#(Shane ' I mean you're the one calling the car {from *here*}-') | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

novamariestark · 2 years

Text

Days Gone Bye

— 2 months ago —

Her footsteps on the quartz floor were quick and unsteady as she made her way towards the exit. She couldn't help it, she was excited. After two years, she gets to see her family again. Her brother, her nephew and her sister-in-law.

She reached the arrival section of the airport, she quickly scanned the crowd for the familiar faces of her family but found the face of a close friend. Looking at his expression, she immediately knew something was wrong.

She slowly made her way to him "Shane... is he..." she trailed off. She couldn't even imagine something bad happening to her big brother.

Shane shook his head, "He was shot, today. He's in a coma. I'm sorry, Cindy. It's my fault. I should've seen that guy, man. I should've plugged him." Cindy held her hand up and shook her head, "Shane, it's not your fault. He'll be fine. You know Rick, sometimes he can be a stubborn son of a bitch." She laughed, earning a chuckle from Shane too. He picked up her suitcase. "Come on, Lori and Carl are at the hospital." He said heading out the exit with Cindy following close behind.

The car was silent for a while until Shane broke it, "So how's Marine life treating you?" he asked, one hand on the steering wheel and one on his thigh. Cindy looked down, fiddling with her fingers in her lap. "It's okay." Shane notices her change in behavior, "Hey, you okay? Did something happen?"

She laughed and shook her head "Sorry, Shane. I'm afraid that's classified." he rolled his eyes at her response.

— Hospital —

Shane pulls his truck into the hospital car park, into a space. He turned off the engine and got out of his truck. He headed towards the hospital but stopped when he realized there wasn't the thud of a car door behind him. He turned to see Cindy still seated in the truck. When she noticed him heading towards the passenger door, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

Shane led Cindy through the halls of the hospital, he stopped outside a door. Room '211' "He's in there." He said quietly, his hands in his pocket, "I'll give you some family time." He walks back towards the waiting room.

"Shane," he stops and turns to look at the girl. "Thank you... for picking me up." he smiles as he turns "No problem, Cinderella." He called over his shoulder.

She rolled her eyes, he knew how much she hated being called that. "Asshole." She muttered, only loud enough for her to hear.

'Here goes' she thought. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Lori was the first to see her, "Oh my God, you're here." She said coming over to envelope her sister-in-law in a hug. She'd missed this. Being with her family. She came home just in time for her birthday. Tomorrow she turns 25 and the one thing she wanted for her birthday, was to spend it with her family. Over Lori's shoulder, she could see her brother, lying cold and motionless on his bed. His face, like a blank canvas. No color, no emotion, no life.

Cindy then looked over to her young nephew as Lori released her from the hug. His tear-stained face glistening under the combined light of the room and the sun peering through the window.

Lori noticed her gaze and looked over to Carl, "He's not long fell asleep, all the crying tired him out." Cindy lets out a watery laugh, "Yeah, I guess it would." Her smile drops as she recalls earlier, "God, as soon as I saw Shane's face, I knew. I mean, to come back from combat to find that he'd been..." she trailed off as tears threatened to fall. Lori rushed over to hug her again. "Shhh, it's okay. Baby, you have no idea how proud he is of you, Carl too. A couple of months ago he had to write an essay about his hero, he was torn between you and Rick," she laughs to herself "Rick told him to write about you because you were his hero too." Cindy looked between Lori and her brother, "He really thinks that?" Lori nods, Cindy laughs "When I was growing up, he was my hero, he still is. The best brother a girl could ask for."

She and Lori continued to talk for about half an hour when suddenly she was attacked by two small arms, hugging her from behind. "Aunty Cindy, you're back!" he cried

"Hey, little man." She says as she turns around, she looks at him and laughs "Ok, maybe I can't call you that anymore." Carl giggles. "When did you grow up?" he just shrugs his shoulders.

"When are you going back?" he asks as he sits down on her lap,

"Actually, I'm gonna stick around a while. Until your daddy gets better at least." She replied, "You really think he's gonna get better." Cindy chuckles and nods "Yes, your dad is strong, resilient. He's not going anywhere."

— Present Day —

A beeping noise filled his ears as he started to wake up. His eyes opened, at first, his vision was blurred but started to adjust. He scanned the room, surveying his surroundings when the face of his best friend and partner, Shane stood at his bedside holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey, bud." He started as he leaned closer to Rick. "We're still here... we're still hanging in," he looked down and shook his head "I'm sorry man, I know I say the same crap every time I come in here." He straightened his posture as the door opened.

Cindy walked in with two cups of coffee, Rick smiled at the sight of his baby sister. "Hey," she holds out a cup to Shane. "Any change?" Shane shook his head, "You know sometimes I feel like he can hear me. Maybe I'm going crazy." Shane shook his head again, "No, you're not. I sometimes think that too." He sighed looking back at Rick.

Cindy looked at the bouquet of flowers, "Nice flowers, you pick them out?" Shane looks over to the flowers and laughs "Nah, you know I'm no good at that sentimental crap." Cindy tilts her head in agreement "Uh, Linda and Diane picked these out. They wanted me to bring them down." He touched the flowers gently.

Cindy sat down in a chair beside the bed, "Tell them I said thank you." Shane nods in response.

Rick lies in his bed staring up at the ceiling as he listens to Shane and his sister talk, "That vase... That's something special. 'Fess up, you steal it from your Grandma Jean's house?" he laughs to himself before he continues "I hope you left her that spoon collection." He chuckled again but his laughter soon turned into coughing "Shane?" he called.

Silence.

He turns his head to the right to look at him but he isn't there. So he turns his head to the left to see an empty chair which his sister once occupied. "Cindy?" he looked around the room again. "Shane? You in the John?" he's met with silence again.

Rick then looks to the vase on his side table. Flowers that were once bright, colorful, beautiful were now dry, brown... dead.

He reaches a hand to the flowers taking a petal between his fingers causing it to crumble and fall to the table below.

He looks to the clock on the wall, to see that the hands aren't moving.

Rick starts blinking rapidly before he starts to climb out of the bed detaching all the wires connected to him. He chucked the covers off of him as he gently hung his legs off the side of the bed. He clutched onto the IV stand to help himself stand only to fall to the floor. "Nurse... help!" he called out, his voice coming out hoarse due to his dry throat. He pulled out the last tube from his arm. "Nurse... help!" he tries again. No one comes.

He uses all the strength he has to get up and shuffle towards the bathroom. He opens the door and looks in the mirror. He looked different, his clean-shaven face was covered by untidy, ragged stubble, his face was pale with bags beneath his eyes.

He turned the tap on as he dipped his head down into the sink to have a drink. After he had enough he walked back into the room towards his bed. He noticed something from the corner of his eye. A pink piece of paper with his name on it 'Rick'. It looked like his sister's handwriting. He hobbled over to the table to pick it up and read it.

'Dear Rick,

I've missed you so much. I have returned from my tour to find you have been hurt. I came straight here. I know this isn't how you would want me to spend my birthday but tough shit.' Rick chuckles at this part, 'Things are different now. I don't know what's going on, but if you wake and you are reading this... I will wait for you at your house. I have no doubt that you will come back and read this, you've always been strong. Go straight to your house and DO NOT stop for anyone.

Love from your Baby sister'

The note confused Rick 'DO NOT stop for anyone' he's a cop he's supposed to help people. He folded the note up and put it in his pocket. He turned to the door and walked towards it.

He opened it to find a hospital bed blocking the door, the corridor lights flickering, papers strewn all over the place. He moves the bed away from the door and looked both ways, looking for someone, anyone. He sees no one as he walks down the corridor towards a desk. Reaching it he spots the phone. He picks it up to dial his house only to hear nothing, not even the dialing tone. He searched the desk to look for something useful when he came across a matchbox.

He pulled out a matchstick and continued to walk down the deserted hall. He stopped at a set of double doors, leaning a hand on the doorframe. That's when he saw something horrifying, something he probably never thought he would. A dead nurse who appeared to have been... eaten... torn apart.

He started to breathe heavily as he backed away from the door and headed in the opposite direction only to find more horrific events that had happened there. A line of bullet holes in the wall accompanied by blood spatter and pools of blood on the floor.

Wires dangled from the ceiling and debris and ceiling tiles rested on the floor but the thing that really terrified him was the doors to the cafeteria. Four words that had been painted on the doors 'Don't open, dead inside.' The handles were wrapped in chains with a plank of wood placed between them.

He walked closer to the doors to inspect what the words meant.

The door began to open slightly as some fingers stretched through the crack and started to attempt to get to him. The chains rattled as they growled and moaned and thumped against the door trying to open it.

The hands looked dirty, decayed. The fingernails long and unkempt. Within a second Rick steps away, breathing rapidly as he rushed towards the elevator. He presses the button multiple times to find it's not working either. He found a door that led towards the stairs, he stepped in and when the door shut, he found himself in total darkness. He lit one of the matches he found earlier and carefully made his way down the stairs, holding onto the banister firmly.

He eventually found the exit, he blew out the match and pushed the door open where he is met by a blinding light. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. He walked down the few steps to the ground. He stopped at the bottom of them to look at the scene before him.

The ground was laid with rows of dead bodies. Covered by white sheets and secured with rope and just left there. Flies swarmed over every single one of them. He took a closer look to see that most of them were shot in the head.

He couldn't look at it anymore, it was making him feel sick. He climbed a small hill but to him, it felt like a mountain. He gripped the grass to aid him in climbing up. He reached the top only to stop to see more destruction. A street that was familiar to him. Gone and replaced by a deserted junkyard of destroyed helicopters, abandoned tanks and more dead bodies piled in trucks.

He started walking towards his house just as his sister instructed in her note. Every street he walked on was deserted, houses and cars abandoned. About 24 minutes into his journey he found a bike. He walked over to it and picked it up which is when he saw the upper part of a woman's body. He couldn't see the lower part anywhere like it had vanished. Her blonde hair was tousled, dull. Her guts were spattered on the grass, her skin was decaying and torn. She slowly turns to look at him.

He fell backward as she reached out to grab him. Her jaw nipped at him, trying to bite him. He looked into her eyes to see nothing, they were dark, lifeless, blank. She started to crawl towards him. He picked the bike up by the handles, he got onto it to start peddling continuing his journey towards his house.

He eventually came across a familiar street. He braked and swung his leg off the bike, releasing it and letting it crash to the ground below. He staggered up the steps and into the house.

"Cindy," he called. "Lori!" he shouted a little louder as he walked into the kitchen, then to the bedroom. Draws open, clothes scattered all over the place. He searched the whole house, rushing into every room. "Carl!" he called to his son, but he was still answered with silence. "Cindy!" he shouted, he hoped at least she'd be there, her note said she'd be here. He stepped back into the living room and collapsed to his knees, there was no answer. No sign of life. He began to cry, body trembling as he did. His mind was swarming with questions. 'Is this real? Where are they? Is this real? Or am I dreaming? What is happening?'

"Lori! Cindy! Carl!" he screamed between sobs. He rolled to lie on his side. He looked around the empty house one more time. He examined at the label tied on his wrist. "Is this real? Am I here?" he questioned examining the situation. 'Surely this isn't real. It can't be.' He thought.

He started to hit himself in the forehead with his hand repeatedly. "Wak-Wake up," he told himself. After he calmed down, he got up and walked outside to the porch. He sat down on the steps by the side of the road, looking around the empty street still wondering if this was real or if it was all a dream.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw a man walking across the street. He stopped and turned his head to look at Rick. Rick held up his hand and waved at him. The man didn't wave back just started to walk towards him. He was limping slightly. Rick turned around when he heard a twig snap behind him and was met with a shovel in his face.

He fell onto his back from the impact to his face. Blood dripped from his nose, he looked up to see a young boy looking down on him, "Daddy! Daddy!" the boy called "Carl," he murmured as he looked up at him "I found you," he breathed.

"Daddy, I got this son of a bitch! I'mma smack him dead," the young boy called. Rick looked in the direction the boy was looking and saw a man hold up a gun to shoot the man he saw moments before. His body crashed to the floor as the other rushed over to them.

"He say somethin'?" he asked the boy as he pushed him away from Rick. "Thought I heard him say somethin'," he said looking between Rick and the boy.

"He called me Carl," the boy answered as Rick's vision started to become clear. He saw two black men standing before him, one older, about his age and the other, was young, just a little older than Carl.

"Son you know they don't talk..." the older guy said. He then looked to Rick "Hey mister... what's the bandage for?" he asked

"What?" Rick asked him, still dazed from being hit by a shovel. He held up his gun as he asked "What kinda' wound?" his voice was more harsh, firm, "You answer me, damn you," he spoke through gritted teeth. "What's your wound?" he asked again. "You tell me," His grip tightening on his gun getting ready to shoot him. "Or I will kill you," he warned but Rick couldn't hold his head up any longer as he passed out.

~1 week before the outbreak~

Rick and Shane were sitting in their squad car, munching on a take-out they had picked up for lunch. They were just sitting around talking awaiting a call from dispatch for their assistance.

"What's the difference between men and women?" Rick asked Shane as he offered him a napkin.

"This a joke?" he asked, raising his eyebrows and took the napkin. Rick shook his head at him as he picked up one of his fries to eat.

"No, serious," Rick answered as he continued to eat.

"Never met a woman that knew how to turn off the light," Shane replied as they picked out their food together, picking up fries and eating them. "They're born thinking the switch only goes one way. On," he joked popping one of his fries into his mouth as Rick laughed quietly at his joke.

Shane rests his arm on the car door as he continues, "They're, they're struck blind the second they leave the room, I mean...every woman I ever let have a key... swear to god. It's like... come home, house all lit up... and my job's apparently because...because, my chromosomes happen to be different and I then have to walk through that house, turn off every single light this chick left on," he spoke and as Rick looked at him as he spoke.

"Is that right?" Rick questioned, as he knitted his brows and pursed his lips.

"Yeah baby, mmm," he said and bit his bottom lip. His hand grasping onto the roof of the car and to smirk while he talked. "Oh Reverend Shane is preachin' to ya now, boy," he says and Rick chuckles at him.

"Then this same chick, mind ya, she'll bitch about, uh, 'global warming'. You see, this is, this is where Reverend Shane wants to quote from the Guy Gospel and say, "Um, darlin', maybe if you and every other pair of boobs on this planet could just figure out that the light switch, see, goes both ways, maybe we wouldn't have so much global warming?" he teased some more.

"You say that?" Rick asked him as he raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, the uh, polite version. Still, man, that-that earns me this look of loathing you would not believe and that's when the "Exorcist" voice pops out," he said with a small smirk on his face. 'You sound just like my damn father! Always, always yellin' about the power bill and tellin' me to turn off the damn lights!'" he said in a deep voice.

"And what do you say to that?" Rick asked him curiously, a smirk playing on my lips.

"I know what I want to say. I want to say 'Bitch, you mean to tell me you've been hearing this your entire life and you are still too damn stupid to learn how to turn off a switch?'" he replies and they both burst out laughing. Their shoulders shook as they did.

"You know, I don't actually say that, though," Shane said

"That would be bad," Rick said laughing some more.

"Yeah, I go with the uh, go with the polite version there too." This made Rick chuckle a little and him smile.

Rick nods, "Very wise," he agreed as he looked at Shane, a smile on his face as he held in his laughter.

"Yes, sir. So how's it with Lori, man?" he questioned Rick as the laughter died down and the car became silent.

"She's good. She's good at turning off lights. Really good. I'm the one who sometimes forgets," Rick answered him.

"Not what I meant," Shane sighed

"We didn't have a great night," he answered, recalling the events from the night before.

"Hey look, man, I may have, uh, failed to amuse with my sermon, but I did try. The least you could do is, is speak," Shane recommended.

"That-that's what she always says. 'speak', 'speak'. You'd think I was the most closed mouth son of a bitch you'd ever hear her telling." Rick tells Shane and he just remained quiet for a second.

"Do you express your thoughts? Do you share your feelings and that kind of stuff?" he asked. Rick thought about how hard it had been lately and he didn't think it was fair on Carl. It wasn't like it was when they were younger, things changed.

"The thing is, lately, whenever I try, everything I say makes her impatient like she didn't want to hear it after all. It's like she's pissed at me all the time, and I don't know why," Rick answered, not sure what changed between them.

"Look man, that's just shit couples go through. You know, it's, it's a phase," Shane tells him trying to take the edge off.

"Last thing she said this morning? 'Sometimes I wonder if you even care about us at all.' She said that in front of Carl...our son. Imagine going to school with that in your head. Difference between men and women? I would never say something that cruel to her, and certainly not in front of Carl," Rick stated

"Shit man... have you heard from Cindy?" asked Shane, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, she's coming back today... to see Carl, for her birthday. Her flight gets in at four." Said Rick, smiling as thought about seeing his baby sister after so long. He started to chuckle "Carl was so excited last night, took forever to get him to go to sleep."

"I still can't believe she's 25 tomorrow, man," Shane said, shaking his head.

Rick chuckles, "Me neither. My baby sister is not a baby anymore." Said Rick, Shane nodded in agreement with a chuckle.

"Although I think we found that out when she kicked the shit out of Shaun Weston when he tried to take advantage of her at the prom." Shane laughed, thinking about the time they were called to the high school after a 'fight' had broken out only to find Cindy in the middle of it.

Rick chuckled at the memory, "Yeah, I wasn't expecting to see that. Is it bad that I was proud?" he asked

"Oh no, man. I was proud too." Shane laughed, running his hand through his hair.

The radio began to inform them about a car chase. Requesting backup, they listened in then began to fasten their seatbelts. They wrapped up the food and Shane hung out the window and dunked it in the bin as they drove past. Driving towards the road the fleers were taking and switching on the sirens.

Dispatch continued to inform them of their position as they tried to prevent the car that was being pursued from getting away. Shane shot out of the car as Rick pulls it to a quick stop. Shane retrieved the tire shredder from the trunk of the car and jogging up the road to catch up to Rick. They placed the spikes upon the road and jogged back to the car. Rick reversed the car back to the other cop car, he parked the car on the opposite side that the other car occupied creating a small blockade.

Rick and Shane get out of the car. Shane places his cap on the roof of the car. The four men got into position, hands gripped on their weapons, turning the safety off. Rick's weapon on of choice was a Colt Python, a revolver and Shane had his shotgun.

"Sounds like they're chasing those idiots up and down every back road we got," Lam muttered as they all prepared to end this pursuit.

Then the other guy, Leon, spoke up, "Maybe we'll get them on one of those video shows, you know, like 'World's Craziest Police Chases', what do you think?" he asked as he started to bubble with excitement. Leon wasn't exactly the brightest and he had a tendency to get distracted sometimes even at critical moments.

"What I think, Leon...is that you need to stay focused." Rick reprimanded "Make sure you got a round in the chamber and your safety off," he continued Leon checked his weapon, seeing that he actually didn't have his safety off, he then fixes his mistake.

There was a moment of silence before Shane spoke up "Would be kind of cool to get on one of them shows," he commented as they all waited for the car to come speeding towards them. The distinct sounds of sirens can be heard, alerting the men that the car was on its way. The cars were speeding towards them, zig-zagging across the road and bumping into each other.

The car was being pursued by two cop cars. The car got nearer, when suddenly it's tires popped and deflated and the car skidded sideways causing it to flip over, rolling off the road and into the field beside the road. "Holy shit," Shane breathed as they cautiously began to advance on the car, weapons aimed. The car, now destroyed, was on its roof. The other cops step out of their cars. Guns drawn ready to fire.

A man opened the door, pointing in their direction.

"Gun! Gun! Gun!" a cop alerted them and he took cover. "Put it down! Put the gun down!" Rick ordered but the man ignored him. Instead a firefight started. Bullets racing through the air from multiple locations. Gunshots rang, echoing through the air. Rick was hit by a bullet and he dropped to the ground. He was protected him from getting hurt. "Rick!" Shane yelled, freaked that he just saw his friend fall to the ground in front of him.

Rick rolled around on the floor, keeping his head down, "I'm alright!" he panted, the gunfire ceased, his breath uneven as he struggled to his feet. Shane ran up to him.

"I saw you get tagged, man. That scared the hell out of me." Shane spoke, his breathing almost as fast as Rick's.

"Me, too. That son of a bitch shot me. Can you believe that?" he asked as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

"What? It catch you in your vest?" Shane asked, his eyes scanning for any wounds on his partner.

"Yeah." He replied looking down inspecting how much damage the bullet made to his vest. "Shane, you do not tell Lori that happened... ever." Rick told Shane, he pointed at Shane "You understand?" Suddenly a third man rose up from the grass and aimed in Rick's direction.

Rick crashed back down to the grass as the other cops pelted the third man with bullets. When the man is down, Shane drops to his knees as attempts to stop the bleeding. The flowed from the wound, pooling underneath his once white t-shirt. Had Rick not turned to point at Shane the bullet would have hit his chest instead of under his armpit.

Shane looks over his shoulder and yells, "He's hit! Leon! You get that ambulance down here! You tell them there's an officer down! You do it now!" he repeatedly tells Rick to stay with him, Rick slowly slipping into unconsciousness.

--Present Day--

Rick comes to, in a room he does not recognize. He looks up to see his hands tied to the bed. He was startled by a sudden voice, "Got that bandage changed out," he said, "It was pretty rank," he told him and he just looked back to his hands. "What was... the wound?" he asked, dipping his hands in a bowl of water, washing them. The young boy stood in the doorway, baseball bat in his hand as if he was anticipating something.

"Gunshot," Rick answered weakly. He remembered the reason why he woke up in the hospital.

"Gunshot? What else? Anything?" the man asked, wiping his forehead with a cloth.

"Gunshot ain't enough?" Rick questioned, his confusion increasing by the second.

"Look, I ask and you answer, it's common courtesy, right?" he pressed, he walked over to the bed and leaned in to look Rick in the eyes as he asked "Did you get bit?" emphasizing each word

"Bit?" he asked, this only added to his confusion. 'Why would I get bit?' he thought to himself.

"Bit," he repeated, telling Rick that he had heard him correctly, "Chewed. Maybe scratched. Anything like that," Rick shook his head lightly.

"No, I got shot," Rick replied as accurately as he could, considering he'd only just woke up, he couldn't be 100% sure what transpired whilst he was asleep. "Just shot as far as I know." Rick was still confused as to what was going on.

The man raised his hand and moves it towards Rick's face. Rick flinches away from his hand, "Hey... just let me," he said, Rick relaxes slightly as the man places his hand on his forehead as if to check his temperature for any sign of the illness.

"Feels cooler now," he noted, as he looked to the boy, "The fever would have killed you by now."

"I don't think I have one," Rick tells him and the man just looks at him with raised eyebrows as he spoke, "Be hard to miss," he reached behind his back and pulled a knife from his pocket. He opened the knife and held it to Rick's cheek. Rick looked at it from the corner of his eye, "Take a moment. Look how sharp it is" he advised

"You try anything I will kill you with it, and don't you think I won't," as he tapped the knife on Rick's cheek. He was silent for a moment, then he moved to cut the rope that restrained Rick to the bed. "Come on out when you're able." He walks towards the door, he looked to his son, "Come on." The boy looked at Rick for a second before leaving the room.

Rick rubs his wrists as he turns onto his side, his whole body trembling, a mixture of fear and being cold. He lay there for a while, gathering his strength to get out of the bed. He sits upright on the edge of the bed, feet hanging off the side. He looked around the small bedroom and notices a towel draped over a chair in the corner of the room. He shuffles across the floor to grab the towel and swung it around his shoulders.

He walked out of the bedroom and made his way towards the conversation taking place in the kitchen. He looked around the living room, "This place... it's Fred and Cindy Drake's.

"Never met them," the man stated simply, pouring the chili out into three bowls.

"I should remember, the same name as my sister." He said, looking down. He hadn't found her at the house, he hoped she was okay. He tried to change the subject, "I've been here," they were good people, kind. He walked around two mattresses that had been placed side by side on the floor. "This is their place," Rick stated.

He looked towards the window. Thick, opaque blankets cover every window, preventing anyone seeing out and no one could see inside. There was a mattress below the window, "It was empty when we got here," he informed, Rick turns to lift the blanket, "Don't do that," the man said quickly, stopping Rick in his tracks as he looks at him, "They'll see the light." He said as though was supposed to understand. Rick had no idea what was going on, his sister's strange note, his family is missing and this man seemed scared of something.

"There's more of them out there than usual," he started, continuing to set the table. "I never should have fired that gun today." Rick continued his trek towards the kitchen, "The sound draws them, now they're all over the street," Rick thought back to earlier, when this man shot another man, with no regret. The boy was sat down at the table ready to consume the meal in front of him. "Stupid using a gun, it all happened so fast," he put out a candle. "I just didn't think," he uttered to himself.

"You shot that man today," Rick spoke wearily

"Man?" the man questioned me baffled by Rick's statement.

"Weren't no man," the boy voiced.

"What the hell was that out of your mouth just now?" the man asked looking at the young boy, as if he was scolding him.

"It wasn't a man," the boy corrected himself. The man nodded to the boy as if to praise him.

"You shot him," Rick repeated, in his Police Officer voice, this man had murdered someone right in front of him, "In the street. Out front. A man." He continued, describing what he did earlier, his face staying serious.

"Friend... you need glasses. It was a walker," the man said as if the word was to supposed to mean something to him.

The man points to the chair beside him, "Come on," he started, "Sit down before you fall down." He said as he passed Rick a plate of food. "Here, eat." He instructed, Rick sat down, tightening the towel around him. He started to scoop up a bit of food when the boy spoke up, "Daddy. Blessing."

"Yeah," the man said, nodding to the boy, he held out his hands either side of him, as did the boy. The boy grabbed his father's hand, holding his hand out for Rick to take. After a few seconds Rick hesitatingly took their hands.

"Father, we thank thee for this food. Thy blessings... we ask you to watch over us in these crazy days," the man spoke, looking at Rick as he did, "Amen,"

"Amen," the young boy repeated, they let go of each other's hand and the man continued to look at Rick as if he were trying to read him.

"Hey mister, do you even know what is going on?" he asked curiously, most of his behavior the man had seen so far suggests he doesn't have a clue. Rick silently chewed on the food the man had prepared.

Rick stopped eating to answer, "I woke up today. In a hospital. Came home, that's all I know,"

"But... you know about the dead people, right?" he asked, looking at him, awaiting his reply.

Rick looked up from his plate to the man on his right, "Yeah, I saw a lot of that. Out on the loading dock, hauling trucks," the man shook his head.

