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Outbreak	By : Need2ScreamNow Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Avenged Sevenfold Views: 1987 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't know the boys in A7x, I'm not making any money and this is all fiction.

Chapter List
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Zack batted a ball against the wall, sprawled out on his stomach, not so much bored as too tired to engage in more active play. Matt’s head rested just below his shoulders and his breath was slow and even. Until the alarm on his phone blared to life. Zack jumped and Matt woke up with a protective growl that subsided into a yawn as he silenced the device. He pushed himself up and stretched, “I’ll be upstairs, puppy.” He said running his hand through Zack’s soft hair. Zack snagged the ball as it bounced back to him and looked up at his mate quizzically. “Where are you going?” he asked dribbling the ball next to him.

“Upstairs.”

Zack scowled at him and Matt laughed crouching down before him again. “I’m meeting an old friend tonight while you are out with Jimmy and Johnny.” he said. Zack’s annoyance faded and curiosity sparked in his eyes, “Who?” he bounced to his feet and followed Matt upstairs peppering him with questions. The older wolf shook his head, “His name is Magnus. His sister had a puppy—baby—last week and he’s stopping by on his way back home.” Matt turned on the shower and stripped down while Zack giggled. “His sister had a puppy?” He hopped up on the counter swinging his feet while Matt stepped under the warm spray of water.

“Where’s he live?” Zack asked bouncing the ball off the floor. He waited for Matt to wash the soap from his hair and chucked the ball at him. The singer caught it and held it under the water, soaking it through. With a shrill yelp Zack dove off the counter into the bedroom as the ball flew back at him and splatted against the mirror. Matt’s husky laugh filled the back room and the water shut off.

Zack was on the other side of the bed watching the sly older wolf as he came out of the bathroom drying his short hair. “Magnus’ pack is in the Northwest Territory of Canada. He doesn’t venture from them often. Canadian territory is still pretty fluid for wolves and without their alpha his pack isn’t at their best.” He pulled a pair of jeans on and began sorting through his drawer for a shirt. Zack flopped on the bed and rolled onto his back watching mate. “How long have you known him?” Matt found a shirt and pulled it over his head while walking over to the bed. Zack swatted at him playfully. The older wolf sat down next to him and laid his head on his stomach. “I’ve known Magnus since about the thirteenth century.” His voice resonated through Zack’s abdomen tickling him. Zack ran his fingers over his mate’s shoulder while doing the math in his head.

“That’s a long time.” He said after a moment. “How do you keep in touch?” humans with eighty year life spans couldn’t keep stay connected, how did werewolves stay friends for more than seven hundred years? Matt’s nose pressed against his stomach as he breathed in his scent. “It can be tricky. Not so much now with the internet and all, but before…we went decades and decades without word from each other. Wolves are gossip hounds though and rumors spread quickly so if we really had to get word to each other we’d make up a story and know the other would hear it within the year.” Matt’s cheek lifted in a smile and Zack wondered what kinds of stories they made up.

A few minutes later Matt sat up and kissed him, “I need to go puppy. If I’m back before you, I’ll find you.” He promised. Zack nodded and gave him another quick kiss before rolling over and following Matt downstairs again.

While Matt got his keys Zack dug around in his toy basket until he found his mini rhinoceros beanie baby and curled up on the floor with it. He still had an hour before Jimmy and Johnny would be by to pick him up. Matt walked to the front door and paused before reaching in his pocket and snapping a quick photo with his phone. He looked at the photo and smiled before saying good-bye and heading out the door.

*~*~*

Matt pulled in to a parking spot a block away from the outdoor café where he was meeting Magnus. The night air was heavy with exhaust and greasy food but it was mid-sixties and, despite the smells, beautiful. The stars and half moon were out, not as many or as bright as he could remember, but they were still there unchanged from when he was a boy. Almost to the café he caught a distinctive wolf scent and looked around for his friend. Magnus’ bulk dwarfed the rod iron chair he was perched in. Born and raised in the day when battle axes and maces were in fashion he was of little fat and all hard muscle. His wild graying beard was in the style of eleventh century invaders but his tan brown hair was cut above his ears. The hulking wolf gave Matt a warm smile when he hopped the fence and sat down next to him.

