#donnie twd fanfiction | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tinkabelle24 · 2 months

Text

Remains

Chapter 3: Mutual Desperation (PART 1)

An unexpected illness divides the group.

TW! Blood/Gore.

Chapter 2

---

(6 months earlier...)

Exhaling shakily, Addie finally bit; selecting Matt's contact icon and pressing 'Call', removing her facemask as she lifted the screen to her ear.

She was a ring away from being sent to voicemail, when he picked up. "Yeah?"

The blonde pushed her tongue to the wall of her mouth, stifling a scoff. You don't speak to me all day, and the first thing you say is 'yeah?'. Whatever...

"Hey. I'm, uh..." She shifted awkwardly against the break room counter; voice low, in consideration for the few co-workers attempting to eat their reheats in peace. "...I'm gonna need you to pick Luc up again tonight. Please."

"...Why?"

What the hell's with these one-worded responses?

Addie couldn't help herself, this time. She scoffed. "Matt, I've been under the pump all week, with this virus going around. You know that if I could leave, I would."

"Can't you get an exception?" He sighed in exasperation. No, I can't. You know I can't. "I have stuff on tonight, Ad-"

"What, got a date with your side-piece?" Addie caught one of the women staring, and not with concern. She hurled the nosy bitch an admonitory look, before swiftly turning her back; stepping to the furthest wall.

"...Ad, we've had this talk, many times: nothing physical ever happened-"

"Yeah, and I still don't believe it. But you keep telling yourself-"

"Want me to pick Luc up, or not?"

"...What happened to your oh so important 'stuff'-"

"Like you give a shit about what goes on in my life."

Tears seared the blonde's eyes, as she shot back: "That's not true, and you know it!"

"Uh-huh, sure. We'll see you tonight, whenever that is. Bye."

"Matt-"

Click.

Addie cursed as she tore the device from her ear; clenching it tightly, imagining her husband's throat.

You're such a... fucking... NO!!!

Not here! Dear God, please, not here!

Sucking in a trembling breath, Addie proceeded swiping the tears from her cheeks with her undershirt sleeves; sniffling, as she pocketed the phone.

Shake it off. Just a few more hours...

Tentatively, she turned; the woman was still staring.

"Eyes down, Sandra! Krijg de kolere..."

Chaos.

That was the best way Addie could describe the atmosphere, the moment she stepped back onto the floor - utter chaos.

The blonde kept her gaze low as she strode down the crowded hall to her station; narrowly avoiding careening hospital beds, frantic physicians, and zombified nurses.

The amalgamation of sounds (alarms, chatter, crying, coughing, groaning...) assaulted her senses, skyrocketing her already intense anxiety.

Typically, it wouldn't bother her; she'd lived in this environment long enough, it'd devolved into semi mollifying white noise - not this. This was like standing under an idling plane.

Addie's heart sank when she spotted one of her fellow nurses, Ben, slumped awkwardly against a trolley - unconscious. Poor guy had been here long before she clocked on, thirteen hours ago.

I can't possibly leave you like that...

Snatching a thermal blanket from said trolley, she quickly tucked a it around his shoulders, then proceeded pushing his legs further toward the wall. They were out so far into the walkway, it was a miracle he hadn't been run over-

"On your left!"

As the startled Addie pivoted inward, then upward, she was abruptly yanked, by the collar of her scrubs, toward the hospital bed whizzing past; staring down the swollen, pus-filled throat of a screeching patient-

Addie yelped when a sharpened pole suddenly pierced the walker's temple - inches from her face.

She yelped again as she was then wrenched backward; reflexively tightening her grip round Lucas' trembling body.

Whipping her head around, she found Leo tearing the gore-riddled smock from her torso; surrendering it to the undead already gripping it. She felt a giant, calloused palm press between her shoulders, and panicked breath against her neck, as he resumed hurrying her forward; toward the truck slowly circling the parking lot.

The music still boomed, evenly dividing the ravenous crowd.

"Distraction, Donnie-"

"Yep!" The tallest, purple-masked one shouted in response; jerking the tip of his bloodied staff from another walker (simultaneously impaling another with the other end), before plucking what appeared to be an unlit Molotov cocktail from the largest pouch on his well-equipped utility belt.

"I've gotchu, bro!" The shortest, orange-masked one covered his comrade, beating walkers over the head with his steel nunchaku, as the latter ignited the wick; tossing it through the smashed window of the Toyota Yaris beside him.

The resulting blaze drew in a sizeable portion of their assailants, like moths to a flame; widening the laneway to their destination.

