Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

A Chance

     It had been late into the second night at the school when Clementine woke up at the sound of voices. AJ had heard them as well, thinking that there could be monsters but she had convinced him that it’s not walkers they hear. Taking the lit candle, AJ promised to wait for her as Clementine left their dorm room to investigate the sound. Hearing the voices being loud behind the door leading to the basement only to discover the door is locked, Clem checked a nearby map of the school, remembering where she had seen a cellar door in the courtyard.

     Outside, the cellar door had been locked tight, but it was no problem once she had smashed the lock with a heavy brick. Now in the basement, Clementine finds that Marlon and Brody had been arguing. Cautiously approaching the pair, Clementine spoke up, “What’s going on?”

     To hear her, both Marlon and Brody cease their argument and froze. Marlon recovered first as he shone the flashlight in her face. “We’re just talking.  Why don’t you go back to the dorm?”

     She glares at him. “Not when I can easily hear you from the room. AJ heard you too, and maybe the others have. So I won’t leave until you tell me what you were arguing about down here.” She makes it clear that she wants answers.

     Then she noticed Brody trembling. “The guy you met at the station, we have a history with him and the group he’s a part of.” she started when Marlon shot her a warning glare.

     She knows that he wants to keep her quiet, but Clementine ushers her to continue. “You see, last year, Marlon, Tenn’s sisters and I went out to scavenge outside the Safe Zone when we met these Raiders. But in order to save himself, Marlon sold off Minnie and Sophie.”

     To hear the truth of what had happened to Tenn’s older sisters left Clementine shocked. “But you guys said they were dead.”

     Brody shook her head. “That’s what we told the others. And now, Marlon even plans on giving you and AJ away the next time the Raiders come.”

     “God damn it, Brody! Shut up!” Marlon exclaims and as he went to bash her head with the flashlight, Clementine quickly stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

     As he struggled to free himself, Clementine held on tightly. “Marlon! Calm down! You don’t need to lash out at her.” Clementine says firmly, her gaze sharp as she holds him in place. “Don’t let fear take over, you’ll end up doing stupid things that’ll only make the situation worse. Trust me, I’ve seen people do terrible things out of fear.”

     At her now calm tone, Marlon himself calms down, his arms fall to his side in defeat. “I just don’t know what to do. I know the others will hate me if they knew, especially Tennessee.”

     “Marlon, they have to know. You can’t keep this secret anymore. It’s dangerous to keep secrets.” Clementine says softly, although she’s one to talk since she had kept the Stranger a secret from Lee as they were making their way to Savannah.

     “She’s right, Marlon. It’s actually over due to telling everyone the truth.” Brody stands beside Clementine, thankful that she saved her.

     At that thought, now Marlon is trembling, nervous about revealing the truth to the other kids. “When?”

     “The sooner the better.” Clementine makes it clear that this has to be done.

     As the three leave the basement, Brody says, “I’ll gather everyone.” With that, she hurries back into the dorms.

     Now out in the courtyard, Clementine turns to Marlon as he sits in one of the sofas, his head in his hands as he takes deep breaths to calm down. “Nervous?”

     “More than I had ever been.” he answers honestly.

     “Marlon, we will get this to work. You might lose trust from some of the others, but it’s time for you to be honest with everyone.”

     Looking her in the eye, Marlon is relieved that they can get this situation to work. “Clem, thank you.”

     “Don’t thank me yet.” Soon, Brody steps back outside with AJ, Louis, Violet, and all the other kids plus Rosie. Surprisingly, none of them look tired.

     “Just as you had thought, everyone did hear us.” Brody points out.

     Now that everyone is out of the dorms, a few wondering why they were brought outside, Marlon takes one last deep breath as he stands from the sofa and steps forward. “Guys, it’s high time that I come clean. What actually happened last year.”

     This left everyone but AJ confused. “Last year, Brody, Minerva, Sophie and I met a group known as Raiders. They had been searching for more people to recruit, to join in their fight with another community.  Then without even thinking, I gave them Minnie and Sophie.”

     At this reveal, everyone was in complete shock at the truth. “Marlon! How could you?!” Just as they had thought, Tenn was the one mostly hurt at the discovery of what really happened to his sisters.

     “Why would you sell out two of our own?” Aasim exclaims.

     “All because I’m a coward.” Marlon adds, his head now hanging.

     “You mean, you sold them off in order to save your own skin?” Violet just couldn’t believe that he was a coward at that time, thinking back to when she had heard that Sophie and Minnie, her Minnie, did not survive, how broken she was that day.

     “I know I had betrayed all of you when I kept quiet about this situation.” Marlon whimpers.

     “Not only that,” Brody spoke as she then stands beside Clementine, who has let Marlon do the talking since this is his problem, “he had planned to give Clementine and AJ to them the next time they come.”

     To hear that, both Louis and Violet were more angered at that revelation. Having spent time with her and watching how she deals with the walkers and how she helped them find food, Louis and Violet came to really like Clementine, believing that having a survivor like her around can help them in a long shot, especially now that the Raiders could come back any time.

     Now that they know the truth, Marlon straightens up. “Now that you all know, it’s best if I leave Ericson.” At those words, everyone snaps at him in utter confusion. “After everything I’ve done, it’s better to not have me around anymore, let me become nothing but a bad memory.”

     There’s no way she’s letting him leave and die out there among the walkers. Shaking her head, Clementine takes a gentle hold of his upper arm. “Marlon, I promised that we will make this work, and we will.”

