Strongest Survivors: The Apocalypse Diaries

If You Could Change One Thing Pre-Z...

Set a tiny bit before the team arrive in Colarado, just after they've found out the truth about Jordan. Between chapters 'Family, Blood or Love?' And 'Doctor of the Dead.'

We sat around the fire, and I smiled as I sat between Murphy and 10k, just enjoying the light whilst my father slept in the van. He had been sticking to me like glue, everyone knew it, and each one thought I was loving it. In reality, it was quite the opposite. "Hey, you alright?" 10k whispered, leaning towards me. I looked up, and smiled, "I'm great." I lied, knowing he saw right through me. Still, he let me be, turning back to the group's conversation.

"So, what would you pick? What would be the one thing you'd change pre-z? Warren asked Doc, who thought for a moment. "Well, I think Z-weed would be nice, then again no zombies takes away the Z...but, in all seriousness, I'd never have left my son." He admitted, he and 10k sharing a smile. "What about you, Cassandra?" She looked up from the fire and shrugged. "I don't know. I'd probably just liked to have spent more time with my family than I did. 10k?"
I looked up at him beside me.  "Well, first of all he'd watch po.."
"Murphy! No!" I instantly stopped him, shivering in disgust. "What? He's not denying it."
"Moving on, I'd have spent more time with my mom. Never knew I'd miss her so much once she was gone, but I did. I'd just love to spend more time with her whilst I could." My Hand slipped down into his, as he slowly stared back into the fire. "Murphy, go." I quickly pointed, changing the focus of attention.

"Thanks." 10k whispered, I waited for Murphy to tell the swap he'd make. "Well, I would've said not being convicted, but now that I really think about it..." he looked over at the van, almost as if to check that my dad was still asleep. "I would've liked a daughter, but like Jordan here, smart, confident, funny, just a responsibility who could brighten things up." The whole group looked at me, and I let out a wishful sigh.  Warren saw my discomfort and cleared her throat, "Well I know what I'd do. I'd enjoy what I had, spend more time with those I loved." I thought back to the Z-nado, and the time we'd spent at her home. She was so willing to die for a chance to be with her husband, so...ready. "Guess that leaves me then, huh?" I laughed, before looking between Murphy and 10k. "I'd definitely have..."

"What's the gossip?" My dad's voice made me jump, and I instantly stopped speaking. "Jordan was about to say the one thing she'd change pre-Z." Doc explained, my dad nodded, pushing in to sit between Murphy and I. "Well, come on baby girl, what's the one thing you'd change?" He asked. I made sure to lean towards him, "I'd have come with you, run with you and escaped from my mom. I always missed you, dad." I kept a smile on my face, and he pulled me closer, kissing my head. "Couldn't have said it better myself." Warren smiled at the two of us, then Murphy cleared his throat. "Jordan, can we talk? Alone." He requested, standing up and holding out his hand. "Why, alone?" James questioned. I stood anyway, "it's private, dad. Cure stuff, and not my place to tell."
"Don't worry, they've been doing it for ages. Bite trauma and all that." 10k chipped in, seeing that I needed the time. I shared a look with my dad, he did say to act normal, so eventually he backed down. I smiled, taking Murphy's hand. I couldn't help but mentally chuckle as Murphy proved his point that I was as much his daughter, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we walked.

Once out of hearing distance, Murphy turned to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Don't do th.." he cut me off, by pulling me close into a tight hug. "If you don't want to talk, don't talk. If you want to cry, I'll hold you until the tears dry. If you feel like falling to your knees, I'll catch you.  Just know, that I'm here, no matter the distance, or the walls between." Was all he said, a side to Murphy came out that no one in the world could've anticipated. So I did what he said, I cried into his shoulder. He shushed me, and I looked up. "Thank you, Murphy."
"Don't thank me, I see you're not yourself. The kid sees it too, he just holds too much respect for your father to do anything about it. Just wait until Colorado, then follow my lead. You'll know what to do." He grinned, and I gave him one last squeeze, before taking a deep breath, drying my eyes and turning back the way we came. Just before I disappeared into the trees, and back into earshot, I looked back at him.

"The thing I'd change Murphy, it would be finding you sooner..."