Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Brittle twigs crunched beneath feet, the pale dawn sky steadily fading into a brighter day overhead. The air was cool, a sign that winter was approaching. Anytime wind picked up the trees would shiver, shaking any remaining leaves off their waving branches.

It’s been two weeks since the world went up in flames. Not literally. All of the fires died out on day four — anyone who was lucky enough to survive that long got front row seats to the flames smoldering down into ash after rain came. 

A vile illness had taken over. When whatever it was first escaped whatever lab it came from, talk of zombies naturally began to circulate. Alex was skeptical of it, of course. The symptoms of it seemed more like a virus to him. They weren’t reanimated hungry corpses, they were just sick people. 

Horribly sick people.

These “zombies” were relentless in their pursuit of violence and human flesh. They weren’t brain dead husks shambling around, they were agile. Far too agile for something that was no longer living. Alex had witnessed their aggression up close two weeks ago. He still shudders at the memory.

They also were capable of turning humans insanely fast. About seven seconds was all you got before your loved ones turned violent and angry right before your eyes. After that it was either run and pray to whatever fucked up God let this happen to the world that they didn't follow, or stay and take care of them yourself.

Alex couldn't bring himself to do that so he ran. Some would call it cowardly, but Alex thinks he did the right thing.

The sun had begun to slowly creep above the horizon, signalling the start to another day. Alex didn’t have a calendar or a watch, but he’d been keeping track of the days ever since he had to leave home. Fourteen days had passed since his world came crashing down on him.

He was lucky enough to not have stumbled upon anything yet. No angry infected, no even angrier bandits. He knew stores were probably looted and emptied, but the more hopeful side of him believed something would be left. He’d been staying in a tree house he built with Tod, George, and their father. It was definitely spacious enough. It was sturdy as well. He never imagined he’d be coming back at seventeen years old because the world decided to end before graduation.

The streets were empty. Trash cans lay on the ground, garbage scattered across the sidewalks. Animals had already started coming back into the city. The lack of humans made it easier for them to reclaim. Raccoons occupied dumpsters, and feral cats that had been on the streets for years could finally roam without human intervention. No animal control to stop them now, they were free.

Lucky them, Alex thought. Zero responsibilities, no worries except for which dumpster they were rifling through next. He wished he could be an animal, free to wander in a post-apocalyptic world without many humans. Maybe that’d be easier.

His stomach growled, reminding him what he was out here for. Food. He hadn’t wanted to leave the tree house. The blankets made him feel safe. The old toys made him feel a little less alone. Tod’s scribbles on the walls made him feel sick. He lucked out and found canned food— something they had probably brought in for a game at one point, maybe to play house or something similar. Seven year old kids playing in their tree houses do silly things like that. Who knew he’d ever actually be eating it?

As he approached the grocery store, he peered through the windows. The shelves were surprisingly full. Nothing hostile looked to be hiding in the aisles. So, he took a deep breath, and entered the broken doors, glass crunching softly beneath his foot.

He silently looked through the shelves. Of course the supply of water was a bit low, it made perfect sense that people would run for that first. Cereal boxes and granola bars were still there. A quick source of food would be good. Alex sighed to himself as he unzipped his backpack, stashing a box of Cheerios into it. Granola bars followed as he wandered through the aisles, stepping lightly.

Just as he was about to grab a jar of honey off the shelf when he heard a noise in the distance. Maybe a few aisles away. It was quiet, but undeniably there.

Someone— or something was here with him.

He huffed quietly, slowly lowering the jar into his bag before pulling out a knife. A kitchen knife to be exact. Not the coolest weapon ever, but he grabbed it in a hurry when running away from home. He lowered himself to the ground and followed the noise.

Another soft sound. Rustling this time. Whoever or whatever that was clearly needed to work on their stealth.

As he rounds an aisle marked for candy, he finally sees them. 

They’re turned around, a bat hanging loosely out of their hand. It drags across the ground softly as they walk. Whoever it is looks awfully drained. Alex leans closer to make out just who they might be, a flicker of recognition igniting in his chest just as they turn around.

“Alex?”

His heart drops. Then his knife drops. It clatters against the waxed tile, forgotten for the moment.

“Tod?” Alex chokes out, standing up straight. He didn’t think he’d ever see his best friend again. Honestly, when this whole thing started, he expected everyone he knew to be dead. Or worse, turned into one of the infected.

