Chapter 34- Stealth

- Clementine's POV

The group walked on the dirt road in silence, the tension thick in the air. It wasn't because of us, but rather the place we were heading. The group of us seemed so small compared to the Delta. Weak, vulnerable. I shook my head, trying to shake the growing doubt in my mind. "I see it." Ruby whispered, making my stomach turn in anticipation. Not the good kind, either. We grew quieter as we approached, not daring to make too much noise as we snuck around the area. "Time to burn something." Willy eyed the supplies and hay near the pier. "Burn the hay. We'll need those supplies." I said, turning back and crouching in tall grass. "We're really doing this?" Louis said as he crouched next to me. "Yeah, we are." I nodded, noticing his hesitation as he watched on. "You good?" I asked. "I just...well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried." he laughed, although we both knew it was fake. "I...what if something happens to you, Clem? Then what? Then I'm responsible because I just wouldn't have done enough. I need to protect you and AJ but what if I can't? What if I mess up again?" his expression turned to hurt as my expression softened. "Lou...we can take care of ourselves. You'll be fine. Just...believe me until you believe yourself, okay?" he sighed as he said, "I have a feeling that'll be harder than you think." I watched as he faced the boat, taking in the sight.

"I need you to slap me." Louis said, turning to face me. "I can't focus, I need you to slap me." he repeated, noticing my hesitation. "It's not like you haven't slapped someone before." he shrugged. "I've never slapped my--" I cut myself off, noticing the way he'd started staring at me. Sh*t... "Your what?" he asked, watching as my face reddened. I just messed up...big time. "My...u-uhh" I stuttered, looking away momentarily. Silence. "D*mmit. I was going to say boyfriend." I confessed. We'd never talked about that, I had just assumed, apparently. Louis tilted his head, grabbing my hand gently before replying. "I've never been slapped by my girlfriend, either." butterflies grew in my stomach as he said this. If having this was bad or good, I couldn't tell. But Lee said it was good to have people you care about. I knew it was true, but at the same time I dreaded the pain that could possibly take place of love. "Now that that's settled...can you slap me? I really need to focus. But not too hard. Not like you would to Abel." Louis rambled on as I decided what to do. And it wasn't long until I figured it out. At this point he stood still, eyes shut tightly and awaiting the impact. That never came. Instead, I grabbed the back of his neck, leaning up and kissing him. I couldn't help but melt into the kiss a moment. I felt nauseous but...in a good way as his hand found its place at my waist. I pulled away reluctantly, biting my lip as I watched his reaction. A laugh. "I...can't tell if I'm more focused or less." he smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. "What were you doing?" a small voice said as I turned to face him. AJ. "You'll learn when you're older." Louis replied calmly. How could he be so calm? A six year old just caught us kissing. "Go...look in another direction." I said quietly, facing the other way as my face grew red. "Okay..." was all he said before turning and walking away.

"We'll need to be able to get past the walkers..." I trailed off, hoping that Louis didn't see how red my face had become. Again. It didn't take much effort to find a lingering walker. I crept up behind it quietly, pulling my knife from its holster. In a swift movement, I had taken down the walker, and now knelt beside it as Louis and AJ approached. "What exactly are we doing?" Louis whispered in slight disgust, watching as I jabbed my knife in the thing's stomach, slicing it all the way down to its abdomen. "We're covering ourselves in guts. They won't smell us that way." I said, ignoring the urge to gag at the stench. "There's no way--" Louis started, being interrupted quickly by AJ. "Just do it. It stops them from biting you." he said, kneeling down on the other side of the monster and grabbing out of its body. Louis reluctantly knelt beside, hesitantly reaching his hands forward. By this time I had already covered my legs, and had started on my stomach. Grabbing another pile of cold innards, I watched him struggle to even near his hands to the walker. So instead of waiting, I decided to help him out. I reached over, plopping the guts into his hands and unable to resist a giggle by his reaction. "Clem!" he said in disgust, dropping them on the ground accidentally. "What? AJ's already halfway done and you haven't even started yet." I shrugged as he looked over to the kid. AJ nonchalantly rubbed the guts onto his clothing, only the slightest bit of disgust on his face. Louis sighed, picking up the dirty innards and slowly rubbing them onto his clothes. I continued, trying not to breathe in the scent that would surely make me vomit. Of course, Louis was the last one done with the task. "There. I...think I'm done." he said, facing me. I simply shook my head, remembering that I was forgetting the same. "Uhh, no, you're not." I said, picking up another handful. His brows furrowed in confusion as I grabbed his shoulder, starting to smear guts on his face. I resisted the sudden urge to kiss him, reminding myself of the mission as I avoided looking into his eyes. As I normally would. Once done, I stood, smearing the excess of it on my own face.

Ruby gave the signal to James, who directed the walkers to the pier. Of course a small guilt was there, but I ignored it. This was necessary. The walkers passed us without a glance, heading for the boat and being downed by the raiders. Then, on cue, Willy ran from the hay as the fire grew bigger. Shouting became mixed with gunshots as I felt a hand grab mine momentarily. It was Louis. He looked at me uncertainly. "It'll be okay." I whispered. However, my certainty diminished with every step we took closer to the Delta.

Well, I may have found a way to make writing easier. I've always written on my ipad, and it became something I didn't like doing. I like writing on my laptop. So I might be publishing more often, if I get in the habit. Also I found out I'm eligible for the Watty's. So I entered. Anyways, thanks for reading, and I hope you all enjoyed!!