𝗦𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
CHAPTER TWELVE!
〔 Season one, episode six 〕
𝑪𝑨𝑺𝑺𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑹𝑨 𝑺𝑻𝑼𝑭𝑭𝑬𝑫 𝑨 𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑭𝑼𝑳𝑳 𝑶𝑭 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑺 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑵𝑰𝑪𝑲'𝑺 𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑺 𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑶 𝑨 𝑩𝑨𝑮, Madison had told her to pack, so she did. Apparently the guards were leaving which meant they were no longer safe there. Not that Cass thought they were safe anyway after what happened the night before
The brunette girl zipped the bag close, taking a deep breath as she sat on the bed.
She felt a whirlwind of emotions. The world ended she lost her dad but then the soldiers came, it gave her hope. Hope that her life wouldn't have to change. And even before that she didn't even have time to process Nick was back to focused on trying to keep him sane and now he was gone again
Cassandra sighed running her hands through her hair, her legs bouncing and her hands shaking
"Not now" she whispered to herself "you gotta keep going"
Standing up, she took one last look around Nicks room a sad smile spreading across her face at all the memories she had in this room, the good and the bad. Everything. It was funny this house always seemed more of a home to her then her own house. She didn't know why — but leaving it now didn't bother her as much, maybe because it was because she had Nick back. She didn't need this place for the memories anymore
She left the bedroom turning away from it. She didn't know how much she would change from leaving this house to where she ends up. How much she will lose if she did maybe she wouldn't have left.
"Cass?" She blinked focusing her gaze on Alicia who held a worried look, the older brunette quickly making her way towards Alicia wrapping her arms around her
"Everything is going to be okay" she whispered even though she didn't believe it herself as she hugged Alicia close to her.
Alicia held onto Cassandra seeking comfort and reassurance something she struggled to find in Madison sometimes but she always knew she would find it in Cass.
Cassandra glanced at the photos on the wall. The photo of her and Alicia on Cassandra's 18th. Alicia had gotten drunk with her much to Madison's dislike but she was still there for both girls the next day with there hangover and both girls did not handle that well cuddled up on the sofa together with a bucket on each end — Madison did not feel sorry for them one bit laughing at them both and saying it was there own fault
This house was filled with memories that will haunt her forever because there was no going back.
"Come on" Cassandra pulled away from the hug leading the Clark girl out to the cars
A tight grip on her bag as the two of them exited the house. Her converses bouncing off the wooden deck as she jogged to the car throwing her bag into it, hugging her jean jacket to her body due to the cold air
not long after Madison's followed them out
"You two get in the car"
Alicia jumped in the front as Cassandra got in beside Chris, still hugging her jacket to her body as the car swayed from Madison's chucking things in the boot
— Cass knew Madison was trying to hide the soldier and what they had done to him from Chris and Alicia. Even from her since she hadn't seen the aftermath. She was only there in the beginning.
Madison got into the car her eyes connecting with Cassandra's through the mirror the younger girl giving her a reassuring smile. What they were doing meant they would survive. They had to survive. Even if it meant at the expense of others
The group drove through the town, careful not to draw to much attention to themselves finally reaching the outer gates coming to a stop. If they opened those gates there was no way of shutting them. They would be giving everyone a death sentence.
"Jesus's, they just left" Chris whispered "they abandoned us"
"When it comes down to it, people chose themselves and there loved ones" Cass muttered, Daniel opened the gates and the group drove through
Cassandra stared out of the window, not looking back for a second because there was no going back. One thing on her mind
We're coming Nick...
〕〔
Cassandra leant against the car as the group stood in an underground parking connected to the building. Where there people were.
The alarm started blaring signalling that the plan had worked, that Daniel had successfully lead the horde to the fence. She looked up upon hearing Daniel's words mixed with his footsteps across the concrete floor
"I led them to the North gate, so all the soldiers are distracted. We can go now, we should move."
