Chapter 5: On the Road Again

Lee looked up and saw Clementine staring at him, her hazel eyes filled with wisdom beyond her age. Lee felt a small shiver go through is back. Clementine is just an eight year old child, and yet she has seen gruesome acts of evil and cruelty that a grown man should not have witnessed. However despite all this she still looks at the positive in life; that no matter what happened there is still good in the world. Lee felt yet another tear roll down his check and quickly wiped it away.

"You shouldn't have come here by yourself; it's far too dangerous." Lee said.

"But you're here by yourself." Clementine said has she tried to defend herself.

"I know, but you're still young and vulnerable…and I can't lose you." Lee replied feebly. Lee tried to imagine if Clementine died, his world would come to an end. He would probably give up like that young woman at the Motor Inn. Lee realized he was still crying and mentally scolded himself for doing so in front of Clementine. Clementine took a step forward and wrapped her tiny arms around Lee.

"I miss Carley so much Lee. Why did Lilly kill her… why?" Clementine cried into Lee's chest.

"Lilly… Lilly thought that Carley was dangerous, that she was the traitor. After seeing Larry killed by Kenny, she became dangerous. Yesterday she just snapped, but instead of taking her anger on Kenny, she killed Carley." Lee replied, his deep voice rumbled like thunder, the hate and anger was easily heard.

"But Carley would never do that…she…"

"Clementine, listen to me and remember this. Carley was the kindest and strongest woman that I have ever known. She was great with a gun and was one of the strongest members of our group. However more importantly; instead of fighting for power she helped me try to keep our group together. She was incredibly smart and extremely loyal. She always tried to help the group out in any way. Everything she ever did was to help our group out. She would never betray us! She loved you so much, and she would do everything to protect you. Don't believe Lilly's lies, and never question Carley's loyalty." Lee said, as he watched Clementine's doubt fade away as quickly as it came.

"I'm so scared Lee." Clementine cried.

"Of me" Lee replied sadly.

"I…I… no…not really. You were just really scary Lee. Did you have to kill Lilly?" Clementine whispered sadly.

"…No. I didn't have to kill her. I just got so angry, and I let the evil side of me win and take control. I'm sorry that you had to see that." Lee replied solemnly. Lee still saw the fear in her, and could almost hear what she was thinking.

"Clementine, I'm sorry that I let the bad side of me win. I promise you however; I will never hurt you. I would sooner kill myself then to harm you." Lee said his eyes fully honest. Lee held Clementine in his arms for a while; their bond slowly mending itself. Soon Clementine's sobs stopped, and she wiped her tears away.

"I know you won't... What do we do now?" Clementine asked.

"We need to find something; anything to help us to move the train or any clue on hoe to move it." Lee ordered.

"Like this." Clementine asked as she held up a clip board, and on that clipboard was a map of Georgia. Lee noticed an orange line going from Macon to…

"Savannah! Good job Clem." Lee praised her as he studied the clip board. Lee began to like what he saw, his hopes slowly beginning to rise again. Lee hoped that the way to Savannah would be smooth sailings. Lee found a water bottle and took that as well. Lee looked down and picked up Carley's video camera.

'This camera is the one of the few things left that reminds me of her. I can't lose this.' Lee thought, as he put it in his pocket. He looked back down and saw Clementine looking up to him; silently asking him what's next.

"Well let's see if we can get this train up and running again" Lee said.

"Ok, that sounds great Lee." Clementine replied, as she ran up and gave him a big hug. Lee smiled as he hugged her back. Lee knew that this feeling he had for her would never die.

"Well isn't that sweet." A deep gravelly voice said.

Lee threw Clementine behind him as he drew his gun. His sights aimed down at an old man wearing a battered yellow coat. His grey hair was a mess; as it looked like a bird's nest. In his hand he held a bloody shovel as he walked inside. A guitar was strapped on his back.

"You know you shouldn't take people's stuff without asking first." He said as he looked at the clip board and bottle of water.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Lee growled as he stared down the hobo in front of him.

"Well seeing how we're all calm and peaceful; my name is Chuck. Charles if you're feeling fancy. And you are in my house if you must know. " He said calmly and with a hint of sarcasm.

"This is your home?" Clementine asked incredulously.

"Of course it is, where else where would I live? Why you don't like my home?" Chuck asked.

"It's so messy." Clementine said. Her eyes looking at the dirty old mattress, as it lay at the corner. Lee gently moved her back as he used his body as a shield. Chuck walked back to his mattress.

