Thanks to gaara king of the sand for the help.
Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing.
Life on the boat had been exhausting and rough. They were running low on food; Carley was constantly making sure Clementine and Danielle had food. Clementine would sometimes protest, but Carley would remind her that her baby needed the food, which would cause the girl to give in.
They had managed to stumble upon a couple of communities out on the water. The most recent one being a community made from several barges and large boats. However, some of those communities weren't too fond of outsiders, the most recent community had been one of those. Though fortunately they were kind enough to give them a small amount of food and fresh Water. Though, Clementine was sure that they only had done so out of pity for the pregnant girl. Seeing how they were nearly turned away until they noticed she was expecting. Much like usual, she was once again questioned about her age and with looks of pity supplies were handed over.
Clementine hated the way people looked at her. Like she was helpless… She wasn't helpless, she was pregnant. Many of the communities they had found turned them away for the simple fact of them being extra mouths to feed.
And as if the daily struggle to survive wasn't hard enough. The pregnancy had Clementine feeling about ready to jump ship. Her pregnancy had been very difficult. She was constantly getting hit with waves of morning sickness. And was overall uncomfortable. She felt powerless and vulnerable at times. She was feeling discomfort due to her approaching her seventh month in pregnancy and her personal image of her body had taken root on her throughout her pregnancy. She didn't think she looked good. Considering the weight gain and the dark circles under her eyes. Her self-esteem had plummeted severely. Some days she would sit and silently cried.
Things were getting harder and harder. It was getting more and more difficult to manage her life. She was exhausted.
"How are you holding up, Clem?" Carley asked the young girl.
"I'm fine…" Clementine said then sighed. "Inventory's not looking great…"
"I know… We'll find some where to stock up soon." Carley replied.
Clementine paused before suddenly asking, "…How much longer are we going to do this?"
"Do what?" Carley asked back.
"This. Live this way…" Clementine said. "On a boat…"
"I… I don't know, Clem…" Carley said, honestly.
"Well, I can't do this… Not much longer. I could be having a baby any day now. I can't give birth on a boat! I can't raise a baby on a boat!" Clementine said.
"We'll figure it out, Clem." Carley responded.
"I'm tired of figuring things out! I can't raise a kid like this! I need stability." Clementine exclaimed; her voice laced with frustration.
"I know you do… I know we do..." Carley frowned. "I promise things are going to get better. We'll get passed this, and we'll find some place soon…"
"When is soon?" Clementine asked.
"I don't know, Clem… But I promise we'll find something." Carley said.
Clementine scoffed, "…You shouldn't make promises you can't keep."
"Clem…" Carley sighed. "I know things have been tough, but—"
"No... You don't know… You don't know how hard this is for me… Being on this boat, being pregnant! I could have this baby any day and I don't want to do it here… I'm scared, Carley! The thought of giving birth scares me enough, but the thought of giving birth on a boat… That terrifies me more…" Clementine said.
"I know, Clem… I know you're scared, but it's okay… You're going to be okay…" Carley reassured the girl/
"We don't know that..." Clementine sighed. "And honestly I'm tired of not knowing. I'm tired of everything."
"I know, Clem... But you have to try to stay positive... Stress isn't good for the baby." Carley said.
"This baby has had nothing but stress." Clementine scoffed. "It has to be used to it be now. I mean everything about surviving on a boat is stressful."
"Fair point... but still... try not to think so negative."
"Easier said than done." Clementine muttered.
"You're right. But with as much as we've been through. I'm sure we're gonna get through this..." Carley said.
"I want to be sure too, Carley... I just can't be right now. It's not that simple." Clementine replied.
"Nothing ever is."
"I can't- I can't just be blindly optimistic about this! This is my child...my baby! And I need them to be okay." Clementine said.
"They will be, Clem. They will be."
The noise of their back and forth had grabbed Danielle's attention as the child began to stir a bit and her little voice spoke up. "Wh-What's going on?"
"Nothing Dani. Go back to sleep." Clementine grumbled.
"Are you two fighting?" Danielle asked.
"We're not fighting. We were just talking." Carley said.
"Do you promise...? I don't want you to fight." Danielle responded.
"I promise we're not fighting. Go back to sleep Dani." Clementine said.
"Are you upset?" Danielle asked.
"What?"
"Are you upset?" Danielle repeated her question.
"What would I be upset about?" Clementine asked the child.
"I don't know...about the baby?" Danielle shrugged.
"I'm not upset Dani. Look...don't worry about me kiddo. Everything is fine." Clementine assured the girl.
"...Okay..." Danielle muttered.
"Try to go back to sleep. You need your rest." Clementine said.
Danielle nodded in response, obliging and laying back down to go back to sleep.
"You should get some rest too." Carley said to Clementine.
The teen looked to the woman; she was sure Carley was exhausted herself. "What about you?"
"I'm fine for now. Go ahead and get some sleep." Carley said.
"I... I'll try..." Clementine was getting less and less sleep nowadays. Despite some days that she felt drained and completely exhausted it was hard to get comfortable enough to sleep. Still, she would try. She knew she needed some rest. Maybe some much needed sleep would help her irritated mood.
Carley too hoped that Clementine's mood would pass soon. She didn't know how to react when Clementine was like this. She knew part of it was due to the pregnancy, and that the girl's mood and frustration were valid, but it bothered her because although she tried to offer reassurance, she didn't know how to truly help her.
She truly hoped they would find a place to stay before that baby was ready to be born.
They had been silently sailing. Carley kept an eye out for any land, a place to stop and hopefully find supplies. While Clementine and Danielle were asleep.
As they sailed onward however, Carley caught sight of what appeared to be a ferry in the distance. Carley had to squint to see better, but as they drifted closer, she realized that what she saw was indeed a ferry.
"Clem, Dani, wake up..." Carley called to the girls, eventually causing the two to wake.
"What? What is it?" Clementine asked, immediately looking alert and concerned.
"We're safe. Don't worry…" Carley quickly calmed the teen and Danielle who also looked a bit concerned. "Look,"
Clementine followed Carley's gaze toward the ferry that they were sailing toward. "Woah… Is that a ferry?"
"Yeah, it is." Carley confirmed.
"Should we check it out?" Danielle asked.
"We should. They might have food or other supplies." Carley said.
"That's true." Clementine agreed. "Do you think it's safe?"
"We're going to find out." Carley said.
"What if people live there?" Clementine asked.
"Well...let's just hope they're friendly." Carley replied.
"Wh-What if… What if they're not... What if they're bad?" Danielle stammered looking a bit nervous.
"We'll be okay Dani. Just stick close to us." Clementine said to the younger girl.
"O-Okay…" Danielle stammered with a nod.
As they drifted closer to the ferry, close enough to exit their boat, Clementine spoke again. "It looks abandoned… Do you think anyone is there?" As far as they could tell they couldn't see any activity on the ferry. Not even a single person stood in view.
"I don't know… I can check it out and you two can stay on the boat." Carley said.
Clementine shot him a look of misbelief, "You're kidding right?"
"Clem, you're pregnant." Carley reminded.
"Obviously." Clementine rolled her eyes. "And I'm pregnant, not immobilized. I can help."
"I just don't want you pushing yourself, you're nearly eight months pregnant…" Carley said.
"And?"
"And it might be safer for you to stay here…" Carley finished.
"Oh sure, you go right ahead. I'll stay right here and wait for the walkers to come EAT US. Oh, and guess what, they get to have dessert in the form of my unborn child. So, you go on ahead we'll be FINE." Clementine huffed.
Silence fell as Carley sent the girl a look before rolling her eyes and sighing. "Fine. Come on." Clementine could definitely be moody. Though Carley couldn't blame the teen, between having to live on a boat for months and her aches and pains from having a baby constantly kicking her ribs, she was justified.
As they stepped foot onto the deck of the ferry, they couldn't help but get eerie feelings. There wasn't a single soul in sight. Danielle even shifted closer to Clementine and muttered, "This place is spooky…"
The place was run down, dusty, and dark. But what bothered them the most was the fact that nobody was there. The ferry was so quiet that they could only hear the footsteps of their own shoes against the dock.
"Yeah… You can say that again…. Gives me a weird feeling… I wonder where everybody went…" Clementine said.
"It could have been overrun at some point. We don't know." Carley said.
"Yeah, that's true…" Clementine nodded in agreement.
"Look, we won't stay long, we'll go in, look for supplies and get the hell out of here." Carley said.
"Sounds like a plan… Let's just make it quick please." Clementine said.
"As quick as we can…." Carley muttered.
They noticed there were to ways into the ferry, one way being a broken window the other way being the ladder.
