I know I know. I'm writing Joslyn Grimes I promise, but I need to get this character out! She's messing with all my other stuff! I had to rewrite a lot of Katie's stuff when they made it to Alexandria because she started coming out!
summary
Nora is tough as nails and blunt. She holds back no punches and doesn't care about hurting anyone's feelings. When the dead started coming back she, begrudgingly, became part of the Atlanta group. As time passes, is it possible that she's finally found that all elusive family she always wanted as a kid. This will start a little before the outbreak.(Be warned she might be hard to like at first and the guy I have planned for her is another OC and wont meet up till waaay later. Also this will be an interracial couple. I know some people may have a problem with that and you can hit that back button right outta here.) Oh ps she cusses like a sailor and has lots of tattoos.
Chapter 1
I drag my feet slowly up the stairs and hope my neighbor isn't waiting by my door. I do not have time for his shit. When I reach the landing I glance at my door and see it's empty. Thank God! I could not handle that tonight. I quickly run to my door with my boost of energy and unlock it. I close the door and immediately slide the three locks into place.
I throw my purse down on the counter and then pull the long blonde wig off my head. Blood starts circulating to my scalp again and the cool air hits my sweaty hair making me shiver and my head itch. I run a hand through my short A-line cut. I glance at my stove seeing the green numbers staring back at me 3:05 A.M. I groan I could have worked another hour, but working as long as I have I knew just by looking at the crowd they were lousy tippers. I've also been up since six in the morning and I'm starting to really feel it.
I walk around the kitchen island, that acts as my dining room and separates the living room from the kitchen, and down the hall past the door to my extra room. Technically it's a spare bedroom but there's no one I want to stay long enough to have their own bed much less room. I keep heading down the hall to my bedroom, then straight into the connecting bathroom. I flip the light on and kick my shoes off into the corner and I swear I hear my feet groan. Fuck heels and fuck the person whoever thought that women should work in them.
I look in the mirror and see my makeup only ran a little bit. I groan. I'm so tired, but I know as soon as I start washing this shit off I'll wake up. I sigh and grab my makeup wipes and face cleaner. Can't afford to get a breakout. No guy wants to slip a twenty in a girls g-string if her face resembles a pepperoni pizza. I start scrubbing and watch as the caked on makeup starts disappearing. I keep going till I can't see any trace of the dreaded raccoon eyes. I try to keep my eyes closed halfway hoping that will keep me tired, but five wipes later and a splash of cold water I'm wide awake. I sigh again. I walk back to the front door and grab my phone out of my purse. Then I walk back to the bathroom. I'm searching for my nighttime playlist and finally find it. I hit play and some gentle piano music starts playing. It helps me relax and reminds me of my grandma playing late in the night when she couldn't sleep.
I take another look in the mirror and see my hair looks matted on my head and decide I'm going to have to wash it. I pull my long sleeve cotton t-shirt off and unbutton my shorts. I throw them on the pile of dirty laundry and realize I need to do my laundry later. I'm off from my waitressing job at Dig In tomorrow. I immediately make plans of doing it then. I turn to the shower and get the water ready. Then I take off my bra and panties throwing them in another pile for my delicate cycle. Then I take all of my earrings out. I had four in one ear and three in the other.
I step into the steaming hot water and stand there for a minute. I turn my face up and let the water hit it. I start washing my hair using way to much shampoo and conditioner for such short hair, but I buy that shit so I'm not going to feel guilty. I once lived at a foster home where the lady would follow me into the bathroom and wait until I was in the shower then tell me to hold my hand and put a small dime size of shampoo and conditioner in it side by side. It was like using two-in-one shampoo. I hated it. So I told my case worker that she always followed me into the bathroom left out some details and bam got out of there within a week. I rinse my hair out and grab the body wash and put it on the loofah. I wash my arms and as always get caught up in my tattoos. They really were a work of art. I have one sleeve and one quarter sleeve. There's minimal color. Just a few hints of light green. The only real color is the huge red rose that was on my right shoulder and that was covered most of the time except when I was working at Jugs, yes that's the name of the strip club, genius isn't it? Then all down my arm is a few other flowers and delicate swirl designs that wrapped around the flowers. I decided to add some green to the leaves. It was a very light pale green. It gave it the right pop of color. On my left arm I just did till my elbow same type of stuff except I had a red rose that covered my elbow instead of my shoulder on this arm. On the same arm I have Beati Bellicosi in elegant script written down the inside of my forearm. I have a fairy sitting on a lily pad that looks like its in water on my left shoulder blade. I loved the detail in the wings and how it looked like she was actually floating. She has blue hair and light blue wings she looked like she was either peering over the lily pad at her reflection or praying.
I get done with my shower and slip on a t-shirt and underwear. I look at my phone, that's still playing the delicate tones of the piano, and see it's nearly four in the morning. I'm wide awake after my shower and decide to head into the spare room.
