Lee sighs, clutching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. "Look, Kenny… What I'm about to tell you is a lot. I don't want you to freak out, or get angry, so promise me you won't."
The fisherman looks towards Christa and Clem, then raises a brow at Lee. "I can't promise anything.. But I'll try. What happened?" Ben and Duck look concerned as they listen in closer. Clem and Christa watch their leader explain.
Lee begins. "After Omid.. we got separated. Clem was with Chuck and Molly, I was with Carley and Christa. The next morning, we were found by this group, the people we're with, and taken in to rest. The group found Clem, Molly and Chuck just fine, but.. There was something strange about them. They were hiding something, surely."
"They kept mentioning a guy named Carver. He's the leader of a settlement they used to run with. Apparently it's this grand place with all kinds of people." Christa explains.
"Never heard of him." Ben shrugs.
"Neither had we." Clem nearly whispers her words.
Kenny frowns. "So where are the others then? With him?"
Lee continued,."Chuck is. The guy in the wheelchair, Pete, he's their leader more or less. Sound guy. Clem and him got cornered at the river they were fishing at, and she ended up having to cut his leg off." Ben's eyes widened at the image in his head. Lee took notice and gave a sympathetic look. "We found him and she came back to us. But while we were searching, Clem, Christa, Sarah and Chuck were left at the cabin alone. Carver found them and took Chuck after Christa fired at him."
"You didn't hit him?" Duck asked, surprised.
"What's it to you? No. He was too fast." Christa growled.
"That still don't explain where they are." Kenny piped in, more urgently.
"Carley and Molly went looking for him almost a week ago. They know we're supposed to be at this lodge, but.. Who knows if they survived." Lee looks down, tears threatening to escape him as he imagines a life without Carley, the corpses of the three brightest bulbs in their group being laid out to rot in a prison camp somewhere. His spine chilled.
"Is he coming here?" Ben questions nervously. Duck looks just as anxious.
"Who, Carver? I don't know. I hope not. That's why.. That's why we can't stay long."
There's a brief silence that takes the group over before Kenny rises from his seat and looks out the window at the dark night sky, fists tightening. "Anything else..?" Lee looks at Christa and opens his mouth to speak.
"I'm pregnant." She answers for him. The three boat survivors look shocked. Christa just looks jaded. "Not my first one either."
"Oh, Christa.." Kenny sighs, turning around to see her with sympathetic eyes. If anything happened to his child..? That's it.
"Save it. I'm done thinking about her."
"I'm sorry for your loss anyway." Duck mutters.
"..Thanks." She replies.
"What the hell does this Carver fucker want?" Kenny demands, his tone becoming more aggressive.
Clem speaks up. "He wants the cabin group. He.. trusts them, like a family. They broke out of his camp, but he still trusts them a lot. He just wants his group back together. And.. he wants Rebecca specifically."
"Why her?"
Before anyone can answer the father's question, Walter, Matthew, Sarita and Sarah come back downstairs. Sarah gawks at the huge Christmas tree whilst the other three lodge members happily stroll towards the little reunion party sitting together by the fire.
Walt senses tension immediately. His smile droops. "Is everything okay? I'm sorry for earlier, it's just that I've never really liked guns. We trust each other here, so we tend to leave our weapons by the door."
"It's not that. We understand." Lee replies. This answer doesn't seem to satisfy the trio, who just seem more worried.
"Walt, why don't you and Matthew start dinner? These folks must be starving." Kenny slyly asks, trying to seem calm.
"Ah, rumbly stomachs are the problem? But of course." Matthew jokes, laughing to himself.
Walt asks, "You sure nothing else is wrong?"
"Nah, nah it's.. We're fine." Lee answers. Walt looks unconvinced.
"Well, loosen up those shoulders and relax. This place is amazing. If you need anything, I'll be by the Christmas tree with Sarah." Sarita politely replies, a small smile on her lips. Lee smiles back at her.
"Will do." Christa says.
"And if you want dinner, it should be ready before you know it." Walt assures, offering a bit of optimism to the depressing circle.
"We're starved. Thank you." Clem coyly responds, smiling at the teddie bear of a man.
He smiles back. "Of course, hunny." He walks away with Matthew, while Sarita separates herself by joining Sarah at the tree. When everyone is out of ear shot, Kenny turns back around to the group and kneels down.
"Okay, here's the plan: Tonight y'all relax and settle in. In the morning, we'll figure out where this asshole's got Chuck and the girls, then plan an attack on his base to break 'em out, just like Crawford."
"Kenny.."
"Lee, you know I'm right on this. We've got, what, fifteen people? Carley, Chuck and Molly are a part of your group, right? They were a part of mine all those years ago." Kenny hisses, offended by Lee's restraint. Lee glares at him.
"Don't say shit like that, man. You have no idea how close we are."
"I do! Which is why we have to save them. We'll give it two days tops, then we form a plan and send a squad out to get 'em back safely. Everyone wins. Aside from those kidnappers." He sounds eager to break them out. Christa turns to see the anxious expressions of Clementine and Duck, as well as Ben.
