This chapter was definitely a difficult one to write… I kept second guessing myself and rewriting and changing… I really hope you guys like how this chapter turns out. If not… well if you have any ideas on further chapters I may find a way to incorporate it in… maybe. Either way, I still like this story and will continue writing chapters until I deem it the end. Thanks to all the people who take the time to write a review, or just a message to me. It inspires me to sit down and seriously write… and thanks to those of you who follow my story, favorited it, or followed me. It's all very inspiring and motivational and it's thanks to all of you this chapter got written… because honestly… I kept putting it off and putting it off and doing homework… but now it's finished and I can move on to Chapter 12… What will happen in that chapter I wonder.
Chapter 11
The first step out the door was the hardest for Ellis but as soon as he got his gun firing he fell back into his old position of charging ahead and getting himself into complicated predicaments. Ellis kept looking over his shoulder, more than sure that he was being followed by something other than his teammates but he never spotted anything so he shrugged it off, deciding it would be better to take care of the dangers he could see than something that may not even be there.
Ellis wasn't the only one with the feeling of being followed... but the others took it as that foreboding feeling of a zombie trying to take advantage from behind. When they wouldn't see anything behind them they shrugged it off as paranoia and charged on.
"GODDAMNIT! GET IT OFFA ME! WHY DO THEY ALWAYS GET ME?!" Ellis shouted as a 'back-humper' attacked him.
"Stop Moving!" Nick shouted at Ellis, aiming his gun at the Jockey but not being able to shoot as Ellis tripped around, getting swiped at by other zombies.
"Because I can totally stay still." Ellis grumbled around the Jockey's fingers. He made his best attempt but before he could stay still enough for Nick's liking there was a shout and Nick got caught up in his own problem.
"Shit!" Nick shouted as a slimy appendage wrapped around him and yanked him off of his feet. While Nick wrestled with the tongue and Ellis wrestled for control of his balance Rochelle and Coach kept zombies off them.
"These things have damn good timing." Nick complained as he tried to reach the knife he had been carrying around for just this scenario. In the meantime Ellis had dropped to his knees, grappling with the Jockey and trying to get him off. Unfortunately that also meant more zombies were circling around him… and if he didn't get the Jockey off soon it just meant it was only a matter of time before they started eating him…
Nick's fingers finally brushed against the handle and with a little more squirming he was finally able to get a grip on it and yanked it out of the little holder on his belt. He sliced through the tongue neatly, jumping to his feet and shooting the smoker in one smooth motion.
Rochelle had lost sight of both Ellis and Nick and it was starting to worry her. What if Ellis had been dragged off again… She was actually a little surprised how easily things went back to normal even though they had thought Ellis dead… he just fit right back in.
Ellis decided that struggling against the jockey was a losing battle so he came up with another plan, reaching into his back pocket for his hand gun while he did his best not to be knocked around. He was taken completely off guard as a zombie swiped him and caught him cleanly in the face, knocking him backwards and catching him completely off guard. Ellis was sent for a complete loop as he tried to regain his bearings. He had lost the gun somewhere along the way and Ellis could feel his body begin to react from Panic. Not to be weak but he really needed some help right about then…
Help came in a form Ellis would have never guessed before. Just as the zombies had begun bearing down on Ellis, ready for a meal of redneck mechanic, a blur flew through the air knocking several back. There was a vicious growl and the zombies took a step back. Even the jockey was startled, releasing Ellis and moving away from the strange thing.
Being able to sit up, Ellis was able to see what had come to his rescue… It was a zombie child… Ellis supposed she would have been one of the adorable little tomboys when she was human… she still had her overall shorts (yes, she was actually wearing overalls, not coveralls) and a blue striped shirt. She even had a hat that she wore backwards; Ellis was surprised she hadn't lost it yet. That's kind of where the humanity ended though because she had a gash running down her cheek and another across her forehead; a chunk was missing from one of her arms and bite marks littered her body. Ellis almost grinned to himself when he realized she was barefoot and surprisingly her legs were pretty clear of injuries… just scratches that any normal kid would have.
Back to the situation at hand, the girl was standing in front of Ellis and growling. The zombies looked beside themselves with confusion… before they got pissed. They snarled right back but wouldn't come near the little girl. They circled, trying to figure out what to do when shots were heard. In a moment of worry for the little girl Ellis pulled her to the ground and kept her at ground level with him as his friends finally got around to clearing out the mob that had surrounded him.
The little girl looked at him in shock and Ellis felt a moment of fear when he wondered if she would attack him. She didn't however, just looked up at him and he was surprised to see some semblance of humanity in her eyes. He kinda figured that the kids were more human but it wasn't like he had spent his time seriously looking at any of the kids so it was a surprise when he didn't see blank white staring back at him… Sure they were white… but there was something more to them then that empty, lifeless, cannibal pale all the adult zombies seemed to possess.
"Ellis!" Coach shouted. "Boy, are you ok?"
"He had better be, it would be a really lousy time to die." Nick grumbled. He was the first to spot Ellis, kneeling on the ground. He paused in surprise when he saw that Ellis wasn't alone…
"Ellis…?" Rochelle asked, once she had noticed too. Ellis looked at them, a real quick little glance, before turning his attention back to the little girl that had more or less saved his life.
"Why did ya save me?" Ellis tried asking, knowing he'd get no response but trying anyway. When the girl responded with a shrug he was only a little startled… A thought occurred to Ellis as he sat looking at the little girl that just stared right back at him.
"Were you the one tha' saved me earlier? After I fell offa the rollercoaster?" Ellis asked softly. It was almost cute when the little girl smiled shyly and nodded, staring down at her bare feet.
"She What?!" Nick hadn't actually meant to shout but he was wholeheartedly perplexed. He didn't like the little zombie being so near to Ellis…
At Nick's shout the little girl jumped in surprise and grabbed on to Ellis, hiding behind him.
