One year later

Chapter Seven

It took three days, but I made it.
Finaly, I could see the town, which looked more or less the same as before. As I walked through the streets, I remembered the last time I was here. The place had been walker central and I had no idea that Lee knew about the walkie talkie...
I know now how foolish I was, talking to a complete stranger and trusting him. Ignorant though I was, I should have realised that this man didn't have my parents. That in reality, he was going to kidnap me and hurt Lee. Little did I know, Lee was already hurt. Bitten. I still felt like crying when I thought about it.
And then seeing my parents again, as...those things. I knew the image would haunt me for the rest of my short life. I wish I'd never asked to come here. Then, maybe Lee would still be alive and things would be different.
I could see the house now, the one we stayed in. The windows were smashed, and planks of wood lay on the ground. I guess walkers got inside.
It was strange. There didn't seem to be anyone around, the place was deserted.
I found a building that looked reasonably intact, searched it, barracaded the windows and the door and then sat down on the couch. I suddenly noticed that I wasn't alone. There was a dead body slumped in an armchair in the corner of the room. It was pretty much a skeleton now, bits of decaying flesh sticking to its ribcage. A gun was held in one limp hand. It looked like this guy couldn't cope, just like the rest of the world. I sighed, getting out my water and a can of food.
It was so quiet in here. I couldn't help slipping into a peacfull sleep.
I awoke hours later to the sound of voices.
"Who is that?"
"We should wake her up."
"What if she attacks us?"
"Then we kill her."
"She's just a kid Sarah! She has a baby!"
"So? You asked the question."
Two people, a man and a woman, were talking quietly. Discussing me. I kept my eyes shut and breathed slowly so it looked like I was still asleep.
The man called someone over.
I heard more footsteps.
"We should probably...hey...wait a minute. I think I know this kid. Clara, Katie...no wait...Clementine! She was with this other guy, Lee I think it was. Yeah, it's her alright, she has the same hat. God knows where the baby came from, but this kid's alright."
"Well, then wake her up already" the one called Sarah said impatiently.
The other woman began shaking my arm.
"Clementine?"
I slowly opened my eyes, acting like I had just woken up.
I looked at who it was.
"Molly?"
There she was. Her hair was longer than it had been before, but everything else about her was the same.
"Hey, I knew it was you! Where's Lee?"
A lump came in my throat, and I shook my head sadly.
"Oh, that's too bad. He seemed like one of the good guys."
Molly stepped back and introduced me to the other people she was with.
"This is Sarah and Jonathan. They might be a tad unfriendly at first, but don't worry, they'll warm to you."
I nodded at them both, and they nodded back.
"Are there any other people with you?" I asked. My throat was sore and my voice sounded gravely.
"Two others." Molly replied.
I was going to ask for their names, but talking was painful, so I didn't.
"Anyway come on, let me show you our camp," Molly said, walking towards the door.
"Oh, by the way, what's the baby called?" She asked over her shoulder.
"AJ, Alvin Junior" I replied, following her, with Sarah and Jonathan behind, probably watching me to make sure I didn't do anything stupid.
I would keep my guard up for now...