Duck heard murmurs behind the door leading to Carver's office, pausing for a moment as he considered pressing his ear to the door. He heard the other voice before but he couldn't identify the female in the room with Carver. Before he could speculate any more, he heard footsteps in front of the door and backed up slightly before it opened.

Catherine's eyes widened as she took in a small breath of air from shock at the closeness of the other person behind the door and then her face relaxed. "You surprised me,"

"Sorry," Duck apologized and was planning to say more before Carver spoke.

"Duck! Get in here," He said in a strong, authoritive voice and Catherine moved passed Duck.

"Be careful," She said as she passed by him. A little whisper before she went down the stairs. Duck couldn't help but worry about what happened before he arrived.

"Close the door behind you," Carver said to Duck and he did as he was told, freezing when he saw what looked like a corpse in the corner strapped to a chair. He quickly realized who it was and ran towards it, his heart dropping.

"Alvin!" He screeched as he almost touched him but resisted. It was Alvin, yes, but he looked like a corpse. He looked dead. He was bloody and dirty. But he didn't have any sort of bullet wound in his head, not one that Duck could see. That meant that, if Alvin was really dead, he was dangerous to be around. Dangerous to touch.

"I'll tell you like I told your friend; He's passed out hours ago, no use waking him. And unless you wanna end up in that chair, I suggest you take a seat," Carver said from his desk. Duck stayed standing in front of Alvin for a moment longer before turning to Carver and walking in front of a chair, taking a seat.

Carver stared at Duck for a moment before speaking. "You know, Duck, I respect you," Carver said, making Duck give him a confused stare.

"...Why?" Duck asked, not knowing what reason he was looking for. Why he respected him or why he was saying that.

"Why? Why not? You stared me down not once, but twice while I had a gun pointed to your head. Hell, you laughed at me the first time. While I was beating you? Giving you those nasty marks you're sporting right now? Trying to get an answer where your dad and the girl was? You didn't falter,"

"Okay? I still don't understand," Duck interrupted him. Carver gave him a small glare before composing himself.

"My child needs to have strong role models to look up to. He's gonna need someone to count on and learn from. Which is why I killed Reggie. Nice guy, kept things light when depression settled but I couldn't keep him. Not around my kid," He said as he got up and sat on the side of his desk. "Now you. You've made plenty of mistakes while here. I could have killed you long ago. But I didn't. Know why that is?" Carver asked.

"....No..?" Duck questioned and Carver sighed.

"The men I want are men that can take blows. That can take pressure. That can look death in the face and not flinch. Many say that's suicidal but I think that's brave. Suicidal is when you go looking for trouble. Now you," He paused. "You've tried me time and time again. You've yelled at me, argued with me, disrespected me. Sometimes, I don't even think I can stand anymore. But you're what this community needs. You're what the weak need. You're exactly the type of person that someone would seek protection from,"

"Listen, with all due respect," Duck said, emphasizing the due and making Carver involuntarily sigh. "I'm not really seeing a point in this," Duck said, making Carver stand and go back behind his desk, grabbing a sheet of paper.

"The point is: You're one of the few people that can do what I'm looking for. I can't just kill you. I need you to show my son what it's like to be a man. You're girl, Clementine........ If my kid is a girl, she'd be perfect to show her how to be a strong woman. Course Becca and I would always be role models but someone a little closer to age.... Born in a different generation.... Pick up the slack if something were to happen..... That's what you and Clementine bring to the table,"

"But there's other kids here," Duck pointed out, thinking of the teenagers he had worked with this morning.

"Yeah? And how many of them are strong? Sarah's not strong. I wouldn't want her to give an example of a strong woman to my daughter. Catherine is incredibly strong but she's entirely too confused and, honestly, I don't count her as a she. If anything, that's a man..." Carver trailed off and shook his head. "My options are very limited and, I don't know if you've noticed, but you're one of the youngest, strongest boys I have here," He said as he took a pencil from the cup on his desk and began writing.

Duck glared at him, hating the glorification of his experiences that made him the way he was. It was disrespectful in his opinion. Carver wasnt talking of physical strength, like Walter had. He was talking of the strength he gained from his traumas. The kind that forced him to stay defensive with certain people. The kind that made him come across as rude. The kind that made him regret how his first impressions went with others. Such as Luke and Rebecca.