"Damn ladder…" Clementine fought the urge to groan, knowing she would have to climb it. Even just walking was tough.
"You wanna go first? We can help you." Carley suggested.
"I'll need some help… so yeah." Clementine nodded.
Carley gave a nod of her own in return.
She began to help Clementine up the ladder, but the girl didn't get far before a voice drew their attention.
As Clementine started up the ladder Carley was suddenly stopped and stiffened as she felt the cold metal of a blade held to the back of her neck. "Don't move."
"Shit..." Carley muttered.
They hadn't expected anyone else to be there, but having their backs turned to a stranger put them at a disadvantage. Clementine paused on the ladder, none of them moving.
"Climb back down."
The girl slowly descended down the first step she was on, placing a protective hand over her stomach.
"Now put your hands in the air and turn around slowly…."
"Michonne…" A male's voice seemed to protest.
Slowly, they raised their hands, showing they weren't a threat, then they turn around, until they come face to face with two strangers.
Their eyes widened upon seeing Clementine protruding stomach.
"Holy shit…" The male said.
"What? If you're going to kill us, go ahead." Clementine boldly said. This wasn't her way of expressing defeat, she was testing these people.
"Clem…" Carley hissed in a scolding manner.
"Go ahead." Clementine said again, not displaying a hint of fear.
"Y-You're pregnant." The woman quickly lowered her weapon.
"That I am..." Clementine said.
"Holy shit. And you guys have a kid with you..." The man noticed Danielle who had nervously hid behind Carley and Clementine.
"Yeah...Yeah, we do…" Carley said.
"Shit, I'm sorry... We had no idea... And... you can never be too sure about people, you know..." The man said. "We don't like doing this, but we have to take precautions…"
"Yeah. We get it. It's...It's okay." Carley said.
"At least you didn't actually stab anyone…" Clementine replied.
"So... are you folks from... here?" The man asked. "We saw you from a distance and... no offense but this doesn't look like the best place for you three to be staying."
"We appreciate the concern, but we can handle ourselves. And no. We're not from here." Clementine said.
"I would have asked you the same thing, seeing that you two conveniently showed up here, I would have figured you two were familiar with this place." Carley said. "But based off what you said, I take it you're not?"
"Not in the slightest bit familiar...If you ask me, this place is creepy as can be." The man said.
"Believe me when I say we strongly agree." Clementine replied.
"So what brings you ladies here?" The man asked.
"Probably the same as you. We stumbled upon it and figured we'd check it out." Carley said.
"Not exactly the same but close." The woman said.
"What do you mean?" Clementine asked.
"Our ship hit something. And it ain't gonna be moving anytime soon so unless we can figure something out, we're kind of stuck." The woman said.
"I don't think you're gonna find a spare boat out in the middle of nowhere." Clementine said.
"Yeah... You're right about that kid. I just hope we figure something out." The man said.
"We have a boat." Danielle suddenly piped in, still shyly keeping close to Clementine.
Clementine sent the younger girl a look. "Dani..."
"What? We do." Danielle said.
The man chuckled a bit, "I figured as much for you folks to be out here."
"We're just looking for supplies and then we're moving on." Carley said.
"Fair enough... We could use supplies as well though..." The woman said.
"...Tell you want, you watch our backs and help us find some supplies then maybe we can talk about helping you folks out." Carley suddenly said.
Clementine now sent Carley a look, "Carley, what are you doing?"
"We could use their help. Safety in numbers." Carley said.
Clementine fought back a groan and replied, "Fine…"
The two strangers exchanged looks then replied, "Alright then… We'd appreciate the help, but what about you guys? Did you need help?"
"What do you mean?" Carley asked.
"We picked up a signal, heard a voice call for help, was that you guys?" The man asked.
"No. No, it wasn't…" Carley said, her and the girls exchanging confused looks.
"Strange… They said they were on the Mobjack." The woman said.
"Do you think anyone else is here?" Clementine asked Carley.
"I guess we'll have to find out." Carley said.
"I guess so." The man nodded in agreement. "I'm Pete and this is Michonne. What're your names?"
"I'm Carley. This is Clementine and the kid is Danielle." Carley introduced.
"Well, it's nice to meet you all. Despite the circumstances." Pete said.
Michonne nodded in agreement.
"Likewise." Carley said. "Come on, let's get in there."
"Alright, let's hope that ladder holds. Don't fall." Michonne said.
"I'll try not to…" Clementine sighed.
Clementine began climbing first with some help from Carley, Danielle behind her. Next was Carley then Michonne, however, as Michonne began to climb, walkers suddenly started approaching out of the water. Michonne began to speed up so Pete could began climbing, however nearly at the top, she lost her footing, though she managed to keep hold of the ladder.
"Michonne!" Pete gasped.
A walker grabbed at Pete's foot, but he managed to shake it off. Michonne soon reached the top of the boat.
"Pete! Hurry." Michonne called.
Pete kicked away another walker, but another one grabbed his leg. Michonne grabbed at his arm, Carley rushing over to help, and with a bit of struggle they soon pulled him up.
Pete took a moment to catch his breath.
"Are… you okay?" Clementine asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine…. Was a close call though…." Pete said.
"We've all had a few of those…." Clementine said.
"For sure…" Michonne agreed.
Pete took a look around and said, "Seems like this place was someone's home for a while."
"Do you think your friends came through here?" Michonne asked.
"It's hard to be sure." Pete shrugged.
"You're looking for other people?" Clementine asked.
"Yeah, actually…" Pete said.
"I… I hope you find them soon." Clementine said.
"Thanks…" Pete replied.
"Maybe they were the ones who called for help on the signal you heard." Carley said.
"No… It didn't sound like them. Like either of them… Sounded like a pretty young voice…" Pete said.
"We should keep an eye out anyway. Maybe someone's here, maybe not." Carley said.
"Right… We should look around." Michonne said. "Everyone keep your guard up."
The group nodded and proceeded to check around the boat.
"Over here." Pete spoke as he found a map.
The others gather to check the map and Pete points to the passenger deck. "Maybe we'll find something down there."
Michonne studied the map. "We'll have to go through the cafe to get to the stairs."
Pete smirked, "You're just looking for Mr. Honey Bars." He joked.
"Always." Michonne chuckled. "Come on."
Michonne walked over to a nearby door and tried to open it. However, it didn't budge. "Locked."
"If one of us can get our hand through here, maybe we can unlock it." Pete said.
"We'd have to pry it open more…" Michonne said. She then attempted to fit her machete through the cage, but it didn't do any good. "Blade's too thin. It'll just break."
"Maybe we can find something else to help pry it open…" Clementine said.
"Yeah, maybe. Take a look around." Michonne said.
They did so, checking around the deck. Clementine peeked into a raft locker finding some kind of bar. "Will… this work?" She held it up for them to see.
"It might." Michonne said. "Here, give it here."
Clementine obliged allowing her to take the bar.
Michonne used the bar to pry open the door panels apart.
"Nice!" Pete commented.
Michonne tried to look through the door, but it was too dark. "I don't see anything... Doesn't mean there's nothing there, though…"
"Now...the question is, which one of us wants to reach in there to open it? One of us has to do it... Right? I mean, I'm sure we'd hear something, if anything was on the other side. Pretty sure we'd hear something."
"I'll do it." Clementine spoke up.
Both Pete and Michonne seemed hesitant.
"You're kidding…" Pete said.
"No. I'm not." Clementine said.
"Kid, you're pregnant." Michonne said.
"And I got this." Clementine huffed.
"She can handle it…." Carley said. She's knew if there was a walker inside, Clementine would be fine because of her immunity, though she kept that to herself, not sure how these strangers would react.
"I… I guess if you insist." Pete hesitantly gave in.
Clementine just nodded. She reached her hand through the door and unlocked it. She tries to open the door, but it doesn't budge, seeming to be stuck.
"We can take it from here. Nice job, kid." Pete said.
"…Thanks…" Clementine said back.
Michonne and Pete push the door open, and the group's eyes widen upon seeing the abandon place and the blood smearing the floor.
"What happened here?" Michonne muttered.
"Something… Something awful." Carley muttered as well.
Near the entrance of the door, they notice two corpses with their hands bound to their shock. The sight made their stomachs turn.
Pete nearly gags. "Oh, god."
"These aren't your friends…?" Michonne asked, hoping they weren't.
Pete quickly shook his head, still looking horrified. "No. No. They don't look like walkers. Wonder what happened to them?"
"Whatever happened it was horrible…" Carley said.
Michonne crotches near one of the corpses and examines the bullet wound. "Whoever did this made sure they wouldn't come back."
