Chapter Text
Driving through Atlanta wasn’t as easy as you’d hope but there was no other choice. Two weeks ago you joined your dad on his cross-country road trip. A trip he was supposed to take with your mom but she unfortunately passed away before they could make it happen. Thankfully, you were able to take time off of work to help your dad. You guys started in Virginia, then went to North Carolina, continued to South Carolina and now you were in Georgia.
Your brother couldn’t drop everything to join you and your father on this trip like you. His boss was an asshole and demanded he kept working despite your brother having PTO. As soon as you told Glenn you and your dad had arrived in Georgia, he quit his job. You were worried at first, seeing as your little brother was now out of a job but at least now you’ll be able to head back to work next week without worry for your dad.
He was a smart man, your dad, but he was old. You knew how cruel the world could be and you didn’t want anyone taking advantage of an elderly man on his own on the road. “But did he tell you why he quit?”
“He said he wanted to join us or more so you on this cross country trip.” You answered.
He sighed from the passenger seat. “I don’t need him quitting his job to come help me. I love you kids but I’m glad you’re going back to work next week. I don’t want to be a burden on either one of you and Glenn quitting his job to help his old man feels a lot like being a burden.”
You chuckled. “Dad, he works at a pizza parlor. If anything, this experience will not only be good for you but for him too.”
Your dad reluctantly caved in but you could tell a small part of him was happy to have his son join him the rest of the way. “If you say so…” Little did you know there’d be no finishing the cross-country trip and there’d be no returning to Virginia. Not when the world was days away from falling apart.
Your feet moved swiftly as you ran through the overrun city of Atlanta with Glenn. You both carried a bag of medical supplies as you dodged geeks left and right. You’ve spent one month out of the three in the city since the bombs fell and you were seriously starting to regret it. You didn’t have much of a choice though. You were a nurse, you knew what medical supplies were most needed and where exactly to find them.
Originally, you were only supposed to scavenge the city for a couple of days with Glenn but somehow you managed to convince him and yourself that you needed to stay longer. An entire month to be exact. A few days ago you were supposed to head back but got trapped in a pharmaceutical store. Glenn went back to the quarry for help. Andrea, Jacqui, T-dog, Morales and the new guy Merle volunteered to not only bring you back but also to scavenge for more supplies. The camp was running dangerously low on more than just medical supplies.
Merle knocked a geek away from Glenn and laughed as he beat the thing. “Merle, C’mon.”
Merle had arrived to camp with his brother a couple of days after you left so this was your first time seeing him. You weren’t too sure whether to feel grateful or wary about his presence. Once you all made it inside where the rest of your group was, Andrea and Jacqui helped you with the bags. “You found all of this in that one pharmacy?”
“Not all of it. Most of it I got at the small clinic a few buildings down and the doctor’s office only a couple blocks from here.” You answered.
“How’d you get stuck exactly?” Mariso questioned.
“The small clinic was connected to the pharmacy by a hallway. I took that route, nothing thinking too deeply into it and set off an alarm. Geeks blocked all the exits once I barricaded myself inside the pharmacy.” You explained. “Thankfully Glenn was on the roof a block over keeping watch and was able to get you guys for help.”
“Yeah, sorry it took so long to get you out of there.” Andrea apologized.
“We just wanted to scavenge some more for those back at the quarry.” Morales said. “It was safer to get you once we had searched the stores surrounding the pharmacy seeing as all those geeks were distracted.”
“No, I get it.” You nodded. “I’m just glad you guys came back for me.”
“Of course, we did.” Jacqui hugged you. “We would never leave you behind.”
Without you noticing, Merle took it upon himself to rummage through one of your bags. With a satisfied smirk, he pulled out a vial of morphine. “Oh, I’ll definitely be taking that as a payment for my help.”
You sent the unknown man a death glare before taking the tiny bottle out of his hand. “I’m sorry but this is for life-threatening situations only.”
“Are you sure you can’t make an exception, Sweetheart? I mean, I did just save your life.” He mentioned.
“And I appreciate that, I truly do but this supply is scarcely. Best to use it for emergencies only.” You told him as you stuffed the morphine back into the bag. “Unless you’re in excruciating, life-threatening pain, I’d prefer we save it.”
Merle bit back his tongue, knowing exactly what bag he’s going for first before ditching the quarry with his brother later. “Doc knows best.”
“I’m a nurse actually.” You corrected him.
“Tomato, Tamato.” He bitterly chuckled. Merle then walked away.
“He’s something special…” You muttered. “What’s his brother like?”
“Daryl, yeah, he’s the quieter one, he keeps to himself mostly but he’s really good with a crossbow.” Morales explained. “He’s hunted squirrels for the camp a handful of times.”