The truck was already roaring round the corner, when Leo lifted his fingers to whistle it over; brutally dispatching all walkers in its path. The cabin door was shoved open, as it jerked to a roll; revealing a fourth green being, frantically beckoning them inside.

He - the brawniest, red-masked one - hollered in a thick, Brooklyn accent: "MOVE YA FUCKIN' ASSES!!!"

The group readily obliged, practically throwing themselves inside.

"GO, APRIL-"

The vehicle immediately lurched forward, hurling those not quick enough to grab hold of something, to the floor.

Snatching one of the handgrips dangling from the ceiling, Leo caught Addie's waist, right before she and Lucas made impact; pinning her back against him as they finally sped away.

The last thing the blonde saw was a snarling, stumbling crowd, backed by a fiery inferno...

Then Red slammed the door closed, plunging them into darkness.

youtube

"No, take the left," Leo enjoined, gaze fixed on the approaching intersection as he guided a shell-shocked Adrie to an empty seat.

Even under multiple layers of clothing, he could feel just about every rib, every vertebrae... Her son, dressed in only a long-sleeved 'Finding Nemo' pyjama top and bottoms (no socks, nor shoes, nor jacket) looked like a living skeleton.

It broke his heart.

"We're steering clear of all freeways, from now on - it's too risky. We don't have the gas to double back, if there's another pile-up."

"We don't have the gas, period..." Donnie mumbled dejectedly; shifting in his seat, opposite the newcomers.

April nodded stiffly. "Got it."

Leo gripped the back of Adrie's seat as the truck swerved onto the adjacent road, toward Rothrock State Forest; passing several walkers beelining for the KinderCare bonfire, and clipping two.

"We'll swap, once we hit the treeline," Raph 'offered', earning a piqued look from the dark-haired woman.

"I'm quite capable of navigating the road, thank you, Raphie-"

"Please, don't call me that-"

"Well, then, quit patronising me," she bit out, as the red-masked terrapin thrust open the front passenger door on an incoming walker. "I'll decide when I need a break."

"Alright, alright - fine! ... S'cuse me for tryna look out for-"

"Raph," Leo snapped, glare piercing his brother's rancorous side-eye. "For once in your goddamn life - listen."

Those words carried more vitriol than he'd anticipated...

A tense silence fell over the cabin as the two dragged out their staring match, daring the other to break first.

April, watching through the rear-view mirror, scoffed softly; shaking her head. The youngest brothers shared her sentiment.

"Hey, what about the husband...?" Mikey - seated alongside Donnie - enquired carefully, attempting to shift the subject.

Leo promptly folded; anxious gaze falling on the blonde (limply cradling her whimpering child) before him, still seemingly staring into space.

"Are we just gonna leave him there-"

"We had to." The leader sent his youngest brother a doleful look.

Understanding immediately, Mikey and Donnie both lowered their gazes; April and Raph shared a look, before returning their attention to the vehicle-scattered road ahead.

Silence befell the group once more, as a cautious Leo finally lowered himself onto the edge of the last seat, beside Adrie.

Cocking his neck slightly, he watched, with increasing self-reproach, as the woman's steel blues welled with tears, and a despaired whimper forced its way past her trembling, chapped lips.

Minutes, hours... Addie wasn't sure how long they'd been driving, but eventually the truck choked then shuddered to a halt; in the middle of an open road.

The blonde's tentative gaze followed Leo, as he stood, glimpsing her bloodied machete, dangling from his belt; and the other woman's (April, was it?) striking grey orbs, once again.

She'd been stealing glances after every turn.

"There it goes, again..." Donnie - the other voice Addie recognised - muttered wryly; heaving a sigh as he, too, hauled himself to his large, combat boot-clad feet

He joined Leo, Raph(?), and April, in the cockpit; the orange-masked one remained in his seat, 'sneaking' concerned glances her way.

"We can't trust the gauge, anymore..." April sighed.

"Like I said: this stuff's over six months old," Donnie explained, shaking his head to an equally crestfallen Leo. "It's practically water, at this point."

"I don't think we'll be travellin' on wheels much longer... Hey," Raph abruptly reached over the centre console; resting a giant, three-fingered hand atop April's tiny shoulder. "Ape, you okay?"

"Yeah- yeah..." She murmured, nodding stiffly. "I'm okay..."

"We'll find somewhere," Leo reassured; sharing a curt nod with Raph, as he comfortingly petted the woman's seat. His contradicting stance (power pose, accompanied by a lowered gaze) betrayed his insecurity.

