Inferno

Rated: T

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

Chapter Two: Life Going On

BANG.

One gunshot.

BANG.

Two gunshots.

BANG.

Three gunshots.

I knew that was the final blow when the man doubled over and a puddle of blood formed underneath his body. I realized I was holding the gun. My hands were shaking, tears streaming down my face. I opened my mouth to scream, but I couldn't. My shirt was ripped and my jeans were sitting on my hips. My hair in a disarray. This transaction ended up badly. If it wasn't for this gun, I would've been raped or killed as well. From the shadows I heard footsteps. Several footsteps. I pointed the gun in the direction of the unknown faces. There was only one face I recognized. Lucco. He was dressed to the nines with the other men following the same uniform code. Lucco simply pointed at the body and the men stuffed it in a bag and headed towards a different direction. I looked Lucco in the eye and threw the gun on the floor. Lucco retrieved it.

"I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS!" I screamed angrily as I walked up to him.

"This is what we've trained you for," Lucco coolly replied as I followed him out of the abandoned alleyway.

"LUCCO HE COULD'VE KILLED ME!" I shouted as he stopped in his tracks. "LOOK AT ME! YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD BE THERE. TO PROTECT ME."

"I haven't gone back on my promise yet have I?" Lucco questioned eyeing me, "You knew I was keeping an eye from afar. You knew the signal. You're alive."

"I DID THE SIGNAL AND YOU DIDN'T ANSWER YOU JACK-"

"I wouldn't leave you to do something I know you couldn't do." Lucco stated before I finished, "You're a whole new breed Hernandez. That's why I plucked you from that shitty boxing gym."

"Killing people isn't what I'm made for. You said I only had to fight. And win."

"Nobody is ever made for killing people," Lucco's tone of voice changed drastically for a second, "You agreed to be my associate. I told you what was in this and you said you were ready."

"LUCCO I KILLED SOMEONE!"

"He owed me 50 grand and what does he do? Try to make a statement by hurting one of my associates. I was nice enough to have you go and negotiate an offer, and he saw that as weakness." Lucco coldly stated and he chuckled darkly. "Learned his lesson though."

Lucco still saw my uneasiness about the situation. We began walking to the normal part of town. He gave me his suit jacket to cover my ripped shirt. I hastily put it on, and put my hair in a ponytail. I thanked him with a nod. My mind was swirling with so many thoughts. What just happened? Did I really kill someone? But it was for self-defense. What happened if somebody found out? I didn't hear any police sirens. I saw police officers and they didn't bat an eye when they saw me and Lucco pass by. We walked to the parking meter and Lucco opened the car door for me.

"Understand you won't ever get caught. Even if you turn yourself to the police, nobody will ever believe you. Your background checks and police records are clear as long as you're working for me. I suggest you forget about it and continue living life to the fullest." Lucco assured me as I got into the car and waited for the silent ride home.

()

Sometimes I think about my past. Sometimes I wonder if staying in LA was the best option when my mother died. I remembered Dad and Merle stayed here with me for two weeks after her passing helping me pack up her stuff and to celebrate my graduation. I was filled with anger and sadness at that time. Every little thing set me off. I was about to graduate high school that Sunday. My mom promised she would be out of the hospital by then. She promised me she would fight it. It didn't happen. I hated the fact God took my mother away from me. I hated the fact my teachers and friends walked on eggshells around me. I was over it. It took a lot of convincing from Dad and Merle to even go to the graduation ceremony. I remember looking at the stands, hoping this was some kind of sick joke. My mom would be there with her favorite white Maschino get up, pumps, and her hair perfect like always. Her brown eyes would sparkle and her beautiful smile would shine through. Right as the ceremony ended and students threw their hats in the air, I lost it. I bawled out of the arena and sat in the bathroom stall for a good hour until Charlotte, my godmother, came in and comforted me.

Nicola Hernandez-Dixon was my mother, my best friend, my everything. She was the one there to laugh with, to cry with, my rock and my shield for all these years when I wasn't with my Dad. I remembered the day she told me the doctor had diagnosed her with leukemia, I didn't think much of it. She didn't act sick either for a long time. But in my naïve head, I knew she was going to get better. Only people who were really sick died, she caught it just in time. Nothing would happen. It wasn't until I came home from a party and found her unconscious that I realized it was bad. I watched as EMT's rushed through her posh penthouse and take her to the hospital. I went in there and watched them poke holes into my mother; hooking her with IV's making sure she was still alive. I remembered Charlotte calling my dad and telling him what was going on. During my high school years, me and my dad didn't talk much and I didn't visit as often. I was way into the high style life then and my mother gave me so much freedom compared to my Dad.

