Okay guys, this is my first fanfic ever, so please be gentle with me ;n;
Rated M for scenes later in the story.
This will become NickxEllis eventually~
UPDATE: Reedited some things to make it flow easier..Not much of a change
Also, should I continue on?

Chapter one: Nightmare

' Intense breathing laced with the heated shouts from the persistent infected.
So much shit was going on all at once, you'd start to not give a damn about anything around you just as long as things settled down and you lived -or so Nick had imagined at the given time.
It was a hypocritical thought, though. He still harbored feelings for the others safety and general well being, even if he'd never admit it.

Just when things had started to clear, there was a sudden cry of pain that rang above all.
" Dammit, dammit..! " Mindless cursing escaped harshly through gritted teeth as Nick moved towards the cries.

" Boome- Oh, Christ! "
Ellis had been thrown up on, and now shit was about to get even crazier.
Bullets proceeded to fly wildly, taking no aim, but only in hopes to kill off the cumbersome attackers.

" Nick, you go help the boy; we'll take care of these guys and then come to help you! " Coach yelled, popping one of the zombie's head off with a keen accuracy.
Even before, Coach and Rochelle had been having their own times trying to hold back the infected.

Pushing and fighting through the intense horde proved a tedious and difficult task, but he managed.
However, Nick could have sworn his own heart had stopped once the crying Ellis became quiet under the swarming mass of infected.
In that instant, whether his own right mind was still here or even if his will refused it, he pulled out the adrenaline shot he was saving for when his own ass was about to die.
He disregarded those primary intentions,
uncapping that lid then sticking himself with the needle before that extra adrenaline was put to good use.

Those continuous moans from the infected and melee soon started to fade.
Pupils dilated as he felt that tremendous force overcome his entire being.
His own breathing soon became the only thing audible, as if he were the one who had became distant.
Pain that had once been so profuse and troublesome started to numb away, leaving him to gain more focus on the situation.

Tunnel vision ensued and then Nick came to realize that the infected were starting to swarm him as well.
With quick motion of his axe, he knocked back a few undead;
then came a nasty crack as blood splattered against himself and the ground beneath.

Everything slowed down tremendously, but in reality he was slaying zombies left to right in a blinks worth of time.
From a far distance, Rochelle managed to end the Boomer's reign with a couple of bullets from her pistols.
Luckily for Nick, Coach and Rochelle soon made it closer to where they were and were able to lend a hand.

After what seemed like an endless bombardment of infected, the situation came down to a sudden halt.

Even though their surroundings went calm, there was still one major problem.

___________

A shallow, but shaky breath escaped; murmured.
Ellis' surroundings started to grow dim and blurred.

He was bleeding to death.

Those infected had done quite the number on him. And now he lain here, scared for himself, but also for the others whom he had no where abouts of.
There was a sudden shaking sensation and a distant voice -or voices rather.
It slowly occurred to him that everyone was kneeling down beside him and that they all sounded concerned.

" It's okay, sweetie, things will be alright.. "
" Dammit, Rochelle, we don't have anything to help him! "
" Quiet! The boys right here y'know "

Their talking was heard vaguely, but indeed Ellis could still understand, although muddled.

" Y'all guys don' have to worry 'bout me..
I just got a few cuts 'n bruises is all, "
What was meant to provide comfort only worried the others further more.

Ellis cringed softly.

Things were starting to fade faster and noises were growing more and more distant.

" Nick..We can't stay here much longer.."
" I know that. "
Nick's voice was bitter; probably from not being able to do a damn thing.

" …Ah'm sorry y'all..I..It looks like I won' make it to the end with ya.... "
Ellis' voice was barely audible.
He couldn't help, but to give a weak smile, even if his own situation was grim.
Everything had become hazed to the point where details were no avail.

The last thing he saw was Nick's worrisome face.

Nick, concerned.

Those once vivid blue eyes dulled and finally rested.

All three grew quiet.

They knew Ellis had passed on once he faded into oblivion.

_________

The adrenaline had worn off sometime ago, but his heart still pounded so fiercely at the undeniable sight.
" Nick, get up. We gotta get goin', " Coach murmured, standing up just as Rochelle had done. " ... " Such words raptured; meaninglessly.

" Nick. " '

" Nick.
Nick! "

The man jolted as Rochelle nudged him roughly.
He looked around bewilderedly as he comprehended what had just happened.
" Where's Ellis? " Nick sounded almost frantic, but in a hushed tone.
He was pale and clammy.
" He's right there, " She pointed to the soundly sleeping southerner, who sat kicked back on a chair with his hat tipped down.
" You were having a nightmare, " Rochelle stated as she sat back down on her own chair.

" A nightmare, " Nick chimed softly as he leaned back against the wall to catch his breath.
The dream had shaken him up quite a bit, and soon enough he found himself wondering why the dream was focused on Ellis -of all the four.

Rochelle watched from the distance, taking a moment to think. " You gonna be alright? " Her words were soft, although she knew their situation was far from it.
" Yeah, " Nick nodded.

A soft sigh escaped chapped lips.
He then dug into his suit pocket, pulling out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes.
Anxious fingers pulled out a few.
After a dream like that, he'd need the smoke to relax him. " Ro, you can sleep now.. I don't think I'll be getting much tonight. "

Rochelle was about to scold him on how sleep was vital, but resisted once she gave it a second thought.
She of all knew when it wasn't best to pry, and this was definitely a bad time.

Soon enough, everyone, but him were sound asleep and the only thing that could be heard was the soft breathing and the very distant sounds of infected outside of the safe house.

Nick put a cigarette to his lips, letting it hang in that lazy chic fashion. Flint grinded against metal and small sparks flew in attempt to gain an ill flame.
After a few failed attempts, a small flame flickered lively, and he lit the tip of the cigarette.
He inhaled slowly and deeply, then exhaled.
His mind relished in the sweet intoxication, but still lingered dreadfully on that dream of his.
He remembered how hurt Ellis had looked and how he was so helpless.
He also remembered those pained cries as the infected drew Ellis into an infinite black abyss.
His hand mindlessly brushed over his arm where the adrenaline shot had been administered.

Nick's brows furrowed as he tried to shake off such nasty thoughts.
What made it even worse for him was that the dream was so vivid, almost tangible.
All of his emotions furled together, making it harder for him to comprehend his own thoughts.

All of it was just a goddamn bloody mess.

Nick tossed the cigarette butt before going through another cigarette and then the last; hopefully the last, he thought.

Deep down inside, he hoped none of it would come true, that he wouldn't have to witness an actual thing like that.
Not just for Ellis, but for the rest as well.

Day would break soon. He was sure of it, and when that happened they would have to prep for even more killing and greater risks.

This made him uneasy, but they'd make it, somehow.