     At her words, Louis became hopeful for his best friend. “Clem, what are you saying?”

     Looking over to him, Clementine gives him a smile. “I’m saying that Marlon can stay here, just no longer the leader.”

     Now that she mentioned it, thinking back to what he’s done, the other kids start to agree. “Seems fair.” Omar finally spoke up.

     “That’s very merciful of you, Clementine.” Ruby gives her a soft smile, grateful that she is giving him a chance at living here better.

     “You’re a real savior, Clem.” Willy spoke with admiration in his eyes, Mitch standing beside the boy as he gave her a smile.

     “I can promise all of you. No one deserves to die out there. So we will figure out a way to deal with these Raiders.” Clementine gives them all her promise, her words giving them the most sincere comfort and for the first time in a long time, hope.

     Beside her, Clementine watches as Marlon falls to his knees, sobbing grateful tears with Brody kneeling beside him, comforting him with Rosie approaching them, gently licking his hand. As he scratches Rosie behind one ear, Marlon looks up at Clementine, tears still forming in his eyes. “Thank you so much for this chance, Clementine.”

     With Brody giving her a smile, Clementine is about to reply when someone else spoke up, “Yes, thank you Clem.” Looking over her shoulder, Clementine sees that Louis has come closer, a grateful smile across his face.

     Returning his smile, Clementine gets back on her feet as she soon stands in front of the slightly older boy. “Of course. I know he’s your best friend and sending him out there with nothing but walkers is a bad idea. We can make this work.”

     “I’m glad you’re here. Things could start to become easier for us.” Louis states as he looks up at the Admin Building.

     Staying beside him, Clementine also looks up at the main building then all around the courtyard. “Maybe so.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Encounter

     The following morning, Clementine wakes up to the smell of fresh coffee. Sitting up in bed, she sees AJ had just finished preparing the mug. Taking another whiff, Clementine sighs softly. “That smells good, AJ.”

     Glad to see she’s awake. “Good morning, Clem. Tenn let me borrow this and I made you some coffee.”

     Handed the mug, Clementine takes a sip, the warm beverage made just right and the temperature is not too hot. She even noticed there was some creamer next to the heater. “Wow, I’m surprised you remember how to make coffee, even the way I like it.”

     “Louis let me borrow the creamer since I know it’s your favorite.”

     Taking another sip, Clementine enjoys the flavor of vanilla and caramel creamer. “I’ll have to thank Louis later.”

     As she enjoys her morning beverage, AJ sits beside her on the bed, Clementine bringing him closer to her side. “It’s cool that you got to be a new leader to everyone.” At those words, Clementine thinks back to the previous night.

     It had started to rain lightly. Clementine had looked back at the admin building when Marlon spoke, his grateful tears now dry and his voice no longer shaky, “You know, Clem, I agree that I should no longer be the leader after the mistakes I’ve made. Which is why I think you should be the new leader. If you’re in charge, everyone would have a much better chance at surviving.”

     This had left Clementine surprised while the others agreed. All around her, she notices how everyone agrees that she should be the leader now. She may still be new, but she does know how to survive this cruel, cold world and they all could learn from her.

     Then she sets her gold eyes on Louis, who is giving her one big smile. “I agree with him. You should be the new leader, Clem.”

     Now that she’s also standing, Brody says, “So what will be the first order of business?”

     Having to be given the spotlight as the leader, Clementine takes a deep breath to calm her nerves as she faces everyone in the courtyard. “Starting tomorrow, we will keep a look out for the Raiders. There’s no doubt that they will try to find this school. In the morning at first light, I will need Brody and Willy to watch the surrounding forest and further down the road for that man Abel or any other Raiders.”

     “You got it, Clem.” Willy nods to confirm he understands his job, even attempting a salute.

     “I’ll keep a very close eye out for Abel since I know exactly how he looks.” Brody says.

     “Good. Afterwards, if we do see them, that’s when we will prepare the school grounds.” Clementine instructs, everyone nodding in understanding. “Now everyone, get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

     Without any arguments, all of the Ericson kids return to their dorms for the night. All except Marlon. “Clementine,” she turns to face him, “tomorrow, if we do see the Raiders on the road, I want to put an end to the deal that I never should have started in the first place.”

     Without even having to think, Clementine nods. “You are the one that started this, and you will be the one to end it.” Marlon nods, agreeing. With that, the two return to their rooms for the night, hoping to get enough sleep for tomorrow.

     To be honest, having to become the new leader that fast is a bit overwhelming, but she is confident that she can keep everyone alive here. Just as she was finishing off her coffee, they heard a knock. Setting the empty mug aside, Clementine says, “Come in.”

     Soon the door opens to reveal Louis, that same smile on his face from last night. Clementine returns the smile, “Good morning, Lou. I wanted to thank you for the creamer. I’m surprised you guys have this flavor.”

     “You bet, Clem. Brody had asked me to get you.  They’ve spotted some peculiar people on the road.” Louis informs her.

     It didn’t take too long to figure out that it could be Abel and one of the other Raiders. “The Raiders, no doubt. Go get Marlon, he wants a word with them. And if Violet is good with the bow and arrow, get her.”

     “Got it.” Louis nods and leaves the room to get them.

     Once left alone, Clementine gets her knife from her backpack.“Can I come along, Clem?” AJ asks from the bed.