“Magnus, my friend, it has been far too long.” He said reaching out and taking the other wolf’s hand. Magnus chuckled, a sound that had probably been heard on many blood soaked battlefields, “Even with phone lines and internet it seems we never get to talk. Speaking of internet, do you have a Facebook? I tried to find you but after the first dozen names came up blank I gave up.”

Matt laughed and shook his head, “I don’t have a personal one, but Avenged Sevenfold does. I’d be happy to add you.” Magnus nodded, “My younger members are quite enthralled with your “band”.”

“How are your sister and her little one?” Matt asked still smiling. Despite his rough exterior, Magnus preferred classic opera to anything modern. Matt could only imagine what diatribes the young members of his pack had to endure if their alpha caught wind of their music. Magnus’ face lit up at the mention of his sister, “A little girl and she’s all spitfire.” He said proudly. Then his face became troubled and Matt’s wolf latched on to the change in mood. He sat up and leaned his arms on the table, “If they’re in trouble Magnus they can stay here.” He said seriously. Magnus smiled at him and clapped him on the back, “You are a true wolf Mathius, loyal like no other. They’re safe, but, there are some very serious things we need to talk about.”

Matt pushed his chair back and tossed his head toward the empty sidewalk, “Then let’s talk.” Magnus stood as well and towered over the 6’3” singer. With a grace belaying his size Magnus hopped the fence behind Matt and they headed into the dark.

Once they were away from the bulk of people Magnus began to speak, “Arizona has an outbreak.” His voice was soft and the words weighted. Matt growled softly, “How bad and how far has it spread?”

“That’s the problem. No one knows. It’s only come to light in the last few weeks but it’s been going on much longer than that. The El Mirage pack is gone. Completely. Flagstaff has lost two and they’re keeping very quiet which makes us think they have more sick. Tulsa has also reported one infected.”

“Good gods.” Matt breathed he stopped walking and stared at Magnus, “You have your sister, don’t you?” He prayed the wolf would say yes. There hadn’t been an outbreak of this magnitude since 1267 when he and Magnus had met. Magnus nodded, “He won’t admit it, but her mate is terrified. It’s killing him to send her away but with one pack already gone and gods know how many more infected she’s safer away from ground zero.”

“What are they doing to contain it?” Matt asked as they started walking again. Magnus sighed, “I gave them all the information I had, but they’re in a panic. They’re all young and completely unprepared for this. It’s going to be ugly Mathius and there isn’t a damn thing we can do about it. Seems like all the Southwest packs are headstrong and stupid, not one of them is over five centuries. If my sister hadn’t had her little one her mate never would have let her go. He’s got two more barely a century old.” Magnus stared up at the stars and shook his head, “We could try quarantine, but…” he trailed off and Matt nodded slowly. In the 1267 outbreak they’d quarantined half of Europe with simple road blocks. Now though there were trains, cars, planes, ships. If they tried to quarantine they could set off a panicked exodus and run the risk of infected continent hopping. “This is a mess.” Matt murmured.

Matt’s phone rang disturbing their heavy silence, taking a deep breath before answering he hoped Zack wouldn’t pick up on his mood. He wanted his mate to have fun tonight because tomorrow was going to be the start of a very serious and strict enforcement of new rules for their pack. “Hi love.” He murmured. Instead of the bouncy energy he was expecting, and hoping for, Zack’s voice came across tight and fearful. “Matt, there’s something wrong with Jimmy.”

*~*~*

After Matt left Zack was content to lie on the floor with his rhinoceros for about ten minutes and then he was up and prowling around the house for something to pounce on. He found a shoe and wrestled that into submission before flipping it across the room and chasing after it and rolling around on the floor for a few minutes until he grew bored with that game. He returned to his rhino and flopped onto his back staring at the shadows and lights on the ceiling. A long yawn snuck out of him and he rolled onto his side. He still had almost an hour before Jimmy and Johnny would show up. Plenty of time for a nap.

He jerked awake when hard, frantic pounding came from the back sliding door. He bolted to his feet but slunk toward the sound unsure of who would be that panicked and at their back door at nine o’ clock at night. Johnny’s terrified barks echoed through the house and Zack came sliding into the kitchen, unlocking the door and jerking it open. The smaller wolf bowled him over running into the house and then he slammed the door shut and locked it. Zack flipped over to his hands and knees and crawled over to the shaking puppy. Johnny was sweating and panting hard, as if he’d been full out sprinting for a long time, his skin pale and clammy, and his brown eyes were nearly black with fear. The overpowering stench of terror made Zack’s mouth dry and his stomach churn, Johnny’s sweet basil scent was completely buried. The sharp smell of blood and something else foul wafted off the pup as well.

