Life Goes On || TWDG Season 5 Fan Fic

Where Are We To Hide?

Time seemed to move in slow motion. They had spent a lot of time throwing together what they could: the sun rising over the horizon. Everyone was shuffling into the building, barricading the doors as quickly as they could. It wouldn't make a difference in due time: The herd would be close enough that their moans would drown out their frightened whispers. Clem already missed Violet. After everything.. separation from her in any way felt wrong and unnatural. She held AJ close as everyone began to file into their random rooms. In case walkers got in, they decided they'd all stay on the second floor in small groups with just enough food and water if they had to stay there for more then a few hours. Omar had prepped the small packages with their remaining rations, which in retrospect grew greatly. He may be a moron, but at least Antoine got them something from his suicide mission. The groups were strategically selected to be even enough to protect the weak, yet spread out enough that if walkers were to get through their flimsy makeshift defenses for whatever reason, they'd be okay.

With Javier, Christa, Henry, Willy, and Violet gone, the first group consisted of Clementine paired with Viola, Omar, and of course, AJ. They were assigned to an old history classroom, while group two, Clay, Louis, and Antoine had an Art studio, and group three, Evelyn, Ruby, Aasim, and Mariana had a Science Lab. The classes were spread in different halls in the admin building. Clementine lead AJ into the room while Viola carried weapons accompanied with Omar holding rations. "Here are the ones for us: the others are all inside by now." He said, voice soft. Clementine nodded, gesturing him in. She was pretty sure the volume of their voices wouldn't change much, but it was a comforting precaution that felt necessary.

Clem eased herself down onto an old cushioned chair. Several of the wooden desks had been broken down and used for firewood over the years, but these were made from metal: so the classroom looked semi intact, despite the rust and debris at least. AJ attempted to shove some chairs towards the door, but it toppled over with a loud thud that made Clem cringe. After that, Viola tossed aside what she was organizing and helped him. Despite her clear frustration regarding the events of the past twenty four hours, she still managed to be kind to AJ. Clementine watched as they barricaded the doors with what they could: a few chairs, an old chalkboard: the resources were limited.

 
She sighed, shutting her eyes. They'd been up all night preparing for what was to come. Soon enough, the horde would be upon them. Her mind began to spiral as she thought through everything that could go wrong. All she wanted was for everyone to be home, safe. The door was finished, and AJ picked up one of the jars, carrying it to Clem. He offered it to her, frowning. "How long are we gonna have to stay in here?" She shrugged, taking the jar and opening it with a pop. "No clue, kiddo.. also try not to talk too loud." Clem took a bite of the random beans that lay inside the jar. AJ crossed his arms. "But.. they aren't even here yet!" Clem gave him a stern look which shut him up quickly. "I'm sorry.." She knew he was worried about everyone: so was she. Putting her food aside, he opened her arms to him, and he climbed up to her as she pulled him into a warm embrace. Soon enough, Clementine could feel his anxious breathing relax. Poor guy was so tired that he fell asleep in her arms. She smiled, mouthing to Omar that she was going to rest. He nodded and gave her a thumbs up. Closing her eyes, Clem drifted off to sleep.

