Chapter Text
The Vannah stood in all its glory, Hazmat guys coming and going while a long line of anxious people were expectant to proceed inside. Helicopters flew by from the rooftop to an unknown destination. Inside the hotel was Nick with a unbothered demeanor compared to those around him. His group was next; they were told to hold tight as the CEDA staff waited for a signal on their radios about another helicopter coming to pick up the next pack of survivors. Everything looked in complete chaos around him; people sobbing, distraught and anxious.
“THEY ARE INSIDE”. A man’s voice screamed down the hall behind them. Like dominoes, people started falling, screaming and running for their lives. Nick turned and saw them coming, the undead were behind them tearing people apart making a bloody mess all over the hall. A fight or flight response overcame his body, terror filled a woman’s eyes 8 feet away from him as she was being ripped to pieces. He ran to one of rooms at the sides which was full of hazmat guys, all of them paralyzed in place. As soon as he entered, he swore he could hear their hearts pounding in their chests. One of them ran to the door and locked it.
The door handle started twisting hurriedly in vain, people screaming and pounding the door to the room, begging whoever was inside to let them in. He hesitated for a second before stepping closer to the door.
“What are you doing?” A voice behind him questioned in his direction.
“I’m going to let them in”
“Are you crazy?” another man replied, voice trembling. “You open that door and we all die. You don’t know if they are carriers out there by now”
Nick turned confused just as the door flew open with such force it knocked Nick to the side and into the bathroom, falling onto the floor. “Son of a bitch” he mumbled rubbing his head in pain. The grumbling of the zombies could be heard in the hall entering the room combined with the thunderous screams of the people. He couldn’t do anything as he heard the cries for help right before him, the main door was hiding him already but to be sure he slowly closed the bathroom door and stood still, slow breathing for what it seemed an eternity.
When everything quieted down, Nick opened the door and peaked outside. Right across the floor there where the massacred bodies of the people who were with him in the room. It was a gruesome sight to him, the smell of blood invaded his nose. It looked as if the people spontaneously exploded, all he could make out was bits of flesh and severed limbs and heads scattered above big pools of blood; some had their eyes still open showing the dread stuck in them as they were being eaten alive moments ago.
Slowly moving out of the bathroom, Nick’s attempts to not step on blood were futile. Nick, shrugged it off, the hazmat guys were right… only he had not opened the door at all but seemed rather glad his brief moment of humanity had saved his life.
“Jesus fucking hell, my goddam suit is going to…” a strange noise outside interrupted him. Nick darted his eyes at the broken door, there were hissing growls coming through it. He backed away to the balcony as fast as he deemed safely possible.
“Please… help me” He heard sobbing coming out of the room next door. A man, blood-soaked came crawling with the little strength he had left. It was like a scene out of those gory movies he once saw when he was way younger, only this time everything was very real.
Again, he hesitated. He knew the man was past the point of no return. Even if he were to help him, it would be in vain. The growl became louder, so he hid behind the corner between the balcony and the sliding doors leading to it. An inhuman scream resonated in his ears, they soon mixed up with the guys cries for help. Not sure what was happening, the snarling became stronger as he peaked inside the room. He didn’t know what he saw, it looked human but it tore the guy’s chest apart with such might and ease. The thing locked eyes with Nick and began growling again. “Shit, shit, shit” He backed again but couldn’t go further away. It was either getting ripped to pieces or jump over the balcony to a sure death.
“To hell with this” He said and leaped over the balcony to hang from the edge with a firm grip right as the zombie bounced at him, missing by an inch. Nick saw it falling until he heard a loud thud “Heh, you missed buddy…” He grunted. “shit, what was I thinking coming down here?” Sure as hell he would be safe back in Ney York, taking a fucking plane out of the country to an island far away, maybe.
He glanced back at the room again, trying to leap back but his hands were starting to sweat making him lose grip on the railing. “Hello?”. A faint timid voice was coming from the balcony below him. “You need any helpin’?”. That’s when he first saw him, a young kid or rather young adult. The boy helped him get to the balcony below.
To Nick’s eyes the kid looked scared shitless, jumpy at any sound in the surrounding rooms. He didn’t have time for this but something in him couldn’t shake the feeling of sympathy for him, which he rarely felt in his entire life so far. “Thanks, kid” Nick brushed his white suit off. “What’s your name?”
