Chapter 4: Things I almost remember
Clementine sat on top of the wooden log by the R.V. Clementine was lost deep in her thoughts, as she looked at leaf she held. It was a bright red-orange color, and it reminded her of the apples her mom used to buy for her at the market. Clementine remembered how things used to be; how only two things scared her. The monster that used to live under her bed would always terrify her at night. She would yell for her parents as she saw its hand come through the bed, trying to yank her under. The only thing as scary as that was the meanest girl at her school, Leah. Leah once threw one of her classmates in a trashcan once just for bumping into her. Now those two look like kittens compared to the walkers.
A harsh fit of coughing broke Clementine from her thoughts. To her left she saw Duck coughing badly, his skin as pale as a ghost. His eyes were sunken and rimmed with black. Katja held Duck tightly as she looked at him with grief-stricken eyes. Her sky blue eyes were glistening with tears. Clementine heard Katja mumbling a small prayer, begging to anyone who was listening, for Duck to get better.
Clementine remembered getting sick a few months ago, and how frantic Lee was to find some medicine for her.
-Flashback-
It was a cloudy and cold day in Macon. The grounds of the Motor Inn were splattered by tiny puddles after the thunderstorm that passed by at night. Kenny sat on top of the R.V. as he was on watch over night. The group was almost at its breaking point it seemed. After the hellish nightmare, the illusion that Lee unmasked at the dairy farm; it seemed as though nothing could get worse. When the arguments between Lily and Kenny escalated to new heights; Clementine thought that this had to be end of their bad luck. When the bandits began to attack them; angry of their meddling of the St. Johns Clementine hoped that things would turn better. Now, as she woke up from her restless sleep Clementine knew it would be much worse.
Bluuuuuuughh…bluuuuuuughh…bluuuuuuughh!
"Lee! Leeeee! LEEEEEEEEE!" Clementine croaked out, her head over the toilet as she puked her guts out. Clementine felt weak, it was taking all her strength just to stand up.
"Clementine, where are you?" Lee yelled frantically.
"Lee, I'm over here. I don't feel so good." Clementine said, her voice growing weaker by the second. The door to the bathroom swung open and there stood Lee, his face full of concern.
"Ok, it's alright Clementine. You just… are you feeling better than before?" Lee asked.
"Not really, I feel really tired Lee." Clementine replied miserably.
"Ok, it's going to be ok. Here, you should probably get some rest." Lee said kindly, as he picked Clementine up with his big strong arms. Clementine rested her head upon his chest as Lee dropped her gently on her bed, and walked to the closet. There he grabbed his axe, the ax which has slayed over a hundred walkers. Lee also grabbed a small shopping bag. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Lee? Clementine? Is everything ok in there?" Carley asked. Carley opened the door, and she frowned worriedly as she saw Clementine in such a sad and pitiful state. Carley walked over and felt Clementine's head. In one touch Carley knew that she had a high fever.
"Carley, I think I'm sick." Clementine whispered feebly.
"Shhh, it's going to be ok. Lee and I are going to the pharmacy, and we are going to find some medicine for you. You just get some rest ok." Carley replied kindly, as she placed a wet towel on Clementine's forehead.
"No."
That one word was enough for Carley to turn around in shock.
"What?"
"You stay here with Clementine. If things turn for the worse here, if the bandits or walkers attack; I want you here to keep Clementine safe." Lee said.
"Absolutely not, you know it is way too dangerous for a solo mission. We always go in pairs, it's safer and we always get more supplies." Carley replied sternly. Lee put his arms around her and hugged her tight.
"Carley, I need you to stay here. If the shit hits the-"
"Swear."
"If the crap hits the fan while I'm gone, you will be the only one to protect Clementine. Kenny will only think of himself and his family. Katja and Duck will be hiding in their room. Lilly is too unstable to watch her or help me with the supply run. And I don't even want to start with Ben. Right now you are the only person I can trust to watch Clementine. Please Carley; I'll be back before you know it." Lee replied, his voice calmly reassuring both Carley and Clementine. Carley looked into his eyes and knew there was no way to change his mind.
"I just can't bear to think if what might happen if you go by yourself. You could get hurt, or bitten, or worse, you could die.
"I am not going to die, I'll be ok"
"How do you know that?" Clementine asked.
Lee smiled warmly at Clementine and gently laid his hand on her head, as he gently stroked her hair.
