Adult-FanFiction.org : Celebrity

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
- 2
- 3
- 4
Phoenix, AZ
            Close to sunrise Zack pulled up to the address Matt had scribbled on the note card. Johnny was sleeping restlessly and his temperature had spiked in the last hour. “Johnny, wake up puppy.” Zack whispered. Johnny groaned and didn’t wake. Zack scratched behind his ears and stroked his muzzle, “Wake up, puppy. We’re here.” He looked at the dusty yard, everything in Phoenix looked sun scorched and brittle. The doctor’s ranch house had little prickly lumps of cacti lining the cement walkway. It was very Feng Shui, zigzagging all the way to the door. Colorful rocks, the size of basketballs, sat between the cacti. Large bay windows balanced the façade and gossamer white curtains blew in the dry breeze. Polished bronze lined the window frames and matched the dark door in the recessed doorway setting off the cream colored bricks. In the back yard, palm trees towered over the house. The door opened and a slender black man stepped out. Zack’s hackles went up and he tried to smooth them over as the man stared at the car. They were in the doctor’s territory and had no right to be aggressive. He looked down at Johnny’s overheated body and rubbed his ears again. Schooling his features he opened the door and scooped Johnny into his arms.
            The man waited for him to approach and for that he was thankful. If he’d tired to come down the quaint walkway Zack wouldn’t have stopped the growl fighting to come out. As it was, Zack stopped about six feet from the man tightening his hold on the puppy. Sniffing the wind he relaxed. The man smelled like sun baked earth, dry grass, and something else he couldn’t identify; something wild and somehow familiar.
            “You’re Zachary?” The man asked in a pleasant tenor. Zack nodded trying to stay polite. The man smiled showing bright white teeth, “Your mate called a few hours ago. Matthias, or Matthew now, and I go a long way back. Bring the puppy in and we’ll get him well again.” He turned and led Zack into a bright and cozy home. Walls painted with just a touch of blue were decorated with paintings and pictures of dozens of people. The doctor led him through a living room with lived in furniture and a modest television, past a study that looked like it had been designed and stocked in the seventeenth century with floor to ceiling shelves of books and odd knick knacks scattered throughout. “My name is Tau, by the way. Most just call me The Doctor.” The man said entering the kitchen and pulling open a decorative door that had “Pantry” etched in the frosted glass. Zack paused on the threshold and watched Tau pull the floor up revealing a well lit stairwell. “That is so cool.” He said watching Tau descend. The Doctor’s warm laugh echoed up the stairs and Zack started down after him.

            At the bottom a sterile but comfortable room welcomed him. Two stainless steel tables, cabinets, and jars full of swabs and tongue depressors filled most of the room. There was a plush black leather couch pushed against one wall and impressionist paintings softened the harsh lines of the room. Tau gestured to one of the tables, “Matthew gave me the timeline over the phone. Is he feverish?” The Doctor asked pulling out needles, tape, scissors, and an IV bag.
            “Yes, it started about an hour ago.” Zack whispered setting Johnny on the table. The puppy whimpered and his eyes cracked open. His tongue lolled out wetting his dry nose and his eyes closed again. “Oh my puppy.” Zack whispered. He scratched his shoulder blade, brow furrowing deeper as a blast of heat hit his fingers. The Doctor got his equipment set up and came over to the table. “All right, this is a long term treatment. A week if he responds well, could be longer if he’s resistant. Is he more comfortable in his wolf form or human? Once I get the IV in he won’t be able to shift back and forth until it’s out.”
            “It’ll be less stressful in his wolf form.” Zack said. The Doctor nodded and went to a drawer pulling out clippers and a muzzle. Zack held his puppy’s head against his chest when Tau held out the muzzle. “It can come off once the IV is in, it’s for both our safety. IVs aren’t pleasant and he may snap.” Zack took the blue scrap of canvas and slipped it over Johnny’s muzzle and secured it behind his head. Johnny woke up and gave a half-hearted shake of his head and tried to paw it off. Zack rubbed his ears and whispered softly to him until he stilled again. Tau buzzed enough fur off his good leg to insert the IV needle. Johnny tried to squirm away but Zack held him and scratched his back. Once the IV was in The Doctor moved to the injured leg and clipped around the ragged slash clucking his tongue. “Bites are the worst.” He murmured. Zack kissed Johnny’s head and watched Tau work in silence.
