𝗦𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE!

〔 Season two, episode seven 〕

𝑪𝑨𝑺𝑺𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑹𝑨 𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑭𝑹𝑶𝒁𝑬𝑵 𝑨𝑻 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑶𝑶𝑹𝑾𝑨𝒀, Thomas cold body laid on the bed, Strands hands shook as the gun rested on the bed — he had shot him — he promised to go with him but he couldn't

Cassandra glanced at Nick as he stood shocked, Madison to.

"Where are your words now?" Celia lectured "what can you tell him?"

Cassandra glanced at Madison and Travis as Travis stormed out of the room. Cassandra was confused, what happened with them?

"This man who loved you...who died believing your lies. You tell him the truth. That you looked inside yourself, deep into the place where your soul should be and you found it empty"

Strand shook his head tears streaming down his face, he did the thing that took the most strength killing the person who holds your heart because you've killed yourself that way but he did it for him, to give him mercy

"You tell him that!" Celia slapped Strand the sound echoing off the walls, sent Cassandra forward

"Enough" Cassandra stepped forward placing herself infront of Strand as Madison pulled Celia away "I get that your upset. I get it. I've never lost a child but I'm sure it hurts"

Madison glanced at Cassandra before pulling Celia. It hurts the same losing a child that isn't your own. Madison would feel the same pain of losing Cassandra as losing Nick or Alicia

Even though Thomas wasn't Celia's, she loved him the same. And she lost both her sons in the space of a day.

"Why are you here? Who are you?" Celia asked Madison

"His friend" Madison whispered making Celia scoff

"You are his fool, so was my son." Celia walked away

"Celia, I'm so sorry" Nick sympathised making her stop and stare at him, Cassandra shook her head before turning back to Strand

And for the first time she hugged him, she remembered the promise she made to Thomas as Strand first froze at the hug but then softened and she felt tears fall from his eyes as he hugged Cass tight

"You did the strongest thing a person could do Strand"

"I ripped my own heart out" Strand replied and Cass looked up at Nick picturing the pain he must be feeling, Cassandra smiled sadly

"-and I would have never been able to do it. You did it for him"

"I have to bury him" Strand spoke his voice horse, Cassandra rubbed his shoulder comfortingly

"You don't deserve to bury him" Celia said

"It's what he wanted"

Cassandra stood up stubbornly planting herself infront of Strand again as Celia made her way towards him aggressively

"What he wanted? What he wanted was what you promised" she pointed to the poison that sat beside them and Cassandra shook her head if that's really what he wanted, he wouldn't have asked Cassandra to look after Strand — even if it was what he wanted, he knew Strand well enough to know he wouldn't and he loved him anyways, to want to be with him in his final moments, till his dying breath

"No it wasn't" Cassandra's voice shot out, she hated how she was just attacking him, no one to defend him or even himself

"You believe you knew my sons wishes better then myself. You will defend this man" Celia spoke with anger laced in her voice

"I do. Because on his death bed he made me promise to be there for Strand. He knew Strand wouldn't go with him, he knew what Strand was like even if Strand had all intention of dying with Thomas. He knew and he loved him anyway, he chose to take his last breath beside the man he loved because that made him happy"

Celia took a step closer anger boiling in her eyes.

"Hey hey Celia" Nick stepped closer pulling her away as he casted a look at Cassandra. He had mixed feelings he was proud seeing her like this, confident.

"Stay out of it"

"They need some time please" Nick pleaded, he knew if he lose Cassandra he wouldn't be in the right mind for any conversation let alone one like this

"You're going to let this boy do your begging?" Celia then gestured to Cassandra "and his girlfriend defend you"

Strand turned away as Celia pulled her arm away from Nick

"Fine" she sighed "now Thomas can get everything you have to offer. An empty hole, some dirt. You have one day. The sun comes down I want you gone. All of you"

Madison sat beside Strand as Cassandra ran her hand through her hair, something she did when she was stressed, Nick walked over to her pulling her into his arms, she just rested her head against his shoulder exhausted.

