Work Text:
They were by no means a small group so moving around was made a lot harder. That's why the group had decided to go searching for a more permanent place to settle down in. It was Kenny who told them about the next town over.
"It'll be hard to get there." Lee commented as he examined the map.
"Better than the situation we're in right now." Carley added, joining in the conversation. She wasn't wrong. The place they are in right now is falling apart and even their supplies are running dangerously low. Larry had been threatening to take the remaining supplies for himself and Lily.
Russell sat back and let them decide over where they were going, he wasn't much for taking charge. Although, he wouldn't mind not having to run around for a little while. He turned to face Clementine who was turning a page of a book she had found, "Any good?"
"Yeah. I didn't know there were so many different types of birds. So far my favourite is the Jay. They're so pretty." Clementine tells Russell about what she's learnt about the Jay.
"So far?" Russell questions, amusement evident in his voice.
"I can't just pick one favourite," Clementine said with a serious tone before adding more casually, "I hope we find a safe place to stay, then maybe I can finish this book."
Russell had only been found by the group for a little over a month but he was still surprised to see such a small child being calm and collected. It was a zombie fucking apocalypse, he wouldn't blame her for being openly scared. It was moments like this he saw her childlike innocence and instantly he would be reminded of how strong Clementine was. She's even taken down a few walkers of her own.
~~~
They didn't see it so much as heard the walker herd coming their way. A herd of walkers normally consisted of over a hundred walkers. They weren't so rare to see now and being spotted by one was bad news. The best option was always to hide and wait it out.
They heard it on their way to the next town over.
"It's a good thing we left when we did. That warehouse was not surviving a walker herd." Russell sighed in relief as he saw the town coming into view. His nerves were high knowing what was coming.
"Don't get too excited." Larry grumbled.
"Stop being so negative. Russell's right." Katjaa defended Russell.
Russell gave a small smile of gratitude. Katjaa was the sweetest amongst the group. Russell felt as if he was always being protected or babied by the women, he assumed it was because he looked younger than he was. He was twenty-five but had been mistaken for younger. Katjaa was extremely protective of the younger people in their groups. This included her own son Duck, Ben, Clementine and he was included in that list.
He'd have to confirm his age with her again when they survive this, but it wasn't because he minded the treatment. If anything it was sweet. He just didn't feel like he deserved it, like he was taking advantage of the kind women.
Before he'd joined this group he was in another more rough group where he had to witness horrible acts, even do things he never wanted to admit, just for survival. Russell hadn't told the group yet, wasn't planning on opening up to the things that haunted his brain. He was honestly glad he was able to escape and found this group of people. He really did not want to scare them off, so he lied about how he survived before the group found him. It was a small lie.
"The town's in sight." Kenny announced loudly for the whole group to hear.
"So is the herd. Everyone hide. We'll wait it out then meet up at that church building." Lee shouted out commands as he grabbed Clementine's hand and started running towards the houses.
Russell had the shit luck of being the last in line. He watched as Ben, Lee and Clementine all ran into the church building. The others were too far. Larry, Lily, and Carley all ran into a house they were closest too. Russell was by himself again. He could follow pursuit the others destinations but by now the walkers would notice him entering the buildings and that many walkers actively attacking anything would destroy the buildings.
If he could just run out of sight and hide then the walkers would pass through without causing much damage. He did not want to mess this up for the group. They had taken his sorry ass in. Russell clutched his knife in his hand just in case, the gun would make too much noise, and ran towards the multitude of houses. Ducking in between them to stay out of sight. It was then he saw the top of a prison. It could be perfect for a new base if it wasn't overrun. Judging by how void this town already was it might be perfect.
Russell changed his course and ran through the thin layer of forest before reaching the prison fence. Whatever it was he wanted to do he needed to hurry as the herd was literally too close for comfort. The growls were growing louder and he could feel the ground below him shake.
