So at this stage, the idea of Carley surviving has become near cliché, everyone trying to figure out different ways of how she could have survived and what she would have done in the future episodes if she was still there.

Carley was an awesome character, and in my opinion she was taken way too soon as I think she had a lot to offer the series in terms of her personality and her reassuring advice to Lee, as well as a trustworthy friend to have in the uncertain times of the later parts of the game. I feel that Carley had so much to offer the game, and she could have been a game changer had she been in the game beyond her death.

I know there is a good many fics about this topic and the game and how it would have gone if Carley was there, but I'm gonna change up the story a good bit with her being involved; because in hindsight, Carley would have made a seismic contrast to the events of the actual game, so things are going to go different. What gets changed I hope you ask? Well you're just going to have to stick around to find out.

This story explores the relationship between Lee and Carley/Clementine, and how Carley would affect the later parts of the game.

I'm fairly new to actually writing stories, so please take this into account when reading this. I hope I don't suck too much.

Reviews of any kind, whether that be comments, constructive criticism or just anything is majorly appreciated. I want to know what you all think of this chapter and whether or not you want to see a second part (This is kinda a series, only if there is interest from the readers to continue.)

So yeah, I think I've bored you long enough, please enjoy the story, and have a nice day!

Lee inhaled a ragged breath before stepping foot outside the halted RV. Lilly was already out, crouching down, observing the cause of the sudden problem. Carley strolled over beside him, her expression read that she was ready for a dogfight. Ben was the last to exit, timidly creeping out from the vehicle, anxious about his fate in the group. The parking lights blinked red, momentarily lighting up the muddy ditch they were now going to argue in with each flash.

"Kenny, the RV has some surface damage but there's a walker trapped underneath." Lilly offhanded uncaringly to an approaching Kenny, she had other things in mind. The man scowled and sat on his hunkers, checking the extent of the damage.

"God dammit. Everyone, keep your eyes peeled." He sighed in clear frustration. It had been a long day, this was exactly what he didn't want to deal with right now, as well as the storm Lilly was serving up only a few feet away.

Their supposed leader turned back to them, ready for another round of accusations and blame. The stars floated unwatched in the purple sky above, the clouds had all retreated away, Lilly had probably scared them off. The unfazed moon shone proudly upon them, Lee would've considered it a beautiful night if not for the current circumstances. Clementine was now standing idly at the door of the RV, watching the ugly scene unfold before her pure eyes.

"You know what? We shouldn't just kick you out, we should hear what everybody thinks." Lilly began in a strangely calm voice. She was utterly determined to uncover the traitor, which at this point Lee couldn't really care about. But Lilly demanded answers and she knew that Ben would crumble.

"I think you should chill out!" Ben feebly blocked off, only serving to irritate the already agitated woman. The teenager couldn't have picked a worse response than he just did. Lilly called his bluff and closed in, but Carley stepped in for her own defense.

"I'm not going to take this; you can push Ben around but you can't push me around." She stated firmly, taking some of the pressure off of the teen.

"I'm really sorry you feel that way, but I'm starting to think that maybe it was both of you." Lilly spat in a spiteful tone, glaring at the pair on trial. Lee couldn't believe how irrational she was being and decided to intervene himself, but being careful that he didn't get caught in her wrathful theorizing.

"There's no way it was Carley. It was somebody else." Lee offered to the argument, before realising he had left Ben out in the firing line. "It could've even been someone sneaking into our camp." He quickly tacked on, the idea was made on the spot and it was ludicrous. Lilly saw right through it as he expected the moment he said it.

"That's ridiculous. That's what you think?" Lilly gave the thought no time, discarding his hopelessly ambitious idea to the side.

Lee froze momentarily, but decided to mock-believe his own unrealistic theory that Lilly was currently picking apart. He stuck with the idea though.

"Yes."

Lilly shook her head in disbelief and crossing her arms. Her fists were white with how hard she had been clenching them."Okay, fine then. Kenny?". She called for her opposing leader, hoping that he would as to the point as she was. But to her disappointment, Kenny seemed to be completely uninterested in the matter, he was more concerned about getting the RV on the road again.

"I don't know! Fuck! Just, stop, would ya?!" He responded flusteredly, already busy with the gurgling mess that was stuck underneath the vehicle. It dawned on Lilly that she was the only one pointing fingers, taking a second to mull over the hectic situation, but settling on that fact that the backstabber must be eradicated from the group, one way or another.

"Well your vote counts for you and Katjaa." She added mindfully.

"We don't need all these votes!" Ben erupted into panic, his eyes wide in fear as Lilly stared on, clearly unchanged in her accusations. "What do I have to do for you to trust me?! I'll do anything!" He wildy attempted in vain to save himself from the pressure. His voice gave way at several stages, causing Lee to cringe slightly, he was making the scenario so much worse for himself

"I'll do watches for months!" He pleaded in blatant desperation.

