BECCA: I *Know* what I saw... stop treating me like I'm crazy!

Becca shouted in frustration at her older sister. The many members of Howes turned towards the source of the commotion in utter confusion. Tired of her younger sister's antics, Shel snatched the girls arm, leading both of them into the women's bathroom. Once inside, Shel pushed her sister against the door, slamming it shut in the process before replying...

SHEL: Are you joking!? Every word that has left your mouth in the last couple of days has been *nothing* short of insane

The young girl's anger had boiled over, shoving her sister off of her. Becca spoke

BECCA: Insa-- Insane?! Shel, dead people are walking around killing, and *eating* everyone they see, and the ones who come back do the exact same thing! Why aren't you listening to me?! You're my sister! ... you're supposed to be on my side 

Hot tears streamed down Becca's face despite her attempt to hold them back. Shel frowned as she shook her head...

SHEL: I... I'm sorry, Becca. I want to believe you, I really do, but... I'm just starting to think that all of this is finally starting to get to you

BECCA: ...?!

Becca clenched her fist as the words left Shel's mouth

SHEL: Look, I think it's best if you just keep this stuff to yourself, okay...? I mean, Jesus Christ, Becca, this is why Carver had you sit out when they went searching for Rebecca and the others. You've got to get this under control before it becomes a bigger issue...

BECCA: I should've known that I couldn't count on you to have my back. When things get tough, you always turn tail and run. I watched mom and dad get torn apart, and just where the hell were you...?

SHEL: I was...

BECCA: Not there. One little argument with mom was all it took for you to run and leave me behind...

Wiping the tears from her face, Becca turned and opened the door, leaving Shel standing there. The weight of guilt and regret settled heavily on Shel's shoulders.

SHEL: ...Becca

- Meanwhile -

SHAWN: They're all still asleep...

Both Troy and Shawn stood near the entrance of the holding area as they looked over the sleeping forms of Rebecca, Kenny, Clementine, and all the others. Seeing this, the two deadpanned before Shawn turned to look at Troy...

TROY: Oh no, don't look at me. This here is your operation

Shawn sighed

- Earlier -

Thanks to Dutch, Shawn Everett had inadvertently become an early riser. He'd also gotten into the habit of keeping the giant's workout routine. Taking a deep breath, Shawn got ready to start what was sure to be a long day. He started by grabbing up a blue and white hoodie that was slumped over the back of an office chair. Following this up, he'd then slip on a pair of blue jeans before finishing his outfit with a pair of black Adidas...

*Knock Knock*

SHAWN: ...hmm?

Leaning on the door frame of the office turned bedroom with his arms crossed, stood William Carver...

*Click*

Fastening his holster around his hip, Shawn sighed before speaking

SHAWN: You probably won't say it... but this is just another one of your "lessons," isn't it? You could have had Troy be in charge of looking after the new people, but instead...

CARVER: I chose you... and yes, this is another lesson. Keeping others in line is something you'll have to learn one of these days, I say, learn while you're still young. Plenty of room to screw up, and learn from those mistakes. Besides, it's not so bad... you'll have Troy there

Shawn, who had been tending to his revolver, stopped what he was doing and shot his mentor an unamused glance

SHAWN: That makes things worse

Carver chuckled as he watched the boy holster his weapon before rummaging through his backpack. Carver grinned, having decided to have a bit of fun with his young protégé 

CARVER: I saw the way you were eyeing that girl yesterday

The man didn't need to see Shawn's face to know the boy's face had taken on a shade of red. The slight pause in the boy's movement told Carver everything he needed to know...

CARVER: You're gettin' up there in age, so I guess it's no surprise that you're starting to notice the opposite se--

SHAWN: Can we not...?

Shawn let out an exasperated sigh, his face still slightly flushed. He knew Carver was screwing around with him, which was all the more reason he wanted this conversation to end

CARVER: "Can we not...?" Not what? I'm just makin' friendly conversation here. That's all this is...

Finally, Shawn had found what he was looking for as he pulled out his uncle's Walkman and a pair of banged up headphones he'd taped up recently...

CARVER: I mean, seriously, Becca threw subtlety out the window a long time ago. You know, for a moment there, I was beginning to think you were g-- 

[BLEEP]

Before Carver could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the sudden crackle of static emitting from his radio. Raising the device to his mouth, he spoke...

CARVER: Speak

[TAVIA (Over Radio): "Bill... it's the truck."]

Carver sighed exhaustedly as he rested his head against the radio before replying...