“I thought— I thought you were dead.” Tod stuttered, tripping over himself to move closer. God, he looked so tired. Alex hadn’t seen him this pale since that time he got the flu in seventh grade. His heart ached. What could he have been doing this whole time? How did he keep himself safe?

Alex meets him halfway, looking at him closer now. He looks like he lost weight. Not surprising, but a bad sign. Was he eating at least something every day or two?

Tod’s hand comes up and latches onto Alex’s jacket. Alex just lets him. He looks like he’s going to cry, and the sight makes Alex’s throat tighten. He hates seeing Tod cry, he always has. 

“Where were you?” He asks, attempting to swallow his emotions. It won't do them any good if they're both crying, would it? He still needs to stay focused. His voice cracks regardless, betraying him.

“Anywhere, really. I just ran. I didn’t— I didn't know what to do.” Tod whispered, his other hand tightening slightly around the handle of his bat. Alex recognized it as the same bat that George used to play with when he was younger and really into baseball for whatever reason. 

Alex opened his mouth to ask about George, but quickly closed it. The distant, lost look on Tod’s face answered his question for him. Maybe it’d be best to leave that alone for the time being. 

“Come with me.” Is what Alex says instead, his voice quiet but firm. Tod nods immediately, and finally lets go of his jacket. 

“I really didn’t think I’d see you again.” Tod said suddenly, grabbing a few cans of food off a shelf. Corn, beans, whatever. He was starving.

Alex peered into his bag and took quick mental notes of everything he got. Cereal, granola bars, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toilet paper, and two water bottles. They’d have to make it work for now.

He glanced up, still looking as if he didn’t believe Tod was truly here.

“I’ve been in the tree house the whole time. Remember when we built it?” Alex asked him, glancing out the window as he took beef jerky off a shelf, followed by energy bars.

Tod’s eyes widened slightly, a small smile creeping onto his face despite their situation. “Seriously?” 

Alex nodded, zipping his bag up. “Speaking of the tree house, we should get going. It’ll be better than sleeping wherever you did.” He mumbled, moving closer than probably necessary. Now that Tod was here with him, he really didn't want to let him out of his sight.

Tod didn’t fight as Alex’s hands lightly shoved him forward. He zipped his bag up as they walked, eyes scanning the area outside as they left the store.

The walk back to the tree house was mostly quiet. Alex walked a little behind Tod, head constantly whipping around just to make sure they weren't being watched or followed. Tod walked ahead, eyes forward but occasionally looking back to Alex.

He was actually alive.

They were actually alive. Alive together now, not surviving alone, scared, and hopeless. For the first time in the last two weeks, Tod felt like he actually had a chance at something more than just hiding and hoping.

Once the old latch to the trapdoor of the tree house was undone, Tod poked his head through. He couldn’t help but smile upon seeing it again.

He hadn’t been here since the start of ninth grade. He and Alex snuck out of their houses and met there to talk about their day. Tod hated his fourth period and wanted out. Alex liked most of his classes, he was just a little bummed about not getting a lot of them with Tod. They fell asleep in the tree house that night while talking, and George found them there the next day.

“I didn’t think it’d look the same still.” Tod commented, dropping his bag in a corner. The end of everything they had known so far had unsurprisingly been weighing on him, but the familiarity of the tree house helped. The faint smell of crayons in the air calmed his nerves.

“I didn’t move anything when I came in.” Alex shrugged, searching for somewhere to put their food. He eventually decided on lining all of the items up on a long shelf, one the boys previously used to display their toys. He moved them carefully, leaving them on the ground underneath it for now. 

A short breeze makes its way through the windows, making the two of them shiver. Alex quickly locates the pile of blankets that he thought should be in here about three or four years ago. He didn’t ever think he’d be needing them this badly. Life has a funny way of playing out, doesn't it? One thing he does when he's younger ends up helping when he's older.

He picked one up just as Tod sat down in the corner, taking the opportunity to sit beside him. Even though the tree house was definitely big enough for a whole group of people, he couldn’t help but want to be close. Before today, he had just assumed he’d never get to see his best friend again. He handed one side of the blanket to him and Tod took it, draping it over his legs with a sigh.

Eventually, Alex decided to break the silence.

“So, what happened?” He asked quietly, leaning his head against the wall and glancing over at Tod.