♱

Cassandra sat on the floor in-between Nick's legs as he sat on the chair, there hands intertwined, the sun beaming down on them after a eventful night

Thomas death and not only that but Chris ran away after holding a knife over a sleeping Alicia and Madison which when Alicia told Cassandra she was fuming

Which really put into perspective her loyalties. Yes she cared for Chris and Travis but not the way she did for Nick and Alicia and Madison. They were her family.
She would chose them in a heartbeat and if Chris was a danger to that, then they shouldn't be wasting time looking for him

"Pack whatever supplies we can carry---food, water. Anything you can get your hands on without drawing attention to yourself" Madison intrupted there peace
"And we need to the truck to get back to the boat. Did you see where he put the keys"

"I'm not going back to the boat" Alicia said

"Alicia, we don't have a choice. That sun sets they'll force us off the land"

"Mom---"

"These people are not our friends. get it through your heads. Both of you" she said to Nick and Alicia for she knew Cassandra was already thinking the same thing as her
"This place is dangerous. That women is dangerous"

"She's just upset. I can talk to her" Nick calmly said

"You stay away from Celia" Madison glanced at Cassandra "you make sure he does" she ordered

Sometimes she felt like she was only around to keep Nick in line

"Travis is coming over that hill. When he does, that's when we move"

"What if he doesn't?" Alicia asked

"He is coming back." Madison walked away leaving the three of them

"We go, that's what we do Alicia. We protect ourselves. You, Nick, me and your mom. Chris threatened your life last night and Travis chose his side" Cassandra spoke looking up at the younger girl who looked towards her for assurance

Like always were Madison failed to comfort her, Cassandra never failed.

♱

Cassandra stared at a blood covered Nick entering the compound with an undead Luis, Cassandra cursed under her breath What was Nick playing at.

She tugged at her top since it was to hot for her to wear a jacket as she watched worriedly as Nick passed Luis to others

"Nick" Madison called to which he only stared and walked away

"Madison she is in his head. This is his new drug..." Cassandra sighed as she walked towards were she knew Nick was heading

She stopped just outside the room, she needed to know just how bad Celia had brainwashed him, her nails dug into the wall as she heard there voices but she couldn't hear the snarling of that creature anymore

"There are many who do not understand us. Or are afraid to. You are not. Why?" She heard Celia first, she had come to hate her voice

"I don't know.." and then there was the voice she loved sounding so vulnerable

"You belong here with us, Nicholas. With me"

Cassandra shook her head, he didn't he belonged with her. No matter how selfish it made her sound. She was the only one who could fix him...not that he needed it but he was different with her

"What about my family, what about Cass I don't belong anywhere without her"

He couldn't think about leaving Cassandra, yes he felt understanding here. He felt seen. But he won't leave her.

"You want to do the right thing" Celia hadn't realised how much he really cared about his family and Cassandra, he never showed it with his family. She thought he would be easier to persuade "but they are not like you."

"Celia, they are not bad people"

"And when they look upon my son, what do they see?  Go on, say it"

"A monster" Nick sighed

"Is that what we call these creatures who can't control their nature, their hunger.." Celia said and Cassandra knew that hit something for Nick because it did for her, he always said his drugs were like his hunger, that he couldn't help it

"And what do we call those who destroy them?. The ones who kill without thinking, which is the monster?"

People could be worse then whats out there but that doesn't mean the dead are good.

"They will learn. My family won't hurt anyone. They will be safe here."

"You can't change them"

"Please" Nick asked

"You will he responsible for their actions while they are here."

She was in his head and Cassandra knew she needed to get her out. This thinking could get him killed.

♱

"Madison I am telling you I will fix it. She is in his head. I'll get her out" Cassandra spoke in a sharp whisper, she was informing Madison on what was said

Madison shook her head taking ahold of Cassandra's hand, she knew she couldn't argue with her. She felt guilty always asking her to look after Nick but she knew she did it because Cass was strong enough and Nick listened to her, she had some sort of hold over him, she always had.

"The way he is speaking. It sounds like he's using again. He thinks he's untouchable out there.." Madison sighed thinking back to the conversation she had with him before she sent him to go loon for Travis

"I know...I can't see him like that again and him with drugs he was risking his life but now, now he really is playing with death" Cassandra shook her head

"I am sorry for always making you responsible for him. For treating you as an adult throughout everything. I appreciate everything you do for us you know that right"

"I know Madison." Cassandra whispered glancing at her hesitationly, why was she saying this

"You know I wouldn't have made it without you. You were there through everything. It's funny saying I wouldn't have made it without a child to be my strength. You held me while I cried about my husband about Nick. Through it all. You helped with Alicia. You did it all Cassandra and it wasn't fair of me, you had your own problems and you looked up to me in some sort of way and I let you down. Looking at you, you grew up so fast"

"Madison..you never let me down. You are the closest thing to a mother I've ever had. I did everything because I love you. I love your son, I love Alicia." Cassandra spoke wide eyed having no idea where all of this was coming from

"Celia lost her son and one she loved like one. She had more of a reaction to the one she didn't carry. I need you to know, your my daughter no matter if I carried you or not. And I'm sorry for always asking so much of you...but it's because I know you can do it. You have my strength" Madison pulled Cassandra into a hug

"I love you Cassandra"

♱

Cassandra's boots scuffed on the dirt as she walked across the compound noticing all the armed men, she crouched beside Strand picking up a peace of dirt and throwing it into Thomas grave just as Strand was doing

"I know I only spoke to him once but just in that one time I could tell he was a good man and he loved so much Strand. You were all he talked about, making sure you would be okay" Cassandra whispered as Strand laughed slightly

"He was a good man. To good for Me"

"-well lots of people say I'm to good for Nick and I can tell you this, that don't matter. He wouldn't care if he was to good for you because I sure as hell don't. My heart beats for Nick as I'm sure Thomas's did for you."

