Walking Dead Game Collection

"Protected"

Title: Protected
Characters: Clementine, Marlon, Violet, Louis, Mitch, Rosie
Summary: After Rosie backs Clem into a corner, growling and snarling, Marlon is the only one that can pull her away and calm the jittery teen down again.
Inspired By: Shielded (a previous fic)
Author's Note: I altered a little bit the way Clementine explained the dog bite for the sake of the story, just for clarity's sake :)
Requested By: ebimanami
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The breath hitched in Clementine's throat. Her body went rigid, the action she was in the middle of was abandoned, and everything that she'd ever prepared on the off chance she was caught in this situation went out the window.

She was drawing a blank. She was terrified.

Since her run in with Sam — the dog that gave her the infamous scar on her left arm — she'd prepared plans for what to do if she ever encountered a dog again — how to test the waters to see if they were peaceful, where to kick if they ever leapt at her, and how to prioritize AJ's safety.

Now, face-to-face with Rosie, she was drawing a blank. As her snarling, drooling, vicious face sneered at her, and all Clem could see were the grimy, cleaning teeth. They were so sharp. They were so capable of ripping her to shreds.

So, she froze, and she screamed.

Everyone in earshot tensed immediately. Marlon and Violet, who'd been discussing hunting strategy outside the front doors, cast their gaze inward. Louis, in the music room, snapped to attention. Mitch, who'd been lingering outside sharpening a stick out of boredom, tensed.

In sync, they darted toward the source. They all recognized the voice. They all knew it was Clementine. Louis was the first one to the office, but Marlon and Violet were right on his heels.

"Clem?" Louis called, his fingers rapping on the door.

He was met with a strangled cry, and the distant sound of a jaw thrashing. Marlon, hearing both, tensed instantly.

He remembered how Clementine had confessed to him on their first night that she was terrified of dogs thanks to a previous encounter. Marlon hadn't asked for details, but vowed that he would try his best to demonstrate Rosie's kindness and loyalty.

It wasn't until a day or two later, with Clementine feverishly avoiding Rosie at all costs, had she told the full story to Marlon. She watched his fists open and close — clench and unclench — as she confessed everything. She'd decided it was only fair seeing as she was terrified of something so important to Marlon.

Hearing Rosie's snarl, and hearing Clementine's wail, Marlon knew exactly what was happening, and he hated that he'd let it happen.

All Rosie needed was time to gain Clem's trust, and Marlon had told Clementine he would ensure of it. "She just needs time with the two of us one-on-one," he'd said. "She needs to know we trust you. Then she will too."

But he never got around to it.

"Louis, stand back." Marlon said, darting for the door. "I'll handle this."

"What?" Violet scoffed, leering in closer. "Marlon, let us help. Let us see if she's okay."

"Let me go in first." He said, his stance firmer than before — angrier. The last thing he wanted was for everyone to see how dishevelled he knew Clementine was going to be. If Clementine has trusted him with the knowledge of one of her deepest fears, one she was so ashamed of, he didn't want any of them to see how badly it would affect her. Especially not if he was the one that had caused her reaction.