With accents and names like that you knew they had to be from the Appalachian Mountains. A few hours later, once the group was finished gathering their supplies and making sure their way out of the city was clear, the sound of trouble stole their attention. “What the hell was that?”
Worriedly, the group made their way to the front of the store and saw a herd of geeks blocking the front exits. Thankfully the alleyways were blocked off but you still worried for Glenn considering that he was out there right now. You grabbed the walkie. “Glenn, what’s going on?” You spoke into it.
“Uh, I’m not sure.” He responded honestly. “I’m gonna switch channels real quick. Give me a minute.”
“Glenn!” You said into the walkie but you knew he already switched. “What the hell is he doing?”
“T-dog, gear up.” Morales then turned to you. “I’m not sure but whatever it is, we’ll be ready to go help him.”
A few minutes later, Glenn switched back channels. “Heading your way, I got company.” You waited in anticipation, preparing yourself mentally in case Glenn or whoever it is he’s bringing got hurt. “Four geeks in the alleyway!”
Morales and T-dog ran out to help them with the geeks. Once everyone made it safely inside, Andrea cornered Glenn’s guest, cocking her gun at him. “You son of a bitch. I’m gonna kill you.”
“Just chill out, Andrea, back off.” Morales said as he took off his gear.
“C’mon easy up.” Jacqui added.
“Easy up?” Andrea refused to budge. The man had his hands up. Besides the cop uniform, you thought he looked harmless. “You’re kidding me right? We’re dead because of this asshole.”
“Andrea, I said back the hell off.” Mariso repeated. “Or do it, pull the trigger.”
“Are you okay?” You turned back to Glenn, checking to see if he had any bite marks or scratches.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.” He assured you.
“We’re dead, all of us, because of you.” Andrea held back tears as she lowered her gun.
The cop looked around, trying to put the pieces together. “I don’t understand?”
Morales grabbed him, ushering him to the front of the department store, we all followed behind. “Look, we came into the city to scavenge for supplies. You know what the key to scavenging is? Surviving. You know what the key to surviving is? Sneaking in and out, tip toeing, not shooting up the streets like it’s the O.K. Corral!”
“Every geek from miles around heard you popping off rounds.” T-Dog added.
“You just rang the dinner bell.” Andrea dramatically said.
“Get the picture now?” Morales asked.
Everyone retrieved as one of the geeks picked up a rock and began banging the glass windows with it.
“What the hell were you doing out there anyways?” Andrea asked. You stood beside Glenn, further analyzing the cop.
“Trying to flag the helicopter.” He answered.
Your eyebrows furrowed at the sound of a possible helicopter outside. The small spark of hope within you burnt out just as quick as it flamed when you remembered how quick the US military was to abandon Atlanta.
“Helicopter? Man, that’s crap, there was no helicopter.” T-dog told him.
“You were chasing a hallucination." Jacqui added. “Imagining things. It happens.”
“I saw it.” The man insisted.
Morales and T-dog tried working the walkie to see if they could reach the others at camp.
Unfortunately, for the cop, he was hoping we were from a refugee center. You couldn’t help but wonder if the guy had just stepped off an alien spaceship by how clueless he was.
Gunshots from the roof pulled everyone’s attention. “Oh no, was that Dixon?” Andrea sighed in distress.
“C’mon, let’s go.” Glenn led the way upstairs. You followed behind everyone else.
“Hey Dixon, are you crazy?” Morales shouted once you all reached the top.
Merle only laughed as he continued to fire shots. Before you knew it, racial slurs were being said around by the hick. Unsurprisingly enough, Merle and T-dog started fighting. The cop ended up in the middle of it and although Merle punched the crap out of him at first, the man was able to get back up right as Merle pulled out a gun and held it over T-dog.
You cringed as Merle spat on him. Your fist balled up at just the mere smug look on his face. If only that gun was in your hands. Merle stumbled back up to his feet. “Alright, we’re gonna have ourselves a little pow-wow, huh? Talk about who’s in charge!”
You immediately went tending to T-dogs' wounds once Merle stepped away. “I vote me! Anybody else? Democracy time, y'all. Show of hands.” He raised his hand up. “Let’s see em. All in favor?”
Whether you were just too stubborn to raise your hand or too focused on T-dogs wounds, you kept your hands out of the air. “That means I’m the boss, right? Hey.” Merle tried getting your attention. “Why ain’t your hand up? Do you have a problem with how I run things?”
You shot a glare at him. Your heart was beating out of your chest as he waved the gun around. “I’m waiting…”
“Go to hell.” You said through gritted teeth. Before he could react, the cop came up from behind him and knocked his ass to the ground. He then cuffed him to a pipe. You choose to focus your attention back on T-dog while the two men went at it.
