Chapter Text
Entry 827
I remember the first time I saw him. I remember some of the things from my life before the end but I remember everything from when we became intertwined.
I was truly shocked at first hearing strings of loud curses being sent back and forth between the two men. The larger man was obviously the initiator just by his appearance. His arms were flailing wildly and you could hear the sneer in his voice only supplemented by the accent. The other man was just standing there with a small smirk on his lips and fire in his eyes. Neither noticed my small group pulling up to them at first but amidst a fight, I don't know what I was expecting. When I alone got closer every detail of the one man became committed to my memory.
Dirty brown hair short cut to his head. Slight blond stubble on his chin and upper lip. The most outrageous flannel with the arms cut off and he was leaning back against a bike so stereotypical. His eyes were the far most intriguing part of him, deep sunken into his face with tiredness and age. They seemed like they would be sad at rest but never yielded the fact due to their bright blue shine. I immediately thought he was attractive and I knew upon seeing a crossbow strapped to his back that I had to get the two to come back with us somehow...
—
“Hey... Hey,” The girl slapped Shane’s arm leaning forward and pointing out the window to people in the distance. “Stop, there are a few people up ahead, maybe we can help them” His face contorted slightly, brows furrowing before looking into the back seat at Lori and Carl. They shared a look but eventually nodded back at her in approval. She jumped out of the car slamming the door back in place, in hopes to announce the group's presence. Her efforts went unnoticed. The two men were leaning against what she assumed was their respective motorbikes and in what looked to be a heated argument.
Leaving Carl and Lori back in the car she and Shane walked up to the men with vigor, hoping that this would be good. The string of curses from the older man and the stature of the younger left tension in the air. It felt as if butterflies of nervousness fluttered around her stomach. When the pair did finally notice them their fighting stopped curiosity and protective nature taking over. Although the road was dead rather than their groups, the silence of the current world was overwhelming.
Shane pushed her backward, taking the lead. Although it was her idea it made sense for a cop rather than a small female bartender to walk up to two aggressive men. She was slightly peeved off but the reasonable side of her mind recognized that it was just her boyfriend trying to protect her. Especially from some angry men with muscle mass and very openly wielded weapons.
“Well well well what have we got here” the older man smiled while stepping forward. His eyes roamed my body and his smile was more than a little creepy. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a pretty young thing and a grumpy man, what y'all want from us”
“I'm Via and This is Shane. Nice to meet you'll” It was obvious by the look that Shane gave for her speaking first that he wasn’t happy. If it had gone his way the old man would either be on his ass or the two of them would have been back in the truck from that comment. His temperament not being able to handle unwanted attention towards his woman.
“We have a fair sized group” gesturing backward “whole bunch of supplies too and we all are heading up to the Quarry ways up. Could use some more manpower and wanted to invite the two of you to join us” She could practically see the skepticism in their demeanor.
When there was no immediate response she mumbled more in hopes of further attempting to convince them “I'm pretty sure we have some extra tents too if you'd need one. There's safety in numbers, ya know” The more attractive younger man gave her a look after that, instilling the feeling of stupidity.
The older guy walked forward again “Anything you wanna add big boy” drawing out the end with a smirk and giving Shane a knowing tap on the shoulder. The attempt to piss the man off working and she grabbed his hand trying to him back into the moment and away from the heat of his mind.
“Ya we’ve got a group, ya can come along if you want but I ain't forcing ya” It was a surprisingly calmer sentiment than she expected. a sigh of relief fell from her lips giving the intertwined hand a small squeeze of thanks.
“Whatcha says lil’ brother wanna hunker down with these commune hippies,” he said followed by a throaty laugh turning back and grabbing his brother by the shoulder. Shane pulled her back and started whispering furiously but she kept her eyes on the brother watching in anticipation, not comprehending the lecture.
Shane clapped in front of her face a few times pulling her attention back to him. “C’mon Via. Ya really want those hicks hangin round you women and the kids. Who knows what shit they've done”.
