Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Everyone’s sitting to rest and celebrating Luke's birthday. Clementine attempted to get Kenny to come by the fire with AJ but he was reluctant to face the others. On the bright side, Clementine could convince Jane to come back, possibly for Luke. Hopefully to break the awkward tension between them and their obvious feelings for each other.

Everyone knew what Luke and Jane had done. Bonnie was a little jealous, especially now that she even admitted drunk around the fire that Luke's charm caught her eye. Jane coming back was an awkward, yet, lucky surprise since she practically saved them when she killed the last Russian a while ago. Clem on the other hand, was just thankful that she came back and hoped she would keep her promise to stay this time. Luke once said: The most important thing everyone needs is family. Even bandits and evil dictators like Carver, family is all anyone has now.

“I can confirm there was no time for kissing..” Jane assured.
“Okay okay stop it.. Clem, why didn't Kenny come over?” Bonnie cut off Jane, almost like she didn't want her continuing about Luke.
“He didn't want to come over.. said he was ‘keeping watch.’ I'm scared for him.”

“Me too, but let's just enjoy this night and get some real rest,” Mike added. Which was surprising since Mike hasn’t been too happy with the harsh treatment Kenny’s been giving Arvo. Mike and Bonnie made that pretty clear earlier that day.

Jane eventually sat down near the fire next to Luke. She was hesitant but really did want to make it work. Jane was the one who offered the idea to Luke after all back at the gift shop. Soon enough everyone at the fire continues to pass the bottle around again, except Clementine.

“No no, I'm okay.. I don't want to disappoint Kenny.” Clem mumbled.
Everyone thought that Kenny probably wasn't the one who should be making calls like that, but I guess someone had to. Clementine is still a kid even after all the shit that she's been through the past couple of years.

“Are you sure you don't want a drink, Clem? C'mon, Kenny isn't allowed to make calls like that, especially with everything you've gone through. Have some fun!” Jane complained.

“Alright Jane, she gets it. What if she just doesn’t want to drink? Don’t pressure her.” Bonnie snarled at Jane, although Clementine secretly did want to drink. The last drink she had was when she was trapped in the cellar with Nick. That got Clementine thinking about all the people she’s met and lost. Rebecca, Alvin, Sarah, Christa, Omid, and mostly, Lee. Clementine thought often about Lee and always tried thinking of solutions of how it could’ve been different, but no point in dwelling on the past when the future needs her.

Clementine thought about it for a second, then grabbed the bottle from Jane and took a swig, led by a series of loud coughs drawing the attention of Kenny. Guilt automatically swarmed Clementine's face and she quickly passed the bottle back to Jane.

“Seriously,” Jane assured Clem. “Don't worry about him.”

Luke wrapped his arm around Jane, already tipsy from the alcohol Bonnie had brought out. Again, Bonnie was jealous as she had just admitted earlier that Luke had caught her attention. Clementine loved Luke, but in a sibling-partners-in-crime kinda way. Definitely not a Jane-Luke kinda way.

“You okay?” Luke whispered to Jane. Nobody else was paying attention since Bonnie and Mike had gotten wrapped up in their own conversation. Something about Kenny and Arvo. Clementine wasn't suspicious, at least not yet.

“No I'm.. I feel like my stomach's going to puke out all my insides. Haven't had anything to drink like this in a long long time.” Jane answered. “Used to be a heavy drinker before all of this, would always sneak stuff from my parents. I was a horrible kid.”

Before Jane could feel too guilty about her past Luke quickly lifts her up, “Okay c’mon, let's go for a walk.”

Luke and Jane get up. Luke holds her at her stomach and helps her almost like a crutch in case Jane pukes all over herself. Clementine wants to follow, but isn't sure until Bonnie mentions a similar idea.

“Hey Clem, why don't you go follow them. Make sure they're safe and all. I don't mean to ask you to do everything with you being a kid and all, but Mike and I are too wasted to think right now.. do you mind following them?”

“Yeah, I guess not, but you gotta start doing your own stuff soon enough instead of asking me everything. They probably don't care if you're drunk.” Clementine jabbed. Mostly just sick of doing everything for these adults and not knowing when to say no.

“Yeah, whatever Clem. Just do me and Mike this favor. I really don't want to get wrapped up in my feelings and say something I don't mean, like..” It's like Bonnie was going to admit something, but stops and loses her train of thought.

Clementine was sure that Bonnie was just drunk but after she stood up, she swore that she could hear her whisper something about Kenny and Arvo right as she began to leave. Clementine opens the fence door and latches it closed, already feeling the freezing breeze hit her face as soon as she leaves the warm air surrounding the fire. Everything around them was snow, trees, and darkness. Pitch black darkness. Clementine, although annoyed, thought, Why couldn't Bonnie do this stuff if she's so worried about it. It's way too cold out here and she's the one who brought up the idea.

