The Walking Dead: Emperor of Flames

Season 4/Chapter 25: How It Goes

3rd Pov. 

Looking at James and the mask, Y/n reaches out for it before Clementine can. Clem turns to him, wanting to do it herself since he's usually the one doing more for her then she feels like she does for him. 

Clementine: Let me do it. 

Y/n: No. You're staying out here. If anything goes sideways in there, I can do my thing. You stay out here and protect AJ just in case there are any people lurking around. 

Clementine: (Sighs) Fine. But be careful. 

She places her hand on his face and he grabs it, leaning in and kissing her cheek. He turns back to face James, taking the mask from him. 

James: Tell me if you really believe they're just "monsters".

AJ looks at James. 

AJ: They are just monsters. 

James: I promise he'll be safe. 

AJ: This isn't smart. It's too dangerous.

AJ is clearly worried for Y/n even though he knows he can defend himself. The thought of something happening to him scares AJ for multiple reasons, one being that he'd lose him. There's also the thought of how Clementine would respond to his death, which would destroy her. It's nothing he wants to happen. 

James: He just needs to move as they do.

Clementine: He'll be fine, AJ. He always is. If it gets bad in there we'll go in after him. 

AJ nods. 

AJ: Yes. We'll always protect him.

Clementine: I know we will. 

AJ walks up to Y/n. 

AJ: The first rule is never go alone.

Y/n: I'm not leaving you and Clem. I'll be right back. Just going inside a barn. I'll be okay, AJ. 

AJ: When in doubt...

Y/n: Know your way out. 

AJ: And say fuck off to fear!

Y/n: I know. I will. I promise. 

James: The mask will disguise your scent. But be gentle, and be quiet. Touch the wind chime. You'll see.

Y/n puts on the mask after taking off his hat, putting it on AJ's head, and looks at the barn doors. His vision is slightly blocked by the mask's weird shape, but it doesn't deter him. Opening those relatively small barn doors, he walks inside where all the walkers are just standing silently. There is a brief pause, but he closes the door behind him and the room grows dark. The walkers either not noticing him, or just not caring that a new "walker" had entered their domain. 

Y/n: (Mind) Fuck, one wrong sound and these assholes are likely to attack me. I hope James doesn't mind his little herd being burned to ash. Then again, I'd like avoid that If possible. It would really suck if we came here for nothing. 

He walks around some walkers, making sure not to bump into them as they groaned. The smell within the mask alone was already nasty, but with all the walkers around him it just made it get even worse. It takes him a second, but he finds his way out of the small horde and goes over to a wind chime hanging in the center. Y/n taps it and it makes a noise gathering the herd around him that just stare at the wind chime. 

Y/n: (Mind) Hm. As attracted to sound as ever. Just mindless meat puppets without a soul to guide them. 

Soon, Y/n leaves the barn and closes it behind him. He takes off the mask and tosses it back to James as Clem and AJ go up to him. AJ immediately hugs his leg as he's not tall enough to hug his waist. Clem gives Y/n a kiss on the cheek.