Hello my dear friend!

This story has been on my laptop for decades as it feels. I don't know why I never posted it before but I was really inscecure about it, especialy since English is not my native language. But hey, I really like the idea of that story even though it's nothing new, I can just see my two beautiful babies totally rock a zombie apocalypse.

Even though it sounded like the main focuse will be on Clarke and Bellamy in the description, they won't be the only characters in this story, duh. They will meet all our flawless delinquent friends, let's see how that works, through out the story.

Obviously I don't own anything but the storyline.

Hope you enjoy the first chapter and feel free to let me know what you think!

It had almost been a week now. To be exact six days, 14 hours and 22 minutes. That was how long he felt like everything around him had collapsed and he was left with empty hands, standing, staring, unable to do anything. The world had changed. And not in a normal way. It was not like new cars had been invented, a cure for cancer had been found or world peace was finally declared. It wasn't even like the next ice age had started or the sun was burning too close to the earth. No, this was something humans had to take full responsibility for. This was the researchers' fault. Or maybe it was the government's fault. Or maybe the military was to blame. Who could say that for sure nowadays? After all, it did not really matter anymore. Who should punish them? There was nothing and no one left. What did matter on the other hand was surviving. It was all about fighting, finding shelter, finding food and water. And about not being bitten. Bellamy has been doing pretty fine so far. If he were to guess he would say about 90 % of the population had turned so far but they were among the 10% still alive, still breathing, still with a beating heart.

At least that was something he used to be proud of but everything changed for him six days, 14 hours and now 24 minutes ago. That was when he let his little sister be taken and nothing mattered anymore except for finding her. He was sure she was still alive. She had to be. He just had to find her and he would turn every single fucking stone over if he needed to in order to find her. He would not give up on her.

Right now he was mad though. He had no clue where to go, nothing to hold onto or suggest which way to go. Seeing other humans was a rare occasion and the further north he got, the more zombies passed him and he seemed to be the only human soul for so many miles he couldn't even count. No one knew the girl from that picture he shoved in their faces, no one remembered seeing her. It was all very frustrating. What if he was moving in the exact opposite direction from her without even knowing? What if he was losing precious time his sister needed him to be around but he was wasting it at a stupid gas station?

The man who probably owned the station Bellamy had just stopped by was looking at the picture he had been showing around. It was the only one he had left and even though it was not the most recent one (maybe three or four years old) she was still recognizable.

"I'm sorry." The stranger finally just said, shaking his head. Bellamy wondered why it took him so long to think. Meeting another human being was such a rarity these days that you probably remember all the faces you saw. "I don't think she's been around here."

With a halfhearted, muffled "Thank you." He stored the picture away and was about to turn around when the man held him back. "May I help you with anything else?"

Bellamy hesitated. Politeness and friendliness had long died along with humanity. No one ever did anything without getting something out of it. The best part would be if he simply wanted a ride to get away, the worst he didn't even want to imagine. Even though he could have in worst-case scenario easily taken the man since he was old and had a rather slim than muscular figure, Bellamy had no time to waste. So he declined the offer and felt some relief rush through him when the stranger let him go without further ado.

Back in his car he checked his tank. Okay, maybe he could have done with some gas but there was something off about this place and the overly friendly man. Before he probably would not have second-guessed it, he would have just accepted his help, probably offered something in return himself. But this was after and after meant suspicion, it meant selfishness, it meant every man for himself. There was a reason he was still alive and that was not because he tried to help everyone and be a do-gooder. He knew how much Octavia hated this side of his character, hell, he even hated it himself but it was what kept them alive. With a sigh, he pushed these thoughts to the back of his head where he kept everything bad, everything he didn't want to deal with, well hidden.

He opened the trunk to check on the supplies. Obviously it was a well-practiced step. Two boxes, one containing five water bottles, three granola bars, some Pop Tarts and two bags of crackers, the other one a rifle and another gun as well as ammo. Everything was covered under two blankets, a thick jacket and two warm sweaters. Least thing he needed after all was some kind of weirdo to break into his car to steal a granola bar.