Carver seemed to finally notice as he stopped writing. "I can tell you're troubled," He said as he got up. "You've got quiet a bit of hatred in your heart, huh? You blame someone for your problems? Hate someone?" Duck looked down at the ground.

He didn't hate a person. He hated the situations he was thrown into. The situation that shaped how he and his dad acted towards both the world, thier groups and each other.

He hated that Katjaa died.

He hated that he didn't cry at first. Even regretted it.

He hated that he wasn't the one bitten.

He hated that his dad had to still take care of a pathetic, sniffling, scared little boy. Even now.

He hated that he was the one that killed his mom.

He hated that he had to be protected. That it seemed as more of an obligation than anything due to how young he was.

He hated he had to watch his family fall apart.

A family that previously loved him. That was there. A family that either abandoned him by death or grief.

He hated that he used Clementine as an emotional crutch.

He hated he couldn't take back that moment in the house with her. How she supported him and he did nothing to do the same.

He still did nothing in return.

"Listen, Duck," Carver said, pulling Duck out of his spiral and making him blink a few times.

He didn't even realize where he was while in that spiral. He forgot. He didn't realize Carver was still there.

"I also want my son to have a role model that follows directions. Gives respect to their leaders. You haven't shown that to me. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you spit in my face after this conversation, considering the fire you have. You ever see Spirit? I think you're kinda like that horse. At least Clementine would follow directions. She's compliant, at least as much as I saw of her," Carver paused and Duck shook his head, fighting down a smirk. He's seen it time and time again. She'll behave, she's very good at that. But once she finds out that she needs to fight back, there's a sort of storm that comes out not even he could control.

She's more or less gaining Carver's trust. She couldn't give a damn about what he thinks of her. She's good at manipulating her enemies. Making them trust her.

"But Brax gave a good word in about you. Said you were a good worker and followed directions. Maybe it's just me that you don't like and that's fine. Who knows? Maybe one day, you'll warm up to me. Then show me some respect. Consider yourself lucky for your other leaders, they're the ones that showed me not all hope is lost in you," Carver said, crossing his arms and looking out the window down to the lobby below.

"I guess...." Duck said, shifting in his seat.

"You'd be a good candidate for military, if our little community gets big enough for one," Duck's eyes widened slightly at that sentence. It took him off guard and made his eyes shift to the side of himself. "You fit the description of that,"

"...Why are you saying this?" Duck asked. It was strange to talk about an army when one isn't even formed. Carver was silent for a moment before he turned to Duck and dug around in his drawer, taking out a picture frame.

"Do you wanna know another reason I really like you? Why I want you to be a leader? Be a man? Why I want you to be a role model for our younger youth?" Carver asked as he stared at the picture and smiled before turning it for Duck to see.

It was of a man. He looked no older than 18. He had brown hair, tired eyes. He looked like a younger version of Carver, a serious expression on his face. He had an army uniform on with an American flag in the background. "Hold it," Carver demanded. Duck grabbed the picture frame and looked at it a little more closely. "My son.... He was in the army. He was the first one called to fight against these walkers," He paused as he sat down, closing his eyes. "I can only assume the worst,".

Duck looked at Carver and then back at the picture. "He was just like you," Carver said, making Duck lift an eyebrow in questioning. This man looked nothing like him. "Thinking he could be a hero. Save everyone. Looking for validation. I don't see mama anywhere. I assume she's gone?" Carver asked and Duck stayed silent but his body language said it all. He became tense, his face almost looking in pain as he looked away from Carver.

"My son missed his mama too. He wanted to feel important. Like he had a reason to be here. I see that in you. You want everyone to survive, right?" Carver stayed silent after that, looking at Duck expectantly for an answer. After a while, Duck realized he couldn't stay silent this time and forced himself to gather the energy to speak, abliet quietly.

"Yeah..." Duck said, his voice hoarse as if he'd been shouting.

"He did too. Despite everything, he was generous. Brave. Strong. Knew when to cry and when to suck it up. That part, however, you could use work on. I think you cry entirely too much for a boy,"

"So the gist is..." Duck started, recovering quickly from his mother's mention. "...I remind you of your son,"

"Personality wise," Carver said before smiling at Duck. "Maybe you give me another chance. You and Bruce have the same story. Momma ain't there. Wanting to save, save, save. Not having enough time to.... Think about self preservation. Too much thinking about someone else. Survival of the fittest is the furthest thing from the mind," He finished.

"...Would Bruce be proud of your society then? If he believed in that survival of the fittest was evil?"

