Now I’ll Have To Remember You Longer Than I’ve Known You.

by CrutchieMorris

Summary:

The apocalypse wasn’t something anyone was expecting.

(NEEDS EDITING! SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME FOR THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS UNTIL BEFORE IT GET EDITED💔💔💔)

Notes:

Race hears the window break downstairs, and goes to check out what it was. It all goes downhill from there.

Chapter 1

-Race’s POV-

 

    CRASH!

 

    That was the noice I heard from downstairs. I checked the time on my phone- 12:08.

 

    What the hell is going on? I thought, as I grabbed my prosthetic leg and started to put it on. I hated how it took me so long to just put it on and off.

    I thought it was just Jack grabbing a snack in the middle of the night like he usually does, and just maybe knocked something over.

    I couldn’t have been more wrong. As I walked downstairs, I saw the window open and smashed, the cold air blowing in and the curtains blowing in the cool breeze. Thankfully, I don’t think whoever was down there saw me.

 

    As I rushed back upstairs, I went straight to Medda’s room.

 

    “Medda!” I whisper-yelled to her, tapping her on the shoulder to try and wake her up.

 

    “What is it Race…? It’s…” She paused mid sentence to check her phone. “12:10. What do you-”

 

    “There’s someone downstairs.” I cut her off mid sentence without even thinking about it.

 

    She paused. “Go get Jack and Crutchie and stay in here.” She said sternly, getting up and reaching into her drawer to grab something. A gun. I mean, I wasn’t very surprised- I knew she had one in case something like this ever happened.

 

    As she went downstairs, I tried to be as quiet as I could while waking Jack and Crutchie up.

 

    “Dude. Wake up.” I shook Jack awake. “What?! Race it’s to early for this shit so you better have a damn good reas-”

 

    “I’ll explain later.” He sat up and had this worried look on his face once he said that.

 

    “Race…what’s goin’ on?” He asked nervously but sternly. There was a moment of silence before I said it. “Theres someone downstairs. Now c’mon!” I practically dragged him out of bed.

 

    “Go wait in Meddas room- I have to get Crutchie.” “Jack- you know I can do that mysel-” “Just go. I’ll be there in a second.” I stopped dead in my tracks. I just nodded and made my way to Medda’s room.

 

    Not even a minute later, Jack came back into the room with Crutchie.

 

    The two of them came over to sit next to me in the corner later. Not even half a minute later-

 

BANG! BANG!

 

    Shots rang out from downstairs. I covered my ears as quickly as I could, trying to get the ringing in my ears to stop. Nothing worked. I could hear screaming coming from downstairs.

 

    Crutchie must’ve had the same idea. Their eyes were glued shut, hands over their ears tightly, in a desperate attempt to not hear it all. But nothing worked.

 

    Until it just…stopped. I took my hands off of my ears- the ringing was barley noticeable now, and it kept fading until it disappeared.

 

    Jack eventually stood up after a good minute or two, shaking.

 

    “What now? What the hell even was that?!” Crutchie muttered in a whisper- trying to keep quiet. “I…I don’t know.” Jack replied after a second, keeping his eyes on the wall in front of him, as if he were trying to search for an answer.

 

    “Well we can’t stay here.” I uttered in a harsh whisper and got up and started to make my way to the door.

 

    “What are you doing?” Crutchie asked. “I’m going downstairs to see what the hell happened.”

 

    “Oh fuck no! Are you crazy?!” Jack said while taking his gaze off of the wall and towards me, where my hand was already on the doorknob.

 

    “Maybe.” Was all I said while I opened the door and made my way down the steps.

 

    I made my way into the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

 

    Once I left the kitchen, taking small steps while trying to keep my volume down, I saw it.

 

    It didn’t even look human at that point. What the fuck? Ok but seriously- what the fuck was in our living room? It was something like a…zombie. What? No. You’re crazy, Race. Zombies aren’t real you god damn idiot.

 

   Well, that was a lie. The creature lunged towards me, ready to bite. It was all so sudden. 

    In a instant, I brung the knife towards the zombies neck and sliced before it even got the chance to bite me.

 

    I watched in horror as it dropped to the floor, blood pooling on the floor and blood gushing out of its neck.

 

    I froze, not knowing what to do. It limped on the floor, lifeless. I heard Jack and Crutchie come down the stairs, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at them.

 

    “Race?” I Heard Crutchie say, nervously. I couldn’t bring myself to respond. I could only look down at the zombie on the floor with a pool of blood around it, dead. (Well- it was technically already dead, so…what do I even call it?)

 

    “We…” Jack muttered out, struggling to find the words. “We leave tomorrow. It’s not safe here.”

 

    I still had the knife in my hand. I was shocked that there wasn’t any blood on the oversized t-shirt I have on, or on the shorts I had on.

 

    I was brought back upstairs, and the knife was sitting on top of my dresser while I packed. Where were we’re going? Well- we’ll just have to decide that tomorrow.

Chapter 2

Summary:

Race, Jack, and Crutchie leave- and try to find anyone else that survived last night.

-Crutchie’s POV-

 

    The next morning, we packed all of our stuff into the back of Medda’s car and left. Jack driving, me in the passenger seat, and Race choosing to drape himself over the entirety of the backseats.

 

    “We need to find Spot.” Race said, seeming jittery. I know they’re close- so I can see why he’s acting this way- but I’m just hoping we can find him after…yeah.

 

    Jack started to pull out of the driveway. “We’ll try to find some more survivors. But after last night…” He paused. “I’m not sure.”

