| Ollie Loses his Temper

Mable sighed as she dabbed at the long cut on Jude's hairline. After picking out small shards of glass for hours it had finally stopped gushing blood. He needed stitches but Finn refused to stop until they ran out of gas. She had practically begged Kyle, Ezra, Dax and Mable to not walkie-talkie Cash. Their leader was going to kill them when he found out what her and Xzavier had done. They'd killed them all. This easy two day drive had just turned into a month long journey on foot if they didn't find more gas. It had taken months to get all that gas. They'd never be able to make up for the loss.

Xzavier had told her not to put the gas in one car. Over and over again, yet Finn refused to listen. She was so stupid and now they were all going to die because of it.

She glanced down at the gas gauge, her brows knitted. They still had a good bit of gas but they'd only driven about 180 miles. They still had 1529 miles to go. At their best they could get another 800 miles. That still leaves a two week walk.

"I'm feeling a little woozy."

It was the first time Jude had talked since he'd seen the horrible sight of Rory's body being torn apart. He stared blankly at one of the bags in the corner of the trunk, long since run out of tears to shed.

"Finn, he needs stitches. We need to find somewhere to stop."

Mable's voice was stern, leaving no room for questions. She said nothing.

"Finn."

Ezra repeated for her. Finn only bit her lip and pushed her short hair back frantically, her eyes glued to the road and her thoughts far from the car.

"Finn..."

Xzavier spoke in a gentle tone, turning to face her.

"The longer we wait, the angrier they'll be..."

Xzavier reasoned, his voice just as shaky as hers would be.

"There's no avoiding it."

***

One of Cash's hands rested on Tabb's thigh as he watched the road carefully for any sign of the dead. They had a habit of running in front of cars and causing wrecks, kind of like deer. Except if they hit a deer, they could eat it. Mmm, deer meat. He would kill for a bowl of deer chili. Oh my god. His stomach growled at just the thought.

"Cash, please stop making those weird noises."

Violet spoke up from the back seat, an annoyed expression on her face.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're literally mumbling about deer meat and making weird orgasm noises."

Ollie chuckled, Violet gave him a disgusted stare before punching him in the arm.

"Don't use that word in any sentence about my brother ever again."

"To be fair, that's not what your brother's orgasms sounds like."

Tabb chuckled, watching Cash drive with content, his smile only grew at the reply. Violet and Ollie's expressions were mortified.

"Ew! Don't tell me that!"

Ollie punched Tabb's arm that was resting on the middle console. Static from the walkie-talkie stole the groups attention.

"...Cash..."

Xzavier's voice broke through and he quickly picked up the communication device.

"What's going on?"

His voice was sterner than the one he used with Tabb, Ollie, and Violet. The first time Tabb noticed the small show of affection it confused him, but after years of being with Cash he finally understood.

He appreciated being one of the few people the long haired man trusted to be soft around.

There was more static and then,

"...we need to stop. Jude needs stitches."

Cash's brows knitted,

"And you're just now telling me this?"

It was silent.

"We'll stop at the next pull off."

"...copy."

"Stop? I thought we going to drive straight there?"

Tabb asked, panic rising in his voice as anxiety stung at his skin like tiny needles. Cash put the walkie-talkie down, glancing at Tabb's worried expression.

"Jude needs stitches. They can't shove a needle through him while we're driving."

"They could if they tried hard enough."

Ollie commented from the backseat earning a giggle from Violet.

"I just don't know if stopping is a great idea..."

Cash squeezed his thigh reassuringly.

"You're the one who wanted them to come with. He can't make it to the bunker if he bleeds out on the way."

Tabb sighed, nodding reluctantly in agreement. They pulled off at an exit on the highway, stopping at the first lot they saw.

"You guys stay here."

Cash glanced between Tabb and Violet,

"Me and Ollie are going to fill the tank while we're stopped. It'll only take a second."

"I want to help."