"No. not the ones they put down... the ones they didn't." he started, "The ones they didn't." he pauses, "Like the one I shot today. Cause he would have ripped into you, try to eat you, take him some flesh at least." Rick just looks at him like he is crazy and the man notices his confusion. "But I guess if this is the first you're hearing, I know how it must sound,"

"They're out there now...in the street?" Rick asked, still not totally believing what the man was telling him

"Yeah," he said, fear evident in his voice. "They get more active after dark sometimes," he tells him, Rick looked between the boy and his father, they both had fear in their eyes, "Maybe it's the cool air or...hell. Maybe it's just me firing up that gun today," he speculated, indicating that he didn't entirely understand what was going on. "But we'll be fine long as keep quiet," he reassured, Rick looked behind him, to the window, he wanted to see the "Walkers" for himself. "Probably wander off by morning," he comforted, the boy relaxes a bit.

"Well... listen," he started, "One thing I do know... don't you get bit!" he nodded at his son, "We saw your bandage and that's what we were afraid of," Rick looks at him, 'What happens if I get bit' he thought, "Bites kill you, the fever burns you out," he advised. Rick couldn't help thinking about Lori and Carl, if they were okay, he knew that if they were with Cindy and Shane they'd be fine but there was no way he could be certain. All he could do right now is hope.

"But then after a while... you come back," that confuses Rick again, 'Come back?' right now Rick wasn't sure what to believe.

"Seen it happen," the boy spoke up. This started to scare Rick, they had actually watched it happen. 'Don't be stupid! It's the imagination of a young boy!' he tried to tell himself.

The man placed his hand on the boy's and gave it a small, comforting squeeze. "Come on," they then continued eating in silence, that was until the boy spoke up, his face filled with worry.

"Wait," startling both Rick and his father, his father looked at him examining his son's face. "What's up son?" he questioned

He pointed to the window, "You said there's a lot of them out there." he told him.

The man nodded at his son "Yes?" he questioned still not understanding his son's behavior "I know son."

The boy tapped his hand on the table, "Hello, how will Cindy get back in? What if she's hurt?" he asked, Rick perked up at the name, 'Cindy?' he knew it wasn't Cindy Drake because the man said he hadn't met them.

The man's eyes widened the size of golf balls, "Shit." He said dropping his spoon in the bowl.

"Cindy?" Rick asked, looking between the two.

"Yeah. We met her weeks ago," the man started, running his hand down his face, "How could I forget?"

"She saved us... tried to save mama but there was nothing she could do." The boy finished, looking down at his plate.

"She stuck around and started doing supply runs for us, I think she was waiting for someone." The man informed.

'That could be her, waiting for me.' He thought to himself, but he wanted to make sure, "What's her last name?" he asked

"Uhhh..." the man started thinking, trying to remember what it was. "Grimes," the boy announced

The man laughed, "She spends a lot of time with my boy here, they're like best friends."

Rick sighed in relief, his sister was alive, he couldn't help the smile that spread on his face but it soon dropped when he remembered she actually wasn't here, and couldn't get in. "That's my baby sister," Rick stated, "She's out there? Alone?"

The man looked to Rick, "I'm sorry, she knew we were running low on a few supplies. She wouldn't take no for an answer." He explained, Rick tilted his head to the side whilst raising his eyebrows for a second, 'Yep, that sounds like her.'

Rick pointed to the boy, "He said she can't get in. If we open the door they will see the light. Am I right?" he asked

The man opens his mouth to speak but closes it, he doesn't know what to tell him so he just nods his head. His sister is out there alone and they can't do anything about it now little did they know she had opened an upstairs window and was currently climbing through it.

They heard a thump on the ceiling above them, they all looked up "Dad. What was that?" the boy whispered.

The man stands up from the table, "I don't know son, you two stay here." Said Morgan grabbing a baseball bat and stands at the bottom of the stairs ready to kill.

Cindy quietly made her way down the stairs as she was about to step off the last step a baseball flew towards her face, but she quickly grabbed the bat to stop it connecting with her face.

"Hello to you too, Morgan." She said sarcastically with a smile.

"Cindy!" Duane whisper shouted as he ran to hug her, colliding with her body with some force, almost knocking her off her feet.

She steadies herself, giving the boy a tight squeeze, she laughed "Jeez, I wasn't gone that long." She said.

The boy looked up at her "But they're everywhere." He said

She nodded her head "Yeah Duane, I know, I was just out there" she pointed towards the door.

Morgan spoke up, "How'd you get in?" he asked, putting the bat down against the wall.

"Nice to see you too, man." She replied as she smirked at him, Morgan and Duane just stare at her, waiting for her to explain how she got in. Morgan wondering if they have a hole in their defenses. "Don't worry little man, I always have a backup plan." She said as she tapped Duane's nose.

Morgan spoke up again, "There's someone here I think you'll be happy to see." He said, Cindy's face scrunches up in confusion, 'someone she'll be happy to see?'

"Who?" Cindy asked. Morgan pointed behind her as Rick slowly stepped closer towards her.

She turned around and saw him immediately "Oh my God." She said as she collapses on her knees.

They all rushed to her, "Cindy! Oh my god. You ok?" Rick asked kneeling down beside her.

She poked at Rick's face to see if it was really him, or if it was her mind playing tricks on her again "You... you're alive." She muttered in shock.

He chuckled softly and nodded, "Yeah I am. I got your note. I came straight here. I can't believe you waited for me." Said Rick.

"I had to be sure. I couldn't just leave you." She said

"Are Lori and Carl..." he trailed off, Cindy looked down and shrugged, she really didn't know. She hadn't seen them since they were visiting Rick in the hospital.

Rick looked at her face and he didn't like the look it held, "How long have they been gone?" he asked

"I don't know. Me and Shane were in the hospital, I went to get coffee and that's when the army started executing people in the halls, staff, patients, visitors. They uh... thought it was airborne." She explained.

"You must be hungry, there's some chili left," Morgan spoke up, Cindy nodded and stood from the floor, she held her hand out for Rick to take, she walked into the kitchen to put the chili into a bowl.

"You guys, go to sleep. I'll keep watch." She said placing the bowl on the table and taking a seat, Morgan shook his head at the girl. No matter how many times he said it was unnecessary to do everything, she gave without any thought of reward, risking her life for him and his boy. To make sure they are well-fed even picks up something Duane asked for.

Rick, Morgan, and Duane sat down in their beds, Morgan and Duane are near the kitchen and Rick was near the window where Cindy's bed was placed, "Carl, he's your son, right?" Morgan asked Rick.

Rick turned his head to him and nods to him, "He's a little younger than your boy," Rick told him, memorizing every little detail of his young, innocent face. His steel, blue eyes. Pale, small face. Short brown hair. The sound of his voice.

"And, he's with his mother?" Morgan asked him. Rick looked around the room, wondering, hoping that they are alive.

"I hope so," Rick tells him

Cindy looked up from her dinner, "The last time I saw them, they were together," Rick looked to her, "I didn't see Shane on my way out so I assume they are with him." She said, munching the remainder of her food. "Thanks for dinner, M."

Morgan chuckles, "More you than me." Duane started to stir as Cindy went to sit down beside her brother.

"Dad?" he asked, his eyes still closed.

Morgan looked down at his son, "Yeah?" he asked, gently massaging the boy's head.

"Did you ask him?" the boy asked his father.

Morgan chuckles, "Your gunshot... we got a little bet going." He stated pointing between him and his son. "My boy say you're a bank robber," Rick and Cindy laugh softly.

"Yeah... that's me," Rick joked sitting up a little. "Deadly as Dillinger kapow," he laughed, causing Cindy to release a chuckle from beside him, "Sheriff's deputy," he stated, Morgan nods slowly as he muttered 'uh-huh'.

Cindy giggles, causing Morgan and Rick to look at her, "It's nice to know your terrible sense of humor hasn't changed." She laughed, Rick and Morgan laugh along with her.

Then suddenly an alarm went off, a car alarm. Duane sprang up from his sleeping position, eyes wide and a worried expression plastered on his young features because of the sudden blare. "Hey, it's ok... daddy's here," Morgan said as he embraced him, trying to ease his mind. "It's nothing. One of them must've bumped a car," he said, more to Rick than his son.

"You sure?" Rick asked. The boy still looked frightened but was starting to relax.

"Happened once before," Morgan replied, they stood up from their beds, making their way towards the window, "It went off a few minutes," he reassured, "Get the light, Duane," he told his son, Duane turned down the lights, Cindy got the light closer to her on her journey to the window as the room darkened, "It's the blue one, down the street."

They all peeked through the wooden planks nailed over the windows, "Same one as last time," Cindy added, looking at Morgan.

"I think we're ok," he reassured as they looked at the dead walking around on the street outside. Hobbling forms, feet dragging. Walking around aimlessly. No ambition, no emotion. No life. Feeling nothing but hunger. Not like before. Full of life, full of dreams but now nothing... just empty shells of who they used to be.

"That noise... won't it bring more of them?" Rick asked Morgan,

"Nothing to do about it now," Morgan said as we all stood there, staring out the window. "Just have to wait 'em out till morning," he tells us

"I could try and make a run for it," Cindy suggested

"No!" said Rick making as little eye contact with his sister to show her that it wasn't up for discussion, still looking out the window when they saw a woman turn to face the house.

Cindy's heart sunk when she saw the face of the woman she failed to save, "Oh my God," she looked down at Duane, he shouldn't have to see this. But he already did.

Duane gasped, "She's here." His body tensing at the sight of his mom, walking past. She looked directly at them and started her ascent up the porch.

Morgan gently pushed Duane away from the window but he didn't budge, "Don't look, get away from the windows," he told his son, the boy carried on looking, like he was glued to the spot. "I said go! Come on!" Duane ran over to the bed and collapsed on it and began crying. Morgan hurried over to him to quiet him down, "Come on, quiet." He whispered. He picked up a pillow, "Shh, shh. It's ok, here, cry into the pillow." Holding it gently over his face.

Rick walked towards the door to look through the peephole. The door was covered by planks of wood, the same as all the windows. "Can you remember?" Morgan asked Duane as he cuddled him. Rick's eyes gazing out of the peephole to see the woman had reached the door, looking around the porch and then straight at him. When she observed the peephole his breath got caught in his throat. Body shivering as she reached down to the door handle and began to twist it in an attempt to open it.

Rick slowly backed away from the door, legs still shaking as he neared his bed on the floor. His eyes stayed on the twisting door handle. He looked back over to Morgan still holding his son, "Shh. She, uh...she died in the other room. On that bed. Nothin' I can do about it here...that fever, man...her skin gave off heat like a furnace. Should have put her down. I should have put her down. I know that, but...you know what?" he snuffled, looking down at his son then back at Rick. Cindy tuned it out, an overwhelming sense of failure washed over her. She just played with her fingers as Morgan continued, "I just didn't have it in me. She's the mother of my child," he cried, he looked at Cindy and notices her vacant look.

She did this often. Curled up in a ball, staring into space, "It wasn't your fault, you did what you could. You saved me and Duane." Morgan's words drew Rick's attention, snapping his head to look towards his baby sister, "You did your best."

She looked towards Morgan, then at Duane, then back to Morgan, "Well. My best wasn't good enough." It broke Rick seeing his sister like this, broken, vulnerable. She was strong, enthusiastic. He looked at her face and she looked defeated. He knew that his sister blamed herself for the death of Morgan's wife and the mother of the young boy she had befriended.

Morgan looked at her, wearing a serious expression, "You saved my little boy," Cindy looked towards him, right into his eyes, and saw nothing but respect and appreciation, "Cindy, it was chaos out there. You didn't have to help us, but you did. You risked your life to save ours." Morgan looked at his son, and shook his head, "I can never repay you for that."

"You already have," she said softly, smiling lightly at him, "We should get some sleep," she suggested

They all lay down on their beds to get some sleep for the night. Morgan and Cindy fall asleep pretty quickly, Rick, however, struggled to fall asleep. Frightened about the dead lurking about outside. Staring at the door handle the woman tried opening.

— Next Day—

Cindy woke up before everyone else, checking the perimeter, making sure the barricades were still intact. She then walked upstairs, to look out the window. Surveying what was outside. The streets were empty, she couldn't see any walkers apart from the one sat beside the white fence. She sat down beside the window and kept watch. Two hours past before the others woke up, she got up from the chair and made her way back downstairs.

Morgan was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, Duane was playing with his cards and Rick was looking through the peephole again, "It's relatively quiet out there. Just the one walker sat just at the end of the path." She reported, Morgan looked at her and nodded.

Rick looked towards his sister, "Have you been awake all night?" he questioned, backing away from the door walking towards the kitchen to join everyone else at the table.

Cindy shook her head, "About two hours, give or take," she pulled out a chair beside Duane and sat down, looking at the cards, he was playing solitaire, "I did my usual routine of checking the barricades then took watch,"

Morgan let out a small chuckle, "She'd stay there all day sometimes." He said as he placed four plates on the table,

Cindy looks up from the cards, "Can't be too careful nowadays," she stated as they started to eat breakfast, she looked to Rick, "We should go round yours, get some clothes for you."

Rick nodded, "Yeah. Good idea." He agreed as he continued eating. Morgan handed Rick some clothes to wear, he thanked him and went into the other room to change into them.

Meanwhile, Cindy and Morgan were taking down the planks from the door, leaning them against the wall beside the door. Rick walked back into the lounge, Morgan handed him a protective mask, kind of like the one you'd wear if you were performing an autopsy, which is exactly what Rick thought when it was handed to him, he looked to Cindy, "Ironic, given the circumstances. Don't you think?" she then held out a baseball bat for him to take, which he did, "Just the one out there."

Rick opened the door followed by Cindy, Morgan then Duane. They descended down the steps of the porch, "You sure they're dead?" Rick asked looking back at Morgan and Cindy, they didn't respond, "I have to ask, at least one more time," he explained, Cindy understood her brother's uncertainty, he was a police officer, his job was to protect people, not hurt them. But these weren't people, they're dead. She imagined his view would be different if he'd been around when it all started. If he had witnessed the panic, the chaos. The massacre of innocent, defenseless people. It was a bloodbath, in a way she was glad he got shot.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Morgan spoke up, "They're dead," he told him, Rick then proceeded down the steps, Cindy and Morgan close behind in case something happened, "Except for something in the brain." He tells him.

Cindy pointed towards the sitting figure at the end of the path, leaning against the white picket fence, "That's why it's got to be the head." She assessed, the sitting walker started to stand up, snarling at Rick as he did, he shuffled towards him only to receive a sharp smash to the head with the bat, he dropped to the floor but Rick kept beating him, repeatedly striking him with the wooden weapon. His body weakening from the sudden burst of exercise as he dropped to his knees, holding his side.

Morgan and Cindy stepped forward to check on him, "You alright?" Morgan asked him, worried by his sudden plunge to the ground. Rick slowly recovered, taking a moment to regain his breath.

"Need a moment," he replied. Morgan and Cindy stood by to help him if he needed it. He got back on his feet and headed next door, towards his house. Cindy and Morgan were temporarily stunned by his sudden movement, Morgan looked at Cindy. She shrugged and followed her brother. He went up the steps and opened the door, entering his former home. Rick drops the helmet just inside the front door, "They're alive... my wife and son." He voices, as he walked into the dining room.

Cindy nodded in agreement, "Well, they were when they left." She looked around then decided to go to the spare room, also known as her room as Rick explained to Morgan why he believed his wife and son to be alive. She scanned the room, she saw a bag of her clothes that she assumed Lori had packed for her, she looked slightly to the right and noticed a piece of paper on her bedside table. She walked over to pick it up.

Cindy,

Shane told us about what happened at the hospital. I'm sorry but we have to go, it's not safe. Not for Carl. We're heading to Atlanta, we'll see you there. Watch your back, Cindy, just please be safe.

xoxo Lori

She folded the note and walked back into the dining room to hear Duane speak up, "They're in Atlanta, I'll bet,"

"That's right," Morgan agreed, looking at his son over his shoulder then looked to Rick.

"Why there?" Rick asked, wondering why they would go to Atlanta. They've only been there a few times.

As if reading his mind Morgan spoke up to explain why they went to Atlanta, "Refugee center, huge one they said before the broadcast stopped," he told him, they stopped a while ago, not long after Cindy met Morgan and his family, "Military protection, food, shelter."

Cindy chimed in, "They told people to go there." She held up the note in her hand, "Lori left me a note, even started packing a bag for me. They headed for Atlanta."

Morgan nodded, "Said it'd be safest." He explained, Rick looked at Cindy, thinking about the note. It gave him hope that Lori and Carl are alive.

Duane spoke up, "Plus they got that disease place,"

"Centre for Disease Control," Morgan confirmed, making Rick wonder if they were still running, "Said they were working on how to solve this thing," he told Rick.

Rick walked into the kitchen to a small cabinet, where his keys lived, he grabbed the keys for the police station, whilst Cindy packed a bag of clean clothes for him. Rick held his hand out to take the bag but Cindy shook her head, "Don't worry, Rick. I got it," They got into Morgan's truck and went on their way. Rick gave Morgan directions to the police station, passing few walkers on the way.

When they arrived, they saw two walkers, Cindy picked up the bat and got out the truck, "I got them," she said before walking over them and bashing their heads in, she then looked back at Morgan and Rick, "You ladies gonna sit there all day?" she laughed, balancing the bat on her shoulders behind her neck.

They laughed and shook their heads as they got out of the truck. Cindy went to give Morgan the bat back, but he just shook his head, "It's yours now, consider it a late birthday present." He chuckled.

They walked through the station, Cindy took down a few more walkers, whilst Rick and Morgan secured the doors and windows. Rick walked into a room followed by Morgan and Duane. Cindy entered soon after, making sure the coast was clear.

"Gas lines gave been down for maybe a month," Morgan said as they neared the showers.

Cindy turned on the tap, "Station has got its own propane system," she told them,

Rick holds his hand under the water and laughs, "I was gonna say that," he said, amusement written on his face, he felt the water warming up, "Pilot's still on," he informed

"You guys can have your shower first." Said Cindy as she began to walk out.

Morgan looked up at her, "You sure?" he asked.

She rested her bat on her right shoulder and nodded, "Yeah. Someone's gotta keep watch, haven't they?" she asked

"Oh my Lord," Morgan howled as he bathed in the warm water. "Hot water!" Duane whooped as he danced around under the sprinkling water, both enjoying a luxury they had formally taken for granted.

"That feels good, right?" Morgan asked the boy, noisily relishing the feel of the warm water against their bare skin, whereas Rick showered quietly, shaving the facial hair that had grown whilst he'd been in a coma. Rick chuckled at the pair who were obviously satisfied with the hot water.

They wrapped towels around their bodies and ready to head to the changing rooms, "Your turn Cindy" Rick called

She opened the door and walked in, "You guys sure were loud enough. Thought I'd have to face a battalion." She joked walking towards the showers.

Rick and Morgan sat on benches in the changing room as Cindy walked past, she stripped herself of her bloodstained clothes and stepped on the cool ceramic tiles, toes flinching as she did. She turned the chrome valve. She closed her eyes as the lukewarm water dampens her long, brown hair, droplets rolling down her back. The feeling of the warm water soothes her, temporarily taking her mind off of the end of the world.

In the other room, Rick and Morgan are talking as Duane is getting changed into clothes that Rick gave him, "Atlanta sounds like a good deal... safer anyway," Rick said to Morgan in a hushed voice, "People," he said as Morgan put a shirt over his head.

"That's where we were heading," Morgan said as he slid his arms through the shirt, "Things got crazy. Man, you wouldn't believe the panic," he said as he shook his head, "The streets weren't fit to be on, and then... well... my wife couldn't travel," he said, his eyes slowly becoming withdrawn as he spoke about his wife, he was obviously still grieving her loss. "We were attacked by three of them," he began, he looked towards the door to the shower where Cindy was, "I couldn't protect them both... then my wife... got bit... that's when your sister came."

—Flashback—

Morgan was packing a bag of survival gear, food, water, med supplies, all the essentials. His wife, on the other hand, was packing photo albums, "Baby, what are you doing?" he asked her walking into the lounge.

She opened the album she was holding and looked at the photos, "What does it look like? These are irreplaceable, sweetheart." She replied, putting the album in the bag with the rest of them, "Where's Duane?" she asked.

Morgan pointed to the ceiling, "He's packing his clothes," he replied putting his bag down next to the door, peeking out the window, "We're going to have to leave soon, it'll be dark in an hour."

She nodded in agreement and zipped up the bag, "Just waiting on Duane." Just as the sentence left her mouth, screams roared through the neighborhood, causing both adults to look towards the window.

Morgan handed Jenny a crowbar, "Get Duane, we are leaving, now!" he instructed as he picked up his gun, his wife nodded and jogged upstairs. A few minutes later she came back down with their son, "There's a lot out there, we make a run for a truck, you don't stop for nothing." He ordered, he handed his son a baseball bat and opened the door. They walked out, weapons in hand, cautiously making their way to the truck.

Morgan was in front, ready to take out anything that threatened his family, his son in the middle and his wife close behind. None of them saw the walker sneaking up towards Jenny until it was too late. Everything happened so fast. Jenny lay flat on her back as the male walker hovered above her. She was screaming. Screams of fear, panic, desperation but Morgan and Duane were cut off from her, trapped by three walkers. She used all her strength to keep the walker away from her until her arms gave way. The walker dropped, biting her collarbone, her screams were now ones of pain as the walker tore her skin from her body.

The walker went for something more succulent when he suddenly dropped dead, deader than before. The woman looked up past the walker's head and saw a young woman standing there, holding a small knife that was coated with blood, she put her index finger to her lips, signaling the woman to be quiet as she snuck up behind the, now two walkers, attacking her family. With a quick stab to the head, they both dropped to the ground.

The boy held his father tighter as he looked up at the person who saved their life, "Get him in the truck. I'll get your wife," she instructed. Morgan put Duane in the truck then hurried over to help the girl with his wife. They got her into the truck and closed the door. The girl nodded and turned to walk away.

"Wait," the man called, the girl turned to look at him, "You alone?" he asked her.

She nodded, "I got separated from my friend." She looked around, people rushing, panicking. Trying to escape whatever this was. "You should go, something tells me it's going to get a hell of a lot worse." She began to walk away again when the man spoke up again.

"We got room for one more," he pointed out, she turned back around, "You're welcome to join us." She looked around at the carnage and then to the man's son. She nodded, agreeing to go with them. The boy reminded her of her nephew and she felt this need to protect him. She jumped in the back with the boy and they began on their way.

"I'm Morgan, by the way," he introduced as he drove out of the street, "This is my wife, Jenny," he pointed to the woman in the passenger seat, "And my son, Duane," he indicated with his head. The boy shyly waved and the woman smiled at the girl.

She waved back at the boy, "I'm Cindy, nice to meet you." She replied,

The boy giggled, "Like the princess?" he asked, causing his mom and dad to laugh along with him.

Cindy nodded, a giggle escaping her lips as well, "Yep, my brother's best friend called me Cinderella all the time,"

"Where's your brother now?" the boy asked. The question upset her, she left him. Alone. In that hospital. Now she doesn't know if he's alive or dead.

But she answered the question anyway, "He's in hospital. He got shot a couple of weeks ago. I've just come from there,"

Half hour the journey towards Atlanta, the woman's pain worsened, "Morgan, I can't... I need to lie down."

Morgan looked at his wife, "Ok, we'll find somewhere to stay for the night," he said

Cindy looked around and recognized the area they were in, "Hey, turn left here, I know a place." She spoke up, Morgan nodded and turned down the street. It was abandoned. No people, no walkers, "Stop here,"

Morgan stopped the truck and looked around, making sure there were no walkers about, "This your place?" he asked

Cindy shook her head, "A friend's. My brother lives around the corner." She replied jumping out the truck.

"Why did we stop here then?" Morgan questioned, confused as to why she didn't direct them to her brother's house,

She pointed to the house, "My brother's house is single floor. I can keep watch better from a higher floor," she informed, Morgan nodded as he helped his wife and son out the car. Cindy grabbed some bags and carried them into the house, she placed them just in the door and went back out to help Morgan carry his wife into the house, she led them into a room and placed her on the bed, "Will you guys be okay whilst go check my brother's house?" she asked,

Morgan nodded, looking down at his wife, he placed the back of his hand on her forehead, "She really warm," Morgan followed Cindy into the kitchen, she opened a drawer and pulled out a cloth. She held in under the tap to dampen it, she handed it to Morgan, "Thank you. Be back before dark." She nodded and walked out the door.

She carefully made her way towards her brother's house, knife in hand, ready to eliminate any threat that came her way. She made it to the house without bumping into any walkers. Taking a deep breath, she began to walk up the steps. She opened the door and looked around. It was empty. Her sister-in-law and nephew were gone. Drawers were open, clothes were missing. She hoped that they were with Shane and that they were safe, she took some clothes from the drawers in her room, it looked like they took some clothes for her, in case she caught up with them. She took one last look around the house then walked out.

She returned to the Drake house within minutes to find boards on the windows, entering the house she saw that they had set up mattresses on the floor of the lounge, "You should have waited, I could've helped," Morgan looked up and smiled at the young woman, "How's she doing?"

Morgan looked around, presumably to see if his son was in earshot, "I don't know... she's getting warmer. The fever, it's getting worse. The... uh... the broadcasts said not to get bit. I don't know how long until..."

"Morgan, I'm so sorry," she started but Morgan shook his head, "It's not your fault. If it wasn't for you, me and Duane would be in the same situation."

Just then Duane ran in, "There's something wrong with mama, she's not breathing." Morgan and Cindy immediately ran out of the room towards the bedroom. Cindy held up her hand towards Duane and Morgan, signaling them to wait as she stepped closer towards the bed. She looked to see if Jenny's chest was rising and falling but saw no movement. She then leaned her head close to her mouth to listen for breathing sounds or feel breath on her cheek.

After finding no signs of breathing, she decided to check her for a pulse. She picked up her wrist and placed two fingers above her radial artery. Waiting for the small beats but felt nothing. She looked up at Duane and Morgan in the doorway and shook her head.

Duane broke down into tears, collapsing on the floor with his head in his knees. Morgan knelt down to his level and embraced him, Cindy walked out to the kitchen to give them privacy.

Cindy set everything up to start preparing dinner. The meal was almost ready when Duane and Morgan walked in, "What you cooking?" Morgan questioned

She looked up at him to answer, "Beef ravioli, I hope that's okay." she said softly.

Duane smiled slightly, "Ravioli's my favorite," he told her, as he went to sit down at the table.

Morgan walked over to her, a wounded look on his face, "I hate to ask, you've done so much already but... could you help? With Jenny?" he asked, Cindy nodded in response, turning off the camp stove and pouring the ravioli into three bowls. She walked towards the bedroom, "You start eating, Duane. We've just got to sort your mama out." He said as he walked out, through the door Cindy had just gone through.

In the bedroom, Cindy is stood staring at the woman who lay there, lifeless, she began to wonder whether it was her fault. I wasn't fast enough. If I had got there sooner I could have saved her. A voice interrupted her thoughts, "It's not your fault, you know?" she looked up to see Morgan leaning on the doorframe, "You didn't have to help us but you did and for that, I'm eternally grateful."

