Fear the Walking Dead [Nick Clark]

O3. [Season 1]

❝ WHEN CIVILISATION ENDS, IT ENDS FAST ❞  

It was dark and cold as Allison began to venture inside the sewer. She turned on the flashlight on her phone, illuminating her straight path. The further she walked, the worst it smelled. Covering her nose with her free hand, Allison reached a two-way end; she could either go left, or right. The muffled cry was heard again, it was close. Allison's adrenaline began to kick in; she had to make a choice.

"Right it is." She mumbled, jogging through the narrow path.

Dirty water was splashing against her jeans as she ran, the tunnel seemed like it would never end. She stopped for a moment, crouching down with her hands on her knees. It was getting harder to breathe, she just wanted to leave.

Her head snapped up at another muffled sound. She pointed the flashlight up, noticing a few stone stairs next to the brick wall. She illuminated the top to see a small hole on the wall, the sound was coming from there.

Allison slowly walked toward the steps, climbing up cautiously. She reached the wide opening and gasped at the sight: her flashlight was illuminating a little girl's face; her green eyes were wide opened as she stared frightfully at Allison, scooting away from her.

"It's ok," whispered Allison with a small smile. "I'm not going to hurt you."

The little girl shook her head rapidly and pressed her back further against the dirty wall, hugging her knees. Her behavior reminded her so much of Nick's, - since his father died he has never been the same; Allison believes he turned to the drugs to try and conceal his pain, but their effects, however, didn't allow him to grow up mentally; he's still a kid. A pained kid.

Allison's eyes landed on a small stuffed animal, a teddy bear. She slowly reached for the bear and waved it slowly in front of the girl, smiling. "You got a teddy bear?"

The girl simply stared at her, not answering. Allison sat down across from her, keeping her distance. "I had one too when I was your age," She said, caressing its ears. "His name was Rupert. What his name?"

"Lou." She croaked out.

Allison smiled, feeling accomplished. "Lou! What a pretty name!"

She looked around, looking for any signs of another human presence, but saw nothing. She glanced back at the girl. "I'm Allison. What's your name?"

"Bailey."

"Bailey, we have to go. You can't be in here."

Bailey shook her head in panic, reaching for the bear, Lou, and hugging it to her chest. Allison let out a long sigh. She was about to protest when the little girl spoke. "Mommy said to wait here. That it's safe."

Allison furrowed her eyebrows. "Safe? Safe from what?"

"From daddy." She cried.

In that moment a loud bang was heard from one of the tunnels. Allison's breath was caught in her throat as her eyes shifted from the tunnel back to the girl and back to the tunnel again; something was going on. Bailey's muffled cries brought Allison back to her senses. It was time to get out.

"Please, Bailey. We have to go." She pleaded.

Allison reached for her arm but she jerked it away, screaming and fighting against her grip. "Bailey, stop." She hissed. Bailey wouldn't stop struggling to leave Allison's grip; the teddy bear was thrown to the wet, dirty ground between their little pandemonium.