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the-delta-42 · 1 year ago

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The Walking Dead Game What Ifs: What if Kenny was leading Delta?

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Found

What if Kenny was leading Delta?

Clementine went to kill Abel, only to feel a gun pressed against the back of her head.

“Is this really how you want to die, fucker?” Clementine froze, before slowly turning her head.

“…Kenny?”

Kenny froze, before looking at the girl who’d kicked Abel’s ass, “Clementine?”

“You know this bitch?” Spat Abel, as Kenny looked at the little boy.

“…Is, is that…?” Kenny lowered the gun.

“AJ.” Clementine looked at him, “This is Kenny.”

“The funny guy?” AJ looked up at Kenny, “That’s that on his face?”

“It’s called a beard, AJ.” Clementine let out a laugh, before she looked at Kenny, “H-how’d you survive? I saw Walkers…”

“Well, you’re not gonna believe it,” Kenny started chuckling, “but I got my ass saved, by Lilly.”

“Lilly?” Clementine frowned, “I thought she’d’ve killed you.”

“She was tempted.” Shrugged Kenny, “But, she didn’t.”

Clementine was silent, before glancing at Abel.

Kenny cleared his throat, “Look, Clem, we’re supposed to meet with the leader of a community, maybe you might make him a bit more comfortable with us.”

“Marlon?” Asked Clementine, looking at Kenny.

“Yeah, how’d you know?” Asked Kenny, making Clementine sigh.

“He’s dead.” Answered Clementine, “AJ…shot him.”

“What?” Kenny’s gaze snapped to AJ, “Why?”

“He was a bad guy.” Answered AJ, making Clementine sigh.

“I know,” Sighed Clementine, “I did a terrible job, I screwed up, I-”

“What do you mean he was a ‘bad guy’?” Asked Kenny, frowning at AJ.

“He was going to hurt Clem.” Answered AJ, “He was pointing a gun at her.”

“That fucker.” Swore Kenny, “If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him.”

“What do we do now?” Asked Abel, looking at Kenny.

Kenny looked at Clementine, then at AJ, “Why do you come with us? Be like old times.”

Clementine let out a huff, “Are the others there? I think I could use having Lee around.”

Kenny sighed, “I think we all could.”

Clementine looked at AJ, before making her decision, “Yeah, we’ll come with you.”

Kenny smiled, “C’mon, Clem. You’re gonna love it.”

Clementine looked around the boat, letting out a whistle, “So, I guess you finally got your boat.”

“Only after six years.” Responded Kenny, “Got a few people your age, you might rub off on one of ‘em.”

“I heard someone mention a war of some kind.” Said Clementine, “Who’s it against?”

“A bunch of psychos who’ve been raiding and destroying other communities.” Answered Kenny, “They call themselves the New Frontier.”

Clementine froze, “They’ve started again?”

“Again?” Frowned Kenny, “You know those guys?”

“Yeah, they raided on the orders of one of their leaders,” Said Clementine, getting a frown from Lilly, “they… ‘reorganised’. I, I can’t believe Javi of all people would start raiding again.”

“People change, Clem.” Sighed Kenny, “The way the world is…”

Clementine frowned, “Have you tried getting in contact with them?”

“They won’t answer.” Answered Lilly, “We’ve tried all other approaches.”

“Let me try,” Clementine looked at Lilly, “Please.”

Clementine frowned, waiting for Kenny to say if they were in range.

“Okay, try now!” Called Kenny, prompting Clementine to press the broadcast button.

“Javi?” Clementine felt anxiety crawl in her veins, “Javi, it’s Clementine.”

“Clem?” Javi’s voice came out of the radio, “Thank god, you’re okay.”

“Javi, I heard the New Frontier’s raiding again.” Clementine cut straight to the chase, “Please tell me it’s not true.”

“It’s not.” Promised Javi, “We’ve…we’ve got a bit of a problem.”

“What problem?”

“Some of Joan’s old loyalists.” Answered Javi, “We’ve been trying to round them up, but they’re like cockroaches. We’re fighting a war on two fronts.”

Clementine glanced at Lilly, “I think…I know someone who could help.”

Clementine wanted to laugh, she didn’t think she’d be so happy to see Javi and his family again. Clementine let out a laugh when Gabe hugged her.

“I’m so happy to see you!” Gabe grinned down at her, “How’re you?”

“So,” Clementine glanced at Minerva, one of the girls Kenny told her about, “Who’s the boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Clementine felt her face heat up.

“Sure, I believe you,” Smirked Minerva, “Thousands wouldn’t.”

“Fuck off.”

“You’re still in his arms.” Said Minerva in a sing-song tone.

Clementine and Gabe immediately jumped apart, “R-right, so, theses raiders...”

Clementine ducked as the wall she was hiding behind splintered; they’d planned this attack with Javi’s group for nearly three months. So far, they were winning.

