TRIGGER WARNING: There are a couple mentions of suicide in this chapter. If you've seen The Walking Dead, you'll see some similarities between this chapter and some parts of episodes from seasons 1 and 2.
I own nothing except my delusions.
Carefully stepping on the banks of the creek, Killian peered down into the water, watching the silver fishes leisurely swimming around in the early morning sunlight.
"Will this work?" Emma asked curiously beside Liam.
"Don't worry, lass, it will," he reassured her. "This will get us our breakfast sure enough."
They had gone away from the camp in an attempt to catch some fish from a creek near them, knowing they couldn't rely on runs alone. Wanting to do more, Emma had insisted she accompany Killian and Liam, as well as Lance and Henry.
Deciding to watch for a moment, Killian sat back as Liam and Emma stretched a net out, staying still as they waited for some fish.
Killian couldn't help watching Emma as she worked beside his brother, admiring her in the early dawn light. He had thought her striking when he first met her, and continued to do so even as she worked and hunted. He often had to hide his gaze so he wouldn't be caught, knowing he didn't have a chance.
"This would be ideal if we could just set it out for a while, but we don't have that luxury at this time," Liam explained.
"Can I help you guys do this at the next camp if there's a river or something?" Henry asked hopefully.
Liam smiled warmly. "Of course, lad. You can replace my little brother over there."
"Younger," Killian said in annoyance.
He hated always being referred to as the little brother.
He kicked at the water, splashing Liam and making him jump, nearly stumbling and falling into the water.
Biting back a laugh, he looked over where Henry was working with Lance, seeing the unusual pair watching a couple fish nearing them before looking up toward the horizon.
A bloody hue took up the expanse of the sky.
"Red skies," Killian commented. "We might be getting a storm. Best be careful today."
"Isn't that just an old sailors superstition?" Lance asked, glancing between him and Liam.
Henry looked around at them in confusion. "What is?"
"'Red skies at night, sailors delight,'" Killian replied, reciting the old rhyme. "'Red skies in the morning, sailors heed warning.' It's a little way to help predict the weather, particularly at sea. It's supposed to predict ill omens as well, but I don't think we need to worry about that. If anything, maybe a storm at worst."
Henry glanced up at the sky in interest.
Liam and Emma suddenly snatched their net, a few writhing silver bodies trapped in it.
"I would say we don't have to worry about our luck," Liam told them right as Lance grabbed his and Henry's net. "We have food, and that's always a good sign."
He glanced back at the rest of the group. "Do you know how to clean these?"
They answered they didn't, making Killian know he and Liam had to show them, something he didn't mind.
"We'll do it closer to camp," Killian suggested.
"Just not around Mary Margaret," Emma added quickly.
He nodded in agreement.
He knew it wouldn't be the blood and organs that would bother the woman, knowing she was tough, but the smell, possibly making her sick because of the baby growing within her.
"You lot go ahead," Liam prompted. "We'll be right behind you."
Knowing Liam needed to talk to him, Killian stood where he was by the bank, waiting for the others to leave as Liam came to stand next to him.
As soon as they were alone, Killian looked back at him. "Brother?"
Liam reached into his shirt, pulling a chain over his neck and offering it to Killian. "I want you to have this."
Killian gaped at him as he saw what he was offering. "Your lucky ring? Why?"
Seeing his hesitation, Liam grasped his brother's hand, placing the ring and chain in it. "Cause you need it more than I do. It's about time I gave it to you."
"Look, Liam, if this is about a superstition-" Killian began.
Liam shook his head. "Call it a feeling. I'm supposed to protect you, Killian. Just take the damn ring, little brother."
"Younger," Killian huffed, finally accepting the ring and pulling the chain over his head. "Thank you."
Liam squeezed his shoulder. "C'mon, before they decide to try to leave our sorry asses behind."
Snorting, Killian shook his head, moving by his brother's side to return to the camp.
Stretching as soon as he stepped by the Jeep as well as removing his leather jacket, Killian glanced around the area they were to camp in, knowing it was the best they could do for the night, the area already cleared.
He glanced over where Emma was with Henry, both near David and Mary Margaret, having rode with them.
He still found himself often checking for her to see where she was at, watching over her and her son despite knowing she wasn't his. A few times he thought he caught her doing the same with him, only to quickly turn away from him when he looked back at her.
Looking back at Mary Margaret, he knew that they weren't going to make it where they were going by the time her and David's baby was due. Judging by her size, he guessed she was around six months along, and with the rate they were traveling, she would have the baby before they reached their town.
Part of him wondered if it still even existed, or if it had been overrun by the dead.
The changing season was making him just as nervous, knowing how unforgiving the weather could be as winter neared. He didn't want to even think of the prospect of being out on the road as winter struck, knowing a good amount of the group would most likely die from exposure unless they found somewhere at least temporary for them to stay.
He hoped the weather would at least effect the walkers, to slow them down, if not freeze them.
Going to the back of the vehicle, he drew his own pack, as well as the tent he and his brothers used. He would let either Liam or Ian grab their bedrolls, instead wanting to get their makeshift shelter set up.
