𝗚𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 | Joel Miller x Reader 𝟭𝟴+

COME AS YOU ARE

The pharmacy's windows were broken years ago. Moss had begun growing over the shards of glass left in the frame. Your mind flashed back to the early days after the breakout. The shared panic felt throughout the entirety of society strangely brought everybody together, and goods and supplies were distributed equally, to an extent. Only in the beginning, though.

Either way, it meant there wasn't much left on the shelves as Joel and you made your way inside the building. Joel took the lead, gun loaded and pointed, but his finger was not on the trigger. When everything seemed to be in the clear, Joel walked in without sparing you a second glance. You knew to follow him at all times, but his silence spoke a thousand words.

You weren't sure what you'd expected. Joel hadn't spoken to you, not since last night. Hushed tones exchanged with your father upon his return were the only glimpses you could catch of his voice. You came to a silent, mutual agreement to go into a nearby pharmacy to get the needed supplies the morning after.

You scoped out the pharmacy, looking for anything that could prove itself useful while you were there anyways. Pregnancy tests might be on that list, you realized, stuffing more than you could need in your bag. Wouldn't hurt to take a couple when you got back to the house, just to be sure. You also took two cans of deodorant discarded behind a fallen rack.

After finally finding the product you'd come for, the stupid Plan B, you took two pills and swallowed them dry. You stuffed the remaining pack in your bag, turning to Joel to suggest leaving.

His eyes darted over to you quickly at your sudden movement. You raised your hands in defence and gave a tight smile, lips pressed together awkwardly.

"You find 'em?"

Those were the first words Joel spoke to you, finally acknowledging your presence. You nodded and let him know you'd already taken two, for good measure. He nodded and walked down another aisle, presumably looking for left-over medical supplies.

You did the same, walking in the opposite direction of where Joel had gone. You scanned the shelves, where nothing much but dust remained. Your heart skipped a beat at the sight of a neglected box of condoms. You scoffed inwardly. Could've used those a day earlier. Should've taken them last time you were here.

You looked around for Joel, seeing the back of his head stick out a couple of isles over. When you were confident he wasn't looking, you slowly put your bag on the floor and sank to your knees, condoms in hand. You reached for the zipper and tried opening it quietly so as not to alert Joel. You put the condoms next to the tests and reached to close your bag. Just as you were about to zip it, you heard a different, rattling noise in the distance.

"Did you hear that?" You asked as your head whipped to look at the origin of the noise. It must've come from outside. Your hand was still on the zipper, ears straining to try and catch what you'd heard. You realized your mistake the second the words left your mouth. You might've grown slightly paranoid in the last few years, but there was no denying you recognized that sound.

A Clicker.

You zipped your bag as silently as you could and put it around your shoulders, getting yourself off the floor with the support of the shelf. Your eyes immediately met Joel's, who already had a finger to his lips, eyes warning.

Shut up and stay there.

Adrenaline coursed through your veins. Every fibre of your body yelled at you to run. Your feet were rooted to the floor, eyes glued on Joel. You watched as he inched forward, trying to get a look at where the Clicker was. When he didn't see it, he beckoned you over.

You watched the floor for any obstacles that would alert the Clicker of your presence when you crept over to Joel. You knew if it heard you, even for a millisecond, it wouldn't stop searching until it found and killed you. Joel watched as you approached him painstakingly slowly. He pointed in the distance, and you followed his finger, seeing the stray Clicker near a few stores down the street.