He uses his knife to take out a a few stragglers that hung around the outside of the prison and even two that tried to jump him in the small line of trees. Russell was surprised to find the inside of the prisons fence all clear. No humans... or walkers. He opened the metal fence door, it was unlocked for better or worse, and walked across the courtyard to the entrance of the prison. Not before he locked the fence up behind him, glad the lock wasn't actually broken.
He prayed the inside was as clear as the outside. He didn't have time to find another building to hide in. The growling was too close. He knew the others would look out for each other and didn't need to worry about them. With one final breath Russell tried the door handle.
Like the fence this door was also unlocked. The door creaked open. The noise echoed throughout the empty prison. Russell felt a shiver go down his spine. The silent prison gave off eery vibes. He was starting to regret choosing a prison to check out by himself.
It was unsettling, but he needed to hang on for at least the night then go meet up with the others. This place seemed perfect for the base they needed. It was secure and big enough or all of them.
He walked past the reception, straight through another door which led to the main area of this small prison. The whole right side was empty space with a few tables and chairs thrown aside, whilst on the left lay an array of cells. There were two floors of cells. A small line of steps to reach the top row. There was another door on the opposite end of where he was standing.
The cells were all empty and closed. He didn't know if he was glad someone was humane enough to let the prisoners out during the apocalypse or if he should be worried about someone sneaking up on him. He wasn't confident on his ability to take down an inmate with a weapon.
Russell decided he needed to take a breather before he even attempted to search any other rooms in this prison. He walked over to the one still standing table in the middle of the room. He pulls out the chair and is about to slouch down into it when he hears a voice call out to him, "Thank god, a person. Hey! Let me out of this shit hole."
Russell is startled and let's out a shout. He had his knife gripped tightly in his right hand and quickly spun around to see where the sound came from. He doesn't know how he managed to miss the bright orange uniform, he blamed the fatigue he felt, but right across him was an inmate standing inside one of the prison cells. The man was taller than him, had a thin layer of brown hair and a rough looking stubble. The man was holding the bars with both hands. He looked desperate.
At the shout Russell let out the man laughs, noticing Russell's glare he quickly apologises, "Sorry. Just let me out of here. Those fuckers left me locked up."
"Who left you in here and what happened to the other inmates?" Russell interrogated before he made any rash decisions. This guy is an inmate.
The man groaned like he was annoyed at being questioned, "Our cells were unlocked by a guard. A lot of them chose to leave and some stayed. We lasted a while till' this fucking group ambushed us in the dead of night. They shot up all the ones that fought back, I didn't see any use so I tried to escape through the back, " He stopped to lean his forehead against the bars, "Well, they caught me. Instead of killing me these bastards locked me up again."
Russell didn't know what to say just letting out an apologetic. "Oh. Wow." How ironic was it to be set free and then become a prisoner to someone else.
"At least the fuckers had the decency to give me food, despite it being some shitty food supply." He added with a grimace.
"When's the last time you ate?" Russell asked curiously.
"Running on empty here. They left about two-three days ago, so take a guess." The man said.
Russell was surprised the other still had energy to keep a smile on his face, he didn't know if he trusted the other yet, however, he wasn't raised to be a monster. Russell didn't think twice as he unzipped his backpack and pulled out an unopened can of coke he had found a few days before this fiasco, and a cereal bar.
Russell stupidly went straight to the cell and was pulled into it by the other. He was about to grab for his knife but stopped short when he felt his right hand being shook, "Name's Nate by the way."
"Uh.. R-Russell." He responded still in shock at the random gesture. After Nate took the items Russell pulled his hand back. He watched as Nate wolfed down the offered supplies.
Finishing with a burp the man started speaking again, "Ah! That hits the spot. Russ you saved me here. Now about letting me out. The key should be at the front desk."
Russell leaned back onto the table with a raised brow, "How do I know I can trust you? For all I know you could be a serial killer who'd kill me first opportunity." Russell was nicer than he should be especially in the apocalypse, that didn't mean he lacked common sense.
"Just check my files. It was nothing bad. A robbery gone bad." Nate told him as he tilted his head to the door that led to the reception.