"It may be a little messy, but it has style. That's something you kids won't understand these days." Chuck said as he nudged his bed, but as he did a mouse scurried by his feet and jumped out of the train. Chuck let out a sigh and sat down on his bed and looked up at Lee.

"So what can I do for you two, are you to steal my stuff or are you to kick me out." Chuck said pleasantly, as he looked at Lee's gun. Lee looked and saw how he was no threat and lowered his gun.

"Chuck, I'm Lee and this is Clementine. We're not looking for any trouble; we'll put your bottle of water back, but we might need this map. We're trying to move the train so our group can get to Savannah."

"So you guys want to take my house, and move it all the way to savannah… eh why not? It'll be good to see more of the countryside. Though how are you going to move a train?" Chuck asked.

"We still need to figure that out." Lee said.

"Right; well I'll let you two do that while I talk to the rest of your group. And I'm sorry if I scared you two, train folks will do that to you occasionally." Chuck said, as he stepped out of the train and walked towards the others. Lee and Clementine walked towards the front of the train, and hope that they could move the train. Lee opened a compartment and found the engine. Lee pushed the green button and it didn't work. Lee opened another small compartment to his left and found a rack of tools. He picked up a spike remover and walked forward until.

"Damn it." Lee whispered.

"What is it" Clementine asked, as she tried to look at the window.

"It's a walker. Stay behind me, and if I tell you to run then you run. Ok, here we go." Lee said as he slowly opened the door. He raised his weapon and brought it down on its head. The body fell down unresponsively, as it looked up at Lee. A bullet hole in the forehead was the first thing Lee saw. Lee let out a sigh of relief and began to drag the body outside. After throwing the walker out Lee saw a pad on the side of the control panel. On it was a torn sheet that only said engine start-up. Lee grinned and asked Clementine, "Do you have any pencils on your back pack Clementine?"

"No, I think there might be one in the RV. Why?" she asked. Lee handed her the clipboard and watched as she lit up with happiness.

"This is just like my leaf rubbing. I can do this, but first we have to go get a pencil. Come on Lee. I know we can do it." Clementine exclaimed, as she nearly yanked Lee of his feet and dragged him to the RV. As she led the way Lee watched Chuck talking to Kenny and Katja. Lee hoped that Kenny could keep his mouth shut and not get into a fight with the new guy. As Clementine raced up the RV Lee smiled and walked in. that smile however turned into a frown as Clementine looked down with a pencil in her hand.

"Clem, what's wrong?" Lee asked.

"Lee, promise me you won't be mad at me?" Clementine asked. Clementine looked up and took her back pack off. As she did she opened it and pulled out a gun.

Kenny looked at his son in despair; he knew what was going too happened to his Duck. His son was going to die, and when he does die he would turn into

'Damn it Kenny knock that shit off. He's going to be fine, it's just a scratch. He won't be like the others; all he needs is some rest and he'll be back on his feet.' Kenny thought to himself.

"So Chuck, how are you still ok by being by yourself? Isn't that hard; to be all alone with no help." Katja asked, as she interrupted Kenny from his thoughts. Kenny looked at the homeless man and didn't trust him. What did he ever do to help him; as far as Kenny was concerned he was someone to be watched out for. His thoughts however where soon interrupted once again.

Its ok actually; I'm used to being by myself seeing how I'm homeless. If I survived on my own for all those years I can do it now. Besides, it wasn't always like that. I was in a small group of survivors a few miles away." Chuck said.

"Well what happened to them? How come you are not with your people?" Katja asked, as she wondered why an old man would choose to be by himself. As she said this chuck let out a small sigh.

"Two months ago I was in a small group at a campsite not too far away from here. It seemed like we would all be ok. There was the leader of a group and his mother, Ralph and Susan. We also had a family there and a few other survivors. The father of the family, Nick, always wanted things to be done his way. In his mind the group could all die; so long as his family lived it would be justified. He would trick people and use people for his advantage and the when he no longer needed them, or if they didn't do what he said; he would get rid of them and would turn his back on them. Even if it meant that they would die. Eventually someone did die; it was Susan. After that everything went to hell. We all knew that he killed her; we just didn't have any proof. A few days later there was a fight which resulted in my friend's death, I left as fast as I could. I went back a week later, and they were all dead. I'll never know what exactly happened, but I have a guess. What probably happened was that Nick and Ralph got into another argument, and Nick killed Ralph. After that the Creepers or as you call them, Walkers came and killed them all. It's funny; after all the killing and arguing, Nick could not protect his family in the end. If he worked with all of us and protected our group; then maybe his family would still be alive. It is like that old saying goes; united we stand, divided we fall. Who know; perhaps our group was doomed from the start." Chuck ended his story bitterly.