"I know-"

Addie's focus was disrupted when a sudden coldness struck her chest. A gasp escaped her as she snapped her head downward, finding Lucas clutching her now bare breast.

"Nee!"

The four whipped around, right as Addie, beet red from embarrassment, tugged her soiled tank top back up. The worse they may have seen was some cleavage...

The orange-masked one however had, apparently, seen everything.

"Everything alright?" Through matted hair, the blonde found Leo carefully approaching.

She maintained a vice-like grip on the fabric, as her grizzling son continued grabbing at it.

Leo watched her struggle a moment; metaphorical cogs in his brain turning, as the scaly ridges where his brows would've been steadily furrowed.

Without another word, he swivelled on his sandaled heel; beelining for the rear of the truck, outside her periphery.

She listened to the rustling and clanking of items that followed (avoiding the others' prying gazes, shifting between herself and him), till the sounds eventually ceased.

Leo crossed in front of her, re-settling into the seat alongside. "Here."

Addie's eyes damn near sparkled at the clear zip-lock baggies of dried meat and fruit now before her.

Chef Boyardee was nowhere near enough...

"Don't worry about us," Leo reassured, catching the blonde's gaze flickering outward. Tilting his head to redirect it, he levelled her a severe look. She could drown in those cerulean orbs, of his.

"There's more than enough to go around..." His expression softened considerably as he nodded to the baggies, holding them out further. "Please. You both look like you need it."

Relief enveloped Leo as Addie finally, tentatively obliged. But, curiously, she made no move to open them; not even when her son feebly whined and tugged at them.

Hugging the baggies firmly against her chest, the woman continued staring; eyes brimming with apprehension as she silently studied the... man, and his comrades, before her.

Leo abruptly realised:

"Forgive me," he maintained the gentle tone and lowered his gaze slightly; an effort to further encourage trust. "We've not officially met – my name’s Leo. That, there, is my brother Mikey-"

At the gesture in his direction, the orange-masked one - flushing a deep shamrock, still unable to look Addie in the eyes - smiled sheepishly.

"Donnie-"

The purple-masked one gave a polite nod, pushing his tape-riddled glasses to the bridge of his snout.

"I probably don't need to tell you we're also related, heh... uhh, so, our friend April-"

The dark-haired woman smiled warmly, giving a short wave.

"...and Raph-"

"Were ya bit?"

Leo sighed inwardly at that as Addie followed his brother's narrowed gaze, downward. Looking at her, bedaubed with dried blood and gore, like she'd bathed in it, the leader would be lying if he said he wasn't suspecting the same.

He wouldn't have been nearly as terse with his questioning, though.

"Just give her a minute," he held up a placating hand, glimpsing panic in the woman's eyes. Could they be correct in their suspicion, or was she simply afraid of being left behind? "Let her gain her bearings-"

"Why? It ain't like it's gonna change anythin', if she were. Might as well get it outta the road now, so we can..." Raph faltered a moment, as he warily glanced an incredulous-looking April's way; clearly debating whether to finish his sentence.

"...figure- behind-!"

The woman barely had a chance to register the warning, when a deafening THUMP behind her, jolted her out of her seat.

"SHIT-"

As she flew into the red-masked one's arms, a full, rounded belly suddenly entered into Addie's field of vision, ripping a startled gasp from her.

She's-!

"Dead fucker-!"

Practically dropping April into his seat, Raph proceeded snatching the pair of pronged weapons from his belt; thrusting open the cabin door with one swift, facile movement.

"Careful-!" Leo exclaimed over Lucas' strangled shriek, as a second surprise walker - EMS uniform dangling in bloodied tatters from its waifish body - lunged itself at his comrade, followed closely by another.

Raph wasted nary a moment kicking the nearest one to the gravel with his giant, two-toed foot, then impaling the second's skull through the chin. The furthest had already met the lethal end of Donnie's bō, by the time Raph's slumped to the ground.

The catalyst walker, allured by the commotion, came staggering round the truck. The two men (Reptiles? Turtles? Turtle-men? Turtle men) dispatched it together, dashing its now shattered body against the grille.

Inside, the women finally released their breaths, sharing a knowing glance as Addie proceeded consoling her child. She relented with the jerky.

"We can't stay here," Raph remarked; glowering at the blonde's very brief, hushed monologue to her son - clearly not in English (German?). He knew she spoke their language; she did so over the radio. So, why the hell wasn't she using it now? "We're sittin' ducks without a set'a walls 'round us."

"Agreed," Leo nodded, mentally noting his brother's veiled hostility.

