

"Leaving."

"Yeah, about that… Here's the thing: if you leave now, I can't guarantee your safety when you walk out that door. Everyone outside right now wants your blood, you see. So… I propose something – a little game of cards, if you will."

I was right all along! This fucker does think this whole thing is some sort of sick, twisted game we're playing!

But if I don't cooperate, then…

"What is it?" I hiss, sitting back down as he pulls out a deck of cards and starts shuffling them like a seasoned pro.

"The name of the game is Blackjack, my friend. Or also referred to as Twenty-One. Either way, it's a barrel of fun!" he jeers, handing out some cards as he finishes shuffling the deck. "Here's what we're gonna do: I'm going to place my revolver on the table here, like so."

For added effect, he displays it with his hands like a piece of merchandise he's selling. This is fucking nuts.

"If I win, I'll do as you had suggested: kill you or make you join our crew. And if you win," he smiles, placing his cards on the table, "You can either kill me or walk away scott-free. Tavia will escort you out, and you'll be on your merry way. You have my word."

"Your word doesn't mean shit to me."

"Well, for now you're just going to have to trust me, won't you? The ball's in your hands now, Lee. Are you gonna play? Or is this the last conversation you're ever going to have?"

Clenching my teeth, I reluctantly oblige as the game begins.

…..

About ten minutes have passed, and the game's nearing its conclusion, but I'm not sweating buckets in my seat. I don't fear death – if it comes for me, then so be it. I'll be ready for whatever comes my way.

"I should've brought out some chips or something! I'd forgotten how much fun the casino was!" Nate jokes, smirking as he looks through his remaining cards. "Well, Lee my friend, I'm afraid it's time for – "

"Blackjack."

Laying my cards upon the table, Nate nods and concedes defeat. I don't smirk in victory or internally cheer. I've got some options to figure out right now.

"Seems that way," Nate says, picking the cards up and putting them into the little box that they came in. "There's one small thing that I forgot to mention though… I'm pretty sure you'd be aware that killing me would send the entire camp after you, right? And there's really only a couple of exits for you – the way you came, and the back side behind me a little ways. But if you want the revenge, then I'd say to go for it."

What is this shit?! Why would he tempt the bull – especially when the bull is holding his life in its hands?

Of course…

Nate knows that if I kill him, then Tavia will simply take his place. Either way, their camp goes to Wellington and then… who knows what'll happen next.

Grasping the handle of Nate's revolver, I unlock the safety on the thing and aim it straight at Nate's forehead. This would be so easy to just end him now and ease the pain of all we've lost from this madman.

"I should fucking kill you right now…" I snarl, glaring at him intensely.

"Clock's ticking, Everett," Nate replies casually, "Make your choice. What's it gonna be?"