"Hmmm," I glance over to Clementine, she shrugs, so I give our answers, "Marlon, definitely."

"I feel like I should watch my back." He mutters.

I giggle, winking at him, "Maybe you should."

Louis wins the next round, and asks another question, "Ever...wait nevermind."

"Ask." I hiss.

"Ever have to kill someone you loved?"

"Lee." Clem responds, "We had to kill Lee..the same day we found out my parents were dead."

Knowing how Clem can be, I grab her and force her to stand. "I think we're done playing tonight, come on AJ!"

Thankfully, the kid knows that I don't ask twice. He says goodbye to Tenn and the three of us head inside. Surprisingly, without being talked to by Marlon.

We enter our room. AJ heads over to the box of art supplies and begins to draw, while Clementine lays down on her bed. I stand beside my "brother", watching his hands glide against the page.

The door opens to reveal Violet. "Oh shit, sorry." She says, "I didn't realize Marlon set you up in this room. I'm just looking for something."

She enters, shutting the door behind herself. She heads over to the closet, but can't find what she's looking for. 

"Oh," she mutters, glancing at the box of art supplies that AJ is using. "That's what I was looking for. It used to be Sophie's- Tenn's sister. He was asking for it."

"Oh gosh, sorry!" I exclaim, "We didn't know."

"No, it's okay. Don't worry about it." Violet responds, "Honestly, it's been sitting up here for the past year and no one's touched it. If AJ wants to play with it...it's fine."

I sigh, glancing down at my brother, "You should probably give it back, little bro. It isn't ours."

He nods in understanding, "Okay."

"You can finish your drawing first, if you'd like." Violet buts in.

As we wait, the blond girl makes conversation.

"I always liked this room. Sophie had paintings and shit on the walls. Lots of color." She begins, "And Minerva, she was really musical. Not like Louis, though..she had actual talent." 

I chuckle. 

She gives me a smirk, and continues, "She had the most amazing voice. Real bluesy. Marlon always joked that he would scavenge a guitar and the two of them would tour the country." She pauses, the smile flashing off her face; covered up by a frown, "That was a long time ago. After they...afterwards, Brody and Tenn took down all the paintings. And that was the end of it." She sighs, "I shouldn't have even brought it up. It's not a good memory."

"They were great friends." I point out, grinning and taking a seat on Clem's bed. Violet sits on the opposite bed.

"Yeah, they were." Violet agrees, "Sophie was a good friend. And Minnie..uh, me and her were close."

"What exactly happened to them, if you mind me asking?"

"They went scavenging with Marlon and Brody out past the safe zone. Didn't make it back. It happens." She sighs, "Honestly, I just miss having someone around to talk to. There's just...so many dudes. This place can get a little too bro-town for my liking sometimes. And I'm not exactly..a people person, y'know?"

Before our conversation can carry on, AJ calls out to me. "Look (Y/N), I'm an artist now!"

I giggle, hopping off of the bed, and looking at his drawing. Although it looks bad, it isn't horrible for a kid his age.

"Good job, kiddo." I compliment, rubbing the top of his head.

"I better get going." Violet says, closing the box of art supplies, "Thanks again for the box, I'll see you later."

I turn back to my brother, "Alright, AJ, time for bed."

"Okay," He replies, "Here." He hands me his drawing, "For the wall, to make our home look nice."

I smile, "Good idea. Let's put it right...here." I back away after straightening the picture, glancing at my brother for approval.

"Great!"

When I turn back around, he's under the empty bed.

"Get back up her, AJ." I chuckle, "The floors cold, the bed's warmer."

"But what if someone comes in?" He replies, "What if they try to hurt us?"

"Do you know who you're sleeping with?" I ask. "Me. Now, get off the floor and go to bed."

AJ giggles, getting off the floor and heading to his own bed. Clem is already fast asleep, so I climb up to the top bunk and fall asleep pretty quickly.

The next morning, we wake up bright and early. AJ leads Clementine and I to Marlon's office. We find Tenn there, playing with police officers and firefighters.

"What are they?" AJ asks, picking one of the toys up.

"They're the people who tried to protect us in the beginning." I explain, "They failed, but I'm sure there are still a few out there, trying to help."

"So, they were weak." He mutters.

I frown, "No. They weren't. They just didn't understand what walkers were at the time, that's all."

"Now, give it to me." Tenn says, reaching for the object.

AJ pulls back, though, "No! He's mine now."

I quickly take the toy out of AJ's hands and give it back to Tenn.

"It's mine!" AJ yells.

"No, it's not."

As AJ explores the office, the door slams open to reveal Rosie again. She comes at us again, growling. I push Clem and AJ behind me. Just as the dog is about to bite, Marlon comes running in and stops her.

"I didn't realize you guys were so scared of them." He mutters, "Here, take my hand."

I hesitate.

"Do you trust me?" He asks.

"I do." I finally answer, taking his hand.

He brings it down to Rosie's nose. She sniffs and gets my scent, licking my fingers.

"Good, now whistle and tell her to lie down."

So I do, "Rosie, go lie down."

The dog obeys, thankfully.

"Now Rosie will recognize you." Marlon says, "She's really well trained. She was the headmaster's dog, back when this place was still functional. But when the world went to shit, he bailed. All the other adults did. Left us behind to fend for ourselves."

Flashbacks of Clem and I's first group come to mind. I shake them off. I don't want to get angry now.

"Now, it's just us kids left. And I'd like it if you, AJ, and Clem were a part of that." He says, "You three are plenty capable and we need that."

He heads behind the desk, showing us a map, "This is the current state of our plan for gathering food. We are starting to run short. It's getting harder and harder to feed everyone."

He explains the areas to us. But while he's telling us about the safe zone, he is showing signs that there's something more to this than we first thought. He's hiding something. Over the years, I've been getting better at reading people. Figuring out whether someone is truthful or not has become my specialty.

Marlon, just what the hell are you hiding from us?