...
..
.

Sobbing could be heard as they made their way outside, the sun shining down gently onto them. Willy sniffles as he wipes at his tears, rising from the steps of the school as Aasim and Ruby wait for him.

(Y/N) sighs deeply as she watches them, understanding the hardships of loss. Clement shuts the door to the building behind them, AJ anxiously looking around as he walks into the courtyard.

(?) AJ is shaped by what they teach him. They taught him to regret his actions

Aasim offers his hand to Willy, Willy nodding as he takes it. They follow after Ruby, heading towards the small graveyard. AJ stands by the flagpole, Marlon's blood still visible from the previous night.

"I did that," he whispers to himself, turning to (Y/N) and Clement as they approach.

(Y/N) looks down with sadness, setting a hand between his shoulder blades. "Let's go, bud."

Violet softly speaking could be heard as they approached the others, the funeral already having started. Tenn mutter something after, Louis cursing angrily as he kicks at a rock.

Clement rests his hand on (Y/N)'s upper back for comfort, the three coming to a stop a few feet away from the group to give them space. (Y/N) holds AJ's shoulders as he stands in front of her, watching with a frown.

Ruby sets flowers down on Brody's grave, her cheeks a shade of red from crying.

Rosie stands in front of Marlon's grave, whining softly as she sniffs at the dirt. Her ears fall back as she whimpers, laying down on top of his grave.

Willy glances back for a moment, double taking as his sadness falls to anger at the sight of the three. The others notice them as well, Violet scowling at their reactions.

"Oh, God. They're here," Aasim sighs under his breath, rolling his eyes.

"So what?" Violet snaps, turning to him. "They knew Brody, didn't they?!"

Omar's mouth quirks to the side, "yeah, but Marlon--"

"Just leave them alone," Violet grumbles out, giving him a warning glare.

Louis looks towards the three, his arms crossed over his chest as he sighs out, "shit."

"Guys?" AJ whispers, getting their attention.

"What's up?" (Y/N) asks quietly, not wanting to disturb the others as Violet continues speaking.

"Why do people have funerals?" AJ questions curiously, tilting his head back to look up at her. "Tenn said they used to have them more. But I don't get it.

Clement shifts on his feet, watching the funeral with a small frown. "Well... To say goodbye to someone you've lost."

"But they're dead," AJ points out in a grumble.

"They are," (Y/N) agrees, sighing softly. "But this is the final time you can really say goodbye and see them before they're just... Gone."

AJ watches the groups' expressions, looking down in guilt. "I made them all sad. Like... If someone took you guys away. Does everyone get a funeral?"

"Most do," (Y/N) nods, her eyes lingering on Brody's grave. "Even some animals do."

"Even monsters?"

(Y/N) and Clement glance to one another, AJ's brows furrowed lightly as he stares at Marlon's grave.

"... Even monsters," Clement answers after a few moments of silence.

"Tenn?" Violet gently calls, gaining their attention as Tenn looks up at her. "You ready?"

Tenn swallows thickly, nodding stiffly as he approaches Brody's grave. "Brody... You always said you wanted to go to the beach, so... I drew it for you."

He sets down his drawing onto her grave, sandcastles and waves drawn on the paper. Tenn's eyes flick to Violet, who smiles with encouragement as she nods.

She breathes out deeply, facing Marlon's grave with a blank expression. "Marlon was..."

Violet trails off, her fists clenching at her sides as she scoffs. "I can't. Not for Marlon. After what he did to the twins and Brody, I--"

"You didn't even like Brody!" Willy scoffs, shaking his head. "You were always mean to her!"

Violet's face falls, and she looks down with shame.

Shaking her head, she starts to walk away. "I can't. Someone else do it."

"Bitch," Mitch curses as she walks past him.

"Dude. Don't," Louis firmly says, shaking his head.

Mitch scowls, facing Louis. "Seriously, Louis?! He was your best friend!"

Louis flinches at his words, his gaze turning to the ground in sadness.

"He wasn't perfect," Mitch agrees bitterly, turning and glaring towards AJ. "But he deserved better than to get gunned down by that kid."

Clement's shoulders tense as he moves in front of (Y/N) an AJ, Mitch slowly approaching with a deadly glare.

"AJ killed him like it was nothing," Mitch continues in anger, his footsteps heavy. "We all saw it, and no one stopped him."

"We get it, Mitch," (Y/N) loudly says, making sure the others could hear her as she moves to Clement's side. "Marlon didn't deserve that, yes. But he wasn't as innocent as you're making him seem."

