Alone Again - TWDG/TWD

Arc 4: Chapter 13

"Clem, what's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." Lori says as I approach the front porch of the house.

"R-Rick... he killed Shane." I say.

"He did what!?" Lori sounds astonished. Apparently they haven't realized that's how the world works now. It's either killed or be killed.

"Wait, he did it to save me." I say.

"What did Shane do?!" She changes tone, I can't tell if it's anger or worry.

I lift my head up revealing the bruises his hands left on my neck.

She puts her hands over her mouth. Her eyes are nearly popping out of her head.

"I thought I knew that man." she says removing her hands off of her face.

"I'm so sorry Clementine." She gives me a tight motherly hug. I hugged her back, I missed my mom so much. Lori was the closest thing to a mom I've ever had since this started. I felt tears drip down my face, I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt the water drip down my cheek.

"I need to talk with Rick, just take it easy for now." she says patting my back and walking out into the field.

Lori approaches Rick from behind as he stands above Shane.

"He was my best friend." Rick says.

"Do you know what he did to Clementine?" Lori crosses her arms.

"I saw him pointing a gun to her head, and I didn't need to see anymore after that." He shakes his head.

"She has marks on her neck from being strangled by him!" She raises her voice.

"Christ..." he puts his hands over his face and rubs his eyes.

"That could of been Carl! If that man would just strangle a little girl then what would stop him from attacking Carl?!" She says.

"It's not an issue anymore." He sulks.

"Not to us but Clementine could have mental trauma, she'll be afraid of people... or of men." she says repulsively.

"I'll have a talk with her." he says.

Lori nods her head and walks away.

I sit at the kitchen table alone until I see Rick come in and sit next to me.

"Hey Clem, how are you doing?" He asks.

"I'm scared." I admit.

"I um... 'took care' of Shane so you won't have to worry about him anymore." he says.

"You don't have to treat me like a kid. I know you killed him. It's something we have to do now." I say boldly.

"It's still not good to kill people." he says.

"But you have to, to protect yourself. I've had to do it." I say.

His expression changes from neutral to shocked.

I nod my head.

"More then once." I add.

"Do you know how to shoot a gun?" He asks.

"Yeah, but only a pistol." I say.

"I'm thinking about teaching Carl how, what do you think?" He asks.

"He needs to. Its hell on earth out there." I say.

He nods his head. "From what little I've experienced from being out there in the beginning, I can agree with you."

"I haven't gotten a break, all this time I've just been running. I can finally relax here." I sigh.

"Sounds like it hasn't been easy." he says.

"It hasn't." I say.

"Rick... just take advantage of the time you have with your family." I add.

He gives me a sad look.

"Then I guess I'll have to take advantage of the time I have with you too." he smiles.

"Why?" I ask.

"Because you're our family now."

I was taken back by his comment. I don't respond at first.

"I don't want to get to attached to you guys." I say.

"Why?" He asks slightly disappointed.

"Because, I don't want to get hurt again." I say.

"That's just something you have to risk when you love someone." he says.

"Try to be there for Carl as much as you can." I say.

"I will." he says.

"You know Carl told me something..." he adds.

"That is?" I ask.

"He's got a crush on you." he winks.

I felt my face starting to blush.

"..What?" I felt flattered, I've never know anyone that's had a 'crush' on me before. It's kinda weird, we just met.

He chuckles. "You should probably get to sleep, it's pretty late."

I walk out to the tents and enter the one I had set up. I try to make myself as comfortable as I can, but I can't sleep.

I missed Luke. Nick, I don't know how I feel. I wish he was here though.

I let out a loud sigh.

"Clem?" I hear someone call my name.

"Hello?" I reply.

"It's Carl." he announces with his squeaky voice.

"What are you doing up?" I ask.

"I could be asking you the same question." he says.

I unzip the tent waiting for him to say something else.

"Do you mind if I come in?" He asks.

"No, I guess not." I shrug.

He sits next to me, crossing his legs.

"What do you want?" I ask sounding slightly annoyed.

"I can't sleep either, I just want to talk." he gives me a cheeky smile.

"About?" I say crossing my arms.

"Look, if you hate me just tell me." he blurts out.

"What- I don't hate you." I say.

"You act like it. You act like all I do is annoy you." he frowns.

"I'm just tired." I sigh.

"Then sleep." he says.

"I can't." I say back.

"But, you just said you were tired?" He says.

"I'm exhausted but I can't sleep, I have to much on my mind to be able to sleep. You wouldn't get it." I roll my eyes wishing I still had my parents, like Carl does.

He doesn't respond to me. He just stares into my eyes for a few moments before he briefly plants a kiss on my lips.

I pull my head away from his and I watch him for a moment shocked at what he had just done.

"I'm sorry, you're just really pretty." he says blushing a bright red.

"Carl, look. I like you as a friend, I don't like you... like that. Sorry." I say boldly.

"I understand." he nods his head and leaves the tent awkwardly.