-----TRIGGER WARNINGS----
-This story contains themes of abuse, assault, blood, and gore.-
-Descriptions of scars, blood, the physical and mental toll of survival, and
injuries sustained from assault and other actions will be used.-
--Continue to read at your own risk.--
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Italicized writing indicates a flashback
(Season 5 Episode 12)
Nicholas, Aiden, and three people from Rick's group were out on a run the next day, leaving April to train with another gatekeeper. She arrived about 20 minutes early to her afternoon shift so the man currently on shift could go over a few things with her. Deanna had now trusted April to man the gates alone and Nicholas didn't oppose.
April was told to wait outside the gate for Nicholas and Aiden's group to get back. She was also told to keep her gun out just in case any of the undead came around. She rolled her eyes at this and kept the gun tucked in her belt, her shirt tucked neatly behind it. Instead, she held her machete in hand and leaned against the ajar gate. Another man came to replace the man before her, but he stayed inside with a large gun slung across his back.
April looked around her, noticing how similar the outside of Alexandria was to the place she was before. Her heart sank and she frowned.
"Why're there so many cars just... abandoned?" April asked.
Ryder shrugged his shoulders, holding the revolver in front of him. "People didn't want to wait. Hell, I'm done waiting."
April chuckled uncomfortably, taking in her surroundings. Cars with smashed windows surrounded them on the highway, just a few miles away from the trailer park. The usual scavengers had come down with a cold from being caught in a rainstorm, so Ryder and April volunteered. Williams protested, but April left before he could talk to Ryder about it; but not before Williams could hit her.
"Do you..." she started. Ryder looked over at her, waiting for her to continue. "Do you think the military will come? Do you think this'll all end and we can go back to normal?"
Ryder looked away and frowned slightly, letting out an exasperated sigh. "No."
April rubbed her shoulder and could feel the skin start to rise and form a bruise. Ryder looked back at her, noticing her change of pace. He stopped and grabbed her wrist gently, turning her towards him.
"Just...stay with me," he pleaded. "Don't keep going back to him, April."
April shook her head, and Ryder sighed. He pulled her in and hugged her tightly. "That's the last straw," he whispered. April pushed him away and put her hands over her heart, her breath shaking.
"No, Ryder, don't say that don't be stupid," she whimpered. Her voice trembled and she shook. "Don't do that, don't let him hurt you too, please, it's getting better, he's stopping. This is the first time he's done it in weeks, Ryder, please, please, don't confront him."
"I-," Ryder started. He stared at his friend who shook with fear. He'd seen that look before, way back before the outbreak. The last time he tried to confront Williams, April showed up to school with a bruised rib. "I won't...but please, just stay with me."
April began to calm down and the two continued walking along the highway, checking in windows for any biters.
"I'll consider it," she spoke softly.
YOU ARE READING
Thief With A Machete - REWRITTEN
Fanfiction---REWRITE OF A VERY OLD STORY--- April finds herself trying to survive alone in a world taken over by the undead. Desperate to survive, April uses her newfound skills and red-handled machete to steal from camps and unsuspecting wanderers, earning h...
