Episode 2: The Perils Ahead- The Day After
Clementine was nudged awake by Kenny in the early hours of morning. "Clem wake up, you need to get up sweetie..."
The twelve year old yawned and rubbed her eyes sleepily as she stood up with Kenny and AJ in his arms. "Why so early...?"
Kenny unzipped the tent's entrance as he informed her. "I hear Xavier's making some big announcement. We need to be there and listen in with everyone else, come on darlin'." He instructed, taking AJ with him and leaving the tent. Clem quickly followed them.
In the clearing that was their town square, Xavier spoke to the remaining citizens of the camp from behind a podium to make this emergency address. "Good morning to you all. I apologize for this sudden announcement, but I must put to rest any whispers that may have been passed among you. Despite of what you may have heard, there is no cause for panic. Now, I know that some of you are sad to hear the loss of some of our beloved members of our community... We mourn for them, but you all have my word. This a place where we can work together and call a sanctuary in a world gone wrong, where you can sleep easy at night and live fearless productive lives. This settlement is our legacy, and I promise all of you, with my life, that Wellington is still safe..."
Clementine came to stand by Kenny, listening to what Xavier had to say while glancing around the crowd and trying to see any familiar faces. And that's when Michael caught her eye. The drunk teenager was standing some distances away, looking dazed, drowsy and sickly. She grimaced at the sight. He really did drink all that alcohol... she thought she could trust him not to.
Xavier continued his speech. "Vaughn was a good man. He was once a caring husband until his wife tragically passed away, he was a loving father, a loyal friend and a benevolent leader. His death has shocked this community to its very core. ...But out of the ashes we shall rise again, and I shall take Vaughn's place and lead this settlement in his honor."
Trying to play the hero? That's what Clem suspected from someone like him.
"As for news on what's going on outside the wall..." The newly-appointed greasy leader went on. "Some of the lookouts tell us that there is a large cluster of walkers coming from the woods. There is no need nor cause for panic of course, since the Wall will keep them out."
And keep all the sick people in.
"Anyone who starts showing symptoms of the flu must report to the sickbay immediately for treatment. We must be careful, all it takes is one lone walker to cause this community to fall. This sounds excessive I know, but it is better to be safe than sorry. We must prevent any infections from spreading at all costs."
What will you do to sick people? Clementine questioned internally. Sick people can't be saved...
"For now, go back to your jobs and don't worry about a thing. Myself and my aides shall deal with the rest, thank you all for your time. Dismiss."
And with that the community parted, people moving in different directions until little remain standing in the yard. Xavier was making his way back towards his office before pausing when he noticed Clementine. He gave her a death stare and quickly advanced on her. He grabbed her arm, squeezing it tightly and yanking her towards him. "Breathe a word about what happened last night and the flu won't be your only concern. So I suggest you keep quiet, missy."
"You're hurting me!" Clementine told him, the grip he had on her arm tightening.
"Hey! Get the fuck away from her!" Kenny bellowed.
Xavier scowled at Kenny and released Clementine's arm. "I assume you know about it too?"
Kenny was deathly silent, but the glare he gave Xavier was full of anger and hatred "The last person who touched Clementine like that ended up with his face caved in." He growled. "So why don't ya fuck off?!"
Xavier shook his head bitterly "Say anything about Vaughn's death and I swear, you'll both live to regret it." He didn't say another word after that. He just left. Walking at a quick pace towards his office.
"You okay?" Kenny approached Clementine with Alvin Junior still in his arms to which she nodded and he went on. "Clem... I don't trust any of these folks, and if you ask me we're better off without any of them." He had a look of regret on his face then stared down at AJ as he blinked owlishly up at them. "Wellington might be done..."
"What do we do then?" She asked.
"We should leave... just go. As soon as we can, it ain't safe no more..."
"What about everyone else?" She questioned him.
"Who's everyone else?" He raised an eyebrow at that.
"We should take some people with us, people that can help us survive outside the Wellington walls." She suggested, as the best defense against walkers and people, is people.
"Oh yeah, like who?"
"Michael." Clementine stated.
"The kid?"
"It's because of him I was able to get us our medicine. And he's good with a gun and a knife. We might need someone like that in our group. And he's nice, I like him."
