𝗦𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
CHAPTER TEN!
〔 Season one, episode four 〕
𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑺, that was how long ago the world had fallen and the fence went up, they were safe behind the fence but not safe from what they had seen, what they had already loss. For those like Nick and Travis, they hadn't Lost anything yet. They continue life like normal
But people like Cassandra, Alicia and Madison, they had already lost. Madison killed her first undead something she had admitted to Cassandra on day five
Alicia had lost her first love. Cassandra had lost her father.
Those were things they couldn't get back. Things that changed them.
But they were greatfull that they were safe and the others they loved were safe and intact — though the most important person to Cass was never truly intact but he seemed to be doing better. Actually he seemed to be doing great.
As the two of them laid in the pool the sun beating down on them it was peaceful, relaxing even
Cassandra turned her head as she heard Madison's heels clicking on the pavement
She blocked the sun from her eyes as she looked up at the blonde
"I found this on the counter" she said holding up one of Nick's oxys
"Oh, yeah, I guess I forgot" Nick replied in fake surprise taking his sun glasses off and chucking them on Cassandra who gave him a playful glare as he did before picking them up and placing them on her eyes — if he didn't want them she will gladly take them, the sun was getting on her nerves
"Oh, you forgot?"
"Yeah, I guess I did"
Madison crouched beside the pool holding her hand out
"Okay, here It is."
"Oh, no, thanks. I'm good."
But with Nick denying drugs Cass turned to him with a confused look. He had never refused drugs.
"I don't think that's the best idea" Madison replied
"Well, I got to kick it. That's the whole point right?" Nick asked looking between his mother and Cassandra
"Nick you can only kick it. If you do it right" Cassandra sighed, it seemed her only place in the new world was keeping him in line being a law student didn't really come with many skills for the new world, she didn't think. Not like Liza who could help people with her medical skills, not like Madison who could help people physiologically . It seemed her only job was to follow Nick and keep him out of trouble
She did feel useless but on the other hand at least she knew she was safe.
Nick sighed doing a backflip off his blow up chair splashing Cassandra in the process making her squeal and upon hearing it Nick shot her a smirk
"I'm going to kill your son Madison" Cassandra said trying to keep a straight face
"You love me to much" Nick replied before turning towards his mother who watched the two with a small smile — if there was one thing her son ever did right it was loving that girl and Madison knew it. She knew Cass was the best thing that ever happened to him
"Nick-" her smile dropped again as she tried to convince her son to take the oxy
"Look, give it to Griselda. She needs it more then I do, you said so yourself" Nick told his mother
"I know what I said, but the point is to wean you off of it slowly" Madison emphasised the slowly making Cassandra stiffle a laugh "so it just doesn't you know, happen again"
"I thought you would be happy" Nick said as he held on to the pool wall
"I am happy, I just...." Madison glanced up at Cass thinking of a way to finish her sentence
"–we just don't want to lose you again Nick. Especially not now" Cassandra finshed for Madison knowing she couldn't find the words and also knowing Nick was playing a game with Madison, he knew he was Madison's favourite. Her first child, her only boy. And that he also reminded her of his father. Alicia reminded her of herself.
It must hurt to look at your child and see someone you loved and lost
"Okay, well if you need it, it's right here" Madison said placing it on the ground "don't be a hero"
"No chance of that." Nick wasn't the hero type, he was more the did whatever it pleased type even if someone else got hurt but saying that there were a few people he would do anything for, a few people he would put first. He would be the hero or the villian for.
