DESCRIPTION: Everyone’s time in a zombie apocalypse is limited. Might as well make the most of it, even if it is in your final moments.
WARNING: Angst? Blood Descriptions.
Willy perked up on the lookout tower, when he heard the metal gate screech open, the sound of the rusting metal being yanked open sent a shiver down his spine, but regardless, Willy stood up, his hands twitching to grab ahold of the bow resting on the crate. However, a rush of relief flooded over the young boy when he realised it was Mitch and Aasim leaving for a small patrol around the local area.
Willy could automatically tell that Mitch was in a semi-foul mood. He could tell Mitch was in a bad mood from the way his hands were shoved deep in his pocket, how his shoulders were up tensed and how his head hung low as he kicked small pebbles with his shoe.
Willy could sense the slight bit of agitation from Aasim who had to deal with Mitch’s foul attitude. Willy knew Aasim didn’t like it when Mitch was in a foul mood, mainly because he wasn’t as sharp and aware as he normally was, meaning Aasim had to work double time for the both of them. Yet somehow, both boys managed to work together out there. They were best friends after all.
Willy smiled down to Mitch and Aasim, despite their mood. Willy’s smile showed his teeth, the missing canine was noticeable and the twist of the tooth just behind, it was the end of the world, dentist weren’t a thing anymore, so teeth fixing wasn’t a choice.
Willy waved to them as he smiled, “Hi guys.”
Aasim casted his gaze upwards, his lips erupting into a smile when he saw Willy’s cheerful face, “Hi, Willy. We should be back in a few hours.”
“I know,” Willy nods as he began leaning forwards on his elbows, “But I have to say… Be back before n-”
Mitch rolled his eyes, looking up to the boy he saw as a brother, “Yes, Willy. Nightfall. We know the drill.”
“Asshat.” Willy sniggered down time Mitch at the tone he replied in.
Mitch smirked, “Jerkface.”
Willy grinned and crouched behind the lookout post. Both Mitch and Aasim looked towards each other - their moods finally getting better - their eyebrows knitted in confusion as the young boy stayed vanished. Aasim went to speak up, however, Willy stood up, holding a silver object in hands.
“Here,” Willy beamed, gesturing Aasim forwards with a small nod of his head. Aasim obeyed the small body instructions and moved forwards, standing directly underneath the lookout. Willy dropped the object, wincing when he realised he didn’t check the safety. Willy cleared his throat, “I know giving you this will probably get me in trouble from Marlon, but you should take it. More protection.”
“Are you saying we aren’t safe?” Mitch huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, his jacket rising showing the handgun he had tucked away in his back pocket. Aasim placed the silver handgun into his backpack, he didn’t want to carry it around.
Willy shook his head, “No. I just know how distracted you get around each other.”
“Shut up.” Mitch called up to Willy, his cheeks flushing a sickening pink in embarrassment. Mitch turned around, facing the forest and started to march into it.
Mitch slumped up against the wall with a heavy force, the broken picture frames shaking at the impact. Mitch let his bloodied hands tangle themselves in his hair, the crimson blood clumping his brunette strands together; going to make it a dread to get out. His shoulder shook, an annoyance and defeat rolled through him.
Aasim frowned over to him. Aasim didn’t like seeing the defeated look on Mitch, it didn’t suit him at all. Aasim never liked seeing his friend like this, especially when the reason why he was so defeated wasn’t his fault.
Aasim has his dirty nails in his mouth, the nailbeds throbbing with how much they had been chewed down. Aasim couldn’t help it though, he was nervous. He had every right to be nervous.
“You’ll be okay,” Aasim hushed a whisper. He clenched his eyes when he heard the groans from the dead outside keep getting louder as they neared the small cabin. Aasim wished they would vanish, leaving the two boys alone for a split second so they could breathe for a moment. Aasim sighed, “You’re always okay.”
Mitch looked over to Aasim, emitting a sigh as he lowered his hands from his head to wrap around his torso, “Don’t… You’re trying to make me feel better. We both know I’m not okay.”
Aasim disagreed with that, he shook his head side to side, inhaling through his nose, “Mitch. You’re fine. You’ve slightly lost hearing in your ear that’s all. Don’t be over dramatic.”
Mitch scoffed and glared harder Aasim, but didn’t say anything incase he would regret it.
Aasim sighed again, “Mitch, don’t give me that look.”
Mitch shifted in the spot he was sitting at, pressing his bloodied hands to the flooring. Mitch rested his head against the wall, “Aasim…”
“What?” Aasim asked softly, watching as Mitch lifted his sleeve.
