The Walking Dead: Return to Paradise

Chapter Five: Crimson and Purple

Clementine heard a gunshot echo through the woods, the sound came from behind her off in the distance.
She turned on her heels and began running back the way she came, she didn't know how far out Violet had gotten but the gunshot had come from the area she was searching.
The sound of her boots hitting the ground and her rapid heartbeat were the only things Clementine could hear as she barrelled through the woods. The stick she had set up earlier as a marker blurred past her, Clem's thoughts quickly turned to worst case scenarios.

She saw a figure pacing a ways in front of her, Clem readied her bow as she got closer. The man turned to face her with an expression of panic on his face, she looked beyond him and her blood ran cold.
Violet was laying on the ground clutching her hip, covered in blood. She aimed the bow at the man, he dropped the gun and raised his hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry..I didn't-."

He was cut off by an arrow piercing his sternum.

The man flinched and gasped, falling to his knees. He looked up at Clementine, his eyes filled with terror.

"Please..."

She nocked another arrow and fired. It hit him in the throat, he let out a short gurgle before going completely limp.
Clementine let the bow drop to the ground and ran to Violet's side, her hands were shaking violently.

"Vi, can you hear me?"

Violet groaned and nodded.

"Fuck, I've got to get you back to Ruby."

Clementine took off her jacket and tore off a portion of the sleeve on her undershirt, she pressed it firmly against the wound and placed Violet's hand on top.

"Keep pressure on that."

Violet winced but did as she was told. Clementine put her bow across her back and put an arm under Violet's shoulder, getting her to her feet. She cried out in pain and lost her footing, having to be dragged back up by Clem again.
The two girls hobbled slowly back to the school, Violet was becoming paler than usual and Clem could feel the blood soak through onto her own shirt.

"Just hold on, we're almost there." She breathed.

They finally arrived at the front gate after some time.

"Oh shit, Ruby!" Asim called, jumping down from the watchtower to open the gate.

Clementine was running on adrenaline alone, she barely had any energy left after carrying Violet through the woods. Asim put his arm under Violet's left shoulder and helped Clem get her into the admin building.
They set her down on the couch in the hall, Ruby swooped in and began examining the wound.

"Clementine, hand me that cloth." She said, keeping her composure.

Clementine took hold of the cloth with shaking hands and held it out in front of Ruby. She slowed her breathing, trying to combat the panic that was threatening to take over.

Count to four, inhale. Count to four, exhale.

She repeated it in her head over and over, like a mantra. Violet gritted her teeth while Ruby moved the layers of clothing away from the wound. She splashed water onto the cloth and dabbed at the wound, cleaning the blood around it to get a better look.

"There's no exit wound, means the bullet's still in there. I've gotta get it out." Ruby said, picking up a set of forceps.

She grabbed Clem's arm and pulled her towards the couch.

"We've got no anaesthetic so this is gonna hurt, you'll need to hold her still."

Clementine nodded and knelt next to Violet, putting her hands on her shoulders. Violet looked up at her, she was sweating and her face was pale.

"You'll be okay." Clem whispered, unsure whether she was reassuring Violet or herself.

Ruby held the wound open with one hand and manoeuvred the forceps into it in search of the bullet.
Violet cried out in pain and began writhing, Clem lay over her chest using her own weight to keep her still. After what felt like an eternity, Ruby withdrew the tool and dropped the bullet onto the small wooden table next to the couch.
Violet breathed heavily, Ruby inspected the bullet and frowned.

"Damn it. There's a piece broken off, I need to get in there again." She looked over apologetically to Violet.

"Fuck...gimme a second." She took a deep, shaky breath, "do it."

Once again Ruby fished around for the fragment of the bullet, once again Clementine held Violet down while she screamed in pain.
It was like torture for her to have to listen to her girlfriend in pain like that. The rest of the school had all gathered in the hall watching with unease. Ruby pulled the forceps out had triumphantly held up the fragment to Clementine. Violet looked up slightly and groaned.

"Why haven't I passed out yet?"

In spite of herself, Clem mustered a laugh.

"Because you're a badass?"

Violet laughed and winced, her hand going instinctively to her side.

"Don't touch that, I'm not done yet." Ruby said, raising her head from the needle she was threading a string through.

Clementine took hold of Violet's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Violet smiled up at her, the smile faltered when she saw Ruby coming with the needle.

"This is gonna suck, isn't it?" She asked.

"Yeah..." Clem sighed.

Ruby began stitching the wound, Violet whimpered each time the needle entered her skin. Lines of blood trailed down from the needle's holes.
Ruby finished stitching and bandaging, Violet was exhausted and closed her eyes. Clementine had her head leaning on the couch next to her, listening to her soft, slow breaths. She came to the realisation that she was also exhausted, AJ stepped up to her slowly.

"Clem, are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm alright buddy, just tired is all." She half lied.

She wasn't fine, not really. She still felt a good amount of residual terror from the whole harrowing experience. The sun was beginning to set outside, ushering in an orange glow through the windows.

"You should get some rest." Violet said weakly, turning her head to face Clementine.

AJ nodded in agreement, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Minnie towered over her with a solemn expression.

"I'll keep an eye on her, you don't have to worry."
Violet raised her hand and gently stroked Clementine'a cheek.

"I'll be fine, look after yourself for a while." She said with a slight chuckle.

Clem leaned down and kissed Violet before getting to her feet and heading for the dorms with AJ following closely behind.
She lay down on her bunk, her hands were covered in dried blood and her shirt was torn and bloody. Despite everything, she fell asleep almost as soon as she laid down.