Cassandra could feel her anxiety skyrocketing as she fidgeted in her spot, if they didn't get them out in time the undead would get to them
The gunshots echoing in the distance. She wasn't use to gunshots, no one should ever have to be
Travis finally arrived exiting his truck, Cassandra casted a glance in his direction her eyes holding worry as she realised the soldier wasn't with them. It was wrong what they did but now letting him go has put them at risk
He could warn the others or worse he could come after them — God knows he probably wants revenge for whatever Daniel did to him.
Cassandra tugged at her Jean jacket as she watched the silent stare off between Daniel and Travis
"What did you do?" Daniel's angered voice broke the silence but the tension was only increasing
"He told me where to find them."
"And what if he was lying?" Cassandra's soft voice spoke out, her eye's locking with Travis and he could see the fear behind them
"I believe him, he seemed honest..." he paused looking at everyone else "we will get him back Cass"
"It was the right thing to do" Madison spoke out before her eyes drifted to Cassandra's "it was"
"You'll see what doing the right thing gets you" Daniel snapped
Travis grabbed ahold of Chris taking him away from Cassandra she heard there voices as she turned her head to watch them
"If things go sideways, if you see anything, you drive. Take the suv and you drive to the campground. If we're more then 30 minutes, drive."
"Dad, don't leave me here. I can help" Chris begged wanting to help find his mom
Cassandra tuned there conversation out as Madison walked up to herself and Alicia placing her hands on each of there shoulders, making the two girls look at her
"You two have to stay here, leave if we take to long"
Alicia nodded but Cassandra shook her head, Madison sighed
"Cass—"
"No Madison, I can help. let me help" Cass begged
"We can't help Nick and the others if we are worried about you three" Madison tried to reason with Cassandra who shook her head
"Mom, let Cass go with you. Me and Chris will be okay here. We'll go if anything happens. And you will find us" Alicia said even though she would feel a lot safer with Cassandra with her
"Maddie please. I lost my dad I can't lose him to" Cassandra pleaded her voice becoming shaky. The blonde sighed, she really wanted her to stay, she wanted to know that she would be safe with Alicia but she knew Cass would probably go in there either way and it would be safer if she went with them
"Okay" she gave in taking the two over to Travis and Chris
"Alicia can drive. Cassandra is coming with us" Madison told Travis,
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Travis said, taking about Cass to Madison like she wasn't there or couldn't make her own decisions
"Not to sound ungrateful or anything but it's not up to either of you what I do. I'm an orphan" Cassandra sadly smiled and that stopped Travis words his thoughts stopping instantly
Pulling Alicia into a hug
"I love you Alicia" she whispered the younger girl smiling as she held onto the brunette
"I love you to Cass. Be safe"
Pulling away from the hug she heard Madison talking to Chris
"You take care of her" before pulling her daughter into a hug
"Be safe" Chris told Cassandra looking at her hesitationly
"You to" she replied. Before turning around and walking over to Ofelia who handed her a knife, Cass looked down at it hesitantly, she hadn't killed yet.
Taking a deep breath she took ahold of the handle, touching the tip of the blade with her finger. She felt a presences behind her
"Stay beside me" she heard Madison's Southen drawl turning around her brown eyes meeting cold blue, nodding her head. Madison didn't want to have her kill but she knew it would be better she learned early on
〕〔
"I am losing my mind" Nick pulled at the fence "this is worst then the house" at least at the house he had a distraction
His feet dragged on the floor as he paced up and down
Strand tapped his fingers together as he watched Nick
"Picture you're somewhere else, with a needle in your arm or with that pretty girlfriend of yours"
Nick squinted his eyes at Strand at the mention of Cassandra. Though it was probably his fault. He loved talking about Cass especially when he was missing her to anybody that cared...even if they didn't care and Strand just kept asking questions about her
More curious about how he could still have her then anything else but it gave him an excuse to talk about her
"Don't–" he warned, Strand half smiled rolling his eyes at the boy, if there was one thing he had figured out about Nick was that his girlfriend was a button to be pushed. That Nick thought the world of her.
