Chapter Text

It had been three years since the apocalypse started, three years since everyone's lives changed. Everyday was a fight for survival, and it never gets easier. As you wake up, all you can think about is the night prior, and the girl you’d given mercy to.

Charlotte. She was nice, far too kind for a world infested with the dead. She had gotten bitten while trying to kill a Z that was chasing a dog. The dog got away, but Charlotte wasn’t fast enough and got bit in the arm.

As you were getting ready for the day, Addy walked into your tent, giving you a bright smile. You knew by the look on her face she was up to something. "I know that look, where are you going?"

"To get more weapons. Want to come?" She asked.

"Sure."

Addy raised her brows, surprised. You usually turn down her offer. "Maybe we can find you another weapon."

You roll your eyes. A silent weapon was the smartest thing to use, but Mac had gotten it into Addy’s head that a bow and arrow wasn’t good enough. They both wanted you to have a gun. "I'm just going to pack my bag," you sighed, ignoring what she said. "I'll meet you outside, okay?"

Addy nodded as she made her way out of the tent, as you began to pack. You put in some spare clothes, a first aid kit, water and some snacks enough to last a couple of days if needed. When you were done, you walked towards the edge of camp to meet Addy and Mac.

"God, does she always need to bring so much stuff?"

You frowned hearing Mac’s comment. You fought the urge to cuss him out, knowing it would just cause another argument. Mac could be a right jackass at times. He always acted like he knew Addy better than you.

We walked in silence the rest of the way. Doc always waved when he spotted potential customers, but his smile always seemed genuine when he saw your sister.

"Got the goods for us, Doc?" You asked. "Anymore vodka?"

"Yup and some aspirin. You got what we talked about last time?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

The older man smiled when you nodded. You rummaged around in your backpack, and pulled out a plastic bag containing fish you had caught a couple of days prior in a small stream nearby. The head cook in your camp let you use her freezer, on the conduction you gave half of whatever you caught to her. Looking pleased with the context, he handed you a small bottle of vodka and some pain killers.

"Good doing business with you," he pointed towards Addy, who was admiring some weapons. "Now, if you excuse me, I’m going barging with your sister."

"My favourite customer," Sketchy said, coming to stand beside you. He licked his lips, "see anything you like?" You scoffed and walked away, but he followed. "So Astra, I can get you another bottle for a fair price."

You scoffed, "yeah?"

"I’ll give you a second bottle, for one kiss."

"Enough," Mac said dryly.

You flipped Sketch off as he continued to laugh. "I’d rather kiss a Z."

Addy sniggered at your comment as she swung a spiked bat. Your eyes widened when a growling came behind you from the tree lines. A zombie came charging at Addy and just before it got her, she whacked it with a bat.

"You okay?" You heard Mac ask.

"Yeah just... it was fast."

You knew Addy was shaken even though she would deny it. You look down at the zombie’s body. "Shit, it's one of the Baker brothers."

"Awh no, did Z's get red? He was one of my best customers," Sketch moaned.

"Wonder if his brothers know?" Doc asked.

"I would say it's a safe bet because here they come." You said, aiming your bow and shooting the Z in the head.

Suddenly, another Z came charging at Mac who was caught off guard. He held it at bay with his arm. You ran towards him and stabbed the zombie in the side of the head with your blade before it had a chance to bite.

Doc’s eyes widened. "Well, it's closing time boys and girls."

Everyone quickly packed up their stuff and the new weapons they had gotten. Addy was recording what had happened on her video, while you took a few pictures with your Polaroid camera. You both thought it was important to record the events of the apocalypse for future generations.

You all silently started making your way back to camp blue sky, but froze when gunfire could be heard in the distance.

"Fuck! That’s coming from camp!" You yelled before running. Once you got closer, you were able to see the camp was destroyed.

"Doc, call Warren and Garnet, see what's going on," Addy said quietly.

Doc nodded, taking out his walkie. "Hello camp blue sky? Warren, Garnett, are you there?"

After a moment, a voice barely came through, "Doc? What's happening? We aren't at camp."Oh shit.

"It's bad guys, Z's everywhere! We think everyone might be dead," Doc sighed.

"Okay... coming... get you," Warren’s voice could be heard weakly through the radio.

You held onto Addy’s arm, pulling her back. "Guys, we need to go now."

You all started running through the forest to avoid the oncoming Z’s. A sigh of relief left your lips when you saw the school bus passing by. At least they got the kids out. But your relief didn't last long as a Z appeared at the back window before screams filled the air. The bus came to a screeching halt, and crashed into a tree.

The back door of the bus burst open and Z's came running straight for your group. Addy grabbed your hand, pulling you along as she ran in the opposite direction, through the trees. We ran up a small hill thinking they had lost, but stopped immediately when five Z's turned to face you. Before they could charge at the group, a truck came speeding towards them, and knocked the undead to the ground.