Back in the driver's seat he opened the glove compartment. It was ridiculous, he knew that. The car had been within his sight the whole time, no one could have taken anything but he still felt better after seeing his knife and tossed his second gun in there as well. After he had stuck Octavius picture back into the sun protective shield, he ignited the car, staring straight ahead for a second and considering his options.

Maybe he should head further south for now, at least that seemed to be the direction where most humans seemed to still be alive. On his way he could stop by some deserted gas station or just make use of some left behind cars to refill his tank and possibly stop at a supermarket to try and find some other food than granola bars and crackers but he was not too picky. Anything eatable was valuable and he would take whatever he could get. With this plan in mind, he stepped on the accelerator. Octavia, I will find you.

The past few days had been a blur. She was not even sure how many days had passed. Two? Maybe three? Or even four? She could not tell. Everything kind of blended together. The last thing she could remember, clearly see in front of her, was a gun, a loud bang, a falling body, lifeless, staring eyes that once used to be warm, full of love, representing home. Her hands were shaking horribly and there was so much blood. Way too much blood. Then there was a lot of darkness, hours she totally blacked out. Now she was here, the sun high above, burning. But she had a new destination in mind. New York. She used to spend many weekends up there before everything happened. Once it used to be like her second home and maybe, maybe she could find some comfort with her best friend. Even though it was easy to travel from Washington to New York by bus, it took way longer by foot. She did not own a car and stealing one was off limits. She did not want to let this world force her to do even more and become even more of a person she was not. She could do this anyway. She just had to focus and be careful. Focusing was helpful in any case. It kept her mind preoccupied, did not let her think too much about stuff she really did not want to think about. That was the only thing keeping her together.

She took a deep breath, trying to clear her head and looked around. There was no one in sight. No Walker. No human. She was not quite sure if that calmed or worried her. But she had no time to waste. The sooner she got to New York the better. She was not sure how many miles she had already put behind her or how many lay ahead but she knew if she just followed the street signs she would get there at some point. Looking around still made her sigh. She felt like she was in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but fields around her and deserted, dryland. And the long, lonely road ahead of her. She kicked a stone in her path. Just a week back her life had been so different. Never would she have expected to –

A low grunting noise interrupted her thoughts in that moment and she looked up to find a group of Walkers coming towards her. She stopped. She knew she could easily outrun them. They were really slow and dumb and up until this point she had avoided killing them. First of all, blowing a bullet through their brains and ripping their heads off caused a terrible mess and secondly, probably the more important aspect to the blonde girl, they used to be human. They all had a back story, a name, people that loved them. She knew thinking about all of that did not make it easier but she just could not switch it off. Right now though she could not help but feel such anger rise inside of her when she spotted them. After all, it was their fault! With that thought in mind, her hand disappeared into her pocket and she grabbed her knife. She just needed to feel something, let that anger out, to make someone pay. Without spending too much though on it, she ran towards them. Did she really care if they would get her? Would it really matter? What if she would get up to New York and find nothing? What if Wells would be dead too? Where was she supposed to go then? She had nowhere to be anymore, no one to go to, she was all alone in a world what her life was at stake every single moment.

When her blade collided with the first Walker's neck, she felt a strange sensation of horror, disgust and satisfaction rush through her. She spun around and ducked under another one's arm before sending him to the ground with a well-placed kick. She used to hate violence in any form but she was a quick learner and there was no space for the weak ones in this world. Before she could finish the one on the ground off though, the third one took a swing at her, reaching for her arm with its teeth. She yanked it away in the last second and gave it a punch with her right fist. One of her great advantages was others underestimating her. She looked small and fragile when she was always ready to fight and defend herself. Still, she was kind of sure that the Walkers lacked any ability of thinking straight. She turned back around and took a swing, ready to kill the one still on the ground when a small one, a child, jumped up and clung to her arm. The weight came as such a surprise that it took her off guard and she lost her balance. It was almost a miracle that the small one did not sink its teeth into her flesh when they hit the ground. She started shaking her arm violently, panic rising inside of her.