     “As dangerous as this will be, it might be good to have you there as an extra shot. This way you can prove to the other kids what you are capable of.”

     At her words, AJ smiles at the thought he could help so he makes certain that he has his gun in place. Once they are both ready, Clementine and AJ leave the room to find Louis, Marlon and Violet outside in the courtyard, waiting with their weapons on hand. “You guys ready?” she asks, they all nod until they turn their attention to AJ. Before any of them could ask, she explains, “This will give you all a chance to see what AJ is capable of in order to survive.”

     Now without even thinking of arguing, they let Clementine lead them once Brody had pinpointed where they saw the Raiders. Once at the gate, Clementine tells them of her plan. “While Marlon and I have a word with those Raiders, I need both Louis and Violet to hang back in the brush and wait for my signal of what to do. Everyone clear on that?”

     The four nod in understanding of the plan. With her own nod, the five leave the school grounds, with Clementine, Marlon and AJ sticking to the main road while Louis and Violet start to hide among the scenery, staying close beside the three but staying out of sight.

     Once they spot Abel, one arm missing since he got bit back at the train station and his only hand aiming his gun around as he listens closely as a woman walks beside him, Clementine and the boys hide behind a tree and some tall grass, watching the pair. “We know you’re out here. Come on out, no use in hiding.” they hear Abel order.

     Guy thinks he’s so cocky, that always annoys Clementine. Remaining hidden, she sees that Marlon is preparing his bow while Violet and Louis get into position while staying hidden with Violet also drawing her bow back. Once she knows they are ready, Clementine nods at Marlon, he nods back as he comes out of hiding, keeping his bow ready but not aiming yet.

     To see Marlon emerge, Abel smirks and the woman spoke, “Hello, Marlon. I see you’ve taken care of yourself since our last meeting.”

     He nods, keeping his bow low until the right time. “Yes ma’am.”

     “It is that time. So I believe you owe us some new recruits.” the woman says. But just as she made a step to approach him, Marlon raised his bow, aiming his arrow steadily at her chest.

     “I wouldn’t make another step if I were you. I came out here to tell you that the deal is off.” Marlon announced, making Clementine glad that he is going through with this.

     Abel starts to growl under his breath. “It’s too late to back out. We are getting the recruits you promised.”

     Then Marlon aims the arrow at Abel. “No, you’re not. I should have never started this in the first place. Making that deal had hurt everyone back at school.” Marlon briefly glances back at Louis and Violet, as she keeps her arrow steady.

     “So what? You’re the leader, and as such a leader will always make those hard decisions.” the woman pointed out only for the teen to shake his head in disagreement.

     “I no longer lead them. Not after the mistakes and bad choices I made. I’ve been given a chance to live better without being the leader.” Marlon makes it clear that he is no longer in charge.

     To hear that he no longer leads them means the other kids won’t listen to him, meaning that now it is much more difficult to get the new recruits they need in their war against the other community up north. “If you’re no longer in charge, then who is?” Abel snapped.

     Drawing her knife and his gun out, Clementine and AJ come out of hiding, with her saying firmly with AJ pointing his gun at Abel as they stand beside Marlon, “I am.”

     Knowing that she’s in charge, Abel is even more angry but the woman stares at Clementine with a strong sense of familiarity. “Oh, God. Clementine, is that you?”

     Now having a better look at the woman as her friends watch her, confused of how this woman knows her, Clementine also feels that she knows her. “Lilly? I thought you had died.”

     The woman, Lilly, shakes her head. “I’ve come close a few times, up until I started the Raiders and the Delta. When we started our war with New Salvation last year…”

     To hear that her group has been fighting a community known as the New Salvation, Clementine remembers that a good friend of hers formed this community to help many survivors that come across their base in Virginia. “Wait, the New Salvation? You’re at war with them?!”

     Feeling that perhaps Clementine might be siding with their enemies, Lilly becomes more serious. “Yes. We’ve been in need of recruiting more soldiers into the Raiders to aid us in our war.”

     So they plan on stealing more of the Ericson kids and force them into a war that they shouldn’t be dragged into? There’s no way that’ll happen to them, not while she’s alive. A firm grip on her knife, Clementine waits a bit more as Lilly and Abel attempt to get her to see things their way. Then when Lilly made one move to approach her, Clementine yells, “Shoot!”

     Without hesitation, Violet fires, the arrow finding a home in Lilly’s shoulder.  As she staggers, Abel turns his angered eyes at Violet and Louis as they make a run for it back to the school. “You little brats!” Abel takes aim to shoot them down.

     “No you don’t, you bastard.” But Marlon was quicker as his own arrow got Abel in his bandaged arm, causing a huge wave of pain to surge through him.

     Hearing walkers drawing close, Clementine orders, “Everyone, back to the school now!” Then they all split off in different directions to get away from the two Raiders and the incoming walkers. Watching them escape, out of anger, Abel aims his gun and shoots, satisfied that he managed to get AJ in his mid section.

     With the small boy collapsed beside her, Clementine stops to pick up AJ, trying to make a run for it back to the school with the others, doing what she can to avoid the walkers, hearing gunshots behind them, meaning that now Lilly and Abel are dealing with a few themselves.

     Before long, she was left confused when she saw one walker approach her, but before she could call for help, the walker had raised his hand and gently silenced her. “Shh. You’re too loud.” That's when she notices that she sees a mask in front of her.