"I know what I did," AJ chimes in, fidgeting with his hands in front of him as he walks forward. "I'm sorry."

Mitch's harsh gaze falters, his brows twitching lightly as he looks away.

"I know I'm a murderer," AJ continues meekly. "But I'm gonna a... a..."

"Atone," Clement mumbles to AJ, watching the others.

"Yeah! Atone it," AJ finishes, rocking on his feet lightly.

Louis' eyes close as he sighs, shaking his head and walking away. "Fuck, I can't listen to this."

AJ watches Louis with sadness as he walks past them, Louis rubbing the back of his neck as he shakes his head.

"What I did was bad!" AJ agrees quickly, facing the others once more. "And I'm gonna make it up to you. I promise."

Violet scowls, shaking her head. "You don't have to make up shit!"

She walks in front of the others, standing in front of the three as she faces the group. "Marlon was a fucking murderer, and a liar, and if we all asked more questions about Minnie and Sophie disappearing last year, none of this would've happened!"

The group were silent at her words.

"... She's got a point," Aasim mutters after a tense moment.

"Shut up!" Willy yells, angry tears streaming down his face. "It wasn't Marlon's fault!"

"Then whose fault was it?!" Violet demands, turning to him with a glare.

(Y/N) stays silent with Clement, the two exchanging concerned glances at the tension in the air.

"What about Marlon?" Mitch demands back, taking a step forward. "Who's responsible for that?"

"Me," AJ answers, taking (Y/N)'s hand in his.

"See what I mean?!" Mitch laughs angrily, running an aggravated hand through his hair. "How can any of us trust these fucking people?"

Violet squints at him. "What are you saying?"

Mitch sighs with annoyance, shaking his head. "I'm saying they gotta fucking go. We take a vote. Majority decides: They stay, or they leave. Today."

Clement's heart sinks, his face falling at the thought of them on the road again. This time with no car, no supplies, and no map.

"That does seem fair," Ruby agrees quietly, holding the flowers meant for Marlon close.

"Are you serious?" Aasim questions, shaking his head. "It's bullshit."

"You're bullshit!" Willy childishly replies.

"Please," Clement speaks up, breaking up their fight. "Don't do this. I know this is all fucked up, but--"

AJ holds (Y/N)'s hand tightly, (Y/N) watching Clement with slight fear. She didn't want to go back out there, either.

"You don't know shit!" Mitch spits out, waving his arm. "If you did, you would've stopped AJ!"

Aasim scoffs in disbelief, glaring towards Mitch. "Like you stopped Marlon from killing Brody? Fucking hypocrite!"

Mitch turns to him with a snarl, Omar quickly stepping between them with a sharp sigh.

"A vote's the only way to settle this, or we'll be arguing forever!"

"Fine," Violet growls in agreement with Omar. "I guess we're fucking voting."

Violet's anger fades as she looks towards the three with sadness, shaking her head once as she turns to Tenn.

"Louis needs to vote. Can you go get him?" she softly asks, Tenn nodding. "And... try to talk to him."

Tenn walks over to Rosie, whistling lightly to get her attention. "Come on, Rosie. Come here, girl!"

He claps his hands, Rosie looking up at him with a whine before turning away. Tenn frowns and lowers his hands, turning and walking away the direction Louis left in.

"Could you guys go wait in the dorm?" Violet asks (Y/N) and Clement. "I'll come get you."

"Yeah..." (Y/N) nods, Violet managing a small smile as she nods back.

Violet faces the others once more with a scowl, (Y/N), Clement and AJ heading back to the dorms to await their vote. AJ pauses, making (Y/N) stop as well and turn to him with a raised brow.

"Please don't kick us out," AJ pleads quietly to the others.

Violet's eyes close at this, the others exchanging glances.

Clement walks back to AJ, grabbing his shoulder. "Come on. Let's go."

...
..

Thumping could be heard echoing softly, occurring every few seconds. Dust scatters off the wall with every kick AJ delivers, AJ grunting lightly in anger with every motion.

(Y/N) sits on the bed with a worried expression, staring down at the ground as she grasps her bracelet's heart in between her fingers. Clement sits besides her, his leg propped up on the bed and his arm resting on his knee as he bites his bottom lip anxiously.

"AJ, stop!" Clement finally barks out, the thumping getting on his nerves. "You'll break your toe or something."

AJ doesn't listen, continuing to kick at the wall in anger.

"AJ," (Y/N) calls, making him hesitate for a moment. "Sit down."

