A New Verge

Kindred Reuniting

"Christa....Oh my God!" Clementine spoke, tears falling from her eyes as she ran over to a woman who was like a mother to her for two years. Christa had taught Clementine so much about survival, and Clem would never forget it. Christa taught her how to sew, cook, and even hunt. These were all skills needed for survival, and without Christa's help, it was likely she wouldn't be alive today. For instance, Christa's skill of sewing and first aid came in handy when Clementine was locked in a shed with a bleeding and festering dog bite that Carlos refused to clean and bandage. Without Clementine sewing her own arm, she could have died of blood loss or even a different infection if she kept it open.

Clementine ran over to Christa without taking any precautions, wrapping her arms around the much taller woman who was like a mother figure to her.

"Clementine!" Christa spoke, seemingly in complete and utter shock. No tears fell from her cheeks as she wrapped her arms tightly around the young girl who once needed her for nearly everything. She was in such disbelief, such joy, but she didn't know how to express it.

Clementine looked so mature, so grown up since the last time she had seen her before the scavengers and outpost group had tried to kill Christa.

"You're alive..." Christa spoke, clearly in disbelief. She felt extreme guilt now for not going back for Clementine. How was Clem still alive today? Christa was in complete and utter amazement. If she had any indication that Clementine would have made it out of there, she would have fought like hell to get back to her.

"Clem...I'm so glad you're alive. I'm so glad you're okay....I thought you were gone...." Christa spoke, rubbing Clementine's back protectively as she held the young girl close to her body. Christa was practically glowing with happiness now, her eyes lighting up as she backed up some to see Clementine's face. It was a happiness that was long forgotten, except with AJ.

"I thought you were dead! Those men hurt you...I didn't know what to do. I just ran like a stupid kid!" Clem spoke, her lip trembling as she looked up to Christa. Christa frowned at the way Clementine put herself down, trying to pull out the small motherly instinct she had. She never was an extremely affectionate person, especially since the loss of her husband, Omid. But she was willing to try anything to relax and ease Clementine's worries.

"I know...You did the right thing, Clementine. You had no reason to come back. I'm so glad you ran. I'm the adult. Not you. I should have come back for you." Christa paused, thinking of the abuse she suffered from those rabid scavengers.

"I got away from them.....and began to travel north. I remembered before how we thought the cold slowed them down. Well, I headed up here. I was near starving when I came across the McCarroll Ranch. I was just looking for some food, but there were others here, and they took me in. I was here for a bit before I began to look after a little boy named AJ. David....introduced himself and instantly felt that he could trust me to take good care of him." Christa explained, knowing this story probably sounded a bit odd to Clementine.

"AJ...He....he still doesn't talk. I know he's growing up...He's almost three, but he doesn't say a word...He just cries or grabs when he needs things. But I keep him safe...He's giving me a purpose." Christa explained, Clementine's heart leaping as she heard that Christa had another chance at taking care of a child. A child that Clementine just so happened to love and raise herself for two years.

Clementine could remember how Christa was when she was pregnant with Omid's child. It was funny, hearing the way the couple was about their future child.

Clementine thought back to some distant memories, all centered around Christa's pregnancy.

"We are not naming our baby Omid. And we are not naming our baby Christa either... for the ten millionth time!" Christa spoke, laughing as she dropped a hand to her stomach. "You finally knocked me up, and you want to give our baby a name...a name that is our name? Not going to happen, Omid." Christa gleamed, her eyes focusing on her husband.