"Because I have two girls that mean the world to me, and I'll gladly fight anyone who gets between us. I don't care if it's a sea of walkers, I will be back" Lee said assuredly as he looked between Clementine and Carley.
Carley looked worried, but sighed and looked at lee.
"Ok, I'll stay behind, but you better come back in one piece Lee." Carley replied.
"I think you two should get a room, and I think you should go Lee, before I grow old and die." Clementine replied teasingly.
"You've talked to Duck a lot more, haven't you?" Lee asked, a small smile on his face.
"…Maybe"
Lee chuckled and zipped his leather jacket up, and walked to the door. Before he left however, he looked back and stared at Clementine.
"I'll be back." Lee said in a weird and funny accent, as he put on some black sunglasses he found. Carley started to chuckle and Clementine smiled at Lee, knowing he was trying to cheer her up.
As Lee left Carley took a seat next to Clementine and let out a sigh. Carley gently patted her shoulder, and asked very quietly, "How are you feeling Clementine?"
"Not so good, I'm really thirsty. Do you have any water?"
"Of course you can. Sorry that it isn't cold however." Carley said as she reached into her purse, and pulled out a water bottle. Clementine took a long gulp and sighed contently.
"You know when I was little; the only good thing about being sick was that you could skip school. I would just lie down on the couch and watch my favorite cartoons. And if I was really lucky there would have been some ice cream left in the freezer." Carley said nostalgically.
"You think Lee will ever find that sundae for me?" Clementine asked playfully.
"I don't think so Clementine, though I do have something just as good." Carley replied as she dug into her purse as she pulled a small package of…
"Oreos. Where did you get these?" Clementine gasped in surprise. Though Clementine always tried to eat healthy like her parents, she did enjoy her sweets like any other kid her age. It was treat when her dad would bring some Oreos home after coming back from work.
"When Lee and I left to check one of the houses nearby, we found a few packages of cookies. We were going to save them for Halloween, but I think today could be an exception. However you can only have one cookie. We don't want you to throw up again." Carley answered.
Clementine looked at her with a curious expression on her face and asked very innocently "Can I have can I have the whole package?"
Carley knew this game however and put her foot down, "No, you can have one and only one."
"Can I have five cookies?"
"Two cookies."
"Four cookies?"
"Two cookies."
"Three cookies, pleaseee." Clementine asked, her beautiful hazel brown eyes giving Carley the deadly and effective puppy eyes. Carley knew that she lost this battle.
"Fine, you can have three cookies, and no more." Carley relented.
Clementine smiled and grabbed one cookie, and left two cookies to Carley; much to the confusion of Carley.
"I know when you give the cookies on Halloween, you and Lee will let us eat most of them. So I'll let you eat some of mine, just to be fair." Clementine said sweetly. Carley smiled back and shook her head in amusement. She took one cookie for herself and left the other for Lee.
After a while the two began to talk about everything, from Clementine's drawings to the situation of the Motor Inn, even about making a swing set somewhere so her and Duck could have something to play on. Though it has been over ten minutes since Clementine said something, and it was beginning to worry Carley.
"Are you ok sweetie?"
"No I…I miss my mom and dad. It's been such a long since I've seen them. And Kenny…
"What, what did Kenny do?" Carley asked, curious of what Kenny said to upset Clementine like this.
"I heard Kenny tell Lee that looking for my parents was stupid. That my mom and dad are probably already dead." Clementine answered tearfully, her eyes clouded over with the veil of despair and hopelessness. Carley mentally cursed to herself and swore that she would personally kick Kenny's ass.
"What did Lee say sweetie?"
"He got really angry at Kenny. He said that he was going to help me find them no matter what. Lee and Kenny said some swear words and then Kenny left. Do you think that they are dead?" Clementine asked sadly.
"I don't know sweet heart; things have gotten so bad lately. I honestly don't have an answer for you. However no matter what just remember this, never give up. There is one thing that will stay with us throughout all of this, and that is hope." Carley said, she paused for a few seconds, and then continued. "I know Lee and I are not your parents. But we are trying our best to raise you and to keep you safe, and we will protect you, with our lives if we have to. Because we love you so much, and I would rather die than to let anything happened to you. You are the daughter that I never had, and I love you with all my heart." Carley said; her eyes filled with tears, whether from joy or grief she did not know.
Clementine was shocked, here comes a woman whom she has only known for a few months, and she considers her as her daughter. Clementine felt touched and didn't know what to say. She grabbed her hand and kindly said "I love you too Carley." They were like that for a while, 'mother' and 'daughter' holding each other hands until…
"Carley, can you sing me a song. My mom always used to sing for me. Please."
