Clementine and Louis had been hunting in the woods when the herd rolled in. It wasn't a big one, but it was still too big to fight off and they needed to find somewhere to hide, quick.
"In here!" a voice called. Without thinking, they ran, taking refugee in the back of an old abandoned van. Clem leaned against the back of the seat steadying her breathing and Louis did the same. The boy who had let them in carefully pulled the doors shut and spoke softly.
"I don't think they saw us come in but we should stay low just in case." He turned to face them and Clementine gasped.
"Gabe?" He looked confused for a moment but then his eyes widened with recognition.
"Clem?!" She flung herself toward him, tackling him with a hug. Clementine had never thought she'd see him again. She had tried to return to Richmond after finding AJ but had found the community abandoned and overrun by walkers. She always hoped that he had made it out, that she'd find him again, but she had known better than to get her hopes up. Until now.
Clementine slowly pulled away and surveyed him, seeing her tears of happiness reflected in his own eyes. She laughed softly and reached to wipe them from his face with her sleeve when she was interrupted by a cough behind her.
"Sorry to interrupt the reunion but, uh, who is this?" Louis asked.
"Oh! Louis, this is Gabe. We were in a group together a few years ago." Louis shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Clementine's hand which was resting on Gabe's arm but then shook his head and smiled, "Hey man, nice to meet you."
Gabe smiled cautiously, "Hey.." Clementine turned back to Gabe, touching a rough scar across his cheekbone.
"What happened to you? I tried to come back to you but Richmond was overrun." she looked away, "I didn't know if you..." Gabe took her hand in his, pausing for a moment before replying.
"We were attacked by some other community. It got too bad to stay so we tried escaping in a herd. We used the walker gut technique but there were still too many... I got separated from Javi and my dad. I didn't hear anything so I don't think they—" he cut himself off, squeezing his eyes shut. "Anyways I've been looking for them but I never found them. I... I've been on my own for a while now. It's been... yknow."
Louis leaned forward. "Well you don't have to worry about being lonely anymore, we have a school nearby. Seeing as you're a... a friend of Clem's, I'm sure the others will let you stay."
Gabe glanced at Clem, "I, uh—"
She smiled at him, "Come back with us? Please?"
He nodded, "Of course."
Louis sighed, resting his head against the side of the van. "Great! Now that that's settled we just have to wait for the herd to clear out. I mean, I'm sure I could handle the walkers but it's better to be safe, right Clem?"
She scoffed, "Oh please, you could not."
"Could too. Hey what'd you say, Gabe, want to have a little competition? See who can take out the most?"
Gabe narrowed his eyes, "You're on."
Clem groaned, "Seriously?"
Louis winked at her, "Come one, it'll be fun! Besides there's only a few stragglers left, we'll be fine. Unless you're too much of a chicken..."
She rolled her eyes, "Fine. But only because I can't stand the thought of being trapped in a van with the two of you for any longer."
"That's the spirit!"They carefully climbed out of the van. Louis hefted Chairles onto his shoulder and Gabe pulled a bat out of his pack. Clementine smiled at it as she pulled out her knife.
"Was that Javi's?"
Gabe looked down at the bat, "Nah, I found this one scavenging... it felt right, yknow?"
Louis cut off Clem's reply, "Look alive, folks. The deadheads have arrived."
They all sprang into action, fighting their way through the group. Finally, there was only one walker left. Gabe and Louis both swung at the same time, and it's skull exploded between them, splattering them with guts. They looked at each other before laughing.
"Dude that was sick!" Louis exclaimed.
"Yeah that was pretty cool. How many muertos did you get?" Gabe asked.
Louis looked around, "I think four? Four and a half if you count that last guy. How about you?"
Gabe shook his head, "Four and a half, too. Guess we tied."
"Well I got six so I beat both of you. Come on let's head back." Clementine called, pushing past the two boys.
They both watched her leaving, longingly, before glancing at each other. Gabe narrowed his eyes, seeming to be sizing Louis up. Louis frowned back before shrugging and gesturing towards Clem's retreating figure. They both shouldered their weapons and followed her into the night.
YOU ARE READING
An Old Friend
ContoI don't really go here anymore but someone on tumblr requested a one shot of Gabe and Louis trying to 1 up each other to impress Clementine so here's a quick thing:)