The heavy door creaked open slowly.
Clementine turned her head. A small girl peeked inside. She had bright red eyes that stood out like tiny embers. The moment she saw Lee, her whole face lit up.
Millicent: Papa!
She rushed forward and jumped into Lee's arms.
Lee caught her with a warm laugh, lifting her easily. She wrapped her arms tight around his neck.
Lee: There's my brave girl.
Clementine watched quietly. Her chest ached in a good way — full of feelings she hadn't had in a long time.
Millicent pulled back from Lee and looked over at Clementine with curiosity.
Millicent: Hello. My name is Millicent. Nice to meet you.
Clementine gave a soft smile.
Clementine: Nice to meet you too, Millicent. I'm Clementine.
Millicent's red eyes sparkled.
Millicent: Clementine… that's a pretty name. Can I call you big sis?
Clementine blinked. Her smile grew.
Clementine: Sure… I'd like that.
Millicent: Yay!
She suddenly tugged on Clementine's hand.
Millicent: Wanna play tag? Just in here. Papa says I can't go too far.
Clementine looked around. The office was huge. The floor stretched wide, with soft rugs, polished wood, a long desk in the center, couches on the side, and shelves filled with books and maps. It felt less like an office, more like a wide hall or a throne room.
She smirked playfully.
Clementine: You're it.
Millicent: Huh—wait, no fair!
Clementine took off, weaving between the chairs.
Millicent let out a squeal and chased her, her small feet tapping the floor as she giggled.
Behind one of the couches, a quiet voice spoke up.
Rebekah: You two are noisy.
Clementine jumped and stopped mid-step. She turned and saw Rebekah just standing there.
Clementine: You were here this whole time?
Rebekah: Mm-hmm. I'm Lee's bodyguard I'm always right beside him. You didn't notice me.
Clementine stared for a moment, then laughed softly.
Lee: Rebekah's always been good at hiding in plain sight.
Millicent: Big sis, you stopped! That means I win!
Clementine: What? No way! I got distracted!
Millicent: Excuses, excuses.
Clementine playfully grabbed Millicent, spinning her around as the little girl laughed and squealed.
The moment ended when the main door opened again.
Dale stepped in and nodded.
Dale: Klaus is here. He brought the others.
Clementine's eyes lit up. She rushed forward before anyone else could react.
Klaus entered, calm as always, leading the way. Behind him came a group of familiar faces — Violet, Louis, AJ and the others.
Clementine: AJ!
AJ: Clem!
She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him.
Clementine: Are you okay, goofball?
AJ: I'm okay now. I missed you so much.
Clementine: I missed you too.
She held him tight. He wasn't just a kid she was protecting — he was like a son. She had raised him, fought for him, cried over him. Nothing in the world mattered more.
Louis stepped forward, looking around the clean, lit-up room.
Louis: Okay… what is this place? It doesn't look like it's been hit by walkers at all.
Lee: It was. We cleared it.
Louis: And who are you?
Clementine stood up beside AJ.
Clementine: This is Lee.
AJ looked up, eyes wide.
AJ: Lee? The Lee? The one you always told me stories about?
Clementine nodded, her voice soft.
Clementine: Yes. That Lee.
AJ: But… I thought you said he turned into a walker?
Lee stepped forward.
Lee: I didn't. Almost… but I survived.
Louis blinked. The others didn't say much. They were clearly still trying to process everything.
Millicent stepped beside AJ and looked him up and down.
Millicent: who are you?
AJ: Um…I'm AJ...clem is like a mom to me.
Millicent: Then I'm your aunt! Since I'm her little sister now.
AJ tilted his head.
AJ: What? You're… really small though.
Millicent: And you're loud.
AJ: Am not!
Millicent: Are too!
Clementine chuckled and ruffled both their heads.
Clementine: You two better behave.
Millicent: Fine. But I'm still winning at tag.
AJ: I'm not playing.
Millicent: Then watch from the couch, nephew!
Millicent grabbed Clementine's hand again.
Millicent: Come on, big sis! Let's finish!
The two darted off again, laughing and weaving through the large room. Their footsteps echoed as they dodged couches and chairs.
Rebekah: They're going to knock something over.
Lee: Let them play. They need it.
After a few minutes, Clementine finally flopped onto the couch, breathless, Millicent dropping beside her.
Millicent: You're fast.
Clementine: You're faster than you look.
The door opened once more, and a woman entered.
She had tall white hair. Her long white lab coat flowed behind her, and her eyes had a strange glow — calm, but powerful.
Alice: Hello, everyone. My name is Alice. I help manage things here.
Louis: So… you're in charge?
Alice: No. He is.
She nodded toward Lee.
Alice: Lee is the emperor of this place.
The room went quiet.
Violet: Emperor?
Alice: Yes. He built this place. Protected it. Led people here. He gave us all a second chance. We follow him not because he told us to… but because he gave us hope.
The group looked at Lee in a new way.
Ruby: So… we're safe here?
Alice: As long as you want to be. You're not prisoners. You're guests. Family, if you wish.
Lee: You've all been through so much. You deserve peace.
Louis: And you're doing all this… because of Clem?
Lee looked at Clementine. His voice was firm but full of love.
Lee: I built this place so that Clementine — and all my friends — could have a home.
Clementine looked away quickly, blinking away tears.
She held AJ close, while Millicent leaned against her other side.
Clementine: Thank you, Lee.