He really did, he thought back to a moment with glow, his friend. Back in the church, he remembered them both being off there heads, not a clear thought in mind.
He remembered...𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨
𝘏𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺
"𝘕𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵—𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳" 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨
"𝘞𝘩𝘰, 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘴?" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬 "𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯. 𝘈 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰'𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥"
"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵" 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 "𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘸. 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵" 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬'𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦
"𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘓𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭. 𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦"
Nick shook his head, falling back into the fence he caught Strand's question
"Where's your house?"
His house or his home. His house hadn't been his home for a long time,
"Close. El Sereno" but he didn't realise how close his home was as he replied
"Oldest community in Los Angeles. Predates the city. Vibrant, blue-collar, diverse"
Nick stared at Strand, he didn't fit into his community. He never did.
"I'd gentrify the shit out of El Sereno"
A small grin spread across Nick's face as he turned his head away from Strand
"Another time, another world"
Then suddenly the lights shut down and gunshots were fired
"What's that?" Nick asked looking around, he watched as the lights went out one by one and the gunshots got louder
"What's going on?"
People around them began to shout and pull the fence. The metal pinging everytime it was pushed or pulled
"Full auto. Close."
The alarm blared as more gunshots were heard, Strand turned towards Nick
"It's time to go"
"So where are we going?" Nick asked watching Strand search for the key, a smirk pulling at his face "What's wrong?"
He reached into his pocket slipping the key into his hand as he held it infront of Strand,
Who stared at him, a mixture of impressed and annoyed. Nick tried to hold his smirk in as he handed the key to the older man — who never even noticed he took it. Proving that what Strand said was true, he had useful skills.
〕〔
Cassandra gripped the blade in her hand as she kept a watchful eye on the horde that was only a few feet away from herself and the others. All the gunshots echoing in her ears of the soldiers trying to keep them out
She felt a hand on her shoulder pulling her from her thoughts and through the fence
"If the infected get in, how do we get out?"
Ofelia asked
"That would be the harder part" Her father replied
The group ran across the courtyard, Cassandra's converses bouncing on the concrete, her heart pounding in her ear, if one little thing goes wrong. They could all die.
Cassandra kept close to Madison as they walked the halls of the compound. Her eyes on full alert, the slightest movement made her jump, Travis leading the way – let's see if the soldier was telling the truth or trying to save himself
She held her knife close to her as followed after Travis into a room, her eye's widening at the people trapped in cages. That her group had just made live bait for the undead when they got in. Because they will get in, there was no stopping them
"Jesus's" Travis muttered turning to look at Madison who kept a soft grip on Cass, pushing her forward as the two of them ran through the cages
"Nick!" Madison yelled, Cassandra frantically looked around, studding the faces of everyone in them
"Nick!" She called out as she passed cages, she heard Daniel's and Ofelias calls
"Nick Clark!" Madison yelled
Cassandra searched through faces, sympathy filled her faces as she heard them begging them for help
"Nick" Cassandra screamed, she heard someone question Madison on who they were looking for
"I'm looking for my son. He's 19" she replied and all at once they heard yells
"There was a boy with the suit."
"Who" Madison asked,
Cassandra running alongside her to the women who was telling them that she believed she had seen Nick
"Rich guy stuck in here with us"
"Where they go?" Madison asked, Cassandra looked around frantically, the screams all mixing together. Some begging them to help, some telling them about Nick. Cassandra felt overwhelmed
"We'll tell you. Let us out"
With no hesitation Madison ran to the cage door, smashing her hammer against the lock. Screaming for Travis to help
— Cass quickly following her lead, drop to her knees infront of one of the doors, using the end of her blade to pick the locks
And when she heard the click. She grinned slightly proud of herself. Silently thanking Nick for teaching her how to pick locks
Cassandra whipped her head around hearing Madison's shout
"Where?" Noticing the blonde had pinned a man to the fence
"Strand took him out the back!"