Violet unbuckled and sat up in her seat.

"You can help on the next one. We've still got 24 hours to go. Besides, I need you here to protect Tabb."

She rolled her eyes, huffing as she crossed her arms and sat back.

"Whatever."

Cash closed the door on her and Tabb, walking towards the Jeep that Finn, Xzavier, Kyle, and Ezra were exiting. Xzavier closed his door, turning to the dark haired man with an uneasy expression. Cash quickly closed the space between them, holding out a hand expectantly.

"Give me a bottle, I'm going to fill up while we're stopped."

Xzavier's mouth went dry as he stared at Cash with wide eyes. His height was much more intimidating when he was angry, it seemed like he somehow got taller. Cash lowered his head, glaring with dark eyes and Xzavier's jaw went slack.

"X, What did you do?"

It was a question but it sounded more like a command.

"We..."

Xzavier started, his brows knitted and an anxiety ridden expression plastered on his face. He glanced to Finn who was standing right behind Cash and Ollie. She stared down at her shoes with the same nervous expression as him, her fists clenched so hard at her sides that her nails drew blood. He took a deep breath.

"I-uh..."

He looked back to Cash, clearing his throat as he decided to take the blame. At least Finn wouldn't be punished.

"I moved the gas to the Toyota. I-I didn't know that would happen. T-The Toyota had protection, I thought it was safer than the jeep. There wasn't enough room in the Charger so I thought if I made more room for-"

"You son of a bitch!"

Ollie screamed out, a fist hauling back and slamming into Xzavier's Jaw with as much strength as he could muster. His teeth clattered at the impacted.

"Ollie! What the fuck?"

Xzavier lifted a hand to his aching jaw, a surprised expression on his face as he stared at the boy that came up to his shoulders.

"You piece of shit! I trusted you!"

He punched Xzavier again. The older boy tried to block him or grab his wrists but made no effort to hit back.

"Ollie! Stop!"

Ollie only hit harder, getting in another good punch. He finally kicked him hard between his legs, causing Xzavier to fall to the concrete ground with a pained grunt.

"You ruined our chance!-"

"Okay, that's enough."

Cash commanded in the same stern tone he had used before. Ollie didn't listen, he barely heard Cash over his heart hammering in his ears. He reared back to kick at Xzavier's head, when Cash's voice came again, making him stop in his tracks.

"I said enough!"

Xzavier, Kyle, and Ezra all jumped as Cash's angry yell boomed in the empty parking lot. Ollie paused, his breathing heavy.

He turned from the beaten man on the concrete to the leader of their group, who was holding Finn back with a hand. Cash's face softened as he realized Ollie was crying. His expression might've been just as intense and harsh as Cash's, but his cheeks were soaked and his glaring eyes were puffy.

"I know you're angry. We all are..."

Ollie's dark brows knitted, his angry expression faltering.

"...But we will get to that bunker, even if we have to walk. I promise."

"You don't even believe it's real."

Cash's jaw clenched as Ollie spit the words. He had known the young man was attached to the idea, even so he had constantly put Ollie and his younger sister down with negative comments.

"I didn't, but you do."

He looked at the others surrounding them, his shoulder's hunched at the eyes on him. Being this sentimental in front of people made him feel very uncomfortable. He looked back to Ollie, an expectant look on his wet face.

"I believe in you. I know I'm harsh but..."

The younger boy seemed to calm down with these words.

"You know the way there like the back of your hand. If anyone can lead us... it's you."

Ollie couldn't help the sad smile that formed on his lips. Cash really believed in him...

"Can this conversation be over now?"

Cash asked, his cheeks slightly pink in embarrassment. Ollie nodded, quickly wiping his cheeks with the back of his sleeve.

Kyle's brows knitted as she watched the interaction between the two. It was weird. She knew Ollie had been taken in by Cash and the others six years ago when all of this started... but it didn't really hit her until now that he had really bonded with them. He could tell how much Cash's words meant to Ollie.

