In the Willows

Chapter Fifteen: Ghosts of the Past Pt. 2

Clementine's POV

A swift kick wakes you up without warning. You instinctively reach for the K-Bar under your pillow and sit up looking for the perpetrator, knife in hand. You look to your right to see your partner curled into a ball. He stiffens up, then twitches slightly. It's almost like a pattern he's unconsciously following. You put the knife back and place a hand on his back to feel his presence. The steady beat of his heart calms you.

"Jos- " he whispers.

You raise an eyebrow to his whisper.

"Josiah...." he repeats.

You scoot closer to him continuing to listen. You rub up and down his back gently not to wake him. This seems to calm him somewhat so he's not stiffening or twitching as much as he was before. You lay back down next to him and drape your arm around him and pull him close. His whispering stops. You rest your forehead against his back as you drift back to sleep.

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You sit cross-legged facing the scuff covered wall. 

"Josiah?" you whisper to the boy facing the other wall.

"Yeah?"

"You think we'll ever leave this place?"

"Yeah."

"Even with those military people around?"

"Have some hope Y/N, you can't be doubtful all the time."

You nod. There's a long silence between both boys before you break it.

"I'm sorry Josiah."

"For what?"

"Getting you in trouble."

Josiah blows a raspberry, "Don't worry about it. Was it everything you wanted?"

You smile, "Yeah, that PV and J sandwich was amazing."

Josiah giggles, "Its PB and J, Y/N."

"Same thing."

"Not really."

"Thank you, Josiah."

"No problem, happy birthday Y/N."

The door to your room swings open and a man clad in light green scrubs barges in.

"I thought I said to stay quiet!" he yells.

"Mr. Radcliff, I'm sorry- " says Josiah before being cut off with a kick to the back.

"Shut up!" he looks at you, "You, is there something you didn't understand when I said no talking?"

You keep silent looking at the man.

He storms over to you and grabs onto your hair.

"Let him go!" yells Josiah getting up and running up to the man.

Mr. Radcliff backhands him and Josiah is sent to the floor.

"J-Josiah!"

"You know what happens to rule breakers here. You go to the box." he says with a devilish grin.

He drags you away and slams the door.

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Y/N's POV

The sun creeps through the blinds on a new day. Your eyes fly open and you try getting up before something holds you back. You look down to see an arm wrapped around you. You carefully look back to see Clementine laying there.