The End of Days

[24]

Liam stood in the empty kitchen, clutching at his arms in the dark. He'd woken up a bit ago, exhausted from the nightmares.

It had been a few days since he arrived and things were settling down betweeen them, as far as trust was concerned. He wasn't a thief and he wasn't a threat, that was enough for them at least until the storm passed which it was beginning to clear up.

Despite that, Liam tried not to touch things or look around for food even when he was beginning to feel the urge to snack like when he was with his parents. Being around the couple and their kids, it felt so normal.

He didn't fit, he knew that. Things with Mac were uncomfortable, Abby tended to try too hard. But the zombies were blocked out by the wind and snow. The generator was still kicking which they had a few days to get to. So the family would sit around and read and draw and have dinners and bond.

It reminded him of time with his parents, his mom at least. He'd admit he'd grown apart from them when he entered highschool, once he came into his own. Sports and friends, anything other than them were his priority.

It reminded Liam of the home he'd began to make with the boys. He never let himself think about it but once he did he realized it was just a couple months ago. Everything was perfect and then in an instant, they disappeared from his life. Liam hoped that wouldn't happen to those kids but he couldn't quite fool himself.

The sound of a door shutting down the hall pulled him from his thoughts where he'd been peaking out the window. His eyes settled on the hall which had been previously empty, filled with a small shadow that only stood watching him from the dark.

Are you okay, he wanted to ask. He settled for a "Hi," the kid stepped out a moment later, shuffling in his pj bottoms for one of the chairs.

Despite his cold eyes, tears ran down Fred's cheeks. He slouched in his seat, staring at the table. Liam hesitated but sat across from him.

He spoke his mind finally and it took the child several moments, Liam was suprised when he responded, "Bad dream." The voice was a little clumsy but Liam understood easily enough. He knew from Abby the boy had already learned how to speak by the time his hearing loss became severe.

He wasn't surprised at the child's confession, Liam could hear shouting at night. The couple would come out and attempt to comfort him but it always ended with a slammed door and silence.

"I have dreams too." Liam spoke rather then signed because he wouldn't know the word. "I'm scared too."

"...mm." The boys breathing grew heavy, wrung out eyes staring holes at Liam before he dropped his head against his arms on the table.

"Hey, hey." Liam reached out, not thinking. The boy yelped, jerking out of the touch. They'd both stood in their panic although Fred had been scrambling to get away.

"It's okay Fred, breath." He held a hand out, showing he meant no harm. The boy watched as Liam placed the hand to his chest above his heart. "Feel," he instructed.

The kid followed after a moment, sucking in air like he couldn't get enough. Fred clenched his eyes shut, focusing at the sound of his heart which must've been hammering. Liam didn't speak a word although it wouldn't have been heard or seen.

He felt at his chest similarly, surprised at the way it thudded. It only began to ease as Fred's breathing settled and frightened eyes revealed themselves once more.

They stood there for moment, watching one another. Fred was pulling away slowly, suddenly embarrassed by himself. If he was going to run, Liam wasn't going to try and stop him.