"Hey mom?" Nick called as the blonde began to walk away
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" Nick asked
"Enjoy your swim." She replied turning away from them both. Cassandra softly smiled at Madison reply...anything but weak
Nick turned around his eyes landing on his beautiful girlfriend, laying there in her bikini completely relaxed and a mischievous grin spread across his face, he quickly dove under the water carefull not to make to much noise
Swimming underneath her float quickly turning it upside down making her fall,
Cass let out a high pitched scream as her body hit the cold water and Nick was in hysterics
Swimming to the surface, Cassandra splashed Nick in the face which only made him laugh more as she pouted
"Asshole" she laughed
"Awh don't be like that baby" Nick laughed out as he reached for her pulling her in by the waist biting his lip as she wrapped her legs around his waist
Nick keeping them both aflot in the water
"Your an absolute asshole Nicholas Clark"
"But you love me anyway Cassandra Parker"
"Hmm" Cassandra pretended to debate it for a moment, making Nick rise his eyebrows at her
"Oh, you have to think about it"
Nick went to lean in to kiss her but she dodge him, making him stare at her with even more shock
"'Why should I kiss you when you just pushed me in the water?"
"Come on pretty girl, don't make me beg" Nick replied looking at Cass with pleading eyes, Cassandra bit her lip at the name Nick called her
Cassandra rolled her eyes leaning into kiss Nick who pulled her closer if that was even possible. There lips touched in a slow kiss, Nick pulling at her bottom lip.
Once Cassandra pulled away Nick groaned dropping his head on her shoulder
"I want Alicia out of our room so bad"
Cassandra laughed at his words, rolling her eyes pulling away from him as she started to swim
"Such a tease" Nick splashed Cassandra
〕〔
Cassandra had come inside about 20 minutes ago looking for a drink when Madison and Chris had ropped her into helping them paint. She knew why Madison's was doing it — she couldn't handle the blood stains. She had already painted last week
The brunette chucked on a pair of shorts and one of Nicks t-shirts that covered them as she helped the two paint
While they were painting Chris flicked paint on Cassandra by accident but as he went to apologise he couldn't stop laughing
"Oh you think it's funny" she smiled flicking it back at him
"Hey, mine was an accident" Chris laughed covering his face — though his relationship with Alicia and Nick was strained he did actually get on well with Cassandra. He could relate more to her being part of a family that wasn't your own
"You still laughed" she started to paint him instead of the wall only for him to playful push her away grabbing the bucket off the floor
"Hey no! This ends now. Not in the house" Madison tried to sound serious but they could hear the laughter in her voice
"Truce" the younger boy asked
"Truce" the brunette agreed dropping the brush as Chris placed the bucket down
"Can we get back to painting the wall now?" Madison questioned them both with an amused look
"Actually, I wanna show you two something" Chris said walking over to the table and picking up his video camera that he's being messing around with for the past week
He walked back over to them, showing them a clip he had caught earlier. It looked like someone was trying to signal from outside the fence
Cassandra and Madison shared a look, before they both turned to Chris
"Why show me that?" Madison asked
"Do you see it?"
"I mean why not show your dad?" Madison asked, not use to being someone Chris goes to
"I tried. He just said it wasn't anything"
"It is something" Cassandra reassured "nothing just makes a light like that"
"It could be a piece of metal or a window or you know, I don't know"
"That looked like a pattern Maddie" Cassandra said, Chris shot her a greatfull smile for her being on his side
"Someone's out there" Chris said "a human someone, someone who needs our help"
"We don't know that."
"What else could it be?, why else would it just---"
"--if someone needs help, they go to the soldiers"
"What if they don't want to help anymore, what if they can't. We are already rationing"
Cassandra said, maybe they weren't the good guys everyone thinks they are
Chris held the camera up to Madison again
"Do you see it?"