“Ellis, name’s Ellis” Nick barely heard his voice. Ellis couldn’t even look up; his eyes were glued to the floor. Body slightly shaking. The conman didn’t know what to do or say so he just stepped closer to Ellis and embraced him.
“Everything’s going to be fine, fireball. We’ll get through this” Nick said, patting his back. Ellis looked up at him smiling and nodded lightly.
Then Nick woke up from his deep sleep, he found himself on the co-driver seat with his head resting to the side. Next to him was Ellis, hands fixed on the steering wheel and a huge smile plastered on his face. At the very sight of it, Nick couldn’t help but smile at his companion. He had just dreamed about the time he met him back at the hotel, way before he found Ro and Coach… it was only him and Ellis fending for themselves while they figure out what to do next in that situation; the hotel was overrun. It was way too risky to leave it just yet. In Nick’s mind there’s the vivid image of a frightened Ellis, embedded deep down in his thoughts. They were stuck there for several weeks. They both raided the fridges in the adjacent rooms to get something to eat, Nick would skip some meals and let Ellis have most of the food if they didn’t find many goods. They crossed paths with Rochelle and Coach who heard a military broadcast signal announcing quick evac in the hotel rooftop again to whoever survivor could hear the transmission.
He didn’t know how but Ellis bloomed into this happy-go-lucky annoying kid within days of being together. Even though Nick felt him bothersome, deep down was glad to see him smile. The kid had grown on him but he wouldn’t let Ellis know that of course, as he usually gave the southerner a hard time.
“We’re the four raiders of the goddamn apocalypse!” Nick yelled suddenly at the top of his lungs. The jovial laugh at his side filled his ears and made him sneak a glance at the southerner. The wind seemed to kiss Ellis’ light brown curls, blowing them gently. Nick turned his gaze completely now, bedazzled… For fucks sake, he looked gorgeous. A pair of shining bright blue eyes locked at the path in front of them, full pinkish lips - he seemed the picture of perfection. Nick’s heart skipped a beat. It was quite the view for him.
Exasperated at his own reaction, Nick force himself to turn the other side and just admired the road. Coach had said that the best way to get to New Orleans would be cutting through a suburban town called Rayford, another idiotic detour through this hick state, to Nick’s annoyance.
After what it seemed like an hour or so, the sound of the tires screeching was heard by the survivors as Ellis abruptly stepped on the break. “Aw, hell” he murmured cocking and eyebrow in disbelief. It was raining outside and a bit foggy but he managed to stop before crashing onto the closed bridge.
“Ellis!” Ro and Coach yelled, shifting back in place.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Ellis. What the fuck is wrong with you? Don’t know how to properly drive you stupid hick?!” Nick barked, feeling the seatbelt choking him a little. “This is going to leave a fucking mark!” Rochelle leaned a bit from her back seat and pinched Nick, the man grumbled back and Coach just chuckled. Ellis just ignored him.
“The bridge’s blocked, folks” Ellis turned his gaze to Ro and Coach. “Oh and it’s rainin’ outside!”
“Nice input, Sherlock.” Nick huffed. Rochelle sneered at him and pinched his elbow again “Ro, come on!”. A pause lingered between all of them.
“Well, we ain’t gonna fix it up sittin’ in the car” Coach’s voice made his presence. He made a motion as if to open the car door but turned before doing so. “Y’all are gonna keep sittin’ on yo asses all day now?”
Coach exited the car followed by Ellis and Rochelle in that order. Nick stayed behind and sighed, annoyance could be perceived by it alone. The sound of rain droplets hitting against the car made him feel a bit at ease. As he stretched his arms, to his right, Nick spotted Ellis talking to Rochelle. His mind focusing on Ellis’ anxious expression. He felt his chest sting a bit at the sight of it. They just made an escape like in those action movies from that godawful mall swarming with zombies, he recalled Ellis’ face bright with pure bliss just as if he was a 10-year-old kid right before Christmas when he caught sight of the Jimmy Gibbs Jr. Car. He preferred him like that: a bubbly happy-go-lucky kid, even though he would get on Nick’s nerves from time to time. The memory made his cheeks warm up and he couldn’t help but smile faintly. His head started throbbing just as he shuffled uncomfortable in the seat, forcing himself to close his eyes to stop eyeing Ellis. He couldn’t pin point why, where or when did it start these bothersome feelings.
