The Walking Dead: Return to Paradise

Chapter Three: I Don't Wanna Grow Up

It had been almost a week since the incident with Minnie. Since then she had been more sociable, she spent the majority of her time with Tenn. Clementine had no idea whether she had told him about Sophie yet, they seemed happy regardless.

"What're you thinking about?" Violet gently tapped her shoulder.

Clementine often found herself getting lost in her thoughts when she stayed up late, despite sitting on the roof with Violet to keep her company it still happened.

"Oh nothing, just what happened with Minnie last week."

"That was pretty crazy. I can't believe she was gonna.." Violet trailed off and sighed, "Whatever, she seems a lot happier now."

"Yeah, she does." Clem smiled.

They both lay on top of a spare blanket, the cold winter air made the roof of the building freezing cold. Violet lay her head in Clementine's lap, Clem began gently stroking her hair. Violet sighed and closed her eyes, a smile grew on her face.

"We should do this every night." Violet said.

"Definitely." Clementine agreed.

The rhythmic chirping of crickets calmed Clem. She had always liked the sound, she had no idea why. She looked down at Violet who still had her eyes closed. Clem surveyed her face, memorising every detail, every freckle and line.

"You know what, I'm kind of glad the world ended." Clem said.

"Really, why?" Violet asked, not opening her eyes.

"If it didn't, I'd never have met you."

Violet opened her eyes and sat up, looking into Clementine's hazel eyes.

"Well then I'm glad the world ended too."

Violet leaned in and kissed her, wrapping her arms around Clem.

"Hey lovebirds!" A familiar voice called from down in the courtyard.

Louis stood in front of the tower looking up at them with his hands cupped around his mouth.

"We're all in the den, AJ's waiting for you two to join us." He continued.

Clementine sighed and took hold of Violet's hand, pulling it up and kissing the back of it.

"If I murder him would you help me hide the body?" Clem joked.

"With pleasure." Violet chuckled.

The entire group were sitting together in the den, Louis was sitting at the piano playing a tune while the others listened. Clementine and Violet pushed open the door and Louis suddenly spun around to face them.

"Took you long enough." He teased.

Violet rolled her eyes at him and she and Clem took a seat next to AJ on the floor. Louis finished his song and waited for applause, AJ and Tenn clapped enthusiastically. Louis looked around the room at everyone else.

"Wow, tough crowd." He jested.

Tenn looked up at Minnie who was sitting on a chair behind him.

"You should play something Minnie." He said with a smile.

She looked around nervously.

"Oh. I umm... I don't-." She stammered, trying to find a way out of it.

"Please." Tenn begged.

She sighed and gave him a half smile, "Okay then."

She picked up the guitar leaning against the bookshelf and began tuning it. Clementine was intrigued to hear her perform. Minnie cleared her throat and began strumming and singing;

Well, when I'm lyin' in my bed at night
I don't want to grow up
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
I don't want to grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
That's always changing things?
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
Well, when I see the price that you pay
I don't want to grow up
I don't ever want to be that way
I don't want to grow up

Clementine was surprised, she didn't expect Minnie to have such a good singing voice. Violet had said it was good but she had severely understated it. They all sat there mesmerised while Minnie played, Tenn was smiling up at her. When she had finished, everybody began clapping.

"Oh, so she gets applause." Louis said sarcastically.

"That was beautiful Minnie." Clem said with a smile.

"Thanks. My dad liked that song, so I learned how to play it when I was a kid." Minnie said.

"It's good to have you back, Minnie." Louis said, his voice was tinged with sincerity.

She looked up and smiled at the group.

"Glad to be back."