Feral (Gabentine Fic)

Big Girls Don't Cry

(10 years later)

"Marsh! Lunchtime!"

I sighed to myself and set down the cinderblock I was struggling to carry. I could already feel the sweat from today's work drip down my temple. My hands were covered in callouses from lifting cement and metal all day long. I grimaced at the sight of them and turned to Nate who motioned me over to the table with sandwiches on it.

Ugh. Sandwiches again. Guess it's better than nothing.

I sat down next to Nate as the others joined us. Russell sat on the other side of me and Becca sat across from us. Shel was on watch while we ate and would call us if there was any problems. All of us make a pretty good team and we watch out for each other. I first met them around 3 years ago and found out that they knew some people who worked for Carver, Vince and Wyatt. At first, I didn't want to go with them but I had nowhere else to go and no plan. It took awhile but, I grew fond of our little group and the RV we travel around in.

"Hey, Clementine. Where you at right now?"

I snap out of my thoughts and swat away Russell's hand that was waving in front of me. I send him a harsh glare before returning to my sandwich. Becca laughed at my actions and finished her sandwich with a loud burp. Nate lightly applauded her and gave out a burp of his own. I lose my appetite and shove the rest of my sandwich to Russell and go back to work on the temporary wall we were building for our stay. We travel around in our RV and stop to gather gas for the next trip and then the cycle starts over again.

I grow tired of moving around and not settling down but, I have to keep moving. Just in case Lee is still out there and waiting for me. That thought is what gives me motivation to get up every morning and survive another day. The block I'm holding is a starting to break the skin on my palms but, I place it on the others anyways. We're going to be staying for a week or something because we'll need to gather a lot of gasoline for the trip on the interstate.

So far we have been to Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee. I've looked far and wide for Lee but, I haven't found one clue on where he would be. Right now, we are on our way back to Georgia to see if Lee has been back and left me a sign or something. The group has been amazing helping me look for him and I was surprised they wanted to help. But, they assured me that they didn't have anything else to do. A smile works it's way onto my face at thought and I finish up the wall I'd been working all week on.

"Wow. Good job, Clementine. Now, we can go and look for some gas. Think you could keep things under control as we go out and look?"

I nod my head at Nate and the others start getting ready for the gas run. I climb on top of the RV and start my watch as they leave me with my thoughts. My eyes run across the small park for any sign of walkers or other scavengers, my gun tucked in tightly beside me. The place is empty and quiet, too quiet. I furrow my eyebrows at the silence and stay alert. However, as time passes, my guard is slowly let down and sun is starting to set. I finally relax and close my eyes slightly.

"Clem! Help me!"

My eyes snap open to get rid of the pictures that started running through my mind. It was AJ and he was calling out to me as a herd of walkers bit his shoulder and tore him apart. I had tried to save him but, it was too late for him. He wasn't supposed to die, we were going to look for Lee together and live happily ever after. I was only 12 when I watched him get torn apart and it still haunts me. As the bad memories of AJ leave me, others soon replace it. My throat starts closing as I feel myself choking down sobs that threaten to rake my body.

No. Please, no. Go away!

My eyes dart around as I am surrounded by familiar faces and they are not happy. I try turning away from them but, they still stay within my vision. My hands desperately try to swat away the ghosts but, they don't move. I'm left facing them and tears are welling up in my eyes as I look at each of them.

Christa, Omid, AJ, Luke, Nick, Alvin, Rebecca, Sarah, Jane, Beth, Sarita, and Bonnie all surrounded me. They were dead and had blood pouring out of their wounds that had killed them. I started apologizing to them and looking frantically around for a way out. All their voices spoke at once and it sent a tremor through my body.

"Why did you kill us, Clementine? You could have saved us? WHY, CLEMENTINE?!"

They all walked closer to me and as they reached down for me, I awoke with a gasp. My eyes were looking around for any sign of them but, I was still alone. I wiped my face with my hands and took in a shuddering breath. There were wet tears on my face that I wiped away with the sleeve of my shirt. The sun was completely down and the guys still weren't back yet. I slapped my cheek lightly to wake myself up and look for any walkers. The park was still deserted and there wasn't a soul in sight.

Then, why do I feel like someone is watching me?

The thought was left lingering in my head but, disappeared as I seen the others approaching the RV.

Had Clementine looked closer in the wood line, she would've seen the pair of yellow eyes that were watching her every move.