“Clem.” Kenny passed an object to her, “Wanna show off your throwin’ arm?”

Clementine gave Kenny a smirk, before pulling the pin out of the grenade and throwing it.

Meanwhile, back on the boat, AJ watched the fighting going on in the distance, wondering if Clementine was hurt.

“What’s on your mind?” AJ glanced at Lilly.

“What if Clementine gets hurt?” Asked AJ.

“Then we hope for the best and do our best to move on.” Said Lilly, “I almost lost myself by burying myself in my grief after my father died.”

“Was he bitten?”

“No, he had a heart attack,” Answered Lilly, “we were three months into the outbreak, back then, Clementine was a little girl, about eight.”

AJ listened to Lilly’s story, trying to wrap his head Clementine being a little girl.

Lilly walked through Richmond’s streets with AJ, looking for Clementine and Kenny. She paused when she saw Clementine’s hat. Picking it up, Lilly caught sight of Kenny. His right arm was bandaged up and he was slumped against a wall.

“Kenny?” The man jerked, before looking up, “Where’s Clementine?”

“Through there.” Answered Kenny, pointing at a park, “The damn fuckers were using Walkers as traps. One managed to get through Clem’s boot.”

“She’s bit?” Asked Lilly, dread filling her.

“They’re cutting her leg off.” Sighed Kenny, “The last few folks I knew who’d cut the bit off ended up dying anyway.”

“Clem’s strong.” Said Lilly, looking down at Kenny.

“Is she?” Kenny gave a humourless laugh, “Or is she so broken, she just looks strong?”

Lilly was quiet for a moment.

“Her getting bit wasn’t your fault, Kenny.” Said Lilly, “She’s practically an adult now, she’s more than capable to look after herself and AJ. She’s proven that multiple times.”

“I know.” Kenny’s tone was defeated, “I just, fuck, I keep seeing the little girl asking me was chalk or watching me work on the RV while Lee was on lookout duty. I look at her and I see a child I failed.”

“You didn’t fail her.” Said a new voice, Lilly recognised her as Eleanor, “She’s awake and asking for you.”

Kenny, Lilly and AJ followed the woman over to a bed, where a pale Clementine was staring at the sky.

“Clem?” Eleanor gently touched Clementine’s shoulder, “They’re here.”

Clementine looked at Lilly, Kenny and AJ, “Hey.” Her voice sounded weak.

“You look like hell.” Said Lilly, as Clementine pulled herself into a sitting position.

“I feel like hell.” Retorted Clementine, looking around, “I, er, I have to tell you something.”

“If it’s about the leg—” Kenny was cut off.

“I’m pregnant.”

Kenny fell silent.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that…” Said Lilly, before frowning, “I take it that Gabe guy is the father.”

Clementine nodded, “He’s…still unaccounted for.”

“Maybe he’s rounding up survivors.” Suggested Kenny, getting a frown from Lilly.

“They’ve already brought the last group of them in.” Responded Clementine, looking down at her lap, “He’s dead. I don’t know how I know, I just…” Clementine swallowed, “I just know.”

Kenny sat down next to her, hugging her as she broke down.

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to come back with me?” Asked Minerva, as Sophie and a couple others gathered their bags, “I mean, you could bury that hatchet with the others.”

“No,” Sighed Clementine, “I’ve got AJ to keep an eye on, we might visit at some point, you know, help smooth things out with the coalition when it takes off.”

Minerva glanced down, “What are you gonna call her?”

Clementine let out a laugh, “Let’s wait for them to screaming their lungs out before naming them, alright? I don’t want to decide on Sam only for them to look like a Dan.”

“You guys got your radios?” Came Kenny’s voice, getting Minerva to wave it at him, “Good, we’ll be in the area for about a week, before heading back to Richmond to resupply.”

They said their goodbyes and waved them off. Clementine felt a smile forming on her lips, before some movement got her attention. Frowning, Clementine focused on it.

“Funny lookin’ Walker, Clem?” Asked Lilly, as Clementine’s frown deepened.

“What Walker stops to take a shit?”

Lilly frowned, before focusing on the ‘Walker’, “What the hell?”

“Oh, I never thought I’d be happy to see this dump again.” Groaned Sophie, as they reached the gate, “Hey, Justin, I think I can see your girlfriend.”

“Oh, fuck you.”

An arrow hit the ground in front of them, “Hold it!”

“Hey, Willy,” Grinned Erin, “we’re home!”

Willy stared at them, before yelling, “Guys! They’re back!”

In the blink of an eye, Mitch was at the gate, his face like thunder, with Louis and Violet close behind him. Mitch stared at Minerva’s small group.

“Well?” Asked Sophie, planting her hands on her hips, “Aren’t you going to let us in?”

