13 Journey Beyond

WALLS

"Hey hope pay attention you need to learn this stuff" a man said as he pointed to a chalkboard. "Yea sorry Mr Thomson" hope said as she looked up and began listening to the man teach. "So class the best way of taking out the undead is to aim for the head or the brain" Mr Thomson said as he pointed to the head of a stick figure which was drawn on the board. "What if we cant get to the head" one girl asked as she raised her hand. "Good question, so if the head isn't an option then the eyes will work too" Mr Thomson said as he smiled and began passing out knives to the class. "These are your going to be your best friends if you are ever out there" Mr Thomson said as he finished passing them out, he then pulled one out of his pocket. "Im trusting you guys to only use these on the dead and never the living" Mr Thomson said as the bell rang and all the students dashed out. "Hey hope stay after for a couple of minutes I need to discuss something with you" Mr Thomson said as he sat at his desk and waited for hope to get finished putting her stuff in her bag. "Look i know ive been distracted lately it's just I never got to say bye to my family and its hard you know, watching the others students go home to there families, even though the world is over they still get to be happy." Hope said as she looked down. "Who are you living with currently?" Mr Thomson asked as he smirked. "My cousin bria, she's the last family i have" hope said as she began to stand up and walk out. "Hope im so sorry I didn't mean to.." Mr Thomson said as hope slammed the door. "Hey is everything alright" one girl yelled as she ran up to hope. "Yea just adults trying to get in my business ugh I have to get out of here" hope said as she and the girl walked out the school to see a wall surrounding the town they were in. They then walked down the steps where a man could be seen approaching the girls. "Hope! Raven! Staying out of trouble i hope" the man said as he looked at both girls. "Yes sheriff we are the most dandy citizens ever" raven said mockingly as the two girls walked away. Hope then turn around and flashed her middle finger towards the officer. "Asshole" hope said to herself as raven laughed and they continued walking. "Lets sneak out just me and you" hope said as they reached the back of the town. "Why would we do that we've been safe behind the walls forever now" raven asked as she looked around. "Do you ever wonder if there is ever more out there" hope asked as she smiled. "I don't know,what about your cousin?" Raven asked. "Hey what are you kids doing back there" a man yelled as he began sprinting towards them. "Meet you back here tomorrow morning don't be late" hope yelled as she began running away. hope then ran past some gardeners who waved as she rushed past them. "Hey guys" she yelled as she reached a small shack which had lights turned on the inside. The door swung open and there standing on the porch was Hope's cousin bria. "Do you know time it is" bria yelled as she grabbed Hope's arm and yanked her inside,slamming the door behind them. "Sorry im late, me and raven were hanging out" hope said as she smiled and began walking up the steps. "Wait what are you hiding" bria Asked as she looked at hope suspiciously. "Got to go" hope yelled as she ran up the steps and ran into her room slamming the door behind her. A couple minutes later hope had her book bag packed for the next day. The door swung open. "Where are you going" bria Asked as she began walking over to hope who was smiling at a family picture. "To see the world" hope said as she put the picture in her shirt pocket. "Um no, your not" bria said as she slammed Hope's bedroom door. "And why not" hope said as she frowned. Bria then walked over to the window and looked out of it. "Because your the last family i have left" bria said as she began to cry. "We dont know that" hope said as she smiled and began comforting her. "There all dead just like the rest of the world" bria said as she wiped the tears from eyes and hugged hope who was already hugging her. "I love you big cuz but i have to do this, I need to know " hope said as she squeezed tighter. "No, we need to know" Bria said as she smiled at hope and walked out the room. Hope then walked over to her bed and sat on it. "Hopefully raven packs up some food" hope said to herself as she rested her head on a pillow. "Get ready world because Hope is coming" she yelled as she blew out the candle that had been giving the room light, she then went to sleep. A few hours later and it is morning.a bird could be seen at hope's window chirping. "Ah shit im gonna be late" hope yelled as she sprung up and began getting ready. "Where is she? She said morning" raven whispered to herself as she began to look around. "Hey we're here" hope yelled as she and bria came running up to raven. "What slowed you down" raven asked as she started looking around. "Sorry,i woke up late" hope said as she smiled. "It's fine and hey you convinced Bria to come along" raven said as she hugged bria who then began throwing stuff under the gate which they were standing at. "Im coming to" a voice yelled out as a boy could be seen running up to them. "No! Absolutely not!" Raven yelled as she pushed him. "And who are you" bria Asked as she continued shoving everyone's bag under the fence. "Its her older brother bryan" hope answered as she smiled. "Nice to meet you, welcome aboard" bria said as she grabbed his bag and put them under the gate. "Are you guys serious" raven yelled as she looked at everyone who then nodded at him. "Alright everyone ready" hope said as she began crawling under the gate and everyone followed.

