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

36. Etched Horrors

"They're here," Clementine whispered.

"Shit! They'll be inside in no time if they continue like that," Violet said, staring at the flames.

"We should go. Now." She began heading to the cell-door.

"We should wait," Marlon said, looking at her.

Clementine paused. "What do you mean?"

"We give it a little time so all the people from Delta are focused on fighting the Infinites. That's when we make our escape. If we go out right now, we're likely to get shot down by them."

"He's right," Minnie said. "We should do this carefully."

"I'm not letting AJ die tonight," Clementine replied fiercely.

"She's right, Clementine," Violet intervened. "We'll never get to AJ, forget the wall, if we run out right now. Once their attention is focused elsewhere, we'll make a run for it."

Clementine glanced around at everyone. She conceded. "Okay." She returned to the window, looking out at the beginning of the carnage. The gunfire was ceaseless. The little orange bursts looked like firecrackers sprinkled through the darkness. If it wasn't the onset of death, it would look beautiful.

The flames at the gate had died down now, but were replaced by raging fires around the nearest buildings and cars. She could barely make out the silhouettes of the men and women rushing near the gate. Suddenly, yells followed and they scattered away from it. An instant later, the gate came crashing down and the headlights of a truck became visible. It pushed over the gate, before it seemed to lose control and veer off into the nearest building.

The glass shattered as the guns were trained on the occupants of the car. Clementine squinted, just enough to see the Infinites firing into Delta from outside the gate. It was happening all over again.

"We can't stay any longer," Clementine declared, rushing back to the gate. Pulling out the keys, she fumbled with the lock, only then realising that her hands were shaking and she was perspiring. Wiping the sweat with her sleeves, she pulled open the door and stepped out.

"Clementine, wait!" Violet called after her.

She looked at the scared faces of the other kids. She swallowed. "Minnie, you know where you can get out from?"

"I think so," she replied falteringly.

"I want all of you to go with her. Get out safely and meet me in the forest like we spoke about. I'll get AJ."

"Clem, you can't go alone!" Violet protested. "I'm coming with you."

"No. I don't know how bad it's going to get. I'm not going to ask you to come."

"I'm coming too," Louis said. "We stick together, no matter what."

"No!' Clementine repeated. "You two should get out while you can."

"We will," Violet replied. "AJ is as much a part of us as he is of you. And I'm not going to run away while you run blindly into this."

Clementine knew it was futile to argue any further. As determined as she was, she was also scared out of her wits at that moment. Having Violet and Louis with her would help. "Okay, then the three of us will head over to Beth's building and you two can find a way out." She quietly led them towards the entrance of the cellblocks. Opening the door, she peeked out. The corridor appeared clear.

"Let's go," she signaled to the others. She made her way down the corridor, before turning around the bend and walking right into someone. She immediately stepped back, realising she was unarmed. The man held a gun in his hand.