Inferno

Rated: T

Disclaimer: I do not own FTWD, TWD, or any other characters from different fandoms. I do own my OC's.

Chapter One: Discovery

I waited in the locker room for Lucco to swing by and get me before my match started. I looked at my taped up knuckles and sighed. Tonight was going to be an easy night. Apparently I was going against one of Rodman's newcomers tonight. Newcomers were always easy to defeat, mainly because they didn't know what the hell they were doing. Plus I would get $500 if I win and an extra $300 if I KO'ed her within the first five minutes. I took out the cross necklace my mother had gotten me before she passed away and kissed it, throwing up a prayer for good luck. I heard the door creak open and saw Lucco's face.

"Come on kid, it's time." he stated with his gruff voice as I nodded and got myself up.

I pulled my hoodie up as I walked out the door. Me and Lucco began walking down the familiar corridor that led to the fighting space. I heard the noisy crowd get louder as we made our way out into the open, and numerous cheers, hollars, catcalls, and insults were being shouted at me. Lucco patted my back, he always did before I went to a match. It meant stay focused. Don't get distracted. Winning comes from the heart, not from the mind. And most of all, he was proud of me. I saw my opponent waiting in the makeshift arena. She was skinny, and not toned at all. She looked more like a model than a fighter. I started to wonder if this was another one of Rodman's initiation schemes for his girlfriends he always did. He was such a cruel man, and him being a politician didn't help his case either. In Los Angeles, he was the squeaky clean assistant mayor with a beautiful wife and great kids. In the underground, he was a ruthless drug lord who slept with so many women I'm surprised he's clean (or so he says). I remember he tried to get me to go on a 'date' with him and Lucco had to set him straight.

The ref checked me and made sure I didn't have any weapons. I entered the makeshift ring and heard the ref announce us quickly. I went by Hernandez in the ring, despite my appearance. It was in honor of my mother's maiden name. The ref explained the rules quickly, and soon the bell rang. I decided to feel this opponent out. She came right up to me and started throwing some loose, and very lousy, punches. I dodged them quickly and tackled her to the ground. She left herself wide open and I started throwing blows to the head, as I wrapped my legs around her fighting for control. She tried hard to get me off, but I was stronger. Once I knew she was done for good, I managed to get her in an arm bar and pull as hard as I could I heard her scream. She began tapping out wildly saying she quit. She quit for good. It wasn't until the ref pulled me off of her and raised my hand, I was declared the winner. I saw Lucco grin and give me a thumbs up. I saw Rodman's ugly face call for a rematch and his girl was left clutching her arm in pain. I walked over to the girl and she looked up at me in anger.

"If I were you I would leave Rodman. He's a piece of shit anyways." I told her before turning my heel and walking away with Lucco holding an envelope with the prize money.

()

I woke up to the familiar and dreading sound of my alarm clock. I practically slapped the thing out of its place on my desk. I looked at the time and my face fell back into the pillow. It was 7am. I had to get ready and be at work by 10am. I worked at a local mechanic shop as a front desk agent, basically checked people out and offer any help when the main mechanics were busy. I got up from bed and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day. I showered, brushed my teeth, and put on my clunky uniform. I didn't bother to do anything fancy to my hair, I pulled it up into a wet ponytail and left my face makeup less. I grabbed my keys for my motorcycle and my backpack containing my belongings. I was never a purse kind of girl. I walked out of my small apartment and locked the door. I got on my motorcycle and texted my friend Reid I would be there in 10 minutes to take him to school.

Reid and I grew up together, he was the first friend I made when me and my mom moved to Los Angeles. He was younger than me by three years, but it never really showed much. He was an only child and grew up around adults, so I figured that's why we got along so well. I looked to him as a little brother. I pulled up to Reid's house and he was waiting outside his guarded mansion. Reid came from a wealthy family; his family owned a winery in northern California and he lived on the rich side of town. Me pulling up in front of his house was a funny sight to see just because I looked all raggedy compared to him. Reid was on the phone when I pulled up and gestured for me to give him a minute. I looked at my watch and nodded, leaning my motorcycle to the side. Reid's face looked very concentrated. Finally after a couple of minutes, he hung up the phone.

"Hey, who was that?" I greeted Reid as he sighed.

"They found Nick." He answered grimly.

My breath hitched up in my throat. My heart felt like it had stopped for a second.

"…what?" I squeaked as Reid nodded.

"He got hit by a car. He was running in the street apparently." Reid explained to me, shifting his foot from one to the other.

"Drugged up again?" I asked as Reid shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know to be honest." Reid sighed heavily. "I looked over my class syllabus and we aren't doing anything special in class today. Can you drop me off at the hospital? I can take the bus back home afterwards."

"Yeah…put your helmet on." I told him reeving up the engine.

Reid did as he was told and we took off to the hospital Nick was at. It blew my mind. I hadn't seen Nick for over three months. He was one of Reid's best friends, also growing up with him. I hung out with Nick a few times, he was a cool guy, but he was into hardcore drugs and I wasn't okay with that. Don't get me wrong I've done my fair share of vices back in the day, but Nick had a choice to stop and he didn't want too. He was also a main reason why Reid had gotten alcohol poisoning a year ago, so I wasn't fond of him too much after that incident. But needless to say, Reid was still Nick's friend and I had to care about the guy if not for my sake, Reid's sake.

We pulled up to the hospital. I stopped the motorcycle to drop Reid off. He pursed his lips, thinking again.

"You want to come and say hi?" Reid asked, "I'm sure he'd want to see you…"

I thought about it. Nick always looked up to me for advice for certain things. In a way I felt like I was one of the adults in his life that helped him out when he needed it. He used to talk to me about his life, his parents, his sister Alicia, and his addiction. I would say he reminded me of a little brother, but I can't. He was different. I felt different towards him than I did Reid. Nick was 19, but seeing the world through the eyes of a mature individual after everything he had experienced and went through. To say I had a crush on the kid would be weird. But I did enjoy his company. Only time would tell if anything actually happened between me and him. For all I know, Nick could just see me as some ugly, old, 23 year old mechanic with cougar instincts.

"I've got to get to work Reid," I told him, uneasy about walking into a hospital.

I hadn't walked into a hospital since my mom passed away. It had been six years ago, but it still haunted me to this day. Reid frowned a little bit.

"Come on Lark, if anybody should see him, it should be you. You've been worrying about him for three months." Reid pointed out as I sighed heavily looking at my clock.

I did have time to go in there and say hi. And Reid was giving me the puppy dog look I couldn't say no to him. I parked my motorcycle to the side of the road alongside the other cars. I removed my keys and put them in my pocket. I saw a ghost of a smile on Reid as we walked into the hospital together. I kind of tensed up seeing the nurses and doctors with their white coats. I tried hard not to have any flashbacks of when I would be with my mom in here. She was put on bedrest for a long time until she passed. We finally made it to the right floor and I saw a couple of people waiting in the waiting room.

"Reid!" piped up a petite and very pretty brunette.

The brunette went up and hugged Reid. This must've been Alicia. Nick's sister. She was young, probably a little younger than Reid by a few years. I used to hear Nick rave about how she made perfect scores and did so well in school and life in general. Last time I heard, she had a full on scholarship to UC Berkley next fall. She must've been a smart kid. Her blue eyes looked at me and she raised an eyebrow.

"This is Larkin." Reid introduced me as I nodded in agreement. I stuck out my hand and she took it.

"Alicia." she introduced herself, "Nick's sister."

"He used to talk about you all the time," I replied giving her a warm smile, reassuring her Nick was always thinking about her.

"She's a good friend of mine. And Nick." Reid reiterated as Alicia nodded.

"Mom and Travis are in there talking to him." Alicia informed us. "I already talked to him. He seems…well…like Nick."

"I guess that's good." Reid said.

Reid and Alicia small talked for a while as I sat in the room waiting. After a good half hour, a Hispanic man and a blonde, stern-looking woman walked out of the patient dorm. I stood up and Reid hugged the woman and greeted the man. I figured out the woman was Nick's mom, but had no idea who the guy was. I knew for certain this wasn't Nick's dad. Nick had shown me a picture of his dad before he had passed. The two looked in my direction and I greeted them.

"This is Larkin," Reid introduced me again, "A good friend of me and Nick's."

"I've heard about you," the mother replied as I looked at her surprised, "I'm Madison Clark. This is Travis, my partner."

I shook both their hands, and Madison said we could go in and see Nick. My hands started sweating and feeling clammy as we went through the doors. I saw other patients hooked up on machines and needles. I began to feel nervous and felt myself getting sick. I hated hospitals. Hated them with a passion. Why'd I even agree to come? Finally we found his room, the blinds were closed. Reid nudged me to follow him and we walked in. I noticed Nick had a roommate, an old man, who was separated by a curtain.

My eyes widened as I allowed myself to look at Nick. I saw restraints around his wrists and he looked ghastly. This isn't how I remembered him three months ago. Reid sighed heavily, already used to his appearance. I knew Nick relapsed, but damn son. This was the worse than I'd ever seen him. His hair was longer than I last saw him and it was messy and tangled. His skin was very pale, and he looked deathly skinny. I felt like I was seeing a live corpse. Reid and Nick were talking but I tuned them out. I felt real bad for the kid. But what else could I do than be there for him? I remember telling him numerous times to get off the drugs, even when Reid stopped drinking he offered Nick to go to the rehab center he went too. Suddenly a voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Never thought I'd see you in a hospital," Nick joked as I tried to smile.

"Well if it wasn't you, I wouldn't." I replied smiling back before sitting on the edge of his bed beside Reid. "What the hell happened?"

Nick looked up to the ceiling in deep thought. He sat himself up before taking a deep breath.

"Everybody thinks I'm crazy." Nick began. "Everybody thinks it was all a part of a high. I know it was real."

"What was real?" Reid asked raising an eyebrow.

"I…okay remember Gloria?" Nick asked Reid as I tried my hardest not to snort.

"Yeah…what about her?"

"We decided to shoot up at the church with some other guys. It was all fun and games right? Then I fell asleep. I promise she was right beside me the whole time. Next thing I know, I wake up…and I don't see her there." Nick explained with a shaky breath, "I go down the stairs to see where everyone went. I thought I was dreaming. I saw blood everywhere and figured a deal went wrong or something. I was used to it…until I saw Gloria EATING a guy named Marly."

I looked at Nick's eyes and they looked frightened as hell. In my years underground, my trainer taught me how to read a person's eyes. That's how you found out the truth. And as crazy as it sounded…Nick WAS telling the truth. I mean, how in the world a person turns into a cannibal is beyond my mind. But then again drugs were involved. Maybe the drugs made Gloria go insane? Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. I know he was trying to think of some rational explanation. Reid was never the guy who went by faith; he needed facts. Answers. He was always the sane guy in any situation.

"You sure it wasn't the drugs Nick?" Reid asked and added in before Nick could speak, "I mean did the drugs make Gloria go crazy or something? Was it laced with anything else you probably didn't know?"

Nick stayed quiet for a second trying to recall the incident.

"Nick, it's a hard thing to believe, but…if you said it happened I believe you." I told Nick gently as his brown eyes looked at me.

"Besides that Nick, isn't it time to come home finally?" Reid asked him, "We all miss you. We want Nick back-"

"I'm trying the best I can Reid," Nick snapped a bit irritated.

"That's the same excuse I keep hearing man," Reid replied sternly.

"Look Nick, we understand how tough drug addiction is on a person." I piped up, "My uncle was like you. I don't want you to end up like him. Me and Reid care about you way too much."

"We don't want you to end up dead on the streets. You deserve better than that Nick." Reid finished off.

A couple of minutes passed before Nick responded. He just sat there thinking. I think we all sat there thinking.

"I'm going to get better guys," Nick promised before looking at us, "Have patience with me okay?"

"We've been patient for a while, but how many more incidents like this have to happen before you realize it?" I asked Nick as he frowned greatly.

"Larkin-" Nick began but was cut off by the sounds of the nurse coming in.

"I'm sorry but visiting hours are over," the nurse said, "Only family are allowed at this point."

"Hold on these guys are-" Nick was about to argue until Reid got up.

"It's fine, you take care of my boy," Reid told the nurse sternly as he patted his friend on the shoulder. "Get better soon okay? I'll be checking up with your mom everyday."

"We will see you later Nick," I said as I gave him an awkward side hug. "You need anything I'm there for you."

Nick nodded and his sad eyes were killing me as me and Reid walked out of the room. I saw Nick's family still in the waiting room, apparently talking about who would watch over Nick for the day. I checked my clock and needed to start heading to work or I'd be late. Reid shooed me out, telling me he would hitch a ride on the bus back to his place. I thanked him and said my goodbyes to the family. They seemed like nice people. I walked out of the hospital, breathing in the fresh air once I stepped outside. Thank God it was good to be alive and healthy. I reeved up my motorcycle from the parking lot and headed towards Style & Co. Mechanics.

()

"Holy shit! Look who's here on time!" cried out a tall, scruffy bald guy as I raised an eyebrow and clocked in.

"Shut the hell up Luke," I sneered back at the man as he snickered out the door.

"Morning Lark, how are ya?" asked a shorter, more attractive version of Luke as he leaned lazily against the front desk.

Karl and Luke were brothers, but looked insanely different. Apparently Karl looked like his mother, while Luke inherited his father's side of the family. They were good friends with AJ, the guy who owned the joint, and they were a small, start-up type of company. AJ didn't necessarily want to build an empire, he just wanted to help people doing what he did best: fix cars for a cheap and reasonable price in LA. Their business started five years ago, and I came in the picture about two years ago. So we've all been together for a long time. We were like our own little family. We've had seasonals come and go, but us five stuck together like glue.

"Peachy as always Karl, have we've been busy?" I asked as Karl shook his head and sipped his coffee.

"Nah, just a couple of people getting check-ups and inspections done. Nothing major." Karl replied.

"Where's AJ and Finn?" I asked looking over the quotas before filing them in the cabinets.

"Beats me. Finn is taking the late shift. AJ is…well he was in his office." Karl tried recalling where he last saw our boss. "He isn't feeling well."

"Ouch. Bossman? Sick?" I asked.

AJ being sick was almost unheard of. He had perfect attendance and even when he was sick, he always made it to the shop and never admit it. The fact Karl picked up on it must've meant AJ had the flu or something awful. I excused myself to the back and knocked on the door. A rough "come in" greeted my ears and I opened the door slowly. I saw AJ with heavy bags under his eyes and a runny nose. He had on a long sleeve and a jacket even though it was above 70 degrees out. His shoulder length brown hair was disheveled and his blue eyes looked so unfocused. AJ looked at me and covered his mouth as he coughed.

"You know you could stay home." I told him as AJ snorted.

"And leave those knuckleheads to return calls? Please." AJ replied back.

"No offense but you look awful."

"I know, it's irritating. I never get sick."

"Is it the flu or something?"

"I guess. On and off fevers, chills, decrease in appetite, coughing, drainage, the whole nine yards kid." AJ answered, "And I've taken so many medicines. The doctors ran tests and I haven't gotten any word back yet."

"Sorry man, that sucks." I replied unsure of what to say. "I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Godspeed!"

AJ smiled and sniffled until he handed me some papers, "If you could doll, call these fellas for me and tell them they were given our discounted price for our work on their car."

"Sure, you need anything I'm in the front, okay?" I reassured my boss as he nodded.

"Go head, thanks Lark," AJ said as I went back to the front.

Minutes turned into hours and I was busy calling and dealing with customers and their transactions. Luckily a lot of them were in a good mood so I didn't have to bother with any of them in a more aggressive manner. We had a small TV on a local station in the corner of the room and most of the time it was mostly on for background noise. I was busy filing some invoices when I heard the door open. Finn was looking at the TV taking a sip from his coffee cup wearing his work shirt and a pair of black jeans. He looked sharp as ever with his dark brown hair in a neat side style and his beard trimmed to the T. I've always sort of had a crush on him, he was attractive in a rugged kind of way. He was probably a little shorter than AJ but taller than Karl, and very fit and lean. Unfortunately, he just saw me as one of the dudes, the chicks he would always date were tall, skinny, big boobs, and a big ass. I was the complete opposite. Average height, thick, and flat chested. But I did have an ass though. That's about as good as it gets.

"What's up Finn?" I asked as he nodded paying attention to the TV.

"You hear what's happening on the news?" he asked cocking his head towards the television.

I looked over and saw a news anchor reporting about some riots happening up North. Apparently this huge flu-like virus was going around and making a lot of people sick. I'm hoping AJ didn't have what those people had. Nick's words haunted me as I saw images of people attacking others despite being tased or shot at. Finn was glued to the TV for a second.

"Bet you it's some damn cult or drugs," Finn replied looking away. "Remember that dude in Florida who ate someone cause of bath salts?"

"Maybe…or maybe it's not even real and the government is using this as an excuse." I replied shrugging.

"You and your conspiracy theories," he chuckled as his green eyes met my blue ones. "How's this morning been?"

"Decent. Not as busy as usual, but we've got a couple of cars here and there," I answered, "AJ's in the office, and Karl and Luke are chilling outside. I thought you were taking the late shift?"

"AJ called me in early. Said we were closing up shop at 5 today." Finn replied as he walked towards the office to talk to AJ.

I started getting back to work and soon whatever was happening on TV drifted away from my mind.

()

"Larkin Dixon answer the phone girl! Damn why'd you even get one if you never use it? Anyways, your daddy wants to talk to ya. Call back."

It was always a pleasure to hear Uncle Merle's messages on my voicemail. I had just parked my motorcycle in my parking space and saw I had a missed call. I called the number back while walking back up to my apartment. As I opened the door I heard a gruff, cranky voice answer it on the other line.

"What'd ya want?" answered the voice.

"Nice to hear from you too," I replied back walking into my room after locking the front door.

"Hey-ey! Finally baby girl calls back," Merle replied all cheekily as I rolled my eyes.

"I told you only my dad can call me that. Shouldn't you be at work?" I asked as I heard him clear his throat on the other line.

"I got the day off smartass," Merle responded as I chuckled.

"Didn't you have a day off yesterday too?"

"Are you a cop?"

"Nope."

"Then stop interrogating me."

"Make me."

"HEY DARYL! BABY GIRL IS ON THE PHONE!" Merle hollered over the phone and I had to move my phone from my ear.

I heard stomps, shuffling, and muttering until I finally heard my dad's voice.

"Baby girl!" my dad's animated voice exclaimed. "How are ya?"

"Doing good dad," I replied in my sweetest voice ever hearing a snort from Merle in the background. "Just got home from work."

"How was it?"

"Good. We had to close up shop early today. AJ got sick."

"Hope it's not that damn flu going around. Be sure not to catch it."

"I got my flu shot dad, I'm good." I answered. "I'm so ready to come visit down there."

"We are too. I made Merle clean up the guest room for you."

"Lovely. Will there be a rat in the bed too?"

"Be nice to your uncle, girl."

"Yeah you heard him!" Merle's voice popped out as I sighed, not understanding why my father always insisted to talk to me on speakerphone.

"And you stop antagonizing her!" Dad barked.

"What?" Merle asked.

"Stop antagonizing her!"

"Anta-what?"

"Antagonizing Merle!"

"What's that mean?!"

I was laughing over the phone. God Merle was such a dumbass sometimes. It amazed me how he graduated high school. Merle was more street smart than book smart. Always had been. He couldn't tell you what started the Civil War, but you needed help fixing the motor to a car and he could fix it up in a jiffy. My dad was one of the rare individuals who had equal knowledge in streets and books. Although for three years of my life I lived a "street" life, I was more book smart than anything. I even got a scholarship to SMU in Dallas, but didn't accept it because it was the same time my mother had passed away.

"What are you up to now?" Dad asked as I rummaged through the fridge for a second.

"Trying to figure out what's for dinner." I replied deciding between tuna casserole I made yesterday or heating up a frozen pizza.

"Ah, I figure you want some rest. Give me a call before you head down here alright? And no car renting, either me or Merle will pick ya up in the truck." Dad told me as I grabbed the tuna casserole and popped it into the microwave.

"You got it dad," I replied with a grin as I turned on the TV for background noise. "Love you and Merle."

"Love you too baby girl. Be safe."

I hung up the phone, grabbed my dinner, and nestled myself on the couch. The news was still going crazy about this virus thing. It was like when SARS happened in China years ago, everybody wouldn't shut up about it. I began thinking about what Nick described to me and frowned. What if something bad was about to happen? What would happen to us? I looked over to my disguised safe that held a picture of me and my family with a vase full of white shells on top of it. Inside held weapons I hadn't used in years.

And I hoped I never had to again.

Author's Note: Hey guys! It's been busy on my end balancing a demanding job and some personal things going on in my life. But luckily, writing has always been my go to hobby and has helped me release some stresses of reality. After rewriting and rethinking this story out from it's original rough draft, it makes so much more sense and has more character development for my characters and characters from the FTWD series. I'm excited to continue writing this, and will try my hardest and best to keep up with it. Reviews, questions, comments, and concerns are always welcomed whether its through DM or through the review page. I will try to put an Author's Note every once in a while to explain things or to answer or give shout outs. :)