 

    Race just gave a nod and brought his knee up to his chest- resting his cheek on it. He looked away, this sad look in his eyes.

-Spot’s POV-

 

    When I saw a shit ton of zombies outside of my house last night, my first thought was to pack everything up and run.

 

    It was all a blur- honestly. I remember shoving my bag filled with clothes and tons of other stuff I wanted to have on me into the passenger seat of my pickup truck and just left.

 

    The one thing I remember grabbing that I really needed was a gun. There was one in my parents room, (hated those fuckers by the way,) and so I took it. Not like I wanted them to have it anyway.

 

    So now I’m sitting in my truck, just now waking up in the parking lot of an abandoned Walmart parking lot. I mean- everything in the store would still probably be good to have. Nobody’s there anyway because of last night.

 

    I don’t think that’s a good idea…The voice in the back of my head told me. Nonsense. I grabbed my handgun. I’m hungry- so I’m gonna try and get something to eat in here or die trying.

 

    I walked into the store with only one thought on my mind- snacks. Especially those damn cosmic brownies. Love those damn things.

 

    Groans were heard behind me. In the blink of an eye I turned around and pulled the gun out of my pockets, (which I was very surprised to find out that it could fit the gun inside,) standing face to face with a zombie. Shit…uhm…

 

    I mean…its just standing there…do I shoot it or…

 

    It wasn’t just standing there anymore. The thing ran towards me- and I grabbed my shotgun and shot the damn thing.

 

    It recoiled back, until it fell backwards onto the floor. Jesus. Yeah, remember for next time, keep your gun in your hand next time instead of your pocket.

 

    I grabbed the cosmic brownies and left.

 

-Race’s POV-

 

    Last night wasn’t the only thing that was a blur. 

    All I know is that now the three of us were now being chased out of a Wendy’s by zombies. (What? We just wanted frostys…)

 

    We made it back into the van and we quickly shut the doors. “DRIVE IDIOT!” I yelled at Jack as he put the key into the ignition.

 

    “IM TRYING! GIVE ME A DAMN MINUTE!” He shouted as he slammed his foot on the pedal and we sped off.

 

    “Damn zombies…” Crutchie muttered while taking a bite out of their chocolate frosty. (Because yes, we did NOT just risk it all just for us to leave the frostys behind.)

 

    “WAIT WAIT WAIT!” I shouted and Jack turned his head around for a split second before looking back at the road. “What?!” He asked.

 

    “I can recognize that truck from a mile away. PULL OVER COWBOY!” I shouted while I brought my leg from where it was previously draped over the two other seats to kick the back of his chair.

 

    “HEY! What the hell was that for?!” Jack complained while I brought myself into my original position and while he pulled up next to Spots pickup truck in the parking lot.

 

    “Can you two like stop yelling for two damn seconds!?” Crutchie asked before getting out of the car.

 

    I let out a heavy groan before answering them. “You’re no fun.” Crutchie just rolled their eyes.

 

    “SPOT!” I shouted while running over towards the boy after noticing him.

 

    “Race?” He asked, pulling me into a hug- in which I returned.

 

-Spot’s POV-

 

    With all that happened last night- my mind had blocked everything else out, with my only thought being survival. I felt so selfish.

 

    “Thank god you’re ok.” I said softly into his shirt, trying to fight back tears. I felt horrible. (And that’s not an emotion I felt often.)

 

    I kept my tears back and managed to keep it together until we pulled apart.

 

    “Are you alright?” I asked the taller boy while looking him up and down, looking for any new scratches or bruises.

 

    “Yeah, I’m fine. But what about you?” He asked, gesturing to the new cut on my arm. (That I apparently didn’t notice how much it hurt until now- ouch.)

 

    “Don’t worry about me, I think I have something to fix it up in the truck.” He gave a nod and turned his head to face Jack and Crutchie, who stood close behind him.

 

    After a moment of silence, Jack spoke up. “So…what are we gonna do? Stay in two separate cars or stay in one?”

 

    We decided on just staying in my truck. After loading everything they had in Medda’s car into the bed of my truck-  I got into the drivers seat, Race in the passenger seat and Jack and Crutchie in the back- we drove off, not knowing exactly why.

Chapter 3

Summary:

y’all find out just why race lost his leg n’ shit so yay, AND YOU MEET DAVEY!!!

-Race’s POV-

 

    “FIFTEEN MINUTES OR IM LEAVING YOUR ASSES HERE!” Spot shouted to Jack and Crutchie who were now walking into the 7/11.

 

    “Sure, sure…” I heard Crutchie mutter as the two of them got farther and farther away from the truck. Honestly, I knew Spot wasn’t just gonna leave the two of them there. Well, not because he cares, but because they asked to borrow his gun. I’m surprised he let them.

 

    Sense Jack decided that he was going to drive once the two of them got back, me and Spot got into the backseat. I needed to patch up the cut he got anyway.

 

    It was quiet for a second until I brought out the medkit. “Do you really have to put that on there?” Spot whined as I pulled out the hydrogen peroxide from the kit.

 

    “Yeah…but it’ll be over in a second. Don’t worry.” Spot sighed and brought his knee up to his chest, leaning his head against the window.

 

    He let his arm out to me and I put the hydrogen peroxide (whoa, big words there,) onto his cut. Spot winced in pain as the solution dripped down onto his arm, bubbling up as it cleaned out the wound. (Which by now seemed to be a bit infected.)

 

    “I know, I know.” Was all I said while I put the solution down and grabbed a cotton ball from the kit to get the rest off of the rest of his arm before wrapping it.