“To my family?” Tod’s voice was even softer than Alex’s. Alex immediately sat up, not wanting to upset him.

“You don’t have to tell me.”

“No, no. I’m okay.” Tod dismissed his concern, taking a deep breath. Alex frowned as he glanced out the dark window, and Tod began to speak.

“Okay. Um, about a day or two after being stuck in the house my father decided to leave. I don’t know why. We could’ve waited for help, y’know? Anyway, he had decided he wanted to go find some himself.” He started, his voice trembling with every word. Alex noticed the way he paused every few moments, either to take a breath or sigh. He didn’t rush him. He understood why.

“The moment he left the house— the moment he left the house, someone shot him. I didn’t get to see who. I remember the rioting and panic was really bad that day. He died there, and my mom went out after him and got shot too.” He choked, burying his face into his knees as the tears fell. The streaks left marks on his cheeks, as his back trembled. Alex leaned closer, his own face falling.

Tod sat up a few minutes later, sniffling profusely. “Anyway, after that George took me and ran. He grabbed his bat and told me not to look back. I don’t remember much after that until he died too. One of the zombies got him.”

Alex was about to open his mouth when Tod continued to speak.

“I should’ve saved him.” 

He moved closer, getting a good look at Tod before putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey. It wasn’t your fault, alright? You were scared, and I don’t think he’d think of you any differently for not being able to do it.” He muttered, squeezing Tod’s shoulder once, twice, then letting go.

“But—”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

Tod went silent after that, leaning into Alex’s shoulder with a low sigh. He wiped at his face, swiping away tears. 

Minutes of silence pass. Not uncomfortable, awkward silence. Sad, loaded silence. Tod’s eyes flutter and Alex looks over, giving him more of the blanket. He shivers slightly as the warmth fades from his legs, but he can manage. The other blankets aren't too far away anyways.

“You should go to bed.” He says, standing and peering out the window. Crickets chirp quietly outside, and fireflies glide through tall grass.

“I’m not tired.” Tod mumbled, wiping at his eye again.

Alex turned, giving him a look. “You haven’t had a safe place to sleep for the last two weeks. You’re going to bed, Tod.”

Before Tod could open his mouth again, Alex spoke up again.

“Besides, I can tell you’re tired. You’re not good at hiding it.” He said, sitting back down with a sigh. Tod just leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. No witty comment, no sarcastic jab, nothing. His eyes just closed, and he was out.

Alex frowned faintly, but he understood. He missed messing around with Tod in French class, or eating lunch with him back when their world was still normal. Would it ever go back to normal? Would he ever have his best friend back?

He watched Tod breathe, his chest slowly moving up and down.

For now, he was here. He was safe, he was alive and breathing. 

Maybe that was all Alex needed for the time being.

Chapter Text

When Alex’s eyes open the next day, it’s already noon. The bright, happy sun is high in the sky, occasionally being blocked out by slow-moving clouds. He sits up with a yawn, glancing over to where Tod slept last night.

He’s not there.

His heart starts beating faster and his breathing quickens as he sits up hastily, his head spinning. He’s just about to call out for him when he spots him a few feet away, absently flipping through an old comic that he brought up into the tree house in eighth grade. 

His eyes look so empty. He hasn’t even realized that Alex is awake yet.

The sight makes Alex’s heart ache. He clearly needs some sort of distraction. Being stuck in your thoughts can really take a toll on a person.

“D’you want breakfast?” His voice makes Tod glance up, the smallest hint of a smile coming to his face as Alex’s sleepy voice fills his ears. It reminds him of when they’d have sleepovers. Alex would always sleep in and wake up after eleven asking for breakfast. He misses that. He missed him.

Tod nodded, and that’s how they ended up eating dry cheerios from the box — Alex had forgotten to grab bowls —and taking a few sips out of their water bottles. 

“Do you think this is like, the end end of the world? Will things ever go back to normal?” Tod asked as he closed the box of Cheerios, tracing the bee on the front of the box with his finger after.

Alex tilted his head, before nodding. “Probably. I doubt the rioting on the second day was a good sign. I don’t think the government not evacuating survivors after the first two weeks is a good sign either. They’re probably dead too.”

Tod frowned, putting the box back up on the shelf. “If it is really the end, I think we should find a way to keep memories, right? Of stuff from before the world went to shit."

