This took me a VERY long time to write, so hopefully it's worth it.
TWD Story Chapter 7 – The Intruder.
They're going to be okay, you know?" Luke watched Olly's pacing around the living room with an amused expression. Her hair flurried as she walked, her cap attempting to conceal her concerned expression.
"I know... I'm not worried."
"Oh, is that right? Is that why you've been wearing holes in the floorboards for an hour now. Oh and I also don't think you have any fingernails left, you've been biting them that much." Olly stopped. Removed her hand from her mouth, glared at Luke and then sighed and plonked herself on the couch beside him. Carlos, Rebecca and Alvin were in the kitchen discussing plans for the future. So they said. Pete had taken Nick and Clementine out to the fish traps in the hope they had caught something this morning. Leaving her with Nick still left her unsettled. And as usual, Sarah remained upstairs. The young girl, a little older than Clementine physically, but definitely not mentally, had tried to speak to Olivia a couple of times. She stopped after awhile. Carlos probably warned her against it, afraid I'd be a bad influence on her. "You still plannin' on leavin' us?"
Olly turned to the unexpected question, a frown appearing to contrast with her graceful face. Realisation hit her quickly and struck her at full force. "Now I know why you kept me in here away from the others, whilst they spoke about their 'future plans'."
Luke smiled to himself. "I'm just curious, Oliver. I don't want to tell you what to do or anythin'." Suddenly, his tone changed to concern. "I'm just worried about you. Last night you were..."Olivia shot him a warning stare. "I just mean... I want to understand why."
She sighed. "Family is important, right?"
Luke nodded. "It's the most important thing there is."
"Precisely. Your family is here. You've made this your family, but my dad is still out there somewhere. I know he is and I have to find him so I can be at peace."
Luke understood. His real family were dead, but now he had an adopted family he cared for. However, his heart had room for more and a little piece of it was taken every time he lost someone. His heart had always been stronger than his head. It would be his downfall. "So, which way you thinkin' of heading?"
"North. It's supposed to be better there. I heard rumors that the cold slows them down, and maybe my dad heard them too. If he did, that's where he will be."
There was a moment of silence between the two, as if an understanding had been reached. However, Luke's thoughts were plagued by the notion of losing someone else and Olly's were being swallowed up by fear of isolation once more. If she failed, if she wasn't able find him... she'd die alone. "Well, I'm sure as hell gonna miss you, Oliver." Olly turned to him, with a sorrowful expression followed by a grateful one. She didn't know if it was going to be awkward, but she wrapped her arms around his neck. Luke tensed slightly in surprise, then chuckled and returned the tight hug, placing the crook of his nose on her shoulder.
"I'll miss you too, Lucy."
The moment was interrupted by Rebecca who waddled in to the room, a hand placed on her oversized belly. Olivia awkwardly released Luke and shifted a long the sofa away from him. Rebecca scoffed at them, as the couple exchanged glances to one another with amused expressions, like a couple of teenagers who just got caught together by their parents. The woman continued her waddle upstairs and once she was out of earshot, the pair burst out laughing.
Once they had managed to catch their breath, Luke coughed. "So, er... They've been gone a long while, huh."
Panic flared inside Olly. "W-wait... How long has it been?"
Luke shrugged, trying to remain indifferent but he was worried too. "They left pretty early this morning... it looks like it's getting dark out." Olly peered out the window and he was right. The sky had its red tint which it only possessed during sundown. "I'll take Alvin and go out to look for them." Luke got up from the couch and went to go tell the plan to the others, but Olivia followed.
"Yeah, I'll come too."
"No, I need you here. In case they come back."
"Fuck that! Clementine is still out there and-"
"And I thought you were leaving!" Luke had squared up to her now, a scowl like no other. It was a cheap shot, but it did the trick. He sighed. "Stay here. I'mma take Alvin." He left, and Olivia felt nothing but confliction. He was right. She was supposed to be leaving, but the thought of that poor girl being trapped somewhere, or worse, sucked. Storming into the kitchen, She noticed Luke had strapped his machete to his back and Alvin had grabbed a gun and was loading the magazine.