The gate swung open, and Violet rushed at Minerva.

“Oh,” Sophie looked at Louis, “where’s Marlon?”

“Oh…” Louis scratched the back of his head, “he’s dead. I’m sorry, Soph.”

“He was murdered by some kid.” Spat Mitch, getting a scowl from Sophie.

“AJ is not just ‘some kid’,” Said Sophie, “he’s very smart, if you don’t antagonise him.”

“Wait, you’ve met him?” Asked Louis, disbelief filling him.

“Yeah, the Delta picked him and Clementine up nearly a year ago.” Said Sophie, as Minerva detangled herself from Violet, “She’s actually the reason we’re coming back here.”

“Yeah, she can fight.” Laughed Justin, “I mean, she thew that grenade like a pro.”

“T-they’re alive?” Asked Violet, looking between them, “Are they with you?”

“Oh, no,” Answered Erin, “Clem and AJ stayed on the boat, she’s got a baby coming.”

“What?” Asked Louis, freezing.

“Yeah, after she sorted things out with the New Frontier, she met up with some friends she had,” Shrugged Sophie, “She and Gabe, one of her friends, hit it off, dated, Clem got pregnant, the remains of the Rogue Frontier were defeated, Clem got bit, and Gabe died.”

“They might visit at some point.” Said Minerva, “I’m going to sit down.”

“This place…” Kenny looked around Ericson’s, “is a fucking fortress.”

“Kenny.” Said Clementine, reproachfully, covering her daughter’s ears.

“Sorry.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen them.” Said Lilly, as they trailed behind Javi and a couple of the other Coalition leaders.

“Oh, please.” Scoffed Clementine, “As if they’d be any different.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.” Said Lilly, as they walked through the gate.

“AJ, don’t wander off.” Warned Clementine as they walked through the yard.

The Ericson’s group had been laughing at something before they noticed their guests, Minerva grinning and jumping to her feet, “You’re here!”

“Yeah,” Chuckled Kenny, “word of warning, we got little ears about.”

Sophie perked up, “Wait, you mean Clem’s with you?”

Kenny nodded.

“So that means…” Sophie jumped up and rushed past the other leaders, making a beeline for Clementine, “Oh, she is so cute!”

Minerva quickly joined her, dragging Violet with her, Clementine tried not to laugh at how three of the toughest people she knew were cooing at a baby.

“I told you she was a girl.”

“Shut up, Min.” Scoffed Clementine, as her daughter gurgled.

“What’s she called?” Asked Violet, frowning at the baby’s spit bubbles.

“Hope.” Answered Clementine, “I know it seems a bit sappy, but it’s what I felt when I first held her.”

“Clementine didn’t tell me where she came from.” Said AJ, suddenly appearing next to Clementine, “Or how she stopped being fat.”

Clementine sighed, as Sophie cracked up.

“You know,” Kenny looked around the grounds, as Javi and Jesus watched Hope, “this place would be a fortress, if you cleared all the areas of the place.”

Mitch scoffed, opting to glare at Clementine and AJ.

“How’re we supposed to do that?” Asked Violet, from her place lounging against Minerva.

“Well, takin’ out the Walkers in the gym would be a start.” Said Kenny, before noticing Louis staring at Clementine, “Hey, Bob Marley! Whatcha starin’ at?”

“W-what?” Louis jumped, making Kenny frown, before he followed Louis’s gaze.

“Maybe he’s making sure that psycho and her brat don’t kill us.” Snapped Mitch, making everyone go silent.

“Well,” Minerva spoke up, “Marlon did sell Sophie and I to a bunch of raiders before Lilly and Kenny took over, so, I’m not losing any sleep over him getting shot in the face.”

“Back of the head.” Corrected Aasim, “Marlon was shot in the back of the head.”

“And he’d been planning on selling Clementine and AJ to the same Raiders.” Said Violet, “Louis and I heard a gunshot, but we thought Clem and AJ were dealing with a Walker or something.”

“No, she just tried to kick our teeth out.” Muttered Kenny, as Clementine looked over.

“What are they doin’?” Asked Ruby, as Tenn moved over to Clementine and AJ.

“Well,” Javi moved over, “Clem’s still recovering from giving birth, and AJ’s not happy over being take out of the field.”

“So, why’s Clementine playing with her leg?” Asked Ruby, as Clementine leaned down adjusted her boot.

“Her prosthetic’s probably chafing.” Said Lilly, as Clementine removed her leg, “Yep, looks like the wound’s reopened.”

“If you could change anything you’ve done,” Clementine thought out loud, “what would it be?”

Her, Kenny, Lilly and Javi were sitting around a fire, the Ericson survivors had decided to turn in, Clementine had put AJ and Hope to bed, and the other coalition visitors had gone to sleep.

“Anything?” Asked Javi, letting out a laugh, “I’d stop Mariana from being killed.”

