{"id":434,"date":"2014-01-27T20:33:47","date_gmt":"2014-01-27T20:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=434"},"modified":"2014-07-29T08:21:22","modified_gmt":"2014-07-29T08:21:22","slug":"chapter-106","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-106\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 106"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 106<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Moving on.<\/i><\/p>\n

We need to leave and get out of here. \u00a0It was a nice break, but it\u2019s time to go home. \u00a0Honestly, our group has probably brought nothing but more death and shit than these poor suckers had before we showed up. \u00a0They\u2019re nice, and I\u2019m\u2013 well, Selena\u2019s a badass chick. \u00a0But the rest of them aren\u2019t family. \u00a0Except maybe her. \u00a0She\u2019s the one I\u2019m not so keen on leaving behind.<\/i><\/p>\n

This just ain\u2019t home. \u00a0May take us forever to fix the base or clear it out. \u00a0Get the power back on and use what\u2019s left of it. \u00a0But we\u2019ll be happier doing that shit than having it safe and easy here. \u00a0It\u2019s good knowing there\u2019s other people out there. \u00a0Even beyond Europe. \u00a0One day we\u2019ll probably have to go find them. \u00a0Hell, for Gabby\u2019s sake or maybe for Brian\u2019s kid. \u00a0But this ain\u2019t home, and it never was. \u00a0I think the others know that.<\/i><\/p>\n

Home is that place where everything is supposed to make sense. \u00a0A place where everything feels right and you\u2019re surrounded by people you\u2019d give up your life for. \u00a0Sometime after the dead fucking rose, I found one for the first time in years. \u00a0It was comforting, and I want it back. \u00a0Dead swarming the place like ants or not, we\u2019ll find a way. \u00a0And hell, I ain\u2019t in the mood to deal with all the snow and shit being here\u2019s gonna force on us. \u00a0Fuck that.<\/i><\/p>\n

Sometimes you gotta leave everything behind to realize what home is.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday, September 30, 2013<\/b>
\nWeek Seventy-Six<\/i><\/p>\n

It was on a supply raid with Kevin and Nick that the thought occurred to him. \u00a0Despite the events of his last raid, he found he couldn\u2019t stay in the castle for too long. \u00a0Too much time to think. \u00a0And that was simply a bad idea all around. \u00a0Then again, sometimes he liked getting Selena alone in the castle, but given everyone there, that was a lot easier said than done. \u00a0Something was always happening, whether it was the baby\u2019s cries attracting the undead around the outside of the castle, or Gabby wandering the halls when she couldn\u2019t sleep. \u00a0He\u2019d hear her nightmares sometimes, and Kevin get up soon after to help calm his surrogate daughter.\u00a0 Nightmares were still something all too common in a world dominated by the still-walking dead.<\/p>\n

AJ took a deep breath as he followed Nick, with the determination to focus on better things. \u00a0It was a skill he had never really possessed, but he could at least try.<\/p>\n

The blonde was going over to some zombies that they\u2019d taken out earlier. \u00a0The bodies had become completely unrecognizable, more skin and bone than flesh. \u00a0But it was clear he was looking for something in particular. \u00a0A brow rose as he got closer to him, while Kevin was doing what they actually came for, which was gathering up more baby supplies, like diapers and formula. \u00a0Gretchen was breast-feeding, but they all felt better at the idea of having backup supplies, just in case. \u00a0Nick was kneeled down with a rotted hand in his grip as he smiled softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDude, what the fuck are you doing? \u00a0Do you and Riley have some zombie fetish none of us know about?\u201d AJ teased him with a smirk.<\/p>\n

Nick laughed, grinning at him. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m trying to pick out a ring, you sicko.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like I can just go to the nearest Tiffany\u2019s and have it wrapped up in a box for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