"No!" AJ snaps back, his fists clenching at his sides. "I-- It didn't work! I did what you said, and they didn't even care! I-- I know that I was bad, but-but they don't want to let me fix it!"

"I warned you about this," (Y/N) reminds, her expression firm. "I told you it wasn't your choice whether or not they forgive you."

"I don't care!" AJ shouts, kicking at the wall once more as he breathes shakily with fury.

"AJ, breathe." Clement loudly speaks, making AJ pause and back from the wall. "Remember what we do when we're mad?"

AJ resumes kicking at the wall, ignoring him.

"AJ, I understand you're upset, but you gotta stop." (Y/N) softly says, scooting over and patting the bed next to her. "Come on. What do we do when we're feeling mad?"

AJ steps back from the wall once more, his shoulders tense. "We stop, and think, and... Um..."

He breathes out deeply a few times, turning to them. "I'm still really, really, mad. I know that I'm not supposed to get mad, or sad, because then I do dumb things!"

"Listen," (Y/N) gets his attention, shaking her head. "It's all right for you to be upset, bud. It's how you handle it that's important. Your feelings are valid, okay? But we'll handle this together. Right?"

(?) AJ will remember that

AJ's scowl eases up, his body slowly relaxing. "... Right."

"Good," Clement smiles crookedly, "now, what do we do? We stop, we think, and we..."

"Breathe," he and AJ say in sync, AJ nodding.

AJ closes his eyes, taking deep breaths as he tries to relax.

"Still mad?" (Y/N) questions, tilting her head towards him.

AJ looks towards her with a blank stare, pouting.

"I'm gonna take that as a yes." She concludes, sighing.

"... And, uh... I think I'm sad, too," AJ quietly admits, sadness evident on his face and in his voice.

(Y/N) frowns with sympathy as she scoots over, patting the spot between her and Clement. Clement lowers his foot to the floor as AJ walks over, sniffling as he climbs onto the bed between them.

Clement wraps a comforting arm around AJ, (Y/N) gently rubbing his back with care.

"I did what you guys told me to," AJ mumbles, sniffling once more as he wipes his nose.

"You did a good job, too," (Y/N) praises quietly, nodding.

"You're a good listener, kid," Clement also praises, smiling down at him.

AJ frowns. "I wanted to make them all feel better. And it didn't work. Why'd you guys tell me to do that, if it didn't work?"

"Like (Y/N) said... Their forgiveness wasn't our choice to make, AJ," Clement sighs with a head shake. "But we don't know that it didn't work. They might've voted for us to stay."

"Maybe," (Y/N) mutters under her breath hopefully, shrugging.

"I don't know," AJ doubts, shaking his head. "They seemed pretty mad."

"Violet's got our backs," Clement reminds, making a mental note to thank her. "Maybe she'll persuade the others."

"... Yeah, maybe." AJ quietly agrees. "I don't want to go."

"We know, bud."

"I like knowing where we are all the time," he continues, staring down at his lap. "The bed, the food... I like the other kids. Not all of them, but Tenn and Louis and Violet..."

Slow knocking makes the three look towards the door, Violet pushing the door open with Louis in tow.

(Y/N) rises, Clement and AJ following suit.

Louis avoids their gazes, staring at the ground with his arms crossed defensively over his chest. Violet sighs softly as she walks up to them, rubbing the back of her neck with a guilty expression.

"We... We took the vote," she quietly starts, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "You have to leave."

Her hair hands in front of her face, hiding her sad eyes.

"Don't we get to vote?" AJ questions with fear. "I vote that we stay."

Louis looks up with narrowed eyes. "That's not how it works."

AJ's face falls to a hopeless look, his hands hanging loosely at his sides.

"... Maybe it should be," Violet angrily replies, glaring at the boy.

"You don't have to like it!" Louis snaps back, jabbing his finger against her collar bone.

"Good!" she yells back, shoving his arm roughly. "Cause I don't!"

Clement's eyes remain on the floor, his eyebrows knitted together and his jaw clenched. (Y/N) opens her mouth to say something, anything, but sighs instead as she slowly nods. Louis' brow twitches at this as his eyes flick towards them, Violet frowning.

(?) Violet will remember that

"... Seriously? Nothing?" Violet questions, shaking her head in disbelief. "You guys know this is fucking wrong, and you're not going to fight it at all?"

"There's nothing to fight," Louis firmly says. "We already decided."

Violet breathes out sharply. "You can be such a shithead, Louis!"

AJ holds on to (Y/N)'s arm, leaning his head against it as he sniffles.

