Misery and Miracles

1

Clementine stared at the crumpled, torn photo that she had kept for so many years; she held the photo clutched tightly to her chest as she held back tears that clamped onto her throat. She laid slumped on Kenny's shoulder, his heavy jacket thrown across her tired shoulders. The rest of her group was sitting around a dim fire, shivering, planning their next move in the nightmare that they were trapped in. Some of the group was chatting amongst themselves, minding their own business. People tried to talk to Clementine now and again, asking about whether she was hungry or sleepy, but she just kept silent. There was only one thing she yearned for;

Lee.

Countless nights in a row she would lie awake thinking about what could've been of the little girl - wondering if she would still be that, stupid, annoying and naive little girl if Lee didn't leave her alone. In a cruel, morbid way, sometimes she believes that it was a good thing that Lee died. He was free from the carnage of the world, but she still retches at the thought of his lifeless corpse lying in that auto shop to this day.

"So I think you should get some sleep," Kenny began in his gruff voice, "It's a long day tomorrow kid."
Clementine nodded and crumpled up the stained photo once again and stuffed it into Kenny's pocket. She laid down onto her stiff, numb hands and closed her eyes.

Half an hour later, it was lights out for the whole camp, except Kenny. He was on watch, but he couldn't help but stay awake from the pounding thoughts he got when all the voices in his head were his family that he left behind.