"That building over there looks good," Donnie offered; pointing to the tall, cream-coloured double garage several hundred feet down the road. At least a dozen vehicles, engulfed by overgrown greenery, surrounded it. "Should fit the truck, with some change."

"Wait, wait-" Mikey's baby blues and gesture grew wide. "You wanna push this?? Wha... all the way over there??"

"What's the matter, baby bro?" Stepping a foot inside the cabin, Raph proceeded thumping the orange-masked brother's shoulder, knocking the wind out of him. "'Fraid ya weak ass is gonna embarrass yaself in front'a the ladies?"

"Unless you'd rather risk our necks hauling everything we need back and forth-" Donnie countered distractedly, elbowing Raph's bicep. Another walker, stumbling out the side gate of a nearby house, had snatched his attention.

Raph promptly called dibs.

Pushing the 20-odd ton vehicle to safety was a three-man job which Leo, Raph, and Donnie grudgingly endeavoured, while Mikey brought up the rear to protect the women and child. Thankfully (or concerningly), no additional walkers presented themselves.

Their new sanctuary: a double-storey automobile workshop – Glenny’s Garage. After a brief once-over of the outmoded but seemingly undamaged and secured exterior, Donnie and a reluctant Leo split off to sweep the interior; leaving the others waiting by the truck, for several agonising minutes.

Raph’s chartreuse peepers scrutinised Addie’s every move, attempting to will all her ‘secrets’ out into the open. Yes, he’d advocated hard for her rescue, very nearly exchanged fists with Leo over it, but that had shit all to do with trust or sympathy (save for the kid; he wasn’t that far gone, yet…) – only what she could do for April.

Anything for April…

“Hey, Raph?”

The turtle-man in question shifted his gaze, finally granting a visibly tense Addie respite. April – who’d been standing alongside, looking like something crawled up her ass and died – had summoned him.

“What’s up-”

"Could you be a dear and go fetch us some waters, please?" The brunette's tongue dripped with honey, but her eyes hissed, 'don't you dare argue'.

"Two, thanks- no, I asked you. I'm sure Mikey's more than capable of watching over us for the two seconds it'll take for you to go inside and come back..."

After a brief staring match, Raph finally relented, shooting the object of his ire one last pointed look before disappearing inside the cabin.

“Sorry about him… he can be a real di-” April’s abruptly anxious gaze landed on the boy in Addie’s arms, chowing down on what she presumed was his seventh piece of dried venison. The baggy was nearing empty and she’d yet to see his mother take a single one for herself. “Jerk, sometimes… Are you having any of that? … Adrie-?”

“Hm?” Addie finally looked up, cursing herself for losing track of the seconds Leo had been missing from her side. It was a strange feeling: attributing safety to who’s essentially a complete stranger. She wasn’t sure she liked it, but one thing was certain: his presence was a miles better feeling right now than his absence.

“I’ve eaten already. It’s okay.” April politely declined the offer of the last jerky piece, giving the blonde a knowing smile. “Leo’s right, y’know – you should eat something-”

Addie’s gaze abruptly darted beyond her. The behemoth had thudded back into view with, to the women’s surprise, two plastic bottles in hand.

April smiled mawkishly as she plucked both from him, pushing one toward Addie before hand-waving him away with a, “We’re talking – go hang out with your brother”. He harrumphed but eventually obliged.

Addie needn't voice anything; the frown she levelled at April as Raph stalked away was question enough.

"He's a friend," the brunette chuckled, unscrewing the bottle lid to take a sip. Addie followed suit with hers, allowing a moment to relish the clean, fresh taste - a rarity these past few months - before eventually handing it over to her eager son.

"A very protective friend..."

The words had already cycled through her ear canal by the time she realised: that was the first time she'd spoken more than one word to them in person.

Judging by the mild surprise on April's face, she'd realised that also.

"So-" Addie promptly turned her head to cough. Her throat itched and voice rasped. She was no longer accustomed to using the top of her lungs, so she presumed it'd done a number on her vocal cords... "Pardon... So, y-you're safe?"

April didn't appear distressed, but the fact that she was the only female surrounded by males compelled Addie to speculate...

"I've known these guys a long time," the brunette emphasized, unwittingly stroking the top of her swollen abdomen as she smiled down at Lucas.

Though she tried, Addie couldn't help staring; a myriad of questions inundating her already overwhelmed mind.

"Trust me, there's no safer place for you and your little one to be."

Addie's lips tightened as she nodded, stealing a glance toward the problem turtle-man already side-eyeing her; blatantly ignoring Mikey's attempts at engaging him in conversation.

