A/N: What's up everybody! :) Firstly, I wanna say thank you to anyone that has reviewed, they're very much appreciated. Secondly, I'm always open and welcome to Ideas from other authors/reviewers. So, If you have any? PM me and I'll have a look. Thirdly, how would you guys feel If i added another Spartan into the mix? I won't say whom, but it'll be someone famliar. I will give you guys a tiny hint; their name starts with a 'K'.
Alright, so last chapter: Cal rescued Clementine from drowning in a river and took it upon herself to look after her, then they met the cabin survivors and after a spat with Nick, which Involved Cal-141 throwing him down to the ground, they were Invited into the cabin.
This isn't much else to say because I don't like giving away spoliers a lot, It kinda ruins the story plot. Also as an answer to a Guest Reviewer: No. Cal won't get any armor or weapons from her universe, she's OP enough as it is with being a super soldier and all. XD
Well, enough of the chit-chat, on with the story...
I don't own anything but maybe a few OCS.
Chapter - 2: All that remains - P2.
The cabin was large both inside and outside with several rooms, a living room, a fireplace, an upstairs, a kitchen as well as a small dining room off to the side and two bathrooms. Most of the Interior was hardwood panelling, aside from the kitchen. And it was also stocked with food and medical supplies, along with running water.
After the small Incident with the young man known as Nick, Calista and Clementine were invited inside the cabin by the group...well, most of them anyway. Rebecca was pretty vocal and persistent about not letting the strangers into their humble abode, but a stern chat with the others made her relent a little.
"I know It ain't much, but it's home." Luke says with a smile.
Using her enhanced senses, Cal surveyed everything from the inside, looking for any possible weak spots that may have gone unnoticed by the people residing here and after a few seconds of silent analyzing, Cal-141 turned to Luke and nodded, "Thanks, It'll do."
"What's cooking?" Clementine asked, pointing to the big boiling pot on the oven.
"Beans." Luke responded, before he gestured to the table, "Why don't you two have a seat. I'll whip you up a bowl."
They sat down as Luke searched the cabinets for some bowls. Suddenly, the door to the kitchen opened up and a teenage hispanic girl with glasses walked in, she glanced over at both Cal-141 and Clementine in curiosity, "Who are they, Luke?" She asked.
"Sarah meet Clementine and Calista." Luke Introduced, "Guys, this is Sarah, Carlos' daughter."
"Hi." Clementine said with a friendly smile and wave. Cal didn't say anything, but she did gave Sarah a polite nod.
The teenager smiled brightly and was about to say something when Carlos walked in and gave Sarah a stern look, "Sarah, what are you doing up this late?"
"S-Sorry, dad," She stammered, "I just wanted to meet the new people."
Carlos sighed and said, "Head up to bed, sweetie. I'll talk with you in a moment."
"Okay." Sarah said meekly, before leaving out of the kitchen and headed straight for her room upstairs. Carlos watched and made sure she was gone, before addressing Clementine and Cal, "You'll have to excuse my daughter." He said, "Sarah can be a little...overly friendly especially around strangers."
"There was no trouble, sir." The female Spartan replied.
Carlos crossed his arms and looked out the window as started to rain heavily outside, "Rebecca believes you both to be a threat." He spoke, turning back to Calista and Clementine, "Maybe you are, maybe you're not. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." The doctor lets out a long and tired sigh, before continuing speaking. "But if you're staying? There's a few things you'll need to know about my daughter."
"She Isn't like you, but once you're around her for awhile, you'll understand." Carlos says, before glancing out the window with a distant look in his eyes. "If she knew how bad the world is, what it's really like out there, she would...cease to function. Sarah's my little girl, she's all I have left and I appreciate If you both stay away from her."
Calista frowned. How bad was it out there truthfully? She asked Clementine on the matter back at the old campsite. The young girl explained that one day the dead had rose up and started eating the living then she told Cal that anybody who dies from a bite or by other means, they'll turn and become a walker themselves, unless their brain was destroyed.
"She needs to learn sometime." Clementine proclaims and the female Spartan agreed.
"You don't get to decide that." Carlos retorts angrily.
"Clemnetine's right, sir." Cal spoke up, "If the world is as bad as you say it is, than it would be wise to teach her how to protect herself."