            Now that The Doctor was closer Zack could smell him better and while he cleaned deep wound Zack puzzled out the odd scent. “You smell like a puma.” He blurted out. Immediately, he clamped his mouth shut and a blush burned his cheeks. The Doctor stopped what he was doing and gave Zack a quizzical look, “I smell like a puma?” His dark eyes were confused and then lit from the inside. “So the rumors are true.” He whispered. Zack blinked and took his turn at being confused, “What rumors?”
            Tau’s white teeth appeared again as he returned to his work, “There have been rumors for centuries, first that Matthias had finally taken a mate and then of a wolf with an odd sense of smell.” He put the clippers down and went back to the cabinets while Zack stared at him. “There are rumors about me?” He knew the humans had rumors about him, but wolves? The Doctor pulled a cotton swab out of a jar and disinfectant down from a cabinet. “Of course, gossip keeps us connected and sane. Although, more than one wolf was recommended for a psych evaluation when they passed on the rumor of your nose.” He chuckled. Johnny whined when he started to clean the heart of the wound. Zack pressed his nose into his scruff and breathed in his sweet basil scent. “I didn’t know that…why do wolves care if I’m Matt’s mate?” That was like the humans and their celebrities and wolves usually had more pressing things to deal with than who was mated to whom.
            Tau finished cleaning the wound and put his supplies away before he answered. “Matthias,” he said slowly, “is a very old wolf.” He took the muzzle off and Johnny sighed in his sleep. Tau scratched behind his ears smiling, “Old wolves are powerful things and the few that are left have mated with strategic packs.” He went over to the sink and pulled a metal bowl from a hanging cabinet and filled it with water. “Most wolves assumed when, or if, Matthias mated he would do the same.” He said setting the bowl down by Johnny’s nose. The small wolf’s ears twitched but his eyes stayed closed. Tau sighed and then nodded toward the couch, “He’ll drink when he gets the strength.” Zack gave his puppy’s muzzle and final stroke and followed Tau to the couch.
            Once they were settled Tau continued speaking, “There are quite a few packs out there that have been hoping to get Matthias’ attention. I can see why he’s had no use for them.” The Doctor smiled and Zack ducked his head. “Having rumors circulating that Matthias had selected a mate put every wolf on edge since it was never said who his mate was. That’s why the rumors are floating around, packs are trying to scare each other out of territory fights by insinuating they’ve married off some member to The Roman.” Zack laughed, “All that and he picked a dirty peasant boy.”
            “He changed you then?” Tau asked, there was a touch of surprise in his voice and Zack nodded. “It was my decision.” He added softly. Tau seemed to think that over and nodded slowly, “Then you’ve come into this life happier than most. Tell me, is Brian still with Matthias?”
            “He is, and cranky as ever.” Zack smiled. Tau laughed, “That wolf bleeds vinegar.” Johnny’s tail flipped once on the table and Zack got off the couch to check on the small wolf. Johnny’s usually light eyes were dull with fever but his ears pricked forward and his tail thumped again when Zack worked his fingers into his thick scruff. “You’ll feel better soon, puppy.” Zack murmured. Dipping his fingers into the cool water he wetted Johnny’s hot and dry nose. Johnny sighed and inched his way forward until he could press his nose against Zack’s stomach. Smoothing his fur down Zack said, “I won’t let anything hurt you.”
