Almost two weeks had passed since the incident over the wall. Everyday was the same routine. Breakfast, watch, chores. Then lunch, then more chores and more watch rotations until it was time for dinner and then they could rest a little. Each day dragged into the next, with Alex marking down every day that went by in her diary. Even though the children had begun helping out with the watches during the day, they were yet to be on the rotation overnight so they spent their evenings playing board games by the fire.
Alex was exempt from most jobs while her leg healed meaning she was house bound for the majority of the time. She took it upon herself to become chief babysitter and was often found occupying Rae with a book or plastic car. Boredom had soon settled in however, making Alex agitated while being cooped up in one of the two houses. She found herself taking on some of the more trivial tasks, like sewing together lengths of cloth for Peter to use as make-shift bandages. Peter himself was happy with the way her leg was healing and removed Alex's stitches after the two weeks were up and lifted her house arrest. She was no longer exempt from being on watch and the short walks to and from the fence felt like the greatest amount of freedom.
One evening, the adults had a long discussion about the ever-growing problem of the walkers piling against the fence. They had multiplied overnight when what Vincent described as a "herd" had found its way to their haven. Small arguments had broke out about how to handle the situation - some thought it was best to leave them, others suggested using the guns. It was Tobias who offered that clearing them was the best solution and they could do this by picking them off through the fence. Adrian had bound a knife to an old snooker cue and the clearing process began the next morning.
They had one silencer for a gun which Daniel allowed the children take turns using to pick off the walkers from their posts. This target practise quickly became a sport for them. Between stabbing them through the fence and picking them off with the gun all of the walkers lay dead within the day. But as the bodies built up so did the stench of festering flesh. The only way to get rid of the bodies, and the smell, was to unlock the gate and dispose of the corpses quickly. Vincent suggested burning them on the dump opposite so a tag team system was set up. Two people would drag a body across the road and into a pile while two others would stand on guard, rotating jobs each time. It was tough and dirty work, but it had to be done.
Daniel doused the bodies in gasoline before striking a match and dropping it into the mound. The flames were small at first, catching onto one of the walkers frayed clothes, but it soon grew and engulfed them all. With the flames roaring high and bright, the heat grew so intense that the group retreated back into the safety of the fences. Hours later the flames finally began to die, leaving nothing but a pile of charred, black ash.
That was the last time they had ventured outside. Apart from Tobias and Alex, of course.
Tobias went back to the shop five more times, picking the supply room completely clean. He was weary of how far he ventured while on his own but made sure to tell Alex every time he was leaving. Each time Alex offered to go with him despite her injury but he protested and left her behind. Fortunately his runs were extremely uneventful. Both Alex and Tobias wanted to check out the large supermarket on the other side of town but decided it wasn't worth the risk while Tobias was on his own. The adults were still adamant that the military would be back. They kept themselves locked away out of blind faith in this organisation. The children were less sceptical. It had been exactly 16 days since that gate was locked behind the last military truck that had left and since then, they hadn't met another living person. In her gut Alex new they were gone; more than likely dead. Deep down she knew her father knew it too.
She could tell every time Daniel looked away when someone brought up the army. The way pain flickered through his eyes as he glanced at the family picture that hung on the living room wall. They knew they were the only two left of the Evans family. Sam, Charley, Freddie, her mother Helen were all lost to whatever horror that stopped the military from returning. Six were down to two. And every day since, the children lost a little more hope.
Zoe had come to the same realisation. Her mother and sister were gone, but Vincent was still adamant that they would be moving to the coast and still talked about the rest of his family as if they were still alive.
Layla, Billy and Tobias were all surrounded by their family so didn't struggle with the same grief.
None the less, they were still supportive of their friends and helped them through the hard times. Some nights, when it got quite and the imagination was let lose to cook up a stomach churning image of the lost families the children would sit awake together until they all nodded off to sleep in the same room. Other times, Zoe's sniffles would keep Alex awake and staring into the darkness, feeling slightly empty inside.
But this was the world now. The pain that loss brought either made you weak, or you wore it like armour against the terrors that the next day could hold. Alex liked to think she chose the latter. Even when she was lay awake in the dead of night, blinking back tears. Remembering her lost siblings. Remembering her mother. Remembering how life used to be before she fell asleep on Layla's couch and woke up in a nightmare.
