Christa sobbed over Omid's corpse, tears flowing down her cheeks as she clutched his body tightly. She pressed her forehead into his and felt his ice cold skin. He was dead. Gone. Her world had been stable only moments ago, she had her boyfriend by her side, a baby on the way and a little girl to protect. Now her world was shattering, collapsing around her as she clung firmly to Omid's body.
I don't want to let you go. I can't. Clementine stood by the bathroom stalls, staring in disbelief. She was shaking uncontrollably, a sob in her throat.
This is my fault... All my fault.... Christa... I'm so sorry. The women, Omid's murderer, was pressed up against the blood smeared wall, her breathing shaky, her consciousness slipping. She was dying.
Good Christa thought to herself.
She deserves it.... For what she has done to him... To us.
Christa leaned over Omid's body and scooped up Clementine's gun. She stared at Omid's face, longingly yearning to see that big cheeky smile of his again. As she looked closer she could see that her almost looked... Peaceful. But then her eyes met with the blood stain on his shirt, the bullet wound.
She gently kissed his forehead and then pulled away from him, rising to her feet and aiming Clementine's gun at his head, her hand shaking violently. Christa choked up and covered her eyes with her hand, lowering the gun. She exhaled deeply, and lowered her hand, aiming the gun at his head once again. Her shaking hand became steady "I love you... Omid" she whispered softly.
"I'm sorry Christa!" Clementine cried out, unable to contain the guilt anymore.
A gunshot erupted from the bathroom....
Several hours laterThe sky had turned grey, once bright blue now clouded. The air was damp, the wet clung to their clothing. Christa stood up and mopped her brow, her hands covered with dirt which she wiped on her trousers. A fresh mound of upturned earth was by her feet.
Clementine whimpered, sniffling softly at the sight of Omid's grave. She looked up at Christa, her eyes were clouded, her face harden, showing little emotion.
"I'm sorry Christa..." Clementine said softly, her voice reduced to a whisper.
Christa didn't respond, her gaze distant.
"I didn't mean for-" she began.
"It's fine!" Christa yelled suddenly, startling Clementine with her out burst. "It's fine..." She repeated more gently.
"You- you want to talk about it?" She asked.
"No" Christa replied bitterly.
Clementine blinked hard, fighting back tears.
"Sorry I-" Christa began "Oh god" she murmured, lifting her hand and covering her mouth. "Just give me a minute, okay?"
Clementine nodded slowly "I understand".
The two remain silent, minutes passed but time seemed to drag on. The grey sky opened up and drizzle began to fall. Christa looked up towards the heavens, closing her eyes she felt the rain pour down upon her, trickling down her face and skin. She almost felt... Cleansed.
Clementine bowed her head in respect, wiping away her tears on her sleeve and let the rain drench her.
What have I done? This is my fault, all my fault. I should have kept track of my things like Omid said... I've let him down, I've let Christa down, I've let myself down. Omid is dead because of me.
"We should go... Find shelter." Christa told her, turning away from the mound of earth.
"Maybe we could take shelter in the bathrooms until the rain stops" Clementine suggested.
"I'm not going back in there, not after-" Christa paused and let out a small sob.
I have to stay strong... For her sake, I can't- I can't turn on her. I can't blame her, she's a child, they make mistakes... I can't blame her, Omid wouldn't want that.... But it's her fault he's gone. Christa pushed away the inner conflict she felt. Her creased brow soften as she stared at the little girl in front of her "We have to go"
Clementine stared at the mound of earth before nodding, biting her inside lip "Okay" she choked up, the guilt of Omid's death bubbling away inside of her. Christa picked up her rifle and turned towards the forest, giving the mound of earth one last glance.
Goodbye... Omid. Clementine noticed her gun in Christa's waistband "Can I-" she hesitated as Christa retorted. "Can I have my gun back?" She asked, already regretting her question.
Christa grimaced.
After everything that's happened, she wants her gun back?! "I think it would be best if I hold onto it for a while." She told her.
Clementine adjusted her back pack on her shoulders and followed Christa as they walked deep into the forest. She too gave the mound of earth one last look
I'm sorry Omid...."Clementine, come on!" Christa shouted.
She quickly picked up her pace and ran into the cover of the trees. Groans came from the bathroom as the figure of Omid's murderer appeared in the doorway, her body swaying, a roar erupting from her throat....