"S'okay. Tha's Nick. He kinda scares ev'rybody." Ellis said, patting the girls head. She had chin length hair that was pulled back in a messy pony. The little girl peeked her head out and glanced up at Nick but decided she didn't like him much and just hid her face in Ellis' arm.
"Aw look Nick… ya really scared 'er." Ellis said. He had been thrown off by the situation but the little girl had saved him from being eaten… and well… it would make sense if she had saved him from the roller coaster too because how else would he have survived when his teammates had just left him; already thinking he was dead.
"Her? Ellis, that thing needs to die… So you should just move out of the way and let me finish it off for you." Nick's calloused, calculating voice was one that always sent shivers up Ellis' spine. He didn't appreciate it at all because it meant that the Nick that he liked had sunk to the back of the conman's mind and that the cold gambler Nick was out and in charge.
"No." Ellis said simply. Coach and Rochelle watched, not really knowing how to intervene. They did, at least, move to stand behind Ellis because they were against killing the little girl too.
"No? She's a goddamned Zombie Ellis, or can't you see that?" Nick sounded condescending and mean and Ellis was tired of being looked down on. He stood up, bearing down on Nick with just a look; his own brand of viciousness that he hadn't really shown anyone until now.
"She saved my life. Twice. If you kill her I will do so much worse to you." Ellis enunciated each word carefully, fighting to keep his country boy twang out of it. In his succession his voice sounded more commanding, more serious, and demanded respect.
Nick took a noticeable step back, surprised that Ellis was actually intimidating. He glared down at the little brat clutching fearfully to Ellis' leg. She couldn't have been older than 7… still had the big doe eyes, the innocence so akin to Ellis' own. No wonder the stupid hick had given in to the dumb brat.
"We should probably head on…" Rochelle put in, noticing that they wouldn't be alone for much longer. Coach nodded his agreement and Ellis turned on his heel, careful not to jostle the kid too much as she kept a grip on his pant leg. He looked over his shoulder only to make sure that Nick was following before marching ahead of Coach and Rochelle. He pulled out his gun; ready to fight all out… he didn't like the anger that now filled his heart and he wanted to fight it away. No wonder Nick could be so bitter and cold… the fire from fury actually physically hurt.
…..
"Come on, Come on! Hurry up!" Coach shouted as he held the door open for the other 3…. And uh… half? Ellis and his new little companion were first through the door, then Rochelle, and then a very behind Nick. Nick only just made it through before the giant zombie mob that had amassed and chased them half way through the carnival. It wasn't that the survivors couldn't have defeated them… it was that they didn't want to lose a limb and possibly a couple lives in the process.
The zombies beat on the door, growling and moaning in total frustration. The little girl, still clinging faithfully to Ellis, hissed at the door and the zombies gave one last thump before leaving the door. They weren't really gone, any experienced zombie hunter would know that… they just milled about nearby… waiting for their prey to leave the safety of their own prison.
Ellis looked down at what he considered his new friend… for lack of a better word. She hadn't left his side for an instance but she hadn't been a hindrance either. When the survivors had turned to flee the oncoming masses she followed right on Ellis' heels… keeping very close even with her shorter legs. Ellis was impressed to say the least… why did the little girl have to be a zombie?
"You let it in with us?!" Nick growled, pointing at the zombie child. He glared maliciously, his bad mood made even worse as he tended to a fairly deep cut on his calf.
"I'm not gonna leave 'er out there with those things." Ellis growled back, just as chillingly distant. Ellis and Nick stared one another down before Nick responded darkly.
"She is one of those things."
"Nick, Ellis, give it a rest. You guys have been arguing all day." Rochelle complained. Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance as she smacked both males upside the head. The child zombie giggled when Rochelle smacked Nick but abruptly stopped when she did the same to Ellis. The girl looked up at Rochelle with a look of utter horror… She looked so surprised that Ellis couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. Rochelle and Coach followed suit. Nick just scowled at them all before leaving the little two room shed… it was another food shack.
Ellis watched Nick leave… a simmering rage coursing through his system lightened up only by the ridiculous situation… but once Nick was gone Ellis felt strangely empty. He had been alone… realized how much he needed Nick… and now one little disagreement was trying to ruin their fragile 'friendship.'
"Couldja stay here for a bit?" Ellis asked the little girl. She looked up at him questioningly but sat down on the floor and Ellis took that as understanding. The mechanic looked back only once, to check to see if she was really staying. She had such a lost puppy dog look in her pale eyes… how could Nick see her as a monster?
Nick sat, staring at a corner. He knew he was being kind of childish but he really couldn't care less at this point. He didn't like that zombie kid… he didn't trust kids even when they weren't zombies. This one needed to go... but his soft hearted teammates couldn't see the outright danger in keeping her- it. He was so absorbed within himself he didn't hear Ellis approach.
"Nick?"
"What?" Nick growled, trying to hide the fact that he was startled.
"'m sorry tha' you don' like the kid." Ellis said, kneeling next to Nick and resting his hand on his shoulder. When Nick didn't respond Ellis sat down next to him.
"Where is your little carry along anyway?" Nick muttered in a foul temper.
"I asked her to stay in the other room." Ellis answered simply. Silence fell between the two men and Ellis noticed that Nick kept glancing up at him and then away. Ellis slipped his hand into Nick's and twined their fingers, trying to catch Nick's gaze.
Nick's heart almost stopped as he looked down at his hand, seeing how perfectly it fit with Ellis'. It was so comfortable… natural… he only just realized why he had always had a problem holding his ex's hand. Her hands had been too fragile; too soft; too seemingly easy to break. Nick knew that even if he gave it his best there was no way he'd be able to injure Ellis, at least not physically… It was only then that he realized Ellis had been speaking to him.
