Never Close Your Eyes

DTM 🐊 : C. 27

|| Chapter Twenty-Seven||

Third P.O.V

It didn't take the rest of the group too long to get to the next chapter of this miniature adventure. With all the miles they've tracked, to a majority of them, their hearts felt they were back where they lost it.

Doc valued the presence of the youngest two, making the feelings of wrongness grow with every step without them. On the surface of his heart, he showed outwardly how much he didn't want to continue.

Warren and Addy shared similar feelings with the old man, but their attachment didn't seem as deep—despite Warren feeling like she lost another one of her ducklings in the midst of trying to find a cure.

Part of her that didn't worry as much knew that (Y/N) was her child, therefore she didn't need constant protection. 10K adapted to the apocalypse in ways she wished (Y/N) would mimic.

Murphy missed his daughter, his blood daughter, but in his heart, he felt like it was the only way to protect her from the horrible truth of this world—she was not planned and the expectations were either too high or too low.

"Oh, sweet Jesus, hallelujah. Now we can finally get across the damn river and find the kids." Doc breathed out a sigh of relief once they made it too a good enough point of crossing.

The previous challenge was steadily good with no problems roaming around them. To him, it felt like a sure sign to go find 10K and (Y/N).

Only problem he faced next would be convincing the rest of his friends to join the side quest; the quest that had nothing to do with the vaccine.

When he straightened out his back after climbing a steep hill of rocks, he saw mixed expressions of uneasy and annoyed between his teammates.

Warren and Addy were worried about the reaction they were about to receive from the old man while Vasquez and Murphy were almost to the point of anger with Doc's lack of comprehension that the two missing were not the priority.

"Oh, come on." Doc's voice hiked an octave in exaggeration to show how flabbergasted he was at all of their decisions, individually.

'How could Warren and Addy even think about being okay with leaving 10K and (Y/N) alone like this?' Doc questioned their loyalty and respect for either kid.

He didn't want to take it too personal considering neither kid was his actual blood, but the feelings he felt for the two were just as strong.

"You really think you're gonna get this thing all the way across?" Vasquez started in on the argument first, feeling like Warren wasn't saying anything to defuse the idea quick enough.

He examined the small boat Doc had been examining and walking towards since they first emerged from the forest line, spotting the valuable tool.

The small paddle boat wouldn't be able to fit the remaining members of Delta-X-Ray, but it's not like Doc expected Vasquez and Murphy to jump on in. He was content with leaving the mission behind.

The dark green, camouflage water transportation had been conveniently stationed near the water on a shore line, letting there be a good guess that it had a few stories to tell.

Everything nowadays could tell stories about what it's seen and how it all went down, the correct way. Maybe throw a few fibs here and there to spice up the story, but a good bit would be in specific detail.

"I'm sure as hell gonna try, unlike all of you." Doc popped off once Vasquez entered the chat, disappointment growing more prone in his bones as the respect for the kids were being show.