Deadland

Chapter 7- Safe Spot

(TW!! Mentions of drug usage, mentions of abuse, and mentions of suicide!)

When I woke up, everyone was starting to pack up their tents. I don't remember falling asleep, but I do know that it was after dark. 

I folded up my cot and put it in it's bag and then tossed all of the little items into a bag and tossed all of the bags outside. I folded up the tent and packed it in its bag as well.

As I'm shoving the tent into its bag, my dad approaches me. 

"So," He starts, crossing his arms. 

I groan and stand up, turning to him. "So?" 

"How did you sleep?" "Fine." Shane nods. "What the hell was wrong with you yesterday?" 

I sigh loudly. "Nothing, alright? You already asked me this." 

"Bullshit, Adrian. You were on drugs!" "Jesus dad, say it a little louder so the rest of the group can hear, will ya'? Plus, I haven't done drugs since I was in the gang and with Nick." "Yeah, until yesterday!" I throw my hands up angrily, "If you're here to try and get a 'confession' out of me, it ain't gonna happen, 'ight?" He rolls his eyes. 

"Adrian," he says in a softer voice. "I'm worried about you. I have been, ever since you got with Nick you haven't been the same. Especially yesterday, if you keep using drugs it could be dangerous." I scoff, "Not anything I haven't done before. It's a deadland now, dad. Breathing is dangerous." 

Shane sighs, knowing he's not getting anything out of me. "Just...be careful, alright?" "I'll be super careful since I'm not on drugs." 

"Speaking of which, where did I put that bag?" 

Shane doesn't respond since Alyssa called for his help with her sleeping bag. 

Once my tent and everything else is all packed up, I toss it in the trunk of my dad's Jeep and throw my "Run back-pack" and bow-and-arrow over my shoulders. My dagger and gun are in their holsters. I'm wearing tan cargo shorts and a black t-shirt with my black converses. 

We're all standing in a circle in front of the R.V, talking about the plan to head to the CDC.

Morales has just cracked the news that him and his family are heading to Birmingham instead of staying with us. 

Everybody hugs them and says their goodbyes. Morales' family knows I hate physical contact, so they wave to me; and I wave back, not saying anything. 

I get into a Jeep with Alyssa and my dad, and we start driving towards Atlanta. 

"So, Adrian." Alyssa giggles from the backseat.

"Oh god, I know that tone." 

"I saw Glenn go into your tent yesterday morning," Shane looks at me quickly. "Are you two..." Alyssa raises her eyebrows and giggles. 

I scoff, "Glenn? No, he's too vanilla." "Vanilla?" Alyssa cocks her head to the side, a confused look on her face. 

I chuckle softly, "Vanilla. It means like normal, not very outgoing. Also he used me as bait which caused me to get kidnapped with him." Alyssa smiles, "Sounds like a love story trope to me." I groan and roll my eyes, smiling slightly at Alyssa's innocence. 

We finally stop about 200 feet in front of the CDC, we had to leave Jim behind; per his request. 

There are Walkers everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It smells like a rotting corpse is breathing in my face and there are more flies than room to walk.