"He didn't look too good earlier... Do you think he might be sick?" Kenny wondered.
"He uh.. helped himself to some alcohol." She informed Kenny.
(?) Kenny will remember that.
"He's hungover huh? Kid like that? Damn... I hope he's not a bad influence on you."
"He's not." Clementine stated simply. "He's just been through a rough time, that's all."
"Anyone else you want to take with us? People you trust?"
"Dusty. He's trustworthy. And Maree too, she can help out with AJ, and she knows about medicine and stuff..."
"The reckless soldier boy and the nurse huh? Well, as long as they ain't sick neither I suppose... That it or is there more?"
"Hazen. We can't just leave him here on his own, he only just got here." Clementine went down to the bottom of the list in her head. "And I think we should give Wayne and Helga a chance too."
"What? Clementine, look, I gotta put my foot down on those two. I know they ain't good people, I've seen that bratty shit mouth off to nearly anyone she talks to. And that asshole Wayne guy ain't no walk in the park either. Why would you want them with us?" Kenny inquired.
"Because Kenny, they're not all bad. Two more people can still really help us a lot." Clem crossed her arms on this stance. "We've had people like them before in our group and we've made it work, sort of... But last night, Wayne told me that they've both been through a lot."
"We've all been through a lot!" Kenny retorted with a sigh. "Fine... fine, if you say they're good, they're good, you've always seemed to have had a knack for these kinds of things."
She gratefully nodded. "Thank you."
"Well, the best thing to do is gather all these people up and figure out a plan together. How about you go talk to them and convince them to come with us, and we'll all meet up on one of the far picnic tables at noon, lunchtime. Sound good?"
Clementine affirmed. "Yeah, I can do that."
"So, where you going first?"
Clementine paused, lost in thought for a second. "I'll go check on Michael." She stated.
"Alright, remember though, meet me at one of the far tables at noon, lunchtime, okay?"
Clementine was about to leave when she paused and turned back towards the one-eyed man. "Kenny..." She began.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know anything about hangovers?" She asked him.
"Where'd you learn that word?" Kenny huffed as he went and walked into his tent. Moments later, he came out with a bottle of water. "It's important that he drinks lots of fluids, water especially." He stated while handing her the water bottle. "It ain't right a boy his age picking up the bottle, shit... here."
"Thanks Kenny." Clem took the plastic bottle of clear water in her hand.
"Yeah, don't mention it, we'll see you in a bit sweetie." Kenny smiled as he took one of AJ's little hands and made him give a wave to Clem.
Clementine happily returned the wave, and then she wandered over to Michael's tent where the teen had gone once Xavier's speech was over. She didn't bother to announce herself and instead just went inside.
Michael was sprawled out on his bedroll. "Hey." She greeted.
Michael lifted his head and then sat up. "Hey, Clem." He responded.
Clementine walked over to him, unscrewed the cap and held out the water bottle for him. "Here, drink this, it'll help."
Michael gladly took the bottle and began to take a few gulps and sips of the water. "I think you just saved my life... Hey, since when did you know about hangovers?" He asked, once he stopped for a breather.
Clementine shrugged. "Kenny told me."
"Shit, he knows about it too...? You may as well have just spread it around the camp." He groaned, taking a few more sips of water. His stomach gurgled.
Clementine scooped up the bottle of alcohol and felt its weight, and it was empty. "Could you put that down, please?"
Clementine stared silently at him and then placed the bottle down. "So, you drank all of it then?"
"I really don't want to talk about it..." Michael replied with a tone of shame.
"Right, sorry." She apologized.
"So, what did you want?" He asked. "Need my help stealing something else?"
"No, me and Kenny have been thinking about leaving, and we were wondering if you wanted to come with us."
Michael paused. "You want me to come with you?" He murmured in disbelief. "Like, leave Wellington, for good?"
"Of course, you helped me, so I wanna help you. You know how to shoot a gun and throw a knife. And... You're a friend."
"A lot people know how to shoot a gun, I don't know... It's been a long time since I've been outside of Wellington. I've been out there on supply runs but... I haven't lived out there, not for a long time..."
"We'll all support each other. It'll be fine, you'll see." Clementine told him encouragingly. "We just have to stick together with the people we can trust."
