We're still standing

Chapter 1: Aftermath

**(Louis's POV)**

*Bam*

I awoke in a panic, feeling something strange strike my head. It didn't hurt, but it definitely startled me. I looked around to see AJ in the corner, smiling at me.

"Hey, little dude," I cheerfully said to him.

"Hey, Louis," he happily responded, smiling.

I noticed a beach ball rolling around on the floor and figured that's what hit me.

"Hey, what was that for?" I said playfully.

"Clem said to wake you up."

"Oh, she did now."

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll be up in a minute."

As he left the room, I quickly got dressed, slipped my jacket on, and headed out into the courtyard. I could see Aasim burying his head in his journal once again, not like he did anything else in his free time anyway.

I looked over to see Tenn with... Minerva. I frowned slightly, still not agreeing with the idea of letting her back, especially after what she did to Sophie, though Violet and Tenn seemed to see otherwise. But it made Tenn happy to have his sister back, which made me happy.

I still hadn't completely forgiven Violet either for going against Clem and that stupid stunt she pulled, jumping into that horde to back Minerva up.

I looked around to see Clem and AJ checking on James. As reluctant as he was, we convinced him to stay with us for at least a few days, to recover from that stab wound Lily gave him. Even after he convinced Clem to spare that woman, that bitch stabbed him in the back. I don't know if she survived, but I hope to God I never see her again.

"Hey, Clemster," I said cheerfully to her.

"Hey, Louis."

I felt her give me a kiss on the cheek. God, I loved that woman, even if I've only known her for three weeks.

"So, what are you up to?" I asked curiously.

"You know, making sure everything doesn't go to shit while you get your beauty rest. So, are we gonna get started on that project?"

"Yeah."

I remembered that Clem and Ruby had an idea to start cleaning out the greenhouse and use it again, which would be easy due to the fact that the walkers had already been cleared out a few days back.

We strolled down the path, joining Ruby, and dove into our tasks.

The stench of rotting walker bodies permeated the air as we neared the greenhouse. Clem handed me a pair of gloves, and we began the unsettling work of disposing of the gruesome remains.

Ruby grimaced, "This is nastier than I thought."

Clem chuckled, "Well, it's not exactly a day at the spa."

As we cleared away the veins and got rid of the decaying walkers, I couldn't resist lightening the mood. "You know, this is the oddest gardening club I've ever been a part of."

Ruby laughed, "Gardening with a side of apocalypse. The best kind."

Clem joined in, "At least it's something positive, right?"

Our cleanup efforts continued, making headway in restoring the greenhouse to a somewhat usable state.

After a brief silence, Ruby asked, "What's going on between you and Violet?"

"She, um, she attacked Clem when we were in the Delta cell," I explained.

"What?!"

"I guess she... I don't know why. Maybe she felt betrayed being captured, and she chose Minnie over us."

"Damn," I heard her reply sadly.

"She's so different."

I instantly understood that she was referring to Minerva.

"She always hung out with us and was always full of joy. Now she just stays away from us, doesn't even talk to any of us apart from Tenn," Ruby expressed with sadness.

"Shit messes people up; I've seen it with my own eyes. It changes them," I heard Clem say from behind us. We never knew Clem's full backstory, but we knew she had a history with that Lily woman.

Feeling the overall mood was screwed up, I decided to lighten it with one of my amazing tales.

I cleared my throat, sensing the need for a mood shift.

"Picture this: a world where walkers roamed freely, and brave survivors sought refuge. In the heart of it all, there was a cabbage—yes, a simple cabbage—that held the key to survival."

Clem rolled her eyes"A cabbage, seriously"?

"Absolutely! You see, this wasn't just any cabbage. It had mystical properties, rumored to repel walkers with its leafy aura."

Clem raised an eyebrow, "And where did this legendary cabbage come from?"

"Ah, that's the mystery! Legend has it that it descended from the heavens, carried by a trio of wise squirrels who bestowed it upon a brave survivor. That survivor, my friends, was none other than me!"

Ruby laughed, "Louis, that's fuckin stupid ."

I winked, "Well, of course, it's just a bit of fun. But imagine if we had mystical cabbage in the apocalypse—life would be a lot more interesting!"

It's about evening now, and we decide to take a break, heading to the courtyard to catch a breath. The setting sun casts a warm glow, creating a serene atmosphere amidst the chaos.

As we got back to the courtyard and I saw Aasim and ruby walk up to each other and try to awkwardly flirt with each other.i saw Omar begin making Stew and as always,messed with him.

"Oh dear Omar, how could you have possibly started stew with Lou without the main star"

"just when I thought this day was going perfect,I hear him sigh"

"Omar, always the perfectionist are you"

"Hey,im just making sure this food doesn't get you all sick and kills you"

"And for that,we appreciate your valerent efforts,sir omar,and what might thy chef be serving tonight?"

"Just some rabbits Aasim and Minerva managed to catch"

after a bit everyone comes to get a plate full,as expected, Minerva sits at a different table from the Rest of us, only being joined by tenn. The rest of us begin eating and most of us either head to bed or to do their own thing, leaving just me,Clem, violet,Ruby and AJ.

**(Clem's pov)**

As Louis suggested we play a game,I felt AJ tug at my sleeve

"Hey Clem,can I go and play with Tenn?"
I heard him ask.
"I didn't want to say no to him but I wasn't to comfortable with the fact that tenn was always around his sister who, only a few days ago had try to capture us and kill me.but against my better judgement I allowed him. I saw as he excitedly ran up to tenn and kept an eye on them as surprisingly Minerva left soon after. surprisingly she never really caused any problems and mainly kept to herself so I wasn't too worried about letting AJ over there.

I focused back on the others as we started a game of war.

I noticed that violet had also left, leaving just me Louis and ruby(again).I personally was a bit hurt by violet's betraying me,but I didn't hold it against her as bad as she had been a good friend to me and no doubt that bitch Lily had gotten into her head.

The courtyard transformed into our gaming arena as Ruby, Louis, and I gathered for a spirited card game of War. The deck was worn from countless matches, each crease and mark a testament to the stories told through the cards.Louis, ever the enthusiast, shuffled the deck with flair. "Get ready for the ultimate showdown, my friends. May the best survivor win!"We each took our places, cards in hand, and the first flip set the tone for the evening.

I thought to myself, Maybe this could be the place we finally settle down, I thought maybe we'd end up like every other settlement we found but this just might be different.

A home, after 8 years........A Home.