I open the door and flip the light on. My double head war axe I bought is hanging on the wall. The blade kind of makes me think of the Batman signal. I was pretty proud of that thing. It took me about a week in tips to get. It came with a holster to carry it on my back or on my hip. The only time I wore it was for some Halloween party we had at the club. I wrapped the blades in foil so no one knew it was real, but I felt pretty bad ass walking around town with it. I walk over to the computer and boot it up. When I sit down I pull one leg under me and bring my other leg up wrapping my arm around it and resting my chin on my knee.
When it comes on I immediately log into my online game of choice War of the Universes. It's a mix of every fantasy book or movie. I don't know who developed it, but it was genius. In it you could be an elf, dwarf, fairy or any made up creature. You created your avatar and gave them skills. Then you went to battle trying to claim as much land as possible. I never collected the land. Just the gold and other things you find. I had a dragon and had over 10000 gold pieces. I had a weapons inventory that was so full I often had to sell an old weapon to make room for a new one.
I see my little blue fairy that I created. It was very unassuming and I know that all the little teenage boys that play it probably just think it's some girly girl want-a-be gamer to impress a guy or something, but no my fairy is ruthless. Her weapon? A double headed axe of course.
I play around for awhile and my eyes start drooping. I have only done one raid, but I'm ready to sign off. I find one of the safe zones where you can log off and no one can ambush you and take your stuff. I look at the time and see it's five in the morning. I look outside and sure enough the sky is starting to lighten up. I stretch out of my seat hearing my back pop. Then I stand and unsteadily walk out the room flipping the light off as I go and closing the door. I fall into my bed face first and don't even get under the covers before I'm out. I just barely remembered to put my phone on the charger.
I hear my phone ring, but I ignore it. It stops and then starts again. I blindly grab it and answer without looking at the ID.
"No, I'm tired. I don't fucking care if Sarah has to take her kids to the doctor. I don't care if poor Hannah doesn't feel good. I'm not doing it," I say. I hear a masculine laugh.
"What if it's both," Mark says.
"I don't fucking care. You know I worked at Jugs last night. I have laundry and shit to do," I say pulling my head up from my pillow and looking at the time. It was 9:26 A.M. I drop my head back down in my pillow. Four hours! Four fucking hours of sleep. "Find somebody else."
"But darling you know you're my number one," he says.
"Fuck you and no," I say hanging up. I try and go back to sleep, but I know it's not possible. I scream into the pillow and reach for my phone. Mark answers and I know he has that smug fucking smile. "This is the fourth time in the past month I'm coming in on my day off. I want a twenty dollar game card. And that's letting you off easy. You know I hate the church crowd. They are so judgey."
"Deal. I'll even add five dollars every time someone says your tattoos are disgusting and they don't want you serving them with your sin arms," Mark says and I can hear him smiling.
"God, is it really that bad," I say. If he's willing to part with his precious money so easily, it must be.
"Hannah says she's sick and has to drive all the way to Atlanta because her roommate has that virus and she doesn't want to catch it, you know with the baby and all, so she's staying with her mom. Then Sarah's son is sick again and she's taking him to the doctor because she doesn't want him to get that awful virus. I think it's cause her and her boyfriend are back together though. Then Dan is out there dead on his feet because he really is sick and I need to send him home. I got Jose out working tables instead of doing dishes and I had to call Elaine in as well. So, yes it will be hell," Mark says. I groan.
"Give me an hour," I say getting up and gathering my clothes.
"Hey you can bring your laundry and do it in my apartment upstairs. You don't have to pay for it there at least," he says hopeful.
"Mark that will never happen again. I told you that," I say sternly.
"Hey a man can dream right," he says not offended. I hang up and start getting ready. Back in the day I used to go to his apartment and do laundry it always led to sex and it was good. Neither of us were into commitment, but it started feeling like to much of a routine and we both got uncomfortable. So, I started using the laundry mat downstairs in my apartment and everything went back to normal. Then it was the late nights working. I would be the last server and one thing would lead to another. I would always end up in his office. One day we finally talked about why it kept happening. We were a sure thing, convenient no effort had to be put in. That's when we decided no matter how needy we get we will find someone else to help out. But neither of us could deny that the sex was good, so he would still try every once in awhile. And I would cave every once in awhile.
I go to my closet and grab a plain black t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. I head into the bathroom and get dressed. I look in the mirror at my gray eyes and perfectly shaped eyebrows. I'm not a vain person but I know I'm attractive. I have symmetrical features. My lips are a bow shape and just the right amount of full without being pouty or overly sultry. My nose is straight and dainty. I have always had clear skin and I get a nice tan in the summer. I have to give it to my mom, even though she was a crack addict and slept around a lot at least she only procreated with someone who didn't have any weird dominate features, like a giant hook nose or something.
I straighten my light brown hair and add some eyeliner and mascara. There's no need to add a bunch of makeup, its not the club. And I like to let my skin breathe whenever possible. I head back out to my room and put on a pair of black tennis shoes. After putting some earrings in, I grab my phone and purse and head out the door.
