Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing. Sorry for the delay, I have had a lot going on. The next chapter will come out much quicker.
Thanks to gaara king of the sand for all your help.
Clementine had been silent as Randall escorted to the area Norma was. Upon seeing the girl Norma ordered for the teen to take a seat so her interrogation could begin.
Clementine hesitated. "Where's Dani?"
"Did you not hear her? She told you to sit down." Randall snapped.
Clementine narrowed her eyes. "Not until you tell me where Dani is. Where is she? Is she okay?"
Norma's gaze shot towards the curtain where the child in question was.
"Did you hurt her? Let me see her." Clementine inquired.
"She's safe. Don't worry about her." Norma said. "Besides, you're not in a position to give orders. Now, go on and take a seat."
Clementine reluctantly obliged, resting a protective hand on her stomach. Clementine wasn't sure what to say or do. For a moment the teen sat, silently contemplating her fate then she finally spoke, "We haven't done anything wrong..."
"I've heard that so many times before." Norma said.
"It's true..." Clementine said.
"Hearing it more doesn't make me believe it." Norma replied.
"Well, what can I do for you to believe me?" Clementine asked.
"You can start by answering my questions. Honestly." Norma said.
"...Okay... But first, Dani's okay, right?" Clementine questioned; concern clear on her features.
"She's fine... I might look cold, but I'm not the kind to go around harming children." Norma said.
Clementine sighed in relief upon hearing that. "What about my friend, Carley...?"
"I spoke to her, briefly... Didn't hurt her, but I surely didn't appreciate her attitude. Nor do I appreciate your group's continuous lies." Norma said.
"They're not my group." Clementine stated. "It's been Carley, Danielle, and I for months... No one else."
"You think I'm going to believe that?" Norma huffed.
"You can choose what you believe, but I'm being one hundred percent honest with you." Clementine said.
"I'm running low on patience. I've heard lie after lie from your group..." Norma said back.
"I told you before, they're not my group." Clementine said. "I don't even know them."
"She's telling the truth... We only just met today." Pete spoke up.
"You know what your story sounds like?" Randall spoke. "It sounds like bullshit."
"Why is it your cohorts tell a different story." Norma asked.
"They're scared. People will do anything when they're scared." Clementine shrugged.
"Would you say that for yourself. That you'd do anything or say anything when you're scared." Norma asked.
Clementine shook her head. "No. I wouldn't."
"Then why do you think others would?"
"Because I've seen it. I've seen people do crazy things when they're scared." Clementine said. "This world really changes people. And not everyone reacts the same."
"That it does... Turns people into what they never were before. Into liars, into thieves." Norma said.
"I'm not a thief." Clementine stated.
"Give me one reason to believe you..." Norma replied.
"What reason do I have to lie?" Clementine asked.
"To save your ass." Randall huffed.
"If you were gonna harm us, why haven't you do it yet?" Clementine asked. "You said you wouldn't hurt a child... Does that count unborn children because I'm carrying one."
"I can see that." Norma said.
"Would you harm my child?" Clementine sat ramrod straight her hand still resting protectively on her stomach. The woman sitting opposite to her stared at her fiercely. Clementine shifted in her seat feeling slightly uncomfortable under the older woman's gaze.
"How far along are you?" The woman rose her brows at the young girl.
"Seven and a half months..." Clementine replied.
Norma scrutinized the young girl. "This is serious. This is why it's important that you talk to me. Tell me what's really going on."
"We're not criminals," Clementine said. "Please just let us go. We didn't steal anything!
"I can't do that... I want to believe you, but I can't, therefore I can't simply let you go... But I will assure you that no harm will come to you or your unborn child..." Norma said.
"Norma, what are you doing?" Randall asked, looking annoyed.
"Stay out of this, Randall. I've got it cover." Norma said.
"You sure about that?! Because I don't hear anyone one of these people admitting that they stole from us or telling us where the rest is!" Randall said.
"You need to settle down!" Norma hissed back.
"Settle down?! If you'd let me handle things my way, I'd get us answers in no time!" Randall exclaimed.
"Enough! We need to have a word..." Norma said.
"Fine." Randall huffed.
The two siblings walked away, and Pete took the opportunity to speak to Clementine, "Hey... You okay, kid?"
"I'm fine... I just wanna get out of here..." Clementine said.
"You and me both..." Pete replied. "…How are you feeling though? You're not in any pain, right?"
"I was earlier but I'm okay now..." Clementine said. "I just hope everyone is okay."
"I hope they are too... These people... Specifically that Randall guy, he can be a bit rough... Did a number of the boy, Greg..." Pete sighed.
"Geez... I... I really hope no one else gets hurt. I regret stopping our ship..." Clementine said.
"My people didn't have much a choice but stopping. This predicament sucks though." Pete said.
Clementine n nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it does. It really sucks..."
"...I saw your friend, Carley, right before they brought you up." Pete said.
Clementine's eyes widened a bit. "You did? Was she okay?"
"She was fine. Definitely pissed them off though." Pete replied.
"Seems like everything's pissing them off. They don't believe a thing we say. It frustrating." Clementine said.
"We just continue to be honest and hopefully they'll see that we're telling the truth..." Pete said back.
"We didn't do anything wrong... We shouldn't be here." Clementine responded.
"I know that kid..." Pete said.
"What are we gonna do...?" Clementine asked.
"That, I'm still trying to figure out..."
Clementine sighed at that.
