Adapting

/Usual reminder, this is my first fic, so expect, fucked pacing, grammar character personality, interactions, and more, most likely. Enjoy.\

 Massacred camp

The gasps of air leaving the now dismembered body of my former leader were the only thing filling the empty silence between me and that thing standing above her.

 Eventually, her gasps quieted and then stopped, letting those near know she was no longer living and leaving my unfortunate self truly alone.

 The amount of cation I treated this situation with was far below what I wanted, and that thought was further proven as I kept my eyes on the hideous form before me. Its shallow breaths kept me teetering on an edge I so desperately wanted to leave, yet with each strained breath, my body locked up more and more, becoming something most statues would envy.

 Sweat was rolling down my face, and I was having a hard time keeping my bladder in check. At one point, the creature twitched, sending unwilling shivers rocking through my terrified form; it was so bad that I almost locked down on the idea of turning around and running for my life. Yet, an overpowering instinct forced me to stay still while giving me brief glimpses of watching my decapitated body fall to the ground, head nowhere in sight.

 Multiple twitching fingers had me severely doubting myself.

"A or B?"

 Its sudden scratchy voice had my gut curdling with distress, even more so when it started emitting low growls.

 "I SAID A OR B!"

 Losing control of both my bladder and stomach, piss ran down my leg while chunks of breakfast painted the ground in front of me. Even then, my panicked and shaky voice headed to the creature's command. "B!"

 Like a switch, the creature's once-agitated face twisted into something resembling a smile. 

 I watched as it started taking slow, steady-paced steps toward me before eventually stopping a few inches from my face. With unholy horror, it wretched its mouth open, extending a pair of tiny pale hands from its throat, followed by the head of a little girl, her eyes gleaming with ambery fire.

 The longer I stared into the girl's amber eyes, the more my body numbed before eventually attempting to topple over, only to be caught by the creature's waiting arms.

 Despite falling face-first into the creature's waiting arms, my body had at one point been flipped over, facing my eyes to the would-be sky, with amber eyes replacing it instead.

 Pale arms extended further out of the creature's pried mouth, reaching down and gripping me by the head before slowly retreating down its throat, taking me with it.

 The horror coming with this was enough to draw tears from my paralyzed body.

 Soon enough, I had been swallowed; my world, once colorful, was now devoid of anything but a gaping black abyss.

 Was this hell? I didn't know, and I didn't care. I was so tired, so exhausted. It felt like every semblance of life had been ripped from me. Torn to shreds and tossed to the wind. 

 My unclear hands gripped my weeping eyes, trying to stop the vat of tears trying to escape, but it was to no avail, as the once suppressed hiccups had turned into full-blown sobs echoing throughout the abyss.

 My fetal form was being supported by ground unfamiliar and comforted by an abyss with surprising warmth. The feeling of gentle hands stroking my back sent shots of comfort coursing up my spine, eyes growing heavy and sobs quieter; I drifted off to gentle hands and comforting words.

 "It's okay." Three unionized voices spoke.

"You're safe now." They continued.

 "I'll take care of you..."

He had fallen into a deep slumber at this point.

 "After all..." The eerie visage of a smiling Clementine stood behind the boy, "We can't be having our first dying, now can we."

 Unionized psychotic laughter tore itself from her throat, turning the once pitch-black void into a mix of red, green, and amber. 

 One could only wonder what each color meant.

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

 Dairy Survivors

 The group was silent as they walked the dirt road back to the motel; Kenny was carrying the sleeping form of Duck while keeping to Katjaas side; Lilly was dead to the world, with only her shallow breathes reminding me she was still there, Carley's paranoia was acting up, causing her to double check areas shes already looked over, and Ben was the same, if a bit depressed from the discovery made on the dairy.

 For my part, I kept an eye on the dusty road while directing the rest of my focus to Clem. Her still form rested in my arms, sound asleep, and it was probably for the best, as she had managed to sleep through the entire start and finish of the disaster.

 The same couldn't be said for some others. Mark died from blood loss, courtesy of the dairy's cannibalistic diet. Larry had a heart attack and died soon after; we smashed his head in, not wanting to be locked in a meat freezer with a two-hundred-pound walker.