***

Clementine yawned, opening her eyes. It took her a minute to remember wear she was, but as soon as she saw AJ's face, she managed to relax. He was still sound asleep, his head resting on her shoulder. Glancing around the room, she saw Viola was standing still, staring out the window with a vacant expression. A strange sound radiated through the area. Had something gone wrong? The sound didn't seem to stop. She carefully got up, moving AJ ever so slightly. He seemed to move a bit, but his eyes remained closed. Fumbling to her feet- well, foot, she made her way over to Viola quietly, passing Omar, who was buried in an old book. It was mid afternoon by now. She greeted the woman: her voice a whisper. "Hey.." Viola turned to face her. "Hello, Clementine." She nodded her head towards the old, cracked window. "You might want to see this.." Clem worriedly approached to see the light of day. Looking down, her heart felt like it dropped into her stomach. She had never seen so many walkers. "Holy shit.." She stared, eyes wide, at the herd. Chills ran down her spine. Richmond, Howes.. none of those herds compared to this. She felt sick. It dawned on her that the sound was not in fact that of any event: simply the empty moans of the dead. Viola chuckled. "After a while.. this crap doesn't phase you anymore." She was acting out of character. Clem didn't really know what to say to help. "I'm.. sorry about Jess." She seemed to cringe at the mention of her, and turned away from the window. "Y'know.. it's funny, in'nit?" Clem remained silent. "I used to fuckin hate her and her sorry excuse of a husband.." Her tone seemed to be angry, toxic.. as if her saliva turned to acid. She shook her head. "I wasn't from here.. I came to study abroad.. I used to live in Britain." Viola emphasized the study part with a snarky undertone.  "She ran a coffee shop.. bumped into her.. It was nice at first, I guess. Then I met her HUSBAND.." She rolled her eyes. "Thinkin he knew everything.." Viola scowled. "When it started, I.. I couldn't get home." She was silent for a moment. "I had a family.. friends.. a nephew on the way.. and then, it was gone.. and I was left with them." Clementine offered a nod to try to demonstrate her attentiveness. "We found everyone else soon enough.. I just.." She paused, her next words coming out a whisper. "I can't believe they're gone.." A few moments of silence passed. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that.." Viola laughed. "Sorry won't UNBLOW her brains!" She gritted her teeth together. "My apologies.. that.. wasn't your fault. Fuckin Antoine.. Just.. just leave me be for a bit, I'm sorry Clem." Clementine frowned sympathetically. "I'll be here to talk if you..." She was cut off by Viola walking to the other side of the room.

Clem turned to find AJ quietly whispering with Omar. Hopping over with her crutches, she earned a wave from Omar and a greeting from AJ. "Clem! We-" Omar put a hand on his shoulder. "Inside voice, AJ." He nodded. "Right, sorry. Anyway, Clem- Omar was telling  me about what they did in here before the walkers came." Seeing him happy made her feel a bit less hopeless. She glanced back to the window. "Ah, sounds... fun?" He shrugged. "It's like Louis said.. it wasn't much better. This place was boring to everyone but Aasim." She nodded in agreement. "One second: I just wanna do something real quick.." Clem rapidly hobbled back to the window and shut the old, dusty curtain. AJ didn't need to know how bad it was.. she'd tell Omar later. She took her seat that was left open, trying not to make the rusty metal of the chair make too much noise as it scratched against the floor. She leaned her crutches against the desk and looked to AJ. "So what was he telling you about? Did he tell you about homework yet?" Clem said, smiling. He laughed. "What's home-work?" Omar scowled. "You don't wanna know.." Clementine found this amusing. Omar peered over at Viola for a moment, and nudged Clem: leaning in to whisper to her. "Is she okay?" Clem didn't really know how to answer that. Was she okay? Were any of them really okay? "Has anyone been okay for eight years?" He frowned. "Not the answer I was looking for.." AJ was confused. "Clem? What's wrong?" She didn't wanna tell him.. but should he know? She had no clue. After a moment, she replied. "Nothing, kiddo. Don't worry.. How about you..." Clementine examined the room in search of an activity for AJ, and her gaze landed on a stack of old books. "How about you practice your reading? There are some books over there.. they may even have some pictures." He seemed skeptical, but agreed, and got up to go to the book shelf. With AJ gone, Clem knew she had to address their situation.

"I should.. show you something." Omar chuckled. "Well.. yeah, I'd like to be filled in.." She pulled herself up on her crutches and moved the velvety curtains away from the window. Omar gasped. "Oh my.." He backed away. "Why aren't they moving? Did they just get here?" Clem frowned. "No they've.. been there for a bit.. and they are moving, just not fast or.. very far away." She bit her nails anxiously, praying that they were safe. Omar nodded, sensing her minor panic. He pointed to the sky, where a small stream of smoke could be seen rising up. "There, they should head to the fire." They waited in silence a moment, yet nothing changed. Clem began to get into her head. What if the fires weren't enough?

Alas, her attention was quickly redirected.

By a scream.

Then a crash.

They were in.