Neither got to speak another word as the suddenly heard arguing between Randall and Norma from the other room,
"I couldn't get anything out of them. Zachary was useless." Randall complained.
"These people just aren't talking. Problem is we still know nothing about them." Norma said.
"I'll get them to talk. Don't worry." Randall claimed.
"I have to worry. After last time—"
Randall interrupted her, "It won't go down like that. I swear."
"It can't." Norma said.
Clementine and Pete exchanged looks as they listened in. Norma and Randall clearly had a disagreement for how to handle things maybe it could work in their advantage.
"This way." Zachary spoke, urging the group to follow behind him and Jonas. Keeping a low profile, the group snuck their way across the boat, hiding when they saw a guard nearby.
"Okay. We'll distract the guard, then we're outta here." Jonas whispered to the group who nodded.
With that, Zachary and Jonas headed over to the guard and Zachary spoke to grab his attention. "Hey, Joe! Can you gimme a hand with something?"
The guard, Joe gave a nod, and allowed the other two men to escort him away.
Carley, Michonne, and Sam moved from their hiding spot and quickly made their way towards the upper deck where they knew Pete, Clementine, and Danielle would be. As they crept their way up the stairs, they suddenly heard voices bickering back and forth.
Michonne peeked through the stair railing; she noticed Pete tied to a chair, and Clementine not far from him.
With the coast clear the ground began to sneak their way over to the two.
"Clem, are you alright?" Carley asked the young girl.
"Carley, you're okay." Clementine breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, I am. Are you good? No one hurt you right?" Carly asked.
"I'm fine... How'd you get loose?" Clementine asked.
"We had our ways." Carley said.
"Come on. We gotta get out of here." Michonne picks up her machete and a flare gun. She then walks over to Pete and begins to work on untying his hands.
"Hold on... Pete: They see us gone you haven't got a chance of getting out of here.
"Those people are crazy! They killed my brother!" Sam exclaimed.
"Wh-What?" Clementine and Pete's eyes widened in horror.
"Keep your voice down..." Michonne hushed Sam.
"It was an accident..." Carley explained.
"Bullshit. It shouldn't have happened, and I want them all to pay." Sam said.
"Now's not the time, Sam. We need to get the hell out of here before we get caught." Carley said.
"If we go with you, we're gonna get caught. I'll only slow you down..." Clementine said.
"What are you saying...?" Michonne asked.
"Look at me, I'm seven months pregnant. I'm not getting far. I won't be able to run." Clementine said. "What you need to do is focus on getting Sam to her family… I'm, sure she's...not in a sound state of mind..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam shot her a look.
"Exactly what I said. You just lost someone close to you. That's never easy. You need to get back to your people, your family. Let them know..." Clementine said.
"What about you?" Michonne asked.
"I can stay here..." Clementine said. "Get her back to her family and... you can come back for us..."
"That's ridiculous, Clem. We can't just leave you here." Carley protested.
"I'll only slow you down. You guys go. I'll be fine." Clementine said.
"Don't be crazy. If you stay here who knows what will happen." Sam said.
"They're not going to just let us all walk away from this." Clementine said.
"Then we might have to fight our way out." Michonne said.
"Yeah, I'm down. We'll take them out if we have to. Them or us." Sam said.
"That might be our only option. What goes for civilized behavior, trying to calm them down or talk something out, it's not working with these people. The call to dialogue is only aggravating the situation. Randall's a loaded pistol and he's ready to unleash on us all." Carley said.
"No! We are not killing people! Look, leave us here and you all go." Pete spoke up. "It buys you time to escape and no one dies. And I'll find a way back to you. I can reason with these people.
"That'll never work! We have to fight our way out!" Carley said.
"Carley, we can't do this… Just listen to us…" Clementine said.
"I want to Clem. I'd rather not fight these people, but I'm not sure we'll have a choice." Carley replied.
"Just listen to what I'm saying… We can handle this…" Clementine said.
"They'll kill you." Michonne said.
"They won't. You start butchering their people and our chances of making it out of here, any of us, go down to zero." Pete said.
Michonne frowned and asked, "Are you two sure about this...?"
Clementine nodded. "We can talk them down. They won't hurt me… Norma doesn't believe in harming children, and I happen to be carrying one."
"Don't worry... we've got this. I'm doing what's best for my crew. That includes you, Michonne This is your chance. Go… Don't worry about us." Pete said.
Sam shakes her head in disbelief. "This is a bad idea."
"Guess we'll find out…" Clementine said.
"I'm trusting you on this…" Carley said.
"Good… I want you to take Dani with you…" Clementine told her.
"What?" Carley paused.
"I want you to take Dani with you. Keep her safe." Clementine said.
"Don't you think they'll notice?" Carley asked.
"I'm sure... But regardless, if there's a risk of anything going south, I refuse to put her life on the line. I want her to be safe." Clementine said.
"If you think there's a risk, why would you stay behind in the first place?" Sam asked.
"Because this gives you guys a better chance. It gives all of us a better chance. We can talk to them, or at least to Norma and convince her that we're innocent. You need to get back to your family. That should be your main focus... especially... especially with what happened..." Clementine told her.
"I don't need you telling me what my main focus should be. Shouldn't your main focus be on protecting your baby." Sam scoffed.
"This is protecting my baby and protecting us as well. If we try to fight back, we could be as good as dead. This is our best plan. You guys go and we'll talk them down." Clementine said.
"I trust you... Just be careful. Both of you." Carley said.
"We will..." Pete said.
