At All Costs

Outburst

'Gabe!' Javi shouted. 'Answer the question.'

'Isn't the answer obvious?' fumed Gabe, turning to look at his Uncle with a severe lack of regret and remorse for what he'd done . 'I know her name because I spoke to her, last night if you really must know. She was lonely, Javi, and hungry. I felt sorry for her so I went over to try and cheer her up. None of us know what she's been through. She could've really needed a friend, or even someone to talk to.'

'You felt sorry for her... You felt sorry for her?! Gabe, we don't know if she can be trusted and you give her our food supplies, supplies that could help this groups' survival down the road - what is wrong with you?'

Upon hearing these words, Gabe exploded with rage.

'Me? What's wrong with me? I think the bigger issue here is what the fuck is wrong with you? You're keeping a girl and a toddler hostage and don't even think to give them a scrap of food! You have the balls to tell me that I'm in the wrong? Take a look at yourself Javi, because it's you that's the bad guy in this - you're a disgrace, you hear me? A disgrace.'

Javi was taken aback by his nephews' sudden outburst, everyone was. This side of Gabe had never showed before, and although she didn't want to admit it, Clem found it kind of hot.

'Gabe...' Kate began, softly.

'Don't say anything rash Gabe...' tried Javi.

'You're not my dad! You always try to control me!' Kate began to open her mouth to debate this claim, but Gabe saw it out of the corner of his eye. 'You're not technically my mum either Kate, you two have no power over me whatsoever - you can't tell me what I can and can't do, ok? I can do what I want, when I want and with who I want. Understand?' Gabe growled through gritted teeth. Full credit to Lolilolipop536 for the inspiration for this bit. :)

Javi turned to Clementine.

'Pack all your things together. You and the child are leaving now.'

A gun clicked behind him, and everyone froze.

'Don't even think about making her leave.' Gabe said, steadily holding a gun. His face was alarmingly blank, as if he had been possessed.

'Kid, put the gun down, this isn't necessary,' reasoned Tripp.

The boys' face slowly screwed up in anger and disappointment.

'Do you have any idea how lonely I've been since Mariana was killed?' He spat. 'I'll answer that for you - no, you don't. Then, the first, the first person who's even remotely my age comes along and you say "Oh no she's trouble we can't trust her." It's stupid. What's the worst she could do, I mean really?' Tears welled up in his eyes, making his vision become watery. This in turn made his gun waver partially. 'I just... I just want a friend, someone to talk to. You're all ok, you have people your own age you can confide in. I don't have that luxury,' he said sadly, as his firm stance buckled. He lowered his gun, seemingly coming to his senses about what he was doing. 'Do what you will. I don't care anymore,' he admitted. Gabe slowly turned away from the concerned adults and headed to the gate, which he exited the camp through.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the situation apparently diffused. Before any decision was made, Eleanor came over to Javi and whispered to him.

'She stays,' as she went off to her tent.

'Good job there, Captain Caring,' remarked Kate in a harsh, abrasive tone, as the other two members of the group, (Tripp and Conrad), left to complete other errands. Javi tried to protest his innocence, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.