The jury's still out on that one...

"I'm sorry about your husband, by the way..."

The image of a reanimated Matthew dangling from that door, clawing at their terrified son, flashed through her mind; then the sickening thwacks of her machete as she mercilessly cut him down...

They discussed what they'd do should one of them become infected, early on; an effort to desensitise themselves, perhaps?

Given she had no clue whose face she was mutilating at the time, it saved her the heartbreak... then their son uttered those fateful words...

"I lost my own husband in this, also - t-three, four... months ago...?" April's smile faltered slightly as she lowered her gaze, seemingly joining Addie in remembering something - something equally painful. "It never really leaves you, but it does get easier to live with; if that's any consolation, heh..."

"How far along are you...?"

Returning her gaze to Addie's, April gave a tremulous breath; staring silently for several moments, before finally answering, "T-thirty eight weeks, two days..."

Addie's stomach dropped. Schijt...

So, any day now, this child could decide they're tired of sloshing around in their private primordial pool, and attempt to join them in this hellish world.

Addie only hoped, for April's sake, their impending exit will be quick...

The abrupt rattling of a door handle drew the group's attention toward the garage. They watched the office exit door creak open as the purple-masked turtle-man stepped through it, followed almost immediately by the metallic sliding of the nearest roller door.

Addie's gaze then fell upon Leo's face, and her heart unexpectedly lifted.

"Ladies... c-child," Donnie nodded awkwardly toward the women as he gestured inside, prompting them forward.

"Turtles-" Leo shared a fleeting look with Addie as he sheathed his unsullied blade, before turning to address his brothers. "Limber up. We've a slight incline on the way inside."

"No pussyin' out this time, Mikey."

---

@android-cap-007 @happymoonangel @miss-andromeda @jasminarts01 @obsessedftshit

9 notes · View notes

tinkabelle24 · 2 months

Text

Remains

Chapter 2: Go

Help finally arrives, but is it too late?

A/N: MASSIVE trigger warning for this chapter. Please read before proceeding.

TW! CHILD DEATH, Murder-suicide, Blood/Gore.

Chapter 1

---

Bandana wound around her nose and mouth, Addie tentatively opened the only non-transparent door in the building, to the storeroom. Despite her precautions this time, the horrific smell hit her just as severely as the first.

"Schijt!"

She clamped a hand over the fabric, tears pricking her baby blues as she swallowed the bile that threatened to spill forth. She's smelt some... smells, in her career and as a parent - nothing like this.

Finally composing herself, the blonde stepped forward, chancing a glance downward. On the floor of the cramped space, defiling the vinyl with its biofluids, lay the dissected body of their 'donor' walker - dead dead.

His name was Hank Green; born May 7th, 1958. He was a local. He had three grandchildren...

Shake it off, Addie. You can do this.

You MUST do this.

She reached for a fresh sheet and gloves... and a peg.

Four over here, six over there...

I think I'd rather take my chances with the former.

Addie lowered her gaze from the window to her pistol, noting the half-empty magazine before returning it to the chamber; releasing the slide, then stuffing it inside her leg holster. She took extra care in avoiding the semi-dried gore now hanging from her torso.

A gun was the 'absolute last resort' option. As sight was compromised, their other senses (hearing especially) were heightened to compensate. Should one go off, expect all undead within a mile radius to come running.

Luckily, Addie's only needed to shoot thrice: twice, in the initial outbreak, when she and Lucas became cornered; once, to prevent a carjacking. Had Matt not jumped the fucker when he did (getting pistol-whipped in the process), the opportunity she took to take him out likely wouldn't have presented itself.

The what ifs of that day still haunt her, four months later.

Reaching round her back, beneath the canvas satchel and sheet-smock, Addie tugged her dagger from its sheath. She carefully ran a thumb along the blade, checking its sharpness.

Finally satisfied, she slotted it back in; gaze lingering over her (still sleeping) child as she fetched the keys from her pocket, snatched up the bloodstained machete propped against the wall, then beelined for the rear exit.

As carefully as her trembling fingers would allow, Addie turned the key in the mechanism; simultaneously monitoring the position of the four walkers wandering about this side of the building.

The lock clicked louder than expected. Heart leaping into her throat, the blonde immediately retreated behind the blanket (top half still nailed to the architrave) as the walker closest to the fence snapped her way, groaning inquisitively. She could feel its milky gaze burning through the polyester, into her very soul.

"Schijt!"