"What do you want to do? They say it's got to be the head for them to..." she began but Morgan cut her off, shaking his head, "No, I can't, and I can't ask you to either."

"Morgan, you've got Duane to think about now. If she turns..." she said, trying to reason with him even though she knew there was no use.

He shook his head again, tears filling his eyes, "We could just set her free, outside. We don't have to hurt her," he persuaded

"And if she hurts an innocent person? Another family?" Cindy questioned making sure he knew the probable risks for letting her turn.

"Please," he begged, his voice breaking, cheeks wet from the stray tears that had fallen from his eyes. Cindy reluctantly agreed to place Jenny outside to set her free. They picked her up and carried her to the back door. Morgan opened the door and they exited. They laid her down on the floor just outside the backyard, "Thank you." Cindy just nodded, "Come on, we should get in before it gets darker," he proposed, she nodded her head in agreement and they walk back inside.

—Present Day—

"And then, after she died...we just stayed hunkered down," he told Rick, the look of regret evident on his face, "I guess we just froze in place and Cindy... after she found your wife and son gone," he shook his head and looked up at Rick, "I don't know, man. I think she was looking for a reason to live, then she got close with Duane." He paused looking at the door Duane had walked out of, "She started doing supply runs for us. Doing whatever she had to, to protect us. I can never repay her for what she's done for us,"

There was a moment of silence before Rick spoke up, "Plan to move on?" he asked him,

Morgan gave a small smile, "Haven't worked up to it yet," he replied, Rick gave him a sympathetic nod. Secretly Rick hoped he'd come with him and Cindy.

"You must be very proud of your sister," Morgan commented as they continued changing,

This made Rick smile and nod, "Yeah, always have been. Even more so when she enlisted" he said, his voice full of pride.

Morgan gave him a questioning look mixed with a hint of shock, "She's a soldier?" he asked, Morgan mentally slapped himself, Of course, makes sense now.

Rick laughed at newly found friend's face, "A marine to be more specific but yeah, she never told you?" he asked in amusement, Morgan shook his head in response, "She finished her tour the day I got shot. She was coming home for her birthday," he started, a small smile made it's way on his face, "My son was excited to see her. So was I and the idiot I am I go and get shot." He finished.

"How long had it been since you'd seen her?" Morgan asked

Rick thought about it for a moment before answering, "About 2 years." Rick replied, he smiled like a kid on Christmas morning, "I've got her now, that's all that matters."

Morgan shook his head in disbelief, "I know I should have seen it but why wouldn't she tell us?"

Rick raised his eyebrows at the man to his left, "The KA-BAR didn't give it away?" Rick questioned, completely intrigued by the fact he didn't notice her knife.

"I noticed the knife, she said she found it lying on the floor," he explained, earning a short reply of 'Ah' and a nod in understanding.

Cindy then walked back in, fully dressed, "Ready to go?" she asked

They nodded and Morgan spoke up, "How come you never mentioned you were a marine?" he asked curiously

Cindy gave a small shrug, "Doesn't matter now does it?" she replied shortly as she picked up her's and her brother's bags and walked out with the men close behind.

Rick caught up to her and signaled for her to follow. He led them to the armory, "A lot of it's gone missing," he observed as he picked up a shotgun and examined it.

"Hardly surprising," Cindy commented, as she picked up a pistol. Checking it over just like her brother had done.

"Dad, can I learn to shoot? I'm old enough," Duane asked his father, moving closer to him as his dad was packing some guns for himself.

"Hell yes, you're going to learn. We gotta do it carefully, teach you to respect the weapon," Morgan told his son, making sure he knew it wasn't a game.

"That's right. It's not a toy. You pull the trigger, you have to mean it. Always remember that Duane," Rick told Duane as if he was talking to a rookie cop. He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Yes, sir," the boy replied

"Here," Morgan told Duane, "Go look," ushering him towards the bag he had been preparing. Duane starts packing some ammo into the bag.

"Take that one. Nothing fancy. Scope's accurate," Rick reported as he gave sniper rifle. The armory fell silent as they continued to pack up the weapons. After the cage was completely cleared out they headed outside to the truck. "Conserve your ammo. Goes faster than you think." Rick started as they walked up the stairs.

"Especially during target practice," Cindy added, earning a smirk from her brother and a laugh from Morgan.

The siblings look at the man as he laughed, "That's cute, finishing each other's sentences." Duane then started laughing at his father's observation.

"Duane," Morgan called once he caught his breath, receiving a small, breathless 'yeah' in return. "Take this to the car," he directed as he passed the boy the bag of guns and ammo.

"You sure you won't come along?" Rick asked, needing to be sure before he left them. He felt guilty leaving them alone, as did Cindy.

"A few more days." He replied, "By the end, Duane will know how to shoot and I won't be so rusty," he explained, stroking his face anxiously. Rick opened the door to his cop car and pulled out a walkie-talkie, he turned it on to check it was working.

He then handed the small device to Morgan, "You got one battery. I'll turn mine on. A few minutes every day at dawn. You get up there, that's how you find us," he said, arranging a plan to stay in contact.

He patted Rick's shoulder, "You think ahead," he stated

"Can't afford not to," Rick spoke wisely, "Not anymore," he finished.

Morgan stopped his trek to his car, "Look, just one thing..." he started as Duane shut trunk of the truck, "They may not seem like much one at a time but in a group, all riled up and hungry. Man, you watch your ass," he warned.

"You too," Rick replied sincerely. Rick believed he was a good man and he wondered if he and his son would be safe on their own. They allowed his sister to stay with them. They were there for her when he couldn't be. He remembered what Morgan had told him in the changing room. That his sister was looking for a reason to live. He hoped that was him. She's all he's got at this moment.

"You're a good man, Rick," Morgan said, holding his hand out for Rick to shake. Rick took it without hesitation, "I hope you find your wife and son," he said with a genuine, kind smile.

"Be seeing you, Duane," Rick said, leaning down to talk to him, he shook, "Take care of your old man,"

Duane gave him a small nod, "Yes, sir," he spoke with a small smile on his face.

Cindy enveloped Duane in a big hug, "Oh, I'm gonna miss you kiddo." She said, trying not to cry, as she released her new best friend.

The boy laughed with tears forming in his eyes "I'm gonna miss you too. My dad's terrible at poker." He joked.

"Hey." Morgan cried, slightly offended at his son's statement.

Cindy giggled as she pulled the man into a hug, "I'm gonna miss you, man. Thank you. For everything you did for me." She spoke honestly.

Morgan scoffed, "Thank me? I should be thanking you. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have had food." He exclaimed, "You put your life at risk to go out and get us food." He finished.

She shrugged, "I owed you. For letting me stay." She replied, smiling at her new friend as he pulled her into another hug. "Be careful. I hope to see you again soon." He spoke honestly. They were about to walk to their cars when Morgan noticed something. The group turned around to see a walker.

Rick's eyes squinted in recognition, a man he previously knew and worked with, "Leon Basset? Didn't think much of him. Careless and dumb, but I can't leave him like this," Rick spoke. Cindy smiled at her brother's words, still the caring man she knew before she left two years ago. It didn't matter if he liked the person or not, he was still respectful towards them. He still wore his uniform. 'Must have been on duty when he died,' Rick thought.

"You know they'll hear the shot?" Morgan asked, concerned that Rick still didn't fully understand the situation. He held his son closely to his side.

Rick pulled out his gun, "Let's not be here when they show up," he advises as he walks up to the fence that separated the walker from the group.

"Let's go, son," Morgan told Duane as they backed away towards their car. Rick looked at Leon for a second as the walked rattled the fence trying to get at him, Rick aimed it at his head and pulled the trigger. He slowly collapsed to the ground, his grip uncurling as he fell, dead on the floor.

Rick walked back over to his cop car where his sister was waiting for him. She smiled at him sympathetically. He tilted his head towards the car, silently telling her to get in. She nodded in agreement and got into the passenger seat of the car.

Rick got into his seat and turned on the engine, he backed up and drove to the exit. Rick and Morgan beeped their horns as a way to say goodbye as the turned different ways.

Morgan and Duane drove back to the Drake house. Morgan hammered the planks back up on the door whilst Duane put the blankets over the windows. When he was done, Duane sat down on his bed. Morgan picked up a red suitcase, "Read your comic books a while. Daddy'll be upstairs." He said, picking up the sniper on his way out the lounge.

He situated himself in the room upstairs, going through a box of photo albums, looking at the pictures of his wife. Fighting to keep his tears at bay.

He places a photo up on the windowpane, positioning a chair beside the window and placing the gun on the back of the chair. He whistles, getting the attention of the walkers outside. Lining up the shot and he pulled the trigger.

Duane panicked, springing up from his spot on the floor, "Daddy?" he called,

"It's all right Duane, you stay there, son. Don't you come up here," he replied

Duane returns to his spot, his knees pulled up towards his chest, covering his ears with his hands to block out the noise.

"Come on, baby," Morgan says as he continues to shoot the walkers, waiting for one in particular.

She comes into sight and Morgan lines up the shot, tears breaking through, rolling down his face as she stared blankly at him. He drops the gun from its position, "Come on," he told himself, he aimed again, she had turned her attention elsewhere. She began to walk away, he dropped the gun again and broke down into tears

Cindy and Rick rode in silence. They were both thinking about their family if they'd see them again. Cindy's mind also wandered to Morgan and Duane, part of her felt guilty for leaving them behind but the other part wanted to find her nephew.

Rick then turned and began heading back towards his neighborhood. Cindy looked out the window and looked back to her brother, "Uh, Rick?" she asked, her brother looked at her, "Atlanta is the other way." She stated.

Rick nodded, "I know, there's just something I have to do first," he explained, Rick pulled over next to a small park, just down the road from his house. He got out and looked around, Cindy got out of the car too, wondering what her brother was doing. He walked over to what looked like a trail of brown grass. Cindy sat on the hood of the car as she waited for her brother to return.

He followed the trail all the way to where the woman had dragged her body, he slowly crouched down beside her and pulled out his gun, "I'm sorry, Hannah. I'm sorry this happened to you," he said sadly, he raised his gun, aiming it at her head and he shot her. Her arm dropped down to the ground.

He walked back over to the car where his sister sat waiting and dead corpse lay at her feet, "I see you had company," Rick observed.

She looked away from her brother and down at the corpse and shrugged, "Nothing I couldn't handle," she replied.

They got back into the car and continued their journey towards Atlanta, they sat in silence until Rick started talking into the radio, "Will be approaching Atlanta on Highway 85. Anybody reads, please respond," he spoke. There was no response, Cindy looked at her brother, she could tell he was sad.

"Worth a shot, I guess." She spoke, leaning her arm on the door.

He started talking again, "Hello, hello?" he called out, "Can anybody hear my voice? Anybody out there? Anybody hears me, please respond," he repeated.

"Hello, can you hear my voice? Hello? Hello?" he continued, hoping someone would answer.

On the other end of the radio, a group of survivors suddenly hear the crackling voice through the radio, "Hello, can you hear my voice? Hello? Hello?" everyone looked towards it.

A young blonde woman dropped the cluster of branches and rushed towards the radio and crouched down beside it, "Yes, I can hear you. You're coming through. Over." She replied through the radio, but it seemed he didn't hear her.

"Can anybody hear my voice?" the voice repeated as if he was the only one speaking, "Anybody who reads, please respond. Broadcasting on the emergency channel. We'll be approaching Atlanta on Highway 85. Anybody reads, please respond." He continued.

The girl quickly responded to the voice, "We're just outside the city." The voice stopped coming through and all that could be heard was static, "Damn it. Hello? Hello?" she tried again, "He couldn't hear me. I couldn't warn him." She spoke as the radio continued to crackle.

"Try to raise him again," an older man said, the blonde girl goes to speak, "Come on, son. You know best how to work this thing," Dale called out to Shane, he set the axe he held into a log, and picked up the radio to speak.

"Hello? Hello, is the person who calls still on the air? This is officer Shane Walsh, broadcasting a person unknown, please respond..." he spoke as he got down onto one knee, after a minute of nothing but static Shane spoke up, "He's gone,"

"There are others," Lori commented, her voice full of hope, "It's not just us,"

"Yeah. We knew there would be, right, that's why we let the CB on," he said with a 'duh' tone in his voice.

"Lot of good it's been doing," she retorted, her gaze briefly lays on the CB and then back to Shane, "And I've been saying for a week, we ought to put signs up on 85 to warn people away from the city,"

"Folks got no idea what they're getting into," the blonde spoke sadly.

"We don't have enough time," Shane responded as he got to his feet and his attention solely on Lori.

"I think we need to make time," Lori asserted, determined to stop people walking into the trap. Atlanta was done, it belonged to the dead now.

"Yeah, that... uh. That's a luxury we can't afford," Shane spoke, running a hand down his face, "We are surviving here. We are day to day," he reasoned.

"And who the hell would you propose to send?" the older man questioned

"I'll go. Give me a vehicle," Lori demanded, not wanting to let innocent people walk into certain death.

"Nobody goes anywhere alone, you know that," Shane told her, reciting the rules again. Lori just glared at him and walked away with a sarcastic 'yes sir' as she passed him.

Carl began to follow behind her but Shane stopped him, "Hey, hey, hey, come on, take a seat, bud. You're alright. Go on. You're alright," Shane told him before walking off in the direction Lori went.

Lori is heading towards her tent with Shane closely behind, "What, are you pissed at me?" he questioned.

Lori didn't answer, she just entered the tent, "You can be pissed at me all you want. It's not going to change anything. I'm not putting you in danger, okay?" he started as he enters after her, "I'm not doing it for anything. That makes you feel like sometimes you want to slap me upside the head... Tell you what, girl... you feel that need, you go right ahead. I'm right here. Go on."

Lori turns to look at him, infuriated. "You cannot walk off like that, all half-cocked. Look, if you do not want to do it for my sake and your sake, that's fine. You do it for him. That boy's been through too much and he's not losing his mother too, okay?" he asked, Lori nodded in response, "Okay?"

"Okay," Lori finally spoke, agreeing with him.

"You tell me 'okay'." he spoke softly and she nods. He began to chuckle, "It's not hard." He looks out through the tent windows and sees no one about. "All right, hey." He steps closer towards her and they begin to kiss. They continue kissing, the kiss becoming more passionate by the second.

"Mom?" a small voice called, they break apart and Shane walks out of the tent.

"What's up, bud? She's in there. Go on." Shane told him as he walked past him, leaving Carl and Lori alone. Lori crouched down next to him and smiled.

"Hey. I don't want you to worry. Your mom is not going anywhere. Okay?" she assured him, he nodded and she nodded with him, "Yeah, yeah. Go finish your chores."

"Okay," he replied with a nod, he smiled at her, happy she wasn't going anywhere. He ran back towards camp to finish his chores.

The siblings drive up to an intersection on a country road. Destroyed and abandoned cars dispersed over the road, Rick slowed the car to a stop, "We're low on gas," he told his sister.

She nodded, "I think there's a gas station, just up the road there." She indicated with her head.

Rick opened the trunk of the patrol car, they got out of the car and closed the door, "You can stay, I'll go get it," he said looking at his sister.

She reached through the window to get her bat and balanced it on her shoulder, "You are still recovering, I'm not letting you go off on your own." She told him

Rick walked to the trunk of the car and fetched out a gas can. Rick nodded to Cindy, letting her know that he was ready to go, "Let's go then." She responded, "Keep your eyes open," Rick nodded,

Rick held the can in his hand. They began to walk towards the gas station, we walked across the small field beside the station. Cars were torn apart like they had been searched by someone. Tents hung out of windows, toys and other possessions were scattered around the grass. Dead bodies covered in flies, their flesh rotting. Some still in their cars, "This is a graveyard." Cindy spoke.

When they finally arrived at the gas pumps, there was a sign rattling against the wall it hung on that read 'NO GAS'. Rick turned to look at his sister, a look of defeat appearing on his features, "We'll think of something," his sister comforted him. He went to say something when they both froze at the sound of feet shuffling on the concrete.

They dropped to the ground. They looked around to pinpoint where the noise was coming from. Rick then saw small feet scuffle past on the opposite side of the car. She wore bunny slippers and a light pink robe. She picked up the teddy bear that lay on the floor which caused Rick to spring up to get her, Cindy just looked at him wide-eyed, 'What the hell is he doing? Is he crazy' she thought.

The little girl looked like she hadn't had a wash in a while and not taken care of. That was what made Cindy wary. No way anyone would leave a kid on their own. Right? The girl looked fragile. Cindy tore her eyes away from the girl briefly to scan the area to make sure they don't have any company. She looked back to the girl, all skin and bone. Rick walked slowly towards the girl which put Cindy on high alert.

"Little girl...I'm a policeman...little girl?" he called out softly as not to scare her. The girl stopped at the sound of his voice, she stood there completely frozen.

Cindy's heart rate doubled, dread filling her body. "Rick, I don't think..." Cindy started to warn him but he started talking to the girl again.

"Don't be afraid," he told her softly as he continued to walk closer, holding his hand out to her, "Okay?" he asked, prompting a response from her.

The girl slowly turned around revealing her face. Rick's face falls as he sees the girl, disappointment, and sorrow in his eyes. Her eyes are dull, lifeless. Her mouth is torn and dried blood has marked her pajamas. Her eyes squarely on Rick as she hobbled towards him, causing Cindy to become more alert, her grip on her bat tightening. Rick raised his gun to shoot her backing up the closer she got. Cindy could sense his hesitation, "Rick, don't be stupid," she snapped.

Rick squeezed the trigger and the girl's body fell backwards, crashing on the ground below. Dead for a second time. Cindy looked hastily around, the sound surely attracting any walkers nearby, "Let's get out of here." She said to Rick as she turned to walk away, she stopped and turned when she realized Rick hadn't moved from his spot. She walked up to him, she stopped beside him. He just stared at her.

"She can't be any more than 8 years old," he finally spoke. Cindy gave him a sympathetic smile. She then had an idea, something to make him feel a bit better. She walked around looking in cars for a blanket. She found a pink one which she thought was perfect, she walked back over to Rick and the girl. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously, Cindy looked up at him and smiled. She placed the blanket over the girl, she then placed the teddy bear closer to the girl's face. Her gaze then shifted towards a row of flowers, she gets up and walks over to the flowers and uses her knife to cut them from the ground and walks back over to the girl. She places the flowers down on the young girl.

"There, she can rest properly now. Rick, it's horrible I know but we have to go," she started to reason to with him, looking around, "There could be more on the way. For Carl and for Lori, we have to go." She finished, Rick looked up to his sister and nodded.

"Let's get out of here," he spoke, Cindy nodded, picking up her bat. They ran back towards the car. They made it back to the car within a couple of minutes and immediately. They knew that they'd have to find gas soon because what they had wasn't enough to get them to Atlanta.

They drove for a whole before they pulled up to a house, "We can't get much further than this," Rick stated.

Cindy sighed, "Let's hope we can find some here." She said grabbing her bat from the floor below her. Before exiting Rick pulled down his visor, to reveal two pictures, one of him, Lori and Carl and another of just him and his sister just before she went on her first deployment.

Cindy looked up at the photo, "You keep that in here?" she asked him, Rick looked towards her, a smile on his face, a mixture of happiness and love. Heart swelling of pride.

"Yeah, of course." He told her, he takes the pictures from their spot on the visor and put them in his pocket.

They got out of the car and Rick grabbed the gas can again before walking towards the stairs of the porch, "Hello? Police officer out here. Can I borrow some gas? Hello?" he called out, hoping someone was here.

"Hello? Anybody home?" he called out again, knocking on the door, Cindy walked over to a window that she noticed was open.

She looked through the window, a vulgar smell immediately plagued her nose. She saw a man who appeared to had shot himself and a woman lay on the floor beside him, also dead. She had a gunshot wound, a message in her blood written on the wall 'GOD FORGIVE US'. Flies dancing around their corpses, "Yeah, Rick. I don't think anybody's going to answer," Cindy told her brother. He looks at her with worry in his eyes, 'Don't tell me there's some in there.' He thought walking up to her. he stops and peeks through the window, gagging from the smell.

"This place looks untouched," Rick spoke, Cindy furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "I mean, it doesn't look like any walkers have been here." He clarified.

"Yeah but for how long?" she asked, not really expecting an answer, "Nothing is safe anymore, Rick. World's changed." She started, placing her bat on her shoulder, "You've got to fight for your admission here. They're not just gonna give you a free ticket." She walked past time and head over to a truck that was parked beside the house. No luck, she shook her head, "Nothing."

She walked back up to the house to search for the keys but stopped in her tracks when she heard her brother talking, "Easy now, easy. I'm not gonna hurt you," he said. 'Who is he talking to?' she looked around but she couldn't see him. "Nothing like that... more like a proposal. Atlanta's just down the road aways. It's safe there. Food, shelter, people, other horses too, I bet. How's that sound?" he asked, she rounded a small shed and saw Rick slowly approaching the horse.

Cindy snorted at the sight of her brother negotiating with the horse, "Are you really trying to persuade the horse to come with us?" she asked, he turns to look at her and shrugged, "You've gone mad." She spoke.

He mounted the horse, "We have to get to Atlanta somehow, Cindy." He stated.

Cindy giggled and shook her head, "You can't be serious." Rick didn't answer just held out his hand to help his sister onto the horse. She took his hand and climbed onto the horse.

"There we go. Good boy. Good boy." He told the horse, gently tugging the rope, directing him to turn, "I haven't done this in years." He said trying to keep his balance.

"Yeah, last time you did, Pepper... chucked you... right into the ... the muckheap." Cindy said breathlessly between laughs.

Rick laughed at the memory, "My ass hurt for 3 days," he added. They rode away from the farm and resumed their journey towards Atlanta.

Atlanta seemed deserted, a ghost town. A few walkers wandering around, nothing to worry about. As if reading her mind Rick spoke, "Steady, it's just a few. Nothing we can't outrun." He told the horse.

Rick guided the horse down another street, a few walkers lingered in a bus. Suddenly Cindy heard a whirring noise, "You hear that?" she asked her brother.

Rick nodded, gently pulling on the reins to signaling for the horse to stop. He looked up in the sky trying to locate where the sound was coming from.

Cindy spotted a reflection of the helicopter in a window of a high-rise building, "There," she pointed as it came into view. The resounding sound of hooves echoed through the streets as they cantered along, buildings gone in a second as they flew by.

Rick stopped sharply as he stared at the scene in front of him. Cindy looked over his shoulder to see a huge horde of walkers.

Cindy's grip on her brother tightened as the walkers turned and spotted the siblings. They began stumbling towards them, pushing and shoving to get the first bite, the juiciest flesh. Rick turned the horse around only to find they were trapped, "Shit," he cursed. He turned to look for an opening to escape. But it was no use. The walkers tried grabbing at anything they could. The horse squealed, rearing trying to fend off the threat. Rick lost his balance and falls off, taking his sister with him.

They rushed to get up and backed away from the walkers. Most of them occupied chewing on the horse. Some set their sights on the siblings. Scurrying towards them, one grabbed onto Rick's leg, Rick kicked him off and got up on his feet.

He pulled out his python and put it towards his head, "I'm sorry, Cindy." He cried.

She shook her head, holding her bat up in defense, "We're not done yet. They are busy. Under the tank. Now!" she directed, he looked at her confused. 'Surely that won't work, they'll follow.' He thought.

He scrunched his eyebrows and looked at, "What? Why?" he asked.

She whacked a walker in the face, his head squelching as she smashed the bat down, "Tanks have an escape hatch at the bottom. Get into it." She explained, he did as he was told. Cindy following close behind.

They both got into the tank unharmed, closing the door behind them. Rick backed away from the door, towards the side of the tank. Beside him there was a corpse, he began to move and Rick raised his gun to shoot him, "No, don't!" she screamed but it was too late, the shot had already been fired.

The high-pitched screeching sound tore through their ears as the bullet ricocheted off the walls. Rick climbed up to open the hatch on the top of the tank, easing the sound from their ears. Rick shut the hatch again, they were safe inside but they were surrounded. They had to think about what they were going to do otherwise they'd die of starvation or thirst. They were trapped.

Rick pulled his knees to his chest, his mind swirling with thoughts, scenarios. Thinking all hope is lost. Then the radio started buzzing, causing both siblings to look up at it. They looked at each other both confused, then a voice of a man sounded through, "Hey, you. Dumbasses. Yeah... you two in the tank. Cozy in there?" they were both in shock and just sat there and stared at the device.

Masterlist Next Chapter ->

#the walking dead #original female character #rick grimes Sister #Days Gone Bye #fanfic #fanfiction #the sheriff's sister

11 notes · View notes

sunnyie-eve · 1 year

Text

Devastated || 9. Appearance

Paring: (Christopher "Sully" Sullivan x Original Female Character Mance!)

Word Count: 2263

Warnings: slight language, death

Last: Preposition | Next: Register

"Why would your dad deliver Jimmy?" Chloe asks Jennifer.

"Don't call him that ever again." She snaps at her.

"We don't know for sure it's Wakefield. Kid might be telling stories again." Shane tells Chloe.

"Hey! You don't blame a little girl because she was afraid for her mother's life." Trish tells him.

"Don't get all high-and-mighty with me. You're the one who sent Abby out there to God knows what."

"She had good reason to think it was about Abby. We all did." Shea speaks up.

"And you all deserve to apologize to her too!" Jennifer snaps at them. "If you still wanna think it's about me too... I mean, you're right, but I didn't choose to be a baby of an affair with a killer. Twenty-seven years of my life, I had no clue I was his child! And if you try to give me shit for it..." She glares at them, "Fuck you."

Madison watches for the group to return, and Nikki explains that the lack of communication from the island likely won't be realized for a few days.

"Mommy, he's here!" Madison makes everyone look over as Wakefield busts through the door with a two-foot boarding knife.

Nikki runs for a shotgun behind the bar, but Wakefield stops her, and she shoots into the air before he runs her through with the knife.

"NIKKI!" Jennifer screams, so Wakefield looks over at her with a smile.

Shane tells everyone to leave as Wakefield pulls Nikki over the bar, leaving her on the floor. Shane pulls out a fishing knife to face Wakefield, and Trish forces everyone into the bathroom, grabbing a shotgun before she leaves.

"No, I can't let him kill Shane too. Plus, Jimmy is still out there." Jennifer tells Trish.

"There's nothing you can do to help." Trish tells her.

"He wants me! Yes, I can."

"No! I'm not letting you go out there." Trish shouts as they hear Shane groaning in pain as the others rush out the window.

"Please, Trish." Jennifer begs her.

"No, what if he wants you just to kill? I'm not risking that."

"Fine, give me the gun so you can go through next. I promise to be behind you." Jennifer sighs, so Trish passes her the gun to climb through the window.

Wakefield approaches the bathroom, and she shoots through the door, running out of shells. Wakefield kicks the door open, scaring her, "Face to face." He tells her.