"Alright, but you can't laugh at me. Just because I'm the worst singer ever doesn't mean you have to say it out loud." She answered. She cleared her throat, and began to sing with the voice of an angel. A song so beautiful it would send chills down your body.
"Dancing bears
Painted wings
Things I almost remember,
And a song someone sings
once upon a December
Someone holds me safe and warm,
horses prance through a silver storm,
Figures dancing gracefully,
across my memory,
Someone holds me safe and warm,
horses prance through a silver storm,
Figures dancing gracefully,
across my memory,
Far away, long ago
things I yearn to remember
and a song someone sings
Once upon a December
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December"
"You have the prettiest voice ever Carley." Clementine whispered kindly as she slowly began drift to sleep. Carley just chuckled and gently kissed her on her forehead. As she sat by her side she wondered how this happened to her. How she found a small fairytale in this grim nightmare which they now call life, was a mystery to her.
Carley sat by her side for what seemed to be another hour until Lee returned. His axe was bloody and she could tell by looking into his eyes that it was not an easy trip. She sighed as if to tell him I told you so. Lee grabbed something from his bag and walked over to Clementine. He gently shook her shoulder to wake her up.
"ughhh, five more minutes Dad.
"Wake up sweet pea, I found the medicine for you. You really need to wake up and take the medicine sweetheart." Lee told her gently yet firmly. Clementine lifted her head as she saw the medicine and grimaced a little.
"Yuck, it's strawberry flavor. I hate strawberry, do you have grape instead?" Clementine asked. Carley laughed while Lee groaned.
"So you want me to run all the way back to the pharmacy, kill every walker that is in my way, just to find some grape flavored medicine?" Lee asked incredulously.
"…Yes please." Clementine said sweetly. Carley and Clementine began to giggle has they saw the face Lee was making, as he began to imagine fighting all those walkers once again. Clementine reluctantly drank the sickeningly sweet syrup and was almost tempted to spit it out. However she knew that she had to suck it up and swallow it, she had to get better soon.
"Well it looks like you have everything under control then; I should get going then." Carley said.
"Bye Carley, thanks for singing to me." Clementine said happily. Carley froze, as her hand reached for the knob of the door. Lee's chuckle made her turn around, embarrassed of what was coming next.
"You can sing; I didn't know you can sing. Any chance that you can sing for me?" Lee asked as he winked at her. Carley began to blush, as she shyly smiled at him.
"Maybe when you stop hurting your leg all the time, maybe then I'll sing to you"
"Of course, the day you can put batteries in a radio with no problem." Lee chuckled until Carley smacked across his head. Carley whispered something in Lee's ear and left Lee standing there is face pale and shaking. As she left Lee stood there for a few minutes until he slowly turned around and walked back to Clementine.
"What did she say Lee?" Clementine asked.
"Ask me when you're older, like…when you're sixteen." Lee answered quickly. Clementine knew that tone, no matter how much she begged, Lee would not budge. She was still curious though, what could have she said that it would scare Lee so much.
-End Flashback-
The cold wind whispered softly, as it flew through the tree branches. The branches swayed above their heads, as though they were dancing. Clementine was shivering; the cold winds going through her clothes. She wished that they could get the train to move out of the way; Lee was in charge of that, but last time she saw him was when he left the RV. She heard a loud bang; thankfully it wasn't a gun shot. Still, she was still worried about Lee. She understood why Lee did what he had to; Lilly was out of control. She would have probably shot Kenny and Ben if she had a chance, leaving only Lee and Katja to protect her and Duck.
A cold and brutal gust of wind slammed into the group and Clementine's hair angrily whipped around. As she turned her head away from the wind she saw Duck, his t-shirt lifted up and… a bite. There was a bite on him. Duck was bitten.
'No! No! No! Duck is bitten, but that means…he's going to die.' Clementine thought, as she felt something heavy on her shoulders. Like a big rock fell on her, and she was trying to lift it up from keeping it from squishing her. First Carley, then Lilly, and now Duck. This had to be a nightmare, Clementine was going to wake up and be in bed, and eat breakfast with Lee and Carley.
Clementine quickly turned her head around, not wanting to see Katja or Kenny. She didn't want to see the grief and hopelessness etched in their faces. The wind seemed to whisper to them, taunting them all of their failures; taunting them about the end of their group. That their family was slowly dying one by one.