Peeking round the blanket, Addie watched as the once impeccably dressed woman, now in decomposing rags, stalked along the fence-line; sniffing the air for her next meal. This behaviour had, unfortunately, drawn the attention of the other three, who were now shuffling their way over.

"Schijt, schijt, schijt...!"

If she doesn’t act now, more will come; then, they’ll be well and truly screwed.

Gripping the hilt of her dagger, Addie squeezed her eyes shut and breathed, steeling herself. After one last long and tremulous exhale, she rushed forward.

For the first time in over a month, she was out.

The walkers hissed wildly as Addie closed in on them, brandishing her blade. With one swift movement, she impaled the woman’s eye socket through the fence; shoving the body away before moving on to the man in the tattered polo and jeans, the elderly woman in night clothes... then the boy, who couldn’t have been any older than eight.

She couldn’t bring herself to look, when she finally cut him down...

As her last kill thudded to the ground, Addie caught the ‘front’ group approaching in her periphery; again, sniffing about. Panicked, the blonde impulsively swiped a hand over the bloodied ricasso, smearing red all over her face; earlobes, lips, eyelids – anywhere that wasn't already covered.

She froze. Waiting, watching; not even daring to breathe as the six gradually lost interest, then finally disbanded.

If she could become a puddle, she would have.

Snapping out of her stupor, Addie proceeded stiffly sidestepping toward the access gate; pocketing the dagger, then retrieving her machete from its sheath. She carefully lifted the latch and slipped through, pulling it closed behind her.

There was nothing standing between them and her now. Despite their alleged disinterest, she still expected them to turn and swarm her, but they didn't. The closest one, a mere few feet away, twitched when the gate clicked closed; other than that - nothing. It was as though she no longer existed...

Matthew, you ingenious bastard!

Please, please, please, be okay...

Stealing one last glance at the centre, Addie turned on her heel then hurried forward; away from the loitering walkers, across the road (littered with abandoned cars; one containing mummified remains, draped over the deflated driver's seat airbag), through the overgrown field (passing two more oblivious walkers) to the nearest residential area.

She decided on the light-coloured duplex at the end of the cul-de-sac. The left-hand front door was wide open - no good. Chances were the place had already been cleared out, either by the residents or scavengers. Onto the right side...

This door was closed. Addie tried the knob - locked. The blonde hummed thoughtfully, adjusting her satchel strap as she knelt; frown shifting from the wilted Hosta in the corner of the patio, to the leaf-covered welcome mat. She had a hunch...

Yes! Addie snatched the spare key hidden beneath the mat, bracing against the door as she slowly hauled herself upright.

The blood still dropped to her feet.

She'd gladly take dried dog shit at this point; she was that hungry...

You can do this, Addie. Not long now...

She inserted the key; ear pressed against the door as she turned it, to check whether the sound drew the attention of anyone (or thing) possibly wandering about on the other side.

...Nothing.

She nudged the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her.

The house was quiet; too quiet to be holding walkers, but there was an eerie coldness to the air. She hoped this was only due to it being closed off to the outside for half a year...

She could see the kitchen from the entryway. Her stomach groaned at the sight, but she had one more job to do - secure the area.

Second floor first.

Slowly, Addie ascended the carpeted stairway; dagger at the ready. As she reached the landing, she noted three doors - all ajar.

She poked her head inside the first – the master bedroom. Aside from the mussed bedsheets, the room appeared untouched. No walkers.

The bathroom (second door) was empty also.

Goosebumps prickled Addie's skin as she approached the final door. 'Luna' in painted wooden letters hung from it; somehow, her dread intensified.

She froze when she spotted feet, talus facing the floor.

The blonde swallowed hard, bracing herself. Finally, she pushed forward; following up the man's body until she reached his head. Blood pooled around it, among other stains. A pistol laid beneath his skeletal fingers.

Proceeding him was a bed. Atop the mattress, under a rainbow quilt, hid a child-sized body. A bloodstained pillow covered their head.

A hand flew to Addie's mouth as she averted her gaze, choking back a despaired whimper. Knees buckling, she grasped at the doorframe for support; she collapsed anyway, sobbing and dry heaving.

For several agonising moments, her body refused to relent. Her insides burned from the contractions; her bloodied tears stained her teeth. She spat then swiped at her lips with her sleeve, washing out any remnants with water from her bottle.

She’s seen many undead children in this new, cruel world; enough to desensitise her somewhat. They are but a shell of their former selves – a literal walking corpse. Dead children, however...

This was her first.