“You’re niece?” Asked Kenny, before looking to the sky, “I’d try and stop Duck from getting bit, or not cave Larry’s head in, or removing Lee’s arm sooner, or, fuck, I don’t know.”

“I’d stop myself from shooting Carley.” Said Lilly, “I keep seeing her face, I mistook her being tired as her betraying us.”

“I’d not talk to that stranger,” Said Clementine, “stop Lee from getting bit. Who knows, it might stop Sarah from dying, or stop me from getting caught by that gang.”

“Maybe,” Lilly’s voice was quiet, “we’ll see them again.”

“Are you kidding?” Huffed Clementine, “The stuff I’ve done? There’s no way I’m seeing the pearly gates.”

“That’s bullshit.” Scoffed Kenny, “You mourn for the people you’ve killed, even in cases where you shouldn’t. If that don’t get you in, then none of us are getting in.”

“You know,” Said Clementine, “back when this started, I’d pretend that we were just one big family on an adventure. Lee and Carley were my parents, you and Katjaa were my uncle and aunt, Duck was my cousin, Lilly was my other aunt and Larry was my really grumpy grandpa.”

Lilly let out a snort, “What were Ben and Mark?”

“Neighbour and family pet.”

“Which was which?”

Next Story: What if Troy assaulted Clementine in the Comic Book Store? (TW: Implied/Refenced Rape/Non-Con)

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the-delta-42 · 2 months ago

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The Walking Dead Game What Ifs: What if Louis and Aasim were traded instead of the twins?

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Boys

What if Louis and Aasim were traded instead of the twins? Prompt Submitted by Spectacular Webhead 11 on FF.net

Requests of Hold

“Whoa!” Clementine heard an unfamiliar voice above her, “Minnie, check out her scar!”

“Seriously?” Another voice came from across the room, “Ruby’s pissed that her kid keeps biting, and you’re more interested in her arm?”

“Relax,” Came a third voice, “it’s not as if she’s dangerous.”

“I mean she’s survived longer than anyone of us could.” Came the first voice, “Maybe she could help us if we need to go outside the safe zone.”

“I think she’s awake.” Said the second voice, “she’s tensed up.”

Clementine, deciding to drop the act, opened her eyes, only to immediately close them with a groan.

“Whoa, easy.” Laughed the first voice, “You hit your head when we first got you here, it’s kinda why we taped you to the bed.”

Clementine winced and removed the tape and started to sit up, “Where am I? Who’re you? Where’s AJ?”

“Er…” the first voice, a girl with long red hair, “You’re at a boarding school for troubled kids, I’m Sophie, that,” she pointed at a similar looking girl with short red hair, “is Minnie, my sister and she,” She pointed at the third voice, a girl with blonde hair, “is Violet, Minnie’s girlfriend. And AJ, your kid, I’m assuming, is with Tenn, our brother.”

Clementine blinked, before Minnie spoke, “Well, you know who we are, who are you?”

Clementine swallowed and slowly started to stand, “Clementine.”

“Like the fruit?” Joked Sophie, Clementine looked at her, noticing that Sophie’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Kinda.” Clementine looked around the room.

After a brief silence, Minnie sighed, “C’mon, I’ll take you to your kid.”

Minnie introduced Clementine to some of the other survivors in the school on the way to AJ, Omar, Ruby, Willy and Marlon, she then explained that Mitch and Brody were out hunting, before they reached a boy with a massive facial scar and AJ. She met Mitch and Brody when they took out some Walkers that got too close for comfort. AJ had an incident when he hit Marlon between the legs, she’d gotten AJ to introduce himself to the others before they ate.

Clementine herself had a run in with Marlon’s dog, Rosie, the following morning, before deciding to go hunting with Minerva and Sophie. Which was how Clementine found herself in a conversation regarding two people Minnie mentioned the previous night but didn’t introduce her to.

“About a year ago,” Said Minnie, “Louis and Aasim went out hunting with Marlon and Brody, but knowing Louis he was probably goofing off, which is probably got him and Aasim killed.”

“Marlon shrunk the safe zone, and Ruby was against Louis getting a grave.” Continued Sophie, “Things haven’t been the same since…”

Clementine found herself frowning, before they came across some rabbits. Clementine took out a couple of Walkers while they were hunting, before they went to the meet Violet and Brody at the fishing shed, which they found had been ransacked. After a brief argument, Brody and Sophie went back to the school, while Clementine, AJ, Minne and Violet went to the train station that Clementine and AJ had visited.

Things started great, Minnie distracted the Walkers and Clementine and AJ snuck into the station and started taking the supplies. Clementine and AJ were so engrossed in collecting the supplies, they didn’t notice a boy in a taped-up trench coat and a chair leg with nails sticking out of it sneak up to them.