Cassandra tightened her hold on her blade, running ahead of Madison and Travis as they stayed behind breaking a few more locks, she got to the door as she heard Daniel yelling at Travis and Madison, telling them there was not enough time
— Madison looked up noticing the brunette was about to run through the back door
"Cassandra!" Madison yelled taking off after the Parker girl
Cassandra bolted down the hallway, ignoring all the calls behind her. She kept running and running, adrenalineing filling her, not making her see any risk in running off.
"No!" She screamed as her eyes found the sound she had been hearing, Nick was trapped. He was trapped and he couldn't get out
She pulled at the door, trying to break through. Panic clear in both there eyes, frustrated and scared Cass felt tears fill her eyes as she yanked at the door
"Nick" she cried as her eyes connected with his through the small glass window. Hope dying in both of there eyes
Madison and Travis reached the door,
Both of them hearing Nick's calls as he pushed against the door
"Open it!" Cassandra yelled As she yanked it but It didn't budge
"Travis!" Madison yelled as she banged on the door, watching her son through the glass "We'll get you out Nick. No"
Everyone could hear the undead trapped on the same side as Nick and Strand, Madison's hammer smashing against the door but nothing was working
"Nick!" Cass cried, he couldn't die. He couldn't...she didn't want to live without him
She felt her hope dwindling away as she stared at him, her head leant against the window. Madison and Cassandra's cries mixed together
Nick couldn't let them watch him be torn apart. He wouldn't do that to them.
"Mom. Cass. Go" he told them his eyes holding sadness as he looked at them for what he thought would be the last time
"No, no I will not leave you. I will not" Cassandra cried placing her hand on the window, her voice cracking. If Nick died tonight, she would be going with him. She would, she knew that without a doubt.
She didn't want to live in the world before without him. She sure as hell didn't want to live in this one without him
"I love you. Your the best thing that ever happened to me" he whispered as he tried to give her a soft smile but she could see the tears in his eyes .
"Go. Please go"
"Madison. Look out!. Move!" Liza's voice came out of nowhere, she slid her card across the lock mechanism
"Hurry!" Cassandra yelled "'they're coming!"
"It's not working"
Yells mixed together as Liza repeatedly swiped the card trying to get the door opened. Every time the light flickered Cass could see the undead get closer to her boyfriend
But with one last swip, just in time the door flung open and Cassandra could finally breath as Nick fell into her. He was safe but they weren't the undead were to close for the doors to shut, without a moment to spare as much as Cassandra just wanted to stand there and let Nick wrap his arms around her — they had to run.
Running back the way they came, Nick pushed Cassandra infront of him as they all ran through the compound. They had Nick but now they had to help find Griselda
– but what they didn't know was that it was already to late for her
Liza lead them down into what look like the pantry, all of them on high alert, every little thing making Cass jump, she felt Nick's hand on hers, she hadn't even reliased her hand was shaking. He looked into her eyes, dropping his head onto her shoulder He bit his lip as he held in a sob
Cassandra's eyes softened as she hugged him back, feeling his hands snake around her waist pulling her closer to him, she felt the Heat of his body making her relax
"'Don't tell me to leave you again. Ever." she pleaded
"Okay" he mumbled, pulling away from her
Catching up with the rest of the group but Cassandra noticed the eyes of man Nick was with following her, a smirk playing at his face
"'Cassandra right?, your as pretty as Nick said"
Cass laughed slightly, ignoring the man's comment. She didn't know him, she didn't trust him but it seemed Nick did. She didn't know what to think of him but judging by his appearance, he was obviously rich.
The brunettes head whipped round at the sound of Liza's screams, she spotted the older women fighting with the undead trying to keep it away from her. Turning around she noticed more closing in on them
Strand and Daniel firing there guns, she watched as the undead dropped around her though she must say Daniel's aim was much better — one of the undead lached onto her arm
"Shit" she screamed pulling her arm away raising the knife in her other hand she plunged into into the infecteds head. Breathing deeply as it dropped to the ground infront of her. Her heart pounding in her chest
Looking at the end of her blade covered in blood, she realised she did it. Her first kill.