"... So fucking stupid," Violet grumbles, her body shaking from her anger.

"You said you'd go along with it if we voted fairly," Louis reminds with accusation, glaring back at her.

"It's bullshit, and you'd know it if you weren't so used to burying your head in the sand!" she fires back.

Louis' face falls as he scoffs, "Oh, I'm burying my head in the sand?! Hate Marlon all you want, but you can't tell me AJ isn't dangerous, too!"

AJ flinches with a soft gasp, Louis' harsh expression melting to a guilty one as he turns away. (Y/N) gives AJ's hand a squeeze, Clement setting a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"... We'll wait for you to pack up, then Louis and I will escort you out past the safe zone," Violet breaks the silence. "We'll make sure you guys get to the road safely. It's-- It's not a lot, but at least you won't die on the way."

"We could've happily dumped you outside the gates," Louis grumbles, shrugging.

"Thanks, Vi," (Y/N) quietly thanks in appreciation, nodding. "I mean it. For every--"

"No!" AJ suddenly yells, breathing out shakily. "Don't thank them! It-- It's their fault we gotta leave! They're gonna get rid of us!"

Louis watches him warily, his mouth pressed in a thin line. "Get him under control."

"Breathe, AJ," (Y/N) reminds, giving Louis a glare.

AJ breathes deeply a few times, closing his eyes before sighing. "Where's Tenn? I gotta say goodbye."

Violet's mouth curves down, "He was... Really upset about the vote, and he's not talking to anybody. It's best to leave him alone when he's like this, but... for the record, he wanted you guys to stay."

AJ sighs as his eyes flick down, numbly nodding.

"... Wait," Louis suddenly says, his eyes narrowed. "Does AJ still have that gun?"

"Yeah...?" (Y/N) slowly replies, AJ walking to the bed and grabbing it. "What about it."

AJ holds his gun in his palms, Louis approaching and staring down at it with fear as he quickly shakes his head.

"Hand it over," he holds out his hand, looking down at AJ with a slight scowl.

"Is this necessary?" Violet demands, scoffing at this.

"Hell yes, it's necessary. I'm not walking out into the woods with him holding that thing. We already know he knows how to use it."

AJ looks to (Y/N), who looks between him and Louis with a hint of confliction. Clement's glare remains on Louis, his hand clenched into a fist at his side.

(Y/N) closes her eyes in defeat, motioning with her head towards Louis with a nod. "Don't worry. Clem and I will protect you."

AJ nods, believing her instantly. "Here, you can have it..."

He places the gun in Louis' hand carefully, backing away from him.

Louis stares down at the gun, his hand shaking lightly as he sighs sharply. "Fuck!"

"There. Happy?" Violet demands, rolling her eyes as he tucks the gun in his pocket. "Can we go?"

(Y/N) clips on her machete sheathe as Clement grabs their backpack, only a handful of items inside. He shrugs it on, grabbing his hat and setting it on his head with a sigh. (Y/N) looks around the room with sadness, her machete feeling heavier on her back than it ever had.

With one more glance around the room, (Y/N) and Clement lead AJ out, Violet and Louis right behind them.

...
..

Crows caw in the distance as the sun begins to set, the shadows of the trees making the woods seem dark already.

AJ walks in front, (Y/N) right behind him and Clement at her side. Clement looks over his shoulder, Violet holding a bow and Louis holding Chairles ready for any walkers that surprise them.

"Will we get another car?" AJ questions, kicking a rock as he passes it.

"... Probably not," Clement answers truthfully, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We got lucky before."

"No kidding," (Y/N) agrees, shaking her head. "I doubt there's any working cars on the road."

AJ frowns, his shoulders falling. "So, we're walking."

"Unfortunately, yes." (Y/N) nods.

"My shoes are gonna break," AJ says, looking down at his shoes. The bottom part of his shoes was slightly peeling off the base, his toe peeking through the hole.

"Well, we'll have to hope they hold out," Clement sighs, adjusting his hat over his head.

"My feet are gonna bleed again."

"Make do until we manage to find another pair," (Y/N) softly replies, rubbing her arm lightly. "It's gonna get cold soon, so we'll need to find some new clothing anyway."

"And if they do fall apart, we can tear up a shirt and tie them up," Clement adds.

Louis listens to this with a neutral expression, his brows occasionally quirking up or down.

"It's not so bad."

Clement turns and gives him a glare, (Y/N) scoffing as she turns back to him as well.

Louis jumps lightly, clearing his throat. "I mean... you've done this before."

Violet gives him an annoyed glare as well, shaking her head.