All was quiet for a moment. It wasn't angry. It wasn't tense. It had a reflective mood for a moment before Carver responded. "I... Have thought of that. Believe me, I think of Bruce everyday. What would he think of his daddy? But I swear, everything is for the betterment of everyone. In fact, I think it's just as generous as Bruce was; to save everyone at the cost of one person,"

Duck felt appalled for the first time in his life at the expense of a stranger. His face was a mixture of disgust and disbelief and his heart grew heavy in his chest. He didn't try once to hide such a feeling in response of what Carver said. "That's not generous,"

"Isn't it though?"

"No! Killing others for things such as silly mistakes that may or may not be their fault is stupid! If I could think of a stronger word, I'd use it! Your son would not-" Duck's eyes widened and he quickly backed up, falling over his chair in his haste as Carver suddenly stood and banged on the table, almost as if he were to jump at Duck.

He chuckled a little before straightening himself a little, leaving Duck panting from fear on the floor.

"Apologies. But I needed to show you that you needed to stay in your lane. Know your place," Duck slowly got back up, fixing his chair carefully as he watched Carver. "Anyways, I'm sure if you cooperate, we won't have problems. Do you remember what I want from you?"

"Show you that I can behave or it's my life,"

"Exactly. You may leave now. You're dismissed," Carver said. Duck stood from his seat, going over to the door and opening it. He closed it behind him, leaving Carver alone with a tied up Alvin in the corner.

"You know," Alvin coughed out a laugh. "You're one sick bastard,"

"How?" Carver asked as he got up and walked in front of Alvin.

"Using the threat of that boy's life just because he ain't respect you? What reason does he have to show you any?"

"I've killed people for way less,"

"Which is exactly my point. You need to stop, or else you won't have a community to fix. You wanna kill that boy? Fine. But just know that not only does he have that girl and his dad, he has my wife. And trust me, Becca loves that boy. If you kill him, I can't promise that Becca would be there the next day,"

And with that, Alvin felt a sharp, heavy pain on his head before he was plunged in darkness again.

---------------------

"Duck," The redhead from the lodge came up to him. He remembered her name. Bonnie, he thought. She came up to him with a smile as if she had been forgiven for ratting them all out to Carver. As if he had forgotten that she was the reason Walter was killed.

Bonnie's smile dropped and her shoulders tensed as she seemed to notice the disinterested, grudge-held look of disdain on his face. "Um, I suppose I should apologize. I'm... Sorry. You know, for tellin',"

There was silence as Duck looked at her. He was looking for something else.

"And.. betraying you. And gettin people killed. And... And........... Gettin you beat up..."

More silence.

"And... And almost getting you killed. I swear, I didn't think he'd go that far. I also didn't think you'd go that far. You know, not tellin' Carver where Clem and Kenny was,"

"Why wouldn't I? I think we're entirely different people," Duck said and Bonnie shifted her standing position uncomfortably before responding.

"You've got... quite the way of makin people feel bad..." Bonnie said, sighing with a pitiful expression on her face. "Anyways, I mean it. I didn't think Carver would do that to you. And I didn't like seeing it. I hope you'll forgive me?" Bonnie said and Duck softened his face and sighed.

"Fine. No use in me hating you," Duck said harshly but Bonnie smiled anyways.

"Thank you, Duck. Thank you so much,"

"Yeah..." He said. This didn't mean he liked her by any means. He had no idea why she acted like it.

"Anyways," Bonnie started with a new smile taking place. "Right now, we don't have anything for you. So we thought it was as good a time as any for a small break. Go into the place you slept last night and just hang out until we call for you," Bonnie said. "I'll lead ya there. Not that you don't know your way, just protocol," She said and Duck nodded. He started walking with Bonnie following close behind, her gun relaxed in her grip as she did.

"Maybe a nap will do ya good," She said as she opened the gate. "Just a thought. You look.... Tired," She said and closed the gate. It was still bright outside. It couldn't be any later than 3:00 in the afternoon at this point.

Duck looked around, noticing Sarah on one of the chairs. She must also be on break. He walked over to her and sat down on the chair next to her. "Hey,"

She seemed scared for a second, but smiled warmly when she realized who it was. "Hey. You just missed Clementine. She was actually a little worried,"

"Why?" Duck asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Because she said Troy was saying he'd tell Carver about you running off somewhere with her. I'm assuming he did, since you were in his office for a while," Sarah explained to him. "Did anything happen?"

