While Lee was trying to figure out how to get the train moving, Micah decided to look around in the boxcar. As he stood up, Clementine did too and began to follow him.
"Why are you following me?" Micah asked, looking back at her.
"Lee told you to look out for me, didn't he?" Clementine replied. "So I should stick close to you."
Micah sighed and crushed his cigarette under his boot. He continued walking, and she followed closely behind. They reached the boxcar and stepped inside. As Micah was checking out the sleeping area, a man suddenly appeared behind them.
"Did you touch any of my stuff?" the man asked, his voice low and serious.
Micah turned around quickly, and in a flash, he pulled out his gun and aimed it at the man's head. The man raised his hands in the air, looking nervous.
"What's it to you?" Micah asked, keeping his gun steady.
"I'm the guy who owns the stuff here," the man said calmly. He looked at Micah and then at Clementine, who was hiding behind Micah's leg.
Micah thought for a moment. This man, Chuck, didn't seem aggressive, and Micah realized he might need another strong person on his side besides Lee. He spun the gun on his finger, then expertly put it away, allowing Chuck to lower his hands.
"We took a map of the train routes," Micah stated.
"That's fine, you can have that," Chuck replied with a relaxed smile.
"Is that so?" Micah asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I've got it all up here," Chuck said, tapping the side of his head with a grin. "I guess it's no worse for wear. Name's Chuck. Charles, if you want to be fancy."
"I'm Micah," he said, nodding. "This here's Clementine." He gestured to the little girl.
"The guy outside is with you?" Chuck asked, looking curious.
"Lee? Yeah," Micah confirmed with a nod.
"I saw you walking through here and thought about scaring you," Chuck said with a chuckle. "But I couldn't bring myself to do it."
"Very funny," Micah replied, not amused.
The three of them stepped out of the boxcar. "What's your game, man?" Micah asked, his voice serious.
"Just keeping alive," Chuck shrugged, looking relaxed.
"That ain't half bad," Micah nodded, appreciating his honesty.
"I like it," Chuck said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of candy and handed it to Clementine, who accepted it with a big smile and sparkling eyes.
Just then, Lee approached them. "Hey! I finally figured out how to get the train moving. All we have to do is push the gas or whatever," he said, sounding excited.
Micah slapped Lee on the back. "Alright!" he exclaimed, then turned back to Chuck. "Can you shoot?"
"Sure," Chuck replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Good. Do you want to join us? I wouldn't mind another guy who can shoot. I mean, I can handle myself, but it's better to be safe than sorry, right?" Micah suggested, trying to sound friendly.
"Well, it sounds like you're taking my home," Chuck said, crossing his arms.
"So, is that a yes?" Micah asked, putting his hands on his hips. He turned back to Lee, who was still watching Chuck. "What are you waiting for? Get the train moving!"
Lee snapped out of his thoughts, sighed, and walked toward the locomotive, with Clementine following him. Micah and Chuck climbed onto the train as well, moving toward the front like Lee and Clementine.
Lee, having figured out the controls of the train, sat down in the driver's seat and pressed the gas. The train began to move. Micah took a seat in the empty seat, while Clementine, sat on the floor, and Chuck stepped out onto the front of the train, resting his elbows on the barrier as they rolled down the tracks.
As the train rumbled along the tracks, Clementine sat cross-legged on the floor. She glanced over at Micah, who was leaning back in his seat, arms crossed and looking out the window with an air of indifference.
"Micah," she said, her voice bright and hopeful, "do you want to draw with me?"
Micah turned his head slightly, one eyebrow raised as he regarded the little girl. "Draw?" he repeated.
"Yeah!" Clementine said, her excitement palpable. She rummaged through her backpack, pulling out a small stack of paper and a colorful box of crayons.
"Listen, kid," Micah replied dismissively, "why don't you go and bother Lee instead?" He turned back to the window, clearly uninterested.
Clementine's smile faltered as she tucked her crayons back into her bag. She glanced over at Lee, who was pretending to focus on the train controls, but she could see the tension in his shoulders. He was listening.
"Okay," Clementine said quietly, trying to hide her disappointment. She stared down at the floor.
After a moment of silence, she looked up again, her curiosity piqued once more. "Can I see your gun instead?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "It looks really cool!"
Micah's demeanor shifted slightly at her request. He leaned forward, intrigued. "You want to see my gun, huh?" He smirked, his interest piqued. "Well, I suppose it's better than drawing." He reached down and unholstered his double-action revolver, holding it up for her to see.
Clementine's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the gun. The gray steel frame gleamed in the light, and the custom red-and-black skull grip was striking. She could see the intricate etching along the barrel that read, "Vengeance is hereby mine."
"Wow," she breathed, her small hands reaching out to gently touch the cool metal. "It's so pretty!"
Micah couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at her reaction. "Yeah, it's one of a kind, kid," he said, a hint of a grin creeping onto his face. "Not just anyone has a piece like this."
Lee, still at the controls, couldn't help but glance over at the two of them. He felt an odd mix of relief and concern. Clementine was fascinated by Micah, and while he understood that curiosity, Micah's attitude often ran hot and cold. He knew he had to keep an eye on both of them.
"Okay, kid," Micah said, rolling his eyes. "I've shown you my gun. Now go bother Lee or something."
Clementine sighed and nodded, knowing when to accept defeat. "Alright, Micah," she said softly, gathering her things. She stood up and walked over to Lee, who smiled down at her, grateful that she was moving on.
"Hey, Clementine," he said, trying to sound cheerful. "How about we draw together?"
As Clementine settled next to him, Micah leaned back in his seat, arms crossed again, a smirk on his face. "She's a good kid," he muttered under his breath, though he wouldn't admit it aloud.