I own nothing except my delusions.
Emma turned away, throwing her arm over Henry's shoulders when the entire camp suddenly froze, looking off to where their security alarms sounded. What seemed like simultaneously, everyone pulled their weapons, anticipation nearly palpable as they waited for the intruders, hearing running footsteps.
Two figures, a man and a woman, broke through the trees, skidding to a halt at the drawn weapons.
"You need to get out of here," the man gasped. "A herd's coming."
As soon as he finished, a chorus of moans and hisses could be heard in the trees.
Emma knew just from listening the herd was big, more than they could handle.
"Everyone, get in or under the cars!" Mary Margaret commanded, tucking her bow away. "Now!"
Knowing they couldn't make it to her own car, Emma pushed Henry towards the Jeep. Seeing what she was doing, Killian quickly ducked him under, setting him in place before grabbing Emma's wrist to do the same. He and his brothers followed, Liam beside Emma, with Henry securely wedged in the very middle between her and Killian.
She rested a soothing hand on Henry's head, hoping to calm him as the boy tried to control his breathing as the first walkers broke through the camp.
She quickly lost sight of the others beneath the various cars as the dead shuffled through, their grunts filling the air.
Terrified to take her eyes from the feet of the passing herd, Emma quickly glanced at Henry, seeing him covering his mouth with his hands to keep quiet.
Holding her own breath, she looked back out to the direction of the herd, wondering how large exactly the group was and how long it would take them to pass. She could hear her own heartbeat in her own ears, her blood pounding as she worried in fear of losing her son. Knowing there was nothing to do except wait and pray they weren't noticed, she continued to watch the decayed legs walked past their hiding spot.
Not understanding how, she knew the heard was the work of the boys that took Henry, that they were using the walkers to try to take them out. Having witnessed the trap the boys had set up, she wouldn't have been surprised if they found a way to gather and control a herd.
After what felt like an eternity, the herd thinned until only stragglers remained, with those eventually following and leaving the camp.
Everyone remained frozen, scared that if they moved too early, they would be heard and the herd would turn to decend on them.
Emma caught David and Mary Margaret's gaze from their spot beneath their truck, silently asking if they were okay. She didn't know how to respond; while they were all okay physically, she knew mentally and emotionally Henry wasn't. The boy had dealt with too much in less than twenty-four hours.
A couple of the men including David and Liam tentatively poked their heads out from their hiding spots, seeing the coast was clear before completely crawling out into the open.
"It's clear," David said, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Emma easily took Liam's offered hand, assisting her out from under the Jeep.
She quickly turned back once free, helping Henry get out to stand. She immediately pulled him into a tight hug.
"They're gone," she reassured him. "Don't worry, Henry. They're all gone."
He nodded into her chest, keeping his arms tight around her.
She caught three identical sets of blue eyes on them, all of their expressions worried.
"Is the lad hurt?" Liam asked.
She caught how he worded his question, noticing how he didn't bother asking if her son was okay, everyone knowing the answer.
"No, he's not," she answered.
Slowly, he nodded before turning away to move closer to where their group had began to gather. Ian followed him while Killian hung back slightly.
"Are you okay?" he asked, barely any sound leaving him.
Not knowing if she was, she merely shrugged.
Nodding, he moved to join the rest of the group, prompting her to move with Henry over to them.
"We were just walking, and we just heard them," the unnamed woman was explaining, shaken.
Not having the chance before, Emma studied the newcomers. The woman was slight, around the same height as Emma, but with dark skin. She was pretty, even smeared with the dirt and grime from being on the run in the forest.
The man was tall and pale, his dark hair beginning to bald. He stood protectively next to the woman, clearly showing they were together.
"Really quick, we didn't catch your names," Mary Margaret said, looking between the couple.
"I'm Tamara," the woman said. "This is my fiancé, Greg."
"It was weird though," Greg added. "I swear, it looked like there were a couple boys in the group. They were by some of the dead, but they didn't really look like the dead. Something about them seemed almost human."