His point had merit to it, they did not know anything about these men. But did they truly know any of the people they were heading to the quarry with? The only one that was memorable to her was a young guy named Glenn. Even that was only because he tripped meeting her and then profusely apologized very awkwardly as if he'd walked in on her changing. The rest of the group fell into the background of her mind as quick introductions.
“I mean do we know any of them? At least these guys got some muscle mass and a crossbow. That probably means they hunted before too, which we will need if we're out here longer than expected” the last words she heavily stressed. His eyes showed understanding while his hands placed themselves onto her cheeks pulling her in for a quick peck on the lips.
—
... “ Who says we even wanna come with ya”. This was the first time I heard his voice yet. It was silky smooth with that southern drawl my Canadian heart loved. It sounded like it had been pounded by a lifetime of smoking. Though it immediately left me with an unwarranted amount of trust.
—
Of course, they had overheard the two talking about them and that probably wasn't very encouraging. She let out a small huff of anger then walked back trying to further convince them. Something about the younger man intrigued her, she needed to know about him. “We all will keep up the campground and pull our share. Plus, if we all pool resources we can probably set up a good camp and be fairly safe until this whole thing blows over.” The phrase was said with such hope, however, it caused all three men to let out a small scoff. It went overlooked as the matter at hand was more important than her blissful ignorance.
After some heated deliberating between the two and a conveniently placed hand slipping into the back pocket of Via’s jeans they decided. “We’ll come with ya sweet cheeks. Check it out at least before deciding.” the first comment being said with a wink. The hand in her back pocket tensed but she kept an upbeat demeanor. As a bartender, men hitting on her or making gross little comments wasn’t uncommon. She'd gotten used to having to deal with it and if ever it became rough there were two handsome policemen in town to come to save the day.
“Great, what are y'all names?” Probably should have been the first thing they asked but hell the world was backward and the dead were walking. Why start with normalcy now?
“Daryl, this jackass is Merle”
“Heyyy now lil brother. Gotta make a good impression with the little lady here.”
“Great follow us”. Shane pulled the both of them back to the vehicle. Muttering with a small head shake “I sure as hell hope you right bout those two”
In the car, a little voice peeped up from the back “Auntie Via, those guys coming with us?”
“They sure are bud” Both he and Lori had already met so many people today, that even the rougher appearance the pair held didn't shake them. Warranting only a small confused face of asking to explain the interaction later.
“Why aren't they wearing helmets on their bikes, Dad always say's.” The small voice went quiet again. The car's silence radiated the pain everyone felt. Hearing the little boys whimpering and mourning was heartbreaking. Just 2 days earlier they had just left his father without so much as a goodbye or confirmation of death. Well, other than from Shane that he had passed and the hospital had become a war zone.
“Stupid that's what it is” Shane muttered and Lori agreed and then you were all off back on the road again.
— Three days later—
It felt like everyone was settling into the camp well except for herself. Sure she had made polite acquaintances with pretty much everyone but what was the point when in a week's time this would all be over? The others she left kings county with were far better. Shane was teaching Carl how to fish while Lori was teaching him and the other kids school-like lessons. The three of them stuck together like glue, Via was there the majority of the time but rarely had an active part in the conversation or any activity.
The others were cooking dinners and washing clothes down in the water. Hell, even the two drifters you picked up Daryl and Merle were integrating into a small community even if staying back from everyone. Everyone was just accepting that the dead were re-animating and life was never gonna be the same. They were crazy for thinking that way. This couldn't last forever. It wouldn't last forever. Surely that many people couldn't have died yet. The NHS or the CDC was probably 95% of the way towards a cure. The first story had come out about a month ago now but hell the government had probably known for months before.
“Hey, Via. Do you want to come to help me with dinner, looks like you need to talk,” Carol's soft motherly voice asked. Brushing her sweaty palms off onto weeks-long unwashed jeans, Via's pushed herself up and walked over. She was standing at a makeshift picnic table cutting vegetables and passed the knife when she arrived. Taking immediately to dicing onions for tonight's soup.
