TWD: The Bounty Hunter (Clementine X Male Reader Book 2)

Getaway-3

Before the apocalypse, there was a construction company building a small little area to getaway. They chose the middle of the woods to separate you from society. You were told there were plans for hotels, restaurants, and even a small theatre. It never happened. The place was only in the beginning stages of construction.

Don told you that they started by building the garage, that sits within the walls, to store their equipment a little better. Someone wanted garage doors for whatever business they were going to have here, so it was going to work out. The workers then split and started the bases of some of the restaurants, the bar, and other unknown buildings. Then, the dead woke up and started sinking their teeth into any living thing they could find.

A few years later and Don showed up with a group. They thought it could be good place to start a base. So, they tried finishing the buildings that were already started as best they could. He says those were the toughest times. They didn't have much of anything, and sometimes they would work for a whole day on empty stomachs.

They eventually tasked a few people, who were already going out to find building materials and supplies, with finding supplies for survival strictly. Another few were put on material duty. This rose the efficiency of how much they brought in. With the increase in food, morale went up and everyone was able to work as best as they could.

About a year went by and they finished the buildings. They're not the best, but they work. They're small and makeshift, some of them being just a box, and others having a few rooms in them. Thats when the Delta attacked them. The same people that attacked Clementine at Ericsson's. They came to plunder the resources they had scavenged.

The Delta only came with a small force, and Don's people were able to fight them off. They suffered a lot of tradgedies. People that had turned into their family over the years. They weren't fighters after all. They had all killed to survive, but they weren't good at fighting. They buried their dead in a small cemetary not too far away. Somewhere that if they wanted to mourn, they could in peace.

Then the walls started coming up. They built the front gate as tall as they could. Built a nice watch platform at the top to see anyone coming, so that it would never happen again. They brought in new people with different skill sets, and built a community. They called it the Rest Stop.

They wanted the place to be just like the documents and blueprints said. A place to getaway from it all, but also a way to help the people left alive. They built a small name for themselves. A peaceful place where you could go to take a break from the world. There wasn't much, but there was enough. Every community that knew of their exsitence respected them, and when they needed help, would come to their aid. Even the shady ones.

A visitor came in one day, with a rumor. One that struck fear into the people. There was a large group moving somewhere in the north. They weren't sure how far, but what they were sure of, is they were on a warpath. Killing and burning entire communities, or just attacking small groups. They didn't why, but the rumor was they were looking for two people.

They prepared themselves just incase they came. They would stand no chance against them if they arrived, and Don said it left a terrified feeling in the air. But, the visitor returned one day, and told of their defeat at a community called Salvation. And then the fall of Salvation.

Don got worried for the community. Wondered about what they would do if anything like that came to them, so he left on a scouting mission. He wanted to explore, and find threats to their safety. A few weeks in and he had found nothing that was too worrying. Until he found you. A boy lying in the middle of the road, dying all alone. He quickly radioed the Rest Stop and they rushed to get you back. They saved your life.

Don took you into his home and let you stay there. When you recovered, you started your new job as the protector of the Rest Stop. You were depressed and didn't find much joy in life. Everyone was kind, but you were cold and distant. They barely knew anything about you. Don was the only one who could get you to talk. He saved your life, and you felt like you owed him a little more than the rest.

Eventually, he became the first father figure in your life since your Dad. He taught you things that you should have learned at a younger age. Did his best to cheer you up. You didn't know it then, but he taught you how to be a father.

You were gone from the community every other week. Out looking for Clementine and the others. It worried a few people, so you eased their concerns. You taught the worried ones how to fight for when a group inevitably decided to attack.

A while down the line and you started up your bounty hunting buisness. The Rest Stop's small name then became a big name as you went from community to community looking for jobs. Everyone nearby knew about it. They knew if they needed help, that the Rest Stop was now the place to go. The Bounty Hunter would solve their problems.

You helped countless people through the years, eventually building a fan club in the shadows. Leaving the Rest Stop at the time you did, was a mistake. The fan club came in and killed them all... It was all your fault. They were there for you, because of you, and you couldn't protect your people.

You: I'm sorry.

You're kneeled down next to Marina, with an arm wrapped around her, looking at the graves of the people you were meant to protect.

You: I should have been here. To save you all... I never really did a good job at protecting you. I didn't make you feel safe. I was always drunk, out on a job, or looking for Clem... All I did was draw a group of people here to kill you... I could have done better, and I should've. I hope you all rest easy.

You check around to make sure you're not being snuck up on by a walker.

Marina: So, I just tell them anything?

You: Yeah, you can tell them anything.

Marina: Um... I'm sorry... I wish I was bigger so I could've have helped you... But, I found a new Mommy and Daddy. They made sure I got away. They're really nice and cool. I love them... I'm going to grow up, and be really strong so that I can protect them. I don't want them to leave me too... I love you.

You smile and squeeze Marina a little tighter.

Marina: Daddy?

You: Yeah honey.

Marina: You always make me feel safe.

She's trying to make you feel better, referring to what you had just said.

You: Good.

You stand up and hold out your hand.

You: That means I'm doing my job.

She grabs it in her tiny hand and looks up at you.

Marina: I'll keep you safe too.

You: I'm sure you will.