Fear the Walking Dead [Nick Clark]

15. [Season 1]

❝ MEN DO THESE THINGS NOT BECAUSE OF EVIL. THEY DO EVIL BECAUSE OF FEAR. ❞

Allison's suspicions had been proved right the night before. The Military had lied. To everyone. It wasn't safe outside, nor inside for that matter, for things aren't always what they seem: the prettiest smiles hide the deepest secrets; the prettiest eyes have cried the most tears; the kindest hearts have felt the most pain, and the people who swore to protect them, were simply fending for themselves.

The men in green were selfish, but she understood, now she understood. Because these soldiers have always been pictured as brave, and daring men. They would forever be seen as those who would meet the violence in the night, so others could sleep soundly in their beds. But people often forgot that they were humans too, just like them, who carried a full package of emotions within their hearts; and those hearts now, were pumping fear.

"Where did you get this?" Madison sat on the bed in the guest room, her eyes glued to the familiar piece of paper she held in her hands.

"Alicia." The girl said simply, her eyes wandering around the room.

"This is a suicide note," Madison rose from the bed, Susan's last words, which would forever be inked on the small crumbled paper, thrown on the bed. Madison's voice now lowered as she paced, realization of what had happened to her friend kicking in. "She didn't get sick. She killed herself."

"She didn't want to end up like that," Allison sighed. "And we allowed it."

Madison's eyes lingered on the girl for a while, before she averted her gaze to the window, where there was a clear view of the backyard. Allison supposed she was staring at the fence, where Susan's decaying arm had been trying to reach them, not too long ago; her rotten teeth begging for a bite.

"We were weak," Madison mumbled. "I was weak."

"We're learning," said Allison darkly. "We're still learning how to live in this world."

She had been leaning forward, her face close to the blonde's as she too, stared out the window. She could feel Madison's gaze burning within her, the intense and disapproving Clark's glare. The same glare she would give the students at school, in her counselling sessions, whenever the troublemakers arrived at her office, body slumped on the chair, feet propped on her desk.

"You can't honestly believe things won't get better, Allison. Because they will." said Madison reasonably. She slumped her shoulders, eyeing Allison's dark eyes uncertainly, before she decided to change the subject. "Where's Alicia? Did she go to the Tran's?"

Allison shrugged, her eyes snapping back at her best friend's mother.

"I'm gonna go look for her, then." The woman said, her feet carrying her out of the room.

Allison didn't hesitate, and she simply grabbed a sweater from the floor, pulling it down her chest. The blonde looked over her shoulder, surprised to hear a pair of feet trailing behind her own. They said nothing, a simple nod of appreciation shared between them, and both walked out the house, into the empty street. Not a soldier was spotted patrolling the yards and roads like they used to be; like they should be. It was like they were giving up on the community. Madison seemed to be thinking the same thing as she threw one small, wary look at the girl behind her.

They reached the Tran's house, rushing straight to the door. "Alicia?" Called Madison, closing the door behind them and wandering further down the hall. "Alicia, are you in here?"