Chapter 4: Adaptation

20 Years Later

Abruptly sitting up in bed, Daphne let out a small whimper and held her head in her hands. Noticing this Fred casually got up and held her. She was experiencing another anxiety attack something that was a norm for the both of them. After twenty years of living in what seemed like hell it took a heavy toll on their mental health. Daphne's anxiety came through in random panic attacks it did not matter what she was doing a sudden wave of fear would hit her, engulfing her leaving her paralyzed with fright. Fred's anxiety, on the other hand, presented itself through anger. He was known around the refugee camp as unapproachable, violent, and downright cold. He was extremely disliked but feared and that was exactly what Fred wanted. If surviving for years in the shit had taught him anything it was to not be perceived as soft and to never let anyone in. He developed severe trust issues and only trusted Daphne and his two kids and possibly Velma and Shaggy if they were still alive it was possible that they were but highly unlikely. Daphne and Fred had not seen them in years. Velma and Shaggy had plans to leave the Boston refugee camp and go out west preferably to Colorado. Velma was set on the idea that it was safer to be in the mountains. There would be endless resources of food and water, less people, and hopefully less infected. There were even rumors that some camps out there had running water and electricity. Boston being a populous part of the United States it was prone to attack by infected or drifters and that was too high of a risk for Velma to take. Fred and Daphne were all for going with them only problem was they had two small children at the time, and they could not risk dragging their kids across the country. So, they all made the difficult decision of parting ways.

"You wouldn't believe what Bug did to me today," Fred said speaking softly into her ear causing a small smile to tug at Daphne's lips.

"We were both in the food line and they had dehydrated fruit today which got me excited y'know how rare it is that they have dehydrated fruit. Anyway, we bring the food back home and I make the horrible mistake of leaving Bug with the fruit. Daphne, I must've been gone not even a minute and she ate it all. She didn't even have the curtesy to leave me one Daph. That girl can be evil at times!" Fred exclaimed which earned him a hearty laugh from Daphne. Sarah or as Fred lovingly calls Bug was their fourteen-year-old daughter. She was a spitting image of her mother the only physical traits she got from Fred was her blond hair and her blue eyes.

"You feeling any better?" Fred questioned. "I'm feeling a lot better," she turned towards him and smiled, "Thank you," she said softly. "Of course, that's what I'm here for," he smirked, he brought his hand to her cheek and he slowly leaned in for a kiss. Chaste at first, they quickly intensified into passionate kisses Daphne slowly leaned back onto the bed bringing Fred on top of her careful to not break the kiss. She wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him in as close as she could and feeling his hardness press against her, it sent shivers throughout her body. After all these years he still had that effect on her. She broke the kiss and started unbuttoning his pants the sudden desperation for him was exciting her. Before she could finish her task, they were interrupted by a loud explosion followed by gunshots the camp sirens immediately going off as a result. Fred let out a low growl, "You've got to be kidding me,"

Daphne gently pushed him off her and ran to the window to see what was happening her eyes widened with horror once she realized what was going on.

"Fuck, Fred it's drifters and there's a shit ton of them," Buckling up his pants Fred joined her at the window, "Grab the kids we're gonna head to the hideout," He instructed. Daphne nodded and headed towards the door only to be greeted by it flinging open.

"Holy crap! Mom I'm so sorry!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Ugh! It's fine, where's your brother?" She groaned rubbing her head.

"He's uh… he's sleeping over Nathans," she replied in a timid tone. Her parents exchanged worried looks. "I'm sorry! He told me not to tell you guys," she explained hoping to get something other than silence from them. With the gunshots seeming to echo louder Daphne bolted out of the bedroom making Fred rush after her, before she got to the exit he grabbed her arm stopping her in her tracks.

"Fred! Let go of me!" She yelled desperately trying to break free of his grip. "Daphne stop! Take Sarah to the hideout, I'll go get Andrew," She hesitated, Nathan lived in the building across the street from them that would mean Fred would have to risk his life in order to even get to their son let alone bring him back. "Fred, you make sure he gets back here in one piece," She demanded, "I will," he replied giving her a weak smile. His facial expression broke her heart she saw that he knew the risk in this. The military guards and drifters were having a full-blown battle in the streets of the camp he would have to try and find a way to cross it twice without being shot. She kissed him with as much passion as she possibly could this might be the last time they kiss…the last time she sees him alive she needed to make it count. Breaking the kiss, she saw that he was grinning ear to ear causing her to let out a small chuckle. "I love you, you big dork," She said.

"And I love you, you big goof," They embraced squeezing each other tightly, "Don't leave me out," Sarah said light-heartedly walking over with tears in her eyes. Her parents gladly opened their arms for her. "Alright," Fred said kissing both of their heads, "I'll be back soon." He gave them a warm-hearted smile before leaving.

"Ok, where's this hideout?" Sarah questioned looking at her Mom for guidance.

The hideout was simply a passageway to the outside world. The guards at the camp were firm on keeping their people in. No one getting out meant no one gets infected. The refugee camp was more of a prison than a haven, but most people would take that than being eaten and ripped apart. People who did not want the military babysitting them lived their lives as drifters. A lifestyle Fred and Daphne started off with during the beginning of the breakout, a lifestyle they adapted very well to. Once Daphne got pregnant with Andrew, her and Fred both decided it would be best to live in a camp to make sure their kids could get a somewhat normal and safe upbringing, a decent education, and be spared from seeing infected or murder on a daily basis like Fred and Daphne did during the first three years of the breakout.

Daphne cautiously walked her daughter down to the first floor of their building to much of Daphne's surprise the hallways of the first floor were empty she was expecting it to be flooded with guards or people at least someone, but not a single soul was to be seen. I guess that's good she thought. They started their way down the hallway the room they needed to get to was at the end. Once there Daphne took out keys, unlocked it, and slowly opened the door peering her head in checking for anyone it was usually a vacant suite her, Fred, and a few other people had access to this room so the chances of anyone being in there were little to nothing. Still, with the military banning weapons she felt extremely vulnerable without a gun by her side and did not want to take any chances especially with Sarah. Once inside she shut the door and walked over to an old boxy T.V stand.

"Sarah, sweetie, help me push this," Furrowing her brow in confusion Sarah obliged. Her questions were answered when a giant hole in the wall appeared from behind the stand.

"Down here, it's gonna be a bit of a drop so be careful," Daphne warned to which Sarah nodded in return. Jumping down they were met with complete darkness the only light was a red blinking glow emitting from a generator. Grabbing Sarah's hand Daphne walked towards the generator and turned it on the underground tunnel immediately filled with light.

"Let there be light!" Sarah joked looking up to her mother her light smile quickly turned into a frown when she saw Daphne glaring at her.

"Are you mad at me?" Sarah asked timidly.

"Not mad just extremely disappointed in you," Somehow that hurt Sarah more, "Listen, your father and I don't care if you hang with people, in fact we encourage it, it's when you don't tell us what's going on that's what pisses us off," She paused trying to hide the worry in her voice, "we live in a very dangerous world and we need to know where you guys are at in case shit like this happens," her words now becoming shaky Daphne was getting extremely worried about Fred and Andrew and Sarah saw the distress on her mother's face. Tears swelling up in both their eyes Sarah walked over and embraced her mother. "They're gonna come back don't worry," Sarah said. Daphne let out a shaky sigh and kissed her daughter's head.