A knocking on the right side window of the car snapped him out of his deep thought.
“Hey suit, we ain’t got time for this. Are ya comin’? Coach smiled at him. Nick just nodded. As soon as he opened the door, Ellis yapping invaded his ears which made him roll his eyes. Rochelle was there listening for once with a face that could only be described as bewildered, perplexed or to simply put it: confused as hell.
"This reminds me of that time my buddy Keith, he went on a diet on account of what the doctor sayin' he had to go on a diet or he'd die, so they told him he could drink nothin’ but them little diet shakes, but those are like five bucks a can man, and Keith is like, "Look, I ain't gonna―" Rochelle didn’t know what to say, she was cringing on the inside. This Keith guy sure sounds like the biggest idiot she’s ever heard about the more she payed attention to Ellis’ story.
Meanwhile Nick leaned against the car faking annoyance at Ellis’ gibberish. That voice, that goddamn voice. The thoughts filled his mind rapidly. it was like some kind of sweet melody to him, one that he could not ignore. He pondered yet again how on earth he became enamored with this young, annoying chatterbox. Mesmerized by his voice not wanting it to stop, Nick closed his eyes and felt himself in utter calm, deciding he would stay like this as long as Coach didn’t bother him. He loved his sweet southerner accent though he would never admit that, not even drunk.
“Ah, no, man, he gained like 30 pounds, but he did invent a shitload of tasty drinks. I was always kinda partial to the Keith's Kiwi Kamikaze." Ellis grinned, waving his hands around while he continued speaking to Rochelle about Keith’s misadventures. Anytime he would mention is idiotic friend, Ellis would beam rather too brightly for Nick’s liking. Maybe Ellis just missed his friend dearly and sharing his stories was his way of remaining himself that Keith could be out there, safe and sound… either way, Nick wasn’t thrilled by these stories.
“Hey Ellis, Shut up contest. Ready? 3, 2, 1… GO!” Nick sighed tiredly, with a dismissive demeanor. “Now, looks like we’ll have to abandon the ride in this place. Sorry overalls” mentioned, pointing at the car behind him.
“What? Hey! ‘m not leavin’ the car behind, Nick” Ellis said back, baffled at the idea.
“No, Ellis. Honey, we won’t leave the car but if we don’t find a solution, we need to consider…”
“No, Ro!” Ellis replied back, abruptly interrupting Rochelle. He stepped closer to the car, Nick’s gaze followed him for a brief moment “Car’s family now”
Nick let out a hearty laugh but sounded more sarcastic. “You don’t say…” Ellis glanced back at him, pouting and ready to throw a comeback when a voice seemingly out of nowhere stole everyone’s attention.
“Hello down there!” A delicate but firmly voice calling them. Everyone turned their heads up at the bridge and there she was the source of it; A young girl waved at them.
“Oh thank god, I thought I was the last woman on earth” Rochelle said clapping her hands together and shooting a quick smile to the girl. Coach and Nick just stared at her, unamused.
“Yeah… I know that feeling” The girl replied.
“That’s terrific cupcake…” Nick interrupted abruptly “Look is there a man up there that maybe we can talk to?”
The girl threw a dirty glare at him “I could shoot you where you stand”
“Hey lighten up!” Nick replied “Man… nobody can take a joke anymore”
“I can’t believe you used to be a con artist” Rochelle said unable to contain her laughter. He sneered at her in return.
Another person approached the railing, it was a 30 something man wearing a leather vest, covered in tatoos. Took a quick look down to them then glanced behind him. “You down there, be calm” The man said. “We’re cops!” The girl beside him just face palmed.
“Tell me this boy ain’t for real” Coach just sighed and crossed his arms. Nick was starting to get angry at the situation but he just pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to relax.
“No, no, no… I AM a cop” The man said proudly. “Are any of you vampires?”
“What the…” Nick mumbled, dumbfounded. Was this guy for real? At this moment? Nick couldn’t take it any longer. His head was throbbing in pain. How could this person be this fucking stupid? The world around them was filled with the undead yet this guy gave the impression of being serious about his inquiries, safe above in the bridge while they were stuck in this dusty, filthy town.
Coach didn’t seem too amused either. “Shit…” He mumbled. “Okay, we are vampires. All of us are vampires!” Nick turned his look at him, sending him a questioning look. Coach looked him back and shrugged.
