The land was dark and desolate; a barren field with the only evidence of humanity being the rubble and debris of buildings as far as the eye can see. That was all the world was now; just shattered remnants of what once was. Humanity destroyed itself. It all started with the Gloom; it changed humans and made them evil and attack one another. First came the panic. Then the riots. After that the wars broke out and the anarchy until most of the humans were wiped from existence along with everything else which was blown to bits. Now, there's only few humans left who are struggling to survive.

 

A young boy of age five with markings of bones on his body and a sugar skull on his face was searching through the ruins of what once was a two story building. The Gloomified wildlife was too busy trying to kill another poor soul so the boy had time time to search for supplies. He needed some kind of medication for a dying man he called his father. With nothing but tattered pants and a satchel the boy was on his knees searching through the rubble for some kind of item he could give to his father so he could feel better.

"Por favor..." The boy sniffled, wiping away thick tears that ran down his face as he searched. The tears dampened the ends of his scruffy brown colored hair.

"Por favor... Por favor... Mi Papa..."

Edited March 17, 201510 yr by Awuwa7KH

Grim blinked a few times as he looked up to see Nicholas. He seemed deathly pale, which was different to his usual pale completion. "Oh? I'm Alright, Nicholas." Grim said with a smile. "I'm fine really. Just a bit tired, it's been a long day." Grim assured as he tilted his head. "The baby animals are cute huh? They tend to cuddle together for warmth in cold nights. Be sure that they go back to their mommies after playing, though." Grim said, forcing his way to sound and act normal, despite his sight being hazy. His nails started to gain a blackish shade of their own, his fingertips slight gray. Grim feared he wasn't dying, but was transforming into one of them. Insane infected. He smiled. "Don't go to sleep too late, alright? Tomorrow we get to reach to New Dys-" He paused. What was it again? "New Dysto...Dystop...Dystopia, oh yeah, Dystopia." He said as he found the word he was looking for. "I'll just be sleeping...here..."

Nicholas frowned as he watched Grim struggle to find the word 'Distopia.' He thought maybe Grim really was tired or just not feeling so good. Either way, he still felt bad for him. Nicholas went right up to Grim and sat down next to him. "Can I sleep here with you?" Nicholas asked. "We can sleep with the sheep and the cows... I can call Miguel or that doctor over too." He suggested. Nicholas wrapped his arms around Grim's left arm.

Grim looked over at Nicholas, smiling. "You can sleep here with me if you want, Nicholas. Though I'm sure Miguel made a great bed out of hay, big and fluffy. So let's head over there together." Grim said smiling as he stood up. He held Nicholas' hand as he walked back over to Ash. "Come on Ash, bed time." Grim said. "Five more minutes!" Ash asked. "Come on." Grim said, Ash nodding and holding his other hand as the three walked over to where Miguel was. As expected, lots of hay made a large bed for the group. "CANNON BALL!" Ash yelled as she jumped into the mount of hay. "Be careful." Grim said as he sat down and rested against the hay. "Better than sand, huh Nicholas?"

Miguel was trying to sleep on his stack of hay, trying his best to ignore Stiles. It seemed to Miguel that Stiles was just going out of his way to annoy the hell out of him. Miguel lifted up his head once Grim came in and smiled. "Going to bed now sí?" He asked.

Stiles was sitting on his hay bed and was inspecting his sniper rifle, making sure it was clean and working properly. He laughed as Ash jumped into the hay. "Ahh, yes little one. It's very fluffy to jump in." He immediately noticed Grim's condition but didn't say anything. 'Could he be just sick? But he has Gloom... Maybe it's acting up...' He thought to himself.

Meanwhile Nicholas walked along with Grim. In his hand he could feel Grim's flesh freezing. It scared him as the only other time he felt skin that cold was a dead corpse. He looked up to Grim with a worried expression. "..." Once they got back to the barn, Nicholas felt the soft hay. "Yes. Now I won't hand sand in my underpants..." He muttered to himself with a small smile.

Edited April 30, 201510 yr by Aqua7KH

Ash snuggled into the hay, loving the warmth and softness of it. She would definitely like a bed made out of hay once in a while. She yawned and didn't take much time for her to fall asleep. "Tomorrow...I'll...calf..." Ash muttered before her consciousness went off into dream land. Grim smiled and gently rubbed Nicholas' head, humming a tune in hopes to help him sleep faster. He felt like he was starting to lose himself. He felt colder. He felt more distant. Part of it with fear that he might be a danger to the rest of the group, especially to the children and Miguel. What if he lost himself, or became a monster? He was already starting to feel the bad parts of the Gloom starting to crawl up from the bottom of his body to the top, as if the meeting of Miguel had awaken it from its slumber, deciding to invade now before there was a cure to stop it. "You two sleep now. Tomorrow we'll get to New Dystopia and we might end up finding the rest of the group." Grim said gently. Regardless what he felt he always smiled, and acted as normally as possible.