Madison looked at her stepson and a girl that was practically her daughter in law already – she believed them but she couldn't tell them she did. Because then they would put themselves at risk
〕〔
When night fell, Cassandra was cuddled into Nick's side as he leant on the head board, playing with her hands. She smiled and giggled as Nick placed a kiss on her forehead
"I'm so proud of you Nick. Your doing so well"
Nick froze guilt filling his eyes but luckily she missed it. He hated lying to her, he hated what he was doing but he couldn't stop
"Nick get out" the door flew open a determined Alicia walking in, Ofelia
Sheepishly following behind her not feeling comfortable about kicking Nick out of his own room
"This is my room" He argued back at his sister. Cassandra sat silently trying to keep a straight face at the Clarks bickering
Her eyes connecting with an uncomfortable ofelia
"I don't care. Me and Cass need a movie night. You haven't been around for ages and now your taking her from me and beside I doubt you want to hear about girl stuff"
"She's my girlfriend!" Nick said defensively not that he didn't want Alicia and Cassandra to spend time together and for Cass to find a new friend in ofelia. It was the principal of his sister kicking him out of his room and stealing his girlfriend
"She's my best friend"
"Cass!" Both of the siblings shouted her name at the same time. This time Ofelia did laugh, looking at the fed up expression on Cassandra's face
"I am your girlfriend" she directed at Nick before turning to Alicia "and I am your best friend but I am not getting involved"
"Are they always like this?" Ofelia questiond
"Believe it or not, this is one of there better arguments" Cassandra replied
"Baby—"
"–don't baby me Nick I'm not getting involved"
Alicia huffed, she gave up trying to argue with Nick and instead thought of another idea, jumping on the bed she squished herself in between Nick and Cassandra forcing Nick to let her go or else Alicia would have squashed them both, the younger girl sticking her tongue out at her brother as Cassandra started to laugh
"Traitor" he muttered about Cass
"'She loves me more" Alicia laughed as Nick got off the bed rolling his eyes at his sister before grabbing his pillow and leaving the room
Cassandra couldn't stop laughing while Ofelia still stood there a bit out of place so Alicia told her to sit down
"So what was the need?" Cassandra asked glancing between the two girls
"Ofelia is flirting with an army man"
"Ohh is she?" Cassandra teased as she turned to look at Ofelia who blushed a bit
"It's not like that I thought I could get some medication"
"Smart girl" Cassandra said. Do whatever it takes to survive and get what you need "play the part you have to, to gain whoevers trust you have to. To make sure you and those you love are safe and taken care off"
"Exactly" the salazar girl agreed
"Where did that come from?" Alicia questioned surprised by the words that Cass had said. What she was suggesting is very manipulative and not like her
"It's like getting the criminal to trust you when your there lawyer, so you know the truth and what your dealing with. Its what they teach law students" the brunette shrugged her shoulders
"So how long have you and Nick Been together, because you seem really close with everyone?"
"Oh, I've been best friends with Nick since I was twelve. We were inseparable and well we got together between like 15 and 16 though everyone expected it. I never had my mother I guess Maddie filled that roll and Alicia and I have always been very close. She's like my sister" Cassandra replied
"I don't remember a time without Cassandra" Alicia smiled at her "even when Nicks not around but I give her credit, she stood by his side through everything."
"How did you do it?" Ofelia asked "Stay by his side"
"Because I love him and you don't give up on the people you love. Even if you should.
I wouldn't want to fail him.."
The two girls listen to the brunette's words a serious tension filling the room and Cass felt bad so she decided to try and make them laugh again
"Oh and also he's amazing in bed" Cassandra laughed, Ofelia looked at the girl surprised before laughing at Alicia who cringed and covered her ears
"I don't want to hear that" she shouted
〕〔
Day ten, once again herself and Nick were lounging in the pool. It seemed the day kept repeating itself. There wasn't much else they could do. Confined in the town.