Suddenly the events from this morning came back to him. He had completely forgotten after his meeting with Carver. In fact, Carver didn't really mention that part, did he? He doesn't think he cared much. "No. In fact, we didn't talk about Clementine much at all," Sarah smiled, then laughed a little.

"Good thing. He'd probably make sure you and Clementine never crossed paths after that if he cared enough. It's usually with couples, which is why I was confused when I heard that. Are you making moves?" Sarah laughed.

"You wish," Duck joked. "No. We had good reason, don't worry. No kissing stuff," He said and Sarah laughed, her face an expression of absolute joy and rivaling the one he last saw her wear. "You're okay now, right? You know, from earlier?" Duck asked, leaning into the chair he sat in and crossed his arms with a small smile.

"Oh... Um... I guess.." Sarah said as she mimicked Duck's posture with the absence of crossed arms. "Reggie dying really scared me,"

"What was Carver saying to you?" Duck asked and Sarah looked into the ash pit in front of her with a thinking expression before she answered.

"Do you want me to be honest?" Sarah asked, looking at Duck. Her eyes held something Duck knew well. It held remorse. Duck nodded. "After the incident with Reggie, I couldn't hear anything. It was like.... I was hyper aware of where his hands were. Where he was touching. I was scared. I didn't know what happened until after you came. And then, I couldn't even remember what happened when you did. I remember I was happy that there was someone who cared enough about me to protect me if need be,"

Duck stared at her, a look of both sympathy and thought on his face.

"I remember..... Thinking that if I had just," She sighed. "Maybe if I had gotten over myself sooner. Had done a better job. Maybe didn't have to have Clementine to help me. Maybe Carver wouldn't have killed Reggie. Maybe...."

Duck's expression changed.

"Maybe if I had been better. If I hadn't of been sorry for myself so much. I basically murdered my friend, didn't I?" She asked. Her voice was unsure and small but the tone held no real want for an answer.

"No," Duck answered anyways. "It wasn't because of you,"

"Carver implied so,"

"But it wasn't. I mean, yeah, maybe it lead to it but it wasn't because of you. In fact, even if you did everything right, I think that Carver would've killed Reggie anyways because another person screwed up,"

"Clementine said the same thing," Sarah whispered. "Well kinda. She was saying how it was, in a weird way, Carver who slapped me. Not my Dad," She said as she looked at Duck. "You and Clementine think a lot alike,"

"Well, I mean, we were always around each other no matter what. Kinda grew on the same wavelength, I guess? I don't know,"

"Clementine's worried about you," Sarah brought up. "She was telling me how she thinks she's gotten nowhere with you forgiving yourself. She thinks she's failing in making you feel happier," Sarah stared at his face for a moment. "I... Feel bad. You know? I never really noticed you were sad. Maybe here and there. But not like she said. She was telling me what you've done. Things that only makes her worry more. That makes her wonder if you'll die. Not by walkers, but by your own hand. Or even mouth, since she sometimes wonders if today's the die you'll get shot for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time," Sarah finished. Duck stared at the ash pit as he thought over what she said.

Did Clementine really worry that much? He wasn't going to die. He knew for a fact he would never leave her. He couldn't help but question why she thought that. He was the correct amount of sad to still be considered sane after all that happened, right? Nevermind that, did she think he couldn't watch his tongue as much as she could? Then he remembered back in Carver's office, when Carver scared him so much he fell back in his seat trying to get away. Maybe she was right about that one. He wouldn't be surprised either if he was shot over what he said or over something he did.

He sighed and closed his eyes. He didn't mean to make her worry that much. Why wouldn't she tell him that? Maybe, if she had, he could reassure her. Or maybe even convince her that he wouldn't die as quickly as she believed.

It didn't hurt as much as he thought it would to hear she didn't believe he would survive that long. Maybe it was because she believed he'd die on his own accord and no monster's? More than likely. Maybe that's why he felt no sting. Only disappointment that he wasn't the one she'd confide to. At least, on this subject.