     Backing away a bit, the boy in the walker mask picks up a nearby rock and throws it in another direction, any of the other walkers hears the thump and wanders over to where the sound came from, allowing the boy to lead Clementine away to safety. As it gets into the afternoon, the boy leads them to a small camp that he’s currently staying at, gesturing to Clementine to lay AJ on a log as the small boy struggles to stay awake.

     Laying him on the log, Clementine gently cups AJ’s hot cheek then feels his forehead. “He’s running a fever.”

     Once the boy comes back over, he holds AJ’s legs down. “I’ll help keep him still. You need to get the buckshots out of him.” At first she’s nervous, but she knows that getting them out will help AJ recover. With her knife and careful not to make the injuries worse, Clementine gets the buckshots out of AJ’s stomach with the other boy keeping him from moving too much like he said.

     With the buckshots out and he patches AJ up the best he can, the boy then explains to Clementine about the walkers being in the area when they were dealing with Lilly and Abel, they were sent there to help her and her friends escape. Then he had revealed his name to be James and the fact that he’s been watching the Raiders for a while, with Clementine telling him that the community the Raiders are fighting against, the New Salvation, is being led by a good friend in order to lead survivors into a better, brighter future.

     “So Lilly wants to drag more innocent kids into this war that they don’t deserve to be involved with.” Clementine now fully understands why she had started this deal with Marlon the previous year, not just because he was a coward that time.

     “What do you know about her?” James asked, having removed his mask and set it in his backpack by the log, revealing a young, attractive Korean-American man, both his hair and eyes a dark brown.

     “I have a history with her. Back when I was eight, a few friends and I met her at a drugstore that my protector, Lee’s family ran before the apocalypse. We became a part of the group she was running, but afterward she, Lee and Kenny had so many arguments over how to run things in order to keep the group alive.

     “Then when one member, Carley who Lee had saved back when the drugstore was overrun by walkers, wouldn’t let Lilly push her around, she took her life. Lee had shown her kindness and was going to punish her later but Lilly took advantage of that and stole from us. I never saw her after that.” Clementine shares her story with James.

     James nods, understanding more about this woman, being reminded of a similar situation he had with the Whisperers. “Didn’t they mention it was the New Salvation that they are at war with?”

     “Yes. A friend of mine, Javier Garcia is leading the New Salvation in hopes to bring survivors to a new, brighter future.”

     “I see.” Checking over AJ, as he just sleeps soundly now, James then said, “We need to get you two back to the school so he can be tended to properly. But we’ll need to wait until morning, there are too many walkers near the school and we don’t want to attract more.”

     She nods, agreeing that they should wait. “You’re right. I just hope my friends won’t worry too much.”

     Noticing that her eyes are becoming heavy, James says softly, “Get some rest, I’ll keep watch.”

     Giving him one last smile, Clementine whispers, “Thank you, James.”

     Looking back at her to see that sleep has claimed her, James smiles back.  “Sleep well.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Preparing the School

     The following morning, James, his mask in his backpack now that they’ve got around the walkers and carrying AJ, leads Clementine back to the school. Hearing her drag her feet a bit, James stops to ask her, “Do you need to rest for a bit?  You didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

     Thinking back to the nightmare that kept on repeating in her mind each time she tried to go back to sleep, Clementine shakes her head.“I’m ok, we’re close to the school.”

     With that, they continue back to the school to see Willy spot them. “Marlon, Violet, Louis, they’re back!”

     To hear that the three had made it back to the school ok, Clementine lets out a sigh of relief. Believing now is a good time as any, Clementine faces James. “I know that you’ve lived out here alone for a long while. You could stay with us.”

     Before replying to her offer, James looks up at the tall outer wall to the tall gate, up at the building. “Would that be ok with your friends?”

     She gives him a tired smile. “Once they know that I trust you, they’ll accept you.”

     At the thought of having a new start and being a part of Clementine’s group, James does like the thought.

     Then they see Louis appear at the side gate with Brody, who appeared to have been worried sick about them. Noticing that AJ is hurt and Clementine having a hard time to stand, the two rush out with Brody helping support Clementine as Louis stands before James. “Who’s he?” Brody asks when she turns her attention to James as he tells Louis of what had happened the previous day.

     “His name is James. He saved us from Lilly and Abel yesterday and helped me patch AJ up.”

     To hear of his good deed, Brody gives James a smile. “Thank you for helping them.”

     As he carefully hands AJ over to Louis, James looks back at Brody and says softly, “You’re welcome.”

     “Let’s finish the introductions later. AJ needs to be treated.” Clementine says, then the five of them head back inside with Louis carrying AJ and Brody help James with keeping Clementine on her feet since she’s still tired.

     Inside the admin building where the other kids were waiting, Marlon sees the condition AJ is in and asks when he came over to them, “What happened?”

     “That bastard Abel managed to get AJ, but with James’ help, we got the buckshots out.” Clementine explains as Ruby does a quick check over AJ.

     “I have what I need upstairs. Come on.” As Ruby leads them upstairs to the second floor, Clementine first turns to Marlon now that she can walk on her own. “Could you have Willy get Mitch?  There’s something I need to discuss with him, you and Violet.” Marlon simply nods and goes to get Willy as Clementine heads upstairs to find Louis had laid AJ on a sofa outside the office and Ruby checking his forehead.

     “Don’t worry about him, Clem. Ruby and Louis will look after him.” Violet assures Clementine, aware that she is worried. “We should have a word in the office.”

