Alone Again - TWDG/TWD

Arc 4: Chapter 19

"Hey Clem, let's do something." Carl says as he comes out of no where.

"We can't leave this place, it's pouring." I say.

"Yeah we can, the rain won't hurt us." He says.

"I don't want to get soaking wet." I say.

"Fine." He rolls his eyes at me.

He suddenly approaches me and kisses me.

"Woah." I hear Luke's voice say from behind me.

I quickly push Carl off of me and smack his face.

"I saw that." He walks over to us.

"He just came up to me, I didn't do anything." I say.

"You know she's only eleven." Luke says to Carl.

"I'm sorry, I just really like her and she's really pretty." He says.

"Well I don't want you to behave this way, you're to young, that rule applies to you too Clementine." He says.

"I don't even like Carl." I say.

"Come on Clem." Luke grabs my shoulders and guides me away from Carl.

I hang my head low with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Clem, im doing this for your own good." He says.

I turn around and see Carl walk outside into the rain.

"I know." I sigh.

We walk back into the room. Nick sits on the bed and watches me.

"What's her problem?" Nick asks.

"I embarrassed her in front of her friend." Luke says.

"That one kid? What'd you do?" Nick smirks.

"Well the kid kisses Clem and-"

"He kissed Clem?!" Nick repeats.

"Yeah! But I don't like him." I say.

"Anyways I yell at him and say I don't want them to behave that way." Luke says.

"Come on Luke, lighten up. Let her hang out with this boy, let em' kiss and roll around a bit." Nick says.

"Nick! Seriously!" Luke barks at him.

He laughs in response.

"I don't like him." I say again.

"Kind like how you didn't like Luke?" Nick laughs again.

"Stop! It's different!" I snap.

"I'm sure it is." He says.

"Nick how about you go look for some beer or something?" Luke says just to get him out of the room.

"There isn't any beer here." He says leaning against the wall.

"Well can you just look for some food or something then?" He asks sounding slightly irritated.

"Fine, if you're that eager for me to leave then I will." He says as he leaves the room.

"Don't listen to what Nick said. None of that is okay to do." He says looking me dead in the eye.

"Understand?" He asks.

I nod my head.

"Don't let crap like that fill your mind." He says.

"I get it." I say.

There's an awkward silence for a few moments.

"Carl?" I hear Rick yell from the hall.

He knocks on our door then decides to open it. "Have you see Carl?" He asks.

"He walked outside about ten minutes ago." I say.

"Shit." He walks away and heads outside.

"Clem, I don't think we should stay here." Luke says.

"Why? It's safe and secure." I say.

"My guts tellin' me this place isn't gonna be safe forever. I'd rather get out of here now before something does happen." He says.

"You're being paranoid." I say.

"I just have a feelin'." He says.

I walk out of the room, Luke follows me.

"This place is perfectly fine. Is this because of Carl?" I ask.

"No, not at all. Clem, I just feel funny about this place. I think we should leave." He says.

"Wait, right now?" I ask.

"Yeah." He says with a worried expression on his face.

"We have to get Nick first." I say.

"Alright well let's do that." He says.

I follow Luke down one of the dark hallways.

"Nick?" Luke calls.

"Hey man." He speaks lowly.

"Nick! Holy shit!" Luke yelps.

"I'm fine Luke..." Nick wobbles over toward us out of a room, he's barely able to hold his own weight. His skin is so pale, his eyes are turning milky white. He has a giant bite out of his shoulder. Blood drips down his shirt.

Luke stands in shock. Tears fill his eyes.

"I'm...." Before be can finish what he says he collapses to the ground.

Luke runs up to him.

"Nick!? Nick!!" Luke frantically shouts.

"Fuck!" Tears roll down his cheeks.

Nicks eyes flutter open, "Don't worry about me, man." He speaks in barely a whisper.

"You have more to care about... like Clem." He says taking a deep breath.

"Shut up Nick, don't say that!" Luke cries.

"Keep her safe. She's a good kid." He exhales his final breath.

"No! No, no, no." Luke cries.

I stand and watch him cry over his best friend.

A few tears ran down my face too, as I silently cry to myself.

"This is all my fault." He whispers.