Garnett leaned out the window, "get in!"You

threw herself into the bed of the truck as Addy, Mac, and Doc followed quickly behind. As Warren sped off away from the Z's you slumped down in the back of the truck.

Camp blue sky was gone, your home was gone.

______

A hand landed on your leg, squeezing gently, causing you to look up at Addy, who gave you a small smile. "Are you okay, Astra? You’ve hardly spoken since... since we left."

You shrugged. Addy sighed but decided not to push you to talk. She knew that would only lead to an argument and no one needed that right now. So you decided to change the topic.

"Who do you think those guys are?" You asked quietly.

"Don't know, one looks like he’s with the military, the other I have no idea," Mac answered. "The other guy just looks shady."

It must be important if Warren and Garnet are listening to them," Addy replied.

Sighing, you turned your attention back to the scenery around you. It was changing fast. The green grass that covered miles of land was becoming deeper shades of red, the further away you got.

______

Warren pulled up outside an abandoned building that looked like it was once a school. It was most likely used as a shelter when the outbreak happened. On closer inspection, the place looked destroyed and deserted.

The man in the military uniform got out of the truck and started walking around scanning the area.

"See anything Hammond?" The other man yelled only to be ignored.

You frowned. Mac was right, the unnamed man did look shady.

"Yeah, it's them!" The military man shouted as he began firing at Z’s.

Warren, Garnet, and the other guy got out of the truck. They told you to stay behind as you stepped out. You nodded, and went to step back inside when the shady looking guy pushed past you, mumbling about needing to pee and stopping beside the truck.

"Dude seriously?" you were disgusted at the fact that he was just going to pee next to everyone. "Go around a corner, or something."

"Free country sweetheart man can piss where he wants."

You scowled at him as you turned to face Warren, "Can I just shoot him?"

"I'm afraid not," she smirked. "Murphy over there is important. We think."

Murphy. At least he had a name now.

Murphy opened his mouth to say something, but was quickly cut off.

"Hey you zip it up,” Hammond pointed to Murphy. "Garnet and Warren, check out the building. The rest of you check the cars for any dead or supplies."

You glanced at Doc, who just shrugged before getting out of the car. You were confused about why Garnet and Warren were taking orders from the military man.

The quiet sound of growling close by made your head snap up. Following the sound, you saw a small group of zombies trying to get something in a cage. You ran back to where Addy and Doc were.

"Guys, we got a bunch of Z's, around the corner. They are trying to claw at something desperately."

"What are they after?" Doc asked

"I’m not sure, but I could see the top of a cage."

You didn't need to say anything else as they quickly followed. As soon as they got there, you pulled out your blade and began to take the Z’s out. Once there were only a couple of them left, you noticed that there was a girl in the cage, but you couldn't tell if she was alive or not.

The girl in the cage looked up at Mac when he went to break the lock on the padlock by stepping into the cage. You had your bow aimed at the girl's head, just in case things turned sour fast.

"Be careful Mac," Addy whispered.

The girl suddenly jumped up, pushing Mac against the cage while holding a knife to his throat.

"Put it down!" You snapped, stepping closer so your arrow was only a few inches from her head.

"Please, please don't hurt him. We saved you!" Addy tried to reassure the girl. Your sister pushed your arm down so you’d lower your weapon, but you didn’t budge.

"Well, she definitely ain't dead," Doc laughed.

The girl glanced between your group. "Sorry, I forgot where I was."

"How long have you been in that cage?" The girls' eyes flickered at you before answering.

She paused before answering, "three days."

Mac slowly led the girl out of the cage, but you still had a tight grip on your bow, still did not trust her.

"It’s okay, Astra," Mac reassured you. "We’re good."

On the way to the building where Garnet and Warren were, you all walked in silence, on high alert for any Z’s nearby. Once you stepped inside the building, your eyes went wide as you saw Garnet holding a baby. oh my god.

"Holy shit," Warren muttered, walking towards him. "It's been years since I've seen a baby," she said, stroking the baby's cheek.

Warren made it clear she didn’t want to hold the baby, so Garnet turned to face you with a pleading look. "No, absolutely not."

"I’ve seen you take down Z’s without flinching. Don’t tell me you're scared of holding a baby."

You pouted, but before you could reply, Murphy cut in. "Yeah, that's great. Maybe she can shut it up before it attracts Z's.”

You glared at Murphy while taking the baby from Garnet. "Shut up Murphy, it's just a baby.”

Before an argument could break out, Hammond addressed the girl who still hadn’t shared her name. "What were you doing in that cage?"

"I was protecting myself from Z's.”

“Well, it looks to me like someone put you in there. I'm just a little curious as to why everyone else is dead but you." It was clear in his voice that Hammond wasn’t buying her story.

Frowning, she continued to explain what happened. "They showed up with supplies, word about food travels fast and they had too many people to die with. They started shooting some of the locals and that brought on the Z's!"