Alex thought for a moment, before looking around on the floor, eventually finding a composition book neither of them actually wrote in. He opened it and searched for a pen, eventually settling for a pencil. He wrote the date on the first page and their names, before Tod finally questioned what he was doing.

“You gonna start a journal?” He raised an eyebrow, a bit of his famous sarcasm from before the outbreak coming back.

“We’re starting a journal. We can make lists of stuff we remember. Give me an idea.” Alex said, tapping his pencil on the paper. 

For a moment, Tod let his worries about life and death, his family, food, and survival fade. This was his chance to give himself a break.

“Songs. Let’s do songs.” 

“Your music taste is total shit, but sure.” Alex said, writing the list title at the top of the page.

Tod rolled his eyes, laughing quietly for the first time in weeks.

“First song should be Smells Like Teen Spirit. You know that song, right? By Nirvana?” Tod asked, scooting closer. Alex nodded and jotted it down, before adding Enter Sandman by Metallica. His dad didn't exactly look like the type to enjoy it, but he'd listened to it in the car a few times. Alex naturally began enjoying it as well.

Tod sighs, squinting at the paper as if words will materialize onto it.

“Oh— oh! We could add Creep by Radiohead, right? You used to love that song.” Tod said, pointing towards the paper. Alex smiled slightly and wrote it down, sighing quietly before flipping the page. He didn't think that Tod would actually remember such a little thing like that. He'd only mentioned liking it once.

“Why’d you flip the page?” Tod tilted his head.

“I don’t remember any more songs. Besides, I’ve got another idea.” He said, writing the date at the top and something else that Tod couldn’t see. Before he could ask, Alex spoke.

“We should make a list of people we remember too, I think.” Alex mumbled, jotting down a few names like his parents, Tod’s parents, and George. Tod’s lips turned downward faintly but he nodded, scooting closer to Alex so he could actually see the page.

“We could add Christa and Blake too.” Tod shrugged. The two girls were people that Alex and Tod used to have “crushes” on. Alex didn’t really know if he ever liked either of them though. They were nice and pretty, but he didn’t really feel anything when looking at them. The thought that Tod possibly did made him feel a little weird.

“You still like them?” He asked as casually as he could, writing down Blake’s last name.

“No, but I remember them.” Tod said. Alex didn’t drag it on further, and he hoped his question didn’t seem stupid or random. He had no clue why the idea of Tod genuinely liking them had been starting to make his chest ache.

The pair sat for a bit as the sky darkened slightly, clouds overtaking the sun once again. Then, Alex wrote down the next name.

“Do you think Billy’s okay?” He asked, glancing over at his best friend.

Tod made a certain face that was a definite no, but he didn’t say it out loud. He let out a nervous laugh before sighing, taking the book from Alex and writing down Terry and Carter’s names next.

“I mean, he was really clumsy. Clumsier than you used to be in seventh grade.” Tod said. Alex rolled his eyes.

“He could be okay. Maybe he found somewhere safe?”

“I hope so. Really, I do. He was super nice.” Tod said. Billy was one of their more polite classmates. A little oblivious sometimes, but he never bothered them. Tod and Alex even considered him a friend, and Tod briefly wondered if he did the same.

“What about Terry and Carter?” Alex asked as Tod wrote a few of their teacher’s names.

“They’re probably still alive. Carter just looks like he knows how to fight zombies, doesn’t he?” He asked. Alex laughed, nodding.

“Oh, I just remembered someone else!” Alex said, taking the book from Tod and writing down Clear’s name. Tod squinted at the paper, confused.

“Who’s that?” He questioned, pulling his legs up to his chest with a huff.

“This girl from our French class.” Alex said. He honestly had only heard her speak once or twice, but she seemed pretty nice. He remembered her name because of just how unique it was.

Tod looked at the window, thinking. Then, he turned back to Alex. “The girl with the brown hair and bangs?”

When Alex nodded, he smiled. Neither of them had ever actually spoken to her, but if they remembered her, she deserved to be on their list just as much as anyone else.

He puts the notebook down after a few seconds, just as Tod leans against the wall with a sigh.

“Do you think we’re ever gonna run into anything?” He asked softly, a hint of worry in his tone.

The only fight that Tod had ever been in was one with this guy in the seventh grade. He doesn’t even remember what it was about. All he knows is he left with a bloody nose and a suspension after biting him. He doubted biting would ward off any infected person. They’d probably bite him first.