"Hey," Shane speaks up weakly, so Jennifer rushes to get out, but Wakefield grabs her waist.

"JENNIFER!" Trish grabs her arms.

"Go!" Jennifer lets go of the gun, getting dragged back in.

"Let her go!" Shane shouts, coughing up blood.

Wakefield lets go of her to go after Shane, "NO!" Jennifer jumps on his back, so he tosses her off him, and she hits her head hard, passing out.

Sully and Cal finally get to the dock after stitching up Cal's bullet wound. Sadly there wasn't a boat there for them.

"Looks like we're stuck."

"Thanks to me. If I hadn't gone to the wrong side of the car, I wouldn't have been shot." Cal tells him upset.

"Hey. Way I see it, I owe you one. I mean, if your hadn't been there, that bullet would've hit me instead." Sully lets him know.

"Saving me cost us our way home."

"No, we don't know that. I mean, sailboat could've been gone for days." Sully tries to get Cal to understand.

"I just want to get Chloe off this island." Cal sighs.

"I get it. I want to get Jen off this island too."

"You really like her, huh?" Cal looks at him.

"I've been trying to get for eleven years, man. So yes, I really like her. I told her I loved her before we left." Sully hopes she was okay right now.

"Well, let's get back to her and Chloe." Cal pats his back walking to the car.

Abby, Henry, and Danny arrive at The Cannery, finding the door open and the jukebox playing. Inside, they discover Shane strung from the ceiling over an oar.

"Jenny!" Abby rushes over to her side as she lies on the floor. "Jennifer." She shakes her awake. "Oh, thank god." She sighs as Henry moves to secure the rest of the bar as Danny stops the jukebox.

"What happened?" Henry rushes over to them.

"Wakefield busted in. He killed Nikki first, so Shane told us to go. We all went to the bathroom, and the others escaped through the window. When I was about to go, Wakefield came in and grabbed me. Shane told him to let go of me, so he went to go finish him. I tried to stop him, but he tossed me aside, knocking me out." Jennifer slowly sits up and then sees Shane covering her mouth. "Where's Jimmy?" She gets worried.

"He's not here." Abby tells her.

Henry and Danny work to get Shane down and then lay him and Nikki next to each other to cover them up. Abby says Wakefield has changed, the game, becoming overt with his murders. Danny becomes scared, and Jennifer tells him that they need to finish Wakefield off.

Suddenly the church bell rings out, and Henry believes the bell to be Trish, while Abby suggests it may be a trap.

At the church, Henry, Abby, Jennifer, Trish, Chloe, and Danny are reunited. "You're okay." Trish was glad to see Jennifer.

"Sorta. I think I have a tiny concussion still." She tells her.

Abby asks about Jimmy, discovering that he has gone missing, and Chloe asks about the bell. Abby leads the group inside in an attempt to find the bell ringer. Danny lights a candle while Trish attempts to cope with the crime scene of her father's death.

Trish apologizes to Abby about Charlie when Chloe screams out. The group runs over, discovering Patrick Lillis' body in a pew. A car's headlights are cast on the church, startling the group.

They run to the door, and they find Sully and Cal, so Jennifer rushes to Sully wrapping her arms around him and he does the same to her.

"There's no boat." He tells the group as Cal asks where Chloe is.

"She was just here." They tell him, realizing she is missing now.

As day breaks, the group continues searching for Chloe in the church. Trish pulls out the map of the island's tunnels, suggesting Wakefield could have taken Chloe underground.

A bang is heard, and the group readies their weapons as Jimmy enters the church. Jimmy explains that he woke up in The Cannery, finding Shane and Nikki dead, and walked to the town to find it deserted, winding up at the church after hearing the bell. Jimmy asks how he arrived at The Cannery, and Trish explains that Wakefield brought him.

Cal calls out, leading everyone to a hidden entrance to the tunnels. Abby decides to block all entrances to the tunnels as they head to an unknown point on the map. Henry assigns people to block each entrance as he, Abby, and Cal head into the tunnels.

Danny, Sully, and Jennifer head to the hotel to block off the entrance from there. "You okay, man?" Sully asks Danny.

"Yeah. I just lost it for a while. Abby's dad hanging like that. Nikki and Shane. It was awful, man." Danny tells him. "I'm glad you're safe, though. I wasn't sure Cal would have you back."

"Cal's okay. He stayed awake while I dug a bullet out of his shoulder." Sully tells them.

"He's tougher than you thought, huh?" Jennifer speaks up.

"Yeah. But it's not... it's not just that. It's him and Chloe. He really loves her."

"Yeah, well. I always liked Cal." Danny adds

"You like everybody." Sully tells him.

"So?"

"So, I wish I had that." Sully tells him while Jennifer watches him from behind walking.

When they get to the hotel, they head down to the kitchen to board up the tunnel entrance. As they gather wood to board it up, Jennifer decides to speak up about what Sully said.

"Did you mean it?" She asks him.

"Mean what?" He asks, not stopping what he was doing.

"That you love me?" She asks, so he stops to look at her.

"What if I did?" He says, nervous about her response.

"I would say... I love you too." She walks closer to him.

"You do?" He asks, surprised.

"I've always had a thing for you but was scared because of the type of guy you were." Her eyes scan his face.

"How long is always? Exactly?" He smiles.

"Since we were sixteen." She smiles, so he kisses her.

"Wow," Danny walks in to see them, "What happened to never going to happen?" He chuckles slightly.

"Shit happens." Jennifer tells him as they go to board it up.

Once they were done, Sully resolves to be more open with people. Sully prepares to place more boards over the entrance as a banging is heard on the door, causing them both to jump to their guns. They empty four shells into the door, and Danny peers into a bullet hole.

"Don't do that." Jennifer tells him as a sawed-off metal pipe is shoved through a hole and retracted.

"Okay, you were right. I'm scared." Sully tells Danny since not even a minute ago, he told him that. "Our friends are in there with that." He adds

"I know, I'm feeling guilty too. We have to go in there." Danny agrees.

"This is going to suck." Sully sighs before they break down the boarded parts.

"I'll go first." Jennifer tells them.

"No, no way." They tell her.

"He won't kill me. He's had the chance many times, and when came face to face, all he did was knock me out." She explains to them.

"Jennifer." Danny sighs.

"I'm his daughter... I go first." She says so they let her take the lead in the tunnels. After some time, they make it out of the pipe looking around before continuing.

Sully suggests that they should split up, and Jennifer and Danny were against it but slowly kind of give in.

"I can be sorta bait?" Jennifer suggests.

"Maybe, but he'll go after someone he wants to kill first. So you stick with me. While Danny is bait." Sully says.

"Do what he says. Hopefully, it works." Danny tells her.

As Danny passes and Wakefield steps out behind him, Sully successfully fires a shot at Wakefield, wounding him. Danny and Sully keep their guns fixed on Wakefield as Abby and Henry arrive. Sully decides to let Abby kill Wakefield, but she hits him in the face with her rifle instead.

"If you won't kill him, I will." Jennifer tries to take her gun, but Abby backs away.

"Yeah, what was that? We should kill the bastard." Sully agrees with her.

"That's not our job man." Danny tells him.

"Who says? He deserves it. Everyone he's killed." Jennifer tells them as Danny suggests tying Wakefield up and taking him to the police station, and Sully relents, telling him they're making a mistake.

"If anyone else gets killed because of this mistake... I'll kill them myself." Jennifer tells Sully as they walk from the three.

"I don't think I'll stop you." He tells her.

Henry has Danny and Sully tie up Wakefield with their belts and consoles Abby as she regrets not killing Wakefield.

"Abby, you're not a killer." Henry tells her.

"I'll be one if I have to." Jennifer looks at Henry before looking back at Wakefield.

"No, you wouldn't." He tells her.

"Wanna bet, Henry?" She walks over to him, "I shot through the bathroom door to stop him. If I didn't run out of bullets before he busted the door open... I would have shot him right in the chest. Why? Because he deserves it. He killed many people, but he killed Charlie, Kelly, Nikki, and Shane, and I've known them my whole life. I grew up with them. Not to mention your brother... He may be my real dad, but he's not my dad. My dad hated me, and I prefer him over Wakefield."

At the Sheriff's Station, Henry and Danny lock Wakefield into a cell. Henry goes to find Trish and Jimmy, and Abby decides to retrieve Shea and Madison from the attic.

While Sully looks through things, Jennifer walks away to go see Wakefield. "Why?" She stops in front of him, "Why do all of this?"

"All part of our plan." He tells her.

"Our? Who is part of our?" She asks him.

"You're other brother." He smiles slightly.

"You found your other child? He agreed to do this?" She says shocked.

"Making up lost time. You should join in on family bonding. You might already be very close to your brother; who knows?"

"When you had the chance to kill Jimmy... why didn't you?" She asks him.

"Sheriff made a deal to keep him safe... Your brother also has his reasons. Plus, it's to mess with you and Abby. Easy way to make him suspicious to others." He eyes her, "Everything will be right once this is over."

Sully walks in with Danny following him. "Hey! Back away from the bars." Sully walks up, moving Jennifer away.

"Sully, what are you doing?" She asks him.

"I said back away from the bars." Sully says and he doesn't so he tases him, "He didn't back away. Come on, let's get him out of here." Sully talks about Deputy Garrett's body.

0 notes

chiliiscereal · 3 years

Text

I hate you

Daryl’s adopted daughter

Chapter 1

Summary: Diana is a girl on the run in the apocalypse. Her past chases her no matter where she goes. One day, by chance, she meets Daryl Dixon. Thinking she’s a walker, he shoots her and brings her back to their camp. Shane strikes a deal with her: she has to stay for two weeks before she can decide if she wants to stay. But Diana is determined to keep her past in the past, and never make the same mistake again

Season 1 - I’m not sure yet

—————

Diana sat in a circle with her family. Blood dripped down her neck from her lips.

Everything was red.

Red

How could everything have gone so wrong so quickly?

Her eyes never left the blond man she once knew. She watched him as her fury and fear grew louder and louder, echoing off her skull.

That was, until Negan stepped out of the van. He walked about the circle, until his eyes landed on her.

"Fancy seein' you again, Darlin'."

————————

Rick stumbled into the street, a hospital gown draping his skin. He knew there was something wrong. There was something off. Maybe it was intuition...

Or maybe it was the woman, chopped in half, chomping her teeth to get at his ankles.

He rubbed his eyes, the sun glaring right into his vision. It had been a week and a half since the start, and a day since his IV ran dry. It had been even longer since he last saw the sun.

Where was everyone?

Why hadn't he waken up to nurses and doctors?

Or his family's familiar faces?

He spotted bodies. Bodies walking. Maybe three.

He couldn't understand... he couldn't understand any of it...

The light off a gun reflected into his eyes. He blocked it and moved to see where it was coming from.

The revolver was placed in the holster on the side of a walker. The man... or whatever he was now... shuffled toward Rick.

He was deathly pale.

"Sir," Rick's voice cracked, "sir, are you okay?" He held his hand out, trying to make it a comforting gesture to someone possibly in need.

Edging closer, the man stared at him with hungry dead eyes. His clothes were torn and draped off his skinny frame, his eyes laid sunken in his face.

"Sir?" He asked again, stumbling back.

The man growled and advanced further.

"Are you-?"

With a blur, the man was down.

Nearly tripping over his own feet, Rick let out a horrified gasp.

On the ground was a little girl, around Carl's age, placing her knife in the mans forehead. Her light blond hair, tucked under her baseball cap, clung to her dirty face. The crunch echoed in Ricks head, reverberating off his skull.

That was the first walker he had ever seen killed.

She quickly wiped her knife on the walkers shirt and snatched his revolver. She opened the back to check how much ammo was left. Satisfied, she clicked it shut and began patting the double dead man down.

"W-why did you do that?" Rick found his voice again.

She leaped back, her bright blue eyes finding his.

Quickly, she pulled herself up and began to dash away. If Rick hadn't lunged out and caught the back of her shirt she would have disappeared as soon as she apparated into his line of sight.

"No. You can't leave yet." He spun her around to face him. It was evident how terrified she was. Especially with her eyes as wide as dinner plates and hands clawing at his arm. "Why did you kill that man?"

She glared at him and wriggled harder. "Man?" She gasped, "that... that wasn't a man!" Her hands fought to unclamp Ricks grip. "That's a Walker! He would have eaten you if I hadn't stopped him!" She grunted with effort. "Didn't even see you. You already look dead."

"What do you mean by dead?" Rick questioned, holding tighter.

"Gone. Deceased. vamosed. Perished." With each word she struggled. "Now let me go!"

Rick was about to question again, when he felt the stitches on his side rip. With a grunt, he let her go and fell to the ground. His hand cupped his side.

"Please.." he stopped to breathe heavily as the girl watched him warily. "I don't know what's happening. I woke up in the- in the hospital." He glanced down at his side to eye the bleeding. "The sun will be setting soon... and I need help."

The girl glanced at the lowering sun. Tapping her foot, she glowered at the ground. "How can I trust you." It wasn't a question. It was as if she was challenging him to be wrong.

Rick attempted to stand, only to find himself back in the ground. "I was a cop. My job was to protect the people. ALL people. And I like to think I did a good job of that."

She stuck the revolver in her holster (which was clearly stolen based on how big it was). "Prove it."

"I don't have my badge or my hat. That's at my house. But I'm officer Rick Grimes. I've been on the force for seven years. My partner was Shane Walsh. I was in my car when we got a call about a run away car. I was shot in action and hospitalized." His eyes seemed to beg her to help him.

Diana tried to fight the raging war in her head.

She knew better.

She knew to trust no one.

Her father and mother both betrayed her trust.

Why trust again?

But... she could tell when people were lying. All people have tells. Her fathers tell was him avoiding eye contact. He always looked at the ground. For her mother, she always played with her wedding ring.

But this Cop... sheriff... man... was not lying.

He looked her dead in the eye.

"Fine. Come with me." She hadn't known that she was gripping her new revolver until she released it. "I have a place in the sewers. I know... in most movies that's where walkers would be. But how would someone get down there in the first place? You'd have to move the lid." She walked over to Rick and slung his arm over her shoulder to help him stand in any way. "And most walkers," she grunted "are pretty stupid."

"Thank you...for helping me." Rick stated gratefully.

"I have some house rules, you know."

"Name them." He said confidently as they shuffled down the street.

"One: you're gone when you can walk."

"You don't want someone to watch your back?" Rick was surprised. Usually, kids jumped at the chance for safety. The ones he has worked with in cases of violence had immediately decided he was trustworthy.

"the worlds changed. You can't trust people." He noted the grim expression on her face. He wanted to ask why, but he figured it was better to stay silent.

"I'd argue about that, but I'll hear out your other rules." He wrapped his arm around his side again, fingering the broken stitches.

"Two: you do as I say or you die."

"Yes ma'am."

Rick couldn't help but like her spunk. She was serious, but it wasn't much of a threat coming from an eleven year old girl.

"3: ..." she started only to trail off.

"...3?"

She cleared her throat and resituated Ricks arm. "You repay my kindness if we ever cross paths again. I don't care how."

"Was already planning on it." He grinned. He could feel the conversation beginning to die, so he started it back up again. "What's your name, kid?"

She hesitated, eyes staying on the road. "Diana." She spoke softly. "My mother named me after the Roman goddess of the night."

Rick smiled. "Pretty name."

Diana's thoughts drifted to her mother. Her mother with her honey brown hair and warm chocolate eyes. She stopped her thoughts there. "Well... what about you, officer friendly? You got a name?"

Rick laughed. "My names Rick Grimes. I ain't named after the moon goddess, but I think it has a nice ring to it. Don't you?"

She forced down a smile. "Pretty name."

He chuckled. "Well, Diana, I am glad I ran into you."

~~~~~

They arrived at the sewer lid.

"Here we are. I've been camped out here since early yesterday morning." She slipped under Ricks arm and got down to lift the lid. With a couple tries, and an offer from Rick for assistance, she lifted the lid.

She stood up and dusted off her hands. "I'll go down first and scope out the area. Need to make sure it's still clear. Then I'll help you down."

She began her descent.

Rick watched the top of her light haired head fade into the darkness with each step. He briefly thought she would try and make a run for it. Escape through the sewers.

He immediately dismissed it. Why would she waste daylight by helping him? The sound of her footsteps hitting the water at the bottom and echoing as she walked down the tunnels set him on edge.

Especially when they began to fade.

He sat patiently for over ten minutes, watching the sunlight tick by. He looked down into the darkness, listening for any sound. There was nothing... not even a whisper.

Maybe she did leave.

"Alright, Sheriff, get down here! It's clear!" Her voice reverberated loudly from the tunnels so suddenly, that Rick stumbled back.

"I don't have all day! Unless you wanted to be walker chow, get down here!"

Rick chuckled as he began to shuffle his way down the tunnel.

"Any day now, Deputy Fossil!" She shouted.

"Hold your horses, kid." He slowly lowered himself into the dark. He looked down to see where his feet were going to land, spotting the flashlight that Diana held. Her light hazel eyes reflected impatience.

"Nice place." He said, clearly biting back his truth.

"Don't be fake." She said as she kicked at the water. "It smells like a pig ate dirty gym socks, farted, and died."

"I was trying to spare your feelings."

"Don't bother. I'm leaving this place as soon as you're ready."

Rick finally landed on the bottom of the sewer. "You got a place you're headed to?"

Diana shook her head. "No. Just a place I never want to see again."

Rick stopped moving to look at her. "Troubled home life?"

She thought about it and shrugged. "I guess you could call it troubled home life. It was home once. But this apocalypse changes people."

"I'm sorry kid."

"Don't be. That's just life."

Rick opened his mouth to say more, but Diana beat him to it.

"Alright, lets move." She motioned for him to follow.

The place she had holed up in was dryer than most spaces. There were a couple of dirty blankets placed on the ground and a first aid kit. Some batteries were sprinkled on top.

"You can sit there. I can stitch you back up." Diana pointed at the wall. Their part of the sewer was a dead end so they wouldn't be surprised.

"Thank you."

Diana hadn't stitched wounds before, but she did well enough.

Rick tried starting a conversation again but she told him she needed silence to focus.

~~~~

"Are you sure you want to travel by yourself?"

Diana nodded as she packed her things. "Very sure. You're nice and all, but you don't want to travel with me."

The Georgia sun had risen already and they both were preparing for departure in the street

"Do you have any family to find?" Rick questioned.

"I already know where they are. And they don't want me either." The girl looked down, avoiding eye contact.

"If we ever meet again, you better give me more details." Rick narrowed his eyes and pointed at her. "I deserve to know more about the little girl who saved me."

"Once a cop always a cop I guess." Diana said slyly. She looked back at him. "What about you? Any family?"

She eyed a walker down the street but decided it was too far away to pursue.

"I got a son and a wife. My son's your age actually. 11." Rick looked through the neighborhoods. "I don't know where they are, but I'll protect them. They need me."

Diana squinted in the direction he was looking at, seeing nothing. "You'll find them, chief." She patted his shoulder, having to reach up very high.

"It was nice to meet you, Diana." Rick said, a little sad that they were parting. Possibly that he would no longer have company. Maybe that he didn't have enough time to get to know her well. "I don't know if I'll see you again, but you helped me without anything to gain."

Diana scoffed. "I'm not a good kid."

"You're right."

Diana looked up, confused.

"You're one of the best."

She wrinkled her nose at him. "Go. You have people to find."

"From the looks of thangs, so do you."

"I don't have people."

"You'll find them. Just a matter of where and when." He stuck his hand out for her to shake.

She placed a brown bag in his hand instead. "It's for the road. There's batteries, water, a flashlight, food, bandages, antibiotics, and one more thing..." she unbuckled her holster and handed it to him, along with the revolver. "You need these more than I do."

Rick tried to push it back to the little girl. "No I can't take this. You need it."

"No, you do. You're gonna help people, Rick. You're gonna help so many. You gotta find your people." She pushed it back to him. "I'm gonna be fine. I spotted a gun down the road that I'm gonna check out later."

Rick gave her a solemn look before accepting it. "If you can, head to Atlanta. The CDC is near there and there's bound to be survivors."

"I don't need survivors."she rolled her eyes.

"They may need you, kid. Ever think about that?"

She stayed silent for a moment. "Stay safe, sherif fun sponge." She shook his hand, even though he hadn't offered it yet. "I hope we meet again."

"We will." He smiled. "I don't know how or when, but we will. I have a debt to pay."

She wanted to return the smile but couldn't. "I hope you find them."

"You to."

With that, they went separate ways.

Next fifty chapters posted on noandisaidno on wattpad!

#for you #bookish #disney #digital art #small artist #tik tok #tik tok art #wattpad #fanfic #percy jackson #twd imagine #twd daryl #twd fanfiction #twd negan #twd #the walking dead fanfiction #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixon x daughter!reader

163 notes · View notes

xpao-bearx · 4 years

Text

《Original post here》

Part 2 HERE

SUMMARY: [Supernatural TWD AU] In which Negan is a kinky incubus, Rick Grimes is your secret guardian angel, and Daryl Dixon is a gruff monster/demon hunter. Three drastically different men who can only agree on one thing: making you theirs.

PAIRINGS: Reader x Negan, Reader x Rick Grimes, Reader x Daryl Dixon (Polyamorous Ships)

RATING: Mature/18+/Romance & Smut. Please be prepared and do NOT report.

NOTE: This is actually my first time ever writing an xReader story series as well as writing on Tumblr (I usually only write on Wattpad). As such, it probs won't be perfect though I would SERIOUSLY appreciate your *respectful* feedback and support!

I understand writing xReader content can get a lil tricky, so please just keep in mind that not everything Y/N says or does would be something that you'd do IRL or even approve of. Also, sometimes I may not help but put a teeny bit of myself in Y/N...

Lastly, I recently got back into the TWD fandom after a looong ass time and I'm taking a while re-watching the whole show. So I apologize in advance if my portrayal of any of the characters are rusty or I may not remember too much of the events from the show, but I promise to do my very best and hope y'all enjoy~!! \(^o^)/

DEDICATED TO: The wonderful @blccdyknuckles and @negans-attagirl 💖

"Heavenly Sins"

Part 1

The sounds of laughter and easygoing chatter filled your ears as you walked closer to the church, a light breeze blowing through your F/C floral dress and the sun blinding your eyes. It was Sunday, most residents of the small town of Alexandria having gathered for mass.

It was a day like any other; peaceful and happy, children giggling and chasing each other around as their parents socialized outside before church could start.

Your heels clacking rhythmically on the pavement, you were just about to enter the building before a familiar voice called out.

"Y/N!"

Spinning, a huge smile instantly reached your ears as you saw none other than Carl Grimes waving enthusiastically at you as he jumped out of a car. From the driver's seat, his father soon followed as he stepped out.

Rick Grimes--dedicated sheriff of this fine town. His usual uniform forgone, instead replaced with a casual navy coloured suit. His baby blues met your E/C, flashing you a bright smile of his own that rivalled the sun itself.

Carl was running towards you now, and once in front he gave you a big hug.

"Settle down, cowboy! It's as if you haven't seen me in forever." You chuckled, ruffling Carl's hair affectionately.

"That's 'cause it did feel like forever." Carl pouted, eventually letting go as he looked up at you.

Before you can reply, Rick patted Carl's head and greeted you. "Hey, Y/N. How are things?" He asked in that endearing Southern accent of his.

"Just fine." You nodded, grinning before you couldn't help but let your gaze wander around a bit. "No Judith?"

It was then that Rick's smile faltered, but just barely. You nearly didn't catch it. "No. She's with her mom."

Rick was divorced from his ex-wife, Lori, after he discovered her cheating on him with his also now ex-bestfriend Shane Walsh. After the divorce, Shane and Lori quickly moved to the neighbouring community of Woodbury together and agreed on joint custody of the kids.

It really made your blood boil; you've interacted with Lori only a few times before so you didn't really have much of an opinion on her...that is, until, you learned what had happened between her and Rick. You knew it wasn't any of your business, but you cared about Rick a lot and he sure as hell didn't deserve to get cheated on.

"Oh." Was all you could say, quite stupidly. Your cheeks reddened, mentally slapping yourself before clearing your throat. "Will I see her in the daycare tomorrow, though?" You were a daycare teacher and even though you loved all of the kids, Judith was your favourite. She was simply such a sweetheart.

Rick nodded, his smile softening. "You got it."

You couldn't continue the conversation as the bells rang, making you jump out of your skin. Carl, noticing this, laughed which made you playfully roll your eyes before slinging an arm around him as all of you went inside.

♡♡♡

You took your place near the back of the church with Carl and Rick. Once everyone was settled and done singing, the service began and Father Gabriel stood on top of the podium. A few minutes into his sermon, the interruption of a motorcycle revving loudly outside sliced through the air. Gabriel flinched in surprise, and it was obvious he was desperately trying to keep his cool. Finally, when it was silent again, you found yourself biting back a smile knowing all too well who had caused the ruckus.

It seems Rick knew, too, judging from how his jaw clenched and his hands turned into tight fists.

The doors were thrown open, making Gabriel flinch once more and some of the congregation turning in the pews to look. But poor Gabriel quickly fumbled with his Bible, raising his voice just a tad to regain their attention.

There was a low whistle accompanying the approaching footsteps, but the congregation did their damn hardest to ignore the latest visitor.

"Damn... I assumed the church would be a lot more welcoming than this." A husky voice whispered, and you at last couldn't hold back as a smile broke through.

"Negan." You whispered back, turning slightly in your seat to see he has taken the spot behind you. His leather clad arms lackadaisically resting on your chair, the musky scent of his cologne invading your senses oh so wonderfully. "Fancy seeing you here."

"What? Is it really that surprising, darlin'?" He grinned, presenting a row of perfectly straight white teeth. "I go to church."

"Not all the time." You pointed out.

"Ah..." He chuckled softly, hazel eyes twinkling. "That's 'cause Father Creepy McGee over there is just that. Creepy. As. Shit."

You bit the inside of your cheeks, suppressing your laughter. True, Gabriel did have his moments, but he wasn't that bad. That didn't change the fact that Negan knew exactly how to tickle your funny bone, though.

He was new to Alexandria. It was a lovely town, but since it was relatively small not a lot of people want to move here not unless it was families looking for their children to grow up in a safe environment. Which was why it was quite a shock to find out that a single man like Negan chose this destination, and even more so when he took everyone aback with his infamous pottymouth and rather inappropriate charisma.

He had moved just a couple of houses down from yours, and you made it your mission to befriend him. Right from the get-go, he had piqued your interest and curiousity. He was different from everyone else--even possessing an air of mystery about him--and that definitely intrigued you. And also, perhaps you were just too nice and didn't want him to feel outcasted. Although, that didn't seem like an issue to him at all.

"Want one?" You were brought back to reality when you saw Negan's hand outstretched with a pack of cigarettes.

"Dude, we're in church." You reprimanded, frowning.