"She doesn't need to learn, I can protect her myself!" The doctor responds frustratingly. Judging by his expression, It seemed like he had this conversation before.
"What if you're not around?" Calista replies calmly, "You can not predict what tomorrow will bring; one minute it could be fine and the next disaster."
The doctor looked down conflicted, possibly milling it over in his mind. After a few seconds passed, Carlos looked back up at Cal-141 and said, "I'll think about it." Then he left without another word.
Luke, who had listened the whole time, came over to the table with two bowls of beans and passed them around to Calista and Clementine, before taking a sit across from the two, "I'm glad you two could talk some sense into him." He said, giving them a smile.
The kitchen door opened again and Nick walked in with a regretful look on his face, he approached the table, but stopped dead in his tracks when Cal glared at him. He was still visbly frighted of the female Spartan. Nick approached slowly and cleared his throat, "Look, I just wanna say that I'm sorry for what happened earlier." The young man said, "I was a total dick out there." He added, nervously rubbing the back of his head.
"Nick's been a little unedged lately." Luke stated, "Don't hold it against him."
Clementine gave Nick a small smile and said, "You were just protecting your friends, It's okay."
"Still, I shouldn't have acted like that." He says, feeling ashamed. "It's just...we had a bad experience once."
"What happened?" Calista Inquired.
Nick looked down in anguish, unable to bring himself to talk about the incident. Seeing his friend's dilemma, Luke decided speak for him, "Nick lost his mom, Susan," He said, "We tried to help somebody who got bit, but we couldn't, then she turned and Susan was standing right there when it happened."
"It's my fault." Nick states in a sad tone of voice. "If I had been quicker, I could've saved her."
"It was nobody's fault, Nick." Luke tells him firmly.
Nick nodded at him, but didn't seem too convinced, then he glances at Cal and Clementine. "Anyway, I hope you understand?" He says.
"Bad things happen to everyone, I understand." Clementine tells him, "I still forgive you, Nick." She adds with a smile.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Nick nodded to her, before glancing at Cal-141 with a highly nervous expression. Calista stared at him for a few moments in silence, before she nodded and said, "Since Clementine has forgiven you, Nick, I do as well."
The young man smiled, feeling like a huge wave of gult has been lifted off him. He turned and headed out as Luke and Clementine did some small talk, before Pete walked in and smiled everybody. "I hate to Interrupt, but I'm out there standing watch and can't help, but notice this place is lit up like a damn becon in the middle of the woods."
"Yeah, It's about time to turn in anyways." Luke says as he stands up and leaves out of the kitchen.
"Get your winks in while you can, because we're going fishing at first light tomorrow." The older man says. "Hmm, a couple of fresh brookies for dinner. Wouldn't that be nice?"
"Definitely." Clementine agreed with a smile.
"As for you, Calista," Pete turned and glanced at the female Spartan, "I'm gonna find you a fresh set of clothes from my sister's closet, she was quite tall herself and I think you'll have no problem fitting anything of hers. I mean no offense, but the suit your wearing looks like something you'd go deep sea diving in." He says, chuckling a bit.
Cal hesitated slightly and mainly because most, If not all, Spartans felt practically nude without their armor or skinsuit on. But she couldn't decline such a kind offer. Calista debated for a few seconds, before she finally nodded at Pete, "That's very generous of you, sir." Cal told him; "Thank you."
The old veteran gave a smile, before heading out with Luke. Clementine and Cal-141 were almost done with their bowl of beans, when the kitchen door opened again and Rebecca came in.
"Oh, you two are still here." The pregnant woman said in an indifferent tone, while glaring at both Cal and Clementine, before walking over to the sink and started washing her hands. "I wouldn't get too comfortable, If I were you."
Rebecca's hostile tone didn't set well with Cal, she didn't understand what her problem was or why she and Clementine deserved such aggression, but starting to grind on Cal's nerves and especially with how the older woman treats Clementine.
"But Luke Invited us to stay." Clementine said, the eleven year old knew full well that Rebecca didn't trust them, but that wasn't an excuse to act really mean.
"It doesn't matter." The pregnant woman hissed, "We make decisions as a group and he's not the only person who lives here." She growled, crossing her arms and approaching the table.
Clementine scooted closer towards Cal, a little scared of Rebecca. Seeing her charge afraid, the female Spartan stood up and glared down the pregnant woman. Intimidated and scared, Rebecca backed away from the towering woman and young girl, before walking out of the kitchen hastily.