"Sorry tha' it bothers you. I don' do it jus' ta get on yer nerves… but tha' lil girl saved me Nick.. twice… ta shoot 'er would be… wrong. I jus' couldn' letcha do it Nick… she didn' do anythin' wrong an' who knows, maybe CEDA will find a cure someday… or maybe-"
Nick put a finger to Ellis' lips, telling him to stop. Ellis just looked back at Nick… before taking the finger still touching his mouth and kissing the palm of that hand.
"I jus' don' wantcha to be angry at me." Ellis whispered. "Not when we jus' refound eachother an' all."
"Oh Kid, you are such a naive child." Nick said, trying to swallow the feelings that had made themselves known at Ellis' charming behavior. He could feel the tingles in his palm and a warm zinging where Ellis still had a grip on each hand. Ellis smiled at him, but he still looked sad.
"Nick… I can't jus' leave 'er behind…" He said softly. Ellis was afraid that the moment he was having with Nick would be ruined by those words.
"I know you can't, Kid. I just don't trust it… We don't know much about these zombie children but what we know about the zombies is that they are dangerous… end of story. I just can't make myself trust it-her…" Nick admitted, staring down at their intertwined hands.
"You don' hafta worry bout 'er at all, Nick. I'll be solely in charge a her, ok?"
"Overalls, that's really not the point." Nick said with only a little exasperation. He smiled, his gaze still not leaving their hands. Ellis looked at Nick… just looked at him, waiting for him to go on.
Nick felt his heart soften… in all his years, all that time building up his walls and shields… there was never anyone who could reach through… who could crumble the walls and break down the shields the way Ellis did. It's like… even though he broke the walls down he didn't actually damage anything… he was just there, in Nick's heart… Nick didn't understand it and he wasn't really sure if he liked it or not. It bothered him to feel the weakness.. the vulnerability he had for Ellis but at the same time… living without the kid… and the warmth that overtook his heart whenever he was near the goofy mechanic… was it worth it? Nick tried to balance it in his mind… the pros and cons of Ellis.
"Nick… yer not gonna make me leave 'er behind… are ya?" Ellis asked, giving Nick his all-powerful Puppy dog Pout. Not being one with the willpower to withstand the Ellis pout… Nick bowed his head low enough that he could rest his forehead on Ellis hand, still firmly tangled with his.
"No kid.. you can keep it-…her."
"Nick, yer the best! No doubt!" Ellis said and Nick swore his heart stopped beating as Ellis leaned in and kissed him ever so innocently on the cheek. Nick turned to stare at Ellis who gave him a bashful look in return. The shocks running through his body awoke some very personal feelings with Nick… and as Ellis turned to lean away and possibly get up Nick gave in to them, not letting Ellis escape with being so teasing.
Ellis' hat fell to the floor as Nick's hand tangled itself in the mechanic's curly hair, gently but decisively pulling Ellis' face back towards his.
"Nick?" Ellis breathed, noticing the hunger in Nick's eyes… and some sort of soft inner glow as well. He knew he had been pushing it but he had just been so happy about Nick letting him keep the zombie kid around for at least a little longer. He really would have found some way to say good bye in the end if Nick really couldn't handle her being around.
When Ellis didn't shove him away -only stared longingly at his lips- Nick leaned the rest of the way in. Warmth flashed through his system as his lips connected with Ellis'. The mechanic froze in shock… aware of what Nick had been doing but surprised that he was able to go all the way through with it with no interruptions or hesitations.
Nick's lips were warm and skilled against Ellis' but that wasn't to say Ellis didn't know what he was doing. Their lips smacked apart before reconnecting again, the fervor in Ellis igniting with Nick's own passion. Ellis, ever being the tender gentleman, ran his fingers ever so lightly down Nick's cheek, once again reveling in the stubble beneath his fingertips.
Electricity shot between the two men, lighting inner fires and causing intimate reactions even when they separated to breathe. Ellis found himself staring into the very green depths of Nick's soul, the clarity that only came out when Ellis was around shone clearly then and Ellis felt like he almost had a direct link to Nick's thoughts.
It was Ellis' turn to initiate the kiss… and he gave Nick just enough time to breathe before pressing the conman back a bit, releasing Nick's hand so that he could wind both in Nick's hair. He found himself practically sitting in Nick's lap as he locked lips with Nick again, relishing in the feel of his lips pressed to Nick's. They were soft… but not like a girl's. They gave some resistance that Ellis found refreshing and very much a turn on.
"So this is where you two got to." Rochelle snickered. "Coach, you really should stay put." She called behind her. Ellis and Nick were lost in each other… it took them a moment to register first the fact that someone else was in the room… and that it was speaking.
"Why?" The deep voice responded as it got closer.
"These two were just a couple seconds from undressing each other." Rochelle couldn't help it; it had taken them long enough. She burst into fits of giggles, trying to stem them but that only made her laugh harder. Seeing the bluish color of Coach's face didn't help as he took in the scene as well. He forced a grim sort of grin, trying to be happy for the two but feeling a little sick too. Rochelle found herself having to lean on Coach to keep herself from falling down from laughing.
Nick pulled away from Ellis, feeling a slight chill as their lips disconnected.
"Did you need something?" Nick asked, slightly annoyed. He had finally, finally got not only the courage to kiss Ellis but the mechanic had kissed him back. He could see the blush starting to appear on Ellis' cheeks and rise to his ears. He was proud to notice that Ellis' lips were even redder, and down turned in a look of slight annoyance.
"Not particularly… we just came in to make sure you hadn't killed one another." Coach said, feeling his cheeks turn red at the unabashed look both men were giving him.
"Quite the opposite, actually." Nick said, placing his hands on Ellis' hips. Ellis was running his fingers nonchalantly through Nick's hair, one arm draped sensually on Nick's shoulder.