My mom was the daughter of a wealthy businessman who had moved to Atlanta to expand his brand. She lived a very high styled lifestyle ever since the day she was born. She was familiar with the finer things in life, and was in her own little bubble. She met my dad in high school, but was told to stay away from him because he was a troublemaker and an outcast. Instead of doing what she was told, she ended up befriending my father and the two became inseparable. My grandparents didn't like my father, and there was a short time they kicked my mother out while she was in community college because of it. That's when my mom fell in love with the humble, country life and dropped out of school. She lived with my dad and Merle for a while, and that's when they decided to take things to the next level and get married. After they got married, Merle got a trailer of his own to give the two privacy and space. Not to long after, I was conceived and born. It wasn't until I was 8, things started getting heated between my mom and my dad.

()

"Nicola, calm down. Baby girl's asleep." I heard my dad say as I sat there behind the wall by the edge of door in my room.

I knew mom and dad were arguing again. They have been doing that lately. If it wasn't dad screwing up something, it was mom bickering at him that he wasn't doing anything. I held onto my red, patchwork stuffed horse Dad got me at the fair while listening to their conversation.

"Daryl, I'm tired of this." I heard my mom say.

"Tired of what?" my dad questioned as he sighed heavily, "Nicola, damn it, I've been working my ass off for you ever since we got married. I've been giving you what we need-"

"That's the point Daryl!" She exclaimed, "You always give me what I need. What about what I want?"

"I told you, you could go back to school." my dad said, "I even told you my job is willing to work with me so I can drop off and pick up Larkin from school. Hell even Merle-"

"Merle isn't taking care of MY daughter alone."

"That's HIS niece and MY brother," I heard my dad get agitated by my mother's tone of voice. "What's gotten into you lately? Where did this prissy attitude come from?"

Mom never did care much for Uncle Merle, especially after he starting doing some kinds of drugs I've heard that weren't good for you. But dad was right. My mom did have an attitude from time to time, and I've noticed it. She never let me play outside with the other trailer park kids, and always made me act and dress like a lady in public. We also have been visiting Grandpa and Grandma a whole lot more than I could ever remember at their huge house.

"Daryl, this isn't working out anymore. We are just from two different worlds."

"Let me guess, your daddy told you that one," my dad spat harshly.

"I miss my life in the city Daryl! I love the country, I honestly do, but it's not me."

"Then we'll move to the city! If that's what you want. I can put aside my differences-"

"I just want me and Larkin to go to the city,"

Silence fell upon them for a second. I noticed I held my breath in as soon as my mom said that. Why did she just want me and her to go to the city? Where was daddy going to be?

"What?" my dad asked in such a shocked and sad tone.

"I want a divorce." my mother uttered those infamous words, "Daryl, I love you, but I can't keep pretending anymore. This isn't who I am. I'm not happy. And I know you haven't been happy either. We've tried to work it out-"

"So all these years we spent together you just want to end it?!" I heard my dad exclaimed. "What did your dad promise you this time?! Fancy school, fancy car, fancy life if you divorce your husband?! Isn't that the reason why you left your prissy life Nicola? Because it was all fake and I was the only real thing in your life?!"

"It's my decision!" I heard my mom exclaim back. "You haven't been a good husband alright?! All these years you've just cared about work, having a housekeeper, and showing me off to your friends! I want to do something in my life, I want someone to shower me with affection, and all YOU'VE done is hinder it! You made me move out, you made me marry you, and you made me have a baby when I wasn't read-"

"Don't you dare bring Larkin into this." my father said angrily, "If you didn't want children, we shouldn't have planned early for one. You didn't say any of this when Larkin was born and we were happy as can be. I didn't hinder you from anything. Those were all YOUR decisions. And what the hell do you mean I don't show you affection?!"

I tuned out this half of the conversation for a second just because of the stuff that followed after, until I heard my father bellow in anger.

"WHAT?!" my father shouted. "YOU…WHAT?!"

"There's nothing there between us Daryl. I'm not….attracted anymore. I'm sorry!"

"I thought you weren't in the mood and unlike you, I'm perfectly okay with that! But for you to go and have an affair?!" I heard my dad cry out, "It was with that David fucker your dad used to talk about wasn't it? Libby saw him back in town. I guess the phrase is true. Like father like daughter huh?!"