"Well, thanks for telling me," Duck said, smiling at Sarah as he finally looked at her again. "You're an amazing friend. Thanks for lending an ear for Clementine. She really needs someone else if she's not comfortable with me,"

"That's not it at all!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes widened slightly. "Clementine trusts you with all her heart! And head! And even life! I didn't mean to make it sound like that! Honestly..." Her tone trailed off to a normal one again. "...I think she's told you everything. Everything that wasn't about you,"

Duck smiled again and even gave a breathy laugh at Sarah's scrambling to fix a situation she thought she made a problem of. "Don't worry, Sarah. She needs a girl to talk to. Or at least someone that's not me so she can get things about me off of her chest. You fit both criterias and I couldn't ask for someone better,"

Duck noticed Sarah's cheeks get red and a nervous smile appear.

"...Have I embarrassed you?" Duck asked with a laugh in his tone.

"No! It's fine!"

"Sarah! Get your ass over here," Tavia shouted from the gate.

"See you later, Duck," Sarah said and ran over to the gate, slowing when she got to Tavia.

---------------

"You're spending the rest of the day with these people," Troy said as he stopped in front of the door he led Duck to this morning and gave a sarcastic smile. "Hope you enjoyed their company. Cause ya ain't gettin out of here until dark," Troy added as he knocked on the door loudly. Not a moment later, the shooting from inside stopped and Brax opened the door with a deadpan expression, looking up at Troy and then down at Duck. "This little asshole is coming back. Don't let him cause any more trouble," Troy said as he walked away. Brax stared at Duck for a moment with a look of confusion before he flattened himself against the door, allowing the smaller boy to get passed him before shutting the door behind himself.

"You haven't cause any trouble with us yet," Brax started. "I'm interested in what I should expect," Brax said, not really looking for any answer as he tapped Caden on the shoulder. This made him jump and turn to him, taking off his headphones in the process. He looked like he was about to ask a question before he caught sight of Duck, his eyes shining and a smile breaking into his face.

"Duck! Hey! I didn't know you we're coming back here!" Caden said excitedly, his eyes showing the happiness at the sight of his friend.

"I think we're gonna be seeing him everyday now," Brax said and Caden took in a little breath of air before a restrained squeal escaped his lips. "Keep your panties on, Caden,"

"Just because I can show excitement doesn't mean I wear panties," Caden replied with a huff before smiling at Duck. "Catherine!" He shouted at the woman in the corner and she sighed, taking off her headphones before looking up, her eyes widening in surprise slightly as she saw Duck standing in the middle of the room. "He's here again!"

She smiled, standing and abandoning her new project since he last saw her to stand in front of him. "Hello, again. I hope Carver didn't say anything bad to you?" Catherine said, referencing their short meeting at Carver's doorway.

"No. All he really said was that I needed to clean up my act or else I might die in here. He also said I needed to be a good model for the younger generation, especially since I'll be around his baby a lot. And since he expects a lot from me, for whatever reason," Duck said, shrugging as bits and pieces of the conversation left his mind. He never had a really good memory. As of right now, he only remembers things if it's for his survival. Nothing unimportant, like the conversation where Carver went from one subject to another too fast for him to follow. Some of it was even confusing to him.

"Typical. You haven't even really done anything, have you?"

"Well, he said that I defied him too much and that I can't respect him,"

"I'm sure there's a reason for that," Catherine said back to him, gesturing to his face. "Seriously, I think one of those cuts you have is gonna scar," She said, looking at a specific cut that she guessed would scar the most. It was one that was on his upper lip. Not the most flattering, in Duck's opinion.

"Come on. Clementine's got you covered in the worry department," Duck said.

"We're your friends too, Duck," Caden said, catching his attention. "I mean, I am, at least. And sure, I've known you for a day. But you're our friend,"

"Caden doesn't know how to speak, obviously. But yeah. You can let other people worry over you. I'm your friend too," Catherine said before leaning in close with a sly smile on her face. "And Brax won't admit anything, but he loves us. At least you and Caden," She whispered to him. Brax seemed to hear it as he started talking.

"Sure. Just because I don't want a viable repair woman and two intact crew members, that suddenly means I love you all," Brax said as Caden snickered.

"I don't know, Brax. Not wanting us dead is a big thing in the apocalypse," Caden said as he slung an arm around Brax, who shoved a still laughing Caden off promptly.

"Get your gay ass off me," He said, causing Caden to laugh harder as he stood.

"Hater," Caden said and turned to Duck. "Anyways, in summary, Carver's a penis potato, were your friends who can worry about you and Brax is gonna refuse it until the day he dies," Caden finished and Duck gave a laugh at Caden's description of Carver.