EXPLORE

"Man its fucked up out here" hope said as she began walking. "Wait for us" Bria said as she helped Raven pull Brian from under the gate. "Go catch up with her I'll put the plank back on the hole" bryan yelled as bria and raven ran to catch up with hope who was standing by a dead body. "I gotta keep raven safe" bryan said he put the plank of wood back on the hole under the fence and ran to catch up to the others. "Bounty" hope yelled as she began walking towards a walker. "Do you remember how to kill them" bria asked as she looked at the walker. "Yea I think so" hope said as she pulled out her knife and looked directly into the walker's eyes. Its eyes were bleeding and its skin was pale.Hope then stabbed her knife through its skull and watched as the walker hit the ground. "And thats how you do it" hope yelled as she smiled and put her knife away. The group then continued to walk until they reached a school. "Should we check it out" raven asked as she looked at her hand which began shaking. "Lets do it" hope yelled as everyone began walking towards the door of the school.The door was locked with a padlock. "Seems like they were trying to keep something out" Bryan said as he began looking at the lock. "Or in" bria said as she readied her knife. Bryan then smashed the lock and swung the door open. "Luckily i packed a bunch of flashlights" bryan said as he pulled out a bunch of flashlights and began handing them out. "Why though" raven asked as she snatched one of then and turned it on. " because you never know when you'll be in a dark area little sis" bryan said as he smiled and began cautiously walking into the school. "Whatever" raven said as she followed him into the school. "Stay close there could be bounties inside" hope said as she followed them inside. They continued to walk down the school's long and dark hallway where moans could be heard. "Thats human" bryan whispered as he signaled for everyone to slow down. "We gotta go help them" raven demanded as she began running to where the moans could be heard. "Raven no!" Bryan and hope yelled as they took off after raven who turned into a classroom. The others eventually reached the classroom door where screaming could be heard. Bryan then kicked down the door to see raven slashing at a walker who was wearing a lab coat. "Hold on here i come" bryan yelled as he ran up behind the walker grabbing its head and bashing it over and over on the chalkboard. "Hey stop its dead" bria yelled as she tapped his shoulder. He then nodded and walked over to raven. A girl in a school uniform could be seen hiding behind her. "Who is this" hope asked as she waved at the girl. "She won't tell me her name, she is too frightened" raven said as she smiled at the girl. "Everyone is dead I locked them all out except for Mr.Allen, I thought since he was smart he could help save those people but he ended up having a heart attack and I couldn't save him. While he was dying he made me tie him up and I watched him turn" the girl said as she began crying. "Hey if you come with us we can take you somewhere safe" bria said as she looked on a desk to see a previous student's science worksheet. "No fuck that we aren't going back there" hope yelled as she clenched her fist. "Fine I'll take her back and you guys wait until i get back" Bryan said as everyone nodded. "No im not leaving. Its not safe anywhere else" the girl said as she curled up in a ball and began crying. "Is the school clear" Bryan Asked as he stared at the girl. "bryan the girl just watched her science teacher turn and you smashing his head into goo stop with the intimidation bullshit" raven yelled as she began hugging the girl. "No its fine and yes its clear just don't open the boiler room please" the girl said as she hugged raven back. The girl then let go of raven and walked over to a desk and sat at it. "Alright how about you guys check out the school and see if there's anything we can use and ill stay with the girl" bria said as everyone nodded and began walking out. "Hey hope would you like to search with me" bryan Asked as he smiled at hope who's face turned red. "Sure" hope said as she followed him into the gymnasium. "Fine I'll check the nurses office by myself" raven said as she started walking down the hall. Hope and bryan then walked into the gymnasium to see party streamers hanging up and a dj booth. "Wow they were having some serious party" hope said as she picked up a plate. "It was their prom" bryan explained as he turned around to see hope crying. "I never got mine" hope said as bryan walked over to the dj booth and turned on slow dance music and began walking towards hope. "What are you doing stupid" hope said as she began blushing. "Giving you a prom" bryan said as he grabbed her hand and they began slow dancing. "Why did you want to come with us knowing theres danger out here" hope Asked as she rested her head on his chest. "I needed to keep raven safe" bryan said as he looked down. The music could be heard outside the school. "I don't think that's why you came" hope said as she smirked. "Fine i came because if anything was to happen to you then I wouldn't have you to annoy everyday" Bryan said as his face started to turn red from embarrassment. "Aw so the big quiet giant does have a heart" hope said as she giggled. Bryan then leaned in for a kiss while they continued to slow dance. "Oh my god" hope thought to herself as she began to lean in. Just as there lips were about to touch the door slammed open. "Guys turn that music off its attracting bounties" raven said as she took off running down the hallway. Bryan then let go of hope and climbed the bleachers to look out the gymnasium window. "Shit" bryan yelled as he frowned. "How many" hope yelled as Bryan began climbing down. "Too many to count, i dont think we're getting out of here alive" bryan yelled as he and hope began running back to the classroom where bria was sitting at the teacher's desk. "Any ideas" bria yelled as the sounds of groaning could be heard from outside the school. raven then ran into the classroom. "They broke through the front door of the school, their inside" raven yelled as she slammed the classroom door and began panicking. "What do we do now we're screwed" hope asked as she pulled out his knife. "I know let me see your