Two weeks on and here they were. Strangers living as family. But the love they had gained for each other didn't put food on the table. Tobias had completely emptied the corner shop and was adamant that he wanted to head to the larger supermarket the next day. It would have way more food and loads of other supplies that they needed. Now Alex was back on her feet they could make the run to the other side of town together. Tobias still argued she wasn't healed properly but Alex was at the end of her tether inside the fence.
"I swear to god Toby, if I don't get out of here soon I'm going to start tearing my hair out."
"You can hardly walk and..."
"And you can't go on your own. So unless you're planning on taking Zoe with you this time, I'm coming."
Tobias huffed in defeat and waved her along to tell Zoe their plans. They told her each time Tobias went out despite her constant protests. Alex thought she would stop worrying the more times he would leave and return safely, but with each run Zoe seemed to become more jumpy. She would hardly touch her food at breakfast before he left, murmuring things like "see we've got plenty of food" into Alex's ear. More than enough times she'd plead for Alex to tell an adult where he was going. Time and time again they would tell her it was not an option and anyone else knowing would just be too risky. Today was no different.
They found Zoe and explained the plans for the next day to which she repeated her usual ramble about how dangerous it was. Alex sighed and bid Tobias goodnight as a dismissal to her fussing .
The next morning at breakfast Alex announced that she, Tobias and Zoe would spend the day catching up on school work. A few days before, the parents had decided that all the teenagers needed to do at least a few hours of school work a day to keep them learning about the 'important stuff'. Despite the vast amount of protest, the kids finally gave in after being angrily reminded that if it wasn't for all this shit they would still be doing 7 hours a day at school. Knowing that Billy would rather take a shift on watch and Layla would do anything other than algebra sums, the pair had a perfect alibi before sneaking over the wall. So an hour later when Layla retreated to her room and Billy took his post on the wall, Tobias and Alex decided to prepare for the run. They carried two large backpacks each which they hid under Tobias' bed when they were inside the walls.
Zoe however was sat on the floor acting stranger than usual, her face pale and hands shaking.
"What's wrong Zoe?" Tobias asked, slinging one of the bags over his shoulder. She stared off for a second, her eyes full of worry then glanced away.
"I don't want you to go. It was different when it was the corner shop, it was close and small. But the supermarket is on the other side of town, it'll take you hours to do whatever you need to do. And what if you run into trouble..."
"Tobias has been out on his own the last few times. It must be safer with us doing it together."
"Its not safe. With both of you back out there I've just got another person to worry about not coming home."
"Zoe how many times..." Alex inserted, but Zoe grew defiant and her fear made her snap.
"No Alex, listen. You go off out there and I'm the only one who knows where you are. I have no idea when or even if you'll come back. I'm sick of it. I don't want either of you going out there anymore! And I sure as hell won't be covering for you anymore."
Alex opened her mouth to argue back but Tobias was faster, seeing red before anyone else.
"You think I like going out there?! Do you honestly think I have fun out there? Cause that sure isn't the fucking case. The first time we went out there we saw a little girl torn up in the street... Her body was still warm." He snapped "I risked my life so you can eat. We've risked our lives. And you can't even cover for us so nobody else gets hurt? That's low. We don't have time for this..c'mon Alex, we're loosing daylight."
Tobias push past them and out the door, Alex following behind him. Zoe grabbed her wrist, stopping Alex in her tracks pleading one last time.
"I can't lie to them Alex. They should know just incase anything happens to you. They need to know you go out there. It'll be safer."
Alex twisted her arm out of Zoe's grasp, annoyed.
"I'm not asking you to lie. I'm asking you not to tell." She hissed sharply "And it won't be safer at all. A bigger group means more noise, and that means more walkers. We can't risk it. You know we have to do this. We can't just hide away in here waiting to die."
"Alex please." she begged one last time.
"We'll be back soon Zoe. You know we always come back."
"But..."
"See you later."