Finally prying herself from the floor, Addie shuffled her way into the master bedroom; tugging off the patterned quilt and top sheet, then dragging them back to Luna’s bedroom. Nudging the pistol aside, she carefully laid the quilt over the father’s remains; then moved on to the child, before tearfully stepping away.

“I’m so sorry...” The woman sniffled, after a moment’s silence. Gaze drifting to the gun at her feet, she quietly added: “...and I’m sorry, for this...”

Shame flooded Addie as she snatched it up, scurrying out the door with her metaphorical tail between her legs. Looting dead bodies: incredibly disrespectful but, as the saying goes: desperate times...

Empty magazine. She checked the chamber – also empty.

She rifled through the drawers and closet in the master bedroom – nothing.

Fuck.

She pocketed it anyway; along with two pairs of thick socks, pocketknife, and the Corduroy jacket hanging over the bedpost. Perhaps he kept his stash downstairs...

Addie’s stomach screamed as she ransacked the kitchen; tugging open every cupboard and drawer, for items they could either use or eat. The moment her eyes laid upon a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli, she pounced; ripping it open then shovelling its contents into her mouth with her fingers.

She’d obliterated it in record time; the closest thing she’d had to a meal in days.

It was euphoric.

Addie set the now empty can in the sink; licking the remnants from her fingers as she turned back to the opened pantry. Nonperishables abound – she'd hit the jackpot!

Let’s start with the canned meals, UHT milk, and dried fruit, then come back another day for the rest.

She began stuffing her satchel.

Why you decided not to come this way, Matthew, I’ll never know...

A distant thudding sound, rapidly increasing in both volume and frequency, finally attracted Addie’s attention. She paused, whipping her head every which way to determine its origin.

When she realised, a chill shot up the blonde’s spine. The can she dropped clattered to the ground as she barrelled out the front door, leaving her satchel behind.

"Whoa. This place sure went to the dogs, didn't it... Where's the party??"

"Don't you hear the horn?? Follow them, Donnie..."

"OVER HERE, YOU FUCKERS!"

Addie hurled a brick through the window of the nearest car, triggering its alarm system. She yipped, yelled and rapped against the metal in a desperate bid to draw the now twenty-odd ravenous walkers away from the front door - away from her son.

"That's it! I'm all yours - come get me!"

They encroached on her from all angles; gangly fingers outstretched, hankering for a tasty morsel. She readied her machete, bracing herself for the impending assault.

"A little closer...!"

The moment one was within swinging range, she swung.

"There, I see it! This is it, right - KinderCare? Wait... oh shit! She's fucking surrounded! Raph, Mikey - with me-"

"I ain't leavin' April!"

"Raph- for God's sake! Donnie, let's go!"

The horde quickly overwhelmed Addie; corralling the woman up onto the car roof, with little more than an inch of leeway on either side.

One misstep and she was chow.

She was largely successful in diverting their attention. However, one appeared determined to get inside; incessantly striking the double-paned glass with a rock. She'd already wasted three bullets trying to stop this seemingly unstoppable meat bag...

Addie shrieked in horror when they finally smashed through. Faced with no other option, she braced herself to jump; right before being unceremoniously ripped from her feet, losing her machete in the process.

"No, no, no, no, NO!" The woman desperately kicked at the walkers grabbing at her legs; the other side clawed at her smock, strangling her.

Ahead of her, the wayward walker was halfway through the second of three doors standing between them and Lucas.

Get up, Addie.

Get the FUCK up!!!

Balancing her weight with one hand, Addie shakily lifted the other; lining up the chamber with the walker about to bury their flesh-rittled teeth in her shin.

She pressed-

Something whizzed past her ear, impaling the walker's temple and thrusting them sideways. It created a Domino effect, of sorts; one stumbling walker quickly became two, then three, then four...

Addie's legs were now free. As she scrambled to her feet, a mass of green crashed into view; slicing through the crowd like butter.

A shrill whistle pierced her eardrums, followed immediately by equally deafening techno music. She whipped around, finding a heavily modified sanitation vehicle with the logo: 'Tartaruga Bros.', screeching to a halt before her.

"Let's go, you ugly fucks!" A masculine voice hollered as an enormous, green, three-fingered hand sprang from the driver's seat window; slamming repeatedly against the side panel. "Turtle soup - get it while it's hot!"

Addie watched, transfixed, as the remaining horde (and those sprinkling in from the street; picked off by two more hulking, green beings) gradually turned away from her; lurching toward the truck rolling around the parking lot.

"Adrie?!"

She recognised this voice; it belonged to one of the two men she'd spoken with over the radio. He called himself Leo.