Alex hummed quietly, glancing towards the bat that Tod had been dragging around when he first reunited with him. Then, he stood up, grabbing it. Tod followed closely after, confused but intrigued.

“Maybe we should practice.” Alex said.

“Can I practice on you?” Tod asked, a small grin coming to his face. Alex scoffed and rolled his eyes, holding the bat out towards Tod, who took it while shaking his head.

“No, asshole. Just hold on.” Alex sighed. He hadn’t been in any altercations with anything, infected or uninfected. He was going purely off of previous knowledge of how bodies worked.

Leg shots likely would only either stun them or immobilize them depending on how much force you use. The place you’d want to target would be the femur, considering it’s the strongest in the body. Unfortunately for them, it was also the strongest bone in the body. Alex didn’t think Tod had that much strength in him to do that. To be fair, he probably didn’t either. 

“Okay, first. Leg shots aren’t gonna kill anything, but they’re helpful anyway. Especially up in your thigh.” He started, pointing towards the area where the femur was. Tod tilted his head and nodded slowly.

“If you really wanna break it, you’ve gotta hit it hard. I mean with a lot of force.”

Tod squinted at him, and Alex sighed.

“If you can’t do that, you could always go for the head.” He shrugged, coming up behind Tod and tightening his hands around the bat for him. Tod’s face flushed slightly at Alex’s proximity.

“You’re real close, aren’t you?” He muttered as Alex made him raise the bat. He was used to them being near each other, but something about Alex’s chest pressing into his shoulder made his breath catch in his throat. He both adored and despised the feeling at the same time. He was supposed to be focusing.

“I’m just showing you what to do.” Alex replied, sounding way too oblivious to the absolute chaos he was causing.

“I can follow instructions. You know that, right?” Tod rolled his eyes, raising the bat higher as Alex brought his arms back as if he was about to be up to bat in a few moments.

“Sometimes I’m not so sure. Remember that one time you almost got detention in science after talking a bunch? Mr. Patel told you to stop like fifty times.” Alex said, finally backing away. 

“I wasn’t even that loud.” Tod scoffed.

“Yes you were. Now hurry up and swing.”

Instead of arguing, he did just that a few times. It was annoying at first— the bat kept slipping and since he hadn’t ever played baseball he was sure his form was incorrect —but the thought that they could very well be in a hostile situation where they’d need all the skills they could offer made him try harder.

After a few minutes of that Tod sat down with a huff, letting the bat roll away from him. Alex joined him, leaning back on his elbows.

“I really hope we don’t have to fight anything anytime soon. Not saying I won’t be prepared— I totally will be. It’s just a little scary to think about.” Tod muttered. He didn’t ever want to have to see anyone else he loved being torn to bits by those heartless sickos. 

“If we do, we’ll be okay, yeah? At least we’re together now.” Alex said, taking his knife out of his pocket and lightly dragging it across the oak wood.

“What’re you gonna do with a knife? You’d have to get pretty close to the lunatics to actually use it.”

“There are a lot of major arteries on the human body. I feel like I could snag one of ‘em if I tried.” He said. Tod didn’t look too convinced.

“Really, smartass? Where exactly are these arteries you speak of?” He asked, his tone lacking any real negativity. He trusted that Alex would be more knowledgeable than him— he was always into stuff like zombies, vampires, and basically anything that could be researched intensively for no good reason. That included anatomy. Tod preferred to read comics and eat sand when they were younger, but to each their own.

“You say ‘arteries’ like you don’t believe it’s an actual word.” 

“Answer the question.” Tod smiled.

“I will. The easiest ones to hit would probably be the carotid artery in your neck. Or the femoral artery. Whichever’s closest, right?” He replied.

“Knives still feel too up close and personal.” Tod mumbled. He didn’t exactly love the idea of his best friend being within biting distance of one of those things.

“When I find something else, the knife will be a backup weapon. It’s okay, don’t worry—”

A rustle in the bushes outside interrupted Alex, making his stomach swirl in unease and concern. Could it just be an animal? Maybe. He still needed to check.

“What was that?” Tod whispered, sitting up a bit straighter as something stepped on a twig.

Alex shushed him and slowly stood. “Stay there.”

Tod made a face before standing up. 

“Seriously?” Alex sighed out as Tod brushed against him.