“Aasim!” Mitch shouted as he slowly turned around in the spot his stood in. His green eyes glossed over in a sheet of panic with a tint of amusement when he witnessed Aasim fall over. A surge of heroism rushed through him as he jogged over to Aasim, the urge to help his friend back to their feet high. Mitch smiled softly at Aasim as he held onto his hands bringing him to a stand, his lips moved but no words fell from them.
Mitch wanted to say something witty, something along the lines off: there you go, falling for me or something like if you wanted my attention just ask for it. But he knew he would’ve received a punch to his recently healed shoulder. And he didn’t want that.
Aasim tilted his head slightly before going stiff, his brown eyes widening in horror, he jerked a finger over his friend’s shoulder, “M-Mitch!” Aasim stuttered in a panic.
The male turned around in curiosity, his arms automatically going up to protect himself from a walker which lunged for him. Mitch lost his footing, falling backwards onto the woodland floor. His head collided with the dirt, a throbbing occurred in the crown of his head.
Aasim panicked, swinging the backpack from his back, digging through it to find the spare 6mm caliber revolver they had. Aasim pushed the energy bars, the metal flask which had their water, the loose bullets to the side.
Mitch pushed at the walker’s throat with all his strength, despite the walker snapping its jaw, trying to inch itself towards Mitch’s neck. Mitch removed one arm from the walkers throat, instantly regretting it when the walker got closer to his face.
“Aasim!” Mitch called in desperation, “Do something!”
“I’m trying!” Aasim snapped, his hand finally grabbing ahold of the revolver in the bag. He pulled it out, his hands shaking as he pulled the hammer on the gun back, his index finger rested on the trigger. Aasim inhaled, holding his breath as he pushed the trigger down, watching the walker fall immobile on top of Mitch.
Mitch’s ears rang as he pushed the walker off him. He twisted, so he was lying on his stomach and began to move to his feet. His arms shot out to his side, balancing himself; the gunshot had disturbed his inner ear.
Aasim grabbed ahold of Mitch, holding him steady. Mitch’s eyes met Aasim’s, the green examining the brown.
“You feeling good?” Aasim asked quietly, tearing his gaze away from Mitch’s eyes to inspect him over.
Mitch nodded, readjusting his jacket sleeves by his wrists on both arms, “I’m good… just the gunshot fucked my hearing. It’ll be okay.”
Aasim frowned, but nodded his head, “Whatever you say. We should head back to the school.”
“No.” Mitch snapped instantly, bringing a hand up to itch the back of his neck, “No… I want to head to the safe house we found. Just to catch our breath, just to relax. Just… just to have some time to ourselves.”
Aasim nodded slowly, “Yeah. Lead the way.”
Mitch rolled his jacket sleeve up to his elbow, then held his left arm up in the air. Small streams of blood trickled down his pale forearm, staining his skin. Mitch smiled sadly at Aasim, his heart breaking when he could see the sadness lingering in Aasim’s eyes.
“Aasim…” Mitch whispered, an urge inside of him to reach a hand forwards to grab ahold of Aasim rushed through him, however, he knew Aasim would move backwards out of his grasp.
Aasim stayed quiet, his eyes burning into the wooden flooring beneath his feet. He had been looking at Mitch’s arm for a moment, but the sight made him sick to the stomach and he couldn’t bear the feeling.
“Aasim, please.” Mitch begged, a frown taking over his lips, “Look at me.”
“I caused it,” Aasim whispered, gnawing down on his bottom lip, his fist balling at his sides in anger.
“What?” Mitch asked, confusedly.
Aasim looked to Mitch, “I caused you to get bit,” Aasim jerked a finger forwards, pointing towards the teeth marks sunken deeply in Mitch’s wrist, “If I didn’t put the gun in the bag, I would’ve been quicker! I would’ve prevented this.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Mitch whispered, lowering his head, the infection and fever finally setting in, “I’m just unlucky in general remember?”
Fourteen year old Aasim and Fifteen year old Mitch sat crossed legged in their shared dorm room, an old board game spread out before them. Aasim was winning, Mitch was losing. Their pieces were far apart, Aasim lapping the board multiple times.
Mitch grabbed the dices, rolling them together. The two dice rolled on the floor, both stopping on the singular dot. In other words a one.
“Wouldn’t that be considered snake eyes in gambling?” Aasim asked, getting a small nod from Mitch who moved his piece two spaces, “That would be unlucky in gambling, you could lose.”
Mitch chuckled, “Good job I’m not at a casino then isn’t it? I’m playing a board game with my friend.”