CARVER: Don't finish that sentence. I'll be right there. I swear to god, I'd shoot Troy in the dick if he wasn't so damn loyal

[BLEEP]

CARVER: We'll talk later, squirt. Gotta make sure that dumbass partner of yours hasn't fucked up my truck...

Shawn raised a brow as he watched Carver leave the room

SHAWN: Wait a minute... "Beginning to think..." Beginning to think I was what...?!

- Now -

Shawn deadpanned as he looked down at Clementine. How the others managed to sleep through the girl's snoring was a mystery to the Shawn. Nevertheless, sleeping in wasn't an option. Squatting down, Shawn spoke...

SHAWN: Hey... it's time to wake up, shorty

Clementine stirred for a moment, but would ultimately come to. The first thing to greet Clementine's sight was the bottom of the crudely made top bunk. Sitting up, she looked over to the left to Shawn staring at her...

SHAWN: ...You snore, really loudly

Clementine flushed from embarrassment before narrowing her eyes at the boy. Seeing this, Shawn stood, resting his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie. Checking her surroundings, it was then that Clementine noticed that the others were all gone. She turned her attention back towards Shawn who was still waiting for her to get up

CLEMENTINE: Where is everybody? Kenny, Sarita, Rebecca?

SHAWN: They're fine. Right now they've each been assigned their own task. Assuming they don't screw anything up, they'll stay fine. Right now though, you need to get up and start pulling your own weight. I don't like babysitting, and you seem pretty capable...

It took a few minutes for Clementine to fully awaken, but once she had, both her and Shawn made their way through the hardware store. Clementine's curiosity had gotten the better of her as she once again took note of how well managed the place was, that and the sheer amount of supplies still boggled her mind...

CLEMENTINE: How long have you all been here?

Shawn looked back at Clementine as he replied

SHAWN: A little over two years. We found this place a while back after we left our old camp in Atlanta...

CLEMENTINE: Did you say Atlanta?

SHAWN: Yeah, why...? Something wrong?

Clementine shook her head

CLEMENTINE: No, it's nothing. Is that where you're from? Atlanta, I mean

Shawn paused for a moment

SHAWN: ... You sure are nosy for someone who didn't even share her own name

CLEMENTINE: ...

Shawn chuckled as they continued through the store

SHAWN: ...Georgia. That's where I'm from originally. What about you...?

Clementine looked forward at Shawn, a small smile forming on her face as she replied

CLEMENTINE: I'm actually from Georgia, too

SHAWN: Really? Hmm... small world

Shawn and Clementine continued their conversation as they moved through the hardware store, eventually, the two would find themselves outside of the hardware store. A metal gate stood only a few feet away from the two, as on the other side, walkers could be heard violently beating on it. Both Shawn and Clementine's expressions fell as they were once again reminded of the depressing reality that awaited them outside. The moment only served to reinforce the beliefs instilled within Shawn by William Carver. Quickly, Shawn's more friendly demeanor dropped as he spoke

SHAWN: This way...

CLEMENTINE: ...

The switch in Shawn's demeanor didn't go unnoticed by Clementine. She lingered for a moment, the moans of the dead filling her ears...

SHAWN: Come on, we don't have all day, shorty

Clementine frowned

CLEMENTINE: (Under her breath) You're not even that much taller then me...

As she followed Shawn past the string of small stores that were connected to Howes, the sound of banged could be heard up ahead. The two make their way inside of used to be a clothing store where both Kenny, and Mike, the two men hard at work reinforcing the wall in an attempt to further secure the store from any outside threats, namely, the walkers...

KENNY: You know what?! Fuck this. Let 'em do this shit themselves if it's so goddamn important

Kenny throws the hammer down in anger

MIKE: You're gonna get us caught up in some bullshit man! Pick up the fucking hammer!

Kenny walks up to Mike sizing the man up as he did so. Mike, having a bit of a short fuse himself, responded in kind. Seeing what was about to go down, Clementine's eyes widened before she shouted

CLEMENTINE: Kenny calm down!

Her plea would do little to quell Kenny's anger. Ever since the "formal" introduction between Shawn and the rest of the group last night, Kenny hadn't a moment where he wasn't thinking back to every interaction he and the deceased Lee Everett had all those years ago...

KENNY: I want to, but this son of a bitch keeps testin' me!

Mike scowled

MIKE: Back the hell up before I knock your lights out

SHAWN: If you both don't knock it off I'll put a bullet in your legs. It's hard to get any work done if you're too busy trying to cave the other person's face in. It's even harder when you can barely stand up

KENNY/MIKE: ...