Carley quietly made her way over to the curtain and motioned Danielle over. The child look to the woman with a look of relief and then snuck her way over.
"Come on... We're getting out of here." Carley whispered to the girl.
"…What about Clem?" Danielle asked.
"She'll be okay... We gotta move now..." Carley said.
Danielle frowned at that. Carley, Sam, and Michonne retrieved their weapons while Danielle slowly picked up Flopsie.
"I... I don't want to leave you, Clem..." Danielle said.
"I'll be fine, Dani. I'll meet you guys later. Just stay close to Carley, okay." Clementine said.
"I-I will..." Danielle nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's move." Michonne said, motioning for the group to follow leading them towards a dock as Pete and Clementine remained behind, hoping they would be able to talk some sense into these people.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Clementine asked Pete.
"I'm sure they will be." Pete said.
"I'm worried. I'm trying not to be but I am." Clementine sighed.
"Michonne can hold her own and your friend Carley, she seems pretty tough as well." Pete said.
Clementine nodded, "She is. One of the toughest people I know."
"Then I'm sure they'll be okay." Pete said.
"I hope so." Clementine said.
"Don't hope, kid. You gotta believe it."
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right."
"I have a good hunch for these things." Pete claimed.
"That's good. I trust your instincts." Clementine said. "Also... I'm glad I'm not the only one who stayed behind, and I wanted to thank you for being here."
"If it was my choice neither of us would be here right now."
"I know. I feel the same, but since we can't change the fact that we are, I felt like I should thank you." Clementine said to him.
"You don't gotta thank me for anything, kid." Pete replied.
"You could have left with them, why didn't you...?" Clementine asked.
"Like I said, they had a better chance of getting away if they didn't see us missing." Pete said.
"Yeah, that's true."
"We're gonna be okay, kid. They're gonna be okay and so are we. We might not have known each other long but we're in this together. You have my back and I have yours."
"Yeah, we're a team." Clementine said feeling a bit better.
"Right. We're gonna get through this." Pete said.
And Clementine believed they would.
The group had hesitantly made their way to the stairwell before rushing down the stairs. They kept quiet and made sure to stick to the shadows to keep themselves from the line of sight.
"C-Carley, I'm scared…" Danielle said in a small voice.
"Don't be. Just stick close to me. I'll keep you safe." Carley said.
"What about those guards? I thought they wanted away from this place too." Michonne said.
"Screw them. That one guy is the reason Greg is dead." Sam huffed.
"They're also the reason we're escaping." Carley pointed out.
"We could have figured out a plan without them." Sam said.
"I know you're upset and hurt, but you know what happen was an accident." Michonne said.
"I don't give a damn if it was an accident…" Sam huffed.
"Look, let's just focus on getting out of here." Carley said.
The others nodded and they continued looking for an exit.
The arguing between Randall and Norma had died down. Norma let out a sigh and slowly footsteps started to approach the area when Pete and Clementine sat. However, suddenly the woman paused, still behind the curtain as something caught her interest. With her new realization she angrily made her way over to her two captives and inquired, "Where is the kid?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about." Clementine said.
Randall who had also noticed Danielle was missing rushed over.
"Don't play dumb with me! Where is the little girl?" Norma ordered.
Neither Pete nor Clementine offered a respond.
"How the fuck could she get pass without you two knowing? You clearly know where she is!" Randall snapped. "Tell us now!"
Still, no response was given.
"Damn it! Randall, go check on the other prisoners! Have everyone keep an eye out for the little girl." Norma said.
Randall immediately made his way downstairs to check on the group.
Clementine felt her heart drop, hoping they wouldn't be found. This would only worsen their situation if they were found.
"I've been trying to be patient with you folks. I have been trying to be nice to you, but I just don't get anywhere at all. You're way too stubborn and it's giving me a headache. So, let's make this easy, tell me where the girl is and what you folks have planned because if you don't things won't end well for you." Norma said. "First you steal from us then you try to screw us over again. Don't take me for a fool."
"We never stole from you. And we don't have anything planned." Clementine said.
"Bullcrap." Norma said. "I'm sure you're a smart girl, used to manipulating people. But your innocent act won't work on me. We can fix this, if you start by telling me the truth."
"I've told you nothing but the truth! I don't know what to do to make you believe me-"
"They're gone! The prisoners are gone!" A guard rushed upstairs looking panicked.
It was at that moment that Norma noticed the weapons she had confiscated earlier were also nowhere to be seen. "Damn it! Sound the alarm, hurry!"
Clementine and Pete felt worry rush over them as the guard rushed to do as he was ordered and before long a loud alarm began to blare out.
A loud alarm blared out as the group made their way to the deck. Michonne motioned for the others to hide, and the group did so.
"Alarm! We got trouble!" A guard called out.
"Is this an attack?" A citizen asked.
"What's happening?" Someone asked.
"Mike, where are the kids?" Another person called frantically.
"The prisoners escaped, and they're armed!" Someone exclaimed.
"How?" One of the guards asked.
When they saw an opening, the group managed to make their way onto a boat.
"Everyone, listen up!" A guard called. "Prisoners have escaped, and they are armed and dangerous. Stay out of sight. We'll find them soon. We need to spread out."
"Get down!" Michonne ordered.
The group obliges and hides as another boat passes by.
"In here!"
The group enters the boat's cabin.
"We're totally screwed. The whole town is looking for us!" Sam said.
"We'll figure it out." Carley replied quietly.
"I'll see if I can find us a ride outta here." Michonne said.