That caused Kevin to turn his head, a smile slowly growing on the older man\u2019s face. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re looking for a ring for Riley?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick ducked his head as he examined the dead hand he still held. \u00a0\u201cYeah. \u00a0I think I\u2019ve had too many close calls, and, ya know, I love her, so\u2026 I wanna do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick said it so casually, but as AJ observed him, his gun in hand, he could see this was something he\u2019d been mulling over for a long time. \u00a0He smirked. \u00a0Probably since Gretchen and Brian\u2019s wedding, if he had to bet on it. \u00a0\u201cLove in the apocalypse, where cutting a ring off a corpse is suddenly romantic.\u201d \u00a0He snickered at Nick. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re a goddamn Hallmark card, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up,\u201d Nick said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019ll love hearing how you shopped for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you and Selena?\u201d<\/p>\n

That caused the former addict to turn, raising a brow at the eldest of them as he bagged up more supplies they\u2019d need. \u00a0\u201cWhat about her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we decide to go back to Florida for the winter\u2026\u201d \u00a0Hmm, so it hadn\u2019t just been AJ thinking about the idea. \u00a0That was a rarity. \u00a0He knew his ideas tended to typically be outside the rest of everyone else\u2019s. \u00a0\u201cAre you going to ask her to come with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

A fair enough question.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really think she\u2019d want to leave this place with us?\u201d he asked instead, uncharacteristically avoiding the question.<\/p>\n

Nick fought to get the lovely ring off the putrefied finger. \u00a0\u201cWhy not? \u00a0Hell, she talks to you the most, man. \u00a0I think you\u2019re the only one she actually likes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen are<\/i> we gonna go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin packed away some extra supplies and nodded, shouldering the duffel bag after zipping it up. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re going to be leaving in no more than three weeks if we decide to do it. \u00a0Better to go now, before we get hit with an early snowfall.\u00a0 If we\u2019re lucky, we\u2019ll have missed the hurricanes.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was still weird sometimes how easily weather could screw up everything, without the technology of the world before to shelter them and keep them alive. \u00a0And AJ had this feeling, dark as it was, that even if they returned to Europe someday (which felt likely, given Gabby\u2019s closeness to Callum), they wouldn\u2019t see some of their new allies ever again. \u00a0That was why, yes, he wanted to ask Selena to come back with them. \u00a0He\u2019d grown used to her sharp wit and sometimes cold ways of seeing the world. \u00a0She made him laugh, and, hell, she made him feel normal. \u00a0When he woke up in the morning, he found himself happy to see her lying beside him, as she had been in recent weeks. \u00a0AJ wanted to go back to Florida and wouldn\u2019t be sorry to see this castle go, but he\u2019d be sorry to see her<\/i> go.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think anyone else will want to come back with us?\u201d he heard Nick say as he tuned back into their conversation, pretending he was rummaging through some drawers rather than letting his mind wander. \u00a0He found some toys and tucked them into his sack. \u00a0The kid needed toys, too, not just food and clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t asked yet, but for them, this is home. \u00a0I don\u2019t think they will,\u201d Kevin replied. \u00a0\u201cI think we\u2019ve gotten everything we can from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

AJ nodded, smiling some as Nick tucked the ring he\u2019d found in his pocket and followed their leader towards the door. \u00a0\u201cDo you have a plan on how you\u2019re popping the question?\u201d<\/p>\n

The blonde grinned. \u00a0\u201cI think I\u2019m gonna wing it. \u00a0I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a big way to ask anymore. \u00a0Any idea how you\u2019re asking Selena to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

He simply shrugged. \u00a0Honestly, he didn\u2019t have the slightest clue. \u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s go case the next house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that, I think we can call it a day, and\u2026\u201d \u00a0Kevin trailed off as a soft sound could be heard from the upstairs. \u00a0It caused all three men to pause simply because it wasn\u2019t the ever constant moaning of the undead that had long ago become the soundtrack of their lives. \u00a0It was quieter, gentler and helpless.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna go check it out,\u201d Nick announced, continuing before either of them could get a word in edgewise. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t worry. \u00a0I ain\u2019t about to drop or get eaten.\u201d \u00a0He grinned. \u00a0\u201cWhatever it is sounds alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

