Chapter 10 – Dependence

The woods were silent when we left the cabin and the day had shifted again. Now the ambient light was bright, but gray, the sun not even visible behind the ghostly pallor of the afternoon in an incoming autumn. Even the dirt beneath our feet crunched as we walked, as if conspiring with the trees to give our position away. I pushed my hands into the pockets of my coat – a black wool field jacket that fit me right everywhere but somehow seemed too big. Guess I was just getting thinner. I had dug it out of the cabin's hall closet during our desperate raid of the place before our escape not minutes before. Now I had it, the knife, and somebody's old leather rucksack, which had nothing in it but the twelve packs of Camels I had left, the gold watch Clem and I had taken from the cabin, and some appropriated food.

"You said it was just up here?" Luke asked Clementine. We were headed to the shed first to find Luke. I didn't have the heart to tell Luke Pete was dead. Not even most likely dead. I knew it in my soul.

"Scout, just... whatever you do, don't forget your role. Don't let anything get in the way of that, not even people you love. Just because they're your people, just because you're blood, doesn't mean they're not gonna fuck it up, that they're not fucked up." Pete shifted in the driver's seat, his face contorting as another spasm of pain ripped up his leg. "I spent a lotta years trying to save everybody. Carver... he was probably a good man, once. So was I. But there are no good men anymore."

I lagged behind her, Rebecca and Alvin behind me. "Hey, guys," Rebecca called, hurrying to catch up to us. "I'm sorry if I gave you two some shit back there. I'm... just a little on edge."I didn't feel this warranted any kind of response, and turned away, studying the ground. Rebecca, in her quiet desperation for forgiveness, looked to Clem. "It's just a tough time right now, with the pregnancy and all..."

"Why is Carver after you?" Clem hazarded.

"After me?" she exclaimed, making my eyes narrow. "Oh.. you mean us. It's a long story. He... he has a hard time letting go."

Of what?

"I know you guys did your best back there," she softened. "You know, none of us would survive on our own. Sometimes it's hard knowing how dependent I am on everyone. I'm not used to that. I'm not comfortable with that. I'm supposed to be a mom soon. Guess I need to work on my patience. Alvin and I still don't know what to call her. Or him, if that man gets his wish, God help me."

Clem's attention shifted suddenly and mine followed hers like a ship seeks a lighthouse. Rebecca was still talking, but she trailed off as Clem came to a stop, turning right to face the thick trees.

"Clem?" Rebecca tested weakly.

I followed her, and after a few paces the shed came into view. We ducked low into the grass, watching a stray walker amble around, knocking his shins against the bodies of his kin.

"That's where we were," Clem indicated. Luke straightened up, withdrawing his machete and taking out the stray walker. The shink of his blade aroused another, leaning weakly against the doors of the shed, and he dispatched that one, too. Clem and I stood, following him to the double doors and shoving the walker aside.

"Nick?" Luke called. A barely audible moan erupted from within. "Alright, you two get the doors."

Clem and I each grabbed a handle. Luke stood between us, his machete at the ready. He nodded, and we pushed them open. They creaked gently, softly and I peered into the dark room that had been Clementine's prison. In the corner, I could make out Nick, curled into the fetal position, the brim of his trucker hat masking his face. The moaning continued. Luke pushed past us, his boots bumping against empty jars. The whole room smelt of whiskey. "Jesus..."

Nick stirred, rising up on his elbows. "Hey, man," he slurred. "You got some aspirin?"

"Nick, you asshole," Luke replied in clear relief. He went to his side, hauling him up beneath the arms and pulling him into a hug. "We gotta get moving, okay? Carver's gang showed up and we still haven't found Pete. Can you make it?"

"Yeah." He raised his head and spotted me. "Wait... she... she was with Pete. What do you mean you haven't found him?"

Luke turned to me, just a shadow in the dim light of the shed. The wind shifted. I swallowed, hanging my head. "He's dead."

"You know that for sure?" Luke demanded darkly.

"No, but-"

"Show us where you last saw him!" Nick shouted.