Warehouse ~ A Michael Clifford/ Zombie Apocalypse Fan-Fiction

Becoming

Avery Rae:     The next two days were a bit tense. The situation with the stray Walker had everyone a bit freaked out. Not to mention word had spread about Ashton hurting my ankle. I genuinely don't hold it against him. If some random little girl came and seemed to threaten your home...? How can you blame him? But the other adults seem extremely disapproving of his behavior and have started mouthing off to him. The base is quiet as Luke and Calum are gearing up to leave for another food run. Some of the single guys, like Daniel, help out with security as they load the truck for the boys to leave. The boys are generally quiet, but you can tell that they are major parts of this place and it's very foundation. Them leaving has it's impact on everyone, Michael especially.  You hadn't seen him ease up at all since Benjamin almost got hurt, but he seemed almost broken at the thought of a temporary goodbye to his closest friends.

     All of the children were in bed, along with most adults. Luke and Calum were waiting for everyone to sleep so they could sweep the grounds before they leave. I sit in the kitchen listening to the sounds of the house settling and families laying down to sleep. My ankle still throbs when I move it, despite the time that has passed. It's much better than it was those few days ago, but it's still difficult to move. Michael and the rest of the boys enter the kitchen and Ashton immediately narrows his eyes at me.

     "Why aren't you in bed?" He snarls at me. "Why aren't you pleasant?  There are a lot of valid questions that need answering. " I spit back at him, nood dropping immediately.  Michael raises his eyebrows at me while Luke has to cover his face so nobody knows that he's laughing. Ashton's mouth opens and closes, trying to find a comeback, but he fails, turning away from me. Michael was originally supposed to be going on this food run, but everyone urged him to stay home. He's completely wound up about it,  anyone can tell. I hope that nothing goes wrong for Luke and Calum, but also for Michael's sanity. "Ashton, don't treat her like a child." Michael chides.

     Ashton turns red in the face and all but explodes. "Why not, Michael?  She's only a few years older than Harry! She is a child, god dammit! She's 15 years old and you drop everything for a child? That's bullshit, Michael,  and you know it." Ashton rants, hands flying up to illustrate his anger. I sit quietly and nod along, because he's absolutely correct.

     "You're right, Ashton." I say, simply. Ashton turns to me, ready to snap,  but he falters. "I...I am?" I nod to him. Even Michael gives ne a strange look. "I'm a kid. I wouldn't even have finished my secons year of high school,  yet. But, Ashton, these circumstances change people. I can't be a child anymore. I can't indulge myself on that luxury,  anymore. My entire life is shooting, running, bleeding, and trying not to die. I'm a child. But do children do those things? Ask yourself that before you scream at me again. Goodnight, everyone.  Good luck,  boys." I nod to Calum and Luke before hobbling away from the table and down the stairs.

     Childhood was taken from me, despite my age. This apocalypse doesn't care that I'm a child. It has still fucked me over. The stairs make me wince as I finish them, hobbling over to my cage. "You only have 2 more nights of that, yknow." Michael says from behind me, making me jump. "Uh, yeah. I know. It's not so bad, actually. " I shrug, looking up at him as I shrug off my jacket. The night was a sticky kind of warm, so a light sheen of sweat had coated my skin. Michael came over to lock the cage as I crawled within in, but left the lock hanging open. I give him a questioning look. He has religiously locked my cage and the door to the basement since I got here. "It was never about keeping you in. It's about keeping others out. I trust you. I trust my people. Have a good night, Avery." He smiles at me before tiredly climbing the stairs.

Hmm.

"Uhh. Goodnight,  Michael." My voice rising at the end, making it sound like a question. His steps fade and I don't hear him lock the door at the top. Part of me is happy that I'm gaining trust, but part of me crawls with worry at the unlocked door.