“Luke?? Jane??” Clementine whispered through the trees, hearing a slight rustling noise. Nothing else occupies the sound other than the wind brushing against the trees and her cold breath sharply escaping her lungs. Clementine searches and eventually sees a light, which resembles the flashlights they all divided among each other. Slowly approaching the light, she sees Jane bent over against a tree and Luke rubbing her back.

“Jesus, are you okay? Do you need me to-” Luke suddenly gets cut-off by the sounds of Jane throwing up. Probably way more throw-up than she thought she could have in her system.

“Yeah, I'm.. Okay I just need a distraction.” Jane grunted. Clementine slowly crept up to the two, “Jane?”

“Whoa, Clementine! It's freezing out here, you'd best get back by the fire, you're gonna freeze!”

“Calm down Luke, she's just checking up on us. I'm okay Clem just drank a little more than I oughta. At least it isn't those sugar crystals we talked about.” A small giggle escapes Jane's mouth trying to lighten up the situation with the story she told Clementine.

Jane sits down against a different tree, avoiding the pile of vomit she just released from her system. Luke sits down next to her resting her head on his shoulder.

“Hey uh.. Clem. Why don't you get back by the fire?” Jane nudged at Clem leaving so Luke and her could be alone.

“Alright.. I mean- of course I care about you guys it's just I know you guys are capable on your own, ya know?” Clem insisted.

“Yeah Clem, we understand. If you didn't want to come out here, why did you?” Luke asked.

“Bonnie wanted me to. She said she was too wasted to think so she made me come out here.”

Nobody says anything, so Clementine takes that as a hint to walk back to the fire. As Clementine opens the gate again walking towards Bonnie and Mike, their conversation suddenly cuts-off. Clementine doesn’t know what they’re trying to hide, perhaps about leaving with Arvo, but it doesn’t sound like anything good.

Back in the woods, “Luke.. It's really cold. We should probably go back.” Jane suggested.

“I know I know but, you said you needed a distraction. Want me to help?”

“Yeah that would be nice after everything today.” Luke starts messing with Jane's jacket and laying her down on the floor, finding a patch of grass without snow.

Luke starts rubbing Jane's back trying to calm her down while Jane latches her legs onto Luke's hips. Luke doesn't really think now is the best time to make-out since Jane had just thrown up, but he still wanted to help. He gently presses his lips against the side of Jane's neck as she latches her arms onto his ribs. Luke's hands trace her neck, down to her waist, and then her thighs.

“You're so sweet, I'm sorry I.. I'm sorry I almost left you guys. I feel like this is all my fault. If I had been there, if I had gotten there sooner, maybe you wouldn't have been shot.”

Luke looks down at Jane. No matter what Luke could say next, he knew that he had already forgiven her the second that she joined him next to the fire, but would she accept that?

“I don't want you feeling sorry Jane. I forgave you the second you joined me in celebrating, I want to make you feel better instead of worrying or getting sick again.” Luke pleaded that his words would make Jane feel even the slightest bit better.

“Okay then.. I really want to make this work. I just need to know, do you?”

“Of course I do Jane. I know that it was sudden and everything, but I really love you. I don't know what I'd do if I woke up and you were gone again. When Clem had told me that you left and weren't coming back I was scared. Scared for you and you potentially getting hurt.. but also scared of what I would do without you. I didn't want to admit it, but I missed you. When I saw you, I knew that I wanted to make this work.” Luke's words soothe Jane's worries and she feels that, even in some apocalyptic zombie-filled shithole, they could make something work.

“Cmon, let's go back to the fire. We can chat more in the morning when we get to whatever the hell place Arvo’s talking about.” Luke picks Jane up by her legs and waist, wrapping her jacket back around her.

“I really love you.” Jane giggled, Luke's eyes widened and he smiled before opening the gate where everyone still resides by the fire, except Kenny and AJ.

..

“Wow, you two took a while, almost thought y’all left us again.”

“Stop Bonnie, we're fine. Jane just doesn't feel good. Why don't we all get some rest before tomorrow?” Bonnie's eyes squinted giving Jane one of the nastiest looks Clementine’s seen. “Yeah yeah, okay. Happy birthday Luke.”

Everyone goes to sleep with different thoughts in mind. Bonnie can only think about Kenny and how soon it's going to take him to kill Arvo from his anger boiling up inside him.

All Mike can think about is the same thing, Kenny, but he still has Clementine in his thoughts, hoping she could have a real childhood amidst this horrible zombie nightmare.

Jane and Luke think about each other and the words they exchanged earlier. It took a lot of courage for Jane to express that she really did come back for him. Luke already accepted her apology, but was really happy nonetheless to know she feels the same.

Kenny can only think about AJ and Clementine, willing to do anything to protect them against this horrible world. Wellington, the house, killing Carver, Arvo, all these thoughts run through his head with only one objective in his mind. Protect AJ and Clementine. He would sacrifice his own life just to save theirs, at least then he would be with his family, and Lee.