Negan didn't say anything, only cocking a brow and still with that same shit-eating grin. You sighed, finally giving in as you swiftly grabbed one and stashed it away in your purse for later.

"Y/N." You turned to the left, Rick's icy gaze piercing you. "Pay attention."

"R-Right. Sorry..." You mumbled sheepishly.

Carl, who was sitting in the middle of you and Rick, had dozed off. Rick nudged him, but the brunette only groaned softly and snuggled into Rick's chest. Defeated, the sheriff sighed and was just about to listen again to Gabriel before Negan cut in.

"Rick!" Negan purposely raised his voice, knowing it would get a rise out of the other man. "Didn't even see ya there. Howdy, cowboy!"

Rick grimaced, and it looked like he was just going to ignore Negan though he knew that if he did that then Negan would just irritate him even further. "Good to see you, Negan." He forced himself to say.

"Only you can say that while giving me such a deadly side eye, Grimes." Negan snickered. "How have you been? How's the wife?"

Rick flushed, his fists in a tight ball again and it looked like his nails would be digging into his skin. You abruptly swung into action, placing a hand on Rick's own.

"Rick..." You said gently. "It's okay. Calm down."

Rick did, his shoulders drooping as if a heavy weight had been lifted. He can barely pay any attention to Gabriel now, then you suddenly stood up and grabbed Negan's arm.

"We need to talk. Now."

"What, we going for a quickie?" Negan smirked, but that soon faded when he saw your serious expression. He sighed dramatically, reaching his full height as he towered over you before following you out.

At this point, you didn't care if people saw what transpired or would even start gossiping. No one, not even Negan, was allowed to harass Rick. He has helped you through so much shit--more than you'd like to admit--and you at least owed him this much.

Once outside, next to where Negan parked his motorcycle, you exploded. "What the fuck is with you?! You leave Rick alone, or I swear to fucking Christ I will--"

"Woah, woah, woah! Hold your horses, missy!" Negan guffawed, his hands up in mock surrender. "I mean, I like 'em feisty, but goddamn! Watch your fucking language."

"Tch. You're one to talk."

"Did you just scoff at me?" He raised his brows, putting his hands in his pockets as he slowly drew closer to you. A devilish grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, tilting his head slightly. "No one's ever fucking scoffed at me and didn't regret it soon after."

You frowned, letting out a huff as you met his gaze challengingly. "As if you'd do anything to me."

He was silent for several moments before chuckling, leaning back against his motorcycle. "You're right. I have too much of a soft spot for ya." He pulled out a cigarette, lighting it then taking a drag. He drew his head upwards, puffing out the smoke. "Whaddya say we just forgive and forget? I truly am sorry. You can even tell Rick that I am metaphorically down on my goddamn knees begging for forgiveness~"

"I'm not forgiving or forgetting anything until you actually face Rick and apologize yourself." You muttered. And without another word, you spun on your heel and strutted back inside the church with your head held high.

Negan's intent stare lingered where your ass had just been, taking another long drag and letting out a small laugh to himself.

His eyes suddenly glowed a crimson red, a smirk playing on his lips.

Oh, he really did pick a GREAT one.

103 notes · View notes

breitzbachbea · 3 years

Text

I just spent two hours of my life on this for no apparent reason, so quality control be damned, I am not keeping this to myself.

Charlie got himself into quite a predicament with his halloween costume idea, so Harry has to cut him out of it. Basically just an excuse to write bestie bickering. Some Charco softporn at the end.

"Look," Charlie finally said into the silence, and immediately had the reigns of the conversation taken from him by Harry:

"Mate, I'm looking at it like a car crash."

"It is a car crash, like, unexpected, not planned, I broke something and I am pretty sure I cannot feel my legs anymore. So please just cut me out of that thing."

Harry kept staring at the disturbingly tight priest outfit for another moment and sighed deeply, arms akimbo.

"Harry, I wasn't joking with the not feeling my legs."

"Do you have no other friends?" Harry asked, stare something between incredulous, irritated and exasperated.

"Trust me, I also didn't want to have it come down to this," Charlie said when Harry grabbed the cloth scissors from the kitchen table. "But mum's at work, Eva's at work, I am not asking JJ and Shane's out of town. So you're my last hope."

"Abandon all hope ye who enter here - Where should I even start?"

"I guess just take it from the bottom," Charlie answered. "I'm not trusting you with a pair of scissors near my throat."

"Good call," Harry said but when he crouched down behind Charlie, he said:

"Oh, I think you don't want the view you get when you do it from that angle."

Harry frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Neither of us wants to discuss our underwear choices but..." Charlie didn't finish and Harry groaned, before he scooted around.

"I'm gonna cut your fucking dick off for this," Harry said when he made the first cut.

"That's the one thing that doesn't feel cut off, thankfully."

"Don't worry, I'll get to it."

Harry cut through the fabric, annoyingly slow, but he didn't want to nip Charlie in the legs.

"And you really can't just... stretch until the seams burst?" Harry asked him.

"Believe me, I've tried, but the quality of this fabric and the stitching are wonderful." Charlie sighed. "Such a pity I gotta ruin it..."

"Could recycle it as a priest who's... I dunno. I always liked the idea of a revenant priest as a costume. I've clawed my way out of the grave since hell has spat me out for fhe sinful life I lead! Ya know?"

Charlie chuckled. "Charming. And true to life."

Harry had reached Charlie's knees.

"You can have the robes for that, if you want," Charlie said. "I think you cut them up, you should be able to fit in here. Sure, you really gotta cut up the skirt, but isn't that a plus anyway? Be slutty, show some leg."

"I'm not gonna be a slutty zombie priest, there's no horror in that."

"Not unless you're a choirboy, I guess."

"Do I really have to cut along your crotch?"

Harry looked up at Charlie, who gave him a pained look and nodded.

Harry sighed and kept cutting until he had nearly reached the end of his thighs. "You owe me for this."

"I can tell you already I owe you that I never tell anyone about this."

"Which would be a miracle with your flapping gob."

"I would have to clean it out with acid if the words 'Harry had to get his hands in my crotch' ever left it, so do not worry."

"Jesus christ!" Harry looked up at him again, precisely to avoid staring at his crotch. "Did you have to string that sentence together at all?!"

"Just - Just get on with it, okay?! We both want this to be over."

"You have no idea how much."

"Do believe me, I do."

Harry began to cut sideways from the top end of the split he had created, in the hopes of cutting alongside Charlie's thigh instead. Much to his dismay, the garment was VERY tightfitting.

"Did Marco make this?"

"Hm?"

"The robe, did Marco -"

"Oh, no."

"Then how the fuck did you get it this glued to your body?!"

"Well, it was bespoken-"

"Where, on gods green earth, on either of these goddamn islands, did you find a tailor that made you a formfitting priest robe?!"

"Weeell, the gay, church hating scene of Ireland make do," Charlie said with a pleased and knowing smirk.

"Okay - Okay but why... No, you know what, nevermind. Let's just get it done, I don't even want to know." Resigned to his fate, Harry returned to Charlie's front. He began to cut along the curve of Charlie's thigh until it met his hip. Carefully, inch by inch, he kept cutting higher and tried not to think about what he was so carefully maneuvering around.

He stopped once he had made it past his hips and sighed. Charlie sighed far louder.

"Can you get out of it now?" Harry asked and Charlie grabbed the fabric by the split, bunching it between his head before he pulled. He couldn't even make it past his navel however when his motions grew stiff.

"Not with those sleeves."

"Well, then cut them off!" Harry flipped the scissors and held them out to Charlie.

"It'd be easier if you did it."

With a groan, Harry got to his feet and grabbed Charlie's wrist. "Hold your arm straight out - To the side, you fucking moron."

"You didn't say that," Charlie said but bit his complaint back when Harry yanked his arm to the side. He cut along the sleeve until he reached the shoulder, where an idea reached him.

"I could keep going and do the same from the other side," Harry said. "Maybe then you could peel it off back and front."

Charlie seemed to contemplate it. "It's worth a try."

"Sure is. Hold still." Harry kept going past the seam and, again, inch by inch cut along Charlie's shoulder. When he reached the collar, he pulled the scissors out and took it between thumb and index finger. "Again, hold still." He felt Charlie swallow when he already made the first cut. Small cut by small cut did he go through the collar until he made it through.

"Alright, other side," Harry said and stepped to the other side while Charlie still caught his breath from holding it.

Once the Spiel had repeated on the other side, Charlie shook his arms. Aside from the sleeves peeling off and the upper part of the shirt bending over marginally, not much happened. Charlie pulled at it, but no muscle straining got him further out of it.

"Just... just cut it up at the front," he said with a defeated sigh.

"I hate you so much," Harry said and inserted the scissors back into the original cut by his navel.

"Christ, Harry, I don't need appendix surgery! Be careful, for fuck's sake!"

"I'm breaking my fucking wrist here!"

Frustrated, Harry ended back on his knees. As the cut progressed over his stomach, Harry steered closer to the middle of the body.

"Please keep it steady, I'd prefer accidental open heart surgery over a cut off nipple," Charlie said when he reached his chest." Because the cut off nipple is more probable and therefore far more terrifying."

"I don't know, is heart surgery so unprobable with me?"

Charlie swayed his head and nodded. "Good point."

"Stop wriggling." When Harry reached the collar, he just made a diagonal cut to the edge of the fabric.

Finally, the black robes hit the floor and Charlie let out a sigh that morphed into relieved laughter.

"Jesus fuck." Harry threw the scissors to the floor and shook his arms.

"I'm free! Oh fuck, I'm sweating. Oh my fucking goood."

Charlie ran his hands over his body and Harry looked away, trying not to process either that he was only wearing a jockstrap.

"You're so fucking stupid," he told Charlie.

"Ah, well,... overambitious in my sluttyness is what I'd call it."

"You sure that collar didn't cut off blood from your brain? Nah, wait, forgot you said your dick was fine."

Charlie laughed. "You still want the robe?"

"Absolutely fucking not, that shit's demonic. I'm going."

"Thanks again."

"Don't mention it."

"Oh, I won't."

One good thing about the cheap replacement he bought was its cheapness.

Charlie's breath sped up and his smile grew wider.

"Quite sinful, aren't you, Father?" Marco whispered into his ear before Charlie felt something sharp along his back. One of the metal attachments Marco had made with Lorenzo for his demon costum effortlessly teared the fabric.

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," he said and panted. Ever faster when he felt Marco's fingers slide down his back, exposing his flesh.

"Non vuoi liberarti dal male," Marco whispered and Charlie bit his lip before he moaned.

#beablabbers #storie nostre #charlie #harry #marco #charco #hey. hey. if you read this could you please tell me what you think. I crave attention. thanks <3

2 notes · View notes

acommonloon · 3 years

Text

TL;DR

about last night's mperfect ending. After stops at three Louisville venues, each more fun than the last, we decided to get a nightcap in New Albany. We didn't manage to get a drink at any of four stops in that sleepy town but we did witness a police officer chasing a black man down the side of State Street. Still watching for a news report.

Alternately a night for Morgans

_____________________________________________________________

D's niece's husband, J, is a sweet guy. He has almost no family of his own living in the area and his own family unit consists of an unruly teen (not his) a precocious 6 year old and 3 year old twins. It's a lot.

With that in mind, I always wait for him to contact me and he always earns his kitchen passes so when he texted me he had a free night out I was glad to hang with him. I only asked if he had a curfew. No sir. He's nearing 40 and regularly admits he wishes he could more often frequent the places D and I do, meaning bars and restaurants. I remember those days when self came last.

Our 1st stop was World of Beer. With 50+ taps and hundreds of bottles and cans sitting in glass front coolers directly across from the bar, it's one of my go to spots. J immediately set about building a flight of five small pours while I took my time picking one or two low gravity beers to sip since I was driving. They had two bartenders on this Wednesday night, Morgan was ours and our service was prompt and friendly. By the time we finished a plate of tots, loaded with melted cheese and fresh jalapeno slices I had our plan.

I hadn't been to Commonwealth Tap since before 2020. This small wine bar is in a movie set sort of town called Norton Commons. Think "The Truman Show." The houses were all built over a small number of years and though they are comprised of many different styles, with no two near each other being the same, they are on the same size lots and there is no variety in terms of weathering or decoration. Everything to plan. Unreal. Creepy.

I glanced at the wine list on a chalkboard noticing a Turley Zin at $18 and a Cotes de Rhone at $8. When the bartender asked what I wanted, I said, "Talk me out of the Turley and into the Cotes. He hesitated for a second and I said, "I want something minerally, earthy, not fruity." Like a Beaujolais Morgon or an Italian grown on the side of a volcano. Before he could reply, a guy sitting at the bar said we don't have that on tap. The Cotes is your best option and the bartender handed me a generous taste saying, try that.

I took the glass all the while evaluating the man who'd spoken up. He'd said "we" don't have that. He was alone at the bar except for us. I doubted he was just a bold regular, maybe drunk, who felt everyone benefited from his opinion, he wasn't drunk. Then he stood up and walked over the the wine racks. His search was one of familiarity and he pulled a bottle and sat it down on the bar next to me. Was he an employee or maybe a distributor on good terms with the staff? Then he began talking about the wine, about his many trips to France, and I suddenly I knew. "You're an owner here aren't you?"

He laughed and admitted he was. He introduced himself, Neal Morgan and for the next 40 mins or so he told us about himself and the bar. He told us about his wife, a pediatrician who worked for 20 years in Indiana and he went so far as to describe his Scottish heritage along with his general thinking about wines. When he said he was going a friend's house for a pizza party, I thought he was about to leave. Then he said he was going to take a kick ass wine but first he wanted me to taste it. It was a California pinot noir priced at $30 more than the first bottle he'd put down on the bar. It was fantastic! He gave us tasting notes and I admitted I couldn't perceive half of what he reeled off. I said he spoke like a sommelier and he laughed again and said he claimed he had a better palate than Kenny, the sommelier who worked for him. He thanked us for coming in and seemed sincere. When he left, J looked at me and said, "That was amazing." I laughed and said it was a Wednesday at a bar.

Before we left, I asked Rainha to make me a Penicillin and we talked about Scotch. She related how she introduced her brother to Scotch and now that's all he drank. We talked about how things were during the shutdown and I told her about a new place I'd been the previous Saturday. Outside, J exclaimed this was just the best time! He said he'd never be able to talk staff like that, let alone the owner. I said talking to industry people was one of my favorite things. They are so interesting and I think they find it refreshing when someone at the bar wants to hear about them instead of wanting to talk about themselves. Then I said, I know where we'll go next. Maybe Stephen is working.

Our next stop was at Cuvee Wine Table and Stephen greeted me at the door with a huge "Shane!" and a hug. If J was impressed with Commonwealth, I thought he should fasten his seatbelt. Stephen is a trip. Except, Stephen exclaimed I'm on this side of the bar now! To my quizzical look, he said he was the manager now. Amidst introductions, our bartender, Andie came over and introduced herself. She was tall, regally thin, and wore a colorful scarf on her head. She offered an engaging personality I perceived as professional banter but sensed alos she seemed to enjoy her job.

When I described what kind of wine I preferred, she said, "OOh how about a white?" Ooookay??? I thought to myself, this is going to be fun. Stephen came back as Andy set my glass down in front of me and asked, "What are we having?" Andie said, it's the Santorini. Stephen, a newly minted sommelier, immediately launched into an enthusiastic description about this remarkable wine from a Greek Island. He said it was so constantly windy, they braided the vine boughs into bowls to protect the fruit on the inside. I smelled it and it reminded me of a Sav Blanc but when I tasted it, I knew I'd found a new favorite. It had a salty savory aspect with more minerality than any white I'd had previously.

Andie was from Lexington and our other bartender, Heather, was newly arrived from the Nashville area. Heather was training behind the bar but seemed tres calm. At one point she asked us to wish her luck and I realized she was going to take an order. When she came back, I was a little surprised but delighted when J asked her where she was from specifically. It turned out they were from the same area and knew the same high schools and such. Great fun. When Stephen came and asked if we were eating, I said, "What am I having?" The cassoulet he responded immediately and then he tried to add in sweet breads but I insisted I was out on that. J selected a flatbread and when my giant bowl of white beans with pork and a small chicken leg came, I felt I'd got the better order. He admitted sheepishly he just didn't like beans and that was that.

I suggested we finish with a French brandy served in proper snifters and asked for a bottle of the Santorini to go home. It was full dark but comfortably warm walking to the car and J asked if I were up for one more on him. I suggested we go see Emily at Brooklyn and the Butcher. She made me a perfect drink in January and I'd been craving another ever since.

All the way to New Albany, J kept bringing up how much he enjoyed the two wine bars and how he hoped he and his wife could indulge in similar experiences when their children were older. He worried his wife didn't really like anything but sweet wine and was picky about that. I laughed and said D was exactly the same but she was game to hang out and recently started to appreciate ciders and frutied beers, and even some semi-sweet wines.

There were still plenty of cars parked on the street when we arrived at Brooklyn and the Butcher. I noticed there was no one at the hostess stand when we walked in but I breezed past into the bar. There were two women sitting at the bar and I was a bit disappointed when I realized the bartender wasn't Emily. I was even more so when she came over and apologized but said they'd closed already. I laughed and made a joke about the owner being an old man for closing so early then I realized who it was sitting at the bar. I asked, "Is that Emily sitting at the bar?" she said it was and I got up and walked over. We talked for ten minutes about my last visit and I asked her about her trip to Savannah. She kept apologizing for the bar being closed but I assured her I would be back. It was fine, we'd walk down to The Earl.

I got a bad vibe the minute we walked in. The bar was mostly full and there was only one bartender. He was wearing short shorts and took forever to get us a drink menu then never looked our way for the next five minutes. I suggested we go to Recbar nearby. There it was the same. The lone bartender, woman this time, was overwhelmed and though the bar was half empty she never looked our way before I lost patience.

Okay then. We were driving to my final option (so I thought) when I stopped at a light. J said, "Look at that! A cop is chasing that guy!" Sure enough through the sparse traffic I could see a black guy sprinting along the side of the normally busy road. His arms were pistoning up and down, his hands flattened into chopping motions like a track sprinter. Coming behind but steadily losing ground was a hefty police officer. He looked ridiculous and I can only imagine he might be thinking everyone watching thought he looked ridiculous. I wondered if he might pull his gun.

The light turned green then and I moved forward. That's when we spotted a car with the front passenger side crushed in where it had impacted the guardrail, on the opposite side of the road. There was a cop car with its lights flashing parked behind it. I couldn't see any activity around the cars as we drove past. About a half mile up the road we pulled into the parking lot of our 4th attempt to get a last drink. It was closed.

We laughed and decided we'd had enough fun. As we headed back towards the scene of the incident, sirens and flashing lights were suddenly all around us. I guess there was a manhunt. I weaved through parked cruisers while J counted eight more with lights flashing on side streets . Fifteen minutes later I dropped him off. He thanked me profusely but it nothing but what I like to do anyway.

20 mins later I pulled into the garage and for a second my heart did the little flutter it always does when I see D's car parked in its spot. Then I sighed remembering she wasn't home and wouldn't be for another week.

Just a Wednesday.

9 notes · View notes

theonetheycallhannah · 4 years

Text

The Treatment of Captain Syverson- Chapter 7: Non-Productive Time

Pairing: Captain “Sy” Syverson x OFC (Shane Benton)

Summary: On a slow afternoon, Shane remembers a couple of fun evenings with Sy, and can’t help but start texting him…he turns out to be a bad influence.

Don’t want spoilers? Click me first to catch up!

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: Language, mature themes, a steamy scene that bumps up against the line of smut/not smut…it looks like smuttish is, in fact, a thing, (see what I did there? Toss a high five to your fic writer for the paraphrased Witcher quote in these here notes! lol! Sorry, i’m tired...and in a weird mood tonight...) so, anyway, using that. I love it.

Author’s Note: This chapter was about half done before I even started SI1 and SI2! So that’s why it’s come along so quickly in the wake of them. It could also mean that there are some continuity issues…I found a couple during the re-write of the first part, and more when I was proofing, so it should be good, but…fair warning, one or more could have escaped me! Also, let me know if the text convo is hard to follow. I’ll try to reconfigure it to be more clear. It seemed to me like context was enough, and they’d had text convos before, and no one said anything…this one’s longer by about 300%, though, so…feedback and constructive criticism is always welcome and appreciated!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately for me, Henry is not mine, le sigh, and all mention of him, his characters, any characters from his films, or his precious doggy, Kal, are strictly for transformative and recreational use. I neither ask for, nor accept payment for the work I post on Tumblr or AO3. Unbeta’d because this is for fun and escapism.

Tags:

@onlyhenrys

@cavillryarchive

@summersong69

@titty-teetee

@bloodyinspiredfuck

@agniavateira

@oddsnendsfanfics

@omgkatinka

@thisismysecretthirstblog

@misslaland

@speakerforthedead0@tumblnewby

@suavechops

Hope I’m not forgetting anyone! If you want to be notified when I post a new chapter or work, I’ll be happy to add you to my tag list! Stricken blogs are getting personal messages from me when a new chapter is uploaded because Tumblr’s faulty tagging system will not stand in the way of me delivering what the people want!(?) lol! (Although…their lackadaisical notification system might…sorry for that. I have no control. lol!)

Time seemed to pass slowly when Shane wasn’t with Sy. When they weren’t having dinner together, or doing their typical date thing. She thought about their second date. One of the bars in town, chosen for its above average bar food but mostly, it’s pool tables. The warning he’d given her via text had made her laugh:

We’re goin’ to Cade’s for apps and pool, if that's okay. As gorgeous as you looked in that blue dress you wore last night, I recommend jeans and a T-shirt for tonight, okay?

She took his suggestion. A simple black tee, because she was a food klutz from hell, layered over a red camisole, and her favorite jeans. It showed off her dainty arrow necklace well.

While they played, they drank beer and talked about life, getting deeper into things than they could at therapy sessions.

“Dad split when I was about ten, I guess. Mom did her best with her only son, but she sent me to my grandpa’s a lot when she was working or just…needing her own time. He’d been an army man. Fought in Korea. His dad was in World War II. It felt like…I don’t know, this pull, like I was meant to join up.”

“Destiny?” She asked. A dreamy tone overtook him when he talked about his family and his now former career.

“I guess. Never though too much of all that before.”

They smiled at one another. Knowing.

“What was he like? Your grandpa?”

“Oh, Pap was the best. He was a mechanic in the service and so he could get anything hummin, ya know? We fixed up and built motors for all kinds a’ shit. My first car was a ‘67 Shelby Mustang with the fast back all because when I was about 14, he found most of one at a salvage yard and basically rescued it from the crusher. Got it for about nothin’. For two years we collected parts and did body work on that thing. And by the time I turned sixteen, it was the most beautiful, show-ready Kerry green machine you ever seen.”

“One of my favorite cars! I’d love to see pictures!”

“I’ve still got ‘er.” He grinned. “When Pap died, it got…hard for me to drive her, ya know? So…special occasions only now. And he left me his truck, which he’d just bought brand new while I was on my first tour. That F150 crew cab we came here in, with all the bells 'n whistles. I couldn’t let such a fine automobile go to waste.” He grinned.

“You’re such a gear head.” She chuckled.

“Hey, you may be glad about that when you need somebody to get your own motor humming.” He teased back at her, bending over the table to take his shot and sinking it deftly. He said they would only play for fun, but he was still winning this round…which she didn’t think was that fun.

“Okay, I deserved that.”

“The shot, or the innuendo?” He asked to clarify.

“Yes.” They laughed. He eventually did miss, making it her turn.

"Ya know, I'm disappointed in this date, Shane." He baited.

"How come?" she asked, a bit hurt.

"A guy only asks a girl to play pool with him so he can show her how to shoot…and you already know."

It was true. She'd played a lot growing up and even a bit as she got older. She and her siblings loved billiards. Her whole family, really. And although she was no professional, she wasn't half bad for an amateur.

"What do you mean?" she asked innocently, sizing up the table for her next shot, but knowing with a fair amount of certainty what he was implying.

"You know. I wanted to get all close to ya. Show ya how to grip that cue in your hand. How to stand, bent at the hip, where to eyeball your shot from." he smiled. "All that shit ya see in movies that makes the girl all nervous and excited that the guy's touchin' on her. Pressed up against her."

Shane grinned, picked up the small, blue cube of chalk and rolled the concave side over the tip of her cue…she had no need to do so, most people didn't, really…but she made herself look really sexy doing it and asked Sy, "Is that right? Well, I guess you'll have to find another way to get your cheap thrills, because this girl has been known to run a table." She bent over the green felt seductively, the angle at which she did so displaying her décolletage in his direction just enough to tantalize him into licking his lips. She took her shot at the 10 ball, but sunk the 8 instead, losing her the game…damn. She shouldn't have gotten cocky.

"Run it where, sunshine? Into the ground? Off a cliff?" he laughed as she stomped over and began to poke him mercilessly in the ribs.

"Come on, Minnesota Fats. Let's pay the tab and find something a little cozier to do."

"Oka--wait, did you just call me fat?" he was incredulous. She laughed.

"Oh my God, you thought YOU were gonna teach ME about billiards…Minnesota Fats is like the most famous pool player of ever. I am not calling you fat."

"You messin' with me?" he squinted.

"Sy, google it. I promise. I would never call you fat. You're… my sexy man bear."

"Technically a bear is a fat animal." he sulked.

"Why don't you tell that to one when it's chasing you down to make a meal of ya!" Shane laughed. "Come on. Remember? I think I mentioned something about… finding another way for you to get cheap thrills. Lets explore that, shall we?" she whispered into his ear. He dropped some bills on their table nearby to more than cover their food and beer, and they hauled ass into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had definitely been exploring. In the two weeks since they'd been given the green light to see each other outside of therapy--the day Sy basically handed Shane's boss her own ass--they'd spent most evenings with each other, unless Shane had a particularly late evening at work or an early day the next day. A few nights, they had been together so late, that just staying over seemed the most reasonable option. But they had both agreed to take things slowly with the physical stuff. It had been a long time since either of them had been in a relationship, and given their patient/therapist situation, waiting a while for the sex had seemed like a good idea…on paper. On the sofa had been a different story.

One day last week, she'd had to make an early night of things, and stood up from his couch, but was pulled back down to straddle his lap.

"Hold on a minute, sunshine. Why don't you gimme a proper goodbye before ya go, hmm?" he held her so close to him at every curve of their bodies, like the pieces of a puzzle snapping flush together. His kisses were deep and agonizing, his beard gently brushing her mouth, teasing her with its uncommon softness. She returned the ardor, squeezing him in every way she could.

She couldn't contain the desire pooling at her center, especially when he clearly couldn't contain his, either, straining against his shorts, pressing against her so deliciously, right where she needed him. She didn't hold back. And he was nothing if not encouraging to her endeavor.

