A Shred of Hope (The Walking Dead) (The Final Season Retelling)

27. The Grand Escape Plan

"You mind if I sit here?"

Clementine turned around. Jared stood in the corridor behind her. "Yeah... go ahead," she replied, turning back towards the street. The rain was just beginning to fall now. She watched as the lightning tore through the dark skies and the water poured in front of her, creating a cacophony. The few people outside hastened indoors, taking shelter from the weather.

"How's it going?" he asked, seating himself on the wall.

Clementine found herself shrugging.

"That bad?" He stared at the street. "Where are Louis and Violet?"

"They went to the room. I didn't feel like sleeping so I came out here," she told him.

Jared nodded. "So, Beth has the rest of your group?"

"Yeah. Makes me worried about what she'll do to them."

"You're planning to get them back?" he asked.

"I want to. But I have no idea where Delta is. Or how to even get in. And Jonathan doesn't want to help us," she said. She had no idea why she was telling him this.

"What did he say?"

Clementine looked at him. There was.... relief in his eyes? "That he didn't want to send any of his people to die and that he didn't want to be a part of our rescue."

Jared was silent for a moment. "What if I help you?"

She faced him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I'll come with you to Delta and we can get your friends back."

Clementine found a balloon of hope suddenly grow inside of her. "Why?"

"Well, call it a stranger's kindness. After all, what's humanity if we don't help each other," he explained. "Besides, I can take a shot at Beth too, if we find her. End this thing for once."

"You'd risk your life for someone you don't know?"

"I don't get to do anything here other than the usual traps and a supply run every now and then. If we get rid of Beth, at least I'll be taken seriously here."

"You're sure you want to come?" Clementine asked, hoping he would still say yes. Another helping hand and things could turn out for the better.

"You're going either way, right? I might as well come along. I can help make sure that everything goes according to plan."

"Okay, let's do it then," she replied. She couldn't help the smile spreading across her face. "How far is it from here?"

"Delta? About a day's walk. We can leave tomorrow night and be there by the next. Perfect cover for slipping in."

"Sounds perfect. Do you know a way to get in?"

Jared thought for a moment. "No," he said. "But we can find a way in once we get there."

"Yeah, that's true. And what about weapons?" she asked, remembering that they didn't have anything. Telling him that she took his father's knife wasn't a good idea.

"I can get you into the armory. Pick out something that they won't notice is missing right away." He looked around. "We can do that tomorrow."

"Okay," Clementine replied, nodding. "And Jonathan? Is he going to allow you to do this?"

He chuckled softly. "Who knows. But I had a supply run planned tomorrow with Gareth. He's gone but I can tell dad I still want to go. I can say that the three of you are accompanying me. The run is important to him. That way we don't even have to steal weapons."