Forever Condemned ( A Ban x Reader Story)

Chapter 32 - The blue fox

AN: Sorry that these chapters are short at the moment. I'm very pressed for time and I'm currently mapping out the remaining plot. 

I don't want to follow too much of the original storyline since – as I've said before, there's no fun in that. 
But also my story needs to make sense and I need to make sure some things don't clash.

So there's a lot of work to do – while I got my other books and personal life. So in order to, at the moment, keep up with the weekly updates, the chapters will be shorter. 

Thanks for your patience and enjoy! <3

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Kilia was asleep, clutching her father's neck while he poured a drink over Zhivagos grave.

The poor kid had been sobbing for ages after he had explained what had happened and was now exhausted. He threw the bottle away before using both arms to hold onto her and turned towards Jericho. 

"Let's get moving." he said and started walking, not really caring to wait for an answer.
It had been such a short-lived relief to find his father again – thinking that maybe he could have some comfort in this messed up situation. But now he was alone again, with a frightened child and a woman he knew had feelings for him. 

How could he not know by the way she acted towards him? But he didn't mind her at all. He found her funny and she reminded him a lot of his little sister. So at the moment, he decided to stay oblivious. It was not the time for a confession, that would be followed by rejection, to take place.

"I'm sorry..." He heard behind him. "Not just about your old man, but everything going on... I can't even imagine." Jericho muttered. Her mind was still reeling from everything Ban had told Zhivago about where he had been all this time and what had happened to (Y/N). 

She knew he was keeping a brave face for his kid. Even though he'd still tease her as usual, there was evident sorrow in his eyes. 

She wanted him to be his cheerful self again and, as heartbreaking as it was to admit it, she knew that only (Y/N) could completely bring that out of him. 

He looked over his shoulder before giving a small appreciative nod. 

"M-Mama..." Zhivago whimpered while his body trembled underneath the giant tree root. He couldn't find either Diane or Elizabeth and there were scary monsters, like in the movies, running around. 

Then – a memory of his second day at elementary school came to mind.
He had cried to his mother because some boys kept teasing him about his hair. 
After she had scolded his father, telling him that he was not allowed to beat up children, she had made him look at her before gently speaking;

"My sweet boy. This world will always have some people who are mean without reason. But mama and papa cannot always be around. So I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?" 

Zhivago sniffed and wiped his nose before nodding to himself. He had to be brave and staying where he was wouldn't help if his aunts were looking for him. 

He might not be strong – but he was fast.

After peeking out and not finding any of the monsters nearby, he took a deep breath and took off as fast as he could. 

His eyes widened and he sped up when he heard several growls behind him.
As he started losing them, there was a steep hill in front of him and he jumped desperately in order to reach the edge. Once his hands manage to grab it – there was a tug at his leg before his back met the ground. 

"No! MAMA!" he cried before covering his face. 

There was a loud grunt and suddenly there was a cold chill in the air. He looked up and saw the creature in front of him frozen.

 A large blue fox stepped out and a second later a young man appeared in its place.

"Are you okay?" The man grinned widely and Zhivago stared dumbfounded.

"Papa?" 

He chuckled. "Not exactly."

"What the hell are these things?!" Jericho yelled after slicing down one of the creatures.

"Zombies." Ban answered while shielding Kilia as he took down another.

"What?"

"Living dead." he sighed.

She sliced through another one. "They are fast, sure, but how do they resemble bees?"

"What?" He looked at her dumbfounded.

"Zoom-Bees. Zombies." she said before walking back towards them.

He rubbed his temple. "Nevermind, okay? They're living dead."

"Okay?" she raised a brow but shook her head with a smile.

She let out a yelp when Kilia was shoved into her arms before she was pushed aside. Thankfully, her reflexes were quick enough to shield the child before they hit the ground.

"Ban what the hell?!"

"Papa!" Kilia cried and Jericho's eyes widened at the sight.

Ban was staring at a short woman, who stared back with vacant eyes, his hand grabbing her arm tightly.

He sighed to himself in relief – a second later and his throat would have been slit.

"Elaine, why did you try to kill her?"

She looked over his shoulder. "If you're going to be unfaithful. That woman is unacceptable."