We Don't Die

The Idea

Jeremiah and Clementine wake up from the sounds of the others calling for them. They quickly get out of bed and get dressed. They both exit the shack and notice everyone staring at them, some giggling. "Uh, what?" Jeremiah asks. "Oh nothing, Jeremiah." Diana says trying not to laugh. "We need to get moving." Clementine suggests. The group begins walking. "Listen, I think you, me, and AJ should stay there." Jeremiah says to Clementine. She begins thinking on that suggestion. "Why? Isn't Alexandria safe enough?" She questions. "Yeah, it is, I just like being closer to nature." Jeremiah replies. "And why is that?" AJ asks appearing behind them. Jeremiah and Clementine look at each other. "Listen closely buddy." Jeremiah begins saying as he places himself on his knees. "I'd rather be closer to you and Clementine. I like being around the others, but you two are my family and my priority. We don't have to stay there if you guys disagree, it's only a suggestion." He finishes. AJ nods. "I understand." He says firmly. "But I like being with the other kids. Makes me feel more like a kid than an adult." "I agree. It's good to see you be something you're supposed to be at the moment. You shouldn't have to do the things you've done, son." Jeremiah says staring directly into his eyes. Clementine smiles. "When I did what I did, I did it so you and the others could be safe. I risked my life so yours and Clem's can be safe. You understand that, don't you?" Jeremiah asks. "I do." He says confidently. The group arrives at the gate of Alexandria. Jeremiah, AJ, and Clementine enter inside. "Derek and I have something we need to take care of today." He says placing his hand on Clem's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll be back." He finishes. "You better." She says and they kiss. Jeremiah walks up to Derek and hops on the motorcycle. Derek puts his gloves on and starts the bike and they take off.

At the Hole

Jeremiah and Derek approach the hole where they had their fight in and they look inside. "What do you think this is for?" Derek asks. "Could be a walker trap." Jeremiah says. "Or a grave." Derek cuts in. Jeremiah looks at Derek and then back down in the hole. "We could actually use this." Jeremiah says. "For what?" Derek questions. "We could use it as a walker trap. If they chase us down, throw them down there and watch the hole fill up with undead corpses. Clear out the area and make it safer so the kids can finally play outside of the gates." Jeremiah says. "And risk the kids' lives? We both know how outsiders see kids on their own. They see them as weak, stupid, defenseless, need I continue?" Derek asks. Jeremiah shakes his head. "Don't get me started on the little girls in there." Derek says. "You think they would get forced into doing something they don't want to participate in?" Jeremiah asks approaching Derek. "Rape?" He says. "Yes, I do. People are sick in the heads these days and without civilized laws, they can't get arrested anymore. They take advantage of the girls because they're weak." Derek says. "Not all of the kids are weak though, Derek. Some know how to shoot. What makes you think they wouldn't be armed?" "Imagine you being out here and you see a kid. The first thing you want to do is make him or her think you're not a threat in any way and make him lose his guard, then you attack the kid and expect it to be all sunny sunshine positive. You expect a lonely kid roaming the streets with a gun trying to survive? Think about that, Jeremiah." He says firmly. "Look, I get what you're trying to do here, I do, but it's wrong man. We have to fill this up and keep our children inside the gates, otherwise they-" He stops talking. "You know what'll happen if we let the kids roam the area." He finishes. Jeremiah nods. They hear leaves crunch in the distance and they arm themselves with their knives. They begin looking around. "See anything?" Derek whispers. "No, nothing. Could've been an animal of some sort." "Rabbit maybe. If we couldn't see it, must've been a small animal." Derek says. They sheathe their knives. Derek jumps down into the hole and begins searching it to see if anyone or anything has come in it. "We could set this is an animal trap." Jeremiah says and Derek looks up at him, moving the hair out of his eyes. "Set some sort of smell in there that attracts whatever animal and have it drop down here. They wouldn't be able to get out, they'd be stuck in here and eventually die." Jeremiah finishes. Derek nods. "That could work. Better than a damn walker trap for sure." "We still have to accept that walkers will drop in there, though. If they hear an animal in there trying to get out, they'll follow the sound and drop down in there, killing our food." Jeremiah says. "Mhm, you're right." Derek says. Walkers appear in the woods. "Derek! Get outta there!" Jeremiah yells from above. Derek hears the growls of the walkers and tries climbing up but can't. "Find a rope! I'll handle these undead shitheads!" He yells below. Jeremiah runs to the motorcycle and checks the pouch sitting close to the back wheel. He notices a rope and grabs it. He runs back and notices Derek fighting off walkers. More walkers appear and this only makes Jeremiah panic and pressure himself. He ties the end of the rope to a tree nearby and throws the other end in the hole. "Grab it!" Jeremiah yells. More walkers fall in and Derek piles the dead ones underneath him and uses them for a boost. He grabs the rope and begins climbing but can't reach. Jeremiah holds onto the tree and sticks his hand out. "It's pointless man, just go!" Derek yells. "I'm not leaving you behind!" Jeremiah responds. Derek's left foot slips and the walkers almost grab him. He regains his balance and reaches desperately. "Focus, brother." Jeremiah says confidently. The walkers grab Derek's foot and begin pulling on him. Derek's eyes go wide and almost loses his grip on the rope. He holds on for dear life. "Brother, take my hand." Jeremiah calls from up top. Derek kicks the walker and grabs Jeremiah's hand and he begins to pull Derek up. Derek reaches the top and him and Jeremiah both fall back, laying on the ground staring at the blue sky above them. They begin laughing together. "These assholes." Jeremiah jokes. "Here, I'm gonna take a piss on 'em." Derek says standing up and unzipping his pants. Jeremiah stands up and walks to the motorcycle and waits for Derek finish relieving himself. Derek exits the woods and approaches the bike. "Let's go." Derek says. They both hop on the bike and head back home.