TWDG\\II-South State

ELEVEN

Clementine
"The point is--" Jerome began. "You guys are committing more to this community. At first, I thought you were peril to what we had installed here. But you do have potential. All of you. Destroying all my work back at Austin, and them driving the mile out with a group of people is a hard task done at once."
Jerome smiled at all of us. We were sat in his wretched office. I cringed at the effort of literacy he had in his dumb speech.
"It's a shame the rest of your friends couldn't be alive for your success." Jerome continued, talking about Javi, and Willy and Cian and Gavin. I bit my lip with anger, and saw AJ across the room on his stool, rather enraged by that. I could tell after Tenn died he took interest in Willy to be his friend, and now both Willy and Tenn are dead. "The boys are learning to shoot. Louis here is learning medicine. And Violet...she'll have more inspired work as your appreciation levels here. And Clementine...she'll have a sustained purpose discovered more here, too.
"That's why my men and I have taken it upon ourselves to break you out of that quarantine cell, and make yourself into a more independent luxury in one of the Western buildings." Jerome continued. I smiled to myself. Our plan on fitting in, and taking what they're giving us is working. "Your timetables will be less restricted, and gradually, you won't have to walk around with those guards anymore."
"Thank you, mister." Ethan said, pulling a fake smile. He kicked AJ in the foot.
"T-thanks sir." AJ said, he too grinning, when I knew he was holding back his curled anger.
"Thank you Jerome." I said. "I know it's had to forgive...those who have done you wrong."
I knew that hit a cold spot for him. Wynn did him wrong at one point, and Jerome showed no forgiveness, whatsoever. Jerome noticed the cold edge in my voice, and I relaxed my posture, ready to shape my future attitude towards him.
"Well." He said. "It's my pleasure. To all of you. Your transition will begin tomorrow afternoon, after we've figured out unit organisations."
...
"Think it's working?" Violet asked me, as we all walked to the cell. AJ was by my side.
"I think it is." AJ said. "I think it's working."
"AJ, you don't..." I began. "You don't know that, okay?"
"Well, he just offered us new living arrangements." Ethan said. "I'm sure we'll be sustained to the ammo, supplies, gas and that old truck."
We walked downstairs, a guard waiting on us.
"There you are." He joked. "Waited a long time. Hey AJ."
"Hi Ivan." AJ said, and we ushered back into the cell, the cold making me chatter. Ivan locked the cell, and walked away.
"See y'all in the morning." He called, and left.
"Ivan?" I questioned AJ.
"He's nice." AJ said. "He helped me clean and fluff animals the other day, which was gross, but I dealt with it."
"Nice enough to take him with us?" Ethan asked, and Violet shot him a glare.
"No." AJ answered. "He has friends here, and a sister. He wouldn't want to leave family. I know he has a hard time at being tough, and that'll sort of help us when the time comes."
"Good." I nodded. "Okay. So, I've been thinking..."
Louis leaned into the conversation more.
"Maybe...Maybe Gabe isn't coming after all." I said, and I almost wanted to kick myself saying it. "I know Gabe. I know he couldn't have survived out there with no weapons or protection or food, and knowing his uncle is dead. Not after three weeks. I'm just. I'm sorry I snapped at you Violet."
Violet looked away.
"It's fine. Hes your...friend." She said. I could tell with the way she said friend, her voice was thick with other thoughts indicating we were more. But I knew myself. I wasn't interested in Gabe that way. "I shouldn't have suggested it."
Louis pushed a piece of paper toward AJ. Violet and I were interested in what it was as AJ studied it.
"Louis says he wants a...a...clip?" AJ asked, and Louis nodded. "What's that?"
Louis pointed to his mouth, referring to his butchered tongue.
"I know what he's talking about." Ethan said. "It's a silver, supported clip, and usually pins to like, your clothes to hold rifles in place. But...are you saying that if you put the rubber supports on either wave, you can place it across your tongue, you could sue that to say your words better?"
Louis smiled.
"So...you could talk again?" Violet asked. "Do they have those here?"
"In their storage room." AJ answered. "Ivan taught me about those the other day. I think."
"Well." I said, and smiled at the thought of Louis being able to talk again. "AJ or Ethan can try and get that."
"I know exactly where they are." AJ said. "I can try and get one."
"Wow." Violet said. "I know all those times I wished you wouldn't speak, and now I regret that more than anything. Good thing it's getting reversed."
Louis chuckled.
"Where would we go?" AJ asked. "When we get out? Can we go back home?"
"To the school?" Violet asked. "I...I don't know...?"
"Wait." Ethan said, and looked over at AJ. "I want you guys to drop me somewhere first. It's not far from here. There's a community, and my sister is there."
"A community? We didn't see it before?" I asked.
"More like a camp, with usual fences and a small population." Ethan explained. "There's more tents than anything."
"Sure." I answered. "We'll stop there. Okay?"
"Thanks." Ethan smiled.
"The school...?" Violet asked. I nodded.
"Um. That depends. People might've invaded it by now." I said. "Like raiders, or maybe even just some randoms."
"But we were there first." Violet said. "I just...I just want to go home. Take our chance with the raiders again."
"We don't have that many people left." I said. "Literally just the four of us."
"Three." AJ corrected. "When Ethan finds his sister, he wants to raise her in the woods."
"Good idea?" I asked. "How old is she?"
"She's about three years old now. I'll be fine. Maybe the camp will take me back? I have no clue. I'll cross that bridge when I get there." Ethan responded. "You guys said something about raiders?"
"We were under attack." I explained. "They wanted to take kids to fight."
"Maybe...maybe I can come with you?" Ethan asked. "I mean...that's if you want someone as young as Nevaeh with you guys?"
"Can I just remind you, I raised this for six years." I said, and gestured to AJ. Everybody laughed. "No. We won't mind."
A realisation came to me. If it was Winter around these parts, then AJ wouldn't be six years old anymore.
"Almost seven, actually." I said. "About two weeks estimated. That's just as snow starts appearing."
"Cool." AJ said. "I can't wait to be older."
I smiled.