Observing everyone made her feel much better the majority of the time. She enjoyed watching Shane play with Carl and how it lit up their faces. Even when there was a constant reminder that Rick had just died. Or seeing Dale, Andrea, and Amy have a heated discussion over some book. How Daryl would go hunting every day sometimes with other times Merle without.
Although, there were less pleasant observations too like Merle sneaking off into the woods and coming back hours later presumably high out of his mind. How when he thought nobody was looking, Carls would cry for his father's passing. Worst of all, however, seeing the bruises creeping over the top of Carol's shirt. Hearing the violent arguments wander through her tent walls late at night between her and Ed. Pretty much everyone hated Ed starting the moment they saw him. His sneer, the unwillingness to talk, and harsh words directed at his family. Hell, he had even directed harsh words at her when Carol had offered to assist their group with help upon a mechanical breakdown
“So what's happening, you were all bubbly when we met and now you're acting like a beaten horse”. The only response she could muster was “This wasn't supposed to be how it was. We were supposed to be out here for a few days and then go back home. To our real lives.”
That seemed like an impossibility now. A tear started rolling down her cheek but she wiped it and continued cutting harshly. Carol's hand was set on the younger woman's shoulder
“It's alright, it's a terrible time. Ed and Sophia haven't been taking it easy either.”
Although her intentions were good in nature that was no consolation. All she knew was that the fresh bruises meant that Ed was taking it worse than herself. Not only that but he was making it his family's fault.
She hugged Carol and the two sat there for a moment together.
“Thank you” was the only thing said before the two finished the dinner in comfortable silence back to watching.
On the way walking over to Shane, muddled with her own thoughts a collision occurred. Looking straight ahead and slightly upwards she saw Daryl with two squirrels in his hand crossbow in another looking at her with an annoyed look just wanting to move on.
“I'm so so sorry”
“Ya well watch where yer goin' next time” he muttered, dropping off freshly caught squirrels with Carol.
Strolling up behind Shane, her arms curled under his and onto his firm pecs. He tensed slightly but upon realizing who the woman behind him was his body let go of said tension.
“How's it going over here?" Loris' eyes rolled with speaking before Shane could respond.
“Shanes trying to help Carl with his math” Her eyes looked at him with admiration and a little too much care that went unnoticed by Via.
She had never liked the fact that Lori highly admired her boyfriend. It was true he was attractive. I mean Lori was to one to encourage her to go for him at the bar in the first place. The first time they had met she was too nervous to speak to him and when he came up to her she was at a loss for words. Her being evermore fighting with Rick leaves her itching for some fun even if living another person. At first, it was cute and funny but it became annoying much too fast. When they started dating she was heavily invested. While nowadays she had always been a little over-eager to help him.
With her husband gone now who could blame her for trying to latch onto anyone familiar? Shane didn't seem to notice anything though, he loved Carl like a father and would do anything to protect him especially now that Rick was gone.
She was truly glad he had that. Shane always mentioned having kids one day, it was his preferred future now that he was settling down. He wanted to settle down with her and that scared her to death.
It was a hard truth but she couldn't have kids and the conversations between the two of them about it always ended quickly. Being an uncle, however, was the next closest thing. He would be a great father and the apocalypse in some fucked up way was giving him a chance at that.
—
Later in the night, Shane's body crawled onto the makeshift bed beside her. Hot breath tickled the hairs on the back of her neck before whispering “God, I love you V”. His hands shifted up along her sides. Then proceeding to roam her body.
She knew at least there was some light left in the world as their lips found each other. Bodies intertwined and moved together throughout the night. Even with all intentions of keeping quiet, it was doubtful the others had not heard as the tent walls were thin.
After it was over he held her tight to his chest and was snoring even before a goodnight was shared.