Chapter 8: Professor Everett Returns and The Unmovable Object Meets The Unstoppable force!
Lee stood up and grabbed his pistol from his back pocket. He laid it into his palms and presented it to Clementine.
"You need to know how to use a gun Clementine. In case there is an emergency and you need to protect yourself." Lee said.
"I don't know Lee. It's really big and scary.
"No; it may look scary, but you are the one in control. It is a tool. A tool that will save your life if there is an emergency. However it is very unforgiving, for it does not matter if you didn't mean to pull the trigger. It will kill someone and will not care if it was an accident or not. Use it only if your life is in danger and there is no other choice than to kill the person or walker who is chasing you. Remember; this is not a toy. A toy doesn't kill people…do you understand Clementine?" Lee said as he finished warning Clementine; relieved to see how mature her face looked as she nodded and carefully grabbed the gun.
"Ok Lee, I promise I won't play with the gun." Clementine said reassuringly. She felt good as she saw Lee smile and gently patted her shoulder. That was something her dad used to do…before he left with her mom to Savannah.
"Great; now let's try to see if you can hit some of these empty bottles over her. I'm sure Chuck won't mind if we use them" He said as he placed the bottle on top of a wooden crate. He went behind Clementine and helped her adjust the pistol.
"Now just remember when you aim use the notch and the tip to aim. That is the most important thing when shooting. If you don't then you could miss your target or even hit one of us instead. And right before you shoot; make sure to hold your breath before your shoot. Your hands don't shake as much and your aim increases.
"Like when I go swimming?"
"Exactly; just do that and you'll be a better shooter than me. Ok than, let's try this. Now the gun is going to kick back on you, but you'll get used to it after a while. Maybe if we're lucky we might find a smaller gun for you to use. Now aim at the bottle and try your best to hit it."
Clementine aimed the gun and held her breath, but closed her eyes and yanked on the trigger.
BANG! The shot missed by at least 5 feet as the box car now had a peep hole to the outside.
"EEEK!"
"Ok; that was a good try. Let try that again and see if we can hit it this time." Lee said kindly.
"Do I have to Lee? My hands hurt." Clementine said as her hands felt like someone squeezed them tightly.
"Yeah you have to. Let's try that again ok. This time don't yank on the trigger and don't close your eyes this time. Just aim and fire" Lee said as he gently moved Clementine's arms right a bit more.
CHSSS!
"I did it Lee!" Clementine said happily.
Yeah you did Clementine. Now let's try that again" Lee said as he placed another of Chuck's bottles on top of the crate.
Ok just aim and shoot when you think you have it on your sights. if you do you wont be able to miss the target." Lee assured her as he saw her aim .
THUNK! A chunk from the crate exploded; the splinters flying like shrapnel.
"Ok that was a lot better than before. You were just off by two inches. Aim a little up and you're good to go.
CSHH
"That's my girl. You're doing a lot better than when I started to learn how to shoot." Lee said as he grabbed another bottle and stood by Clementine. "Just take your time an-
CHSSS
"I did it Lee! Did you see that?" exclaimed excitingly as she hit the bottle with ease.
"I'll be damned. At this rate you're going to be a better shooter than me or Carley!" Lee said in awe as he saw how in just a few minutes she got a bull's eye on that bottle. Clementine smiled as she handed the gun to Lee and sat down happily. Lee sat down beside her and pulled Chucks backpack next to him.
"Now for the second part of our plan. We need to do something about that hair of yours. it's not safe."
"That's not very nice!" Clementines indignantly reply.
"Huh... wait what?" Lee asked suddenly very confused.
"Are you saying that it smells. Cause it does...kind of."
Lee chuckled and gently smacked her across the head in a playful way.
"Off course not sweet pea. it's just to long and needs to be trimmed a bit... Do you remember when Andy grabbed your hair. It just needs to be trimmed so a walker or some crazy guy can get a hold of you." Lee said calmly trying not to scare Clementine. Lee grabbed the scissors and asked her "Should we get this over with?"
"Ok, but can you make my hair look like Tinkerbell?"
"Of course... I mean how hard could it be?" Lee asked; already cutting her hair as Clementine saw her beautiful hair fall to the floor.
"I'm going to look like a boy." she replied sadly as she could only imagine what she looked like now. She was probably bald by the time Lee stopped his attack on her hair.
