This War of Mine: Apocalypse:
Season 3
Next chapter of my crossover story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead, This War of Mine or its characters.
Episode 2 Part 4
Hearing the noise they all reacted at once, tensing, looking for the source. Mara clutched Misha tightly, prepared to run in case things went awry. But then she saw it, there was someone in the bushes, it looked like a child, watching them with wide blue eyes.
Mara softened and said quietly. "It's a little girl..."
The others finally noted their watcher and calmed down.
Niko then noted. "She must be scared, Mara, Cveta, you both have skills in helping children, try and calm her down."
Mara nodded and slowly let's go of Misha, giving him a reassuring look. Along with Cveta she approached the girl slowly and got on her knees so that she was eye level with her.
"It's ok, don't be scared." She said softly. "We aren't going to hurt you. What's your name sweetheart?"
The girl slowly crawled out of the bushes partly, big sad eyes fixed on Mara. The little girl was short, no older than ten or eleven, with pale skin, a round face and medium length black hair well as being rather skinny. She was wearing cargo pants; a pink T-shirt and white sneakers.
Shaking slightly the girl spoke. "I...I'm Iskra."
"What are you doing here, Iskra?" Cveta asked gently.
"I...I'm waiting for my daddy." She said.
Mara bit her lip. "Do you know where your daddy went?"
Iskra nodded. "He went to find food for us...he told me to hide in case the bad people came."
Mara gave Niko a worried look at that line.
It seemed there was trouble, very human trouble nearby.
Mara focused however on reassuring Iskra. "Well you don't need to worry, we aren't the bad people...how long have you been waiting here?"
"I...I don't know."
Niko stepped forwards cautiously, asking. "Who...are these bad people?"
Iskra started on seeing him but seemed to calm down and answered.
"Bad men, they come every few days and make daddy give them our food..." She explained. "They say if he doesn't give them our food, they'll take me instead."
A chill ran down Mara's spine as she heard that and she immediately felt uneasy. However, not wanting to upset the girl, she forced a smile.
"I'm sure your daddy will be back soon." She said reassuringly.
Cveta nodded. "If you want, we can stay with you till he does. If these bad people come, we can protect you."
Iskra nodded at that, managing a smile, finally coming fully out the bushes. Mara gave her a comforting smile as she did so, trying to hide the uneasiness she felt. Soon Iskra was introduced to the other children, much to her delight. Watching as they interacted with each other, Mara smiled as Misha happily talked with Iskra. It warmed her heart to see him making another friend. However she couldn't shake off her uneasiness about these 'bad people'.
A short while later however, Roman stood up, hand on his gun.
"Footsteps, someone's coming." He said sharply.
Mara put Misha behind her immediately, keeping her hand on her weapon as well. The others all readied their weapons, making sure to cover the kids. A man emerged into the campsite and, upon seeing them, drew his own gun, despite the obvious immediate danger, Mara couldn't help but admire his bravery, outnumbered and outgunned, he was still defiant. He was a tall pale skinned man, around thirty, square faced with a regular build, short blonde hair, dark grey eyes and wearing glasses, khaki pants; a white shirt under a dark green jacket and brown shoes. Mara tensed at the gun, holding Misha tightly and her eyes darted to Roman without her even realizing it.
"Who are you people, what are you doing here?" The man demanded, a strange edge to his voice.
Mara noticed it and the desperate look on the man, the desperate face of a father. It clicked for her at once and, to the shock of the others, she lowered her weapon.
"You must be Iskra's father..." She said softly.
The man reacted to that at once. "Iskra, what do you..."
"Daddy!"
It was Iskra, she had worked her way to the front of the group and her face lit up the moment she saw the man. She ran to him and he quickly lowered the gun immediately embracing her as she reached him, hugging him tightly. Mara relaxed instantly, feeling relieved not only that he wasn't a danger, but that Iskra was reunited with her father. The others relaxed too, lowering their weapons.
Still holding his daughter, the man looks at them, still suspicious.
"What exactly are you doing here, I...?" He began to ask.
Iskra spoke up. "They made sure the bad people stayed away daddy, they kept me safe."
"I...I see." He replied, finally smiling. "Thank you, I'm Christo."
The others all introduced themselves then Mara spoke up.
"The place we were staying at got overrun, we barely escaped. We stumbled on your camp looking for shelter." She explained.
Christo nodded. "I...I see."
Niko cleared his throat. "According to Iskra, you're having trouble."
"Yes, bandits, they've pretty much forced me to get supplies for them, in exchange, they won't take Iskra." Christo told them, instinctively pulling his daughter tighter against him.
"How many are there?" Mara asked.
Christo explained. "About ten of them, all men..."
He paused and the others knew why, they shared a worried look, worried about what these men would plan to do with Iskra if they got their hands on her.
Finally Roman spoke up. "Maybe we can help...Deal with them...permanently."
"Do you really think we can?" Mara gasped.
Niko nodded "We have to try..."
Christo shook his head however. "You, please, you don't have to. The danger-"
"We want to help, we can't just leave something like this, you and your daughter deserve better." Niko told him.
Christo sighed but smiled, clearly grateful for their support.
"Do you know when they'll be back?" Mara asked.
He quickly explained. "They're due to come and get their supplies, in an hour and a half."
Roman smiled darkly. "Then let's get started...we can set up a nasty surprise for them."
The others nodded, ready to begin.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.