Disclaimers: I do not own The Walking Dead or any of its characters.
A/N: Hello everyone, here is the 10th chapter as promised: where Clem and AJ introduce Violet and the rest of their friends to James while meeting up with him before their attack on the raider's ship...which will end with unfortunate results. There be one major twist to the chapter. Please sit back and enjoy.
Reviews and comments will be appreciated
Chapter 10: The Showdown
~In a dream~
It was a beautiful afternoon as an 8 year old Clementine sat down on the edge of the boxcar and admired the sight of the forest rushing by at a fast yet steady pace. As the little girl continued to sit and admire the beauty of the forest as the train traveled down the tracks, she heard footsteps and sensed someone walking right beside on the edge of the open boxcar.
"Hey Sweet Pea." An adult male voice softly greeted, which caused her eyes to widen...as she immediately recognized the man's voice.
"...Lee?" Clem asked as she turned to her left and stared in genuine surprise/glee...as her beloved mentor/adoptive father figure had appeared and slowly sat down and turned to face her with a warm grin on his face before they glanced back to admire the peace and quiet of the forest.
"Why the train? You always pick the train." Lee softly asked as he was curious to why his adoptive daughter always dreamt of the day when they, Kenny, Ben, Katjaa, Duck first found the train and met Chuck after they kicked Lily out of their group and left on her on the side of the road after she shot and murdered Doug.
"I'm not sure. Maybe because this is where it all started. Where you taught me to shoot and to cut my hair. To be ready for what was coming." Clementine answered truthfully while shaking her head, stating the reason why she always picked the train was because it symbolized the day when he decided to teach her the basic rules of survival.
"You were a quick study." The older African American man commented, as he was extremely proud at what a fast learner Clem was and how independent she could be: especially since she had had unlocked the door to Fivel's mansion by crawling through the dog door while he, Kenny, Omid and Christa were preoccupied arguing about what their next would be.
"So...what's on your mind this time?" Lee softly asked as he was curious to whatever it was that troubled the young African American girl.
"...I'm worried Lee. I've got a lot of people depending on me...and I don't know if what I'm doing is right." Clem answered truthfully as she revealed to her mentor on how Louis, Omar and Aasim were counting on her to save them from the raiders...whilst confessing on how she wasn't even sure if her plan to rescue them would work and only get her and her remaining friends captured or killed.
"Oh, I know that feeling. You know that I was making it up as I went along right?" Lee softly stated, showing that he understood what the little girl was feeling perfectly: especially since he had to lie to Clem and hide the fact that her parents had died back in Atlanta when the walkers first showed up.
"I never noticed. It just felt like you always knew the right thing to do." Clem replied, stating on how she always felt that the older African American man knew just what to do whenever they and their group were in dangerous situations just by trusting his instincts.
"Yeah, well I got lucky. Luck counts a lot." Lee replied while admitting to the little girl that he was simply lucky in trusting his instincts in certain situations they encountered and stated on how luck was an important piece to survival as well.
"...I'm gonna need some now." Clem somberly stated, claiming on how she and her friends would need all the luck they could get when they carried out their attack on the raiders boat.
"You wanna tell me what you're up against?" Lee softly asked, wondering what it was that caused the young girl he cared deeply about and thought of a daughter to be filled with dread.
"...It's Lilly. She's the leader of a group of raiders whose been kidnapping kids and turning them into soldiers." Clementine answered truthfully as she revealed to her mentor/father-figure on how Lilly had returned and was a member of a group of raiders who abducted kids and turned them into children soldiers to fight in a war that the raven haired woman and her people were fighting.
"...Lilly, huh? She, Kenny and I always had our differences...but I never imagined she would be capable of doing something that immoral after we threw her out of the group after what happened with Doug." Lee softly stated while closing his eyes, as he was both surprised and disgusted at hearing what kind of person the young woman whom was once their 'leader' had become: as she joined and became a high ranking member of a group of raiders who hunted down and captured children.
"I'm with a new group now. And I've been in...so many...and they always fall apart. But I really like this one. It's...different. It almost feels like home." Clem softly added as she revealed to Lee on how she had been a part of several different groups after he had died...and how most of them eventually fell apart: due to several group members losing their way/humanity or losing the will to keep moving forward whilst revealing on how she was with a new group and more importantly, found a place that she could call home.
"That's a good thing. It's hard being alone out there." Lee stated as he was glad that his adoptive daughter-figure finally found a place where she belonged while reminding of a rather crucial fact: on how no one could survive/thrive in the messed up world they lived in on their own.
"But we're in trouble. Lilly and her people kidnapped some of our friends...and getting them back might get the rest of us killed." Clementine stated as she revealed to her mentor and father figure on how Lilly and her crew had kidnapped three of their friends...and was deeply worried that their plan to rescue Louis, Omar and Aasim would get her, AJ and the remaining residents of the school killed or worse.
"...I'm not worried." Lee softly stated, claiming that he wasn't the least worried about the outcome on his adoptive daughter-figure's rescue plan...much to her genuine shock.
"What?" She softly asked while turning back to her mentor!
"Whatever trouble you're in...you'll get out of it. You'll get your friends out of it." He softly added as he explained to his adoptive daughter the reason why he wasn't worried was because he knew that she'd think of a way to rescue her friends, no matter how hopeless it would seem.
"You don't know that." Clem softly countered, pointing out on her adoptive father on how he couldn't guarantee that she would succeed in saving the captured three teenage boys.
"I know that you're a survivor. The Clementine I know is going to fix it. I really believe that." Lee softly countered as he reminded the young girl that she was a survivor and truly believed that she would rescue Omar, Aasim and Louis from the raiders.
"...You're right. I just needed to hear you say it." Clementine softly replied with a warm smile as she deeply appreciated her beloved mentor's encouraging words.
"I'm going to get my friends out of this. Everyone one of them...alive." She softly added with a strong look of determination on her face, showing that would save Louis, Aasim and Omar from Lily and her crew and bring them back to the school, alive.
"That's right. Imagine what Louis is going to say once he sees your face. Those boys are going to have hope again, knowing you came to rescue them." Lee stated with a proud grin on his face as he pointed out to the young girl on how Omar, Aasim and more importantly. Louis would be overwhelmed to see her when she and the rest of their friends saved them...which earned a soft whimper from Clementine after hearing Louis's name: as she was still plagued with guilt for not being able to protect him during the raider's attack on the school and could only imagine how betrayed the older African American teenage boy felt when she chose to save Violet instead of him.
"Aw Sweet Pea. You know you always get like this before something. Remember how scared you were before you charged into that mess as McCarroll Ranch? You survived that, didn't you?" Lee softly stated with sympathetic eyes as he noticed the uneasy/troubled look on his daughter's face while bringing up the day she had stormed into McCarroll Ranch to get AJ back from the New Frontier.