     Clementine was about to nod her head when she heard a small voice, “Clem?” AJ had called out for her, looking around frantically.

     She hurried to his side, instantly calming him down, gently stroking his cheek. “You’re ok now, AJ. Listen to Ruby, she’ll take care of you.” Then she notices the fear still remains in his young eyes. Stroking his cheek more, Clementine says softly, “Hey, what do we do when we’re afraid?”

     “We push through it, don’t let it take over.” AJ answers, knowing full well of what she’s taught him over the years.

     Then she pats his cheek gently. With that, she follows Violet into the headmaster’s office, where Rosie had been resting. At the sight of Clementine, Rosie perks up in excitement, causing the girl to smile and scratch behind one of her ears. “I’m glad that you two made it back after what had happened yesterday with the Raiders.” Violet had said as she leaned against the desk.

     “I’m happy that you three made it back in one piece. You and Marlon made two very good shots on Lilly and Abel.” Clementine compliments her.

     “Yeah, when the three of us came back without you two, Brody was worried.” Violet thinks back to how scared Brody became after seeing the three return without Clem and AJ.

     Then quickly getting back to what they need to discuss as they wait for Marlon and Mitch, Violet becomes serious. “Could you tell me what you know about that woman?”

     Remembering how much Lilly has changed since Clem was eight, she starts to feel hatred towards the woman. “Lilly, I’ve known her since I was eight. But she’s always been a horrible woman, always defending everything her racist father said or did. She once shot someone in our group. Her name was Carley, she had refused to let Lilly push her around.”

     “Sounds like she’s a huge bitch.” Violet scoffs.

     “You have no idea.” Clementine replies with a light laugh.

     Violet then thinks back to James. “What about that boy you brought here?”

     “James, he helped us escape from Lilly and Abel after AJ got shot.” Clementine explains about James.

     “Are you certain about him? Can we trust him?

     She nods. “I trust James. He’s also watched the Raiders for some time. He knows that they are at war with the New Salvation.”

     “Yesterday, you sounded protective when those two mentioned their war with the New Salvation.” Violet thinks back to Clementine’s response.

     “A good friend of mine, Javier Garcia, is the leader of the New Salvation. He and Kate started the community to help struggling survivors they come across.”

     “So they could be our allies?”

     Clementine nods. “Kate, who is now married to Javi, has started a new settlement that is much closer than Richmond so they can expand the New Salvation.”

     Just then, there was a knock at the double door. “Come in.” Violet says and soon Marlon and Mitch enter the office.

     “You wanted a word with us, Clem?” Marlon asks.

     Clementine nods. “We need to discuss a plan to prepare the school. James had informed me yesterday that Lilly and Abel will gather more people and weapons, they will plan on attacking the school, to steal everyone.”

     “What shall we do then?” Mitch asks.

     Then Clementine takes out the map of the school grounds that Marlon had given her, unfolds it and once fully open, sets it on the desk with the other three gathering around her as she studies the map. Checking the walls to have barbed wire that would prevent the Raiders from climbing and force them to only come through the main gate, the picnic tables in the courtyard to be flipped on their sides to use for cover, set traps in the admin building and then search for needed supplies in the greenhouse.

     With the plan made up, Clementine then turns to Marlon. “I know you said that the greenhouse is now overgrown, but the barbed wire and just about anything useful could be out there.”

     Looking back at the map while Mitch and Violet discuss a few things about the plan, Marlon sighs. “You’re right. It’s time that we check on the greenhouse, and maybe it’s time that we drop the safe zone.”

     That had caught her attention. “Why do you say that?”

     “Reducing the safe zone has only reduced how much we can go out to hunt and fish, only to make us hungrier. Now, we put an end to the safe zone.” Marlon adds, his decision is final.

     At that, Clementine gives him a smile. “Since you made that choice, I’ll leave the disposal of the safe zone to you. Mitch and I will head over to the greenhouse to see what we can find.”

     “Sounds good.” With that, Marlon leaves the school to take care of any markers that indicate the safe zone while Clementine and Mitch head for the greenhouse, Ruby insisting on going, wanting to check out the place after a long time.

     At the greenhouse, the main door had been blocked off from the inside, so Clementine had Ruby and Mitch give her a boost to reach the top of a broken ladder on the side of the building, allowing her to jump through a busted window only to find three walkers had been sleeping in the greenhouse this whole time.

     Without any hesitation or hint of fear, Clementine kills all three, hearing Ruby worrying about her. Once she gets the door open, the two enter with Mitch impressed with Clem being able to handle the three walkers while Ruby is awestruck to find so many herbs have grown. Checking around, they find the needed barbed wire along with some fertilizer that Mitch mentioned that he could use to make some bombs, all that he needed next was some propane as well as a way to light the bombs.

     After they had removed the empty shelf that was blocking the doors to the science lab, Clementine entered cautiously until a walker grabbed her wrist, causing her to drop her knife. With enough force, Clementine not only smacks the walker back, but the hand that had grabbed her snapped off the walker’s wrist then shakes the limb off.

     Once Ruby has entered the room and sees the walker, she is left in shock at the sight, recognizing the walker. Sharing a bit of history, the walker used to be the school nurse named Ms. Martin, who had taught Ruby everything she knows in medical knowledge and was the only adult that stayed with the kids when all the others bailed. Too heartbroken at the sight, Ruby asked Clementine to finish off Ms Martin, which she got done quickly.

