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''Oh, my lord'' Clementine hadn't heard Luke's voice this happy since, well, probably ever. The group all stared at large cabin they had found. Finally, some shelter.
''Is it safe?'' Nick asked. ''Are there people inside?''
''If there were, we would probably have heard from them by now.'' Clementine argued, noting the eery silence surrounding them.
''Someone should go check it out'' Nina said, following Nick.
''Stay back, mom. I'll do it'' Nick started walking toward the building with his rifle in hand.
''I don't think so. You waving that gun around in there with your trigger finger? Then you get spooked by one of us? Clementine is lucky you can't shoot for shit, or she would be dead now.'' Pete spoke up, which stopped Nick in his tracks.
''Peter. No reason for that.'' Nina let out a soft growl to her brother.
''He needs to hear it, Nina. Since you obviously won't say it then I will.'' Pete argued back to his sister.
''Why don't Pete, Clem and I go see if it's clear? The rest of ya'll check the surroundings, check how defendable this place really is?'' Luke spoke up.
''Really? You're picking the child over me?'' Nick snarled at his friend and uncle but when he found no support from anyone in the group, he eventually backed down.
The rest of the rest of the group agreed. ''As long as I get to sit down soon'' Rebecca commented.
''That porch can't be too dangerous, can it?'' Alvin spoke up and pointed. The couple silently walked over to the porch and checked the surrounding area before sitting down. Clem was puzzled as to why Rebecca, who used to be very durable during their time at Howe's was suddenly getting sick and tired all the time. Something was up, but what? She glanced over at them from the distance. She caught Carlos with a worried look on his face also looking over there. When he realized the girl had caught his look, his face quickly reverted to his normal stare and put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. ''Be careful in there Clementine.'' Sarah's hushed voice brought a smile to Clementine's face, and she nodded. ''I will, don't worry'' Clementine nodded. ''Be careful, and take care of your dad and the others'' She continued and watched the Hispanic girl's face light up and quickly nod.
''Keep yourselves safe. We'll be back in a little bit. Pete? Clem?'' She followed the two men into the dark cabin. The small sounds of blades being drawn were the only ones they heard. A small one for Clementine with her hunting knife, and a longer one for Luke's machete. The door creeked open. Thankfully it was unlocked despite it being seemingly abandoned. As the door slowly swung shut, only a few streaks of daylight pierced through the boarded windows. It was very dark and hard to see. It was just like the train station she helped Lee clear out that time long ago on their way to Savannah…back when he was alive, and Kenny, and Ben. Omid. Christa. The man with the candy, Chuck! But right after Duck and Katja…left. Lost in her thoughts again, Clementine could barely make out the fact that Pete turned around and snuck back over to the door. ''We need to hold this open.'' He whispered and the duo nodded in agreement. As the door was pushed back open and the sunlight was allowed to light up the room again, Clem spotted out a dinner table with a couple of chairs. ''Would that work?''
''I ain't comfortable with you riskin' it like that Clem. I mean, what if a lurker jumps ya?'' Luke argued. ''Find a rock or somethin.''
''You brought me with you for a reason, right?'' The girl had a smug look on her face as Luke struggled to find an answer. Pete raised his crossbow and pointed it at the table and nodded to the girl.
Clementine's feet moved slowly across the floorboards. The cabin smelt funny. A little like her old treehouse, actually. The floor creaked from the weight of her steps. Each step got her slightly closer to the table. A chain was nearly in reach. One hand gripped down the handle of her knife, making the handle mark her palm. She was ready for a walker to jump out of nowhere. Her heart pounded and her breath slowed down. Almost there. Almost there.
Her fingers touched the back of the chair. She had made it over there. Now next order of business was to free this chair from underneath the table without scaping it too much against the floor. She moved slowly as she put away her knife. Now she was defenceless and really exposed to any walker attack that may or may occur. She bit down her lip hard and held her breath as she made the first move. She lifted the up the chair a little, so the chair was suspended in the air. A small yanking motion was made as she carefully carried the chair back slightly. First of many done. She made the same motion again, making progress little by little. It was dead silent except for her moves. Both men frozen in place as they watched her. Clementine let out a sigh of relief as she managed to finally pull the chair out from the table and lifted the chair higher. She heard footsteps behind her, so she turned around, expecting to see Luke. It couldn't have been Pete, seeing as the light was still there.
''Clem-!'' She did not come face to face with Luke, instead a walker was snarling in her face and grabbing for her. She let out a terrified and surprised shriek and lifted the chair higher to block the walker. Before she had properly done so, an arrow flew through its brain and dropped the walker instantly. She saw the friendly faces of Luke and Pete, where the latter was aiming down his sight and the former had the blade over his head ready to strike. He knelt down to Clem's level to check on her. ''You good?'' He asked concerned. Clem nodded. A little shocked, yes. But okay. ''Still not bitten.'' She replied cheerfully. ''Thanks for having my back.''
''Well someone's gotta look out for you when you decide to run into danger like that''
''I had faith in you two protecting me. It wasn't that dangerous, I'm not that little'' Luke nodded at her response and took the chair and carried it over to prop the door open.
''That's one. How many else is lurking around?'' Pete said softly. ''Leave no corner or closet unchecked. We don't need anyone dying on us like this.''
With the chair propped up against the door and giving the trio sunlight, they slowly and steadily cleared out the cabin of remaining walkers. The second floor was a lot less difficult to clear out since the windows were not completely boarded up there.
They emerged out of the cabin after opening every door they possibly could so there was no more nasty surprises waiting inside.
''It seems almost too good to be true, but this cabin is very well fortified, and pretty on the inside. Few bedrooms, a kitchen with utensils. This place must have been abandoned for quite some time.'' Pete spoke to the gathering group.
''What was Clem's shriek about? Are you okay?'' Nick asked and looked at the girl. ''I am, Nick. Thank you. A walker snuck up on me while we were clearing it out. Thankfully, Pete was quick to react'' She smiled right back. ''Good. So, a child over me, huh, Luke?'' The men exchanged joking expressions before the group went inside and got comfortable. They could finally get comfortable for a long while.