“Hey,” the new voice made Clementine jump, “hope you’ll leave some of that for me.”

Clementine blinked rapidly at the boy, despite the grime on his face, she found him a bit attractive, “Er…”

“What’s taking so long?” Demanded Violet, appearing in the doorway, “Minnie distract the Walkers forever…”

Violet and the boy stared at each other.

“Louis?” Asked Violet, quietly, “Is that you?”

The boy, Louis, stared at her, before looking at Clementine, “Ooh, you have no idea what you’ve gotten into.” Then before anyone could react, Louis grabbed the half-full bag, hit Violet’s side with his makeshift club and jumped out a window.

Outside, Minnie was hitting the top of the railcar she was standing on with a golf club, before she spotted Louis running off with a bag. After they’d gotten the rest of the supplies, they made a quick getaway, returning to Ericson’s with their haul and several questions for Marlon and Brody.

“They went outside the safe zone.” Brody snapped at Marlon.

“Yeah,” Retorted Minnie, “And you want to know who me met out there? Louis!”

Marlon suddenly paled, as did Brody, before he shook his head, “You can’t’ve, I saw Walkers get him and Aasim!”

“He probably pushed Aasim into them and ran.” Grumbled Ruby, glaring at Minnie, Violet and Clementine, “It’s something that he’d do.”

“No, he wouldn’t.” Argued Minnie, “Sure, Louis was an ass, but he would never abandon anyone!”

“Where?” Said Clementine, suddenly, looking between Marlon and Brody, “Where did you see Walkers get those two?”

Brody and Marlon looked panicked for a moment, before Marlon stammered “Near the river, y’know, where we fish.”

Brody nodded, while Clementine frowned. She might not be the most observant, but she, like Kenny, had a ‘bullshit detector’ and it was screaming its head off.

“Look, we can look for him again tomorrow,” Said Violet, after a moment, “he approached Clementine, maybe he’ll do it again if he sees her.”

Marlon didn’t look happy but nodded and went back inside. The rest of the survivors slowly dissipated and went about their usual tasks, with some, like Clementine and AJ, going to bed.

A short while later, everyone watched as Marlon yelled and screamed, saying Clementine murdered Brody and was with the raiders, and Clementine yelled that Marlon had sold Aasim and Louis to the raiders. Clementine’s yelled struck a chord with Violet and Minnie, with the pair stepping in front of Marlon, shielding Clementine and AJ. Clementine had disarmed Marlon, after stepping around Violet. Then there was a crack, and Marlon fell to the ground with a bullet hole in his forehead.

Minnie silently seethed, they’d just voted to see if Clementine and AJ could stay, everyone, except her and Violet, had voted for them to go. Clementine accepted it, but Minnie and Violet could see the frustration and anger in Clementine’s eyes.

“This is as far as we can take you.” Said Violet, she looked like she wanted to say something else, “Stay safe, Clementine.”

Clementine gave the pair a grateful smile, before she started to lead AJ away.

“Clem!” Yelled Minnie, making Clementine turn, “Here.” Minnie tossed a small bag towards her, “I took this from your bag.”

Clementine opened the bag, sighing when she saw Carley’s glock, as well as her own, “Thank you.”

Minnie gave her a forced smile, before she and Violet left. Clementine sighed, putting her guns back into her bag.

“Oh, finally.” Quipped Louis, appearing from behind a tree, “I thought they’d never leave.”

Clementine looked at him, swallowing, “I know what Marlon did.”

Louis’s demeanour immediately changed, “What? He did the right thing. Sorry, I’m not interested in you giving him excuses. Is that why he’s kicked you two out?”

“Marlon’s dead.” Said Clementine, cutting Louis off, “They all know, he killed Brody because she wanted to tell the others the truth.”

“How…” Louis swallowed, “How did Marlon die?”

Clementine sighed, before glancing at AJ, “AJ shot him, that’s why we were kicked out.”

Louis blinked, before swallowing, “You could come with me. It took a while, but they’re okay… mostly. Abel’s a bit weird and Dorian smells like her name, but, if you give them the chance, they’re good people.”

“By kidnapping people?” Questioned Clementine, “I’ve been there, I was with the New Frontier, they raided and razed entire communities for their supplies, hell, I’ve helped destroy an entire community because their leader beat my friend’s eye out. Nothing good comes from taking people or raiding their supplies.”

“You’re still high and mighty, aren’t you, Clementine.” A new, familiar voice made Clementine freeze, “‘Stealing is wrong’, ‘we can’t take what isn’t ours’.”

Lilly stepped into view, giving Clementine a look of disdain. Clementine clenched her jaw, her hand twitching towards her knife. Lilly, after slowly looking Clementine up and down, looked Clementine in the eye, pausing slightly at the coldness in them. Clementine opened her mouth, only for something to hit the back of her head, knocking her out.