"That woman has some serious trust issues." Cal shook her head and sat back down.
After finishing their dinner,both Calista and Clementine ended up sharing the couch for the night, because there wasn't anymore spare bedrooms left in the cabin. Earlier ago, Pete had managed to salvage up some clothes for the female Spartan to wear. Calista now wore a simple black sweater, and blue jeans that fitted fitted perfectly with Cal's athletic figure, ample curves and seven-foot-three Inche height.
Currently, Cal-141 was sitting on the couch with Clementine curled up next to her wrapped up in a warm blanket. The female Spartan took watch after Luke's shift was over and was given a Glock 17 handgun for protection. Luke was hesitant about giving Cal a gun, but once she reasurred him that she will not hurt anybody; he relented a bit.
Clementine let out a yawn, which made Cal ask, "Tired?"
The young girl gave a slow nod, feeling exhausted and her eyes were droopy.
"Why don't you get some rest?" The Spartan suggested, "I can handle watch by myself."
Clementine yawned again, before giving another nod and shifted a little closer to the bigger woman, "Calista?"
Cal glanced at her, "Yes?"
"Thanks for saving and protecting me." The young girl said, looking up at Cal and giving her a warm smile.
Calista smiled softly back and replied, "It was no trouble, Clem. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"Calista, can you promise me something?" The eleven year old asked, suddenly becoming serious.
"What is it?"
"Can..." Clementine paused for a second, "Can you promise, you won't leave me, like Lee." She finally asked, while feeling sadness well up inside her at the mention of her deceased guardian.
The female Spartan places a hand on her shoulder, "Clementine, I promise you on my life and as a Spartan that will never leave you." Calista assured her in a firm, but serious tone.
Although, she was confused on what a 'Spartan' is, Clem didn't let that thought stop the happy tears from filling her eyes and embraced her friend/new guardian. "I wish you could've met Lee, he would've liked you." She said, smiling.
"I would've been my honor to meet him, Clementine."
Morning came bright and early, Clementine and Calista accompanied both Pete and Nick to the river as planned. The younger of the two men headed off into the woods to handle some business for a few minutes, where as Pete decided to keeping going towards the river with Calista and Clementine following close behind.
"I heard you both got an ear full from Rebecca last night." Pete says.
"She seemed so angry." Clementine said.
"She was in a mood last night that's for sure." The older man said, while walking over a fallen tree, "But I wouldn't worry about her. Rebecca's bark is worse then her bite." Pete added with a grin, earning a giggle from Clementine.
The group traveled a little more as Nick caught up with them. Then suddenly, Cal-141 stopped dead in her tracks, a familiar smell drifting in the air. Clementine stopped also and looked at her friend in confusion as Pete and Nick walked further ahead. "What's the matter, Calista?" The eleven year old asked.
Before Cal could respond, Nick called out, "Uncle Pete!"
The female Spartan and young girl looked at each other, before rushing over to where Nick and Pete were. They found them standing by a river, still as statues.
"What's-" Calista stopped herself and narrowed her eyes as she gazed at the carnage before her. A dozen dead bodies were sprawled across both sides of the river and judging by their appearances, they weren't walkers, but once living people.
"My God." Pete said in shock.
"Who could've done this?" Clementine asked, clearly shocked and a little frighted by what she's seeing.
"This has Carver written all over it." Nick said, feeling uneasy and weary.
"Who's Carver?" The female Spartan questioned, but it come off as more a demand. If there are dangerous people out here, Calista wants to know about it.
Pete and Nick looked each other nervously, "Lets check these bodies first." The older man said, avoiding Cal's Inquiry. "They might have some answers."
Calista frowned at the fact her question was purposely Ignored, but she'll deal with it later. She walked towards one of the bodies with Clementine trailing beside her, Cal turned the body and saw that it was a man, who had been shot through the head.
"This one's been shot too," Clementine stated, looking at the female Spartan.
"Through the head?" Pete asked, turning away from one body he was looking at.
"Yeah."
The older man hummed at that, before glancing across the river and noticed several more bodies. "I'm gonna check those ones." He said.
"What? Why?" Nick asked, feeling nervous and uneasy. "We should be leaving."