"That feels so good, baby. You're so warm. Mmm." he whispered as he nipped at her ear and bit at her neck. She hadn't intended to, but she felt herself slipping over the edge, into pure euphoria and gripped at his hair, still rather short, though growing out from the mandated buzz. The length made him even more sensitive and when she ran her hands up his neck and over the back of his head, the result was like an electric current straight to his manhood. His body tensed as his release followed hers seconds later.

"Fuck." he said. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" she was truly confused.

"For losin' it like a teenager." he sighed and laid his head against the back of his couch in surrender…an unfamiliar sight, Shane was certain.

"Don't worry about it. I mean…it's not quite how I pictured our first time, but--"

"Oh, hell no. This doesn't count as a TIME, sunshine. This is batting practice. A warm up.”

"Ooh, you and your baseball references again. I told you, I need to leave, Sy. You can't get me worked up with that kinda dirty talk." she kissed his cheek, and stood. "Walk me out?"

He did. And they stood holding one another in the dark, leaned up against her Explorer, Sy's back against the door, Shane's cheek on his bare, hairy chest, and the turning of the earth all but forgotten.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She had to stop thinking about him. About their dates and the time they'd spent together. But her schedule had fallen apart for the day due to a nasty storm that had blown in, she had no more education to work on for now, and she could only clean and organize her treatment room and desk so thoroughly.

She guessed…the secretaries knew she was available if need be…and she was salaried…what was the harm in texting Sy? She'd stayed late and came in early and overworked herself in general so much for this clinic. She could justify a bit of downtime.

Hey! Whatcha doin?

Just did some exercises that my super hot PT gave me! *winky face emoji*

Uh-Oh, should I be jealous?

Mmm, hard to say, sunshine. I guess it'll depend on which one of you sleeps with me first. *devil emoji*

Smart money is on the one who’s already let you get to second base…and basically third, even though…does it count if it’s basically because of a dare. Induced by Jack Daniels?

I think it counts if you came…*smirk emoji*

Damn those skilled fingers and Tennessee whiskey.

What can I say. I told ya I knew how to get a motor humming. *cool guy emoji*

You certainly do. No doubt about that.

So how's your day goin', sunshine?

Eh, everyone's cancelled on me. I have no one until 4:00, and I have nothing to do until then. I've decided to see it as a blessing and text my favorite fella.

And when he didn't respond, you resorted to me? *smirk emoji*

Hey you know that you have no competition for my affection other than like, my dad…and Chris Evans. Lol

Your dad, I'm sure I couldn't compete with if I tried, from what you've told me. Chris…well, I'm a REAL captain, not some guy jumpin' around in tights.

Mmmm, shame. I bet you'd look good in a getup like that. *heart eyes emoji*

You think so?

Yup! *American flag emoji*

You wanna be my Black Widow?

I mean…I've already basically got a costume…*embarrassed monkey emoji*

*several lines of big eye emojis*

Yeah, a few Halloweens ago…I was Romanoff. Now you know. I'm a total nerd.

I'm a nerd, too, sunshine. Serious nerd.

How am I just finding out about this? There's next to no merch at your place, and you never wear typical nerd shirts…*skeptical face emoji*

You haven't seen my whole place…*wink emoji*

What, are you telling me you have Batman bedsheets? *lol emoji*

Oh, it's much…much worse than that. The bedroom is pretty neutral, but…I have a…kind of rec room in the basement that is basically nerd central.

Oh. Em. Gee. I can't WAIT to see that, Sy!!! And how dare you hold out on me!!!

Well, I mean, I didn't wanna lay out all my cards right off the bat. I'm playing the long game.

Ah, so, when do I get to see this nerd trap?

Come on over, sunshine. *smiley face*

I said, I've got a patient at 4:00.

Everyone's cancelled on you. Can't you cancel on them for once?

Not unless I'm violently ill do I ever have any patients cancelled on my behalf.

So…say you're violently ill and come see me. *shrugging man emoji*

I dunno, Sy…

I got stuff to make that soup you like…

She had made it clear to him how much she loved soup, especially a good creamy potato soup, and on one of their dates, he'd had her over and there was a big pot of the stuff on his stove, made from scratch. She'd never had better, and he almost got lucky that night…and I mean…he still got a little lucky. He cooked for her AND cleaned up, AND let her pick the movie that night. She still picked an action movie, because she wasn't really a romance movie type, overall. Even so. Could she leave him hanging?

She opened her thread with Heather in her messenger app on her laptop.

Heather, is there anyone who could take my last patient, Mr. Lopez?

Looks like Cheri has a cancel around that time. Need me to move him?

If you could. I'm not feeling well.

Are you pregnant?

Omg, every fucking time. Why when anything is amiss in a woman's life must it be pregnancy?! And why is it okay to ask that question?! Ugh! She loved Heather like a sister, and it probably was just a joke, but uuuuuugh!

Yes…yes I am. *eye roll emoji* I've got a killer headache that's making me queasy. I'll email Susan. Thanks.

You bet. Tell Sy I said hi. *wink emoji*

Shut up.

After a quick and concise email to her boss, she picked her phone back up. One unread message.

You there, sunshine?

She simply replied,

Get that soup ready, Captain, I'm on my way.

Up Next: Chapter Eight: Heat/Ice

#netflix sand castle #sand castle #henry cavill #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill x ofc #captain syverson #captain syverson fanfic #captain syverson x ofc #sigh for sy #smuttish #not full on smut

86 notes · View notes

kaiparker-avengerssmut · 4 years

Text

CURSED: CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Knocking on Heaven’s Door”

Kai Parker x OC!Mack Grace

Series synopsis: "We're both cursed, in a way."

We all know the story of Kai Parker, but he once lived in a very different life. Do you ever wonder what that life looked like?

Chapter summary: Kai realised he fucked, Mack isn’t so willing to forgive him, Joshua is a shading little shit

Warnings: swearing, slight violence, arguing, mention of drug use (or misuse I guess)

Masterlist | series Masterlist

Kai’s affection didn't last long, the second the announcement was over he released Mack's hand with such haste you'd think it'd burnt him. Kai was quick to ignore his girlfriend - looking straight ahead and following the Police with his eyes as they made their way out of the room - but not before announcing they would be questioning certain individuals.

This put Mack's stress on overdrive, knowing that they'd find out that she killed him and that Kai helped destroy the body and they'd both go to prison. The girl shuddered at the thought of the cold, dingy cells; the cool metal bars that would not doubt be lathered in a layer of thick rust; the grumpy, disgruntled guards; and lastly, the inmates - the ones who had done awful things, much more so than she had than her, or even worse, the ones she outdid.

Mack visibly shook, a chill tickling along her spine as the thoughts encased her mind in a state of anxiousness. She hardly noticed the police had left until the jabbing of the bell pierced her ears, bringing Mack back to her senses as she scrambled to her feet. What she'd also failed to notice was that Kai was no longer in the class, having snuck out when he'd let go of her shaking hand.

...

"Who the fuck are you?" Kai hissed, approaching Shawn, shoulders squared and jaw locked. Shawn smirked, leaning away from the wall and closing the distance between them. Both boys were around the same height - neither of them having an advantage of dominance due to being tall.

"None of your damn business." He smirked, winding Kai up even further.

"Oh, you're right - it's none of my damn business that your asking my girlfriend to kiss you in front of me, is it?" Kai mused, a sinister looking smirk reaching his own lips. Shane's didn't falter either.

"Mmm, girlfriend? She looked more like a slut to me." Shawn pondered and Kai's jaw clenched uncomfortably, hands balling into tight fists at his sides.

"What did you just call her?" Kai spat through gritted teeth and Shawn chuckled, looking back at the group of friends stood behind him with amused expressions.

"What? That's what she is, isn't it? I mean you only called her your girlfriend when you pissed off your sister so bad and her ex went missing." Shawn smirked, his friends laughing and egging him on with cheers. "I bet she's the one who killed him, right? Then ever the hero you swoop in, claiming to be her boyfriend so any motive she may hold becomes futile." Shawn declared, before turning back to his friends with outstretched arms. "Am I right, boys?" He called loudly, met with hoots of agreement that made Kai's anger bubble, their laughter creating a scowl on Kai's brows.

"I mean, nice catch though dude - a bet she's a real freak in bed, probably hard to keep up with her, huh?" Shawn taunted.

Shawn only stopped at the impact of Kai's fist colliding with his jaw, snapping the boy's head to the side as Kai's ring caught the soft skin of his cheek, a slither of crimson breaking the surface. Shawn's jaw clenched tight lung, his thumb swiping the blood from his cheek as his dangerous glare met Kai's.

"You son of a fucking bitch!" Shawn growled, grabbing Kai by his jacket and shoving him into the wall behind him. "Don't you dare fucking touch me again!"

"Or you'll what?" Kai smirked, Shawn's nostrils now flared and his breathing heavy. He was clearly bothered by how unaffected Kai was, this frustration showing clearly when he moved to punch Kai.

But Kai got there first.

No one was really sure how I'd happened, including Kai, but next thing either of them new a teacher was peeling Kai off of Shawn as he straddled the boy, landing punch after punch to his bartered and bruised face.

...

And yet weeks went by and neither Mack nor Kai said a word to each other.

Awkward silences became more awkward, uncomfortable moments became more uncomfortable, wistful gazes became more wistful.

It was getting too much, and Mack was dying for Kai just to say something to her, yet she was too stubborn to say anything first. She sighed heavily, slamming the front door behind her and dumping her bag on the floor. Mack quickly chucked the car keys onto the table before walking into the kitchen for a glass of water. For the past month Mack has been borrowing her dad's car to get to school.

"Hey dad!" She called and Ian soon walked round the corner, joining her in the kitchen.

"Hey, kiddo." He smiled, "how was school?" But before Mack got a chance to answer Kim called from the other room.

"Mack! Kai's here!" The colour instantly drained from Mack's face, her smile falling and her thought spiralling into dread.

Why was Kai there? And why had he now decided to talk to her?

Mack quickly shook off the thoughts, pulling on a hard stare and calling as emotionlessly as she could to Kim,

"I don't want to talk to him. Tell him to leave!" Kim merely shrugged, giving Kai a half-ass apologetic look before letting the slab of wood slam shut in his face, the tiny draft the force created combined with the monotone drawl of Mack's words felt like it hit Kai's face almost as hard as if the girl had charged outside and slapped him across the face herself. He took a deep swallow, choking down the lump in his throat as he stared blankly at the door, fist twitching as he tried to make up his mind.

Another hollow knock on the door. Kim's hand still remained on the handle, so she simply yanked it open before giving Kai a bored look, Amber eyes rolling dramatically.

"Look, lover boy, give it a rest. She doesn't want to talk to you." Mack's sister deadpanned, before letting the door smack shut with an even louder thud than the first time. Kai took a deep breath, his chest rising greatly as he rose his hand another time.

Another hollow knock on the door. Kim scoffed, turning to open the door once again - figuring it could be another person as the pause between knocks had been much longer this time. The second Kai's face met hers Kim huffed out an exasperated sigh, not even bothering to speak before letting the door close dully in Kai's face. A wince escaped him when the last thud met his ears, shoulders slumped as he slowly made his way back to his jeep.

He'd just have to wait Mack out.

10pm. Perfect. Kai claimed out his car hastily, limbs aching after being cooped in his jeep for the last five or so hours. He crept as quietly as possible past her front windows, letting out a small sigh of relief when he noticed that the curtains were already closed so he wasn't in trouble of being seen. Only one light beacons out from the house, the yellow hue of Mack's lamp echoing into the crisp night air. Even though it was already February, the weather was still as harsh as it had been throughout the bitter January.

Kai grabbed onto the bricks, suddenly much more appreciative to the fact he had a small magical boost as he scaled the side of the small building.

Mack nearly jumped three foot in the air, her heart beating so fast she thought it jump out of her chest. The unexpected, unwelcome and unnecessary rattle of Kai's knuckles against her old window bounced off her bedroom walks, filling her ears with anxiety as she turned to see her ex-boyfriend's concerned face looking into her room. Mack inhaled sharply, biting her lips to hold back her grimace as she realised what he'd seen.

The window climbed upwards, Kai's hands sliding the glass up enough to stumble through until he was awkwardly stood in Mack's room, both teens staring at each other uncomfortably.

"That's how you've been coping?" Mack's gaze dropped to her bed, guilt washing over her at the sight of the half-rolled joint. "Weed? Really?" Kai scoffed and Mack's guilt soon rolled into anger, rage.

"That's none of your business." She said with an unturned nose, scooping the mess into a bag and shoving it in the little drawer in her desk which held a small lock. The sound Kai made resembled one of mocking laughter, short and bitter.

"None of my business, huh? I think you doing drugs is damn well my fucking business!" Kai demanded, shaking his head at her in disbelief.

"It stopped being your business the second you decided to dump me!" Mack was raising her voice now, her enmity melting into her face in a deep red hue. Kai's jaw clenched and unclenched, his eyes burning holes through the little wooden drawer shed just stuffed the weed into.

"That was a mistake." He muttered and Mack's eyes lit up with fury.

"A mistake? Kai you've made hundreds of mistakes!" Mack said harshly, voice cracking. Kai wiped his hand over his jaw, hiding his pout. "No. That wasn't a mistake, Kai. That was your shitty past making you doubt me as much as you doubt your shitty father and your shitty coven!" Mack shouted, eyes shellacked with tears.

And awkward silence fell over them, but Kai's stung expression told Mack everything she needed to know.

"Kenz..."

"Why are you here, Kai?!" Mack spat.

"Ben, he's uh- he's been confirmed dead." Kai murmured meekly, pressing his lips together. Mack's eyes were as wide as saucers.

"What?!" She whispered-shouted. Kai nodded.

"The police- they confirmed it, earlier. It was on the news." A somber mood had undertaken the room, a mutual air of what-do-we-do-now becoming the two teens.

"How-?"

"They found the ashes in the woods. And Kim talked." Kai admitted and Mack's face quickly morphed back into one of acrimony.

"That bitch-" Kai's hand quickly caught her wrist, pulling Mack back into him before she could get any further. He quickly backed her up into the door, a finger hovering over her lips.

"Shhhh. I have a sneaking suspicion that your name wouldn't have come up." He whispered calmly, but the fear and anger in his blue eyes were evident.

"What are you going to do?" She asked, a hint of concern creeping into her eyes.

"Well, I was thinking we could run away. You and me." Kai suggested, a hopeful glint to his voice that made Mack scoff.

"You haven't spoken to me in weeks," she emphasised the word heavily, "and you just expect me to run away with you? Not a chance." Mack dismissed, pulling away from Kai and quickly slipping out of her room - feet padding down the stairs swiftly. But Kai's heavy footsteps could be heard behind her.

"Come on, Kenz, you know you want to-" at that Mack turned harshly on her heal to face him

"What makes you think I'd want to go anywhere with you?" She hissed and Kai was taken aback.

"I thought you loved me.." he mumbled and Mack rolled her eyes, but really she was only trying to hide the siege of tears persisting at her bottom eyelids. She continued her path out, pulling the front door open harshly. "Where are you going?" Kai called, before coming to a stop a few feet behind Mack outside the small house.

"I'm just asking myself, why do I," Mack took a pause, inhaling a deep breath, "pick people who treat me like...nothing..." she exhaled deeply, turning around to face him and Kai's bottom lip began to quiver. Tears pooled in his deep blue eyes and he shook his head slightly.

"That's not true." He murmured, head still shaking as Mack kept her eyes trained to the floor. She gave him no response.

Kai's lips smashed to hers, his hands cupping her face and his eyes closed. Mack balled her fists by her sides, trying with all her strength to not kiss back. She finally pulled away, her hand making a hard connection with Kai's cheek.

"No! You don't get to do that, Kai!" She screamed, tears running down Mack's red cheeks. "You don't get to screw everything up and expect to kiss me and make it better!" The tears stung his eyes too now, an expression of sadness over coming him.

"I'm sorry." The words were mumbled, directed at the floor.

"Sorry?! You thought so little of me that I'd throw away what we had for some - some guy I'd just met! I can't be with you if all you can do is think of me as some lying, manipulative bitch like you do you coven! I can't, Kai. God, I can't believe I actually fell in love with someone as- as immature as you!" Mack seethed, but Kai was crying silently now, shaking his head no as she spoke even though deep down he knew every word she spoke was true.

"Please don't leave me." Kai begged, his desperation lacing his deep blue eyes with a rim of sadness, eyes finally making contact with Mack's. "Please, Kenz, I can't live without you."

"Kenz? Oh we are so not at nicknames right now Malachai." Mack spat out his name like is tasted bad, as if the word held a lingering bitter taste on her tongue. It stung Kai, Mack using his full name.

"I love you." Was all Kai suggested and Mack let out a heavy sigh through her tears.

"If you truly loved me, you would have trusted me. I can't be with someone who I have to tread on eggshells around, Kai. I can't do that." Mack cried, biting down on her lower lip to hide a sob. She looked at her feet, then back up again and put on a brave face as her eyes bored into Kai's blue orbs. "We're done." She whispered and Kai's eyes widened.

"No..." he muttered, shaking his head slowly in protest as Mack sorrowfully nodded.

"Yes, we're done. For good. I'm sorry." Mack said authoritatively, wiping the tears away quickly before turning back around and walking over to her dad's car.

"Kenz!" He shouted after her, but Mack pretended to ignore him - a new wave of tears threatening to drip down her chin now. The lights on the car flashed orange, the button on the keys clicked and the door now open. Mack slipped in, seating herself in the car and pushing the keys into the ignition, starting the car with a small sob.

As Mack attempted to shut the door, a strong hand caught it, Kai's wrecked face looking down at her with a pleading beg.

"Please don't leave, don't you get it? I love you Kenz." Kai begged. Mack shook her head.

"Let me go, Kai." He shook his head back, pressing his lips together to stop himself choking over a sob.

"I can't."

"And you've lost the right to call me anything but Mackenzie." She whispered, finally out manning Kai and slamming the door shut, not even hesitating before driving off.

...

The words buzzed through Mack's mind, her eyes trained on the road ahead of her as she desperately drove further away from home. She couldn't put her family through this, not right now, couldn't face him. She had to get away, go somewhere to think.

Mack tapped her foot restlessly, chewing on her bottom lips as she drove down the secluded road. As she approached a corner, she turned around it to see a car parked up at the side of the road, lights flashing.

As she drove closer, she realised it was Kai's father's car, so she made to pull over. Even thought she was avoiding Kai, Joshua hadn't done anything wrong and he could be in serious trouble. Once parked at the side of the road, Mack quickly climbed out her car, locking it behind her and walking over to Joshua - who was stood by his tyre, bent down to examine it.

"Hey, Mr Parker!" She called, arms crossed over her chest, and he looked up.

"Ah, Mackenzie! What are you doing out here alone?" He asked with a small frown.

"Well I was just driving to clear my head and I saw your car...are you okay? Do you need help?" She asked worriedly, stepping back slightly as Joshua rose to stand.

"Actually," he spoke rather menacingly, "there is something you could help with." He continued walking until Mack was backed into a tree and she let out a sharp gasp. Joshua raised his hand. "Phasmatos Somnus!" he spoke, and Mack's body fell limp, eyes closed as she fell unconscious.

19 notes · View notes

acdeaky · 4 years

Text

are you ready for love?

warning: fluff, alcohol consumption, strong language, slight angst?

note: congrats on 4k followers @writingfortoomanyfandoms ! i began writing this and then fell out of love with it, but i (finally) figured out the ending and fell back in love! enjoy!

word count: 4.5k

black lives matter

“what I'm saying is - and this is not a come on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way!” dan spoke, a little too loudly for the restaurant the group was in, trying to voice his (very out-of-date) opinion above the rest of the group. he was met with a lot of voices arguing he was wrong, and a fry from shane’s plate. “what?” he practically whined.

“just because you want to shag any girl you're friends with, and who doesn't have a boyfriend, doesn't mean that every guy is the same!” harry perked up, practically punching dan in the arm after his comment.

“it so means every guy is the same,” dan argued, looking over at you. “you and ben are only close because he wants to get in your pants.”

“why did we let him join?” you asked everyone else, basically pretending that dan wasn't sat a few seats away from you.

“because he's my brother and has no other friends.” erin replied from next to you, a hand resting on your thigh which was pressed against her’s.

“that is not true.”

“oh, dan, sweetie, it is.” erin just smiled sarcastically at her brother, her eyes showing faux sympathy.

“you all know i’m right, but you don't want to say it,” another chorus of disagreement came from the group, as did another fry from shane’s plate. “mate, would you stop that?” shane just shook his head, wrapping his arm around the back of renee’s chair and lightly brushed his fingers against your shoulder. next to ben, you were definitely closest to shane with him being like a big brother to you.

somehow, the rest of the meal went without a hitch. dan quieted down with the unpopular opinions and everyone else enjoyed each other’s company as they finished their meals and had a few drinks afterwards. shane and renee were the first ones to leave. both of them had had long days at work, but made it out for the meal, and were now more than ready to collapse into their bed. harry and erin were next. as they paid their part and begun to leave, they dragged dan out with them, keeping him from saying something inappropriate to you and/or lucy.

after those three left, you and lucy stayed a little longer. it had been a while since the two of you had hung out together alone, and a catchup with definitely needed.

“so what’s the real reason ben didn’t come tonight? he's definitely not ill else you would be there nursing him back to health.” she teased, giving you a light prod to your side.

“he didn't want to have to deal with comments from dan,” you stated plainly. “and i’m glad ben didn’t come else he would have had to deal with exactly what he didn't want to deal with.”

“yeh, that's fair. maybe we should stop inviting dan to these things.”

“maybe,” you both giggled, thinking of how much more civilised somethings would be without him. “that's too mean, though. erin would not be happy.”

“she most definitely wouldn't be, but dan’s a dickhead.”

“oh, yeh.” the two of you sat gigging for a little longer, the few drinks the both of you had had making their way completely into your system. after chatting for a little longer (and realising you should both definitely go home), you paid the rest of the bill and left, still chatting as you got into your car, travelling back to your same apartment building.

the ride home wasn't long. luckily, the group had mutually decided on a restaurant that was close to both of your apartments, meaning it only took about ten minutes to get home. the traffic was light and it seemed that every light turned green just in time for you. sooner than you knew, you were heading out of the garage of the apartment building, heading towards the lift and pressing the ninth floor button for lucy and the tenth floor button for you. as you reached her floor, you shared a slightly emotional goodbye with each other. it took exactly 23 seconds to get from the lift to your apartment (you had counted many times) and as you swung the door open, there was ben, sat idly on your sofa with his feet up and netflix playing on the TV.

“hello, wanderer.” he teased as he heard you pull off your shoes and collapse onto the sofa next to him. “did you have fun? was dan a dick?”

“when is dan not a dick?” you only replied, pulling your knees closer to your chest as you turned your body into ben’s. one of his hands lifted off of his thigh for you to do so, landing back down on your knee.

“that's true. what did he say this time?”

“that men and women can't be friends because the sex part gets in the way.”

“well that's not true, look at us!” ben said, his eyes quickly flitting to you and then straight back to the TV.

“yeh, look at us.”

“you are woman, i am man. we no sex.” he spoke in a deeper voice, making you giggle at his ridiculous impression of a caveman.

“i’m just glad you weren't there; another comment from him would have sent your fist through his face.”

“oh, yeh. but erin would not have been happy.”

“she most definitely wouldn't be.” you giggled again, thinking back to the conversation you had had with lucy. “i’m actually so tired, i think i’m just calling it a night. you stay as long as you like” as you got up, you pointed to ben, giving him a look which said ‘keep it down’ which he replied with a salute. you gave the other a quiet ‘night’ before placing a kiss on his cheek and dragging your feet to your bedroom.

as you got ready for bed, you couldnt help but think back to what dan had said. if you told erin and lucy (or even ben) that you were contemplating his words, they would have told you to stop and say that ‘dan was just being dan. he didn't mean it’. you just couldn’t help thinking about whether it was true. of course, you were close to shane and harry, but they both had girlfriends, they definitely wouldn't want anything to do with what’s in your pants. but you were also close to ben, and he didn't have a girlfriend. the only explanation for you two being close was that he wanted what was in your pants, not in your head nor your heart.

it pained you to think of that; ben being here only to try it on. of course, ben was attractive and had sex appeal, but he was also your best friend and you weren't about to jump in to bed with him at the first chance. you have never, and will never, go about relationships like that. to you, it was unbelievable how much you let dan’s comment cloud your mind, yet you almost hoped there was some truth to it.

only a wall away, ben was sat thinking the exact same thing. the show he was binging was still playing in the background, but in the forefront of his mind was dan’s comment. ben knew men and women could be friends without sex getting involved; he had those relationships with all the girls in the group, except her. although he wouldn't openly admit it to anyone, he had developed feelings, but didn't want to ruin what the two had by trying it on with her. so ben sat back and tried to let his feelings settle. that instantly failed when he continued to hang out with her almost everyday and talk to her everyday. it didn't take him long to realise he was in love.

ben didn't stay for much longer; his eyes were being to strain to properly see the TV and dan's comment was still lingering in his thoughts. he quietly turned off the TV and left the room, practically tiptoeing past your room as he entered the guest room (which was almost his considering how often he slept in it). all he did was slip out of his jeans, jumper and socks, leaving on his boxers and slid into bed. just like you, it didn't take him long to fall asleep, soon drifting off nestled within the comfy sheets and only imagining what it would be like to hold you in his arms.

in the morning, ben woke up before you (like usual) and set himself the task of making breakfast. he knew you'd be hungry this morning and, as soon as he got out of bed and put on a pair of shorts, he made his way into the kitchen and began making his famous pancakes. it didn't take long for you to wake up nor did it take long for you to smell the pancakes.

“morning, chef.” you smiled lazily as you walked into the kitchen.

“morning to you, too.” like usual in a morning, ben was clad in some shorts and a plain t-shirt as he stood in front of the hob. the teapot had already been filled and there was a half empty cup stood on the side next to the hob. “sleep well?”

“yeh, i guess.” ‘don't tell him’ you thought to yourself. “i just couldn't stop thinking about dan's comment last night.”

“love, i've told you before to take no notice of him-”

“no, ben, he said something else last night. not just the men and women and sex thing.”

“well, what else did he say?” he asked, less annoyed this time, switching off the ring and giving you his full attention.

“he said that you and i are only close because you want to get into my pants.” although he asked you to tell him (and you would have told him anyway), you couldn’t help but feel ashamed at telling ben. you knew he would be mad that you let something dan said cloud your judgement about him, but you also knew that he would deny it. you wished he wouldn’t.

“you know that’s not true, right?” there it was. “you know i would never do that to you, or anyone for that matter. don’t let him get into your head; he’s a dick.”

