Clement didn't let Naya out of his sight, the girl stuck by him and Duck like glue and she was still shaken up by what had happened on the St. John farm. It had been almost three weeks since that horrible night and Naya had spent every night sleeping by Clement's side as that was the only way she felt truly safe. There was heavy tension within the group after that night -- most of the tension was between Lily and Hayden after he and Kenny had killed her father. But Hayden didn't let her anger at him deter him from keeping her alive with the others.

Due to the St. John Farm falling, the bandits that had harassed them for supplies was now targeting the small group in the Motel Inn. Kenny and Lee were out on a supply run back in Macon to take whatever they could from the Drug Store. Hayden and Carley had taken the opportunity to search a local supermarket for whatever they could find in the opposite direction Kenny and Lee had gone. The three kids had spent time hanging out to forget what had happened and with each day that went by, Naya's light returned to her eyes and her smile seemed to brighten which made Clement and Duck happy to see.

At this current moment, Naya and Duck were drawing together in the sketchpads that Hayden had found them while Clement sat by them protectively. Lily had been quick to notice Clement's sudden maturity that kicked in after what had happened to Naya, the boy was clearly worried for her but this new sense of maturity seemed to ruin any childlike wonder that formerly filled him. It scared Lily to see the eleven-year-old boy change so drastically, though it wasn't easy to spot to the naked eye; you really had to pay attention to spot those moments that showed the change. And while Lily knew Naya and Duck would be safe, she feared how far Clement would go to protect them ─ to protect Naya.

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After a few hours, Lee and Kenny had returned from their supply run with Hayden and Carley showing up only around ten minutes after. "You're back," Clement greeted Lee with a smile on his face as Naya approached Hayden, the man picking her up into his arms and holding close once he had put all of the bags he found down. "How was your day, Moo?" Hayden asked her as she leaned her head against his own. "It was good. I was drawing with Duck after Clem and I spent time searching through the motel for random things which included more stickers that I put on Duck's bag," Naya answered him with a smile on her face, her familiar light had returned.

"That sounds like a good day. Why don't you get back to that while us adults go and talk with Lily," Hayden suggested, the girl happily agreed as he put her down on the ground. The adults walked away while Duck went over to his mother, Clement grabbed Naya's hand and pulled her over to sit with him by the RV where he had moved the books into the shade, out of the sun. Naya frowned as she looked towards the motel room when the voices got louder, evidence that Kenny and Lily were clashing again; Hayden standing with Kenny while Lee tries to keep a passive and civil route.

"It was a choice and it was made. That girl helped us get supplies," Kenny snapped at Lily after he had reminded Lily that the reason why the group was still going was because of him, Hayden and Lee while she babysat the supplies. "You let her suffer?" Lily asked incredulously. "He made a call and with it, we managed to get everything out of the store," Kenny defended. "It sucks but it had to be done," Hayden added in defense receiving a glare from Lily while Carley looked down. "Look, Macon and its people aren't savable. We gotta put ourselves first," Kenny argued further.

"It's a dead town now," Hayden added noticing that Lily was already angry with everyone. "It's hell on earth and its coming this way," Said Kenny while Lee sighed, Carley keeping silent. "IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASIER OUT ON THE ROAD!!" Lily shouts angrily, she begins to pace the room. "How would you know?" Kenny questioned her with his arms crossed. "WHAT I KNOW!?" Lily snapped back, "I know you're not above murder; I know somebody has been stealing our supplies -- that's right, STEALING -- and I know the list of people I can trust here gets smaller every day!" The others were shocked to hear this, Hayden clenching his jaw at the look Lily gave him.

"NOW, EVERYBODY GET OUT!!" Lily growled causing everyone to leave her room. "She'll get over it," Lee tried to assure the others but even they knew that Lily wouldn't be letting it go anytime soon. "She's riling everybody up," Kenny replied to him. "You understand, Ken," Katjaa spoke as she stood by them, she gave him a look knowing that the two were at each other all the time. "All I know is whenever this shit happens, Hayden or I are suddenly the fucking bad guys. I'd like a thank you for once. FOR ONCE!" Kenny said in frustration before he stormed away, Katjaa following behind him to make sure he was okay.

"I need a fucking break," Hayden muttered as he walked away leaving Lee and Carley to themselves. "Things are coming to a head," Carley said to Lee. "You could say that," Lee replied to her as the two walked further away from the others. "Well, I think you did good today. And I find myself thinking that most days," Carley expressed to Lee, he sent her an interested smirk. "Thanks," Lee responded in appreciation. "It's probably worth following up with Lily about what she was saying about missing supplies," Carley suggested to Lee, he had to agree with her on that topic. "With her wound up the way she is, I don't want to see her paranoid," Carley added.

"No disagreements there," Lee replied to her with a small smile on her face. "And I'd like to talk when you've got a minute," Carley told him before making her way towards the stairs, Lee sighed before he turned to see Lily about the missing supplies. "These missing supplies, how bad is it?" Lee asked her with his arms crossed. "Bad, Lee. Even with the stuff your two groups had found, if anyone was to get hurt, it wouldn't be enough," Lily answered him with a sigh, "We won't survive long like this and no one's helping with the arguments." Lee sent Lily a look, they both knew she had a habit of causing them too.

"If Naya, Clement or Duck got hurt..." Lily trailed off knowing she had made her point to him. "I get it," Lee breathed out, he ran his hands down his face. "Just... could you have a look around and see if you can find answers? I know it's a lot to ask but--" Lee cut off her words, "I'm on it. Just leave it with me." Lily nodded, a small sigh of relief thankful that something will be done about it. "I found this in the garbage, you know we don't throw things away due to everything being of value so maybe it'll help," Lily expressed as she pulled out a flashlight, the glass had been broken.