"How many are there?" One of the guards asked.
"Three and a kid. Norma has the other two." Another guard responded.
"They have a kid with them?" They heard someone gasp.
"So what! We can't let them escape." Another guard said.
"We won't." Said yet another person.
Michonne looks through the window and spots a small boat. "There's a boat we can use."
"We gotta find a way past them first." Carley said.
"We can fight them if we have to… It's their fault my brother is dead. Can't let them kill another one of us." Sam said.
"Or we could try to talk them down." Carley replied.
"No way that will work. You said it yourself, these people don't listen." Sam huffed.
"Michonne, what do you think?" Carley asked.
"We need to get moving. And I'm not willing to take any chances." Michonne took out flare gun, ready to fire.
"No way! You set this place on fire and Clem and Pete will be as good as dead." Carley said. "It will start a damn war."
"Do you have any other ideas?" Michonne asked.
"There has to be a way to distract them. A way no one gets hurt." Carley said.
"Why should we care if they get hurt? They didn't care about us getting hurt. No one gave a shit about Greg." Sam said.
"Now's not the time for this, Sam." Michonne said. "We need to come up with a plan."
"I have one. We start shooting." Sam replied.
"I'm not letting you do that." Carley said.
Sam shot her a glare. "Well, what the hell is your plan?"
"I—"
"Guys! Over here! I think I saw something!" Zachary's voice was heard from a distance. Carley quickly realized he was providing a distraction for them.
As Zachary was able to grab the guards' attention and lead them back to the ship the group too the chance to jump into the water and swim until they reach the boat that Michonne had spotted, Carley keeping Danielle afloat until they reach the boat. The guard boards the boat and Michonne prepares to start it, only for a woman to point a gun at her.
"Hands off. Get 'em up. You've already stolen our shit; you're not taking our boat too." The woman said.
"You're not gonna shoot me. I bet Norma wants that privilege." Michonne replied.
"Maybe I found you with a bullet in the head." The woman huffed.
With the woman's gun still aimed at Michonne, Carley took the chance to push the woman into the water.
"Hit it, Michonne! Let's go!" Carley called.
Michonne quickly started the boat, and the group took off. Michonne ducked as a soldier fired at her, and a bullet hits their motor.
"We can hide out at my house until it's clear. My dad can help you. It's not far. We'll get there before morning." Sam said.
"Your dad? Why didn't you mention him before?" Carley asked.
"I didnt want Norma looking for him. I'll tell you more on the way."
"He can really help us?" Michonne asked.
Sam nodded. "He's the smartest guy I know. He's got a temper, but I can vouch for you."
"So damn tired. A house sounds pretty good." Michonne said.
You guys armed?" Carley asked.
"Not well enough. A few handguns, rifles, but we only bring them out to hunt. Never had to use them on people." Sam replied.
"You sure your house is safe for us to go to then?" Carley asked.
"Think so. It's kept us alive for the past...however long it's been. It's hard to find. That's our only real defense, though. We've been lucky." Sam said.
"Right now, I'll take whatever we can get." Michonne said.
"You can stay there as long as you need." Sam said.
"Once we get you there, we'll go back for our people." Carley said.
"Okay… Whatever you feel is best." Sam nodded.
The group continued on, and the sky began to grow darker as they sail away.
Eventually the boat stopped, reaching the shore. However, they didn't get far before gunfire was heard behind them. A flare hits the ground. They quickly ducked down to avoid the bullets. Unfortunately, they noticed the sound had drawn attention as they spotted some walkers approaching.
The group crawls along the ground and takes cover behind an upturned boat.
"Oh shit…" Carley huffed.
"Oh no… What do we do?!" Sam asked, looking panicked.
"Calm down. We can handle this." Carley said, not wanting the girl to panic.
"We gotta put some distance between us and Norma, hope the walkers go for them instead." Michonne tries to look over the boat, but ducks when she is fired at. An approaching walker is hit by a bullet. "We can lose them in the woods."
"How're we gonna do that? There's so many of them. It's not like we're just gonna walk through those things." Sam said.
"Just watch." Michonne hacks off the jaw and arm of an approaching walker. She then turns to Sam and Carley and says, "Hold it down."
"Dani, stay back…" Carley said to the child who nodded. "And don't look."
Danielle covered her eyes, despite feeling that she had seen much worse.
As Carley and Sam held the walker down, Michonne rips off its other arm.
"Shit..." Carley muttered, fighting the urge to look away. "You never get use to the smell."
"Never…" Michonne removes the jaw and arms of another walker and ties a rope around its neck.
Following Michonne's lead, Sam ties a rope around another walker's neck and before long the group is approached by the walkers. However, the walkers ignore them and walk by.
Sam sighed in relief.
"Now we walk. Stay close. Stay quiet. As long as we don't bump into any of them, we'll be fine." Michonne said.
"Stay close to me the entire time." Carley said to Danielle who nodded.
The group walks through the herd while the walkers around them get shot down.
Michonne suddenly pauses and both Sam and Carley look to her with concern.
"What is it? Michonne?" Carley asked.
"Michonne? What is it? What do you see?" Sam asked.
"Thought I saw something in the herd." Michonne said, trying to brush off the question.
"What did you see?" Carley asked.
"I..." Michonne paused.
"All I see is walkers. Don't think there's anything worse than that." Sam huffed.
"…I thought... I saw my daughters." Michonne hesitantly admitted.
"You're seeing things." Sam said. "We gotta keep moving."