"We can see that." Rochelle said, still fighting bouts of laughter. Ellis looked at Nick and the gambler felt himself smirking as Ellis' face darkened to an even deeper shade of red. He stubbornly held his ground, however. Nick appreciated Ellis' fight against being embarrassed by the situation but the moment was gone and as much as Nick really wanted to tell Rochelle and Coach to fuck off and leave them be, he grabbed Ellis' hat and set it snugly on his head. It only took Nick a moment to figure out a new topic of conversation…
"So are you going to come up with a name for that… um…" Nick desperately wanted to say thing…
"I hadn' thought bout tha' at all!" Ellis said. Ellis stood up, straightening his shirt a bit before helping Nick up as well. He felt the burn across his face blaze as he noticed that Nick hadn't been the only one affected by the kissing, as much as the conman was able to stay calm. Ellis was just glad that the knot in his coveralls his the evidence of his own arousal.
"Well it would be nice to have something to call it…her… then zombie kid or whatever." Nick grumbled. He fought the foul mood that was trying to encompass him yet again. He noticed where Ellis' eyes kept straying and had to fight not to laugh to himself. The kid never failed to entertain Nick. He heard Ellis swallow and figured the kid must have had to stop and collect his thoughts. Damn Rochelle and Coach for once again ruining what could have been.
"Well… what do you think'd be a good name?" Ellis asked, smiling at Nick. Nick rolled his eyes, thoroughly amused yet irritated.
"I don't know…" Nick said, slightly thoughtful. "What about Abigail?"
"Tha's a mouthful… what do ya think 'bout 'Abbey' instead?"
"Whatever you want, Kid. Whatever you want." Nick responded with a slight shake of his head.
"Don't we get a say?" Coach asked, looking a little put out.
"Ellis asked me… and it's Ellis' zombie. So no Coach, you and Rochelle do not get a say." Nick responded coolly. As calm as Ellis made him, that did not mean he wasn't royally pissed at Coach and Rochelle.
"Do ya not like the name?" Ellis asked, looking a little hurt. Sometimes Nick wondered if Ellis was actually hurt by the notion…. Or if he was just milking his innocent redneck routine for all it was worth.
"It's fine. I just enjoy how easy it is to get on Nick's nerves." Coach had a very triumphant expression. Probably mostly because of the dumbfounded look that had crossed Nick's face briefly.
"It is kinda fun ta press his buttons sometimes." Ellis pondered thoughtfully, "But don' make him made, K? Cuz then you've got me ta deal with too."
"Oh does he now?" Nick asked. Bad mood once again forgotten.
"Well yeah… so if he does he'll have… I'll jus' hafta teach him a lesson I guess." Ellis shrugged, grinning.
"So what would you do if I said that he has really pissed me off." Nick asked, keeping his voice smooth and silky.
"He always does that, Nick." Ellis snorted, knowing Nick better than that.
"Good point… well what if I'm in a really bad mood now because of Coach…"
"Ya don't look like ya are." Ellis mused. Nick looked skyward.
"I'm dealing with it for your sake." Nick muttered.
"In that case… Nick, you're fantastic." Ellis said, giving Nick a quick kiss on the cheek. "And Coach, quit pushin' his buttons. I figure there's only so much Nick'll take for me." Ellis playfully punched Coach on the shoulder.
"It reminds me of this one time, with Keith. He swore to hell and back that I couldn't piss him off cuz I was his best friend. We were real lil at the time so he didn' know no better, but I did." Ellis said, pacing the kitchen slightly at the memory.
"Course I always wanted ta prove Keith wrong… so I figured a way to piss him off real bad."
"Really? What did you do?" Nick asked, feigning enthusiasm for the kid's sake.
"I stole his hat and drew on it with sharpies." Ellis' grin was mischievous and Nick felt a twinge of arousal set back in. Just something about that look…
"Aw Ellis, that's horrible!" Rochelle exclaimed as she started pulling out snacks and what not that could be arranged as some sort of dinner/lunch… food time.
"Thing is… it wasn' actually his hat. See, I had a hat tha' looked jus' like it. So I stole his hat right buh-fore he had ta leave one day and then drew on the hat I had tha' looked similar, coloring out whatever might give 'way tha' it wasn' actually his hat." Ellis exclaimed. He had taken his own hat off, brushing it off and looking at it fondly. "So when Keith came back, wantin' his hat… I gave him the replica with sharpie doodles all over it. Keith was so mad that he started crying… then I felt kinda bad but he wouldn' talk ta me.
"Keith's mom was pretty mad at me too, cuz I hadn't given Keith his real hat back an' she thought that I had colored on his hat. My mom smoothed it over though… she went to the store an' got us both hats, matching except for in color. I got this blue one… an' Keith has a red one. See, my mom, Keith, an' I all signed the inside." Ellis showed his teammates the little signatures hidden on the inside of the hat. "Keith's mom still was purdy mad at me though… she wouldn't sign my hat. I think I still have Keith's real hat… somewhere…"
"You mean you never gave it back?" Coach shook his head at Ellis' childishness.
"Nope. It made our twin hats specialler somehow…"
"Speaking of twins…" Nick said as he noticed a certain little zombie looking in on them. "There's your mini me right now."
Ellis looked where Nick gestured and grinned.
"Well howdy there. Sorry bout everyone leavin.' We were discussin' important grown up stuff." Ellis said, patting the girl's head. She looked up at him, disbelief written all over her face.
"Smart kid." Nick murmured to himself. It was hard to catch Ellis in a lie… then again… Ellis actually discussing 'grown up' stuff? The kid was right to doubt.
"So we were thinkin' bout a name fer ya… unless you r'member wha' yer real name is…?" Ellis asked, kneeling down in front of the child. He made a memo to himself to offer to clean up her injuries later. He didn't know if she could feel pain or not… but it would probably put everyone else's minds to rest if he did… the less she looked like a zombie the less she might be treated as one.
The tomboy shook her head, staring at her hands. She looked sad in a way… as if not knowing was shameful and just generally bad. Ellis looked the little girl in the eye.