"My gosh…" Clementine muttered.
Michonne examined the zip ties on the corpses. "Their wrists are zip-tied. They couldn't fight back. These people hadn't turned. They were executed."
"Jesus..." Pete muttered.
Michonne stands up just as Pete finds something.
"Holy shit..." Pete picks up a photo of two children and shows it to Michonne. "This photo- these are their kids! Vanessa and Rashid were here! If they left this behind."
Michonne began taking quickly breaths and Clementine and Carley could tell something was wrong.
"Are… you okay?" Clementine asked as she noticed Michonne having a clear panic attack.
This drew Pete's attention. "Michonne? You okay? You've got that look- same look you had when... Haven't seen it in a while."
"I-I'm fine." Michonne quickly said, trying to compose herself.
"You don't look fine…" Pete said.
"Not now, Pete." Michonne replied.
"But—"
"I said not now." Michonne repeated in a stern tone.
"…Alright. Sorry…" Pete said. "…They wouldn't have left this on purpose. But...I gotta hope they're still alive. That they made it off this thing."
Suddenly they heard walkers growling from the lower deck. Keeping their guard up the group began to sneak down the stairs finding more corpses. To their surprise and horror, they also find a walker tied to the cafe door, the walker's lower body is missing, and he has various bites on him.
"My gosh, kid don't look." Pete said.
"I've…seen worse…" Danielle muttered.
"Worse…?" Pete felt sick wondering what the poor child had seen. He looked back to the corpse. "Someone strung him up and left him to be eaten..."
"If we're gonna find anything in this boat, it'll be in here." Michonne said.
"We should… take care of him. It's not right to leave him like this."
"I'll do it…" Michonne decides to kill the walker. "Stand back."
Michonne chops the walker with her machete.
"We should cut him down." Clementine said. "We can't just leave him up there…"
Michonne nodded and cut the ropes around the walker's hands, allowing the corpse to fall.
"Poor bastard." Pete muttered as he moved the walker aside. "What we saw up there... The execution of those people...what was done to that poor man...Who the fuck could have done that? It wasn't war. It wasn't even self-defense. It's just sick..."
"No one else did this to them. They did it to each other. I've seen it before. This world changes the best of us. Sometimes for the worst." Michonne said.
Pete shook his head with a frown. "Not like this."
"Believe me, we've seen it far too many times too…" Carley sighed.
"It's just sad…" Pete said. "Come on…. Let's just hurry this up…" He begins to approach the door.
Michonne stops him. "Hold up. We don't know what's in there."
"Yeah, she's right. We need to be careful." Carley said.
Michonne slowly opens the door and peeks inside.
"What do you see?" Pete asked her.
"Not much, but there's a duffel bag. Looks like it's in good shape." Michonne said.
"Any sign of people? No walkers, right?
"Looks clear. But keep your guard up."
"My guards always up. But thanks."
Michonne opened the door and cautiously the group entered the cafe.
The group made their way to the duffel bag which Michonne unzipped to look inside. "Someone scavenged everything else, but left this? Makes no sense."
"I know, but, damn... We could really use this stuff." Pete said.
"How are we gonna split it though."
"We'll figure it out, there's a bunch of stuff in here. It's enough to share."
"There's a bunch of medicine." Clementine noted.
"Where'd all this stuff come from?" Pete wondered.
"No idea… There's plenty of ammunition."
"Hard to find that on the seas." Carley said.
Michonne and Pete both nodded in agreement.
Michonne continued looking through the bag. "Oh, my god... Mary Lillie's Peaches and Beans. I used to have these three times a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Drove my mom crazy."
Clementine cringed.
"Not a fan of those?" Michonne asked as she noticed the teen's expression.
"It's not that…. I just… When I was a kid people used to always say I looked like the little girl on the can." Clementine said. "It would get pretty annoying. Some of the kids in my class would even call me… peaches…"
"I mean, it's still a fruit." Pete said.
"Not funny…" Clementine groaned.
"I can see a resemblance." Carley joked.
Clementine rolled her eyes. "Don't start."
Michonne continued looking through the materials in the bag. "Supplies and… cigarettes."
"Don't show those to Berto, we finally just got him to quit." Pete said.
"We should see what else we can find. Might be something useful in here." Michonne said.
"Yeah… We don't want to overlook anything." Carley said.
The group began searching for supplies eventually finding a fruit beverage and a jar of candies.
Michonne went to place the jar of candies in the duffle.
"Haven't had one of those in years." Pete said as he noticed them.
"Who said I was gonna share."
"Is-Is that actual candy."
"Yeah. Don't worry, kiddo. I'll share them with you."
"Really? But your pal, Pete?"
"Keeping dreaming." Michonne said with a small chuckle.
Clementine meanwhile checked behind the counter and peeked into a cash register "Money's still here. That's weird."
"No used to anyone now." Pete said.
"Yeah, I doubt anyone even thinks about money anymore…" Carley said.
"To think everyone was using this… Even fighting over it… Times really have changed…"
"Yeah, but unfortunately people just find other things to fight over…"
"That's true…"
Carley searched the shelves and managed to find some bandages. "These will come in handy… Too bad they don't have a whole first aid kit."
"Could probably make one with all that medicine."
"Fair point." Carley said.
Suddenly something pounds on one of the other lockers from the inside; Pete and Michonne approach it and draw their weapons, as Carley urges Clementine and Danielle to keep back.
"Whoever's in there, come on out." Michonne ordered.
A teenage boy slowly opens the locker only to aim a gun at them.
"Oh, shit." Pete said.
"Back up!" The teen fired warning shot when they didn't immediately oblige. "Back up!"
Pete and Michonne stepped back, and the teen exited the locker. As he does so a girl enters the room.
"Greg? What's going on?" The girl shakily points her gun at Pete and Michonne.
"Easy. Easy." Pete tries to calm the two.
"Who the hell are you people?" The girl inquires.
"Who are you?" The boy, Greg echoed her question.
Pete tried his best to ease the situation. "Look, kid, just—"
"Tell me! Now!" Greg ordered.
"I'm Michonne, this is Pete. That's Carley, over there, and Clementine and Danielle—"
"There's more of you!" Greg quickly turns and aims his gun at the other three. Wavering a bit when he sees Clementine's pregnant stomach. "She-She's pregnant- I- What are you doing here?!"
"We're just passing through." Carley spoke up. "We don't want any trouble."
"Yeah, sure you are. That bag belongs to us. So step aside, alright? Don't be stupid. I don't want to do this. But we need that stuff. So just back up." The girl said.
"You're really going to do this? She's pregnant and we have a kid with us!" Carley said.
"We need that stuff. It's ours!" The girl replied.
"Maybe we could split it…" Clementine spoke.
"Not happening. We're not negotiating here. Just back off!" The girl snapped.
"Some of our stuff is in there." Michonne said. "Let us take it and—"
"Not gonna happen." The girl hissed.
Suddenly their attention was drawn as walkers began to break through the door.
"Damn!" Greg quickly shoots a walker but hits it in the chest. The creature continues forward and grabs him.
"Greg! Hold on!" The girl gasped and tried to aid him. She fired her gun at the walker but didn't manage to kill it.
Michonne, Pete, and Carley began to kill many of the walkers. Michonne beheading the walker that is attacking Greg.
"Wh- wh—" The boy stammered, standing frozen in shock as walker blood covers his face.
Michonne stabs a walker, and her machete gets stuck. She kills another one with the cash register, and Pete kills one approaching her. The girl grabs the duffel bag and starts to run.
"Hey!" Michonne called.
"Stop her!" Pete said.
Michonne catches up and tries to wrestle the bag from the girl.
"Let me go!" The girl yells, trying to tug the bag free.
Suddenly a woman kicks open the door and points her gun at them. Sam and Michonne step backward.
"Hey! Stay put!" The woman ordered before calling, "Randall!"
"Shit..." Pete swore as several more people entered the room.
"Looks like you caught our thieves. Nice job." A man, who they assume is the leader of this group, spoke.
The man signaled to two people near him, and they surround the group and point their weapons at them. The man looked to the young girl who was still holding the duffle. "You." He snatched the duffle bag away. "Man, you gotta be kidding me... And you've got help this time. Interesting. Thought you were a solo act. Guess we had you figured wrong."
"What the hell is going on?" Michonne inquired.
"Don't play dumb." The man said.
"This is a misunderstanding." Carley spoke up. "We're not looking for trouble, okay? Just let us go."
"We can sit down and talk it out." Pete added.