Nicholas looked up at Grim, feeling very warm and calm from the humming and the patting of his head. Still, he tried his best to stay awake but in vain.

"N-No..." Nicholas whined softly. Already he was falling asleep. "But... Warm..." He trailed off into the depths of slumber. Meanwhile Stiles looked up from his work and went to approach Grim. "Let me feel your temperature..." He muttered. Grim looked like a walking corpse. Stiles didn't know this man, but he needed to be sure it was just regular sickness and not the Gloom making him this way. It it was the Gloom he had to make sure he could protect the children and himself from Grim incase he snapped.

Miguel sat up and was about to get Grim to go to bed until he saw how different he looked.

"Guada lay down its really-" how eyes widened. "Guada! You look so... Sick..."

Grim looked over at Miguel almost confused. Did he look that bad? The white of his eyes turning black, his head and torso heating up like if he were on fire while his appendages such as hands were as cold as ice. By a touch Stiles' hand would feel a heat that usually no human would even be conscious to. His finger nails slowly turning black on their own as the tips of his fingertips were gray. Dark circles under his eyes that stood out even when he got more than enough sleep. "Mm? What's wrong, Miguel?" Grim asked, tilting his head. "You look like you've seen the Grim Reaper." Grim said ironically, chuckling at his own little joke. He knew he was gradually getting worse. But his only hope now was his optimism. He looked over at Stiles. "Wash your hands after checking up on me. I don't want you to get sick before reaching the city." He paused, looking at Stiles for a moment. "...do you think it'd be best if I died to avoid infecting you guys?"

Miguel felt his stomach just drop. He didn't know what to do. What was going on just now? This had to be some kind of dream. His brother was just fine a second ago. He looked perfectly okay and now he looked literally like the Grim Reaper. He slowly reached out his hand, opening his mouth to speak but not finding the right words.

"N-No..." Miguel said, voice breaking. He already had tears welling up in his eyes. "How c-can you say that...? Don't you remember our promise? Y-You pinkie swore...."

Stiles meanwhile knew how dangerous this situation was. He slowly took out his knife, ready to act aggressive if he had to. He needed to protect himself and the people around him. Suddenly, Miguel tackled Stiles to the ground and pinned him down.

"No!!" He yelled. "You're not doing that!!!"

Stiles was caught off guard. "He might hurt you!" He said back.

"I don't care! That's mi hermano!"

Grim frowned. This is the last thing he wanted. Why couldn't the world just allow him a happy ending for once? To go to the city and get cured and all of them live happily ever after as a family. That's all that he wanted. The more the Gloom spread the more dangerous he could become. What if he hurt them? There was still the hope of New Dystopia. Maybe they have a cure. They could cure him. He could stay with Miguel. He didn't want to break his promise. "(I don't want to die.)" He thought as he looked at Miguel and hurried over to him. "Miguel, Miguel get off him, it's ok!" Grim said as he pulled Miguel off Stiles, he extended his arms to keep the two from launching at each other. "Miguel, please, no fighting," Grim said as he then snapped at Stiles. "I still have my sanity. The voices in my head are loud, by my conscience is louder. I would kill myself than allowing my body to harm my brother or the children or anyone innocent for that matter. I'm not a threat just yet!" Grim said as he breathed. Was this his fault? Most likely. He wished he could've just slept in that corner of the barn for the night. "Stiles, I'm not going to harm anyone. I've been infected for years. I already know what this thing can do to me, but I also know how to make it back off just enough. I won't hurt you or anyone." Grim assured, tears appearing at the edge of his eyes. But they weren't clear liquid, but black gloom. "There is still New Dystopia. Maybe they have a cure. Maybe they'll allow me to be tested on in exchange to live. You can tie me up for the night. But don't take me away from my brother." Grim said, practically begging. He sighed, looking at Stiles with pleading eyes. "If I were a threat, don't you think I would've killed you by now?"

Stiles grunted and held his neck as Miguel was thrown off of him. Miguel was trying to strangle him. Stiles immediatly stood up, and held his knife tighter just in case Miguel launched at him again.