“yeh, course.” you mumbled as ben turned back to the pan, flipping out the pancake onto a plate. as both of you ate, you sat talking about anything and everything. you were content just being here with ben, and yet you still couldn’t get those thoughts out of your head.

to ben, all you would be is his best friend; he made that perfectly clear last night and this morning. to you, your feelings would always be there, making it unfair on anyone else you dated. your heart was wrapped around ben indefinitely.

after breakfast was finished and the kitchen was tidy, you said your goodbyes to ben (even though you don’t normally kick him out this early), making up a lie about finishing off some things for work. what you really wanted to do was talk to erin and lucy; you needed to empty your head to someone.

“hey, you guys are okay to chat, right?” you asked as soon as the facetime connected to the both of them.

“yeh, of course!” “i’ve got my wine, i’m ready.” they both replied, supportive smiles already on their faces.

“okay, i’m sorry i’m bringing this up again, but i’m still thinking about dan’s comment last night.”

“which one?” erin giggled, taking a sip of her wine.

“the one about ben only being close to me because he wants to get in my pants.”

“that’s not true.”

“it’s true.”

“what?” you and erin asked lucy, who sat with a slight smirk on her face.

“ben does want to get into your pants, but not as a one time fling or being friends with benefits, he really likes you.”

“he does?”

“yeh,” both you and erin looked at each other, pure shock coming over your face and slight shock on erin’s. “he got drunk with the lads one night and came to my place instead of yours-”

“makes sense,” erin perked up, taking another sip of her wine. “your apartment is literally a floor below Y/N’s.”

“exactly; he miscounted the floor numbers and came to my door. he kept on apologising so i let him in and he just ranted about dan saying stupid things again about the two of you. then he spilt his feelings and almost broke down asking me not to say anything. i told him he should go to your place and tell you himself. he said he would and i assumed he did, but obviously-”

“he didn’t. that night he came up to my apartment and basically passed out on the sofa. i pulled his shoes off and left him a glass of water and some painkillers for the morning. that was it; he didn't really say anything at all until the next morning.” you frowned, thinking at how literally minutes before ben stumbled into your apartment, he'd stumbled out of lucy’s.

“wow, well i knew benny boy had feelings, but i didn’t know he did that.” erin said, turning and making sure harry hadn't heard any of that conversation.

“no one knew, i kept ben’s drunk escapade a secret. he couldn’t even remember it happening.” after that, all three of you were slightly stunned into silence. it was a minute before anyone spoke.

“what are you gonna do?” erin’s voice was small, something that isn't normal for her. her wine glass had been discarded (though half empty) and she and lucy were both looking at you. you knew your face hadn't change. even without looking at your screen, you knew the only look on your face was disbelief.

“i-i don't know.”

“surely you're gonna do something?” lucy gasped.

“and say what to him? ‘hey, ben. i've just been chatting to our good friend lucy and it turns out you drunkenly told her about your feelings for me’. i’m not good with confrontation!”

“and that's why you two will never be together!” erin chuckled, shaking her head at you.

“what do you mean?

“i mean, you're scared of confrontation and ben will never admit his feelings for you because he's scared you’ll reject him.”

“but i wouldn’t-”

“he doesn’t know that.” she was right. ben doesn’t know what you're thinking, and you don't know what he's thinking. right now, the only way to get over the situation is if you say something. yet, you couldn't help but think that ben’s drunken confession was just that: drunken and stupid.

“i need some time to think, girls.”

“okay.”

“just keep us in the loop, yeh?” lucy asked, pity absolutely drowning her face.

“will do, bye.” you waved as did lucy and erin, saying their own goodbyes before you ended the call.

this had changed everything. of course it had. you definitely didn't feel the same way you did before the call, and you definitely didn't feel the same way about ben as you did before the call. you couldn’t help but think if this had changed things, if this had given you the confidence to finally tell ben about how you feel.

it was something to sleep on, something to cloud your thoughts for another night.

but you didn’t get the chance to do that. before you had even managed to settle down for the night, there was a loud, and brash, knock at your door. the thought of ignoring them crossed your mind, hoping it would be a drunken fool who had stumbled across the wrong apartment.

yet, no matter how long you stayed laying on your back, staring at the blank canvas of your ceiling, the knocking did not cease. with a grumble, you made your way through your apartment and towards the front door, not bothering to switch on any of the lights on your way.

as soon as your door was open, whoever was on the other side flung themselves inside, stumbling as they attempted to pull off their shoes. you couldn’t even see who the person was, the low light of the hallway doing little to help you figure out who the intruder was.

and, just as you were about to speak up, the person spoke - though it was more of a grumble - and said, “luce, i’m sorry for doin’ this again.” ben. his voice was slurred and his actions were full of haste. the way he threw his shoes to the side and his jacket on to the floor made you realise he truly thought he was on the floor below; everywhere he was throwing things were where lucy had furniture.

then you realised something else; it was happening again. that night lucy had told you about, with ben drinking with the lads, had happened again. though, you weren’t sure if he was drinking alone or not, but whatever had happened to ben had made him feel the need to see lucy, before anything.

“i know it’s prob’ly late, but i can’t stop thinking about her and you’re the only person who knows how i feel.” came ben’s mumbling voice again. he sounded weak, vulnerable, something you’d never heard in any tone of his voice before. well, there were some exceptions, but this voice, this tone, was something else. and it scared you.

but you stayed quiet, waiting for ben to either say something again or... something else to happen, like a meteor hitting the earth, to save the both of you from this conversation.

“fuck, you moved things around in here?” he grumbled, walking around to find something to grip onto or sit on.

your head was screaming to say something, to reply and end whatever this was, yet your heart was screaming to save yourself the heartache (from what, you didn’t know).

it wasn’t until ben managed to find a lightswitch that your heart began to race even faster than before. you were met with his disheveled look, his boots haphazardly pulled off and scattered across your floor and his jacket thrown carelessly across the wood of your dining table mismatched his reddening eyes and mess of his hair.

and, as if time was frozen, ben stood against the wall of your apartment, his eyes as wide as ever and his heart thumping against the case of his chest. you were no better; at least you knew who had stumbled into your apartment, but ben was in shock. because it was you. of course it was you, who else could make ben’s heart beat as fast as you could?

which is why ben stood still, acting as if he stayed deadly still, the predator before him would ignore his very existence. but the elephant was in the room, and you could not ignore the existence of that.

“ben,” you whispered, your voice stretching out to fill the gap between your bodies. instead, it died upon it’s journey, failing to reach the only person who mattered to you at that minute. “ben, it’s okay: i know.”

that didn’t settle his nerves. the only things those two words did was set his heart racing faster and he felt like his world was collapsing in on himself.

“no,” he shook his head, finally pulling his eyes away from your glance, turning his back towards you as his hands made his hair even more of a mess. “no, it’s not okay.”

but it was. it was more than okay because somewhere between ben stumbling through your door and this moment right now, you had found the courage to tell him that you knew, that you felt the same, this it was okay.

taking advantage of his back facing you, you stepped over to him carefully. at first, you were unsure of your movements, letting your hands linger in the air just above ben’s back before you took the final step and pressed them against his t-shirt-covered skin. the muscles in his back tensed and tightened, but he quickly let the warmth and welcoming feeling of you relax him.

only then did you become more confident, letting your hands move lightly over his back, mapping every bump and dimple they found. you ventured down to ben’s hips, covering the skin of his sides before settling around his front on his stomach.

“it’s okay, ben.” you said once again, your voice falling into a quiet whisper next to the shell of his ear as your chin rested on his shoulder. both of hands met yours. they were warm and fit comfortably between yours, something you had always imagined.

“how do you know?” he tested the waters, only letting his voice be loud enough for you to hear, like this was your little secret. you weren’t sure if ben was asking how you knew how he felt or how things would be okay, but you chose the former.

“lucy told me,” you replied in an equal tone, moving your head from his shoulder to press against his back, just between his shoulder blades. “she told me about that night you went to her apartment after you had been out with the boys: she told me how you felt about me.”

“and?” he said soon after, not wanting to wait any longer for a response that could change his life.

“ben, you mean the world to me, and i was always afraid that if we began a relationship, it could ruin our friendship. but i’m not afraid of that anymore, and i just want what i want: you.”

ben had never felt so sober. he had begun the night alone and, somehow, ended it in your arms; one of the places he didn’t think he’d be for a while.

his thumb began tracing small circles on the back of your hand, letting himself know that this was real and this was happening. it also grounded you. it gave you something to focus on when you needed it. but you didn’t want it to be that; you wanted it to be something that happens regularly and often. now, that might happen.

reluctantly, you pulled your hands from his, taking your arms away from his body as you circled around him. once his face met yours, neither of you could hold in the tiny smile which threatened to appear at the corner of your lips. god, you could only imagine what his lips felt like, what they tasted like. and you imagined that they felt like silk.

your hands quickly found purchase on ben’s body once again. this time, you traced the outline of his face, allowing yourself to take your time as you moved along his jawline. as one hand did that, the other tangled it’s fingers into the hair on the nape of his neck - something that he was growing out for a role, but you enjoyed it regardless.

ben was so overwhelmed, the only place he could find to anchor himself to you were your hips. he squeezed and pressed the skin lightly, wanting to live in the moment as much as he could, just in case you slipped through his fingertips, like silk does.

you can’t help but notice that you’ve never seen him like this before, so vulnerable and open to you and your touch. of course, you had touched each other before, but not with the softness and meaning like now.

“i want you, too,” ben finally whispered, never letting his gaze falter from you. his hands seemed to grip your hips a little harder as your hands slid down from his head and onto his shoulders. “that’s all i’ve wanted since i met you.”

just then, you pushed yourself onto the balls of your feet, managing to slightly close the gap between you and ben as his head bowed lower, too. your lips met like a perfect melody, so soft and gentle and better than you could have ever imagined.

slowly, and once again, your hands traced their way up ben’s skin, circling around his neck before toying with those little hairs you had suddenly become so fond of. and, as a response, ben’s hands shifted from your hips to your lower back quicker than you could register, pushing and pulling your body flush with his own.

his hands were warm and big and better than you could have imagined. they were strong, keeping the two of you together in perfect harmony as you explored the other’s touch after so, so long.

but, then ben pulled away, keeping you pressed against his chest while looking down at you, your lips swollen and red and, god, so beautiful. he only smiled, pulling away to grab your hand a second later.

he was your personal guide through your home, taking you towards your bedroom (only after turning off the light he switched on earlier). as soon as you got in the room, ben let you go, turning to close the door as you stood waiting for him; you almost felt like a stranger, standing there in your own room with no feeling of anything but ben.

once the door clicked shut, he turned his attention back to you. while he walked forward, you stumbled backwards, only stopping when the back of your knees hit the side of your bed.

“get in,” he spoke gently, pressing a light kiss to your forehead. “i’ll be there in a second.” and so you did. since you were already about to settle down for the night when ben knocked on the door, you just sat underneath the covers again.

seeing the cast of ben’s shadow on your walls from the beaming moon was a sight you knew you would never tire of. the way he moved gracefully as he pulled off his shirt and jeans, leaving on only his boxers and turning back to you.

he was a ghost striding towards you. a vision as his body drifted towards you, so bright and beautiful under the moon, so quiet as he slipped under the covers to lay next to you; his arms open and welcoming.

so you accepted, letting yourself have this, this moment, with ben. you found yourself tucked into his side, one arm dragged across his torso with your head on his chest. his left arm wrapped itself around your shoulders, his right arm laying adjacent to yours, letting your fingertips touch and ghost along one another.

you stayed there, for a minute or two, just getting used to each other’s rise and fall of your chests and the dips and bumps of each other’s skin. neither of you had felt more at peace than in that moment.

and as you lay there in ben’s arms, the steady beating in his heart right below your ear and finally feeling content, you knew that you were ready for love.

TAGLIST: @shes-over-bored @i-barely-go-on-online @sohoneyspreadyourwings @brian-maybe-not @deakysbabybooty @1001-yellow-daffodils @retromusicsalad @hardcoredisneynerd @painkiller80 @leatherjacketmazzello @scarecrowmax @mebeatlized @seesiderendezvous @alright-mrfahrenheit @someone-get-a-medic @miamideacon @chlobo6 @teenagepeterpan @spacedustmazzello @deakysgurl @forever-rogue @xcdelilahxc @keepsdrawings @igotsuckedintothevoid @kill4hqueen @supersonicfreddie @laedymoon @inthedayswhenlandswerefew @warriorteam1924 @painandpleasure86 @boomerangbassist @mamaskillerqueen @bhxrdy

#Courts4KWritingChallenge #ben hardy #ben hardy x reader #ben hardy fanfiction #ben hardy imagine #bohemian rhapsody #ben jones #x reader #acdeaky

56 notes · View notes

addictofsupernatural · 5 years

Text

Emotions (pt. 9)

Billy Hargrove x reader

Summary: Y/n and Billy have the day to themselves, or so they think.

Word Count: 1376

Chapter 1 • Ch. Masterlist • Chapter 10

You both drove through a forest, where you stopped at a lake. The whole place was beautiful, and there was a perfect breeze passing by. "This is really pretty, but what about the pool?" You asked. You felt his anxious feelings begining to grow, and clarified. "Not that I don't like this. I like the fact that it's just the two of us. I'm just curious."

"I didn't want anybody to bug us. Especially not Heather. She's working right now."

You nodded contently. "But I didn't bring a bathing suit."

Billy chuckled and took off his shirt. "So?" You smiled and shook your head, but followed his lead. You took off your shirt and jeans, leaving you in your panties and bra. "You sure you wanna stop there?"

You giggled. "What if someone passes by? My body's only for you to see."

He grinned, pulling your waist to give you a kiss. "How are you so good at having me cave in to you?"

You shrugged. "I just have that effect on you." He tried to kiss you, but you dodged the kiss and ran away from him, jumping in the water and him following after. "Yup. I just have that effect."

He then kissed you. "Yes you do."

You both swam and played water games with each other until you were hungry for some lunch. As you got out of the water to change back, you left your shirt off and shook the water out of your hair. "You trying to get me turned on doll?" Billy asked as you combed your hair with your fingers.

"Nope. You just get turned on easily babe."

"And there it is again. You know calling babe makes me turned on." You shook your head and giggled, walking to the car.

You went to a drive-thru and ate in the car together. Afterwards you put your shirt back on and walked over to these stones on an empty hiking trail, where you both laid down and snuggled up together, talking about each other. You two had this thing where you'd learn more tiny preferences about each other. "Umm, hostess." You said.

"Easy. Twinkies."

"I prefer those cupcakes." You said before kissing his neck gently. "I didn't know you were so vanilla."

He chuckled. "Trust me sweetheart, I ain't always so vanilla."

He tried to kiss you, but you sat up, dodging him. "Whatever you say babe. Where to next?"

"Come here." He tried to grab you, but you got off the rock. He gave you a wicked smile before getting off as well and began to chase you. You were both laughing as you did your best to run from him, but you both knew that he was better built than you. You tried running to the car and locking yourself in, but Billy shut the door and turned you around, pressing you against the car and giving you a hot kiss. "You need to stop getting me so riled up sweetheart."

"You need to stop making it so easy." You smiled.

"Car, now." There was no sort of negative connotation to his voice, only excitement.

You got in the passenger's seat. "Billy, we're not have sex in a parking lot–" He cut you off with a kiss, gently taking your bottom lip between his teeth before releasing it.

"Nobody said anything about a parking lot." You two then drove back to the forest and got into the backseat, where you both had a really fun time.

Later on he took you back to your house while you wore in his leather jacket as you got new clothes, heading for the shower. "A shower too?"

"We would have stayed out if you didn't rip my clothes." You said as you gently squeezed his shoulder while you passed by him.

"How was I supposed to know that your panties would rip?"

"And my shirt?"

Billy couldn't help but chuckle. "That was my bad."

You chuckled as well. "I'll be right out."

As Billy watched TV and waited for you to finish, Hopper walked inside. "Hey Billy. Where's y/n?"

"In the shower, sir." Billy responded. He realized that it sounded kind of bad, so he added, "She spilled soda all over herself."

Hopper nodded contently, before going over to him. "I actually wanted to talk to you." Billy nodded for him to continue. "I heard some things last night between the two of you."

Billy sat up, thinking something different. "No, I swear sir it's not what it might've sounded like–"

"I know it wasn't anything bad with the two of you." Billy nodded and relaxed. "But, um, I did hear some stuff about your family, only it was too vague. Billy, I'm the sheriff. As the sheriff I can take action over certain things. But you need to tell me so I can do something."

"Sir, I found from experience," Billy said. "That opening my mouth will only make things worse."

Before Hopper could respond to that, you came out of the bathroom. "Oh, hey Hopper. Do you want me to make you a sandwich?"

He glanced at you before looking back at Billy. "No, I can do it." He then made his lunch and left as you brushed your hair and told Billy that you were ready to go out again.

You both then went to a drive-in movie theater. "I didn't even know these were still open."

"Yup, that way I can do whatever I want to you without anyone else seeing."

He leaned in for a kiss but you pushed his face away. "Yeah, like watching the movie."

"You've been doing that a lot today sweetheart." He said as you grabbed your hand. "It's making me need you more."

You both made out passionately before Billy stroked his thumb under your shirt, causing you to pull away. "We just did it, and what if people see us?" You took his hands and put them on your waist. "I'm only meant for you." He looked at you in a daze. "Mm, I love it when you cave in."

"Fine, but get in the backseat." You didn't question him, and got out of the car and into the backseat. You saw Billy slide to the middle and pat his lap. "Climb on."

You sat on his lap, and he situated you to get comfy against him. He brushed the hair off your neck and began to kiss it tenderly. His hands went underneath your shirt and his fingers brushed over your stomach softly. "I make you happy, right?"

He stopped kissing you and turned you a bit. "What do you mean sweetheart? Course you make me happy." He gave you a smile. "Why wouldn't you think that?"

"Just wondering. I want you to be as happy as I am."

"I am." He hugged you and rested his head on your chest, where you played with his hair. "I love you. I love how you're becoming more confident in yourself."

You kissed the top of his head. "I got you to help me with that."

When you got to his house, Billy had lifted you up and you instinctively wrapped your legs around him. "Billy calm down." You giggled.

"Can't doll." He hurriedly shut the front door and put you on the kitchen counter. He immediately attached his lips to yours.

"Does anyone want to tell me what the fuck is going on here?" Neil asked as he slammed the front door.

Billy immediately backed up from you as you hopped off the counter. "I thought you'd be in Florida this weekend." Billy said weakly.

"Flight was pushed till tomorrow." He threw his car keys across the kitchen. "I leave for one second and you're slutting it up with someone that Max knows personally?"

He started to come at Billy, and you panicked. You didn't think when you pushed Neil right before he got to Billy and said, "Sleep!" He then collapsed, unconscious. Billy looked at you wide eyed. "I can explain!"

---

Tag List:

@roxytheimmortal @shane-isa-shame @actuallyazriel @tanovic54321 @chipster-21 @jula-bear @ellie2468 @sassysmiles @frozenhuntress67 @fansanctuary @homewrites @tearsforhan @waymorecake4me

#billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove fanfiction #stranger things billy #billy stranger things #billy x reader #billy hargrove #billy hargove x reader #billy hargove imagine #billy hargove #stranger things fandom #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things

230 notes · View notes

the-daily-multi-fandom-post · 4 years

Text

Part two to this request (—here—)

“Can you write a story where the reader had a one night stand with Merle and got pregnant at the Atlanta camp, she didn't tell anyone because even though Merle wasn't a dick when it came to her, she was scared of the others' reactions. When you're at the farm with the group Shane notices your stomach showing and he calls you out on your secret. Daryl takes you under his wing and treats you like a sister. And Merle's reaction at prison b4 he dies. Maybe Y/n falls in love with Tara later on? Love u”

This is part two for this request. Link here

👉______👈 For the first part.

Request: anom.

Tags: @thanossexual

Y/an heart broke seeing the love of her life as one of those monsters. The little baby she had with Merle was in her arms when she and Dayrl found Merle eating someone it broke both of their hearts. Y/n was sobbing catching the attention of walker Merle. Dayrl was sobbing too, watching as his undead brother started limping towards them.

Dayrl pushed Merle backwards away from Y/n and her baby. Merle kept coming back until Dayrl stabbed Merle making him fall onto the grass. Dayrl continuously stabbed Merle over and over and over again. Sobbing he fell backwards. Y/n ran over to Dayrl pulling him into his arms. Her baby still on her side, sleeping soundly as she hugged the man she thought as a brother.

“He’s gone.” Dayrl sobbed into her shoulder. Y/n nodded, kissing his forehead.

“I know,” she whispered. Looking over Dayrls shaking body to where the love of her life laid dead.

“I know.” She shakily spoke as tears silently slid down her Y/s/t face.

—Months later—

The morning after the storm , all is peaceful. Maggie wakes up to see Daryl still awake. She sits by his side and talks with him, telling him he should get some sleep, and that it's okay to rest now.

Y/n sat with her back against a bail of hay, she rocking her Y/e/c eyed son, trying to keep him asleep. She softly hummed rocking Mason in one arm. Her other arm was draped over Carl protectively like a mother. Judith was asleep soundly in a blanket filled box. Just beside Y/n so she could take care of the small child, while Carl could get some sleep.

Maggie and Dayrl looked over at Sasha across the room asleep. "He was tough," Daryl remarks, referring to Tyreese. Maggie nodded in agreement, looking over at the sleeping woman. "So was she," Daryl adds, talking about Beth. "She didn't know it... but she was." Daryl hands Maggie the music box Carl gave to her. “I fixed it.” He spoke gruffly. Maggie smile as she took it. “Thank you.”

She then wakes Sasha and the two leave the barn. Looking around the barn they see the storm had killed most of the walkers or decapitated them, impaled or crushed by the trees

“I’m surprise the barn hadn’t fell down. It looks like a tornado has been through here.” Sasha says as she and Maggie made their way through the fallen trees to an open field.

Maggie and Sasha then sit down on a downed tree and watch the sunrise together. As they sit, Sasha tells Maggie what Noah said about himself, that he doesn't know if he can make it. Sasha admits that she feels the same way too. Maggie reassures her that she will survive. Maggie tries to play the music box, but finds that the box is still broken.

The two laugh, but their conversation was cut short by a young man, cautiously walking up to the two.

“My names Aaron, I came to speak to your leader Rick.” The man

The women are confused as they draw their guns and ask how he knows about Rick.

“I have good news!” He starts holding his hands up, showing the two women they could trust him.

Maggie and Sasha brought Aaron to the barn where the rest of the group was resting. Rick and the others appear to be wary over Aaron's arrival.

Maggie gives Rick Aaron's gun, which Rick keeps as he asks Aaron what his intentions are.

“How did you know we were here?” Rick looks at the young man. “I’ve been watching you all for a while. I needed to make sure you guys weren’t gonna kill me as soon as you saw me. But I was the one to give you guys the supplies yesterday.” Aaron informs the group.

Rick chooses not to believe him, and convinces the group that Aaron has another agenda. Aaron, knowing that he would believe so, asks Sasha to give Rick his backpack, directing him to a small set of photographs of his community which he had taken as evidence of its existence. As Aaron explains what his community is about and emphasizes on its security, Rick punches him in the face, knocking him out. Y/n shook her head looking at the unconscious man.

“He could be dangerous.” Rick said looking at Y/n with kind eyes. Y/n nodded as she hugged her young son close to her chest. “I trust you.” She whispered giving him an nod. He nodded pulling her into a brotherly hug, careful not to hurt the baby in her arms.

Tara look over at Y/n giving her a soft smile. Y/n smiled back as she pulled away from Rick. “You should get to know Tara, I see it in y’alls eyes. You have some type of connection.” Rick whispered into her ear. Y/n shook her head as she looked at Rick.

Before she could say anything Rick stopped her. “I know it’s been only a few months since Merle passed, but you should be happy. And before you say anything. I know your happy with little mason here, but still you should have someone there for you.” Y/n huffed knowing Rick was correct.

“I hate it when your right.” She said looking down at her Y/e/c baby. “I know, that’s why you don’t like me. ‘Cause I’m always right.” Y/n snorted a laugh looking up at Rick. “That’s funny.”

“Alright, you three,” Rick starts pointing at a few of people of the group. “Go out keep watch. Make sure nobody’s watching us.” A few of them nodded but Michonne shook her head.

“I don’t think Aaron’s a threat. I mean look at him.” Michonne tries to convince Rick.

“I don’t care, we still aren’t trusting him. Rick insisted.

“There aren’t many places for anyone to hide.” Glenn informs Rick, causing more panic within the group. As Aaron regains consciousness, he maintains a positive attitude, jokingly complimenting Rick's strength. Rick shoots back saying that they cannot trust someone who is still laughing after being beaten.

“How many people are in you group?” Rock asked bearing his flare gun as evidence of company.

“It don’t matter how many, it won’t affect whether or not you’ll trust me.”

Rick insists he confesses anyway, and Aaron informs him that there is only one. Aaron also reveals that he and his accomplice have vehicles that they had attempted to bring closer to the barn, but had been blocked by the surrounding trees.

Michonne tells Rick that she wants to know the truth by checking it out. Rick turns down the task saying that it is a bad idea, but after Maggie and Glenn speak up in favor, Rick decides to let everyone except him, baby Judith Y/n and her baby to go scout ahead, ordering Abraham and Rosita to go with Glenn, Maggie, and Michonne and the rest of the group to search the surrounding area.

As the groups leave, Aaron tells Rick that he used to be pointed at with guns before the apocalypse, due to his job as an NGO worker, and that he believes he and his people are good. Rick instead warns Aaron that if his people do not return in one hour, he would put a knife in the base of his skull.

Michonne, Maggie, Glenn, Rosita and Abraham are still walking towards their destination. Glenn warns the others to shoot whoever comes out from the woods, should the time come.

Michonne, horrified by Glenn's orders, voices her opinion. Glenn replies saying that people should not come to the people who have guns like them. Disagreeing, Michonne says that Aaron's community are not bad people, reminding him of how they rescued Gabriel, of how they saved Tara after her involvement with The Governor, and of how they saved a crazy woman with a sword, implying herself.

Glenn reluctantly agrees. They reach the specified location, finding a car and an RV, and realize that Aaron was telling the truth. A pair of walkers come out from the woods, one almost biting Abraham before Rosita intervenes. Abraham thanks her but is ignored.

In the barn, baby Judith starts crying, while Rick crushes acorns for her to eat.

“Why don’t you just let me feed her?” Y/n asks, talking about breast feeding Judith as she helps crush the acorns.

“You need that for Mason, it’s okay.” Rick says quietly.

“Her crying’s going to attract walkers.” Aaron reminds the two from his spot. tied to the barn's support.

“Look, just take the applesauce from my bag. I promise it’s safe to eat.” . Aaron insists.

Still cautious of Aaron's intentions, Rick extracts a spoonful of the apple sauce from the supplied jar and offers it to Aaron, telling him to eat it first as a precaution.

Aaron, realizing what he is doing and taking offense from it, refuses, saying that poisoning his baby would be the last thing he would have ever done.