Taking the flashlight, Lee assured her before leaving the room and letting out a breath as his eyes are focused on the kids sitting together. Naya had yawned before leaning her head onto Clement's shoulder, the boy smiled before laying his own head on hers. Lee smiled seeing the two like that, he had hope that the two would survive through this world together no matter what may happen next. And he may have some hope that their bond blossoms into something more as the world they were living in wasn't the most optimal for relationships but that was their eventual choice in the far future; it was moreso the comfort that they'd always have each other.

"Are you working a case?" Duck asked with wide eyes as he ambushed Lee, "Could I help you?" Though Lee was hesitant, he figured it couldn't hurt to let the boy play robin as kids had a habit of finding and spotting things that adults could miss. After asking Ben, Kenny and Hayden about the flashlight, Lee approached Katjaa who informed him that she had found broken glass near the ice machine; she had meant to clean it up but forgot about it. Though he didn't believe any of the kids to be responsible, he made his way over to Naya and Clement leaning down to their level as Naya read to Clement.

"Hey kids, how are you doing?" Lee asked the two, Naya stopped reading and looked up at the father figure of Clement. "We're doing alright, just reading this book that Katjaa found in one of the rooms. It's called The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. It's different but interesting," Naya replied to him with Clement nodding his head. "There's a lot of symbolism in the book but it's also very sad what happens to the girl," Clement added with a slight frown. "That's a very mature book for a ten and eleven year old, don't you think?" Lee asked the two of them. "The comic books were getting boring," Clement told him with a shrug.

"Well, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help," Lee told them, both kids smiling up at him. "Now, I gotta ask, did either of you accidentally break a flashlight?" Lee asked them. "No, did Duck say we did?" Clement replied while Naya shook her head. "No. Did Duck break the flashlight?" Lee questioned them. "I don't think so," Naya replied with a shrug. "He's just got a habit of blaming me for stuff," Clement added with a slight glare directed towards the boy rushing around and talking to himself excitedly. "Like what?" Lee questioned wanting to be of help to the kid.

"The other day he said I put a bug on his pillow," Clement responded to him. "Did you do that?" Lee asked with a raised brow. "Yes," Clement answered quietly with a smirk on his face before defending his actions, "But only because he hurt Naya when we were playing soccer." Naya giggled, "I was drawing and the ball hit me in the head. I told Clem that it was okay but he said he'd handle it." Lee chuckled while Clement held a proud smile on his face. "Alright, I'll leave you two to your book," Lee expressed before he got up, smiling down at the two as Clement took over reading for Naya to rest her voice.

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Lee approached Carley from where she stood leaning against the railing on the second floor banister. "You wanted to talk to me?" Lee asked as he stood next to her. "Uh, yeah, about a couple of things," Carley replied before turning her head to him and smiling. "I have to admit... that I've been thinking about you... a lot more than I'd liked to," Carley expressed as she looked back at the people below, "And I know Lily does her best but we need a leader who is level headed and in control of everyone. Someone who doesn't snap easy." Lee was watching Carley, he smiled at her words.

"I think about you too, you know," Lee told Carley, her eyes turned to him and she flushed a light pink under his fond gaze. "And I guess you're referring to me," Lee questioned receiving a nod in response, "Lily is doing her best. But you have a point, she's... restless at the moment. Maybe some answers will ease the tension otherwise we'll have a serious discussion about a proper lead change." Carley agreed with his words, she was grateful that he had listened and understood her words. "I also... wanted to say that maybe... it's time to tell the others about your past. Hayden and I know but the others won't trust you if you don't tell them," Carley added.

"I don't know, Carley, that's--" Lee is cut off by Carley reaching out to cup the side of his face as she spoke, "The world has changed and I think we all know that this is our new life. We need to forgive our pasts but first, they need to know your past. In case someone else says something first." Lee stared into Carley's eyes, he knew she was right and he had to say something. "Okay, you're right about that," Lee replied softly, Carley smiled at that before she leaned up to kiss his cheek. Leaving Carley to her thoughts, Lee headed back to the kids knowing they needed to hear it first.

"Kids, can I talk to you about something?" Lee asked the two, both turned their attention to him again. "The day I met Clem, I was in a car accident," Lee spoke with Clement nodding as the boy spoke, "Yeah, I remember, your leg was bleeding." Lee smiled faintly, "The car I was in was a police car and I was on my way to jail for committing a bad crime. I needed to tell the both of you 'cause honesty is important to those you care the most about." Naya and Clement were quiet as they heard that, they shared a look while Lee watched them with worry and uncertainty.

"Do... either of you have anything to say?" Lee questioned them, he hoped they weren't angry at him. "I don't think so," Clement said with a sigh. "What happened before no longer matters, Lee. All we have is now and each other, right?" Naya asked making Lee smile in relief, he could already tell that Naya would be the Just one between her and Clement. "Exactly. I'll leave you to your book," Lee told them as he stood up, he knew he didn't need to talk to Hayden as he knew so his next task was to tell the others and so, he did just that. The response he got wasn't what he expected, to still be accepted gave him a new spark to protect them all.

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Rosemary Speaks. . .

Sorry for taking so long to update!
Will be working on getting some more out very, very soon!!!

Thoughts, Suggestions or Questions?

See you in the next chapter!