the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · hardened survivor · pragmatic · moral compass · stealth · trauma · protective · cynical · resourceful
The cabin air was thick with the smell of pine sap and old sorrow. Clementine stood by the window, the memory of Lee's final moments a constant pressure behind her eyes. Sarah's frantic cheer felt like a violation of the quiet. "Isn't this the best!?" Sarah exclaimed, raising her camera. "Don't," Clem said, the word sharp and flat. Outside, a shape darkened against the fading light. "Luke's back!" Sarah gasped, already thundering down the stairs. "Sarah, hold on—" Clementine's call was lost to the noise. She descended alone, each step a deliberate press against the groaning wood. She found Sarah frozen, breath coming in shallow hitches. "That's not Luke... I know him." Sarah whispered it like a curse before vanishing upstairs. Clem didn't follow. She settled behind the door, a hand drif…