"Would ya be alright with us callin' ya 'Abbey' then? I think it's cute an' fits ya real well." Ellis grinned as the girls eyes brightened and she nodded energetically. Abbey looked up at the other survivors and grinned and even Nick could see there was something more in her eyes… there was something there. Even if she looked the way she looked. Speaking of which.
"Abbey, sweetie, do you want me to bandage you up?" Rochelle asked, deciding it was time to start treating Abbey as a real living being and not some random creature Ellis picked up. She had saved the silly mechanic after all… and Rochelle, at least, was grateful to her for it.
Abbey shook her head, looking at Ellis.
"Do you want to be bandaged? Or do you want Ellis to bandage you up?" Rochelle responded… she only felt a little shunned but she should have figured. Abbey liked Ellis; it was the only reason she was still with the group.
Abbey looked thoughtful for a moment before looking at Ellis and holding out the arm with the bite on it.
"I'll go get the med-kit." Rochelle said, leaving the room briefly. Ellis smiled fondly at Abbey…
"I don't know why she'd trust you… she must've never seen you bandage anyone up." Coach teased Ellis.
"I dunno, I think I do a pretty good job." Ellis answered. The mechanic hadn't failed to notice that Nick had become very quiet… but Ellis didn't let it bother him. Nick was going to try and put up with Abbey –he'd even helped name her- so there was nothing for Ellis to worry about.
"If you say so." Coach chuckled. The big man looked at the food that Rochelle had been able to find with expiration dates later than that day. Coach was amazed that Rochelle was still keeping track of the days and time… but he was glad she did. No one wants to eat food with an expiration date of a couple weeks ago.
"I say so." Ellis responded as Rochelle walked back into the room, handing the med kit to Ellis.
"Do you mind if we eat a bit without you, honey?" Rochelle asked. "I have a feeling if we don't start now Coach will have it all eaten."
Coach scowled a moment before shrugging and nodding. She more or less had a point…
"Go ahead, I don' mind." Ellis shrugged as he started bandaging Abbey up. He didn't use very much of the cleaners and antibiotics because he wasn't sure how she'd react… he more or less just wrapped bandages around the open wounds. He even put a couple of the smaller Band-Aids on the scratches that littered her legs.
"There." Ellis said as he applied the last bandage.
"Wow… if it weren't for the eyes… and the skin… you'd think she was a regular little girl." Coach said in amazement. Nick stared coolly down at the little girl and shrugged, obviously not agreeing with Coach. Well… at least he hadn't left the room or anything.
"Didja save me anything?" Ellis pouted as he noticed a very empty table. Coach looked up guiltily and Rochelle's face turned pink.
"I'm afraid that's all I could find in here…" Rochelle murmured apologetically. Ellis' pout couldn't have been more heart breaking. Nick could almost see the tears start in his eyes. Nick couldn't help laughing.
"S'not funny." Ellis whined. Abbey patted his hand soothingly, looking up at him with big, adoring eyes.
"I think it's hilarious." Nick mentioned, reaching over and grabbing Ellis' hat. Ellis sniffled, looking very dejected. Abbey stalked over to Nick and held out her hand, gesturing for him to give the hat to her. She had a very smug expression on her face and Nick had to work very hard not to laugh again. He was caught off guard by that simple fact and handed her Ellis' hat. She put it back on his head, backwards, and patted it.
Ellis smiled at her but squirmed as his stomach gave a particularly loud growl. Abbey looked up at him with sad eyes, hugging his arm.
"I'll be ok. Goin' withou' dinner has never killed me buh-fore. It shouldn' now either." Ellis said, standing up. His stomach gave another loud growl but he ignored it.
"Sorry Ro' but I'm thinkin' that I deserve the couch." Ellis said… not commanding but more with a plea in his voice.
"Yeah Ellis, you're right. There are a couple of matts for the rest of us." Rochelle responded, pointing in the corner. Nick looked at the ceiling before rolling his eyes and grabbing one, dragging it into the room Ellis would be sleeping in. He set the matt down next to the couch and relaxed down onto it.
Ellis followed shortly, his 'mini me' in tow.
"Do ya sleep?" Ellis was asking as he took a seat on the couch. Abbey looked at him confused, sitting on the couch as well. Realizing she didn't understand for once he pointed to Nick who was lying on the floor, his eyes closed as he listened to Ellis' voice. Abbey shook her head.
"Oh… well… we need to. I dunno what yer gonna wanna do while we sleep." Ellis was stumped. He had no idea what to do… as much fun as it would be staying up with Abbey there were two reasons why that would be a bad idea. First, as long as Abbey stayed around he wouldn't be able to do that and Second, he needed his sleep.
"I'm sure she'll be fine." Nick explained, not opening his eyes. He grinned as he heard Ellis's stomach grumble to its hungry self.
"I hope I'll be able ta get a lil sleep." Ellis muttered, looking very forlornly at the floor.
"There are so many things I'd like to do to that pouting mouth…" Nick whispered under his breath, but he refrained from actually moving more than just sitting up. He reached into his pocket and pulled out whatever he was able to snag from under Coach's nose. Understand that Nick would eat it and not be hungry before he gave any to Ellis but he had gotten enough to keep his own stomach quiet and realized that if he didn't do something there would be nothing left for Ellis.
Ellis was trying to ignore the hunger pain in his stomach, wondering how he'd get any sleep at all that night. Abbey just sat and watched him with her pale eyes. Ellis' interest awoke as he heard the crinkling of something but he fought to ignore it, lest his hopes be raised just to be crushed.
"Here." Nick said, tossing Ellis two bags of chips, 3 twinkies, a couple candy bars, and a jar of peaches. Where Rochelle had found the peaches he had no idea… he was just glad it was baby food jar sized because otherwise he wouldn't have been able to keep it hidden. He had heck keeping the food hidden as it was.
