MIKEY spent time walking and well, fleeing from things that came at him. after walking for a bit, he finally came across the train station. "i made it." he let out breathlessly. "dad might be there by now." he heads into the underground subway station, walking around only to see civilians crying and holding eachother.

each civilian was in a line, getting quick tested by a doctor to see if they had this strange virus. a lump grew in mikey's throat as he watched the doctor examine them for bites. his father's arm was practically chomped off by one of those vile creatures. what if he didn't make it through? mikey took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the straps of his bag. 'he'll be here soon. don't worry.' the young boy thought to himself, closing his eyes to calm himself down.

after a few minutes of waiting, it was his turn. "next!" a tall russian man called out. mikey froze, looking at the man and the doctor. a feeling of overwhelming sickness grew over him. the young teenage boy felt like his entire world was spinning. nothing felt real to him.

"i said, next!" the man called out again with a more irratable voice. mikey takes one step, only to feel his whole world give out. "ah shit, grab him!" the doctor called out. the last thing mikey saw was the tall russian man run towards him. after that, everything went black.

"mikey? mikey, wake up. it's jill." there was a loud ringing in the teenager's ears before his eyes opened to see the woman he was previously with earlier. mikey furrows his eyebrows, sitting up to examine his surroundings. "where am i?" he mumbled, wincing at he bright light above him. he was currently in one of the trains at the train station. "what happened?" he asked.

"you passed out, luckily, i got here on time to convince them that you weren't bitten." jill sighed, looking at mikey with a relieved look on her face. mikey looks down at his lap before scratching the back of neck.

"wait, why are you still here?" he asked with confusion written on his face. "i thought you were out of here?" jill lets out a reluctant sigh, running a hand through her short brown hair.

"the helicopter crashed." jill admitted, starting to stand up. "looks like this train is the only way to get out of here." she stretches out her limbs. "mikey, if you're up to it-- i could really use your help for this one." she glances at mikey with a soft smile. "but, if you're not feeling well, you can stay here and rest. your safety is all that matters right now."

mikey thought about it for a moment before standing up. he grabs his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "i'm in. besides, i'd never leave your side." he smiled, walking up to the s.t.ar.s. member. jill chuckled softly, rubbing shoulder with a soft smile.

"c'mon, let's go." the two walked out of the train and started to head up the subway stairs. "i'm guessing you couldn't find your dad?" she questioned.

mikey shook his head, biting his lip softly. "he told me that he'd be there. you don't think he—."

"mikey, keep your hopes up." jill glances back at the teenager with a concerned look on her face. "he'll probably be there by the time we make it back to the subway station." she reassures, only even believing herself. honestly, if the man was nowhere to be found— that only meant one thing.

"okay.." he sighed heavily. "i trust you." he shoves his hands into his red hoodie, following the cop. "i forgot to ask but, where are we going?" mikey asked, jogging up to jill.

"we're going to fix traffic control." jill started. "we fix that and we're out of here." she informs, walking up to the blocked street. she pulls out her radio, starting to contact someone.

"carlos? i've reached the main avenue. which way do i go?" she asked, looking at the flames behind the barricade. mikey's heart started to beat heavily, looking at the zombies on the other side of the gate.

"see a big transmission tower? that's the substation." the man over the radio started. "you'll have to corrie around through an alley to your right to get there." he explained, causing jill to nod slowly. she turns to her head to see the flaming alley.

"you mean the alley that's on fire?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"... maybe? surely a tall drink of water like yourself can put out a few flames." the man flirted. mikey bit his lip from trying stifle a laugh back.

jill scoffs in annoyance at the man's attempt. "fuck you." she chewed out, turning the radio off.

"looks like we're gonna find a hose before we get to that substation." jill sighs, placing a hand on her hip— tapping her gun on her thigh.

mikey just stood there with a smug look on his face. jill looked at the boy in confusion with an amused smile growing on her face. "what?" she asked with a soft chuckle.