"You'll be back soon, right?"
"We'll try, Carlos. I promise."
The doctor nodded and then turned to Alvin. "Shouldn't you tell, Rebecca?"
"No, she'll only try and stop me. Let her know where I got to after I've left."
"Hey! I'm comin' with you."
"No, Olivia. You're not. Stay here and look after Sarah and Rebecca. Carlos will need help with Rebecca especially." Luke faked a smile, but it wasn't convincing.
"You best go. I'll make sure she doesn't follow." Luke mouthed 'thank you' to Carlos and then followed after Alvin who had already left.
Olivia stamped her foot and perched herself on a chair in the kitchen with her chin resting on her hand. "This is such bullshit."
Carlos scowled at her childlike demeanor. "Well, whilst you pout like a small child, I'm going to go tell Rebecca where her husband is." He trudged out the room and shut the door behind him. Leaving Olly to be isolated once more.
Hours had passed and no word had arrived. Rebecca, Carlos and Olly huddled around the kitchen table awaiting news in silence. They had all attempted to eat, but to no avail. They were too worried to eat. Rebecca sat cradling her belly, as if it would reunite her with Alvin. Carlos sat straight, with his arm resting on the table. The only sound in the room, coming from Olly, who sat slouched, tapping her feet, twiddling her thumbs and biting her lip. I knew it was dangerous. I knew I shouldn't have gotten attached. Now what am I supposed to do? It was bad enough having to worry about a little girl, now I'm worrying about a little girl and the only friend I have in this world, Luke. Shit. It's true... Luke is the only friend I have. The only certain thing in this world is that fact. As much as I don't want to admit it, it's not certain whether my dad is still alive. It's not certain I'll ever find out. What is certain is that I care for Clementine and Luke far more than I should.
With that, the back door shot open and in ran Clementine, clutching her backpack, panting heavily. "Clementine! Are you alright?" Olly shot to her side and knelt beside her, checking her over. Damn maternal feelings.
"Luke's not with you?" Clementine turned to Carlos with a puzzled expression.
"Where's Alvin!?"
Olly scowled at Rebecca for her sharp tone and then turned back to Clementine and spoke softly. "What happened, Clem?"
"It's been hours. Where are they?!"
"Let me handle this, Carlos! Talk to me, Clem. What happened?"
Clem hesitated. "Pete got bit."
"WHAT?!" Rebecca's shocked, disbelieving tone was masked by Carlos' calm nature.
"What happened?"
Clem looked down to her feet, sadness glazing her dark eyes. "Walkers." The air felt heavy in the room. Olly placed a comforting hand on Clementine's shoulder, whilst Carlos and Rebecca took a moment to recover from the shock.
"My god."
"Where were you? Where were you exactly?!"
"Back off, Rebecca!"
"It's okay, Olly. Down by the stream."
Rebecca confronted Carlos. "We gotta go."
"Just hold on a minute."
"My husband is still out there! GET. THE. GUNS." Carlos glanced between each person, then frowned and ran for the weapons.
"Clem, Luke and Alvin went out searching for you and the others. They haven't come back." Clementine's sad eyes met Olly's and she nodded in understanding.
Carlos came running back and handed Rebecca a hunting rifle. "Woah, woah! You can't seriously expect me to stay behind again!"
"I need someone to take care of Sarah. Besides, Clementine needs you."
Olly, feeling defeated, sighed and nodded. "Carlos... just make sure you bring them back." It wasn't said, but Carlos knew she meant Luke. He acknowledged it with a shake of his head and then dashed off after Rebecca. Olivia turned to Clementine who seemed to be lost in thought. "Hey. None of this is your fault, you know. Don't go blaming yourself." The little girl nodded. "How about you go and check on Sarah. I think she'll need some comforting. She's not as ignorant as Carlos would like." Clem agreed and trudged upstairs looking completely deflated. Poor girl. I dread to think about the things she must have seen.