“Louis” The man said looking behind him “I told you they were vampires”
“No they are not, Francis!” A voice could be heard but none of the survivors could see anyone else. “Tell them they have to get to the other side of the bridge” Francis ignored his comrade and stood silent.
“Nice car, dude!” The girl’s voice cut through the silence. Ellis, who hadn’t had said a word up until now, just stared at her in awe silence. Nick scoffed.
“Ellis” Rochelle chuckled lightly “Are you gonna answer her?”
Ellis didn’t reply. He just kept looking up at the girl in the bridge.
“Hey overalls, snap out of it” Nick yelled.
“Oh my gosh, that’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen” Ellis muttered loud enough for Nick to hear. He scowled at him and felt his heart beat anxiously. He turned his back to them and walked a few steps away. That girl… pretty? Well of course, what was he expecting from Ellis? To like him back? As if, all he did was to make his life impossible. At the word ‘like’ Nick shifted uncomfortable in place, what the fuck was he even thinking about just now? And just like that he got angry at himself wishing this damn ordeal would end soon… it was getting dark anyway.
“Okay… look is there any way you can lower the bridge for us?”
“Sorry, can’t do. We have wounded up here.” The girl said “Name’s Zoey, so my friend louis says you have to get to the other side of the bridge, fill a generator and that’ll do it”
Coach and Rochelle nodded and thanked her. They started discussing the situation between them and before the girl disappeared further into the bridge, they discussed some other things, mostly about them wanting to stay and rest in the car until morning. Everybody knew they needed a good rest after that shit show back at the mall. Zoey reassured them the area was clear for them four to sleep peacefully then she disappeared. Coach and Rochelle went to update Nick on the plan and the three of them headed for the car.
Ellis still stood in place, still staring at the bridge. After a few minutes he blinked repeatedly and turned to face Nick who was just about to enter the passenger’s seat. “Man, oh man. I jumped Jimmy Gibbs car through a plate-glass window and I just met the prettiest girl I ever seen” He approached Nick and clutched the sleeves of his white suit jacket “Nick, shoot me now brother. Things never gonna get better than this”
Nick slapped his hands away and gave him an angry stare. “You mean it? because I’m this close to actually doing it”. The anger in his voice starting to be noticeable even for a clueless Ellis.
“Real funny, Nick” Ellis replied.
“I am not joking this time.”
“You weren’t non like this when we stayed back at the hotel, Nick”
Nick’s eyes widened for a moment and groaned slightly. His eyes softening now. “No, I guess I wasn’t” He purred and ran his hands through Ellis’ light brown curls. Ellis looked up at him expectantly although neither Nick or him knew what was he expecting. “Listen, fireball… I” Nick was at a loss of words.
He gazed upon those blue eyes in front of him and gently ran his hand to Ellis’ cheek, caressing it with his thumb. The mechanic didn’t seem to mind or even notice how close Nick was to him. For a brief couple of seconds Nick pondered if kissing him would be alright but quickly decided it was a bad idea, instead he hugged Ellis close to his chest. The southerner returning the gesture. Kissing the kid... out of the blue? Very smart Nick. Next thing would've happened was either Ellis punching him in the face or a very painful glare of disgust.
“Thank you for bein’ there for me, Nick…” Ellis’ voice trailed off and sunk his face into Nick’s chest. The warmth of it made him feel at ease. “I guess I never thank yah”
Nick chuckled, remembering those nights when Ellis would be so afraid at dark that he would let him sleep on his lap while he caressed his hair ever so gently. It was that, and that fragile image of Ellis, scared shitless that made Nick want to protect him, the same thing that made him feel what he felt at the time. Ellis was so gentle and cared for Nick’s wellbeing as well. He might not seem like the brightest kid to the con man but Ellis wasn’t stupid, he knew Nick didn’t eat well so he could have some more, it was also Nick who stood awake most nights guarding the room they were staying in. They had guns, both knew how they worked but it was better to just not use them or they would draw more zombies to them so they needed to guard the place. Nick of course didn’t let Ellis guard at night and the surroundings further away.
“Won’t you wanna sleep, fireball?” Nick asked softly, still hugging him.
“Yeah!” Ellis said with a grin and headed to the car then stopped on his tracks. “What ‘bout you?”
Nick shoot him a gentle smile “Don’t worry, I’ll stand guard for a while, get comfortable on my space as well”.