"No you won't. you'll be beautiful as always. Besides; you are going to be a lot safer after this."
"I'm glad you finally told me why you went to jail Lee. It's ok, I promise. I've trusted you before I knew, and I'll trust you know."Clementine said in a mature way that Reminded Lee of Carley. Lee felt that together they did a god job raising Clementine in this cruel world.
"You've killed so many things now. It's not even bad to kill now." Clementine said calmly. those words sent a chill down his spine. Did she really think that?
"No. Killing is still bad Clementine. To kill someone makes you no better than the Bandits. We only kill to protect us from being killed." Lee said in a calm tone but firm. He could not let her think that it is ok to kill; that it was easy as breathing. Pulling the trigger every time for Lee was hard, and it made him feel as though the evil demon in his heart was taking over him.
"But you do it anyways."
"I do it because I have no choice. I try to avoid fighting, but sometimes when you are cornered; when your back is up against a wall you have no options but to fight you're way out. Remember that Clementine. This world will bring the best and the worst out of all of us. You don't want to be like Kenny or Lilly who decide to solve their problems with a gun. Just remember what Carley and I did; how we would solve our problems with words of peace, and only using our guns if there with no other choice." Lee responded in a solemn and grave tone as Clementine let his words of wisdom sink into her. the silence between lasted for a good few minutes; only being interrupted by the snips of the scissors and the train barreling towards Savannah.
Ok I think it looks great." Lee responded happily as he admired his work. Lee watched Clementine's reaction as she felt her hair and realizing how short it had become frowned. Lee knew however that in the long run that it would be for the better. there was no way that no walker or man would grab her hair like before. Lee shook that out of his mind and sat next to her. Lee stood up and saw a bottle of whiskey lying next to the crate. Lee grabbed it and put it in his back pocket.
'Damn. I really need to find a backpack one of these days.' Lee thought to himself as he walked back to Chuck. Lee stood on one side while Chuck stood on his.
"So what are your plans when we get to Savannah? Are you going of by yourself, or are you going to join the group and we try to find a boat?" Lee asked as he was curious to whether there would be yet another member joining the group. Lee watched as chuck seemed to think about for a whiles; his bushy eyebrows furrowed as he thought of an answer.
" I reckoned so. No that many options for me. My old group wasn't the nicest and it all went to hell quickly. If I think that is gonna happened I'm leaving. Only time will tell however." Chuck said firmly as he looked at Lee waiting to hear his response.
"I hear you. Things haven't been going good so far. I just wanted to know because you're right we need a plan and I just want to know who's on our side as we head out. Anyway I'll stop wasting your time and here. Merry Christmas Chuck." Lee said as he presented Chuck with a half full bottle of whiskey. There was still enough for maybe three gulps. Chucks eyes gleamed with joy as he saw that there was still some left. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey and took a big gulp.
"You want some?"
"No, I'm good. I need to stay sober for Clementine. In case something happens I need to-"
"That's ok son, I understand. Well still I shouldnt be greedy. If someone else needs some you let them know I'll share." Chuck said happily as he watched the beautiful Georgian landscape go by. Lee gave a silent nod and walked back into the cab were Kenny was driving the train. Lee saw some maps and reached across to grab one.
"Lee I'm not in the mood for company now." Kenny growled in pain.
"I hear you man. I'm just getting a map and I'm out. If you need Chuck is offering some whiskey if you'd like some...I'm sorry Kenny. I'm sorry you lost them, and I'm sorry I fought you. Just remember Kenny; you're not the only one who lost a family. My parents are dead. I had to kill my brother and put him out of his misery. Just yesterday i was talking with Carley and in a few hours I had to leave her in the side of the road. We've all been hurt and we've all lost families. Just remember if you need to talk about it I'm here for you Kenny. We've watched each others back's untill two weeks ago. Dont make our friendship any worse Kenny. We have to work together or else we are all done for." Lee said firmly as he waited for a reaction from Kenny; however it seemed like it didn't even faze Kenny. Lee sighed and walked back to Clementine as he clutched the map in his hand. Dreading for what was to come next. What Lee didn't see was a lone tear leaking from Kenny's eye.
Lee saw Clementine clutching her walkie-talkie and his heart ached. Just knowing that they were dead, yet here he was giving Clementine false hope that they were ok. He felt sick about it, but knew there was no other option. What was he supposed to say. To just forget about them and moved on; that they were dead and would never come back. All he could do was hope that he could delay that moment from occurring. Lee sat by her side and said, "This has to be the crappiest two days so far."