She turned around noticing more of the undead breaking through. She heard the echos of Daniel's bullets firing
"Help" a cry of help rang through the air, Cassandra frantically looking around recognising Madison's voice, she saw one ontop of her having made her drop her hammer
Cassandra left her place beside Strand running towards Madison but before she got there she saw Nick pick up the hammer she had dropped, smashing it into the infecteds head — kill shot.
But while she was to busy making sure they were okay, she hadn't noticed one sneak up behind before It was to late, hearing the groans she turned around letting out a shriek as she fell backwards landing on the ground with the undead ontop of her
Using all her strength she held it away from her face but panicked hearing more get closer to her. She dropped her knife and she couldn't reach it. Fear filled her eyes as she felt herself loosing her grip
"Cass!" She heard Nick scream, Strand turned around seeing the situation the brunette was in cursing, he held his gun up this time taking time with his aim before firing and hitting the infected clean in the brain
Cassandra gasp as blood sprayed over her. Her face covered in it, but she had no time to be shocked with the infected approaching her. She quickly pushed the body off her, Strand running up to the girl and pulling her up as the two of them rejoint the group further ahead
Once the group were a safe distance away, conversations started,
"Where's Chris?" Liza asked, the lights flickering once again
Madison held a tight grip on Nicks arm as she lead them through the building
"He's safe. Outside the compound with Alicia" Travis replied
Cassandra was quite beside Strand. She had almost died again back there. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest, tugging at her sleeves anxiously more worried now that she had dropped her knife
"Thank you" she whispered to Strand, making him look down at her as they continued walking "for saving my life"
"Don't thank me. It would have not been in my favour to let you die" Strand replied not knowing how important this girl would truly become to him
Right now. All he knew was he needed Nick....Nick needed Cassandra
Cassandra stared at him, he saved her life but didn't seem to care much. He seemed to only be out for himself. Now that was dangerous.
"We have got to find another way out of here now." Travis announced panic clear in his voice, fear clear in everyone as they kept moving through the compound
"We need to get back to the medical ward. We get back there, Exner will know." Liza said
Walking through the doors with Strand Madison and Nick waiting for her as the others went ahead, Cassandra switched her place, glueing herself back to Nick leaning into his side as he locked there hands together placing a soft kiss on the top of her head — he almost lost her again.
Tonight was a whirlwind of emotions for them. They had almost lost the other...Twice
"Who the hell are you?" Madison asked her stare pointed at Strand as he blocked the doors with a mop
"This is Strand." Nick tore his eyes away from Cassandra "he saved my life. And he just saved hers"
Tugging Cass with him as he started to walk down the hallway to join the others, noticing the undead catching up with them, knowing that door wouldn't hold long.
〕〔
Cassandra stumbled alongside Nick as the group entered the medical bay, Cassandra covered her nose at the smell that lingered. The smell of death
She glanced around noticing bodies laying around the room, a gunshot in there head
She couldn't move her eyes away from them
"Don't look" Nick whispered pulling her away as the group approached Dr Exner
— Cassandra heard pill bottles rattling, looking towards the sound she saw Madison stock Pilling pills.
Her eyes focusing on the Dr Exner, she did this. She killed all these patients knowing they were gonna turn since she couldn't help them — since they brought the herd to the compound dooming everyone. Did Cassandra regret it. No, no she didn't . They did what was necessary to get Nick back
She did feel bad for Ofelia and Daniel. They lost Griselda but they got Nick back
Nick watched Cassandra carefully, the terrified look in her eyes mixed with sympathy and sadness...relief. Her beautiful face covered in blood which he knew made her uncomfortable. Glancing around he spotted a cloth on the table, picking it up he made his way towards her
Placing his hand on her neck, making her jump at first before she relaxed noticing it was only Nick, he turned her head to face him using the cloth to wipe the blood off as she stared into his chocolate eyes a soft smile creeping onto her face
His thumb stroking the side of her neck as he looked at with nothing but love
Conversations taking place behind them but they had nothing to add, there body's still trying to recover from the physical and emotional trauma they had only just escaped
Travis placed his hand on Nicks shoulder making the two nineteen year olds turn there attention back to the group
"Come on" he mumbled leading them forward the Parker girl glancing back noticing the doctor pick up the gun — she gave up.