Crazy how the world can fall apart and people will still let their ignorance and racism get in the way of what’s good for not just those around them but themselves as well. You felt a bit of satisfaction as the cop pulled out some snow Merle had tucked away in the pocket of his vest. He proceeded to throw it over the building. The hick freaked out, of course making the entire thing even more amusing.
Morales went over to talk to the cop as Andrea and Jacqui helped you prop T-dog against the wall. “Did he tell you his name?” You looked up at Glenn.
“Yeah, Rick Grimes.”
“I think I like Rick Grimes.” You smiled before looking over at Merle.
“You think that was funny?” Merle tweaked at you.
“I think that was hilarious.” You laughed in his face.
“You all just wait until I break free!” Merle tried yanking his wrist out of the cuffs. You rolled your eyes.
Once you were done doing what you could do for T-dog, you pulled Glenn to the side. “Update on how everyone’s doing back at camp?”
“Dad gave me a list, hold on.” Glenn pulled out a tiny notebook and began reading off everyone who needed help. “Jim has a sharp pain on his left shoulder, Cassandra said it’s difficult to breathe when she lays on her right side, Christopher’s migraines have gotten worse and Lori is insistent that you give Carl a check up.”
You took in all the information. Your lungs expanded as you took in a deep breath. You held it in for a couple of seconds before releasing it. You knew more people at camp were going to need you the longer you stayed away. You kept telling yourself you’d stay in the city for just one more week so that you could keep scavenging. To make sure you searched every building you could quietly and easily slip in and out of.
You did it for those back at the quarry but another part of you did it out of anxiety and fear. You weren’t a doctor, you were just a nurse. People were depending on you more and more everyday. You always worked well under pressure. Helping others was in your second nature. It’s what you loved to do before the world fell but now people are looking to you for solutions you aren’t equipped to handle.
Glenn noticed your tense state and placed a hand on your arm. “Hey, if you’re not ready to head back I completely understand.”
“I know you would but I’ve been out here for too long.” You stated. “I won’t be able to magically heal anyone from here or fix them by scavenging for more supplies. The best thing I could do for everyone right now is to come back.”
Half an hour went by and you found yourself on the first floor of the building again. Glenn decided he was going to check out the sewers with Morales. Jacqui was to keep watch while Rick guarded the main doors with Andrea. You tried volunteering to check out the sewers but he instead asked you to pack and organize all the supplies your group managed to find. You made Mariso promise to keep Glenn safe before complying.
The sewers as a way out was scratched once they discovered it was sealed off. Rick was able to come up with an idea not everyone in the group was completely on board with. “They already got through one set of doors. That glass won’t last forever.” And he wasn’t wrong.
You didn’t argue. Your number one priority was getting back to camp. As much as you were stalling this past month, you missed being surrounded by actual living and breathing people, you missed not having to watch your back 24/7 and you missed your dad.
When Rick was done paying tribute to the geek they had dragged in, he began cutting into him. Disgusted grunts left your companions as the rotted smell filled up the air. “Don’t get any on your skin or in your eyes.”
“You don’t gotta tell me twice.” You muttered as you reached for its blood soaked guts. You smeared it all over your grey coat, making sure your covered every inch of you as possible.
“YN, what’re you doing?” Glenn questioned.
“I’m coming with you guys.” You answered.
“No, you’re not. You need to stay with the supplies and be ready for when we get back.” Glenn said.
“To hell I will. You’re my little brother, I worry as is when you roam the city by yourself. I’m not going to let you walk through a damn herd on your own too.” You cursed as you continued to grab a handful of the geeks insides.
The blood and guts really started to get to Glenn. You could tell he was about to hurtle from how red his face turned. “Ugh, this is bad. This is really bad.”
“Think about something else. Puppies and kittens.” Rick suggested.
“Dead puppies and kittens.” T-dog blurted out. Glenn leaned over and threw up as a result.
“That is just evil. What is wrong with you?” Andrea scolded.
“Next time, let the cracker beat his ass.” Jacqui added.
“I’m sorry, yall.”
“You suck.” Glenn responded.
“You’re surprisingly calm compared to your brother?” Rick pointed out, grabbing your attention.
“I’ve been a nurse for almost 10 years.” You informed Rick. “My scrubs have looked worse after a 16 hour shift in the ER. Especially on weekend nights.”
You could see it in Rick’s eyes, he felt relieved to be in the presence of a medical professional. At first, it made you happy to be able to provide some kind of reassurance to a stranger who was also just trying to stay alive but then you felt the weight on your shoulders grow heavier. He was now another person depending on you for their survival.
