Short thing about what I think happened after they were rescued.

Testing

They were all screened and tested the moment they got into the 'safe zone'. Nick had to question if anywhere was truly safe anymore, but he didn't complain as long as he didn't have to shoot zombies to stay alive and had a decent place to sleep.

First, people were seperated into genders, which meant saying goodbye to Rochelle for the time being, much to Ellis' protest. "We're like family, man!" He'd screamed, and Nick had to forcefully pull him back. He'd almost expected the kid to cry the moment Rochelle was out of sight, but he didn't.

Next, they were seperated by ages, which almost made Ellis get left on his own, but Nick was lucky enough to be under the age boundry they set. Unfortunately, Coach had to say goodbye. It had settled into Ellis by that time that they weren't gonna be staying together anytime soon, so he put up less of a fight when he hugged Coach farewell. "We'll see eachother again, don't you worry." Coach had assured him, but neither Ellis or Nick believed it.

Finally, they were seperated by health. How they figured that out, they didn't know, but Nick had to assume that people with asthma or similar were treated in a different way. It was scarily organsied and clinical, reminding the gambler how much he hated hospitals. They also made Ellis quiet. It was even scarier when Ellis was quiet.

They were allowed to sit together as they were asked questions about their health prior to the Infection, as they called it. Nick had caught pneumonia as a child, which Ellis was shocked at, and after the doctor left, the hick slipped his hand into Nick's and squeezed. "Don't leave me, Nick." He whispered, mostly to himself but the older man heard it.

"Not my fault if I do, Overalls." Nick replied, but squeezed back anyway. He didn't much fancy being on his own either, not after going through Hell with the three people he now called family.

A different doctor returned, and told them that, although they wold be in seperate rooms for the time being, they weren't going to be apart for long. They were given another change of clothes (having been given a set of scrubs upon first arriving), which were more like prison jumpsuits than anything from a hospital either man had seen. They put them on in silence though, and followed a couple of nurses who lead them to their new home.

Ellis held Nick's hand all the way.

R+R to save them!