Nick was laying on sun lounge outside the pool his coat covering his face, as Cass swam around. She was pretty sure he had fallen asleep
"Nick?" She heard Liza's voice calling her boyfriend, making her turn around to see Liza along with two strangers. She swam to the edge listening to there conversation
"What?" Nick grumbled waking up, since he didn't get much sleep last night from Alicia kicking him out of his room
"'This is Dr Exner and her body guard"
Cassandra got out of the pool, making her way towards them. The guards eyes quickly looking her over. He was pretty young probably a guard in training
"Hi" Nick spoke looking up at the two strangers but when he realised where the guards eyes were. His eyes turned into a glare pointed at the guard
"I understand you may be in need of methadone" the doctor said crouching infront Nick as Cassandra reached his side leaning her hands on Nick oblivious to the guards stares
"Well, I would love methadone. If I was trying to kick, which I've already done" Nick spoke tearing his eyes away from the guard as the doctor shined a light in his eyes
"When's the last time you used?"
"Uh...I don't know---" Nick began to say but Cassandra cut him off
"13 days ago" she answered, making the doctors eyes snap up to hers and Liza who gave her a soft smile
"Girlfriend right?, must be if you care enough to remember that" Dr Exner stated
To which Cassandra nodded
Nick smiled softy before shooting the guard a smirk but Nick's jealously still boiled When he noticed his eyes fixed on Cassandra's chest.
Nick quickly took his t-shirt off leaving everyone confused as he handed it to Cass who took it with a confused stare
"'Put it on"
Cassandra nodded, noticing the tone of his voice putting his white shirt on as the doctor continued her check on him
"What's this?" Travis asked as he walked into the back garden
"Overdue house calls. I'm Dr Exner."
"Oh Travis. Can't tell you how happy we are to see you. Um is something wrong with Nick?" Travis asked
"No, I'm fine" Nick gravelly voice replied
"But your ex-wife, man, she's a narc"
"Nick!" Cassandra hit shoulder, making him laugh
"Told this lady I was the neighbourhood dope fiend." The doctor checked his temperature
"98.6. I'm gonna check your blood pressure."
"So are you the one that decides who goes to this facility?" Travis asked
"Well I have some help, but yeah"
"Like doug Thomas"
"I can't discuss other patients"
Cassandra sat beside Nick, her hand rested on his arm as they took his blood pressure
"Excuse him. He worries about everyone else." Liza spoke for Travis before speaking "your friend. Is in good hands. Just like Hector Ramirez–"
Upon hearing that name Nick head shot up, his stare directed at Liza
"–just like Griselda will be"
"You okay, Nick?" The doctor ask
"Yeah. Uh yeah, yeah. Is Mr. Ramirez okay?"
"Congestive heart disease is manageable."
Cassandra watched Nick, as she pulled at his hair trying to untangle it as he spoke to the doctor
"Your heart rate's elevated" she stated
Nick grinned his voice taking a more flirty and seductive tone as he looked at Cassandra
"My girlfriend is a very attractive women"
Cassandra blushed and hid her face in Nicks neck at his words
〕〔
Cassandra was helping Travis light the candles when she heard the handle of the bathroom door open
"Go away. Go away" she heard Nicks voice making her look up, she watched as he tried to close the door on Alicia
"What the hell happened to your face?" Alicia asked
"Knock, for Christ sake. Go away!" She could hear Nick get frustrated as he tried to slap the door
"Stop, Nick, let me just have a look at it."
Nick slammed the door
"Nick!"
Cassandra sighed not knowing why he was acting like that. He was fine earlier.