     With that dealt with, Clementine gives Ruby some comfort before she helps Mitch find what he needs for bombs. After finding a lighter and a propane tank, Mitch and Ruby then had a debate of what to do with Ms Martin with Ruby wanting to give her a proper burial so the others won’t see her while Mitch just wanted to burn what was left.  Clementine had decided to help Ruby, much to Mitch’s annoyance. Once Ms Martin was taken care of, the three take the barbed wire, fertilizer and propane tank back to the school to have things ready to start preparing the school.

     Later at night, Clementine returns to her room to find AJ fast asleep on his bed. She had checked on James beforehand since he’s been getting used to the other kids. After getting to know everyone, James seems ok with staying with the Ericson kids after being alone since he left his former group.

     As she sets the boar skull, mushroom and Venus Flytrap that she had collected from the greenhouse at certain spots in the room with the deer skull watching from above the door frame, the fake flowers on a shelf above the desk with both AJ and Tenn’s drawings on the wall and the real flowers that were just watered set on the dresser close to Clementine’s bed, there’s a light knock with Brody and Louis entering the room, Brody had her hands behind her back while Louis was carrying a small pile of neatly folded shirts.

     “Hey Clem,” Brody spoke first, “I was down at the shack yesterday to check on the fish traps when I had found this.” She brings her hands up front to show a small cat skull. “I noticed your collection and thought you would like to have this.”

     Smiling at the thought, Clementine takes the skull with a ‘thank you’ and places it next to the boar skull.  Biding her goodnight, Brody leaves to call it a night and goes to bed herself. Once it was just him, Louis showed the shirts to Clementine. “I noticed his shirt was ruined after, you know.”

     As he sets the shirts on the desk, Clementine asks, “Where did you get those?”

     “They were Tenn’s, back when he first came here. They should be about AJ’s size.” On the desk, she sees a green shirt with Disco Broccoli and his carrot friend, a yellow Ericson sport shirt with the number 2, and a gray shirt with Science Dog.

     “Thank you, for helping carry him in and bringing those.” Clementine says, sincerely grateful.

     Louis nods his head. “No problem. How is he doing?”

     Checking his forehead, she’s relieved that he’s not as hot as he was this morning. “He’s getting better, his fever is down.”

     Louis sighs in relief. “That’s good. So we now have the greenhouse and some bombs.”

     “The bombs are Mitch’s idea and Ruby can tend to the greenhouse now that there are so many new herbs that she can give to Omar for the meals.” Clementine mentions.

     “And with the removal of the safe zone thanks to Marlon, we can now hunt and fish more. You’re turning into the kind of leader we needed all these years.” Louis adds as he gives her a smile at the last sentence.

     Clementine returns the smile. Then they hear a soft mumble. “Clem?” AJ says softly, yet tiredly.

     Kneeling beside his bed, Clementine says, “Hey kiddo, how are you feeling?”

     AJ gently holds his healing wound. “Better, still hurts though.” Then the boy turns to Louis with a smile. “Hey, Louis.”

     Louis gives him a smile and a small wave, “Hey, bud.”

     “Thanks for carrying me in and the comfort while Ruby was taking care of me.”

     “No problem. You two should get some sleep.  We’ll have to start preparing the school grounds in the morning.” Louis suggests with Clementine nodding.

     “Yes. Tomorrow will be a busy day, so everyone should get plenty of sleep tonight.”

     With that, Louis bids them goodnight, but before leaving he tells Clementine that he still appreciates the chance she’s given to Marlon to still be a member of the group after every bad choice and mistake he’s made as the leader.

     Once Louis had left the room with the door closing with a soft click, Clementine first helped AJ pick a new shirt. They had decided on the green shirt with a new red jacket with it still being chilly outside. Afterwards, Clementine blows out the single lit candle, the only remaining source of light is the moonlight, bids AJ goodnight and climbs into her own bed, allowing sleep to claim her for the night.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Last Preparations

     For the next two weeks as AJ recovers, Clementine, James and the Ericson kids have been preparing the school for when the Raiders attack. A couple times during the first week, Clementine and James would head out for the settlement Kate is running to meet up with her and Javi, leaving Violet in charge while she’s gone, to discuss strategies about teaming up against the Raiders.

     Sometimes either Kate, Javi, or even Jesus would return with Clementine to meet the Ericson kids and exchange ideas. Getting a chance to meet Javi, Louis was beyond excited since he’s a baseball fan. Everyone had a chance to show the New Salvation members their skills and ideas that could aid them with their war with the Raiders.

     At the end of the first day in the third week, Clementine returns to their room for the night. After checking the map of the school to see the new sketches to show the top of the walls have barbed wire, a long banister on the admin building, a new flag on the pole in the dead center of the courtyard, the picnic tables flipped on their side to be used as cover, and the bombs and traps that are being worked on, Clementine checks AJ to find that his fever is completely gone, just sleeping peacefully.

     Now done for the day, Clementine sets her hat on the dresser and lays down in her own bed, soon to be claimed by sleep. But she was once again haunted by the nightmare of when she ventured to the McCarroll Ranch, by herself after departing from Javi and Kate as they began to form the New Salvation community to get AJ back.

     As she is plagued by the nightmare, AJ has his eyes open as he stares out the window at the night sky, his expression showing he’s bothered about something.

