CHAPTER 1

"AGHH!" I tried to pull on the handcuff and free myself, but it was no use. I didn't have enough strength, I was drained.

"How long has it been?" I thought to myself.

I looked to my right, and behind the counter I saw some pliers lying on the floor. I reached to grab them, and thank god that I could. The chains on the cuffs weren't too thick, so I figured if I kept pinching the tool at them, it would eventually at least wear them out enough to where I could break it apart.

Clementine…you looked so frightened as I saw you leaving. I'm sorry; I should have held on a little longer. Sweetie, I just hope you're okay. You just have to be.

I could hear the moans of those monsters outside. I forgot that we had been in the middle of the city, when she locked us in here together, thinking she was helping. I can't even imagine how frightened she must be right now.

"No, Lee, you can't think like that..." I thought to myself, "Clem is such a strong, brave little girl. She can do anything."

I suddenly heard a clink, and looked at the chains that I had been pinching while in deep thought. The pliers broke through about ¼ of the chain, and I pulled on it with all the strength that I had. It broke apart, and I flung against the wall leading into the office that Clem left out of. I looked to my right and saw the decomposing body of the police officer that Clem had defeated to get free. The bat she used was lying right next to where I was now sitting.

I stumbled to my feet. Looking around the room, I discovered that someone had been in here while I was out. Across the room, I noticed three bodies lying face down on the floor. There was a pistol, a can of corn, and a slightly ripped white t-shirt placed on a chair. As I approached the bodies, my wrist started to burn. I quickly looked at it, and where I had been bitten seemed to be…healing?

"What the hell?" I walked over to the bodies and flipped each one over. Yep, they were walkers. How did three more walkers get in here? I looked at the chair with the supplies set on it, and found a pocket knife wrapped within the t-shirt. I opened up the can of corn, and I could feel myself coming back to life with each bite. When I finished the can of corn off, I noticed a folded up piece of paper placed underneath the pistol. I moved the pistol to the side, picked up the paper, and when I unfolded it, I felt my heart jump into my throat.

It was a picture Clementine had drawn of me when we were at the Motor Inn.

I quickly changed into the t-shirt, put the picture in my back pocket, grabbed the gun, and headed over to the office. As I passed the police "man", I picked up the bloody bat and rushed to the door Clem had left out of. The door was cracked open. I saw a ray of sunlight shining through the crack, it was almost blinding. What was behind this door would determine whether I would find Clem or not. I had no idea how many walkers would be outside, but I could hear them.

I took the picture out of my pocket, and smiled. Clem was always drawing, she's such a creative girl. Either someone had Clementine and wanted me to wake and see that, or Clementine came back and set it there. But how, and why, would she do that? She thought I had died. I thought I had died.

I put the picture back into my pocket, and pushed through the door.

"Holy shit." I said, shocked at what was in front of me.