The group continued through the compound
"So what's the master plan, I assume one exists?" Strand asked as he walked beside Madison, Cassandra and Nick not far away from them
"What do you mean?"
"Have you settled on a destination, an end point?"
Cassandra gripped the stairway as she jogged down the slim hallway as she listened to Madison and strands conversation
"We're heading east. The desert. Should be safe there"
"It's not." Strand replied, making Cassandra and Madison stop in there tracks, Cass out of worry. Madison out of anger as she flung around to face the man
"Then what do you suggest, Mr. Strand?" Anger laced in the blondes voice but Strand didn't seem fazed
"Go west." Quick to reply
"What's West?"
"I have a home on the water. I have supplies. I'm prepared."
Madison rolled her eyes turning away from the man running to catch up with the others. It was clear Madison didn't like him much
"You don't seem like the kind of man to offer something out of the goodness of your heart" Cassandra sated walking past Strand following after Madison, Strand raised his eyebrows, nodded his head as he let out a little laugh
"I see why you like her. She's a Smart one" he whispered as Nick stood beside him, Nick side eyed him, you didn't have to tell him that.
Walking though another door sunlight finally shining down on them. They had been fighting for there lives all night and it still wasn't over — walking through the courtyard the smell of burning flesh feeling Cassandra's senses, bones and ashes layed on the ground beside her feet
This is what the world was now, a sickness that was beating them all
Ofelia's cries filled there air. Knowing her mother would have been burned with them. Cassandra didn't know how she felt she never knew her mother's love but she felt terrible for her
She dropped her head not wanting to make it worse for Ofelia and Daniel as they greived Griselda. Catching up with the others, smiling as she saw the garage they had left Alicia and Chris in. They had made it.
"Chris?" Travis called out as he entered building "Alicia?"
Everyone started looking around when they couldn't spot them at first, the car missing. Maybe they left. Maybe they we're okay.
"Where's the car? Did they leave?" Madison questioned
"Alicia!" Cassandra called out, Madison and Travis following her lead but Daniel tried to quiet them. It wasn't smart for them to be shouting with the dead that close but they needed to find them
When a door flung open, Chris and Alicia came running out
"We're here. Mom!"
"Dad. Dad." Chris called
Cassandra let out a breath of relief as she saw them running towards them all, Cassandra let a smile fall on her face as Madison and Travis ran to there kids, Liza Following quickly after
Apparently the soldiers took the suv.
Ofelia collapsed on the floor. Cassandra looked at her with sympathy it must hurt seeing them all reunite when she just lost her mom
"We must go now." Daniel shouted but then the cocking of a gun, shot through Cassandra's ears
"Salazar"
Cassandra cursed under her breath as she turned facing the soldier that Daniel had kidnapped a little more worse for wear then the last time she saw him and she was sure it was Daniel's doing — but this, this was Travis. He let him go and now he's come back for revenge
Nick edged infront of Cassandra's, slightly pushing her behind him. Shielding her even though he had no clue why this was happening
"Andy?" Ofelia softly whispered "Andy?" She stood up walking closer to the man with the gun
"Hey."
"Ofelia" Daniel warned
"Andrew" Ofelia stepped closer trying to calm him down but Cass doubted after what her father did, she would be able to calm him
Cassandra watched as Andrews hand shook with rage or hesitation — she didn't know.
"Put the gun down. You don't have to do this okay" Ofelia whispered, everyone was on edge watching the scene unfold. Knowing he could pull the trigger at any moment
Cassandra dropped her hand gripping onto Nicks as he automatically rubbed his thumb over her knuckles
"Just put the gun down" Ofelia begged
"Andrew don't do this. Please. Please please."
But in a second, Cassandra could see the switch in his eyes from Ofelias father to Ofelia. The switch of a target
"Ofelia!" "No!"