"Don't you dare say that!"

"You know what. Fine. Get the papers and I'll sign them. You're not happy, even after everything I've done for you and how much love I put for you, our family, and our home, then there's no reason to be here right?" my dad spat out, "I want you out of my house."

"I'm taking Larkin," I heard my mom's footsteps come close to my door and I dashed in my bed and pretended to look asleep.

"No you aren't! It's 12 o clock at night, what's the matter with you?! Let the girl sleep!" I heard my dad bellow. "I said you get out!"

"You're such a child! I'm coming back for her in the morning with the papers and we are going to discuss custody! I'll be damned if my baby grows up like you!"

I heard the door slam.

It was deathly silent.

Until I heard a couple of sobs come from my father and a loud 'thud' on the floor.

I couldn't bear it any longer. I walked out of my room and saw my dad huddled over on the floor, tears streaming down his face. My dad was always the tough guy. He never cried or ever showed his other emotions. He was happy go-lucky around me, or stern when he needed to be. But never sad. And never angry. He saw me and held out his arms. I embraced him as hard as I could and he held me, rocking me back and forth gently. I asked him why he was crying. He looked at me and brushed my hair back behind my ear.

"You know how you get hurt whenever you fall and scrape yourself?" he told me gently as he wiped the tears from his eyes. I nodded. "I got hurt today baby girl."

"What happened?" I asked playing stupid looking around, "Where's mom…?"

"Your mom went to stay with your grandpa and grandma tonight." my dad replied, "She will be back in the morning."

"Did you guys have a fight?"

"Yeah…we will talk about it in the morning baby girl. You need your sleep. Come on."

As Dad walked me back to my room, I felt pain inside my heart. I wanted to cry. What was going to happen now? I asked dad if he would sleep with me tonight, and he nodded. He held me until I fell asleep. I felt protected in my dad's arms, who was going to protect me and mom when he wasn't around? I could feel silent tears stream down my face as my dad hugged me tighter, and finally I let sleep overtake me.

()

I remember the next morning so clearly. My mom had come with an old friend of hers that was a lawyer. His name was David, the guy my dad was talking about. She got the papers signed, and took me with her. I saw my dad a lot before my mom announced we were moving to California with my grandparents and this new David character. My dad was furious, but there was nothing he could do. He had his visitation rights; he had me for the summer, spring break, holidays, and my birthday. I remember saying goodbye was the hardest thing to do. I was close to my dad, closer to him than my mom at the time. I cried a lot, and I remembered him promising we would see each other again real soon. The first two weeks into the move, I was depressed. That's when my mom introduced me to David's family. There was David's mom and dad, Richard and Tiffany, David's sister Charlotte, and her son Reid. They were more accepting of me than my grandparents were and that's when me and Reid officially became friends.

I was pondering in my thoughts while I was working. Today was once again another slow day. AJ had stayed home, he was feeling too sick to come into work. His wife actually was the one who called in for him, and Finn decided to close up early again today. Karl and Luke were messing around in the garage with the customers, and I smiled. Today had been a good day. And tomorrow I would be heading home to spend time with my dad and Merle. I was excited and all packed to go. Suddenly I heard my phone vibrating in my pants. I let it go to voicemail until I heard it vibrate again. I looked at my phone and saw it was Reid. I checked out the time, he should've been at his third class by now. I answered the phone since there was nobody in the shop besides Finn in the office.

"Hello?"

"Larkin!" I heard Reid's voice.

"Hey bud, how are-"

"Nick's missing!"

My heart stopped.

"What?" I asked not comprehending what he just said.

"I don't know what happened but Nick's missing. His mom just called me asking if I've heard from him. Larkin I don't know what to do…"

"Calm down. What happened?" I asked as I put down the sheets of paper I was going through.

"Nick got out of the hospital. My bet is he persuaded the nurse to let him out." Reid stated frantically. "I'm calling anybody that might know where he is. Hell, I even called his dealer and he hadn't seen him."

I looked at the time and sighed, "Okay, hey get to class. I'll pick you up after 3 and we can go search for him. I promise. I'll tell Finn I need to head out early."

"Thank you Lark. Thank you."

"Stop worrying. If anything Nick is under a bridge asleep for all we know." I reassured Reid as he agreed and hung up.

I knocked on the outside of Finn's door and heard a faint 'come in'. I walked in and saw him doing some paperwork with a pen behind his ear to sign off on a few things. He looked tired coming in today, I wondered if he had gotten any sleep last night. Or what was going on he didn't get sleep. Finn looked up and saw it was me and gave me a small smile.