     Next morning, as AJ went to join Tenn at the watchtower, Clementine takes notice of Omar finish with cooking a breakfast stew with the fresh herbs Ruby had picked from the greenhouse, Louis and Marlon practice with the bows, Mitch and James working on a bomb, Aasim docking the events of the day in his large journal before helping Willy with the traps they’ll be setting up in the admin building, Violet and Brody securing any loose barb wire, and Rosie casually trot around the courtyard.

     After smelling the stew and complementing Omar, Clementine follows Rosie to Marlon and Louis, both giving Rosie affectionate scratches, she then asks, “How’s archery practice?”

     “Marlon has been hitting his targets every time and I keep missing or being way off.” Louis all but pouts that he can’t get his aim right.

     Then Marlon hands her a bow that was set off to the side. “Think you can show him how it’s done?” Marlon asks as Clementine takes the offered bow.

     Switching places with him as Louis watches her carefully, Clementine takes a steady aim at the targets set before them. Her eyes remain open and focused, she releases the arrow and watches with a smile as she hits a bull’s eye. Both boys amazed at her shot, Clementine says with a sigh, “Wish I had this when Lee was teaching me how to defend myself. It doesn’t make a loud noise to attract walkers like a gun does.”

     “We prefer bows for that very reason.” Marlon states, soon getting back to target practice.

     Setting her bow down where she can get it later, Clementine was just about to head over to James and Mitch when she felt someone grab her hand, causing her to look back at Louis, a new, soft expression in his eyes. “Clem, later this afternoon, can you meet me in the music room? There’s something I need help with.” Louis asks, Clementine able to read a hidden message in his eyes. He wants to be alone with her later.

     With a smile, Clementine nods and promises to meet him there later. Returning the smile, Louis releases her hand to let her check on the others’ progress. Walking away, watching as Louis returns to target practice and actually starts to improve his shots, Clementine goes to the shady area where two more of her friends work on the bomb to use against the Raiders when they return.

     Standing aside so they could focus, Clementine noticed how close James sat beside Mitch, fascinated by how he works and being patient with him in case something was off with the bomb. She even saw the small smile Mitch would give to James, thinking he wouldn’t notice.

     Glad to see them get along so well, Clementine moves on to check on AJ and Tenn at the watchtower, hearing the kids discuss different topics, such as Tenn explaining to AJ that when the apocalypse began, the reason that the professionals like the police or firemen had all been killed was that none of them had been prepared of what they needed to know about the walkers and how their numbers continue to outnumber the survivors.

     She remembers the time after Lee, Kenny and Mark came back to the motor inn with a high school student named Ben Paul and his injured teacher who, after he had died from his injuries, turned into a walker that almost killed Kenny’s wife Katja. After Carley shot the reanimated walker, Ben had revealed a shocking truth; everyone is infected and are doomed to become one of the walking dead even if they weren’t bitten unless the brain is destroyed, they’ll just come back.

     Leaving the two kids at the watchtower, Clem next checks on the traps Aasim and Willy were working on. The two agreed on using two types of traps. If the Raiders were to make it to the admin building, the first trap will be a duffle bag full of heavy bricks and rocks. In case any Raiders avoid the first trap, the second trap will be a large dead log that will come down like the pendulum of a clock, smashing into the Raiders and either send them flying out of the building or get crushed. At first the two didn’t think they would be able to use both traps, but with some remeasurements, they figured out how to get both traps to work.

     Now standing before the admin building, overlooking the entire school courtyard, Clementine feels herself be satisfied with the preparations the Ericsson kids have made to prepare the school grounds for the Raiders.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Blooming Romance

     Later into the late afternoon after having an early dinner, the fire pit and a few torches are lit around the school courtyard. Louis had called everyone for a card game in the sitting area. Ruby had gone back to the greenhouse to tend to the herbs after dinner, Omar finished cleaning the pot and went to put the dirty bowls and utensils away to clean. Mitch and James both decided to pass, focusing on finishing the bomb right and Willy taking look-out duty.

     Joining the others, Clementine had noticed that James was sitting much closer to Mitch than before, one hand over the one holding the bomb steady, taking note of the tiny smile Mitch had across his face towards James, even noticing how close Brody and Violet sat together on one of the old sofas with Tenn sitting on Violet’s other side.

     Smiling at the thought of how close some of her friends are after the past couple weeks of preparing the school grounds for when the Raiders return.  With Marlon taking a seat in a chair next to Tenn on the sofa with Violet and Brody while Louis and Aasim sit on the other sofa and AJ sitting on the ground closest to Louis, Clementine takes the worn armchair between Louis and Marlon with Louis taking out the same deck of cards that was used on the first night Clem and AJ were brought to the school after their car was completely wrecked by the train station.

     With Marlon, Brody and AJ watching, the chosen game, Truth or Dare, was between Louis, Clementine, Violet, Aasim and Tenn. Violet won the first round, asking Clementine that among Marlon, Brody and James, who would she marry, flip, kill. After some thinking, Clementine decided she would marry Brody, flip James(noticed that the older boy might have heard her as a light blush appeared on his cheeks or maybe it was something Mitch said or did?) and kill Marlon, some making jokes of the possibilities and everyone at the sitting area start laughing.

