Chapter 9- The Train Station

- Clementine's POV

As we snuck up near the train station, all hid behind rubble that lay on the ground. "There. That's where all the food is. Looks like the walkers stayed put while we were gone though..." I whispered, nodding to the lone building surrounded by living dead. "Yep. We're gonna die." Louis commented from behind. "It's either die here, or die from starvation. Your pick" Violet responded. "Guys, I'm gonna get a closer look. Hold tight." I told them as I walked in a crouch over to a train car. Peeking out from behind it, I see the bell from earlier. Then, I had an idea. That noise could draw a lot of walkers... I thought to myself as my eyes wandered. I then noticed another empty train car, one which almost looks climbable. "You look like you've got an idea..." Louis acknowledged as I returned to the group. "The noise from that bell could draw a lot of walkers. If one of us climbed that train cart and started ringing it-" I was cut off my a now nervous Violet. "Louis. I vote Louis." She stated, catching his attention. "What? No! I'd very much like to make an alternate suggestion..." He refused, trying not to be volunteered. "Come on, Lou. You're loud, dramatic, a little annoying... Well, a lot annoying, actually. You're basically a walking distraction." Violet coaxed, using his nickname to try and win his favour. "I think you mean charming and theatrical. Entertaining is another word that comes to mind. Charismatic." He looked between me and her, bickering back and forth with Violet. Without thinking, I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Okay, Prince Charming. Let's see those talents in action." I smiled as I said those words. Wait... SH*T!!! What did I just say!? My cheeks burned as he smiled back, and I looked down to hide my Crimson tinted face, avoiding eye contact. He beamed up almost instantly, flirting back. "Well, I can't say no to a face like that..." He looked back at me, his dark brown eyes illuminated by the evening sky. Sh*t. His words made me blush even more. What's wrong with me? I mentally face palmed myself as I realized what I was doing.

Thankfully Violet was there to break up the building tension between me and Louis. "I'll go with you. Give you some cover." She said, pulling out her butcher's knife. Louis stood up straight now, as if just clueing in to what had happened. "Fine, I'll do it. But if I die, I'm making sure walker Louis eats both of you first." He sighed, annoyance in his tone. "I'll distract them until I see you guys reach safe cover. Then I'll redirect them to another point, hopefully giving you guys enough space to get inside and get the food." He said in a hushed tone as I followed him to the bell, grabbing it and holding it in place. "I'll give you a signal when it's safe to move." I replied as he started to make his way to the train car. "Good luck" Louis said behind him as he crouch- walked over to the train car.

I grabbed my knife out of the holster once again, ready to defend myself. I snuck with Violet and AJ trailing behind me, now hearing Louis' distraction. I have to admit, he was good at it. As he shouted in the background, we made our way to some old, empty metal barrels. Then, when AJ and Violet joined me, I gave a quick wave to Louis, who then made his way to his next point. "So far, not dead." Violet whispered quietly. "So far." I replied in a quiet huff. "Ugh! F**king Louis! What's taking his so long?" She waited impatiently as he made his way to the next area. "Just... Give him a minute." I said, trying to calm nerves. "We may not have a minute!" Violet whispered to me as I heard a walker approaching. I got a sharp pang of fear in my stomach, which was quickly replaced with relief as I heard him start shouting again. Then, we sprinted for the door. "I'll watch the door for walkers. You and AJ sneak in, grab the food, and then we get the h*ll out of here." Violet ordered as AJ and I ran to the room where we were before. "Yes, these will be perfect." I said to myself, grabbing empty duffel bags from under a desk. "Clem, look." AJ showed me an oil lantern he had found. It still had oil inside. He turned it on, immediately lighting up the dark room. I looked over to the hatch, and back at AJ. "I'm gonna need your help on this one, kiddo." I said to him. "Still got your gun?" I asked as he took it out, checking it for the bullets few had found earlier. "Just in case." He nodded to me. And with that, he ducked into the dark area, giving me salvageable items as I stuffed them into the large duffel bags.

Only when I heard the floorboards creak did I notice someone standing. Someone... Unfamiliar. "Stand, slowly." He said in a raspy, low voice, holding a pistol pointed at me casually. I did as he said, trying to remain calm, raising my hands slightly. One of the first things I noticed about this man were his eyes. One was an icy blue, and the other a chestnut brown. "Don't yell, don't try anything. I won't hurt you. If I don't have to." He continued, looking me up and down. With that, he raised a cigarette to his mouth, inhaling the smoke, savouring the taste. It was the same type I found earlier. "What do you want?" I spoke confidently, raising my chin and lifting my shoulders. "I just want some food, same as you." He answered in what seemed to be truthfully. I believed him at that moment. But he didn't seem the way he wanted to come off as. He seemed... too used to it. He seemed as though he knew what he was doing. And he was calm. Anyone like that would know where to find a food stash... I thought as I examined the strange man that drew closer to me. But, instead of just leaving, he continued to push for information. "You and your friends made a lot of noise out there. Wasn't hard to follow." He took in another breath of the bitter tasting cigarette. At this point, I stayed silent, hoping he'd just leave. He didn't. "You live close by? You knew about this place already, and organized some effort to get inside. So you probably knew the stash was there." He said to me, eyeing me closely. At this point, I was done. I didn't need some creep knowing we were out there. "You came for food, didn't you? So take the d*mn food and go already." I hissed back, my face twisting in anger and fear. He then went and grabbed a duffel bag, but walked back up to me. You've got to be f**king kidding me! I thought as his raspy voice spoke again. "You look a little young to be out on your own. You got a group? I count you, plus the two outside. Maybe more?" He inquired, pushing me for details. "You ask too many questions." I practically spat the words out at him. "Alright, then. Have it your way." He gave up, stepping back a bit. "Now, I'm gonna fill this pack nice and slow." He hummed at me, picking up a can. "We worked hard to get this stuff!" I turned my body to face him now, angry. Something was off about him. Just the way he acted. So sure of himself. I knew he couldn't be alone.

The situation escalated quickly. My heart froze when AJ popped up, somewhat startling the man aswell. "Hey there, squirt. Playing hide and seek, are we?" He lowered his gun, but not for long. AJ pulled out his pistol and aimed it at the man, his arms still somewhat shaky. "Well, that's not polite." He shook his head and pointed the gun at AJ. "Listen here, squirt. You're gonna quit pointing that gun at me, and let me go my merry, y'understand?" He stood, bag in his hand. AJ continued to point the gun unsteadily, clearly pleading for my help. "Kid, I don't want to do this..." He warned, pausing and waiting for the boy's next move. This man was... Dangerous. I knew he wasn't alone. And he certainly wasn't new to the whole "I need food because I live alone out here. I won't hurt you unless I have to." Gig he had going. I couldn't trust him. What if he followed us back, and came with more people, or came for more food, or even snuck in and robbed us? I couldn't let that happen. "AJ Get down!" I shouted as I lunged at the man before he could pull the trigger. I pushed him into the window in a wave of sudden adrenaline and walkers didn't hesitate to grab him and force him out into the open. I felt bad, killing a man like that, but any other way was just too risky. "You f**kin... B*tch!!" He screamed as he got pulled outside by the merciless monsters.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!