Chapter Three: Derrick's Realization

Derricks Realization

    Nicole Clings to her Brother, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. It was the day the men left for the infected area. Derrick hugs her back hard, trying to be strong for her. Her tears spill and she lets out a little sob. He pulls back and holds her at arms length, Wiping away her tears.

 

 "hey don't you Dare cry on me! I'll be back before you know it." He whispers.

 

   "Before I have the chance to blink?" She says, saying their traditional goodbye for both hated to say that dreaded word. Derrick gives her a sad smile and nods, pulling her back into another Big bear hug.

 

     "Yes, Before you even have the chance to blink." he says into her hair, feeling his heart beating faster as she snuggled closer to him trying to hug him harder. He didn't want to let go of her. He held her close until he couldn't take it anymore. He lets go of her and stepping back he turns to Adam who he had almost forgotten was there.  "Hey Take care of her for me ok?" He says to his best friend. Adam gives him a quick nod and pulls his girl close.

      "I'll protect her until my dying breath." He says and lets go of her to give Derrick a one arm hug. The two friends part and Adam resumes his hold on Nicole. Derrick looks at her one more and smiles at her, wanting nothing more then to hug her again. He sees out of the corner of his eye Adam frowning and prays that he couldn't see the emotions that were reacting havoc inside His body. Before he lost his little battle he turns and jumps up onto the flatbed of the old pick up the Tribe had found a few months back. He sits next to Fergs and gives the man a high five. Lionel, the driver, started the truck and after some struggle the truck rumbles to life, black exhaust spilling into the air. The tribe who had all gathered to see the men off parted ways for the truck to leave, saying their farewells. Derrick looks out at the crowd until his eyes connect with Nicole's, his heart restricting as he saw the tears flowing down her face. He gives her a goofy wave and smiles when he sees her laugh through her tears.

      "Man you got it bad" Fergs deep voice says breaking him out of his stare. He turns to the man. Fergs (aka Andrew Fergusson) was a six foot seven tall African American who was a brute of a man. He was well defined with bulging muscles and impressive strength. Even though he was intimidating on the outside, on the inside he was a soft as a teddy bear, and his eyes always seemed to have laughter in them. Which at this moment were trained on Derrick, their laughter dancing. Derrick just stares at him, his head tilt in question. Fergs just gave him a "come on man really?' look and raised one eye brow. When Derrick still looked at him with confusion he just shook his head and gave a quiet laugh. "Man you got it bad AND don't even know it, that's just sad." He says his deep voice filled with laughter. Derrick just shakes his head

    "What do you mean Fergs?" He asks. As soon as the words left his mouth he wished he could take them back. He suddenly didn't want to hear what he had to say. Trying to push away that feeling, he looks over to the crowd but realizes that they had drove farther away from them to the point of they now looked like a little speck in the distance. he sighs and turns back to Fergs who was just regarding him silently. He might as well know He thinks. "Well? You gunna tell me what you mean or just leave me hanging?" He says trying to put a smirk on his face. Fergs just bellows out laughing, making the other 7 men in the truck bed turn to look at them. Derrick just smiles at them and shrugs. it wasn't uncommon to hear Fergs laughter. They just smile and turn back to their own conversation.

    "What I mean is You're in Love with Nicole!" Fergs manages to say after he quiets down. Derrick stares at him, his mouth slightly hanging open, heat rising in his face. In Love? With Nicole? Impossible! "Oh don't give me that stunned look! It was written all over your face just now when you were looking at her! I've seen you staring at her like that since I first met you." He says all laughter gone. Derrick shakes his head

     "You're crazy man, She's like my sister, You know the story." he says quickly trying to calm his heart. Fergs puts a hand on his shoulder and shakes it a little. "Will you cut that out?" Derrick says trying to yank his shoulder out of his friends grip, only to wince slightly when Fergs applies pressure, showing him that there was no way in hell he could get free.

     "Man just admit it! You're in love with her. There isn't anything wrong with that." Fergs says quietly. Derrick looks at his friend, as memory after memory of Nicole flashes through his head. His realization showing in the stunned shock on his face. Fergs smiles and nods his head.

     " Fine are you happy? Yes I love her, I've always loved her. But she's with Adam, My best friend, no offense, She loves him. There's nothing I can do." Derrick says, not feeling uncomfortable in the least. That was the thing about Fergs, you could talk about feelings and not get ridiculed. Fergs smiles and pats him on the back.

    "Well that part I am staying out of. that's for the three of you to figure out." Fergs says taking his hand away and standing up "OY Lionel! When the hell are we going to get there?" He shouts.. A muffled reply from Lionel tells him that it will take roughly 4 hours to get to the first safe zone. That night they would sleep there and make camp. Tomorrow they would be going out to find the other tribe.

Derrick shiver but not from cold, He had a feeling this mission wasn't going to end well.