 I'm starting to worry about Lilly, but she won't speak to me anymore, so I can only hope she makes it through this.

 I was dragged from my thoughts by the twitch of movement coming from Clem's sleeping form. Her once quiet breaths turned haggard for a few seconds before returning to a calm demeanor. Looking down, I saw something that both horrified and amazed me; Clems, once dark tan skin, was nowhere to be seen; instead, having every muscle on full display.

 An ominous red fog began to leak from her mouth, but I held firm, unwilling to drop her peaceful form. The fog spread and surrounded both her and me; it felt like hundreds of fire ants were gnawing away at my skin, but I endured until, eventually, the fog receded to where it came from, leaving the now re-skinned Clem behind.

 Despite the lingering phantom pains from such an experience, I was relieved to see her unharmed and with a heartbeat that screamed life, yet I was also confused, as one, what was that, and two, how did the others not freak out about it?

 Looking around, I saw nothing, no reaction from anyone, as if they had never seen it happen. Looking back down at Clem, a prominent color pasted itself on her shoulder, taking the form of a bloodied butterfly with a curl of black painted on both its wings. I watched as it slowly lost its color before completely draining, revealing the familiar visage of Clem's butterfly-shaped scar I noted back at the drugstore.

 For a second so brief, I saw the scar flash red, adopt green, and blink Clem's amber eyes before eventually stopping completely, simmering down to a pale patch of skin a scar usually boasts.

 My thoughts and focus were ripped from Clem by the surprised gasps coming from the front of our little group. Looking up, I nearly mimicked the gasp in my voice, as sitting in front of us was a car, trunk wide open full of all kinds of food and plenty of water. It was almost tempting to say it could last us a few months at most, but that would be wishful thinking, as the supplies we got from Mark joining the group had only lasted three months with stretching. And it had been about double the supplies I could see in the car.

 But not one to destroy hope, I kept silent on my thoughts, leaving the group to come up with their own conclusions, and as cruel and heartless as it may sound, with two fewer people to feed, the supplies could outlast my own conclusion.

 So deep in thought I didn't feel the slight twitch of movement coming from the still figure in my arms, and before I knew it, I was in a grip that felt like a death roll.

 With quick action, I ripped my attention away from the car and down to the now very awake Clem as she clutched onto me like it was a matter of life and death. Her head had been buried into my shirt, and her arms had wrapped around my waist, being too short to come full circle,

 With a happy and relieved smile, I started stroking her back, doing my best to reassure her that it was okay and that I was still there.

 "Did I ever tell you you sleep too much?" I said with a matter of faculty.

"Hum" was her response as she tried to sink further into my shirt.

 Her clutch was getting tighter, but I said nothing of it, trying to make her feel more comfortable.

 "Lee..." Her slightly watery voice echoed.

 Tone shifting slightly, I responded. "Yes, sweetpea?"

 I could feel her gently shaking. Continuing to stroke her back, I continued. "It's okay Clem, there's nothing to be afraid of."

 "N-no... That's... That's not it..." She had broken out into soft cries.

 "... I... I hurt people... So many people..."

 I was gripping her tight at this point, doing my best to support her, and having no clue what she was talking about was not doing me any favors.

 Wanting to figure out what she was talking about, I lightly questioned. "What are you talking about Clem?"

 She said nothing.

 "Its okay, Clem, I'm-"

"Am I a monster..."

 It didn't take me any time to answer that question. "You're not."

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

 The moment he said that any restraint I had about breaking down crumbled to dust.

 Memories of the half-dead bastard, quietly cursing me and calling me things so horrid each word was scorched into my head, becoming a scare so deep it made even the Mariana Trench look like a paper cut.

 Yet a single confirmation from the only person I cared about made all that fade away, turning every thought and self dought into a red mist that filled the renewed hatred I had for the fucks lying in their own gory puddles I so kindly made for them.

 A dim red glow made itself known to the world as it reacted to the chaotic hatred growing; becoming a restless curse desperate to heed its mistresses' bloody commands.

