The Walking Dead: Return to Paradise

Chapter Six: Back On The Saddle

A knock at the door woke Clementine, she blinked the sleep from her eyes and looked out the window. The morning sun warmed her face as she threw off the blanket. Clem walked to the door, still in a half asleep stupor, and opened it. Clem looked up and saw Minnie standing in the hall.

"Mind if I come in?" She asked quietly.

Clem moved away from the door and let her past.
"Violet asked me to come get you." Minnie leaned on the wall, putting one foot against it.

Clem laced up her boots while Minnie spoke.
"She uhh...she really cares about you." She said, almost solemnly.

Clementine stopped what she was doing and looked up at the tall girl. She nodded slowly, she wasn't sure how else to respond.

"You care about her too, right?"

"Of course." Clementine said, getting up from the end of the bed.

Minnie swallowed hard and sighed.

"You two are good together. Take care of her, okay?" She gave a smile.

"I will." Clem said softly.

Minnie pushed herself off the wall.

"Well come on, can't keep her waiting." She said, her spirits seemed to have lifted quickly.

Violet had been taken to her room at some point during the night. The door was ajar and Clem pushed it open. AJ was sitting on the desk next to the bed, drawing. Violet sat up slightly and grinned when she saw Clementine.

"How are you feeling?" Clem asked, taking a seat on the end of her bed.

"Shitty."

Clem nodded, she knew how much getting shot hurt.

"How did it happen?"

Violet closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

"That asshole came up from behind, tried to rob me. He said he wanted the deer, I wouldn't let him have it, so he shot me."

"Fuck. I'm sorry, splitting up was a stupid idea." Clem said remorsefully.

Violet scowled at her, taking hold of her hand.

"This isn't your fault, you're the reason I'm alive right now." She said sternly.

Clem shuffled closer to her and sat at her side, embracing her. Violet leaned in, placing her head on Clem's chest, she was back to smiling. Clem wished the moment would last forever, that she wouldn't have to let go of Violet and leave that room again. She gently guided Violet's chin with her hand to face her and kissed her.

"I love you, Vi." She whispered.

Violet practically melted in her arms, she was beaming from ear to ear.

"I love you too." Violet said, kissing Clem back.

AJ turned towards them and rolled his eyes.

"Gross." He said.

Violet stuck out her tongue in a faux mocking gesture and laughed. AJ shook his head and went back to drawing, it wasn't long before he excitedly picked up his drawing and ran to the side of the bed.

"Violet, look!"

He held up the piece of paper, it depicted Violet smiling and giving a thumbs up, accompanied by the words 'get well soon'.

"That's so good, buddy. I love it." Violet said, smiling at him.

"It's for you, you can put it on your wall." AJ held the drawing out for her to take.