"We'll talk, alright, but not here." The man said. The walker that Michonne had decapitated clacks his jaw, grabbing the man's attention. He whistled, "Damn. I know Sam here didn't do all this. Get them all onto the boat. And be careful. These new ones aren't fucking around. We'll take them to Norma. They try anything...shoot 'em."
"What about the girl? She's pregnant…" One of the guards said.
"And the kid…" Another added.
The man shot them a look, "What about them? Tie them up too. We don't know what they're capable of."
Following the man, Randall's orders, they bind the group's hands behind their backs. However, they tied Clementine's hands in front of her.
"Just let us go. You don't have to do this." Clementine said.
"Quiet!" The man ordered.
Before long the group found themselves blindfolded before being checked one by one for bites.
"What the hell is this…?" A concerned voice spoke.
Clementine gasped as she felt a weapon press to her head. "Pl-Please…"
"Randall! The girl's bit!" The same voice spoke.
"No- No I'm not!" Clementine exclaimed. "I- I'm immune!"
"Don't bullshit us, girl!" Randall snapped.
"I'm not! I swear! Just- Just look at it… These are old! They're all old bites!" Clementine said, hoping they would take her word.
"I'm not getting too close, for all we know she might turn." One of the guards said.
"She's not gonna turn. She's telling the truth." Carley said.
"And I should just take your word for it?" Randall asked.
"What reason do we have to lie to you?" Carey asked back.
"To save your asses." Randall said. "Get them on the ship."
"But Randall—"
"You do what I say now! Get them on the damn ship! We'll have Jonas check the girl over! And if we even think she about to turn, I'll put a bullet in her myself." Randall said.
Clementine felt her heart pound as she felt someone tug her forward. She just hoped no harm would come to them or her unborn baby.
It wasn't long before the group found themselves forced onto a large motorboat sailing towards some area unknown to them.
"Let's see... Two canteens, a lighter, pocket-knife... Machete."
"Any bites? Rashes? Coughing?" Randall asked.
"Besides the pregnant girl… they're clean." The woman answered.
The group can just barely see what's going on through gap underneath their blindfolds.
"You know, we're gonna need those weapons back." Pete spoke.
"Don't worry, you'll get them back. Once we've cleared all of this up." Randall replied.
"Bullshit." The girl hissed.
"Watch it, girl. You're in deep enough already. You know, if I had my way, I'd just dump you over the side. See how well you swim with your hands tied behind your back. Norma's got other ways of doing things. You're lucky she's calling the shots." Randall said.
So, Randall wasn't exactly in charge. Clementine just hoped this Norma would be willing to listen to reason as Randall clearly would not.
"Listen," Greg spoke, "I know we can work something out—"
Someone fires a warning shot causing the boy to quiet down.
"Clementine?!" Carley called, worried for the young girl.
"I'm fine." Clementine knew the woman was concerned, especially since these people thought she was "bitten". "I'm okay."
"Quiet! Now, boy... Was I talking to you?" Randall asked, annoyance clear in his voice.
"Don't say anything else, Greg." The girl said.
"Guy might talk to me. Maybe I can get him to listen to reason. Though he doesn't seem like the most reasonable guy... But might be worth a shot." Pete spoke to Michonne.
Michonne slowly replied, "Just be careful—"
"Hey, cut the chatter. You speak when spoken to, understand? Alright." Randall removed Michonne's blindfold and kneels near her. "You. We'll start with you. What's your name? It's okay, you can tell me. I'm just making conversation."
"You first." Michonne said.
"Where did my manners go? I'm Randall."
"Michonne."
"Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about what you did." Randall said.
"We didn't take anything from you!" The young girl, whose name they still don't know, exclaimed.
Randall shoots her a glare. "Shut. Your mouth. I'm talking to your cohort. Bet we're not the only ones you've stolen from."
"I didn't steal shit from you." Michonne said.
"Then you got nothing to worry about." Randall said. "Let's see here..." He picked up the machete. "Nice machete. You handled those walkers back there, but how are you against something that can actually fight back? It's plenty sharp. You take good care of this blade. I can tell."
"I'm damn good." Michonne said.
"I'll bet." Randall replied. "You know, every person we find living...they got some dead with 'em. Who was it for you, I wonder? Mother? Father? Couple sisters, maybe? Not kids..." The man watches her expression then laughs, "You? Oh, man. I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. So you...you got nothing left to lose. No wonder you're all stoic and shit. But, hell, we all lose people. Can't let it get you down."
"You're damn right I got nothing left to lose, means I'm not afraid of anything." Michonne responded.
"Everyone's afraid of something. Anyone who says otherwise is just…lying to themselves." Randall said.
Clementine tried her best to keep her breathing calm, to keep her nerves under control. She was worried, she didn't know who these people were, or what they were capable off. They were clearly at a disadvantage, blindfolded, weaponless. These people could do whatever they wanted to them. She didn't want to die here, and all she could think was that they just might. If anyone made the wrong move, it could end up being their last move.
She didn't want to lose her life, especially not before her baby even got the chance to have theirs.
Anxiety flooded through her, she felt a tightness in her abdomen, followed by a slight pain.
And suddenly she lurched forward from where she was sitting, pain causing her to groan. Her hands trembled. Clementine winced as the pain continued.
Hearing her painfilled voice Carley quickly became alarmed, "Clem, are you okay? What's going on?"
"Shut it!" Randall snapped.
"What's happening? What did you do to my girl?" Carley inquired feeling protective.
"We didn't do shit to her, but if you don't shut up that might change." Randall said.
"If you touch her, I swear…" Carley huffed.
Clementine clenched her eyes shut, gritting her teeth. She was having sudden contracting pains and she didn't know why. She couldn't be in labor. It was too early. Way too early. She hoped that the stress was what was causing this pain.
Part of her wondered if she could use this to her advantage.
"She's in pain." Michonne said.
"I can see that." Randall scoffed. "For all I know she's faking that shit!"
"What if she's not? Wh-What if she's in labor?" One of Randall's men asked.
"If she is, she'll deliver that baby right here, Zachary." Randall said.
"You can't be serious!" Zachary gasped in disbelief.
"It's not like she'd have much a choice. We'll get Jonas to check her out when we get back to Monroe. If she goes into labor, she'll just have to have the brat right there." Randall said.
"My kid's not a brat!" Clementine managed to grit out.
"What was that, girlie?" Randall asked, attention on the girl.
"You heard me asshole…" Clementine said boldly.
"Great, another smart-mouthed brat… Not sure how your kid can't be a brat when you sure are. I can see why you and Sam would get along." Randall said. "We're nearly there, just suck it up and enjoy the ride."
"Or you could let us go. This is insane, we've haven't done anything wrong." Carley said.
"You might as well get used to saying that." Randall replied.
They continued sailing and eventually they reach a community of boats.
"Look at that. Here we are. Monroe. Doubt you got a good look last time you were here. Too busy stealing from us to appreciate our little community. Bet you never gave them a second thought. The folks you fucked over."
"It wasn't us!" The young girl exclaimed again.
"What was that? Randall asked.
"We haven't been here before." Michonne said.
"Save it for Norma." Randall said. "My sister. She's the one in charge here. She'll be just thrilled to see you.
Randall takes off Pete's blindfold, while his people remove the rest of the group's blindfolds. They reach the dock, and everyone gets off the boat.
As they reached the dock another man approached and hugged Zachary.
"Zachary. Thank God! You hurt?"
"I'm fine, Jonas. I'm fine." Zachary told the other man.
Randall walked his way over to Jonas and handed him a bag. "Here. Found your missing medicine."
"Thanks. I'll, uh...get this back to the sick bay." Jonas said, accepting the bag before walking off.
"Hey, your job's not done yet." Randall snaps at Zachary.
Meanwhile the group is led over to a woman who Clementine assumes is Norma.
"Randall, what's all this?" The woman asked before spotting the young girl. "Damn... I hoped I'd never see you again, Samantha."
"Norma, I'm—"
Norma cuts the girl off. "Not a word. Not from you.
"Found them on the ferry. Along with this." Randall dropped the duffel bag on the ground and opened it revealing it's supply. "That one there," he motions to Michonne, "She's the one to watch out for."
Norma rose a brow at the woman. "That true? You dangerous?"
"You don't believe me? I've never been wrong about something like this." Randall said.
"I think she's more than capable of speaking for herself, Randall. I want to hear it from her."
"I'm dangerous when I need to be." Michonne said.
"Y-You're calling us dangerous? You're the ones that threatened us and tied us up! We've done nothing wrong!" Clementine said, before wincing a bit in pain.
"That brat has a smart mouth… Just like Samantha…" Randall huffed.