"Great!" Murphy exclaimed, "Let's leave the baby with her and leave."

"Fuck no! I’m not trusting her with a baby," you felt your face redden slightly. "No offence, but I don't know you. Hell, I don’t even know your name."

The girl just nodded, "I’m Cassandra."

"Fine, we'll take her and the baby to the next outpost," Murphy huffed like a child.

"Puppies and kittens are on the way!" Warren yelled.

They all shot up getting ready for the threat, but were stopped by Hammond. "Garnet stayed here with the baby and Murphy. The rest of you should go and load the car with supplies. Me and Warren are gonna see if we can start that piece of junk out there."

"Wait, we need to talk about this," Mac demanded.

"No we don't, go!" He snapped.

We all looked at Garnet, who nodded his head, telling you to just do what the man said. You may not have trusted Hammond, but you trusted Garnet.

While checking the dead for anything useful they might have on them, you jump at the sound of a shot being fired. You quickly grabbed your bow and arrow and aimed in the direction the gunshot came from. You lowered your weapon slowly. When you made eye contact with a boy who looked to be the same age as you. He’d killed a Z that was coming up behind you.

You opened your mouth to ask where he had come from, but hearing an argument, you began to run to where it was coming from.

"My mission is to get Murphy to California! He is the only chance at a cure we have. I'm not going in there!" Hammond yelled.

Is Murphy the cure? That didn’t seem right.

"Fine! I'll do it, but if I don't come back, you have to get him to that lab." Hammond said before making his way into the building.

"Wait, where's the baby?" You questioned

"Turned into a Z," Garnet said quietly.

"Oh," you sighed while looking down at the ground.

A silence fell over the group, until Doc broke it by making a stupid suggestion about leaving the others behind. You weren’t paying attention as you scanned the area for the boy that saved you.

"Most Z’s don’t come from the sky," Addy said, leaning into you.

"I was looking for... someone," you mumbled.

The sounds of rapid gunfire and screams caused Warren to open the door and slowly enter as everyone else looked on in curiosity. Suddenly, the Z baby was making its way towards your group. You placed a hand over your mouth to stop yourself from screaming. This had to have been the worst thing you’d seen since the apocalypse started.

You slowly made your way into the room, and Warren began firing. Hammond was lying dead on the floor. His face had been eaten by Z’s. Swallowing down, you pulled your blade and gave him mercy before you went back outside.

Warren squeezed your shoulder, as she came up behind you, "You did good kid." She turned to face the rest of the group. "We need a plan."

"My plan is to take this truck, forget about California labs and all of you! I wanted off this train from day one!" Murphy shouted

Doc stood up. "Now hold on, what about the vaccine?"

"He's right. What if this is real?" Addy added. What if it works? What if it's you Murphy?"

"Or what if it's a bunch of bullshit?" Mac scoffed.

"Whatever we do, we can stay here. All this noise will attract unwanted attention," you pointed out.

Before anyone could say anything else, the sound of a radio crackling got everyone's attention. You all searched trying to find where the noise was coming from. Addy ran back into the building where Hammonds' body was, coming out seconds later with a handheld radio. You all ran towards Addy to hear better.

"Operation BiteMark, this is citizen Z. Do you copy?" A mal voice said.

"Hello, who is this?" Addy asked.

"This is citizen Z. Who am I speaking too?"

She looked up at you with wide eyes, "Addison Carver."

"Addison? Is the package safe?" Addy and you exchanged a confused look.

"Package?" You asked, "Does he mean Murphy?"

Addy answered him. "What are you talking about? What package?"

"Listen... talk to Hammond," the crackled voice said.

Addy sucked in a deep breath. "Sorry, he's dead, it just happened."

"What? No!" The man yelled, "I need to talk to someone in charge!"

Addy handed the radio to Garnet, who looked confused. "He wants to talk to someone in charge."

Reluctantly, he accepted the radio. "Hello, this is Sargent Garnet from the national guard."

"Sargent, listen..." you let out a sigh of distraction as the radio began cracking again. "You... Murphy... California..."

Garnet was yelling at citizen Z that he wanted more information, before the radio died. He was in a fit of rage. Garnet threw the radio onto the ground, smashing it.

Damn it. It looked like you’d need to take Murphy to the lab.

"Alright, we'll take the cars that we managed to get working." Warren said while standing up. "Load up all the supplies, we're going to California."

When the truck was loaded with the small bundle of supplies you’d found, you jumped into the back of the truck.

When Doc slowed down, you stood up to see the boy who saved you. "Hey, you're the kid that saved my ass," he laughed as the boy just shrugged. "Well, can I give you a lift?"

The boy seemed to think about it for a moment before shrugging, "sure."

The boy spotted you before hopping into the back of the truck to stand next to you. You banged on the roof, and Doc began driving again.

After moments of silence, you turned to the stranger that saved you, and smiled. "Hey sniper boy, I'm Astra. Thanks for saving me."

"10K."