Project V (Clementine X Male Reader Book 4)

You Don't Get a Choice

You open your eyes. It takes you a second to realize where you are and that you're awake. As soon as you do, you sit up and look to where Brooklyn laid her sleeping bag. She's still asleep.

You: I'm so sorry.

Two lives and two shitty parental situations. If you had known a few days ago, you would have been arrested a day earlier.

You reach up and rub your eyes. A few tears must have formed while you slept from the anguish you felt for Brooklyn. Does she not remember that event? One thing is for sure, you remember it now. Everything was clear as day like you were there. You remember how your heart hurt, you remember how angry you were, you remember how pain shot through your hand after punching her dad. Every single detail, even the small ones like the time, is there in your head. You assume you'll have more of these clear as day memories popping into your head whenever they feel like showing up.

You unzip your sleeping bag and stand up. It's still dark, so maybe you didn't sleep long. You usually don't when you're out in the open and uncomfortable.

You walk to where you left Chaperone and Mike. Maybe they uncovered some information while you were out. They haven't strayed from the spot they were, starting a little fire and sitting nearby to warm themselves as they keep watch.

You: I'm walking up behind you, just so you know.

They jump but don't do anything. You could have easily snuck up on them.

You: I can not believe I was letting you two keep watch. I could have slit your throats without you even knowing I was here.

Chaperone ignores your comment.

Chaperone: You didn't sleep long.

He looks at his wrist.

Chaperone: About two hours.

You: It's fine.

Chaperone: You can go back for a few hours if you want.

You: I won't be able to.

Chaperone: Is there a problem?

You: No, just having more memory flashes.

Chaperone: Ah.

You: Did um... Anyone contact you?

Chaperone: No. As far as I know, nothing has changed.

You: As far as you know.

Chaperone: I'm sure they will contact us.

You: If they don't?

Chaperone: I don't know, what would you do? Because Clementine would be awake, and I don't think you would be seeking out a fight when she wanted you by her side.

You: No need to be an asshole.

Chaperone: Someone would be getting fired, I promise you that.

You: I doubt it. You don't hold that much power.

Chaperone: I do when I'm the only person who can stop you if you went crazy.

Mike: President is a bit of a snake from what I've seen from her so far. I wouldn't trust her with anything. It's not public knowledge, and I doubt she would win the next election if people knew the underhanded shit she does.

Chaperone: I do still believe they will contact us.

You: Guess we'll find out.

You lean against a tree and look around.

Chaperone: At least go and try to fall back asleep, Y/N.

You: I'm telling you, I'm not going to be able to.

Chaperone: I said try.

You: Yeah, whatever. I will if you want to get rid of me that badly. See ya in the morning.

You head back to your sleeping bag without a word from either of them. Brooklyn is sitting up, watching you as you approach.

You: Sorry. I woke you up, didn't I?

Brooklyn: Uh-huh.

You slip into your sleeping bag and lie back down with your eyes to the sky. You can hear Brooklyn shifting around, probably doing the same thing.

Brooklyn: Can't sleep?

You: I did sleep.

Brooklyn: Not for long.

You: You're right.

Brooklyn: So, what was it this time?

You: Do you remember your dad hitting you?

Brooklyn: Oh. You had that one.

You: I remember clearly. It's the first one I truly remember. If you knew, why didn't you tell me?

Brooklyn: I don't know what explaining these things will do.

You: You've described the proposal.

Brooklyn: No, not really.

You: It just... Made me feel so bad. I... I hate it. I woke up in tears.

Brooklyn: Two lives, two shitty dads.

You: I'm sorry.

Brooklyn: Nah, don't be. Gave me great taste in men.

You: Is that a compliment?

Brooklyn: You know it is.

You: This world's was a little better, even though he was an ass.

Brooklyn: Yeah, for sure. But if William, or if you want to call him Ajax, hadn't got me stuck with the Olympians, I would have never met you.

You: Still an ass. I'm glad you killed him.

Brooklyn: Technically, you did. I just pulled the trigger, but you sentenced him.

You: I guess... Given the opportunity, I'd probably do to them what I did to your killer.

Brooklyn: I can't comprehend what that means. I was dead.

You: Remember that guy I tortured in a shack when you found me after three years.

Brooklyn: Yeah.

You: Nearly double the time, and it was a lot worse.

Brooklyn: I don't know how bad that really was. I didn't watch the whole time. Then you burned his body... And the shack.

You: Fucker deserved it.

Brooklyn: ... Think you can go back to sleep now? Or do you need to talk longer?

You: Depends, are you going to go back to sleep?

Brooklyn: After you do.

You: Then yes.

You're not, but you'll pretend.

Brooklyn: I'm not going to if you pretend.

You: Damn.

Brooklyn: Might as well get this attack going.

She sits up.

Brooklyn: It's best if we start in the dark anyway.

You: Or we can just stay over here for a while.

Brooklyn: The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can just do this in a nice, warm, comfortable bed, snuggled up under a blanket together... On second thought, you don't get a choice.

You: I never get a choice.

Time to go.