((Here is the new link for the discord! Sorry about any confusion. Just put this into the "Add a server" section and you should be good! /9NhmuXpyyH back to the story))
Clem sighed, feeling the weight of her entire group's eyes on her. She wasn't used to them taking her opinion into account. "I think that if Molly really does want to find Chuck, then she shouldn't go alone. I agree with Carley, one group should go with her while another stays with the cabin group." Carley and Lee were proud to see Clem agreeing with them. Christa rolled her eyes.
Christa huffed a reply. "And what if we don't want to stay with the dangerous fugitives?"
"Christa, you know it's safer than out there, alone. If it bothers you so much to be amongst them, you can go with Molly." Carley advised. Molly immediately snapped back.
"No fuckin' way. She'd sabotage the shit outta me outta spite alone." The two got into another death glaring match before Lee got between it.
"Well, someone has to go with you. It can't be Clem, and I think it'd be safer if Christa stayed with the larger group."
"That just leaves us. You wanna flip a coin for it?"
Hesitantly, Lee replied. "I was actually thinking you could go. I don't want to leave Clem alone again, even if she's with you. I just.. I dunno. I can't bear the idea of not knowing how she's doing. Plus, this mission seems to prefer four arms over three." He gave a comedic smile. Carley softly chuckled.
"I understand. You okay with that, Molly?"
She loosened up, nodding. "Sure. I trust you."
Lee realized he was basically asking Carley to potentially leave him forever. He couldn't have that. "In that case, I'll try and get some information on this ski lodge the group was talking about and make a map for you to follow. When you get Chuck, meet us there. We won't leave until you come back." So he tries to have his cake and eat it too.
Carley chewed on her lip. "And.. What if we don't come back?"
The leader searched for a plan in his head, his mouth about to object to such a possibility.. But deep down he knew it was more than possible. "I.. We'll give you a few days. five days might work best depending on how our situation is at the time."
"It's times like these that I miss my walkie talkie." Clem lamented. Lee placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Me too, sweet pea."
"We'll split up tomorrow then." Christa decided swiftly, heading back inside to begin packing what little supplies they had left. Molly clenched her fist and followed her in, doing the same. Carley shook her head, worried about them, but decided to join Molly as well. Lee sighed, leaning over the porch as he held his light head. Clem approached him, copying his pose.
The younger of the two opened her lips to speak. "Hey, Lee.. is it really my fault that Chuck was taken away?"
"Of course not, hun. That situation was out of control. Chuck is a strong guy and Christa is a scary woman, but even those strengths can be overcome."
"But I was the one who suggested Christa hide with Sarah." She sadly informed him.
"Was it really you who made the final decision?" Lee questioned, finding it hard to believe.
She was surprised he could tell. "Well, technically it was Chuck's."
"Right. Like I said, that whole situation was out of anyone's control. You were all panicked and for damn good reason. Hell, I was panicking the whole day you were gone. Think I drove Alvin crazy." He shook his head, eyes lingering on some dead grass. "How are you doing?"
"Better now. I was just scared of cutting the uh.. You know."
"It wasn't too much easier on me. I know his pain."
"I.. I just still feel gross about it. I could feel the bone and-and I could hear him screaming for me to stop-"
Lee stopped her. "That's good. It means we still have a firm stance on reality. We haven't let this thing consume us. When all you have left is family and hope, the only thing that could rip that away is total loss of yourself." The two glanced at each other with just that: hope. "Okay, that was really cheesy."
"Too cheesy."
The tone lightened up, a smirk creeping on Clem's mouth. Lee returned with a smile and a playful eye roll. "I get it, you win."
"Thanks, Lee."
"Anytime, sweet pea."
Dinner started and passed. The two groups conversated over the plan, including what would happen if Molly, Chuck and Carley couldn't make it back. Pete told them that they'd probably only spend a night or two there depending on how close Carver is. The tension was thick tonight, not just between the groups, but also due to the older man who threatened Clem in the first place. Molly decided to eat outside after Lee went over the plan. Shortly after the fish were eaten, Christa decided to check up on her.
The door slid open, the smell of rain thick in the air. Molly sat on the porch, taking a drag out of a cigarette that seemingly came out of nowhere. "Where'd you get that?" Molly slowly turned around to the bitter woman's voice, blowing smoke out of her lips and nostrils.
"Pete. Him and his cousin fucking nephew wanted to gimme a parting gift in case our excursion falls on it's face. It was sweet, even if it tastes like ass." A few moments passed as the previously pregnant woman soaked in that information.
"Gimme one."
The parkour master let out a "Tsk." "I suppose some of us need one more than others. Here." Molly lit up a stale cigarette, handing it to her as she stood near the gate of the porch. Christa happily humored the poor excuse of a cancer stick. The taste left her groaning. "Agreed." The blonde replied.
"Sorry, for earlier."
"...I know. Me too."
"Please, stay safe out there."
"..Thank, Christa."
The two silently enjoyed a smoke together, the rain acting as the perfect ambiance. Carley watched them from outside and sighed in relief. She headed for the living room to meet up with the rest of her little family, both members of which were already cuddled up on the couch half asleep. Clementine actually was asleep. Lee had trouble.
"Hey.. She knocked out cold or should I worry about getting a scolding?"