            “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen an alpha like you Zackary.” Tau’s soft voice almost didn’t cover the distance between them. Zack raised his head, for a moment he’d forgotten The Doctor was still in the room. Without pausing in his petting Zack asked, “What do you mean?” he dipped his fingers in the water again trying to coax Johnny into drinking. Johnny splayed his paws out, pressing his belly against the cooler metal but didn’t bother with the water. Tau leaned forward on the couch with his hands clasped between his legs. “Most alphas nowadays are young, inexperienced. They’re looking to keep their position and not so much concerned about the welfare of the pack.” he smiled a little, “If you want an old wolf’s opinion it’s because they’ve got it so easy now. Back in the day, a healthy pack was the difference between a good hunt and a hungry belly. Not anymore, now they just go to the store and pick up what they want, there’s no real need any more to monitor the pack’s health.” he shook his head with a wistful sigh, “Not a hundred years ago I could go months without seeing a patient, now it seems I get one every week.”
            “Why do wolves come to you?” Zack asked. He paused a second and then covered his mouth red-faced, “I didn’t mean that, like it sounded.” he mumbled. Tau laughed, “It’s all right, I understand what you mean. Why does a nearly immortal race need a doctor? The wounds we inflict on each other take awhile to heal and if they’re deep then we do run the risk of some nasty infections. There’s also silver poisoning, some wolves are extremely reactive to it and if they’re not given quick treatment it can be fatal. So we have a scattering of doctors to keep us healthy.”
            “How many Doctors are there?” Zack asked. He had never heard of any until now so there couldn’t be that many. Tau said, “There’s about one per continent. Roque in Europe, Qi in Asia, Samael in Australia, and Lupé in South America, and there are two in Africa Mala and Hake. And of course me in North America.”
            “Do you ever move?”

            “Not as often as most wolves. We like to keep one Doctor on each continent so if one of us wants a really dramatic change of scenery it requires a lot of coordination with the others.”
            Johnny nudged his stomach as he tried to get his feverish body comfortable on the steel slab. Zack forgot his line of questioning when the puppy squirmed and did his best to soothe him. Tau sighed, “I wish half the wolves on this continent were like you, I’d take a third. All the old wolves have gone back to their home countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.” he shook his head, “I talk to my colleagues and they’re bored, bored, they never have patients and I’ve got a new wolf every week. I can’t stand it, all these young wolves coming in, some of them not even a century old. It’s all stupid, avoidable injuries; bites from in-pack fighting, a punishment gone too far. It was once a blue moon I had to deal with that and now it’s more common than silver poisoning.” Tau ended his rant by smacking the arm of the couch.
            Zack hugged Johnny’s head against his stomach. He could feel the hair on the back of his neck starting to rise and did his best to smooth it over. Their pack had their arguments of course but he couldn’t imagine using teeth or claws against his friends. Tau nodded, “You are what they call “Old School” Zack.” He leaned back again and crossed a leg over his knee, “Which really isn’t a surprise, everyone knew The Roman would pick someone special. All those flakes and power hungry bitches never once caught his eye.”
            “Why do you call him The Roman?” Zack wasn’t used to unknown wolves talking so much about him. It was one thing for mortals to do it, but wolf gossip was a new concept for him and unnerving. He tried getting Johnny to drink again while The Doctor answered. “Because he’s the only one.” Tau said simply. Zack looked up surprised, “The only one? The only Roman wolf?” It was impossible. In the centuries the Roman Empire had lasted and its massive reach across Europe not one other person had been changed? Tau chuckled, “No, he’s certainly not the only Roman to be changed but he is the only Roman aristocrat to have been changed. Matthias was quite important in his human life, he would have been a high ranking senator had he stayed mortal.”
            “He never told me that.” Zack said softly, “He said his father was a merchant.” Why had Matt lied to him? He tried to keep the hurt out of his body language but it was a pretty hard blow to shake off. Tau sensed his discomfort and added, “He does come from a family of merchants, in Rome wealth made senators, not elections.” his tone was meant for encouragement but Zack only felt worse. His mate hadn’t trusted him with his real past. Even if he hadn’t actively encouraged the lie, his silence on the subject was just as painful. Johnny sighed in his sleep and Zack pushed his mate’s behavior away to deal with later. “How do you catch a rabid wolf?” a shudder went through him as he recalled Jimmy’s demonic behavior. Tau cocked his head to the side, “Catch? You don’t catch rabid wolves, you kill them.”