Olly perched herself on the sofa and removed her dad's cap, tracing her hand along the tattered seams. I wish I knew where you were dad. A few minutes later a pitter patter of little feet was heard coming down the stairs and Olivia placed the cap back on her head. Looking up, she saw Sarah followed by Clementine making there way towards her. "Luke's back!"
"What?" Olly stands up straight at the mention of his name.
"Yeah, I just saw him. He's comin' down the-" Sarah stopped and Stared out the window. All of a sudden, she began to hyperventilate. "Tha- that... I think I know him. Olivia, I can't breath." A sharp knocking is heard from the from the front door.
"Okay, look... Sarah go hide. Clem, I need you stay in certain places to try and steer him away from Sarah, okay? Any place which will still allow Sarah to move if she has to. I'm gonna try get rid of him." Olly stalked her way over to the door, once there, she lifted a hand in an attempt to lock it, but before she was able the door was pushed open.
"Hello there." Olly took the opportunity to try and remember every feature of this man. In case it was who she suspected it may be. He looked to be middle-aged, with evident crease lines on his forehead. His nose was pointed and he had small squinty eyes that just screamed distrustful. He had jet black hair that looked far too groomed, which contrasted with his messy mustache and unshaven stubble. This was Carver. She was sure of it.
"Leave. Now. Me and my sister don't want any trouble." She would have to play ignorant to anything he said, let him know she meant business, but not provoke him... She had left her katana upstairs and possessed no weapon. She couldn't do anything that may get Clementine hurt.
"Sister?" Olly stepped to the side to allow him a small viewing of Clementine, in the hopes it would throw him off guard. "Hm. Well, I don't mean you no harm, honey. I promise you that." Olivia cringed at the use of the word 'honey', but tried to keep her eyes void of emotion. "My family and I are set up a ways down-river. I'm kind of surprised we haven't run into each other yet. What's your names?"
"Heh. Funny. Now leave." Olly unleashed the deadliest glare she could manage, but it didn't seem to faze him. He pushed past her, leaving her to hit the wall hard.
"I don't mean to disturb you, but I think you could help me." The 'mysterious man' trudged in to the living, inspecting high and low "This is a nice place. So, is it just you and your sister?"
"I don't see how that's any of your concern, but yes. It's just me and my sister."
"I see. I'm impressed. Well, I'll cut to the chase; I'm out lookin' for my people. Seven of them to be exact-" The man continued to wander around, whilst Clementine kept moving in to different positions to block his path to Sarah. Olly was inspired. She was doing it in a way that wasn't even obvious. Smart Girl... "They've been gone a long while... and I'm worried they might've gotten lost. Maybe you've seen 'em. Couple of farm boys and an old man... Spanish guy and his daughter. Quiet girl, a bit taller than your sister over there. A black guy, this big-" He held out his arms, gesturing the exact size of Alvin... "And a pretty little pregnant lady."
"That's a lot of people to lose." The man's eyes turned to Clementine when she spoke.
"Tell me about it. The whole damn thing's a pain in the ass." The stranger decided he was done with this room and poked his head in to the kitchen and Olly gestured for Clem to guard the door and protect Sarah, before following after him. The man was pacing the room, taking in everything he could. There was no doubt in Olivia's mind. This dark figure was Carver. "Lotta plates for two people. Looks like a tornado ran through here." Oh, snap...
"Me and my sister haven't been here very long. We move around a lot. Those were already here when we arrived. Not that I see any reason you should care." That excuse was good, right?
Olivia spotted the knife on the counter beside her, and measured up whether she should make a grab for it. The guy seemed like he was mulling over what I'd already told him in his head. It was a good opportunity... but he persisted.