"P-- Probably pretty good at it by now," he continues, trying to justify it. "Almost like going home for you guys."

"What the fuck do you know?" (Y/N) demands, shaking her head before facing forward. "You guys have had the privilege of living inside the safety of walls throughout this nightmare."

"You have no fucking idea what it's like out there," Clement firmly agrees, giving him a last sharp glare before turning away.

(?) Louis will remember that

Violet looks down sadly at their words, Louis frowning as he remains quiet.

She comes to a stop, holding up her hand for Louis to do the same. "We're here. The road's that way."

She points up ahead, (Y/N) nodding and managing a small smile. Violet mirrors this, her smile falling as she scowls at Louis.

"Anything you want to say before we go?"

Louis doesn't speak for a moment, looking towards the three before shaking his head. "I've said plenty."

"... Thanks for trying to keep us," AJ quietly thanks Violet.

Violet's scowl softens as she smiles at AJ. "You're welcome. I wish you could stay. I-- I didn't want this."

"Come on," Louis impatiently urges, shaking his head. "Let's just go."

"Give us a minute, would you?!" Violet hisses back, making him flinch.

"I wish we could stay, too," Clement replies to her earlier statement, shaking his head.

"I just wish I didn't fuck things up," (Y/N) mumbles, laughing quietly in dejection.

"You didn't," Violet reassures with confidence. "Marlon did. Even dead, he's still ruining shit."

"Jesus, Violet! Give him some fucking peace!" Louis snaps, turning and walking a few feet away down the path.

Violet watches him, shaking her head before turning back to the three. "Just... stay safe. All of you."

Louis scowls as Violet walks past him, though it falls as he looks between her and the three.

"... I must be stupid."

He grumbles to himself, walking back to the three.

"I can't leave you guys out here unarmed."

Louis says with annoyance, crouching as he holds out AJ's gun.

AJ's eyes widen in surprise as he steps forward, slowly taking it. Louis nods at him, rising from his crouch.

"... Thanks," (Y/N) thanks, her brows raised in surprise at his action.

Louis doesn't reply, only sighing as he turns and walks quickly after Violet. The two were out of sight soon, crows cawing in the distance as the air becomes a bit cooler.

"Let's get going," Clement urges, looking up at the sky,

"Yeah. The sun's setting soon, if it hasn't started already." (Y/N) agrees, unsheathing her machete to walk with it as she takes the lead.

Clement walks after her, joining her side.

"How do you know?" AJ asks with a head tilt, rushing after them and walking on the other side of (Y/N).

"Eh, I don't really," she admits with a light shrug. "It's just a feeling I've always had. I get it before a storm, too. It's just a weird chill."

"Yeah, yeah like this weird cold settles on your skin, right?" Clement rhetorically asks, nodding. "I get that too sometimes."

"I don't feel that," AJ pouts, looking up and around.

Clement chuckles lowly, "you haven't been on the road as long as us."

The three walk in a silence, their footsteps crunching on the gravel beneath their feet.

"Guys?" AJ says after a few minutes, his eyes flicking around warily.

"Hmm?" Clement hums in response, keeping an eye on the tree line.

"Will we be okay?" he questions with fear and uncertainty. "I thought we were done running from all the bad people. And the monsters."

"We will be," (Y/N) promises, stepping over a discarded tree branch. "We'll find somewhere safe. Someplace good."

"I'll be good, too," AJ vows, nodding.

(Y/N) opens her mouth to reply, her heart leaping in fear as a thundering sound rings out. The tree besides her splinters violently, shrapnel from a shotgun evident.

"Down!" Clement shouts urgently, the three ducking and rushing for cover.

Clement throws off his backpack, not wanting it to slow him down as he ducks behind a tree. (Y/N) quickly leads AJ behind a boulder, hiding him behind it before finding her own spot in some shrubs a few paces from Clement.

(Y/N) slowly peers up from the shrub, her eyes darting around for the source of the blast.

"Now, come on out," a familiar voice calls, her eyes widening at the sight of Abel wielding a shotgun. "I saw a couple of you on the road. How long y'all think you can hide?"

"Is that...?" Clement whispers to her, making her nod. "Oh, shit."

"That's the man from the train station?" AJ recognizes, crouch walking over to (Y/N).

"Yup," she quietly confirms. "That's the man Brody was scared of."

"Fuck," Clement curses under his breath, carefully crouch walking over to (Y/N) and AJ behind the shrubs. "We need to get out of here."

"Wait," (Y/N) grabs his arm, closing her eyes as she listens closely. "Shit... He's getting closer!"