"..Clem, Duck, Ben, mind giving us some privacy? No offense, but we need to hash this out. Now." She orders, a bit too strictly.
"Oh.. okay." Duck gets up from his seat.
"What gives? I'm an adult." Says Ben.
"Ben can stay. Kids, go find something to do. Matty and Walt could use some help with dinner, or you could have fun with the Christmas tree." Kenny replies, using a sweeter voice when talking to Clem and Duck.
"Or you could see how the others are doing upstairs." Lee added.
"Um.. okay. Just don't argue, please?" Clementine pleads, looking more so at Kenny than anyone else. Lee offers a small smile.
"We won't, sweet pea."
Kenny smiles at her, too. "It'll be okay, hun. Just relax."
"I'll try.." She huffs, looking down at her torn up, purple shoes. As she looks up, she sees Luke helping Pete down the stairs before placing him back in his wheelchair. Then the two head for one of the side entrances. Luke gives Clem a warm, friendly smirk before leaving, stopping just outside. He fetches Pete a cigarette from his pocket.
"So, Clementine," Duck begins, catching her attention. "Whaddya wanna do?"
Choices (Clementine)
A: See Luke and Pete outside
B: Help Walter and Matthew with the cooking
C: Catch up with Rebecca, Alvin, Nick and Carlos
D: Decorate the tree with Sarah and Sarita
E: Draw with Duck
Relationships
Lee: 10/10 (Lee's glad you accept the cabin group into the fold)
Carley: 10/10
Christa: 8/10 (Accepting the cabin group resonates with her. No relationship change)
Molly: 8/10
Chuck: 10/10
Kenny: 9/10 (He doesn't know the cabin group much yet, but if you vouch for them they must be good. Then again, you also vouched for the stranger. He trusts your decision now though.)
Duck: 10/10
Ben: 8/10
Walter: 7/10 (He's thankful you defused Kenny and Nick's fight)
Matthew: 7/10 (See Walter's reason)
Sarita: 6/10 (Still don't know her much yet. Maybe it'd be worth it to hang out with her?)
Luke: 8/10 (He's glad you diffused the situation so quickly.)
Pete: 10/10 (See Luke's reason)
Nick: 9/10 (See Luke's reason)
Carlos: 8/10 (See Luke's reason)
Sarah: 10/10 (See Luke's reason)
Alvin: 8/10 (He doesn't mind putting his guns down, and is actually glad he and Bec can put their guards down for just one night)
Rebecca: 7/10 (See Luke's reason)
Carver: 0/10
Trisa continued to drive the truck containing the captive survivors, Bonnie in the passenger seat with Carver leaning over both of them. He was talking on a walkie talkie.
"Everything's good? How are the prisoners?" Bill asks.
"Reggie's just as overachieving as usual. It's kind of sad. That girl, still don't know her name or anything about her, but she's been doing her work and staying out of everyone's way. Mike's less rowdy, so there's that." Tavia replies over the static.
"Make sure he stays that way."
"How are things with your group? Have you found them yet?"
"I'm following an intuition. There aren't many places they could go. I think I'm onto something."
"That's good. How are the others?"
"Fine, just fine."
"Well, call me if anything comes up." Carver silences the radio instead of responding, tapping the long haired woman who was driving the vehicle on the shoulder.
"Hey, stop here." She did as told. They had been driving for hours and were currently knee deep in the woods. That is, until they stumbled upon the bridge. They stopped in front of it per Carver's command and the leader got out to inspect the site, taking a pair of binoculars with him. The sky is dark, but it isn't night just yet. He feels as if someone is watching him as he turns on his flashlight.
"Troy, Bonnie, Justin, get out here and bring the brunette. Tisha, keep the car ready. Johnny, Shawn, keep an eye on the others." The driver nods from the windshield, staying put. Those who were called began piling out of the truck. Justin and Troy towered over Carlie whilst Shawn and Johnny watched, sitting next to a handcuffed Chuck. Molly was still conscious, but incapable of fighting back. She didn't want to after last time. Carley glared up at the disgusting weasel lifting her up by one arm while Justin lifted the other.
"C'mere, missy. Boss wants a chat." She just continues to glare at him, then the floor. She struggles to stand, her gunshot wound causing her to limp and stumble.
"Easy, Troy, she's shot." Justin warns, lifting her arm around his neck.
"That was a day ago. She should be fine." Troy's other hand lightly teases her stomach, clothes separating his flesh from hers. Justin looks away as he carries her forward. It takes everything within the reporter to not kill him on the spot. The two bring her towards Bill and Bonnie as they shine lights around the woods, scoping out the bridge and small house nearby.
"Look, a ski lodge." Bonnie points out, literally. Carver nods.
"Good work. There's a high probability that if they're not in that house, they're in the lodge. Should take us a few hours to get up by foot, but we can't bring the truck. Trisha can stay behind with Shawn while the rest of us get our group back. Bonnie,"
"Yes sir?"
