Survival Love: A Gabentine Story

Chapter 31 "Restrained":

Clem's POV:
AJ and I have been locked to this post for days as we have been given very little food or water. Just whatever Minerva has been sneaking us. Not only that, but Mitch has also gone out of his way to come in here and beat both me an AJ. He must really hate me for what happened to Willy, Omar, and Ruby even though it was Negan who killed them and not me. I couldn't help but think of Gabe during this as well. I just missed my dorky boyfriend so much and would give anything to see him again. Even my own life. I truly loved him and to not have him here with me now hurts more than any punch across the face Mitch has given me. I know he's probably dead but every part of my bruised body hopes that he's still alive and will come back to me. I need him now more that ever. Especially with this fucking maniac in control of everything.
As I was in my thoughts seeing as how that, talking to AJ, and getting bruised up by Mitch was all I could do, Minnie quietly came into our tent with two bowls of soup. "Here you guys go." She said putting the bowls in front of AJ and I. "Thanks But haven't you eaten at all these last few days? Aren't you hungry?" I asked her as she sat down next to me. "Nah. I've been well fed. Aasim was assigned our new cook and he's been helping me feed you guys so it's all good." She said causing me to smile. "Well we appreciate it. Thank you. Say thank you, AJ." I said turning to him as he said, "Thank you." "No problem. I'm just happy to help you guys." She said back. There was a  relief moment of silence as AJ and I started eating until Minerva said, "It's not your fault, you know?" "Huh?" I asked. "Their deaths. Willy, Omar, and Ruby. Their deaths are not on you. Most of us think that." She said. "Then why are we still in these chains?" I asked her while raising an eyebrow. "Because no one is brave enough to stand up to Mitch. They are afraid of ending up like you are." She answered. "But you'll get out of here soon. I mean your tough, smart, and sexy as hell. You'll be ok. I know it." She said as it caused me to smile.
We heard footsteps coming towards the tent as it open to reveal Thomas as he walked in. "He uncuffed us from the chain and cuffed our wrists together as he led AJ and I out of the tent and to where everyone was. He pushed us as AJ and II landed on my hands and knees right in front of Mitch. I looked around at everyone's faces and only saw looks of fear, regret and horror as I then looked up at Mitch's face which had an almost pleased smile on it. He then knocked my hat off my head, grabbed me by the hair tightly, and said, "Now you'll finally pay for your crimes, skank." "Hey! Leave her alone!" AJ shouted to my defense as Mitch let go of my hair, smacked him across the face hard, and said, "Shut up! I've had about enough of you too, kid." "Don't you fucking hurt him, you asshole!" I screamed trying to get back in my feet before Thomas pushed my body back down on the ground. Mitch then turned his attention back towards the others around him and said, "We put our trust into them. Our hard work. Our lives. Everything for this bitch and her little murderer. Well I say that our time of darkness under her leadership is finally over!"
Everyone stayed silent out of fear as Mitch continued to speak. "We have lost people who not only used to contribute to our survival, but were also our close friends. Willy, Omar, and Ruby must be avenged. And the only way that can happen is if these two are wiped off of the fucking earth." He said as AJ and I grew scared as well now. I saw Erika's eyes grow wide as she stepped forward towards Mitch. "Wait Mitch. You didn't say anything about murder. You said that we were going to just banish them, not kill them in front of everybody. I know for a fact that Willy, Ruby, and Omar wouldn't want this." Erika decided to speak up to him as he clenched his fists a bit. "I know what I said before and I don't care what they would have wanted. But killing these... murderers is the only way we can all be free from their tyranny and all their lies." Mitch said sounding somewhat aggravated towards her. "You... you lied to me. This wasn't the plan at all." She said almost to tears. "Well I'm sorry Erika. But plans change. Thomas! Get them over towards the car! It'll be easier to clean up the blood of it's on a smooth and metal surface." He said as Thomas sorrowfully agreed AJ and I by the back of our clothes and moved us to the other side of our little camp for us to be executed.
He plopped us down in the ground next to the truck as I looked and saw that saddened face he was making. "I'm... I'm sorry guys." He said in a low and depressed tone. "Thomas, please! Don't let him do this!" I begged of him as Thomas just stutteringly replied, "Clem... I... I...." Mitch aggressively pushed Thomas out of the way so he could get to us as he then took out his gun and pointed it at my face. "Mitch. Please don't do this. We don't have to kill them. We can just kick them out or keep them locked up or maybe...." Erika tried to find an alternate solution until Mitch told her, "Erika can you please SHUT THE FUCK UP!" His screaming frightened her as she backed off to join the others as they all stared with the same frightened eyes that she had. "We are doing this. There is no other solution." He said turning his head back to face us. I looked over at AJ as he was scared out of his mind. I don't think I've ever seen him this scared before in my life. It hurt my heart even more to see the little boy I raised trembling at the thought of being killed. Mitch took notice of AJs fear as he looked at me again and said, "Tell your boy that it's gonna be alright. Lie... like you and Gabe lied about keeping us all safe." I looked at AJ with sorrowful eyes and said, "It's... it's gonna be alright, AJ. I... I love you." "I love you too... mom." He said sounding scared with tears in his eyes as I was still sad and scared but also felt touch that he called me mom even if I wasn't. Mitch then cocked the gun and was about to shoot us dead as AJ and I closed our eyes tightly in anticipation of what was about to happen. That was until we then heard a voice coming from the distance yell out, "Mitch!"