Oh My Darling, Clementine

Time will Heal

The rhythmic pacing of footsteps could be heard up down the creaky floorboards in the hallway like a pulse.
Otherwise, Ericson was eerily silent.

Ruby was quietly busying herself with bandages and medical supplies in hand. Violet sat on a chair the corner, watching either Louis or Ruby. Eventually she starts carving the outline of a picture into the seat of the chair.

"Louis! Would you quit pacing? It's getting in my nerves," Violet snapped.

"For crying out loud, Violet, give me a break!"

"Give you a break? As if you do everything around here. Haven't seen you bring back much food for a while."

"Jesus Christ, Vi! Clem needs us to be here for her right now. She's in sh*t shape and needs the support of her friends."

"Louis, you well know she's not your friend. Just because you have a thing for her. We've only known her a few days."

"Cut it out, both of you!" Ruby scolded. Louis pushes past Violet and stands next to Ruby, who has been treating Clementine's wound. It had been a close call, but it would take some time for her to heal. Louis stretched out and let his fingers trail the side of her face, pushing back loose strands of hair.

"She'll be okay, Lou," she consoled, smiling warmly.

Louis folded his arms and sighed.
It wasn't like him to be so crestfallen, but the group had suffered through a lot. Louis in particular.

"We're screwed, aren't we Vi?"

"I guess we are," Violet frowned. "I'm going to go hunting. Stay with Clementine, won't you?"

"Of course."

She rose from the chair and and turned on her heel without another words. With a soft click she was gone.

"Lee?" there was a croaky whisper from the the bed.

"Clementine?!" Louis exclaimed.

"Lee, is that you?"

"No, no, it's, uh... Louis."

"Oh yeah, that's what I said."

Louis frowned. He was concerned for his friend.

Clementine blinked a few times, allowing her eyes to adjust to the light. She was still faintly dizzy, and suddenly grasped her pounding head.

"Ugh..."

"Clem, are you okay? You should lie down."

"I just need some water."

"I'll be right back, Clem," Ruby said, heading out the door.

Clementine laid back and inhaled deeply.
"Sh*t, ow!"
She shrieked, clasping her stomach.
"Damn you, Abel," she said, and cursed under her breath.

"It's okay," Louis kneeled down and held Clementine's hand. "But you're gonna hurt for a while."

"Thanks for the reassurance."

"Hey! At least I'm being realistic - and
honest," Louis said, defeated.
"They got you in the hip though. Course you had to go falling off the wall and almost smashing your skull."

"That explains the throbbing."

"Does this help?" Louis blushed, and stroked her hair.

"A little bit," Clementine bit her lip to stop herself from smiling.

"I've got you some water," Ruby slipped through the door.

Louis shot up and retreated back to his seat.
"I was just checking her bandages."

"Whatever you say."

Clementine takes the flask of water and
takes a much needed sip.
"Thank you so much Ruby. For patching me up and everything."

"Don't worry about it, sug."

"Where's AJ?" Clementine gasped.

"He's helping Aasim and Tenn in the greenhouse. We want to get it up and running again," Louis replied.

"That's great," Clementine smiled. "It will be nice for AJ to do some normal human activities for once."

"And killing zombies isn't a normal human activity?"

"Ha-ha. Aren't you funny?" Clementine rolled her eyes playfully.
"Hang on, how long will it take me to heal?"

"Few weeks at least. Thankfully the shot just went through the side of your hips. Mostly skin damage."

"He was a pretty bad shot, huh?"

"And thank God for that," Louis grinned. "Aside from the pain, how are you feeling?"

"Feeling about what?" Clementine smirked. A wave of bravery rushed over her. She wrapped the blankets tighter around her.

"Oh, just in general," Louis blushed again.

"In all honesty, the last few days have been sh*t. You lost your best friend, I have to deal with AJ, Brody's dead, we've been attacked by raiders. I just hope we stop travelling south."

"So do I. I'd being lying if I said Marlon's death doesn't constantly... hurt. But I don't blame you. It was his own doing. I just wish there was a way I could get over it. I really haven't been myself the last few days. I'm tired, and
even more unfunny than usual. I literally just admitted that I'm unfunny.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I do appreciate a good pun."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"As for letting go... the best thing we can do is move forward.

"Right you are," Louis weakly did a thumbs up, before slumping back into the chair. Suddenly he seemed shy.
"Would you ever, I don't know, consider having a... No, it doesn't matter."

"Come on you can't just start a sentence and not finish it!" Clementine scowled.

"Clem, just forget it."

"Seriously?" Clementine rolled her eyes.

"I promise I'll ask you again later. I'm just not ready yet."

To be continued...

*Sorry this part is a bit shorter. I wanted to get something out today but right now I'm about to actually fall asleep so I though I'd just publish what I have.