(?) Michael will remember that.
Michael gave her a weak smile. "Yeah, alright. I'll do it, I'm getting sick of Xavier's bullshit already anyway."
"That's great. Come find us around lunch at one of the far picnic tables, and we'll talk about what we're going to do."
Michael nodded, throwing his head back and drinking a vast amount of the water. "I'll see you then." He stated and Clementine turned to leave the tent.
"Clem?" She turned around to face him. "Thanks... For believing in me."
"You're welcome."
It was difficult trying to find Maree and Dusty. They weren't in Vaughn's tent, she had tried to go in, but Xavier's men had stopped her from entering. It annoyed her but she learned only Xavier occupied the new quarters.
But eventually, she found them in the settlement's sickbay. Maree had her own little office there. She and Dusty were together behind a partially opened white curtain, talking about an unknown subject when Clementine entered, after announcing herself and being invited in, of course.
Maree flashed Clementine a quick glance, old tears staining her cheeks. "I should go have a look at the patients..." Maree stated, quickly vacating the room.
"Maree..." Dusty called after her, worry wrought on his face.
She turned her head in response. "Yeah?"
"Be careful around them, okay?" He told, regarding her safety. "Just sayin'... Sick folk."
"I will Dusty, thanks." She replied with a comforting smile for him, leaving the room and shutting the nearby door behind her where other people were awaiting her services.
Dusty sighed and slumped down in Maree's chair. "Hey, Clem." He greeted looking up at her now.
"I guess she's avoiding me." Clementine murmured as she approached Dusty, her eyes still on the door Maree walked out of.
"These things take time, Clem." Dusty told her. "Just... give her some space, it's been real traumatic for her y'know? But I think she'll work through it..."
Dusty sighed once again and rubbed his temples. "You know what happened last night was real messed up... I still can't believe Vaughn's gone. Just like that, it ain't fair..." He then eyed the twelve year old with an expression of real guilt. "Clem...did you save Maree just because I asked you to look for her? Because, dammit, this wasn't what I had in mind. ...I, I shouldn't have put that on you. If I were only there just a little sooner, maybe we could have saved Vaughn too..."
"This isn't your fault, Dusty..." Clementine assured him. "I was going to help both of them."
"But you helped Maree first." The young janitor spat back.
"Yeah... I did..." Clem's eyes went downcast, wishing that things could have been different.
"I just wish I could've done something." Dusty ran his hands through his hair. "Something more than just keep Maree from lookin' at Vaughn's corpse..."
"I wish I could've done something too. More I mean. I could've saved both of them but... you have to listen to me, this all started because Xavier was planning to take over all along." She revealed to him.
(?) Dusty will remember that.
"Wh-what?" Dusty stuttered on disbelief.
"He was going to try and take over last night, but it went wrong and his men turned because they were sick, remember? If Xavier hadn't done that then maybe Vaughn would still be alive."
"You mean... He was...? That's what the medicine was for... that fuckin' son of a bitch!" Dusty's anger had flared, and he shot up from the chair he was in, he had someone to blame this on other than himself now. "He's in charge now, goddammit! So, I won't be able to give him a piece of my goddamn mind! He never would talk to me anyway and I just can't believe... god!"
Clementine found space in his little rant to stop him. "Dusty calm down. Kenny and I have a plan."
Dusty panted after that long winded curse on Xavier. "Yeah? What do you want to do?" He asked.
"Me and Kenny are planning on leaving. Michael has also agreed to come, and we want you and Maree with us."
"I'd like to come but..." He looked back at the door she walked out again. "I'm not sure about Maree. It might be too soon to let go and leave her home like this... And there's a lot of folks that could use her help here right now. But... I'll try to pull her back from it. I'll convince her to come with us. Ain't no way I'm gonna stick around here with that greasy bastard callin' the shots, if I can help it."
"Good to hear that. We're having a meeting at lunch time, and we're going to talk about what we want to do." Clementine told him.
"I'll be there... And maybe Maree will be too." Dusty assured her with a smile. "If there are more people you need to see, you should probably run along now and find them." He encouragingly suggested.
Clementine headed backed towards the door and paused for a moment. "Hey, would you ask Hazen about it too, please? We want him to be there as well, and I don't really know where he is..."