"...That was different. I was alone." Clem softly countered as she reminded her mentor that on the day she charged into McCarroll Ranch to get AJ back, she had done it by herself...as she had lost trust in groups; due to what Ava and Javi's asshole 'older brother' did to her and her boy.
"I know. It's harder when you have something to lose. But having people you care about...that's a good thing. Friends...and a girl who loves you. They're fighting beside you...because of you." Lee softly replied, showing that he understood perfectly what his daughter was feeling while reminding her of everything she had gained the moment she and AJ were brought to Ericson's: friends who deeply respected/admired her...and showing that he knew about her relationship with Violet (much to her surprise).
"You...You know?" Clem softly asked as she was deeply surprised that her mentor somehow knew about her and the older blonde!
"Yeah...I know. And I couldn't be happier for you." Lee answered with a soft fatherly smile, which she happily returned while watching him stand up.
"Come see me again when you've gotten them out, okay? Safe and sound." He softly added while asking Clem to come 'see' him again in her dreams after she and the rest of her friends rescued Louis, Omar and Aasim from Lily and her crew with the little girl nodding in agreement.
"...Lee? I miss you so much. I wish you were really here." Clementine softly and somberly stated as she informed her mentor and adoptive father on how much she missed him and deeply wished that he was still alive.
"...I miss you too Clementine. But we'll have to make do with pretending." Lee softly replied, showing that he missed the little girl he found/rescued and came to view as the daughter he never had as well and how they would have to settle with speaking to each other in her dreams.
"Thank you Lee. Talking to you, always makes me feel better." Clem stated as she thanked her mentor for his advice and kind words, which gave her all the strength she needed and was met with a soft nod from Lee as he turned around to look out the freight door which was also open.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask...how's the boy? He hasn't been causing too much trouble I hope." Lee asked as he was deeply curious to how AJ was doing while hoping that he wasn't causing neither of them too much trouble.
"He's still got a lot to learn and...he often acts without thinking, but he's good. You'd really like him." Clementine answered truthfully, stating that even though AJ could be a bit impulsive and didn't always understand the consequences of his actions...he was an eager student, willing to learn and claiming on how he and her adoptive father would've taken an instant liking to each other.
"I bet. You teach him to shoot yet?" Lee stated as he instantly agreed with Clem on how he and AJ would've bonded right away and asked if she taught him how to shoot a gun yet, much to her amusement.
"You have no idea." She answered while chuckling softly as her boy was a natural with a gun...eventually though she secretly wished he wasn't.
"I guess the world got pretty hard since I let. A kid growing up in it...he'd be hard too." Lee softly stated, showing that he somehow knew about all the hardships that Clementine had to endure after he passed away.
"You're in my shoes now: raising a kid. Think you got a handle on it?" He softly added, commenting on how Clem was acting as an older sister and mother figure to AJ, just like he acted as a father to her during their time traveling the countryside and asked if she was managing okay.
"It can't be easy: wanting to give him a childhood...but knowing what it takes to survive now. It was easier for me, since the world was just changing. But you're living in one that's changed completely." Lee softly continued as he experienced first hand how difficult it could be to protect an innocent child like AJ from all the threats in their now screwed up world: as he did his best to protect her from the horrors of what they discovered during their brief stay at the St. John farm.
"...AJ's amazing Lee. I've taught him to be strong, brave and capable. You'd be so proud." The eight year old girl answered truthfully as she revealed to her mentor/adoptive father that she taught AJ how to be strong and fearless and that he'd proud on how smart he was for a boy his age.
"You mean...more than I already am?" Lee asked with a warm smile on his face...claiming he was just as proud of the young girl.
As soon as those kind words left his mouth, tears slowly formed and built up in the corner of Clem's eyes before she hastily stood up and embraced her mentor, which he gladly returned. Although...after the initial hug, Lee softly glanced up after hearing the sound of the horn of the train blaring out and after he glanced back down...a wide smile grew on his face.
"Wow...Just look at you." Lee softly stated as Clem had instantly changed: as she was no longer eight years old and was now her current teenage self.
"Look at you." The older African American man softly repeated as he was deeply amazed by the sight of the teenager the little girl he saved and adopted grew up to be.
"This group you like. They better not live in a city. You know I told you to avoid those." Lee softly stated as he deeply hoped that the current group Clem was currently with didn't live in a city while reminding her of the most major rule of survival: which was to always avoid cities; due to them popular hunting grounds for walkers.
"They don't. No one goes into the cities anymore. It's an old boarding school, deep in the woods. Miles from anywhere. With no adults at all." Clem stated as she revealed to her mentor on how her friends and girlfriend resided in a old boarding school deep in the forest, which they ran by themselves.
"No adults?" Lee softly asked with raised eyebrows as he as deeply surprised to hear that were no adults residing at the school with the kids!
"It works. I promise." The young African American teenage girl answered as she assured her adoptive father on how Louis, Violet and the others had managed to survive on their own after all the teachers (except Ms. Martin) abandoned them to die.
"...Its time to go Clementine." Lee stated as he painfully and somberly informed his adoptive daughter that it was time for them to say goodbye as he walked to the back of the boxcar with Clementine watching on in silent sadness.
"You've got people who need you." He softly added as he reminded the young teenage girl that her friends were counting on her pull them through before he slowly disappeared into the shadows.
"Goodbye Lee." Clem softly and somberly stated as she bid her beloved mentor and adoptive father farewell as the boxcar and surrounding forest slowly faded away and turned to black.
~End of dream~
It was currently midnight and Clementine slept peacefully as she laid comfortably on her bed. Although, she didn't remain asleep for much longer as she slowly opened her eyes: due to AJ softly shaking the mattress.
"Clem, wake up. It's time to go." The six year old boy stated as he informed his guardian/mentor that it was time for them to meet James by the river.
"We got a long walk." He softly added as he reminded his adoptive mother on how they, along with Violet, Ruby, Willy and Tenn had a long walk through the woods to where the raiders boat was docked with Clem nodding in agreement.
"...Right. Let's get the others." Clementine softly stated while somberly glancing to the bottom of the top bunk...as she was thinking back to the reunion between her and Lee in her dreams.