Russell followed pursuit to the reception. He grabbed the keys to the cell and the paper that had Nate's name on it. He skimmed through the details. Nate had been in an armed robbery with two of his brothers. They were caught on their escape.
"Told you. It was my brother's shit plan that got us caught. How the fuck do you forget where you parked the getaway car?" Nate groans out, recalling the memories of their argument whilst cop cars surrounded them.
Russell couldn't help the small laugh that slipped out. He watched Nate's reaction. Although, the other didn't seem offended. If anything he was smiling himself. Russell thought it over, there were no bodies or injuries done to civilians and Nate didn't seem bad.
He decides against what some people of his group would've chose against and opened the cell door. Nate walks out with a bright smile and thanks him before making his way towards the exit door.
Russell quickly calls out after him, "You can't go out right now. There's a big herd passing through the town, that's also why I came here to wait it out."
"How long till they're done?" Nate asks.
"Normally a day. If we're lucky they'll be gone by morning." Russell recalls the information he knew on walkers.
Nate Sighs and makes his way back towards Russell, opting to sit on the chair opposite Russell's, "Haven't had decent company in a while. Let's play a game."
Russell raises an eyebrow at the others overly friendly and chill attitude, "What game?"
"Two truths one lie." Nate answers and doesn't waste time in agreeing them both in, "I'll start. One, I've punched a cop in the face. Two, I've crashed my motorbike multiple times. Three, I've never watched any of the high school musical movies."
Russell laughs at the variety of options and opts to pick the last one, "Three is a lie."
Nate makes a face of disgust, "Seriously? Why'd you think that?"
"It's very random and I want it to be a lie." Russell doesn't hold back his thoughts. Imagining Nate watching high school musical was too funny.
"Well, sorry to disappoint you, but it's number two. My ride's a beautiful blue truck." Nate corrects him.
It was Russell's turn, "One, I accidently took in a wild dog and only realised it was a wolf three years in. Two, I flushed my very alive goldfish down the toilet. Three, I almost ran someone over."
Nate didn't hesitate to answer, "Three. You don't look like you could hurt a fly."
"Correct, only because I don't have my drivers licence." Russell answered.
"Why'd you kill your fish?" Nate asked, rather rudely.
Russell's eyebrow twitched, "It was this stupid show. I was seven and I believed I was setting him free. The horror when my parents told me the truth." Russell remembered almost crying every time he used the toilet for a solid year.
They played a few more rounds until they felt tired of talking and Russell let out a loud yawn.
"You sleep first, I'll keep watch." Nate says after the yawn. Again it wasn't a suggestion, more of a command.
Russell nods his head. He leaned forward towards the table to place his head on his folded arms. He must've been exhausted because he was out in seconds.
He was awoken by Nate shaking his shoulder, "Rise and shine. By the way, you're seriously stupid for sleeping next to a stranger. I could have easily killed you."
"I'm a good judge of character," Russell answered honestly, "You seem okay." He didn't feel like he was in danger in the presence of Nate, so he trusted his gut feeling.
Nate suddenly averted his eyes and scratched the back of his neck, "You said you had a group right?" Russell nodded his head, "What'd you say about adding another member to it?"
"You want to join?" Russell asked back confused.
"Sure. Why not? I don't have anything on me and it'll be boring to do this whole apocalypse thing alone." Nate explains himself.
Russell agrees, not seeing a problem with it or Nate, "Okay, but uh you'll need to change out of the prison clothes before meeting the group. Lie about why you were here because Larry and Lily won't take too kindly to an inmate joining them. Ben's also a scaredy cat so he'll take it bad."
Nate rolls his eyes, "Your whole group a bunch of pussys?"
Russell doesn't answer and Nate takes that silence as a sign to start undressing right in front of him. Underneath lay a skin tight, long sleeved, black shirt. Russell could see every muscle Nate had through the shirt. Nate had a really good physique. The orange jumpsuit was fully off to reveal Nate had no trousers and just a pair of dark blue boxers on.
