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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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Orange County, CA
            Brian rose to consciousness without hurry. Matt’s body was warm against his back and his scent too familiar and comforting to rush into the waking world. Half-dreaming still, the chirp of evening birds became the shrill shriek of gulls over the Mediterranean coast. Matt’s hand ran up and down his side languidly, lulling him further into dreams. After a quick second of debate Brian rolled over and pressed his cheek against the soft material of Matt’s shirt. Despite being more awake now, the trade was the soft thump of Matt’s heart and the hand on his side sliding down to rest on his hip. How many days had he woken like this? How many years did he take it for granted?
            “You’re cuddly this evening.” Matt’s voice thrummed through his chest. Brian pretended he didn’t hear. For the first time in months, years, the pain was gone and he was happy to be awake and he wasn’t giving that up. Matt’s heavy sigh whispered through his chest and Brian burrowed his head further against his shoulder hoping he could keep whatever unpleasant thing The Roman was going to say out of his head. The hand on his hip slid to his back and strong fingers ran along the dip of his spine. No one else in the world knew how much he hated that. Except Rai. And she was a thousand years dead and dust. He swatted at the hand growling but was still reluctant to leave his comfortable position.
            “Come on Brian.” Matt said removing his hand and getting to his feet, “we have a wolf to catch.” He looked out the window, face half shadow and bad spray-tan orange from the sunset. As soon as Matt’s body was gone it all came rushing back. Brian stayed on the floor a moment longer trying to hide his shaking. The yawning hole inside opened wider than ever as his drowsing dreams collapsed on themselves. Matt wasn’t his, he hadn’t been for nearly a millennia, it had been centuries since he’d had anyone. Once he was certain he wouldn’t collapse as soon as his feet were under him he climbed to his feet. “Now, how the hell do you plan on doing this?” his voice was rough but Matt didn’t take notice, probably contributing it to sleep. He walked away from Matt and hopped up on the counter of the island clasping his hands together to keep the tremors to a minimum. Their voices echoed in the empty house. There was nothing to absorb the sound. He had nothing.
*~*~*
Phoenix, AZ
            Zack stroked the velvet fur behind Johnny’s ears only half-aware of his surroundings, his mind bouncing and ricocheting from one subject to another. He had to spend a week with Tau and Matt’s enigmatic message was less than helpful. How did he talk to the other wolf? What could he tell and not tell? “I am horribly under-socialized.” He muttered. Johnny’s paws twitched as he dreamed but that was his only comment. Zack rested his chin on top of his puppy’s head as his abused thoughts continued to bang against his skull. What were they going to do about Jimmy? Even worse, what was he going to do with Johnny? The pup would be inconsolable. Zack’s stomach twisted and he said a quiet prayer the puppy would stay asleep a day longer, giving him time to work out what he would tell him.
*~*~*
            Zack blinked to clear his vision, how long had he been drifting in thoughts? Tau’s scent was fresh and strong. Zack turned and saw The Doctor standing on the stairs, he flashed his white teeth and chuckled “I was hoping you’d wake up. Wolves are unpredictable when they’re lost in thought. Dinner is ready.” He trotted up the stairs again and Zack pressed another kiss to Johnny’s head before he went up to join him.
            The dinner was surprisingly exotic, not in content but in preparation. The veal was cooked so tender it almost melted on Zack’s tongue leaving behind an array of spices and flavorings. Steamed nuts along with sides of okra, sweet potatoes and eggplant made for a light yet filling feast.
            “Where did you find this?” Zack asked, he was trying not to stuff his face but it was hard to resist a second and third helping. Tau smiled broadly, “It’s an African dish, I find not many on this continent know it so I like to show off for guests.” He speared another piece of meat and after a moment Zack did the same. “Where did you learn it?” he took his time eating to keep up appearances. He could have, wanted to, wolf the thing down in one bite. Tau took a few bites before he answered. “I was born and raised in Africa, my clan the Masaai are a warriors and herders. This is a traditional dish I’ve tweaked over the centuries as modern conveniences and spices came along.” He took another bite and smiled, “my people would never recognize it but they would love it.”
            Zack’s hunger was overshadowed by his curiosity. “You’re from Africa?” he was a little embarrassed by the awe in his voice, “I’ve never met anyone directly from Africa, wolf or man.” He explained. Tau nodded, “I get the same reaction everywhere I go. Most just assume I was a slave brought over. I seem to be twice as interesting when they realize I came here of my own free will.” They ate in silence for a few more minutes until Zack pushed his plate away with a too-full sigh. “So,” he started, “what was it like growing up in Africa?”