Once she had gotten off the bed, the young African American teenage girl and her boy woke the rest of their friends up; informing them it was time for them to put their plan into action, Clem grabbed her bow and quiver, along with Willy before they exited the school and began walking through the forest to where the raider's boat was docked, whilst keeping a sharp look out for walkers that they suspected were lurking about in the shadows. Fortunately for them, thanks to Clem and Violet memorizing the way during their first trek to the raider's base of operations to gather intel on what they could expect they had arrived at their destination...and instinctively ducked/hid in the tall grass; as they spotted a bright beam of light coming from the searchlight on the side of the river boat. Thankfully for Clementine and her friends, the raiders failed to see them as the raider operating the searchlight swerved to look in a different direction. As soon as the raider manning the searchlight glanced towards the river, the young teenage girl and her friends silently crept over to a more secluded spot, which gave them a perfect view of the pier leading to the S.S. Fitzgerald.
As Clem and her friends hid behind the trees/bushes to avoid being spotted the raiders, they watched as the searchlight beamed directly on the small riverbed leading to the dock: as a lone walker, that had been walking on the beach turned to face the bright illumination shining over it and snarled/growled threateningly as it glanced at the boat...before a single gunshot echoed out and a bullet passed through the walker's head; causing it to collapse hard on its back on the grainy/sandy soil! Once the walker had been killed and the light swerved elsewhere, Clementine swiftly exited cover and grunted softly as she dragged the lifeless corpse across the shoreline by its armpits to the spot where Violet, AJ, Ruby, Tenn and Willy were waiting for her.
"Ugh...Well...I guess we're really doing this." Ruby softly muttered while groaning in disgust at the foul stench coming off the completely lifeless zombie.
"Only the team blending in with the walkers need to cover themselves." Clem stated as she reminded the redhead on how only the group sneaking on board the boat would need to blend in with the herd.
"Now we just need your 'walker' friend to show..." The school's resident nurse replied, stating on how they'd need to wait for the mysterious hermit to show up as she, Violet, Tenn and Will glanced at the dead walker...and were unaware of AJ turning around as he sensed an all too familiar presence behind them.
"He's here!" The six year old boy excitedly exclaimed as he informed his mother and friends that James had just arrived!
"Ohh good Lord!" Ruby exclaimed in genuine shock the moment she turned around and laid eyes on the mysterious 'ex-Whisperer' and surprise on how he 'magically' appeared out of nowhere!
"Uhhh...Hello." James softly stated as he awkwardly greeted Ruby, Violet, Willy and Tenn...whom stared in stunned silence and shock the moment they turned to face the mysterious teenage boy whom saved Clem and AJ from Lily and Abel in the woods, who stared back nervously due to the way they looked at him.
"Guys...this is James." Clementine stated casually as she introduced her girlfriend, Tenn, Willy and Ruby to her and AJ's mysterious friend and savior.
"He's our friend." AJ automatically added whilst Violet, her surrogate younger brother and Willy continued to stare in silent shock/surprise.
"...He's...umm..." Tenn started off weakly while still slightly freaked by the appearance of the mysterious hermit, especially due to the walker mask he was wearing before he was ultimately cut off.
"So...cool!" Willy slowly stated with a wide grin instantly growing on his face while Violet simply looked at him at his choice of words as he walked towards James.
"How do you get the skin like that?" He automatically added as he was deeply curious and fascinated by what materials the mysterious teenage boy used to make his mask and the gloves covering his hands.
"Ohh, I, uhm..." James softly muttered while glancing away with his eyes darting back and forth as the young brunette invaded his personal space.
"Clementine?" He weakly asked while glancing to the young African American teenage girl for help.
"Can I try it on?" Willy softly stated as he asked James if he could try wearing his mask.
"That's not a good idea." The former 'ex-Whisperer' answered.
"C'mon, please?" The young brunette asked again as he really wanted to try on his mask.
"Willy c'mon, give him some space." Clem softly stated as she could see how uncomfortable Willy was making her enigmatic friend and savior by getting too close and invading his personal space.
"But, I just wanna..." Willy attempted to say before he was cut off in mid-sentence.
"Not right now." AJ softly and firmly replied as he reminded Willy that they didn't have time to waste...which earned a soft nod from the young brunette as he instinctively took two steps back.
"Yeah...right. Sorry. I didn't mean to be weird or anything." He softly stated as he apologized to James for invading his space and freaking him out by being obsessed about his mask.
"It's okay." The dark haired teenage boy replied as he knew that Willy didn't mean any harm and was simply fascinated by him.
"Ohh...and I'm also sorry for shooting at you that one time. Your mask looks so real." Willy added as he apologized to the mysterious hermit for almost shooting him with an arrow after he had accompanied Clem and AJ back to the school gates and commented on how his mask looked completely life-like...and had no idea that it was made from actual walker skin.
"I...uh, hey there James. Sorry about Willy." Violet stated weakly as she greeted James and apologized if he felt creeped out by the younger teenage boy.
"No, it's alright. Really." James stated as he assured the blonde teenage girl that Willy didn't creep him out and knew that he meant no harm.
"And I also wanted to say thank you...for saving Clem and AJ." She softly added with a soft grin as she thanked the mysterious 'ex-Whisperer' for saving Clementine and her boy from Lily and Abel shortly after she and Louis escorted them through the forest after the older African American teenage boy and the rest of their friends unwisely exiled them from the school.
"...You're welcome. In all honesty...I feel rather fortunate to have met them." James replied as he was touched by Violet's kind words and stated that in a way, he was glad that the young teenage girl and her six year old son had been banished from the school: otherwise he never would've met them.
"Clementine, could I speak to you alone? For a moment?" He softly added while asking Clem if they could talk in private before they carried out their plan.
"Sure. Hold tight." Clem answered with a soft nod, showing she was more than happy to oblige to James' request before turning to her friends and instructing them to wait before she followed James to the edge of the forest with Violet, Willy, Tenn, AJ and Ruby watching them walk off in silence.
"...Hey Tenn, you have a sec? There's something I need to tell you." Violet hesitantly stated as she turned to her surrogate younger brother and asked if they could talk in private as well...as she had rather troubling 'news' he needed to hear.
Once they were at a safe enough distance so the others couldn't listen in, James had stopped while folding his arms across his chest.
"The walkers...they'll be here soon. You can join them as they pass through the trees." The raven haired teenage boy softly stated as he informed Clementine that the walkers would be arriving very soon and that she and her strike team could blend in with them as soon as they exited the forest.
"The noise from the boat will draw them towards the water." He automatically added, stating on how the gunfire would lure any other walkers in the woods towards the river.
"Then we can sneak on board and save our friends." Clem replied, stating on how she and her team could sneak on board the S.S. Fitzgerald unnoticed while Lily and her crew were busy fending off the walkers as she and James silently watched another lone zombie, that no doubtingly heard the gunshot limb towards the small beach.