"J-Ja..." Stiles muttered with a gasp of air. "That is true... But I don't want to risk you snapping in the middle of the night and possibly killing the children. I can see you are still sane... May I tie your hands to the corner for the night? I'll keep watch so you both may sleep."

Meanwhile Miguel was struggling to break free, trying his best to pounce on Stiles like a tiger and tear him apart. No one threatened his brother no matter what the situation. He squirmed and kicked in Grim's grasp.

"Let me at him!!!" Miguel howled. "Pendejo! I'll gut you like a pig!!!"

Grim held his brother from attacking Stiles. If these two killed each other it would mean the end of them both. They'd kill each other and the kids would freak out. It would be more of a a mess than it already is. "Miguel, don't. Miguel, please. Just let it go. Miguel. Miguel listen to me." Grim said as he ended up forcing Miguel still, gently holding his face as he rubbed his cheeks. "Calm down. If dad was here he'd hold you over his shoulder until you would tire of it. but I can't do that. You're too feisty." Grim said smiling a bit. He then got one of his hands gently over Miguel's mouth, before kissing right over the palm of his hand. He didn't want to get Miguel infected, this was the closest to a real kiss he could get without the risk of infection. He then pulled away softly, gently stroking Miguel's lips with is fingertips. "Don't be so angry. He's only rightfully worried. Right now I'm infected and you guys are not. He's only looking after the group. Lets manage to get to New Dystopia in one piece first, and then you can kill whoever you want, ok?" Grim said in a rather cheerful matter, despite the somewhat tired look in his eyes. He slowly turned to Stiles, offering his hands. "Tie me."

 

---

How Grim kissed Miguel

 

 

 

(Awwww~~~)

Miguel wasn't having it. He continued in his struggle to break free, that is until Grim forced him to stop. After Grim kissed him, Miguel was at a loss for words. He was so dumbstruck by the kiss that he was completely still and completely forgot the initial desire to kill Stiles in the first place. "I-I Sí-" he stammered.

Stiles nodded, very grateful that Grim was cooperating and finally calmed Miguel down. At least someone had common sense and an actual brain for that matter. "Gud." He said, taking some rope out of his bag. He tied Grim's hands around a wooden beam a few feet away from everybody.

"Tomorrow morning I will untie you, then we can go to New Dystopia ya?"

(I'm debating of if I should type his voice in a German accent or not.)

"Yes." Grim said as he looked over at the sleeping kids. "(Thank goodness they're still asleep...)" Grim thought with a small sigh. The last thing he wanted was to have them unable to sleep. He glanced up at Stiles and gave a small nod. "Tomorrow New Dystopia, and hopefully, a solution." Grim said, slight hope in his voice. He smiled a bit at Miguel and closed his eyes. "Well then, you two better get going to sleep. It's going to be quite the day tomorrow." Grim said as he yawned. Boy he was tired. He didn't even mind that the position itself was a bit uncomfortable. "Stiles, make sure Miguel doesn't end up doing something dumb. Miguel, no killing Stiles or else no more kisses for you." Grim said with another yawn, his eyes gaining this dreamy look as he rested his head back. "Chocolates, fountains of chocolate withe strawberries and marshmallows...~" Grim began to recite, and before long he was knocked out like a light, snoring with a smile on his face at his thoughts of sweet food.

Miguel crossed his arms with a low growl. He would be needing a lot of self control. "I don't promise anything..." He hissed to Stiles. He watched as Grim fell asleep, his face softening. Could he really be dying? He couldn't. They just got reunited. He let out a soft sign and laid down on his side. "Whatever... Just don't do anything stupid..." Miguel muttered sadly.

Stiles watched as Miguel fell asleep. He was slightly surprised that they had let the new guy keep watch of everyone. He hoped that Grim would pull through and last at least until they reached New Dystopia.

"Mein Gott..." He muttered as he ran a hand through his hair nervously. This was going to be a long next few days.

-NEXT DAY-

 

Grim slept quietly for the night. He wasn't one to move in his sleep much as it was, and his current position forbidden him otherwise. All he could hear were the small and tiny voices that whispered at him. About the black blood, the surroundings, about his body. They seemed threatening yet at the same time comforting. Why hadn't they taken over him yet? Was it pity? Wanting to see what happened as time went on? One of the many roosters started to sing its song at the sun's first light, others following as they created a chorus to alert everyone that yes, the sun was up. Grim groaned in his sleep as he slowly woke up, blinking a few times as he looked around the barn. "(Well. I'm still alive.)" Grim thought. He was sure Stiles would had killed him off for the sake of safety. He could hear Ash groaning over the roosters. "Stupid roosters let me sleep!" She hissed, turning over and around before sitting up with a drowsy expression. "Grrr...huh?" Ash said, as she paused and stared at Grim sleeping all the way in the corner.

