Nero
Nero silently sat outside the Rover as he looked around the deserted road, he could feel the change in the atmospheric pressure and that was at best not the thing he wanted to deal with right now, not at all. Taking a long drag off his cigarette he spotted the storm clouds in the distance, he could hear the crack of thunder off in the distance, he was driving right into a storm. Normally this was not a big deal, especially if you were mobile, however any storm was a risk not because of the risk of crashing but more the Walkers. For some reason storms seemed to draw them out in to the open more much like night time did, maybe it was the cool air maybe it was because the sun was gone, the truth was he didn't truly know the real reason. All he knew is that the Walkers would get all riled up and running into a large horde of them now was not something he wanted to do if he could avoid it. Not like the one him, Clover and Carter had run into, that was the whole reason he was not with them now, the whole reason he didn't know if they were alive yet right now or not. Looking back on it now he was amazed that he had even survived that night, he should have been dead, but perhaps if there was a god above watching, he had been merciful that night.
9 Months ago...
Nero silently lay in his tent, the rain outside was pounding pretty hard, in fact he was surprised that his tent had held up at all as shitty as it was. But he was not complaining at least he was warm and dry, he was too old to be catching the flu or some shit. Laying there he thought about the conversation he had with Clover at the lake the night before.
"Thats so stupid Nero..."
Nero let a small smile hit his face, she was not afraid to tell it how it was, then again it felt more like a cover then anything else to conceal the fact that he had helped her at least a little bit last night.
"Help us!"
Nero shot straight up from his make shift cot as he had heard the distressed voice, even through the rain fall it was precise and clear. Almost like instinct Nero grabbed his weapons nearby and quickly secured them on his body, swinging his coat around his body he quickly unclasped each of his Beretta's and quickly unzipped his tent running outside, the rain was cool as he was side swiped by a ferocious wall of wind and rain. Shielding his eye's from the whipping rain Nero saw Clover and Carter also emerging from their tents, quickly making his way to them he yelled over the storm.
"Did you hear that or am I imagining things!?"
Nero didn't get an answer both Clover and Carter were looking on into the darkness of the surrounding woods, the thunder cracked hard and lightening lite up the area for a split second. It was silent now but Nero could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing up as he looked with Clover and Carter in the direction of the scream they had all heard, but there was no other sound now. Perhaps it was just a trick of the storm, but if it had been then they both heard it too which meant the chances were slim that it was just Nero hearing things. Keeping his eye's trained on the dark terrain before him, Nero swore he saw movement out there but he could not be sure. As the thunder cracked loudly again, Nero suddenly heard something in the rain, slowly turning his head behind him, the lightening lite the ground up for a split second but that had been all he needed as his eye's widened. The ground illuminated Nero saw the biggest group of Walkers he had seen yet making their way into the camp ground.
"Nero?"
Nero broke out his memory quickly as he looked sideways, Shawn was standing beside him now looking at him in a weird and confused way. Looking down the cigarette in Nero's hand had put itself out having reached the filter, Nero slowly let the cigarette drop out of his hand as he looked at Shawn.
"Time to go Shawn get back in."
Shawn
Shawn cocked his head slightly as he watched Nero turn and walk past him, he had only woken moments ago and noticed they had stopped, Nero was outside the vehicle shaking for some odd reason. That was odd to Shawn, maybe it was normal for him to shake like that or something, but he didn't think that was the case they way he had so quickly dismissed it for them to leave. Shawn silently obeyed as he got back into the Rover and they both got back onto the road again, they were nearly out of the park now it seemed, they would getting onto the main highway soon. Shawn realized that he must have been asleep for awhile, or perhaps he was too tired to realize where they were before, however seeing the sun setting he must have been out for a short time at least. They drove along silently for a short time, looking over at Nero he seemed like something was wrong, or maybe Shawn was just making up things in his head, looking down for a minute he suddenly spoke.
"Are you ok?"
Looking up Nero had not drawn his eye's from the road to peer at him but he spoke none the less.
"I am fine why do you ask kid?"
As Nero looked over at him Shawn diverted his gaze not wanting to make eye contact, the moment before where Nero had changed so quickly had scared him more then he wanted to admit.
"You were shaking before as if you were really cold, before we got back in the vehicle, almost like you were scared of something."
Shawn slowly looked up again as Nero was no longer looking at him, he was looking straight ahead at the road now, but he seemed rather tense now or at least it looked that way. Shawn shied his eye's away again, he just angered him somehow and his fright was starting to creep up on him. If he made him angry then Nero might abandon him or worse. Shawn just became quiet, they went along this way for a short time without any words between either one of them. However the sudden sound of Nero's voice surprised Shawn as he looked up.
"There is a storm coming towards us."
That was all Nero said before becoming silent again, Shawn didn't understand why this would affect Nero like it did, or perhaps this was just how he was all the time. The truth behind the matter was Shawn knew virtually nothing about Nero, he didn't even know if he was sitting next to a murderer or someone who had done some truly bad things before this. All he knew is that the man was nice enough to help him, it didn't take the fright out of his body but it did give him a little hope that he could feel safe again.