knife" bryan demanded as hope handed him the blade. He then walked over to Mr Allen who's body had already started to decay. "What are you doing stay away from him" the girl screamed as she ran over to bryan who pushed her to the ground. He then cut open the teachers stomach exposing its guts. "What the fuck is wrong with you" raven asked as she looked away in disgust. "If we cover ourselves in the blood of the dead it will disguise us which is how we will escape" bryan explaned as he began rubbing the guts on himself. "Are you going crazy what makes you think this will work" hope Asked as bryan walked over to her began rubbing the teacher's guts on her. "I learned it in class a few months ago" bryan said as scratching and banging could be heard on the door. "You better be right about this" raven said as she began smearing the blood of herself. After a couple minutes preparing everyone had the teacher's guts on them. "When those doors bust down I want you all To stay behind me and stay close" bryan yelled as the door busted down and a group of walkers came limping through the door. "Do you trust me" bryan asked as he looked back at hope. "Always" hope said as she grabbed his hand and held it. the walkers then limped over to them and started sniffing. "Ew gross" raven whispered as the walker began sniffing her. "Alright lets move" bryan whispered as the group began walking through the group of walkers. The group reached the middle of hall to find the front door of the school. "We're almost there you guys are doing great" bryan whispered as hope squeezed his hand. A walker with a school uniform could be seen staring at the the little girl. Bria could hear the girl whimpering behind her. "Keep her quiet" bryan whispered as the student walker approached the girl. "No,Amanda" the girl whimpered as the walker got close to her. "Hey we're almost there you have to keep quiet" bria whispered as she felt the girl let go of her hand and drop to her knees. The girl began crying really loudly making all the walkers turn to her. "She let go" bria whispered as she began to turn red. "What do you mean she let go...." bryan quietly Asked as he was cut off by screaming which could be heard from behind them. "Help me!" The girl screamed as one of the walkers bite into her neck. Bria began to tear up as the girl's screaming quickly turned into the sound of dozens of walkers growling and munching on the girl. The group reached the front doors of the school and walked out one by one. "We did it" hope yelled as bryan slammed the doors and zip tied them together. "This'll hold them but not for long let's get going" bryan yelled as the group took off running. "Shit bounties" raven yelled as the group began running towards a group of walkers which were already limping towards them. "Alright guys remember what we all learned back home" bryan yelled as everyone nodded. They then approached the walkers and began slashing at them. "So easy" raven yelled as a walker lunged towards her. "Raven watch out" bryan yelled as he ran over and tackled the walker down a hill. Hope and the others turned to see the walker had climbed on top of him. "Bryan please no" raven yelled as she began running towards him. Bryan began to panic as the walker's teeth got close to his cheek. His body began to sink into the mud. "Its all over" bryan thought to himself as his vision was covered by the tears running down his face. Just as the walker was about to bite him a bullet went through its skull. Hope then jumped on bryan and squeezed him tightly. They then got up and looked over to see a girl holding a sniper rifle. "Come on" the girl yelled as she continued to shoot at the walkers around them. The group began to run towards the girl who then threw a firecracker behind the walkers. The sounds of popping made the walkers turn around to check it out. "Follow me" the girl yelled as the group got close to her and began following her into the woods. After a couple minutes of running they eventually reached an empty field. "Is everyone alright?" The girl asked as she put her bags on the ground. "Yeah were fine thanks for helping us" Bryan answered as he put his knife in its pouch. "Don't mention it,hey you got names" The girl asked. "Yea im bryan and this is hope,raven,and bria" bryan answered as he began to look around. "Nice to meet you guys I'm Shauna" the girl said as she smirked. "Thats a nice name" bria said to as she smiled. "Thanks so I heard screaming coming from the school what was that about?" Shauna asked as she pulled out a piece of gum and began chewing it. "We found a little girl inside the school and she was escaping with us until she saw someone she knew from before and you can probably guess the rest" bryan said as he looked down. "How long have you guys been out here surviving?" Shauna Asked as she continued to chew her gum. "Whats with all the fucking question" hope asked as she got in shauna's face. "First off back up and secondly I just rescued you guys the least you can do is help me trust you" Shauna said as she began reaching for her knife. "Woah woah woah it doesn't have to go there,look we've only been out here for only a day and we're on a mission to see if any family we have could be alive out here" bria said as she nervously stood between Shauna and hope. "Fine I could probably help you but im gonna need you to come back to my camp for the night" Shauna said as she put her knife back and began walking to a black spray painted hummer and signaled for the others to follow her. "Be cautious we don't know anything about this girl it could be a trap" bryan explained as he and others began walking behind her. "I still dont like her" hope said under her breath as she mugged at Shauna behind her back. They then climbed into the hummer and began driving to the camp. A few minutes past and they finally reached the gates. "Here it is home sweet home" Shauna said as she drove into the camp. "Looks like shit" hope said as she looked out the window. "Listen here smart ass i am 5 seconds from smacking you" Shauna yelled as she parked the car and everyone climbed out. They began walking towards a tent that had lights shining inside. "This is the mapping room" Shauna said as they all walked inside to see a room with a long table in it which had a