“Johnny, what happened? What are you running from?” he whispered pulling the shaking wolf into his arms. Johnny’s teeth chattered and he cradled his bleeding arm against his chest. “Johnny, Jonathon, what is it puppy? Who hurt you?” Zack crooned softly. Johnny pressed hard against him and continued staring out into the backyard. Zack stopped trying to coax answers out of him and waited instead for his friend to calm himself.

From the backyard a wild, strained howl rose and fell making Zack’s hair stand on end. Johnny screamed and buried his head in Zack’s shoulder panting and shaking harder than before. A shadow broke from the night and stepped onto the back patio. “Jimmy?” Zack whispered. The wolf walked up to the sliding door stiff legged, as if his joints needed oil. Long strands of drool hung from his jaws, cotton balls of foam dropped to the flagstones. Even through the plexiglass Zack could hear his emphysemic breathing and a guttural growl. Sapphire blue eyes were veined with red, unfocused and unseeing. He continued stalking forward with his mechanical gait until his nose bumped the glass and then he went mad.

He lunged at the glass and hit it with a resounding whump, claws scrabbled across the slick surface and his long canines scored the glass. Johnny quaked in Zack’s arms and with every throaty, enraged bark and hit against the glass whimpers reached his ears.

As quickly as it had begun it ended. Jimmy backed into the shadows again, like a bull shark disappearing into the murk. Zack took a shaky breath and held Johnny tight against him, “It’s okay puppy. It’s okay.” He whispered. “I need to call Matt.” He said to himself. Johnny cowered against him crying and whimpering.

Another howl broke the night, close to the house. And Jimmy’s massive head slammed into the screen from the open window across the room. His weight carried half of him through and he lunged at Zack and Johnny. Zack threw Johnny off his lap in the direction of the front door. The puppy screamed and the shrill sound seemed to enrage Jimmy even more. He pulled the rest of himself through the window and stalked toward Zack. Panicked adrenaline flooded Zack’s system, he had no idea what was wrong with Jimmy but the wolf told him to run with Johnny. Instead he stood his ground and snarled at the other wolf. Though terrified, his wolf helped him. Zack snarled again and took a step toward Jimmy flashing his human teeth. The effect wasn’t as menacing as it would be in his wolf form, but the body language clearly said I am alpha, I said back off. Jimmy paused, but his growl didn’t cease. Zack let loose a low guttural growling snarl that would’ve made Matt think twice and took another step forward. Jimmy backed up and Zack pressed forward still growling. Jimmy’s unfocused eyes rolled around the room sightlessly. The hard bark Zack directed at the other wolf had him stumbling for the sliding door. Zack edged around him and flicked the lock sliding the door open so Jimmy could wander out. Once the wolf’s tail was free he slammed the door shut, locked it and darted around the downstairs slamming windows shut and locking them.

When the last window was shut and locked he sank down against the wall breathing hard. “Johnny?” he called. “Johnny he’s gone.” He swallowed and shakily got to his feet. His phone was on the kitchen table and he needed Matt. Johnny slunk from the shadows but stayed out of the kitchen while Zack grabbed his phone. Once he had his lifeline he took Johnny’s hand and dragged him upstairs.

Safe in the master bath with both the bedroom and bathroom door shut and locked Zack called Matt. Johnny’s head rested in his lap and his breathing was beginning to return to normal, he still whimpered but the large gash on his arm had to be paining him.

“Hi love.” Matt’s voice was soft, weary almost, and Zack felt a pang of guilt for heaping more on him. “Matt, there’s something wrong with Jimmy.” Johnny shuddered and he ran a soothing hand through his hair until the puppy calmed. A tense silence fell over the phone for half a beat before Matt said, “What do you mean by “wrong”?” There was something odd in his voice, like he was already guessing something and didn’t want it to be right. Zack ran a hand through his own hair tugging at a chunk before telling Matt what they had gone through. When he finished Matt cursed in a language that probably hadn’t been spoken in centuries. Then there was a gruffer voice in the background and Matt came back on the line. “Call Brian and tell him to stay away from Jimmy. Is Johnny bleeding? Did Jimmy scratch or bite him?” he asked tersely. Their ears sharper than humans Johnny could hear Matt’s side of the conversation as well as Zack and the puppy nodded hesitantly pulling his arm closer to his chest. Zack gave Matt Johnny’s answer and the alpha cursed again. “Wash it Zack, thoroughly, I don’t care if you dump rubbing alcohol on it, wash it. Now. I’ll be home soon.” And then the line cut off. Johnny was shaking again and cold fear slipped inside Zack.