Lilly gave a cruel laugh. "The hell you will."

"I'll get more food, more medicine, anything, just-

"You're making it worse on yourself." Lee had to stop him before he broke down completely. His crazy excuses only made it seem more likely for it to be him.

"I just don't want to be on my own!" Ben explained, terrified of the thought. He was barely an adult.

"You should've thought of that." Lilly poked with zero mercy for his begging. "Do we need anymore evidence than this?!" She growled, pointed at the gawky teen.

"Fuck evidence! Stop treating him like this!" Carley jumped in for her friend, a steely glare of her own.

"Shut up, Carley!" Lilly instantly snapped back at the reporter. "I've heard enough out of you!" She turned back to Kenny, who was still pulling away at the obstacle underneath the RV. "Kenny, what's it going to be?"

"Just give me a damn minute!" Kenny called back, getting pissed off at Lilly's constant bossing.

"Ben, you have until that walker is dealt with to tell me it was her and was her and not you!" She continued to press on the boy, making a difficult decision for him. Lilly toyed with him, aware that he would fold easy, and it was all going to plan. Ben appeared taken aback by the question, not wanting to land the ultimate verdict on his deadshot friend either. Lee feared his response, one wrong move and Lilly would strike.

"Stop this. You're torturing him!" Carley exclaimed, appalled by her lack of mercy.

"No!"

"Ben!"

"Stop."

They pinballed around comments, the situation become more fiery and the tension increasing to near palpable levels.

"This is about trust, and I've never trusted you!"

"Lilly lay off." Lee had to put a stop to things before they got violent. Lilly was becoming more and more unhinged at every passing second and Lee could see her eyes turn foreign, as if something else had taken over the woman. Clementine looked petrified at the increasingly volatile discussion raging on in front of her, Lee would have to talk to her later.

"I can't Lee. You know damn well that I can't." Lilly was near shaking with anger. This was a clear sign to him that she was dead set on getting an answer, no matter what.

A crunching sound was heard up from the front of the RV, Kenny had pulled the walker out. "There! I got him." He sighed in relief, unaware to the commotion occurring a few feet away from him.

Ben threw out an exhausted plea. "Please, let's just get back in the RV-

"That's not happening!" Lilly denied without a moment's notice.

"You think you're some tough bitch, don't you? Like nothing can hurt you, but you're just a scared little girl. Get the fuck over it." Carley butted back, not taking anymore of Lilly's aggression. The reporter was never afraid to speak her mind, but Lee noted the frightening expression on accusing woman's face. She was beyond angry. Her eyes were brimming with rage. "Take a page from Lee's book and try helping somebody for once."

Lilly looked seething. And Lee was worried as to what she would do. She fell into silence, which seemed odd as she was the most vocal just a few seconds ago.

Another crunch sounded from the top of the RV, as Kenny put his boot through the skull of the walker, ending the ordeal. He sighed again and wiped the blood on his jeans. Everyone turned at the noise, watching as Kenny strolled over to the group, a sheepish look on his face.

Lee turned back to face Lilly, but she was glaring at Carley, who was watching as Kenny sauntered over to them. Lilly was reaching for something down her back.

Lee's blood froze when she produced a gun and aimed it at the unexpecting reporter.

"Now, what the fuck's the problem?"

Lee jumped desperately at the gun, trying to wrestle it out of her iron grip, but not before a deafening shot fired and caught Carley in the side, collapsing to the ground like a ragdoll. Lee watched in horror as his close friend was motionless on the ground, murky blood pooling at her side. He grabbed Lilly's wrists firmly and slammed her against the RV, glaring into her emotionless eyes.

"Drop it." He hissed, gripping both of her hands tightly. Lilly looked glanced slowly at the gun, and let it tumble out of her hand, clattering to the roadside. Lee could hear ragged breathing from behind him. Ben crouched down beside the fallen woman, a combination of guilt and shock apparent on his face.

"Holy fuck..."

"She's still breathing." He managed to squeak.

"Kenny! What's happening?!" Katjaa called from the passenger seat, concern clear in her voice.

"Keep Duck away from the windows! Jesus Christ!" Kenny urged, stepping over her. "Get Carley into the RV!" He ordered to Ben, who nodded and began to lift the limp body into the vehicle. Clementine spectated the scene in horror, bewildered why Lilly would do such a thing. Ben rested the reporter in the backseat, before climbing back out of the RV.

"Get in, we're leaving this crazy bitch!" Kenny demanded. Lee stared into Lilly's now saddened eyes. She looked scared herself. Lee knew he had to make a decision here.

Leave Lilly? Or bring her along with you. It's up to you.

I urge you guys to give me your answer if we want this to work, it'll be hard for me if no one comes back at all.

Thank you all so much for reading! Please drop a review, I would appreciate it so much. I'll continue on if there's sufficient interest in the story.

Have a great day!