"What…?!" Ellis stared at the treasure trove that lay scattered where he was sitting. "What is all this?"
"Dinner." Nick shrugged, lying back down and closing his eyes. Ellis felt his heart warm to bursting point as he enjoyed his meager supper. Going from nothing to something that would keep his stomach quiet was like heaven… Ellis noticed while he popped open the bag of chips that Abbey was staring at the small pile of candy bars in Ellis' lap.
"Didja want one?" Ellis asked, unwrapping a chocolate bar and offering it to her. She stared at it a moment, looking up at Ellis then back at the candy. She was hesitant as she took it from him, taking a tentative bite. Her eyes lit from within, shining with a very bright light as she took another bite and another.
"Hey Nick, are ya seein' this?" Ellis asked as Abbey slowly enjoyed her chocolate bar.
"What?" Nick asked sitting up. He looked at Abbey and his eyebrows rose in surprise. She was eating chocolate… there was a slight twinge of annoyance that some of what he had smuggled for Ellis was being given to Abbey but he supposed it could be worse. It was an interesting discovery nonetheless.
Ellis offered her another candy bar after she finished the first and the smile she gave him… it made Ellis' heart feel a strange sort of warmth, not anything like what he felt for Nick or Zoey… more a slow burning warmth that told him he would do anything to protect this little girl.
Ellis handed Nick the rest of the candy bars with a meaningful look at Abbey. She eyed Nick a little suspiciously but in the end her new, re-found love for chocolate won her over and she went over to sit next to Nick and beg with huge doe eyes.
"Overalls… you're a real pain." Nick grumbled as he unwrapped another candy bar for Abbey. Meanwhile Ellis enjoyed the peaches that Nick had snagged him; a real delicacy at this point in time. Abbey smiled gratefully up at Nick when he handed her the king sized kit-kat bar. Nick couldn't help it anymore, he smiled back.
"It's strange that you like chocolate… sometimes I wonder about you…" Nick said as he watched Abbey enjoy her 'meal'. Nick wondered fleetingly if she'd feel queasy if she ate too much like a normal child. There was only one candy bar left anyway, it wouldn't hurt… right?
"Here you go, sweetheart." Nick cooed softly as he handed the last chocolate bar to Abbey. She smiled up at him, giving him a hug. Nick was wholeheartedly stunned. The more time he spent with Abbey… the less she seemed like a monster. Abbey released Nick and accepted the chocolate from him, giving him a look that until then she had reserved for Ellis.
Ellis could have sworn that his heart burst with love at that moment… Nick could just be so goddamned adorable sometimes. He was so good with kids… even if he didn't like them. Ellis wondered if he had ever had kids… but no, he had mentioned not right? Ellis couldn't recall. It's too bad… Ellis could imagine Nick as an amazing father if he could just find the right person for him. Ellis had a random image of himself and Nick standing hand in hand and looking down at a couple kids playing together.
Ellis shook his head to clear his head of the image. This thing… with Nick… Ellis highly doubted that it would be anything permanent. Nick didn't have real feelings for him… did he? Ellis really didn't think so… not with Nick's attitude and his past… still… No. Ellis would not dwell on it too much. The more he thought about a future with Nick the more his heart would be torn when reality caught up with him and told him 'not going to happen.'
"Back ta the problem of sleeping…" Ellis mumbled sleepily to himself. He stretched before slumping down onto the couch. He grinned lazily down at Nick who had found a napkin somewhere and was fondly wiping the excess chocolate from Abbey's face. Her eyes glittered with an emotion that Ellis would have sworn a zombie of any kind could never have.
"Just lie down, Sport." Nick muttered as he tossed the napkin to the side without so much as a bat of an eye. Ellis obeyed and Abbey hugged Nick one last time before jumping onto the couch and snuggling into Ellis' chest.
"Are ya gonna try ta sleep?" Ellis asked, smiling down at Abbey. She just closed her eyes and stayed very still. Ellis chuckled to himself before closing his eyes as well.
Nick couldn't sleep… the previous scene with Ellis and that kiss kept playing though his mind and his body reacted in an all too pleasant way. Just the thoughts of Ellis kept playing through his mind… all of his expressions and his innocence… would Nick be the one to steal that innocence? He hoped so… or did he? Was what was happening with Ellis really a good thing? Nick wasn't sure…
As thoughts and memories buzzed through his mind Nick didn't even realize when his mind went from the waking world to a dream.
"Ellis?" He asked, wondering how they had ended up back in a real house. He thought they had been in a snack shack. Ellis didn't answer and in that moment Nick realized that Ellis was wearing nothing but an Apron… and that did very little to hide the arousal the boy had.
Ellis didn't respond to Nick except to look up at the conman ever so innocently. Nick felt a thrill run through his body at this… God how he wanted that body. He wouldn't let himself admit it… but finally thinking it released something within him. He noticed that his pants were getting awfully tight, and Ellis seemed to notice as well. He sashayed over to Nick, pressing the conman back until Nick had landed on a couch with Ellis on his lap. Ellis' knee brushed ever so softly against Nick's growing arousal.
Nick gasped, seeking more friction and Ellis gave it to him willingly, purposely putting more pressure on that area. Nick couldn't prevent his hips from bucking up ever so slightly and Ellis grinned, very mischievously. It pulled a moan from Nick's throat and then Ellis' lips were on his. Nick could feel the wetness of Ellis' tongue sliding against his lips and he was about to open to give Ellis entrance when he was startled awake.
Nick sat straight up, or he tried to. There was a very warm weight holding him down and another cooler weight curled into his side. Nick opened his eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the darkness before he looked around. Nick smirked to himself at what he found, his heart melting just a little.
Ellis had his head resting on Nick's shoulder, arm draped over Nick's stomach. Ellis was also curled protectively around Abbey whose head was resting on Nick's stomach. Apparently even zombies needed to sleep… or maybe children zombies did? Either way, Abbey had figured it out. Ellis shifted a little and one of his legs draped over Nick's, bumping into Abbey. In response she snuggled closer to Nick, grabbing a soft hold on his blue shirt. She sighed in contentment, nuzzling the blue fabric.