Clementine can only worry about Kenny at the moment, but eventually she slowly drifts off to sleep..

…...

“Hey sweet pea, you okay?”

Clementine looks up to see Lee's arm wrapped around her in the RV from years ago.

“L-Lee! What's happening..”

“Its just a bad dream, sweet pea. What was it about? Duck?”

“Hes bit..”

“We don't know how this works yet. Maybe it’s like a cold. His moms a doctor. Maybe she can help him. When I was a kid, I never got sick, but my brother always had somethin’. I always thought he was fakin’ it.”

“He’s going to die.. I know it.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I feel bad.” Clementine says.

“Why?”

“I called him a crybaby when I hid the bug in his pillow.”

“Oh, that's okay, honey. You didn’t mean it.”

“I’m scared, Lee.”

“What can I tell you to make it better?”

Clementine thinks for a moment. She’s always wanted to see Lee again, hear his voice again, see his face again, but she didn’t expect it to happen like this.

“That you won’t leave me.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t do that, I promise.”

Clementine starts to cry, knowing the fate that Lee meets either way. Clementine looks around and captures the idea that all of this is a dream, disappointment swells up in her stomach. She wished that this wasn’t all a dream and Lee was back, but she knew...

“Listen, Clem, I may not be here for you with your new friends, but whenever you need me, I'll be right here in your heart. I will always be with you. No matter what.”

“I.. I love you so much, Lee. I miss you so.. so much.”

“Oh sweetpea.. it's okay. Look at you! Look how far you've come.. and you're still surviving. Still helping others. Still being the brave girl I taught you to be.”

Lee's gentle reassurance helps calm Clem's worries and she begins to think, ‘I never want to leave this dream’ but just as she thought that-

“Your friends need you, Clem. Kenny needs you, AJ needs you. Come see me again when you're all safe and sound, I know you can do it.”

“I'll miss you so much Lee.. more than I already do.”

“You can do this Clementine. Survive, for us, for me.” Lee gives Clem a gentle smile before hugging her. Clem closes her eyes in Lee's arms and wakes up.

……

Clem wakes up to the sight of everyone picking up their things. Jane and Luke are talking in the corner. Jane looks really worried, but Luke brushes his hand on her face hoping he can calm her nerves. Bonnie’s holding AJ while yelling at Kenny with Mike as Kenny starts to yell at Arvo, yet again.

“Get your Russian ass up! We need to get to that house, if it's even fuckin real! I swear if you're fucking screwin with us it's YOUR ass.”

“Kenny come on, give it a rest! We're going to get there soon..” Bonnie pleads.

“Clem!” Luke shouts, “You're awake, you were sweating bullets in your sleep. I was surprised you could even sweat in this snow..”

“Clementine, what he's trying to say is, are you alright? Did you have a nightmare? We have a couple of minutes before we can go.. since Kenny wants to waste all his time messing with Arvo.” Jane muttered.

“He deserves it.. Arvo got Luke shot. We couldn't even mourn Rebecca, and the baby was in danger. I don't like him at all.” Clem was not over the problems that Arvo caused and agreed with Kenny. Kenny had been a father figure to Clem ever since she was left without Lee, thinking of this made her remember the dream she had just had and looked at the ground, questioning her true reality.

“Whoa Clem, are you seriously okay?” Although Luke and Jane attempted to get answers out of Clementine, they couldn't. She just picked up her bag and hat, still stained with Lee's blood. The only remembrance of Lee and her parents.

“Okay then whatever the fuck, let's just get a move on for God's sake!” Kenny, obviously irritated, snatches AJ from Bonnie and shoves Arvo out of the fence with the gun. Soon enough, the group makes it to the river. A river that is now frozen from the cold temperatures around it

“Okay, we need to spread out. One at a time across the ice.” Jane instructed who would be going where and when, so that everyone arrives safe and sound. Slowly one by one they make their way across the icy lake.

“That fuckin house looks like a stack of toothpicks! I told y'all we couldn't trust em.”

“Relax Kenny.” Mike interrupted, “Even if there isn't much of a house Arvo did they say there was food. You know damn well we need it!”

Arvo suddenly speaks up again, hoping to persuade Kenny into being less harsh, “Yes yes! There is food, supplies, fire.. fireplace. Very very warm! We are very close.”

As Kenny makes his way across the ice following behind Arvo, Mike and Bonnie follow afterwards one at a time.

“Mike, can we really trust him?” Bonnie whispered, hoping to not draw attention from Kenny or anyone else for that matter.

“I don't know, he's going to kill him if we leave him alone with him. I guess we just keep an eye on him for now until something happens.” The two continue their way across the ice.

