We do not own anything TWD related in any way because we are not Gimble or Kirkman…Dang it!
This is a collaborative Fanfic with the amazingly talented Oreganofox. It was inspired by the following lyrics provided by Organofox:
"Thinkin' 'bout the first time I saw you baby, ha yeah The song is Johnny Guitar Watson- I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby
We fell in love so fast
Anyone could tell
This kind o' love has gotta last, last"
It is an AU Richonne fic where they meet under different and hostile circumstances and how they learn to rely on each other to survive. They will start as enemies that join together because of common interests, but then form a true bond that will lead to so much more….
Hope you Enjoy
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The change….
A blue BMW pulled up to the middle school entrance. The school is located in the city of Atlanta. A ten years old girl stared out the passenger side window and glared at all the other children entering at the sound of the bell. The young girl with beautiful dark brown skin, beautiful brown expressive eyes and shoulder length braids took a deep breath, unhooked her seatbelt and grabbed the car handle readying to exit.
"Mich…I know it's hard." Said the lady in the driver's seat. The lady looked like an older version of the girl. "I know it was exciting to travel with your dad wherever the military took him. It was exciting for me too, but your father wants stability for us and he thought that we should try to live here…In Atlanta for a little while."
"Mom… I miss him. When will we see him again?" Asked the young girl as she looked down and tried to keep a tear from falling from her eye.
"Mich… He's work is really important. They need him in Washington right now…But you can call him when you come from school… Oh and Michonne…" Her mother gently touched her chin pulling her face up and then towards her so their eyes can meet. "I picked up this flyer yesterday when I went grocery shopping. There is a martial arts school not too far from home, so you can continue your practice. I know you are pretty advanced, but it's good to meet other people and kids your age that are into the same…maybe?"
Michonne nodded and shrugged her shoulders, uncertain about meeting new people since she wasn't the typical social butterfly her mother wanted her to be. She reluctantly agreed to take the class to spare her mother of any added stress. She kissed her mother on the cheek.
"I love you mom" She smiled at her.
"I love you too sweetheart. Everything's gonna be alright" She opened the door and came out of the passenger side door. She walked towards the entrance of the school, turned and waved as her mother drove away.
She turned and walked towards the entrance of the school.
Michonne walked into the school and towards a classroom. She removed her backpack and took out a folded piece of paper from a side pocket. She unfolded the paper and saw that the number on the door matched the number on the paper. She walked in and looked for a vacant chair, which were few. Seconds later, after finding a seat and desk and sitting down, entered the teacher with a leather briefcase and a huge warm smile. The teacher was a tall, thin young, attractive Caucasian man.
"Morning class…Welcome to a new year and hopefully it is one filled with excitement and lots of learning. My name is Mr. Blake and I will be your homeroom teacher for the year.
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One hour later the police and other unfamiliar personnel ran inside the school alerting the teachers that they needed to get the children in school buses and out of the school as soon as possible. Mr. Blake was approached by the principal who urged him to leave as quickly as he could.
"But Mr. Cole, what is going on?" Asked Mr. Blake as he looked over at the children in his class.
"Just do what was told Mr. Blake. Get these children to the buses waiting outside!" Shouted Mr. Cole as he ran to the next classroom.
Mr. Blake looked at the class, ordered everyone to gather their stuff as he walked to his desk and put his items in his briefcase. His hands were shaking and it took him longer to put his things in his briefcase as items were falling out of his shaken grip. Mr. Blake took out his cell phone, but was stopped before attempting to make a call as he noticed that his phone had no signal. Michonne noticed his unsettling behavior and checked her own phone to discover the same dilemma occurring.
"Every…Everybody, please get your stuff and…And follow me." Stammered Mr. Blake as he walked out the classroom into a crowded and loud hallway. His class followed him as he walked out of the school and escorted the children into the first school bus parked and waiting outside. Michonne was at the door of the bus looking around as the other children entered quickly as instructed.
"Mr. Blake, I don't ride the bus. My mother is supposed to pick me up." Insisted a confused Michonne.
"I understand that…. Something is happening and they have instructed us to get in the…"
"Bang!...Bang!" Suddenly there were uniformed police shooting what appeared to be people, but they looked to be growling and walked in a clumsy manner. Despite their appearance, they began to outnumber the officers as they jumped on them and commenced to bite at their flesh. Mr. Blake and Michonne could not believe their eyes.
"I need to find my mother!" Michonne attempted to run away but the teacher grabbed her arm.
"No! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" She tried to pull herself away from him but he kept a tight grip on her arm.
"Let go of me!" She shouted, trying to fight him off.
Mr. Blake pulled the girl into the bus and ordered the driver to close the door and turn on the engine.
"Let me out of here!" She screamed, banging on the door multiple times.
Once inside they saw how the strange looking people began to go after the remaining school community before they were able to enter the other buses. The driver in the first bus, inhabited by Mr. Blake, Michonne and the rest of their class made a quick unauthorized decision to leave the scene. The driver pressed down on the gas and drove off. Mr. Blake and the children ran to the back of the bus and saw the horrendous scene unfold before their eyes.
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Later that afternoon…
A thirteen year old Caucasian boy, with dark brown curls and piercing blue eyes parked his bike on his porch and entered his home. He lived in a small town called King's County with his parents and younger brother Brett. He opened the front door and called out to his mother.
"Hey mom, I'm home and starving…" The boy is abruptly silent when he saw his father in his officer uniform holding his mother as they watch the news with worried looks on their faces. "What's…What's wrong?" Asked the boy.
"Son, something happened and people are going crazy. I want you to go upstairs and pack up some stuff…. Oh, and try to help you little brother if you can. Your mom will be upstairs soon. I'm going to get the car ready." Said the father as he was about to leave to the garage.
"But…What happened?" Asked the boy as he continued to stand in the living room.
The father walked up to the boy and placed a gentle right hand on his shoulder. "Rick…I don't have any answers at the moment and I really wish I did, but what I do know is that I need you to get your things…We have to go!"
The father walked out of the living room in haste. Rick looked over at the television and saw the pandemonium and could not believe what he was seeing or hearing. "People eating people?" He thought to himself. Rick looked around to see what he could take. He ran upstairs and emptied his backpack on his bed and proceeded to fill it with clothing and other items he's used when he would go camping with his father and brother.
"Rick!" His mother called out.
Rick went to check what was going on. He ran towards her room. "Mom, what is it?"
"Grab that bag for me please and take it to the car I can't carry all of these on my own." Rick nodded and did as he was asked. He saw his mother carrying and struggling with four sleeping bags. Rick insisted on taking two of the sleeping bags from her. The mother went on her way to the car; Rick swung one of the bags over his shoulder when it hit a picture frame on the nightstand sending it crashing on the floor. Rick put down the bags, knelt down to get the picture frame. It was a family portrait of him, his parents and brother during happier times. He removed the picture from the broken frame and placed it in his jacket pocket. He stood up, laid the broken frame on the corner of the night stand when he noticed on the floor something grey sticking out from under it. When he knelt down again to see what it was, he came across a thick gray rectangular box with no markings on it. Opening the box he saw multiple golden bullets and a silver colt revolver. He ran to his room and snuck them into his backpack.
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16 years later….
The world had gone through a significant transformation. The dead walked the earth and tried to consume the living, governments fell, the human population diminished and law was more a personal belief than a universally established rule. People tried to survive the best they could. During the early years of the apocalypse it was apparent that people lasted longer if they were in groups. Groups became clans and eventually their talents, strengths or crafts distinguished them from the rest. Survivors began to settle into their fitted groups at different locations and it was understood that unless you were an accepted member of a particular group, you didn't step foot into foreign territory or that meant war.
There were groups that were known for their fighting abilities, but there were others identified for other contributions and would stay away as much as they could. A particular group was known as the Farmers. They were mostly people who escaped from the early mayhem. They originally came from little towns and used their farming and harvesting abilities to survive. They had a few members that were skilled with weapons, but for the most part, were meek and very lucky that other groups did not view them as a threat nor did they want what they had. That was all about to change.