"Go first and scope out the place. Act like a hungry, innocent girl looking for food for her pitiful family. Ham it up, I know you're at least decent at acting."
She gives a forced smile and laughs. "Heh.. okay. Should I take anything with me?"
"Walkie talkie, obviously, and a melee weapon. No guns. You'd be too suspicious. Take a screwdriver from the front. After you make contact, if you make contact, hide in the woods and call me immediately."
"Gotcha. I'll get right to it." She walks to the passenger seat, grabs a screwdriver from the box under the glove compartment and then leaves with a flashlight to guide her across the bridge. While she walks away, Bill turns around to face Carley, who was still being touched by Troy and manhandled by Justin. She glared daggers into Bill, trying to kill him with stares alone.
"What?" Carley demands, ruggedly breathing. Carver finds Troy's hand and stares at it.
"Stop it." Troy listens and lets go of her stomach immediately. "Carley. I want to give you another chance."
"I said.. What I said. We.. are not giving up."
"Then you risk your entire group being gunned down for one woman. I don't want to kill any of you."
"Really?" She asked skeptically.
He puts his hands on his hips. "Yes. Really. I'm not pure evil. And you're not dumb. So pay attention and cooperate and you and your entire crew might walk out of this with better lives." She stays quiet. He clears his throat, looking her in the eyes. She looks back, concerned and upset.
"What do you want me to do..?"
"Tell me: that little girl in the lodge, the one with the pigtails, Clementine.. How do you know her?"
Carley looks away, her lips sealed. She feels Bill's warm fingers cup her chin and raise her head to look at him.
He stares into her eyes and pities her. "Carley. Don't do this to her."
"She's my boyfriend's daughter. That's it." He backs off.
"And you've known her for how long?"
"Since the beginning. We've all been together since the beginning. What is it to you?"
"You know how tough she is then, huh? When I met her, at the lodge, Charles was so.. Protective. For a second there, I really did think I had the wrong survivors. His act wasn't very convincing though. And really, neither was hers. That's because that girl, she's a survivor. She ain't afraid to look it in the eye. Ain't afraid to voice her objections. She's tough. We need more kids like that if we want to survive into the future. That's how my kid oughta be raised."
"You have a kid? I feel awful for the mother." Carver smacks her across the face, throwing her off balance. The men continue to hold her, Troy smirking sadistically whilst Justin just looks expressionless, like he's used to this. She spits out saliva before making eye contact again.
"You've got that same glare. I know you're capable. Your whole crew is. You're all so fired up and strong and passionate. So, I propose a truce: Give up your group, come live in my camp and you won't be treated like prisoners, and more importantly I won't have to hurt any of you when I find the rest of your crew. You, your boyfriend, your daughter and your buddies in the truck will all become regular citizens within the community fairly quickly. You'll work, eat, patrol, make friends and live comfortably. Like before, with more rules."
"And what about the cabin group? Luke, Nick, Sarah, Carlos, Rebecca? What are you gonna do to them?"
Carver smirks. "That's none of your concern."
"And what if I don't comply?"
He doesn't like that. "...Then fine. We'll have to take them in by force. You really wanna fight this?"
Yes. Yes of course she did. But was it worth it? She had no idea 16 people were ready to fight tooth and nail to protect them and their group, and just wanted to safely return back to a normal, safe life with her family. She was tired. Molly was traumatized again and Chuck was exhausted. Carley had to make a choice for the group.
"You have influence in your group, I can tell. They look up to you." He nods at the truck, referencing the two other fugitives. "Surely the rest of your group feels the same. I'll let you come with me and give you all the benefits I mentioned if you promise me, right here right now, that you'll tell your group to give up and turn themselves in."
His flashlight shines in her face as she thinks about her two choices.
Choices (Carley)
A: Fine.
B: No way in hell.
Relationships
Lee: 10/10
Clementine: 10/10
Christa: 8/10
Molly: 8/10 (She agrees with your decision to refuse a deal)
Chuck: 10/10 (He's terrified of your choice, but is happy you stuck with your guns. No effect)
Pete: 7/10
Nick: 6/10
Luke: 7/10
Alvin: 7/10
Rebecca: 4/10
Carlos: 6/10
Sarah: 5/10
Carver: 0/10 (He likes you, but you hate him. He didn't like your disrespectful answer to his deal, however.)
Troy: 0/10 (You see him as a disgusting pig. He doesn't appreciate you refusing his leader.)
Johnny: 2/10 (See Troy's reasons)
Justin: 3/10 (He hasn't shown much disdain towards you, though he doesn't particularly care if you refuse or not)
Bonnie: 2/10 (She's going to trick your group.)
Tisha: 4/10 (Seems like a cold bitch)
Shawn: 5/10 (Though he isn't sure how to feel about you disagreeing with the deal, he is sympathetic towards your plight and did save Molly)
Sam: 2/10 (You don't appreciate being compared to him)