“Okay. Kenny, Mike, and Bonnie are doing okay making it across. Clementine, since you’re kinda in the middle of the bunch, why don't you go next.” Clementine looked at Jane with worry. Jane had so much confidence in herself and her plan but Clementine couldn't hide her fear. Slowly Clementine steps on the ice and starts making her way across. Clementine almost slips a couple times, but maintains her balance.

“That's it Clem, me and Jane are right behind you! Keep going.” One step after the other, after the other, after the other.. Soon enough Jane and Luke are too close to each other and the ice below Jane begins to crack. Nobody makes a sound but Clementine exchanges worried looks with Luke. Jane takes a few deep breaths and continues to step forward.

“Be careful Jane, one wrong step and-” Before Luke could even finish his sentance the ice below Jane slowly swallows her up to her waist. Luke bolts over to help but he couldn't help Jane without falling in himself.

“Clem, you uh.. just go. We’ll meetup with you soon. I promise, just hurry and go.” Luke didn’t want Clementine to worry, seeing a sight like this had to have scared a child almost to death.

“Jane! You're slipping even more.. you're going to freeze!!”

“Which is why I need you to do me a favor Clem. Get to that house, get the fire started. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.. I can.”

Clementine eventually starts picking up the pace again in order to hurry to the fire, she walks forward unaware that Mike and Bonnie had their own issues with the ice.

“Fuck, Bonnie just hold on! I got you, I got you.. I-”

“Mike I said step away! You're going to get us both killed! Back the hell up!” Clementine looks at Mike and Bonnie, who even knows if the ice will last long enough for Jane and Luke to make it over. Bonnie is almost shoulders deep in the ice, her chin barely afloat above the ice. You could see the worry in her eyes, but only just now. Before you could see her really trying, struggling, grappling onto the edge of the ice doing anything she can do to get back up.

“Kenny man! Are you seriously going to leave me and Bonnie here?”

“I gotta watch this bitch who got us into this situation! Plus, y’all have done nothing but disrespect me and hate on what decisions I choose to make. As far as our friendship is concerned, you're on your own!” Kenny snapped back.

Bonnie slowly catches her breath before adjusting her grip on the ice, “Mike I- I don't think I can g-get up. My body, my legs, my arms, my jaw, everything is locking up. I'm freezing myself alive Mike, you have to go!”

“Bonnie I'm not leaving you here, just-”

Before Mike could finish his sentence Bonnie released her grip on the ice.

“NO! BONNIE-”

Bonnie smiled at Mike, but before plunging herself down she looked at Clem. She looked at her with a look of utter disgust. A look Clementine thought that she was used too, but it was different. Like Bonnie knew that she was going to die the second she slipped under. She knew that she needed to give Clementine a scare. A lesson. A memory that will last in her head for the rest of her journey in this ugly, walker-ridden, world.

“Mike just go. She already told you to do that multiple times. Just go!” Mike looked back at Clem, sad and disgusted again, but nonetheless he started walking and finally made it to the edge of the ice where Kenny was staring down at Arvo holding AJ waiting for Clementine, Jane, and Luke.

Clementine looks behind her hoping to see everyone okay, and they all are. Jane makes sure to keep more distance between her and Luke, slowly making their way across. One by one, they all make it to the end of the river, Jane rushing inside to get to the fireplace that Clementine rushed to get set up for her, placing AJ next to the fire as well. Now with everyone inside, they can actually take a breath.

“Did Bonnie find any supplies yet?” Jane asked, suspecting that she was still alive, just looking around the house.

“She fell in the ice asshole, hard to not notice that happening. Well, who knows when it's a heartless bitch like you? You don’t care about anybody except yourself and Luke.” Mike snarled at Jane.

“Okay Mike shut the fuck up? Bonnie.. well I didn’t really care about her and I don’t really like Jane either, but this is Arvo’s fault. Blame his commie ass for anything that happened on that ice. That baby is our priority now whether you like it or not.” Kenny wasn’t over the fact that Arvo led them to a half built house. Without the fireplace it was practically useless.

“Kenny calm down man just-” Before Mike could finish his sentence he spots something in the backyard.

“Holy fuckin shit. No way!” Before Kenny rushes over to see a truck still in okay condition despite the zombies and the weather, he shoves Arvo into the stairs, tying his arms behind him. Mike sighs, but carries on knowing Kenny won't risk anything. Even if it means tying up a child.

“You think you can get that thing started?” Mike asked.

“Hell yeah I can, just.. give me a little bit. I need to see what I’m dealin’ with.” Mike leaves Kenny alone in the backyard and continues sitting on the side of the steps outside. Arvo still sits tied up on the stairs, silently weeping. Jane, Luke, and Clementine all sit by the fire. Clementine keeping an eye on AJ who’s bundled up inside a small cardboard box they found.

“I’m so glad you're okay, are you feeling better?”