 

    As I took out the iodine, repeating the same process as before, I was asked a question.

 

    “If you don’t mind me asking Racer…” Spot asked, bringing his head where it was once resting against the window.

 

    “How did you lose your leg? I mean- you don’t have to answer I’m just curious…” I took a second before I replied.

 

    “No, you’re fine, but it’s kinda a long story.” I said while grabbing the gauze. “That alright?” He nodded in response.

 

    “Alright…” I started to search for the words. “When I was really young, my parents orphaned me. Well, that’s what I thought. They didn’t orphan me. There was this crash, or so I’m told. A car accident. The two of them died on impact, and a good amount of my leg died with them. It pretty much got cut off. Doctors said it was ‘a miracle I was still alive.’” I chocked back a sob, but kept it together.

 

    “Later on, once I got out of the hospital, I was placed into foster care. Nobody really wanted the kid with one leg, or the kid with ADHD, or…just me in general. They didn’t want me. I was bouncing from home to home, and eventually ended up at Medda’s.” I finished wrapping up his arm and finally managed to look back up at Spot, who had a look of sympathy and sadness in his eyes. That’s not a look he gave often.

 

    “Race…” Was the only thing he could croak out. I just gave a nod and we sat in silence for a while. But not one that was uncomfortable. One that was…peaceful. Comfortable. I was wrapped in a hug, in which I returned, unable to contain my sobs any longer.

 

-Jack’s POV-

 

    “Dude…what the fuck are we gonna tell Spot?” Crutchie asked, looking at the shelf that had no cosmic brownies on it. Spot asked for them, and I don’t know what the fuck he’s gonna say when we tell him ‘no cosmic brownies.’ He LOVES those things.

 

    A noise was heard from about an isle away from us. We froze. “You hear that…?” I asked them, slowly turning my head to look at them. “Mhm…” Was all they said.

    Crutchie snatched the gun right out of my hand. “I’ll take care of it. Just…stay here. I’ll call for you if I need you.” I gave them a nod and they were on their way.

 

-Crutchie’s POV-

 

   As I walked down past the isles, adrenaline pumped through my veins as the noise got louder.

 

    But it sound almost…human. Not groans like a zombie would make. As I passed one of the isles, the culprit caught my eye. I held up the gun, ready to shoot.

 

    He let out a loud scream. I flinched at it, because, well, it wasn’t something I was quite expecting. “Jesus…” I muttered while looking back at the boy.

 

    He was a whole lot taller then me, wearing a blood stained t-shirt and pajama pants. He had dark brunette hair, that was now a bit messed up. He was shaking, while he put his hands up. “Who the hell are you?” I asked the taller boy, taking a step closer towards him.

 

    He pulled out a gun of his own. Well, shit. There’s a plot twist I guess.

 

    “No one of your concern, why?” He tilted his head to the side. Well…what now? “Ok…” Was all I said, taking a step forward. He did the same.

 

    “I’m being serious. Who the fuck are you?” All I asked the taller boy, trying to get some kind of an answer out of him. “Tell me your name first. Then maybe I’ll tell ya’.” Fine, if that’s what you want.

 

    “Casey. Now will you stop being so damn stubborn and tell me your name?!” This guy was being more stubborn then ME, and that’s saying something.

 

    “David.” The boy- no- David, said, while directing his gun to the floor. I followed and did the same thing.

 

    “So…David…for anyone with ya’?” Ok but seriously- what the hell was I supposed to say after pointing a gun in his face?

 

    “Just my twin sister and her girlfriend.” I gave a nod tilted my head to the side. “Follow me.”

-Jack’s POV-

 

    Even after about 10 minutes of searching, still no cosmic brownies.

 

    Crutchie came back with a boy, who was a lot taller then me, and had this t-shirt on paired with some pajama pants and converse- now stained with a bit of blood. He has really dark brunette hair, (which was now a bit messy,) paired with the dark brown eyes.

 

    He’s cute, I thought. Wait- no. Stop that. The literal fucking apocalypse is no time to be crushing over a boy you just met. Jesus Jack- stay focused.

 

    “Jack- this is David.” The taller boy gave a small wave, in which I returned and started to lean on the shelf. “He’s got a twin sister and-”

 

    Yeah I didn’t hear much after that. I was to busy looking at David.

    “HEY! Earth to Jack Kelly?” Crutchie shouted, which made me flinch and try to remember what the hell was going on.

 

    “Focus.” Was all Crutchie said. “Mhm…” I started, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get your stuff Davey, you three are comin’ with us.” Crutchie gave me a look that was something like ‘are you serious?’ And ‘god you are SUCH a dumbass.’ I couldn’t tell which. But I knew it was probably both.

Chapter 4

Summary:

They raid an armory because they need weapons…yeah that’s abt it.

-Race’s POV-

 

    Stepping into the armory, I couldn’t help but just notice how many guns there were.

 

    No seriously- it’s honestly kinda sad how easily you can get a gun in America. But that’s besides the point.

 

    Everyone scattered, going on our own ways to find whatever we wanted.

 

    Spot came up next to me, where I was standing in front of the daggers.

 

    “Aren’t those kinda short?” He asked.

 

    “Aren’t you a little short?” I said with a snicker- I don’t know why I said it.

 

    “Jeez. Just wonderin’…but we should be going soon, I don’t know how long it’ll be until zombies end up catching up to us.”

 

    I gave him a nod in response. “You’re right…” I said, placing the dagger I had in my hand down, turning my head to face him. “You know what you want?” I asked the shorter boy.