Whirling toward the centre, Addie was confronted by a pair of the clearest, bluest eyes she'd ever seen. A deeper blue, tattered cloth encircled them; surrounding that: brilliant green, scaled skin.

Strapped to his plated chest: the string part of a giant wooden bow; as well as a thicker leather strap, extending round what appeared to be a shell, at his back. In his three-fingered hands, he held twin swords; dripping with blood.

He resembled a man, but there were too many peculiarities at play to confirm.

The skin, the plating, the shell...

What are these... people?

Addie's gaze returned to Leo's disconcerted one. His lips were moving; he appeared to be shouting, but she couldn't hear a thing. The now empty entryway behind him had snagged her attention.

The wayward walker had made it through the second door.

She jumped.

"Adrie-!" Leo flinched at the blood curdling scream; proceeded immediately by shattering glass. The woman ignored him; snatching up her fallen machete as she bolted inside.

She'd answered his question, without saying a thing.

He followed her. "Cover the door!!!"

"On it!"

"Leo, more are coming - a lot more!"

In the truck, the dark-haired woman gazed despairingly down the road; toward the town centre. It teemed with oncoming walkers. "I haven't seen this many, since..."

"I know, I know..." The red-masked driver rubbed her shoulder comfortingly; glaring out his own window, watching his comrade disappear. "Whattaya doin', Leo?!" He shouted into the intercom. "Get'er outta there; they'll be on top of us in minutes!"

Glass crunched under Addie's boots as she bounded through the centre. Lucas was screaming for her now.

"MOMMY!!!" Over, and over. It was like knives in her heart.

"LUCAS!!!"

Finally rounding the corner, what she found boiled her blood.

The walker had indeed made it through the last door. They were now dangling over its centre beam, caught on the protruding shards; clawing at the terrified child curled up in the corner.

Addie charged.

She gripped the scruff of their jacket and yanked, gutting them as she thrust them onto the linoleum; knocking their cap off in the process. Their growls were summarily cut short by the downward swing of her machete, into their face. She pried it out, then swung again...

...and again... and again... and again, until their head was nothing more than a bloodied puddle.

Breathless, Addie finally straightened up; grip faltering around her sullied blade. She found Leo standing near the entrance; a conflicting mix of horror and remorse on his scarred features. She couldn't help the distain she slung in return.

Had you gotten here when you said you'd be, likely none of this would have happened...

"Mommy!"

Addie whipped around, dropping her weapon as she scooped her whimpering son into her arms; gripping his body as tightly as he did hers. "Baby... I'm so, so sorry! ... Shhh, it's okay. I'm here, now... I'm here."

Leo averted his gaze, attempting to give mother and son some semblance of privacy whilst they held each other. Meanwhile, his radio was blowing up.

"Adrie, I really hate to interrupt, but-"

"It's daddy, mommy..." Lucas sniffled. Unbeknownst to Addie, he was pointing.

"No..." Leo breathed.

"Daddy isn't here, sweetheart," the woman sighed shakily. "I don't know where daddy is..."

"Daddy hurt me."

Addie's heart stopped.

No. Please, don't let it be...

Slowly, she turned; covering Lucas' eyes as the mess re-entered her field of vision.

She didn't need their face - the sheet and cap gave him away.

"M-Matt...?"

Their decade together flashed before her eyes. Their ‘meet-cute’, when he accidently socked her in the face with a football; their first date, watching Scary Movie at the cinema; their first kiss, that same night; first “I love you’; first time; first fight; first house; first ultrasound; their shotgun wedding; Lucas’ birth; Matt’s months-long emotional affair...

They’d been contemplating divorce when all this started. Being forced to rely on only each other, for absolutely everything, helped them reconcile.

The night before he left, they slept together; the first time in over a year...

"Whoa- hey!" Leo caught Addie before she hit the floor; bracing her elbows, lest Lucas slip from her grasp. "I've got you-"

The blonde gasped as she shrugged him off. “Don’t... t-touch-!”

"Leo, please!" A panicked cry echoed down the hallway; accompanied by grunts and frenzied growls.

Wasting no more time, Leo chanced more physical contact to urge Addie forward. "C'mon, let's go- leave it!” He tugged her upright when she knelt for her machete. “I'll get it - go!"

---

youtube

If you'd like to be tagged/untagged in updates regarding this series, please don't hesitate to let me know! 🥰

---

Chapter 3

@android-cap-007 @happymoonangel @miss-andromeda @jasminarts01 @raphaelismybae

5 notes · View notes