I turn around to lock it when I hear the door on my left open. Damn it! Then Sam's head pops out.
"Nora, hi! I thought I head your door open," he says walking out of his apartment. I hurry up and lock the door and turn around.
"Yeah, sorry can't talk I have to work," I say trying to head down the stairs.
"You're off on Sundays," Sam says smiling. I squint at him. I have never told him that. He smiles wider. "I asked your boss once when I went to the diner and you weren't there."
"Fucking Mark," I mutter. "Look Sam I really have to work. So see you." I turn back towards the stairs, but then Sam catches up.
"It's ok I'll walk you there. I'm a bit hungry anyway," he says falling into step beside me. I sigh and try to walk fast. I debate on whether to drive there, but I hate wasting gas for such a short drive. I really only use my car when I have shifts at the club. I am not walking home that late with all that cash on me. I decide to walk, but I don't talk to Sam the whole way. I don't need to. He's keeping a nice little commentary about the weather up.
When we reach the diner I bolt in and Sam ambles in behind me. I make eye contact with Mark. Mark is pretty into fitness and wants to one day have that big body builder build. Right now though he just looks really fit. He smiles and I widen my eyes. I walk over to him calmly.
"I swear to god, if you put him in my section I will walk out of here," I say through gritted teeth. Mark looks over at Sam and back at me.
"Noted. Poor old Sam still trying to get it , huh," he says smiling. I roll my eyes. The truth is Sam is stuck on trying to save me. I caved once and went on a date. Mark and I had just ended our agreement and I was a tad desperate at the time. When we went back to his place I some how ended up half naked and Sam was completely dressed. I tried to change that, but he kept blocking my hands then he just kind of grunted and lets just say I didn't want to do his laundry. I expected an 'I'm sorry' or even 'this never happens' instead he smiled kissed my cheek and said he didn't believe in premarital sex. I just stared at him. Then got up and dressed and told him I didn't think there should be a second date. He looked hurt and asked why. I have been trying to avoid him for about six months now. He's convinced he can change me. He's slid brochures for school under my door. Told me that if I stopped stripping he would help me pay my bills. I have told him time and again that I don't want to quit. That I hated school when I had to go so I wasn't going to voluntarily go, but he still tries.
I go behind the counter and grab an apron and tie it around my waist. I grab a few pens and straws and put them in my pocket. Then I grab the pad for my orders and head over to Dan who's swaying where he stands. I grab his shoulders.
"Go home Dan. I got this," I say. He turns around and looks at me. He has heavy dark circles under his eyes.
"Bless you," he says shoving his pad in my chest. "I wrote everything down after Mark told me you were coming in. I knew I couldn't remember everything. I going to go bury myself in bed now." He walks out throwing his apron in the laundry bin and walking out the door without a word. I shake my head and start taking care of his tables. Church hasn't let out yet so we weren't that busy. It was just our usuals.
"Nora didn't I see you down at Jugs last night? Why are you working today," Bob, one of the regulars, says. If I were to ever marry I would marry Bob. He is at best nearing seventy, but he's a dirty old man that knows how to charm the ladies. He lives on the first floor of my apartment building and I often stop by to check on him. He's the only person I truly care of their opinion of me.
"Well Mark told me you were here and I just had to see you," I say crossing my arms on the counter and leaning in. Bob smiles then shakes his head.
"Calm it down girl. These people don't need a show and if you keep that up I have a blue pill in my pocket that is sure to give them one," he says sipping his coffee. I peer over the counter at his lap.
"That impressive huh," I ask grinning. He chokes on his coffee a bit.
'Aww Nora if I would have met you fifty years ago or hell even twenty I would have swooped you up," he says. I smile while leaning back and straighten up. I think I gave Bob enough of a peep show.
"Need a top off," I ask holding the coffee pot. I smile knowing what he will say.
"Only yours darling," he says smiling and sitting a twenty down on the counter. "Be sure to give half to Danny boy he didn't seem too hot." I salute and go to the register to break it now so I won't forget. I notice Sam glaring at me from Elaine's section, but I ignore him. Bob walks out and I hear the bell ding. I hear Bob say something to whoever is walking in and I glance up. I swear if it was some punk kid giving Bob a hard time I was going to kick some ass. It wouldn't have been the first time someone did that, but instead it was four guys in military uniforms. I calm down knowing Bob served and thanks everyone he see's who served.
I walk around the counter and bus some of the tables. Mark likes for military to be able to pick where they sit. I figure Elaine would get them. She loves men in uniform and Mark usually obliges her, but they sit at the counter and that's my section. I walk back around the counter.
"Do you know what you want to drink," I say briskly. I'm only really friendly with the few regulars and Bob is honestly the only one I converse with.
"Come on Nora honey. You can smile at the old chaps," Bob says. I look to see him sitting at the end of the four guys.
"Bob I thought you left," I say.
