My Dark World (Gabentine Fic)

Danger Zone

"Gabe."

"Gabe."

"GABE!"

"WHAT?!"

"Oh good, you're up. Come downstairs for breakfast."

I feel around and realize that I'm in a bed and most likely in a house. My hand searches for my bag and find it propped up against the bed. I rummage around in it and pull out my cane and sunglasses before swinging my feet out of bed. The hardwood is fucking cold against my feet and I curse the winter season. Tapping sounds echo around me as I make my way out of the bedroom and down the stairs, only stumbling a couple times. I smell food and let my nose lead me to the source.

"Ah there he is! Come on, grandma Gabe. You're moving slower than a damn snail. And what's with the cane? You going to whoop Luke's ass for putting a gun against ya?"

Does he really not know about my situation? Is he really that oblivious?

"Well, Javi, I need my cane to see and really don't want to stub my toe on anything because that fucking hurts."

The sound of glass breaking fills the room and I hope I didn't knock anything off the table.

"Gabe, are you blind? Like really blind?"

"Yes, Javi. I am completely and totally blind."

"Holy shit! How have you survived this long? Alone and BLIND...IN THE FUCKING APOCALYPSE!"

"Well, my cane helps and I learned to use my other senses to become aware of my surroundings. Plus, Sam has been a huge help. By the way, where is she? She probably needs fed and watered."

"Luke took her outside and she's already had three rabbits and like two gallons of water. But, back to you and your sightless situation. How many fingers am I holding up?"

"Javi......I CAN'T FUCKING SEE! How am I supposed to know how many fingers your holding up?"

I hear Javi let out a sound and then there's a rustling sound, like he's digging through a bag of something. Suddenly, a cold and slightly hard object hits my face and I swear loudly.

"What the fuck?! Why did you throw something at me?"

"To make sure you were telling the truth. It was just a banana, not like I threw a chair at you."

"........just get me something to eat. I'm fucking starving."

The rest of breakfast we spend talking about how I became blind and about how my parents ditched me. Javi doesn't seem surprised that David did that and apologized for not being there for me. I waved it off and called us even after he took me into his house. We finish up and I hear the door open and assume it's Luke and Sam.

"Here's your fucking dog. She's been playing fetch for almost two hours and won't stop."

I whistle for Sam to come and feel her nose press into my leg. I pet her and rub her belly while Luke and Javi talk.

"Hey, Luke. Um, Gabe is kind of blind and has been since this shit show started."

"Well, Javi, I assumed he was because of the sunglasses and cane."

"Thank you, Luke. Javi fucking chucked a banana at me to see if I was telling the truth."

Luke laughs at Javi and I have to join in because the situation is sort of humorous. I slightly incline my head towards where I assume Javi is and ask a question.

"Hey, so do you guys live here with others or is this just a resting spot for you guys?"

"Well, me and Luke do runs for community not far from here. We like to call it the danger zone because it's like a big target for other communities to try and steal our stuff. There's always some fight going on but, we always win. And yes, before you ask, you're coming with us."

"Okay, another question. Is it in North Carolina? And do you know a guy named Tripp?"

"Yes, it is in North Carolina and yes we know that old bastard Tripp. Why?"

"He helped me get here with directions and gave me some stuff. He said he was going to get a friend and then going to the zone."

"Ah. Probably going to help Clementine. She's been gone for 2 months, trying to find that damn kid AJ. You know, now that I think about it, you guys would probably hit it off. But, she's kind of a badass and would kick yours if you get on her bad side."

"She sounds....nice? Anyways, when are we leaving? I want to get out of this damn place and move on."

"Well, Luke was supposed to pack everything up and if he did then we can go."

"Oh fuck off, Javi. Everything's packed and this time, I'm driving to the danger zone."

I hear Javi let out a groan of annoyance and sounds like a spoiled child not getting his way.

"Fine but, I pick the music. If I hear fucking Conway Twitty one more time, I'll gladly throw myself out of the truck and walk to the danger zone."

So, we all pile in the truck and me and Sam are in the back and Luke and Javi are in the front. Sam lays down across my lap and I stroke her head and think about what I'll do with my life now.

I could hang with Javi at this danger zone for awhile and leave if I think of something else. It'll be good for me to be around living people for awhile and maybe have my own house. Yeah that sounds nice.

My thoughts are disrupted by Javi as he shuffles around in the front, looking for something, and let's out a shout of excitement.

"Gabe, I hope we have the same taste in music because David's was shit."

I let out a laugh at his dig towards David and nod my head at him to play the music. Music flows from the speakers and goosebumps cover my body from sound of actual music being played. It's been a very long time since I've listened to music. I laid my head back to let it flow through my ears and just relaxed.

Highway to the danger zone
Right into the danger zone
Gonna take you right into the danger zone!