A Second Chance

Chapter 14

"Lee, for god's sake! Just knock!" Carley fumed, dragging me to the bedroom door. I shook my head slightly, rolling my eyes. I hesitantly knocked on the heavy, oak door.

"Come in!" Kenny called from inside. I opened it slightly and looked in slowly. He was sat on the end of the bed with his cap beside him. He looked up and saw me standing there. "Hey pal! Katjaa's just bathing Duck. What's up?"

"Um…" I replied, rubbing the back of my neck nervously.

"He was wondering if Katjaa could bandage his hand for him. He cut it today." Carley answered for me, gently squeezing my right hand. Kennys face scrunched up in concern.

"You okay, buddy?" He asked, standing to look at my cut. I held it out to him and saw him pale. "I'll get her."

I watched him walk into the en-suite and disappear. Faint mumbles could be heard from the other side of the door. I stood awkwardly, leaning against the doorway and smiling at Carley. Finally, Katjaa come out of the bathroom, grinning at us sweetly.

"Hey, Lee. Come over here and I'll get that hand sorted out." She said, gesturing to the chair by the side of the bed. I sat slowly, slightly nervously.

"Sorry about this, Kat. Carley just wouldn't let it go." I apologised, stretching out my hand and wincing slightly.

"No need to worry. Mother knows best, right Carley?" She assured, winking at Carley.

"Hear hear!" She joked from the doorway, laughing. I mock-glared at her and winced as the needle and thread ran through my skin.

"Sorry." Katjaa apologised, repeatedly running the needle through my skin. After about five minutes, she looked up and smiled. "All done. I just need to bandage it up, then you're good to go."

"Thanks again." I said, relaxing as she tied the thread off in a knot. She stood and approached the dresser, picking up the clean bandage that was there.

"No problem. So, how's baby Palmer?" She asked, wrapping the fabric around my throbbing hand. I smiled at Carley as she ran a hand over her bump.

"It's fine." She replied, smiling back at me. "And it's baby Everett." She added, no anger in her voice, just happiness.

"Sorry. My mistake." Katjaa replied, sticking the last of the bandage down. "I think you're done. I've given you some antibiotics to clear any infection but you may get nightmares as a side effect."

"Thanks again, Kat. I appreciate it." I said, standing and flexing my hand.

"No problem, Lee. It's great to know you're both okay… well… not in danger." She responded, copying me and tidying the surgical supplies. I shook her hand and left the room, feeling much better.

"See. That wasn't so hard, was it?" Carleys voice asked as we walked into our bedroom. I laughed quietly, getting into bed and covering myself with the blanket.

"Nah. Look, I'm gonna…"I said, feeling myself drift off to sleep. I felt Carleys soft kiss on my temple and the gentle brush of her fingers on my cheek. Darkness consumed me.

I was back at the side of the road where we hit the walker. Bodies surrounded me. I looked carefully at the smallest one. Short , unkempt hair stuck up in all directions. Freckles covered his face. I looked up to see Clementine stood, bullet holes covering her tiny body.

"No… Clem…" I muttered, my voice disbelieving. I backed away, eventually hitting what I thought was a tree. I was wrong. Carley was behind me, a bullet hole in the front of her head. I let out a gasp of surprise, falling to my knees in fear and despair. "Car… What the hell happened? I saved you…"

"No, you let Lilly get me." She replied, oddly calm.

"No… I got shot… you didn't… oh God!"

"I'll give you another chance. Can you save me this time?" She was more beautiful, yet more terrible than the Carley I remember. I let tears slide down my face. " You can't save anyone, not even that little girl. She's as good as dead. Hmph, dead girl walking."

"No…"

"You aren't a man." She continued, deaf to my murmurs. "You let her kill me."

"No!" I yelled, gripping her jeans in my hands.

"My baby isn't yours, Lee." She said. I knew, there and then, that she wasn't the Carley I knew.

"NO!" I bellowed, waking suddenly, sitting upright. My sodden clothes clung to my skin. Carley sat beside me, rubbing my shoulders getly in an attempt to calm me.

"Shh, it's okay. Everything's fine." She soothed, brushing my sweaty hair with her cool hand. I felt myself calm at her touch.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." I stammered, hugging into her and sobbing. I could tell that she was shocked by the way she tensed her shoulders.

"What for? Lee, baby, what are you sorry for?" She asked, trying to get me to relax. I took a calming breath, removing my arms from around her.

"It doesn't matter. Just a nightmare." I breathed, relieved with her safety.

"You sure? I don't mind listening." She asked, running her hands over my broad shoulders. The touch of her skin made me feel happier… safer.

"Yeah. Thanks babe." I said, kissing her lightly and allowing myself to relax. I laid back down and encircled her in my arms.

"I love you." She said, turning to face me. I smiled and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I love you too." I said, smiling at her. We both drifted to sleep, dreaming of what would happen the next day.

A/N- Okay. Only a filler chapter so… not too important. I found out that Telltale were planning to do a 'nightmare' sequence with Carley after she was shot and this is how I thought it would play out