*~*~*
Orange County, CA
            Matt knocked on the front door before letting himself in. Brian was still sitting on the floor in the kitchen, too tired and heartsick to move. The others didn’t come to his house, they mostly met at the alphas’ house, occasionally at Jimmy and Johnny’s but not since he had bought the place six years ago had any of his pack been inside. Matt paused in the doorway taking in the empty rooms. Sun glinted on the dark wood floors unobstructed by anything, not even a card table. The walls were still realtor white, no pictures or any type of adornment on them. Brian pulled his legs up to his chest hoping Matt wouldn’t comment on any of it.
The older wolf continued in shutting the door behind him and locking it. “Puppy, you’re a mess.” he said sitting next to him pulling leaves from his hair. Brian knocked his hand away, “When are we going to do this?” he asked. Matt sighed and reclined on his elbows. “Will you follow me again on a completely insane venture?” he asked. Brian growled, “You’re games aren’t amusing on good days, they’re blasphemous now.” it felt like the moisture in his eyes had been replaced with acid when he blinked. Muscles stiff from the run and his tantrum ached and his empty stomach churned.
“I’m not playing a game Brian.” Matt said quietly. Brian rubbed his eyes hoping to alleviate the burning and looked at the old wolf. There was no light in his hazel eyes, only century old weariness. “What is this crazy plan then, wolf?” Brian asked. Matt took a deep breath, “I want to catch him.” The quiet words hung in the empty house, reverberated off the walls and trembled in the floorboards. Brian stared at The Roman, “You’ve finally lost it.” he whispered. Matt sat up and rubbed his forehead, “I know, Brian, but do you remember the rumors?” he asked. Brian shook his head, a slightly hysterical laugh spilling out of him, “The rumors? The goddamn rumors?” He shifted to his knees and cupped Matt’s face. He hadn’t shaved yet and the sandpaper roughness brought back memories centuries old. Brian tried to shrug them off, “I don’t want to hurt him either,” he whispered, “but those rumors were bullshit and we both know it.” Matt’s hazel eyes reflected gold in the sunlight and Brian dropped his hands as more memories fought to surface.
“I’m beginning to rethink that bullshit.” Matt said. Brian squeezed his eyes shut trying to kick start his sleep deprived brain, “There was nothing in those rumors Matthias. Just wolves trying to ease the pain of losing their families, they were looking for hope. It was a stupid empty hope, infectious as the disease.” Matt’s rough fingers slid along his jaw line. The unexpected touch made him jump but he leaned into it after the shock wore off.
“Go to sleep puppy, we can talk more later.” Matt murmured. The hand moved to his shoulder and pulled him toward the other wolf. Brian pressed his nose against Matt’s neck breathing in his scent. Not much had changed over the years, he smelled more of chemicals with the body wash and shampoo but underneath that was the familiar smell of skin and sweat. Brian pressed close to the alpha sliding into sleep, his head dipped down to his shoulder and familiar fingers stroked the back of his neck.
*~*~*
Lombardy Empire 1267
Brian tried to school his breathing as he peered through the dense bushes and thick trees. Sickness was in the air everywhere they went. The mad wolf that had been chasing him had either given up or was stepping with more care. Heart thudding he shifted back to his wolf form and breathed deep trying to find the hell hound. It was everywhere, touched every leaf and timid blade of spring grass. Mad wolves had been crossing through this forest for a long time and now his pursuer was blending with the old scents. The urge to howl for Matthias was almost overwhelming, but if the wolf hadn’t given up the sound would only enrage him further. A twig snapped, leaves rustled. Without looking to the sound Brian exploded from the underbrush sprinting as fast from the wolf as he could. A guttural bark and snap followed his panicked passage.