huge map on it. "Wow this is incredible" raven said as she walked up to the map to see that the people in Shauna's camp had put pins on certain locations. "What are you guys marking" bryan Asked as he began analyzing the map. "Those are settlements that are fully functioning with survivors" a voice answered as a girl then walked into the room and hugged Shauna. "Guys this is kenzie she runs this camp" Shauna said as she smiled at kenzie and looked around at the group. "So you mentioned other communities, are they ran under leadership or do you control them" bryan asked as he stared at kenzie waiting for a response. "They're our allies and are ran by other leaders" kenzie answered as she walked over the map. "This over here is the compound it is a military base full of survivors and is ran by their leader ben who we wouldn't be here still surviving if it wasn't for him" kenzie explained as she pointed to compound. "This over here is sanctuary it is a small gated community and is ran by their leader mason who might i say is doing a surprisingly good job" kenzie explained as she pointed at sanctuary and laughed. Hope's face turn white when she heard his name. "It can't be him" bria whispered as she hugged hope. "This right here is blackwater its the largest settlement and is ran by their leader Alexa" kenzie explained as she started pointing at blackwater. "They are probably the smartest out of the settlements" Shauna said as she snickered and kenzie laughed. "Over here is omega outpost it is a recycling and landfill area ran by their leader nate who may be a little crazy but very helpful in sticky situations" kenzie explained as she pointed to the landfill on the map. "And lastly we have...." kenzie said as she stopped talking and began tearing up. Shauna then hugged her and sat her down on the chair in the room. "Sorry you guys had to see that, But that settlement is unnamed but is based on the old west and is ran by their leader nick who was previously in a relationship with kenzie but she couldn't stay with him because she was going through some things. His settlement is full of drunks and bounty hunters but they've helped us out a lot." Shauna explained as she stopped pointing at the settlement and looked at the group. "Go get some sleep in the tent that we had prepared for you and tomorrow morning meet us back here in the map room bright and early."Shauna demanded as the group nodded and followed one of the camp gaurds to tent that was open and ready for the group.they then walked in the see four sleeping bags laying on the ground and an end table in the middle. "An apple pie scented candle wow that's fancy" bryan said as he lit the candle and walked over to thesleeping bag he had picked out and laid in it. A couple of minutes later and the group were all laying in there chosen sleeping bags except for hope who was sharing a sleeping bag with bryan. "We help these people and then we leave that's the plan" Bryan said as he closed his eyes still cuddling with hope who also had her eves shut. "Goodnight Everyone" bryan said with a smile as he passed out. "Hey bria do you think its him or are we just chasing a dead man" hope asked as she turned and faced the wall. "We don't know but don't give up until we find out" bria answered as she walked over to the candle and blew it out. "Good night hope" she said as she smiled and closed her eyes. "Yea night" hope said as she rolled her eyes and passed out. The group slept peacefully through the night until they were woken up by a loud slam. "What the fuck was that hope yelled as she sprung up and ran to her bag which contained her pocket knife in it. Everyone else sprung up and began grabbing there weapons. "Alright be ready to fight" bryan said as he swung open the tent's flap to see kenzie standing in front of them. "Woah lower your weapon im friendly" kenzie said as she smiled. "Sorry about that but what was that loud bang" bryan asked as he signaled the others to holster there weapons. "Sorry to wake you guys that was this morning's shipment of crop coming in" kenzie said as she pointed to a truck which was being unloaded by two men. "Follow me to the the map tent we're late on the plan" kenzie said as she began walking to the tent and the others followed. They all reach the tent to see a man standing in front. "Ms kenzie we are having a meeting later today about those missing people" the man said as kenzie nodded and dismissed him. "Missing people" raven asked as she made a face of concern. "We had a shipment of crops and people disapear last night but we will find them" kenzie explained as she opened the flap and everyone walked in to see shauna standing at the map. "You guys slept in to late which i bet was your fault" Shauna said as she looked at hope. "Wanna say that to my face" hope said as she began walking towards Shauna. "Alright stop it you two especially you Shauna you know better" kenzie said as she frowned at Shauna who stopped staring at hope and looked at the map. "Whatever, today's missions are quite easy we need you guys to travel to each of our ally settlements to drop off some crops" Shauna explained as she began pointing at each settlements. "I want sanctuary" hope yelled as she raised her hand. "Fine kid but next time you yell out of line im hitting you" Shauna yelled as she continued talking. "Next i want raven to go to blackwater" Shauna explained as she nodded at raven who nodded back. "Bria you have sanctuary" Shauna said as tapped her fingers on sanctuary. "And last but not least bryan your going to the unnamed settlement" Shauna explained as she fist bumped bryan who was already loading up. "What about omega outpost" raven asked as she looked at the map. "They are primarily meat eaters they would just waste the crops on their pigs" kenzie explained as she smiled. "Alright you've got your assessments your designated trucks are loaded up and ready, we have some drivers ready to go all you guys have to do is cover them and make sure they make it to there destinations sounds easy right now go" Shauna explained as she pushed them out. "There all so innocent i hope they survive" kenzie said as she smiled. "Yea but they're the future they need to survive" Shauna said as she walked over to a desk in the corner and began writing in a journal.

ROADTRIP

The group walked out to see four trucks waiting at the gate. "Ill walk you to your supply truck" bryan said as hope smiled. "Be careful going to that settlement, who knows what those people will do to you" hope said as she hugged him and climbed into the truck. "Im always careful" bryan said jokingly as he smiled and shut the door. "Im serious" hope screamed out the window as the truck began driving off. A horn could be heard honking loudly next to bryan. "What the hell" bryan said to himself as he looked over to see an older angry looking man with a trucker hat. "Hey asshole i dont have a lot of gas come on" the man yelled out the window as he started reving the engine. Bryan then climbed into the truck to see beer cans all over the the floor of the passenger seat. "Wow took you long enough we're late now" the man yelled as they pulled off. After a couple of minutes everyone had been in there designated trucks. "Hey would you like a mint" a man asked as he handed bria a mint. "No thank you" bria said as she looked out the window. "My name is mike by the way" the driver said as he smiled and ate the mint. "Nice to meet you mike,im bria" bria said as she smiled back. "Word of advice when we get to compound dont let everyone's seriousness get to you, these people have been through alot" mike said as he continued to drive down the road. "Back at our old base I heard on the ham radio from this guy on the radio named delta one about a war that happened out here do you know anything about it" bria asked as she looked at mike excitedly waiting for an answer. "Sit back and get comfy because your about to be blown away" mike said as he began to explain the wars that happened with the crew and vickery, he also explained everything with caden and the disguised as they continued to drive down the street. "Hey reach in that cooler and grab me a beer young buck" the man with Bryan demanded as he stuck his wrinkly hands out waiting for a beer to be handed to him. Bryan then reached in the cooler to see one beer left sitting next to a decaying eyeball. He let out a gag. "Ignore that and passed me that beer over there" the man said as he let out a loud burp. Bryan then handed him the beer. "Got a name kid mine is rufus nice to meet you" the man said as he drunkenly reached his hand for bryan to shake. "Im bryan" bryan said as he stuck his hand out and shook the man's greasy hand. "Well bryan welcome to hell" rufus said as they approached the settlement gate where rufus waved to a guard and the gate slammed open and they drove slowly inside. Rufus pulled up next to what looked like a bar where a guy and two men with guns stood. Rufus then began getting out. "Whats up rufus the bars all yours" the man said as rufus began running into the bar. Bryan then came from around the other side of the truck where he had climbed out the passenger seat. "Hey rookie wanna help us with these boxes" the man said as he and the other two began unloading the supplies from the back of the truck. "Yea sorry" bryan said as he began helping them unloading. "You must be bryan the new kid look dont be intimidated by our home we are survivors just like you so don't fucking judge us" the man said as he smirked. Bryan then began to shake. "Hey kid relax thats how I make friends, im nick by the way" the guy said as he smirked. Bryan looked up at nick and noticed half his face was burned. "Hey might i ask what happened to your face" bryan said as he pointed to nick. "Why you disrespectful little..." one of the guys yelled as he was cut off by nick pushing him back. "No its fine the kid just has a harmless question damn,so kid i got this wicked scar from the war with vickory and the alphas, some asshole had shot my ex and that motherfucker held me down and burned my face, your the first person to ever ask me about it but why though" nick asked as he dropped the box he was holding and stared at bryan with a curious look. "I was just curious im sorry for asking" bryan said as he looked down at the ground. "Don't be sorry kid you should be cautious about others in this new world" Nick said as he picked up the box he had dropped and began walking it to an old red shed, Bryan followed him to it and began staring at the broken hinge. "Hey you know that hinge is broken on the door that could be dangerous especially with the vermin rummaging around, i can fix it tho" bryan said as he put the box down in the shed next to the other boxes of food. "You can't no ones has ever been able to fix that hinge" nick said as bryan walked over and began fixing it. "Your wasting your ti.." nick said as he was cut off by Bryan. "Done" bryan said as he smiled at nick."hey boss it's completely fixed" one of the men said as nick then walked over and began analyzing the door. "How the fuck did you do that kid" nick asked as he turned towards bryan and smiled. "My dad was a builder and mechanic" bryan answered still nervously looking at the ground. "Hey kid I like you come with me to my office" nick said as he and bryan walked out the shed and into his house. "Welcome to my house the fridge is fully stocked so if you want anything go ahead and grab it" nick said as he walked over to the a door and began unlocking it. "Hey come join me in my office when your ready" he said as he walked into the room. Bryan then walked over to the fridge and opened it. There were alot of soda in it and a half eaten sandwich inside. "Hey asshole what are you doing going through our shit" a voice yelled out. "Nick said I could get something out of it im not a thief" Bryan said as he stuck his hand up. "My dad wouldn't just let some random kid rummage through our stuff you got 10 seconds to leave before I blow a hole in the back of your head" the voice yelled. "Hey Eric you little shit you better not be tormenting our new guest" nick yelled from the other room as the boy holding the gun lowered it. "No dad just getting to know each other" Eric yelled as he holstered his pistol. "Hey dude you can turn around im not going to hurt you im sorry for threatening you it's just i dont see alot of teens my age" he said as Bryan turned around and smiled at him. "Its cool man I didn't take it personally I would have done the same thing." Bryan said as he and Eric laughed. "Maybe once your done talking to my dad we can hang out" Eric said as he stuck his fist out waiting for Bryan to fist bump him. "Yea that would be awesome" Bryan said as he fist bumped Eric and began walking to nick's office. When he arrived he saw a black bears head mounted to the wall and a picture of a group of teens in front of a house. "Are these your friends before the apocalypse?" Bryan asked as he smiled at the picture. "Thats the crew, me and the other members but that was a week before the apocalypse began." Nick explained as Bryan turned around very fast with a shocked look. "You were in the crew please tell me all about it." bryan asked as he ran over and sat at a chair that was sitting on the other side of nick's desk. "Maybe later kid, i have an offer for you that you won't be able to refuse" nick said as he smirked. "Um that worries me" bryan said as his leg began to shake. "Relax I want to know if you'd be our full time mechanic and hopefully teach my son a little thing or two" nick said as he smirked. "I don't know what about my friends?" Bryan Asked as he looked around. "You can visit them anytime and they may visit also, so do we have a deal"nick asked as he stuck his hand out. "Alright as long as you keep me alive its a deal" bryan said as he reached his hand out and shock nick's hand. "Hey Eric get in here" nick yelled as they stopped shaking hands and began waiting for eric to walk in. "Yea dad" Eric asked as he walked in holding the half of the sandwich that was inside the refrigerator. "Bryan is going to be our new mechanic and your gonna be his assistant and hey you little bastard is that my sandwich" nick askedbas he frowned. "Yea sorry dad I couldn't help myself" Eric said as he laughed and took the last bite of the sandwich. "You owe me another one, and i need you to show Bryan around" nick said still frowning at Eric. "Awesome lets go bri" Eric said excitedly as bryan nodded and got out the seat he was sitting at and walked out behind Eric. "Shut my door" nick yelled as bryan shut the door on the way out. A couple minutes of Eric showing him around they approached the bar. "Hey man you look like something is bothering you what's up?" Eric Asked as they stopped walking. "Alright so after I accepted your Dad's deal on being a part of your community I couldn't stop thinking that I'd have to be away from my girlfriend who's somewhere else and im afraid that we will never see each again" Bryan said as he shed a tear. "Hey listen dude I understand that so much. My girlfriend lives in blackwater and my dad won't drive me to see her and it breaks my heart everyday that she could be in in trouble" Eric said as he smiled. "Wait the son of nick has a little girlfriend" Bryan said as he laughed. Eric then chuckled and reached into his jacket pocket and reached out a picture and handed it to Bryan. "Her name is Clementine, that picture of us was taken the last time i saw her, I miss her man" Eric said as his voice began to break. "Hey lets go to blackwater and see your girlfriend, my sister is on her way there anyways we can help her unload" Bryan said as he smiled. "I don't think my dad would allow it" Eric said as his face began to turn red. "I think if you went he wouldn't have seen anything" nick said as he walked up behind the two boys. "Wait dad are you serious? we can go." Eric ask excitedly as he watched nick walk closer. "You can go. take the truck and be safe."Nick said as Eric ran over to him and hugged him. "Thanks dad but why aren't you going" Eric asked still hugging nick. "Because me and Alexa aren't seeing eye to eye after i killed that one disguised member who was surrendering." Nick said as he pushed Eric away. "Go before I change my mind" nick said as Eric and Bryan ran to the truck and started it up. "Hey bro do you know how to drive this" Bryan Asked as he buckled his seat belt. "Yea I know a little bit about driving trucks my Dad's friend joe taught me" Eric said as he put the car in drive and slammed on the gas pedal. Nick stood in front of the bar smiling as he watched the truck zoom out of the settlement and onto the road. "Go get her punk" Nick said as he turned around and began walking into the bar. "And here we are welcome to compound" mike said as bria looked up to see them driving into the gates. Mike then parked the truck and he and bria climbed out to see a guy with a katana which had been holstered in its back pouch. "Hey Killy its been awhile is ben around?" Mike asked as he smiled at the killy who smiled back. "Ben left with mason to look for a supplies two days ago and they haven't returned but I believe that they are powerful and will be okay" killy said as his men began unloading the truck. "You guys are welcome to help yourselves to today's lunch" he then said as he walked over to the back of the truck and began helping the men unload. "Follow me Helen's food is amazing" mike said as he and bria began walking to the mess hall. They eventually reached the door and walked inside to see people sitting at tables talking to each other and laughing. "Welcome delivery team you must be starving from your trip here, here's two bowls sit down and enjoy yourself, thank you for your service." Helen said as she handed them a each a bowl and sat them down and walked away. "So you never told me what made you guys left your home to come all the way out here." Mike said as he took a sip of his soup. "We left because hope wanted to find out if there was anyone from her past that was still alive." Bria said as she drank some of her soup "good right its duck" mike said as he smiled. "Duck soup how did you guys get duck meat when I haven't seen any animals in 10 years" bria Asked as she drank the rest of her soup. "The ducks around here are more active at dawn and the deer have been breeding rapidly after we cleared the forest of walkers." Mike explained as he finished his soup. "You may have mine" a voice said as a bowl of soup slid across the table and in front of bria and mike. "Thanks stranger" mike said as he gave it to bria. "My name is zoya, i believe you owe me now that i have shared my lunch with you." Zoya said as she smirked. "Thats not fair" mike said as he balled his fist. "If you help me we can make a lot of money" zoya said as she began playing with her nails. "Enough zoya leave these people alone" a voice yelled as zoya looked up at the person. "Relax stupid American i was just joking with them, keep the soup" zoya said as she got up from the table and walked away. "Thank you so much" bria said as she smiled. "No problem" the guy said as he dropped a penny on the table and walked away. "Wait you dropped your p..." bria said as mike put his hand on her mouth. "Shhh he did that on purpose its credit around here thats how they pay for stuff and that was adam, Ben's brother he's an officer here and the best shot with a bow." Mike said as he got up from the table. "Was he apart of the war" Bria Asked as she finished the soup. "Only the end of it, Follow me i have something to show you." Mike said as bria nodded and got up from the table and followed mike out of the mess hall. A pickup truck came flying into the settlement and parked right next to them. "Mikey my boy where have you been my dude" a man said as he climbed out the truck and ran over to mike and hit him in the stomach and smiled. "Whats up jojo" Mike said as he punched the guy in the stomach and they gave each other a hug. "Hey bria i"d like you to meet my best friend joe" mike said as he smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you, hey mike weren't you showing me something?" Bria asked. "Oh yeah, Hey joe I'll catch back up with you" Mike said as he nodded at bria. "Alright man next drink is on me" joe said as he began walking towards the mess hall. Bria and mike proceed to walk. "There it is" mike said as they approached an older building. "Is the place your planing on taking me behind this shithole?" Bria asked as she looked around. "Nope this is it just be quiet when we get inside." Mike said as he walked up to the door and opened it slowly. The two then walked in to see a library. "Wow it's amazing,but wait how'd you know i like to read?" Bria asked as she looked at mike. "I didn't know but what i did know is that here you will find out all you need to know about the war, there's also a museum in the back if you want to check it out together" mike said as his face turned red. "Are you asking me out on a date" bria asked as she smiled. "I wouldn't say its a date" mike said as he scratched the back of his head. "Oh that sucks because if you were asking me on a date I would have said yes." Bria said as she smirked. "Then it most definitely is a date" mike said as bria laughed and the two walked to the museum.  Hope got out her truck nervously to see a teen standing in front of there truck. "hi welcome to sanctuary! Thank you for the food feel free to hang around" he said as he quickly ran off. "Hey im gonna look around" hope said to the driver as he nodded. She walked passed a group talking to each other. "Excuse me im looking for someone can you help me?" Hope said as she awkwardly smiled at the group. "Sweetie you're too young to be roaming by yourself let me take you to the clinic to help find your people and get you a check up." An old lady said as she slowly walked towards a white building. Hope followed but kept her distance. "Im not lost I just need help finding someone." Hope said as she continued walking behind the old lady. "Here we are" the old lady said as she knocked on the door. "Look old lady I don't have time to playing doctor with you I need to talk to your leader" hope yelled as the door opened up and when hope saw who it was she stood in shock. "Em!" Hope yelled as she ran into Emily's hand. "Holy shit hope your alive" em said as she began to tear up. "That means if your alive then that means he's alive too." Hope said as she squeezed emily harder and began to cry. "Hey its ok hope you're safe now, there's someone I want you to meet" emily said as she wiped the tears from Hope's face and signaled for someone outside to come into the infirmary. "Who are you signaling for" hope Asked as she began to shake. "It's a surprise" emily said as she smiled. After a couple minutes of waiting a boy came walking into the building. Hope realized that it was the teen who greeted them at the gate. "This is your cousin ryan" emily said as she giggled. "Sit down tell us about everything how you got here, how your feeling,what's the name of your settlement you first came from." Emily said while she began pouring tea. Hope then began to talk about everything. "this must me blackwater, wow its beautiful" raven said as she got out her truck and began looking around. "hey you must be raven its good to meet you im Alexa and this here is Clementine" Alexa said as she shook raven's hand and smiled. "Wow your so beautiful I mean nice to meet you too" raven said as she began to blush. "Follow me" Alexa said as she turned around quickly to hide her blushing face and began walking. "Have you ever shot a gun before" Clementine Asked as she began walking backwards. "No im no good" raven said as she continued to follow Alexa and Clementine. After a few moments of walking they eventually reached an open field. "Why did you bring me out here" raven asked as she looked around. "Your gonna shoot a gun for the first time" Alexa said as she handed raven a pistol. "Why are you being nice to me you don't know me" raven asked as she smiled and aimed the gun at the target. "I know how it feels to be new and how hard it is to fit in." Alexa said as she walked behind raven and helped her aim better by holding her hand up. "Let me know if Im too close or making you uncomfortable" Alexa said as she placed her hand on raven's and began to breath slowly. "No this is just fine" raven said as her face turned red. Raven then fired the pistol and it smashed through the target and hit a walker that was limping in the woods. "Wow poor fucker" Alexa said as they both began laughing. Raven then turned and faced Alexa who was still smiling. Raven then leaned in for a kiss and Alexa jerked back. "Hey what are you doing" Alexa said as she started walking away. "Why do I always fuck everything up" raven said to herself as she threw the pistol on the ground. She then laid in the grass and began looking at the sky. "Im always gonna be the weird girl aren't i" raven said to herself as she continued to look at the clouds. "I don't think your weird I really hope I didn't hurt your feelings" Alexa said as she walked up to raven and laid next to her. "All my life ive been rejected and I knew someone as pretty as you would reject me" raven said as she shed a tear. "I like you and I felt something i haven't felt in a while when we were staring at each other" Alexa said as she began looking at the clouds. "Then why did you push me away and leave?" Raven asked as she began to cry more. "Look I haven't dated a person since before the apocalypse I don't know how to be all lovie plus we just met."Alexa said as she smiled. "I would love to get to know you and learn how to shoot more" raven said as she smiled. "That I would love" Alexa said as she laughed. "I cant wait to get to know you better maybe I could cook you a five star meal." Raven said as she began to blush. Your so corny I love it"alexa said as they both laughed and she grabbed raven's hand. "But you know it's going to be hard for you because im a mother and clem will always come first no one comes before her" she then said as her smiled turned to a straight face. "Of course I understand that one hundred percent and i feel like me and her would get along as long as i show her respect" raven said she and Alexa smiled at each other and began looking at the clouds until they heard yelling. "Hey alexa theres a truck out here asking to come inside" Clementine said as she turned around and began running to the gate. "Duty calls" Alexa said as she smiled and stood up and began walking towards the gate. "Got your back beautiful" raven said as she stood up and began following alexa to the gate. "Do we know who's driving it Alexa yelled to a guard who was standing at his post. "No but its one of nick's trucks." The guard yell as Alexa looked at the truck. "Alright let them in"Alexa demanded as the guard began to open the gate and the car flew into blackwater and parked right next to the delivery truck. "Come out slowly." Alexa yelled as she began reaching for her gun. Raven and Clementine stood behind Alexa waiting to see who was going to come out. The door swung open and out came Bryan who held his hands up. "Bryan!" Raven yelled as she ran to him and hugged him. " you know this guy" Alexa Asked as she kept her hand on the pistol holster. "Yeah this is my big brother bryan he was sent to deliver crops to nick's settlement,hey why are you here?"raven asked as she looked back at Alexa. "Which one of you is Clementine?" Bryan asked as he started to look around at everyone. "Why who wants to know" alexa said as she began to squeeze her pistol holster. "Because i have a surprise for her, a very special one" Bryan said as he walked over to the passenger seat and placed his hand on the door handle. "Here it is" bryan said excitedly as he opened the door and Eric climbed out holding flowers and a box of chocolates. "Oh god Eric" Clementine yelled as she began sprinting towards him. "Wow you look as amazing as the day we me...." Eric said as Clementine tackled him to the ground and began kissing him. "I thought I'd never get to hold you again" Clementine yelled as the two laid on the concrete ground Hugging. "Aw Bryan that was sweet what you did for them" Raven said as she punched his arm. "Thats what friends do for each other" Bryan said as he smiled at the Eric And Clementine who both got up off the ground. "Wow you've gotten bigger" Alexa said as she smiled. "Hey Alexa" Eric said as he gave Alexa a quick hug. "Hows Everyone doing back home" Alexa asked as he began to hold Clementine's hand. "Everyone is fine, drunk as always" Eric said as everyone laughed. "We got another vehicle approaching it looks like a motorcycle" the guard yelled out as everyone ran to the gate. "Can you identify who it is?" Alexa asked as the guard looked through a pair of binoculars. "ma'am it looks like nick" the guard yelled as Alexa ran over to another guard. "Open the gates now" Alexa yelled as the guard nodded and began opening the gate. "If your dad is coming here that could mean something bad is happening be ready" Alexa said to Eric as he nodded. Nick drove in and quickly hopped off his motorcycle. "Hey what's going on" Alexa said as she hugged nick. "I got word that There's a whole bunch of raiders heading towards compound ive sent some of my people but I don't think that's enough we need every settlement there to help defend against them" Nick said as Alexa nodded and signaled for everyone to ready up. "Lets fucking do this" Alexa said as she fist bumped Nick who pulled out his walkie talkie. "All settlements to compound they are in danger all units to compound Now" Nick yelled as he looked at Eric. "You ready bud" he asked as Eric nodded and smiled. "Im with you Eric always" Bryan said as he smiled. "Let's roll" Raven yelled as everyone began climbing into there cars and began driving out to compound. "Lets go kill some raiders" Alexa said as raven,Eric,Clementine,and herself climbed into her jeep and flew out of blackwater and down the road...

TO BE CONTINUED...