The Sun Will Be Rising Soon

The Showdown

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Clement hides behind a stack of hay with Violet and AJ, walkers clawing at the door behind them to be let in. To Clement's right, there was a wide ladder leading up to another floor, heavy footsteps of guards audible.

"We're getting close," AJ whispers, watching the guards as well before turning to Clement.

Clement nods. "After we find the boiler and place the bomb, we'll regroup with (Y/N) and get our friends out. Minnie said they keep prisoners on the second deck."

Violet and AJ look above, Violet seeming a bit nervous.

"Look out for guards, keep an eye out for (Y/N), and stay quiet. Okay?" Clement softly urges, nodding to the two with a determined expression.

"Right behind you," Violet reassures, holding the bomb close to her chest.

"Good," Clement peers around the hay they were hiding behind, "I'll scout ahead and signal when it's clear. Got it?"

They don't verbally respond, but Clement knows they understand as AJ takes guard by the metal ladder leading up, Violet watching their left flank. Clement moves forward slowly, the boat creaking softly around him. He moves between a wall covered in pipes and another hay stack, quickly halting when a guard runs out in front of him. He dodges to his left behind the short stack of hay, holding his breath as the guard looks around where he once was.

Not spotting anything amiss, the guard runs forward, the sound of a door shutting being heard.

Clement rises from his spot with a steady exhale, walking around the makeshift horse stall and approaching the rusted metal door with a porthole window in the center of it. He peers through the porthole before whistling to the others, setting his hand on the handle and jerking his head for them to follow.

He opens the door, the door loudly creaking as he winces before the three rush forward to cover, Violet adjusting the bomb in her arms. AJ doesn't fully shut it behind them to not create more noise, instead allowing the door to just barely rest on the doorframe.

The hall they were in was packed with miscellaneous items like metal shelves that were rusted with toolboxes and other supplies along the shelves, and crates along the side of the boiler. Clement creeps forward, loud thumping steps making him dart to his right behind cover of the crates. He wasn't quick enough, wincing when the guard shouts to them.

"Hey! Who's there?" the guard demands, rifle at the ready as he scowls and moves forward. "Give me a damn city name!"

Clement grits his teeth when he hears the guard's footsteps getting closer, Violet's face hardening and AJ readying his knife with a dangerous look.

Clement face lights up as he suddenly recalls the interrogation with Abel. "Rockingham!"

The guard comes to a stop, sighing in exasperation as he lowers his rifle.

"Stop lurking around in the dark and get back to your post!" he snaps, turning and storming off as he mutters, "Asshole."

Clement carefully looks out from cover, watching the guard leave with a soft sigh of relief.

"Hey, Clem!" Violet whispers as she moves to his side, gesturing to the boiler behind the shelves. "This has gotta be the boiler, right?"

Clement takes a moment to look over the large, rusted metal cylinder, vials along the side. "Yeah, it looks like it."

AJ looks around, frowning as he shakes his head. "(Y/N)... said she'd meet us here. Didn't she?"

Clement's jaw clenches anxiously a bit as his eyes scan the room, showing no signs (Y/N) had been there.