 

    “Yeah- I’m just gonna grab some of the spears and probably another handgun or two.” I nodded again. “Alright- what are we waiting for? C’mon!” I grabbed his hand and took him over to where they were. (This TOTALLY wasn’t an excuse to hold his hand.)

-Jack’s POV-

 

   There were so. Many. Options. They had so many guns I couldn’t even count them all. Some small, some larger then me. (No seriously- you should see the huge ass rifle sticking out of Crutchie’s bag.)

 

    “Jack.” I could hear Crutchie say from behind me. I jumped. “Jesus- you gotta stop doin’ that Crutch. Scares the shit out of me.”

 

    “I know. That’s why I do it.” The younger kid said with a sicking smile and a giggle. That fucker.

 

    “We need to be going soon, you know.” Crutchie said while looking back at Sarah and Katherine, who were loading ammo into the back of Spots truck.

 

    I just hummed in response, taking a second to consider my options before ultimately deciding to take the first handgun I saw.

 

    “Let’s go.”

 

-Davey’s POV-

 

    Day one of knowing these people and one of them are already sprawled all over me, sitting in my lap while I sat in the passenger seat.

 

    The kid sitting in my lap? Well, his names Jack. He’s nice- that’s not something I’m used to though. But, I’m not necessarily used to the apocalypse either. There’s a first time for everything, I guess.

 

    He fell asleep on me. I didn’t want to move, fearing that I’d wake the (much) shorter boy up.

 

    Sarah had somehow convinced Spot, (I believe that’s what they called him,) to be able to drive his truck. It wasn’t easy- but she managed.

 

    Katherine was sitting behind her, arms wrapped around the back of the chair, and onto the front of her shoulders.

 

    Spot and (I hope I’m getting this right-) Race decided on staying in the bed of the truck, probably already asleep, while Crutchie staying in the passenger side, already asleep with their head leaning against the window.

 

    Sarah asked me a question. “You like him, don’t you?” I was confused on what she ment.

 

    “What- no. No, I mean…I just met him. I can’t…” I let myself trail off, not knowing what to say. I meant what I said, I didn’t necessarily like him. Not like that- anyway. But maybe…just maybe…there was part of me that does.

Chapter 5

Summary:

I genuinely don’t know what’s happening in this chapter so uhm…enjoy ig???

-Race’s POV-

 

    I was woken up by Jack shaking me awake.

 

    “Race.” He called out. “RACE!” i jolted awake.

 

    “What Jack…it’s way to early for this.” I said while sitting up. “What do you need? I’m tired.”

 

    “There’s zombies up ahead. In case…we’ll we figured that I’d be best if you guys were up. We didn’t want you panicking at the sound of gunshots. Wake up Spot- just call for us if you need us.” And with that, Jack exited the bed of the truck and went back into the passenger seat inside.

 

    Once Jack left, Spot began to stir. He seemed distressed- with his face turning into this look of both fear and anger.

 

    He jolted awake, sitting up and hyperventilating with tears starting to fall down his face. He brought his knees up to his chest and put his head in his hands, trying to not be seen.

 

    But it’s to late for that, I’ve already seen it. Jacks done this hundreds of times for me- let’s just hope that I can do it as well.

 

    “Spot?” I asked him, not knowing what else to say. He didn’t respond. “Are you ok?” Wow. He’s fucking sobbing and you ask THAT? Of course he’s not ok you god damn idiot.

 

    “I-I’m fine. Ju-”  He could barley get the words out of him with how bad it was. “Just go b-back to sleep, Racer.” He wiped away some of his tears- in a desperate attempt to get himself together. It didn’t work.

 

    “Well…considering the fact that you’re full on sobbing right now…I wouldn’t say that you’re ’fine.’ Please Spottie, (wow, that’s a new nickname,) just tell me what’s going on. I’m not trying to force you to tell me anything, but I just wanna help.” He took his head out of his hands and looked up at me, seeming to be looking for a response.

 

    “Can I touch you?” I asked, not wanting to startle him. He nodded and I wrapped my arms around him, and he put his arms around my waist; burying his face into the crook of my neck.

 

    “I-I’m sorry. It’s rea-really stupid. I’m fine.” His voice cracked and his tears wouldn’t stop flowing. He couldn’t get them to stop.

 

    I brought my hand up and put it on his cheek; wiping away his tears with my thumb. (And he blushed, but that wasn’t anything anyone else needed to know.)

 

    “Hey. It’s not stupid. I’m here to listen when you need or want to, you aren’t alone.” He looked away. I brought my other hand up to his other cheek. His face turned even redder.

 

    “Well…” He paused, looking down like I would hit him if he told.

 

    “You can tell me.” I stated, hoping that I could help. He looked back at me, before starting. I brought my hands back down to wrap them around him again.

 

    BANG! BANG!

 

    Two gunshots rang out from the backseat of the truck. I hated how much it reminded me of the initial night of the outbreak. Two two of us flinched at it. Right…that’s what Jack woke me up about…I knew I was forgetting something…shit.

 

    He was shaking. Spot Colon was shaking like crazy. I’ve never seen him like this.

 

    “Hey. It’s alright- I’ve got you.” I tried to calm him down. I’ve never felt shittier. The ONE REASON I was woken up was to know about the shots.

 

    “I’m sorry. I-I’m a mess.” Was all he said. I still couldn’t believe  it. Spot Colon, of all people, seemed so small. So fearful.

 

    BANG! BANG!