"Hey, I hope you're not one of those nuts headed up north, lookin' for Shangri-La. Now I'm not sure why'd you go anywhere after finding this place."
Olly scowled at him. "Actually, yes. We're headed north. Not for Shangri-La though... I have my own agenda."
"Hm, you'll have to tell me about it some time. A whole lot of people headed that way lately. Me, I don't get it. Just as much nothin' up there as there is down here. And I can't stand that yankee weather." Olly remained silent. "You know, you have a very distinctive eye colour, I think I -" Both of them turned to the sound of the kitchen door opening. Clementine stood by the door, glaring at the intruder. He smiled and waved, which she ignored. Then he turned back to Olly and saw her eyeballing the knife that lay on the side. He strolled forward and grasped the handle, holding it up in the air. "Where does this go?" Olivia tensed but then pointed to the draw behind him, and he places it carefully inside. Then suddenly, he turns and strolls out past Clementine in to the living room. Clem then moves back to her original position in to continue to conceal Sarah.
"You need to leave."
The man ignored her. "Well this is a real nice place. Kinda cozy." He wandered a little further, as if still convincing himself they were here. He looked down at the couch. "I knew a guy that always wore shirts like this. Doctor. Real smug son of a bitch. But a smart man. I miss him."
It was difficult for Olly to keep her composure. She wanted this monster gone. "That's nice. Now. Leave." It hadn't escaped Olivia's notice that Clementine was allowing Sarah access to the upstairs. The game was almost given away, however, when a wooden floorboard creaked above their heads. The man smiled, but Clementine blocked the way to the stairs. "I thought you said it was just you and your sister."
"It IS just me and my sister." The intruder gestured for the little girl to move, but when she refused he pushed her aside. "Hey! What d'ya think you're doing!?" He ignored her and continued his ascent upstairs. Olly turned to Clementine in hushed tones."Okay, Clem. Stay here, okay? Keep a lookout for the others. Warn them if they come." The girl nodded and then Olivia ran upstairs after the man she was convinced was Carver, who had unholstered his gun. "Hey! Get the fuck out!" He charged in to the end bedroom, pointing his revolver around, prepared to fire. When he saw nothing, he lowered his weapon, but didn't lower his guard. Olly looked down to see Sarah's head poking out from under the bed, then she moved to block any view of the girl. "I told you, nobody's here. Now fuckin' leave."
"Hm, seems that way." He reholstered his gun, then turned back to the fiery red head. "Didn't mean to be rude. Couldn't just leave two young women here with a good conscience if someone was pokin' around, right?" Olly scoffed. The man seemed to be leaving, until his gaze turned to something on the floor. In his hand lay a picture of Sarah... Damn it, Sarah. "Who's this?"
"How the fuck should I know?" Olivia put on a brave face, but her heart was hammering against her chest.
"Looks like it was taken in this room." Olly shrugged, trying to look indifferent.
"You have no idea who these people are, do you?" Fuck. He's one smart son of a bitch.
"I have no idea what the fuck you're talkin' about, but I'd like you to leave now so my sister can rest."
"Lemme ask you this, when you met 'em, how much did they trust you?" It was no use, this guy knew. I failed.
"Leave."
"Heh. Well, I think I've troubled you long enough. I can let myself out." He plodded past her and down the stairs winking at Clementine as he went. When Olly heard the door slam shut, she breathed a sigh of relief. Kneeling down, she assisted Sarah on coming out from under the bed.
"Is everyone okay?" Clementine stood in the doorway, concern plastered on her face.
"We're fine, Clem." Olly dusted off Sarah, who was still shaking.
"W-what if he comes back?"
"Then he'd be a real dumb son of a bitch, because next time... I'll be ready."
Hope you guys enjoyed it. I'll try and get the next chapter up real quick, but I can't put off my revision any longer, unfortunately. I also hope you didn't mind the changes made. I still wanted Clementine to play an important part, but I need Carver to see Olly. For my own agenda.