“Come on puppy, we need to wash that.” Zack said softly. Johnny’s head lifted and he whimpered, “It stings.”

Zack dialed Brian’s number while he turned the sink on and got the water to a comfortable temperature. The older wolf didn’t pick up and after the second time he went to voicemail he left a short message and hung up. Johnny held his arm and stared at the floor, a picture of misery. Zack gave him a tight hug and kissed his temple, “I love you.” He murmured. Johnny sniffled and cuddled closer to him, “I-I love you too.” Zack tugged his wounded arm away from his chest and held it under the warm water. Johnny cringed and whimpered but let Zack wash the blood and dirt off. Remembering Matt’s curt instructions, he washed it twice before patting it dry. It didn’t look much better with the blood gone. His entire arm was puffy and tender to the touch.

“Did he bite you?” Zack asked. Even with his terrifying Jimmy encounter he couldn’t imagine the gentle giant biting his mate. The torn skin on Johnny’s arm though told a different story. Johnny pulled his arm against his chest again whimpering, “I don’t know what I did. I came downstairs and…and he was acting so weird. Just like he did at the door. He just stared at me and when I asked him what was wrong he went crazy.” He was shaking again. Downstairs a door slammed and both wolves went rigid. “Stay.” Zack told Johnny. The puppy sank down in front of the shower and watched Zack leave the room with fearful eyes.

In the bedroom he heard Matt’s muffled voice calling for him. Sweet relief hit him so hard his knees wobbled but he went over to the door and pulled it open. There in the hallway was the biggest wolf he had ever seen. Short light brown hair and a long tangled beard, he looked like he was an extra for a medieval movie. He turned at the sound of the door opening and Zack’s battle training kicked in. He would never survive a direct confrontation with the giant, he had to hit him now while he was distracted by the sound. With a bone shaking snarl he launched himself at the unknown wolf.

“Zachary!” Matt darted around the hulking wolf and caught his mate. Zack’s heart hammered in his chest, his mouth dry with fear, and his body weak with relief at seeing his mate. Matt crushed him against his chest murmuring to him until his heart slowed. A fearful yet defiant woof came from the bedroom and Johnny’s small wolf form huddled in the doorway watching the giant.

“It’s all right Johnny, he’s a friend.” Matt said. Zack loosened his hold on his mate and took a shaky breath, “Then you’re Magnus?” he asked the giant. The old wolf nodded, “For little ones, you’ve got some fight in you.” He said. Zack heard the sincerity of his words and blushed a little, “Sorry, it’s been a rough night.” He murmured. Matt let him go and they both went back to Johnny. Matt crouched down a foot from the door and patted the space in front of him, “Come here Johnny, where are you hurt?” his voice was calm and unruffled and Zack sat next to him soaking his voice in. Johnny crept forward still watching Magnus but he changed into his human form so Matt could inspect the bite. Muttering a very modern curse Matt let Johnny change to his wolf form again and got up. “I tried Brian twice, I left him a voicemail.” Zack said following with Johnny close behind. “I’ll finish securing downstairs Mathius.” Magnus said heading downstairs.

“Everything is locked.” Zack called to him, “It was bad enough the first time he got in.” he shuddered. Matt stopped and rounded on him, “He got in?” he yelled. There wasn’t any violence behind it but Johnny took off running to the guest bedroom and Zack snapped at his mate both for yelling at him and for scaring Johnny. Magnus stopped three stairs down and stared, “Is that when the puppy was bitten?” he asked. Zack shook his head, “No, he told me Jimmy bit him at home.” Matt ran his hands over him checking for injuries, under normal circumstances Zack wouldn’t have cared, maybe even enjoyed the extra attention. But tonight he was cranky, tired, and scared of what was happening to Jimmy so he snapped at Matt again. Matt backed off with a small growl of warning. Zack glared at him, “He didn’t touch me.” He snapped.