 But that didn't last, as the one person who never noticed the oddities finally took notice.

 There was a soft chuckle before he spoke. "Maybe Mark was on to something when he called your strength monstrous."

 The moment he spoke those words was the moment I felt dread fill every part of my body; my breathing ceased and my heartbeat skipped a mile a minute.

 The thoughts of betrayal filled my mind, but he wouldn't right? I could feel my grip tighten the more I thought about it. He can't... HE'S MINE...

 The word Monster echoed out in his voice, overriding every thought and care I've ever had, with each time it spoke, I slowly forgot that it was just a fabrication of his voice and not the real thing, but my near-broken mind didn't care, as it conjured up idea after idea on ways to force him to stay.

 The butterfly took part in intermixing colors as red and green fought, each trying to override the other, yet never having enough of something to do it.

 My mind was descending into chaos as everything, in reality, fell apart in my eyes, becoming nothing but a black abyss trying to swallow everything whole.

 "Sweetpea."

 And just like that, everything once consumed was returned to its place, giving me a clear picture of the ever-warm smile Lee was giving me.

 My sobs then turned ugly and messy as I dug my head deeper into his shirt. His gentle arms had wrapped around me at one point, and I cried until my voice became hoarse and cracked.

 The feeling of joy and relief spiked through my body, making the once-clashing colors fade and return the scar to silky smooth skin.

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

 I held Clem as she broke down for what felt like the fourth time in a minute, watching the colors painting her scar fade away, returning it to the butterfly-shaped scar it was before.

 The echoing sobs from her small magical form were pulling strings I didn't even know I had. With care, I quietly sang words of reinsurance to her while locking her in a hug.

 Slowly, her sobs dimmed, and once chaotic gasps lightened into a calm, tranquil peace, slowly steading into a rhythmic breathing pattern.

 Checking on her showed me she had fallen asleep again, but that was probably for the best, as even I couldn't fully understand what was happening with her.

 The light-up scar, her skin being missing for a brief moment, her questioning about her being a monster, and a hate so large I could feel it without her having to convey it.

 I'd also have to add stasis to that as well because looking around had shown me why not one person in the group had reacted to her breakdown or the odd events happening with her scar.

 Standing in the same place as they were when she woke up were Kenny and the rest; all still having the same surprised expression as they had when the car was discovered. 

 Adjusting Clem's sleeping form, I stood from my crotched position and began to walk around the still group.

 After a bit of observation, the only thing different I could tell with close inspection was the thin layer of green surrounding them, giving me the impression that this had something to do with the green glow I saw clashing with the red one earlier.

 I was broken from my thoughts as a groaning crack could be heard and seen appearing on the green layer's outer shell before it eventually shattered into literal dust; releasing them from the stasis they were put in.

 With their release, came the realization that the night sky was breaking dawn as the sun peaked just over the trees, basking the muddy ground around us in brilliant sunlight.

 Completely ignorant of this, the rest continued to jump with joy at the car full of food.

 Katjaa was the first to speak. "There's so much... It could last us a few months at most."

 "So, were thieves now?" Came Lilly's cold response.

 Ben's optimistic voice was next. "But what if they're dead? We'd be leaving this here to rot away."

 Lilly's counterargument was quick and to the point. "And what if there not? That would make us the monsters who came out of the woods and took everything they had."

 I could see Kenny visibly and forcefully sigh at this, and I couldn't blame him, as it was clear she wasn't speaking from logic but morals, which was respectable but stupid.

 "Dad, whose car is this?" Duck's small voice echoed clearly.

 "Don't worry about that, it's ours now." Kenny's reply to this was okay but could have been better.

 Luckily, Katjaa's soothing voice could put it in a better way. "It's abandoned, Duck'y, don't worry."

 Everyone had spoken their mind on the matter except me and Carley, but that would change soon, as I was the next voice to make themselves known, and I was on the side of logic, even if it wasn't morally okay.

 Choosing to interrupt any argument Lilly had with this, I spoke. "We take it."

