Fear the Walking Dead [Nick Clark]

21. [Season 1- Finale]

❝ IT'S LIKE I'VE BEEN LIVING THIS FOR A LONG TIME, AND NOW EVERYONE IS CATCHING UP WITH ME. ❞ - Nick Clark

The wind blew against them as they ran, squinting their eyes at the brightness of the Californian sun. The thunder-like sound had echoed around the vast area, leaving horrid goosebumps on their skin. It was only natural for Chris to break down at the imminent scene – his mother laid lifeless on the sand, a hole on her forehead. His scream was the more terrible because Allison had never expected or dreamed that he could make such a sound.

"MOM! NO!"– He laid on her chest, desperate tears crawling down his face as he shook Liza's body. "WAKE UP! NO! GOD, NO."

Alicia stepped back bewildered, casting one single glance at her mother, Madison, who didn't seem capable of tearing her eyes away from the developing scene. Allison couldn't help but feel empathy for Chris, having been in his position not long ago. Madison glanced away at the shore, finally, crawling out of her daze-like state, and began to walk away with a defeated look. She felt Bailey tightening her grip around her hand, and glancing down at the small girl she scooped her up in her arms, walking away from the scene no child should see. Tears brimmed at Allison's eyes as she walked, Chris and Alicia's voice souring through the air like bullets. "NOOO! MOM! NO, LET GO ALICIA. MOOOM!"

"SHE'S GONE, CHRIS."

"FUCK YOU!"

Strand and Nick were running out of the house with shocked yet confused expressions. Cries and shouts filled the atmosphere as they stood still, glancing from Allison to the current scene now not too far from them.

"What happened?" Strand was the first to talk. Sweat was pouring down his forehead, his breaths were ragged like Nick's, from running under the scorching sun.

"It was Liza, she..." It hit her all at once. Liza Manawa was dead; shot in the forehead. She began to question who had pulled the trigger. Had it been Travis? Or Madison? A pang of guilt and sadness filled her insides as she thought back to all those times she had been unpleasant toward Liza. "She...she was..." She felt their eyes burning within her skin, and gulping down all her thoughts, with a low, shaky voice she finally managed to say. "She's dead."

Nick slumped his shoulders, staring away at Alicia grabbing Chris' arm forcefully, only to earn a strong push in return. Alicia fell to the ground, smacking the sand with such force it hit Chris on the side of his face. She was livid yet as she rose to her feet, Allison could see a hint of sadness on her best friend's eyes. Two figures stood further down the shore, enveloped in each other's arms, Travis and Madison, as the waves surrounded them, washing away all their sorrow.

"So what happens now?"

Allison turned to face Nick who had his eyes fixed on Victor Strand. The dark skinned man loosened his tie around his neck as he glanced around, throwing a small cautious glance at Allison.

"I have told you, Nick." He turned to face him. "Abigail."

"Abigail? Who's Abigail?" Allison asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Not my wife for damn sure!"

She was about to question him further when a confused Daniel and a weak Ofelia joined the circle, staring off at the shore. She gave Nick a blank look and he shrugged, avoiding her glances. Strand is a shady man, there is something about him that feels off to Allison. The man stared at her for a minute too long, clearly enjoying her hostile glare – the small tug of his lips were enough to tell.

"Oh my God, papa." Cried Ofelia, lifting a hand to her mouth as Chris stormed past them, shaking with anger and sadness.

Turning to face the scene, Allison could see Travis and Madison walking toward Liza's body, their clothes drenched – but none seemed to care. Madison and Alicia shared a warm hug before the woman began to walk toward them with her daughter, leaving Travis kneeling by his ex-wife's body.

"Nick, find a shovel... anything." Said Madison as she approached.

"There's one in my garage. I used to enjoy gardening back in the good ol' days." Strand offered, an amused expression on his face as he seemed to recall some memories. "I'll take you there."

Nick nodded his head following Strand inside the house. The remaining of the group walked back inside the house through the glass door, stopping in shock as they stared at the trashed living room area. Chris was panting by the counter, growling as he threw another vase to the floor, watching pleasantly as it scattered into a million pieces.

"Chris," Snapped Madison, walking cautiously inside the room. "Stop that. We're guests here-"

"What do you care?" He hissed, turning to face her with puffy eyes. "I bet you're happy, huh? Aren't you Madison? She's gone... my mom's gone. You can have Travis all for yourself. No worries."

"Do you think Liza would want you to act like this?" Madison looked affronted.

"You have NO idea how my mom would've wanted me to act." With a final burning look at the woman, Chris spun on his shoes, ignoring her calls and disappearing into the halls. Daniel placed a hand on Madison's shoulder.

"The boy will deal with the pain on his own way. Everyone does. He chose anger."

Madison exhaled loudly, rubbing her temple forcefully. She turned to look around at the grim expressions everyone portrayed, landing her bright eyes on Bailey. She walked toward Allison, opening her arm as she neared them.

"Can I hold her?"

Allison glanced down at Bailey, whose bright eyes locked on Madison with interest. She nodded her head, handing the tiny girl to the woman. Madison smiled, caressing her braid. "How old are you pretty one?"

Bailey raised her hands in the air, showing five small fingers. Madison walked toward the couch, plopping down the Bailey on her lap as they talked in hushed voices. Allison had never seen this affectionate side of Madison with little kids and it warmed her heart to know Bailey would be loved in the group and not treated like a stranger.

Ofelia joined them, her eyes dropping ever so slightly as she rested, her hand pressed against her wound on her arm. Allison felt Daniel approach her and he nodded his head, signaling for her to follow him. They walked toward the balcony, avoiding the shattered obstacles on the floor.

"I am sad about Liza's death," He began, staring away at the ocean. "She tried to help my wife... and Ofelia."

She stayed silent, watching as Nick neared Travis with a shovel on his hand. Daniel went on. "But I know now, this is the only way we get to live. Loosing people... watching them die around us, our loved ones."

"We don't get to live anymore." She whispered. "We have to fight to stay alive. Fight for survival."