Prisca's_Writing_Area

Title: The Promise
Characters: Casey Connor / Zeke Tyler
Rating: PG13 (for language)
Words: 1205
Prompts: Promise
Finished: January 2019

:::

It was nothing new that Zeke sometimes skipped school, though he usually was around for chemistry. „What a shit,“ Casey thought, staring at the empty chair beside him. As Zeke's lab partner, he knew that the older boy had a brilliant mind, and for some reason, he felt disappointed that Zeke had decided to waste his last chance to graduate. Though it was not his business, of course not; they had nothing in common, and they barely shared a word outside of the lab. So, what did he care? He huffed silently and opened his book.

Then, at lunchbreak, rumors suddenly started going around at school. A horrible car accident in the early morning. A black GTO involved, the driver seriously hurt. Casey had to close his eyes briefly, forcing himself to stay calm. Not Zeke, no, this was impossible. Everyone knew that Zeke was a good driver. He would never risk too much, even if he sometimes overstepped the lines. Casey couldn't take his eyes away from the cafeteria door, hoping the boy would show up there in the next moment, with the usual smug grin on his lips.

„I have heard they took Zeke to the hospital.“ Two girls, sitting at the next table, one with long, blonde hair, the other with brown curls and glasses. „I can't believe it. That's so unfair. He promised to come to my birthday party next weekend.“

„Oh, Mary Ann, don't be stupid. He only agreed because he didn't want to hurt your feelings. But actually he is only interested in me, that's so obvious.“

„He says I have pretty eyes.“

The other girl threw her hair back and shrugged. „He compliments every girl like that. But we did spend a night together last month. I can't believe that...“ She sniffed, but it sounded like a fake in Casey's ears. „I can't believe that I will never see him again.“

He cringed inwardly and closed his book. Enough was enough; he wouldn't endure this shallow gossip talk any longer. What he needed was a certainty.

:::

About half an hour later, he parked his bike in front of the big white house on Sunset Avenue. No GTO far and wide. His heart sunk deeper, though he tried to call himself an overreacting idiot. Zeke would probably have something better to do when he decided not to come to school. Maybe he was on one of his long road tours.

„Hey! What the heck are you doing here?“

The voice made Casey jump; with a wild, pondering heart, he turned around. And there he was. Zeke Tyler, a cigarette in his hand, and much too good-looking in his tight black denim and long-sleeved shirt. No injuries at all. Casey couldn't move, more shocked than relieved to see him.

„Shouldn't you be at school?“

„Shouldn't you be at school, too, you fucker,“ Casey yelled back.

Zeke stepped closer, grinning wide. „Woah. What's happened, geek boy?“

„This is not fun, Zeke. Everyone at school... they are talking about it, that you have had an accident. Seriously hurt. Maybe... “ It was so hard to hold back his tears for longer. „Oh shit! You... you...“

„Hey. Breath.“ Reassuring, Zeke put his hand on Casey's shoulder. „I am here. Calm down, okay? No accident. No hospital. I am fine. And I can tell you, I plan that it stays like that.“

„Asshole!“ Casey sniffed. „Why the hell didn't you come to school today?“

Zeke shrugged. „The GTO. Needed a check-up. Still in the garage. And I was not crazy about using the school's bus.“

Suddenly realizing the nearness between them, Casey shrugged Zeke's hand off. „Great. Half of the school is running mad because they assume that you might be already dead. And you are at home, enjoying a day off? What the heck are you thinking?“

Zeke kept quiet for a moment. „I don't care much about all the rumors around me,“ he finally said, his voice more serious than before. „But I'm sorry that I did scare you.“

„I was not... why should I?“

„You are the only one who came here to find out what's happening. You even skipped school. I guess this means something.“

Involuntarily ,Casey blushed. „Don't flatter yourself,“ he murmured.

Zeke laughed slightly. „Will you come in for a moment? Looks as if you could need hot tea to relax. I don't want you to faint out right here and now on my porch.“

:::

About three hours later, Casey's eyes fell on his watch. He jumped up. „Oh. Shit. It's already that late.“

He couldn't say how this had happened, but he had probably just had the best time of his life. He was so used to being alone; he loved his photography, reading, and computer work. Others called him a nerd and a deadhead for this; no one wanted to hang around with him. But here, in Zeke's kitchen, he had laughed so much; they had talked about movies and their favorite authors. Hard to believe that Zeke loved Moby Dick and Mark Twain as he did. And they had had a serious discussion about 2001 – A Space Odyssey. Casey thought it was the most overrated science fiction movie ever, but Zeke insisted that it was a classic; one had to watch at least three or four times to get the depth of it.

