Part 16: Back in Richmond

283 9 2
                                    

Clem POV
———————————————————————————
We all piled into the truck about an hour ago. Most of us have been quiet, just relaxing and gaining some rest. Javi would open the trucks window to the back to let us know we're almost at Richmond.

Suddenly, Violet begins to speak. "So, what's the plan now? Are we staying here permanently?"

"Maybe for a couple days. This place could belie new home."

Louis writes on a piece of paper and hands it to Willy.

"We didn't live with grownups before. We should keep it that way."

"I think I agree with Louis. We don't know these people, they're not family."

"Aj, Y/N, and me weren't family when we joined you guys. They could become our family."

I receive some nods from the others to this point. Staying here could be a solution to all of this. We'd be safe, we'd have food and water, and a roof over our heads.

"Let's not forget why we came all this way up here. We still need to find Y/N."

"We will, let's just get some rest first and then we'll get right back to it."

"Yeah, I could just a night of sleep in a bed!"

Violet lets out an annoyed sigh directed at Ruby and Omar. She contemplates saying something, but Aasim stops her before she does.

The truck stops for a moment and then continues ahead. We look out the back and see the gates close behind us. We all climb out once we fully stop, and take a look around.

"It may have changed a little bit, but it's still home. I'll give you guys a tou-"

"Javi!"

We all turn and see a teenager about our age walking towards us. He's wearing a denim jacket, green military pants, and a dirty beanie. He walks over focused on Javi, and seems a little annoyed.

"Javi, you need to give me some more help on watch. I'm not going to stay on the quietest part of the wall all day by myself."

"Gabe, I missed you too. Thanks for worrying about me."

Javi turns to us and grabs Gabe's shoulder towards us. "Gabe, look who we ran into today."

"Is that you Clementine? I hardly recognized you."

"I hardly recognized you too."

"Looks like you found Aj, and some other people as well. What are you doing here?"

"We needed a new home since we've run out of supplies. We wouldn't have traveled this far north if our friend wasn't taken by some men. So, we're looking for him and a new home."

"Well, I think you guys found your new home. Just need to find your friend."

Violet chimes in after gabe says this. "We'll decide later if that's the case."

Gabe gives Violet a confused look, with almost a hint of anger. Javi grabs his shoulder and smiles at us.

"That's completely understandable. How bout I let Gabe show you guys around, and then at dinner discuss important matters. While you're doing that, I'll see if I can find someone to man that wall with you Gabe."

Gabe nods his head and then walks off with the rest of the group. I take a moment to watch Gabe walk away. He's changed a lot. He's no longer that always angry kid, he's an adult now.

"See something you like?"

I turn to see Ruby smirking at me. "No-what are you talking about?"

"It's fine Clem. I have no room to judge, so ignore me."

Ruby walks off to catch up with the others and I soon follow. I can't believe she just asked me that. I wasn't even doing anything wrong, all I did was look at Gabe's upper body and his-

OKAY, THIS NEEDS TO STOP.
———————————————————————————
By dinner time, we've gotten the full tour of Richmond and learned more about Gabe. Since I left, he's grown more and more involved with Javi and Kates work. He said that he joined in the fighting against the Delta, and that he was there when they got the last of them.

"They were hiding out in some old prison. We took them out and made sure they got a proper punishment."

"What was that?"

"It's best if I didn't say. There's Javi and Kate. Grab your food and then bring some of your friends to talk about plans."

Me, Aj, Violet, and Aasim all head over to the table and sit down. I first hug Kate and meet her adorable child. She's gonna be 2 pretty soon is what they said.

"So Clem, you guys need help finding someone?"

"Yeah Kate, he's one of our friends. He was taken by some men in uniform and we believe brought up here somewhere."

"Whys that?"

"I got this off of one of their dead bodies. Talked about towns here In Virginia the most, so we came here to look for him and a home."

Violet slides the book across to Javi and his family. Javi reads the book, and then let's out a sigh.

"This doesn't sound good."

He hands it to Kate, who also lets out a sigh.

"Have you checked any of these towns yet?"

"No, we went looking for a home first before traveling around."

Javi nods his head and scratches the back of his neck. He sits silently for a moment and then begins to speak.

"We can help you guys look for him, but this screams Delta. I thought we got them all, but they must be back. You need to prepare for all possibilities that could happen to Y/N."

Everyone at the table stops eating and looks at Javi. Mixed feelings of anger, sadness, and shock flow through us.

"I know you don't want to hear that, but you need to have that in mind guys. I'll go out with some of my men to old Delta spots to see if there are any sign of him. You guys just rest, and tomorrow you can help look."

"I'd like to go out tonight if I can."

"I'm sorry, but it's best if you don't. We have specific ways we handle our scavenges and supply runs, so it's best if you leave it to us. Just stay here and discuss amongst your group what it is you want"

We nod our heads and leave the table once we finish eating. Y/N is probably fine and shouldn't be a concern. He might have already escaped for all we know. Either way, it'll be fine and we'll all be together again. Until then, I'll enjoy my time back in Richmond.

In Too Deep Season Two:  Far From HomeWhere stories live. Discover now