"swear"
"Oh come on that isn't a swear."
"Yes it is."
"Says who?"
"Says me."
"Oh, of course. I apologize princess Clementine." Lee said as he saw the mischievous smirk on Clementines face grew.
Lee pulled out his map and placed it between them.
"When we get to Savannah we need a plan before we go look for your parents. You and I are a team, and we need to know how to get around the city in case there is trouble. It may be a nice place with no walkers, but if it isn't we need a plan to prepare for the worst."
"Ok. A plan sounds like a good thing." Clementine said confidently.
"We should go our own way."
"What?"
"This group is broken Clementine. We lost so many people that we should just travel by ourselves. If we stay with the group we wont make it out alive I fear."
"No, Ben is my friend, and you said that we never abandon the group." She said fiercely.
"I know, but I can't trust anyone except you and maybe Chuck.I'm sorry sweet pea, but we should move on."
"We can't leave them Lee. Carley would not want that, and you know that." Clementine said in a way that hit lee right in the gut. Lee knew that, and as much as he didn't want to be with their broken group he knew it would be best to stay with them.
"Alright; we'll stay with the group when we get to Savannah. We'll find a boat hopefully, but we have to find your parents first."
"Really?"
"Of course we will. I promised you this and I wont let you down. you have my word Clementine." Lee said honestly, for he truly hoped that at least her mother managed to escape from the hospital. Her final goodbye to Clementine still haunts his mind to this day. Lee looked ahead and back to the map.
"So does the plan sound good then?"
"Yeah it does, but Lee? Can I tell my parents about you and your...well you know. Your past?"
"Clem that's not a good idea. As soon as you tell them that they will freak out and wont let me see you again. Lets try not to unless absolutely necessary."
"But L-"
"Clementine. I just don't think that telling your parents I was a murderer is the best way to start a conversation. if it comes up than so be it, but I don't want it to be known."
"Ok Lee, I wont tell them."
"Ok, but don't worry Clem. The first thing we're going to do is to find your parents. we'll help find a boat, but if the map is right the hotels are all along the river. Can you remember what the name of the hotel was?
"I think it was called the Milk house."
"The milk house." Lee said in a tone that was finding this hard to believe.
"I could be wrong though, but I know it was right next to the river, it started with an M and it had yummy desserts."
"Could it be the Marsh House." Lee said as he pointed on the map.
"Yeah! That's the one, I am one hundred percent sure."
"Ok then, so we'll find the hotel and hopefully they might still be there. If not than maybe they left a note in their room perhaps."
"Well how will we know what room they stayed at, I remember it being huge, it would take all day to find their room."
"Don't worry Clementine, there might be a notebook of where there room is at, you know like the records that they kept. It's all going to work out in the end. trus-
"Oh shit! Ben help me pull the brake! Its stuck!"
EEEERRRR!
Clementine fell forward as if someone pushed her out the train, but Lee grabbed her by the waist and held on tight and managed to keep her from falling out. After the train stopped lurching forward Lee let out a shaky breath as Clementine hugged him tightly. If he was but a few seconds late she would have fallen off the train with severe injuries at best case scenario. They were like this for a few moments until Lee looked down with worry.
"You alright Clementine?"
"Yeah...i think so. lets not do that again though."
"No kidding come on let's go see what mess we got ourselves into now" Lee said as he jumped out of the train and picked up Clementine and put her on his shoulders. they walked up to Kenny who was screaming and cussing into the heavens.
"Kenny. what the hell is the pro-" Lee stopped in the sudden gravity of their situation. There that lay before them was an oil tanker blocking their path to Savannah. A mangled steel corpse preventing them to reach there one way ticket to hope and perhaps salvation. Whatever thoughts of smooth sailing was no more; it would take a miracle for them to even attempt to move the giant truck out-of-the-way.
"Maybe we could tow it out?"
Everyone looked back towards Ben as he nervously bit his nail.
"I mean this is a train. It has enough horsepower and torque to pull it down. I mean we have a train so we have the muscle to do it."
"That's a good idea Ben, but we don't have a chain long enough or strong enough to hold everything together as we drag it out." Lee said as he tried to make sense of the situation by looking at the train map. after a few moments he swore under his breath as he saw no way to go around it by switching on a different set of tracks and find another way to Savannah.