“Go.” Tod whispered, lightly pushing Alex towards the window. He didn’t want to be left alone on the floor while Alex went and checked out a potential threat. He also had the weird and totally normal urge to follow him around like a lost puppy ever since they had reunited.

Alex shook his head, but didn’t tell him to stay again. Something told him he wouldn’t listen anyway.

The pair crowded up against one of the windows, breath fogging against the old glass panes that George and Tod’s father installed all those years ago.

“Can you see what it is?” Tod asked, peering through the glass. Alex squinted, before shaking his head.

Just as he was about to ask again, something peeked through the brush.

A person. They were limping and wincing, leaning against a tree for momentary relief. Alex’s eyes widened as goosebumps crept up his arms, hairs standing on end. Watching this person suffer while they were tucked away in their tree house safely felt wrong.

“Dude. That’s a person.” Tod whispered frantically, his head moving between Alex and the glass.

As they leaned over and looked at their leg, Alex finally saw what was causing them so much pain. A massive gash ran down their left calf. He winced as they prodded around it. He had no idea of knowing how deep or serious it was, but he needed to make a decision fast.

Alex bit onto his lip as Tod looked closer, his face suddenly paling as if he had just gotten the most dreadful news.

“Alex— Alex! Look. Don’t they look familiar?” He asked, pointing. Alex took a look again and gasped, because yeah, they did look familiar.

A little too familiar.

Alex knew exactly where he recognized them from. 

The revelation both relieved and scared him. If he had already come across two people from high school in such a short amount of time, there was definitely a chance that more were out there. 

More of their classmates could be fighting for their lives. 

More of them could be closer than he had previously thought.

He turned away from the window with a heavy, tired sigh, conflicting emotions swirling in his head.

He was safe here. Tod was safe here. They were together again. Did he risk both of their safety and go help, or did he standby and watch them ache and plead for something to save them?

The decision was already eating away at him, and the clock was ticking.

Chapter Text

“That’s Billy. That’s Billy down there, Alex! We have to go help him.” Tod whispered, hand reaching for Alex’s sleeve. 

When Alex stayed quiet and Billy’s stumbling was heard coming closer, Tod looked away from the window and at him.

“Alex?”

“What if — what if he’s being followed, Tod?” He stuttered, tearing his stare away from the glass as Tod tugged his arm back, a look of disbelief on his face.

“We have to help.” Tod said firmly, holding onto him tighter as he stumbled away from the window.

Alex’s eyebrows knit together on his face in frustration and worry. He didn’t want Billy to die, but they couldn’t just let their emotions control them, could they?

“It’s not like I want to leave him! I’m just saying we’ve gotta be more careful.” Alex said, trying to remedy the situation the best he could. He had just gotten Tod back. He didn’t want to argue and drive him away.

Tod backs away from Alex, bouncing in place like an over-caffeinated twelve year old. Adrenaline and worry pumped through his veins.

“Please, Alex? Please.” He begged, gesturing to the window again.

“Fuck.”

Alex cursed, closing his eyes for a moment. He couldn’t say no to Tod when he looked at him like that. All scared, practically begging him to go help. Eventually, emotion broke down the walls of logic he’d been so desperately reinforcing.

“Stay close.” He said, a hand over his knife.

The pair silently slipped down the ladder. Billy didn’t even notice them— the poor kid was too busy whimpering over his leg wound. God, it was deep. Alex felt something twist in his gut at the sight. 

Tod was practically glued to Alex’s side. Alex didn’t complain. Actually, he preferred him right there. His presence helped soothe something in Alex’s body that had been screaming at him ever since he descended the ladder.

Tod’s foot crunches a leaf beneath it and Billy looks up, eyes wide in fear. Fear of being killed quickly gives way to recognition, and something in him visibly crumbles. He obviously thought everyone he knew was dead as well.

“I didn’t— I—” He stutters, the sound of his broken and afraid voice making Tod visibly wither. He’s never heard Billy sound this dejected.

“We’re— we’re gonna help. Okay?” Alex said, closing the distance and using one of his arms to hold Billy up. Tod did the same, stopping when they got to the ladder. 

It took a while, but Billy finally got inside. His arms worked fine, thank God. By the time Billy’s sitting against the wall, both Alex and Tod are sweating.

“What happened?” Tod asks as Alex closes the latch. Billy doesn't reply, but he does bring his leg up to his chest with a wince.