Nick wished she wasn't a zombie… She was probably one of those all too adorable kids. One of the ones even he would have gotten along with. What was Ellis going to do when he had to pick between Abbey and CEDA… There was no way Ellis would want to hand Abbey over but they needed to get to CEDA… there was no ands, ifs, or buts about it. They had had so many close calls so far. Nick patted Abbey's head before weaving his fingers through Ellis'. The mechanic's fingers flexed in response, curling into his automatically. Nick found he had no trouble going back to sleep… and this time he was not… 'bothered' by any more dreams of Ellis.
…
Walking through the Carnival with Abbey was like a get out of the zombie apocalypse free card. Sure zombies still milled around and even fewer then that would try to attack them but there were few enough that they were easily dealt with. Some of the zombies aiming to attack ran away when Abbey hissed at them. All in all the survivors were very glad for their new companion. Going a little bit against common sense they slowed down and enjoyed all the new activities open to them. They saw zombies pass them, a malicious glare on their face, but they did not come near the survivors as soon as they saw Abbey.
"What is it about her, do you think?" Rochelle asked, looking down at the little zombie child. She.. was a little menacing Rochelle guessed… at least when she hissed. But honestly… if she were a zombie she wouldn't hesitate attacking the little one to get to her meal… Rochelle tried recalling what happened to Nick when he attacked the children zombie before. One zombie child, although amazing, really wouldn't be enough to take down all the zombies…. Would it?
"GUYS! COTTON CANDY! GUYS, DO YOU SEE IT TOO!?" Ellis shouted with a laugh. "Man, it's been like… forever since I had any cotton candy!"
"And I'm guessing you're getting a 'hankering' for cotton candy right now?" Nick light pinched the bridge of his nose, more in a show of annoyance than an actual headache coming on.
"Please?" Ellis asked. Abbey's look mirrored his plea.
"Be ready Coach, Nick cannot hold out against Ellis and even less against Abbey." Rochelle said, patting Nick's shoulder. Nick glowered at her, but knew she was right. At the moment he was trying to look anywhere but at Ellis.
"Where is it?" Nick finally gave in, somewhat irritated. Ellis and Abbey pointed at a little booth across the row from them.
"Really?" Ellis sounded like a kid in a candy store… Nick rolled his eyes at the analogy, realizing it was very much like the situation they were in right now.
"Sure, sure. Just don't take forever." Nick said, crossing his arms. The three adults followed the other two over to the machine.
"How do these things work?" Ellis asked, blinking in confusion. Rummaging on the other side Abbey came back with a bag of sugar, white paper cones, and a scoop. Ellis looked at her quizzically and she rolled her eyes, grinning at his lack of knowledge.
"Outclassed by a little girl." Nick teased as Abbey showed Ellis how to turn on the machine, and then poor the sugar into a compartment. After that he was able to figure out how to tangle the candy into a spherical shape around the cone.
"Here ya go Nick, what do ya think?" Ellis handed him the first cone. Nick looked at it and shrugged.
"Beautiful craftsmanship." Nick's sarcasm was very evident. "Look Kid, you can't mess up cotton candy. It's just not possible." Nick took a bite to prove his point, enjoying the feel of sugar melting on his tongue. Making one for Coach, and then Rochelle next, Ellis seemed to be having the time of his life. Abbey showed she wanted to help make a couple as well so Ellis picked her up and she made one for herself, and one for Ellis. They shut the machine down before leaving, all of them enjoying their very sugary treats.
"I never knew that this was pure sugar." Coach said. "I really just thought my parents were joking."
"Well don't they use the 'pure sugar' line for every kind of candy?" Rochelle asked.
"Well… yeah."
"There you go Coach, you had no reason to believe them this time either."
Walking through they found games that Ellis just had to stop and play. He especially enjoyed a little carnival game where you had to shoot the plastic balls at cartoon zombies. Once he figured he had earned an actual stuffed animal he shot down a stuffed green dinosaur, handing it to Abbey. Nick reached into his own pocket to see if the teddy bear Ellis had given him was still there. Finding out that it was, he sighed in relief… What could he say, the kid was really growing on him… both of them were.
"Now can we go on a ride?" Ellis pleaded.
"Now Ellis, boy that is really pushing it." Coach put his foot down.
"But… but Nick?" Ellis turned 'the begging eyes' on him.
"Alright Overalls, this time you will not hold power over me. Coach is right… who knows when this little freebie from zombies will wear off." Nick stared right into Ellis' eyes, fighting the urge to give in. Last time he gave in to the rides… Ellis had almost died. That gave Nick the reserve to say absolutely not to that face; even when Abbey put the power of her look on him as well.
"But Niiiick…" Ellis whined.
"Overalls… don't make me hurt you." Nick's brow twitched irritably.
"….You wouldn' hurt me…" Ellis said but the doubt was clear in his voice.
"It's funny how you can go from so sure in yourself to a dumb kid." Nick exclaimed, more to himself than anyone. Ellis was ready to make a witty comment when he noticed Nick's face paling.
"Wha's gotcha all tongue-tied, Nick?" Ellis asked, his heart pounding and the blood draining from his face as he turned to look in the direction that Nick was looking. When he didn't see anything and heard his teammates laughing he caught on.
"Tha's not funny." Ellis pouted, crossing his arms. Abbey mimicked him, a pout on her face as well.
"Your expression was hilarious." Nick disagreed, patting Ellis on the head. Abbey glared at Nick, shaking a fist at him before hugging Ellis' leg. She peeked out to stick her tongue at Nick before hiding again.