Clementine slowly began to scoot to the end of the log, and as quiet as a mouse slowly walked to the train. The others were so lost in their thoughts that she managed to reach the train undetected. She climbed up the ladder and crept towards the door, when she stopped. She heard someone crying in there, she peeked in, and gasped. It was Lee, crying like a small child. Clementine's heart broke in two as she saw this. Lee was the strongest man she knew, nothing could hurt him.
'Except for you' Clementine scolded herself. She was afraid of Lee yesterday. She wouldn't even go near him. Seeing her like that must have been the worst pain Lee felt, plus losing Carley. It was just too much for him. She felt horrible for what she did, she should have known better. Lee would never hurt her; from day one everything he has done was to help her and the group. He may have been wrong a couple of times, but in the end things worked out.
Clementine slowly reached out to Lee and grasped his shoulder gently as she could.
"Please don't cry Lee. Everything will be ok." She whispered kindly. Lee stopped sobbing as he turned around.
"C…Clementine?"
A/N: ok Chapter four is up and we went over ten reviews: D Ok now, before I do my famous shout out to all of my lovely reviewer's two things. As you may have seen I now have a picture for my story. This is not a piece that I did, for I am the worst artist ever! When I saw this picture I knew that this would be amazing for the cover picture of this story. It captures the emotions all too well in my opinion. It is called "Dont call Me Small" made by the extremely talented Livvy-san, who gave me permission to use this only if I would give her credit and post the link to her artwork. I would post a link, but I just found out you can't post a link...opps. Sorry Livvy-san :(
Anyway, I did put the links on my profile. So please check out guys. She is really talented and does a great job. :)
There you will find the untold story of Carley's epic battle against the devious batteries. The many cute couples of the Walking Dead and the group's portrait can also be found here.
The second thing, I apologize for not updating sooner, I was in a bad car crash on March 4. My truck was totaled and broken beyond repair. I was ok, but I was pretty bummed about it. But, life moves on I suppose. Also to all my lovely guest reviews, for some reason your reviews won't be accepted unless I say so and click on the button. It says I'm totally ok about anonymous reviewers on the computer, but on my I touch it says I'm not. So I apologize if it takes a day or two before your review pops up.
To Werewolfzombie3: Well I'm glad you felt like that when reading chapter 3. I tried to make a perfect blend of all these emotions powerful yet equal. The goal is for my readers to laugh, cry, yell, and smile all at the same time. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and hope that you will enjoy this chapter as well. And I'm so happy that you have enjoyed the story overall so much that you put it into your favorites. Thank you so much
To Purplepox63010: Well I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter. And I hope you like this new Chapter so much that you would want to read this over and over again.
To cathernatrual.812: I'm glad you enjoyed this Chapter. And I'm so happy that you thought Carley was realistic and not out of character. Out of all the things in Chapter 3, keeping Carley in character was very tough. I thought that I screwed up until I read your review, then I breathed a sigh of relief. I hope you enjoy this new chapter
To my guest reviewer: I'm glad that you enjoyed this Chapter as well. I will definitely make sure that none of his emotions are hidden; he will be very outgoing and not afraid to speak his mind… just like Carley . And don't worry about that Hobo walker, Lee is going to kick his A$$!
To Boxhead: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed. (Snaps my fingers) Your wish is my command!
To yet another mysterious guest reviewer: I'm glad you also liked my portrayal of Lee's reaction. When I played the game I was livid, I was beyond angry. Here's a woman who Lee loves. Who has always helped him out with no questions asked. And when she dies he only mentions her like twice and then she is forgotten by everyone. That is why I began writing this story. I' glad you are a fan of Flashbacks and I hope you like this one as well
To A Brit: I'm glad you find this story to be amazing. Well I hate to burst your bubble, but that scene will not come until they reach Savannah… sorry. However seeing as you posted this twice I will heavily consider your request and hope you will enjoy it in the near future.
Well until next time my friends, hopefully by the end of March or so…and I probably do this now before I get sued or arrested.
I do not own the walking dead game or any of its characters. That belongs to Telltale games, Robert Kirkman and the sick yet brilliant minds of all the writers involved with the game. I own nothing; I merely do this to bring joy to other people. So when they look up for some new fan fiction, early this morning they can smile because I updated and added a new chapter. Thank you all.
P.S. The song used is Once Upon a December by Liz Callaway.
This is Rodan78 signing out for now. :)