Oh My Darling, Clementine

A New Dawn

"AJ?"

Clementine blinked her eyes open a few times until they adjusted to the dark in the room.
Muffled sobs echoed from the bunk across the room.
Sleepily, she slid out of the covers and tiptoed over. The lump in the bed was heaving up and down violently.

"AJ, are you okay?"

I slowly peel back the sheet to reveal the small boy curled up in a ball, his face wet with tears. He hastily rubs the tears from his face and looks up at me.

"I wasn't crying, you know."
He says in a grumbly voice.
"I'm stronger than that."

"Trust me, AJ, even the strongest of people cry. It's nothing to be ashamed
of."

"Hmph."
He says dismissively and rolls over, pulling the sheets back over his head.

"Wanna talk?"

"I'm going to sleep."

"AJ, we need to talk about what happened the other night."

It had been three days since Brody and Marlon died. Clementine had allowed AJ some space in the meantime, to gather his thought. She, too, needed some time to herself.

"Clem, I don't wanna."

"We're going to have to at some point. You wanna stay here? Then let's sort this out. We don't want the others kicking us out."

"Marlon was a monster!"

"Maybe, but he was scared. I know you were trying to protect me, and I appreciate that."

"He could have shot you!"

"Yes, but then he dropped the gun. We could have just let him go," Clementine maintained a firm tone.

"I was scared! He might've come back for revenge, or led to raiders here. Clem, I was so scared."

She sighed and raised an eyebrow at him.

"I know, goofball. But I'm taking away your gun privileges  until you learn to think before you react."

"Ugh... okay."

"And tomorrow you're going to apologise to everyone here. Don't forget you shot their friend, and leader."

A tear slid down his round cheek.
"I'm sorry Clem, I'm so sor-sorry. I wish I could take it back."

Clementine wrapped her arms around his shaking body, and pulled him against her, rocking him back and forth like she did when he was a baby.

"Get some sleep goofball, before the sun rises. It's gonna be a big day."

___________________________

Clementine was still awake when the first rays of sun slipped through the boarded-up window. Her mind had been racing all night. It was now bright in the bedroom, and she could hear a shuffling noise outside. Hesitantly, she rose from the bunk and shoved her boots on.

AJ was snoring softly on the other side of the room. With a pencil he had left on the desk, Clementine scrawled a note on a scrap of paper.

Good morning, AJ.
When you're ready, come find me in the courtyard.
Love, Clem.

Clementine slowly turned the knob on the door and looked back over her shoulder at the young boy. Even asleep, he was distraught. His mouth was slightly frowned and his eyebrows slightly furrowed. The poor baby didn't deserve any of this.