The Return to the School
The air was thick with tension as Y/N, Clementine, and AJ hurried through the woods, their breaths ragged and hearts racing. They had narrowly escaped Lilly's ambush, but the reality of the situation was far from over. Every crack of a twig or rustle in the leaves made Y/N's nerves spike, as though Lilly's raiders could appear at any moment.
After the chaos of the gunfire, the weight of their decision to leave the school pressed down hard on Y/N's chest. They had chosen to go, but the attack forced them back into the path they'd been trying to avoid.
"We have to go back to the school," Clementine said, her voice firm despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "They need to know Lilly's coming. We can't leave them defenseless."
Y/N didn't argue. She knew Clem was right. Even after the vote, after Mitch's harsh words and the others' uncertainty, she couldn't just abandon them to face Lilly's wrath. And deep down, she knew Mitch would fight for the school, whether they had left on good terms or not.
"What if they don't want us back?" AJ's small voice cut through the silence, his wide eyes glancing between Y/N and Clem as they continued moving through the forest.
"They'll want us back," Y/N reassured him, though there was a trace of uncertainty in her own voice. She couldn't help but wonder if the others would welcome them with open arms—or if the rift between them had grown too wide to fix.
"They have to," Clem added. "We're stronger together, and that's what matters right now."
As the old school building came into view in the distance, Y/N's heart beat faster. The familiar walls, the place that had been their home for so long, looked foreboding now, especially after the tension that had unfolded during the vote. Would Mitch, Violet, and the others still be angry with them? Would they even listen to the warning about Lilly?
Clementine led the way as they approached the gate. Violet was on guard duty, her sharp eyes scanning the perimeter until she spotted them. A mixture of surprise and relief flickered across her face as she hurried to open the gate.
"You're back," Violet said, glancing warily over their shoulders as if expecting raiders to appear behind them. "What happened? Where's Lilly?"
Clem didn't waste time with pleasantries. "We were attacked. Lilly's coming for the school. We need to prepare."
Violet's expression darkened as she processed the news. "You're serious? After what happened last time?"
Y/N nodded, stepping forward. "She's not going to stop. If we don't work together, we'll all be dead."
Violet didn't argue, though her jaw clenched. She signaled for them to enter, and the group quickly made their way through the courtyard, the atmosphere inside the school tense but eerily quiet. The kids were scattered around, some tending to chores while others spoke in hushed tones, clearly aware of the looming threat.
Inside, they found Mitch pacing near the firepit, his face a mask of frustration. When his eyes landed on Y/N and Clem, his expression hardened, but there was something else there too—worry.
"So, you came back," Mitch muttered, though there was no real venom in his tone. "Why? I thought you were done with us."
Y/N's heart clenched, but she pushed past the hurt. There was no time for grudges. "We came back because Lilly's coming. We were ambushed on our way out, and she's not going to stop until she has what she wants. The school isn't safe."
Mitch's eyes flickered with doubt for a moment, but then he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Lilly... she'll take everything from us, won't she?"
Clem nodded grimly. "She'll take the kids. Use them for her army. We can't let that happen."
Violet stepped up, her voice firm. "We need a plan. We'll fight back, but we have to be ready. We need to make the school a fortress."
The tension in the air began to ease as the reality of the situation sank in. Mitch's expression softened slightly as he looked at Y/N, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his eyes dropping to the ground. "I was wrong about you leaving. We should've stuck together."
Y/N's heart skipped a beat at the sudden apology, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. "We're here now," she said softly. "That's what matters."
For a moment, they simply stood there, the weight of the looming battle pressing down on all of them. But then, Clem took charge, her voice cutting through the uncertainty.
"Let's figure this out," Clem said, gathering the others around. "We need to fortify the walls, set traps, and make sure everyone is armed. Lilly won't stop until we're all dead or captured, and we're not letting that happen."
The group sprang into action, a renewed sense of determination driving them forward. Mitch led the efforts to fortify the walls, using his knowledge of mechanics to set up traps and barricades around the school. Violet worked with the others to make sure everyone was prepared, while Clem and Y/N helped gather weapons and supplies.
As the sun began to set, the school took on a new form—no longer just a home but a stronghold, ready to face the coming storm. The kids moved with purpose, each one determined to protect the place they called home.
Y/N took a moment to catch her breath, leaning against one of the barricades as the weight of the day's events settled in. Mitch approached her, his hands covered in dirt from setting traps.
"Thanks for coming back," Mitch said quietly, his eyes meeting hers. "I was... I was being an idiot."
Y/N offered him a small smile. "We all make mistakes. But we're in this together now, right?"
Mitch nodded, a flicker of something warmer in his eyes. "Yeah. Together."
As nightfall approached, Y/N felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. The fight wasn't over—not by a long shot—but for the first time in a long time, they were standing together, united against the common threat.
The battle with Lilly was coming, but now, Y/N felt like they had a chance.