“Yeah Luke, I’m okay. I’m still.. surprised Bonnie didn’t make it. I thought if anything, one of us was going to get swallowed by the ice with us being in the back of the line.” Jane’s thoughts start racing looking for any possibility that could've saved Bonnie. Even if she hated her, Jane knew she wasn't that of an evil person to wish death upon someone, unless they...

“Well, what's done is done. No need to dwell on things you can’t change.” Luke says before being cut off by Mike rushing back inside to the warmth of the fire.

“Bonnie seriously could’ve lived.. if only she- whatever. Good knews is Kenny found a truck in the backyard, he’s attempting to fix it so we can go anywhere but here. Better not be that Wellington place he’s talkin’ about.”

“Mike stop- Christa.. my old friend I was with before Luke found me, she was going there too. We know it's real! It's our only chance.”

“Or Clem, we could go back to Howes..” Everyone stares at Jane. Bad memories linger in Mike and Luke's head. Kenny wouldn't be very fond of that idea either. Anways, Jane lets it go. The majority seems to disagree.

“I found the food, the supplies Arvo promised.” Mike hands everyone a can of different foods. He hands Clementine a can of corn, Jane and Luke cans of peaches, and gives Arvo some beans and water he found along with untying the unnecessary bonds on his arms..

“What about Kenny?” Clementine knows that Kenny needs to eat, everyone does. Everyone is desperate for some real rest. Clementine makes her way out to the car to check on Kenny getting the truck started up.

“Clem, why don’t you help me with this thing.” Clem hops in the front seat per to Kenny requested.

“Here, take the key. Found it in the dash tray.”

“What do I do with it?” Clementine, only being eleven, still has no idea how cars seem to work. Even if she's been in multiple. Maybe Kenny could teach her how to get one up and moving.

“Oh.. right. Okay, you see that lil’ hole next to the wheel? Stick the key in there. You gotta turn it to get the engine goin’ but don't turn it right now, not yet. I'll letcha know when, understand?”

“Yeah, I think I got it.” Clementine awaits Kenny's instructions, sitting in silence in the rusty old truck. It's surprising that something like this is still here, after all this time. Maybe the Russians, Arvos group, were using it? Doesn't matter. Once Kenny got the car up and running, if he did, the only thing on his mind would be Wellington.

“Okay Clem, turn the key.” Kenny steps back from the open hood of the truck awaiting Clementine to follow his instructions.

“Are you turnin’ the damn thing? You hear me?”

“Yes yes i turned it! Is it working? Can it drive now?”

“No Clementine. Does it sound like its running? At all? No. Just- just hand me that key and get back inside. This shit will start.. it just needs time.” Kenny angrily snatches the keys out of Clementine's hands just frustrated and wanting to get going. He lays his head on the hood while Clementine makes her way back into the house where Mike and Arvo are lying down by the steps half asleep. Luke and Jane both sit next to each other by the fire. Luke's hoodie wrapped around Jane's. She's definitely warmer, but still freezing cold due to falling in the lake. Clementine is thankful that she's okay, Jane had been in an impossible situation and still succeeded with the help of Luke. Clementine sits down and falls asleep next to AJ.

Clementine, along with everyone else, drifts off to sleep. Whilst Kenny still attempts to get the truck started..

…

“Hell no! We’re going to Wellington, that’s final. If you and that Russian idiot want to go somewhere else, be my guest! Stay back! There's only a couple seats anyways and I know damn well who I'd give up.. yknow.. SINCE I'M THE ONE WHO GOT THIS THING STARTED?”

Mike and Kenny argue about where they're going waking up Clementine. Luke and Jane stand back observing everything that's happening. Jane doesn't really want to go to wherever Wellington is and doesn’t really even think it's real. On the other hand, Luke is willing to go anywhere as long as they're safe and warm. Still they both thanked Kenny for getting it started, hopefully to get on his good side before leaving. Everyone knows that wherever they go, they're going to be in that car for a long long time.

“Clem, you're awake! Is AJ okay?” Jane asked.

“Yeah he's okay, but we need to find him more food. He's not going to last a couple more weeks if we don't find anything else..”

Looking down at AJ Clementine's thoughts run through her head.

What if he wont make it? No, Kenny wouldn't let that happen. If only Rebecca and Alvin were here. If only the arguing could stop, if only they had somewhere they could call home.

“Fine then, me and Arvo are staying back, but we expect you to leave us with that supplies!”

“Over my dead body asshole.” Kenny throws the bags into the backseat, it's all they have left.

“Well, guess it's time to go. Whoever wants a ride getcha ass in here.” Kenny gets in the front seat starting the car then slamming the door shut. Jane sits in the front seat and Luke sits in the back with Clementine and AJ.

“Are you sure leaving Mike behind is a good idea?” Luke asked. “I mean, who knows how long they'll make it..”

“Hey, he's the one who wants to stay back. So don't feel bad for him when he made that decision himself! Theyll either survive, or die knowin they coulda come with us to Wellington!”