Alex caught up to Tobias as they proceeded over the garden fence and down the passage away from the square. Instead of following the path to their usual destination of the village shops, they turned down the opposite road that lead to the other side of town and to the supermarket. They walked in a comfortable silence, guns in hands, listening for any dangers. Both had become accustomed to each other as they moved along quietly, always alert. What could they talk about really? All the children had spent every waking second in each others company. There wasn't much to talk about anymore and Alex found the silence they shared more enjoyable than the constant bustle that living in the same house as 13 other people brought. They hadn't seen another walker in days, but still kept their wits about them. The two walked for about half an hour until they reached the supermarket. It's huge blue and yellow sign lacked its usual hum of electricity and the usually overflowing car park resembled a ghost town.
Alex approached the dusty glass slowly, wiping it with her sleeve and peering in. It was dark inside but the small amount of sunlight that danced through the window allowed her to see the abandoned isles.
"Looks empty." she confirmed, turning to Tobias.
"Yeah, all the widows and doors seem to be in good shape too." he nodded looking through the window "Nobody's been here since the outbreak."
"Thank the lord." Alex sighed. "I really thought this place would have been picked over too."
"It's a big place, not many people would go in on their own." Tobias reasoned "Besides, most of the town got shipped away when this all happened. There's been nobody around to loot it."
"Yeah that's true." Alex said, peering in once again "How are we gonna get in?"
"Best bet is to pry the sliding doors open. That way, they'll shut behind us so nothing follows us in."
"And getting out?"
"We do the same. Pry them open and leave."
"Sounds like a plan." Alex nodded "Ready?"
"Ready."
Back at home, Zoe paced the landing outside her fathers room. She screamed at herself to just get it over with. Tobias and Alex had pushed their luck too many times and if something happened to them, Zoe would never forgive herself. This was the safest thing for all of them. Zoe had to tell someone.
She was snapped out of her trance as the door opened and both father and daughter were startled by one another.
"You okay Zoe? I never heard you come up." Vincent asked, surveying his child's troubled look "What's wrong?"
She stayed silent but her dad pulled her into his room, concern growing.
"Zoe? Tell me what's wrong." He demanded in a slightly harsher tone, but Zoe just chewed her lip unable to speak.
"If there's something wrong with you or any of the others you need to tell me now." Vincent
spoke calmly but his eyes showed his true panic "You won't be in trouble I just have to tell Danie..."
"No!" Zoe piped up "Please no... don't tell Daniel. Alex and Toby will never forgive me."
"Alex? Zoe what has Alex done?"
"You need to promise me you won't tell Daniel. Dad.. promise me."
"If she's hurt or in danger I have to tell her dad."
"No no no, you don't understand." Zoe argued hastily "If he finds out he'll follow them and then they'll be in more danger."
Her voice trailed off as she realised what she'd over shared. Vincent was silent for a second until it clicked.
"Zoe... Where are Alex and Tobias?" He spoke looking Zoe straight in the eyes. She looked away, tears threatening to spill over. Vincent's concern was only heightened by her silence.
"Zoe I'll ask you one more time. Where are Alex and Tobias?"
"Out." she whispered defeated.
"Out?" He repeated, furrowing his brow in confusion "What do you mean by 'out'?"
Zoe sighed and bowed her head. She could feel his knowing gaze on her and looked up once more.
"Out. Like out there, over the wall." Zoe gestured around frantically trying to explain herself "I tried to stop them. Every time they went out, I told them it was a bad idea."
There was a long pause of silence from Vincent as he begun to comprehend what his daughter was telling him.
"Hold on. What you're trying to tell me is that Alex and Tobias have left! And you didn't think to tell me sooner?!" Vincent was furious with fear "They could die Zoe. What do I tell Dan and Tobias's mum?!"
"They've always came back before." Zoe argued meekly.
"Before!" Vincent was wide eyed with horror "They've been outside the fences before today? Shit Zoe! Why didn't you say anything!?"
"They asked me not too." She said, tears brimming in her eyes "They said it would be too dangerous if anyone found out and followed them. I just couldn't keep it a secret anymore, dad. I'm sorry... I couldn't."
Zoe spluttered, tears rolling down her cheeks. Vincent sighed and anxiously ran his hand over his bearded face.
"Okay..just..shit.." Vincent breathed "How did nobody notice they were getting out?"
"Well it was only the two of them once before today. Tobias went on his own after Alex got hurt. They climbed over the garden fences... snuck down the ally..."
Vincent shook his head in disbelief and just continued trying to work out where they could be.
"Do you have any idea where they've been going? Did they mention anything to you?"
