A Second Chance

Chapter 16

"Shit." I muttered as Kenny marched over to me and grabbed me by the throat, smashing me against the wall. I felt my back click painfully as I struggled to free myself from the older man's grip. "Get off of me!"

"You fucker!" He shouted, bringing his fist up to connect with my cheek. I felt the sting of impact and blood trickle from the side of my mouth. I heard Carley shout for him to stop, telling him to let me talk. He took no notice. He hit me again, and again, and again.

"Get. Off. Me." I growled between punches. "I've. Got. To. Explain."

"Like fuck you are! You've done enough damage!" He shouted, continuing my beating. Eventually, his arm became tired and he loosened his grip, allowing me time to throw him off me. He thudded to the ground as I wiped the blood off my face.

"Now you've finished beating me, I think it's time for me to explain." I said calmly, wincing as I pinched my nose to stem the bleeding. Looking at the rest of the group, I wiped my sweaty forehead. "I guess someone witnessed what happened in mine and Carley's room. Who?"

"M-me." Ben admitted, his voice squeaking in fear. "I was coming up to tell you that Kenny was heading out with Omid. I knocked, didn't get an answer and opened the door a bit. I saw you and her and came down here again. I was gonna keep quiet but I couldn't lie to Carley."

"It's okay. I was gonna tell her anyway." I said, my expression soft. I heard footsteps behind me, announcing Irene's presence. "I went to get changed in our room, Car… and she just came in. She said that she wanted to talk. Then… she kissed me." I admitted. Receiving no reaction, I continued. "I got her off me and came down here as soon as I saw the door open."

"Is this true, Lee? You're telling me everything?" Carley asked, tears no longer flowing. I sighed deeply, gritting my teeth.

"Yes." I said, feeling guilty as soon as the words left my mouth.

"Guys, can I talk to him alone?" She asked the group. Everyone nodded and left, leaving just the two of us.

I stood awkwardly, stuffing my hands in my pockets and feeling warmth creep up the back of my neck. She stared back at me, folding her arms and looking at me enquiringly.

"Lee Everett. I have known you for seven months; a year if you count what happened when we died. I am pregnant with your child. I know when you're lying."

"I almost…" I started, hating myself. "I almost hit her."

She gasped, making me feel even guiltier. I continued, hoping to spare myself from her wrath.

"I was angry and upset. I promise that it will never happen again." I continued.

"Lee, I-" She tried to cut in. I kept my eyes away from her, looking out the window.

"I did it because she made me see what I used to have. I had a wife who didn't love me and a marriage that I wasn't happy in."

"That's great, Lee but-OW!" she said, attracting my attention. She was doubled up in pain, clutching her stomach and holding onto one of the chairs to keep her standing. I was by her side in two seconds.

"What's up? How long has this been happening?!" I asked, frantically trying to sit her down. She stayed rooted to the spot.

"Since about an hour ago." She replied. I was about to talk when she gritted her teeth and grunted in pain. My eyebrows retreated into my hairline and I held her hand comfortingly.

"Okay, breathe through it." I encouraged, mirroring her breathing.

"What the fuck's happening? Oh shit!" She asked, her voice scared. I kissed her forehead, hoping to calm her.

"Look, I'll go and get Katjaa. Can you… um… hold it in until I get back?" I asked, worried that she would have given birth when I returned. I got a look that clearly said 'Do I look like I'm doing anything fast?'

"Just GO!" She shouted, cupping her stomach in her hand. It's fair to say it was the fastest I'd moved in my life.

"KATJAA!" I bellowed at the top of my voice, throwing myself through the open back door. Everyone's eyes turned to me, shocked at me being there.

"What's wrong, Lee?" The woman asked, standing and putting a hand on my shoulder. I took steadying breaths.

"Carley… she's got pains… barely standing…" I muttered, running my hands through my hair worriedly, not sure of what to say.

"Calm down, Lee. I can't understand you." She said, taking my hands down and making me look at her. I took a calming breath and tried again.