"Alright, boys," Catherine said, drawing attention to herself. "Time to get to work. Troy will have your ass if he finds out we're slacking off in here,"

"Good, I need a top in my life," Caden said and Brax sighed.

"One more gay joke out of you today and I swear to God," Brax said, not finishing his threat as he went to his station.

---------------------

"Get in there," Troy said harshly as he all but shoved Duck into the holding place, noticing that everyone was in a circle around the fire, arguing quietly with one another. Duck only started walking when the gate closed. He noticed an empty seat next to Clementine and took it, no doubt in his mind that she saved it for him.

"Your dad wants to get us all killed," Rebecca said, acknowledging his presence and making Kenny roll his eyes.

"No, I don't. I just wanna bring the herd to us through that PA system you mentioned,"

"And then what?" Mike asked.

"We grab some guns and shoot out way outta here,"

"That's not really a plan," Rebecca interjected. Duck sighed as he agreed.

"We improvise,"

"A plan to improvise is no plan at all," Mike said as he crossed his arms.

"Getting a radio for Luke to keep us posted, like Clementine said, is the best plan. That's the one we should go for," Rebecca stated. "Duck, don't you agree?" She asked as she turned to him.

"Oh, come on, you're gonna bring my boy into this?"

"I vote radio. It's less risky and I think it's a much more fleshed out plan," Duck said. "Besides, we can't just walk through a horde of walkers,"

"Actually, you can. I do it all the time," The girl from the morning said. Everyone was silent as they stared at her and Mike was the first one to speak to her.

"First thing that comes out of your mouth and it's some crazy shit,"

"If you cover yourself in Walker guts, they can't tell you from one of their own," Jane said, hand on her hip as she waited for a reaction.

"Lee figured that out," Clementine started. "That's how we got out of the marsh house. He covered himself and me in Walker guts and we just... Walked through," Clementine said, keeping a straight face as she explained and Duck was surprised. That was closest she had ever talked about Lee at that time. When she was at the marsh house.

She saw the marsh house as a reminder of how Lee got bit because of her. He felt a mixture of pride and sadness at that point. She could finally talk about that, but he could tell she wasn't comfortable at all.

"Holy shit. Good one, Lee," Kenny said as he stood with a smile. "So that's our plan,"

"No," Rebecca said. "The radio is what works best. It's just that now, we've got a thought out plan B," She finished, Kenny glaring at her and her returning his glare.

"Fine," Kenny finally said.

"Come on, kid, I'm gonna need ya," Jane said, beckoning Clementine to her side as she lead her to a ladder with a rope dangling beside it. "You should give your hat to Duck," She said before doing anything.

"Why?" Clementine asked.

"Because he can put that hat on top of some lumpy covers and sleep beside it to create the illusion of you being there, duh. It's the smartest cover," Jane said. Clementine took the hat off of her head and gave it to Duck, who took it carefully as he smiled at her. Jane pulled down the rope until there was two lines on each side. Clementine held onto one as Mike began to pull on the other.

Duck turned, going to Clementine's bed and grabbing Rebecca's cover off of her mattress. He then rolled the blanket into itself, trying his best to make it into the shape that could pass as Clementine. Once he was okay with his work, he tucked the hat into the person shaped lump and stood back, thinking it could pass as Clementine.

"Shit! I hear footsteps!" He heard Mike say. "I can't stand here! Grab onto something!" He whisper yelled to Clementine and Duck watched as she did as told, grabbing onto the ladder beside her and climbing up that. Duck smiled as he went on the other side of his blanket Clementine and held it, hoping that he replicated the scene that Troy had seen this morning.

Duck relaxed his face, trying to feign sleep as he heard the gate open.

"Alright, to sleep with ya stragglers," Troy said to whoever hadn't already gone to lay down in their beds. He then walked at the foot of each bed, doing a quick sweep before he got to Duck. "Hey! Duck! She cold?"

"...Yeah," Duck said, slurring his speech slightly to sound like he was asleep. "She gets sick easily. I thought that she deserved the cover at least for tonight," Duck explained, lying about a weak immune system. Troy seemed to accept this as he continued, sweeping his eyes over everyone else in bed before standing still. "Sleep tight. Today wasn't even the half of it," He said before leaving. Duck heard the gate shut before he snuck a peak at the last place he saw Clementine, seeing nothing but an empty ladder and the stars in the sky supplying the background.

A/N: Okay it took almost two months but it's finished! Sorry it took so long...