The two men eye each other one last time before separating. Kenny spotted the holster on Shawn's hip and shook his head...

KENNY: ...Clementine

The girl in question, turned to face Kenny who seemed a bit shaken up

KENNY: We've gotta have a serious conversation later

Shawn looked between the two suspiciously for a moment, however, before he could question the two of them...

*CRASH*

MIKE: Shit...!

KENNY: Fuck! Clementine, grab somethin' hurry!

One of the loose planks of wood that was covering the window had fallen. At the same time, a small group of walkers who'd gathered near the window due to the commotion smashed through it, entering the clothing store one by one...

SHAWN: Think fast!

CLEMENTINE: Huh?!

Shawn tosses the hammer Kenny had thrown earlier over to Clementine

SHAWN: You know how to use that, right?

CLEMENTINE: Y-Yeah

Shawn nodded

SHAWN: Good, because here they come

Shawn would then take his mother's knife that was tucked away in the hem of his jeans as he, Clementine, Kenny, and Mike prepared to clear out the walkers invading the clothing store...

MIKE: I don't get it. Why aren't you using your gun?!

SHAWN: Because it would only draw in more of them. Seriously, how did you make it this far...?

One of the walkers lurched toward, only to be decked in its jaw by Kenny. Now wasn't an appropriate time, but there was a part of Shawn that found Kenny's approach to killing a walker unarmed pretty cool. His admiration would be short-lived when he turned to see Clementine being set upon by a couple of walkers. It was as if some invisible force had pushed him forward...

WALKER: GRAAAAAAGH!

Clementine backed away slowly as she carefully planned her next move. There was no way she'd be able to take down two walkers on her own. Nevertheless, she raised the hammer in her hand, poised to strike the moment she saw an openi--

*Crack*

Shawn swiftly moved in, and with a well-placed kick, knocked the walker off balance by striking it in the shin. The walker stumbled backward, losing its balance entirely and falling to the ground. Before it could recover, it was put down permanently as Shawn planting his mother's knife deep into it's skull...

CLEMENTINE: (Breathlessly) ...Woah

Taking a deep breath, Clementine gripped the hammer tightly, getting ready to put down the other walker that was still approaching. Seeing this, Shawn shouted

SHAWN: Go for the knee!

Nodding, Clementine did as she was told, running up to the walker and kicking in it's knee at an awkward angle. The walker crumpled to the ground, and Clementine wasted no time delivering a powerful blow to its skull, finishing it off with a sickening crunch...

SHAWN: Not bad...

Clementine smiled slightly and nodded

*THUNK!*

*THUNK!*

Suddenly, the bodies of two more walkers hit the ground motionless, each landing face first with an arrow lodged in the back of their skulls...

KENNY: Sonuva bitch! Grrh!

*Chomp! Chomp!*

Kenny was currently struggling to keep a relatively large walker at bay as it gnashed it's teeth violently. The walker in question almost managing to take a chunk out of the man's throat several times...

CLEMENTINE: (Panicked) Kenny!

Shawn rolled his eyes before turning to his partner

SHAWN: You can stop being a jerk anytime now, Troy

Troy, who'd been responsible for killing the other walkers with the store, scoffed before raising his crossbow and pulling the trigger...

*THUNK!*

The bolt flew through the air and striking the walker in the back of its head. The tip of the bolt now skewering the walker's eyeball as the body went limp. Kenny grimaced in disgust as he pushed the lifeless corpse away, and began panting heavily.

TROY: The fuck happened down here?!

MIKE: It was a loose boar--

TROY: Shut up, I wasn't talkin' to you...

Troy turned to face Shawn who nonchalantly shrugged

SHAWN: It's like he said. Loose board, nobody is to blame. 

TROY: Yeah...? Well then let's hope for both our sakes that's all it was. Because if Bill finds out... 

SHAWN: If something comes up that Bill doesn't like, the most I have to worry about is getting a stern talking to. I can't speak for what'll happen to you, so yeah, let's just call this an accident and move on, yeah? yeah...

Mike, Kenny, and Clementine fell silent as they watched the exchange between Shawn and Troy take place. Troy scoffed, never liking the fact that Carver would choose some brat to be his right hand over him...

TROY: Whatever. You ask me, I say ever since Bill found you, he's lost his edge. If it were me, I'd have left your little ass back in Nunez, and let the lurkers have at you...

Shawn's eyes narrowed as Troy turned to Kenny and Mike

TROY: ...And just what the hell are you two assholes lookin' at, huh?! Get back to work?!