“You’re just unlucky in general,” Aasim teased, taking his turn.
Mitch shrugged, “It's also a good job I consider you my lucky charm then, isn’t it? I mean, what would I do without you?”
“Reckless abandon,” Aasim laughed.
Mitch stiffed a laugh, “Yeah. Seems about right.”
“I know I’m right,” Aasim whispered softly, “I literally have to make the best decisions for you.”
Aasim laughed softly, “You remembered that conversation?”
“Of course I remembered that conversation,” Mitch laughed lightly, then winced when a wave of pain hit him hard.
Aasim frowned and slung his back from his shoulder, “Drink some water? Have an energy bar? Keep your strength up, please.”
Aasim began taking the flask and the food from the bag, placing it on the floor. His hands shook in nerves, the thought of this happened to Mitch made him nervous. He didn’t know how to approach this kind of situation, despite the fact that he and Mitch had this conversation on what to do multiple times in the past, but now it was happening, it was like the conversations never happened.
Mitch held his hands out for the metal flask, “I’ll have that drink.”
“It’s water,” Aasim pointes out weakly, “Not alcohol.”
Mitch nodded, “That's fine. Don’t fancy my last few hours alive out of my mind pissed.”
Aasim frowned at that. He didn’t like how Mitch was being a pessimist right now. He didn’t like to hear Mitch speak so doubtfully about his future. Aasim wanted to hear Mitch talk about the next bomb he would make, or how Mitch was going to teach Willy some ‘rad’ knife trick. Aasim wanted to hear Mitch speak positively.
Aasim handed the flask over, his cold hands brushing against Mitch’s burning ones. “You’re hot.”
Mitch began to cough slightly, his lips breaking out into a grin, “I know I’m hot, you don’t have to remind me.”
Aasim blushed, turning his head away, “That’s… that’s not what I meant.”
Mitch smirked, “Don‘t lie, you meant it like that.”
Aasim shook his head, biting down on his bottom lip. His eyes were watching Mitch as he slowly took a sip from the metal flask. Mitch must have been dehydrated, considering he drank most of the water, Aasim wasn’t complaining though, if it was benefitting Mitch, he was going to allow it.
Aasim frowned, “You know that conversation? Where I said you’re unlucky in general?”
Mitch stopped drinking, using the back of his hand to wipe at his lips. Mitch slowly nodded his head, “Yeah?”
“You mentioned I was your lucky charm,” Aasim reminded, “Guess my charm ran out of luck right?”
Mitch lowered his head in disappointment, “Aasim…”
“Aasim…” Mitch mumbled as he tapped softly on the door before recrossing his arms over his chest. He waited patiently outside the door, his hearing heightened for the sound of movement from inside the small boxed room.
“Go… a-away…” Aasim sniffled. His words were weak and spaced. Sadness lingered in each word, the sound breaking Mitch’s heart.
“Aasim…” Mitch called again, a little louder this time. His words were laced with semi authority. “Open the door.”
With Mitch’s tone, Aasim stood up from his bed, wiping his red eyes and a runny nose. He composed himself before walking hesitantly towards the door. He reached a shaky hand forwards, wrapping it around the door knob and pulled it open.
Aasim forced a smile to his lips when he looked up to Mitch, he could see the concern which was plastered over his face and that just made Aasim feel worse. “You don’t have to check up on me. I’m not going to do anything stupid if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not worried,” Mitch shrugged as he walked into Aasim’s room, “I just want to give you company.”
“Why?” Aasim asked, “I asked to be left alone.”
“Like I listen.” Mitch chuckled, sitting on the chair at the desk. Mitch then released a sigh, his eyes boring over towards Aasim, “And I wanted to let you know I’m here for you, if you ever need me.”
Aasim arched an eyebrow and turned his back to Mitch, “I’ve heard that before.”
Mitch frowned, “I know, we all have. But… but I mean it. I’m not going to leave you.”
“The teachers said the same and they left,” Aasim replied harshly, he turned back around, a rising anger bubbling in his stomach, “My parents said the same and they left me.”
“They were coming back to get you,” Mitch spoke weakly, his hands only resting on his lap.
“Yeah, but then the dead started the walk didn’t it,” Aasim snapped, instantly taking it back when he saw Mitch flinch slightly, “Mitch… it's just… I’ve had promises broken, you’ve had promises broken. I just don’t want no more promises broken.”
Mitch stood up, his feet moving him over towards Aasim. He reached a hand over, grabbing ahold of Aasim’s hand, “Look at me.”
Aasim lifted his head up, sadness misted over his eyes.