"Stay here," Clement urges, taking out his hunting knife as he carefully moves back to the tree.

(Y/N) watches him with concern, AJ crouched besides her. Clement stands along the base of the tree, listening for Abel's footsteps. When he gets close enough, Clement rushes out, shoving the shotgun out of his hand.

Abel yelps in surprise, quickly regaining himself as he holds back Clement's knife from his face. Clement kicks Abel's legs out from under him, making him fall to his knees before Clement slams his boot against his chest. Abel wheezes as he falls backwards, Clement panting softly as he stands over him.

"Tough little bastard, ain't ya?" Abel muses, though he seemed impressed.

Clement rolls his eyes at this. "Fuck off, already! You--"

A gun presses against the back of his head, (Y/N) gasping quietly with wide eyes. Clement's eyes widen before shutting, the knife falling from his hand as he releases it. He watches Abel with a glare as he rises, dusting himself off and grabbing his shotgun.

Abel slams the barrel of his shotgun against Clement's stomach, making him wheeze and double over. The person from behind kicks him down, forcing him onto his stomach. The person slams their boot onto his head to keep him down as he looks to the side, quickly shaking his head at (Y/N) as she makes a move to approach.

She watches him with fear, her eyes flicking from his to the enemies.

Clement makes a move to grab his knife, Abel stepping on it and kicking it away. Abel looks around, knowing there were others with him before. He makes eye contact with AJ, making him gasp and quickly draw his gun and aim it.

(Y/N) curses as she rises with her machete, swiftly approaching the person's backside to get them off Clement.

"I wouldn't!" Abel firmly warns, aiming his shotgun at her. "Any closer, your friend might get his head blown off."

"Abel."

The woman speaks, making him look to her.

He nods, walking past her to (Y/N) and AJ.

"Put it away," Abel commands, nodding towards (Y/N)'s machete. "Hands where I can see 'em."

(Y/N) scowls with a scoff, slowly sheathing it behind her and holding her hands up in defeat.

"Good to see y'all again," Abel muses, slamming the barrel of the shotgun against (Y/N)'s face.

"Don't!" Clement growls out, wincing as the woman applies more pressure to his neck.

"Stop!" AJ yells, moving to help (Y/N).

Abel bashes him down as well, kicking his gun away as it falls to the floor.

"Up," Abel commands, grabbing AJ's arm and holding it tightly.

(Y/N) winces as she slowly pushes herself up, rising to her feet with her hands held up. Abel keeps the shotgun fixated on her, daring her to try for her machete.

"I seen these ones before," Abel tells the woman. "Fighters, the lot of them. You'll like them."

"We're looking for a kid," the woman speaks, making (Y/N)'s brows furrow as she blinks rapidly. "Runs a community near here."

"Marlon," Abel names.

(Y/N) shakes her head, "he's dead."

The woman sighs in annoyance. "Well, shit."

"This can still work," Abel tries to reassure, nodding.

"How about it?" the woman asks, looking down at Clement. "You two wanna take us back to your school? Help us talk to your friends? It's not like you have many other options."

"It's not our school. We don't live there," Clement manages out, his voice strained from the lack of oxygen."

The woman shakes her head, raising her boot before pressing it down firmer as Clement grunts in pain.

"I find that very hard to believe."

AJ struggles against Abel, (Y/N) watching the woman's backside with a glare.

"Not a lot of kid communes around here."

Abel becomes annoyed with AJ, twisting his arm as he cries out in pain.

"Stop it!" (Y/N) shouts, turning to Abel as he holds up his shotgun in warning. "Just let us all leave!"

"Sure! If you do like we ask," Abel chuckles, shaking his head. "Otherwise, I'm happy to blast your heads open."

He turns his gaze to Clement, smirking. "You ever seen old fruit explode after you shoot it? That's just how it'll look."

Clement snarls as he tries to rise, the woman putting more pressure onto him as he wheezes and coughs.

"Stop!" (Y/N) shouts, darting towards the woman.

The woman swiftly reacts, slamming her elbow back against (Y/N)'s cheekbone and knocking her down to the side from the force. The woman kicks Clement's face, making his body move with the action as he grunts in pain.

"(Y/N)! Clement!" AJ yells out in fear, trying to get free.

"Fuck," (Y/N) hisses in pain, slowly turning onto her back as she props herself up on her elbows.

She looks up, met with the barrel of the woman's rifle.

Her eyes widen in realization, now able to see her face.

