New World [Gay Chandler Riggs/1D fusion fanfic]

Chapter 4

He walked towards me and pushed the thing off of me before pulling his bolt from the thing's head. As I got up he said "Fighting off walkers with a broomstick, you're either really brave or really stupid; I don't know which is worse; call of your dogs, their barking is going to attract more unwanted attention".

"Walkers?" I asked. The boy squatted down and started going through the thing's pockets "This thing, I've named them walkers; but everyone calls them something different" The boy pulled out some cash from the thing's wallet and pocketed it "You're stealing from it?" I asked indignantly.

"Cash ignites easily, it's good for making fires" the boy said shortly as he turned back to the other walkers that were making slow but steady progress towards us "Go back to the Superstore, if you're smart and move quickly, all three of you can make it back and not become lunch" he said before he started to walk away, away from us and the walkers.

"Wait, where are you going?" I asked, not wanting him to leave; obviously he knew how to take care of himself and I didn't have a clue. "To stand still is to die these days" he said over his shoulder without pausing. I looked back to the Superstore, even if I did avoid all these walkers there would be no guarantee that the door would be open.

"Please, take me with you!" I pleaded. The boy turned to look at me for a long moment before glancing at the walkers as he played with the bracelet on his wrist. "Keep up and don't slow me down" he finally said and started walking again; I gave a short whistle, causing Fenris and Shylo to crawl under the car to me.

The boy lead me to an nearby abandoned shoe shop and into the backroom full of shoe boxes that lead into the basement; when we got inside he placed a chair against the door to keep it closed and placed his crossbow and hat on a small end table next to where he had two backpacks.

I was finally able to get a good look at him, he had freckles across his nose and upper cheeks and had pale, icy blue eyes that looked grey in the weak light; he was actually fairly attractive once you got passed the dirt, I couldn't judge though since I haven't had a proper shower in months either.

I went to the far side of the basement, giving the boy his space and room for myself to make sure the girls weren't injured either. He watched me as I checked the girls over and I was starting to feel a little awkward since he hasn't said anything since he saved me.

"So...what's your name? I'm Cole, this is Shylo and that's Fenris" I asked as Shylo was on her back with her paws in the air so I can check that there wasn't any glass in her paws. "Just because I saved you doesn't mean we're friends; I'm just sick of watching people die in front of me" he snapped.

"That's...fair I guess...sorry" I said, a little hurt and taken aback; this was the first person my age I've seen in a long time and I wanted us to desperately become friends, truth be told I was lonely. The boy looked at me and sighed "Names Chandler; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings" he dug around one of his backpacks and pulled out a half empty bottle of water "Here" he said as he took a step toward me, however Shylo and Fenris both stood up and growled at him.

I looked at the beat up plastic bottle "No thanks, I'm fine; plus water must be hard to come by, you should save it" I said. "Water isn't hard to find if you know where to look; leaky pipes are very common since no one repairs them anymore" he said, still holding out the bottle to me.

I took the bottle and both Shylo and Fenris sniffed it "But how? The tap stopped working ages ago". Chandler shrugged "I don't know, my guess is water pressure; all I know is that pipes leak

and the water is clean, that's why I've stayed here". I followed his eyes and saw two pots collecting dripping water from the pipes overhead.

I took a drink of water as Shylo and Fenris hesitantly investigated Chandler; slowly taking a step forward with their ears against their heads, sniffing his still outstretched hand. He tried to pet Shylo but she pulled away from his touch, Fenris however allowed him to touch her.