TWDG\\II-South State

SEVENTEEN

Multi character POV moments in this chapter. This is more of a 'calm before the storm' moment, and doesn't really assist with the story.
Except at the end.
Enjoy.

Clementine
I gave an anxious sigh, as I leant against the wall outside of Violet's unit. We were supposed to talk more about this plan, yet the sky was already bright pink as the sun went down. I heard footsteps from down the hall, and I flipped my head up to see Louis; he seemed more tired. His dreadlocks, which were already rather messy, were strewn in all directions over his head, his eyes red and purple all around... it was a sickly sight. His walking was delayed, his leg formation wrong. I mean, I would know. I only have one leg.
"Woah." I said. "Louis."
I had limited vocabulary at this time, his appearance was so...unnatural. He pulled a distant smile, as he opened the door to Violet's unit. He must know the tattered combination off by heart.
I felt willing to ask him where Violet was, but...I knew he couldn't answer with big sentences or anything, so I didn't bother. Louis walked in, the room dark and gloomy. It was cold too, which gave off a porcelain feel. Louis went to open the curtains, but I shook my head.
Somehow, I didn't feel the need to open curtains. The entire room would feel too...exposed. Louis sat down at the table, and sighed. His hands strayed out on the table in front of him, he face leaning against his arm. I sat down across from him, and rested my head on my palms. I caught his brown eyes, the original beauty and excitement missing from them these days. He smiled again, and shut his eyes.
"We'll, uh, wait till Vi gets here. AJ knows where to meet us." I said, and Louis nodded, not opening his eyes. His eyelids were a darker shade than the rest of his face.
This place was a slight imprisonment.

I waited for a long time, the sides of my temple contracting a headache due to low focus of the dark room, before I heard the familiar clicking of someone entering the combination code. I lifted my head, and the door opened,the orange light of the lamp in the hallway filling into the opaque black of this room. I saw the silhouette of Violet, and she switched on the light.
Violet too looked drained; her high cheekbones shadowing over the thinness of her face. Her face was so pale, it looked portrayed a light yellow colour. She was so...fragile. And that wasn't a word one would use to describe Violet.
I felt the same guilt I usually feel when looking at Violet. The guilt that I didn't take this wonderful person close to me. The guilt that I could've and should've tried harder.
But could've and should've have no place in any relationship.
I sat up, and so did Louis, his light snores were the only sound present in the room for maybe the last fifty minutes.
Violet smiled, and shut the door behind her. She walked closer toward us.
"Where's AJ? And Ethan?" Violet asked.
"They might come later." I said. Violet sat down next to me, and her eyes looked over to where the supplies we had gathered over the last couple of days were piled.
"In two days," Violet began. "We'll be attempting to carry out this plan we have figured out."
"It'll work." Louis said.
"Lou is right." I said, even though there was a large pit of denial at the bottom of my stomach. "We gotta try. There's no way we are getting controlled."

Louis
"There's no way we are getting controlled." Clementine spoke.
She was right.
The affects of this place was already causing us to starve; I noticed how underweight I was. And it wasn't because we hadn't been eating the food—the amount of labor we did, and the small portions of food once a day were taking a toll on all of this. If we go on like this another week, we'll all waste away.
"Fucking oath." Violet agreed, flashing a sly smile at Clementine.
Jesus. Just kiss and make up already.
The door opened again, only this time, Ethan poured in, his smile being the greeting we got as he shut the door behind him. As he sat down, a certain disturbing buzz washed over me.
I was reminded of when I was with my friends.
Marlon. Aasim. Ruby. Minnie. Mitch.
They're all gone. I don't blame anybody. Not anymore.
I just wish things went a different route.
I heard the door click open, and I didn't look to see who had entered into this circle.
I heard AJ. AJ's voice.
I saw the innocent child that stood in front of me, gun in hand, rain pouring down his face. Marlon laying on the ground. Dead.
This thought was only considered as the others began talking throughout the group. I only opened back into the conversation when I heard,
"Are you okay, Louis?" Clementine asked. I looked up from my hands. I saw her good eyes, comforting solace with no words. I was flustered, so I grinned. Except this grin wasn't a mask.
It was a wholehearted grin.

Violet
My outer layer of bitchiness and stubbornness washed almost instantly.
We continued to talk about our well thought through plan, and through the mystery of it all, I felt like I was having a similar conversation once with Clementine.
When we were planning against the raiders. When we were planning of moving out from the school.
I found myself smiling. Like, a real smile.
Louis nodded along consistently with the plan. Clementine spoke honestly, and smart. Even Ethan, who I had come to accept, intervened with his opinions every now and then. AJ only spoke when he wanted too.
This was familiar. This was normal.
In a not normal sort of way.

AJ
In the short life I have come to live, I know this. I know this feeling, I know this thought. I know that through the small variety of friends, I have come to love this feeling.
I love the feeling that Clementine is happy. When Clem is happy, I am.
I'm scared. I know that in a short amount of time this small alliance will break out, and attempt to be free.
But we have to take these risks, right?
Because if we don't now, when will we?

...
Ivan spoke to Ashley, pleading to her to see his perspective. The siblings walked through their unit, Ashley objecting to escape with a broken group of children.
"Ashley." Ivan begged, his hands gripping her forearms. "We haven't survived this long to be controlled by that mad man. You know that."
"I think I'd rather be in control by that man than break loose with those pimp fucks!" Ashley shaped, and pulled from her brother's grip.
Ivan stood there, defeated as Ashley walked away.
He was determined to leaving, whether his sister came with her or not.
Ashley stood by the kitchen bench, a million thoughts running through her mind. Like hell those kids could perform a well thought out plan without losing their shit. And her pathetic brother wasn't going to convince her.
"C'mon." His voice said behind her. "I don't want to leave you. I promise, you'll be safe. I'll keep you safe."
At that moment, a lightbulb flickered in Ashley's mind. She turned around, her icy blue eye looking directly into Ivan's.
"You promise?" She asked.
Time to put on a show, she thought.
"Yes." Ivan said, his love and compassion for his undeserving sister so strong. "I promise."
Ashley reaching to wrap her arms around her brother's neck.
Over his shoulder she grinned.
That little rat will get what he deserves.
AJ.

Btw, I am aware that I am not revealing what the plan is, that'll be soon.
Enjoy the next chapters!