"...Your friends are...different. Open-minded. Accepting...like you. That's not how my first impressions go." James softly stated as he commented on how Violet, Ruby, Tenn and Willy were just like the young teenage girl and her boy: as they were open-minded and accepting.
"Sorry...I feel like I'm rambling. It's just...being welcomed. It's strange. That one boy called me 'cool'. I'm not sure anyone has ever said that to me." He swiftly added as he apologized to Clementine if he wasn't make any sense while admitting that he was greatly surprised after meeting the other residents of the school: as he expected them to be frightened by his appearance...and yet, they made him feel welcomed and recounted on how Willy called him 'cool', which was something he claimed he hadn't been called in a long time.
"...You know James, they could be your friends too. I know that you didn't want to come to the school before...but now that you've met them." Clementine softly stated as she made her friend a rather unexpected and surprising offer: as she invited him to live at the school!
"I...I haven't lived with other people in a long time. But...it does sound nice. Let me think about it." James replied as he recounted on how he hadn't been around other people in a long time; due to his nomadic lifestyle...whilst considering Clementine's invitation of joining her and the other residents of the school before eventually removing his skin mask and tucking it underneath his arm.
"I wanted to show you something." He softly added as he reached into his left vest pocket and pulled out the Polaroid that had fallen out of his backpack: which was of him and another teenage boy, whom was the same age as him with black hair in bowl style and had his arm around his shoulders.
"This is...was...my boyfriend...Charlie. We joined the Whisperers together." The former 'Whisperer' slowly stated as he handed the Polaroid to the young African American teenage girl while revealing that the boy in the photo was his boyfriend, Charlie and how they joined the Whisperers together.
"But it...changed him. In a way...that couldn't be undone. It changed both of us." He softly continued as he revealed to Clementine that joining the Whisperers had drastically changed him and Charlie.
"What do you mean?" Clem softly asked, as she she was curious to how joining the Whisperers had changed James and his boyfriend...and would be deeply stunned by the answer.
"The Whisperers...were my...my family...from a young age. In that time, I witnessed a lot of death and suffering. Eventually, I became the cause of it. Weakness was considered a poison...and I believed in that. Fiercely. So much so, that when another boy expressed sympathy for our enemy before an attack...I slit his throat." The raven haired teenage boy answered hesitantly as he explained to Clementine on how he had viewed the Whisperers as family; due to losing his own and how they had raised/trained him to kill and how any sign of weakness was considered a plague, which he had believed in adamantly...and somberly/painfully revealed on how he had murdered a fellow member of their group, a teenage boy in cold blood by slitting his throat for showing sympathy towards the people their group was fighting...much to Clem's great shock and horror!
"I didn't talk to him. Didn't consider who he was or what he felt. Honestly, I don't even remember his name. All I knew was that someone like him would slow us down...That was more than enough reason for me." James painfully continued, stating on how he never talked to the boy he had killed and somberly admitting that he didn't even remember the boy's name...whilst revealing the reason why he had done it was simply because he viewed the boy as weak and would've gotten in their group's way.
"That's...That's sort of hard to believe. That doesn't sound anything like you." Clementine softly stated as she had listened to James reveal his past and found it hard picture her friend/savior as a coldblooded killer!
"...Not anymore. But it was. I had no doubt in my mind that I was right." The former 'Whisperer' softly replied, confirming that he was no longer the killer his former group had trained...and painfully admitted on how he felt killing that boy was justifiable.
"After he died, I kept hearing his words in my head: 'Those people are just like us. Just on a different path.' I stopped killing after that. I changed. But...no else did." James stated as he revealed to Clem that before he murdered the boy, his final words had deeply affected him and gave him all the incentive he needed to end his killing ways and leave the Whisperers...while lamenting on how no else changed and kept on killing.
"When AJ told me that he killed someone...it reminded me of them. Of myself. He said that it was wrong...but it sounded like he was just repeating what he was told." He softly continued as he brought up the moment AJ confessed to killing Marlon to him...it immediately reminded him of former self and even though he could see the six year old boy was truly remorseful for doing it, he had sensed the turmoil on his face.
"Taking life like that, at such a young age...it breaks something inside you. It broke something in Charlie." The raven haired teenage boy added as he somberly pointed out to Clem on how just murdering one person, especially at someone's AJ's age would eventually leave them damaged while revealing that the same thing had happened to Charlie: as everything they had done during their time with their former group caused him to feel dead inside...which caused the young teenage girl to turn and look at her son in concern as she silently watched him draw out his revolver and aiming it around.
"I just...I'm afraid if AJ kills again, he won't be able to come back. He won't be the same boy he was." James stated as he informed Clementine that he was deeply worried if AJ killed someone again...that he would never be come back and eventually turn into someone that she, Violet and the rest of their friends wouldn't recognize...which was something the young African American teenage girl also feared: due to a deep secret that she had kept from her boy for a long time.
"I'm not going to let AJ become a killer. I don't want him to change like that." Clem stated adamantly, showing that she wouldn't let her son become a murderer.
"I really hope you can keep that promise." James softly replied as he deeply hoped that Clementine could keep that promise: for both her own and AJ's sake...which was the exact moment a small number of walkers appeared and headed towards the river.
"They're close. Soon there will be enough to provide us cover." He softly stated as he informed Clem that the herd would be arriving soon and would provide her and her team enough cover so they could sneak on board the boat.
"I'll lead you through the herd until you reach the boat: that's as far as I go. The rest is up to you." The raven haired teenage boy added, stating how he would guide the young teenage girl and her team through the herd towards the S.S. Fitzgerald while slipping his mask back on.
"Thank you." Clementine stated as she thanked her friend for everything he had done for her and AJ.
"Clem...take care of them and AJ." James softly stated as he asked his the young teenage girl he came to greatly respect to take care of her friends and the six year old boy before he approached the slowly growing herd of zombies while Clementine rejoined her friends, whom had been waiting patiently for her.
"Okay, he's ready to go. The walkers are getting close." Clem softly stated as she informed her friends that the walkers just arrived and James was ready to do his part while glancing to the path leading to the riverbank with Volet, Tenn, Ruby and Willy following in her gaze.
"Ruby, you're in charge of the horses." She automatically added as she charged Ruby with releasing the horses to make sure the raider's wouldn't be able to chase after them with the redhead smiling and placing her hands on her hips; as she was more than happy with her assignment.
"Willy, Tenn. You boys take care of the supplies." Clem continued as she tasked the younger brunette and her girlfriend's surrogate younger brother with freeing the rafts so they could steal the supplies that Lilly and her crew managed to salvage from the train station.
"I've got the bomb." Violet softly stated while showing the homemade explosive to her friends and girlfriend.