And nonthreatening \u2013 that\u2019s why Kevin\u2019s letting you go up alone,<\/i> AJ mused, though he knew he didn\u2019t have much room to talk, given his bad leg. \u00a0But with Brian out of the picture due to his cousin insisting he stay back for his baby, there weren\u2019t a load of options for runs. \u00a0There was Shaun, he supposed, but he wasn\u2019t the most reliable. \u00a0Selena was getting some rest, as she\u2019d pulled the graveyard guard shift, and Riley had chosen to stay behind. \u00a0She didn\u2019t say why, but AJ had caught her furtive glance to Nick that explained it all. \u00a0There was always Lucio, but he was helping Callum do something or other. \u00a0Kevin hadn\u2019t even tried to ask the other group, actually. \u00a0In a way, he wondered if the Europeans cursed the day the Americans had arrived at their base. \u00a0Their small group had seemed to go down, one by one. \u00a0Martin, Alistair, Giorgio, Ashton \u2013 almost half their people. \u00a0It was a tragic reminder how lucky they had been to have only lost Jo and Kayleigh, despite all their close calls.<\/p>\n

The old him would have thought his group was a curse to others, he realized.<\/p>\n

Once he was done watching Nick go upstairs, he turned back towards the former military man. \u00a0\u201cWe should have a meeting, be sure we\u2019re all on the same page on going back.\u201d \u00a0He smirked. \u00a0\u201cJust us though, the family. \u00a0Then if the Euros want to join in, they can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I was thinking,\u201d Kevin said, running a hand through his dark hair, though for a moment AJ thought he spotted a few strands of grey. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m not sure how Bri and Gretch will feel cause of Eve, but I think this is the right move.\u201d \u00a0There was something very telling in his expression, a knowing one.<\/p>\n

AJ agreed with him fully, but he had a hunch their reasons differed as to why. \u00a0\u201cSame here, and we\u2019ll come back someday anyway cause of the kids and shit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin smiled, his jade eyes shifting upwards at the ceiling, as if looking for any signs of Nick collapsing or a struggle. \u00a0The silence was calming. \u00a0\u201cNot for you, though.\u00a0 Just the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

AJ rolled his eyes good-naturedly. \u00a0\u201cHeh, nope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mainly because he couldn\u2019t imagine Selena saying no \u2013 or so he hoped.<\/p>\n

Nick came back down only a few minutes later, a shit-eating grin having lit up his face. \u00a0\u201cI found the intruder. \u00a0The most dangerous thing ever.\u201d \u00a0His hands came from around his back, and within them was a small kitten. \u00a0It was white all over, though covered in grime, except for a small black bit of fur around its eye that resembled a pirate\u2019s patch.\u00a0 The two men couldn\u2019t help but laugh. \u00a0It was nice seeing their fears not realized for a change.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s it, let\u2019s get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, put it down unless it\u2019s gonna be part of dinner,\u201d AJ teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cHell no! \u00a0He\u2019s coming with us.\u201d \u00a0Nick opened up an outer pocket in the duffel bag slung over his shoulder and tucked the little animal inside. \u00a0Its furry head popped out with a tiny mew and watched them with big blue eyes. \u00a0\u201cI think something happen to his mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin seemed to debate him, but AJ knew it\u2019d be a losing battle, remembering Spunky. \u00a0It seemed like his friend realized it as well because, instead, he simply shook his head and headed outside, fighting back a smile. \u00a0\u201cC\u2019mon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll call it The Governor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

AJ snorted, immediately catching the reference. \u00a0\u201cWhat if it\u2019s a girl, dumbass?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy the Governor?\u201d<\/p>\n

An overdramatic sigh followed. \u00a0\u201cNever mind, Kevy, never mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After the meeting, the sun was starting to set, and AJ was wandering the castle. \u00a0He\u2019d thought about sniping for bit, but decided against it for once. \u00a0The discussion had gone pretty much as expected. \u00a0Barring the obvious concerns about the baby being ready for travel and keeping her safe, everyone else felt the same yearning to return to MacDill. \u00a0That was home. \u00a0Not to mention, Kevin\u2019s theories made a lot of sense. \u00a0Zombies here were<\/i> different; they decayed<\/i> differently. \u00a0And if he was right on what that could mean, there was plenty of reason to hope.<\/p>\n