That was when two loud shots sounded and the two big Walkers still standing sunk to the ground. Clarke gasped when a young man appeared within her view and in the next second the small one stopped moving. A self-confident grin appeared on the young man's face and he outstretched his hand towards her, totally oblivious to the last Walker behind him who fell into a sprint, obviously wanting to attack him. So she ignored his gesture and got up on her own, just in time to enter her knife in the Walker's stomach and ending its existence. It could not be called life anymore anyways.

The man turned around, a smirk on his face. "Thanks."

She rolled her eyes, her guard up again. She had learned not to trust strangers anymore, especially men who seemed to have forgotten that there used to be a time when something like a law still existed. She knew better than to trust, especially now when he probably thought she owed him something for rescuing her and she could very well imagine what that would be. So, she simply nodded and pointed to the dead ones on the ground. "I was just returning the favor. Now we are even." Maybe that would keep him away.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking her up and down. "Where are you heading?"

"Why do you care?" She shot back.

"Are you alone?"

She narrowed her eyes, subconsciously grabbing her knife again. He seemed to notice her tense because he lifted his hands. "Calm down. I don't want to hurt you. I just..." He pointed over his shoulder towards a black SUV. "You need a ride?"

The offer was tempting but her suspicion won. "Why? What's in it for you?"

He shrugged a little. "Some nice company on the road?"

"I'm not going to sleep with you!" She blurted out and to her surprise the stranger started laughing. It struck her. His laugh did not match his appearance. He looked rough and strong, his dark curly hair cut relatively short but it was uncombed, a 3-day-beard on his face, muscular arms, tall built. His laugh sounded like that of a little boy though, innocent and happy and it gave a his face a certain note, like all of a sudden his hard features were way softer. She blinked when he replied: "That's not what I was indicating."

She raised an eyebrow. This seemed just very odd to her. A random stranger stopping by, saving her life and now offering to give her a ride? And all of that because of the pure goodness of his heart? This all seemed so weird to her because people did not care for one another anymore these days. People were worried about themselves and no one else. People did not help you if they would not gain something themselves by doing so. "I don't get it." She finally admitted. "Why would you want to help me?"

He shrugged, a weird expression crossing his face. "I told you. It can get lonely on the road. Besides, two is better than one and I got a car, guns, food and water while, as far as I can see, you don't have anything but a knife. So, what do you have to lose?"

She hesitated one more moment. She did have some things left to lose, like her life, her freedom, her dignity. But how much worse could it get, considering she was walking from Washington D.C. to New York all on her own during a zombie apocalypse? So she had to admit he had a point, so she finally gave in. "Fine. But if you touch me, I'll cut off your hand." He chuckled a little while nodding.

When they reached his car, he outstretched his hand towards to her again. "I'm Bellamy, by the way." She looked at his hand as if contemplating if taking it could be a trap but obviously decided against that and shook it. "Clarke."

"Nice to meet you."

She did not return the words, since she was sure he did not really mean them anyways. Meeting another human being was always kind of nice in a post-apocalyptic world but under normal circumstances they probably would have never talked to each other. "So, where are you heading?" He just asked. She considered telling him about New York but suddenly she was not so sure anymore. What if they went up there and would find everything destroyed, maybe even Wells and his father turned? She knew she would not be able to handle that. She shook her head a little. "Nowhere in particular."

"Okay." He nodded. "Me neither. I was just heading further south because there seems to be nothing but Walkers anymore in the upper States anymore."

"Fine." She did not really care where they were going for now. She eyed him up one more moment from the side, his dark brown eyes, his freckles, olive skin, his cheekbones, his lips. He was definitely not bad looking but there still was something about him that made her be on edge. Maybe she was overreacting though. Maybe this was just her deep anchored distrust for other human beings by this point. Maybe Bellamy really only wanted to help her, not be alone anymore and had no bad intentions. Maybe she was doing him injustice. She took a deep breath and turned away to look out of the window before he would notice her staring and take it the wrong way. But maybe he was too focused on the road anyway, speeding back towards Washington, further south, towards the horizon with no destination in mind.