"Come on man. Put some clothes on." Russell complained. Although, it wasn't because he was feeling disgusted. He turned his head slightly away hoping to hide the heat that was rising on his face.
"No shit. There's got to be some clothes in the changing room." Before Nate walked off he turned to face Russell with a glint in his eyes, "By the looks of it seems like you're enjoying the view."
Russell gulped hard, knowing well Nate had heard it, as Nate's hand lifted his face. Nate stared him down with a finger slightly running across the younger man's lips. It didn't accumulate to anything as Nate turned back around and started making his way towards the other room.
Russell could see the smile that adorned Nate's face and realised Nate was teasing him. His face only grew hotter.
Nate didn't take long changing and came out with a casual white shirt, blue jacket and jeans. Russell could see that black shirt peeking out onto Nate's neck, he shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Wait. Before we leave I gotta grab something." Nate tells him.
"Hm?" Russell questions. He doesn't get a verbal response. Instead Nate walks out to the reception, Russell following pursuit, he ducks under the reception table. After a minute Nate pops back up with a new accessory on him.
"Nice cap." Russell decided to comment on the blue cap. It looked worn out and seemed to fit Nate perfectly.
"It's mine, they took it when I first arrived." Nate told him.
Nate stuck closely behind him as they ventured out of the prison. The prison was still empty of the dead, the fence held up against the walkers pretty well. Nate followed him blindly as Russell led them towards the church meet up point. He appreciated the trust.
When he entered he spotted everyone except Lily and Larry. They all stared at him and his special guest. From the corner of his eyes Russell could see Nate's eyes narrowing at the gun pointed towards him.
"Kenny put the gun down." Russell called out to the man.
"Who is he?" Kenny asked, the pistol still up.
"I saw him scouting the prison and we held up there together. He wants to join us." Russell lied hoping Nate got the message to copy the same lie.
"Isn't the group big enough?" Ben questioned, Russell knew he meant no harm. The kid was just worried for his own safety.
"If I'm not wanted then I'll leave." Nate stated rather bored of the conversation already. He wasn't one to beg.
"Ben, shut up," Lee threw towards Ben, "Of course your welcome to join. You'll have to take part in collecting supplies and pick up your own slack."
"Yeah." Nate agreed and it was settled. Everyone in the room seemed to be okay with another member joining the group. Katjaa went out of her way to shake Nate's hand and introduce herself, much to Kenny's dismay. He was still a little wary. After the introductions they sat on the church benches waiting for the last two members to arrive.
Lily eventually entered the church. She didn't notice the new member and started talking instantly, "Larry needs to rest more. If not his heart problems might rise again and we don't have anymore pills."
Russell was close enough to hear Kenny mutter something about dropping the extra baggage, especially since Larry didn't pick up his slack, nor did he treat the others well. He doesn't know what happened before he joined the group, but Russell could tell nobody, except Lily, liked Larry.
"We shouldn't split too much. It should be okay to get another night of rest." Carley spoke out to everyone with her thoughts.
Lee, Kenny and Carly had been the three heads of decision making. As far as Russell could tell. If Lee agreed to a plan then they were probably going to do it. Lee whispered something to Kenny.
"Fine. We'll rest for today." Kenny sighed in defeat. Whatever Lee had whispered to him had got him to agree to Larry's whim.
"So I'm guessing Larry is a liability." Nate whispered in Russell's ear.
Russell stifled a laugh to not catch anyone's attention, "Yeah, I guess. Though I've only been here for about a month."
"Hm." Nate hummed in response.
They waited as the others grabbed their things and then started making their way towards where Larry was resting. The house was like any other. It was amazing how there was no blood stains or rotting smell.
It got Russell curious enough to ask, "Was there no walkers in here?"
Lily shot him a small smile, "Nope."
Russell didn't ask more and checked the house with the others. The house had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and living room. Larry was already occupying a room with Lily. That meant the other members would split the other two between themselves.