Michonne nodded. "Yeah... let's Just keep going." Michonne took the led picking up her pace.
"Michonne. Slow down!" Sam called.
"Shit!" Michonne pulls the walkers before they bump into those in front of them. Soon enough, the group reaches the end of the herd.
"I-I can't believe that worked!" Sam said.
"Just be glad it did." Michonne replied.
Their relief isn't long lived as Randall and some guards reach the shore on their boats. "There! Take 'em down!"
The Monroe guards fire at the group.
"Into the woods! Move!" Michonne ordered.
The group runs into the woods.
"There's a shortcut to my house. But you're not gonna like it." Sam informs the two group.
The group reaches a collapsed radio tower leading up to a cliff.
"It's not as bad as it looks. I know the way up. This'll work." Sam said.
"Looks pretty damn bad to me." Michonne huffed.
"Better than going the long way around." Sam said.
"You sure this thing's safe?" Carley asked.
"Safer than taking the long way home." Sam replied.
Carley sighed then looked to Danielle. "You good to climb, Dani…?"
"I… I don't know… It looks scary… And what if…what if we fall?" Danielle stammered.
"I'm not gonna let you fall. I promise." Carley said. "Think of it as climbing the monkey-bars at a playground."
"Just a lot more scary…" Sam muttered.
Carley shot her a look. "Not helping. Look, we'll be okay, Dani. You can do this."
"O-Okay… I'll try…" Danielle reluctantly nodded.
"How're we supposed to climb this?" Michonne asked.
"Carefully." Sam said. "Greg and I climbed it one by one—"
A shot is suddenly fired in the distance.
"But I don't think we have time for that. Follow my lead." Sam started to climb the town with Carley helping Danielle up. As Michonne followed suit the tower began to shake.
"Whoa..." Sam said, looking nervous.
"Just keep going we're fine…" Michonne said.
"I'm scared…" Danielle whimpered.
"We're gonna be okay. Just don't look down." Carley said.
"Okay…" Danielle replied.
As they continue to climb the tower, Michonne grabs onto a bar. It breaks and she falls but manages to grab onto another bar.
"Michonne! You okay?!" Carley asked, keeping Danielle close to her, as she helped the child along. Due to Danielle's small size and light weight the climb was easier for the young girl and with Carley's help they were nearly at the top.
"Holy shit... Hold on!" Sam called.
"I've got this! I'll meet you up top!" Michonne called.
Carley gave a nodded and continued going, eventually getting close enough to a landing to jump to it. "Okay, hold onto me tight. We gotta jump…"
"I'm scared!" Danielle whimpered.
"Dani, we're okay. Just hold onto me and—"
"Randall, I found 'em! This way!" A Monroe guard runs back into the forest.
"Go!" Michonne yells to them. "Everyone keep moving!"
"Hold onto me tight!" Carley says again.
Danielle obliges, clutching her eyes shut tight as Carley makes the jump to the landing. "We made it. We're safe." Carley hugged the young girl, feeling her little form trembling a bit. "You were really brave."
"I didn't feel like it." Danielle said.
"You were kiddo." Carley assured the girl before calling to the other. "Hurry up guys!"
"Right behind you!" Michonne called only for the bar beneath her feet comes loose, and she jumps up just before it breaks off. The guard returns with Randall; he fires at them, but his gun runs out of ammo. He takes out his pistol and fires at them while Michonne shimmies along the tower. A bullet is fired near her hand, forcing her to let go and hold on with just one hand.
"Michonne!" Sam calls with concern.
Michonne grabs back onto the bar.
"Almost there." Sam offers her hand but gets shot in the shoulder. As Cam tries to climb the tower, pieces of it break off and it starts to fall backward.
"Son of a fuckin' gun. Move!" Randall calls to his crew.
Randall's group backs away.
"Sam! Jump!" Michonne orders.
The two jumped onto the cliff just before the tower completely collapses.
"None of this had to happen. If you had all just been honest—"
Clementine cut Norma off, "We were honest. The only thing I wasn't honest about was knowing Dani was gone."
"Clearly, you people have lied about much more." Norma said.
"No, we haven't. Everything I said was one hundred percent true. I only just met these people today; we were out searching for supplies. We didn't steal anything, and our intention wasn't to steal period. We try to avoid trouble, the last thing we wanted is to be wrapped up in this." Clementine said.
"This is the action I'm forced to take. I'm only trying to look out for my people." Norma said.
"I was doing the same when I told Carley to take Dani." Clementine replied.
"You told her to take the child? After I assured you, no harm would come to her? How did your friend even manage to get free?" Norma asked.
"I don't know how they got free. But your reassurance wasn't very reassuring especially when someone is dead by your people's hands." Clementine said.
"Wh-What are you talking about?" Norma asked.
"Greg... They killed that boy... He didn't have to die. No one had to die..." Clementine said.
"Who...? Who killed him?" Norma asked.
"I wasn't there, so I can't say for sure... But I'm pretty sure he lost his life because of your brother... Possibly by his hand..." Clementine replied.
Norma frowned at that shaking her head in disbelief. She was silent for a moment before calling for one of her guards. "Tell Randall I need to see him."
"He went after the escapees, Norma..." The guard said.
"He what?" Norma gritted out. "When did he leave?"
"Not too long ago..." A guard said.
"It doesn't have to be like this... You have to stop him... No one has to get hurt... And no one else has to die..." Clementine said.
"I... I'll send some guards to bring him back…" Norma huffed.