Troy then set his eyes on Clementine

TROY: And you...

Shawn then stepped in front of Clementine

SHAWN: I'm still trying to find a place for her. Carver put me in charge, right? So, how about you stay right here and keep watch. Make sure these two don't try to kill each other before the work is done. They step out of line, then you come and find me...

There it was again, the same familiar feeling. Clementine blinked as she stared at Shawn's back. She didn't know why, but once Shawn had stepped forward, it was as though Lee's spirit was standing right in front of her...

SHAWN: Hey, Shorty? I think Kenny and Mike are gonna need that hammer if their gonna get any work done

CLEMENTINE: Hmm?! O-Oh, yeah... okay

Clementine took a moment to flick off the bits of bone and viscera from the hammer before handing it to Kenny...

KENNY: Uh... thanks, Clem

CLEMENTINE: Don't do anything to get yourself in trouble, okay...?

Kenny raised his head and eyed Troy for a moment before looking back down to meet the girl's gaze

KENNY: I'll try

It was as good an answer as she could have hoped for, especially from Kenny. Returning to Shawn's side, the two stayed for a few minutes to ensure nothing else would go south. Once satisfied, both Shawn and Clementine would leave Kenny, and Mike to handle their assigned task. As the two continued on their way back inside Howes, Shawn stopped...

CLEMENTINE: Is something wrong?

*Inhale*

*Exhale*

SHAWN: (Thinking out loud) ...Sarah is helping keep stock of ammunition with Bonnie right now. Carlos is busy helping some of our wounded. Rebecca and Alvin... are with Bill. The weird "walker guts" lady is fixing the pully system with Nick... huh. I guess there really isn't a place for you right now

CLEMENTINE: So now what...?

SHAWN: ...

CLEMENTINE: ...?

SHAWN: ...You like comic books?

Clementine shrugged

CLEMENTINE: I mean... yeah?

- Later -

CLEMENTINE: So much for comic books...

Clementine stated as she threw down a damp and dilapidated Comic book. Shawn smacked his lips in annoyance as he scanned what used to be a fully stocked comic book store. It had just now occurred to him what Carver and the others were using to burn the walker bodies...

SHAWN: That jerk! he could have at least told me that's what they were gonna do. I'd have collected a few issues of Robert Kirkman's "The Shuffling Dead"

CLEMENTINE: The... "Shuffling Dead"?

Shawn turned to Clementine

SHAWN: Uh, yeah... "The Shuffling Dead" you know, the zombie apocalypse story that follows a former cop turned mayor named "Slick Rhymes" goes around, uniting the... survivors of... you've never heard of it a day in your life have you...?

Clementine shook her head slowly, though in truth, she knew about the series, but the look of dejection on the boy's face made her giggle somewhat. She watched as Shawn took a seat, resting against the side of one of the few bookshelves left standing within the store. Slightly confused, she spoke...

CLEMENTINE: Aren't you supposed to be keeping watch or something?

SHAWN: My job was to make sure everyone was assigned to their own task, I did that earlier this morning...

CLEMENTINE: ...?

Clementine pondered over the boy's words for a moment, and then it hit her...

CLEMENTINE: You let me sleep in this morning... why?

Shawn blushed slightly before answering

SHAWN: Because you... looked like you could use the extra sleep, alright? No need to dig for hidden layers... also you snore, like, really loud...

It was Clementine's turn to blush

CLEMENTINE: (Muttering) ...You already said that

SHAWN: So, your name is Clementine, hmm... Imma keep calling you shorty

CLEMENTINE: You're not even *that* much taller than me...

SHAWN: Give it time

CLEMENTINE: How old are you anyway...?

SHAWN: Eleven

CLEMENTINE: See what I mean...? I'm twelve... I think... which means I'm older than you

SHAWN: Shorter too

CLEMENTINE: ...!

Shawn could feel a soft smile creeping up on his face. It was the first time in awhile Shawn had found himself truly... happy. As Clementine continued explaining how to hierarchy of age worked, Shawn pulled out his uncle's Walkman and rewound the tape inside...  

CLEMENTINE: ...And furthermore

SHAWN: You mind lowering your voice? I actually like hanging out down here... but you're being super loud. Not as loud as your snoring... but still pretty loud

Clementine immediately lowered her voice, before taking a seat near the same bookshelf as Shawn. A few minutes passed as the two sat in silence...

[Art by - WakaMars]

CLEMENTINE: Does that thing even work...?

SHAWN: Sure does...

CLEMENTINE: Then how come you can still hear me...?