"I do apologize if my brother's treated you poorly." Norma said.
"Poorly? Norma, they deserve it." Randall scoffed.
"Enough! Randall, escort these ladies to the storeroom. Find somewhere comfortable for the other two."
"What? That's my brother!" Sam started to protest.
"Come on." Randall said.
"Wait! What about my girl? She's hurting!" Carley said.
"The girl's in pain, Norma… not to mention she's bitten." Zachary spoke up.
"Bitten?!" Norma shot Randall a look, "Why would you bring her here if she's bitten?"
"I- I'm not bitten… I- I'm immune… My bites are all old." Clementine said.
Norma looked unconvinced but seeing the teen's pain-stricken face she spoke. "Take the girl to Jonas, have him look her over. The little one," She motioned to Danielle, "will come with me."
"Let- Let Dani stay with me." Clementine pleads.
"You're in no position to give orders, honey." Norma said.
"Please." Clementine said again. "I- I don't want to be away from her."
"She'll be fine with me. I'll take good care of her." Norma simply replied.
Clementine wanted to protest, but knew it was no used. "D-Don't hurt her."
"I wouldn't dare." Norma said. "Get them to their places."
"Right." Zachary began to led Clementine away, while Norma took a hold of Danielle's arm.
"You got this under control?" Norma asked her brother.
Randall nodded in response.
"Sam!" Greg called as he and Pete were led away.
"Greg, you'll be okay." Sam called back.
"Get moving." Randall ordered.
One of the guards took Pete and Greg away, while Randall escorted Michonne, Carley and Sam to the storeroom and attached their zip ties to the railing.
"Where are they taking Pete?" Michonne asked.
"Don't you worry about him." Randall grumbled.
"What about Greg?" Sam questioned.
"They'll be fine. Long as they don't do anything stupid." Randall shrugged.
"You sure they won't hurt anyone? They better not hurt my girls." Carley said.
"Gosh, you folks are quite the group. Maybe you shouldn't have gotten sticky fingers, and this wouldn't be happening." Randall said.
"We didn't take anything from you!" Carley said.
"You sure about that?" Randall scoffed before pointing to a cabinet. "Take a look over there. Looks a bit empty, doesn't it? Like something's missing. Luckily, my sister's good at getting answers. She'll find out what you did with the rest of it. And if she doesn't... We just gonna have ourselves a talk.
"I'm not gonna let you do this!" Sam exclaimed.
"Keep an eye on her. She's got a knack for starting trouble. Anything goes down and I'm blaming you. And you don't want that, trust me." Randall said.
"We don't take orders from you." Michonne replied to him.
"You should reconsider. I'd say make yourself comfortable...but that's...probably not going to happen." With that Randall took his leave.
"We gotta get out of here. They're going to hurt Greg! These people... You don't know what they're capable of." Sam said.
"He said they'll be fine." Carley said. "Try to calm down…"
"You can't believe a word they say!" Sam said.
"I'm worried about Pete too, okay?
"I should have never involved my brother in this-and now you guys... Who knows what they're going to do to him?
"Why do you think they'll hurt them if the two of you didn't do anything wrong?" Carley asked.
"Because these are not good people!" Sam claimed. "…I'm sorry… This is my fault. I'm so sorry. I was just trying to protect my family. That's all. I never thought they'd go back to the ferry! I didn't know... It's not gonna be okay..."
"What the hell is going on here?" Michonne asked.
"I just wanted to use the radio. To reach people... I never expected that Randall would show up there! Not after..." Sam paused and struggled to break free again. "…Ties are too tight. See anything we can cut 'em with? Anything with a sharp edge! I'll never be able to slip my hand out."
"Hold on, we gotta be smart about this. We need to think of a plan…"
"We need to get out of here!" Sam exclaimed. "Just look around, please!"
Michonne and Carley began to search for a way to cut the ties.
"Someone really loves their cigs. Same brand that was in the duffel." Michonne noted.
"Yeah... But that's not gonna help us…"
"I know… I'm just thinking… This is why there was nothing left on that ferry. It's all here." Michonne said.
"This used to be full?" Carley asked.
Sam quickly replied, "H-How should I know?"
Michonne continued looking around and caught sight of a few toys. Before long, Carley could hear Michonne drawing quick breaths.
"Michonne?" Carley called in a gentle voice.
"What...what's going on?" Sam asked.
Michonne tried to answer but seemed to be in shock. "I..."
"Do you need help? Is there something that we can do?" Sam asked.
Michonne couldn't bring herself to respond.
"Just breathe. You'll be okay…" Carley said.
Michonne struggled to control her breathing for a moment as she muttered out, "I'm...I'm so sorry..."
"It's...fine." Sam muttered.
Carley rose a brow, realizing the woman hadn't been speaking to Sam.
Michonne looked to Sam, then back toward the door, seeming calmer than before.
"Are you okay…?" Carley asked the other woman.
"Yeah… Yeah… I just needed a moment…" Michonne said.
"Sometimes we all do." Carley said, nodding her understanding. She had seen Clementine have her fair share of panic attacks before. Hell, she even had a few herself in the past.
Their attention is drawn as Sam continue her struggles to break free of the zip ties. "Come on!"
"If you want to get out of this, we need you to tell us the truth." Michonne said.
"You saw those bodies back at the ferry? That was another group. We traded with them sometimes. Randall killed them all. Everyone, even the kids. Came with his whole crew. And he just...murdered them. They were trying to run away." Sam said.
"That son of a bitch." Michonne muttered, feeling surprised.
"Norma told him to. She must have." Sam said.
"How do you know? Did you see it happen?" Carley asked.
"We heard the gunshots and screams... We tried to look for survivors, but..." Sam explained.
"Then they took what was left... That's why this stuff is here…" Michonne muttered.
"That's what they do. They think they own everything on the water. Whatever they find, they take, and if you put up a fight... Well, you know what happens. They just... It's nothing to them." Sam said.
"If you fight, they kill you." Michonne frowned.
"Why would you ever go back to the ferry?" Carley asked.
"The radio. It was our only chance to reach outside help." Sam replied.
Michonne scoffed. "That worked out well, didn't it?"
Sam lowered her gaze and huffed. "Obviously we were wrong. If there's anyone out there that you care about? Don't tell these people a thing."
Before long footsteps are heard.
Someone's coming back." Sam's struggles continued. "The pipe's loose. Just a little more...and I can get free. We have to get out of here."
"That might be a bad idea." Carley said.
"Haven't heard a better one." Sam said as she finally broke the pipe.
"This could cause our people to get hurt." Carley argued.
"Their gonna hurt them anyway. What's the difference?" Sam replied. "This is our chance. Whoever comes through that door, we jump them. We can do this together. It's now or never. What's it gonna be?"
"Worth a shot. Let's do it." Michonne said.
"Guys, think—"
"No time…" Sam said just as Randall entered the room.
"Quiet down here. Here I was, ready for a fight. Nice work. Kept it together. I'm—"
Michonne suddenly headbutts Randall and Sam shoulder-slammed him. The man hit her with his gun, knocking her out.
"Stop! She's just a kid!" Carley protested before he could do anymore.
"Goddamn it!" Randall spats.
Michonne dodges as Randall tries to hit her face, but he punches her in the stomach.
"I knew you were dangerous." Randall said to Michonne. "Come on. Norma wants a word."
Danielle rubbed over her sore wrist as Norma released her from her bindings.
"Sorry about my brother, I don't see why he tied you up in the first place." Norma said to the young girl.
The child didn't respond, trembling a bit, clearly scared by the intimidating woman.
"You don't have to be afraid. I meant what I said, I'm not gonna hurt you." Norma said.
"Are... Are you gonna hurt my friends?" Danielle nervously asked.
"Your friends?"
Danielle nodded.
"Not unless I have to." Norma replied.
"It's not everyday you see a little girl with a group like that. How do you know them?" Norma asked.
"They-They're my friends." Danielle replied to the woman.
"All of them?" Norma asked.
"Clementine and Carley are..." Danielle explained.
"Clementine and Carley? Who are they?" Norma asked.
"Clementine's the one with the baby in her tummy, and Carley... She's the one who always takes care of us." Danielle answered.
"Clementine's the girl with the smart mouth…" Norma huffed.
"She's just scared…" Danielle said. "And she's worried about her baby…"
"If she did nothing wrong, she shouldn't be scared." Norma said.
"We didn't do anything wrong…" Danielle said.
"So you say...Where are your parents?" Norma asked.
"...My mommy's gone... Clementine and Carley take care of me..." Danielle said.
"What happened to your mommy?" Norma said.