Ignoring him, Pete began crossing the river with Calista and Clementine in tow. The young man let out a dreaded sigh, "This is a really dumb Idea." He muttered.
"You two check those ones over there." The older man said to Cal and Clementine, pointing over to where three bodies layed sprawled with one having a makeshift spear in his chest, "And I'll check these ones." He said, before crossing to the other side.
Cal walked over to one of the men, who had reanimated into a walker, but couldn't grab at her due to the spear pinning him down. The female Spartan placed her foot on it's chest to hold the undead creature down, then pulled the makeshift spear out, before stabbing the walker in the head with it.
"Cool weapon." Clementine commented.
"It'll come in handy that's for sure." Calista said, smirking a bit.
The young girl nodded and was about to respond, but something sitting next to one of the bodies caught her eye. She walked a little closer and gasped, It was her backpack. Clementine ran over and picked it up, she then opened it to see if anything was missing. The eleven year old was really relieved to see everything there, including her Glock 17 with a full clip and a picture of Lee.
"What's that?" Cal asked.
"It's my backpack." Clementine said, smiling up at her friend. "I thought I lost it forever."
Before the female Spartan could say anything, Pete let out a yell and a gunshot went off.
"Ahhh!"
*BANG!*
Startled and alarmed, they both looked towards Pete and saw him aimming his rife at a now dead walker on the ground. The older man took a calming breaths, before glancing at Clementine and Calista with a frighted expression. They both looked down and saw that his ankle was bloody; he had been bitten.
"Uncle Pete!" Nick called out, "Are you okay?"
"I...I-I'm fine." He stumbled in reply, letting out a string of silent curses at himself for not paying attention.
Suddenly, familiar moaning and groaning sounds could be heard. Out of the woods, a large hoard of walkers emerged after hearing the gunshot and began advancing towards the group.
"Walkers!" Nick yelled, taking aim with his rife and started shooting.
Clementine pulled out her handgun and took aim as well, hitting a few walkers in the head and killing them. Cal used her newly found spear as a shaft and began taking down any walkers that got too close to her or Clementine in an Aikido-like fashion. Clementine stopped shooting for a minute and watched in awe as Cal-141 fought the walkers head on, the young girl was clearly amazed by Cal's fighting abilities. The female Spartan moved like lighting and threw walkers aside as if they were nothing, but mere rag dolls and then used the sharp end of the spear to pierce their heads as they fell down.
Since Clementine was distracted for a moment, a walker took an opportunity to sneak up on her and try to take a bite. Cal turned around and her eyes went wide, "Clem, duck!" She shouted.
The eleven year old did so as Calista spun and round-house kicked the walker in the chest hard, sending it flying several feet away and nearly splatter against a large rock. Clementie glanced back at the now dead walker a few feet away and then looked at Cal with wide eyes, "Wow." She whispered.
"Shit, I'm out!" Pete yelled out, now batting walkers away with the butt of his rifle. "I need help, get your asses over here!"
"Uncle Pete!" Nick exclaimed, before running across the river and started helping his uncle out by shooting down more walkers.
Cal looked around and noticed more walkers coming in from all directions. "There's too many." She thought, before looking towards Nick and Pete, "Nick will run out of ammo, before getting swarmed. It's do or die now."
"Nick, Pete run!" Calista ordered them, "We'll come find you later!"
They didn't need to be told twice and did as she said, making a run for it in the opposite direction. Once Nick and Pete were out of sight, Cal grabbed hold of Clementine's hand and both ran back in the direction the cabin was in.
"What about Nick and Pete?" The young girl asked worriedly.
"They'll be fine, I'll go find them once it's cleared up." The female Spartan assured her. Although, a part of Cal's mind told her, they'll only find one alive.
To Be Continued...
A/N: *I know some people (who aren't familiar with the Halo Universe) are probably wondering: "Why is Cal-141 so tall?". Well, after getting their augmentions done, most Spartans are generally taller than the average person outside of their MJOLNIR armor. Heck, even a few female Spartans are huge (Cal-141 at 7'3.5, Linda-058 at 7'1, Sarah Palmer at 6'10, Noble Six at 6'9, Catherine-B320 also at 6'9, Alice-130 at 6'8, Naomi-010 at 6'7 and Kelly-087 at 6'6 are some examples).* Review, have a good day/night, God bless and peace out everybody. (: