15 Years After the Blackout

Charlie had gone to her favourite place an old amusement park where she kept her postcards hidden in one of the cars of the Ferris wheel. She thinks she remembers riding one before the blackout. One day she wanted to see the places on her postcards and get away from Sylvania Estates. Dad was wrong she could look after herself; she just wanted to see the world. There was no need to treat her like a child. He had gotten mad because of Danny she knew what she was doing there was no need to lecture her. She had helped raised Danny before her mother died, he was always first. Charlie sighed as she put the postcards back in her lunch-box and placed it back in her hiding place. She sat back into the seat of the Ferris wheel, her head fell back just as she heard a gunshot. Charlie's head snapped up, it came from the direction of the village; there were no other places that close around them. A million thoughts ran through her head, who had a gun they were banned, the Militia was in the village, why was the Militia in the village, why was the Militia shooting, was someone dead. The main thought that went through her head though was DANNY. Charlie took off at a run.

Ben Matheson was stood outside his house when the Militia, his brother's Militia rode into the village and asked him if he and his children would go with them. He knew they had already seen Danny but Ben knew Charlie was not in the village.

"You don't need to take them but I will come with you," stated Ben. Maggie put a hand on his arm to stop him.

"No orders state all three of you."

"You won't take us," Danny's voice made everyone turn. He was stood with Charlie's crossbow aiming at the Militia soldiers. A soldier drew his gun in retaliation.

"Danny don't," Ben said putting his arms out to try to calm the situation down.

The Captain who had introduced himself as Tom Neville did nothing he simply stated, "That is Daniel I guess. Where is Charlotte?"

Ben was still trying to calm the situation down and Danny hissed "She's not here. She left now you leave too."

It was at that moment everything changed. It all happened so quickly, both the crossbow and the gun went off. The twang of the crossbow lost in the echo of the loud gunshot. Benjamin Matheson fell to the ground as Militia soldiers grabbed Danny.

By the time Charlie ran through the gates the Militia had cleared out. Everything was silent as she took in the scene. Ben, her dad, was lying on the ground bleeding out; she was at his side in seconds desperately looking towards Maggie who just shook her head. There was nothing she could do.

"Dad," Charlie said in a small voice.

"Charlie, Danny's gone they took him, they want you too…" Ben took a deep breathe there was important information she needed to know but it was hard for him to speak, "In Chicago there's a man called… Jimmy King… he's an old friend he… will help you. Please stay safe… I love you."

Charlie only had time to whisper "I love you too," before he was gone. Charlie collapsed sobbing muttering "no, no, no," over and over again. She knew Maggie was kneeling on the other side of Ben's body and she could feel Aaron hovering behind her. She did not need to look to know they were crying as well.

9 Years After the Blackout

He mainly kept off the main roads when travelling to avoid meeting anyone, there was no longer the technology to mass produce propaganda with an accurate picture of him so the likely-hood of someone randomly recognising him was low but someone might have met him or seen him before. He was hiding in the trees looking at the entrance to Sylvania Estates and could see everyone hard at work. He was amazed it had taken them years to track down the Matheson's before but on his own he managed it in a year. There was no way he could not be noticed so he stayed where he was and observed no need to give people a reason to talk about that man who came to visit. People where working with the crops and to his left there was a man with a beard and glasses teaching a group of kids. He saw blonde hair and wondered if it was Charlotte and Daniel Matheson they were blonde right? At least they had been in pictures when they were younger. As it got later people started to make their way home. He noticed Ben standing outside a house as two blonde children ran up to him. Yep he was right definitely Charlotte and Daniel. He decided to approach as it was getting dark best not to go in the middle of the night and scare them. He kept to the shadows as he made his way towards the house. The door was opened by a blonde woman who looked confused.

"Bass?" Ben was stood behind the woman and he frowned looking very unsure.

Bass held his hands up "I'm not here to hurt you; there are just a couple of things you really should know."

Ben waved Bass into the house and then turned to the blonde woman and said "Maggie can you put the kids to bed."

As Ben and Bass moved into the living room Maggie and the children went upstairs but just before they got to the stairs Charlotte turned to stare at him with big blue eyes. She tilted her head to the side and frowned as if trying to remember him, Ben cleared his throat and she turned to run up the stairs.

"Bass what is going on? I know you left we get that much information but is it safe for you to be here? He is looking for you," Ben sounded very worried and rightly so he had to look after his family.

"I was careful; he is looking for you too, all of you. I'm not staying I just thought you needed to know."

"Know what?"

"Everything… there are things that will be difficult to hear but I need to start at the beginning." Bass paused and Ben waited for him to continue so Bass told him about how after he lost his wife and baby during labour Miles used his grief to convince him to take a camp. He explained that it just got worst after that until he lost himself. Bass explained that he was Miles' puppet.

He stopped to see how Ben was taking it he was frowning but said "There was a rumour that he was really the one in charge… go on."

"Miles' well um… when he found you Rachel turned up." Ben did not look surprised.

"I guessed when she didn't come back but I didn't tell the children."

"He wanted to know about the power but after six months she told Miles something else and I'm not sure whether you know and I don't know how to tell you."

"I know Bass," their eyes met and Ben looked resigned.

"Miles' wasn't happy he was always on edge desperately trying to find you. As I saw him get worst I realised that Shelley wouldn't like what I was doing but I thought I could help. Then six months after that there was an accident and I'm really sorry but Rachel didn't make it and Miles' lost it. I just thought you needed to know."

Ben took a minute while Bass waited.

"Thank you for letting me know."

"I'm sorry I couldn't help Miles it killed me to leave but I couldn't stay I wasn't… healthy and the environment didn't help. If you ever need anything I'll be in Chicago, if I have to move on I'll leave some way to find me that Miles' won't guess, ask for Jimmy King."

So it was actually the last scene that I came up with first, I have no idea where I'm going with this but I will try to continue it. I hope you like it :) Also I'm aiming for a mixture of pre-blackout Bass and season 2 Bass if that is possible as he was able to pull himself out of insanity. I do love Miles as well so I'm going to have to play with the characters a bit.