Risk ➸ Simon

Chapter 9: Rest

You looked out the window. The sky was tar-black now; large clouds were moving closer. Puddles began plinking as the rainfall became heavier. The roofs of the cars danced with spray and you could hear the murmuring of the rain through the window. It sounded like the buzzing of angry bees.

Simon gripped his door and swung it open. In a low breath, he ordered you to stay put in the truck. "I'll be back! Don't move from this spot."

He was quickly gone and you felt worried. In the blink of an eye, he could easily turn into one of those dammed walkers or end up dead. You didn't want to sit there and let it happen, or continue thinking about it. You could potentially exit the vehicle, after all possessing a knife in your pocket would avail. You craved to be useful and not held back.

You climb out of the passenger side and heard the corpses grunting and snarls. It was difficult to see in the hazed dark night, but you remained to aimlessly wander into the blackness holding your weapon. Though this task was harder than you imagined. It was so obfuscated. It felt like standing in another dimension as numerous sounds echoed all around your being. Shouts from Saviors, the rain, growls from the dead.

Fear washed over you as each step became a new discovery. The forest raged with life. You walked alone with your knife in front, trying to pay attention to what may lay ahead. Seconds turned into minutes until a hand reached for your ankle. You trip and hit the ground as mud now engulfed your body. A skeleton of a walker dragged its way towards you, nipping the air with its ripped mouth and rotten teeth. You quickly squeeze your knife's handle and impale the walkers' skull.

You sigh in relief to the traumatic experience, but remember that there's more and hop to your feet. After augmented long minutes of hiking through the massive woodland, you bump into a body. Wielding your weapon, you prepare to stab whoever it was prior to them yelling:

"Y/N?!"

It was Simon who was holding a bloody hatchet. You didn't have the words to say anything, nor did he have the energy to disclose further dispute. He panted heavily. A distressed expression on his face. You could tell by the way he looked at you that the mini-battle with the walkers was over with, at least for now. Without verbalizing, Simon gently took your hand and guided you back to the main road.

***

Once you two were back inside the cabin of the Ford, Simon started a conversation. "Why did you leave when I told you to stay...again?"

"Because I wanted to help fight the corpses. And make sure you're okay," you said expecting to hear Simon yell at you for disobeying his orders. However, to your surprise only heard him laugh slightly.

"You're not that good at listening are you?" he chuckled.

"I suppose not." you smile.

***

Simon then got out of the truck and alerted for the group to gather around. He announced that most of the walkers were dead and the future plan would be to set camp here along the roads for the night and go back to The Sanctuary at dawn. Everyone began to make room in their vehicles and settle in for the evening. The rain still fell but lightened up some since earlier.

Simon re-entered the cabin. "You know why I wanted you to remain in the truck right?"

"Was it to be like a caretaker again?" you joked.

"I didn't want you getting hurt."

"I knew it!"

"Seriously, you only killed, what, one walker and the rest of us killed over seven solid."

"It was dark alright!"

"Uh-hu. That's a stupid excuse."

You couldn't think of a comeback straight away so you shot him a mean-playful glare. He laughed some more which caused you to grin.

Suddenly you started to feel chills run down your spine. Nonetheless, it was semi-humid, but the rain caused a brisk cooler touch in the air. As well as the fact that the truck was turned off didn't suffice any temperature change during the situation.

Simon noticed your shivers and offered the coat he was wearing. You gladly accept his offering and wrap up in his soft leathered jacket. In the midst of another topic being shared with one another, you two begin to feel lethargic after a long days work. So you both merge to the back of the haul for some shuteye.

Outside the truck, the rain amended into a mist. Simon grabbed the handle to the haul and yanked it upwards. Its door sprang open where the Hilltops rations laid. He helped you up into the truck and made room for an area to rest, then closed the secured entryway.

"I wish we could start a fire." you exhale while sitting on the floor across from Simon.

"I don't think it would be safe to make one here."

He was right but you half wanted to risk a fire anyway. You were too cold, especially being in this darkened old haul. Still, you supposed that if there were no more walkers, the pair of you could get some rest.

You began to repeat different thoughts to Simon and he nodded whereas listening, laying down on the metal and opening his arms for you. It's just for body warmth, you reminded yourself as you lay down and inched closer to Simon, allowing him to hold you close. You entwined your legs with his and wrapped your free arm around him, shuddering when your shared warmth began to caress feeling back into your body.

The two of you lay there for a few minutes in silence, broken when you shifted a little and spoke into Simons' chest. "Even though I'm not the best at rule following and such, thanks for caring about me earlier. I'm sorry I went out, but it's really sweet that you wanted me safe more than anything," you mumbled as you drifted off to sleep. Simon said something back to you but you were already too far gone.