Clementine let out a groan as she sat up, holding her head.

“Hey, you’re awake!” Came Louis’s chipper voice, “Sorry about the whole knocking you out thing, Aasim isn’t really with the whole ‘slowly, slowly’ approach.”

Clementine rubbed the back of her head, before looking around.

“Whoa, relax,” Louis tried to reassure her, as she took in her surroundings, “we made camp on a beach near our boat, thought you wouldn’t want to wake up on open water.”

“Where’s AJ?” Asked Clementine, getting to her feet.

“Oh, the little guy?” Louis looked towards the boat, “He’s with Lilly.”

Clementine let out a quiet growl, before she walked towards the boat, with Louis close behind her.

“Yeah, the little guy had a bit of an accident,” Said Louis, as Clementine walked through the boat, “I mean, I get the whole ‘I’m a big boy now and I don’t shit myself’ but I guess he hasn’t gone for a while. Lilly took him to get cleaned up, offered to tell him about you.”

Clementine didn’t say anything, looking in every room she passed.

“We don’t normally just stop off and grab people,” Continued Louis, “but we’re kinda at war with some real sick fuckheads, seriously, I saw one of them cut out someone’s tongue and shove it down their throat.”

“Don’t you ever shut up?” Asked a rough voice, as a balding man stumbled towards them, nursing a bite on his hand.

“That isn’t a Walker bite, is it?” Countered Louis, as Clementine looked past the man and saw Lilly with an embarrassed looking AJ.

“Louis told me what happened.” Said Clementine, looking Lilly over, before turning her attention to AJ. The toddler looked like he wanted to burst into tears, before he looked down at his feet, making Clementine crouch in front of him, “Wanna tell me what happened?”

“I-I had to go a-and a monster got me, t-then I…” Stuttered AJ, trying to make keep his voice level.

“Then you had your accident.” Finished Clementine, getting an ashamed nod from AJ, Clementine sighed, “AJ.” AJ didn’t respond, clenching his fists in an attempt to stop himself from crying.

“AJ.” Repeated Clementine, before she sighed, “Alvin Junior.”

AJ finally looked up at her, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“AJ, it’s alright for you to cry.” Said Clementine, gently.

“But I’m acting like a little kid.” Mumbled AJ, trying and failing to talk normally.

Clementine let out a sigh, “AJ, you’re five years old. You are a little kid, you don’t stop being a little kid for a for a while.”

AJ looked back down, getting a sigh from Clementine, “Do you want to know what I did when I was first got by a Walker?”

AJ looked up at her.

“I wet myself.” Said Clementine, bluntly, “I was embarrassed, but Lee,” Clementine glanced at Lilly, “…and Lilly helped me through it. I cried and was embarrassed with myself for a week, before I learned it wasn’t a big deal anymore.”

AJ’s bottom lip quivered, prompting Clementine to open her arms for him. After a brief moment, AJ’s face was buried in Clementine’s shoulder as he emitted muffled sobs and hiccups. Lilly silently watched the exchange, instead of seeing the naive little girl from the start, she saw a young woman who grew up too fast and was all but shoved into a parenting role at the tender age of ten or twelve. Eventually, AJ quietened, before he went limp. Frowning, Clementine leaned back, before letting out a mix of a snort and a scoff, “Unbelievable, he’s fallen asleep.”

“You were the same.” Said Lilly, after a moment, “Although, I distinctly remember you putting a beetle on Duck’s pillow the following day.”

Clementine sighed, before looking up at Lilly and around the small gathering of people, Lilly, after glancing around, noticed too, “Everyone back to work!”

Everyone, except Louis and the scruffy man with the different coloured eyes, immediately made themselves look busy.

Lilly looking back at Clementine, “Louis can take your boy, we need to talk.”

Clementine, after internally debating it, stood up and gently gave AJ to Louis, who gave her a grin and walked off with the sleeping child. After the two disappeared around a corner, Clementine looked at Lilly and gestured for her to lead the way.

“What happened?” Asked Lilly, after she and Clementine sat down, “After I was left behind?”

Clementine sighed, “We found a train, after we left, as well as a homeless guy, Chuck. He actually convinced Lee to teach me how to use a gun and to keep my hair short, after what happened to Duck.”

“What happened to him?” Questioned Lilly, frowning.

“Duck was bit in the raid, Lee found out after we got moving again.” Sighed Clementine, “Kenny was in denial about it, Lee had to talk him into stopping the train. Katjaa… Katjaa killed herself, so she didn’t outlive Duck. We met a couple, Omid and Christa, after we were forced to stop. Lee took me on a supply run and I froze. We got the train moving again and got to Savannah.”

“You mentioned that your parents were in Savannah when the outbreak happened.” Said Lilly, processing what Clementine told her.

