A New Verge

When Sorry Isn't Enough

Walking really was a drag after so long, especially when you were sheltered from it for an extended period of time. Gabe felt like his legs were full of lead, his feet heavy. He had forgotten what it was like to walk so much, as Javi and Kate usually had a way to get them around that involved little walking. 

Right now, Gabe was really missing that stinky old van. Maybe he and Clem could find some sort of car. After all, he couldn't tell Clem he needed a break. He couldn't let his pride suffer in that sense.

He began to think they would never stop for a break, unfortunately. Gabe's pace slowed some as his feet dragged. He tried to think of a way to make the time go faster, and a distraction was all he could come up with. Talking would be the perfect distraction.

Clem was now several feet in front of him with her knife before her. She had a map in her hand that she had scribbled down on one of their quick breaks. It seemed like she wasn't up much for conversation, seeing as she shut him down at any chance she could get. But Gabe couldn't take the silence anymore. He adjusted the bag on his back, clearing his throat.

"Clem, you know the time would go a lot faster if we....talked." Gabe spoke, exhaling heavily. He was a bit nervous to take her mind out of her focused zone, knowing she was so extremely quick to see a muerto because of it. But he couldn't seem to take the deafening silence any longer.

"I guess my dad is rubbing off on me. He doesn't like to sit...or walk in silence." Gabe spoke, laughing some at his weak joke and picking up the pace despite the burning in his calves. He glanced to Clem, before looking up to the sun which was already beginning to set. They had already walked for almost a whole day. He didn't know how close they were to their first trial location, but he hoped it was near.

"Javi would always make a joke...Or say some dumb story to keep us entertained. I'd hear him and Kate talking almost every time I woke up....I don't know when my parents ever slept." Gabe thought back to the van, truly appreciating them for who they were now more than ever before. He was naive enough to not understand, and difficult enough in temperament to not accept how much they had done for him over the years. They had sacrificed so much to keep the kids clothed, safe, and fed. He never realized just how big the sacrifice actually was.

Clementine watched Gabe, smiling some as she heard about his family. She wished she still had her original family and friends like Gabe did. He had no idea how lucky he was, considering she had lost everyone. However, she didn't want to think about the loss anymore. Clem took a breath in, before responding. "Sounds like this guy....Omid I used to know. He was so funny....Talkative too. I was with him for a while...With his wife. She was pregnant..." Clem spoke, some of the bad thoughts coming back about pregnancy now.

Just thinking about anyone being pregnant, made her nervous. The last thing she wanted was for what happened to Christa or Rebecca to happen to anyone else. One lost a child, the other her own life. Though she didn't think sharing those stories were too appropriate for Gabe . This was especially true when considering the fact that Gabe already told her Javi and Kate couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Clem didn't want to worry Gabe anymore than he already was.

"I miss them. Omid....Christa....The others. I just forgot what it was like to have people around again. Until I met you and your family." Clem sighed at that, knowing her people skills weren't the best. She was trying though, and that made all the difference.

"I'm sorry about your friends and family, Clem. It's not fair. That's for sure...Just like Mari's death. I can still see it. I have nightmares about it.....seeing the bullet between her eyes." Gabe instantly stiffened, their pace slowing some as they began to talk about more serious matters. He knew Clem was worried for him, the girl moving to put her hand on his back.