“I’m not going to leave you,” Mitch whispered softly, “Not now. Not ever.”
Aasim smiled weakly, “Promise?”
Mitch nodded, “I promise.”
Aasim clenched his eyes shut, “Mitch…”
Mitch lifted his head an inch. Mitch’s white pasty skin was covered with a shimmering sheet of sweat. A yellow tinge stuck out under his watery bloodshot eyes. “Yeah?” He asked weakly.
“You promised…” Aasim whispered, “You promised me you wouldn’t leave me. Not now. Not ever.”
“I know,” Mitch frowned, “That promised didn’t age well.”
The room went silent, neither of the boys speaking, both scared for what the future holds. Aasim was gnawing down on his bottom lip, whilst Mitch was staring blankly down to his bite mark, the skin around it turning a sickening brown on the edges. Mitch prodded at the skin, a small frown tugging his lips when more blood trickled down his forearm.
“Give me your hand,” Aasim demanded suddenly, breaking the silence in the room. Aasim held his hand out to Mitch who was still prodding at his arm. Mitch looked up to him, his eyes still bloodshot, dampness underlying his eyes, evidence he had been silently sobbing.
“What?” Mitch asked weakly, though still handing his hand over to Aasim.
Aasim slowly pulled Mitch to his feet, Aasim’s smaller frame being used to Mitch could lean up against him. Aasim wrapped his arms around the mid of Mitch’s waist, the taller male slowly wrapped his arms around Aasim, hissing slightly when his injured wrist had too much pressure applied to it.
Aasim rested his head on Mitch, snuggling close to him and began to sway, “I’m not giving up on you.”
Mitch frowned, his knees buckling from the loss of strength. Aasim clung tighter to Mitch, using his strength to keep him up. “M-maybe you should…” Mitch whispered, “We… we both know what happens next.” Mitch gulped, a small smile on his lips, when he realised they were swaying, “Are… are you trying to make me dance?”
“I’m trying too,” Aasim chuckled sadly, “But you’ve got two left feet.”
Mitch stiffed a laugh, “I’m fully aware. Dancing isn’t my thing.”
Aasim stopped the swaying and hugged Mitch harder, before looking up at him, his eyes filling with tears, “Why did you have to get bitten?”
Mitch shrugged as he held onto Aasim, “Time runs out, I guess”
“But you promised me,” Aasim sniffled, “I… Please Mitch. Don’t… don’t let your time give out.”
Mitch smiled sadly down to Aasim, a single tear rolling down his cheek. Mitch couldn’t believe Aasim was clinging to him right now, he couldn’t believe that Aasim was potentially going to wait it out with him. He could not have asked for someone better than Aasim. Aasim was everything he wanted but didn’t deserve.
Aasim kept looking up to Mitch, his eyes automatically noticing the processing look on Mitch’s face. So, Aasim spoke up softly, “What is it?”
Mitch blinked, biting down on his lip, “I… I don’t want you to hate me.” He admitted.
“I could never hate you,” Aasim whispered.
Mitch smiled and took that as his opportunity to lean down and press his lips gently to Aasim’s. Mitch had a hand settling on Aasim’s waist, whilst his other cupped Aasim’s face. Mitch allowed his eyes to flutter close, salty tears streaming down his face: saddened. This was their first kiss, yet also their last.
Aasim went wide eyed to begin with, the action catching him off guard. The feeling shocked him, the soft push of Mitch’s minorly chapped lips against his. However, Aasim slowly started to kiss Mitch back at the same pace.
The kiss wasn’t filled with lust. It was filled with a brewing love, a love which never got to test the waters. The kiss was exactly how the boys wanted their first kiss to be like, slow and meaningful. On their own accords also, not some joking dare from somewhere back at the school.
It was also filled with regret from both ends. Regret from Mitch’s end for playing with Aasim’s emotions at a time like this and a regret from Aasim’s end for waiting too long to confess and act.
Due to them being lost in the kiss, neither of the two boys cared about the saltiness of the tears, they were just happy - well as happy as they could be - they were finally kissing each other after the constant ‘subtle’ flirting.
Aasim leaned into Mitch’s touch, resting a hand on Mitch’s chest, the palm flat. Mitch broke out into a smile as he kissed Aasim. He was happy that Aasim was kissing him back.
The kiss was cut short considering Mitch abruptly pushed Aasim away, doubling over so he could cough. Mitch placed his injured hand on his throat, scratching at it in a dying pain.
