CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR||WHERES JOSH

"you gonna ask Alex if you can stay at mine tonight?" Carl questioned as he and Josh walked down the street in Alexandria after leaving Ron's house, Josh nodded along to his friend's words a cheeky smile spread across his face as he countered: "hell yeah, a Newly wedded couple I don't wanna annoy them by being around all the time"

"You don't annoy them. Alex speaks to you more than she speaks to me now." Carl chuckled shaking his head, The two boys becoming closer friends than they ever would've expected all those months ago when they'd first met. 

"Carl." Josh laughed raising his brows trying to let Carl know what he meant by a newly wedded couple, yet Carl just looked at his friend confused making Josh sigh in defeat revealing what he'd meant; "I don't wanna be a cock block"

"Urghh dude. She's my cousin. Gross" Carl grimaced at Josh's suggestion before the two teen boys erupted into laughter, Josh shaking his head as he confirmed: "No I know. That's exactly why i don't wanna be in the house when it happens"

"You know too much for your age" Carl Chuckled shaking his head at Josh's antic's as the boys went to part ways to head to their separate houses. Josh's smile was the realest it had been in a long time as he shook his head.

"I'll let you know what she says alright?" Josh laughed as they separated Josh turned to the left to walk to where he, Alex and Glenn had begun to start calling home. Carl nodded as he confirmed; "okay"

Josh walked down the street, a warm smile on his face. a smile he didn't need to force. Walking back to the people he trusted, people he felt safe with. Alex and Glenn. The two people who'd treated him better than any foster family he'd ever had did. Memories sprouted within his mind. Memories he wished he could forget; Yet they didn't make his smile fade this time. The bad memories that haunted his mind were now nothing compared to the safety, the security that he felt with Alex and Glenn. 

As Josh walked he felt something hit his shoulder, inciting a quick; "ow" to escape his lips as his head jerked in the direction it came from. His eyes falling on a girl, around his age. Dark brown hair that fell just past her shoulders. her hands tucked into the pockets of her jeans as she stood watching Josh. 

"What the hell was that for?" He questioned his eyes flickering down to the small hard berry she'd thrown at his shoulder The shorter girl taking a few steps toward him, A soft smile on her face as she asked; "Josh right?"

"Uh yeah. Who are you?"Josh questioned brows threaded together in confusion as he studied the girl walking toward him, She hadn't been with Ron. 

"Bailey" She smiled innocently introducing herself as she did the same, her eyes glued to Josh studying him. Josh's confusion only growing as she got closer and asked; "You've been out there right?" she gestured toward the walls making Josh nod.

"last time I went out, I left my backpack. Can you help me get it back?" Josh chuckled thinking she was joking, yet her expression remained serious making his brows furrow further. Josh glanced around to ensure no one else was around. 

"I mean I can- But why are you asking me?" he questioned his words laced with confusion as he approached the unfamiliar girl completely lost as to why she'd ask him. yet she only shrugged at his words. 

"Ron won't, Enid doesn't want to go that far out." she shrugged as if it all wasn't a big deal to her at all, Josh licked his lips as he ran a hand through his hair before he sighed nodding. He had to make friends, outside the group at least.

"How far out?' He asked as she began walking, Josh quickly jogged to catch up with her inciting a giggle to escape the young girl's lips as he followed her, His curiosity peeking as she led him to the steel walls that surrounded Alexandria. 

"A mile? Maybe a bit more." Josh hummed shaking his head at the girl's words as he looked down at her chuckling: "They won't help you because you're not sure where you left it?"

"Maybe" Bailey chuckled looking up at Josh as they walked around the metal walls as if Bailey was searching for a specific part of the walls. Josh hummed shaking his head: "So you ask the new kid?"

Bailey nodded with a soft smile as she came to a halt turning to look at the steel wall in front of them, Josh stared at her in confusion before looking up at the wall confused as to what she was looking for. Yet to his surprise, she walked toward it and began climbing, using the small bolts and badly welded pieces of metal to support her weight causing Josh's jaw to fall slack as he stared dumbfounded. 