"Find the boiler. There'll be a door on the bottom with ash and stuff. Put it in there." Willy stated as he advised Clementine and her group to plant the bomb in the boiler; which would be at the bottom or back of the boat with the African American teenage girl nodding, showing she understood.
As soon as Willy instructed them on where to place the bomb once they snuck on board, Clem and her friends turned to each other in silence...as they couldn't help but dread the possibility that something would go wrong.
"See you all on the other side." The young teenage girl softly stated as she wished Willy, Tenn and Ruby the best of luck on their assignments.
"See you on the other side." The younger brunette and school nurse replied as they wished Clem, AJ and Violet the best of luck in return before they headed off to get into position.
"I'll cut it open." AJ stated plainly as he informed his mother that he would start cutting the walker open
Although, while Tenn and Ruby walked away and her son started to slice the walker's chest open with his knife...Clem noticed the deeply troubled look on Tennessee's face...and had a rather good idea to what it was that was troubling him.
"Tenn? What's wrong?" She softly asked as she walked up to the scar faced boy.
"Violet told me...about Minnie. That Sophie died and that Minnie...is one of them now." Tenn softly answered as he revealed to Clementine on how Violet told him about their not so happy 'encounter' with Minnie while they were gathering intel on the raider's boat while she was talking with James: how Minnie told them that Sophie was truly dead and that she was now part of Lilly's group/crew with the young teenage girl looking at him with sympathetic eyes.
"If you happen to see her out there...Tell her...tell her I forgive her." He softly added as he hesitantly asked his surrogate older sister's girlfriend for a favor: to tell Minnie that he forgave her if she, AJ and Violet saw her on the boat.
"...Yeah, sure. If we see her, I'll let her know. But Tenn...if she get's in our way..." Clem stated as she hesitantly promised the scar faced boy that she would deliver his message to his remaining sister.
"Clem...it's okay. I understand." Tenn softly replied, showing that he understood what Clementine was saying: if Minnie tried to stop them from saving Aasim, Louis and Omar...all bets were off.
"And Tenn? Vi and I really need you to stick with Willy, understood?" She automatically added while asking and instructing her blonde girlfriend's surrogate younger brother to stay with Willy while she, Violet and AJ snuck on board the raider's boat.
"Got it." The scar faced boy replied with a soft nod, showing and promising that he's stay with the younger brunette before running after his assigned partner.
As soon as she watched Tenn run off to catch up with Willy, the African American teenage girl had silently glanced to the left...as she spotted Violet, who was leaning against a tree with her arms crossed and glancing towards the S.S. Fitzgerald before eventually walking up towards her.
"Hey, it's time. We've gotta go." Clem softly stated as she informed her blonde girlfriend that it was time for them to put their plan into action.
"...Clem?" Violet softly asked with a deeply worried tone in her voice, which earned her younger girlfriend's attention.
"What happens if someone else gets caught while we're in there?" She added while bringing up the likely scenario that they would end up being captured by Lilly and her crew as they searched for the three captured teenage boys.
"...What if its you? I couldn't save Minnie. Or Lou. Omar. Aasim." The blonde teenage girl softly asked...as she deeply feared the dreaded possibility of her younger girlfriend being captured while bringing up on how she failed to protect Minnie from Marlon and Louis, Aasim and Omar from the raiders when they attacked the school.
"I love you Clem. If something were to happen to you because of me, just like when we attacked by that asshole who shot at us...I can't lose you too. I won't." Violet softly continued, stating on how she wouldn't be able forgive herself if she lost Clementine as well because she hesitated: just like she had done when they were attacked by the mysterious archer who randomly shot at them...and was met with a passionate kiss from her younger girlfriend which she returned with a similar passion before they pulled away.
"I'm not going anywhere, Vi. I love you too." Clem stated as she assured the blonde teenage girl that she wouldn't lose her as they rested their foreheads together, which earned a warm hearted smile from her girlfriend.
"You better not disappear on me." Violet softly stated while asking the African American teenage girl not to vanish on her as they made their way to the ship.
"I promise." Clementine replied with a gentle and loving smile, which the blonde naturally mirrored.
Although for the two girlfriends...their romantic moment was sadly interrupted: as they heard someone clearing his throat...which caused them to glance to AJ; whom had been spying on them.
"You two need a moment?" The six year old boy playfully and teasingly asked.
"AJ, get outta here." Clem answered plainly and bluntly while rolling her eyes and glancing away in annoyance whilst Violet on the other hand, couldn't help but smile at her girlfriend's reaction and AJ's choice of joke before he walked away.
"Are we good?" She softly asked, wondering if her older girlfriend was mentally ready to get their plan rolling.
"Yeah. I think so." The blonde answered, showing that was indeed ready.
"Okay. Let's bring our friends back home." Clementine stated.
"All of them." Violet replied with a soft grin on her face.
"All of them." Clem replied in agreement with a similar grin on her face.
"Its ready." AJ called out while glancing over his shoulder as he informed his mentor/guardian and her blonde girlfriend that he was finished carving up the dead walker before they joined him back at the spot behind the tree.
"...Now, I know this is probably going to sound disgusting, but..." Clementine started off weakly before she was cut off in mid-sentence.
"Covering your smell...Heh, smart." Violet softly stated as she immediately understood the reason why AJ had dissected the walker...so they could cover/paint themselves in its blood and guts in order to disguise their scent...and chuckled softly while complimenting her girlfriend on using a rather unexpected tactic.
As soon as they knelt down next the lifeless and dissected body, Clem, AJ and Violet had stuck their hands in the deep gashes in the walker's chest/stomach and began to paint their clothes in its blood...while softly moaning in disgust/discomfort and fighting the urge to vomit as they rubbed its intestines against them to make them smell 'dead' to the other walkers.
"Get my back?" Violet stated with a gentle smile as she asked Clem to help cover the back of her vest in walker blood, which earned her a similar smile from her younger girlfriend as she happily obliged to her request: as she stuck her hands in the walker's stomach and as soon as Violet turned around, she smeared the blood all over her back like she asked.
"Thanks." The blonde teenage girl stated as she thanked Clementine for getting her back before they placed one last 'coat' of blood over their faces.
"Are you going to do it?" AJ softly asked, demanding to know if they were actually going through with their crazy plan.
"We're doing it." Clem answered plainly as she wiped her blood covered hand against her face, confirming that they were indeed going through with their plan as she, her boy and Violet turned to glance at the boat.
Shortly after they had finished covering themselves in blood to disguise their scent, the young African American teenage girl and her team swiftly knelt down as a huge herd of walkers appeared and walked through the forest towards the small beach.
"Okay, follow my lead." Clem softly stated as she instructed her son and blonde girlfriend to follow her movements before she broke into a fast run and going around a walker, that thankfully didn't attack her; due to the rotted blood covering her face and clothes that covered her scent perfectly.
