Perform For You - Z Nation/10k Fanfiction

Heaven Sent

He didn't expect the lights to dim as quickly as they did, nor did he expect the voice that started ever so softly from behind the curtain. It was sweet, like honey dripping from a comb as it was enough to persuade him to set his rifle aside just between Doc and himself. The old man peered over at him, noticing his attention fixed on the stage when the voice started. The vision was complete when a female, no older than 10k, stepped out in a dress that was a vivid shade of royal purple while her hair was fixed purely for the enticement of the male audience - covering one eye while the other was a turquoise hue bright enough to catch even in a quick glance. Needless to say, a blue-eyed sniper had his own hues fixed on her with every step she took. The gaze wasn't lusting, it was fascination. Like spying a rare but beautiful creature out in the wild, unable to take your sight away for even a second or you might miss it.

Doc was nothing less than amused, paying more attention to 10k's reactions than the actual performance as he chuckled to himself. The teen boy was lovesick but at least it was distracting him from his own misery that he carried just minutes ago. The girl made her way down from the stage, seemingly making a beeline for the sniper as she smiled down at him, though the look in her eye made him concerned. It was a plea for help. He figured someone as young as she wasn't performing for a bunch of drunk men willingly. Especially as half of the men were more than twice her own age. Something twinged in his chest, a sudden need that he couldn't pinpoint at that exact moment. It wasn't until after she returned to the stage the performance ended that he looked at Doc, wide-eyed and determined, "I need to take her away from here."

The older gentleman had a look of uncertainty at first, "Now, kid. We can't play 'a damsel in distress' every time we-" He was cut off by 10k, wearing his signature puppy dog look, "Doc, I'm sure about it this time." He assured the man as he gave a sigh, "Alright. But we gotta have a plan. Remember what the chief said? No trouble." 10k gave a firm nod, confirming that they would keep their word before both of them scurried from the building.

Backstage, she sat at her vanity as she took off her makeup and ruffled her hair partially free of all the product laced in it, weighed down by all the glam and fake show for the crowd, "I can only take so much of this girly shit." She mumbled to herself as she sighed, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she snarled at how she looked. God, how did she end up here? Her thoughts were only interrupted by the sound of a door closing as a man approached her, "The performance was our best one yet." He chuckled, "We'll have enough supplies to last us for months." His eyes went to her as she frowned, "I don't want to be eye candy for a bunch of sex deprived men for the rest of my life." She spat as the man's cheery expression faded to a grimace, "Last time I checked, you didn't have a choice." His tone was a warning one.

10k kept glancing at the building, wondering what he should do as Doc stood beside him, "Your gears are turnin' in your head. I can see it." The teen looked at him, "I can't leave her here. I have a bad feeling." A feeling that was usually right when it came to him. When the group seemed distracted, 10k snuck off - unseen - to the back of the building. He looked around, tucking behind the door when the man emerged, "Now I expect you to be ready for the next show before I get back!" 10k heard him scream inside before storming off. The sniper stayed low, waiting until the coast was clear before going inside the door. As he eased it shut to avoid drawing attention, he turned just in time to block a vase from hitting him over the skull, "Woah! Hey!" He whisper yelled as he saw the same girl from earlier but now disheveled and crying. She seemed to recognize him, her eyes rounding slightly, "It's you. Th-The guy from the performance." 10k nodded, a tinge of pride that she remembered him, "I'm gonna get you out of here."

Some convincing through fear and skepticism was needed beforehand but it worked in 10k's favor as he helped the girl pack what mattered to her. He picked up a picture, the photo showing a young man in a military uniform, "This your boyfriend?" He asked sheepishly as she wasted no time in snatching the picture from him, "No. He's not." She seemed awfully protective of the subject as 10k decided it was best not to pry. The sound of a door opening made his eyes shoot up, seeing the same man from earlier enter as his heart was now in his throat. The man was furious, putting two and two together as he screamed, "Hey!" He lunged at the two, earning a hit to the head from 10k's rifle before the teen grabbed the girl's hand and her bag before hurrying from the building. So much for no trouble.

He swore he never ran this hard in his life, though he was impressed by how she was keeping up despite their height differences. She glanced back, seeing the man after them with blood trickling down his forehead - obviously from the blunt force 10k obliged him with, "He's coming! Hurry!" 10k called back to her, "I am!" He reached the truck, helping her up into the bed before he yelled to the group, "We need to go! Now! Hurry up!" The others scattered, a chorus of slamming doors and hurried shuffling was heard followed by a revving engine. 10k held the girl by wrapping an arm around her waist safely as she wouldn't fall from the truck jumping forward. Soon, they had sped off with flying dirt and gravel left in their wake.

Once everything seemed to calm, 10k looked down at her as he smiled though he quickly withdrew his arm with a blush, "Sorry.." He murmured as she greeted his nervous reaction with a grin, "Thank you." She spoke barely above a whisper, "What's your name?" 10k rubbed the back of his neck, his face as red as ever, "Ten Thousand. Yours?" She smiled finding his name amusing yet unique, "Sadie."