 

   Two more shots rang out unexpectedly. We were quick to cover our ears. “Y-you ok?” Spot asked me. I hummed in response.

 

    The back window of the truck that leads to the bed opened. None other then Crutchie, who’s rifle was still in their hand. “You two ok out here? Sorry about that- but I-” They stopped themself. Crutchie just looked over to me, a look of ‘what’s going on?’ And ‘you got this?’ I just nodded. They closed the window and sat back down inside.

 

    “You alright?” He nodded. I waited until he started to breath a bit normally before I started to ask him questions.

 

    “What’s going on, Spot? You know you can tell me.” He didn’t get like this for no reason.

 

    “It’s just some shit that happened at home. I-it’s nothing.” “Well it sure as hell didn’t seem like nothing.” He seemed shocked by my response.

 

    “Well…I don’t know if I told you this but- my parents are really shitty people. They…weren’t exactly supportive when I came out.” He looked away and wiped a tear away from his face. I held him closer.

 

    I wanted to cry just looking at him. He talked about various things his parents did to him. All the yelling, the hitting…everything. It made me wince just listening to him describe it.

    “Sean…” I didn’t really know what to say. I knew he wouldn’t let anyone go over to his house. I just didn’t know why he did.

 

    “It’s f-fine. Trust me. I had to deal with them for years, it’ll be alright.” He said while digging his face back into my neck.

 

    I just hummed in response, holding him tight as if he would slip away.

Chapter 6

Summary:

i am SO SORRY that this chapter took so long to get out😢 I’ve been absolutely STUMPED with whumptober, and have had literally no time to work on my other fics. So again, I am SO SORRY💔💔💔

    “Do we have to get more food? I’m tired, I don’t wanna do this…” Spot whines as he rested his head onto Race’s shoulder.

 

    “It’s not my fault that SOMEONE decided to eat everything.” Race said as he shoved Spot off of his shoulder.

 

    “Hey! I did NOT eat everything. Blame your fatass brother, not me.” Crutchie rolled their eyes.

 

    “YOU were the one keeping watch last night, so how the hell was this Jacks fault when he was alseep?”

 

    “How do you know if he was sleeping? Sounds like YOU were the one who ate everything…” Crutchie just rolled their eyes again.

 

    “Listen- thats besides the point. We didn’t even make it to NEW JERSEY for fucks sake.” Race stated. Spot just took Races hand in his own, dragging him forward.

 

    “And that seems like you need to take that up with Jack! Not my fau-“

 

    “Did you guys hear that?”

 

    Race and Spot looked over at Crutchie in confusion. “No…are you feeling alright?”

 

    Crutchie reached for the gun in their pocket. “Yeah…I’m fine.”

 

    Crutchie knows that their not hearing anything. They aren’t crazy. Crutchie knows that. Right?

 

    Another sound from afar.

 

    Maybe another person? Maybe a zombie? Who knows. If they’ve made it all the way to New Jersey without little to no human contact, they weren’t about to meet any now.

 

    Looking into the isle, he saw something- no, someone. They had short ginger hair, pale skin, and they wore an oversized gray hoodie and sweatpants, paired with oddly clean sneakers. How they managed to keep them that clean in the middle of the apocalypse- Crutchie wasn’t sure.

 

    Then, it clicked.

 

    “Albert?” Crutchie asked, stepping closer into the isle, gun still at their side.

 

   The boy in the isle looked around for a quick second, looking for where the voice was coming from, before his gaze landed on Crutchie.

 

    “Crutchie?” He asked.

 

    It’s him. It’s really him.

 

    “Where the hell have you been?” Crutchie asked, quickly walking up to stand in front of the boy.

 

    “I’m not to sure myself.” He said with a quick laugh, looking down at his shoes, fidgeting with the strings of his hoodie.

 

    “And how are your clothes so…” Crutchie couldn’t even finish their sentence. Compared to Albert, they looked like they just went on a killing spree. (And technically speaking, they kinda did.)

    “How long does it take to get food?” Jack said, stepping out of the bed of the truck, Davey following after him.

 

    “Not fifteen minutes, that’s all I know.” Davey said quickly as he opened the truck door, grabbed the closest gun he could find, and shut it before entering the abandoned store.

 

    “RACE!” Jack shouted, wandering through the isles.

 

    The sudden shouting made Spot fall from where he was climbing up the shelves, reaching for something on the top.

 

    “OW! What the fuck, Kelly?” Spot shouted from where he was now laying on the floor, hand on the back of his head, looking over at Jack, attempting to ease the pain.

 

    Jack just winced. “You’ve been in here for fifteen minutes. What the hell is taking so long?!” Race just chucked the bag of chips he was holding behind him, grabbing a new one.

 

    “We didn’t know what chips to grab!”

 

    “So you decided to taste test each one like you’ve never tasted them before?” Race nodded his head with a smirk.

 

    “It’s a very serious matter, Jack.” Race couldn’t keep the grin off of his face, and Spot couldn’t help but return it, looking up at Race.

 

    Jack grinned a bit looking at the two of them, before realizing that someone was missing.

 

    “Where’s Crutchie?” He asked quickly, realizing that he wasn’t there.

 

    Race paused, his laughter slowly fading at the realization.

 

    “I- I don’t know. He heard a sound, and he left on his own.” He said, helping Spot sit up.

 

    “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” Jack muttered softly, before running of to see where Crutchie went.

 

    “CRUTCHIE! WHERE ARE YOU?!” He shouted, running as quickly as his legs could carry him.

 

    “Over here!” Jack breathed a sigh of relief, turning into the isle where the sound was coming from, to see them completely unharmed. But what he wasn’t expecting was to see someone else with him.

 

    He quickly brought his gun up, pointing it at Albert until Crutchie stood in front of him. “It’s just Albert!” They said quickly, their free arm that wasn’t holding their crutch extended out.

 

    Jack brought the gun down in confusion. “Albert? As in…”

 

    “Yes- it’s Albert.” Jack put the gun into his pocket.

 

    “Where the hell did you-“ Spot froze at the sight of Albert, seeing him with Crutchie and Jack, after they met them at where they were previously.

 

    Spot looked back and fourth between Crutchie and Albert, still dazed.

 

    “Did I hit my head to hard, or…what the hell? Am I imaging this?”

 

    Spot looked over to Race, who just shook his head. “Nope, he’s here.” Spot looked back over to Albert with a sigh.

    “So you’re telling me that you’ve made it all this way…without any help?” Albert went back to fidgeting with his hoodie strings.

 

    “Not exactly…”

Chapter 7

Summary:

no matter how gay all of these idiots seem right now NONE OF THEM ARE DATING RIGHT NOW EXCEPT FOR KATHERINE AND SARAH!!! (believe it or not)

    “So let me get this straight…” Spot piped up from the drivers seat, Race at his side in the passengers seat. “You had a group of…what? Three other people? And they all managed to somehow get eaten within a week?” Albert nodded. Crutchie just looked over their shoulder to look at him.

 

    “You’re joking- right? How does that even…forget it.”

 

    “I’m not surprised about Romeo dying first.” Race giggled from the passenger seat. Davey just seemed confused about it all.

    “Did you…did you know him?” Davey finally spoke up. Race nodded.

 

    “Yeah…we knew Albert before all of this to.” He gestured to Albert. “Just assumed everyone else was kinda…dead…” Race didn’t say that last bit so loudly.

 

    Davey hummed and just stared out the window. He didn’t figure that he needed to push any further.

 

    “You do realize that we could just make Jack sleep in the bed of the truck- right?” Crutchie said after a moment of silence, and gestured to Jack, sleeping in Davey’s lap after noticing him.

 

    Face going red, he looked at Jack, still dead asleep. “I know- but I don’t mind. It’s not a big deal.” Crutchie gave him a weird look.

    “Sure…” They looked over at Race, who had a wide grin on his face.

 

    “He doesn’t usually do that- Dave. There’s no platonic explanation for that.” He gave a small laugh. Davey finally looked up, looking over at Crutchie, and then over to Race, who now was leaning over the edge of his seat on his knees, to look directly over at Davey.

 

    “You two aren’t the first people to mention that- you know. My sister said the same thing.”

 

    “Oh, we know.” Crutchie stated blankly, a small grin creeping onto their face as well, both them and Race looking over at each other before looking back at Davey.

 

    Davey sighed. “She told you- didn’t she.” The pair nodded.

 

    A small sputtering sound slowly creeped out of the engine, making itself heard.

 

    “No- NO- NONONONONONO.” Spot banged his head against the steering wheel with a groan in anger as the car slowly came to a stop- the car horn going off in the process. “You’ve got to be fucking KIDDING me.”

 

    Sarah opened the window that leads to the inside of the truck. “Hey- why’d we stop?” She asked, Katherine coming up to her side as she also poked her head through the window.

 

    “Engines probably busted…or we’re out of gas.” Race simply stated, holding his head in his hands after speaking.

 

    “I don’t think that we’re that far away from a gas station…” Sarah said, looking around before looking back into the truck.

 

    “We’re in the middle of nowhere though.” Davey muttered, looking over to his twin.

 

    “Its either we stay here and get eaten by zombies or we die trying. Which one?” She replied. Davey just rolled his eyes.

 

    “But how are we even supposed to get there? Walking doesn’t seem so safe.”

 

    “It’s the apocalypse- no one’s safe.” Davey said blankly, now looking back over to Sarah to see her reaction. She just rolled her eyes as well.

 

    “Arguing isn’t going to get us anywhere.” Spot stepped in, looking back over his shoulder to the backseat. “Either someone walks to go get gas- or…something to fix this damn engine or we’re all goners. Who’s going?”

 

    Everyone looked around to see if anyone was willing. No one said a thing.

 

    “Fine. Me, Race, Jack, let’s go.” Spot said quickly, stepping out of the car, hand quick to pull out the shotgun that sat in his pocket.

 

    Race rolled his eyes. He didn’t want to leave, he was just fine where he was, honestly.

 

    He shook Jack awake, seeming to not even care that he was asleep. “JACK!” He shouted in his ears, making him jolt awake.

 

    “Whaaaaat…?” He asked groggily, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

 

    “Long story short- truck broke down- and you’re coming with us to fix it. Get your ass up!”

 

    “Fineeee…” He muttered while he stood up, leaving the others behind.

 

    “What the hell are we supposed to do while they’re gone?” Crutchie asked once the three of them were out of sight.

 

    “Pray that zombies don’t come? I don’t know.” Sarah said, as both her and Katherine got up from the bed of the truck and into the front seats.

    “Out of everyone that you could have chosen to go- why me?” Jack whined, dragging alongside Race and Spot.

 

    “Because I thought it was funny.” Spot said with a laugh. Jack didn’t find it so funny.

 

    “You hate me, don’t you.”

 

    “I thought that was obvious?” He only laughed harder.

 

    “Wait!” Race stopped in his tracks, stealing the gun right out of Spots hand and stepping in front of the two of them.

