Perform For You - Z Nation/10k Fanfiction

Healing Pains

When another vehicle was finally found again by OBM, Sadie and 10k took their seats next to each other in the back of the old SUV. During their time on foot, they had talked quite a bit as the two seemed to find comfort in each other like they had known one another in a past life. By this time they were sharing chuckles at small jokes, exchanging glances that they saw as insignificant but the others saw something more in them but it was still much too early to tell.

Somewhere along the line of traveling the route to California, they stumbled upon a woman that Sadie realized was a familiar face to the others and she was well into a pregnancy. By who? Murphy.

She joined the group, introducing herself to Sadie as Serena or, as the group better knew her, Pie Girl. From the short time the two had talked, the petite girl drew a positive feeling from her as she seemed nice enough. She then thought to herself, 'How did Murphy get someone so nice?' It was a mystery to her. She looked at 10k who was already looking at her, the two sharing a moment of heated faces before Cass glared at them as if trying to ward off the exchange between them. Sadie glanced out the window, listening to Serena talk as she took a slight enjoyment out of watching the blue man squirm with annoyance, the van soon lurching forward again toward the horizon.

By the time the two stopped again, they were looking for a place to deliver Serena's baby which was surprising to Sadie as she didn't think she was that close but she stood corrected. 10k seemed to linger near the small female's side, occasionally looking at her before he looked at everyone else. Something he hadn't realized was every time the two were next to each other, he would have his arm touching hers even if it was just barely. Like he felt better if they had some kind of contact. Vasquez had mentioned an Amish farm ahead which seemed like their only option after running through a town of Festival going Zs and releasing a giant wheel of cheese onto the apocalypse. The town was also where 10k and the others discovered that their new fun-sized member could give the sniper a run for his money after she stumbled upon a weapon shop and lifted a rifle of her own. 10k hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since. She could shoot? He felt a flutter in his heart every time the memory resurfaced.

The band of misfits made their way to the farm, 10k subconsciously loping his arm over the back of the seat where Sadie sat staring out the window. She could feel the gesture, even if his arm wasn't around her, she still managed to smile to herself as she secretly enjoyed him being so protective over her even if he didn't realize it. The SUV came to a stop when they got within walking distance of the farm, everyone stepping out as Sadie had her new rifle strapped to her back. 10k, as always, wasn't far from her as he looked at Warren, "What now?" The woman looked around, observing their options before looking at 10k, "Go ahead to check toward the east. Vasquez can go west. Make sure the farm is clear." 10k was slightly hesitant, giving a side glance to Sadie before nodding, "Alright." He trekked off through the tall grass as Vasquez went in the opposite direction. Sadie watched until the tall sniper disappeared out of sight. It was then she waited.

He roamed the field, looking around for any signs of life - living was preferred - when he happened upon a group of Amish folk as he waved them down, "Hey!" He called out as the people looked afraid, "No, I'm not a zombie!" He reassured before he spotted them pointing, his eyes following the direction as he turned around to see Zs running toward him. Without thinking, he killed one with the butt of his gun, getting hit with white powder from the Z as he coughed and sputtered before piking it with his knife. By the time he turned around, the Amish people were fending off a Z which he mercied with a shot to the head. Then, before he could process what he was seeing, a zombie sheep emerged which he mercied as well. Before he could get another word in, the folk run off and disappeared out of sight.

"Hey! Hello?" He called out to them though none seemed to want to help, "Anybody? I'm not trying to hurt you. Someone in our group just needs some help." He explained but got nothing in response. He eventually gave up and headed back to the group, unsure of what the white powder was that tainted his skin.

Sadie smiled when she saw him approaching on the horizon, greeting him happily which he returned before looking at Warren. Cass sniffed him as if she sensed something wrong, earning a cautious step back from 10k and an odd look as he seemed off-put by her action. Warren ignored it as she asked, "Well?" 10k turned his attention to her, "Theres people here but they ran away from me." Doc chimed in with a questioning look, "Zombies?" 10k nodded, "The usual. Oh, and there is also zombie sheep." Doc raised his brows, nodding, "Zombie sheep." 10k gave a confirming nod before Doc sighed, "Why not?" He huffed.

As the group finally parked before the house, Vasquez emerged baring gifts as Warren raised a brow at him while Sadie hung back with 10k as she was talking to him about the white powder. A bad feeling lingered in the pit of her stomach though 10k was quick to dismiss any danger from it, "Ten, what if its something bad?" She asked as he chuckled, "I'm fine. Don't worry." He reassured her. Sadie frowned, not any less worried about him as she stayed close, though the quiet didn't last long as Zs came from the house clad in Amish clothing, Addy taking out one though it exploded in white powder causing her to turn away and cough harshly. Warren warned to pull back, unsure what the powder was when two Amish men came out of nowhere and took out the other Zs.

"You English shouldn't be here." One Amish man warned as Sadie felt that pit grow larger in her stomach, eyeing 10k as he suddenly didn't look well, "Ten.." She whispered. No response. The man continued to talk, "It's not safe for you here. The white powder-" He motioned to 10k, "We have anthrax here." Sadie's eyes widened as she felt panic in her chest, looking at 10k again. Warren looked just as concerned as she was ready to leave, motioning everyone to get in the vehicle.

That was when 10k collapsed as Sadie was sent into panic along with the others, "10k!" She cried out, kneeling alongside Doc and Addy as she felt her hands shaking, "Please, no.." She pleaded.

They carried 10k to a shelter where other afflicted people were, Sadie not far behind as she watched beside Vasquez though she wanted to be by 10k. The sniper unresponsive, only able to look around when he saw an Amish woman approach, giving him medication and water. Warren sighed, exchanging looks with Doc as the older man looked just as troubled.