"Well I couldn't let my brothers in arm sit in here by themselves," he says and I notice his eyes are shining. I glare at him. He likes to put the non-regulars in my section to see how I would react. Because he's an evil old man.
"Theres four of them, Bob. That's not alone," I say. He just smiles and waves his hand.
"Doesn't matter. I'm here now and I want another coffee," he says. I glare and yank a mug from behind nearly slamming it on the counter in front of Bob and sloppily pour coffee. Bobs lips twitch and so do mine. I notice the military guy sitting beside him was watching. He was big and filled the uniform out really well I have to admit. When I glanced at his face I couldn't deny he was attractive. He was dark and had these dark piercing eyes. I notice he had a smirk and I looked away. Bob chuckled as he took a sip.
"What can I get you guys to drink," I say.
"Much better," Bob mutters into his cup. I glare over at him.
"I'll have a coffee," the guy sitting by Bob says. Then he smiles showing off his perfectly straight white teeth. "As long as you don't poor it all over the counter like you did with Bob." Bob cracks up and I purse my lips. The guy looks like one of those guys who was always making people laugh and didn't ever not smile, but there was something strong and dangerous lurking right underneath. I roll my eyes at him and my own thoughts and grabbed another mug pouring some in the cup. The other three guys order the same. I left them to go attend my other tables while they decided what they wanted to eat. Then I hear the bell ring and I look up to see groups of people pouring in all dressed in their Sunday best. I look for Mark and find him coming out of his office. He looks at me and then the crowd and holds up his hand mouthing five dollars. I resist throwing my head back and groaning.
I wipe a few tables quickly and grab the tips left. Our regulars usually cleared out when the church crowds started coming in, I wish I could go with them. I look over and see Bobs eyes are wide as he stares at the group of brightly dressed people. I smirk and walk over to him.
"Don't you wish you left now? You always miss the church crowd. It gets pretty intense if you get the Catholics and the Baptist in here at one time," I say to him. He just shakes his head, but I hear cute guy laugh. I glance at his name tag and see R. Washington on it. Better then calling him cute guy I guess. "What do you guys want to eat," I ask pulling a pen from my apron. I notice Mark and Elaine sitting people down.
"I want an omelette with everything. Some fried potatoes, a double order of bacon and a number," Washington says putting his menu down and smiling. Bob laughs and slaps his back.
"Sure thing," I say. I look over and do a quick calculation in my head. Numbers have always been easy for me to remember. Then write it down and circle and fold it. Then I slide it across to him. I wink and ask the rest of the guys what they want. I see Washington unfold the paper and Bob lean over to see. Then he starts wheezing from laughing. I had wrote the total and the amount of calories on the paper. The other guy has to grab it and look. A scrawny tall Mexican guy and as soon as he sees it he starts laughing and passes the paper down. The guys start giving him a hard time about not having game. I look over to see if Washington is mad, but he's smiling at me.
I put their order in and head out to the other tables. I didn't realize I was in a good mood until it got ruined. A snotty little women in an obnoxious yellow dress sneers at me when I ask her group what the wanted. She comes in on Wednesdays sometimes. She always sits in someone else's section though, but she always cast disapproving looks.
"That's a shame," she says pointing to my arms. "You would be a beautiful girl without it." I'm over this day already. So I decide to mess with her a bit. I look down and smile shyly.
"You think I'm a pretty girl," I say and grab her hand. "I have spent so much money. Operation after operation and all the hormone supplements. Thank you so much I was actually thinking of backing out of my penis removal surgery, but you just gave me the best compliment." I smile till my cheeks hurt and the lady yanks her hand away and looks at her friends and they all look disgusted. They get up and march out.
"I'm not adding five dollars for lost customers," Mark whispers from behind me. He's been running food out helping with the rush. "But that was pretty great."
"Can't help it. She comes in every other Sunday and she just pisses me off," I say heading to another table and getting their drinks. I don't have any free time to stop and chat with Bob. I'm bussing tables or filling drinks, but I keep a tally. Four scrunched up noses, three 'can we have the other waitress' and one person who talked really slow like I couldn't understand him. And at least fifteen 'we don't judge based on appearance at our church' invites. Sometime in the rush Sam must have left because his table is empty.
The church crowd finally clears and I see Bob and the military boys have moved to a table and are in a deep conversation. I clean off the counter and go to grab the coffee pot to see if anyone wants a refill.
"How much do I owe you," Mark says nervously. I set the pot down and look at him.
"Fifteen invites, three people asking for Elaine and four clearly disapproving looks. Plus the lady who I convinced I was trans," I say. Mark looks relieved.
"Ok so like fifteen bucks plus the twenty I agreed too," he says. I swing to look at him.
"Oh no. You oh me pain and suffering. I'm tired Mark. I had a long shift last night and only four hours of sleep. Even if I take off the invites I'd say you still owe me at least a hundred," I say staring at him hard, my arms crossed.
"Fine," he grits out and marches to his back office. A few minutes later I get a ping on my email saying a hundred dollars has been wired to my gaming account. I smile and pocket my phone then head over to Bob's table with the coffee pot.