            “Oh, a lot different from growing up in Europe I suppose.” Tau said crossing his fork and knife over his empty plate. “We were herders, not so much now since the government thinks we need to be “civilized” but I digress. I don’t t think anything of my childhood is too spectacular, fairly normal as Masaai go. I helped my mother with firewood collecting, root gathering and things like that until I was old enough to watch the cattle while they grazed. When I was fourteen I went through my initiation into manhood; circumcision, in our hunting party I won the lion’s tail, and then I was sent out to tend cattle on my own for about seven years. It was on my way back to my village when I was attacked and changed.”
            Zack stared at him wide-eyed, “you hunted a lion?” he was going to have to do some serious re-evaluation of the good-natured Doctor. Tau got up and began clearing the table, Zack jumped up to help. “That’s the part that catches everyone’s attention.” The Doctor laughed. Zack felt his cheeks burn with a blush, “Sorry, we don’t have many lions in Europe.” Tau took his dishes and laughed again, “No, no it’s fine. In the Masaai tradition hunting parties of four or five boys go out and kill a male lion to show their courage and hunting skill. The lion tail is the prize; you only get it if you can grab it while the lion is still alive. That’s the pinnacle of courage right there and I will say, I’m glad I peed before we started that venture.”
            Zack was staring again, “you literally caught a lion by the tail.” He said completely floored. The only time he had seen a lion in the wild was on TV, he’d gotten within twenty feet of one at the zoo and even with the three fences separating them he had felt a thrill. As a wolf he would hesitate tangling with a fully grown lion, if not flat out run from it. Tau had done it fully human. “Holy hell.” He said. Tau nodded, “you appreciate the strength of the lion, most think it would be easy. All they’ve seen are the poor cats locked up at the zoo, they’ve never seen them hunt or fight. They do sleep a great deal, but it’s a light sleep and they wake up ready to fight. It’s no small thing to hunt one, more than once a hunting party came back carrying a body or two.” Tau waved him off from getting more dishes, “Don’t worry about it, dishwashers are a magical thing. If you’d like, you can walk off dinner. I’ve got the surrounding six blocks and in the evening the heat is bearable.”
            Zack was about to shake his head but changed his mind. A whole day of confinement caught up to him and his muscles buzzed with restless energy. “Are you sure you don’t need help?” he asked. Tau began putting dishes in the dishwasher, “Absolutely, go out and enjoy the air. It’ll help your stress level.”
            Outside the heat had receded a great deal as cool desert night air swept over the city. The air was clearer and the new smells had Zack’s nose interested. Six blocks wasn’t much, he could run thirty miles without much of a problem, but a couple laps would be enough to take the edge off. Out on the street it was surprisingly busy, it seemed like the whole neighborhood was out and about walking dogs, visiting neighbors, and kids playing in the street. A few people gave him a second look but dismissed him, Tau probably had all kinds of odd people coming and going at strange hours.
            He hit the edge of Tau’s territory far too soon and started walking perpendicular to the scent markers on the sidewalk. Ahead of him a woman power walked with her golden retriever. The dog hadn’t quite picked up the concept of “heel” yet and darted ahead to terrorize some rodent or bird, dragging the woman along for the ride. Zack tried not to laugh and looked at the cookie cutter houses surrounding him. In every lighted window the same living room set up greeted him. Couch, coffee table, recliner, children’s toys, and occasionally the family cropped up every time. Tau’s neighborhood was way too Stepford Wives for his taste.
            Ahead of him the goofy golden froze and stared hard across the street, hackles up and a frightening growl that didn’t fit his previous behavior filled the air. The woman stared at her dog and tried to pull it along. Zack started walking away from the pair, the dog wouldn’t budge until his scent was clear from the air. A lingering warm breeze blew through down the street bringing with it an infected scent he didn’t want to become familiar with. Whirling around he searched the shadows for the wolf, the lady was still trying to get her dog to move. The golden continued staring across the street, but its stance was wider and more aggressive. Zack started running to the pair, he had no idea what he was going to do but he had to get them off the street.
            A shadow detached from the side of a house and began a clumsy stalk toward the two. The woman stared at the wolf for a second then jerked hard enough on the leash to pull the dog off balance and began running. The wolf stumbled and fell on its face but once it regained its feet took off after the pair. Zack tried to remember how he’d dealt with Jimmy, his wolf was having no part in the discussion though. It screamed for him to run and leave the woman to fend for herself. The rabid wolf was gaining ground on the two despite their flat out run. Johnny’s scream had made Jimmy mad. He came to a stop and whistled high and loud. The wolf stumbled and fell. It got to its feet, woman and dog forgotten and began running at Zack. Without asking the wolf took over and he was tearing down the sidewalk at full speed.
