The Paths That Tie (Clementine x Violet)

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(Quick note: In the flashback portion of the chapter, this is one of the rare times that we see something that Clementine doesn't explicitly remember. This flashback just gives more of a backstory to its subject, and will make the significance of the "item" more present.)

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"Well, everyone...tomorrow's the big day! How are we all feeling?" Mariana asked, nudging the two people next to her, Gabe and Clementine.

The answer that Clementine had to give had about as many layers as the cake she once received when she was turning twelve. It was a well-attempted rainbow cake, and while it might've looked like a sloppy mess of icing and sprinkles to the eyes of outsiders, the fact that AJ and Lee had worked hard to create it made it the prettiest cake she had ever received.

Before Mariana's implication of tomorrow, the dance had nearly slipped from Clementine's mind entirely. A month ago, the only thing that mattered to Clementine was the homecoming dance and ensuring that it would be a success. Now? It seemed like the dance was only a hindrance to what really mattered. Getting not only answers to the disappearance of a friend from her past but also figuring out what happened to those before Sophie.

Maybe it wasn't Clementine's fight.

Maybe it has nothing to do with Clementine directly.

Maybe Clementine would be putting her life in danger from finding the knowledge she sought after.

However, none of that mattered to her. Even if it wasn't her fight, it was the fight of those she now cared about.

For Omar, Willy, and Tenn.

For Aasim and Ruby.

For Mitch and Brody.

For Louis and Marlon.

For Sophie and Minnie.

For Violet.

For everyone else who called the boarding school their home.

For the future of everyone's life.

While she couldn't confirm it entirely, Clementine knew that this was bigger than just Ericson. Sophie had mentioned in her letters how the threat being dealt with wasn't just some local danger.

It was an organization for human trafficking. More specifically, child trafficking.

From what could be inferred, the Delta more than likely attacked smaller towns to keep suspicions at a minimum. Additionally, only purging children with little-no blood ties decreased the chances of being traced.

Recruiting fellow classmates to make those decisions made it almost too easy, since the best insight as to who is the most outcasted in a group can be answered by those at the top of those social food chains.

It made sense to Clementine that someone like Marlon and Brody would be the ones approached. Even without verbal confirmation, it wasn't hard for Clementine to detect their leadership status in the group.

'The entire system is extremely meticulous. It's like all of their bases are covered, and because of the lack of care there is for the people who go missing, no one even gives two shits to try to do something. However, that ends tomorrow. Even if I can't solve everything, I will take the first steps to give redemption to those who had suffered because of those bastards.'