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

Nicholas starred at the utters bashfully. They looked pretty freaky and weird, honestly. With a shaky hand he reached out and tugged on one, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink in the process. It felt so weird. 'It's squishy eww...' He thought to himself as he tugged on it once more. Nothing came out. With a determined sigh, Nicholas tried once more, only to have some of the cow's milk squirt in his face. Nicholas fell back all while frantically trying to clean his face off.

"Aghhhhh it got on me!!!" He said.

Stiles went to go watch the scene while Miguel stayed behind to cook. Honestly he thought Miguel really was a wife. Stiles smiled as he watched the children attempt to milk the cow.

"Be careful." Stiles said. "We have to find a way to pasteurize the milk first before we drink it. If we drink it raw it can make us very sick."

"Come here, Nicholas." Grim said as he helped Nicholas clean up his face from the milk by using his hood. "We'll gather the milk and heat it up on the fire to clean it up. It'll taste better too. Warm milk is great." Grim said as he helped Nicholas milk the cow again, showing him how to do it. "It does feel weird, but half of nature is weird." Grim said with a chuckle. Ash filled up her bottle to the brim with milk. "I did it!" She said. "Good. You can take it to Miguel and ask him to heat it up using the bucket, if you want. You can't drink it until it's cleaned up and heat up." Grim told her. Ash ran off to Miguel, being careful not to spill the milk. "Miguel! We milked the cow! Look! I got milk!" Ash said as she showed it off to Miguel. "Stiles and Grim said that it needs to be heated up before drinking it." Ash said smiling, excited. Grim rubbed Nicholas' head. "When you fill it up, we'll heat it up ok?" Grim said as he filled another bottle, this time giving it to Stiles. "You should have some too." Grim said, standing up. "I'm going to help Miguel now." With that, Grim walked back to the fire, sitting down next to Miguel as he helped heat up the milk.

Nicholas sneezed as Grim cleaned his face off. As Grim helped him milk the cow, Nicholas began to catch on. "This isn't that hard... But it still feels weird." Nicholas commented as he continued to milk the cow along with Grim.

Meanwhile Miguel looked down at the milk Ash had brought. It looked exactly like regular milk. "Oh what does that doctor guy know." He said with a huff. "And I bet Grim is only saying that because he believes that guy. I say that doctor guy is stupido. This milk looks exactly like regular milk. If we heat it up it'll burn and spoil. It's drinkable!" He took the bottle, and suddenly took two gulps from it. As soon as he did, he almost spat it out and gagged. "A-Actually that's really nasty..." He poured the milk in a pot to heat it up on the fire. He couldn't help but gag more. It tasted really gross. He looked to his side as he noticed Grim sit down. "I-Is everyone enjoying the milking?"

"The kids learned how to milk a cow. I don't think Nicholas would like to do it again though." Grim said as he helped heat up the milk. He took a glance at Miguel, who seemed sickly for a moment. He noticed a few droplets of milk on his chin, along with spat out milk by the campfire. He grinned, almost in a smirk. "You drank the milk before heating it, didn't you?" He asked, teasing at Miguel. "He did." Ash said, pretty much throwing him under the bus. "Miguel be careful to not let your pride get in the way." Grim said with concern, holding Miguel's cheek before kissing it, wiping away the remaining milk. "I'd give you a real kiss, but I bet your mouth tastes like that milk still, huh?" Grim said with a chuckle. Ash laughed a bit and looked down at the eggs. They were looking very yummy right now. She could hear her stomach growling. "Hm~ I think I have some utensils in my bag, so we can eat." Grim said as he pulled his bag over and searched around, finding some plastic forks still covered in their plastic wrappings. "Stiles, Nicholas, the eggs are almost ready!"

Miguel rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Pride had nothing to do with it! Or at least he claimed that it didn't. Miguel dramatically placed his hand on his heart, clenching it as if it had just been torn to pieces. "Oh how can you betray me like this, niña?" Miguel asked jokingly with a frown. "Now Guada knows I drank icky cow milk. It was all thick and gooey and it felt lumpy going down my throat..." His body shivered and he gagged once more. "Seriously Guada." Miguel said, completely serious. "It was really gross."

Meanwhile, Stiles walked right into the barn with a happy Nicholas in tow. He proudly carried a bottle of milk. "Look!" He said happily. "I filled the bottle up! I did it!"

Stiles chuckled and patted Nicholas' head. "He really did. He did a great job. He did it exactly as you showed him Grim. He is un very smart lad."

