Why The Rivers Run Red

Fitting In

The sun was setting and the world outside the school grew dark. Clem returned back to her room to find AJ already there and laying in bed. "How you feeling goofball?" She asked.

"Better. But still hurts." AJ replied.

"Don't worry. It should heal up in no time. Advantage of being a werewolf." Clem winked at him.

"Clem?" AJ asked.

"Yeah."

"Are the other kids gonna accept us as werewolves now?"

Clem placed her hat down on the dresser then sat on the edge of his bed. "I'm not sure AJ. Maybe they will for a little while, at least until the raiders leave us alone. But who knows after that."

"I like you in your wolf form," AJ told her.

"Oh yeah?" Clem raised a brow. "Why's that?"

"I just do," AJ said. "Your fur is really soft. And you're super fast. You take down walkers like it's nothing. I wish I could do that."

"You will someday," Clem reassured him. "You just have to focus on growing up for right now."

"I think you should be in your wolf form more often. That way the kids have nothing to fear." AJ said.

"Is that so?" Clem said. "Well, we'll see about that. For now, get some rest"

And AJ went to sleep.

That's when Clem heard someone clear their throat. She looked up to see Louis in the doorway carrying a stack of shirts. "Brought these for him. I noticed that his shirt got messed up when...you know."

"Where'd you get those?" Clem asked.

"They were Tenn's when he first got here," Louis explained as he set them down on the table. "Should be about his size." Then Louis looked to AJ. "How's he doing?"

"Better," Clem stated. "His fevers gone down." She folded her arms. "Thank you for carrying him in. For getting help for both of us."

"No problem." Then Louis crossed his arms. "So we've got a greenhouse again. And bombs."

"Mitch's idea." Clem pointed out.

"I figured. Violet says we'll start getting this place ready in the morning." Louis said.

"Good."

"They all seem okay with letting you stay." Then Louis put his hands up when Clem looked at him. "For now anyway."

Clem sighed. "Too little too late." She mumbled under her breath. Then she turned to Louis. "Are you okay with letting us stay here?"

Louis looked to the ground. "It's fine. At least until he gets better."

"And after that?"

I don't know, Clementine!" Louis snapped at her.

Clem felt a growl working its way into her throat. She didn't appreciate Louis's tone.

That's when AJ woke up. "Hi, Louis."

"Hey, little dude." Louis waved awkwardly.

"I missed you. Are we friends again?" AJ asked.

"Just get some sleep, okay?" Louis told him before heading towards the door.

Clem tried to suppress a growl again. She didn't like Louis dodging the question. "Louis?" She stopped him before he walked out. "I haven't forgotten what you did."

"Neither have I," Louis said before he left, closing the door behind him.

"Are you mad at him?" AJ asked her.