Picking a spot, Killian tossed down the bundle to set up, drawing his brothers to him to help him.
"David asked if we could go check out that little cabin we passed by on the way here," Liam informed him. "Wants to see if there's anything worth scavenging in there while they set up some traps for game."
Killian nodded. "The one a little over a mile back? We can go there on foot. There's no use wasting the gas for that."
"We'll go as soon as we're set up," Liam agreed.
"Do you need another set of hands?" Ian asked.
Liam shook his head. "We've got it, brother. Stay with the group. We'll be fine."
Nodding, Ian continued to help them, only speaking again when they were done. "If you want to go, I can set up the inside, throw your stuff in."
Killian lightly bumped his shoulder. "Thanks, mate."
"Ready?" Liam asked him.
Checking he had his knife and hook, Killian nodded. "Aye."
They each grabbed a small pack before stepping out into the woods, occasionally looking for walkers. The area was quiet, only the sounds of their footsteps filling the area.
They slowed as they heard the raspy breathing of a walker as they neared where they had passed the cabin, prompting them to draw their knives.
Stepping carefully, they couldn't see anything through the trees, prompting Killian to give a short whistle to draw it out. The noise continued despite them not seeing it.
"You see anything?" Liam asked quietly.
"No," Killian replied just as quietly, before stopping as he stepped around a tree. "Found it."
A walker hung from a noose on a thick branch of a nearby tree, it's feet unable to reach the ground. Parts of its rotted body had been eaten away, most likely from some wild animals or other walkers.
It reached out toward Killian with its fleshless hands, swinging from its makeshift gallows.
Despite what they did, Killian couldn't help pity the walkers, unable to forget they were once living, breathing people. People with lives and friends and families and futures. People who had lost everything.
Unable to leave it rotting away hanging from the tree, Killian carefully sidestepped it's grasp to bury his knife in its head.
The walker went limp, swaying on the rope before he cut it down to rest it by the tree, trying to give it some dignity.
He turned back to see Liam watching him, a pensive look in his eyes.
"They were people once," he said quietly by way of explanation.
Liam nodded solemnly. "I know. We need to keep going if we want to make it back soon."
Giving the dead walker one last glance, Killian followed his older brother to the decrepit cabin.
One good glance at the place and Killian knew they wouldn't find anything in it.
Careful not to break the door from its hinges, Liam pulled the front door open, making just enough noise to draw any walkers from inside out.
"Looks empty," he commented, looking around the living room.
Taking a look for himself, Killian took in the air of neglect, dust covering every surface. Staleness hung in the air, making him believe they were the first ones to be in there for a long time.
"Let's check this place out," Liam muttered, turning away to look around the structure.
Going his own way, Killian carefully pushed open each door he came across, keeping a tight grip on his knife in case a walker was hidden.
At the last door he came across, he felt a heaviness as he found the couple who had owned the cabin. They laid together on the bed, a massive spattering of long dried blood on the wall behind them. "God forgive us" was written above it in what looked like more blood, making him think one of them had written it in their dead spouse's blood before killing themself.
Glancing around the room, he found a large quilt on a chair in the corner. He unfolded it, going over to the bed and carefully draping it over the couple as a makeshift burial shroud.
He didn't think them weak, knowing not everyone could handle what the world had become, even that at least they got to leave on their own terms together.
He closed the door behind him as he exited the room.
"Did you find anything?" Liam asked him as he entered the living room.
Killian shook his head. "Only the couple that lived here."
Liam sighed. "Well, the kitchen is empty. There's nothing for us here."
Nodding, Killian turned to exit back out the front door, Liam on his heels.
The forest was just as quiet as it had been before, no signs of any animals inhabiting the area.
"I can't wait to get on the road again," Liam muttered. "I know the stops are necessary, but I hate stopping."
"Yeah," Killian agreed. "At least the sea is near."
Liam suddenly turned slightly east, leading Killian to where they saw the ocean through the trees.
The sound of the surf through the trees instantly calmed them as they saw the water, knowing that despite needing to get back, they could afford a moment.
"Looks like the storm may be coming," Liam said as they peered out towards the horizon. "Hell, hopefully it's just some rain at the most "
"That is the one thing I don't miss," Killian chuckled. "Being out at sea during a storm. I do miss being out on the water though."
"Maybe someday we will be again," Liam said. "I know it won't be the same as before, but maybe we can return someday."
Killian hummed, knowing that there was only a miniscule chance if any. Just as he knew he and Liam could never return to their home because it was across the sea, they would most likely never be out on the water again.
He didn't tell him, knowing his brother was only trying to make him feel better.
"We should return," he muttered, though he was reluctant to leave the beach. "We don't want them to come looking for us."
Liam reluctantly nodded, moving to leave the beach.
The forest felt confining after the beach, able to hide threats they couldn't see. Knowing they had to keep watch, they were mostly quiet.
They froze, pulling their knives as they heard a couple of twigs snap.
"Take it easy, I'm just setting up some snares," Neal said as he came into view.
Despite his dislike for the man, Killian released a breath, relaxing.