"Here we go." She added while turning to AJ and Violet as she walked directly between two other walkers and began moving just like them as they headed towards the riverbank.
"WALKERS!" A male voice cried out as a member of Lilly's crew alerted the whole ship of the huge herd of walkers heading towards them and a few seconds later, a small burst of gunshots echoed as the raider's immediately opened fire on the advancing walkers.
Although, as Clementine and her group walked alongside the walkers towards the S.S. Fitzgerald...her eyes widened in shock: as the raider manning the searchlight on the bow of the ship beamed the light on her! But thanks to her quick reflexes, she swiftly got behind a walker and grabbed it behind its neck and waistline: immobilizing it for a brief second before a gunshot echoed out and a bullet passed through the walker's head and collapsing to the ground with Violet, AJ and James looking on in surprise!
"Stay behind the walkers. Use them as shields!" Clem stated as she advised her older girlfriend and son to use the walkers as shields to protect themselves the moment the raiders shined the light on them while continuing down the dirt path towards the river.
As the young African American teenage girl and her group continued to walk towards the small beach whilst swiftly ducking behind a random walker that a member of Lilly's crew killed with a single shot to the head...before the raider manning the searchlight swiftly beamed it towards the forest: due to hearing the horses braying frantically and spotting the hay they fed them on fire!
"Damn it, the horses!" A female raider cried out as she and her fellow raiders stared in utter disbelief as they witnessed their two horses flee during the chaos!
"Someone get that fire in control!" A male raider cried out in return while ordering someone to put the fire out: as it would no doubtingly bring more walkers to their location!
"Get rid of these fucking walkers!" Lilly shouted in annoyance as she ordered her crew to kill whatever walkers were still standing...and due to them being preoccupied with the unrelenting herd of zombies, they were completely unaware of Clem, AJ and Violet swiftly taking cover behind a pile of wooden crates as soon as they made it to the dock.
"Come on Tenn, Willy..." Clem softly muttered as she ordered Tenn and Willy to cut the ropes connecting the rafts to the ship while peaking over the crates and swiftly ducking: as a member of Lilly's crew; an African American man with black hair in a short Afro hairstyle, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle stood on the opposite side of the crates and fired two separate bursts of rounds towards the still approaching walkers...before suddenly stopping, due to witnessing another unexpected 'mishap': one of their rafts carrying their supplies floating away on the river!
"Supplies going over board!" The raider manning the searchlight cried out while beaming the light down on the raft...with Tenn and Willy swiftly ducking behind the crates as soon as the light shined over them and giving each other a bright grin and shaking hands on a job well down.
"Goddamn it! Someone get over there and see what's going on!" An all too familiar voice angrily cried out, which Clem immediately identified as Sullene's as she ordered one of her fellow crewmates to chase after the raft, which the African American man did as he vaulted over the crates and much to Clem's, AJ's and Violet's relief...he didn't notice them.
"Stay sharp! We're under attack!" Lilly cried out in return as she ordered her crew to stay on guard while claiming that they were under siege!
"...Okay, now's our chance." Clementine stated while glancing to AJ and blonde girlfriend as they watched the African American raider take off before jumping into the water as quietly as they could and began to swam alongside the dock.
Luckily for the two teenage girls and the six year old boy, known of the raiders spotted or noticed them due; as they were busy gunning down walkers that somehow managed to reach the dock.
"Clem, the blood's washing off." Violet whispered as she informed her younger girlfriend that the water was rinsing the blood off their clothes and skin.
"I know Vi. But we're nearly there, so we won't need to hide our scent anymore." Clem softly whispered back while pointing out to Violet on how they no longer needed to disguise their scent anymore; as they were halfway to the ship.
Once they reached the opposite end of the dock, Clementine climbed up to see if the cost was clear...before swiftly ducking; as she spotted another member of Lilly's group; a young woman in her late 20's with ruffled blonde hair armed with an M1 Garand; whom stood at the edge and fired two separate shots at the advancing walkers before running down the pier.
As soon as the blonde haired raider was out of sight, Clem, Violet and AJ swam underneath and between the dock...and stared with their eyes widening in great shock: as they had spotted a huge number of walkers literarily walking along the bottom of the river! Once they made it across and swam to resurface, Clem moved to the side as AJ climbed up the ladder on the side of the pier with Violet climbing right behind him. However...as her son and girlfriend climbed out of the water, the young African American teenage girl cried/gasped in shock: as a strong force suddenly and unexpectedly pulled her down in the water before she swam back up!
"(Gasp) Vi...!" Clementine attempted to cry out before the mysterious force strongly pulled her back down deeper into the water...and her eye's widened as she glanced down and saw that a walker had grabbed her by her ankle!
But luckily, the young teenage girl managed to break free from the walker's hold; as she stomped her left foot down on the zombie's head; which cracked its skull and forced it to let go of her ankle! As soon as she broke free, Clem swiftly swam back to the surface; where Violet offered her hand, which she gladly accepted as her girlfriend helped her onto the dock...where she collapsed on her knees and gasped for air while coughing weakly: due to the disgusting bacteria she unfortunately swallowed.
"Fuck, are you okay?" Violet asked in deep concern as she knelt beside her younger girlfriend and softly patted her back as she attempted to catch her breath from her near death experience.
"Yeah...cough, cough...I-I'm fine." Clementine answered while taking a light breath and gently clasping her hand over the blonde's, reassuring her that she was alright before they and AJ swiftly ducked behind a stack of crates: as the raider manning the searchlight had shone the light over the pier...and another raider, armed with a scoped sniper rifle had shot and killed walker that climbed onto the dock from the water!
The moment the walker was killed and the searchlight moved in a different direction, Clem and her group silent crossed the pier while ducking behind the crates and metal barrels, which shielded them from the two raiders; whom failed to spot them and were distracted picking off the walkers that managed to get past there fellow crewmates.
Once they made it across the pier, the young teenage girl and her team ran up to the main door, which was folded shut.
"Okay AJ, you're up. You ready?" Clem softly stated while asking her adoptive son if he was ready to carry out his part of the plan.
"Yeah, I'm ready Clem." The six year old boy answered with a firm nod, showing that he was indeed to do his part.
"Walkers!" Violet cried out as she, her girlfriend and AJ glanced down the pier and spotted four walkers, that somehow managed to get past the raiders approaching them on a different section of the wooden walkway!
"Where the hell did they come from?!" AJ exclaimed with widened eyes as he remembered the raiders gunning down all the walkers on the beach!