Stiles had been awake all that night. It was rather obvious too for there was bags under his eyes and he looked like he was about to pass out right on the stack of hay he was sitting on. Miguel wouldn't wake up to take a shift, and Miguel partially did that on purpose. Stiles was already nodding off, not even realizing that everyone was waking up.

Meanwhile Miguel sat up and stretched dramatically. He appeared to have had the best sleep in ages.

"Ahhhhhh...." He yawned with a smile. "Hay is sooo great... Muy bien...~" he was only doing this to rub it in Stiles' face.

Nicholas sat up and stretched with a small whine. It was hard to tell how he slept, especially since he's basically a corpse when he slept. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. His sleep was plagued with some nightmares. "Mommy....." He muttered to himself sleepily.

Grim frowned as he realized Stiles had been up all night. When he had mentioned he would be looking after him for the night he didn't think he'd actually meant it. Now he felt bad. "Ah...I'm sorry you had to stay up, Stiles." Grim muttered as he glanced at Miguel. "I'm going to guess you didn't help much." Grim muttered, rolling his eyes. He knew Miguel well, but it was only one of those things that made him love him even more. "Good morning, sleepy heads." Grim said, greeting Ash and Nicholas. "Morning..." Ash said with another yawn as she blinked at Grim's position. "Why are you tied up?" Ash asked. Grim thought about an answer. He didn't want to scare them. "I lost a bet." Grim smply said. Whether Stiles or Miguel would correct him and tell the kids the truth was up to them. "So I slept here as bait in case someone came in. But it's all good now so...Stiles, Miguel, get me out? Please?~" Grim asked as he shuffled a bit where he sat. "We can eat some breakfast and continue to head over to New Dystopia by then." Grim said. Ash gave a small nod and turned to Nicholas. "Oi, you hear that? We're almost there." Ash said.

Stiles jerked awake as soon as he heard Grim talking to him. It took him a few moments to sort of process what Grim was saying to him.

"Oh- ja..." He rubbed his eyes with one hand. Hopefully he'll be fully awake after some breakfast. "Don't apologize. It is not your fault." The children had asked why Grim was tied up, but Stiles quickly went forward to untie Grim. "It was un silly bet." With that, he cut open Grim's binds. "There you go."

Miguel rolled his eyes. He got up and began to put on his clothes. "Its not my fault I'm a deep sleeper." He said innocently, although that was a half lie.

Meanwhile Nicholas blinked his eyes awake and looked at Ash. "Oh that's right..." He muttered, looking deflated almost. Truthfully he didn't want to go to New Dystopia. He was afraid to.

"Thank you." Grim said as he stood up. He walked over to Miguel and nudged his head against Miguel's neck. "Come on now. Have you suddenly turned into a sleeping beauty?" Grim teased with a slight purr. He turned away and thought of what they should eat for breakfast. Part of him felt that maybe killing off one of the chickens would provide them enough energy. Maybe the eggs. But he didn't want to have Nicholas sad. He knew that if he hurt any of the animals he would end up having a crying Nicholas who will most likely refuse to eat due to getting attached to them. Maybe the eggs. "Hey, darling," Grim teased at Miguel with a small laugh. "Set up some fire. I have an idea of what we're going to eat." Grim said as he turned and started to walk away deeper into the farm. He found the area where the chickens were. He searched around the nests, inspecting the eggs and making sure to pick up the ones that were still non-developed embryos. He left the ones that had already started to become chicks alone, and picked up the ones that had been just recently laid up for breakfast.

Miguel smiled when he felt Grim on his neck. He could get used to that. It was great, waking up next to the people you loved. He hoped it would be like this for the rest of his life. "I sleep well sometimes~" he said with a grin. Really he just wanted to torment Stiles. "I'll get the fire going while you get la comida~"

 

As Grim went to go get the eggs, Stiles went along too after about fifteen minutes. He saw Grim picking up the eggs and wondered why he didn't actually go for any of the animals.

