SILENCED [TWDGS4 Clouis]

-. ..- -- -... . .-. 6

[VIOLET]

Louis is SO indefatigable. He never shuts up. Well, he always shuts up, but he's relentless and rebellious. But mainly, he wont leave me alone. He's always begging me to excuse him from duties, or keeps asking me to help him on the littlest things. He's not useless, but if he continues, he will become... a difficulty for us. Louis is my friend, but I think it's getting a bit too much now. I've asked Clem to talk to him about it, but I don't think the conversation has happened yet.
       The beautiful sun swims through the sky as we work on securing the grounds. We started a huge project: a fence bordering the previous safe zone. As long as there's nothing to entice the lone walkers, they should ignore the fence. If there's a walker break-in, at least we will know that they're there. That's the plan anyway. A long term plan; this could take weeks or months using out minimal knowledge, skill and tools. But at least they're working hard now, looking forward to a safe forest. But right now, food is the priority. And water. Last time we got tens of litres, and it's done us well, but we might need to collect some more fresh water soon. We also need salt, for Omar.
        I remind myself of the list of things we require.
"Everybody up here!" I yell. Almost instantly, Aasim, Willy, AJ and Omar arrive, followed by Tenn, Louis and Clem wishing a few minutes.
"Clem, you and I are going to go down to the river to fish and also collect some water. Aasim, you take Willy out into the forest - staying in the safe zone of course - and practice help him catch some moving targets with the bow. Omar, AJ, Louis, Tenn, you'll have to stay here and wait for either party to come back. Omar, you do whatever foody stuff you want, and perhaps get AJ and Tenn to assist you. Are we all clear on this?" My voice is controlled and calm, even though being the leader of a survival group of Teens is neither of those things

~~~

"How are things with you and Louis?" I ask Clem. Her golden eyes glitter in the sunlight.
"He's troubled. He really wants to speak."
I nod. As we hike along, looking at the birds and the nature, I can't help but keep looking at her. She's beautiful, and she held a place in my heart since she saved me. But she's taken. So I keep reminding myself that I can't feel it. But I do. And although I love her, I still support her relationship with Louis. That's what a good best friend would do.
"Let's take those spears back out, and also collect some river water for Omar." I say as we approach the shed.
        Thinking like a survivor. You can make it through this.
        Clem nods and opens the door. We get in. I pick up two buckets and two large lids. Clem takes out the spears and we walk outside.
"I'll fill the buckets in the deeper section upstream." I say, grabbing a spear and making my way upwards. A zephyr brushes my face as I crouch and fill the buckets with the half-clean river water. Just as I fit the lids onto the buckets, I hear Clementine shout something:
"Walkers!" I put the buckets down, grab my spear and and run back down the river.
        Sure enough, there are two walkers attacking Clem and three more approaching. I stare at the spear but decide that I don't have enough time.
"Hey!! You know what?! Fuck you!" I scream at the walkers to draw their attention. The walkers approaching notice me and start staggering towards me. The walkers struggling with Clem pause. That should give her time to fight. Adrenaline pumping, I jab the closest walker and rip it's head off with all the strength I can muster. The others growl and stumble forward. I kick the head off and drive the spear up another one's mouth. I kick the last one and force is to the floor before giving it the boot.
        Clem gets up.
"Clem? Are you alright?" I pant. My blood is still pumping and I'm still tense.
"Still not bitten. Just a shock." She says, adjusting her jacket into position.
"I think we should just be done with it. Let's hope Aasim and Willy brought something back." I suggest. Clem shakes her head, or maybe not, considering her whole body is shaking, and maybe I just imagined it.
"Let's catch something. It'll just be a few minutes." She picks up her spear, and I pick up mine.

~~~

"So goddamn heavy." I complain as we trek through the forest. I'm carrying the plain water bucket and Clem's carrying the Fish bucket. It's equally heavy, but she seems to be struggling much less than me.
"Shh! It's not that big of a deal." Clem laughs. I dip my hand in the water and splash Clem. She smiles evilly and splashes me back with the fish-stinking water.
"Hey!" I pop the lid back on as we walk towards the gates.
I see AJ on the post, and he waves at us. Clem and I wave back.
      Omar emerges from the gates and behind him Louis also walks out.
"Two buckets, full of fish?" Omar asks.
"Just one of them." I say. He nods and takes it from Clem. Louis holds out his hand, but I don't give him the bucket.
"Stop being selfless, Lou. You're not ready to start doing laborious chores yet." I tell him. He shakes his head, defeatedly, and steps back. I follow Omar over to the cauldron sitting above the cooking fire. Omar lifts the cauldron and places it on the ground next to him.
"This'll do just fine." He comments, "Just leave it there, I'll handle it."
        I check around the camp, making sure everyone is alright. I look at Tenn and Willy talking in one of the benches.
"You all right boys?"
"Yeah. We're fine." Tenn says. I smile. Tenn is really brave, still standing strong after learning that Minnie died on the boat. I was pretty shaken too, but we have to stay strong. I back out and sit on one of the benches near the wall and start fidgeting with a piece of broken wood.
As I sit in the shadow of the walls - strong walls I can feel it: we're going to be fine as long as we stay strong and grit our teeth through pain and sorrow.
        We're all apocalyptic survivors, after all.

———

Hey! Another chapter delivered. Thank you all for 50 votes! The reads have raced up so fast and I can't thank you enough.
Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter :)
Another one arriving next Monday, see you!