"Bad people killed her... I don't like to think about it..." Danielle said.
"We all have things we don't like to think about." Norma asked.
"I... I know..." Danielle frowned. "W-Will you let us go? My friends and I didn't do anything bad..."
"Maybe you didn't, but your friends surely did..." Norma said before muttering, "And to think they'd drag a child into this..."
"But they didn't."
"You don't have to worry little one... I promise, you'll be okay..." Norma said. "Come on..." She led the child towards a curtain. "Randall, bring me Michonne. I'd like to ask her a few questions."
Clementine had been taken to the infirmary where she was checked over by Jonas and the man to say the least was surprised after his findings. "Your bites... They really are all old... That's amazing..."
"I wouldn't say that." Clementine sighed.
"What do you mean?" Jonas asked.
"I've had to watch so many people around me turn... But I can't... It feels more like a curse sometimes..." Clementine said.
"A curse? Kid, you could be the key to all this..." Jonas said.
"Key to what?" Clementine asked.
"The key to a cure." Jonas replied.
"Do you really believe that?" Clementine wondered.
"It could be possible." Jonas said.
"I don't want to end up a science experiment..." Clementine sighed.
"Try not to think like that. We don't believe in just stripping people's rights away." Jonas said.
"Hard to believe that." Clementine said, motioning to her binding.
"Alright... Here... Don't do anything crazy…" Jonas hesitantly cut the ties holding her wrist. "Better?"
"...Much..."
"Alright, how are you feeling though?" Jonas asked.
"If I'm being honest… Pretty crappy..." Clementine said.
"Well, on the scale of one to ten, how bad is your pain?" Jonas asked.
"It's been coming and going." Clementine said.
"How about right now?"
"I'm okay right now..." Clementine said.
Jonas furrowed his brows, "And you weren't faking this whole time, right?"
Clementine shook her head. "No. Of course not!"
"Look, I wouldn't blame you if you were. There's a lot going on, you're probably scared." Jonas said.
"I said I wasn't... Now just tell me, is my baby okay? I- I need to know that they're okay." Clementine said.
Seeing the genuine concern on the girl's face Jonas knew she was being honest. "What did the pain feel like?"
"I... I don't know... Kind of like a cramp... the kind I used to get on my period..." Clementine said, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment.
"Braxton hicks…" Jonas snapped his fingers as it dawned on him.
"What?"
"I don't think you're in labor… Those were probably Braxton hicks… Might feel like a menstrual cramp. It's when the womb contracts and relaxes. They're false labor pains. Or practice contractions basically. I promise you that they're harmless." Jonas explained.
"So… they're normal… Do all women have them?" Clementine asked.
"Not all women, but those who do have them around their second or third trimester, which makes sense considering how far along you appear to be. I take it you're around seven or eight months?" Jonas said.
"Seven…and a half." Her lips trembled a bit though she tried to force herself to stay calm. "What's going to happen to us…"
"You'll be okay. Norma can seem… scary, but I promise she won't hurt you. She's not that cruel. Her brother on the other hand, he can be quite the asshole." Jonas said.
"We didn't steal anything, I swear. This is all just a misunderstanding." Clementine told the man.
"If that's the case, it will get sorted out, but for now you should take it easy." Jonas said.
Shaking her head, she exhaled slowly. "I can't… Not while my friends are… who knows where. I need to talk to Norma… I need to try to fix this." As the girl tried to stand, she suddenly winces as another pain hit her.
Jonas quickly helped her back to the nearby cot.
"Relax. Please," Jonas said. "One of the reasons why you might be having these practice contractions, is because of stress, which you clearly have a lot of."
Clementine knew that was true. She was often stressed, and this situation certainly was not helping.
"Here, start taking a slow deep breath as your contraction starts and then slowly breathe out, releasing any tension from your head to your toes. It's called organizing breath. It will help…" Jonas said.
Clementine listened careful, following his instructions.
"Good. Now, slowly inhale through your nose and then pause. Then exhale slowly through your mouth." Jonas told her.
Clementine obliged, breathing slowly through pursed lips as another Braxton Hick cramp grabbed her attention refusing to release it for a few seconds. However, as Jonas coached her breathing, before long the contractions stopped, and she could once again breath normally.
"See, you're gonna be okay, kid…" Jonas offered her a small smile.
She laid back against the cot, hoping that Carley and Danielle would be okay.
Danielle fought the urge to cover her ears to block out the interrogation Norma was putting Michonne through. She could hear every question Norma asked, could hear the tone in the woman's voice change from calm to irritated, Michonne on the other hand remained calm as she tried to tell the woman they hadn't stolen anything. Norma wasn't buying it.
She saw as they brought Greg upstairs and could hear as they continued interrogating both of them.
She could hear Randall's aggressive voice and the child couldn't help but tremble a bit.
From where she was sitting, and the angle the curtain was raised she could see every hit Greg received from each lie he told, and she could hear the protest from Michonne and Zachary. Her eyes were wide in horror, and she has to clench her eyes shut when Randall presses a gun to Greg's head.
She's so scared that she'll hear the gun go off.
"Randall, no!" Zachary's voice is heard.
"Oh, God... Please, I'll tell you whatever you want..." Greg is practically whimpering now.
"Aim that at me! I dare you." Michonne ordered.
"How about I just shoot him?" Was Randall's reply.
Danielle fought back her whimpers, terrified for the boy's life.
However, Norma spoke, "Randall. Think you've made your point. Get a towel, Zachary."
"Leave him alone, okay? He's just a kid." Zachary said to Randall.
"Throw him a pity party when we're done. Get the fucking towel." Randall snapped.
Zachary quickly went to do as he was told but not before sending Randall a glare.
"He lying again? I try to be kind. I try to extend my goddamn hospitality..." Norma huffed.
"Go fuck yourself." Michonne said.
Randall's response was to hit Michonne with the gun, knocking her out of the chair, then kicks her in the stomach.
Zachary soon returned with the towel and his eyes widened, "Goddamn it, for fuck's sake, Randall!" He goes to Michonne and helps her back into the chair. "Norma, please. Okay, this isn't working. You're not gonna get what you want this way."
"And what would you fucking suggest?!" Randall demanded shoving the other man. "A pat on the head and a lollipop?"
"He's got a point, Randall. You took it too far. Like you always do." Norma said.
"People need a firm hand. You're not gonna get 'em in line by being soft." Randall snapped back.
"Being smart isn't the same as being soft, Randall. We're not gonna get what we need your way. Zachary and I will figure this out. You go below and get the other fella." Norma said.
Randall obliged, heading back downstairs.
"I appreciate you telling the truth, Michonne." Norma said then looked to Greg. "You. How you've lived so long in this world, I haven't a clue."
Greg simply lowered his head in response.0
"Zachary, a word in private." Norma and Zachary make their way behind the curtain and past young Danielle, not sparring the child a look.
It's not until they're out of earshot that Danielle finally begins whimpering a bit. She wanted to be brave, but she was just so scared.
"You okay?" Michonne asked Greg.
"What do you think? Are they done with us? Or is it gonna get worse? My guess is it's gonna get worse." Greg asked.
"They'll keep pushing until they get what they want. Or until they kill us." Michonne sighed.
"I kinda figured. I was just hoping you might tell me something different." Greg said with a frown, "I can't believe I pissed myself. Seriously, if my little brothers could see me now... I've never done that before. Never. I've never been so scared... I'm not like that-afraid. Fuck."
"You'd be stupid not to be scared right now." Michonne said.
"You don't look scared. You look like you've seen this a hundred times." Greg said. "I knew about the rotters. I mean, I've fought them before. Killed them. It's bad. But...people are worse, aren't they? I didn't know it was this bad. They know what they're doing. They just don't care."
"People...walkers...makes no difference. You want to keep living? Trust yourself...and no one else." Michonne said.
"Sounds like a fun life. I don't know... Thing is, I say that about people. But... People... Family. They're the only reason to live." Greg said.
"What if you don't even have that? I left them behind. My daughters. I didn't know. You lie to yourself to live. So you keep going. But when you stop..." Michonne trailed off as she heard Danielle's little whimpers. "Danielle?"
"Y-Yes?" Danielle hesitantly speaks in a small voice.
"Are you okay?" Michonne asked.
The child quietly made her way over to the curtain. "I-I'm scared."
"Did they hurt you?" Michonne asked the child.
Danielle shook her head. "N-No… Where are Clem and Carley?"
"They'll probably want to "talk" to them soon." Greg scoffed.
"A-Are they gonna hurt them? A-Are they gonna hurt me like they hurt him?" Danielle asked Michonne, fear clear in her eyes.