"Violet, help AJ!" Clem exclaimed, while ordering her blonde girlfriend to help her son climb through the hatch while she took out her bow and drew out an arrow from the quiver.
"On it." Violet replied with a firm nod as she lifted AJ up by his armpits, which gave him the boost he needed to reach the hatch.
As soon as she turned around with her bow in hand, Clementine took precise aim and fired the arrow, which struck the nearest walker dead center between its eyes and caused it fall flat on its face! After the first walker was killed, the African American teenage girl couldn't help but as she fired a single arrow, that struck all three zombies dead center; either in the forehead or right through the left/right eye! Once the 4th and final walker was killed, Clem had collected the arrows and placed them in the quiver behind her back...which was the exact moment, she and Violet glanced back to the door; which slowly opened and revealed AJ standing on the opposite side before they ran inside and immediately closed the door behind them so the walkers wouldn't get in.
Once they had sneaked on board, Clementine and her team swiftly ducked behind stacked bales of hay...as they glanced up the wooden ladder in front of them and caught a brief glimpse of the bald headed man they saw with Lilly running across the upper floor, which they fairly guessed was the 2nd deck; whom much to their good fortune, didn't see them.
"We're getting close." AJ softly whispered as he pointed out to his mentor/guardian and blonde girlfriend on how they were halfway through their mission.
"After we find the boiler and plant the bomb, we'll get out friends out." Clem stated as she reminded her son and girlfriend that after they planted the bomb in the boiler room, they'd look for Louis, Aasim and Omar on the 2nd deck and break them out while Lilly and her crew were distracted by the walkers.
"Minnie said they didn't hurt anyone...We'll just have to hope she was telling the truth." She softly added whilst bringing up on how Minnie assured them that Lilly and the raiders hadn't hurt the three teenage boys after the attack on the school...and couldn't help but pray that the redhead was telling them the truth as they glanced back up the upper floor.
"...You think she was lying?" Violet softly asked as she and AJ noted the deeply worried look in her girlfriend's eyes.
"I'm just really hoping that I'm wrong." Clementine answered somberly, which earned an understanding nod from her girlfriend in return...especially since they had no idea what condition they'd find Aasim, Omar and Louis in.
"I'll scout ahead and signal for you guys to follow, okay?" She softly added as she informed the older blonde and her six year old boy that she would scout the corridors and let them know when in was safe for them to move.
"Okay." Violet stated as she and AJ nodded in agreement as they took behind separate bales of hay while Clem approached the door on their right...and stared in deep disbelief as she looked through the glass window.
"Ohh, you've gotta be shitting me..." The young teenage girl softly muttered before swiftly ducking...as she caught a glimpse of a Latino-American man in his 30's, running down a separate set of stairs on the opposite side of the door.
"What's the matter?" Violet asked as she turned her girlfriend, curious to what she saw through the glass...and would be equally stunned by the answer.
"The boiler room...it's on the other side of this door." Clementine answered as she revealed to her blonde girlfriend on how the door in front of them led straight to the boiler room!
"Are you serious?" The blonde teenage girl asked as she was deeply shocked after hearing how they were practically right outside the boiler room!
"But there's a problem..." The African American teenage girl softly added before pausing...as three loud gunshots rang out.
"There's a raider in there?" Violet asked as she immediately knew what the 'problem' was.
"Yep, so we'll have to go around." Clem replied, confirming that a member of Lilly's crew was on the opposite side of the door...and how they'd have take the 'long way' to reach the boiler.
After she backed away from the door, the young teenage girl began to walk down the corridor in front of them...before swiftly ducking behind a bale of hay: as the bald headed raider, armed with an M1 Garand came running from a different corridor and skidded for a brief pause; as he looked around for any intruders before heading off to another section of the boat and slamming a door shut behind him. Once the bald headed man was gone, Clementine motioned for Violet and AJ to move forward as she opened the door, that led to another corridor with her boy quietly closing the door behind them once they crossed the threshold. As soon as they stepped inside however, the young African American teenage girl and her group immediately ducked behind cover: as the African American man they saw outside, whom was now armed with an M1 Garand, appeared and was also searching for any intruders! Unfortunately for Clem and her team, the African American raider caught a brief glimpse of her ducking behind the crates beside the wall.
"Hey! Whose there?" The African American raider demanded while walking towards the crates with the M1 Garand in his hands...and was met with no answer.
"Mhm." He merely grunted as he continued walking forward to investigate the crates.
Although, as the raider continued to advance...he was completely unaware that Clementine was ready for him: as she drew out her hunting knife. The second he was within striking distance...that was when the young teenage girl lunged out from behind cover and tackled the African American raider against the wall; which caused him to drop his semi-automatic rifle onto the floor! While he was stunned, Clem swiftly picked the Garand up by the barrel and struck the dazed raider in the face with the stock as he attempted to draw out his own knife: which sent him crashing against the wall and slumping to the floor with a few drips of blood pouring down his nose! As the dark skinned raider laid unconscious against the wall, Clem turned back to Violet and AJ...with the blonde teenage girl staring in silent awe at how her girlfriend dealt with the African American man.
After the raider was dealt with, Clementine and her group walker farther up the corridor with AJ once again closing the door behind them and swiftly ducked behind cover: as Sullene had came from another door; armed with an M1 Garand and immediately opened fire on the walkers from the window she was standing behind before running off to snipe the still advancing zombies from a different section of the ship. Once Sullene was gone, the young teenage girl and her team turned right down the corridor that Sullene ran down before pausing: as they had reached the boiler room and spotted the Latino-American raider standing guard and reloading his M1 Garand before sniping at the walkers from the window. Although, due to him being focused on the zombies...he failed to notice the two teenage girls and six year old boy whom were standing a few feet away.
As the Latino continued to open fire on the walkers, Clem had silently entered the boiler room and ducked behind several crates: where she drew out her bow and after taking precise aim...fired a single arrow that struck the unsuspecting raider right behind his leg; which caused him to cry out and collapse to the floor in excruciating pain! As the Latino-American raider cringed on the floor and attempted to sit up, that was when Clementine ran out from behind cover and swiftly struck the defenseless man across the face with her bow; which knocked him unconscious!
"Nighty night." The young African American teenage girl jokingly stated as she sarcastically wished the knocked out raider 'a good nights sleep' while signaling for her son and older girlfriend to join her.
"...Damn. Remind me and the others not to piss you off Rambo." Violet stated jokingly as playfully nudged her girlfriend's shoulder as she and AJ glanced down at the knocked out Latino man.
"Yeah, well...just one of the benefits from my time with the New Frontier." Clem replied with a soft grin on her face at her blonde girlfriend's words and was pleased that the combat skills she had learned during her time in the New Frontier paid off before they approached the boiler: where she opened the hatch and turned to Violet, whom handed her the bomb as she carefully placed it inside the combustion chamber.