"I don't think so." Nick said, sneaking around the other side of Ellis. He saw that Abbey was peeking around Ellis' leg again and he took that moment to poke her. She jumped in surprise, moving away from Ellis' leg. Nick grabbed her up, spinning her before bringing her in close, cuddling her.
"Come on, I have to give Overalls a bad time every now and then." Nick told Abbey. She was too busy giggling to respond. When she regained her composure she looked at Nick. He wondered if she was still mad at him… but put that thought to rest when she hugged him, throwing her arms around his neck. Not seeming to want to be put back down Nick helped her onto his shoulders.
"You're really somethin' else." Ellis smiled at Nick, tugging on one of Abbey's feet playfully. She hugged Nick's head, drumming her heels lightly on his shoulders. She also snagged Ellis' hat when he wasn't looking, putting it on Nick backwards.
"Hey now, I need that hat…" Ellis warned, grinning. Abbey paused, looking thoughtful for a moment… before she took off her own hat and handed it to him.
"Wow Ellis, you sure are getting special treatment." Nick teased as he adjusted Abbey's weight so she fit a little more comfortably on his shoulders. She was pretty heavy for a little kid… but Nick could handle it. Especially without zombies attacking them.
Of course… things can't go perfectly forever, as the survivors and their new little buddy found out when a hunter attacked.
"Get It Off!" Coach wailed as the Hunter tried to get passed Coach's gun to slice the man to pieces.
Nick and Ellis shot, Abbey clinging fearfully to Nick's shoulders. She slipped down his back as he ran to help Coach, shoving the dead Hunter off of him.
"You still in one piece Coach?" Nick asked, offering Coach his hand. Coach was about to respond when another Hunter appeared, leaping at Ellis.
"Bastard!" Nick shouted, putting a bullet through the Hunter's head.
"Where are they all coming from?" Rochelle cried out as they heard the warning sound of more Hunters as they approached. Abbey was quivering in fear, clinging to Ellis' leg with a death grip. Tremors ran through her body as glowing eyes became visible all around them.
"Shhh, it'll be ok Abbey. We'll keep you safe." Nick cooed to her, shooting a Hunter that had leapt at them. One leapt at Nick's back, ready to hit its target when another mass ploughed into it. The hunter's throat was torn out before it even knew what was going on.
Abbey hissed down at the dead Hunter, glaring at the other three pairs of eyes that could be seen. They all turned to her, hissing back. She prowled along on all fours, keeping an eye on all 3 of them. When one of them came into clear view Nick shot at it, taking down one more. The two left took that opportunity to leap at Abbey. Ellis jumped in front of one of them and they collided. Ellis and the Hunter fell to the ground, rolling around in the dirt as both Ellis and the zombie tried to gain the advantage.
Meanwhile Abbey scrapped with the one that had attacked her. Neither Rochelle nor Coach could get a clear shot on either Hunter that was attacking their teammates. Nick ran in with his bat, knocking the one attacking Ellis to the ground and bashing its head in. Ellis leaped to his feet, looking for where Abbey was.
Abbey's battle looked very much like a dog fight with people. Abbey and the Hunter snapped at each other, trading scratches and bites back and forth while they each tried to gain the upper hand. The Hunter finally got ahold of Abbey's fore leg, throwing her to the ground. She screamed in surprise and possible pain as she crashed into a booth.
"DIE!" Ellis lunged at the Hunter with his bare hands, forgetting or ignoring the fact that a hunter has claws and teeth… Nick ran to Ellis' aide, trying to keep the Hunter from doing Ellis serious damage in his blind rage. The Hunter knocked Ellis off, attempting to pounce on Ellis but Nick slammed it away with the blunt edge of his axe. Ellis clutched at a cut on his arm, blood slipping out in streamlets.
Rochelle took the free shot on the hunter as Ellis crawled to where Abbey still lay, motionless.
"Abbey?" He whispered as he pulled her body from the debris. She didn't respond immediately and it wasn't like Ellis could check for a heartbeat. He held his breath, not even noticing when Nick came to sit next to him.
"Abbey…" Ellis whispered, patting her hair. He took her hat off, realizing he was still wearing it… and Nick was still wearing his. He set her hat back on her head, tenderly adjusting it while Nick took Ellis' hat off as well. The two men cradled the limp girl between them and Nick could feel tears pool in his eyes, the burning taking over. Ellis' tears had already started spilling down his cheeks.
Abbey's luminous, pale eyes blinked up at them. She smiled, sitting up as if there was nothing wrong with being thrown into another solid object. Nick scrubbed at his eyes, glad that no tears had escaped. Ellis patted Abbey's hat, hugging the child close to him.
"We thoughtcha mighta been dead." Ellis whispered.
"We're glad you're alright." Nick said, joining the hug between Ellis and Abbey. Rochelle and Coach joined as well, a tear track on Rochelle's cheek.
"I don' know wha' I'dda done if you died." Ellis mumbled, voice choked with tears. Abbey leaned back enough to wipe away the tears with a little handkerchief she pulled from her pocket. With her bloodstained overalls and shirt… it was amazing that the handkerchief was so clean. Ellis smiled, kissing the back of her hand gently. She smiled brightly up at him.
"We need to go… we need to get out of here." Coach reminded gently, looking around as more rustling was heard.
Nick looked at their little group… At the new addition that he had so loathed… but… Although he may not have been as attached as Ellis, Abbey meant more to him than any other kid ever even dreamed. Nick shuddered, realizing Ellis wouldn't be the only heartbroken one when they finally had to leave Abbey… Who knew what awaited them… hopefully Abbey would be able to take care of herself and could say goodbye to them as well…
Regardless, it was a bridge to be crossed only once it was reached. No need to jump the gun just yet. No one could tell the future… As the survivors walked through the carnival, Ellis and Nick swinging a very delighted Abbey between them, they kept in mind that they still had each other… and as long as that held true… Nick was pretty sure he'd be able to face anything thrown his way.
If only he knew what was in store for him and his companions….