“Yeah, some sick fuck got in contact with me after we took the supplies from that car,” Continued Clementine, “turned out my radio wasn’t broken. I told him a lot, thinking of him as some sort of imaginary friend. He was waiting for us in Savannah.”

“He ambushed you?” Asked Lilly, making Clementine shake her head.

“No, we were almost got by a massive herd of Walkers, we lost Chuck in the chaos,” Corrected Clementine, “there was another survivor, Molly, used bells to get Walkers out of one part of the city so she could scavenge supplies. The guy on the radio, said his name was Mitch, watched us for a while. Molly, and some Doctor Lee met, took us to Crawford, a community that started good but became fucked up, so we could get some stuff to fix up a boat we’d found. It fell as some point.”

Clementine breathed, “I don’t know how, but I managed to convince Lee to take me with them, he put me in charge of Ben, they got the stuff and Ben… I guess he panicked and told us that he was the one working with the bandits.”

“I knew it.” Scoffed Lilly, as Clementine leaned back.

“You killed Carley for it,” Retorted Clementine, “anyway, Kenny lost it and we barely made it out alive. The stranger took me from the house we were in after we got back, I tried to call Lee and lost my hat in the process.”

Clementine let out a shaky breath, “At some point, somehow, Lee got bit, and they cut his arm off. Ben died and we lost Kenny. Lee was weak, after losing his arm, blood loss, I think. The stranger was trying to kill him, so I killed him. Lee discovered the guts trick and we got out of the hotel that stranger was keeping me in. I found my parents, they’d turned. I had to put Lee down, I ended up meeting up with Omid and Christa. I got careless with my gun and it got Omid killed. I was with Christa for a bit, before we got separated. I met the group AJ’s parents were in, and I was reunited with Kenny.”

Lilly observed the change in Clementine’s eyes.

“We ended being captured by some asshole, a guy called Carver, he thought he was AJ’s dad, not Alvin.” Said Clementine, “We started planning our escape, but were found out and Kenny got his eye bashed out. We got someone on the inside to help us escape. We lost some people in the herd we had to walk through. AJ was born a couple days later and Rebecca, AJ’s mom, died a couple days later. We lost more people, some people left us behind and I was with Kenny for a couple of years.”

Clementine looked down, “I got Kenny killed after I crashed the car he was teaching me in. He told me to take AJ and run, I… I did as he said, I was with just AJ for a bit, before I ended up with a group, the New Frontier. AJ got sick and I was kicked out, me and AJ were separated for a while, I did some things I’m not proud of, but I met a guy called Javi, things went crazy for a bit and, somehow, I was caught up in a revolution. I then went looking for AJ, I managed to find him and, well, here we are.”

Lilly looked Clementine over, “The other group we’re at war with is the New Frontier.”

“What?” Asked Clementine, stiffening, “Why?”

“They attacked us first, a few years ago, killed almost everyone at one of our satellites, took the supplies there.” Explained Lilly, “Rumour is they attacked, and destroyed Wellington, killed most, if not all, the people there.”

“The raiding should’ve stopped when Javi took over,” Said Clementine, leaning forwards, “Joan ordered raids, which was the main driving force for the whole revolution thing.”

Lilly frowned, “He might’ve restarted the raiding, Clem. People change.”

“His niece was killed by the raiders,” Argued Clementine, “I find it hard to believe he’s restart the practice that got her killed.”

Lilly reported what Clementine told her to the main bulk to Delta, who’d asked Lilly to bring Clementine in, which led to another boat coming to take over from Lilly’s group. Two weeks later, Clementine and AJ found themselves with Lilly’s group, waiting for some people from the New Frontier to show up.

“Are we sure they won’t attack us?” Asked Abel, as Louis clumsily made an origami swan for AJ.

“Conrad said they won’t.” Shrugged Clementine, “But, you said we’d have back up they do attack.”

“Yeah,” Nodded Lilly, “Christa took over when we took you to see Gus.”

Clementine hummed, just as they all heard someone walking towards them.

“That them?” Asked AJ, looking up at Louis.

Louis frowned, before looking towards the noise, “No, it’s Aasim with Christa’s group… and some familiar faces.”

Clementine looked over, spotting an Indian boy, followed by some of the kids from the boarding school. Violet spotted Clementine, before her eyes settled on Louis behind her. Sophie, spotting Louis, rushed towards him, only for Louis to sidestep her.

“She’s been asking about for the past two weeks.” Grumbled the Indian, making Louis wince.

“Well, now we’re just waiting for the New Frontier to turn up.” Quipped Louis, looking around, “Recognise anyone, Clem?”

Clementine shook her head, “Maybe they got lost.”

“Maybe we did.” Came a new voice, before Kate and Conrad came into view, “Gabe was holding the map upside down.”

