Shaded In

Someone My Age

A gunshot pierced their ears and rang out through the woods. It sent chills up Clementine's spine and caused her face to pale. If they could hear a gunshot this close to the house, someone wasn't too far away.

She saw Luke stand up and run to get his gun and machete. She stood up and turned to AJ. "Me and Luke are going to go check and make sure it's safe outside. Stay here!" She gestured for him to sit by the couch.

"But Clem I wanna help!" AJ pleaded with her.

Clem shook her head. "It's too dangerous and we don't know who could be out there."

AJ hung his head in disappointment. "Okay."

Luke offered him a smile from the door. "Don't worry kiddo. Will be back soon. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on the house." He waited for Clem to join him before they both bolted out into the rain, not caring anymore if they got wet. Their group's safety came first.

It was pitch black out, the sky a heavy overcast as the storm clouds cried tears of rain. Occasionally the thunder would roll and a spark of lightning brought light to the surrounding area for a split second. Clem hated thunderstorms. They always brought walkers. The constant noise leading the dead heads into large groups and in various directions.

Her thoughts were pulled by a shout from Luke. "Over here! This way." She saw Luke take off into the woods and followed close behind.

Eventually, she started to pick up the sounds of someone shouting at another person. "There's one behind you!" She heard them say.

She and Luke came to a halt, almost bumping into him. Walkers were everywhere. They seemed to be surrounding what appeared to be two teenagers, no doubt the storm brought them.

A boy with dreadlocks, wearing a brown trench coat was swinging what appeared to be a chair leg with a few nails sticking out of it, trying his best to keep the walkers away. "Hey ugly! Come and get it!" He yelled before colliding the chair leg with the head of the closest walker.

"Louis, stop talking and swing!" Said the girl that was next to him. She had blond hair and was wearing a hoodie with a vest over it.

Clem thought she looked kind of cute. She shook her head. Cute? Where had that come from?

The girl had a cleaver in one hand, and with a swift motion slid it right into the brains of the next walker in line. She went to take the knife out of the walker's skull, but it had gotten lodged in. "Shit!" She cried as she tried to pull the weapon free, various walkers approaching. The continuous rain didn't help her grip on the knife.

The walkers neared closer, snarling, and ready to take a bite of flesh. One of the dead was about a foot away, arms outstretched to grab a hold of its victim. The girl tried to back up but was cornered. And just when the two teens thought all hope was lost. A shot was fired, sending a bullet through the head of the walker closest to her.

Luke had fired. The noise sending Clem back into survival mode. She aimed her gun at the approaching walkers killing a few before switching to her knife. Not wanting to waste bullets or attract more walkers with the noise, she quickly inserted the blade into each walker she passed, slowly clearing a path for the two. Luke taking out his machete to help as well.

The blond girl took the opportunity to put her foot against the dead walker's body and pushed off to give the action more force, causing the blade to slip free. Right after she sent it back into another walker skull.

The number of walkers was starting to decrease, but the initial noise had attracted more. They were starting to gather in the distance and slowly started to limp their way over. Luke took out one more, leaving an opening from which they could escape. "Come on! Let's go!"

Clem turned around and briefly locked eyes with the new girl, who gave her a slight smile, before following Luke's lead. The new kids didn't need to be told twice to follow the two survivors. They all took off in a sprint back towards the house, leaving the walkers in the pouring rain.

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They didn't stop running till they had made it back to the house. Luke paused at the door to allow the others to catch up, Clem close behind him, with the other two following. Once on the porch, the boy bent over and put his hands on his knees in order to catch his breath. "Well, glad that that's over."

Luke took the moment to get their bearings, wanting to know a little about these people before they just invited them in. "You guys okay? We heard the gunshot and checked to see if someone was in trouble."

The boy smiled. "Yeah, thanks. Don't know what we would have done if you guys hadn't shown up." He turned to the blond-haired girl next to him who had her arms crossed. "I'd call that a B-plus performance there Vi. You've done better" He joked.

The girl in question glared at him and stuck up her middle finger towards him. "Fuck off." Then she went back to folding her arms.

He put his hand over his heart pretending to be hurt. "Fine! B-minus then!" Then he turned back to Clem and Luke and smiled. "Don't mind Violet. She's always like this. I'm Louis by the way. Sorry about all this."

Luke realizing they weren't going to be a threat, put his hands on his hips. "I'm Luke, this here is Clementine." He gestured to the girl next to him. "Don't worry. You guys are safe with us."

"Clementine huh? You were pretty good out there. That was solid A material. A-plus even." Louis complimented.

Clem had her arms crossed, not knowing whether they should trust these strangers or not. She had been surprised to find them. She hadn't seen anyone close to her age in a long time. The compliment seemed to throw her for a loop and her expression softened. "I-uh thanks." She decided that she liked Louis. His sense of humor was at least enlightening. She looked towards Violet and noticed the glum expression on her face and her slouched position. She didn't know why, but she felt different when she looked at Violet. Not wanting her to be left out she spoke up "You kicked ass Violet, A-plus."

Violet looked up and a small smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, I know."

The small reply caused Clem to smile at her. She felt this weird feeling in her chest, but it was interrupted when Louis spoke up. "You're both delusional." He joked.

Luke smiled. It was nice to see Clementine interact with someone her own age. Maybe these two were just what she needed. "Well, why don't you two come on in? We can talk more once we're inside and out of this rain." His wet clothes starting to make him uncomfortable.

Louis smiled. "Don't have to tell me twice."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Violet replied.

Luke turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. He gestured for Louis and Violet to go in first, forgetting something important.

Louis and Violet walked into the spacious living room with Luke and Clem right behind them. The light from the fire flickering across their faces as it danced around the room, emitting a low glow over the place.

Louis looked around the room impressed at the size of the place they had. "Haven't been in a place like this since..."

He and Violet immediately raised their hands at the sound of a click from a gun.

A small pistol pointed in their direction. "Don't move!"