"This far out?" Liam asked.
Killian only heard the edge in his brother's voice because he knew him so well.
Neal shrugged. "Gotta cover as much area as possible to get food. We have a lot of people, we need more food."
Unable to help himself, Killian found he felt weary, something telling him not to trust Neal.
He nodded. "Well, there wasn't anything in the cabin. We were just heading back right now."
Neal grinned, but it seemed forced, careless with the volume of his voice. "Well, I could use some help setting up a couple snares. It wouldn't hurt to have as many possible, right?"
Wary, Liam nodded. "Aye, but I know we were supposed to help with some of the chores around the camp."
Killian finally heard sounds approaching them through the trees, his head snapping up at the noise. Judging from the sounds, between the rattling hisses and dragging of their feet, he guessed there was a small herd of walkers coming for them.
Small, but too large for them to easily take out on their own.
The first of the dead broke through the trees, quickly followed by more.
Quickly drawing his knife and hook, he saw out of the corner of his eye Liam draw his marlin spike, readying for a fight.
Killian took out the first couple of walkers that came towards him, backing up so his back faced a tree to prevent any coming from behind him.
He heard Liam and Neal start to take out some near him, guessing from a quick glance there were about thirty of the dead advancing on them.
Swinging his hook out, he was able to bury the sharp tip into a walker's skull, yanking it out and causing a small spray of dead blood to splash on him.
He was aware of one of the other men nearing him, fighting the walkers beside him, but focused on the threat surrounding them.
He suddenly felt pain in the back of his head, as if he had been struck by a blunt object.
Quickly steadying himself, he continued to take out walkers, fighting to ignore the throbbing pain in his skull, as well as the blackness that threatened to pull him under, knowing he had to survive.
He barely registered the sound of someone cocking a gun before he heard Liam yell out something he couldn't make out, followed by the sounds of someone hitting someone else.
Before he could react, the loud bang of a gun rang through the air, the noise nearly deafening.
Liam suddenly cried out in pain.
Knowing something had happened to his brother, Killian tried to make his way back to Liam, but found himself surrounded by too many of the dead, as well as the feeling to slip under growing stronger with each move he made.
Emma kept Henry close to her and Mary Margaret as they sat on some makeshift benches folding some blankets, wanting the menial task to keep her distracted for the time being.
"What do you think Liam wants to do for my next lesson?" Henry asked curiously as he folded his own blanket.
Emma shrugged. "I don't know. You're gonna have to find out when him and Killian get back."
Pouting slightly, he looked down at the material in his hands before suddenly looking excited. "Him and Killian were in the Navy. Maybe they can teach me some more combat moves? Like how to put someone in a choke hold?"
Mary Margaret released a dainty snort. "I don't think your mom would want them teaching you that."
He shrugged. "Why not? I know Mom likes Killian."
Emma froze, her eyes wide in shock.
Mary Margaret recovered first, laughing. "Well of course she does. Do you really think she would let them teach you if she didn't like them?"
He narrowed his eyes. "You know what I mean."
They started when they heard the sound of a gunshot through the trees, putting the entire camp on alert.
Emma sprang up, already moving toward the forest.
"Stay here," she told Henry, moving to join the small group going in.
She and David led them, Ian, Lance, and Leroy close behind. Everyone had a weapon drawn.
"It sounded like it came from near the cabin Liam and Killian went to," Lance said as he dodged a tree.
The smell hit Emma first, knowing they were dealing with walkers.
She didn't pause before taking out the first walker she reached, plunging her knife in its head. She briefly saw Leroy swing his pickaxe, immediately braining another.
Taking in the area, she saw what she guessed were about two dozen in the small area. Some turned towards them, particularly a smaller group that was hunched over a fallen form. Fresh blood and flesh hung from their gaping mouths, the promise of fresh meat drawing them away from their kill.
Even knowing someone was dead, Emma prayed it wasn't Killian.
She quickly went closer to the other group that was trying to get at something, knowing someone was continuing to fight them off.
She didn't know how many walkers she killed before she finally saw a flash of dark hair and blue eyes in the middle of the melee, making her exhale in relief despite the fighting, knowing he was alive.
They were able to kill the walkers at a rapid pace, their numbers able to take them out with ease.
Leaving Lance to take out the last of the dead, Emma moved closer to Killian, wanting to know what had happened. Her alarm grew as she saw how unsteady he was.
"Killian, what happened?" she asked, concern taking over as she rested her hands on his arms to brace him.
He winced as he looked up at her, making her lightly touch the back of his head, only for him to wince again under her touch. Much more gently, she probed around the back of his head, feeling a large bump.
His voice was slow as he answered. "Something... hit my head. Don't know what."
She nodded, her voice softening. "Alright. We'll just get you back to camp and get you checked out. I'll help you."
He nodded weakly.
Emma carefully moved to grab onto his left hand to draw it over her shoulders to help steady him when she noticed the wound.
Her blood turned to ice and her stomach dropped, unable to catch her breath.
"David!" she suddenly called, her voice sounding frantic in her own ears. "David, come quick! Killian's been bit!"
Review?