Rick, however, insists, even after Aaron informs him that he dislikes apple sauce. Against his wishes, he consumes it. After realizing it is safe, Rick rushes back and shares the sauce with Judith. Rick reminds Aaron that he has 43 minutes left.

“Thank you.” Y/n mouthed to the man tied to the barn support. He nodded softly with a smile while Y/n walked over to the corner of the room. A soft little whine caught his attention. Looking over he seen Y/n picking up a baby, who seemed to be around 5 maybe six months old. He noticed Y/n was about to feed her baby and redirected his eyes elsewhere.

“How did you know he needed to be fed before he cried?” Aaron asked Y/n as she covered herself so she wasn’t exposed.

“A mother’s instinct I guess.” She answered honestly. “Are you the mom to them both?” Aaron asked, looking at the Y/h/c haired woman.

“No, just him.” She answered nodding down to her son she was breast feeding.

Aaron nodded noticing Rick wasn’t looking very happy at the mention of his daughter not having a mom.

“But I like to think I’m a momma to the both of them.” Y/n says softly. “I may not be biologically, but I take care of these kids like they are mine.” She says talking about Carl and Judith not just her and merles son, Mason.

Months after being in Alexandria:

Y/n stood in front of the gray crib. Watching as her son slept soundly. It had became such a habit of watching her son sleep. She could barely leave him in the crib for five minutes. She always had to be near him, no matter what.

Y/n heard a knock on the door and hummed softly as she left her sleeping sons room and went to answer the door.

Opening the door she seen Tara who seemed to be a little nervous.

“Tara, why are you knocking? You leave here too.” Tara nodded nervously as she looked into Y/ns beautiful y/e/c eyes.

“I know, but I was just trying to see if you were home, and I didn’t want to rush in their and wake the baby.” She answered, almost too quickly.

“Oh, well, did you need anything?” Y/n asked opening the door wider for Tara to come in. Tara smile walking into the door and to the kitchen where she had smelt the warm black coffee.

“I never would’ve thought I would have coffee ever again.” Tara rambled, not getting to the point of her being in the house instead of being on a run like Y/n had thought.

“Well, Thank God for the people here. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have the hot running water, clean clothes, shelter and food.”

Tara nodded as she took a sip of the coffee.

“I didn’t come in here for coffee though. I Umm... I came in here to tell you something.” She started, grabbing Y/ns hands into her own.

“I like you Y/n. Like, like you, like you. I think I’m in love with you. Seeing you with Mason, makes me feel like I want that, but with you. I see you and I see the person I want a future with. The woman I have grown to love. The woman who is strong and powerful. The woman who protects her children.” Tara confessed her love for Y/n.

Y/n smiled looking at Tara. “I love you too. I have for a whole now, but I just thought it was too soon from Merles death. But I talk to Dayrl and Rick about it. I think I’m ready. I want to be with you.” Y/n said looking into Taras soft brown eyes and then to her soft plump pink lips.

Tara leaned in slowly placing a soft kiss on Y/ns lips. And that was the beginning of their story.

#the walking dead tara x reader #the walking dead x reader #the walking dead #the walking dead rick grimes #the walking dead carl grimes #the walking dead imagines #the walking dead fanfiction #reader insert #request asked and answered

30 notes · View notes

jackandmarksavedme88 · 6 years

Text

Dark Lemonade

@ashphoenix06 @honestlyitsjustkennaswriting @emma-wrote @goldenoceanarps @weirdmixofweirdness

TW: Some violence, also gets a liiiiittle dirty(but the super nsfw parts have been cut out for tumblr sake 😂😂)

Mark.....are we ever going to stop driving?"

"Well. You said isolated. His place is as isolated as i could think of"

Alison studied Mark as he drove, glancing behind them where Amy was driving Alison's car every so often

"And youre sure Dark isnt going to be too...put out?"

Mark chuckled 'That asshole is always put out. Part of his charm you could say"

As he drove he thought of the conversation hed had with the ego the week before

******

"Why here Mark? Why does she need to stay here? I dont even know her"

Mark looked at Darkiplier as his aura slightly crackled around him

"I told you. Her ex has been stalking her, she needs somewhere to stay while her dad is off the ranch. She doesnt need to be alone on that huge place. Amy and i are going out of town. Now get over it. Shes staying"

"So get the police to babysit her. Why should *I* have to" the ego scowled, clearly not giving a shit what would happen to this girl

"Look Dark im not having anything happen to her because you want to be a pretentious ass. Its not like you use all of the five rooms here."

"You and Amy talk as if shes your child. Shes a grown woman"

"Yes. And her ex is an even bigger grown man that is unhinged and wants to do very bad things to her. Shes staying here."

Darkiier glared as his creator, his aura lashing tendrils out every so often as his temper rose. But he knew there was no arguing.

"Fine. But she better stay out of my way"

*********

Mark pulled to a stop in front of the big house in the woods. Alison gaped at the sight of the beautifully crafted home and the big lake behind it

"Holy. Shit.'

Mark laughed out loud "yeah. Good taste huh?"

Alison climbed out of the car and stretched her arms out, her shirt falling off her shoulder a bit, revealing a faded scar. She grabbed what she had in Mark's car and joined him and Amy to walked up the front steps and inside

"Hello?"

"Well come in, dont just stand there" Dark said.

He watched Mark and Amy come in as he walked down the stairs and stopped as Alison stepped through the door

He took her in. Reddish brown hair, green eyes, short, not skinny but not what hed call fat. She looked around nervously and then locked eyes with her host for the next couple of weeks.

"Um...hi. Im Alison Calaway" she reached out a hand to shake his as he reached the bottom of the steps. "Its nice to meet you Dark...thank you for letting me be here"

Dark took her hand and felt almost a buzz, aside from his own aura, go through him

"Yes. Mark has told me about you. Glad i could...assist"

Amy looked at her watch "oh. We gotta go if we are going to get to bed and get on the road in the morning.... Alison are you sure youre ok?" She wasnt too sure about leaving her here with HIM all that time

"Amy Ill be fine. Yall go"

She hugged and kissed both Mark and Amy on the cheeks and watched as they climbed in Marks car and drove away.

"So...are you hungry?" Alison jumped as Dark spoke closer to her ear than she thought hed be

"Oh. Um. No. Actually. Im good. I could go for some hot tea though.

"Ah. Perfect. Come with me to the kitchen"

The ego led the way as she tried to figure out this vibe she was getting. Like he reallllly didnt want her there, but was also curious about her.... He was pretty easy on the eyes though so she figured she'd survive

She sat down at the bar as he boiled the water

"So. When you said Mark talked about me....how much did he tell you?" Alison inquired, not sure what to say

"He told me of the ex-boyfriend and why you needed somewhere to stay..... May i ask how it got to that point? If thats not too forward?"

He turned to see her absentmindedly running her fingers over a scar along her collar bone

"Well.. I was with him two years. He didnt like me having friends other than him. Didnt like when i went on the road with my Dad's company and wrestled house shows.."

Darkiplier looked at her "wait...wrestling ?"

Alison ducked her head and laughed

"heh...yeah.... Long story. Dad is practically royalty in the business and i did it for a while. ..but Shane didnt like that. Mostly because i hung out with the guys and trained with them.... So for the sake of the relationship i stayed home. Then he got to where he hated me talking to Mark, Jack...Anyone really. Long story short he attacked me a few times....the last time he almost killed me..... Chase and Jackie saved my life. They had been on the way over to get me and heard me scream. Broke in..... I had to get a lot of stitches that night. And he didnt like being told no. He took off while they were helping me. Cops have been looking for him, hes been sending me letters, showing up at places where im at. But he always takes off when i see him..... Hes gotten bolder and my parents and Mark and everyone didnt want me left alone. So here i am"

Dark studied her for a moment. He could read that she had strength. But she was broken. He couldn't understand why but he felt a tug of protectiveness in his chest at the thought of that asshole trying to track her here... At least those idiotic Septic Egos had done something right. Though letting him get away was pathetic

"Well. Dont worry. If he tries to darken my doorstep, he will surely get more than he bargined for i can assure you"

He brought two mugs over and poured the water over the tea bags. They sat and talked for hours like theyd known each other forever

****************

The next night Alison laid in her bed. It was about 12 am. Shed walked by the lake all morning, theyd gone into town and grabbed lunch and when they came home she had talked with Dark about different interests most of the night. She felt oddly at home here. Suddenly her phone rings

"Now who the hell would be calling me?.."

She hit the answer button, not recognizing the number

"Hello?"

"Aliiisoon.... Now why would you go walking around with some goth reject looking...thing where everyone could see?"

She sat bolt upright in bed, all blood draining from her face... Shane

"What the hell....how did you...?"

"Now now alleycat dont worry about how. You know you're mine. Ill always find you. Now answer me"

"Theres nothing to fucking answer Shane. Leave me alone." She scrambled out of bed and down the stairs, checking the locks.

"Ohhh alison. You cant actually think im going to leave you alone. I marked you. Youre mine... Nice house youre in though. Lots of property

She stood in the glow of the moon through the front window, shaking "shane. What do you want. Why are you doing this?"

"Because. I want whats mine"

"Im not yours! I never will be, leave me al-"

The phone was snatched from her hand. Darks aura crackling and whipping around them both, scaring her and amazing her at the same time.

"Look. Either turn yourself in or go die. Your choice..... In fact i will gladly help with one of those options. But you will leave her be Shane"

And with that he threw the phone down and crushed it

She turned and stared at him, in awe of the power oozing from him, shaking from adrenaline.

The aura calmed some as he stepped toward her and ran a finger over her collarbone and shoulders. Tracing the scars that were exposed by the sleeveless sleep shirt she wore. He looked in her eyes brimming with tears and had the sudden urge to hug her and an even stronger NEED to protect her...so he pulled her in. She buried her face in his chest and cried. Feeling helpless and grateful at the same time. The tendrils ran over her back as he held the back of her head with one hand and wrapped the other arm around her.

Finally she stepped back. Wiping her face. "Dark....im sorry. You must think im a completely useless creature... Im just so tired of being his prey"

He studied her face for a moment, then spoke, his voice low, commanding attention as he did

"Youre not his prey anymore. And while i think many of those around me are useless....youre different. And damned if i know why.."

Alison looked at him, curious, but not pushing the matter.

"I dont think ill sleep much." She was mad and scared and exhausted. But she knew what her dreams would hold

Dark put his hand on her shoulder "Well. Im just doing some paper work in my office, i could....put a pillow and blankets on the couch in there for you. You could rest while i work...perhaps that way youd feel more at ease"

Alison smiled at him, grateful for his kindness. "Ok. Yeah, maybe....if i wont be bothering you of course"

He chuckled softly "not at all dear. Come"

****

Alison watched him work thru half shut eyes. This was the big bad guy everyone spoke of...to her he didnt seem so bad. Intense for sure but....there was just something about him. The quiet way he held himself, he could walk in any room and demand attention without even trying.

"You know. Its not polite to stare at people while they work ali"

She smiled sleepily "sorry. Just thinking"

The ego cocked an eyebrow. "About?"

"Well.." She sat up from her makeshift bed hed made, one strap falling off her shoulder, exposing more of her skin, Dark suddenly felt tense, but tried to ignore it

"I mean. You're supposed to be.. Horrible. A bad guy....and yet.... I feel as if we are old friends having only known you a few days ... I trust you. Though everyone has said not to.... Im supposed to be scared of you and thats just not the case" she said

He smiled gently "Well. When you're on my good side, thats what you get. But most never see that side, only a lucky few

'And why am i one of the lucky ones? " Alison asked

Dark motioned for her to come to him 'Come here....." She got up and stepped across the room, sitting on the corner of his desk as he stood up.

"If im being honest i have no idea why i feel the way i do around you. You seem to make everything....quiet. Calm. I can think clearly for some reason.... I cant quite figure you out Alison"

He was standing directly in front of her now.

She smiled up at him "heh. Good luck with that"

The blackness grew slightly and played around the edge of her face as he stared directly into her eyes "oh don't worry princess. Ill figure you out. I always get what i want"

Alison threw her head back and laughed "hmm. With me you wont.....but like i said. Have fun with that" she went to stand and he blocked her, moving very close to her. "I rather like the effect you have...stay a moment longer?"

He rested his hand on her knee and closed his eyes. Reveling in the slience that filled him. She didnt know what to say...but staring at him with his head leaned back, hair in his face she couldn't help but feel the calm as well. She reached up and brushed the har from his eyes, fingers trailing his cheek. His hand caught hers and held it to his face as he leaned into it.

Alisons heart sped up. Dark could hear it as her cheeks flushed an adorable red. He looked at her intently suddenly not in control of his actions he put his hand to her face and pulled her to him, softly bringing their lips together

She was suprised by his actions. But more suprised at the fact that she trusted him. She leaned into the kiss, grabbed the front of his jacket .

They both were startled by the crash in the front hall. Alison jumped off the desk and took off out the door before he could stop her. Dark shook his head

"That stupid girl...."

But then he heard her yelp.... His aura crackled to life as he rushed out to the front door which was wide open. The window next to it was smashed. Alison was nowhere to be seen

"Ali?? Where the hell are you?" He shouted angrily.

He heard scuffling outside. Curses came flying out of alisons mouth. The Egos eyes darkened as he ran outside and saw her on the ground under her attacker, fighting like a wildcat. He stomped down the steps and across the grass quickly, grabbing him by the back of the neck and neatly tossing him into the side of her car.

He helped Alison up and studied her quickly. Busted lip, scratches on her arms... His anger boiled over and the dark aura he carried around seemed to grow even blacker. In short. He was pissed.

"You stupid asshole. You think you can have her?" The voice came from behind him. Dark turned and stared down Shane.

"You cant. Shes mine and she will always be mine. I dont care what you or any of your other ego friends have to say. Spandex boy and Brody couldn't stop me...what makes you think...

He trailed off as he became accutely aware of the silence that enveloped him. The anger rolling off the Ego in the form of his aura suddenly making him regret coming here

Dark spun on him, grabbing his neck and shoving him against the car. His voice came out as more of a growl

"You listen to me you insignificant toad. I dont know who the HELL you think you are, or what you *think* youre going to accomplish. But taking "ownership" of Alison Calaway isnt it. People say im a bad person. Theyve never seen me be protective of someone, so trust me when i tell you the truth can be SO much worse than youve heard. I will give you a choice. You may turn around and walk out of here, never contacting or even THINKING of that woman again. Or...

He tightened his grip on Shanes throat cutting off his air as the mans bladder let go

"Or my dear boy. I can show you what demonic really means.... Its your choice"

Shane struggled to speak 'o-okay' he whispered

"What's that? I cant hear you" Dark said. Enjoying the terror in the mans eyes

"Okay! Ill go. Ill go. Just please...dont kill me"

Dark dropped him to the ground, the black aura rolling around him, trying to contain himself. Shane scrambled to get to his car

"Ah ah" Dark said. The choice was to WALK away"

He held the keys hes taken from Shanes pocket up, jingling them and smiled evily.

"Th-thats at least ten miles through the woods! Are you insane??"

Darks eyes narrowed "guess you better get started....and hope the wolves arent especially hungry tonight.. Leave"

His aura shot out, eyes flaring. Shane pissed himself again and took off running into the night

Dark's shoulders heaved up and down as he tried to control his breathing, his body shaking with the anger. Trying to keep himself from chasing the man down and ripping his head from his body

Alison approached from behind and touched his shoulder.

"Alison...im sorry you had to see me like that. I can normally control myself...."

She tugged him to turn around and he looked at her. Blood dried on the corner of her mouth, eyes shining with tears. She placed her hand on the side of his face and he noticed her knuckles were busted from fighting back. He leaned into her touch. Her closeness calming the storm raging in his mind...how had it come to this....when had she become his safe place?

Alison tried to control her emotions...she should be terrified right now, especially after that display. But all she wanted was to hold this man. And she didnt understand. She slid one hand behind his neck and pulled his face to hers. Kissing him was less of a want and more of a gnawing need right now. He was suprised but wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. Savoring the taste of her mouth

Alison pulled back slightly, out of breath and Dark leaned his forehead to hers, closed his eyes and smiled. Neither spoke. After a moment she pulled away completely and tugged on his hand

"Cmon. Let's go inside"

They walked into the house. Not knowing what to say to each other.

A week passed. Neither spoke about that night. Not avoiding each other but avoiding the subject. Which annoyed Darkiplier greatly. When had he become..this? Not confronting something? He longed to reach out and brush the hair from her face, touch her some way. But he got the feeling she didnt want to be touched right now.

'Well why would she you fool. After everything that jackass did, did you think shed just fall in your arms and stay there?' He said aloud to himself as he toiled in his office.

His phone buzzed with a text. He checked it to see a message from Alison. After breaking her phone hed taken her to get a new one with a new number that very few people now had.

A: "Hey... You wanna go get some drinks tonight? Im getting tired of being couped up but i dont exactly want to venture out on my own. I know itd be a bit of a drive but.."

He pondered for a moment. He could easily say no. That there was liquor here...but he knew it wasnt about the drinks for Alison. He could tell she was itching to get out. To move somewhere other than the house or the lake. She was becoming a bit like a caged tiger.

D: "Sure. Why not" ..... He had a feeling he might regret this.

****************

Darkiplier stood at the bottom of the stairs, ready to leave. He sighed. What was taking her?

'Ali. Are you coming or-"

The words are lost in his throat as she starts down the steps. Auburn hair gleaming, wearing a black and red dress that fit in all the right places and short heels.

She caught his eyes as she stepoed onto the floor and laughed "yeah. Lets go" Alison suddenly felt as if she were a piece of steak in the lions den and she didnt know why.

Dark just opened the front door for her without a word and motioned for her to go first. Trying to regain composure.

At the bar, they drank, Alison danced alone. She moved like a woman possessed. Dark just watched her intently, a feeling in his chest he couldn't quite describe. It had been a couple of hours when a man came up behind her, trying to dance too close and touch too much. Dark tensed as he saw her spin around and shove him away, then he walked over, catching the end of the trashy things he was saying to her

"Alison... Lets go"

Darkiplier didnt need to shout. Or ask her twice. She gratefully nodded her head, realxing now that she didnt feel cornered.

The whole way home she was quiet. Dozing, feeling the effects of the whiskey shed been downing all night.

When they arrived at the house she got out and walked in. She was barely through the door when Dark called to her. He stepped through the door behind her as she turned

He stared for a moment, then reached his hand out to touch her face...she flinched. She didnt mean to...it was just the thought if anyone touching her....of making her feel anything was anxiety inducing...but at the same time she wanted Dark's touch

His hand stopped mid air and his eyes darkened... He was... Sad? But angry at the same time

"I see..." He murmered. Then walked past her to his office and shut the door.

Alison stood there. Tears began to run down her face. "What the hell is happening to me" she whispered. She looked toward the office door. Wanting so badly to chase him. But tired of chasing things at the same time.

******

Darkiplier tried to focus on the computer in front of him. Itd been half an hour and hed gotten nothig done. "What the hell is wrong with you? Youre bitching and moaning after this *girl* you barely know. And for what? The feeling she gives you...pathetic" he spoke to himself condescendingly.

"You know. Speaking to yourself is the first sign of madness"

Alisons voice from the doorway made him jump. Not expecting her to be there.

"Can i come in?"

He studied her for a moment. "Yes. Of course, sit"

She walked into the room. Still in her dress but barefoot now. His breath hitched in his throat as she leaned back into the sofa and curled her legs under her,she sat the drink in her hand on the side table. He laughed. Another whiskey?

"Listen. Dark. Thank you for coming over when you did....that guy was..handsy"

He scoffed "Well. Did you think i was going to let him manhandle you? Though im sure you couldve handled it fine if need be. But i have this godforsaken need to protect you. And i still havent figured it out.."

"Dont protect me.... People that protect me get hurt...." She trailed off, thinking of Henrik stitching the cut in Chase's side after he fought with Shane that night. "Im not worth good people getting hurt"

Dark stood up and walked over to stand in front of her, then crouched so he was eye level. "Look. I told you. I think a lot of people are useless, but you arent one of them. You have this passion in you when you speak about people and things you care for. You want so badly to fight everything and feel nothing....and thats not possible. Trust me. Before you waltzed into this house i wouldnt have believed it. I was an asshole to anyone that looked at me sideways. I didnt need anything or anyone.... And then here are. Making me feel things. No my dear. Worthless is not something that should be used to describe you"

He placed a hand on her leg as he spoke, electricity running between them. She jumped but didnt flinch away this time. She stared into his eyes, taking in what hed said.

He cleared his throat and stood up "i believe this is where i tell you, im sorry if i scared you that night he came here. Im sorry if kissing you was out of line.." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to stand up "but i just couldnt help it..."

She smiled and then stared at the floor as she spoke 'you werent out of line.....unexpected maybe. But i kissed you the second time. So should i apologize for that?'

Darkiplier chuckled and put a finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to his "No my dear. Never apologize for letting me taste you... Though you may need to apologize for depriving me "

With that he captured her mouth with his. Slowly as first, then more forcefully. Her hands tangled in his hair, him holding her against him. She pulled back to breathe and his lips went to her neck. 'Dark..." She said breathlessly

"Mmmm" the sound rumbled in his chest as he caressed her back and softly kissed her skin, savoring each taste. The he looked at her and smiled wickedly "you know. Coming down in that dress... Then dancing the way you did. That wasnt very nice of you. Looking like that....moving like that in public. I very nearly pinned you to the wall then and there" his eyes danced as he spoke. Running his hands down her hips and gripping her right at the lower back to pull her closer

She laughed and smiled back at him "well. Maybe i like to torture you. Make you beg for it"

He chuckled "hmm. Me? Beg? Not on your life princess, you couldnt make me actually beg"

She stepped away from him and put one hand on his chest and grinned "oh. Is that a *challenge* i hear? Go sit in your chair over there"

He cocked an eyebrow in her direction but complied, pulling the chair to the front of the desk and sitting. This should be interesting

She turned of the lights with the switch by the door. Then walked over to his computer which was behind him on the desk. She went to a music site and put a song on. One that Dark recognized from the club. One hed watched her move to, his heartbeat quicked as he remembered the sight.

She strolled around back to where shed sat her glass and downed it. Then walked to just out of his easy reach and began to move to the music. Body swaying to the beat. Eyes closed. A little drunk but in control and knowing what she was doing. The moonlight played along her body.

Darkiplier reached to touch her and she swatted his hand away.

"Oh no. Put your hands away....you cant touch unless you ask...beg for it." She said mischeviously. "Your hands cannot touch me. But i...oh i cant touch you"

She stepped closer, bending down, holding his knees as she did and bringing her body up in a way so that her face, then chest were right in front of his face. She turned and bent between his knees before coming back up slowly, grinding against him, his hands clenching. His aura crackling around them with his need. But he would not break. He couldnt. His pride wouldnt let him.

But then. Alison straddled him. Legs on either side and sat in his lap. Still moving her body to the beat of the music, leaning back as she moved her hips. This was dangerous territory. She wanted him to touch her. But she also wanted to hear him ask. Dark, to his benefit was trying to keep his composure, but the hardness beneath her was giving him away.

The music stopped and she sat. Still straddling him and put her arms over his shoulders. She grinned at him

"You gonna break?"

Dark laughed. This little minx. If she thought for one second that he was going to-

All thought flew from his brain as he felt her lips on his neck. Her hand tangled in the back of his hair. She ran her tongue along it and then along his lips. Kissing him lightly 'cmon baby. You know you want it. All you have to do is say it.... Let go of the control for once"

He reached to hold her and she caught each of his wrists and held them down "ah ah darky. Not until you ask nicely" she purred in his ear and she ground against him again. Torturing herself as much as she was him

'Alison.." It came out as a half moan, half warning.

She stood up and let go of his wrists and grinned. "Well. I guess ill just have to go to bed alone then."

As she turned she unzipped her dress and let it fall as she walked across the room. Darkipliers eyes almost came out of his head at the sight of her in her black bra and panties. Now this was just evil....

He crossed the room behind her and slammed the door before she could get to it. She turned to see him staring at her in a way that made her feel very much like a wounded animal in front of a panther. He rolled his head to either side with his eyes closed and then stared her down again, his arm over her shoulder against the door, trapping her there

"Now Alison. You have given me great needs. Id like it very much if youd stop torturing me like this'

A playful smile played over her face "but its fun to see you squirm darlin" she licked her lips.

He stared at her than went to his knees "Fine. Is this what you what? You want me to admit i need you? Well here. I absolutely need you. In many ways. Right now i need you to let me run my hands over you, to taste you, to caress every inch inside and out that i can reach Miss Calaway"

He again reach for her hips and this time she didnt stop him. His kissed her on either side, tongue lightly darting over her stomach. He stood and backed her into the wall. Now it was his turn. He grabbed her by the back of her head and roughly captured her mouth, one hand gripping her ass. He moved to her neck, nipping her as she moaned and held onto his shoulders, one hand gripping his head.

"You know im going to have to punish you for that little one" he growled in her ear before.lightly biting her shoulder. She gasped at the sensation

"Ye..yes"

"And you do not need to try that all the time....not that i dont enjoy you being a little forceful.... Are we clear?" He moved to the other side of her neck, pushing his waist to hers as he kissed

"Yes"

"Yes what kitten?" He stared into her eyes as he said this. Conveying a need for her trust. Then he kissed her deeply before allowing her to answer

"Ye-yes sir?"

That did it. His groaned and grabbed the back of both of her legs and picked her up, her lega going around his waist and slammed her against the door as he kissed her. His tongue and lips exploring her neck and chest as she closed her eyes and let the passion wash over her

************

Dark stroked her hair as she lay in his arms. They were in his bed. Having made their way up here and finally she fell asleep after one more time. He smiled. She looked innocent but was decidely not.

Her skin was warm against his. Breast pressed against the side of his chest. He studied her sleeping face. Had he really said it... After the last time. Did those words come from his mouth?

He had said he loved her and she had thrown her head back and begged him to say it again. And when he had, louder this time she collapsed into his arms and whispered it back to him.

Where the words came from he didnt know. But they seemed so natural. He kissed her face and heard birds chirping....it was 5am..looks like theyd nap most of the day. But that was perfectly fine.

His phone buzzed on the night stand. He reached with one arm and grabbed it. Seeing a message from Mark

M:hey. Alisons parents are headed back to their place. If you want her go go, she can.

Darkiplier lauged and shot a text back

D:No. I dont think i want her going anywhere. Im going to keep her a little longer ;)

M:......what did you do

D:Now ask yourself. Do you really want the honest answer to that question from me?

M:... No. You know what. Probably not. Ill stop by when we get back to town next week

D:ok. Be sure to call first. Make sure we're decent and all

M: yeah ok.....and please dont allude to that again...ever

Dark laughed and sat his phone back down. Then wrapped around alison and fell into a heavy sleep...the most peaceful hed known in his existence.

6 notes · View notes