     Having won the second round, with a playful smirk, Clementine dared Aasim to go get a kiss from Ruby after Louis had thankfully informed her of Aasim’s feelings towards her prior to the game. At first Aasim tried to back out but Louis reminded him to honor the rules. His cheeks going red, Aasim leaves the courtyard to find Ruby at the greenhouse area. Tempted, the other kids at the fire pit prick up their ears to hear a loud, echoing slap and an even louder shriek from the greenhouse area.

     As Aasim slumped back to the fire pit, his frown deepened at the sight of everyone hiding their snickers. Being the first to calm down, Brody says matter-of-factly, “Hey, at least she didn’t dare you to kiss one of the spiked walker heads.”

     “Be quiet, Brody.” Aasim looks away in embarrassment as she receives an Eskimo kiss from Vi.

     Third round went to Louis. Going for a truth question, he asked Clementine if there was anyone she like-like. While she briefly looked at the one she does have feelings for, she heard that Violet and Marlon were annoyed by his choice of words in his question.

     With a soft smile, Clementine admits about her feelings, causing everyone else to be perked up in curiosity. Louis asks for the name, but Clementine gives him a teasing grin. “Nope, that’s all you need to know.”

     In the fourth round, Aasim finally got a win, asking Tenn about something he’s thought about but never shared with anyone else out of nervousness or fear of being made fun of for. After an intake of breath to calm down, Tenn mentions that he believes that some day, walkers will no longer be around, believing that what they are going through is the Walker Age that will end someday like previous ages and things can go back to how they were before. Clem and Brody find that belief beautiful and comforting.

     But then they noticed a sad expression on AJ’s young face. He admits that he can’t share any memories of the time before walkers with any of the Ericson kids. Thankfully, Louis reassured AJ that it was ok he doesn’t have memories of the world before since it wasn’t any better than now. Clementine sent him a thank you smile.

     Having enough fun, they all hand him back their cards as Clementine announced everyone to finish their work for the night. Tenn returned inside to his dorm room so he could draw in peace. Mitch and James hid the completed bomb for later before going off to somewhere more private. Ruby returns from the greenhouse to join AJ for look out duty. Aasim met up with Willy to finish setting up the traps inside the admin building. Marlon also goes inside to help Omar with cleaning.

     After Violet and Brody head for the ruined bell tower, Louis went on ahead to the music room, leaving Clem at the fire pit. Watching the dancing flames, she glanced around the school courtyard, having a firm belief that they are ready for the upcoming raid.

     Soon entering the admin building as it becomes night outside, Clementine follows the sound of music, just like on her first day at Ericson’s Boarding School for Troubled Youth, on the day she first met Louis as she was looking for AJ.

     Arriving at the music room, she finds herself surprised at the song Louis is playing on the piano. Hearing her approach, Louis stops playing to turn to her. “I figured that I would play a bit before the inevitable raid.”

     She loves that idea. “Haven’t heard good music since my first day here.”

     Turning back to the piano briefly, Louis plays a couple more notes, indicating that what she’s hearing is a new song. Whatever he is playing leaves Clementine amazed by how beautiful the song is. Cease playing again, Louis turns to Clementine again. “How do you feel about our imminent demise?”

     The question surprised her, yet Clementine was unsure of how to answer that. He could tell there was fear in her eyes. “You know I’m here for you.” Before playing more of the new song, Louis tells Clementine that he needed her help tuning the piano. Switching places with Clementine sitting on the bench, Louis gave her some instructions; press the ‘A’ key, push down on one of the pedals and blow on the strings.

     Turns out that blowing on the strings is not part of tuning a piano and Louis found it funny. Clementine couldn’t help the small laugh. “You got me.” She admits.

     That was what he wanted. “You should laugh more often. It suits you.” They share tender smiles as he joins her on the bench, playing the new song.

     “What are you playing?” Clementine could feel her heart strings being pulled as she listened to what Louis was playing.

     “A song I wrote.”

     That surprised her. “What’s the name?

     “I’m not sure, yet.” Louis answers as he finishes the song, mentioning it was the first time played all the way. Then Louis takes out a knife and marks his initial into the front of the piano since the fall is missing. He hands the knife to Clementine, carving her initial next to his, adds a plus sign between them and a heart around their initials, returning the knife afterwards.

     The knife put away, Louis decides it’s time to be serious, surprising Clementine. “Thanks for being here, helping me with my project, being in Ericson. At first, everyone hears the jokes, the piano, then eventually they would stop listening. You didn’t.” He gives her a smile at the last part.

     Her heart racing in her chest, Clementine decides to reveal something special to him. “So. I like you a lot. I mean, like-like you, as more than a friend.” This had left Louis speechless for a moment, which surprised her that he had no joke to reply.

     “When you admitted to having feelings for someone, I had hoped it was me. And I knew it!” Louis is beyond ecstatic about her feelings for him. Holding her hand into his, a new thought came to mind. “Now I know what to call the song. Clementine, since, you know, I like fruit.”

     “Except cantaloupe.” She playfully adds.

     “And I like you even more. Have to admit this is not what I would expect from you.” Louis stated with honesty.

     Then she leans forward and kisses Louis, him tilting his head a bit to kiss her back. A mere minute later, they break the kiss with a soft pop, Louis laughing and Clementine giving him a soft, loving smile.

     “Clem, are you out here?” They hear Ruby call from the courtyard.

     “I have to go. I have look-out duty after Ruby.” Clem reluctantly gets up from the bench, still holding Louis’ hand as he stands with her.

     “Don’t want to miss that.” They leave the music room, hands still intertwined until they leave the Admin Building.