"I do. I'll take care of Hazen. You just focus on gathering everyone else up."
"Thanks." She murmured, throwing open the door and leaving the office, trying her best to avoid sick patients as she vacated the sickbay.
Wayne and Helga. Those were the last two people to find. Clementine came across them where she first met Helga, at that shooting range. Wayne was observing Helga as she shot at the targets when Clementine entered; better tread lightly, don't want a repeat of what happened last time.
Helga remain rooted to the spot, focused on her shooting so that Clementine went unnoticed. The same couldn't be said for Wayne. "Come to practice?" He asked.
"No. I came to talk to you." She told him, sparing a quick glance to Helga. "Only you."
Wayne glanced at Helga as well. "Maybe somewhere a little quieter, it won't take long right?" He said, leading Clementine into the corridor where the gunshots weren't as loud.
"So, what did you want? Did you come to talk about what I said last night?" Wayne grumbled as he crossed his arms. "Helga won't give you an apology if you try looking for it in her. Do you get it?"
"No, I don't care about that. It's about something else. I came to ask if you wanted to come with me, Kenny, and a few other people. We're leaving Wellington. This place isn't safe anymore with the flu going around and... other reasons that I can't talk about right now." She confided in him.
"You're... You're asking us to leave Wellington with you? ...After all we did yesterday?" He questioned, stunned by Clementine's words.
"I shouldn't judge you or Helga because of first impressions. Everyone should get a second chance, and I'm giving you and Helga one." She told him.
(?) Wayne will remember that.
"That's... Thank you, Clem. But there's no way in hell that a fuckin' flu is going to be too much trouble. You gotta be overreacting kid..."
Clementine scowled at him. "I don't think you should be the one telling me about overreactions, Wayne..."
Wayne furrowed his eyebrows at that. "Hey hey hey, don't be a damn smart-ass, kid. A little cough and a little sneeze never hurt anyone."
"Oh yeah?" Clem challenged him. "Well I know for a fact that two people died from it yesterday, and then they turned and killed Vaughn, that's what happened, Xavier's lying to everyone, covering it up to look like a hero."
"Bullshit! Why should I believe a little girl over a man like Xavier? He's the one taking on the responsibility on leading all of us, just like that."
"Stop being an asshole and just listen to me!" Clem yelled at the man, luckily Helga's gunshots covered up her increased volume. "I was there. I saw it happen."
"You and what army?" Wayne shook his head at her, still skeptical.
"Everyone who's leaving with us knows." Clementine retorted, slightly regretting to give these two another chance. "I just wanted to help you guys, but if you won't listen to what I have to say, then what's the point?"
An awkward silence ensued between the two of them as each were contemplating on what to say next. And then Wayne mumbled out. "Where's the meeting?"
Clem perked up, and gave him the information. "Just find and meet me and Kenny at one of the far picnic tables at lunch time and we'll explain everything, okay?"
"We'll stop by, but that don't mean that we're leaving with ya, alright?" Wayne wanted to make that clear. "I'll go talk to Helga about it, and I'll see you guys there." He turned to head back to the shooting range, but paused in the doorway "I appreciate the invitation, kid." he said gratefully, disappearing out of sight.
Lunch time, and it was a crappy overcast day, no direct sunshine rays coming down on them. Clementine got to small congregation of benches and picnic table as soon as she could. She sat down at one of the far tables where Kenny had been waiting with AJ, the wounded warrior inquired from her. "Clem, did you talk to everyone you wanted?" He asked as she joined him.
Clementine nodded. "Yeah, they should be coming soon." She told him as she motioned to Kenny that she wanted to hold Alvie. Kenny complied and handed the baby over to her.
The three sat in silence together as they waited.
"So..." Kenny began after AJ finished his fussing and fell asleep for a nap. "Who's a definite yes?" He asked.
"Michael, Dusty, and maybe Wayne. I'm not too sure about Maree, Hazen, and Helga though..." She murmured. "I didn't really talk to them."
"Well, I suppose we'll find out shortly." Kenny replied with a smirk.
A/N- And so we will see who will join them in this departure. Who will go? And who will stay? Go ahead and give us your thoughts in the reviews below. Stayed tuned for next time. :)