Clement rubs at his jaw lightly as he slowly props himself up as well, scowling up at the woman before his face falls in disbelief.

Lilly stares back at them with a glare, but it slowly drops to realization as her rifle lowers.

"Oh, my God," she breathes out, blinking rapidly. "It--It's you two...?"

Abel was taken aback, his brows furrowed in confusion as AJ looks from the woman to (Y/N) and Clement.

"I-- My name is Lilly," Lilly continues, looking between the two with disbelief. "You guys probably don't remember me. It's... been a while."

"I thought I knew your voice," (Y/N) quietly mutters, shaking her head.

"Lilly..." Clement repeats, recognizing her vaguely. "I... we thought you died."

(?) Lilly will remember that

"I... came close," she admits.

Lilly nods, lowering down and setting her rifle on the ground before offering the two her hands.

"What the hell?" Abel demands, confusion lacing his tone.

"Not now," Lilly grumbles back, not looking at him.

"The fuck is this?!"

"I said, not now."

(Y/N) hesitates for a moment, slowly taking Lilly's hand and rising. Clement copies this, following her lead and rubbing his sore neck with relief.

(?) Abel noticed that

(Y/N) and Lilly watch one another, (Y/N)'s eyes flicking to AJ. Lilly follows her gaze, turning to Abel and shaking her head.

Abel softens his grip on AJ, making him relax with a sigh as the pain stops.

"... Lee's not with you two," Lilly notices, frowning.

Clement's arms cross over his chest at the mention of the name, (Y/N) shaking her head silently.

"He's dead, then." Lilly mumbles with a nod, a bit of sadness in her eyes. "He was kind to me, even after I shot that girl."

(Y/N)'s expression hardens. "That girl was Carley."

Lilly hums and nods, grabbing her rifle and turning and walking a few paces away. "Lee should've never let me stay with the group. It was too easy to steal the RV and leave. He had too much faith in other people."

She quietly scoffs, "Probably why he kept you two around. Probably why he didn't make it."

Clement's face falls, (Y/N)'s eyes flicking to him sadly.

"Same thing'll happen to you, if you repeat his mistakes," she hints at AJ, glancing towards the boy. "Your little boy there... one of you or both of you will die protecting him. I'm surprised one of you hasn't already, trying to protect the other. You may be able to keep this up a while longer, but eventually, he'll slow you guys down. A walker you didn't spot... A bullet you couldn't dodge... A desperate cry for help that brings the herd. It happened to Lee, and it'll happen to you, too."

"I doubt that," (Y/N) lowly replies, shaking her head. "Trust me... You'll die before any of us do."

Lilly's brow raises, a smile on her lips. "Brave. But stupid. I'm surprised the both of you made it this far."

(?) Lilly will remember that

"You need a better plan than just killing your enemies," Lilly continues, shaking her head.

"Fuck, we don't have time for all this!" Abel hisses, interrupting their conversation.

"We've got history," was all Lilly replied.

Abel rolls his eyes with a sigh. "Great. You know them, I know them. The point is, we've got a job to do."

Lilly considers this for a moment, turning back to the two. "We can help you raise that boy. But we need you two to do something for us."

"What?" Clement shakes his head with a bitter smile, scoffing. "Help you kidnap a couple more kids?"

"We don't need a couple. We need all of you," Abel answers, Lilly nodding at his words.

"We'll take you back to the Delta to join our people," Lilly gains their attention. "We have walls. We have working solar panels, and we grow our own food. All we need from you is to go back to your friends and convince them to come peacefully. No one will be harmed."

"You think you can scare us?" (Y/N) almost laughs, shaking her head. "We're not like Marlon."

"... You're right," Lilly agrees, a musing smile on her face. "He was easier to convince."

"Tell you what I'll do," Abel fixes his grip on AJ's arm, making him hiss in pain. "I'll take the little squirt here right now. That way, I'm sure you two'll play nice."

(Y/N)'s body tenses, her eyes flicking past Abel when she sees movement. She gasps quietly at the sight of Louis and Violet, Violet holding her bow readily in front of her as she glares at the backside of Abel. Clement notices them as well, feeling relief flood him as he exhales softly.

"Be smart about this," Lilly implores, holding her rifle in front of her threateningly. "It's an us-or-them kind of world. You guys know this, and that's why you both are still here and together. If you want to save your little one, you won't pick them."

Violet draws the bow back, her arrow aimed at Lilly as Louis watches with a fearful concern for the three.

"Shoot!" Clement shouts, quickly grabbing (Y/N) and moving her away from Lilly.

