Fade To White - Sequel to Fade To Black

All I Ever Needed

18 hours earlier

I pulled the reigns back, Wolf skidding to a halt as we reached the clearing. I scanned the trees for any signs of the grey coats. It appeared it was just the three of us alone in the forest, tunnels of light peeking through the heavy branches above us, serving us good coverage from anyone else who would do us harm .

All at once, there was a blast that shook the earth beneath us sending us soaring off Wolf's back as he kicked and scurried through trees in fear. "Wolf!! Wolf!!" I bellowed. I watched as he galloped far beyond my vision as I lay there among the leaves in defeat. Another cannon blast. Another. Then another. I held onto the ground for dear life.

I could hear the faintest rattling of breath escaping George's lungs as he came to. I spun around to face him, finding him bloody and gaunt, his face as white as a sheet, clutching at his shoulder, the blood seeping, thick and crimson, through his shaking fingers.

"George?!" I couldn't see where the blood ended and began as I clutched his body, his eyes rolling up towards the trees.

"I'm dying Clementine. I'm going to die aren't I?" He whispered, barley audible. I held his hand tightly, as his eyes lit up with sunlight. He gave me a brief smile, as if the pain had subsided.

"You're not going to die! I've seen wounds worse on plantations. You'll be just fine okay, don't talk like a fool. You're gonna be just fine." I tried to steady my hands.

" . . . The soldiers . . . we lost 'em?"

"Yes. We're safe. For now." I said, scanning the trees once more.

Another canon shot. George jumped and then ducked for cover, shaking uncontrollably behind a tree.

"George?" I peered over him as he cowered, his face tucked underneath his arms. "You look like you've seen ghost."

"I-I-I . . ." He stuttered, " I don't want to fight any more. That's why I ran away-" Another canon shot out, it's sting reverberating through the leaves. George covered his ears and shut his eyes. " God! No more of this!" He yelled. I leveled with George cupping his hands over his ears as he began to panic.

"By God, nothing will happen to you! Do you hear me? We're safe, alright! But we can't stay here long, and you're injured. We have to leave while we have the chance!" I urged him, full well knowing we didn't have the best odds, what with Wolf running off into the forest and a battle only miles away. He grabbed me with such force that our heads collided, his face twisted with pain. He bore his eyes into me, a gaze so intense I had to avert my eyes as he gathered the collar of my dress in his fists.

"Jackson." He said, so distinctly. No. I didn't want to hear it.

"Don't-" I warned him.

"You saw Jackson. That was him. He's- Those cannon are firing at him-" He began. Although his eyes were locked onto mine, they seemed lost; distant. I couldn't say anything. I didn't want it to be true but It was him. His eyes.

"What am I supposed to do? I- I can't do a thing to save him! And I could never forgive myself for leaving you here." I cried.

"I deserve it. He's there on that- that field of death because of me. Because of my selfish intentions. Don't cry for me." He said, his hand brushing away tears that left trails down my cheeks. "Don't you dare cry for me! I've manipulated you . . . all of you." He broke his gaze, letting his head fall in shame.

My breath faltered. "W-what?" I stuttered, not registering what he was saying. "Don't be ridiculou-"

"I was scared, and alone and . . . and I just didn't want to die! I got lucky! I stumbled upon a family selfless enough to bring in some Northerner Blue Jacket, nearly dead and talking sweet. I fooled you, and I'm not proud of it."