 The surprise in the group was evident, and Lilly snapped back from that surprise the fastest.

 "Lee, are you serious?"

"Dead." I accidentally said that with more force than necessary, but it was too late to fix it.

 Lilly was about to speak, but I beat it to her.

Memories back to the farm rang up from the depths, memories of what the Johns insinuated without saying.

 'The worlds changed, and we changed with it.'

 "Lilly, this isn't the past; we don't have the luxury of food and clean water any time we wish anymore. And as sad as it is, this new world doesn't have room for morals and absolute faith in humanity. If we want to survive, we must give up the naive and blind way of life we used to live and accept that this is what it takes to live."

 I could see her visibly try to swallow the pill just shoved down her throat, and I could tell she was having a hard time doing it. Thankfully, something seemed to change as her mouth snapped shut, and she quietly nodded in acceptance.

 Glazing over the group led me to lay eyes on the still form of Carley, a frown marring her beautiful face...

 Pushing off the embarrassing thought, I spoke. "Carley?"

All I got in response was a tired sigh and a short nod.

 "Alright then, it's settled, whoever has a free pair of hands, start grabbing stuff; I'd like to get this back to the inn before the sun rises." 

 At Kenny's words, everyone who didn't have their hands full started grabbing things from the back of the car. I also wanted to help, but my hands were occupied with a bipolar gremlin who likes to worry me too much. I also wanted to question Kenny about the before-sunrise part, as the sun had already risen past the tree line. 

 Before I could, Carley walked up to me.

"Wanna play a game?"

 With a raised eyebrow, I answered. "Is it really the best time for that kind of thing?"

 "Come on, just say yes."

With a sigh and a slight grin, I said, "Yes."

 Her smile was dazzling, even if it was muddy. 

"Well then, eye spy with my little eye two cylinders of gray."

 "Really? Eye spy? That game is older than most people on this planet."

 Her cheeks slightly puffed at this. "Just guess."

 With a smile, I sarcastically started rubbing my chin with my free hand, acting like I was in super deep thought. After doing that, I shook my head and shrugged, which garnered a reaction from her.

 "You didn't even try!"

Putting a hand on my chest, I mimicked mock hurt. "How dare you; I'll have you know I put a hundred and one percent effort into anything I do."

 I realized my mistake too late.

Her devilish grin had reared its ugly head. "Would that include me?"

 The sudden lack of movement from the group let me know Carley wasn't quiet enough with the joke. 

 With a face blazing, I continued. "I'm going to beat you with the shotgun when we get back to the motel."

 Her smile only grew. "Kinky."

I was gaping like a fish out of water at this point. So, Instead of replying, I turned around and started walking away, keying her into grabbing my arm.

 "Okay, okay! I'll stop with the lewd jokes. For now."

 "What was that?" I said in a voice of demand.

 "Nothing, nothing, anyway, here, I found some batteries in the car; thought you could use them for the camera in your pocket, or are you just ha-"

 "Carley, not another word."

 She scoffed. "Ahh, why not? I thought you loved this kind of thing, after all, you seemed to enjoy it the other night."

 I could hear snickering from the car, and by its tone, it was Kenny.

 Giving her a look so dead it could've scared death away, I continued, yet didn't. "....."

 Her grin turned crooked at this. "Hey, what's with that look?"

"...."

 "Come on, there's no need for the silent treatment, right?"

 "..."

 Her grin fixed itself, but this time, her face gave away her sudden nervousness. "Come on, Lee, I was just joking; you know me."

 "...."

"Ha, well, um, I better get going; there's a lot of stuff to get to, you know."

 I grinned as I watched her redder face scatter back to the car. It looked like I'd have to use my stoic face more often.

 My perception skill must have leveled up in some way, as the batteries previously forgotten came to the forefront of my mind, causing me to take a long, insufferable sigh.

 Clicking my teeth, I decided it would be best to ask for them and hope she's had enough fun with the lewd 'jokes' as she likes to call them.

 I sighed again. "What a pain."

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

 Unknown location

  An ominous, murky figure sat on his throne of bone, watching a substance floating in the air as it constantly repeated the massacre his adorable little general took hold of.