Trees whizzed by, sometimes close enough to brush his whiskers, roots and logs conspired to trip him and it felt like the mad wolf’s breath was right on his tail. He vaulted a stand of bushes and yelped when the earth dropped from under him. A deep ravine padded with rocks and fallen trees waited for him as soon as gravity took over. The rabid wolf’s snarl was devoid of fear, filled with only single minded menace as they fell together.
Brian bounced off a rotting tree and slammed into the ground. He shifted back to human before he stopped rolling and tried to find his feet again. Shooting pain radiated from his arm and hip, reaching for a rock he searched for the rabid wolf. The too familiar whistle of an arrow in the air was followed by a high yelp and silence.
“Don’t move puppy, I’ll be down in a moment.” Matt called. The rock slipped from Brian’s fingers and he closed his eyes, relief so potent his body trembled. Rocks clattered and soil sprinkled down after them and instead of sickness there was Matt’s ancient scent. Gentle hands ran over his shoulders and down to his hip causing him to whimper.
“Hang on, Brian. We’ll get somewhere safe.” The Roman promised. Brian stayed lax when the older wolf hefted him into his arms. Off the ground the stink of fevered blood was strong, he opened his eyes long enough to make sure the other wolf was truly dead and then pressed his nose against Matt’s neck.
He woke up when Matt’s warm body was replaced with unyielding stone. Dull throbbing pain came from his arm and injured hip but it was easily ignored as he watched The Roman pace around the shallow cave. There was the fresh tang of water in the air and Brian pushed himself into a sitting position trying to hide the lingering pain. “Where are we?” he whispered. Matt ended his pacing and instead sat next to him, “a few good miles from the village. I’m hoping the water will keep anyone off our trail.” He brushed Brian’s hair off his forehead, “How badly are you hurting?” he asked. Brian allowed himself to rest his head against the older wolf’s chest. Normally Matt’s coddling made him curl his lip but, for today, it was welcomed. “Once I change again I’ll be fine.” he mumbled.
“How bad off was the village?” Brian asked after a moment. Since the outbreak they hadn’t ventured into a village together, opting instead to keep one waiting in the trees in case the entire population was mad. Matt’s scent changed and Brian closed his eyes wishing he had left well enough alone. “Humans are dead, most of the pack is dead from fever and fighting, those that aren’t have slipped into the forest.” he wrapped his arms around Brian’s shoulders when the other wolf shuddered.
“Should we burn it?” Brian murmured. He didn’t want to go anywhere near that place ever again, but it would be more dangerous if other animals came into contact with the diseased corpses. Matt’s fingers ran down the back of his neck, easing out the tension. “I don’t know. The forest is dry, it wouldn’t take a hard breeze to burn the entire thing.” from his tone of voice Brian knew that was what he had been pacing over. He sat up, “The forest will re-grow, how many of those wolves are still roaming?”
“Enough I’m wary of returning so soon.” Matt answered. He stood up again, “I’m going to hunt before it gets dark.” pressing a quick kiss to Brian’s forehead he shifted and trotted out. Brian watched him go and tried to stamp down the panic welling in him.
*~*~*
Present Day, Phoenix, AZ
            Zack stared at Tau uncomprehending and then down at Johnny and the IV. Tau stood up, “Your puppy will be fine, he’s getting the treatment he needs. Wolves that have fully succumbed to the virus, there’s no helping them.” he explained. Zack looked at Johnny again, the puppy was still lost in fevered sleep. Zack kissed the top of his head. “Don’t tell him.” he whispered. This was too much. What were they going to do? Johnny had never spent a day in their pack without his mate by his side. Zack shuddered and tried to calm his churning stomach, even in sleep Johnny would pick up on his mood and he didn’t want his puppy stressing right now. “I need to call my mate.” Zack said. Tau nodded, “Cell reception is a little sketchy down here, reinforced steel ceiling, but your puppy will be safe here while you call.” He led the way to the stairwell and Zack looked back at Johnny’s sleeping form again as he climbed the stairs.