“Oh, alright. Not right now. We’re gonna help. We’re gonna help.” Tod says nervously, whispering the final sentence more to himself than to Billy. 

“How exactly are we gonna help? He’s still bleeding a lot.” He groaned, hands hovering near the wound but not touching it.

“I don’t know.” Alex whispered, biting his lip anxiously.

“You have to know, Alex! He’s gonna die if we don’t do anything.” Tod snapped. Alex flinched and started looking around for something— anything that they could use. Billy groaned again, the noise full of pain and anguish. Maybe the adrenaline from running wounded through the woods was wearing off steadily. 

“We could— we could make a tourniquet. Yeah, yeah. We could do that.” He mutters to himself, eventually finding a worn shirt that neither of them had worn since the fourth grade. He was just about to come over when he froze.

“What? What is it?” Tod asked frantically, his shaking hands hovering over Billy.

“What if it gets infected, Tod? We can’t—”

“What if he bleeds out, Alex? It’s the only chance we have to try helping!” Tod says, sweat collecting on his forehead as Billy closes his eyes. Tod shakes him awake.

“Yelling isn’t helping!” Alex huffed, his voice raising a notch. He finds a pencil on the ground and moves towards Billy, tying it into the fabric, then tying that around his leg.

“This is gonna hurt, okay? Just— Just focus on Tod’s voice.” Alex muttered frantically, before tying the tourniquet tight. That was the only way it’d work.

Billy gasped and lifted his leg, tears springing to his eyes.

“No, no. You’ve gotta stay still, Billy. Hey. Look at me. Look at me, okay?” Tod said, trying to divert Billy’s attention away from the pain.

Billy tiredly looked at him, gritting his teeth.

“Remember that time in class when Carter got detention? Wasn’t that— wasn’t that so funny?” Tod said breathlessly. Billy’s head moved and Tod took that as a nod.

“Yeah,” He said, wincing when the skin around the tourniquet went pale. Alex moved his hands and it stayed in place. “See? He’s done. You’re good.” He exhaled, leaning against the wall.

“I’m sorry.” Billy muttered, face covered in tears.

Alex looked up, confused and concerned.

“For all the trouble. You could’ve left me.” He groaned, his leg was absolutely killing him.

Tod shoots Alex a dirty look for even thinking about it at first. Guilt settles in Alex’s stomach. He didn’t want to leave him. He just wanted to keep Tod safe, why doesn’t he see that?

“You don’t have to apologize for anything, Billy. Just get some rest.” Alex says, standing up to grab a blanket and draping it over him. Blood stained the fabric but none of them cared. 

Silence dragged on for a few minutes. Billy’s breathing evened out, and both boys hovered close just to make sure he was still breathing. 

“I’m sorry for snapping.” Tod whispered. Alex looked up with a sad frown, nodding gently. He got it. They were both stressed.

“It’s okay, Tod.”

“No, it isn’t. I shouldn’t be yelling at you. That makes it worse.” He mumbled, guilt written all over his face. His bottom lip trembled slightly but he didn’t let himself cry.

Billy shifts slightly in his sleep as Alex slowly removes their makeshift-tourniquet about an hour later. The bleeding has stopped for the most part. 

“We’re gonna have to get pain killers and some actual medicine.” Tod’s voice cut through the silence. 

“What?” Alex coughs. That means going outside. Going outside could mean death. But staying could mean death for Billy. What if his gash gets infected? What if the bleeding starts up again?

“Look at him, ‘Lex. He’s gonna die if we don’t. Besides, what if one of us gets hurt next? Would you wanna die in pain?” Tod says, being the mature one for once. Alex feels a little stupid now. He doesn’t want to leave their safe little tree house for medicine because he needs to stay with Tod.

God, he needs to grow up.

“But—”

“I could do it.” Tod says.

Alex suddenly sits up, shaking his head.

“What? Fuck no. I’ll go. I can do it.” He says. Tod opens his mouth to argue, but Alex speaks again.

“You aren’t going. You can’t go.” Tod’s face twists in confusion and concern. Alex can’t explain why he needs Tod to stay. At least it’s semi-safe up in the tree house. He can’t have him go. He can stay with Billy.

“Fine.” Tod sniffles, looking towards the ground. Alex scoots closer with a sigh, one hand coming up to meet his shoulder.

“It’s not that I don’t think you could do it. I just— It’s dumb, okay? Just go to bed. I’ll leave tomorrow.” Alex said. Tod nodded slowly, curling up on Billy’s left without even bothering with a blanket.

