The Silent Type (Gabentine Fic)

Finding AJ

Me and Clem were about 5 or six miles away from the ranch where AJ was presumably at. I didn't want to say out loud that there was a possibility that AJ wouldn't be there but, I had a feeling Clem already knew that. However, that deter Clem in telling me everything about AJ, from how she helped raise him from birth and how he was pretty much her son. Her eyes filled with joy from remembering how AJ first said her name and the dimples in her cheeks would widen when recalling the sound of his laughter. After watching Clem go through these emotions, I began praying to anyone who was listening for them to let AJ be at the ranch.

We were just a few feet away from the
place's gate before Clem started hyperventilating and crying from all the anxiety hitting her.

"Gabe. What if he's not there? What if he's dead and they ate him? What if it's a trap and they're going to kill us too?" Clementine started spewing out these ridiculous questions before I shut her up with a quick kiss.

"Clem I need you to take a deep breath and chill the fuck out. If he's not there, we'll keep searching until we find him. We're going to be fine. And if they try anything stupid I know you'll kick their asses." I reply with a smile causing Clem to let out a quiet laugh. She looks towards the gate and back to me before nodding. I take her hand in mine and we walk through the gate.

As we walk through, we're stopped by a couple of guards with guns in their hands.

"Alright. That's far enough. Why are you here and what do you want?" One of the guards asked gruffly. He looked to be Asian or Korean, I don't know the difference really.

"We're here looking for my kid. He has dark skin, about 4 years old, and his name is AJ." Clem shot back at the guards. The guards turn towards each other and start talking quietly to one another. Clem takes a glance at me before our attention is pulled back to the guards.

"Come inside and let's talk." The guard other guard said with a twang in in his accent. He sounded like a bit of a redneck and it wasn't surprising that they were still around in the apocalypse since they had the most guns. We followed them inside and was in awe of the place. There were flourishing gardens full of healthy vegetables and supple looking livestock on the range. People smiled at us as we walked by and others glared. Probably not happy about the prospect of having another mouth to feed. We came to a stop outside a great blue big house and guards ushered us inside before closing the door. I turned to Clem with a shrug of my shoulders and moved further into the house and found myself face to face with a very angry man with a grayish beard.

"How do you two know AJ?" The man said with a twang and anger lacing his words as he crossed his arms across his chest. He was sizing me up and before I could do anything about it, Clem stepped between us with a hand on my chest.

"AJ's mother left him in my care after she died. The pricks of the New Frontier took him from me because they thought I couldn't handle him since I was a kid. I am his mother." Clem said with a glare back at the man as he stepped off to think. He put a hand to his hip and started pacing before speaking again.

"Okay before I give you any information regarding AJ, I need both of you to answer three questions. How many walkers have you killed? How many people have you killed? Why?"

I look at Clem before answering the questions first.

"I have killed 2,548 walkers since shit hit the fan and I have killed 5 people. They tried to rape my sister and mother." I said with a clenched jaw as I start to recall that dark day. I feel someone take my hand and look down to see Clem holding it daintily. She takes a deep breath before answering the questions herself.

"I have killed around 4,219 walkers and I have killed 8 people. They hurt my family before I could stop them." Darkness crept over her face and I squeezed her hand, reminding her that I was there. Clem came back to reality and gave me a loving smile before we both turn back to the southern stranger.

"Okay. This place here is Mccarroll Ranch and I am the leader/resident. My name is Rick Grimes. The two guards that led you in here are Glenn and Daryl. Follow me and I'll show you guys around." Rick said over his shoulder as he made his way outside, waiting for us at the door. Clem looked nervous about meeting new people but, I lead her behind me as I walked with Rick.

We walked for nearly an hour, meeting at least 30 people before Rick lead us to a barn with a rainbow on the front door. I walk in before Clem and see nothing but little kids. Rick is about to say something before a little toddler waddles right up to his leg. He laughs and swoops down to pick her up and set her on his hip. Rick turns back to us and tells us that she is his daughter and that his son is around here somewhere too. He hands his daughter over to a blonde headed girl with blue/green eyes and looks to be around our age. Rick opens his mouth but, is one again cut off by someone.

"CLEMMY!" I hear a shriek behind me and turn to see a little boy running as fast as his little legs would let him to us. He finally makes it to us and gives Clem a big hug at the kneecaps. Clementine finally snaps out of her shock and picks up the boy with tears running down her cheeks.

"AJ!!! Oh my goodness I've been looking everywhere for you." She twirls him back and forth while still holding him before just standing still. His feet touch the ground as she sets him down and holds his hand. She turns to me and I kneel down beside AJ.

"Hello AJ. It's nice to finally meet you. Your mother has told me all about you while looking for you. My name is Gabriel Garcia but you can call me Gabe." I hold out my hand for him to take and shake his hand gently.

"Gabey!"

I chuckle lightly at his pronunciation of my name and turn to see Clem and Rick watching us with smiles. I blush and sheepishly scratch my neck at being caught acting soft. Clem takes ahold of AJ's other hand and make our way out of the barn.

Rick and his community were awfully nice and very considerate. They gave us enough food for a weeks journey and extra clothes so AJ doesn't become sick from the weather. They also said the next time we're nearby to stop in for a visit we quickly agreed before setting off on our 60 mile hike.