Eyes wide, Emma met Killian's uneasy look.
"The boys' leader said they knew a way to hide from them," he said slowly.
"Wearing their skins," she added, knowing they were right.
"Hold up," Neal interrupted. "You mean these guys are taking the skins of walkers and wearing them?"
"It makes sense," Ian said. "It would completely camoflouge any of their scents."
"Hold on," Tamara said. "You mean a group of boys is doing this?"
David sighed. "Yeah, we are. Yesterday they kidnapped Emma's son Henry. They may be a bunch of kids, but they're dangerous."
"We were about to leave here just before you and the herd came," Mulan added. "We don't want to fight these boys. They're dangerous, but they're just kids."
"Kids who just sent a giant group of walkers after us," Neal said angerly. "Who's to say that even if we try to leave now, they won't just follow us? What's to stop them?"
"So what?" Ian countered. "What do we do? Just go hunt and slaughter them?"
"We have our vehicles," Killian added. "They're all on foot still. There's no way they're gonna be able to track us."
"It wasn't your kid that they took," Neal retorted.
Killian glared at him. "No, but you're not the one who went after him or brought him back."
Neal moved to lunge and him, ready to take a swing when David and Lance grabbed him from behind as Emma pushed him back, trying to stay calm.
Glancing back, she saw Liam and Ian ready to restrain Killian.
"We need to get out of here," she said in a firm voice. "Believe me, I'm furious they took Henry to begin with, but we can't kill them."
David nodded before looking to the newcomers. "It's not much, but you're welcome to travel with us."
The couple looked at each other, silently communicating before looking back at David.
"We'll go with you," Greg agreed. "We'll help you however we-"
He paused, his body freezing as an arrow suddenly protruded from his throat.
The entire group collectively started before they all sprang to action, pushing Henry to the center of the group before turning to face the perimeter, weapons drawn and ready.
Tamara fell beside Greg's fallen body, hysterical sobs escaping her.
Emma silently swore, knowing no matter what, they were at a disadvantage. The boys were hidden in the trees with long range weapons, and most of the group was armed with knives and guns, which would attract the herd if they fired them off.
A figure stepped out from behind the trees, the one Emma recognized as Malcolm. The rest of the boys stepped out from behind the trees, armed with their crude weapons. Just as she and Killian had guessed, some wore walker skins.
Slowly, Malcolm clapped. "Well done, Emma. I must say, I'm impressed. You all managed to evade the little welcome party I had sent your way." He gestured towards Greg's body, the arrow still in its bloody sheath. "I do see your one friend accepted our gift."
Tamara looked up at him, moving to nearly spring at him before Mulan grabbed her, holding her back.
"Stop," she hissed. "The only thing you're gonna do is get yourself killed."
Tamara jerked out of her grip, but didn't try to fight.
"I know we all agreed we wouldn't take out these boys, but maybe if we just take him out, all of this can be stopped," Emma murmured quietly to Mary Margaret and David.
Glancing over, she saw the pair looking slightly conflicted.
"If we do that, then maybe these boys have a chance," Mary Margaret whispered. "Maybe if they don't have their leader, they'll back down."
"As much as I hate to agree, I think that may be the case," David sighed in agreement. "I know it's one of the only choices we have, and it's better than the alternatives."
Emma kept her eyes trained on Malcolm, watching his every movement, waiting. She quickly went over the possible ways to get him, none having good results. They still couldn't use any firearms, and any type of melee weapons would only result in their own deaths.
"How are we gonna take him out though?" David asked, voicing her thoughts.
"It has to be me," Mary Margaret said, determinedly drawing her bowstring tighter. "They took Henry, and no one is safe from them until this is all over."
Eyes wide, Emma looked over at her.
Mary Margaret was practically Snow White, between her love of woodland creatures and gentle nature. She school teacher had never harmed a soul, yet was ready to practically murder someone.