"Thank you... We don't want any problems... I don't know much of your situation or what's been going on, but I'd be willing to help if I can... I'd like to set our differences aside and make peace." Clementine said.
"I'd like to do the same... There's no need for any fighting or hostility. This is all just a misunderstanding." Pete spoke up.
"That's what I have been trying to do this whole time..." Norma said. "Maybe it feels like a misunderstand to you, but if it's regarding Sam, it's not... This isn't the first time she's stole from me. But I will make sure it's the last.
"She lost her brother today... I doubt she'll be stealing from anyone again..." Clementine said. "Can't you cut her some slack."
"I've cut her slack before." Norma said.
"Can't you cut her some more, it's an emotional time. You can never tell what's going on with people." Clementine said.
"Just as she couldn't tell what is going on here. We have children here, families. She was stealing supplies from them, food from their mouths." Norma replied.
"I understand... But we're living in trying times, people have their reasonings and—"
Norma stopped the girl. "And that's supposed to make it okay?"
"I'm not saying that." Clementine said.
"It sounds to me like you just want forgiveness." Norma huffed.
"Forgiveness for what. I told you I never stole from you." Clementine said. "Carley, Danielle, and I have been travelling for a while... We've been to a lot of towns... And... some of them unfortunately just... fell apart..."
"I actually believe you there..." Norma paused for a moment a thought coming to her. "Come to think of it, I actually do believe I've heard of you..."
"...I guess you've heard rumors of a travelling pregnant girl who's immune...?" Clementine asked.
"That... which I will admit of itself is absolutely incredible... but I also have heard about the young girl travelling with a woman and a child going from community to community and leaving them destroyed..." Norma said.
"We don't destroy communities... Not unless they deserve it..." Clementine replied.
"And what makes them deserve it...?" Norma asked.
"The people have to be real monsters... And believe me, we've run into a more than a few. I'm not talking walkers. I'm talking about the living... Rapist, cannibals, pedophiles, murders, the worse kinds of people... People who don't have any regard for destroying someone's life... That makes them deserve it." Clementine said. "We don't go around looking for trouble. It usually finds us... All I want is for us to resolve this and move on with our lives... No one has to do anything drastic... You could let us go and just one time more, cut Sam some slack..."
"And if it happens again, what am I supposed to do then? Keep cutting her slack?" Norma asked.
"If it happens again whatever decision you make of how to address it is your choice. You'll both just have to deal with the consequences of your actions. I hope it doesn't come to that, but if that point arises hopeful my group is as far away from this as possible. The last thing I want is to bring a baby into a situation full of drama or danger..." Clementine said.
"You want me to let you go... I might consider it, but I have a few more things I'd like to talk to you about." Norma said.
"Okay then. Whatever you want to know...?" Clementine asked.
Carley and Michonne had immediately went to Sam's aid, bandaging her wound with her shirt. After getting her bandaged they helped her up and proceeded to continue into the woods.
Sam groaned in pain as Michonne helped her along the trail.
"You'll be alright, Sam. We're gonna get you home." Michonne said.
"M-my house is up ahead... We're not far." Sam informed them.
Carley killed any nearby walkers as the continued along.
"I found Norma's place a while back, when it was just a couple boats anchored to a pier. They-they had some supplies just sitting out and... Norma caught me. I didn't think she was going to, but...she-she let me go. And now Greg is dead..." Sam said, fighting back tears.
"Don't beat yourself up, Sam. We all make mistakes… What happened to Greg shouldn't have happened and you can't blame yourself for it." Carley said.
"Why did Norma let you go?" Michonne asked.
"She...took pity on me. I told her my family was starving and... that was enough." Sam said.
"And you stole from her again? Looks like you used up all the pity she's got." Carley sighed.
"Why would you steal from them again?" Michonne asked.
"I got greedy...we were desperate. Norma...I... I never should have pushed her." Sam said.
"She's certainly a woman who doesn't like to be pushed." Carley sighed.
"This last time... I thought we could just hide the stuff on the ferry. But Greg, he...he didn't think it was safe." The girl whimpered a bit, her speak slowing, "I... I should have...listened... God, I'm...dizzy..." Sam starts to collapse.
Michonne catches Sam and helps her walk.
"Thanks." Sam said.
"You help her, I'll keep our path clear." Carley said, Michonne nodding in response.
"You're not looking so good." Michonne said to Sam.
"I feel...even worse. Talking...helps... I don't wanna black out on you..." Sam said.
"What do you want me to say?" Michonne asked.
"Anything. Please." Sam said back.
Michonne tried to think of a light topic, "Alright, um... What's your favorite food?"
"Not fair, Michonne, that's torture... No one can make ice cream sundaes anymore. Jerk." Sam muttered.
Michonne chuckled a bit at that before changing the subject. "Your family, what're they like?"
"Dad was a lawyer...so I never win any arguments with him. My brothers, James and...and Alex, they look up to Greg so much. They're gonna be destroyed." Sam explained.
"How long have you guys been here?" Michonne asked.
"Since this crap started. Grew up in this house too, my brothers and I. Parents pooled all their wedding money to buy it. Back when you could still do that kinda thing." Sam said.
"I'm sure your parents will be relieved to see you." Carley said.
Two walkers approach the group, but Carley quickly handled them. As they continued onward more walkers approached.
"It's-it's too dangerous out here. Dad was right... He said none of us should leave the house. Walkers are trouble. People are worse. I didn't listen." Sam said.