Kenny stops shouting and starts up the car finally making his way driving through the icy snow, not knowing what they'll find next.. what they'll run into, or WHO they'll run into. Only time will tell if Wellington is real, if they’ll find other survivors, if AJ will make it.

TO BE CONTINUED

Chapter Text

“Hey watch the road!” Jane erupts from her seat as Kenny swerves the car avoiding walkers in front of them.

“What do you think I’m doin’?” Kenny snaps back.

Clementine wakes up in the car, recounting what happened the last couple weeks. Mike had decided to stay back at the house with Arvo. Everyone thought that his decision wasn't smart, but he couldn't stand to be around Kenny anymore. Especially with the sudden death of Bonnie on the lake. They had been on the road for a little bit now making stops at gas stations and wherever they saw abandoned cars hoping for gas, water, or other supplies. If they're lucky they find food. Baby formula is running low for AJ. Bonnie took everything she could for Rebecca from Howes before they left but soon enough they're going to run out.

“Oh hey Clem, you’re awake!” Luke says, Jane looks back in the seat eyeing Clementine. Softly smiling to know you're okay.

“How long has it been, why can't we stop somewhere to rest?” Clementine suggested. Kenny was so eager to get on the road, but now he doesn’t want to leave it. They had been on the road for days now with still no sign of Wellington.

“Oh and you’re welcome Clem for getting this truck started in the first place..” Kenny snapped at Clementine, showing how much he needed some sleep.

“Chill the hell out Kenny. We have been in this car for a while now that I think about it. I really need some real rest on real beds if we can get to this Wellington place.” Jane replied.

“I know we’ve been in this car for forever but there has to be another gas station ahead. We need the gas, we’re runnin’ on fumes here. After this, Wellington is our only hope. You understand that right Clementine? You have to be on my side right now..” Clementine gives it some real thought before replying to Kenny. Neither Jane or Luke are here to back her up whenever Kenny talks about Wellington.

“Well.. if Christa was so certain that it was real, and you are too, then we don't have any other options to check out..” Clementine of course had her own doubts about Wellington. She trusted Kenny and Christa so it has to be out there, right?

Soon enough, Kenny’s wish came true. A few minutes pass on the road and they see a big neon sign spelled out,

‘THE TWO WHALES DINER.’

“Alright, Clem you grab anything from the store you can find, try to find some food. Maybe even clean water. Jane, keep a lookout with AJ while me and Luke try to find some gas.”

“Sir yes sir..” Jane replied sarcastically since Kenny seemed to be the one making all the orders everywhere. Thankfully, the snow had slowed down and the roads werent as slippery. They could actually see past the rows of trees. On the other hand, it was still freezing. Clementine makes her way in the diner, looking for anything that could feed the group's hunger or thirst. Scavenging through the back room, two giant bottles of water rest on the floor along with multiple packs of quick pancake mix and some boxes of water activated food mix.

“Luke! Come help me with this!” Clem shouted.

“Hey Clem, you alright?”

“Yeah I’m okay, there's a couple giant jugs of water back there, I can't carry them, they're too heavy. I'm gonna take the pancake mix and whatever else is here. Maybe we could find a pan or get some type of stove working..” Clementine picks up a few boxes of water activated food. ‘Looks like military food.’ She thought, Lilly would be able to tell. Some of it looks like it could be jail food. Food is food in this world, they need everything they can get. Clementine grabs a plastic bag from the front counter and starts piling everything in.

“Oh yeah, that's great. Me and Nick.. well. When we had our sleepovers as preteens Pete used to cook pancakes for us everyday in the morning while my mama was out laborin’ on the farm. Pete didn't deserve to die like that.. I wish it could've been different, I wish Nick could've gotten through the fence. So many things that I wish I could change, but..”

Clementine and Luke both stand there staring at each other. Luke always ends up attempting to blame himself for all of his friends' sad fates. Soon enough, Clementine follows Luke and they both quietly walk out of the store. Remaining cautious of walkers that could be around to jump out at any moment. They head down to the truck and throw everything in the backseat.

“Hey, what’d ya get?” Jane asked.

“Just some hopefully clean water containers and water activated food. Luke had to carry the water. We’re gonna’ need some type of heat to eat this stuff..”

“I figured so.” Jane stayed in the car keeping watch. AJ was still asleep, because if he was awake he would be crying up a storm. Everyone knew they were low on the essentials, now they have enough water for a week or two at very least.

Luke walked away from the car and went back out to help Kenny for any gas he couldve picked up or siphoned from the remaining cars.