"No," Emma protested. "Mary Margaret, no. There has to-"
"He's threatening my family, Emma," Mary Margaret fiercely responded. "I may not like it, but I'll do it if it keeps my family safe."
Amazed, Emma gave her a small nod.
Malcolm laughed, watching the entire group. "Well, this is all rather amusing. You all know you're cornered, and have nowhere to go. Rather like deer surrounded by wolves."
Taking a quick inhale, Mary Margaret sprang from their formation, taking aim and firing an arrow in the blink of an eye.
Everyone was sure the arrow would fly true until Felix was suddenly in front of Malcolm, the arrow buried in his heart, falling to his knees and collapsing a second later.
The boys from the group began releasing anguished cries, seeing their second in command had fallen blocking the arrow meant for their leader.
Instead of showing any type of grief, Malcolm merely laughed, stepping over his comrade's corpse.
"That was a good attemp," he chuckled before turning to address the boys, who looked ready to kill. "Don't worry, boys. Felix will now be just like all of our friends, ready to protect us from more bad people like them."
He turned back to them, his face a suddenly vindictive, angry mask, like that of a child who wasn't getting their way. "No, let's make them all into our friends one by one. They know they can't hurt us."
Emma flinched slightly when she felt Killian nudge her. Looking back at him, she followed his eyes to see Felix's twitching form. Careful to avoid suspicion, she hid any reactions.
"Don't worry, Henry," Malcolm said loudly, addressing the boy. "I'll let you keep your parents. Or you can join them if that's what you prefer. Either way, you'll be a part of our little family one way or anoth-"
He suddenly screamed, part of his cheek tearing away as a dead-eyed Felix bit into him.
The various boys gasped, looking horrified.
Emma almost felt sorry for them, knowing it was because of Malcolm's influence that they believed the dead weren't dangerous to them. She couldn't deny that she found it a somewhat poetic ending for their leader despite the sympathy she felt or his group.
For the first time, the boys broke their formation, panic taking over them as they watched Malcolm get torn apart by Felix.
Alerted to the sound, some from her own group turned at the grunts Greg had began to release, knowing he was reanimating.
Trying to keep a hysterical Tamara from falling forward, Mulan held her fast as Ian jumped out, quickly driving a knife into the other man's skull before he could go after anyone.
Hearing the commotion, Felix released a dead Malcolm, moving towards one of the closer boys knowing the promise of fresh meat.
Quick to draw again, Mary Margaret sent an arrow flying, burying it in the walker's skull.
David quickly stabbed his own knife in the deceased leader's head, preventing him from reanimating.
Keeping a hand on Henry, Emma stayed with him as their formation broke, knowing the boys were no longer a threat.
"He- he said they wouldn't hurt us," one of the boys whimpered. "He said they would protect us."
"The only thing these walkers want is meat," Lance said with a shake of his head, his voice not harsh. "They don't care who you are, what you were to them. All they care about is that you're food."
"Felix was Malcolm's most trusted friend," another boy said, visibly shaking.
"He was before he became a walker," Mulan replied. "Then he was nothing more than a meal."
"They aren't your friends, and they never will be," David added.
"That's what Henry told us," the smallest of the boys said. "He said if you see them, you need to kill them, run, or hide."
"And he's right," Killian said somewhat gently. "Henry has seen what they can do, just as you just saw. The dead are dangerous."
Shakily, some of the boys nodded.
"Now what do we do with them?" Neal asked.
Startled at the venom in his voice, Emma snapped her head towards him. "What do you mean?"
"How about they kidnapped our son?" he replied. "Shouldn't that warrant something in return?"
"They're not all bad," Henry immediately defended. "It was just Malcolm and Felix. They didn't know. This isn't their fault."
"Henry, they tried to take you away," Neal reminded him.
"So we execute a bunch of children for something they aren't responsible for?" Liam questioned. "All because they were misguided by someone deranged?"
"So what, we invite them into the camp?" Neal countered. "If we could even trust them, there's no way it's possible. Rations are thin enough as it is. It will just be more mouths to feed."