"Refills," I ask. Bob shakes his head no, but the others want a refill. "Can I interest you guys in dessert?"
"I'm listening," Bob says perking up and just like that my good mood is back. I laugh at him.
"That is not and will never be on the menu," I say.
"Damn shame," he mutters. "Well boys, good luck. I hope to see you around again. It was nice talking about the glory days." Then he turns to me and asks me to follow him. It's not common, but not unusual for me to walk him to the door. "I have never seen anyone watch somebody like that Washington did you today. He's a nice chap. Talked to him a lot. He kept asking about you. I think you should give him a chance." I pull away and look at him. Then look back at the table I do see Washington looking out of the corner of his eyes. I look back at Bob. This is out of character for Bob. He knows where I stand on the whole dating thing.
"I don't do military guys," I say tonelessly.
"Leslie, I'm a military guy," he says. I look at him confused now.
"Who's Leslie," I ask. Bob freezes and looks at me. He shakes his head and smiles and he looks a thousand times older now.
"Ghosts of the past trying to haunt me I guess. Nora, I don't want to see you alone in that same shitty apartment anymore. Sam is a judgmental prick that thinks his shit don't stink. Mark is the male version of you and all the other losers I've seen you with are just that, losers. Now, this Washington is a good guy. He's a Sergeant he's getting stationed in Atlanta that's not far. You could make it work," he says in this innocent voice that I'm convinced only old people and young children can use.
"Bob I don't want a relationship, like at all. The best relationship I have is ours and that works just fine," I say sternly. He gives me a sad smile.
"I'm not going to be around forever Nora," he says. I guess he sees the hurt I try to hide because he quickly smiles. "But for you I will try darling." Then he kisses my cheek which he never does. "It's ok to be happy even if everything else is shitty," he whispers. Then he's gone. I make a mental note to check on him tonight. I notice Elaine is chatting up my military guys, but I don't care let her have them. Washington included. I'm concerned about Bob. Our friendship has always been lite and slightly inappropriate. The back of my neck prickles and I remember the night my grandma died.
She called me by a different name too. Anna, my mothers. She truly believed I was my mom and she kept apologizing for failing her and saying I was such a good girl. I was eight at the time and I just started going with it while I cried and tried to call 911 for help. She was gone before the ambulance got there. It pulled away from the house taking her away from me. No lights. No siren.
From then, I was bounced from home to home. I learned how to throw a mean right hook and how, if all else fails, if you knee someone in the groin hard enough it hurts no matter the gender. I learned you take what you want because no one will just give it to you that's for damn sure.
My grandma was the only person I loved. My mom died of a drug overdose when I was three. I don't remember her much, but my grandma took me in and raised me. She taught piano to the kids in the neighborhood. She used to be the librarian at the cities public library. I remember how she would always try to make me feel normal, but I stuck out like a sore thumb. My mom was well known around our small town. She was once the towns sweetheart. Most likely to become famous. Best smile, most talented. The list went on and on, but like my grandma always said drugs, unlike people, have no judgement they'll take the rich and pretty just as easily as the poor and homely. My moms first year of college she went to a party and fell in love with the scene. I don't know what it was she first became hooked on, but by the end it was anything she could get her hands on. I vaguely remember the day the cops came and took me to my grandma. My earliest and clearest memory was sitting on my grandmas counter and eating cookies and her saying I needed more clothes.
I didn't go and talk to Washington. I finished my shift and went back to my apartment to see an ambulance pulling away. No sirens. No lights. I knew, but I still went to his door only to see the landlord locking it up. He looked at me and sighed.
"He was a good man. Wouldn't have found him if it wasn't rent day. I went to knock and he didn't answer got a little worried, he always answers. Opened the door and he looked asleep on his couch," he says. He looks at me closely then. "By the way do you have your rent?"
I stare at him speechless for a minute and then dig the $500 out of my purse and throw it at him. I march up the stairs and quickly unlock my door. I hear Sam's door open, but I slam my door and slide the locks in place. I go and curl up in a ball on my bed. I don't cry. I lay there.
The next few days I'm on autopilot. I did my laundry and I called in to all three of my jobs. Something I never did. Then one night I hear banging on my door and groaning I roll my eyes thinking its some drunk couple trying to find their apartment. When it persist I decide to handle it. As I pass my spare room a go in and pull the axe off the wall, might as well be dramatic. I bang on my door and tell them to leave, but its like it gets more frenzied. So I unlock my door and see something that looks like Sam come charging through. He's growling and trying to claw at me.
"Sam what the fuck! I understand rejection isn't great," I say using the handle of the axe to hold him back. He doesn't hear me or ignores me. I realize he's trying to bite me and I shove him hard and he falls back, but he quickly tries getting to his feet. Out of instinct I sling the axe down and hit his chest. He keeps getting up. I don't even have time to think I killed him because he just keeps coming. I pick the axe up and sling it across his neck effectively cutting his head off. His body stops moving but his head keeps moving. I throw the axe down and look at the still open door. I run to it and lock it and look back the mess. Sam's head his still trying to find something to chomp on.
I pick the axe up and come down right on his head. It stops moving. I look at the door and look back at Sam's body. No one will believe me. This is overkill. They'll think I was some sort of psychopath. I run to the bathroom and shower quickly getting the blood off. I have seen enough crime shows to know that I need to wash the evidence away. Then I grab my suit case and duffel. I pack all the clothes I may need and all of the bathroom stuff. I keep waiting for a knock at the door. Somebody knowing that I have a body in the living room. I turn the tv on to try and calm my nerves only to get the blaring blue screen. I read it and it says to go to Atlanta for refuge. Refuge? I grab my phone and ignore the twenty missed calls and texts. I go to my google app.
I should have been watching the news. I sit on the bed hard when I see the videos. People tearing other people apart. That's what Sam was. He became sick. Then I read to see how the virus was spread and it appears its through biting and scratching. I run into the bathroom pulling my clothes off to look myself over. I'm fine. I calm down knowing that maybe I won't be going to prison for life. I read the TV again and it says to pack up what you can and go to Atlanta. So I do. I leave Sam's body there and I take my suit case and duffel crammed of clothes and some shoes and my toiletries. I stop and pick up the harness for my axe and decide to grab some bottles of water from the fridge. I don't want to stop anywhere. I make sure to get my grandmas small cross necklace from my bedside table and that's it. All the important stuff. I pick the axe up from next to Sam's body. I take a kitchen towel and wipe the blood off. Then I stick it in the harness on my back. I'm not leaving it not when it may be the only thing that can save me. Then I head out the door.
I lock it and I realize it's weirdly quiet. I creep downstairs and discover I'm the only one in the building. I pass by Bob's place. I try the handle but it's locked. I look around and figure after murder what's a b&e. So I shove hard on the door and it pops open. His stuff is still here, but I'm after one thing. I head over to his mantel and see a small photo of him in his military blues. I grab it, but then I see his shadow box that has a big knife in it. I grab that too and I leave.
I decide to stop by the diner to see if Mark is still there. The streets are empty and devoid of life. How did I manage to block this much out? I pull my axe out and head into the diner not sure what I would fine. I see Mark sitting on a stool hunched over the counter. He turns and looks at me and I see the chunk missing from his face. He tries to smile at me but it turns into a grimace.
"Elaine, I always thought she was into some freaky shit, but when she bit down on my face I drew the line," he says. He stares at me for a beat. "Tried calling you. Sorry about Bob. He was a good guy." He starts coughing and some blood gets on his hand. I don't know if its from his cheek or something else. I go to help him, but he waves me off. "It's too late for me."
It's then I notice the gun on the counter. I look at it then at him. He glances at it too.
"I'm not turning into whatever it was Elaine became," he says by way of explanation. He sighs. "I'm glad you came by though. I wanted to tell you that I love you. I didn't realize it till I was going to swallow a bullet. We would have been great together, you know?"
"It was just good sex," I say holding back my emotions. He smiles.
"It was that and more. I fucking hated Sam. I thought it was because he was all proper and shit, but it was because he kept trying to get in your panties. Say what you want to Nora, but you and I would have happened for real, eventually," he picks the gun up and looks at it. "You should have already been on your way to Atlanta. Go and be safe." He turns his back on me.
"Mark," I go to say. He holds up his hand.
"Don't! I would rather just pretend you said it back and that's all. Go to Atlanta Nora," he says. I think about just saying it back, but that would be a worse insult. So I step up behind him and kiss the back of his head. I hear him suck in a breath.
"I'm sorry," I say and I leave.
I didn't make it to Atlanta, then, just to the highway. I was gathered with a group of people as we watched them bomb the city. I had brief flash of Washington's face and I wondered if him and his buddies are the ones dropping the bombs. I shook my head. I ended up following this old guy in a falling apart RV. Now, I find myself an unwilling member of a group that some prick cop is trying to lead. Life was grand.
It's been a month since then. The group of people I was with decided that we needed a big run for all the demands of so many. On top of me and the old RV guy, Dale, there was the prick cop, Shane with his family a woman named Lori and her son Carl. Then there was Morales and his family a wife and three kids, an abusive asshole named Ed with his wife Carol and daughter Sophie. Then there were the Dixon brothers Merle and Daryl. They were more my speed. You get what you get with them. Then there was a scrawny Asian guy Glenn. We've actually been the ones doing all the runs. Him because he knew the city and me because i didnt trust anyone to get my shit right. Then there's a man named T-dog, a woman named Jacque and a man named Jim. There were two sisters Andrea and Amy. A few others, but I didn't really want to learn their names. I didn't want to know the names I did, but they just kept sticking in my mind.
I decided to go on the big run with Glenn and the others. I didn't really want to take so many. Glenn and I always went alone because it was easier. The fewer people there were the better. Plus Glenn and and I made an efficient team. Glenn had a knack for strategy and I had one for directions. I never got lost. A photographic memory of sorts.
That's how I found myself stuck on a warehouse roof with a high as hell redneck shooting his gun off in any direction. I hear the door to the rooftop open and see everyone rushing up.
"You could have tried to stop him," Morales yells at me. I cock an eyebrow.
"He's high as hell. I'm not coming between him and his gun," I say unconcerned. I lean on the ledge and study the guy in a sheriffs uniform. The one who caused all this with his stupid shooting. I watch as a scuffle ensues and Merle starts yelling about being leader. Then the cop comes up behind him and knocks him over the head and handcuffs him to a pipe on the roof. I stare at Merle and he snarls at me.
"Why don't you come and give me a lap dance sweet cheeks," he says smiling. I snort.
"I'm going downstairs to see what I can get. I don't want to be a part of this train wreck," I say. I push off from the ledge and walk to the door pulling my axe from its holster.
"It's not safe by yourself," the sheriff says. I look him up and down.
"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. And I have this," I say holding my axe up slightly. Then I head down the stairs.
"Wait, Nora, he's right," Glenn says. I just wave my hand at them and I hear Merle laughing. Probably because he would be doing exactly what I'm doing if he could. I was going to find a way out for me. Screw everyone else. It's their own damn fault for thinking it would be easy because Glenn and I made it look that way. The only thing I couldn't figure out is how to get my stuff back from camp without a scene. I did feel bad for Glenn. He was an honest to god good guy, but he could have put his foot down when Shane mentioned bringing more people along.
When I reach the main lobby I see a horde of geeks banging at the doors. I look around and find a nice leather jacket I grab it and stuff it in my near empty duffel. I don't know how I missed it before. The last time Glenn and I hit the store up, it was simply a trial run to see if we could get in, well I ran across these really great biker boots. They were better than my tennis shoes and my dressy boots I packed. We decided this place would be good to get some quality clothes that would last. Now look where that got us.
I went around and grabbed a few pairs of sturdy jeans all the while looking at any sign of a clear exit. I grabbed some extra laces for the boots and then I seen it. A gap in the geeks. I could make it, but it would leave the doors open and the rest would be killed. I head towards it and then I hear footsteps coming down the steps. I turn to see who it is and see Glenn, Jacque, Morales, Andrea and Sheriff man running down. I turn back and see my gap gone. Damn it.
"We're going to see if there's a way to get out through the sewers," Glenn calls excitedly. I reluctantly follow, not seeing another way out. I stand towards the back of the group. The sheriff gets Glenn to speak his mind which I give him kudos for, but he's still a cop and an idiot. Andrea gets offended Glenn didn't want her to go. I snort and she glares at me.
"What is your problem," she says.
"Nothing. I just don't like you. You really going to get mad cause Glenn doesn't want you to go down there with him? You don't even know how to work that thing," I say pointing to the gun she's holding awkwardly in her hand. She lifts it up to point at me.
"I can work it just fine, thanks," she says. I smile.
"Pull the trigger," I say. She looks at me like I'm crazy.
"Not the time ladies," Sheriff says.
"Yes sir," I say saluting just to be an ass. Morales rolls his eyes.
"Ignore her," he says. While we're waiting in the lobby for Glenn and Morales to come from the basement, I hear the sheriff, who I finally found out is named Rick, tell Andrea about the safety.
"Shouldn't have told her," I say while stuffing some shirts in my bag. "Let her continue to look like an ass." Rick looks at me and Andrea glares at me. Then she starts looking at the necklaces and asking if he thought it would be looting if she took it. Rick looks at me and I raise my eyebrows maintaining eye contact as I stuff another shirt in my bag slowly.
"Doesn't seem to stop anyone else. I'd say go ahead," Rick says. I roll my eyes and look around. There's really nothing that I need here. I just need to keep my hands busy. So far I've put two brown leather jackets in my bag, one padded and one not. Multiple shirts, four pairs of jeans and five tough shoelaces. My bag was full so I found a big military style rucksack and put my bag in that. I added a few more jeans and a sleeping bag to it. I didn't have anything when I made it to camp besides clothes and personal hygiene stuff. Dale gave me his old tent and someone had an extra blanket. After a couple of runs I had gotten my own tent, a pillow and more than a few sleeping bags and blankets. I had a nice little nest going on in my tent.
Glenn and Morales made it back and told us the sewers were a no go. We head back to the roof and Merle is still there handcuffed to the pipe. T-dog is trying to reach camp on the walkie.
"Didn't find a way out sweetheart," he says to me. I flip him off and head back over to the ledge of the roof. Rick comes up with a plan to smear geek blood all over and run to the construction site and steal a couple trucks. I'm actually interested so I follow along with this plan.
When we get two geeks inside no one wants to do the dirty work so I pull my axe out and go to take a swing, but Rick stops me and pulls out the guys wallet. He reads off his name and makes a speech about how he will tell his family about this guy saving his life. I look at him to see if he's done than swing my axe down and cut open the belly and ribs. Everyone grimaces, but I just keep hacking at the body.