“How did you get him out without touching him?” Matt asked warily. Magnus’ quiet steps came closer. Zack shrugged impatiently, “I told him to leave, why does it matter?” Matt stared at him, “You just opened the door and told him to leave?” he didn’t believe a word of it. Zack growled and the singer changed his approach. “Zack, rabid wolves don’t just leave.”

“Jimmy’s…rabid? Like a dog?” Zack said. Now it was his turn for disbelief. Matt rolled his shoulders, “There’s been an outbreak of rabies in the southwest and apparently it’s made its way up here.”

“How in the hell did Jimmy get rabies?” Zack wanted to laugh. They were impervious to every kind of disease, except rabies? What next, they’d have to get flea collars and take heartworm medication? Matt’s gold eyes were serious though and Zack swallowed his laughter. “Rabies affects wolves and humans, since we are both wolf and human, yes, we can get rabies.”

“It’s a little more complicated than the family pet coming down with it though.” Magnus said. “It’s slow to catch with regular humans and wolves but it spreads like wildfire through our kind. Usually area packs can contain the outbreaks but someone slipped up over in Arizona and now it’s spreading.”

“How did you get him to leave?” Matt asked again. This time Zack’s shrug was a little more uncertain. “I don’t know…I just…I told him to leave. I don’t know how else to explain it.” From his side Johnny woofed his agreeance. Matt stared at him for another second and then shook his head, chalking it up to another one of his mate’s quirks.

Matt continued into the bedroom and went over to the desk ripping out a sheet of paper from a notebook. “Zacky,” he called softly scribbling on the sheet, “you need to take Johnny to The Doctor.” He said when his mate was beside him. Zack stared at him uncomprehending. Never once in his six hundred years had his pack needed a doctor. Matt handed him the paper, “The Doctor lives in Phoenix, Arizona. You need to get Johnny to him.” Johnny whimpered at his feet. Zack picked Johnny up off the floor and cradled him against his chest, “You just told me this entire thing started in Arizona and now you want me to take him there?”

“It’s not ideal, Zack, but unless you want him to end up like Jimmy you need to get him there, now.” Matt said.

“It would be best to fly under the radar on this one Mathius. The Phoenix packs are terrified of sickness and they won’t be welcoming towards strangers.” Magnus advised. Matt nodded. Zack blinked and looked at the bearded wolf, “You want me to just drive to Phoenix and skip territory greetings?” this time a small hysterical laugh did escape him. Unlike regular humans they couldn’t just wander wherever they pleased. Packs had territories and any wolf crossing through those territories had to seek permission from the alphas. Skipping territory greetings, depending on the pack, could range from permanent banishment to death if the pack caught the interloper. Matt kissed his forehead. “The Doctor has his own territory, it’s not big, but the Phoenix pack can’t contest you once you’re in. Just don’t get lost.” He whispered.

“How big is this territory?” Zack asked. Matt scratched behind Johnny’s ears, “Not big, a few blocks. Think of it as the Vatican.” He said. “You need to go, the sooner Johnny gets the antibodies the faster he’ll recover.” This time Matt pressed a soft kiss to his lips, “Be careful, love. I won’t lose you again.” He whispered. Zack hugged Johnny closer and with a curt nod in Magnus’ direction he put Johnny down, grabbed his clothes and they headed for the garage.

*~*~*

Brian watched the waves roll in like he did almost every night. They were the only things that really soothed him now. The constant rush of water raking pebbles in and out along the sand and rock beach connected him with the long lost rhythm of the world. Behind him massive old growth trees sheltered his true wolf cousins. They called to each other, their hunt song rising over the other sounds of the night. The wolf within ached to join them, to run on the hunt like they used to. How could he see his pack every day and still miss them so much? The gnawing loneliness that had driven him to the beach again chewed through him and nothing the waves did could settle it.

Lifting his nose from his paws he howled for the moon, asked her to make the loneliness go away. Her half face didn’t answer and he set his head down again whimpering quietly.

xXx
A/N: Can I just say, the amount of warnings listed seems like it would put off most people, lol. I’ve got all sorts of surprises in store =) As a heads up though, it’s going to be a slow update. Probably on the weekends.
Thank you for reading and reviewing <3
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Outbreak