Daniel and Cassandra's screams mixing together but it was to late Andrew switched his aim pulling the trigger the bullet landing in Ofelia's shoulder — when the gun went off Nick pulled Cassandra towards him holding her close
Her body froze in his arms and all she could was stand and watch as time slowed. Daniel and Liza running to Ofelia's aid
And Travis tackling the shooter to the ground repetitively hitting him. All of the teens stood frozen in shock about what happened, in shock about Travis's reaction. They always knew him to be calm
But none of them could remove there eyes from the scene. They watched as Madison tried to calm him down but he just shouted
As he continued to pound his fits into Andrews face
"Leave him, Trav. Leave him" Madison shouted finally snapping Travis back to reality, he walked towards the car leaning against it, his hands shaking covered in blood
Cass stared at him in shock, they all we're but it was guilt that made him react like that — he let him go and it came back to bite him and now he had to live with that
"We have to go. We have to get Ofelia out of here" Cassandra spoke breaking the silence
"Strands place" Madison said knowing it was there best option before turning to the man in question "if the offer is still there?"
Strand nodded unable to form words
They piled into the cars, Cassandra seated between Strand and Nick leaning her head on his shoulder as he kept there hands connected, the group drove through los angles looking at what was left of there city as they made there way to Strands home
Passing by the dead who had taken over the world, truly it was there world now and they were just living in it
"We can't travel through downtown. There'll be to many." Strands voice broke the silence in the car
"The 110?" Madison questioned looking through the mirror for confirmation
"Nah, the freeways a crap chute on the best of days. I wouldn't risk it"
"Do you want to go back?" Madison questioned
Strand chucked
"You're funny. We're gonna get along fine, Nick's mom"
Cassandra laughed slightly leaning closer to Nick, who just watched her, cherishing the fact he got to hold her and be with her for longer — the fact that he didn't die today
"Take a left here. We can follow the river down to the sea" Strand directed Madison,
Traveling down the place where Cal had died. Nick opened his window sticking his hand out, making Cass roll her eyes but couldn't help the smile from crossing her face laughing as he sticks his head out of the window. She watched as his hair hit him in the face she loved his long hair, she couldn't remember the last time he had cut it
"Get your head back inside Nick!" Madison scolded
Making Alicia and Cassandra share a laugh, old memories appearing in there mind
〕〔
Cassandra climbed out of the car as her eyes scanned her surroundings, Strand's place looked like a sort of fortress, locked gates, stone walls.
"Come" Strand gestured as he walked towards a panel
"Grids dead" Nick's voice shot out, Cassandra turning towards him as he leant against the car
"'Generators kick on when the power dies."
Strand pulled his gate open leaving the rest of the group to scramble out of the cars, the group following after him
Entering his home, Cassandra eye's windened at how huge and expensive It looked — Nick drooped his head down to what seemed like a basement level, over the small bridge they were walking over
"Anyone hungry. Help yourself" Strand announced walking towards them and up the stairs. Leaving what only could be described as stranger's to roam around his house
Cassandra took ahold of Nicks hand dragging him out to a balcony as her eyes were glued on the sun and the sparkling water underneath it as she took in a deep breath of fresh air a stunning smile on her face
"Look how beautiful it is Nick" she whispered
"I'm already looking" he smiled as he stared at her, she was the most beautiful thing in the world to him, nothing or no one ever came close. Especially in moments like these
The sun reflecting in her eyes making her brown orbs look like honey, her long black hair flowing in the wind and that smile, that beautiful smile that he would kill to see
She was his sun. His light in the darkness.
— she always lead him home.
Madison crept out slowly as she watched the two, hand and hand. A peaceful look on both there faces
"I'm sorry" she whispered, Nick snapped out of his gaze on Cassandra as he side eyed his mother
"For what?" Nick asked his mother turning to look at her
Cassandra sighed a bit disappointed that her peace was over but turned to face the two anyways, leaning on the wall of the balcony
"I let them take you."