"What's up Lark?" Finn asked as I sat down.

"I was wondering if I could leave early today," I told him.

"Wanting to start your vacation early?" Finn chuckled as I shook my head.

"Wish I could. Found out a friend of mine went missing…" I began as Finn's face fell.

"People are going missing like crazy nowadays. Jesus." Finn replied running his hand through his hair. "You know where he went?"

"I have an idea, just hoping it's the right one," I told him.

"Yeah, you can leave early. Hope you find him." Finn encouraged me as I thanked him and stood up to get back to work.

"And Lark,"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful." Finn worriedly told me. "And have fun on your vacation."

"I will." I reassured him with a smile, "Everything will be alright."

And I had no idea how those words would haunt me towards the end of the week.

()

I raced my ass towards Reid's school while keeping the lookout for Nick. I dropped off my motorcycle at the house and got into my pick-up truck. These days, I saw missing person posters left and right, along with some sickly people walking everywhere. Some were in the distance and they walked oddly with hoods on their heads. I saw police at practically every corner watching out for any potential rioters, since that's what was happening in every major city. I guess they didn't want LA to be next. I pulled up to the school and saw Reid waiting outside. He slid inside and shut the door, while I drove off. Reid told me Nick was underneath the overpass on the other side of town. Nick was the first person he called apparently, and the only. Reid was about to call his parents, until I shook my head.

"No don't do that," I told him, "There was a reason why Nick wanted it to just be you, so leave it at that."

"Yeah but it's his mom Lark. Wouldn't you want to know if your kid was found?" Reid stated as he sighed and sent a text. "There I just told her Nick texted me he was safe. That's it.

I nodded and took a right turn. We were almost there. I saw Reid looking at every overpass we passed by in hopes of seeing Nick. Finally I pulled over to the side of the road with my hazards on. Reid practically jumped out of the car and almost tripped making his way up to where Nick was sitting. I made sure no cops were around and followed suit, locking my car with my keys. Nick looked the same as yesterday, if not worse. He was obviously wearing someone else's clothes, they were too baggy and looked like they belonged to an old man. Nick and Reid were talking once I made my way up the concrete hill. I saw his brown eyes light up at the sight of me. Or maybe they didn't. Who knows?

"Nick why aren't you in the hospital?" I asked concerned kneeling down between the two. "What if you relapse?"

"I don't relapse Lark," Nick replied with a ghost of a smile on his face, "I've learned to control it by now."

"You'll be chunking buckets soon," I muttered and Nick frowned at me.

"Why are we here man?" Reid asked, "Is it money?"

"Hell no," Nick answered as he brought out a plastic gas station bag and showed off his pay as you go phone. "Had enough money to buy this and even bought myself a sandwich."

"So why are we here?" Reid asked again as Nick sighed. "Why not Madison? Alicia?"

"I love them," Nick tiredly responded, "but they don't get me like you guys do. Me, you, and Lark, we're a team. We know what it's like…well with the exception of Larkin but she's helped you get through it Reid."

Reid looked at me with a raised eyebrow and I shook my head. Now wasn't the time to correct Nick of my backstory. I would eventually tell him, but not now. I wanted him to believe I've been straight edge all my life and he could be too once he cut off the drugs. We sat there for a while, just listening to the cars zoom over us. I saw the sun setting and it was getting late. I wasn't going to leave Nick out here by himself. I stood up and Reid followed suit. I stuck my hand out to Nick and he shook his head.

"I'm not going back home," Nick stated.

"I'm not taking you home." I replied.

"Or the hospital."

"Didn't say the hospital either," I replied again still sticking my hand out, "I'm not letting you sleep outside. Take my hand, I'm taking you to my place."

Nick thought about it for a second and finally accepted my hand and I helped him up. All three of us crammed together in my pick up and I started on the way back to my place.

()

Nick followed me up the stairs as I grabbed my keys and opened up the front door. I dropped off Reid at home first since he had a huge exam in the morning. He kept on asking me if I would be okay with Nick alone. I'd hung out with the guy before alone, but for a whole night? That was going to be an adventure itself. I reassured Reid everything would be fine and I'd see him tomorrow before my plane set off in the afternoon. He nodded and got out of the car. Nick commented on Reid's home, how he imagined it smaller in the beginning. I reminisced on that too, but since Richard had his children and grandchildren living on their lands, he figured to make them guests houses to live in on the acres. As soon as I turned on the light and closed the door a familiar face greeted me and barked happily.

