Chapter 20

                                    

                                          

No one's POV:
    The morning sunlight filtered through the yard as the group—Kenny, Rebecca, Mike, Jane, Clementine,  and Sarah—gathered in a tight circle around the lone radio placed on the worn picnic table between them. Kenny leaned forward, his face lined with tension, eyes flicking over each of them. 
"Alright, we're all here," he said, his voice low but commanding.
Rebecca's crossed her arms, determination hardening her features. "Somebody's gotta get the radio to Luke. What's the problem?"
Kenny nodded, glancing at the others. "We should probably figure out who's doin' what before we—"
The sudden groan of the shutter rising cut him off. Heads turned as the loud metal clang filled the space. Kenny's hands darted for the radio, his grip firm as he slid it behind his back, out of view.
Tavia stood framed in the opening, her rifle slung casually over one shoulder. Two guards flanked her, their expressions unreadable as their eyes swept the yard. Her gaze landed on the group, her tone brisk and authoritative. "Time to get up. Daylight's brurnin'. They let you sleep in today, all things considered."
Sarah stepped forward, her worry evident as she clutched her hands together. "Where's my dad?"
Tavia's eyes flicked toward her, her tone indifferent. "He's where the rest of y'all are goin'. To work." She shifted her weight, glancing at the others. "Rebecca, Nick, Sarah, Jane. If you gotta take a piss, do it now. The next break won't be for a while. Troy'll be coming for the rest of you."
Kenny straightened, his gaze sharp as it bore into her. "Why just them?" 
"Like I said," Tavia replied without missing a beat, "Troy'll be comin' for the rest of you."
With a flick of her head, Tavia motioned for Rebecca, Sarah, Nick, and Jane to follow. Reluctantly, they shuffled toward the shutter. The guards closed it behind them with a loud clang, leaving Kenny, Clementine, and Mike in the now silent yard.
Kenny turned back to the remaining two, his voice urgent. "Alright, look. If we're gonna do something we have to do it now. And if Luke's all we got, then we pair up with him."
Mike folded his arms, his brow furrowing. "I can do it. Where's the meetin' spot?"
Kenny shook his head, firmly. "Mike."
"Yeah?"
"Clementine should do it," Kenny said without hesitation.
Both Clementine and Mike froze, their eyes snapping to Kenny in disbelief.
"You're fuckin' kidding, right?" Mike's voice rose, incredulous. "No offense, but c'mon, that's crazy. She's a kid! Why would—"
Kenny's voice cut through, calm but steely. "There's a million reasons. She knows Luke. She can hide. She got the damn radio for us in the first place."
Mike threw up his hands, frustration boiling over. "Who cares?! She's just a kid!"
"And I'm sorry, Mike, but I don't know you from fuckin' Adam, alright? If I'm trusting someone to do somethin' this important, I'm trusting her." Kenny's tone brooked no argument as he squared his shoulders. 
Mike stepped closer, his voice defensive. "You don't trust me to bring a radio to someone?"
Before the argument could escalate further, Clementine interjected, her voice firm. "Kenny's right. I should do it."
Mike stared at her, shaking his head slowly. "Don't do somethin' stupid to get some respect."
"She doesn't need your respect," Kenny snapped, his tone laced with finality.