"How can you do that," Andrea asks. I shrug.
"Easy I just pretend it's the Wednesday feel-up guy," I say. I stop when I realize everyone is looking at me waiting for explanation. I sigh. "Every Wednesday night I had this creep sit in my section. He left pretty decent tips so I never got him thrown out. Anyway, he always ignored the no touching rule. I learned how to expect them and dodge them. Than one night he followed me out to my car. I was tired and couldn't really fight him off properly, luckily the bouncer was paying attention and he got him off me. He was banned from the club after that. Lost my good tip though," I say.
"So you were a stripper," Andrea says in a superior voice.
"That and a million other things," I say unashamed. I never have been. You do what you have to to survive. We spread the blood and guts all over Rick and Glenn and they go outside. Everybody else runs to the roof, but I take my time. I grab a plastic tarp and wipe my blade off. I put my axe back in its harness and then sling my bag over my shoulders. I head up to the roof and lean by the door. I was going to be the first one out if this plan didn't work.
We hear over the radio to meet them by the loading dock and I run down the stairs leaving everyone in my dust. When Rick pulls up Morales and I pull the chain to open the door. T-dog comes running in begging us not to leave him. I look behind him and notice that Merle isn't behind him. I jump into the back of the van and don't relax till we're driving away. We all look at T-dog.
"I dropped the damn key," he says. Theres a hush that falls over the group.
"Where's Glenn," Andrea asks. That's when we hear the car alarm and see the red car zooming past.
"Lucky little shit," I mutter. Morales cracks a smile, but tries to hide it. We drive in relative silence. I pretend to fall asleep so I won't have to participate in any conversations that may arise. I hear Morales telling Rick no one would be mad about Merle, except for Daryl. I almost smile at what will await Rick when he gets there. I feel someone staring at me, but I continue to pretend to be asleep.
"I can't believe she was a stripper," I hear Andrea whisper. "She walks around like she's all high and mighty and she danced on a pole for a living."
"I disagree," I hear Jacque's quiet voice say. "She walks around knowing who she is. I was intimidated immediately and I'm not a self conscious person."
"Are you serious," Andrea says shocked.
"Yes. The minute I seen her step out of that car. She was alone with strangers, but she didn't cower or lower her gaze. The first time Merle tried his crap on her she calmly pulled the axe out and just held it. He backed away and she put it back. I've often wanted to talk to her about what her life was like before. A stripper makes sense. Most men don't want someone's who's shy in that type of environment. Also, it explains how she knew how to handle Merle when he got handsy with her."
"Can we stop talking about her like she's not right there. It's rude," T-dog says. I feel thankful for that and I actually do slip into a nap.
When we arrive back at camp I jolt awake. I'm a bit embarrassed about falling asleep and hope I didn't snore or anything. I stand up and jump out of the van. Morales gets engulfed by his family. Amy runs to Andrea hugging her tight and everyone greets T-dog and Jacque. I slip by and try to head to my tent.
"Good to have you back Nora," Dale calls over everyone's head. I look at him and wave my hand. I try to go back to sneaking off to my tent when I hear a loud 'dad' being yelled. I look and see Rick being hugged by Carl and Lori. I raise my eyebrow surprised. I look at Shane and realize Lori and Carl weren't his family after all.
Everyone is on a high that night. I sat at the campfire listening to Rick and I look between him and Shane and know something big is going to happen. I already feel the power shift.
I do the only thing I can do. I sit back and watch and wait.
Authors note: I realize this may be a crap beginning, but I have some great stuff planned Mark was going to be a mix of Bob and a creepy boss. Nora was literally going to have no one, but Bob popped up at the diner and decided to stay for a bit. The tattoo on her forearm translates to blessed are the warriors, at least according to google. I had to go back and add Marks death I think he deserved it and I didn't want anyone thinking he was going to be appearing later in the story. There was another character that appeared that wasn't supposed to until later, but oh well. I like how Nora assigns names to people. This character is going to be different than my others and in saying that I'm going to make mistakes. Hope you guys warm up to this story. Now I'm off to write some more on Joslyn. Nora was really throwing some attitude my way and it was leaking into everything else I tried to write. Also I hope no one took offense to the trans comment in the chapter. It was not attended to offend anyone but the judgy customer. I read some stories about the craziest things people have heard others say about their tattoos and decided to put some of that prejudice into it. Oh and what do you think of the axe! I was pretty excited. I'm confused about what to name this. So here are my options leave a review about the one you like or a completely different one. If someone comes up with a name I love and end up using you can ask me any question about any of my stories and I'll answer.
Blessed are the Warriors (the name I'm putting at least for now)
Suddenly Family
Fairy Wings and Walkers Gore (uh not impressed but it kept popping up)
Stripping the layers of Nora (or some variation of that Stripping Nora? To tacky?)