"I don't know about y'all fortitude but we could try to ram right through it. We have a god damn train!" Chuck said with confidence.
"That's not milk Chuck; that's gas or diesel. One spark and we die in an explosion that makes things look like the 4th of July back at home." Kenny replied but was confused at all the stares he got from everyone.
"Man you really are from Florida." Lee said as he shook his head. he looked up and saw the sun slowly sinking. Clementine saw this as well and stood close to Lee.
"It going to get dark soon." Clementine said fearfully as she saw just how weak they were if the were walkers or people who had ill intentions. The people who she saw as a family was cut down by The bandits and walkers in that crippling attack. All she could do was to hope that they could find shelter as soon as possible. though she knew in her mind that perhaps not even Lee could save the day.
"The first thing we have to do is to check our surroundings, I'll climb to the top of the bridge and check it out. We need someone on top of the train for a lookout. Chuck can you get on top of the train and be our look out. Kenny should be by the controls if we need to get out fast. Does that plan sound good?" Lee asked has he saw no objection. Chuck grumbled as he started to climb the ladder about being to old for this. Kenny nodded as he walked back to the train. Ben looked up hesitantly.
"What should I do Lee?" Ben asked in a timid voice as he hoped to get approval from Lee.
"Well you can help Kenny or Chuck out. However I think it's a one man job. Just keep on eye on things for a bit. I'll be right back." Lee said and saw that Clementine was right behind him. The looks he gave him was one he was already familiar with. Can I go with you Lee. Lee nodded to her and together they went up to the ladder.
"I'll go first Clementine and see if its safe. if it looks good than you climb up and we'll see if we can do anything to get this truck out of our way." Lee said as he looked up at slowly began his climb up. the ladder rungs started to moan with protest as he climbed on them.
'Please don't break. please don't break. almost their. almost... there we go solid ground.' Lee thought to himself as he pulled himself up and found a graveyard of cars littered along the bridge. there were a few supplies in there which may come useful later; especially since there supplies were low after there escape from the Motor Inn. after looking around it seemed as though there was no walker or man hiding he let a low whistle just to make sure...silence was all he got. looking down the ladder he nodded and clementine climbed up the ladder with ease after all she did have a tree house.
"Well it looks like its safe, and we can find some food in the cars; maybe we can check?" Clementine asked Lee and smiled as he gently ruffled her hair, however before he could respond a loud clang broke their sense of security. Lee turned around with a gun in his hand as he aimed for a man lying down looking at him nervously.
"Christa...baby...I think we have company."
A/N: Well look who's back! I am sorry for the long wait guys, but my life was pretty hectic these past months. I lost everything on the computer due to a virus, i failed math class and my dog passed away in October. Even now as i write this it is so weird to type this without him by my feet keeping me company. It was tough losing him with no warning. He got sick on a Saturday and died on Monday, October 7th. So in case you were wondering why there is a dog on my profile, well there's your answer. RIP Kody. You were the best friend ever. Needless to say I was not in the mood for writing but I'm back and hopefully the next chapter will come sooner than last time. that being said time to make a shout out to my loyal reviewers.
To Lame minim: Oh man I'm going to have to try and stop making people cry. hopefully you'll like this one a bit better? I hope, anyway thanks for reviewing.
To Purplepox63010: Damn I'm just making everyone hate Lilly. Well i'm glad you've always left a review all the time and I Thank you for that.
To Slam: There's a hint of that in the flashback in ch.7 :)
To Xcite: sorry about that. it was just your review was so analytical and helpful it reminded me of my professor who knew about my story. I pretty much meant to say that your review was extremely helpful. And sorry for scaring you. I meant to say that after this story i might do a one shot to a 3 chapter story. However only when I'm done and I still will focus on the sequel when we reach there. Sorry for giving you a mini heart attack.
To super mario 675: That's cool man, I hope you like the outcomes of it. Thanks for the info man.
To Feedingfrenzy91: Thanks for reading and I hope you will enjoy the new chapters I write in the future.
To Gig: Well I'm glad you've enjoyed the story and like I told Slam look at the flash black in ch 7. there is a hint in there :)
To Tyger: Thanks for the review and I'm glad you loved it.
To Exposed: I'll try my best man.
Well i hope you guys are still around and please forgive me on my lateness on this chapter. Thank you for all the reviews and enjoy :)