"It wasn't your fault. What happened to Greg..." Michonne said.
"That's not what he's gonna think." Sam said.
"We'll help him understand, Sam. Sometimes you can't make good out of a bad situation." Carley said.
Sam stumbled, and Michonne quickly caught her.
"I... I don't know... How am I supposed to tell my dad about Greg? It's gonna ruin him... I don't know if I can..."
"They'll have to know, Sam… They deserve to know." Carley said.
"Carley's right. Just give him the truth. He deserves to know what really happened." Michonne said.
"You don't know him like I do. After Mom, he...isn't a fan of bad news..." Sam said. "…Made it..." Sam points to the path ahead of them, then passes out.
"Sam? Sam! Sam, wake up." Michonne called.
"We gotta move. Is she…?" Carley trailed off.
"She's still alive. I'll carry her." Michonne said.
Carley nodded, taking Danielle's hand. "Come on, Dani!"
Michonne picks up Sam and puts her over her shoulders. The group keeps moving trying their best to avoid the walkers. Eventually a house comes into view.
As they walk towards the house, walkers continue close behind them. One of the walkers triggers a trap: a spiked stick hits it in the leg causing it to get stuck.
"Almost there, Sam. Almost home." Blood drips from Sam's wound, creating a trail behind her. The group approaches the gate in front of the house; a woman opens it and fires a warning shot at Michonne's feet.
"Don't fucking move! Not one more step! The woman snaps.
"Whoa! Whoa, whoa! We're not gonna hurt you. We just wanna help this girl." Carley said.
"Sam... Is she dead...? Did you kill her?! Answer me or I'll shoot. I'm not fucking around! I will shoot you." The woman said.
"Sam's alive! Someone else shot her!" Carley said. "Put the gun down! We don't want any trouble."
"Sam's still alive, but she won't be for long unless you let us in!" Michonne said.
"Michonne..." Sam weakly called.
"Sam?" The woman called to the girl.
The walkers get closer.
"Maybe you shot her. Or you." The woman huffed.
"We told you someone else did!" Carley replied.
"And I'm just supposed to believe that. For all I know you'll come in here and kill everyone. I can't take that risk. So just put Sam down and leave!" The woman said.
"The longer you talk, the more blood she loses." Michonne said.
The woman looked ready to protest but her eyes feel on Danielle, and she paused. "Holy shit… You have a kid with you."
"Yeah. Yeah, we do." Carley nodded.
"Goddamn it. Fine! Get in here!" The woman said.
As they walk through the gate walkers push against it, one grabbing Sam's leg preventing it from closing.
"Oh, shit!" The woman exclaimed.
Michonne struggles to pull Sam away from the walker. The gate is closed, severing the walker's hand.
"Hurry! She doesn't have much time!" Michonne said.
The woman quickly leads the group into the house.
Norma had led the teen to another area to speak to her, temporarily separating her from Pete. "I don't know what it is about you…. But something draws me in. I can tell that you know how to handle yourself despite being so young."
"I do my best to handle myself…" Clementine said.
"…You promise you'll answer me truthfully…?" Norma asked.
"I have no reason to lie, so whatever you want to know go ahead and ask." Clementine said.
"You lied to me before." Norma grumbled.
"To protect my own. Just as you're doing things to protect your own. Now that they're away from here. I don't have anything to lose." Clementine said.
"What about your baby?" Norma asked.
"You said you wouldn't harm them." Clementine reminded.
"I wouldn't. Unless something forced me to." Norma said.
"That won't be necessary. We're just having a simple conversation." Clementine said.
"Okay then… Good… How long has it just been you three? As in you, Carley, and the child?" Norma asked.
"Since I first found I was pregnant. We've been together longer than that though. We had a group but... it all fell apart. We've basically been together since the start of all this." Clementine explained.
"I see…" Norma said before asking, "Where is the child's father?"
"He…He didn't make it…" Clementine said.
"What happened?"
"Bandits. They attacked us. Those same sick fucks hurt Dani before we found her." Clementine said, feeling sick to her stomach at the thought.
"Hurt her how?" Norma asked.
"In the worse ways. There are sick people out there." Clementine said.
"Believe me. I know." Norma said.
"To what extend?" Clementine asked.
"We've had some assholes attack us before. Had people steal from us." Norma said.
"That's nowhere near the horror we've faced." Clementine said back.
"Who are the worse people you've run into?" Norma asked.
"Besides the bandits. These people who owned a dairy farm...used it to kill people. They were cannibals..." Clementine said.
"Oh my gosh..." Norma looked disturbed upon hearing this.
"We're run into cannibals twice... both times they were...rapist as well..." Clementine said.
"I'm... sorry you've dealt with that..." Norma said.
"We've been travelling for so long, from Atlanta, all the way to Savannah, and the shit we've seen, the things we've been through, I never thought I would experience in my lifetime…" Clementine told her.
"I can't imagine the stuff you've been through. And the little girl who's with you... don't you worry how what she sees may affect her?" Norma asked/
"All the time. But all we can do is keep moving until we find a place to finally settle down." Clementine said.
"No child should have to live like that." Norma said.
"I know... Its miracle children are living at all in this world. I was surprised seeing this place." Clementine said.
"What? A functioning and safe community?" Norma asked.
Clementine shook her head. "A safe community is one thing, but children… that's another… Every place we go that is dangerous and there are never any children running around, playing, and just being kids there is only those who are trying to survive... struggling to survive…. Or failing to do so."