SHAWN: Because the left side is completely busted up

CLEMENTINE: ... What are you listening to?

SHAWN: Mu--

CLEMENTINE: If you say music... I'll punch you

SHAWN: ...

CLEMENTINE: ...

SHAWN: "Can we talk" by Tevin Campbell... nineteen-ninety-three I think. A friend recommended it once

Clementine nodded, the tone in which he spoke when mentioning his "Friend" told her that whoever it was, likely wasn't among the living anymore. A few more minutes of silence passed before Clementine would speak once more...

CLEMENTINE: So, when did you meet Carver...?

As she said this, she noticed a small insect crawling along the edge of the bookshelf. Almost instinctively, she would pick it up and let it crawl over her hands...

SHAWN: You mean, Bill. It's been a couple years, maybe three now that I think about it. Bill and the others found me back in Atlanta. I was alone for... a really long time.

Clementine's face fell

CLEMENTINE: Nunez... that's what Troy was talking about, right?

Shawn frowned, feeling a small pit in his stomach form at the mere mention of the town he'd occasionally find himself trapped in during his worst nightmares. Clutching his uncle's Walkman a bit tighter, Shawn would calm himself before answering...

SHAWN: ...Yeah

Taking a deep breath, Clementine readied herself. There was something that's been bugging her since the first time she'd met Shawn...

CLEMENTINE: Carver isn't your dad, is he...?

SHAWN: He sure acts like he is... but no, why...?

CLEMENTINE: It's just that, you don't seem anything like him. Carver's a horrible man who--

SHAWN: Bill kept me alive when other people would've just turned tail and ran, but probably not before killing me, and taking everything I had. I helped him hunt down Luke and the others, we ran into some bandits. Bill tried talking them down, tried to help them, bring them in, and in the end they wouldn't listen to reason...

Clementine frowned

CLEMENTINE: He killed our friend. A nice guy named Walter...

SHAWN: Because *your* friend, Kenny, decided to shoot first. I don't get why everyone keeps treating Bill like he's the bad guy. We've got a roof over our head, food to eat, and beds to sleep in...

CLEMENTINE: Then why does everyone seem so miserable...?

SHAWN: ...?!

Clementine began thinking back to yesterday when her and the group made their way through Howes. The looks of fear and unease on the faces of the people inside didn't align with Shawn's description of a safe haven...

CLEMENTINE: That's not *living* Shawn, it's... it's something else. I mean listen to yourself... "hunt", since when does anyone hunt the people they care about...?

Shawn paused for a moment before replying

SHAWN: What's the most important thing in this world...?

Clementine's eyes widened, somehow knowing where this question was headed

SHAWN: ...What's something you'd travel the entire world for, just to get it back? Bandits want it, I wanted it, and Bill wanted it. What do you think that *something* is, exactly?

She knew the answer...

CLEMENTINE: ...It's

SHAWN/CLEMENTINE: Family

SHAWN: (Sarcastically) ...We've got ourselves a winner everybody... woohoo

CLEMENTINE: ...

SHAWN: Bill's not perfect, all he's trying to do is keep this family together by any means necessary. You're right though, I'm not like Bill at all. I try to be... but I'm not. I wanted to be like my dad once, but I can't be... I never could

CLEMENTINE: Your dad... what was he like?

Images of his father's body handcuffed to a radiator flashed through his mind...

SHAWN: He was...

Then the blood covered wall from the gunshot...

SHAWN: He...was...

Then his missing arm

CLEMENTINE: You don't have to answer... I didn't mean to--

Tears of anguish streamed down the boy's as he finally spoke

SHAWN: My father's name was Lee Everett (Clementine's eyes widened in shock) He was a great man, and an even better father, better than anyone could ever ask for. He was supposed to still be alive, he was supposed to survive. Someone out there, is the person who tortured him, and when they were through, they put a bullet in his skull like he was nothing more than trash

Shawn hadn't even realized he'd stood up during his outburst of emotion. He turned to face Clementine, the girl herself was at a complete loss of words, similar to Kenny the night prior...

SHAWN: ...Finding my father handcuffed to a radiator with a bullet In his head is an image I'll never be able to erase. If I ever find who took him from me, I'll be sure to return the favor...

A/N: B-B-B-B-B-BOMBSHELL! DROPPED! I ain't some super talented writer or anything of the sort, but I hope this chapter was as entertaining for you to read, as it was for me to write. It's definitely on the shorter side, but I feel that ending it here was much more appropriate. Anyhow, I will see you all when the next chapter drops.