As he finished Kenny felt as though he was punched in the gut. He felt as though Chuck compared him to Nick, but how could he have known. Immediately Kenny wanted to kick his ass, but before he could the RV door opened and out stepped Lee and Clementine. As Kenny looked back he found Chuck's eyes looking at Duck, his face grim.

"Clementine; where did you find that gun, and I want you to be honest?" Lee asked. His mind racing through so many possibilities, but he could not think how she managed to grab it.

"I got it from Carley's jacket after she got shot. I thought you'd want it. You know, so you could remember her by something." Clementine said sadly.

'Damn it. She had a chance to fight back. If only I kept an eye on Lilly! Damn it, I knew she was unstable and I took my eye off her. What the hell was I thinking! Carley I'm so sorry. I promise you, I'll listen to your advice. I will be the leader and make sure our group will stay together. Sooner or later we will meet again.' Lee thought as he looked at her gun; hoping that she would somehow come back.

"…Thank you Clem. This means a lot to me… we should… get going now. Let's go back and start this train up again. After that we're one step closer to Savannah. However I should check on Duck first; he looks like he has the flu or something.

"Lee, Duck was bitten yesterday. I don't think he's going to make it." Clementine whispered sadly as she felt a small tear forming in her eye

'No one is safe from death. Not Duck; even though he still is a kid. Carley was great with a gun and strong, but even she died.' Clementine thought in horror. No matter how strong Lee is; eventually he would die, and without Lee she would probably die as well. Lee didn't have to save her that day. He could have left her and be on his own, yet he stood by her side every time. If only he knew that she was lying to his face for months.

"Clementine; are you sure that Duck was bitten. Maybe it was a bad bruise or something like that?" Lee asked, but one look on Clementine's face told him all he needed to know. Lee sighed as he tried to come up with a plan.

"Ok, for now we have to move the train. That is the most important thing now, for every minute we are out here we are vulnerable to walkers and bandits. Once we are on the move we can get going, and then we can focus on Duck. Don't worry sweet pea; we'll figure this out. We always do." Lee said in an assuring tone. "Now do you think you can work your magic and make the directions show up?

"I already did it Lee; though it looks really confusing." Clementine said as she held up the directions. Sure enough it was just a bunch of shapes.

"That's ok; I think I should be able to figure it now. Next stop, Savannah." Lee said as he walked outside, Clementine following right behind him. As Lee walked out he saw Chuck's investigating eyes looking at Duck; he knew. At this rate everyone but Ben would know.

'Ben. Did he do it? Was Lilly right? Was he the one stealing supplies? No Lee; stay focused. First thing first is to get the train running.' Lee thought to himself. Lee soon found himself back in the train and began to read the instructions. Lee moved a few switches and sure enough the console began to light up like a Christmas tree.

"Look Lee its working; it lit up." Clementine exclaimed happily. Lee smiled as he flipped a few more switches. After that he went outside to the engine compartment and began to prime the engine. Soon the engine roared to life, its deep rumble echoing throughout the forest. The rest of the group jumped to their feet in disbelief. They thought for sure that Lee could not start the train. Kenny jumped up the stairs and ran into the conductor's room.

"You got this fucker working again! That's great, just move it a little and we can move the RV out of her." Kenny yelled happily. Kenny was looking at the dashboard in awe.

"Yeah, I just got to turn of the brakes and we're ready to move out." Lee replied as he pushed the yellow button; as the train let out a hiss like a snake. Lee moved the handle forward and took off-

Thu Thunk!

"Damn it; the train is still connected. I'll be right back Kenny." Lee said. As he exited the control room, he looked back and said "Clem stay here ok, I'll be back in no time." Lee saw Katja holding duck, his face growing paler by the second. Lee walked up to them and sat next down to her.

"Do you or Duck need anything Katja?" Lee asked. Hearing Ducks shallow, yet wheezy breathing concerned him.

"No, but thank you anyways Lee. Chuck was kind enough to give Duck his water bottle." She replied.

"Ok then, but if you or Duck need something. Anything at all you just let me know." Lee answered gravely.

"You know. How did you find out?" Katja asked sadly. Her eyes full of sorrow as she gazed upon her son. Just a shell of what he used to be. He probably couldn't even remember her or Kenny anymore; as he slowly drifted into the hands of death.