 His eyes were glued to each grueling death, watching as she went from ripping one creature apart to crushing another with a pace clearly in no rush. 

 The image of those pathetic creatures banging and pleading for freedom from the mana field was like music to my ears; Their cries of terror and agony fuelled my admiration for the little general and her methods.

 I even went as far as to take notes on how she ended some of their lives, ranging from filling them with enough mana to make them pop from the inside to dicing them into thin slices from the feet up.

 The second one seemed more painful, so it was my favorite.

"I hope you can provide me more of that wonderful entertainment, my tiny general."

 With maniacal laughter, everything faded to black, leaving even the reader shut out.

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

 Planet Zero

 Familiar dull emerald eyes looked on with comfort as Planet Zero's twin moons beamed with light, illuminating the dark ruins of the once beautiful castle.

 The dull eyes, though lost, were right where they wanted to be, sinking deeper into the portraits housing what was once his beautiful family, lingering on the particular child sitting between Tanya and the original, sending smiles so warm, even the sun would have a hard time matching it.

 Images of both Clementines flashed before him.

 Reaching out to the replacement, I called out to nothing. "Are you... Will you become her? Or something new?"

 Its arms receded to the throne's armrests.

 With tears streaming down my pale face, I continued. "Please... Don't choose her... I don't know if I could bear seeing another of my children die."

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

 Year 3392 May 20

"Are you sure, Kenny?"

 "If I weren't sure, then the sky wouldn't exist. So for the last time, Lee, it's two o'clock in the afternoon."

 What Kenny wasn't making any sense at all, but the others would beg to differ.

 Ever since Clem accidentally put everyone in that stasis thing, both of our day cycles have been severely altered, with the day being in the place of the night while the night being in the place of the day.

 It didn't look to affect Clem that much, but that was probable because of her neat little powers.

 That being said, the same couldn't be said for me, and I had a theory on why that was.

 Clem's special case, given her age and odd powers, it would be safe to say both played a role in stopping her from being severely affected, unlike me, who has no connection to the weird powers and who has spent thirty-seven years with a clear perception of day and night; to have it tilted on its head like that isn't something one could instantly get used too, it'll take a lot of headaches and sleepless nights to rebalance it.

 But, the change wasn't all bad because of it, I had been able to avoid multiple traps set by Carley to scare me, much to her dismay.

 I swear, she was asking to be whacked in the head.

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

Year 3392 Jun 2

  "Again."

The sound of bare flesh hitting the carpeted floor could be heard.

 "Again."

 light footsteps rapidly moved, trying to keep up and catch the much larger form, yet failing at every turn.

 Once again, the carpet met with a ghostly pale form.

"Again."

 Breathing was becoming difficult as the chase continued.

Another thud.

 "Again."

 Bruised arms made comfort with the carpet as she was once again tossed on her ass.

 "Again."

 The small girl had managed to grab the woman's chiseled arms before being reunited with the floor.

 "Time. That's enough for today, Clem. Go rest."

 With uneasy breathing, I spoke. "Thanks, Lilly."

 She snorted at this. "You make it sound like I enjoy knocking you flat."

 She left through the door, leaving me behind in a sweaty mess. Laying starfish, I did my best to cool down and catch a breath, using my mana to help speed the process along.

 Had I known learning to grapple was this hard beforehand, I might've backed out. That being said, it felt rewarding when I made progress, almost like I was making a difference in something.

 "Clem, you good?"

 My once-serious mood shifted into one that would make people think it was my birthday.

 With little effort, I picked myself up and latched onto Lee.

 "Your back."

 His soft smile eased most of my worries. "You doubted me?"

I gave him a light smack to the side, to which he laughed. "Right-right, don't worry, oh little Fariy, for I am the knight that shall be forever with you."

 I punched him this time. Blushing red, I continued. "Stop that; I'm not a fairy, and that's the cheesiest line I've ever heard."

 His laughs came back with a passion. "Ohh, Clem, I'm pretty sure that's the only cheesy line you've ever heard."

