Flashback: a week before the initial outbreak.
When the week was over, Sawyer had managed to get his final’s grade in each of his classes. It didn't surprise Sawyer that he had gotten one of the best grades in their classes. He had worked very hard to get good grades. After all, he was paying for this college out of his own pocket.
They were nearly two weeks away from taking summer break, Sawyer and Miles had already planned on taking their summer to go visit Daryl. Even though Daryl claimed he didn't want any visitors.
“Man, I still can't believe I was nearly just a few points away from Emmett Carter.” groaned Mike as he looked at his grades.
Sawyer was surprised that Mike was even able to get a high score on his finale, considering all he did was just party all the time. But it didn't take long until Sawyer came to the conclusion that school came easy to his friend and he hardly had to study, something that used to make Sawyer a bit jealous.
“A B+ is still a good grade.” reassured Sawyer as he went through his own grades.
“Yeah but not as good as yours. How are you so smart?” Mike questions only for Sawyer to shrug.
“I spent a lot of my time studying and reading books.” claimed Sawyer, which was true since Sawyer was pretty serious about his education. He had to be, at least with his plans for the future.
Out of the blue, Mike had a phone call to answer. “Dude, turn on channel seven,” said Mike.
Sawyer did as his friend had asked and turned on the news, plopping right next to him as they watched as a newsman reported live about a new virus spreading around. Apparently, it was making people eat each other alive.
“WOAH!!!”exclaimed the two boys as they jumped out of the bed as if they just saw a horror movie, staring in horror as they just witnessed the news reporter being eaten alive before he became one of them and attacking his own cameraman.
“Did you see that!?” Mike exclaimed, fear in his voice.
“Yeah man! But that can't be anywhere near here, right? Like it won't happen? The military man, we have one of the best in the world. They'll stop it.” Questioned Sawyer. Only for his mind to worry for Merle.
Merle had left for the military when Sawyer was just in his teens. But he would always pop in one in a while. Although Merle was dishonorably charged and sent to prison he hadn't been around much ever since Sawyer declared he didn't want to live the drifter life with him and Daryl and instead wanted to go to college to get a proper education. Although Merle did seem to always answer whenever his friends wanted to smoke some weed. However, the weed would be supplied from Daryl.
A knock on their door had caught Sawyer off guard as he went to open it. It was their buddy Rocky. He must have seen the news as well.
“Did you guys see the news?” Rocky questioned.
“Yeah man, the reporter literally just ate a dude's face off.” replied Sawyer.
“Yeah, I heard from my brother that they’re gonna get the military here as fast as they can. Set up perimeters and stuff.” Claimed Rocky. Much like Merle, Rocky's older brother Devon had also joined the military, and the two men were in basic training together. Which was how Sawyer had met Rocky. But unlike Merle, Devon never got dishonorably charged.
“You guys think we should prepare for it?” Sawyer questioned. He was honestly worried for one, and nothing hardly ever scared him.
“What are you some doomsday prepper?”
“Nah, man. We will be good. Hey, why don't we go down to the mall?” suggested Rocky.
“Yeah. I'm up for that!? You down, Shawty?”
“You guys aren't worried. Ya know about the virus? “ Sawyer questioned that he was pretty concerned about the fact his friends didn't seem to be worried at all. But perhaps they just didn't want to show it.
“Nah man! The military will be here to protect us.” Claimed Mike.
“Come on, let's go down to the mall. “
………..
After some time of convincing, Sawyer had followed his two friends to their local mall. But it didn't stop him from watching over his shoulders. There was a new virus around that was making people eat each other alive, and all Rocky and Mike wanted to do was play in the arcade or look for hot chicks.
“Yo! Shawty!? Are you hungry? “ called out Rocky's voice, causing Sawyer to shake his thoughts away.
“Sure. Sawyer replied, and they soon made their way to the food court, sitting down as they ate some pretzels and cheese.
He couldn't help but pull out his phone and send Erica a text, hoping she was alright.
Hey,did you see the news?
Yeah, crazy right? Good thing we got our military.
Yeah, haha. :) How's your mother?
Not very good. Doc says she only has a few months left. Dad says I can stay here and finish school online.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Discover a cure for cancer with that big brain of yours.
Haha…Very funny….
I know. Say hi and bye to everyone for me. I'll text ya later.
That sounds good. Perhaps Mikey and I could take a visit sometime if this virus thing goes away.
That sounds great.I’ll ask my pops. He wants to meet some of my friends But he says to wait until the virus dies down.
Great…Can't wait to meet him.
“Earth to Sawyer!” Called out a voice as Sawyer was met face to face with a crumpled up napkin, causing the boy to look up from the phone and to look at his friends
“We're gonna go look at some phone cases. You're gonna come?” Mikey questioned.
“I'll catch up with you in a minute. I gotta make a phone call. “ claimed Sawyer.
“Is it to Erica?” teased Mike and Rocky as they taunted him with kissy faces. Only for Sawyer to just shake it off, watching as they walked off.
Sawyer was just about to call Daryl and made sure everything was alright when he couldn't help but overhear a conversation between a woman and her young son.
“I don't understand why you wouldn't let me donate my blood.” complained the boy. “Dad and I share the same type.”
“Because Carl, they needed too much, and you're too young. “ explained his mother.
“But dad would have wanted me to.” whined Carl.
“You're just like your father. Never mind that, let's just get some ice cream.” claimed the mother.
Sawyer decided to get up and used the restroom, which wasn't far from the food court. Though when he got out, he accidently ran into somebody. He took a step back, a little bit dazed.
“Oops. Sorry about that. “ claimed the little boy from before. Sawyer could only give him a small smile.
“Carl. Watch where you're going.I’m so sorry.” apologize to his mother as she grabbed his arm.
“It was my fault, ma'am. '' apologized Sawyer, only to retrieve a small smile from the woman.
“I know you’re a complete stranger. But do you mind by any chance watching him for a split second? I gotta go use the lady’s room.”
“Yeah no, I love kids. We will be right here when you come out. “
“Thank you. Can you make sure he washes his hands? He never does.”
“Sure thing.”
“thanks.”
It wasn't long before Sawyer was standing in the one's restroom, watching as Carl ran his hands under the water with soap before he rinsed them.
“So I couldn't help but overhear, you were kinda mean to your mom. “ claimed Sawyer.
“Are you stalking us?” Carl asked as he dried his hands.
“No, I was with some of my friends.”
“My dad's a cop.” claimed Carl.
“Oh. Did uh something happen?” Sawyer questioned. “It's okay if you don't wanna talk about it.”
“He got shot a few days ago. My mom wouldn't let me donate my blood. “ explained Carl.
“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he pulls through, little man.” said Sawyer, feeling horrible for the little boy. He couldn't imagine what he could be going through.
“Yeah,Yeah,Yeah. We're not friends. “ states Carl in a rude manner as they walked out to meet his mother.
Sawyer soon waved goodbye to Carl and his mother,only meeting up with Rocky and Mike by the doors of the mall.
“Who was that?” asked Mike.
“Not sure, just some kid and his mother. “ claimed Sawyer.
“Well, his mom was hot.” states Rocky.
“Her husband's a cop.” Sawyer warned his friend. Though as they were exiting the mall, Sawyer couldn't help but feel like he was going to be meeting Carl and his mother again.