As Travis went to speak to him and Alicia. Cassandra went to find Madison if she didn't know what was going on his mother would
She found Madison sitting in the garage, Cassandra could see she had been crying, as she clutched her mug in her hand and leant her head against the side of the car
"What happened?" The brunette questioned making Madison sigh, she didn't want to be the one to tell her. Not again but she sure as hell knew Nick wouldn't
"He was using. He was taking the drugs from our neighbour" Madison's answer slipped out, you could hear the tiredness in her voice
"What?" Cassandra's broken voice asked she really thought he was doing better. That he wasn't lying anymore
"—and he stood there when I caught him, he stood there and said what can I say. And I lost it, I hit him"
Cassandra's eyes went wide at Madison's confession she crouched infront of her. She couldn't believe Madison hit him, but could she blame her. It was her breaking point
But before she could say anything, the two of them heard trucks pulling up outside. They were coming for Griselda
Once Cassandra made her way back into the house, she watched as they carried her out on a gurney. Cassandra looked up her eyes meeting Nick's a bruise had already formed round his eye and he could tell she knew. Just by the look she held in her eyes and he felt ashamed
'I'm sorry' He mouthed to her. Cassandra shook her head, her eye's moving to the others as they exited the house
"If we don't get Griselda to the surgeon, she's gonna lose a foot"
Daniel tried to follow behind but the soldier stopped him
"Sir I'm going to need you to wait"
"No that's okay, that's his wife"
Shouldn't they already be informed, Cassandra thought
"I have two names" the soldier announced holding out his clip board
"Griselda Salazar, Daniel Salazar" Daniel said
"No, not you."
"Nicolas Clark"
And Cassandra's heart dropped, why we're they taking him. They were taking him because they think him to be a liability. They were taking him and he wasn't going to be safe
"What?" Madison asked
Cassandra shot a panicked look at Nick. That couldn't take him....they couldn't take him from her.
"Come on, man. Free medical care of the us military" they pointed there guns and flashlights at Nick
"Run" Alicia told him and he took off, guards chasing after him, Cassandra tripped one over making another grab her and pull her away
"Hey, get off her" Alicia shouted looking to Travis for help but he was to busy trying to keep Madison and Daniel calm
"Hey no that's a mistake" Madison shouted
Cassandra tried to escape the guards grip as shouts went around the room, lots of words like mistake and stop
When the guards finally caught Nick trapping him in, they smashed the bottom of the gun into his face Knocking him to the ground
"No!" Cassandra screamed thrashing in the soldiers grip
"Take it easy, take it easy" Travis shouted
Madison tried to get to Nick only for the guard to push her down
"Nick!" She screamed fighting for her son but there wasn't much any of them could do, they had guns.
They grabbed Nick roughly, holding his hands behind his back as they dragged him out of his home
"No, he's not sick" Madison yelled
Cassandra threw her head back head butting the soldier falling forward only for Chris to catch her and keep her in place
"Don't" he warned and she knew he was right, she would only get hurt but she didn't want to just stand by and let them take him
"Nick" she cried out
She watched as Daniel tried to fight to get out to his wife, only for the soldier to push him over. Alicia and Ofelia screaming at them to leave him alone
The soldier that Cass had head butted pointed his gun in Chris and Cassandra's faces
"Dad!" Chris called out as he pushed Cassandra behind him
Travis jumped infront of them as Daniel stood beside him after Ofelia had helped him up
"There kids. Kids and an old man" Travis shouted at the soldiers "What are you doing this is our home?"
The guards dropped there guns and Cassandra took that as her chance to run to the window, she banged on the window and she watched the guards dragging Nick away him fighting them as best he could
"Nick!"
Madison had the same idea as her as she watched Nick being taken away from them
Cassandra's eyes fell on Liza from outside the window telling Chris she loved him before leaving with the people who had just ripped Nick away from her
The soldiers started to leave, Madison running after them and Chris stated to cry for his mom. But Cass couldn't hear anything as she sunk to the ground would she ever see him again, would she lose him to?
She wouldn't survive without him. She buried her head into her knees and just sat there.
Cassandra placed her hand over her heart, wrapping her fist around her shirt. She tried to picture Nicks hand over her heart, when he made her promises, when he comforted her
She heard everyone as mumbles all dealing with there own loss but she couldn't move
Ten days of peace....ten days before the storm. Ten days before they lost it all.
A/N
Hey guys I didn't really know how to add Cassandra into this episode so there's a lot of jumps and I just tried to focus on bonding moments while still including the main storyline
So let me know what you all think this chapter and the story / character so far
And any other things or relationships you would like to see more
But I hope you all Injoyed and plzz leave some comments I love reading them.