My Dark World (Gabentine Fic)

A Rough Introduction

The sound of doors opening and closing jerked me awake. Sam also jolted at the sound and licked my cheek, making sure I was okay and safe. I patted her head and took out my cane before exiting the truck with Sam hot on my heels. I heard voices around me and heard Javi's and walked towards it.

"Oh sorry. It's going to take a little getting use to. We're at the danger zone and walking towards the meeting hall. The community has a fence and then a reinforced metal wall behind it. There are multiple houses in the zone and also an apartment complex. We have a medical tent, a food hall, and a small shower house. And yes, it does have hot water."

Fucking sweet. I haven't had a hot shower in forever!

"Hey, um Javi?"

"Yeah, bud?"

"Could we keep my eye situation on the down low? I don't want people treating me any differently right now and if you see Tripp could you ask him to do the same?"

"Sure. But, how will you get around and keep it secret if you use your cane?"

I smile slightly to myself and turn towards Javi's voice.

"I may be blind but, I'm not completely helpless. I have a rope for Sam and she can lead me around for the time being. Now, let's go see this community of yours."

I fold up my cane and stuff it into my bag and take out a rope and tie it loosely around Sam's neck. I click my tongue and we start walking to, what I assume to be, the meeting hall. Javi taps my shoulder for me to stop and I turn my attention to him.

"Alright, it sounds like they're in a meeting so I'll go in first and then I'll introduce you. You can come in when I do that and there's going to be a chair you can sit in to your right. Okay, I'm going in."

I nod my head at him and he goes in. I lean against the door to listen to the conversation and for my cue to enter.

"What's up, fuckers!"

"Javi! How many times do I have to tell you to quit saying that every time you walk in here?"

"Hello to you too, Rick. And how else are you going to know I'm here? Exactly. Anyways, me and Luke recovered some supplies from Gatlinburg. Oh and I found my long lost nephew, Gabe. Come on in, bud!"

At the sound of my name, I went through the doors with Sam and heard murmurs all around me. I rolled my eyes from under my shades and gave a slight wave before reaching to my right and finding the empty chair before sitting down.

"Yeah, he's not a big talker and kind of shy."

"Okay. Well, you can do introductions later with him and show him around. Let's get back to business at hand."

I heard Javi let out a chuckle at Rick's phrase of him showing me around but, calmed down and listened to Rick.

"We have had numerous attacks on us this month and need more patrols around the walls. We're doing good on supplies and have had a good hunting season, thanks to Daryl. Tripp should be returning with the others and that should be everyone that was out on runs. Okay, meeting adjourned."

The shuffle of feet filled the hall and felt people walk past me. I stiffened at the feel of people being that close and was thankful that they didn't speak to me. It became quiet and smelled Javi approach me.

It may sound weird but, each person has a distinct smell. Javi smells like cheap cologne, Tripp smelled like motor oil, and Luke smells like Axe body spray.

"So, you ready to go tour the place? Then, afterwards we can try to set up a place for you and Sam. Sound good?"

"Sounds great. Thank you, Javi."

There's silence and I thought he was ignoring me but, felt myself get pulled into a tight hug. I don't have time to respond as he pulls back and sniffles.

"Okay, Okay. Enough of that lovey-dovey shit and let's get you familiarized with the zone."

Javi took me around the zone and explained where everything was. He also talked about who all lived in the zone and the relationships. Rick is a leader with Javi and had two kids, Carl and Judith. Rick also has a wife, Michonne. Daryl is the hunter of the community and is in a relationship with Carol, the best cook around. Maggie is a medic, along with Eleanor, and is married to Glenn, a fast son of a bitch. Maggie also has a little sister named Beth and she is currently with Carl. Tripp is the mechanic around here and is trying to get back together with Eleanor. Ava and Jesus were always coming and going but, helped anytime the zone needed it.

"What about that girl you mentioned earlier? Clementine?"

"Already wanting to know more about her? Wow and you haven't even met her yet. Well, she's been with me for a long time. She tried jumping me when we first met and I knocked her out. We eventually worked out our differences and became friends. Clementine had a little boy with her but, they got separated when a group of walkers attacked us. AJ, her kid, ran away and we never seen him again. Clem still believed he was alive and went looking for him. I hope she's okay."

I hum in agreement and we continue walking towards a small but, cozy house. Javi said it was furnished with a bed, couch, and dining table. A nap sounded so good right now and I could tell Sam was growing weary too. Javi led us in and showed me where everything was and left me to collect my thoughts and rest before dinner. I counted how many steps it was to every piece of furniture and room before finally laying down in my bed. It felt like heaven and was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

"Hey. Hey, kid. Get up, it's time for dinner."

A strong smell of Axe overwhelms me and I immediately know it's Luke.

"Alright, I'm up. Let me put on shoes and I'll be ready to go, Luke."

I hear him back out of my room and go out the front door. I slip on my shoes and stretch before calling for Sam. She trots to me and I pet her before going outside to join Luke. We walk together in silence and was about to break it when something bangs to the far right of me.

"What the hell was that?"

"Sounds like someone is trying to get in through the gate. Patrol must be eating and took a break. Dumbasses didn't have backups. Come on, let's check it out."

I let Sam lead me and she follows Luke to the gate. The banging continues and Luke grabs my arm and tells me to get ready because he's going to open the gate. I grab my hunting knife and prepare as he opens up the gate. I expect to hear groans from walkers but, find myself groaning from something tackling me to the ground. The smell of vanilla fills my nose and wonder why a walker smells so good.

What the fuck? Why does this walker feel warm? And why is it's skin so soft? What the fuck?!

I bring my knife to the throat of the nice smelling walker and find a gun pressed to my temple.

"Close the fucking gate, Luke! And you better put your fucking knife down or I'll put a bullet in your tiny brain! Are fucking dumb or just blind?!"

I let out an exasperated groan and let my head drop back onto the ground. I give Luke a one fingered salute as he cracks up laughing.

This must be Clementine. Nice.