"It's not that hard to figure it out. The entire time he was just lying here instead of exploring the train with Clementine. Also Clementine saw the bite and told me…I'm so sorry Katja." Lee said apologetically.

"It's ok Lee; you did your best to save us. Any way; it won't change anything. Duck is gone, I can feel it. His heart rate is slowing down, and there is nothing we can do about it." She whispered sadly; as all of her joy was slowly taken over by grief and despair. Soon a solemn silence hanged above them.

"When Clementine was here; did she happened to say anything about Carley or Lilly or Duck? I'm worried about her." Lee asked Katja, kind of feeling bad to ask her when she was already having her own heartbreaking moment.

"No, that little girl is a puzzle. I can never figure what is going through her head. Poor Carley…God… where did yesterday go? Are you ok Lee, I know you where fond of her." Katja asked kindly.

"I was. I know this isn't a time for romance, but yeah. I did love her. She was there to support me all the time. She was kind, beautiful, and a great woman. I… should have told her how I felt about her. But I was too scared, and now I'll never have the chance to." Lee replied in a pained voice and wiped a tear away.. Lee stood up and looked down at them.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I just have to unhook the train carts and we're good to go. I'll be right back" Lee said as he left. Leaving Katja behind; as she gave a sympathetic look to Lee. She knew that even with his lover's death that he would be strong and keep moving forward. She only wish that she could continue with her life, but she can't anymore.

THUNK!

"There we go; ok I think we are ready to get the hell out." Lee said to himself. He went back to the group and saw Kenny walking toward him, yet Kenny looked anxious.

"Lee are we ready to go now? We need to get to Savannah a.s.a.p." Kenny said.

"Yeah, we're all set man. We just have to get what's left of our supplies and it's time to get going." Lee replied.

"Ok guys! Grab everything you can from the R.V. and put it in the train. This is our last hope to get to Savannah. Now let's move out!" as he walked into the motor home to grab what was left of their meager supplies. Lee looked at Chuck and said, "You should come with us Chuck. We could use another guy for our group. There's safety in numbers, and seeing how we are taking your house."

"It sounds good, but are you guys going to try to kill each other?" Chuck asked gravely.

"…"

"Well it looks like I have no choice then. To Savannah it is." Chuck said sarcastically. As he said that Kenny walked up to Katja and Duck. Clementine looked up to Lee, and her eyes said it all. The end is near for Duck. As she slowly climbed up the train, lee looked back and frowned. So many deaths; how many more would come? How many would fall into the cold embrace of death?

"Ken, Duck is getting weaker." Katja said gently, yet full of sadness.

"Let me take a look at him… he's fine Kat. It's just a little scratch. He'll be fine!"

"Katja frowned as she saw Kenny retreating form walk back to the controls. She slowly got on and joined the others. Lee followed Kenny and stood next to him. Kenny reached for the lever and pushed it forward.

"Savannah here we come!"

A/N: Hey guys. Sorry that took a long time. School was crazy and with a twelve page essay; man that was a tough cookie. And every time I was on the computer typing away my parents would kick me out saying all I did was stare at the computer not doing anything productive. Oh if only they knew. I told myself that i must update it by my birthday, which is today. I'm 19 now, Damn I'm old. Any way its summer vacation again so I'll be able to update more. I'm going camping for a week by the end of June; so I'm going to try and update again before I go. Any way if you guys could leave a review after reading this chapter it would be awesome. Any review you leave will help. And also click the link on my profile to see the artist of my cover art. She is incredibly talented and has done amazing pieces of the walking dead game. Any way here you go and I hope you enjoy

To backfromthedead91- I'm so happy that you love the song as well. Once upon a December is a great song when thinking of the past and such. Though I have to admit; writing the Clem/Carley scene made me tear up a bit. Well I'm sure you'll enjoy this chapter as well.

To Purplepox63010- yeah I know everyone probably hates Lilly even more because of me. Well I'm so happy that you loved that Carley/ Clem moment. Now let's see if you love this Lee/ Clem moment.

To my mysterious guest- thank you so much, I'm thrilled that you thought it was a great chapter. Hope you like this one.

To Allison- I'm glad you like my story so far. And yeah I have to admit, car crashes are not fun. I'm glad your family is okay though, cause let me tell you. Car crashes sucks. Anyway I'm much better; thanks for asking if I'm ok. When I read it I was like, "yeah my reviewers love me

To WingsOfTheRaven112- Yeah, I love it when others love my work. I'll try to update soon and I hope you enjoy

To AmiLianne- Yes Master! Your wish is my command

Well that all folks, until I update again, this is Rodan78 signing out