            “I’ll start on dinner, you can use the backyard.” Tau said as they came out of the pantry. Zack looked at him surprised, he hadn’t intended on having the other wolf take care of him while he was here. Without looking back Tau chuckled, “I didn’t add any fast food or stores into my territory, so you’re stuck with me until your puppy is well. Paul is the alpha on this side of Phoenix, he’s not pleasant under the best circumstances and this sickness outbreak has him at his wit’s end.” he pulled two pots from a cabinet and set to work on dinner while Zack slipped out the back door.
            Matt picked up on the third ring, his voice was soft but filled with relief, “I was getting worried.” he said. Zack swallowed and scuffed at the yellow-green grass near the edge of Tau’s yard. He didn’t think The Doctor would actively drop in on his conversation but he wanted to keep temptation at bay. “Puppy, what’s wrong? You’re at Tau’s aren’t you?” Matt asked. Looking up the trunk of an enormous palm tree Zack nodded, “We’re here, Johnny’s sleeping.” he said softly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

            “Tell you what?” The confusion in Matt’s voice was genuine. Zack hugged the tree to his side, “You made it sound like you would catch Jimmy and we’d get him better again.” his nails dug into the hard skin of the tree. Matt was silent, “Zacky…” he said after a moment and then stopped. “Zachary, I…you told me you made Jimmy turn away.” he started again, “There were rumors,” he stopped again, “Brian and I are going to try and catch him.” he finally said. “I didn’t tell you anything because…well, if any other wolf knew our entire pack would be labeled as mad and if it doesn’t work we will have to put him down.”
            White sunlight seared Zack’s eyes intermittently as the fronds above danced in the wind. “Matthias,” he stopped as sour guilt welled up his throat. “I don’t want you to get hurt.” The words were bitter, but true. The green fronds blurred with the sunlight and a tear dribbled from the corner of his eye. Matt’s silence filled the line. “I know, love. I won’t risk the rest of this pack for Jimmy, but, I can’t not try. This is our family, Zacky. And I will do whatever it takes to keep us whole and healthy.” Matt’s voice was almost lost in the light breeze and Zack sealed the hard plastic against his ear. “I love you, Matty. We’ll be home in a week.” Zack kept his eyes closed until the photo negative of the tree disappeared.
            “I love you too, Zacky. Keep your guard up, Tau is a nice, but he’ll freely pass on anything you tell him.” Matt said. Zack snapped his phone shut and stared at the smooth bark next to him for another moment, unsettled. Tau seemed well versed in gossip, but Matt’s last remark had sounded like a warning. Zack thought back to the conversation he and Tau had, had he told the old wolf anything he wasn’t supposed to? He glanced over his shoulder on the pretense of checking the neighbor’s yard. Tau was standing at the sink by the back window, he couldn’t have heard Zack’s conversation from there but if he had stayed on the back patio he wouldn’t have had any problem. Zack glanced at his phone again and a frustrated growl worked up his throat. Why did Matt have to be so goddamn cryptic with everything? It would save everyone a lot of hassle if he would just tell people what he wanted to do.
            After a few deep breaths Zack regained enough of his composure to walk back to the house. Stepping inside he didn’t feel as comfortable as he had when he left. Tau bustled around the kitchen boiling water, chopping vegetables, and pulling things out of the fridge. “How’s your mate doing?” his tone was light, a little distracted as he quartered an eggplant. Zack rubbed his temple and swallowed the comment waiting on his tongue. “Glad we made it here.” He watched Tau work for a moment and tried to shake off the comfortable feeling he had with the wolf. Something about him made Zack feel at home. “What would you like me to do?” he asked. Tau tossed the vegetables into a pot and waved toward the pantry, “You’re welcome to go back with your puppy. This should only take an hour or so.” he stuck the cutting board under hot water and zipped over the refrigerator again. Zack walked into the pantry again and disappeared downstairs.
*~*~*
A/N: Okay, feel free to yell at me. I took entirely too long getting this up, but I promise I’m working diligently and I’ll try to get the next chapter up in a more timely fashion. :)
Thank you for reading and reviewing <3
- 2
- 3
- 4
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Outbreak