"You're climbing it?" He questioned, astonishment lacing his voice as he watched her reach for the top after a few seconds of Climbing. Bailey nodded with a giggle as she pulled her weight onto the top of the metal wall swinging her leg over to the other side: "Are you scared or something?"

"What? No- Of course not" Josh stuttered shaking his head as he looked up at the girl he didn't even know completely starstruck- Glancing around hee scanned the area one last time to ensure no one was watching before he surged forward gripping the same pieces of metal bailey had and began climbing the wall. His heart racing as he tried not to look down or focus on the face he was trusting the wall with his weight. Bailey chuckled at the young boy as she began climbing down the other side of the wall. 

*****

"So you live with Tyler? the guy who showed me around?" Josh questioned as he and Bailey walked through the woods, leaves crunching beneath his feet. The same smile he'd worn earlier in the day still shone proudly as he spoke to Bailey. 

"I'm staying with Tyler for a bit, I was with Enid and Olivia but they separated us cause we complained about sharing a room too much and Tyler offered his spare room" Bailey shrugged as she stepped over a log in her way. Josh being too distracted by the conversation to even notice the log as he tripped. Barely catching himself. Bailey erupting into laughter as the boy barely avoided face-planting the forest floor. 

"oh shush" Josh tried laughing off his embarrassment yet a deep red blush dampened his pale cheeks in such a way that only fuelled Bailey's laughter making him shake his head as he brushed his hands across his jacket calming himself. 

"So you're here with your parents? I think I saw your brother and sister" Bailey changed the topic seeming to notice Josh's apparent embarrassment, Josh tilted his head slightly in confusion at her words before he shook his head: "Oh- no Carl's my friend. But yeah they're part of my group. but I'm here with Alex and Glenn"

"Your parents?" Bailey questioned as she looked over at Josh, her gaze softened as he shook his head. He knew he wasn't like a  lot of other kids, he knew by the way Bailey looked at him she assumed a sorrowful story followed. But one didn't. not about his real parents at least. Everyone had a story, Everyone had stories about their parents. but Josh didn't, at least not about his biological parents. 

"It's not like that- I met Alex and Glenn a while ago now. They're pretty much my parents now I guess.  I wouldn't be alive without them, they took me in. Let me join their group. I'll always be thankful for that" Josh nodded and, for once didn't feel bad, explaining his story. it had changed. He wasn't just the unwanted little boy. He was now someone who'd been accepted and cared for. And that was all he'd ever wanted. 

"That sounds amazing... think I can join your group?" Bailey asked in a joking manner, but it wasn't just that. A part of her wanted to have what Josh did. Josh chuckled as Bailey looked ahead a soft gasp escaping her lips as she caught a glimpse of a purple backpack, almost instantly jogging toward it she muttered a quick; "Oh my god"

Josh watched as the girl picked up the backpack a wide bright smile spread across her cheeks as she unzipped the bag searching the contents as Josh caught up with her. Zipping up the bag she picked it up throwing it over her shoulder, Josh's smile almost matching hers until it fell in an instant upon hearing familiar growls. 

"Fuck. go- we gotta get out of here" His expression fell to one of panic as he ushered Bailey back in the direction they'd come from, His eyes scanning the surroundings as Bailey listened to Josh's stern order. The young boy fumbled with his belt as he pulled out the same small dagger Alex had used in Terminus. a dagger she'd given him in order to protect himself. The only weapon he'd been able to keep ahold of in Alexandria. 

"Josh-" Bailey's voice wavered slightly as The snarling grew louder, Anxiety pooling deep within her stomach as she turned to the boy a look of panic within her eyes as she searched Josh's eyes for the same look. Yet his Calm eyes met hers instantly relieving some of her anxiety. 

"We're gonna be fine. Let's just get back okay? don't worry. I've got you" He nodded reassuringly pushing the panic that rushed through his body aside so he could calm the girl he barely knew. 

******

a

- Sorry for the lack of updates guys, but I hope you this happier chapter. I also wanted to let you all know I have a few new fics published <3

Hope you enjoyed, I'd love to hear what you think!