Fragile Hearts [DANGEROUS FELLOWS]

⚠️SIXTY-TWO: DIRT AND DEAD BODIES⚠️

"Please let them be nice, p-please let them be nice."

Hailey had her hands clasped together, furiously repeating those same words over and over. The man who had separated from the group was now standing in front Lawrence and Ethan, sizing them up. It gave you a bad feeling.

"How many of you are there?" you faintly heard him ask, pointing at the bus. You couldn't hear Lawrence answer, but the man didn't seem to like it.

"Tell everyone to come out," he ordered. "For safety reasons."

"This is super sketch," Eugene whispered. After a moment of hesitation Lawrence turned towards the bus, waving for everyone to come outside.

You felt something brush past your ankles as Saddle followed Zion and Hailey out the door, and in any other situation it would've felt comedic. The only three left were you, Eugene, and Harry.

"Is it really okay to go out there?" Eugene asked skeptically.

"Let's just hope everything goes smoothly," Harry said reassuringly, but you noticed him pull the keys out of the bus, sticking them in his pocket. He must've had his suspicions as well.

After you pulled on your backpack, the three of you filed out onto the road, up to where Lawrence and Ethan were standing. Now that you were closer, you had a better look at the line of people blocking the way. There had to be a dozen of them, of various ages and genders. You couldn't help but notice some of them looked like they might be sick.

"This is everyone," Lawrence said. "Does that answer your question?"

"You got a lot of people," the man realized. "Any of you infected?"

You felt Eugene stiffen beside you.

"Nope, we're all in good condition," Lawrence responded. "But some of those people look sick. You think they've got it?"

"They're just colds," the man dismissed.

"Having a cold makes you more susceptible," Lawrence pressed.

The man just shrugged. "That's our problem. Now, considering there are so many of you, you must have quite a bit of supplies to go around, right?"

"W-we don't have anything!" Hailey suddenly cried. "We barely have e-enough for ourselves."

"I wasn't asking you," the man spat menacingly.

"If you're going to be hostile, then this conversation is over," Lawrence threatened. "She's right. We don't have enough to share with you. You're out of luck."

"How about this then? That bus seems to have plenty of room. Take us wherever you're going," the man improvised.

"Sorry, but we can't risk catching any... colds," Lawrence denied. "We can't do anything for you, so I guess you'll just have to let us by."

"I don't think you know how this works," the man scowled, taking a step forward. "You're not going anywhere until you give us something."

You heard a zombie's shriek in the distance, and a chill went down your spine. The plan was to get to the hills by night, where it'd be safer, but at this rate you'd be stuck in the city until sundown, when most of the zombies came out.

"Listen," Zion spoke up. "You're just wasting our time. We're not giving you shit. But hey, there's plenty of dirt and dead bodies to go around!"

"Do you think this is a joke?" the man snapped, causing Saddle to hiss. "We're starving. Dying. We've been walking aimlessly for days. Please. We'll take anything."

"I understand your pain," Lawrence said sympathetically. "But this isn't the way to do it. Being aggressive is only going to get you and your friends hurt. You're close to the city, and there are all sorts of stores and shops there. I'm sure you can find supplies there."

The man's expression softened, and it looked like he had a change of heart. "You know what? I think you're right," he said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry for this, it's just... we're trying so hard to make it through this. It's difficult."

"Trust me, I know," Lawrence agreed.

"I'll tell everyone to move to the side, okay?" the man turned to jog away, until a voice from behind you interrupted him.

"Wait! I found something!"

You whirled around to see another man who had snuck up behind you, and judging by the state of his clothes he was with the first one. In his hand he held two syringes, filled with a clear, blue liquid.

"Give those back right now!" you hissed, stepping towards him.

"They look like cures!" the second guy holding the syringes reported.

"Cures?" the first man repeated in shock.

"Where'd you get something like this? Huh?" the guy in front of you pressed.

You didn't have time for this crap. You weren't going to let anyone take Eugene's medicine.

You pulled off your backpack, swinging it and slamming it right into the guy's face. He stumbled to the side, and you followed it up with a fist to the gut. He fell to the ground hard and you snatched the syringes out of his hold, gripping them tightly.

"Hey! Where did you get those?" the first man demanded, his anger returning. "You better answer me!"

"I'm not answering to thieves!" you spat back. You would fight him too if you had to.

"Why, you little-" the man began, walking towards you. A crack of electricity cut through the air that made you jump, and everyone fell silent.

"That's enough," Lawrence said, taser in hand. "Tell your friends to move, and then we're leaving."

The man clenched his fists like he wanted to argue, but Ethan raised his bat, tightening his grip.

"Now," Lawrence ordered.

The man who had dug into your backpack got to his feet weakly, glaring at you as he walked by. You had to physically stop yourself from hitting him again.

"Are you okay (Y/n)?" Harry asked once they were put of earshot. You blew out of deep breath, nodding.

"I'm fine," you assured him. "Just a little bit mad."

He pulled you into a comforting half-hug, and you watched as the line of people blocking the road all moved off to the side. Although you were too far to see their expressions, you knew they weren't happy about it.

"Let's go before they do something else stupid," Lawrence sighed, shaking his head. He seemed pretty stressed lately. You all followed after him, back onto the bus, where it felt safer.

Hailey let of a huge breath of relief, collapsing onto the nearest seat, and Harry started up the bus again. You went back to the window seat you had before, and Eugene plopped down next to you. Just as the doors were closing Saddle dashed inside, rubbing against Lawrence's legs.

Harry slowly drove past the crowd, and you could see their disappointed faces from the window. Unlike the men, they didn't seem angry. Some looked sad, and one girl was even crying. A pang of guilt filled your heart and you looked away from the window.

"Y'know, you never fail to surprise me, (Y/n)," Zion commented, a grin on his face. "You beat that guy like nobody's business. And he looked so embarrassed!"

"Yeah, thanks for that," Eugene said, a sincere smile on his face.

"You're welcome," you said, and suddenly you could resist the urge to pinch his cheek.

"Hey! That hurts!" he cried, and you and Zion just laughed.

Even though things were a little off-schedule, travel after that went smoothly. And, despite being a little later than planned, that night you made it to the hills, the place where Zion used to live.