 

    “What?” Spot asked, attempting to step along side Race, but getting put back.

 

    “Zombies. Just don’t move. I’ve got this.”

 

    “You’ve gotta be an idiot.” Spot crossed his arms.

 

    “Just for you.” Race then gave a wink and a small grin, looking back over to Spot, while he ignored the small blush that crept onto Spot’s face.

 

    Spot brought his hand up to his face as he looked down at his shoes, attempting to get the blush to go away.

 

    “Idiot.”

Chapter 8

    “It’s been thirty minutes. Are we sure that they aren’t dead?” Katherine asked, feet up on the dashboard, holding Sarah’s hand.

 

    “Nope.” Davey crossed his arms, looking out the window. (He honestly missed Jack- it felt weird without him- but that’s not something that he’s ever admit aloud.)

 

    Crutchie reached into his bag- pulling out a small handgun of his own- checking if it had any ammo- and then left the truck with it in hand.

 

    “I can’t keep sitting around. Are you guys coming or not?”

 

    Albert sighed and quickly got out of the truck alongside Crutchie. “Fine.”

 

    “Where could they have even gone? There doesn’t seem to be anything out here. Just…forest.” Albert just nodded and kept walking alongside Crutchie.

 

    A cry for help was heard from not to for ahead, as a small building finally came into view.

 

    Stepping into the building- the first thing that Crutchie shot was the small group of zombies that surrounded them.

    Observing the scene- Crutchie wasn’t sure what the hell had happened.

 

    “What the hell happened?” Was all that they could think of to ask.

 

    “Ran out of ammo…” Spot muttered from where he now sat on the ground behind Race and Jack.

 

    “Still asleep, Cowboy?”

 

    “Shut it.” Jack replied as he jokingly shoved Race in the shoulder.

 

    “You dumbasses almost got killed and you’re joking around?”

 

    “Yup.” Race said with an awfully playful tone for someone who had almost got eaten by zombies less then five minutes ago.

 

    Race eventually helped Spot off of the ground, though.

 

    “We need to get out of here.” He was met by a few nods, before grabbing the gas after a few minutes of searching, and then leaving to journey back to the car.

 

    As Katherine and Sarah left the front seats, giving them back to Race and Spot, they definitely had questions.

 

    “What the hell happened to you all?! You’ve been gone for over an hour.” 

    “We ran out of ammo- it’s not a big deal.”

 

    “Oh- so you three almost dying and me having to save your asses is ‘no big deal’?”

 

    Albert looked up from where he was loading the truck with gas with a snicker. Spot figured he’d let it go.

    “Please work…” Spot softly muttered as he slipped the key into the ignition.

    It worked.

 

    Spot let go of a breath that he hadn’t known that he was holding.

Chapter 9

    “What you did back there was brave, you know.” Spot said after realizing that everyone seemed to be asleep. Race seemed confused by this.

 

    Then it finally seemed to click for him. “OH! That? It was nothing, really.”

    “It was selfless, that’s what it was.” Spot stated quickly, cutting Race off. “You quite literally shoved me behind you, buying me time. If Crutchie wasn’t there to save us, you would have sacrificed yourself. For ME. That’s not something that everyone would do.”

 

    “I meant what I said, really. It was nothing.” Race replied, reaching over and grabbing hold of Spots hand, and notice how the moonlight illuminated his face. Highlighting every feature on his face, from his soft black curls that sat so neatly, to the small scar on his bottom lip.

 

    God, Race just wanted kiss him right now.

 

    No- no you can’t say that. He doesn’t like you like that. It doesn’t make sense. Why are you thinking that, Race? You don’t like him that way. He doesn’t like you that way. You saved him- who cares? It was just the best think to do. Not like it was because-

 

    Oh my god.

 

    “Racer?” Spot called out, noticing how he zoned out.

 

    “Huh- yeah?” He asked, coming back to reality.

 

    God, this wasn’t good. He’s in it deep- far to deep to be snapping out of it anytime soon.

 

    The next morning wasn’t any easier.

 

    Turns out, neither of the two had stopped holding the others hand.

    The teasing seemed to never end. Ugh.

 

    They ended up switching spots- now Katherine driving, Sarah at her side, and Davey and Jack sitting in the backseat. Even with everyone else sitting in the bed of the truck, guess where Jack decide to sit.

 

    Same as always.

 

    Don’t get Davey wrong- Davey’s attempted to push Jack off plenty of times- (not really…)- but who cares.

 

    “But it’s comfortable here…”

 

    Davey just sighed. This didn’t seem as if it were gonna end anytime soon.

Chapter 10

Summary:

this takes place like I think about a day after the last chapter so that’s why they aren’t in the same places they were in last chapter please bear with me💔💔💔

-Crutchies POV-

 

    I stopped believing in god a long time ago.

 

    I don’t think that I ever believed in god- actually.

 

    Medda raised the three of us Atheist. We were told that we could follow whatever we believed. Why I’m telling you all this- I’m not to sure.

 

    But…I always questioned my faith. Never found myself believing in any of them. I tried to force myself to believe in god, but I got sick of the pretending. I wanted to desperately to think that there was someone, even something that’s out there that loved me. Something that could help me out.

 

    I also had my reasons for not believing- why would whatever divine being up there make the horrible things that had happened to me happen if they loved us? It never made any sense.

 

    Why this divine being would make Race get into that crash, why I lost the ability to walk on my own, why would Jack get abandoned, why this entire thing started in the first place- it never made any sense.