Casey wished he could stay here for the rest of the day, the next days, and maybe forever, but of course, this was ridiculous. He looked for his backpack. „Guess I should go home. My mom will freak out soon; school is already over for about one hour.“

„Sorry. I would give you a ride home, but you know, the GTO...“

„That's okay.“ Suddenly, the so familiar awkwardness was back. „It's only five minutes by bike.“

„Will you get into trouble?“

Casey hesitated, then he shook his head. „No. Not when I am telling the truth. We are friends, and my parents will understand that after all these rumors, I was worried about you.“

Zeke kept quiet for a moment. „We are friends,“ he finally asked.

„Well.“ Casey shrugged, slightly embarrassed. Of course, for a short while, he had blended out the reality. „Maybe not. But we share a lab table. At least when you come to school.“

„I will be there tomorrow. Promise. Get the GTO back this afternoon, so, no reason to skip school again.“

„Don't make any promises you won't keep. You are only a stupid shit who doesn't give much about his future.“

„Hm.“ Zeke eyed him thoughtfully. „I still don't get it. Why do you care for me?“

„I don't!“ Casey turned around and grabbed his backpack to hide his red face.

„But you are here. You call me a friend." Zeke laughed slightly. "If I will be at school tomorrow and every other day until graduation, it's because of you.“

Title: The dog in the woods
Characters: Daryl Dixon / Beth Greene
Prompt: Dog / Animal
Word Count: 522
Rating: PG13
Finished: February 2017

:::

They found the big, black and white dog in the middle of the forest, alone, half starved, his fur matted. He stared at them for a while with dark eyes, growling slightly. Daryl had already lifted his crossbow when Beth touched his arm to stop him.

Only a gentle touch, but it made his heart beat faster. He was unsure if he liked this; no one besides her had ever made him feel like this.

„Don't,“ she whispered. „He's not a danger; he's just afraid of us.“

And before Daryl could stop her, she hunkered down and reached out with her hand. „Hey, come here.“

The dog's snout trembled visibly, but he didn't make any try to snap shut. Beth smiled while she gently touched him. He snuggled closer, wagging his tail. „Oh, that's such a good boy.“ Then she turned back to Daryl, who was still watching the scene warily. „See, no danger. No need to be afraid of him.“

„Hm!“ Daryl smirked and lowered the crossbow. „I never was afraid of dogs. When I was about ten years old I owned one.“

„Oh, yeah?“

„For some days only. I did hide him under the porch. Shared my meals with him.“

The smile on her face vanished, and he almost regretted that he had told her about this. „What's happened,“ she asked.

„One day, he was gone.“ For sure, he wouldn't tell her the whole truth. It would have been much too cruel.

She seemed to know anyway. „I'm sorry,“ she said. Though she didn't know anything about his past. Which was a good thing. She grew up on a farm with a caring family around, not with a father who was always drunk and hit his wife and his two children until the loss of consciousness. Despite everything that was happening around her, she still found some good in the world. She must be an angel.

Suddenly, he couldn't bear his overwhelming feelings any longer. „Maybe we should better go back to the prison. Before the others start to worry.“

One last stroke over the back of the animal, then she nodded. „Guess you are right.“ When she stood up, the dog looked at her hopefully. „No, you can't come with us,“ she told him, apologetic. „As much as I like you, the prison is not a good place for a dog. Better enjoy your freedom.“

„Seems as if he's of another opinion,“ Daryl said. „Can't blame him. Apparently, he's lost his heart to you."

Beth hesitated. „Rick won't appreciate it when we bring home a dog but only some rabbits and vegetables for our lunch.“

Daryl put on one of his rare smiles. „Don't worry. I will tell him that the yield will be much better next time with a well-trained gun dog. C'mon boy, let's go home.“

The dog barked once while Beth beamed at him. It was long ago that Daryl had felt that good.