Micah, Lee, and Clementine trudged down the middle of the deserted road. Micah led the way, his posture relaxed but alert, while Clem and Lee followed closely behind, lost in their thoughts.
The aftermath of the raid still haunted them. It had only been a few hours since the chaos erupted, yet the memories felt like a lifetime ago. Clementine's heart ached as she recalled the moment Mark died—his body crumpling next to her as he shielded her from danger, his life snuffed out in a heartbeat. Ben, the young boy Lee had stumbled upon in the woods, had also met his tragic end before he could even get to cover.
They had been walking along this same stretch of road for at least seven hours, the sun dipping lower in the sky with each passing minute. Micah had ordered them to keep moving without a break, and they had complied, driven by the need to escape.
Eventually, their persistence bore fruit when they arrived at a railroad crossing. A train stood still in the middle of the tracks, its massive presence looming over them. Micah halted in front of it, turning to Clementine, who was clutching her backpack filled with essential supplies. "Give me some water, kid," he commanded, his voice gruff.
Clementine nodded and fished out a bottle of water from her backpack, handing it over without hesitation. Micah took a long, thirsty gulp before passing the bottle back to her. She took a sip, and Lee, seeing the two of them drink, decided he could use some hydration as well.
"This seems like a safe area," Lee remarked, scanning the surroundings as he tucked the water bottle into Clementine's backpack. "All this brush will stop anything from creeping up on us."
"Yeah," Micah replied, sniffing the air and rubbing his nose. "Come on, let's take a gander around here."
Lee nodded and gently motioned for Clementine to follow him; he couldn't let her wander off alone, not after everything they had just faced. He opened the boxcar door and stepped inside. The interior was sparsely furnished, containing a mattress, a chair, and various discarded items. Micah and Clementine followed him inside.
"Somebody's been livin' in here," Lee observed, glancing around.
"Do you think they're still here?" Clementine asked innocently, her voice a mix of curiosity and fear.
Micah scanned the area with a critical eye. "It's been used not too long ago… Keep your guards up."
Lee picked up a map from a nearby table. "A map of where the train goes. I think these tracks might lead to the coast. Route 27, Savannah. That's where Kenny and his family, and Carley went," he said, a sense of hope creeping into his voice.
"That's also where my parents are!" Clementine exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "Can we go and find them? Please…" She turned her hopeful gaze to Micah.
Micah felt a twinge of irritation but fought to keep his composure. "Listen, kid, your folks ain't around right now, and that's just how it is. We gotta focus on surviving and sticking together. Finding them ain't gonna do us any good right now. You trust me, don't you? Stick with me, and I'll make sure you're safe." His voice carried a mix of dismissiveness and a hint of manipulation.
Clementine's expression fell, sadness replacing her hope. "But—"
"No but. Focus, kid," Micah interrupted sternly, shutting down any further argument.
"Come on, sweetpea. Let's keep looking around," Lee said with a sigh, placing a comforting hand on her back.
They left the boxcar and approached the train's cab, where the drivers would typically sit. As Micah prepared to open the door, he noticed a figure slumped inside, appearing to be a walker with its back turned. "Hm," he scoffed, pushing the door open. Just as he was about to stab it in the head, the figure fell from its seat. It was merely a dead man, lifeless and unmoving.
Lee spotted an orange button blinking. "It's blinking," he said, curiosity piqued. Clementine smiled slightly and reached out to push it. "Clem!" Lee admonished, caution dripping from his tone. The moment she pressed the button, the train let out a loud squeal. Lee sighed, shaking his head. "It was just the brakes."
"It works?" Micah asked, intrigued.
"Seems like it," Lee replied, nodding. "We just have to figure out how to get it started."
"Then get to it, boy," Micah ordered, his impatience surfacing. "Also, get rid of this dead guy here."
"Okay…" Lee sighed, glancing back at Clementine. "Can you look after Clem until then?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll keep an eye on her. Just don't take too long, alright? Ain't got all day to babysit while you fumble around. Now get movin'!" Micah snapped, the sarcasm evident in his voice.
Clementine settled down to draw, her concentration evident in the furrow of her brow and the slight stick of her tongue as she focused. Minutes passed, and Micah's patience began to wane as he watched Lee struggle to get the train moving. He spun around in the conductor's seat, glancing at Clementine. "What you doin', kid?"
"Drawing," she replied softly, her eyes fixed on the paper before her.
Micah rolled his eyes, the gesture habitual. "Right. Drawing. You think that's gonna help us get moving?"
She looked up, her innocent gaze piercing through his facade. "Maybe if you helped Lee instead of just waiting around."
Micah raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "And what do you want me to do? You think I know how to get a train started?"
Clementine shrugged and returned to her drawing. "I don't know. You're the one in charge."
"'In charge,' huh? That's a nice way to put it. More like babysitting two people who don't know what they're doing." Silence enveloped them before he broke it, lighting a cigarette. "What you drawin' anyway?"
Clementine smiled shyly and turned her drawing toward him. It depicted Micah, Lee, and herself in a vibrant green field under a bright sun. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a heartfelt effort from a child—simple yet sincere.
Micah's smirk faltered as he took in the scene. It struck a chord deep within him, stirring emotions he often buried beneath layers of bravado. His gaze softened, and for a fleeting moment.
"That's… actually not bad, kid," he said, his voice quieter, almost reflective.
Clementine's eyes lit up with pride at his unexpected praise. "Really? You think so?"
"Sure." Micah replied, a small smile breaking through his usual demeanor. For a brief moment. "Just keep drawing..."
She nodded enthusiastically, her spirits lifted, while Micah felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest.