Always the Quiet Ones: Season Two

Episode 1: The Perfect Storm

Chapter 2

Nick - Day 947

44 HOUR BEFORE THE ATTACK

"Hey, Nick!" A woman called out. Nick waved back to her, reading a pamphlet which listed the number of supplies. Wallace and Beatrice had been counting supplies for the last week and a half. Nick was considered an icon at the community, he didn't give himself that title - he was given it. People looked up to him, which was a huge improvement from being a pushover and something people need to carry. Like his old group. The cabin group.

His daily routine was to check on the homeless. Since the last attack with the bandits, they had lost over 30 people. Nick couldn't even imagine what would happen after another attack. People needed to pull their weight and work for a home. They had a shelter, but it wasn't very good. Nick was considered a hero to the homeless people. Nick felt bad for them since they couldn't get a job that easily. It was just like before the apocalypse, when there was homeless on the streets.

Stewart, Edwin, Josh, Dylan, Laren and Mackenzie was the six people he needed to check on. Their dental, if they had any bruises, scratches, or a bite. Tyler and Kaidan had to deal with the other six homeless people. Nick was confused why he had to check on six homeless people when Tyler and Kaidan had the same amount, but they had an extra helping hand. Nick didn't care about it eventually, because he enjoyed his job.

Edith would stop by time to time but she was too busy watching the perimeter and with her taking care of AJ when Clementine and Kenny had their shifts.

"Hey, Nicholas. You ready for the big day?" Tyler said, popping out of thin air.

"Big day? It's just another day at work." Nick raised his eyebrows.

"Another day at work?" Kaidan scoffed.

"What do you mean 'big day'. What's so special about it?" Nick questioned. Tyler chuckled, "Boy, do they even tell you anything anymore? Nick the Dick can't be put into the loop, what a fucking shocker."

"I don't know what the hell your problem is, but you need to leave me the hell alone before I break your nose." Nick threatened. Tyler raised his hands, jokingly. "Whoa, whoa! Cool it, Sheriff! We don't mean any harm by it."

"Why you gotta be so damn sensitive?" Kaidan questioned.

"It's probably cause he's banging the Lilly chick. She's been making him soft. Inside and outside." Tyler snickered. Nick stopped and then punched Tyler in the face, knocking him back. He felt the blood drip down his nose, "Fucker!" Kaidan threw a punch, but Nick blocked it, twisting his hand and then he kicked him so he fell onto the ground.

"Get the fuck out of my face."

"This is a real problem for me. You can't keep up like this. You need to channel your anger." The sheriff, David White told him, he was being held in an interrogation styled room.

"Boo fucking hoo, I broke the guidelines. Are you even surprised, Sheriff? If you think I'm out of control, kick me out. I don't give a shit." Nick retorted.

"Kick you out? You're one of our best members here, we need you here. But you need to calm down. Okay? You need to develop a thick skin." David explaned, sitting in his chair. Nick laughed. David sighed, "I need you to take me seriously here. I'm really afraid of what this might do to you. The path you've gone down."

"The path? There is no fucking path. I've got nothing left and there's nothing left for me to care about. I can't go any farther, Sheriff. I can't." Nick explained. David grabbed a case file from his backpack, and laid it on the table. He opened it up, and laid out a few papers.

"DAY 916 - NICK CONTINUES TO ACT OUT IN FRONT OF FRIENDS, CAUSING FIGHTS." David reads.

"Yeah, Sheriff. I get this same thing every fucking time. You're not helping anything, man. I'm doing my job and those two punks - Tyler and Kaidan... come up and try to fuck with me. You don't fuck with me, ever. They just learned that the hard way." Nick threatened, crossing his arms.

"I see. I guess I can't help your cause. You'll have to serve one week in solitary confinement. You will be provided a substitute, presumably someone from your station. Since Tyler and Kaidan have been relieved from duty for the past few days-"

"Relieved from duty? I only broke Tyler's nose and snapped Kaidan's wrist. What a couple of pussies." Nick snickered.

"-they will also be provided substitute. If any more behavior like this shall continue, I will have no choice but to have you exiled."

Nick rolled his eyes, "Yeah. Whatever. Got it."

Nick sat down in his cell bed, sighing.

Boy, you've got to control your temper.

Uncle Pete, I don't need your advice.

Don't talk to me like that, goddammit!

I'm fucking tired of you and your fucking rules. You're trying to control me, but newsflash motherfucker, I can't be controlled!

You're broken, boy. You're truly broken.

"Pete was right. I am broken."