"Only omelets this morning?" He said with a chuckle, leaning against a tree a few feet away. He still looked slightly tired. "Why only eggs and and not an animal?"

Ash looked over at Miguel as he prepared the fire. She looked over at Nicholas and smiled, shaking him around. "I think I was right," Ash said, giggling to herself. "He won't admit i, but Miguel's totally the wife!" She squealed at Nicholas. Grim smiled and stood up, holding a bucket of eggs. "Nicholas got attached to them last night. Killing them for breakfast not only will upset him enough to cry, he'll refuse to eat, which he needs to do considering how little he eats as it is. Besides, there's enough eggs for a great breakfast right now. No need to get our hands dirty with blood and all." Grim said. Despite changing due to the effects of the Gloom, he didn't feel his personality waver at all. His thoughts remained intact. What he valued and his morals. Sure it was hard at times to compress the voices, but he could do it. "Ah...sorry that you could not get much sleep last night. I'll make us breakfast and fill us up. Surely after it you should regain some energy." Grim said smiling. He couldn't help but to mentally scold Miguel. He would never change, despite how big he got, or how old he grew. "(I know Miguel can sometimes get his way but he's just being mean on porpoise. I think I might've spoiled the little cabr*n a bit too much.)" Grim thought as he walked up to Stiles, showing him the eggs. "See? Fresh and ready to cook."

Miguel continued to tend to his fire starting, and after a few minutes he was able to start a spark. He blew on it and turned it into fire. He took some hay to make it stronger and dug a small ring of soil around the fire to control it and make sure it doesn't spread. He heard Ash giggling and proclaiming that Miguel was the wife.

"No estoy esposa~!" He retorted, not even bothering looking at Ash while he took care of the fire.

Nicholas yawned tiredly. He looked at Miguel bashfully. "Wife?" Nicholas asked innocently. "Don't you have to be a girl?" He asked Ash. He didn't really understand the idea of marriage other than the fact that his parents were 'married.'

Stiles looked down into the bucket of eggs. He had to say he was more than impressed at how many eggs Grim was able to get, especially since the mother hens were protective of their eggs. "Wunderbar!" He said with a smile. "Ah- wonderful. I'm sure the boy will be very grateful that you didn't harm any of the animals. Why doesn't he eat, if you don't mind me asking?" Stiles asked with a frown. He always wanted to help others in any way that he can, especially the children. "He has to eat in a world like this. It's hard to come by food as it is."

Ash smiled. "You don't always have to be a girl to be able to have a husband." Ash said. She then decided to apologize. "I'm sorry Miguel. For calling you a wife. You aren't a wife. I'm sorry." Ash said rather solemnly. That is before somewhat smirking. "Grim is way prettier so he's the wife!" Ash said before bursting into a somewhat evil laughter. Grim walked with Stiles, taking back the bucket full of eggs. "Ah, he has a small appetite. He doesn't trust most food given to him. We think it's due to previous experiences he might've dealt with before we met him. He won't talk about it, so we don't know much." Grim explained as they returned to Miguel, settling down the bucket of eggs. "We're going to have a nutritious breakfast this morning." Grim said smiling. He laid out a piece of metal across the fire as he started to break the eggs, having them sizzle as they cooked. "I'm going to see if the cow will be willing to give us milk. Nicholas, do you want to help me?" Grim asked. "I wanna help too!"

Miguel rolled his eyes with a small grin as he continued to tend with the fire. Oh what was he going to do with Ash. "Ha ha. That's so funny." He said with an eye roll.

Stiles followed Grim back to the barn with a frown. He felt bad for the boy. "I'm sorry. Hopefully after un while he will come around." Once he got back to the barn, he looked to the fire. He was impressed.

Nicholas nodded. "Oh that makes sense." Once Grim and Stiles came back, Nicholas perked up. "I wanna I wanna!" He cheered.

(Sorry if it's not much I was rushing because I'm in the middle of an assembly LOL)

"Alright. Lets go you two." Grim said as he walked with Nicholas and Ash. He led them across the barn to where the mommy cow was. She ate her hay normally, the calf still sleeping. "Right. This is how its done." Grim said as he looked around his backpack for empty bottles of water. He took one out, taking off the cap. Gently he squeezed the cow's otter, milk pouring into the bottle. "Don't be to harsh and she should be just fine in giving you milk." Grim let go of the cow as he closed up the bottle full of milk. He handed another bottle to Nicholas and to Ash. "Here, the two can do it simultaneously, but be careful, ok?" Grim said as he let them space to do it.