Chaos Walking || Todd Hewitt x Reader

Ch. 2: Weird...But Nice

Warm. Warm in a comforting way. Todd's hand. Warm.

I opened my eyes slowly, blinking various times as the new light made me squint. I had been warm all night. Something I never thought would happen, ever. I only had ever felt sweaty, overheated, but not the comfort of the warmth that was from another person. I mean, that made sense. We, humans, we're supposed to be together, close with one another...but I couldn't even remember what my mother's touch had felt like...

'(Y/n)'s quiet. Maybe I should move. I'm too close! I'm in her space. Warm...no! Give her space.' Todd's thoughts, a noise that now filled the room.

I felt him move, taking his warmth with him. I got up with him, looking around as everyone tried to get ready for the day.

'Villiage. We need to get her to the village. We have to tell Todd about the Village.' One of the older men's thoughts was loud, and I wasn't sure if it was on purpose or he was just that stressed.

"Todd. Go take Whiskey, go get you some bags, and pack all you can. Here's where you're going to go." I couldn't see the map as one of the men, the more gentle one, pulled me back.

"How'd you survive so long on your own?" 'She lying. Ain't no way she was alone.'

It was truly a mystery how I had stayed alive for so long. Especially so young. I wouldn't call it a plain miracle because I worked hard not to die. But, I had been truly lucky not to be killed, anytime, so I guess that was sort of a small miracle in itself.

"I'm not lying. I-I just hid a lot. And survived off of plants," I tried to think of anything else I had done. ", I don't know-I didn't put myself in harm's way a lot." He shook his head at me.

'Lies. Something would've come after you.' "What about your village? Where'd you come from?" 

I let out a shaky breath. "I don't know...I can't remember. We didn't have a lot of people-but it was safe-I think. I don't want to lie to you, I just can't remember." His hard gaze made me take a step back, bumping into Todd who was right behind me.

"She said her folks didn't make it. A disease. Now, leave her alone. She somehow survived, that's that." '(Y/n)'s all alone...and she's not safe. We need to leave as soon as possible.' Todd looked worried, and his thoughts didn't help as I looked around anxiously.

"Why am I not safe here? I feel safe." 

Todd's face softened, looking at me with his dark brown eyes. 

"With me, you're safe. In this village, for reasons, I don't know, you're in danger. But you are. So, we need to leave, now. Are you ready?" 'I hope she's not scared. Did I scare her? I wonder if she's ever seen a horse before? Alone. Have to make sure she's never alone again.' Todd grabbed multiple bags, me offering to help but he shook his head and handed me a couple of shirts. "For the road." 'She needs to stay clean. No infection. No death.'

"Thank you." I walked outside with him, him taking out a huge animal.

I stumbled back as the animal towered over me, it letting out the strangest noise.

"He won't hurt you. He's friendly." 'She's never seen a horse...wow...' Todd mounted the animal, offering a hand as he now sat on its back.

I grabbed onto his hand and went stiff as he hauled me up, me now straddling the leather seat that had been put on previously. I held onto Todd's waist as the horse began to move.

"They're right there! Get her!" I quickly turned to see a huge group of men, all having their thoughts in the open like Todd, them charging towards us on the same huge animal we were also on.