"Holy shit!" Nick exclaimed as he cowered behind me. "You have a dog?!"

I saw Trigger's big brown eyes light up at Nick and I, and I smiled. I knelt down and petted the German Shepard as he happily danced around at our arrival. Nick slowly calmed down and Trigger sniffed at him and licked at his hand. I gestured for him it was okay to pet him and Nick finally petted him. Trigger lead us to the living room and sat on his dog bed as me and Nick sat on my couch. I saw Nick inspecting the place. I didn't have much for a studio apartment, but I had the main essentials like a couch, TV stand, TV, a bookcase, a bed, and a drawer. On one side had my bench set and a couple of weights and a kettle ball. I was never one to invest decorations in my apartment. I never had the time or the girly motivation to do it.

"Nice place…" Nick stated feeling a bit uncomfortable in his new surroundings.

"I try to make it as homey as possible," I chuckled.

I went to the kitchen and refilled Trigger's food and water. Then an idea came up in my head as Trigger came and ate his newly refilled bowl. I grabbed two water bottles and passed one to Nick. He grabbed it and we sat on the couch in silence for a while watching whatever was on TV. I think it was some sitcom.

"So you're going home tomorrow?" Nick as I nodded while gulping some water down.

"Yeah just for a couple of days," I replied with a smile, "I'm pretty excited. I haven't seen them since Easter."

"That should be fun," Nick replied as Trigger made an appearance and lied down on his dog bed. "For a German Shepard, he's pretty friendly."

"He can sense people pretty well," I stated looking at the huge dog, "He won't bark or attack unless he knows it's for good reason."

"You trained him to do that?" Nick asked.

"More like inherited him," I said a bit sadly, "He was a gift from an old boss of mine before he passed away."

"Oh," Nick said a bit quietly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean too-"

"No way you're fine," I replied with a smile, "It's been about two years now. I'm at peace."

"I didn't think bosses and employees got along," Nick joked as I shrugged.

"I was sort of like his assistant," I began, which wasn't the truth but not a total lie, "So we were in each other's lives a lot, in and out of work."

"Ah," Nick said somewhat understanding the situation. "So who's going to take care of him when you're gone?"

I leaned back into my couch and rested my feet on the coffee table with my hands behind my head.

"Was thinking about putting him in a pet hotel not to far from here…" I replied as Nick nodded. "But since you're here…"

"I'm not taking care of a dog Lark," Nick stated as I looked at him.

"100 bucks a day. 5 days away equals $500 bucks. All you gotta do is feed him, give him water, take him for a walk, and if you can attempt to give him a bath I'll add in $50 bucks." I bargained with him as his mouth dropped in astonishment. "You promise me two things: you stay here with Trigger until I get back. I'll give you an extra key. You have access to anything in this house."

"What's the other thing?" Nick asked as I smiled and got up from the couch.

"Don't touch my Harley,"

Author's Note: I want to thank you guys who have viewed, followed, and favorited this story! You guys are so awesome and incredible! And a huge shoutout to anr017 for reviewing and being my go-to person whenever I need advice on my writing. And another shoutout to AquaRoseWaters! Thanks for reviewing, and to answer your question: I actually HAVE thought about making this an AU fic and including Walking Dead characters meeting up with the FTWD cast. Can you imagine how much hell Larkin, Daryl, AND Merle would cause? That would be so fun to write :) How they end up there is beyond my mental capacity, but its fanfiction anything can happen right? Lol. So keep reading and see what comes up!

Now compared to 'boxer' Larkin in Truth Beyond Lies, I have dug even deeper into her character. Her flashback in the beginning may shock or confuse some readers, but Larkin isn't this cookie-cutter OC you would think to see in a Walking Dead fanfic. She's a human being who has been through a bunch of shit, especially after her mother's death, that causes her to trickle into the underground world and society. Like Daryl and Merle, she has secrets and issues of her own. In case there is any confusion, 'Hernandez' was Larkin's name underground, and that was in honor of her mother's maiden name.

In all honesty, when this story was still in it's early stages, I had no idea one of the villains in Season Two was named Reed. Getting to that point will be interesting since both a good and bad guy are named Reed (just spelled differently lol). I thought that was funny.

Alrighty guys! Please don't hesitate to DM me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns! You can also do it in the reviews section as well. Thank you for all your support! You are one of the main reasons I keep on writing and updating this story! :) Happy reading and have a nice day!