Nick shook his head sighing
"Mom." He reached out placing a hand on her arm before dropping soon after
"What?" Madison's voice cracked
"I don't know. I don't know" Nick smiled as he looked out towards the ocean before glancing at Cassandra "I feel strange.
"Yeah. We're spinning off the planet. We don't know where we're going."
"'That's the thing. I never knew where I was going. It's like I've been living this for a long time" he spoke softly "and now everyone is catching up with me. Strange"
Cass listened to every word he spoke and it made sense.
Silence over came the three of them as they looked out over the ocean, the beauty after the storm.
〕〔
"Where are you going?" Nick called out as himself and Cassandra found Strand packing
"I must stay in constant motion"
"Helpful answer" Cassandra muttered
"Ah miss Cassandra. Should have known you would be right beside him" Strand turned around but his face drooped noticing the blood still splattered on her face "there's a bathroom over to my right if you would like to wash your face"
Though Strand didn't know why he Cared much but he could see how uncomfortable she was covered in blood
"Thank you" Cassandra muttered confused
As she left the two of them as she headed to the bathroom
Turning the taps she smiled as water shot out of them, quickly grabbing a cloth she started to wash her hands noticing the water turn red as she scrubbed them, before looking up, staring at her reflection, the blood speared across her face from Nick trying to wipe it away. She sighed Wiping the blood off her face
"No one stays" Cassandra heard as she entered the room again
"Then where do we go?" She asked
Strand walked away from the two, both of them quickly following after him
"Where's abigail?" Nick questioned
"Not here" Strand closed his bag. Cassandra glancing between the two with question — obviously they talked a lot during the time they were locked up
"So why are we here?" Nick asked
Cassandra followed Strand as he walked towards the balcony, not answering any of there questions or answering them with riddles — Strand was what a lawyer would call there best or worse. Best person for you to be a lawyer for. Worst person for a lawyer to be against
Cassandra sighed as Nick asked another question
"Why'd we come here if we're not staying?"
Strand slid open his balcony door,
"Are you insane?" Nick asked, Cassandra side eyeing him out of how ironic it was that Nick was asking that question, of all people "Strand"
"The only way to survive a mad world" he looked at Nick before casting his eyes to Cassandra something telling him she needed to hear this more "is to embrace the madness"
Cassandra thought about his words. Really thought about his words. Maybe he was right because it seemed to be the reason why Nick adapted to this world so well
"Is that a yes?" Nick glanced at Cass a questioning face as he gave her a weird look making the brunette smile
Strand took ahold of his telescope seemingly searching for something and once he found it, he gestured for the two nineteen year olds to take a look – Nick going first
"Abigail" Strand whispered
Nick shot up before gesturing for Cassandra to take a look, the brunette leaning her head down to look at the telescope, her eye's widening at the boat that sat in the ocean
But just as joy lit her face up, a gunshot rang through the hills, echoing. She quickly moved the telescope around the area, her eye's stopping on Travis walking away from what looked like Liza's body.
A gasp left Cassandra's lips....
Standing still, the gunshot still echoing through the hills. Two members of there group gone. Griselda and....Liza. neither of them important to Cassandra herself but still another two people taking from this world. A bitter laugh escaped her throat as she thought back to all the religious rambling her father use to go on about.
The prophesied idea of the dead rising and people being reunited with those they lost, to bring about the age where only the strongest survived — is this what he had in mind
Two people gone and what scared her the most was she believed she should have been the first...
Two souls lost....Two souls dammed. Though the soul her father deemed a sinner had kept her alive. This was the world they lived in now and maybe being a sinner is what it took to survive.
A/N
ACT ONE IS COMPLETE I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I HAVE NEVER FINSHED AN ACT THIS QUICK
AND I COMPLETELY LOVE CASSANDRA AND HER RELATIONSHIP WITH EVERYONE I CAN'T WAIT TO WRITE ALL THE DEVELOPMENT
PLZZ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK OF THIS BOOK SO FAR
AND THE CHRACTERS
AND LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME ON THIS BOOK