The ex-teacher's eyes lifted to face his girlfriend. "Hm..? Oh, yeah, she's dead like I've never seen."
"Couldn't imagine why." She replied sarcastically, taking the hat off her pseudo daughter. Lee nodded.
"Yeah.." Slowly, he lowered her down so she could lay on the couch. "What do you say we take that couch tonight and let Clem get the rest she deserves? It's gonna be a long day tomorrow no matter where we're headed."
Carley nodded, sitting down on the couch alongside Lee. Their arms linked as the deadshot lazily through a blanket over their bodies. "Yeah, you can say that again. I just hope I can keep Molly from overreacting."
"To be fair, if you had been kidnapped instead, I'd overreact too."
"Don't I know it." She smirked all too knowingly.
"..I know what I said earlier, and I know we already decided.. But are you sure you're gonna be okay going after Chuck alone?"
She hesitated to answer that question for a few moments. "No going back now. It would crush Molly to know she has no support. At least this way I know what happens to her. This way there's a chance she doesn't fall down the Christa rabbit hole. And.. This way our family isn't as hollow. I already miss those corny jokes and that lively guitar."
Lee understood. Still, he was unsure of how to feel. "Carley.. What if-"
"Hey, it's my last day with my boyfriend for a while on a mission I'm just as tense about as you are. Don't you think she deserves to be treated special and not like she should worry for the next few days?" Her eyebrows raised suggestively, those almond eyes of hers, no matter how baggy, sensually inviting Lee into debauchery.
"What do you sugge- ah. Careful." Lee muttered, feeling his lover's calloused hand fall under his underwear.
"Careful and quiet. I know, Lee. Now shut up."
The rest of the night was spent exploring with solely hands until both were satisfied, followed by a loving sleep underneath the roof of the cabin, protecting them from savage rain and even worse walkers.. And even worse people.
In the morning, everyone was all packed up. Carley and Molly were finishing breakfast before they left, while Alvin and Luke were on lookout as the rest of the cabin group gave one last check around to find anything else they needed.
"Stay sharp, kiddo. We'll be back." Molly confidently stated, punching Clem's shoulder. The girl rubbed it playfully.
"Stay lucky, Molly. You too, Carley."
"Luck has nothing to do with them." Christa corrected her. Clem was happy to see her in a mood to talk.
Lee lingered at Carley, giving her a crushing bear hug. Well, more like half a bear hug with that nub. "..I love you."
Carley pushed him slightly, giving him a kiss on his lips, in the middle of his godly bear. "I know. I love you too. And it won't be the last time you hear it either."
"It better not be." He nodded, watching her turn away.
"Good luck." Nick stuttered out, watching the two leave. It was pathetic, but also kinda sweet.
"..You too." With that, the two girls were off to find the homeless grandfather of the group. Lee was already anxious; so were Clem and Christa.
"Ya'll ready?" Luke questioned the group as a whole. Without an objection in sight, he came to the conclusion himself. "Gotcha. Let's go."
As all ten party members headed down the dirt path leading to the ski lodge, Pete pulled out a map and looked it over. Nick pushed him from behind so he could focus on reading. "We got five long days ahead of us. We should only break for Rebecca, or at nightfall. Everyone understands that?"
Rebecca was shocked, much like her other friends. "Five days?!"
Alvin gripped her hand tighter. "It'll be okay, Bec. I'm here."
"And we can always break if you're not feeling well." Pete reaffirmed.
"Let's keep sharp. If Carver finds us, we're gonna have to fight." Lee said.
Christa nodded in agreement. "Right."
"Does everyone have a weapon on 'em?" Luke quizzed. He stared back to see everyone: Lee had a pistol and an axe on his back as well as a monkey wrench in his pocket, Clem had a pocket knife and a pistol with her, Christa held the assault rifle from years ago, Luke himself had his machete, Pete had a rifle in a holster on his back, Nick also had a rifle, Rebecca had a pistol as did Alvin, and Carlos had a glock in his back pocket.
"Everyone but Sarah, you mean?" The Spanish man corrected. Sarah turned to argue but found it useless, slumping her shoulders. Lee found that fact concerning while Clem understood but still found it stupid. If Sarah was ever attacked, she could end up bitten or worse. If she did have a weapon though.. There's no telling how badly she'd fuck up. Clem knew Duck had a happy trigger from his explanation of how he met Molly, and Sarah was like a cowardly version of him. However, Lee understood that cowardice had more than just fear as a motivator for Sarah's attitude. Clem did not.
(Playing as Clem)
Choices:
A: Voice your concern for Sarah not having a weapon.
B: It's none of your business, Sarah will be fine.
Relationships:
Lee: 10/10 (For agreeing with him and Carley)
Carley: 10/10 (For agreeing with her)
Christa: 8/10 (For not backing her up.)
Molly: 8/10 (For backing her up, somewhat.)
Chuck: 10/10
Luke: 8/10
Pete: 10/10
Nick: 8/10
Carlos: 7/10
Sarah: 9/10
Alvin: 6/10
Rebecca: 5/10
Carver: 2/10
((QOTC: Should I show Carley and Molly during the coarse of the five days or leave their situation as a surprise? If so, who would you rather play as?))