At All Costs

Downpour

Clementine left Gabes' tent and crawled back to her rug, carrying AJ. She couldn't stop thinking, the thoughts shooting round her head like fireworks.

'What is this... this feeling?' She thought to herself. 'I was expecting it to be awkward, but it seemed so.. natural, so right. I can't like him already, I just can't. I've barely known him a week, and I'll lose him, just like I've lost everyone else.' These thoughts continued long after the stars came out.

Little did she know, Gabe was experiencing the exact same revelation.

'I hope she didn't see me blushing, I'd never hear the end of it if she did. It felt good though, she was comforting, I quite liked it. I can't like her though, I've only known her for a couple of days. I know she's no replacement for Mariana, but at least it's... something, something that tries to reduce the pain,' he though to himself, as he laid on his makeshift bed and went to sleep.

The two teenagers kept these thoughts to themselves, but still chatted away everyday, like the way that people do after they've known each other for years, which lead to them becoming firm friends over the next few days. The rest of the group noticed this, and frequently conversed about it.

'Gabe and Clem have gotten real close since Monday,' observed Eleanor (on the Thursday, for context). 'Maybe they'll hit it off.'

'I don't know, she still could be trouble,' replied Javi. He pulled a face at the youngsters and turned away.

'Oh come off it for Gods' sake Javi! It's been just over a week since you brought her here. If you thought she was going to be trouble why did you even take her hostage in the first place?' Kate quizzed. 'I think it'll be good for them, having someone their own age that they can talk to and all.' she went on, not giving Javi anytime to respond. Her and the other adults had seemingly becoming tired of Javis' constant berating of the young girl, but Javi only notcied her change in attitude towards him.

This debate kept up for a short while, before the heavens above them opened. The rain it produced lashed down, soaking everything that it touched. The group disbanded and quickly made for their tents.

Gabe was laying in his tent, looking through one of few old comics he'd managed to grab from home when the outbreak started. He put it back into his backpack and was preparing to go to sleep when he heard a noise, an unusual noise. A noise that was different to the normal noises. A child crying. His ears pricked up, and the sound continued. He moved to the front of his tent and poked his head out of the entrance. He peered around the gloomy campsite, before focusing on two shape sat in the pouring rain. Squinting to recognise the objects, he realised who they were - AJ and Clem. They were sat on their log by the wreck of a campfire that they had, shivering, and getting soaked.

'Clem!' She looked around and saw Gabe, beckoning for her to come to his tent. She scooped up the toddler and ran over. He held the entrance flap open as she wriggled and crawled inside.

'Take your shirt off,' he commanded. 'Not in a weird way. I've got a spare top for you.' He held out a faded orange hoodie. 'I won't look, but you'll catch your death of cold if you keep that on. I've got a towel for AJ as well.'

'T-thank y-you,' she shivered, nodding at his instruction. Gabe turned AJ and himself around so that they were looking the other way before she began to take her shirt off...