He blew past the scent markers straight into Phoenix pack territory. The wolf was still behind him, its breath watery and coughing. Ahead were the sounds of busy traffic, he tried to run faster. The wolf snapped, metallic click of teeth still a few feet back but Zack yelped anyway. The small suburban street widened into a busy intersection. His light was green, then yellow. Saying a quick prayer he ran into cross traffic. Horns, tires, screams assaulted his ears and burning rubber and hot brakes covered all other smells. Behind him there was a solid bomp and more brakes. Zack made it to the other side of the street and looked back. The rabid wolf lay in the street in front of an SUV tongue plastered to the hot asphalt and unmoving. He sank down in front of a light pole shaking and trying to breathe. People scrambled from their cars yelling obscenities and questions. The couple in the SUV got out and saw the wolf.
“Don’t touch it, it’s rabid.” He yelled getting to his feet again when the two made a move to check the wolf for life. The other sounds quieted and everyone looked at him, the couple backed away from the wolf. Someone grabbed Zack’s shoulder and spun him around. Through the clogging stench of tire and brake a very angry wolf scent greeted him. He stared at the wolf still trembling, “You must be Phoenix alpha.” He said. He was in a lot of trouble.
*~*~*
Orange County, CA
            “Before you run out waving your sword, how in the hell are we going to catch and then hold a rabid wolf. And that’s before you take his size into account, he practically looks us in the eye.” Brian said, his mouth was still dry but the tremors were slowing. If he could stall Matt another minute he would be able to act normal. Matt came over and hopped up on the island next to him, “I think a nice knock to the head would be enough. He’s rabid, not super human.” The warm scent of his skin branded Brian’s nose. A night and day away from Zack had faded the scent of their bond, he almost smelled the way he had before. After tonight the scent would be only memory. Brian shivered and wrapped his arms around his stomach hugging himself. Matt rested his cheek on the black wolf’s shoulder, “I know, puppy.” He murmured. Brian clenched his teeth to keep from screaming. No he didn’t. He didn’t have a fucking clue.
            “Where are you going to put him?” Brian asked shaking Matt off and dropping to the floor. Matt sighed and stared into the backyard again, “probably their basement.” He didn’t seem sold on the idea though. Brian gave him a skeptical look, “their basement has outside entry and they have incredibly nosey neighbors. Or did you forget that police encounter.” Brian said. At three in the morning Brian had gotten a call from Jimmy and, laughing hysterically, the grey wolf had told him the neighbors called the police because he and Johnny had been too loud for their liking. Matt’s lips twitched into a smile, remembering the same thing or an array of different calls received over the years. “I didn’t forget, we can put a mattress up in front of the door, that’ll sound proof it enough.”
            Brian rubbed his forehead, “that’s too complicated, Roman. Just fucking bring him here; the basement is unfinished, there aren’t any neighbors, and the only way in is through the house.” He couldn’t remember what the basement looked like but he was pretty sure it was just a concrete slab and studs. Matt gave him an unreadable look that hit him in the core.
            “What?” he growled. Matt jumped off the island, “we need to get to the hardware store.” Is all the older wolf said. Brian followed him with his arms wrapped around his stomach again. The moon was fuller and she called to his wolf. The wolf’s pack oriented mind sharpened the pain and he kicked it back again. Matt halfway glanced over his shoulder sensing the emergence and hard dismissal of the wolf. He stayed quiet though and as they got into Matt’s car Brian wished he would say something about the house, about the interaction with his wolf. Anything. He needed Matt to call him on it, everything, he needed to tell Matt how much it was hurting. They drove in silence though and Brian rested his head against the window trying not to shake.
*~*~*
Phoenix, AZ
            The bulkier wolf grabbed Zack’s arm and jerked him away from the blocked intersection to a glossy blue pick-up truck. Once he was inside Zack locked a vice grip on his wolf to keep him from bolting out the door. The entire cab smelled like brick dust, fresh cut lumber, and a subtle undertone of infection. The angry alpha backed up and did an illegal U-turn almost clipping several cars. His knuckles tight white on the wheel and his skin lightly flushed red he snapped and snarled at every car in his way. They were moving deep into Phoenix pack territory, if this alpha had his home set up like theirs it would be close to the center. Zack’s wolf was clawing at his skull trying to get out of the cab but he stayed silent waiting for the alpha to stop so he could bolt back to Tau’s and let The Doctor know just how much damage had been done to his neighbors.