Clementine looked around, spotting Eleanor and Ava, noting that the latter looked a bit worse for wear, “Where’s Javi?”

Kate winced, as she drew level with Clementine, “He’s still in Richmond, he’s getting the Coalition to help with the… loyalty problem with some of Joan’s supporters.”

Clementine frowned, “How many are they?”

“A few hundred.” Said Conrad, “They were out raiding when everything went down.”

“And with those other Raiders, we’ve kinda been fighting a war on two fronts.” Continued Kate.

“Yeah, a war that you’re somehow winning.” Grumbled Abel, glaring at them.

“Abel.” Snapped Gus, the leader of Delta, before he looked at Kate, “I wasn’t inclined to believe Clementine when she first told us, but it seems I was right to keep an open mind. Although, I must ask, what the hell is the coalition?”

Clementine tried not to wince when Abel went flying, Jesus, after arriving with some guy with a crossbow, helped beat out a makeshift truce between Delta and the New Frontier, which led them to Richmond, to back up Javi’s side of the fight. She’d left AJ with Aasim on the boat, while she went into the warzone with the bulk of the fighters.

Abel had stepped on a landmine, landing on his head with sickening crack. Clementine heard someone put a bullet in Abel’s head. Clementine ducked behind an abandoned car, before firing a few shots towards some of the ‘Rogue Frontier’, as Louis started calling them.

“You’ve been here before.” Said Lilly, joining her with Louis.

“The situation or the place?” Asked Clementine, just before a grenade landed next to her. Thinking quickly, Clementine grabbed the grenade and threw it back the way it came.

“Both?” Shrugged Louis, “Think they’re close to surrendering?”

“Heh, that’d be nice.” Laughed Clementine, getting a scowl from Lilly.

“Fight now, flirt later.” Ordered Lilly, as Clementine rolled her eyes.

Glancing around, Clementine spotted an opening, “Over there,” She pointed it out to Lilly, “if we get over that car, we’ll be out of sight from their guy with the gatling gun.”

Lilly spotted the opening, before reporting it on her radio, “Alright, let’s go.”

Out on the boat, Aasim silently watched Tenn try and interact with AJ. Admittedly, Aasim hadn’t interacting much with Clementine, before he stayed back with Christa’s group when Lilly took her and AJ to Gus, but he’d gotten to know AJ, the toddler had practiced his reading on Aasim’s records, he disagreed with Louis when he called it a diary.

“Hey,” Aasim got AJ’s attention, “They’re gonna be fine.”

AJ looked like he didn’t believe him, which got Christa to take him inside, saying something about telling him about Clementine. Sighing, Aasim looked down at the other school survivors, Ruby had seemed happy to see him, while Mitch had been standoff-ish. Fortunately, they got everyone to come with them without resorting to violence.

“Do you think they’re gonna be okay?” Asked Violet, getting Aasim’s attention, “Minnie and I doubled back, after we left her and AJ, but they were gone. We… we looked for them through the night, hell, we even tried to track them with Rosie. After we all calmed down… everyone started asking if they’d made a mistake. Part of me started to get angry at AJ, for killing Marlon before he could tell us anything about the guys he gave you and Louis to.”

Aasim was quiet, for a moment, “Clementine’s more aware of her surroundings that any of us were. She survived out in the open while we had the walls protecting us. I guess, to Clementine, everyone and everything could’ve been a threat. Louis and I had that hammered into us, while Clementine was forged with it. If anyone is going to survive, it’ll be Clementine.”

Violet was prevented from answering by a flare going up above Richmond.

“And that,” Said Aasim, “means it’s over.”

Clementine sighed, propping her feet up on an upside down box. The remains of the ‘Rogue Frontier’ had been removed from Richmond and the unsteady truce between the New Frontier and Delta had managed to be hammered out into a treaty, with Delta adopting the old boarding school as a satellite.

“So,” Louis dropped down next to her, “decided where you’ll go?”

Clementine gave him a smile, “Well, given that AJ’s developed some form of attachment to Tenn, which is surprising, since Tenn voted us out of the school. Violet and Minnie, and you and Aasim, are for us staying. Hell, Mitch wants us to go back. I’ve heard from Kate that a few people here are going to go to the school, try and fix it up.”

“It’s not that bad.” Scoffed Louis, getting a snort from Clementine.

“There’s a building that’s completely in ruins because it burnt down.” Said Clementine, before leaning against Louis, “I think we’ll go back. I’ve got too many bad memories of here and I don’t want to risk our chances out in the wasteland again.”

Clementine felt Louis’s arm wrap around her, “We should probably go make sure everyone’s ready to go.”

Clementine gave him a smile, “We can do that tomorrow, I think both want some privacy.”

She felt Louis chuckle, before he pulled her closer to him.

Next Story: What if Carver stopped the Cabin group’s second escape plan?

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