Lee walked closer, rubbing his forehead. "What a crappy day."
He sat down beside Clementine.
"Yes. The crappiest day," she muttered, glancing up at him.
I had to agree. It hadn't been a good day for their group at all—three people dead, Lilly stealing the van and running off after murdering Carley… forcing them to take the train.
No wonder everyone looked dead inside.
"Did you talk to Chuck?" Clementine asked quietly.
Lee nodded. "Yeah. He explained himself… and he made some good points. Look, we're not gonna let anything bad happen to you. But there are precautions we need to take. Just in case."
Clementine's face tensed with worry.
"O-okay. Yeah. That makes sense."
Seeing her expression, Lee softened. "Don't worry, sweetheart."
She lowered her head. "Okay… so what should we do?"
"We'll figure something out when we get to Savannah," Lee said. "But until then, I need to teach you how to protect yourself. And… we need to do something about your hair. It's too long. Someone could grab you again."
Her shoulders slumped. She glanced at me—specifically at my bald head.
When she realized I was watching, she quickly snapped her gaze away.
"That… sounds good," she murmured.
Lee stood. "You need to protect yourself. Not just run and hide all the time."
Clementine pushed herself up and brushed off her clothes. "I understand."
"Alright. Hold this."
He handed her his pistol.
"It's heavy… not like a toy gun," she complained, surprised.
"Yes, it's heavy," Lee chuckled. "But you'll get used to it. Don't be afraid of it—it's protection if you use it right. But always know where your finger is. Don't put it on the trigger unless you intend to fire. Understand?"
Clementine nodded. "O-okay. I understand."
Seeing her so nervous but still trying made Lee smile.
"To aim, you look through the top—down that notch," he explained.
She nodded seriously.
Then Lee looked at me. "Max, could you put that beer bottle on top of the box?"
I grabbed a few empty bottles from the pile and set them on the crate.
"Thanks. You want to learn how to shoot too?" Lee asked.
"I'm good. I already know how to use a gun," I said. "But thanks."
Lee nodded, then cupped a hand over Clementine's ear. "Whenever you're ready, shoot the bottle. Think of it as a walker's head. Always aim for the head unless it's not a walker—then go for the leg, arm or anywhere."
Clementine stiffened. "I… I don't want to think about that."
"Right," Lee said gently. "That's a lot for your first day. Just breathe… and shoot."
She took a deep breath and fired.
The bullet whizzed over the bottle.
"Aim a little lower," Lee said calmly.
She tried again. Missed. Tried again. Missed.
Then—on the fourth shot—
CRACK.
The bottle shattered.
"Lee! I did it! I really did it!" she shouted, practically bouncing.
Meanwhile, I nearly had a heart attack. In her excitement, she was waving the gun directly at my face.
"HEY! Are you trying to kill me? Stop pointing that thing at me!" I yelled.
She froze, eyes wide, then yanked her finger off the trigger and lowered the pistol.
She couldn't look at me.
I couldn't look at her either.
"S-sorry! Did I scare you?" she asked softly.
This girl is dangerous.
I ignored her, not from anger, but because she made me drop my guard. I couldn't afford that.
"Clementine," Lee said sternly, "that was dangerous. Never point a gun at anyone unless you mean it. Understand?"
She nodded quickly.
They kept practicing, and Clementine eventually hit another bottle.
Her grin was bright and proud.
"I just imagined they were walkers. The scary ones," she said.
Lee smiled, though there was sadness behind it—Duck's death still fresh in his eyes. "That's good, but bottles don't move. Walkers do. We'll practice more. At this rate, you'll be an expert in no time."
Clementine beamed. "It felt good! Like I was in a movie!"
Lee chuckled, but the hurt beneath the smile didn't fade.
Then she turned to me.
"Max, don't you want to try?" She offered.
"I already know how to shoot," I said flatly. "I don't want to waste ammo."
She offered a shy smile. "Are you nervous you might miss? It's okay—I won't laugh. I can help you if you want. Here… try." She held the pistol out.
I ignored it. Instead, I looked at the three bottles she'd stacked on the crate.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out three small rocks, and flicked them all at once.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
All three bottles shattered.
Lee and Clementine stared at me, stunned.
"Wow… Max, you hit all three," Clementine whispered, eyes shining.
I hadn't meant to show off, but after the way she talked, I couldn't resist proving her wrong.
"Damn, kid," Lee laughed. "You've got a natural talent. You could compete in a tournament."
His smile—warm and proud—reminded me painfully of my dad.
I swallowed hard.
I missed him.
I hoped he was waiting for me in Savannah.
"What's wrong, Max? Why do you look sad?" Clementine asked softly.
Her sudden perceptiveness hit me like a slap.
"N-no, nothing's wrong," I said quickly. "I just remembered my dad. He used to compliment my aim too."
"Don't worry, kid," Lee said with confidence. "We'll find your dad."
"Yes!" Clementine added, smiling brightly. "We'll help you find your family."
I nodded, voice quiet. "Yeah… thanks."
Clementine rubbed her ears. "Lee, my ears are ringing… and my hand hurts."
"That's normal the first time," Lee said. "You'll get used to it. But more importantly—we need to trim your hair."
Clementine stiffened. "Just a trim… right?"
Lee pulled out a pair of scissors. "Enough so no one can grab you again."
She pouted. "Okaaay…"
Lee laughed softly. "Don't mope. It's a good thing."
He sat her down, and I watched from behind, curious.
"Do you… know how to cut hair?" she asked nervously.
Lee hesitated. "Not really."
Her eyes widened. "I'm gonna look like a boy…"
A small laugh escaped me.
Her head snapped toward me immediately, glare sharp enough to cut steel.
I pretended I saw nothing.
After a few seconds of staring, she finally turned back around.
"But think about how much safer you'll be," Lee said.
"I'd rather be dead," she muttered, irritation clear.
"Shush," Lee said, snipping away.
She looked like she was being tortured.
Strands of her long hair drifted to the floor.
Finally, Lee stepped back. "Alright. All done. We need something to tie these pieces…"
"I have hair bands," Clementine said. "Lilly gave them to me… for sleeping."
Lee took them and tied her hair into two short ponytails. "There. All done."
Clementine immediately grabbed at her hair, feeling how short it was now.
Her face fell into a deep pout.
Yeah—she hated it.
I was about to say something when—
SCREEEEEECH.
The train brakes screamed.
The entire car lurched as the train began to slow.