Aasim walked forwards towards Mitch, he wasn’t angry that Mitch shoved him back. He allowed his hands to cup Mitch’s face, pulling him up so the taller male was looking him in the eye. Aasim noticed the blood splattered on Mitch’s lips. Aasim pulled his sleeve up, gently wiping away the blood. Sighing, Aasim lowered his head, time was running out, but god damn, was he going to fight for Mitch.
“If… if we get back to Ericson, Ruby can give you some medication, it will keep the infection at bay,” Aasim pulled his knife out from his belt buckle and looked at it, “We can amputate your arm. Cut the bite off, you’ll be good as new.”
Mitch scoffed shaking his head, “No. I don’t want that. Be-besides we don’t even know if that’s going to work. Don’t let the hope you hold rule you. We… we both know what’s going to happen. And I… I don't want to become on of them… but…”
“But what?” Aasim asked softly, brushing a strand of hair behind Mitch’s ear.
Mitch closed his eyes, “I don’t want to make you do it.” Mitch leaned forwards and down, pressing his hot forehead to Aasim’s cool one. “I can’t make you do that.”
“You… You’re giving up?” Aasim asked barely. His voice was weak and cracking at every letter, “Why?”
“Because… because my luck ran out…” Mitch paused, a tear slid down his cheek as he moved backwards towards the wall for support, Aasim moved with him, not wanting to lose Mitch’s gently touch, “And… I’ll end up… end up hurting you if I don’t give up. You… you deserve so much more.”
“No,” Aasim shook his head, “I deserved you.”
Mitch stayed silent as he slid down the wall so he was sitting back down on the floor, his legs giving out. His time was limited.
“Mitch…” Aasim whispered.
Mitch pulled the gun from its holster, sliding it across the floor. The metal object knocked Aasim’s foot. The daunting object made his stomach flip several times. Aasim crouched, grasping the weapon, weighing it in his hand for a moment, before pulling out the clip, examining the ammo count left.
”It’s…” Mitch coughed into his elbow, his throat feeling as if it was being clawed at from the inside, “It’s a 9mm caliber. But you knew that… al-already.”
Aasim sniffed a chuckle, “Yeah… yeah I did know that. You taught me.”
“How much a-ammo does it have left?” Mitch questioned weakly.
Aasim sighed, “Almost a full clip.”
Mitch nodded, “What about yours? The 6mm caliber?”
Aasim gulped and grabbed his gun. He slowly began to check the clip, frowning when he realised it only had one left.
Mitch weakly held his wound hand out, “Give me yours.”
“Mitch.” Aasim frowned, yet did as he was told.
Mitch sighed, leaning his back on the wall, the weapon feeling heavy in his hand. “I… I want you to go home… but.”
Mitch began to slowly remove his blue jacket, leaving him exposed in his brown shirt. Mitch held his jacket over to Aasim, “T-Take it.”
“No.” Aasim shook his head
“Please.” Mitch whispered, a tear falling from his eyes, “I want you to have it. I don’t want… someone to steal it from me.”
Aasim took the blue fabric in his hands, clenching it tightly. He looked down to Mitch, it did seem weird seeing him without his jacket, especially because he had been sporting it for several years.
“Go home,” Mitch spoke softly, “I’ll deal with this myself.”
Aasim gulped and nodded slowly, walking towards the door, he didn’t want to piss Mitch off, especially not in his final moments alive. He wanted Mitch as happy as he could be.
“Mitch,” Aasim whispered, turning around to send him one last look. Mitch raised an eyebrow at Aasim, “I’m… im going to miss you. So much.”
Mitch smiled sadly, “I’ll m-miss you too. I’ll… ill see you again some day. Not… not anytime soon, you hear me?”
Aasim chuckled softly, a tear slipping from his eyes also, “I’ll live. For you, don’t worry.”
“Good,” Mitch nods weakly, “Now, get out of… here.”
Aasim did as he was told, leaving the small cabin. The blue fabric hanging low in his hands, the distance touch of Mitch lingering on the material. Aasim would’ve brought it up to his nose and sniffed it, but he didn’t want to cause a tear in his heart. He knew that eventually the scent on the jacket would fade away, he knew that Mitch’s presence on it would be nothing but a mere memory.
Aasim inhaled deeply before walking away slowly. His mind was falling apart, he didn’t know how to explain to everyone about what happened. He didn’t want Willy to hate him.
Aasim didn’t even get past the trees when a gun fired, causing the birds in the local area to flutter away rapidly. Aasim’s gut dropped, part of his wanted to run back and cling to Mitch in these final moments. But he couldn’t.
His feet wouldn’t budge anymore.
All he could do was release a painful sob and drop down to his knees.
Mitch was gone. And he was alone.