Norma paused for a moment before opening her mouth to speak, however Clementine continued.
"Before Carley, Danielle, and I got on a boat and left Savannah we learned about a place called Crawford. A woman named Molly told us how they had kicked out anyone under the age of fourteen and over the Age of fifty and left them to die. It was the same for anyone with any kind of condition like asthma, those who are diabetic, anyone that they considered a liability or just only be another mouth to feed were left to the walkers..."
"They… let the dead get them?" Norma asked, eyes wide with horror.
"Without even the slightest care." Clementine said.
"That's…. That's awful…" Norma commented.
"It is… So, when I look out here… When I see this place…" Clementine pauses and looks to Norma. "I see a community who are willing to help each other. That's something that's becoming hard to find nowadays. With every place Carley and I have travelled to we've only seen how low people can get... and I'm sorry to say but your brother is looking more like those people... You need to reel your brother in, Norma, before he becomes the one to destroy everything you are trying to do... before he… he makes you do something you will regret. I can see in his eyes; he doesn't care about everyone else like you do, he only cares about you and himself... and while that is not the worse, he could do, if he keeps going like this, he's gonna end up getting everyone here killed if he's not put in check soon."
Norma didn't respond. But Clementine could tell from the expression on the woman's face that her words had been heard and that the woman knew she was right.
She only hoped Norma would listen before it was too late.
"Living room! On your left!"
Michonne runs into the living room, where two young boys are.
"Sam?" The older boy looks to her with concern.
The younger child drops the poker he was stoking the fire with. "Sam!"
Michonne sets Sam on the coffee table.
"James, Alex, get back! Your sister's hurt!" The woman orders to the children.
"What's wrong with her? She's bleeding... Sam..." The younger child said.
"This is bad. This is really, really bad." The older boy said.
Michonne looked to the younger boy. "I need you to find help, okay?"
"O-okay." The child ran from the room calling, "Dad! Dad!"
"What's your name?" Michonne turned to the other child.
"I-it's James." The boy replied.
"Okay, James. You got a first aid kit?" Michonne asked.
"K-kind of." James stammered.
"Get it. Fast." Michonne said.
James runs off to do so. Michonne turned to Sam and ripped off the makeshift bandage so she could examine Sam's wound.
"We gotta work fast. She's bleeding a lot." Carley said.
"Got it!" James runs back, sets the first aid kit on the floor, and opens it. Michonne picks up the mini vodka bottle.
"What're you doing with that? Sam? Sam, I got you. I'm here. Just focus on this." The woman asked her.
"I need to clean the wound." Michonne said before pouring the alcohol against the wound causing Sam to wince in pain.
"Is the bullet still in there?" The woman questioned.
"Didn't punch through." Michonne said.
"We gotta-we gotta get it out, right?" The woman said.
"There's too much blood." Michonne slowly picked up the aspirator and hands it to Paige. "You're gonna have to use this. Carley, you hold her down."
Carley nodded and Michonne picked up a pair of pliers. She began to pull Sam's wound open while James and Carley hold her down. Paige aspirates the wound.
"There it is." Michonne uses the pliers to remove the bullet. "Got it." She looked over to the poker Alex had been holding earlier. "Hand me that."
Carley grabbed the poker and handed it to Michonne.
"Not gonna lie. This is gonna really fucking hurt. Hold her down." Michonne said.
Paige and Carley hold Sam down.
"You too…" Michonne said to James who hesitantly obliged.
Michonne presses the hot poker against Sam's wound, and she screams. "Almost done."
"No, no, no, no, no..." James muttered, clearly disturbed by what he was seeing.
Michonne removes the poker, then prepares to cauterize the wound again.
"Get away from her!" A sudden voice said.
"John!" The woman calls.
"What's going on, Paige?" The man, John asked as he and Alex enter the room. "What are they doing to my daughter?!"
"Saving her life." Michonne answered.
"With that? Are you insane?! You're going to kill her!"
"Do you wanna do this instead?" Michonne huffed.
John could only stammer, "I...I..."
"Didn't think so." Michonne replied.
"James, let me…" John moves James out of the way and takes his spot holding Sam down.
Michonne presses the poker against Sam's wound again while she screams. Michonne finishes cauterizing, and Sam passes out. John holds Sam in his arms.
"Is...is she going to make it? I can't lose her. I can't. My poor Samantha..." John said.
"I don't know, but we did all we could." Michonne said.
"Tell me. What happened? You appear out of nowhere with my daughter nearly bleeding to death." John said.
"We saved Sam, carried her through a walker infested forest back to you." Michonne explained.
John balled his fist, anger on his face. "When Sam wakes up, we'll see what really happened."
Alex walked toward the entrance of the room, and Michonne glanced toward him.
"Look at me. I don't know who the hell you are, but—"
"Dad? Dad...? Where's Greg?" Alex's little voice cut the man off.
Everyone's eyes widened and they looked to Michonne and Carley for answers.
Michonne paused. "…Sam should be the one to tell you.
Alex looked confused. "Tell us what?"
Paige's frowned as realization dawned on her. "Greg...didn't come back with them."
"What? What do you mean?" John asked. "Where- Where is my son?!"
"…I'm so sorry… He didn't make it…" Carley said.
John shook his head in disbelief. "No... No..."
Alex and James began sobbing and hug each other.
John went to comfort them with a hug. "It's...it's okay, boys. It's okay. I'm here."
Carley watched with a heavy heart. This had not been how she expected the day to go…