I kicked out my legs and arms, pain shooting from my broken bones and from the freezing water. I had to get to Clementine, to save her.

I spotted her immediately when I opened my eyes, which added even more to the agony I was feeling. I swam to her and began to hit against the ice like she was, hoping it would break.

She grabbed my arm suddenly and I looked down, seeing the walker that grasped onto her leg as she kicked it. I held onto her and swam away, pulling her with me so the walker would release the girl, which it thankfully did.

Air... I needed air or I would end up drowning.

I looked up above me and saw the light from where the ice had originally fallen, except then I saw the walker reaching out.

I panicked, letting go of Clementine so she could swim to the surface while I dragged away the walker. I pushed off it, putting distance between us until I saw it sink to the ground.

My vision was blurring and my lungs were empty. My eyes began to close and the last thing I saw was a shadow coming towards me. I waited for the pain of the bite, but I only felt numb.

I couldn't breathe, I was going to become a walker.

"Marcey, breathe," a familiar voice, one I hadn't heard in years, said to me. I looked at where the voice came from, finding myself staring into the eyes of an old friend.

"L... Lee?" I managed to say.

Everywhere around us was dark, but he was in the light.

"Marcey?"

I looked beside me and saw Clementine, younger and scared. And then I could breathe well again.

"You're doing good, Marceline," Lee told me. "Looking after Clementine, I mean."

"I miss you being here, Lee," I cried. "I can't look out for her as well as you could."

Lee shook his head with a smile. "That's not true. Look at her."

When I looked back, Clem was older again, her face not as scared, but just with a look of concern now.

"She wouldn't have made it this far without you and the others looking out for her," Lee explained.

"And I wouldn't be here without them, without you."

"You don't need me here anymore, Marcey. You're stronger than you think."

I stared at Lee for a few seconds, and then he gestured to the young girl.

"Clementine needs you. She's worried about you..."

She appeared upset.

"Go back to her," Lee instructed me with a soft voice. "Travis is scared too, and Kenny... Even if he won't show it as much."

I smiled, but it soon fell back into a frown. "I'm holding them back. Clem wouldn't have fallen into that water had I not broken my leg."

"But she came back for you. She doesn't want to lose you, Marceline. Don't let her lose you."

"Marceline, please come back," the girl whispered with a small sob.

"Please," a new voice mumbled. "Don't leave us."

"Travis."

He stood beside Clem, an arm around her comfortingly.

"Go on," Lee smiled. "I'll see you again one day."

I hugged him, unable to tell him how thankful I was. If Lee had never rescued me back in Macon, I would have died years ago, and I never would have met the people I loved.

My eyes shot open.

I gasped for air.

"Shit, Marcey," Travis grinned as he noticed me wake up.

"How... How am I here?" I asked, looking around the unfamiliar setting.

I lay in front of a fire, with everyone around except Kenny.

Travis and Clem were beside me, also warming up and wearing damp clothing.

"You pushed me to the surface," Clem informed me. "And Jane dragged me out while Travis dived in after you."

"You did what?" I turned back to him in shock. "You could've gotten yourself killed. I said to leave me."

"As if I'd ever just watch you die," he responded. "I told you, I'd risk my life to protect you any time."

"Thank you... the both of you."

I pulled Travis and Clementine into a hug.

"I was scared," Clem admitted when I let go. "I thought that you wouldn't wake up."

I watched the fire. "I thought I'd died... but I think I was just dreaming and... And I realised I had to come back. I couldn't leave you."

"I'm glad you did," she smiled.

"Me too," said Travis.

I gazed around again. "So this is the house then. Where's Kenny?"

"He's out back trying to get some stupid truck started," Jane announced. "Here."

I caught the can as she threw it over to me, realising it was food.

"Thanks," I smiled.

I opened the can and began to eat the food, feeling the hunger melt away. I felt good again. I was warm, I wasn't hungry, I was with my friends and... Travis.

"I don't think there's a Christmas tree here," Sarah sighed from the other side of the room.

I giggled. "Maybe there'll be one in Wellington."

"That'd be nice," Luke smiled.

We all enjoyed a comfortable silence for a few minutes until Kenny came into the room.

"Feelin' better?"

Clem and I nodded.

"Hell of a day," Kenny commented. "But we gotta keep movin'. If you're feelin' up to it, I could use a hand out back with this truck."

We looked at one another in disbelief.

"Kenny, the three of us have been in freezing cold water. Being outside now will only make us more likely to get ill," I replied.

"Look, guys, I know we're all hurtin' ... But I need your help here."

"I'll go," Travis volunteered.

"You're still cold," I told him. "Your clothes are still wet, you're not going outside."

"And neither are you, with your leg and all," he responded.

I sighed, hoping Jane would go but she showed no signs of moving. Luke, on the other hand, did decide to go and help, rolling his eyes at Clem as he passed. I wasn't sure how long Kenny and Luke would cooperate on fixing the truck, but it would have to do until one of us was well enough to help out.

Once the two men had left the room, I glanced over at Arvo, who was just glaring at us.

"Sorry I said you were lying," I apologised.

He said nothing.

"You must be cold over there," I tried, "so maybe we could get you moved over here with us."

Arvo just looked away.

"Give it up, Marce. He doesn't want to know," said Travis, frowning.

"Will you just listen to what I'm asking you to do instead of trying to do your own thing?!"

We all turned our heads to the back of the house, overhearing Kenny argue with Luke.

"That didn't last long," Jane stated.

"I'll go," Travis stood and left the room.

After a few seconds, Luke stormed inside and sat down beside Jane.

Sarah spoke up. "I don't think Kenny likes you very much."

He let out a laugh. "Yeah, I think you're right."

Mike had returned to Arvo after a while and they kept talking, disturbing the sleeping baby so Jane and Luke took him into another room. Sarah had drifted to sleep next to the warm fire, and everything was so calm.

"Hey, Clementine," I faced the young girl, "thanks for trying to save me back there... Just don't risk your life for me."

"You would have done the same for me, wouldn't you?"

"Of course I would."

"So don't tell me not to try to save you," she smiled.

I smiled back at her, then heard cheers from outside.

"They got the truck working?" Clem wondered.

"Must have done!" I grinned. "You go have a look, I'll... just stay here with Sarah and Arvo."

She nodded and rose to her feet, running outside with Mike.

I looked back to Arvo, who was staring back at me.

"What?"

"Your boyfriend... What is his name?" Arvo asked.

"Travis... Why do you ask?"

He didn't answer.

"Arvo."

"I just wondered."

I raised an eyebrow and we said no more. I understood that he had just been through something awful, but his behaviour still made me feel tense and uncertain. Something wasn't right about Arvo, and I knew that it would be sooner rather than later that we would find out what was going on.