"...This one's for you Mitch." Clementine softly stated with her boy and girlfriend nodding in agreement at her kind words as she closed the hatch to the chamber.
"Bury this thing in the bottom of the river." Violet softly added, hoping that the manmade explosive would sink the S.S. Fitzgerald to the bottom of the river before she and the younger girlfriend stood up after they planted the bomb in the boiler.
"Once they start up the boat, we won't have much time before it explodes." Clem stated as she reminded her team of a rather crucial fact: on how they wouldn't have much time to escape the boat once the bomb exploded.
"How long?" AJ asked, deeply shocked after hearing that truly shocking revelation: how they only had a small window to find their friends and flee before the boat went off!
"Not sure. An hour, 30 minutes?" She answered truthfully, showing that she had no idea how much time they actually had while fairly guessing they only had half an hour.
"Let's hurry up." Violet stated as she knew they were wasting valuable time standing around.
After they had planted the bomb in the boiler, the young African American teenage girl and her group immediately climbed up the stairs to the 2nd deck and immediately hid behind the wall: as they spotted the raider's sniper speaking to Minnie as they stood near a hallway with adjacent rooms.
"Minerva, focus!" The intimidating African American woman ordered whilst calling the redhaired teenage girl by her full name.
"Yes, ma'am." Minnie softly replied as she walked past the woman before pausing.
"I...I have a little brother. Short, scarred face. Is he...He's not out there, is he?" She somberly asked, as she had a good idea to who it was that was behind the attack on their boat...and demanded to know if any of their crew members had spotted Tennessee outside, much to the African American woman's annoyance.
"Look, we discussed this. Your family is the Delta now. There ain't no room for anybody else." The sniper angrily replied as she reminded Minnie of a talk they had previous times: how their home community was her family and how she, Lilly and the rest of their crew expected her to forget anyone connected to her past.
"...Yes ma'am." Minnie somberly replied as she turned around to face the intimidating woman, showing that she understood and was met with a firm nod from the sniper as she walked off and left the redhead in charge of guarding the three captured teenage boys.
"Ahh, shit. Of course she had to the cell guard. We can't sneak past her." Violet softly muttered in annoyance as she, Clem and AJ discovered that Lilly had placed her ex-girlfriend on guard duty and pointed out on how they had no way of sneaking past her with her younger girlfriend nodding agreement.
After the African American woman was out of sight and Minnie's back was turned, Clem snuck in closer and as the redhead glanced around...she drew out her bow and got into the shooting stance and pulled back the drawstring; which alerted Minnie as she turned around and stared in surprise and anger the second she saw Clementine aiming an arrow directly at her.
"Get. Out." The redhead angrily growled as she aimed the crossbow she held in her hands directly at the African American teenage girl.
"We're not going anywhere without our friends." The young teenage girl countered, claiming that she and her team weren't leaving without Aasim, Omar and Louis with Violet and AJ standing right beside her with their cleaver and revolver out.
"I swear to God, if you got Tenn caught up in this...J-Just tell me that he's okay. Give me that." Minnie started off angrily...before pausing as she somberly begged Clementine to tell her if Tenn was alright or not and was met with sympathetic eyes from the young teenage girl.
"...He's safe. He's with Willy and he asked me to tell you that despite everything...he forgives you." Clem answered truthfully as she assured Minerva that Tennessee was safe while informing her that he forgave and still loved her...which deeply stunned and surprised the older redhead: as she lowered the crossbow and glanced down to the floor in sadness.
"...Shit." Minnie softly muttered as she closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again and lowered her crossbow as she stood down.
"...I'll help you get everyone out...Then you take my brother and run. Get him back where its safe." She softly stated, claiming that she would help Clementine, AJ and Violet break the three teenage boys out...while asking the young teenage girl to get Tenn back to the school.
"You have my word." Clem replied with a firm nod as she gave Minnie her word that she would get Tenn back to the school, along with Louis, Aasim and Omar as she, Violet and AJ lowered their weapons.
"C'mon, we have to hurry." She softly added, knowing that she and her team were running short on time as she slung her bow over her back.
After Minnie's supposedly 'change of heart' and the older redhead letting them pass, Clem, Violet and AJ ran down the hallway that Minnie was guarding; where they spotted a single door on the left and two on the right. As she glanced through the rusted bars to the cell on the left, that was when Clementine heard an all too familiar voice call out behind her.
"Clementine!" Omar cried out as he and Aasim stared in deep surprise as they saw the young African American teenage girl, her six year old boy and Violet outside their cell.
"Holy fuck." Aasim softly stated as he was equally stunned at the truly unexpected sight.
"Oh my God. Are you guys okay?" Clem stated as she was deeply relieved at the sight of the two teenage boys while asking them if were alright.
"He doesn't look hurt." AJ softly stated as he pointed out to his mother on how Omar seemed okay; due to how he was standing on his own two feet.
"I...Yeah, I'm alright. We're both alright." Omar answered with a soft nod as he assured Clementine that he and Aasim weren't injured; as his leg had been patched up.
"Just take care of Louis first. He's...he's in rough shape." He softly added as informed Clem that she would need to tend to Louis...while hesitantly revealing that he was pretty 'banged up'.
"I'll unlock the other cell." Minnie stated as she knelt down, lifted up the metal latch and opened the door to Louis's cell.
"We don't have a lot of time until Dorian comes back." She softly added as she informed Clem and her team on how they only had a few minutes to escape with Louis, Omar and Aasim before the intimidating woman/sniper, whom was known by their group as Dorian would return to check on her with Clementine nodding in agreement as she walked inside Louis's cell.
"Violet, help me with these guys." Minnie stated as she asked her former girlfriend to give her hand in helping Aasim and Omar out of their cell.
"On it." Violet replied.
Shortly after she stepped inside the cell, Clem immediately spotted Louis sitting on the floor with his back towards her as he stared at the wall.
"Louis? Louis!" She softly asked as she approached her friend and slowly reached to place a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.
Sadly, however...Clementine never got the chance: as she felt a sudden and strong blow landing to the back of her head...and then everything went black as she dropped to floor.
A/N: There it is everyone the 10th chapter to A World with You as promised. I would like to apologize to my fellow Fanfic authors and loyal viewers for the slight delay. I've been busy with hectic shifts at work and working on my new Red Dead Redemption fanfic. Plus, this chapter ended up being longer than I planned: as I had to really think outside the box and ended up being close to 12,000 words long. I should have the 11th chapter posted sometime either by thanks Thanksgiving or the first week of December. Until next time, bye.