Search (Walking Dead/Carl Grimes Fanfiction)

Hope Restored

The music was loud, echoing all around the dark room. Strobe lights of multiple colours illuminated the room as people danced in the centre of the room, some alone others together and others in groups. Off to the sides of the dance floor, people sat at tables enjoying drinks. Some were couples, others friends and a rare few were alone. The darkness of the club made it impossible to tell the time of day outside as it had no windows.

Jason was sitting round the side from the bar. Behind the bar and the DJ’s box was a quieter sitting area that was illuminated by UV lights that in turn illuminated parts of clothing, jewellery and teeth. He sat alone with a drink of water. Despite the great variety of alcoholic drinks and soft drinks he refused to have any of them.

He glanced over towards the dance hall to watch a couple dancing. He had come to the club with a friend as part of a night out in the town for some fun. However, his friend had caught sight of an attractive young woman and appeared to have forgotten about Jason’s existence as a consequence. He sighed in frustration, his shoulders falling with the release of air as he pushed one of his hair bangs out of his eye.

“Why not go up and dance instead of sitting here sulking?” A voice asked him from behind.

He whipped around to look at the owner. They looked a little younger than he was with stylish blonde hair that made them stand out in a crowd. Brown eyes gazing into Jason’s blue ones.

“I’m not much of a dancer.” Jason replied with a smile. “Just been abandoned by a friend, that’s all.”

“Oh so you’re alone.” The blonde replied. “Perfect.”

“And why is that perfect?” Jason asked, confused. “Loneliness is never good.”

“Means I can sit here and no one will complain.” The blonde answered, sitting next to him. “And now you’re no longer alone.”

The blonde giggled at their own declaration, though there was also a nervousness in the giggle that Jason picked up on. To ease the tension and to allow himself the opportunity to forget about his treacherous friend, he laughed along with the blonde.

“So don’t you have a girlfriend you could be with?” The blonde asked out of curiosity.

Jason shook his head and chuckled. “Nope, I’m a single pringle.”

“A solo rolo.” The blonde interjected with a laugh of their own.

Both individuals laughed at the silly nature of their statements. Jason had successfully forgotten about his friend and found his attention being fixated on the blonde beauty beside him.

“So what’s your name?” The blonde asked him with a sweet smile.

“Jason.” He answered with a matching smile. “What’s yours?”

Jason’s eyes shot open at the sound of a loud thud. A body hitting the floor. He rolled out of the bed he was sleeping in and grabbed his gun from the holster, not bothering to put it on. He grunted as he moved the bed away from the door, having barricaded the bedroom door before letting himself fall asleep. It all came back to him as he moved the bed and opened the door. Carl had brought him back to the house they were in. He had seen his beaten father lying unconscious on the couch, presumably in some kind of coma induced from his injuries. There had been a thud. It was the middle of the night. Had the man died? Had he turned? Jason wasn’t sure he could trust Carl to put down his own father if it were the case and that would only be if the boy was even awake yet.