"who was that?" mikey questioned, starting to walk out of the burning alley with jill. jill started looking for ways to get out of the blocked street. "was that your boyfriend?" he wiggled his eyebrows, causing jill to scoff.

"no way." she rejected. "h-he's obnoxious and self centered, besides, he works for umbrella." she explained. "our relationship is strictly professional and nothing else." she sighed, causing mikey to chuckle.

"alright. if you insist." mikey shrugged, following the officer. the two were about to walk up the street again— however, they were interrupted by the gate falling to the floor, causing the zombies that were pushing against it to fall over as well. jill jumps up, using her left arm to keep mikey behind her.

"stay close to me." she ordered, taking her gun out. the zombies started to limp towards the two humans. jill moves back from the man eaters with mikey following her.

the zombies start to get near the gas tank, causing jill to shoot at it. the tank explodes, causing the zombies body parts to fly off. mikey gags a bit, causing jill to look back at him.

"are you alright?" she checked mikey for any bruises and cuts. mikey just nodded.

"i'm fine." he said in a soft voice. jill gave his shoulder an assuring squeeze before continuing to move on. the two headed down the steps and moved towards the fire escape.

as the two climbed down the ladder of one of the fire escapes, they find this green door. the two enter it, both gagging at the putrid smell.

"what the fuck?" mikey coughed at the sight of the dead man on the floor. jill took a deep breath, before taking another step. there was a loud noise coming from the other end.

jill walks over to check for what made the noise, only to see that there was nothing there. she goes back to where mikey was, looking through the previous owner's things for bullets and herbs.

"hey, jill." mikey handed her the journal. jill takes the journal from mikey, reading through two pages of it. mikey starts to walk through one of the isles only for a zombie to grab him.

"jill!" he called out, trying to force the zombie off him. jill drops the book, taking her gun out. "i'm coming!" she called out, aiming her gun at the zombie's head. she shoots the vile creature, causing it to land on top of mikey.

jill rushes over, placing her gun beside her. she uses all her strength to push the zombie off him, helping mikey up after. she picks up her gun, putting it into her pocket.

"what are you thinking?!" jill shouted, looking into the boy's hazel eyes with her deep blue ones.

"i'm sorry, i thought—."

"you only move when i tell you to." she said angrily. "do i make myself clear?" she huffed with a pissed off look on her face. mikey nods quickly.

"y-yes, jill." he swallowed dry, before watching her head down the isle. "let's go!" she called out, causing mikey to follow her.

the two make it into the donut shop, quickly examining the place. jill grabs some bullets and shoves them into her pocket. mikey could feel the tension between the two, causing him to grow uneasy.

"jill, are you still mad at me?" he asked with a frown growing upon his face. jill stayed quiet, looking through the counters and dead bodies for anything she can scavenge. "jill, i'm sorry. you know i am— i just wanted to see if i could help you." he looked down at the floor, starting to play with his fingers.

jill sighs, standing up to look at the boy. "i just wanna keep you safe, mikey." she walked over, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulder. "it's my job to keep you safe and i can't do that if you keep running off." she explains, standing in front of the boy.

"i understand and i'm sorry." he frowns, causing jill to pat his shoulder awkwardly. he raises an eyebrow. "no 'it's okay?' or 'it's all good?'" he asked in confusion.

"i did forgive you, hence the shoulder pat." she smiled playfully, starting to walk towards the donut shop.

"but—."

"let's go." she calls out, causing mikey to walk after her.

"okay." he mumbled, following the brunette with a small smile written on face.

SOO I FINALLY FINISHED THIS CHAPTER! also, i just love jill and mikey's relationship. she's such a good mom 😭💗

also, i just wanna say rest in peace to naya rivera. she drowned due to saving her four year old son. you will forever be in my heart. rest on peace darling 💗

date published: 6/13/20
time published: 7:02 p.m.
word count: 1666