            Instead of a house, the wolf pulled in to an apartment complex and Zack’s fear notched up. If the alpha succumbed fully to the sickness here there would be a lot of humans like the woman and the golden and no crazy wolf to save them.
            “Out.” The wolf growled, a light sheen of sweat broke on his forehead and glistened in his brush cut. The alpha grabbed his arm again once he was out and dragged him to a set of stairs. At the top were four doors and then a three foot white picket fence that opened to a scenic vista of another parking lot. After two attempts the alpha got the key in the door and kicked it open shoving Zack in before him.
            Inside the apartment the scent of sickness was strong, fully set and Zack forced his stiff legs to continue in. The alpha turned a dim hallway light on illuminating a trashed room. Furniture flipped, what might have been bed sheets lay like confetti all over the room, clothes were everywhere, lamps broken, blinds shredded. It looked like a wolf had gone mad. From the bedroom there was a loud bang and the sound of cheap wood rattling in the doorframe. Zack froze and the alpha snarled. A shrill yelping bark followed the sound and the trapped wolf hit the door again. The sound made Zack flinch back each time. The door wasn’t going to hold off an assault from a rabid wolf for very long.
            “What are you doing in my territory without permission?” The alpha snapped, ignoring the sounds. Zack tried to remember everything Matt had told him about dealing with other alphas on their territory. “One of our puppies was silver poisoned, I needed The Doctor quickly. I apologize for skipping greetings, but he was very ill.” Zack said softly. The alpha grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall. Zack’s high yelp made the other wolf flinch back a second long enough for him to kick his feet out and catch the other wolf in the stomach. The alpha hunched over and Zack darted around him to the kitchen where he began ripping drawers open searching for something sharp. An enraged scream filled the apartment as Zack found the knife drawer. The alpha caught him in the side, knocking him to the floor. Zack brought the knife up and sliced the other wolf’s face, his light brown eyes were full of fever and rage. Using every bit of strength Zack tossed the other wolf into the cabinets and jammed the knife into the base of his skull. The wolf dropped boneless to the floor and didn’t move. From the back of the apartment the door began to crack. Hands shaking Zack grabbed another knife, the wolf hit the door again and a crack that sounded like thunder split the air. Dropping the knife Zack pulled the wireless phone from its holder and dialed Matt’s number.
            “Matt, Matt it’s almost out. What do I do, what the fuck do I do?” he was trying to keep his voice quiet so the wolf wouldn’t become angrier but terror made his voice high and tight. “Zack? Zack what’s wrong?” Matt asked, “what’s almost out?”
            “I killed one, I can’t kill the other one it’s too mad. What do I do, how do I kill it?” A splintering crack filled the quiet apartment. “Matt!” he grabbed the knife again and backed against the stove shaking.
            “Zack, where are you?” Matt yelled. Zack tried to remember the prayers his father had beaten into him, “in the kitchen.” A squeak and groan from abused wood and the snarls were louder.
            “In the kitchen, you’re in the kitchen?”
            “Cut the gas line.” Brian’s voice barked in the background. Zack turned around and pulled the stove out and tore the gas line. A low hiss filled the gaps between snarls and splintering wood.
            “Light something and get out.” Matt said. Zack darted into the living room and grabbed a tattered sheet, his hands shaking so hard it took him two times to get a spark on his lighter. The door at the end of the hallway exploded out followed by a dark stumbling form. The sheet caught and Zack tossed it into the kitchen. The wolf got to its feet and leaped down the hall eating up several feet with each bound. Zack screamed and dropped the phone. He got out the door and slammed it behind him, the wolf rammed the door hard enough to bow the wood. On the wall next to him was a fire alarm, he pulled it and ran.
            As soon as his feet touched asphalt the apartment blew out shooting shrapnel and raining flaming debris. A splinter of wood went through a car’s windshield and Zack kept running to the road. Once there he chanced looking back and saw the fire spreading, no frothing menace followed him and he set in for the long walk back to Tau’s house.
*~*~*
Orange County, CA
            “Zack!” Matt yelled again. They had pulled into the hardware store’s parking lot when Zack had called. Brian listened to the dial tone a second longer before he pulled his phone out and dialed Zack’s number. It rang twice and Zack picked up shaky and breathy but alive. “Zachary, what the hell is going on?” he asked trying to stay calm. Matt was pale in the night and the sick smell of his fear filled the car. Brian rolled the window down and leaned his head back trying to get his own panic under control. Zack stuttered through half an answer and Brian handed the phone to his mate. Matt took the phone with a trembling hand, “Zachary,” he asked softly. Zack’s relieved words buzzed over the line and Brian took a calming breath. Their little alpha was terrified but okay.