"No... No, you're gonna be okay." Michonne said.
"Where are Clem and Carley?" Danielle asked.
"I'm sure they're fine. We're gonna get out of here, kid." Michonne promised.
"C-Can I trust you? You told him to trust himself and no one else..." Danielle frowned.
"You can trust me... We'll be okay." Michonne said.
"I'm scared." Danielle sniffled.
"I know, just... keep doing what you're doing, we're gonna find a way out of here." Michonne said.
"O-Okay... I hope it's soon." Danielle said.
"As soon as we can..." Michonne replied.
As they heard footsteps coming up the stairs Danielle quickly ran back to sit down, not wanting to get in trouble.
Randall soon returned with Pete. "Michonne!" Pete sighed in relief as he saw her.
Randall forced the other man into a chair and Pete took in Michonne's and Greg's appearances.
"You two look rough. What did they do to you?" Pete asked.
"Asked us some questions." Michonne said.
Randall leaves momentarily, heading behind the curtain where he ordered a whimpering Danielle to "shut up".
"Is Sam...?" Greg said.
"I haven't seen her..." Pete said.
"Shit..." Greg frowned.
"She was with Carley last I saw her." Michonne told the boy.
"They didn't hurt her, did they?" Greg asked.
Michonne just sighed, not responding.
"How we playing this?" As Pete asked that question Randall makes his return, now holding a canned drink.
"Yeah, Michonne. How we playing this? I'm all ears. Any day now. Really." Randall said.
"Just tell the truth, Pete." Michonne said.
"Yeah, Pete, just unburden your heart." Randall snickered.
Norma and Zachary soon returned.
"Take care of this. And bring me the reporter… Carley." Norma spoke.
"Come on. Zachary." With that Randall and Zachary take Greg and Michonne away as Norma turns to speak with Pete. "I just have a few questions…"
"Hey, kid. Kid, are you okay?" Carley calls to Sam as the teen stirs on the ground.
"Wha-What happened?" Sam questioned.
"He hit you pretty hard... You were out for a few minutes." Carley said.
"Damn it... I was hoping it would work." Sam huffed.
"I told you it was a bad idea..." Carley muttered.
"What other ideas do we have?! We need to get out of here! We have to try again!" Sam exclaimed.
"There's no point. You'll only end up getting hurt worst. We're down one person since they took Michonne. We need to come up with another plan." Carley said.
"What kind of plan?! They got my brother for fucks sake!" Sam exclaimed.
"They got my people too. Clem and Dani... they're probably scared." Carley said.
"…I'm sorry..." Sam lowered her head.
"Look, what you need to do is start being honest with us. And with yourself. Did you steal their supplies?" Carley asked.
"I told you I didn't steal shit." Sam said.
"I know what you said. But I think it's bullshit." Carley said.
"I- It's not!" Sam argued.
"It's a huge load of bullshit. I don't know why you did it, but you need to own up to the fact that it got us into this situation and telling the truth might be the only way to fix it." Carley said.
"I- I am telling the truth..."
"Sure... Keep telling yourself that kid... It's sad when you can't even believe your lies." Carley said.
"...Do you think Greg's okay? You don't think they hurt him, do you?" Sam asked with a frown.
"I hope not... Depends on how those people are. You said they killed a group of kids… If that's the truth nothing's stopping them from doing that now." Carley said. Those kids don't deserve to be hurt… No kid does…"
"I... I know..." Sam said.
Silence fell briefly before Sam spoke again. "I... I needed supplies... my family needed the supplies."
"So you stole it? Carley asked.
"I'm not saying that." Sam said.
"You don't have to." Carley replied.
"…I never meant for this to happen. I never wanted to wrap anyone up in this. I just wanna go home..." Sam mumbled.
"We're in it now. All we can do is try to find a way out of here." Carley said.
"...When you mentioned your people, you only mentioned Clem and Dani... What about Michonne and Pete? How long have you known them?" Sam asked.
"About as long as you have." Carley replied.
"Wait...what?" Sam's eyes widened in surprise.
"We only just met on the ferry." Carley explained.
"You're kidding..."
"Dead serious." Carley said.
"That just makes this worse... I didn't want anyone to be forced into this..." Samantha frowned. "Well...What do you think of them? Do you trust them?"
"They seem okay..." Carley shrugged the best she could with her ties.
"That's good then." Sam said.
"And you think you can trust me?" Carley asked.
"Considering the company you keep, I think so." Sam said.
"What do you mean?"
"You're travelling with a pregnant girl and a little kid." Sam pointed out.
"They're tougher than you think." Carley told her.
"I'm sure they have to be in this world." Samantha said. "How long have you three been together?"
"A really long time. Since the start pretty much." Carley said.
"That is a long time…" Samantha said. "And the pregnant girl… She's… what sixteen… That's Greg's age…"
"Clementine's young, but she's tough." Carley replied.
"She must be scared. I can't even imagine bringing a baby into a world like this..." Sam muttered.
"Sometimes things just happen." Carley said.
"Did she plan it?" Sam asked.
"I wouldn't say that, but she doesn't regret it either." Carley said. "She'll make a good mom."
"I don't doubt it… It's just rough… A kid is one thing, but a baby… They cry and there's no way to keep them from drawing the dead's attention…" Sam said.
"We'll figure it out. We've been through a lot, and we'll get through this. Clementine's not alone…" Carley said.
"You're a good person… I'm really sorry for dragging you guys into this…" Sam said.
"All we need to do now is figure out a way out of this." Carley said.
"Right… Maybe—"
"You," A voice grabbed their attention as a guard made their way downstairs. "Norma wants a word."
Grabbing Carley, the guard proceeded to march her upstairs, Carley passing Michonne and Greg on the way.
"I need to go… I need to check on them." Clementine huffed, feeling anxiety eating at her.
"You need to take it easy, Clementine. Your baby is stressed enough as it is." Jonas said.
"The baby is always stressed… And being here is not helping." Clementine replied.
"You need to rest. I'm sure your friends are fine." Jonas told her.
"I just want to be sure… We didn't steal anything…" Clementine said. "I don't know why this is happening."
"I'm sure they're sorting things out now… Just try to rest." Jonas said. "I'll come back to check in on you soon…"
"What? Where are you going?" Clementine asked.
"I'll go check in on your friends and see what's going on." Jonas said.
"…Thank you." Clementine said with a small sigh.
"No problem, kid… Just try to rest." Jonas said.
Jonas left the room with a sigh. He could only hope Norma and Randall weren't being too harsh on the girl's friends. But he knew there wasn't much he could do about the situation. He headed towards his own room, needing a moment to think.
"I just have some questions for you…" Norma spoke as Carley sat across from her.
"If you want answers, let me see my girls." Carley said.
"Your girls are fine. You wanna see them, answer my questions. I'm gonna ask you the same thing I've asked your friends." Norma said. "How long have you all been together?"
"Not long... Beside Clem and Dani, we only just met on that Ferry." Carley said.
"And I'm supposed to just believe that?" Norma said.
"I told you the same thing." Pete spoke up.
"I'm not talking to you. I'd like to hear from Carley." Norma huffed. "Pete says he heard a radio signal, was that what brought you too the ferry as well?"
"My girls and I were in the area, and we saw the ferry. Decided to check it for supplies." Carley said.
"Didn't have enough with what you stole?" Norma grumbled.
"We didn't steal anything." Carley said.
"Of course, tell me your sob story, again no doubt. What is wrong with you people?" Norma asked.
"I'm not a thief, okay. Just let us go." Carley said.
"Tell me the truth and I just might." Norma said.
"I told you the truth. I'm not telling you shit else." Carley replied.
"Clearly I'm not getting anywhere with you." Norma said. "Randall, tell Jonas to bring me the pregnant girl.
"Don't you hurt her." Carley said.
"I'll only hurt her if I have to. I'm not that cruel." Norma scoffed. "All of you are fucking stubborn."
A short time later, Randall and Zachary lead Michonne, Greg, and Sam through a hallway.
"I know just where to put you." Randall opens a door marked "KEEP DOOR SHUT".
"What the hell?" Jonas jumped to his feet, looking confused.
"Jonas! Haven't you got a patient that needs you?" Randall asked.
"No. You can't just barge in here." Jonas snapped.
"Jonas." Zachary calls trying to calm the man.
"Where's my girl? Is she okay?" Carley asked.
"She… She's resting. She's fine." Jonas said.
"Norma wants a word with your patient. So get her up there." Randall said.
Jonas shoots Randall a glare and then leaves the room, and Randall closes the door.