"What the hell happened?!"

Violet's yell turned all their heads. Her and Tabb stood with confused faces outside the challenger and his heart dropped. How was he suppose to tell Tabb his anxious suspicions were right?

"Tabb, just..."

Cash stepped closer, gently resting his hands on Tabb's arms.

"Just don't freak out. Okay?"

Tabb's eyes quickly widened.

"Don't freak out? What do you mean don't freak out?"

His worried eyes left Cash's, moving to look over the group behind him.

"Should I be freaking out?"

He asked to the others loudly. Finn was sitting on the ground next to Xzavier, staring at him with an almost horrified expression.

"See, you're already doing it."

He looked back to Cash, his expression frantic.

"What happened?"

Cash opened his mouth but no words came out. He had promised Tabb just this morning that nothing would go wrong. Yet here he was, not even twenty four hours later and someone had already died. How was he suppose to tell him they might not make it to the bunker at all?

"An accident happened... and we don't have gas anymore."

Tabb's jaw dropped. Violet's expression hardened and she turned to the beaten boy on the concrete her eyes falling on Finn next to him as well. A terrifying expression took over her face, her head lowering.

"What?"

Finn asked in a nervous voice, preparing for the small girl to also attack.

"Why are you looking at us like that?"

Without a word she turned to the challenger, popping the trunk.

"What are you doing?"

She searched through the bags before finding her own.

"What is she doing?"

Finn looked to Ollie beside them for an answer but he only shrugged. Finn's question was answered when Violet pulled a bow and arrow from the trunk, aiming at Finn as she strung the arrow.

"Hey! Woah! Stop! No."

Cash and Tabb both quickly moved to grab the weapon from her, squeezing her shoulder to make sure she didn't try to take it back as they put it in the trunk. Tabb sighed as he closed it, rubbing his eyes in frustration.

"Alright. How far is it on foot?"

He turned to Cash,

"A three week walk."

Ollie answered before Cash could.

"That's without interruptions. Which I'm assuming there will be a lot of."

Ollie glared down at Finn and Xzavier. X stayed quiet as he met Ollie's eyes, his lip was busted and a bruise was already forming under his jaw.

"As long as we don't stop then there shouldn't be any."

Cash stated authoritatively.

***

"Ouch."

Jude hissed as Mable pushed the curved needle through his forehead, stitching the deep gash back together.

"Dax, it's bleeding-"

"Yeah, yeah, I see it."

Dax poured some of the small bottle of vodka onto the thin cloth, both taken from the first aid kit Mable had pulled out of her bag.

"Ouch!"

"I said dab lightly!"

"I did dab lightly!"

"No, you're literally punching him in the head!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Would you just do what I say, please! He's your friend! I'm just trying to help!"

"Hey, I thought we were friends."

"No one wants to be your friend Jude!"

Dax yelled at the smaller boy and Mable pushed him.

"Don't talk to him like that!"

"You said it first!"

Dax pushed Mable.

"Ouch!"

Jude yelled as he grabbed at the string attaching the needle in Mable's hand to his head.

"I'm so sorry!-"

"Could you two please stop fighting!"

Tears threatened to leave Jude's baby blues.

"I just watched my best friend die and then get eaten, and now I have to go through getting a giant needle shoved in my head! Could we just sit here in silence for two god damn minutes while you fix my head so I don't bleed out!"

Dax gave Jude an annoyed stare.

"Calm down Jude, we were just joking. Sheesh."

Mable glared at the bigger man.

"Just dab the blood away from the wound. Gently."

"GeNtLy."

Dax mocked in a high pitched obviously annoyed tone. Mable only rolled her eyes before continuing to sew up Jude's wound.

"I know I didn't know your friend well. Just his name, but... Rory seemed like one of the few good people left. For what it's worth,"

She stopped sewing for a moment, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"I'm sorry."