The night drifts on slowly. Alex sleeps in thirty-minute intervals until the sky begins to lighten faintly. He moves through the tree house, very clearly stalling.

He drapes another two blankets over Billy and Tod. 

He checks the food and water they have.

He looks at the scribbles Tod did on the walls when they were little.

Just as he grabs his bag, soft footsteps pad on the wood behind him.

“Alex?” Tod’s tired, raspy voice makes him turn. His hair sticks up in every direction and he peers at the empty bag, then at Alex.

“You can go back to bed.” Alex says, resisting the urge to just lie back down.

Tod follows him anyway, yawning. He stops when Alex gets to the exit, suddenly not knowing what to do with his hands. He fidgets with them, picking at the skin around the nails.

“You don’t have to go. Really.” He mutters. Alex raises an eyebrow. That’s a complete 180 from his earlier insistence.

Alex briefly debates it. But no, he needs to. If he doesn’t, who knows what’ll happen.

“Billy needs it. I’ll be back, I promise.” He says, ignoring the way his heart lurches when Tod sniffles behind him. 

“Are you sure?” Tod questions. Alex turns around to face him and holds out his pinky. They used to make pinky promises a lot as a kid. Alex still hasn’t broken any. He hopes this time isn’t any different.

Tod hesitates before linking his pinky with Alex’s, pulling him into a hug that catches the blonde off guard.

They had obviously hugged before. This felt like a goodbye though. Not just a regular one. This feels too final for Alex’s liking. His hands curl up around Tod’s shoulders and hold him tight. Tod’s arms loop around Alex’s waist, only releasing him when Alex pulls away a third time.

“I’ll be back.” He whispers, before gesturing to Billy.

“Watch him, yeah? You know what to do if he wakes up. Give him some food and water.” Tod nodded, and Alex disappeared.

Well, not yet.

Tod rushes to the window to watch him leave fully, unease settling in his stomach.

“He’ll come back.” Tod muttered to himself, sitting beside Billy and checking his pulse just to make sure.

When his parents were living, they went to church a lot. He and George never paid much attention, but now he was seriously considering praying. He needed Alex to come back safely.

Forty five minutes later, Alex arrives at a dilapidated pharmacy with surprisingly stocked shelves. Weird.

He’s been here with his mother before. The drive was much quicker.

He still moves with a certain alertness, clearing aisles of any threats and grabbing necessities. He sniffles as he shoves a thing of hydrogen peroxide into his bag, the air giving off the faint scent of medicine, alcohol, and rot.

He wrinkles his nose and keeps moving.

Rubbing alcohol and ibuprofen are going to be useful as well. Behind the counter where they keep the heavier stuff, he finds morphine. He didn’t even know that the substance came in pill form. He doesn’t want to use it, but severe injuries are a possibility. He puts it in his bag with a sigh.

First aid kits are of course a necessity. He finds two of them. Rolls of bandages feel soft against his hands as he holds them. Considering their diet is definitely lacking, he grabs vitamins.

Just as he’s about to leave, he passes a rack of candy sitting next to a water stand. They don’t need it, but a morale boost could do them some good. He grabs a few chocolate bars, a bag of mini Reeses, Sour Patch Kids, and a bag of Whoppers specifically for Billy.

The bottles of water barely fit into his bag as he zips it up, leaving before his luck runs out. 

An hour later the latch to the tree house shudders. Tod jumps up and nearly falls over himself as Alex’s head peeks through, relief flooding his body in a tidal wave.

“Alex!” Tod exclaims, moving closer as Alex closes the latch and locks it. He puts the bag down as Tod comes closer. Billy’s still sleeping soundly.

“Are you okay? Did you see anything? What’d you get?” Usually, all of the questions would’ve annoyed Alex. Now, he’s actually relieved. He welcomes them, answering most of them as Billy stirs, groaning.

“What’re you guys doing?” He asks tiredly, a soft wince leaving him as Alex and Tod sit next to him on the floor.

“I got some stuff. You’re gonna be okay.” Alex says quietly, unzipping the bag.

For the first time in a while, the trio can breathe. They’re safe, they have food and medicine, and they’re together. The latch creaks faintly as wind whistles through the tiny gaps, but none of the boys pay it any attention as Alex begins digging through the bag.