Rick walked up to his front door. He was covered in dirt and sweat due to the long day in the fields planting new crops and extracting everything that was ready to be harvested for the upcoming winter season. Sixteen years ago, Rick's family and a few of their friends and neighbors found a settlement far away from the cities, it was very early, when all the changes started happening. Finding the settlement to be safe and the soil healthy for farming, they stayed there and started a community. Later, other similar survivors came along, joined and did the same. Rick grew up and later married one of his childhood friends, Lori.
He reached for the door knob but suddenly stopped and looked around. There was something that caught his attention. There was a unique symbol carved deeply into the wall with a dark diagonal smear running through it. At the bottom of the wall were five separate finger prints on the floor with a large splatter mark a couple of inches above it. Directly above the symbol there was another sharp line going straight across; like if a sharp object scrapped the wall. He could not decipher what it could be, but there was something stirring the otherwise cool evening air. He turned from where he stood to get a better look.
"Dad!" It was Carl. His eight years old son was looking through the window. The boy ran towards the door and opened it to greet his father with something in his hand. The child's enthusiasm and words took Rick outside of his recent thoughts and forming concerns.
"Hey Carl!… How was school today?" Asked Rick. The boy extended his arms to show him something he held in his grasp. It was a carving made out of wood. It was what appeared to be a carving of an eagle.
"Dad, look what Mr. Jenkins did today in art class. He said I could have it since I like animals so much." Said the boy as his father took the craft and inspected it with a smile and a nod.
"Enough talk you two. Go wash your hands and get ready for supper." Said a thin lady with a dish towel over her shoulder as she walked up to Rick and Carl. She was Lori. Rick's wife and Carl's mother.
The boy complied with his mother's request. Lori was about to walk away when Rick gently grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her towards him for a hug.
"Did you get enough?" Asked Lori as she looked into Rick's bright blue eyes.
"I figure we have enough for the coming winter. We are truly lucky to have found this community located on such good soil." Added Rick. He then took a deep breath and appeared to be pensive.
"Something wrong?" Lori inquired.
"It's just that… I know we haven't ventured further beyond the river's end, but I still believe there must be survivors out there. It has been quiet and tranquil for the most part… Since our parents found this place… But I had been speaking with Shane and Raul and feel that we should be cautious." Shared Rick.
"Cautious?… Did… Did you see something or heard something?" Asked a concern Lori.
"No…It's just… I felt."
"Knock…Knock."
Lori went to open the door to find Shane standing there with two bottles of wine.
"Hey guys, look what I found." Said Shane as he held the bottles high.
"Where did you get them?" Asked Lori.
"Well, Raul, Mack and I went on an overnight run to see if we can get some more needed supplies and found these and five others under some floor boards." Said Shane.
"Well, we were getting ready for dinner and this would go fine." Stated Lori as she accepted the gifts and asked Shane to enter.
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The night was dark, cool and quiet. Walls were erected and perimeter watch were the norm, but since nothing had ever happened since the beginning of the Zombie Apocalypse, even the guards were not concerned and the one on night watch was asleep.
It was 2:30 AM and Mack, a middle aged Caucasian male, was sleeping at his post near the gate. Nothing could be heard but his snoring. His snoring had become so loud that it abruptly woke him. He opened his eyes and shook his head and wiped the drool from the right side of his mouth. He stayed in his seated position and closed his eyes once again and crossed his arms to resume his slumber.
"Wake up." A whisper opened his eyes. He looked side to side, but didn't see anyone. He reached for his shotgun that he placed on the floor next to his chair, but it was gone. He heard the sound of leaves crunching towards his far left. When he looked towards that direction he could see a figure in the night.
"Who's…Who's there?" Stammered Mack. He swallowed hard and felt the hair standing on his arms and the back of his neck. Mack narrowed his eyes trying to get a better view, but the darkness would not allow. A chill went down his spine as he stood and turned to go the opposite direction of the figure.
"Swoosh!" An arrow to the back of the head stopped Mack before he could go any further.
Roger, another guard was coming to relieve Mack. "Hey, I brought coffee didn't know if you'd like some…" Roger stopped in his tracks when he saw Mack faced down in a pool of blood. "What the hell?!" Roger turned to run, but was stopped when a hooded figure dressed in black was face to face with him. Roger's eyes widened, he tried to scream but the blood that filled his mouth prevented any sounds. Roger looked down to his abdomen and saw a blade going through. Roger's cups of coffee feel to the ground. He reached for his gun, but could only shoot to the ground as the blade was twisted and pulled out with force. Once the blade was out of his body, the dark figure turned and kicked the dying man to the ground and vanished in the night. Roger looked over towards the walls and saw more similar figures jumping over the walls. Roger mustered all the strength he could, pointed his gun up towards the sky and unloaded his weapon as a signal.
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Rick laid in bed as he held Lori in his arms. The silence of the night was also found in their home.
"Knock!…Knock!…Knock!"
Rick jumped up from bed due to the unexpected and unwelcome knocking at his door. Rick ran to the door and was met once again with Shane, but this time he was not bringing gifts nor was he smiling. Shane was at the doorway with a gash on his head and blood and lacerations on his upper body.
"Brother… We are under attack!" Shouted Shane as he gasped for air.
"What?!" Asked a confused Rick. But suddenly all was clear as he looked beyond Shane to see the homes that they constructed up in flames and people they knew running for their lives.
"Get Lori and Carl and go!" Yelled Shane.
"BAM!" The home next to Rick's blew up. Rick and Shane fell to the ground due to the impact. Lori ran towards Rick holding on to a freighted and crying Carl.
"Rick! What is happening?" Yelled Lori as she looked on to the horrors outside her doors with wide eyes.
Rick turned to his family. "Lori, take Carl and go to the barn. I will be right behind you." Lori did not want to run without Rick, but she knew that he needed to help Shane who was to weakened to run on his own. Lori took Carl and ran.
Lori and Carl were quiet and quick. They tried their best not to bring unwanted attention towards them from the invaders. Lori tried to hold back the tears as she heard the blasts of dynamite and the screams of people she knew and loved, who were part of her community. Once at the barn, they slowly opened the door and entered. They needed to hide quickly when they heard footsteps behind them approaching. Lori did not know if it was Rick and Shane but she did not want to take the chance with Carl and decided to hide behind hay and some firewood.
The footsteps were quick and almost quiet. The person appeared to check the barn. Lori and Carl crouch down and covered their mouths as tears came down their cheeks. The footsteps became more profound as they got closer to where Lori and Carl were hiding. Lori looked around for an exit or a weapon, but could not find either. She heard the footsteps get closer and before she could form a plan the owner of the dreadful sounds was right in front of them. The person was dressed in dark clothing, wore a hooded poncho, dark pants and boots and an unsheathe sword in the right hand. When the assailant lifted their head up Lori and Carl were frightened by the creepy distinct mask the person wore. The eyes and teeth were slightly big and covered with different markings and blood stains. Lori feared for both their lives, seeing their reflections on the sword as the person raised it higher, preparing to make the first cut. Lori held on tightly to Carl as the boy did the same and wept.
"Mommy….I love you." Cried Carl.
"I love you too… Sweetheart." Added Lori.
Suddenly, the hooded person lowered the sword but did not speak. The person simply looked and slightly tilted its head while looking at the display between the mother and child.
"Please…don't…" Lori pleaded. The hooded person turned its head when the sounds of someone else's footsteps approached.
The hooded person turned once again towards Lori and Carl and placed its finger close to its own face as to indicate not to make a sound. The hood and mask would not allow for Lori to see the hooded stranger's face or features.
Lori nodded at the stranger. The hooded stranger left the barn and met the approaching person outside.
"Is there anybody in there?… He doesn't want any survivors." Declared a deep male voice.
"No… Nothing is in there. Let's go." Replied a female voice.
The two strange people finished their quick discussion and left.
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Rick was holding on to Shane as they walked passed Shane's house towards the barn to meet up with Lori and Carl.
"Rick… Wait." Said Shane.
"Wait?…Brother, we have to go!" Insisted Rick.
"We…Need….We need weapons. I have some in my house." Shane tried to use the little energy he had left to pull Rick towards his home and get what he had, so they can defend themselves. As much as Rick just wanted to run towards his family, he knew Shane was right. "But then Rick remembered that he also had a useful weapon in his own home.
"Listen brother, let's go back to my house…"
"Nah man!... I need to get to my house… You don't understand… I need to get something." Interrupted an insisting Shane.
"Shane… We don't have much time. I need to get to my family."
"Rick you don't understand." Shane looked into Rick's confused eyes. He then rubbed his head, looked away into the distance and guilt began to cover his face. " We took something we shouldn't have… Mack and me…"
"What do you mean?... What did you do?" Probed Rick in a frantic tone."
"BOOM!"
More homes continued to blow up. Rick knew he had no time to argue at the moment.
They walked as fast as they could towards Shane's house. Shane told Rick where he had his weapons and Rick placed Shane on his porch. She was in no condition to keep walking around. Rick needed to get the weapons and then help his friend get to the barn.
Rick ran to Shane's bedroom and retrieved two handguns and a shotgun. He was walking out when he met up with two figures in the dark. One of the figures quickly threw a knife and cut Rick on the upper right shoulder. Rick instinctively aimed one of his guns and proceeded to shoot getting the person in the chest and head. The other figure was quicker and more cunning. The figure used the shadows to conceal their whereabouts. Rick tried to hide in the shadows as well, but not to strike, to defend himself and get out of the house and to his waiting friend.
Rick knew the layout of Shane's home since he helped him build it and they were close friends. He knew where things were, even in the dark. Rick walked slowly and quietly as he tried to reach a desk that had a flask light. Once Rick reached the desk, opened the drawer and retrieved the flashlight he heard footsteps behind him. He turned with the shotgun and saw metal coming his way. Rick was able to block it with the shotgun, but noticed that the weapon was severely damaged by the impact and the flashlight along with a handgun was knocked out of his grasp. Rick grabbed a small chair next to the desk and flung it towards the figure that was still in the darkness. Rick backed up towards the window, picked up one of the handguns, and pointed it towards the pursuing figure. By then, Rick was able to make out that the person wore a hood and mask to conceal their identity. The hooded figure held what appeared to be a katana in her right hand and her stance looked like she was ready to pounce.
"BOOM!...CRUSH!"
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The daylight peaked through a small opening. Rick opened his eyes to see the sun but also felt heavy objects on him. Rick pushed with all his might, all that was upon his body and slowly stood up. Rick found himself among rubble, which was once Shane's home. Rick had bruises and splinters on his forehead and arms but was mostly fine. He dug his way out towards the light and found that the community was quiet except for roaming walkers. There were walkers who were unknown and sadly, there were also people that he knew too well. The homes were all destroyed and what laid in ruins was covered in smoke. Rick called out for his family and friend, but there were no responses. Rick ran as fast as his bruised body would allow and reached the barn, but to continue his disappointment. His wife and child were also gone. Rick could not contain his sadness as it erupted in a bitter cry filled with uncontrollable tears as he laid broken on the ground.
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An hour had past and Rick looked around trying to gather what he could as weapons. He wanted to look for his family, but he did not know where to start. Worst, he did not know who attacked them and why. Rick remembered the weapons he found at Shane's house. He still had one handgun, but he was going to check the shotgun and see if it was completely destroyed and if it was, take the ammo and use it with another weapon. Once back in the wreckage he found the shotgun, but he was right the first time. It was damaged beyond repair.
Rick heard a noise. He quickly grabbed his revolver and pointed it towards the sound. He walked up towards it and saw that someone was trapped under some debris but still alive. Rick was filled with so much anger. He thought about his family, friends and community. He wanted the person that laid on the ground to pay with their life for all that happened. Rick wanted to see the face of the person who will pay for everything. Rick removed the piece of sheetrock that covered the person and saw the creepy masked figure. Rick looked around, found a huge piece of cement and held it in his right hand.
Rick stood over the figure, threw the piece of debris to the side and raised the huge piece of cement as he held it with both hands.
"Ahhhhh!" He heard, what sounded like a female voice. He glanced over, removed the covering mask to find a beautiful young woman, with dark brown skin and dreadlocks lying on the floor unconscious. Rick tilted his head, slowly lowered the piece of cement. Rick was in complete awe that he didn't notice when the piece of cement fell out of his grip.
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Yeah, a unique twist, but it will be an interesting ride and it is very much a Richonne fic.
What do you think?
Thanks for reading!