Strand let out small sobs as he leant his head against Cassandra shoulder

"I'm so sorry" she whispered

After a while, as the sun started to set Strand pulled away

"It seems we shall have to say our goodbyes. I'm so glad that I met Nick in that cage I not only found that Interesting boy"

"-that's one way to describe him" Cassandra laughed

"But his beautiful, intelligent, kind girlfriend. Who I am very lucky to call my friend" Strand spoke helping Cassandra off the dirt, placing a kiss on the back of her hand before looking at her worried eyes "I'll be fine"

"It was a pleasure meeting you Victor Strand and I hope one day our paths will cross again"

"Oh I'm counting on it and when it does your name better be Clark or I'll be having words with Nick" Strand replied making Cassandra laugh she laughed at how fatherly that sounded

♱

Cassandra helped Alicia hold Ofelia back as she tried to run back into the burning compound both Alicia and Cassandra confused as to what happened, they were seeing Strand off at the gate and all of a sudden they turned around seeing huge flames

"I'm sorry. He's gone" Madison grabbed ahold of Ofelia as she reached them

"What the hell happened Madison?" Cassandra yelled

"There's no time"

The truck sped towards them Strand jumping out

"Get in!. We need to go now"

Alicia held a sobbing Ofelia in her arms,

"Nick and Travis are coming back" Madison said, Cassandra first priority was Nick but she felt bad on Ofelia she wanted to go after her family But she wasn't allowed yet they were allowed for there's it was unfair

"We'll be dead before they get here"

Ofelia dropped to the ground making Alicia go with her

"We'll find them. We'll find them okay?" She tried to comfort, Strand picked Ofelia off the floor as they all piled into the truck but Madison making them all scream her name but when Cassandra stood up and squinted her eyes to see past the smoke...she saw the reason.

"Nick" Cassandra let out a choked sob with his name, jumping off the back of the truck and darting into his arms it knocked him back a bit but then he stood his ground wrapping his arms around her

All of their voices had become muffled to her as she stood in his arms

"I couldn't find them." Nick told his mother as she reached them. The timing for this interaction probably wasn't the best. Nick and Madison standing in the middle with people after them and fire quickly spreading

Nick's arms wrapped around Cassandra so softly like they were in the middle of Disney land and noy the apocalypse. They never had good timing.

"Where's Celia?" Nick asked, ignoring the calls from everyone else "who did this?"

"We have to go. We have to get back in the Boat, Nick."

"She was right about us." Nick spoke Making Cassandra look up at him from her place in her his arms

"What?" Madison asked

"Celia. She knew what we are"

"What are you talking about? Get in the truck, Nick."

Cassandra heard the deads groans, making her look around panicked nearly breaking out of Nicks hold but he didn't let her holding her close and for the first time she felt unsafe in his arms

"Nick..." she whispered

"We destroy everything"

"There coming we need to go. Nick get in the truck" Alicia yelled

"Nick..." Cassandra whispered making him look down at her "What are we doing?"

And in that moment Nick weighed his options, the risk to his life and to hers because he knew she would follow him and he wouldn't want to leave her..but could he really ask her to risk her life, he's use to putting himself in danger but not her

"We can make it on our own. Cassandra come with me because I don't want to leave you...I can't leave you but I can't stay" he asked resting his forehead against hers ignoring everything else around them

And even though she knew it was stupid, even though she knew she shouldn't

"I told you. I'd follow you through hell. I chose you everytime and if you need to go we'll go"

Madison saw that she was losing them both so without thinking her next words slipped out of her mouth

"Are you really willing to risk her life?"

Madison knew that was a low blow because there was nothing in the world Nick cared about more then Cassandra

Nick just shook his head taking ahold of Cassandra's hand pulling her away, Cassandra through a glance at Alicia smiling sadly she didn't want to leave her but she couldn't leave Nick

As they came across the first undead Nick killed it, smothering Cassandra in its guts. And the both of them continued on there way never looking back, hands intertwined.
They had each other and that's all that mattered

And as the garden of Eden burnt to the ground and serpents were driven out, forced apart by their choices yet it wouldn't be long before they reunited again