"See, not everyone here lives in squalor! Jonas and Zachary have the nicest room on the ship. The good doctor deserves it. Gosh, he just works so hard..." Randall said before turning to Zachary. "What is it you do, Zachary? Besides fuck Jonas?"
"Okay, fine. Randall, let's just—"
"That's right. You do nothing. You cower and you whine because you don't have the balls to do things that need doing around here." Randall spat.
"This is how you treat your own people?" Michonne asked.
"Only when they need it." Randall said.
Zachary frowned and spoke, "Look, whatever you're gonna do, Randall—"
"No! I'm not gonna do shit. Your fucking uselessness stops now. Time to earn your keep." He shoved his gun towards Zachary "Here, go on. Get them talking."
Randall took a seat and Zachary shakily aims the gun at the group. "Where are the rest of the supplies? The bags with the ammo."
"Hey. Shouldn't keep your finger on the trigger." Michonne said.
"Don't tell me how to hold a fucking gun." Zachary snapped.
"I don't know, Zachary. Maybe she does know better than you." Randall said.
"Please, no one has to get hurt here." Sam spoke.
"Shut up!" Zachary ordered.
"You don't have to do this. Just put the gun down." Carley said.
"Just because Randall's an asshole doesn't mean you have to be." Michonne said.
"Hey. You gonna take that, Zachary?" Randall asked.
Zachary shook his head. "I'm not like him."
"Prove it." Michonne said.
"I don't think they're taking you very seriously. Come on!" Randall exclaimed.
"I need a location. Now!" Zachary said.
Randall urged him on. "That's it."
Zachary started to take a step toward Michonne.
"Careful. Don't get too close to her, now." Randall said.
"Please-we all need to calm down." Sam said.
"If I knew where your ammo was, I would tell you." Michonne said.
"We didn't steal from you… We didn't take anything… Just put the gun down…" Carley said.
"I—"
"Hey, who's in charge here? You or her? Huh?" Randall asked.
"You want answers? Talk to me!" Sam took a step forward and knocked down a mirror, shattering it.
"Stop! Stop! Don't move!" Zachary took a step back.
"Sam!" Greg called with concern.
"Greg, don't. It's okay." Sam called back.
"You think this is okay? Get it together, Zachary!" Randall snapped.
"Stop!" Greg pleaded.
"What are you waiting for?" Randall asked.
"Tell Randall to leave, then we can talk all you want, okay." Michonne said.
"We don't have to be enemies. You don't have to do this!" Carley said.
Zachary frowned, "I know, but—"
"Just put the gun down…" Carley said again.
"Last chance, Zachary! Fucking do something!"
Zachary shakily aimed the weapon at Sam only for Greg to get in front of his sister. To their horror, Zachary pulled the trigger, and Greg was hit in the stomach.
"Damn it, Zachary! Now who's taking things too far?" Randall grabbed the gun out of Zachary's hands.
"I didn't... I didn't—" Zachary stammered.
"Outside. Now." Randall and Zachary leave the room.
"No, no, no. Greg!" Sam whimper's voice full of panic.
"Sam?" Greg manages to get out then collapses.
"I can't! W-We have to get out of these! We have to help him!" Sam exclaimed.
"Sam...?" Greg called to his sister; his voice weak.
"Oh, god, Greg... Don't-Don't try to move!" Sam said.
"Shit… We- We gotta do something." Michonne said.
"That mirror, we can use it to cut these ties." Carley said.
Michonne nodded in agreement. The two women free themselves from their zip ties. Sam then does the same.
"We have to lay him down." Michonne said. "Carley, find something to try to stop the bleeding."
Carley gave a nod and began to look around. She managed to find a nearby shirt while Michonne and Sam lay Greg down.
"It's gonna be okay, Greg." Sam told her brother.
"I don't think it is." Greg muttered.
"Don't say that! We'll fix you! Come on, stay with me." Sam said.
"Here, use this to stop the bleeding." Carley hands the shirt to Michonne who presses the fabric against his injury.
"Come on, Greg! C'mon, don't do this. Please don't do this. Think of Alex! You're his hero! What will he do without you?" Sam said.
"Not a... very good hero." Greg slurred out.
"No, you are...you are, Greg. Please hang on." Sam pleaded.
The boy doesn't respond, his head just lulls to the size and his body goes limp.
"He's gone…" Michonne frowned. "…He's going to turn, Sam."
"You need to get away from him…It could happen fast…" Carley added.
"You...Your girl said she's immune... Maybe other people can be too... Maybe he won't turn." Sam said.
"Sam... You need to back away." Carley said.
"Maybe he won't turn! M-Maybe he won't." Sam said. "He's not gonna... He's not gonna become one of them."
"We all turn, Sam… You know that." Michonne said.
"N-No… No, he won't. He could be immune too!" Sam exclaimed. "I can't...I can't... I just need another second...please. Not yet. I can't let you go yet. Greg... I love you."
Michonne puts her hand on Sam's shoulder. "Sam—"
"Get off me! I just- I just need more time." Sam snapped however a moment later Greg shot upright and lunged toward Sam.
"No! Greg, please... Greg..." Tears began to fall from Sam's eyes.
Michonne pulled a loose pipe off the wall. "Hold him down!"
Sam shook her head. "I can't! I can't do it."
"Carley!" Michonne called to the other woman.
Carley obliged and held Greg down.
"I'm so sorry, Greg." Sam cried as she forced herself to look away.
Michonne used the pipe to bash the zombified teen in the head until the walker version of the boy no longer is moving.
Zachary soon entered the room, "Wh-what the fuck?!"
Michonne dropped the pipe and punched Zachary, making him drop the gun. Before anyone can react, Sam grabbed the weapon.
"Sam… put the gun down." Carley called.
"Fuck that!" Sam said as she pointed the gun at Zachary, and he raises his hands.
"What happened to him?" Zachary asked.
"You fucking shot him!" Sam snapped.
"I didn't mean to!" Zachary said, eyes filled with remorse.
"Do you think that matters? You killed him!" Sam exclaimed.
"It was an accident, I swear, okay! I swear! Please...lower... Please lower the gun! I'll explain everything!" Zachary stammered.
"Put the gun down, Sam. You don't want to do this." Carley said.
"The hell I don't!" Sam snapped.
"Sam, put the gun down." Michonne said.
"Why? He's a murderer!" Sam snapped.
"Don't do this… Killing… It changes you… You don't want to do this, Sam…" Carley said.
"Please..." Zachary pleaded. "Please don't…"
"You're not leaving this room, you son of a bitch! I mean it, guys! This bastard killed my brother. You know he has to die." Sam snapped.
Michonne tackled Sam as she fires, making her miss. Sam grabbed for the gun and points it at Zachary again, but Michonne slammed her hand down, making her drop the weapon.
Carley quickly grabbed the gun before anyone else could and pointed it towards Zachary herself.
"Carley? What are you doing?" Michonne asked.
"It's okay, Michonne." Carley said.
"What are you doing?! Shoot him, Carley!" Sam exclaimed.
"Ple-Please… Please don't shoot me…" Zachary said.
"Don't do anything stupid, and I won't." Carley said. "You're gonna help us get out of here."
"I-I… Okay… Y-Yeah, I'll help you…" Zachary said. "I know I screwed up. Randall should be the one laying there... Not your brother. I can't undo what I did, but I can help. I owe you. All of you. Anything..."
"You wanna help? Less talking and start by getting us the fuck outta here." Michonne said.
"Not gonna be easy, but...I'll do what I can." Zachary said.
Jonas enters the room. "Is he still breathing?"
"Jonas!" Zachary quickly hugged him. "I thought you'd have more time."
"W-What do you mean...?" Jonas asked before looking down to see Greg's corpse. "Oh, no..."
"Jonas, listen...I-I said I'd help them escape. Then we need to disappear too." Zachary told his lover.
Jonas gave a shaky nod. "Yeah."
"Where's Clementine?" Carley asked.
"Sh-She's with Norma." Jonas said. "Randall took her up there…"
"Shit…" Carley muttered.
"Pete's with her too… And the little one." Michonne said.
"Danielle…" Carley said. "Okay, let's get them back and get the hell off this boat."
The others nodded.
Carley sighed, they needed to find a way to get the fuck out of here quick.
"…Thanks, guys. For stopping me. As much as I wanted to...for what he did...I'm glad I didn't kill Zachary." Sam suddenly said as they left the room.
"Killing Zachary wasn't the answer here. And it wouldn't have made you feel any better." Michonne said.
"I-I know..." Sam said.
"Let's just hurry up and find a way off this boat…" Carley said.
She just needed to make sure the girls were okay. They had to get out of here.