I hid the slight grin on my face by puffing up my cheeks.

 His smile merely grew.

 "Now come on; there's food outside."

 Letting Lee free from the hug, I quickly sprinted to the door but stopped just before exiting.

 "What is it sweetpea?"

With constant hesitant glances back, I decided to bite the embarrassing bullet and say it.

"...Thanks... Dad."

 I didn't give him time to react as I burst forward, leaving him behind.

 Watching the retreating form of Clem with stunned eyes, I reached up and felt the very prominent smile carving my face. "Dad, huh... I like it."

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

 Year 3392 July 7

"I'm telling you, I saw a giant spider."

 "Really? And you're sure it was a spider and not a bear?"

"Carley ask that one more time and I'll tell Lee what you've been up to."

 Her face turned crimson. "Fine, but this isn't over."

 Kenny snickered. "That's what you think."

 "Hey, don't forget I have dirt on you too."

 It was dark enough to hide most of his reaction to that statement, but, thanks to the fire, he couldn't hide all of it.

 "And what dirt would that be, hum?"

The classic Carley smile painted her face as she proceeded to recite something.

 "Oh, my fairest maiden, I humbly ask you-"

 A pair of rough hands halted her from speaking further as the very red Kenny looked on with embarrassment.

 "It's not finished."

 Forcefully removing his rough hands she continued, "Sure, whatever makes you feel better."

 Kenny clicked his tongue at this. "Shut up and get some more wood for the fire."

 She laughed. "Okay, Prince Charming."

She left before he could retort.

 "Stupid Carley. Who does she think she is, mocking my poetry? You know what, no, she's just jealous, that's all."

 When Carley sneakily returned with wood, she could hear him reciting lines, giving her some much-needed comedy as she listened to the constant fuck ups he was making.

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

 Year 3392 September 24

 "So, did it work?" Came the very insistent voice of an insane blond.

"Fortunately, it didn't, and unfortunately it didn't."

 "Bummer, I was looking forward to seeing you covered and soot, but now that I think about it, with your skin color, nothing would change."

 I couldn't help but involuntary chuckle at the blatant racism. 

"If the news had still been around, you'd be cooked like a kabob over an open flame for that comment."

 She scoffed at this. "And what would they do, send me to federal prison for it?"

 I mixed in a scoff of my own. "If you had the lawyer I had back in court, that would be a real possibility, so if I were you, I'd knock on some wood for safety measures; never know when a random news station will accidentally create a working time machine."

 A large smile bloomed on her face. "Worst case scenario; They come to this point in time to do that, taking my happy ass back to a modern age, hopefully with no zombies. Neutral scenario: I break their time machine, keeping them here with no hope of survival, and get off scot-free because there aren't any more laws saying I can't do it. And, best case scenario, I get the jump on them, beat them to a bloody pulp for trying to flame me specifically, take their time machine, go back about a year or two before the apocalypse happens, and prepare as much as possible."

 I could only sigh at the effort she put into that plan.

 "So what, you go back in time and leave us for dead?"

 The twitch in her eye at the near-backhanded comment was noticeable.

 "Of course not dumbass. When I do it, I'll find you and the rest and help you prepare for it, too."

 An odd stare was all I gave her.

"..."

 "..."

 "Hey, what's with the look?"

"..."

 The audible click of her teeth was heard. "If you don't stop giving me that look' I'm going to sock you in the face."

 I used a scoff to break my silence. "And what if we don't believe you?"

I didn't give her time to respond with an answer of her own.

 "Or how about the possibility of you going back in time and creating a fracture in time, changing that fracture instead of the present one; resulting in you helping copies of us while leaving us originals stranded here in the very much still-infested zombie apocalypse; ever think about that?"

"..."

 "..."

"You're no fun."

 A lighthearted laugh escaped me. 

"Not funny."

 "You sure? Because I feel you would have made a great comedian if the world wasn't in shambles."

 This remark earned me a punch to the gut.

 "Just shut up and get back to making those shells. I want to see you blow your goddamned hands off."

 I caught my breath while cursing life for letting her find the book on homemade shotgun shells.