“Do we smell like them?” Rick asked the group.
“Oh yeah…” Andrea cringed. She then turned to you, holding out her gun.
“Just in case.” The blonde said as she glanced at your younger brother. If anyone could understand the worry you had for your little brother it was Andrea. Just like you, she would do whatever it took to keep her younger sibling alive. You smiled appreciatively at her before she hollistered the gun against your belt.
“If we make it back, be ready.”
“What about Merle Dixon?” T-dog asked. Rick only responded by giving him the key to the handcuffs.
Once you guys finished up, the three of you walked outside. You felt like an imposter as you faked a sluggish walk. You’re beyond lucky that the geeks can’t smell fear. There’s no special scent that exists in this world that could help cover up just how frightened you feel right now.
Crawling under the bus and making it into the herd made the hairs on the back of your neck stand. You stayed close to Glenn, making sure that if your cover was blown, you’d be the one to get bit, not him. Your anxiety only multiplied as thunder rumbled above you. You held back an eye roll as Glenn and Rick exchanged words.
Glenn pretended to growl when he noticed a walker nearing him. Smart thinking, for a second there you thought that wasn’t going to work. Right as you thought you guys were in the clear again, it began to rain.
“The smell is washing off, isn’t it?” Glenn panicked. “Is it?”
“No, it’s not.” Rick tried to assure him. A walker got slightly too close to the cop, taking big whiffs of him. “Well, maybe.” And as soon as he said that, the walker charged at him. “Run!” Rick yelled. And the three of you did. Rick covered you as you and Glenn jumped the fence. Once you were over, you shot down two walkers as Rick climbed the fence next.
The three of you took off the stained coats before backing away. You and Rick shot at the walkers trying to climb the fence as Glenn retrieved the keys. You couldn’t help but take note that Rick was a far better shot than you. In your defense, you only knew the basics of gun handling. You knew enough to protect yourself and were in no way an expert.
Once Rick unlocked the truck, you climbed to the back as Glenn got in the passenger seat.
“God, oh God, they’re all over that place.” Glenn panicked. You sat in the back trying to calm your nerves.
“You need to draw them away. Those rolled up doors at the front of the store, that area, that’s what I need cleared.” Rick explained.
“I know how we can draw them away.” You said before turning to Rick. “I’m just hoping you know how to hot wire a car.”
“Luckily, I do.” Rick looked at you from the rear view mirror as he continued to drive. Once you spotted a car you for sure knew would trigger an alarm, Rick stopped.
You kept watch as he broke into the car. “Can I drive?” Glenn asked. You chuckled as he covered his ears from the car blaring.
“No.”
“Why not?” Glenn whined. “I’ve always wanted to drive a sports car.”
“Well me too.” You replied. Rick wondered what you two could possibly be bickering about as he hot wired the car.
“Please, YN. I'll give you whatever you want.” Glenn begged.
“I want your last Reese’s cup.” You answered with a quickness.
“You were just waiting for the right opportunity to take it away from me, weren’t you?” Glenn questioned, letting his arms drop to his side. You only shrugged, a small grin placed on your lips. “Ugh, fine.”
Once Rick was done, you jumped in the passenger seat and radioed the others to wait by the rolled up doors in the front of the store.
Once Glenn got to the department store he made sure to linger long enough for all the walkers to take notice. Walkers surrounded the car as Glenn backed up. You buckled up Glenn before putting on your own seatbelt. “Oh, c’mon I’m not 5.” He groaned.
“Do you know how many reckless young men have shown up to the ER and died all because they didn’t wanna wear their seatbelt while going 90 in a 45?” You questioned.
“Let me guess, a lot…” Glenn answered.
“A lot, exactly!” You said right before he turned the car around and drove off. As scared as you were right now, the excitement of being in a sports car going well over 90 mph filled you with dopamine. You haven’t felt this free since the world fell.
Making it onto the highway made it even better. No walkers in sight and no cars to worry about clearing. Just you and your brother buzzing from excitement as the wind rushed against your skin. You laughed as your little brother let out screams of excitement.
“Woo-hoo! This is crazy! You gotta drive next time!” Glenn grinned from ear to ear.
“I definitely will.” You smiled at him.
The Georgia wind swirled through the car, cooling your warm skins. Laughter filled up the small space in between you two, reminding you of how care free and happy you both once were before the world fell, before adulthood struck. Just like your state of mind, the skies, despite them being so cloudy and dark a minute ago were now clear and vibrant with color. Both of you continued to live in this moment. The two of you so young, so free and just for this brief moment in time, so blissfully unaware of the danger that waited for you all ahead.