"So you suggest we leave them alone out here to survive on their own?" Mary Margaret asked, her temper clearly rising.
"You didn't seem to have a problem before when you fired an arrow into that one kid," he argued.
"That was different," she rebuked. "He was threatening everyone here."
Timidly, one of the boys spoke up. "You don't have to take us in. We know how to take care of ourselves and survive. We promise, it will be different without Malcolm and Felix. Now we know the dead won't protect us."
Her own mother instincts kicking in, Emma looked at the boys with wide eyes. "No, we can't just leave everyone out here."
Another boy shook his head. "We'll be okay out here. We're not alone, and know how to live out here."
David looked at everyone in his group before meeting Mary Margaret's eyes and slowly nodding. "Alright. But are you sure? We can make room for you all."
"Thanks, but no," the boy replied sincerely. He looked back at his own group, wearing a small smile. "We'll be okay."
Slowly at first, they backed away before turning to retreat back into the forest.
The group relaxed, knowing the threat was completely over.
Henry stepped closer to his mother, hugging her waist tightly. "It's all over? We can get out of here?"
Finding herself to be completely exhausted, she nodded. "Yeah, kid. It's over."
He nodded before turning his head. "Killian?"
Hearing his name, Killian quickly looked over towards Henry.
"Thanks," Henry smiled.
Killian smiled in return. "You're very welcome."
Reluctantly letting go of him, Emma let Henry wander over to Mary Margaret and David. Knowing she had some time before they were to leave, she moved to the trees for a couple moments to herself to process everything.
Out of earshot from everyone, she leaned against a tree, closing her eyes as she released a heavy sigh. She needed a break, just a chance to be able to breathe without worrying about one thing or another. She knew that her life would never be what it was before, but wanted just a moments ease.
Emma didn't know how long she was there, whether it be seconds or minutes, before she heard her name being called from close by.
"Swan?" she heard Killian call softly.
Opening her eyes, she saw him getting closer to her, finally finding her.
"Everyone wants to leave soon," he told her as he approached her.
She nodded. "Henry?"
"He's fine," Killian said soothingly. "He's still with Dave and Mary Margaret. He's safe with them."
Releasing a breath, she nodded. "Thanks. For back there, for helping me find him, for helping to keep him safe from the herd, for everything."
He nodded once before giving her a cheeky smile. "Someone had to help you, and I was more than happy to, love."
She rolled her eyes, finding herself fighting a smirk. "So I show you gratitude, and you decide to play yourself being a knight in shining armor?"
"Well, there was a fair maiden involved," he teased.
"Please," she snorted. "You couldn't handle it."
Smirking, he crept closer to her. "Perhaps you're the one who couldn't handle it."
Emma watched him for a brief second, seeing his playful blue eyes and attractive smirk, before grabbing onto the lapels of his leather jacket and hauling him to her, crashing his lips with hers.
She held him fast, momentarily keeping still until he began to move, his hands going to her cradle her head and her waist as he deepened the kiss.
Killian made her feel good, like she was worth something more. He paid attention to her, listening to her when no one else would, even risking everything to help her. She knew she was attracted to him, not just physically. She wondered if she could even be happy with him.
She felt the embrace stir something in her, making a small crack in the walls she had carefully erected to keep herself safe.
Sudden realization fell over her as they broke the kiss, leaning their foreheads together has they fought to catch their breaths as Neal's face flashed in her mind.
Even if she did like Killian, it didn't matter. She did care for him some, and couldn't risk him.
"That was..." he trailed off, trying to catch his breath.
"A one time thing," she said, pulling away. "That can't happen again."
Understanding cloaking his eyes, he slowly nodded, releasing her completely.
"Go ahead," she told him. "I'll follow you in a minute."
Killian nodded solemnly as he turned away. "As you wish."
Emma watched him go, her chest sinking despite the light and warm felling she had only felt moments before.
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