“Clem.. Im- Im worried about Luke. I know he has you, me, AJ, maybe Kenny? But.. I feel so horrible. Everyone he set out with is just dead. I don’t know how he feels, he just won't open up. I'm scared. It's not like the world before either. No movie theater dates, no waiting anxiously to meet each other's parents.. I remembered I dated this guy, I think his name was Chris or maybe Shawn? Either way, he was such an idiot. We got into the stupidest things. Somehow though, danger was the only thing that made me feel alive. Other than alcohol. You don't know how happy I was to see Bonnie pull out that bottle.. anyways. He helped me get both of those things since he was probably way too old for me..” Jane pauses before Clementine continues her train of thought for her.

“I know I don't know much about what life was like before on the dating spectrum.. but what I do know is this life makes every moment more valuable. Knowing you could lose someone any second to a walker bite or a raider. It just makes everyone and everything more worth fighting for.” Clementine ignores the comment about drinking. She figures that Jane had a rough time before the walkers so she just avoided the comment and let her vent.

“Thanks Clem..” Jane looks down at her feet, almost like she has a thought in her mind stopping her from expressing the rest of her thoughts properly.

“Jane? Are you okay?” Clementine hops in the front seat before Jane can continue.

“You know how.. me and Luke..”

“Yeah, you ‘made it’ with him..” A soft laugh comes out of Jane, “Whats the it??” Jane remembers that Clementine really is just a kid who doesn't know any better.

“Well anyways.. since we stayed at the giftshop to let Rebecca rest, its been about a week and a half since that thing, since the ‘made it’ part happened. Now it's been a couple weeks since we’ve been on the road for what feels like.. never ending.”

“Okay, what's your point? Do you miss Rebecca? Because I do too.. I miss her and Alvin. I'm glad Carver's dead.”

“Hell yeah Clem you could say that again, but no. That's not what I'm getting at really..”

Jane stops talking as Luke and Kenny aproach the car again,

“Ill tell you later Clem.” Luke opens the door only to hear the last part of their conversation cut short, “Tell her what? Is something wrong?”

“No Luke, just telling her another story. It's not important.” Clementine looks in the back, climbing back to her seat next to Luke. Clementine knew that Jane's excuse was really weak, she could continue the story in front of Luke if it wasn't that serious but Luke caught on and didn't spend too much thought worrying about it. He would remind himself to bring it up later though.

“Alright, we got plenty of gas. Now, back on the road. Clementine, did you find any food?” Kenny questioned.

“Yeah some water and these military food things, but nothing else really. Some packs were salvageable but the rest had spoiled.”

“Crap.. well once we get to Wellington, food will be the least of our worries. Let's get going.”

Once again, everyone was back on the road. Finally with hope, food, and water. Most importantly, there wasn’t much fighting between Kenny and Jane anymore. Clementine was very thankful for that since most of the way there she passed the time by sleeping. Eventually, Kenny did switch places with Luke and got some rest with Clementine and AJ.

...

Clementine wakes up yet again from the sun glaring right through her window side but the truck isnt moving. Jane and Luke arent in their seats. Just AJ cooing in his blanket with Clementine in the back. Kenny was still asleep next to them.

“Kenny-” Clementine nudges Kenny awake.

“Whua- huh? Clem? Whats up?”

“Look, Jane and Luke arent here.”

Kenny sighs, only imagining what kind of shit theyre going to pull this time. Hopefully its not another stunt like back at the gift shop. Clementine and Kenny step out the car, Clem slipping AJ into Kennys arms. A big building resides in front of them, giant walls. Smoke.

“Wait- Is this..”

Clementine starts running up the nearby hill to see Jane and Luke talking to a guard up front, Kenny follows behind her.

“You two didnt think that maybe yall should wake us up? I told you both IT IS REAL.” Before Kenny could continue the lady at the top resets her conversation.

“As i told these two before, we are at full capacity.. Im sorry but-”

“Woah woah what the fuck? What do you mean full capacity? Do you know how long it took for us to get here? How many months? How much gas?” Kenny knew that he could go on and on but it wouldnt do him any good. It wouldn't change the outcome of the situation they're in.

Luke steps in, “Kenny, me and Jane tried talking to her. Tried talking to the ‘leader’ but somehow he's busy. We even tried convincing them to just take Clementine and AJ but they're refusing everything. All they did was drop two duffles down at the front.” Clementine worries when Luke says he was willing to beg for Clementine and AJs safety. She couldn't leave the group, not now, not inside. Not ever.

“I can hear you guys talking, you know that right?”

“Oh yeah, we hear you assholes loud and clear..” Kenny shouts.

The guard lets out a long sigh, “The duffles are filled with medical supplies, ammo, clean water, plenty food, hygiene products, a lot of things you can't get anymore! This is the best we can do right now. You guys can come back and check in a couple months-”

“A couple months? Bullshit! You ‘can't get this shit anymore’ because you sonuvabitches are hoarding it all! Taking all the damn supplies in the world, yet can't let us in and makin us wait months?” Kenny screamed.