"I'll take the first watch." Lily offered herself up.
"I'll do the second half. Just wake me up when you're done." Lee said.
Kenny, Katjaa, Duck and Ben would share a room. Lee, Clementine, Carley, Nate and Russell himself would share the other one. Carley and Clementine shared the bed, Lee slept on the floor next to it.
Nate leaned against the wall opposite the others with his cap covering his face. Russell chose to sleep closer to the new member. He lay on the floor and rolled over to face the wall.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Russell was walking through a thick forest. He couldn't see anything but was working full time to get out. There was rustling from every corner. He would think it's walkers, yet walkers weren't so quiet. No groans? Russell stopped in his tracks and did a full turn, the paranoia was getting to him.
He came face to face with his past group. Steve his previous leader was staring right at him.
"You thought you could escape?" Steve questioned the younger man bitterly.
Russell's throat felt dry, it hurt to speak but he tried, "N-no I- Fuck. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run."
"It's too late now Russell," Steve looked behind him and Russell followed his gaze. He realised what the man was chuckling about. The group counted to exact seven members, he would be the eighth now.
"No. Steve. Please-" Russell tried to beg for his life.
It was too late. A silver pistol was pointed straight at his forehead and somehow Russell was already on his knees. Looking up he heard Steve chuckle out those vile words he always said to any survivor they found, "Seven's the perfect number. Eight is too much." He heard the click of the gun and then nothing.
Russell woke with a jump. He shot straight up into a sitting position. This wasn't his first nightmare of that horrid group so he already knew how to keep his voice quiet, even whilst he was in a full blown panic thinking he was dead. Russell panicked quietly as his fingers touched across his head for any bullet wound. It always felt so real. After calming himself down he decided going back to sleep was not an option and instead made his way to the living room.
Lily sat on the couch facing the curtained window. She had a book in one hand and her weapon lay close to her right.
Russell announced his presence to not scare the other, "Uh I'll take the next watch."
Lily looked slightly surprised but decided not to question it much, "Don't fall asleep."
Russell grimaced to himself, "I won't."
He didn't feel like reading a book, so he let his mind wonder over a few things. He tried to avoid any thoughts about his nightmare, opting to think about how he met the new handsome guest.
It was good how smoothly everything had gone and Larry napping through the situation made it a whole lot better. If Larry was awake Russell had a feeling he knows how that would've gone, Larry would've definitely tried to egg Nate on and be his usual dick self.
Russell felt something tap his shoulder and almost jumped out of his skin.
"Pretty shit watch if you're getting caught off guard." He heard Nate chuckle.
Russell didn't respond. He moved over on the couch to give Nate some space to sit down. They sat in silence till Nate decided to address the elephant in the room, "Can't sleep?"
Russell didn't want to make things awkward so he lied, "I guess? I just thought Lee should be getting some more rest."
Nate didn't look at him when he said, "I saw you get up."
He knew what that implied. Nate saw him panicking.
"Busted, huh?" Russell laughed out awkwardly. He hadn't spoken to anyone about his old group, nor his nightmares and didn't know how the conversation was even meant to go, but Nate waited patiently till he was ready.
Nate listened as Russell decided to pour his heart out. He told the other of the monstrosity that was Steve, their previous leader, and the things they had to do. He didn't go into detail of his other nightmares, only spoke of the one he suffered tonight. Unconsciously his hand wandered to his forehead again, "It felt so real."
The older man had finally turned to face him, Russell couldn't tell what expression was on his face, "You look pretty alive to me," Nate joked making Russell regret saying anything. Nate put his arm around Russell's shoulder and pulled them closer together, "I'll keep you company and help keep your mind off things."
Nate's whole presence was a great distraction. Russell had a smile plastered on his face as he lets out, "I can never get a read on you."
"That a good thing?" Nate asked but with the smirk on his face he probably already knew the answer.
"Yeah. Thanks for this." Russell replied whilst leaning closer into the others hold.