Chapter 20 – Catching up

"AJ, no!" Clementine's scream tore through the air as her legs moved on instinct, her arm outstretched, fingers grasping towards the boy. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her thoughts were consumed by panic, fear, and desperation. She was so close—just a few more steps, just an inch more—but then, a sudden, searing pain ripped through her.

Her breath hitched, her legs buckled beneath her, and in an instant, all of her strength vanished. She hit the ground hard, the impact jarring but distant. Pain surged through her body like a tidal wave, the edges of her world blurring. She could hear someone call out to her, screaming at her.

AJ's tear-streaked face hovered above her, his small hands reaching out to her as his cries became faint echoes. Clementine tried to focus, tried to reach out for him again, but her body wouldn't respond. The world around her dimmed, the sounds muffled, and slowly, everything slipped away until there was nothing but silence and darkness.

The rhythmic clattering of the train wheels on the tracks stirred Clementine awake from her stupor. Slowly, she blinked, her surroundings coming into focus. Her breath hitched as she recognized where she was—the same train cart she had ridden in so many years ago on the way to Savannah. It was like stepping into a memory, untouched by time.

"Hey, sweet pea."

That voice. Soft, warm, and familiar. Her heart skipped a beat. She turned around, and there he was—Lee, standing just a few feet away with that gentle smile that had always made her feel safe. The sight of him sent a flood of emotions crashing through her all at once.

Without thinking, Clementine launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around her guardian in a tight, desperate embrace. For a moment, all the weight of the world, the struggles, and the pain she had carried felt lifted. In his arms, she was that little girl again, sheltered and loved.

Lee held her just as tightly, his presence grounding her. "I've missed you," she whispered, burying her face in his chest, her voice trembling with emotion. It was as if time had melted away, and for this one perfect moment, everything was okay again.

Lee chuckled softly, his hand gently patting the back of Clementine's head. "I miss you too, sweet pea." As they slowly pulled apart, he noticed the deep crease of worry etched on her face. His smile faded, replaced by quiet concern. "What's on your mind?" he asked softly.

Clementine hesitated for a moment, her eyes casting downward. "If I'm here with you," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "does that mean I'm dead?"

The question hit the air heavily, but Lee remained calm, his expression full of warmth and reassurance. "No, Clem. You're not dead," he said firmly, with the same unshakeable certainty he used to calm her when the world outside first turned upside down. "You're going to make it. I promise."

Clementine's brow furrowed deeper. "How can you be sure?" she said, unconvinced.

Lee knelt down to her level, looking directly into her eyes, his gaze filled with both love and quiet strength. "Because you're stronger than you think," he said, his voice gentle yet resolute. "I've seen it, Clem. You've fought through everything—more than most people ever could. And you still keep going." He smiled softly. "Besides, I know you, and you wouldn't leave AJ behind. Not for anything. That kid needs you, Clem, and you're not about to give up on him. Not now. Not ever."

Her chest tightened at his words, and for the first time, she felt the smallest flicker of hope.

"Thank you, Lee. I really needed that," Clementine said softly, her voice laced with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. She shifted, moving toward the edge of the train's open door and sat down, letting her legs dangle over the side. Her eyes wandered over the familiar landscape speeding by, but her mind was somewhere else entirely. "It's just... I don't know what I'm doing anymore. Everything's such a mess."

Lee's expression softened, his heart aching for her. "I can only imagine how hard it's been for you," he said, his voice full of quiet sympathy.

Clementine's gaze drifted, her thoughts wandering to Derek. His face appeared in her mind, a small, unbidden smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she remembered everything he had done for her and AJ. He had been there—always there—through every hurdle and every nightmare. "Not entirely," she admitted, her voice tinged with gratitude. "Derek helped me. A lot."

Lee's eyes twinkled with a teasing glint, and he raised an eyebrow. "Ah, the Canadian boy, huh?" he teased with a knowing smile. "You fancy him?"

Clementine's cheeks flushed at the question, and she quickly looked away, her embarrassment barely hidden. "Maybe? Probably? I don't know," she muttered, her voice uncertain but honest. "There's just... so much going on. It's hard to think about anything else right now."

Lee chuckled, the sound warm and full of understanding. "Life does have a funny way of throwing everything at you all at once." he said, moving to sit beside her. He glanced at her sideways, his tone gentler now. "But that doesn't mean you have to push everything else away." Clementine glanced at him, her expression conflicted, but deep down, she knew he was right.

"Just one thing though, do you trust him?" Lee asked, his voice shifting into something more serious, more protective.

"Of course, I trust him," Clementine responded instantly, her tone unwavering.

Lee studied her for a moment, his gaze searching for any trace of doubt, any flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. But all he found was a fierce determination and trust that ran deep. His lips softened into a warm smile, and his shoulders relaxed. "Then you have nothing to fear, if you trust him that much."

Clementine smiled at him and a comfortable silence settled between them, the rhythmic clatter of the train wheels beneath them filling the space where words weren't needed. Clementine let the peaceful noise wash over her, enjoying their time together, but it wasn't long before her thoughts began to race again. She turned toward her guardian, asking for advice. "What do I do, Lee?"

Lee chuckled softly, a familiar sound that brought her a sense of comfort. "I don't think I've got anything to tell you that you haven't already figured out yourself," he said, shaking his head gently. "You'll be alright, Clementine."

The distant sound of a train whistle echoed from afar, and then, as if out of nowhere, a glowing, mystical portal appeared behind them, swirling with energy, beckoning her forward. Its strange, almost otherworldly light made the train car flicker with an ethereal glow.

Clementine stood up, staring at the portal in awe and trepidation. "Looks like your time's up," Lee said quietly, standing alongside her.

She hesitated, looking back at him with a glimmer of sadness in her eyes. "Will I see you again?"

Lee smiled that same comforting smile she remembered so well. "Always, sweet pea. Always." He gave her a gentle push toward the portal, his hand lingering for just a moment longer on her shoulder. "Keep safe."

With one last look, Clementine took a deep breath and braced herself, stepping forward into the glowing portal, leaving the warmth of Lee's presence behind her as she crossed over into the unknown.

AN: Just a short chapter for now. I would've posted it into one longer chapter but this segment was so good that I couldn't resist posting it. Enjoy!