"Carley's getting pains. She can barely stand up!" I said, making as if to run inside. I looked back at the stunned woman. "Come on! Please help her!"

"Okay. Where is she?" She asked, snapping back to life. I ran back inside, through the maze of rooms to find Carley sat on the couch, clutching her stomach and gritting her teeth in pain.

"I'm here, baby. Don't worry." I said, sitting in front of her and holding her hand encouragingly. She breathed a sigh of relief and squeezed it tightly.

"Okay, Carley. What happened?" Katjaa asked, drying her hands on a clean towel.

"I just… AH! I keep getting these pains every few minutes." She said, squeezing my hand with all her might. I grimaced, trying not to show the shooting pain that was running through my arm.

"Okay. How far along are you? If you don't mind me asking." Katjaa asked, bending down next to me. I looked at Carley, hoping that she knew that information.

"Five and a half…six months… I don't know!" She said, tears now coming from her eyes. I kissed her hand, hoping to stop her being upset. "Please, Katjaa. Whatever it takes, make sure our baby lives!"

"I'll do my best, sweetie. I promise." She replied, patting her knee and standing. "Now, how about we get you upstairs and check to see what's happening?"

"Okay. Upsy daisies." I said, lifting her off the couch and setting her on her feet.

It took us a while to get her up the stairs, leaving us both quite tired. Eventually, we got her into our bedroom and on the bed.

"Alrighty, then. I'm going to feel your stomach to see the position of the baby." Katjaa said, her voice calming. She turned to me. "Lee, do you mind leaving the room? I don't usually allow the fathers in the room."

"Um… okay." I said, kissing my girlfriend's forehead gently and standing. Just as I was about to leave, I turned to Katjaa. "If you need me, just shout."

"I will." She said as I left. I almost crept down the stairs, numb from shock.

"What the fuck just happened?" I asked myself, sitting down on the fluffy couch. I heard light footsteps beside me. Looking up, I saw Clementine stood nervously by the door. "Hey, sweet-pea. I thought you'd be playing with Duck outside."

"I was but I wanted to see you and Carley." She explained, coming further in and standing next to me. I patted the couch gently, indicating her to sit with me. She did so eagerly and cuddled into me. "What's wrong with Carley?"

I gritted my teeth, not quite sure of the situation myself. I didn't have a hope in hell of explaining it to a nine year old.

"Um… she's not very well." I replied, hoping that she wouldn't ask any more.

"But… you said she was in pain." She continued, looking at me with her big, hazel eyes. My heart melted.

"Yeah, she is. I…" I stopped, hoping that what I was about to say wasn't true. "I think she's losing the baby."

"Oh. I don't feel good…" She said, snuggling into my side once more. After a while, everyone else filtered in, led by Kenny. I glared at him, wiping my bleeding mouth once again.

"What's going on?" He asked, sitting in one of the heavy, oak chairs. I turned my head to him, anger showing.

"I don't fucking know." I growled. He looked at me in surprise.

"Where is she, anyway? I thought you said she was in here."

"She's in our bedroom. Katjaa asked me to leave." I said, my expression softening. "I… I think she might be having a miscarriage."

"What?" He breathed, his voice disbelieving and sympathy evident on his face. "She can't be. What brought it on?"

"Shock, I think." I said, looking at Irene angrily. "If It is a miscarriage, you're out of here."

"I wouldn't expect anything else." She replied calmly, picking up an outdated magazine and flicking it open. I gritted my teeth and turned back to the rest of the group.

"Dude, I'm so sorry. Is there anything we can do?" Omid asked, pattig my shoulder comfortingly. I shook my head.

"No. Not unless you have a time machine." I laughed, trying to take my mind off the situation at hand. We all heard footsteps from the staircase, indicating someones presence. I stood suddenly, hoping to see Carley. My heart dropped as I saw Katjaa appear with her hands covered in blood.

"Lee. I need to talk to you for a moment." She said, looking at me sadly.