"Is that a big problem? The storms this time of year don't usually get too bad we should be fine."
Shawn felt the coldness again in the air and that subtle fear gripping him, perhaps it was just better that he didn't talk at all he felt like he was making Nero mad with the things he was saying and asking. However he received a quicker response this time.
"Don't be afraid of me kid, I know that your beating around the bush with me, I don't know your reasons but I can guess because your not sure about me because you don't know me. Don't be surprised I can tell, once upon a time it was my job to be able to read people like a book, some are easier then others, and you are not all that hard to read. Your young though and you are not trying to hide it from me or at least you don't seem to be."
The conversation was cut short however when the windshield was suddenly shattered, glass flew everywhere Shawn knowing not what to do quickly covered his face as the entire vehicle came to a jolting stop. Shawn nearly flew threw the remains of the windshield, thankfully he had put his seat belt on, he as flew forward the seat belt caught him by the chest and stopped him cold, the sharp pain in his chest quickly took his breath away as his head went back against the seat.
"Out of the car!"
Nero
Nero practically fell out of the Rover when he opened the door, that quick stop had taken the breath out of him, on the ground he coughed hard as a couple drops of blood came out of his mouth. Almost immediately he felt hands on him, bodily he was put on his feet as he was slammed into the side of the convoy denting the door in. As Nero's sight came clear a large brute of man with a messed up Mohawk trim had his hand on Nero's chest. The large grin plastered on his face told Nero that he was thoroughly enjoying what he was doing, this man was no doubt a marauder set up on the road awaiting travelers.
"Wheres the goods old man, be quick or ill break every bone in your body until you decide to tell me."
Nero struggled slightly but the air had not returned to him yet as the large bulk of a man tightened the grip, watching the man reached down and found Nero's weapons. One by one he slipped them out and tossed them away without much hesitation.
"Don't even think about it old man, you ain't gonna use those on me."
Nero felt the fist go into his stomach as the air was knocked right back out of him, the man then bodily tossed Nero sideways onto the asphalt of the road, his skin scraped it hard as the heat tore the skin away with ease. Nero was immobilized for a couple seconds as he breathed hard, that shot to the gut has been hard and direct, coughing more blood came out this time in a blotch. Gritting his teeth Nero dripped blood threw the cracks as he tried to get up but fell back down with a huff as his face hit the pavement.
"Leave me alone!!!!!"
Nero opened his eye's fully as he realized that Shawn was still in the car and now at the mercy of that Marauder, gritting his teeth Nero regained his feet as he turned clutching at his stomach. The mo hawked marauder was reaching in to the Rover and had a hold of Shawn who was now struggling but to no avail he would never be able to fight him off. There was no time to sit here and bleed like a weak old man, he couldn't let that bastard get Shawn, not a chance in hell he was going to let that happen.
"Hey you lumbering piece of shit! Get your hands off the kid are you so weak that you would pick on someone half your size?!"
Nero watched as the Mo-hawked man slowly let go of Shawn and poked his head back out, the glare coming from his eye's told Nero that he had not liked that remark just as he wanted him too. Moving away from the Rover the large man got in the middle of the road as both men stared each other down.
"What did you say old man! Didn't have enough yet!?"
"You heard me you pussy ass bitch, come face me if you have any balls!"
To Nero's surprise the Marauder pulled out what appeared to be a Magnum 357, no doubt the same gun he had shot out the window with, with not a shred of remorse the marauder pulled the trigger on the gun but the only sound that came out was an empty click. The mo-hawked man quickly retracted it as he seemed to swear to himself, the idiot had not realized the gun was empty. An Nero was lucky it was because if he had taken that shot then he would be dead where he stood, there was no way he could take any kind of shot from that weapon. Nero had to draw him in, get him to fight him fist to fist.
"Big bad man.. needs a gun to take out and old man. Your such a bitch!"
Nero spit blood after he said bitch and grit his teeth, he was not one for such useless words and bravado but he had to get this marauder away from the vehicle and Shawn so he would do whatever worked. An apparently to no surprise it did the Mo-hawked man tossed the gun down in frustration and charged Nero like a wounded bull just what he wanted. Nero was gonna show this young punk what and old man could still do. Nero watched his movement, it was nothing more then a fool throwing a tantrum charging like he will hit with no problem, Nero waited until he was about to strike before he side stepped the man and tripped him straight to the concrete. The man slid short ways as the pavement scraped his face clean of skin, watching the man get back up it was obvious he now extremely mad. Nero put his right arm in front of him in the form of a knife and then brought his other hand down to his side in a fist as he took a fighting stance. Moving his right arm out he turned his palm to the air and moved his fingers forward telling the large man to come. The large man like and idiot took the bate and charged, he was nothing more then a brute, still though he had strength so Nero would have to end this quickly and not give him a chance to use it. Watching the large man brought a fist forward to strike him in the face, Nero dodged the sloppy attack by ducking, bringing his arms up he grabbed the mans now outstretched arm and in one fluid motion flipped him onto his back.