"Alex said they were clearing out Mungos... you know that row of shops at the very top of town?" Zoe explained.
Vincent nodded his head
"Yeah I know where it is but what do you mean by 'clearing out'."
"Fetching supplies. Mainly canned food and anything else they found." She clarified before continuing "But then they got into trouble with some walkers and Alex cut herself trying to escape."
Vincent let out a drawn out breath and Zoe kept explaining
"They've took what they can from them shops and Tobias said he wanted to check out the supermarket."
"The one next to the old bus station?" he asked
Zoe nodded.
"Yeah I think so. They said something about going the other side of town and that's the only supermarket."
"That's a long way to walk. How long ago did they leave?"
"About half an hour ago...but Alex is slow on her leg so they're probably still walking. "
"I'm going after them, and when I'm back we can work out what on earth I'm going to tell Daniel." Vincent said, checking his ammo in his gun "I'll go over the fence so he doesn't see me either."
Zoe's stomach twisted. This was the last thing she wanted, more people out there.
"Dad you don't have to go." she pleaded. "They have each other and they'll come back. They always do. I just couldn't keep it to myself anymore..."
"Zoe you know I can't do that." he gripped her shoulder and squeezed it affectionately "I'll bring them back, I promise."
Moments later, Zoe was stood in the kitchen widow watching her dad disappear over the fence, after Tobias and Alex
The warm stench of putrid meat hit the teenagers as they pried their way inside. Tobias found a discarded trolley and smirked.
"Hop in, I'll push."
Alex snorted.
"Nice try. We still don't know what's in here with us. Let's sweep the place first then maybe I'll take you up your offer later." she suggested, holding her hand over her nose at the smell.
It was clear that it wasn't just the rotting food that was causing the ungodly smell. They were not alone. Tobias put his finger to his lips and both of them stopped and strained their ears. A faint snarl could be heard from the other side of the shop, accompanied by the occasional thump.
"I think it's trapped." Alex said "We should just get what we need and leave."
"Yeah but there could be more. Keep and eye out."
Alex nodded and lead the way down an aisle, torch out so that they could see. Tobias had abandoned his trolley and walked behind Alex with his gun in hand.
The first long row of shelves displayed what once used to be the 'fresh fruit and vegetables'. Now, all that remained were rotting piles of mould and maggot infested cores. Alex swatted away the flies as they rounded into the next aisle. This time they picked through the boxes and cans, dumping what they needed into the four large backpacks they carried between them. They carried on, up and down each row of shelves, collecting everything from tinned fruit to bottled juice and packets of pasta.
"We've really hit the jackpot..." Alex began under her breath as they rounded the final corner.
Her arm flew out, catching Tobias pushing them both backward into the last aisle. Tobias cautiously took a step forward and peered around the shelves. Occupied by the trapped walkers moans and banging was a small herd of at least 8 walkers. All of them pressed against the glass window of the office where the other must have been. Tobias leant further forward, putting more weight on the shelf to get a better look at them. All of the sudden, the metal creaked and collapsed sending glass bottles and cans clanging and smashing on to the floor. Tobias sprang backwards, dragging Alex with him as the walkers whipped around and advanced on them.
"Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck!" Tobias cursed hurrying towards the way they came in, not loosening his hold on Alex's upper arm keeping her close. They weaved their way through the winding aisles, avoiding as many walkers as they could, reluctant to use the guns in fear of attracting more attention. They quickly diverted down another aisle, narrowly missing two Walkers that stumbled towards them. In and out they weaved until they eventually found their way back to the door, but still had two walkers pursuing them. Just as they reached the door three more walkers hobbled out in front of them, completely blocking their exit.
One lunged at Tobias, snarling and snapping. Before it could get a hold of him three gunshots rang through the air. The first two shots hit the walker square in the chest, and the third in the head eventually taking it down causing the children to duck in fright then whip around drawing their own weapons. Vincent stood with his gun raised, shooting at the walkers that stood in front of them, narrowly missing the children. Another two shots took down another walker and Tobias drove down the third with his knife.
For a split second Vincent looked pleased with himself for taking down two walkers then Alex raised her gun in his direction. But a second too late. The bullet left her gun and took down one of the walkers that lunged at Vincent from behind; just as the second sunk it's teeth into the flesh on Vincent's shoulder.