 

    Nothing makes sense anymore.

-Nobody’s POV-

 

    The next morning wasn’t anything special.

 

    No one wanted to talk. There wasn’t anything to talk about, really.

 

    “Are we almost there yet?” Race complained, still half asleep leaning against the passenger seat window.

 

    Spot shook his head. “Doesn’t look like it.” He looked like he was about to fall asleep. He had insisted on driving for the past two days- and hadn’t gotten any sleep sense then. Said that he wasn’t tired.

 

    “Spottie- just let me drive. Please. When even was the last time you slept?”

 

    It took him a good minute to come up with a response. “Huh? Uhm- I don’t know.”

 

    Race rolled his eyes. “That’s it- I’m driving.” Spot didn’t argue with him, and once the two of them had switched seats, the shorted boy fell asleep almost instantly.

 

    Meanwhile-

 

    “I’m getting sick of looking at them.” Crutchie muttered, fidgeting with the strings of their hoodie, as they leaned against the door of the bed of the truck. (a mouthful- I know.)

 

    Albert nodded in agreement. “The guys literally been sitting in his lap every time he gets a chance. It’s getting annoying seeing neither of them just spit it out already.” He tilted his head towards the window, attempting to look inside to see if he was doing the same thing. Not to his surprise- he was.

 

    Katherine grabbed Sarah’s hand. “Exactly! It doesn’t make sense. The two of them have known each other for…two weeks now and they’re already acting like this? Really?”

 

    “Davey’s never been the touchy type. Always pushed people away if they even tried to touch him. It’s not like him.” Sarah added.

    “I just hope they either get over this soon- or they just get together.”

 

    “If they get together then they’re just gonna get even more annoying.”

    “At least I don’t have to see them painfully keep doing…whatever the hell they’re doing now.”

 

    “We need to get one of them to confess. I’m sick of this. If I have to take another week of this- I might just throw up.” Crutchie complained.

 

    Katherine nodded in agreement. “But how?” The group thought about it for a second.

 

    “Got it!” Sarah started after a quick second. “I say that we just confront them about this head on. Make them confess to us…”

 

    “…And then to each other….” Katherine continued. Sarah grinned and nodded again, it was like Katherine had read her mind. She always loved that about Katherine.

 

    “When?”

 

    “Next stop, maybe?”

Chapter 11

    “Hey Davey…” Sarah trailed off, approaching Davey privately at their next stop.

 

    “Hey…?”Was all Davey said- confused. His sister never approached him (usually) unless she needed something. (And technically speaking- she kinda did.)

 

    “I’m just gonna cut right to the chase- I’ve seen the way that the two of you act around each other.”

 

    “What do you mean by ‘the two of us?’” He asked.

 

    “I’m talking about you and Jack. You know…me and Katherine were talking last night…and we thought that you two should just confess already. Jacks already said it to his brothers- so I know that he likes you.” Davey was starting to get flustered; he could already feel his cheeks heating up.

 

    “Sarah-“ he dragged her farther away from the others- “You know that I can’t do that.”

 

    “And why’s that?”

 

    “I’ve only known the guy for like-“ He mentally calculated the amount of time he’s known Jack. “Two weeks- maybe? And you know that-“

 

    “Mom and Dad aren’t here. They weren’t the most…approving of us coming out…but still! It’s not like they tried kicking us out or anything.”

 

    “I have bigger things to worry about-“

 

    “It’s the middle of the apocalypse. You should be able to have one thing in the middle of this mess.”

 

    Davey rolled his eyes. “You know what I meant.”

 

    Sarah sighed and dragged him back towards the others. “Just get it together, Davey. You know what to do.”

 

    On the other hand- Crutchie had successfully dragged Jack away from the others lines of sight to confront him about this.

 

    “Why are we here again?”

 

    “Oh you know why you’re here.”

 

    Now Jack was just straight up confused. “What? No- no I dont. Can you please just say it?” He pleaded.

 

    “We’ve all seen the way that you’ve been acting around Davey. We’re all getting tired of you two not just saying you flat out like each other. It makes me sick.”

 

    Jack rolled his eyes. “I do no-“

 

    ”You refuse to sit anywhere else other then his lap. Don’t play stupid with me.”

 

    “I’m not saying it.”

 

    “Either say it or stop playing this game where neither of you say what you feel, and it all feels hopeless, and you end up dying alone because neither of you would just SAY IT! We’re all tired of it. I don’t know how may times I need to say this- Jack Kelly-“ Crutchie jabbed a finger in his chest. “Say it or stop the act.”

 

    And with that, Crutchie walked away, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts.

 

    That night, the two of them got tired of pretending.

 

    And none of them decided to get in the way- and the four of them crowed in the inside of the truck, leaving them alone in the bed of the truck.

 

    “I don’t know how to start what I’m about to say.” Jack muttered, looking over towards Davey, who met his gaze in return with a simple hum in response. “I’m sure that I’m gonna regret this later on- I’m sure. But Davey-“

 

    All words in that moment were abandoned, as with a quick movement of Jack grabbing Davey’s cheeks and slamming his lips against his own.

 

    If Davey were being honest- it’s the only thing he’d wanted when he first met the boy.

 

    Returning the kiss, he grabbed the shorter boy by the waist and pushed him onto his back without breaking contact, as if he was going to slip away.

 

    Pulling away, both of them didn’t have anything left to say.

 

    But this meant something more.

 

    The four of them inside the truck exchanged small glances, grins, and high fives as they looked at the pair through the window, knowing that their operation had worked.