AJ had a destination in mind as he kept walking. \u00a0As time went by, his limp had lessened, but he knew it would never fully leave. \u00a0And the thought hadn\u2019t been one to drive him back to the bottle. \u00a0He knew why that was, but he\u2019d never say it aloud. \u00a0Not yet. \u00a0Right now, he enjoyed his stroll, feeling a need to take his time. \u00a0To enjoy the view while he could. \u00a0He\u2019d always appreciated the castle\u2019s worn down beauty, an artist\u2019s dream really. \u00a0And he didn\u2019t feel so jaded anymore. \u00a0If he still drank, the thought would\u2019ve been pretty sobering.<\/p>\n

As he passed the great chambers, he could spy Selena on the other side, not too far from where Nick and Riley, who thought they were alone. \u00a0Nick was showing her the kitten. \u00a0Riley\u2019s face lit up at the sight of something small and adorable managing to survive in this world. \u00a0She held it close and grinned. \u00a0\u201cNick, she\u2019s so cute!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t leave it behind. \u00a0Consider it our first kid \u2013 wait she\u2019s a girl? \u00a0Damn, I only had a boy\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed. \u00a0\u201cCall her Lucky in honor of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick stuck his tongue out at her while the kitten mewed happily. \u00a0\u201cShe seems to like it. \u00a0Check out the collar; I convinced Kevin to raid one more place so I can find a few things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice and\u2026\u201d \u00a0Her voice grew soft when her eyes spotted the engagement ring Nick had gotten from their raid earlier. \u00a0AJ couldn\u2019t help but smirk a little. \u00a0He had to give the kid points for originality, even in the zombie apocalypse. \u00a0\u201cNick, is this\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the kitten and getting the ring from her collar, he took her hand in hers. \u00a0\u201cYeah, it is. \u00a0I know I should\u2019ve asked sooner. \u00a0This world doesn\u2019t give you many chances, and you know I can\u2019t promise you how long but\u2026 will you?\u00a0 Marry me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I will!\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as Riley pulled Nick into her arms for a kiss, a tap on his shoulder caused AJ to jerk with surprise. \u00a0Selena smirked, crossing her arms over her chest. \u00a0He hadn\u2019t even noticed her head over. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s not polite to eavesdrop.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smirked, walking away with her to give the lovers a private moment. \u00a0\u201cI was on my way to find you, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould I feel honored?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFuck yeah, I chose you over killing ghouls.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grinned, blowing a wild lock of hair out of her face. \u00a0\u201cI need to cut this again, makes it too easy for things to grab.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the two reached the tower, AJ leaned against the window opening, gazing out onto the fields, watching the dead roam. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re heading back to Florida, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter it got overrun?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re crazy assholes, I know. \u00a0But Kevin\u2019s got a theory, and we think it\u2019s right. \u00a0If not, hell, we\u2019ll find another place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her big brown eyes softened as she moved beside him, glancing at him before shifting away. \u00a0\u201cThat sounds oddly optimistic, especially for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. \u00a0I ain\u2019t used to it yet,\u201d he replied with a chuckle. \u00a0Silence fell between them. \u00a0He couldn\u2019t find the words. \u00a0Why was he chickening out? \u00a0Was he really afraid Selena was going to say no? \u00a0AJ knew he could stay if he wanted to. \u00a0But\u2026 he didn\u2019t want that either.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally AJ, are you going to piss around like a wanker, or ask me to join you?\u201d she asked pointedly.<\/p>\n

He blinked, grinning as he tilted down his shades. \u00a0\u201cYou really want to come, even though we\u2019re crazy and suicidal to try?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selena rolled her eyes and leaned over, giving him a feathery kiss. \u00a0\u201cOf course, you twit.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was nice, feeling hopeful for his future. \u00a0Something that in the world before, he never thought he would be.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

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Chapter 106 Moving on. We need to leave and get out of here. \u00a0It was a nice break, but it\u2019s time to go home. \u00a0Honestly, our group has probably brought nothing but more death and shit than these poor suckers … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":106,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/434"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=434"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":477,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/434\/revisions\/477"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}