As soon as the man was on his back Nero went forward and raised his leg in the air and brought it down straight for his throat to crush his windpipe, the large man however brought his hand up and stopped the kick. In a swipe he pushed Nero's foot back and knocked Nero to the ground, the large man was quick to get to his feet, he charged forward to get on top of Nero, but he was quicker, extending his leg Nero nailed the large man straight in the gut, out of reflex the man grabbed his gut and bent down, Nero then kicked again and caught him right on the chin. The man flew back from the kick as a ragged line of blood smacked the ground before he smacked the ground. Nero rolled over as he got on all fours, gritting the pain in his stomach sent a sharp pain through his body, clutching at it with his hand he got back to his feet just as the large man did. The mans face was now bloody, his nose was broken completely now, which would restrict his breathing which would make him easier to take down, Nero now went on the offensive as he ran forward. Leaping off the ground he did a flying side kick and struck the man straight in the chest. As another sharp pain vibrated through Nero's body he was unable to land correctly, hitting the ground hard he gripped his side as he spit out more blood. Nero shook his head looking up just in time to see the man come to kick his jaw, Nero put his hand up to take most of the kick but the blow knocked him back as the large man climbed on top of him.
Nero tried to force him off but the pain from the recent blows had weakened him and he failed, the large man brought his fist down to strike Nero, bringing his arms into the shape of an X Nero blocked the attack to his face. The man brought his other fist down and cracked Nero's defense with good strength, he couldn't block this forever or his wrists would break. The sudden shot that rang shocked Nero as the large man screamed in pain, looking back Shawn had the Colt in his hands as he was on his knee's quickly looking back Nero saw a bullet wound in the large mans shoulder falling back slightly he gripped it. That was the opening he needed, twisting his body Nero brought his legs forward and freed himself completely from underneath the man, and then in one ferocious kick Nero aimed low and caught the large man right in the groin. The man almost went instantly blue in the face as he fell to his knee's Nero slowly got back to his feet as he glared at the man and spoke only two words as he wasted no time.
"You lose..."
Nero brought his hand forward with an open palm and struck the man straight under his nose, there was a resounding but almost silent crack as Nero drove the bone up into the mans brain. It was over instantly as the man's eye's glazed over and he fell sideways onto the ground. There were a couple weak convulsions and then he was completely still, he was dead. Nero coughed again as he went down to one knee breathing hard, that fight had not be easy at all, letting out a sound of pain he brought himself back to his feet slowly and turned.
Shawn
Shawn was on the ground as he had his arms wrapped around himself, tears were coming down his cheeks and hitting the ground, he had seen the man die and knew he was safe but he had shot him. Shawn had just shot a man how could he do such a thing to someone! He was no better then anyone else in the world, he was a monster just like that man was. Shawn just lay there curled up, hearing the foot steps he didn't turn but he felt the hand on his shoulder, no doubt it was Nero but he didn't want to get up he just wanted to lay here forever and not think about what he just did. Feeling the tug he pulled his shoulder away not wanting Nero to help him get up.
"Come on kid you had no choice it was him or us, I am sorry you had to learn this way but you have to understand that this how the world is now."
The words didn't help they just solidified the fact that Shawn could not adjust to this, this new world he couldn't do it an he wasn't going to, this was too much for him. Shawn shrugged off Nero's hand again, but then he felt both hands as he was lifted up against his will and his back put against the Rover, his eye's were then meant with Nero's those cold eye's that had scared him before.
"Get up kid Im not gonna just leave you hear to cry and let yourself die because you got a taste of the real world.."
"Leave me alone!"
Shawn tried to move away but Nero had much more strength then he possessed, the grip tightening as he was pushed up against the Rover and was now unable to move the muscular arms keeping him in place.
"Thats it huh their sacrifice for you to just let yourself die because you had no choice but to defend yourself! Wake up Shawn!
Shawn felt the slap go across his face and felt the sting of Nero's hand, it was a pain in which he had never experienced before ever in his life, feeling the grip tighten again the tears were rolling down his cheek as he faced those eye's once more.
"Its time to let those tears go Shawn they serve you no purpose anymore, not now not ever, if you want to cry then let it be because of something that should be cried about, not for some punk that would have cared nothing more then shooting us in the head. You wanted me to teach you to survive in this world, and I am a man of my word, I am not going to leave you to just die! Now get up!"
Shawn felt his body raise as he was brought to his feet, his cheek was stinging as he was shaking, he didn't know what to say or do he just looked away and closed his eye's wishing this would all go away. A few moments passed before Shawn opened his eye's again, once more he was faced with Nero's eye's but they had lost that mean glare and were now soft again. Shawn sniffled as he wiped the remaining tears away, maybe Nero was right, that he did what he had to do, that there was no real other choice then to shoot that man.
"Come on kid we gotta go before those shots attract anyone or anything else."
Shawn felt the grip loosen as all he could manage to do was nod.