“This is why we give the duffles out to survivors coming by, trust me. There's barely enough to go around inside of here. Everyone is struggling and I'm just doing what I can. I'm not even supposed to drop down two but-”

“Ive heard enough of this shit, daylight's burnin’. We gotta go.” Kenny was so quick to start walking in the other direction. Luke and Jane were defeated, so they just grabbed the duffles and left. Once they got back to the truck nothing but silence filled the air. Cold, sad, angry, silence.

“So, where too.” Jane asks. “We cant go to Howes, it'd be a waste of gas.” Nobody had any ideas, but they all agreed that getting out of the cold was the first priority. Luke sits in the front seat, trading spots with Kenny.

“Okay, me and Clem are gonna look through whatever handouts they gave us. Luke and Jane, yall best get us out of the snow. It's not safe here. We need to go into the woods.”

“Why Kenny? We just came out of the woods. Why would we want to go back?” Luke asks.

“Avoid the cities. We can't go back. We can't go into the city.” Clementine stressed the fact that cities were a huge no-go. One of the last things Lee taught her. Clementine hasn't been able to see Lee again after that dream before the icy lake, but she misses him so much. She hopes every night before she falls asleep that Lee would show up but the group needs her. They aren't safe, not yet. A hug is all she needs, all she wants from Lee. He's the only thing keeping her going–keeping her sane.

“Okay Clementine- we get it. The city isn't so bad though.” Jane responded.

“No no.. Lee said no cities. Avoid the city.” Clementine started to choke on her words, tears swelling up in her eyes. Jane and Luke don't question it and just stare at the empty road ahead of them. Their hands comfort one another's. Luke only heard Clementine mention him once when they first let her in the cabin so he assumed it was a touchy subject, Jane on the other hand had never heard of whoever this Lee person was but minded her business. Still, she's brave, strong, just like Lee said. She forgets that she's only a kid.

“Clem, it's okay. Lee loves you, and he wouldnt want you cryin. Remember? He sacrificed himself for you. You need to make him proud.” Kenny set AJ onto the seat next to him and scooted in to comfort Clementine.

“Hey, why dontcha get a move on? We need to use every single bit of daylight we have.”

Luke follows Kenny’s command and lets go of Jane's hand before starting up the truck. Jane stays silent, picking up a packet of dried fruit that Wellington had given them. Off they go.. Avoiding the city.

“Kenny.. I don't know how but–Lee. He showed up in my dream the other day.. but he wont come back! Why wont he come back? He said that he's always there in my heart-”

“Yes Clementine, he always is and he always will be. Im so sorry you had to go through so much.” Kenny struggles opening up a lot but seeing how sad Clementine is about her lost loved ones, he finds something he can relate to her with. “Sometimes i see.. I see Katjaa and Duck in my dreams. It's different though, the dreams theyre before everything happened. I wish i had been there more instead of on those fucking boats..” Kenny’s gut fills with regret.

“Id do anything to see Lee again.” Clementine bargained.

“Id do the same for my family. We got to protect each other Clem okay? Can you do that for me? We have to be strong and brave, not only for each other but for AJ. Imagine how proud Lee is gonna be next time you see him.”

Clementine's heart raced, but Kenny was right. She needs to be strong and survive so that next time she sees Lee she can make him even more proud. More than he already is.

“Youre right Kenny. I think- no. I know we can do this.” Clementine responded with a firm nod using her sleeves to soak up any tears that fell from her eyes.

“Good, atta girl. Now, let's get AJ some food.” Kenny reached for the can of baby formula they were using before, but it was almost empty. Won't last another couple days, until Jane butts in.

“The lady at the Wellington gate or whatever said that she put baby formula in there, that's what the second duffle was for. She said it was the least she could do. The bag was pretty heavy, guess not a lot of babies around no more.”

Kenny slowly opens the second duffle bag and is shocked with joy, the whole thing stocked to the brim with baby formula. If they managed their stock well, this could last months.

“Okay yall,” Luke continues, not really knowing what to look for while driving, but still going nonetheless. “It looks like there's a small town up here, but Wellington had to have scavenged it all. There might be more towns near here. There's a lot of trees surrounding it too. Weird. not a lot of walkers.. If we find another neighboring town, maybe they'll have something we can salvage.”

“Okay.” Kenny agreed. “Lets look for a house that'll not crumble the second we walk in.” Wellington was good at attracting walkers with how much noise they made. The occasional walker or two would pass as quickly as they came heading right towards Wellington. Luke continues to drive around looking for a house that doesn't look run in. Instead, he comes across a small shopping district.

“Look! There's a shit ton of stores, they gotta have somethin.”

“Hopefully there's some new clothes. These ones are getting so nasty.” Jane added. They did really need new clothes, Wellington also added some hygiene products in the duffle that Jane already rummaged through. The shopping district seems promising. Supplies and potentially someplace they could turn into a permanent home..

TO BE CONTINUED.