Violet listens, swiftly firing the arrow. Lilly turns with wide eyes, the arrow striking her shoulder as she cries out in pain. Abel throws AJ to the ground with a yell of fury, turning and firing the shotgun towards where the arrow came from.

Louis yelps in pain as his shoulder gets some shrapnel in it, Violet gasping and following after him as he runs into the woods. Abel runs after them, (Y/N) rushing to AJ and helping him up.

"Let's go!" she shouts urgently, grabbing his hand in hers and nodding to Clement. "In front of me, now!"

AJ listens and runs in front of her as the three take off into the woods, Abel skidding to a stop and looking back as he catches glimpse of them. He looks the direction Violet and Louis fled, shaking his head as he starts after (Y/N) and Clement and AJ.

Abel fires his shotgun, (Y/N) gasping and falling forward onto her hands and knees.

AJ looks back with a gasp, rushing over to her. "(Y/N)!"

She gasps and grits her teeth in pain, shaking her head quickly as she rises once more. Clement skids to a stop, racing back to her and AJ with wide eyes.

"I-- I'm fine!" she lies, shaking her head and waving her hand dismissively. "Let's go!"

(Y/N) presses her hand into her stomach, adjusting her jacket before running once more with AJ. Gunfire rings out, shotgun bullets striking down leaves from the trees. Clement looks back, Abel and Lilly pursuing them. Shaking his head, he quickly runs after (Y/N) and AJ.

"Run left!" Clement yells, looking over his shoulder at Abel raising his shotgun aimed at them.

(Y/N) and AJ listen, diving left with Clement on their tails as Abel fires. AJ struggles over a fallen tree, (Y/N) quickly helping him over and gritting her teeth in pain as she follows. Clement leaps over the log, hovering a hand over her back as they continue running.

"Under!" (Y/N) shouts, AJ dropping down and crawling through a small gap in boulders blocking the way.

She follows quickly, Clement looking back towards Abel and Lilly momentarily before following as well.

Abel flops onto his front as he tries to quickly pursue, Lilly running around and aiming her rifle. She fires at the three, missing and striking the tree besides them.

(Y/N) looks ahead, her breathing labored as she looks left to right. She decides right, AJ running at her side as Clement catches up with them. Lilly takes aim once more, Clement ducking as she fires. (Y/N) helps AJ over another log, grunting in pain as she slowly climbs over it as well.

Clement hops over another fallen tree, almost stopping at the sight of blood along it.

"Oh, shit!" he curses, a large cluster of walkers up ahead.

(Y/N) dodges one as it grabs for her, AJ ducking under the arms of another. Clement swiftly moves right away from one, staggering a bit and falling with a roll. He shakes his head out as he rises, taking off once more after the two.

He looks back over his shoulder, Lilly taking aim at him. She was distracted by Abel firing his shotgun, a walker almost getting her. Lilly faces Abel, shooting down a walker nearing him.

Clement nods with relief as they get distracted handling the walkers, looking ahead and yelping. "Oh, shit!"

He collides with a walker, tackling it to the ground on accident. He holds the walker down, looking around for a weapon with wide eyes.

AJ runs over with (Y/N)'s machete, quickly handing it off to him. Clement swings the blade down, killing the walker.

"(Y/N)?!" Clement manages out, trying to catch his breath as he rises off the walker.

"There!" AJ points towards a tree, (Y/N) sitting on the ground and leaning against it with her eyes shut in pain.

Clement rushes over with AJ, quickly dropping onto his knees at her side. "What is it? Are you okay? Hey!"

He lightly shakes her shoulder, (Y/N) wincing lightly as she manages to open her eyes. Her expression was a bit pale, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead as she holds her stomach tightly.

Clement's eyes flick down to her stomach as he gently moves her arm, opening up her jacket and letting out a shaky gasp. Her shirt was stained with her blood, the fabric torn from where shrapnel hit her from Abel's blast. Her breathing was uneven as she hisses in pain, clenching her teeth together to keep from crying out in pain as she tries to rise.

"Clem-- walkers..." she manages out, watching behind him.

Clement looks back, dozens of walkers starting to emerge from the foggy woods.

"Shit!" Clement shouts, rising before hesitating.

He quickly kneels back down, gently cupping the side of her cheek and leaning forward. He presses a lingering kiss to her forehead, her eyes closing as he moves away and rises.

(?) (Y/N) will remember that

"You'll be okay, Princess."

AJ takes out his own small knife, standing at his side with a determined expression.

"I promise," Clement vows, holding her machete at his side.

...
..
.