            “Zack, what happened?” Matt asked, his voice was closer to normal and Brian closed his eyes listening to them talk.
            “How many wolves are in the Phoenix pack?” Zack asked. Matt didn’t answer his question, “tell me what happened.”
            “Nine.” Brian said. Zack cursed, “Why are there so many?” he moaned.
“Zachary James fucking Baker, tell me what happened.” Matt ordered starting to lose his tenuous grip on calmness.
            “It’s a big territory, most packs have nine to twelve members.” Brian answered again. Matt growled low in his throat and Brian closed his mouth.
            “The Phoenix pack is gone, I just…holy God I just, I just killed three of them.” Zack’s teary voice quieted enough Brian couldn’t hear anymore than that but it was enough to open his eyes. Matt had his forehead on the steering wheel while he listened and his eyes were still closed. Brian stared at the phone in his hand trying to see through the hundreds of miles to their terrified little alpha. Matt shuddered and Brian leaned over and rested his head on the alpha’s shoulder. Matt’s taunt muscles loosened some and Zack’s quiet voice was clearer.
            “Then it got out and came after me. I got out, pulled the fire alarm and ran.” Zack whispered. Matt shivered again and Brian pressed a kiss to his shoulder blade. Matt took a shuddering breath, “Get back to Tau’s and don’t fucking leave that yard until you and Johnny are coming home.” He ordered. Zack made a small sound and said a quick good-bye before the line went dead. Matt pressed the phone into Brian’s hand before slowly sitting up and staring out the windshield. Brian returned his head to his shoulder, “He’s okay Matt. He’s smart, he’ll be fine.” He murmured. Matt’s arm went around his waist pulling him close to the other wolf, Brian pressed his nose against his neck breathing slowly. “We have our own menace to get off the streets.” He mumbled after a moment. He didn’t want to move, Matt was so warm against him and his scent was just like he remembered. Matt nodded but didn’t move until a minute later.
            The cashier gave them an odd look when they checked out with enough heavy chain to tow a car and floor anchors. They lugged everything out to the car and once it was all in the bumper sat a few inches lower than it should have. Brian looked at their new low ride and then at Matt, “Where do you want to look first?” the older wolf was still quiet and shaken which was making Brian nervous. They didn’t need any distractions in this, it was stupid enough to try and catch a rabid wolf when they were both focused on the task and it was straight up suicidal if one of them was distracted. Matt shook himself and ran a hand through his hair, “Someplace quiet and cool. The park.” He said opening his door. Brian went around the car and got in, “This is fucking crazy.” He said.
            They parked the car and after a moment of angry argument agreed they wouldn’t split up. Brian swallowed nervously and scented the wind. The quiet whisper of trees and bushes was too familiar. The unnatural silence of night animals told him there was something hiding in the darkness. His wolf was cowed and wanting to go home. He paused his step and breathed trying to separate memory from present. Matt stopped with him, “what is it?” he murmured. Brian shook his head, “nothing…nothing.” He repeated. The wolf that had chased him had come out of the bushes like a cannonball. He’d missed its teeth by luck and nothing more. He forced himself to keep moving deeper into the shadows. Matt’s warm fingers touched his and the touch was both comforting and too dependent for his liking. Leaves rustled and they both froze, Brian stared into the dark searching for Jimmy’s hulking form. The wind blew again moving the leaves, Brian’s hands began to shake. “He’s stalking us.” He whispered. Matt hooked his arm around his neck, “I won’t let anything happen to you.” His lips moved against the side of his forehead and Brian tried to swallow. From the darkness an angry growl came through on the wind. Matt held him still when he wanted to jerk away and search for the sound. “Hush puppy, I see him.” He whispered. “As soon as a let go, move left.” Matt kissed him and let go. He dropped to the left as Jimmy’s huge wolf form barreled into the space they had been a second ago. The stench of sickness quickly filled the air and Brian’s stomach rolled. The wolf’s landing was sloppy, he took the brunt of it with his chest and muzzle. Matt whirled around and slammed his fist into the side of his head before Jimmy could recover. The wolf dropped hard enough to register on the Richter scale. Brian sat on the grass shaking too hard to stand. Matt also sat down breathing hard. “Long as I live, I never want to do that again.” He said. Brian nodded, “We need to move.” He swallowed hard, “if he wakes up in the car…” Matt dragged himself to his feet and Brian helped him lug the massive wolf to the car and wrestle him into the backseat.
*~*~*
A/N: Are we excited? I hope so. I’m excited at least. Thanks for sticking with me through these slow updates. Love and hugs for reading and reviewing <3
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Outbreak