"You should've waited then." Grim said, somewhat scolding. He turned and smiled at Nicholas. "Great job! You know, Nicholas. If the world wasn't in the state it was, I bet you would love having your own farm one day. You're good with animals, and they seem to like you back as well. Now lets heat that up." Grim said as he took the bottle and got it in the bucket with the rest, heating it up to high temperatures so it would kill of the bacteria that would sick a human being. He picked up the wrapped up plastic forks and passed them around. "Here we go. Everyone take one, time to eat the eggs!" Grim said as he then searched in his backpack and pulled out napkins. "We don't have plates, but napkins will do equally as good, I hope." Grim said as he used a separate fork to pick up the eggs and settle them in napkins, passing them around. "For you Nicholas, and for Ash, and for Stiles, and for Miguel~" Grim said as he served them up, and then served himself. "Until the milk becomes sane enough to drink!" With that he took a bite, humming at the taste. It tasted really good, even without salt.

Nicholas looked up at Grim excitedly. "You really think so?" He asked. He tried to picture having his own farm. "Well one day I will! And you all will be in the farm too. And Ash could be my wife!" He said. He really didn't grasp the concept of 'wife' fully and only thought of a wife as a close partner or friend.

"I didn't think it would be that bad." Miguel said with a mild mutter. Truthfully he just wanted to go against Stiles, be he would never admit it. He took his eggs and began to eat. He had to admit it was delicious.

Stiles thanked Grim for his food, and began to munch on it. "Your cooking is great, Miguel."

Miguel rolled his eyes. "Humph. Well, gracias. I have a question, doctor... Hm..." He tried to think of a way to 'test' Stiles. "You look like you like children a lot. Have you ever killed any?" Miguel wouldn't be surprised if Stiles was a child killer or something.

Stiles paused in his eating, only glancing at Miguel. "Yes. She was five and had contracted Gloom."

"Aha!" Miguel said, pointing to the German man. "Why didn't you ask her parents huh? Or did you really want to kill her?"

Stiles looked down at his food. "I didn't ask because she was my daughter." With that, he began to eat again. This time he ate in silence with a calm solemn stare at the fire. Miguel was silent too afterwards, staining at the ground. He felt really guilty.

Ash blinked at the thought and smiled. "I wouldn't mind being your wife!" She said happily. Grim stopped mid bite as he felt the dread float around the room from Miguel's attempt at finding a flaw to the doctor. He could feel his eye twitch, just barely keeping himself from yelping at Miguel. He shoved the rest of the egg, eating it in one big bite as he gently wrapped his arms around Miguel, rubbing his cheeks gently as he hummed his name. "Oh Miguel~" Grim purred, before grabbing Miguel by the neck in a headlock. "Apologize!" Grim demanded. That was the least he could do at the moment. "Bedsides, if you're judging him by that, I would be worse. I killed for you to protect you back at the test camp, remember?" Grim said as he gently let go of Miguel. "How old were you when you first killed?" Ash suddenly asked. Grim paused before answering. What a morbid topic. "Um, does my mother count?" He realized how bad that sounded. "At birth! She died giving birth to me!" He quickly corrected. He cleared his throat. "I don't remember. I don't like to keep count if any. Stiles I'm so sorry that Miguel brought it up."

Nicholas couldn't help but blush, and smile as well. He really liked that idea, and the fact that Ash agreed with it made it so much better. He forgot that happiness momentarily however, as the dread covered the room like a thick wave of heat. Luckily Grim was there to save the day.

Miguel was taken aback, and almost squealed in Grim's hold. "Aye aye! Lo siento- Guada! Let me gooo!" He broke away after Grim let go and rubbed the back to his head. "I know... I know..." He slowly glanced at Stiles, guilt written all over his face. "Lo sien- I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have said that."

Stiles shook his head. He really didn't mind. Yes, it might have made him remember a terrible memory, but that's exactly was it was; a memory. He couldn't do anything about it now. He leaned that over the years. The past was the past. Stiles actually smiled and almost chuckled when Grim corrected himself.

"I accept your apologies. It's okay that it was brought up. It was just something that happened a very long time ago. I've learned now to live with it and accept that it happened, although I would do anything in the world to see my little girl again. I'm sorry about your Mutti, Grim."

Grim sighed a bit and glanced at Miguel and then back down at the ground. "I never met her, and dad only talked about her momentarily when I would complain about my hair. Always telling me that it reminded him of hers. So I never really cut it. Other than that, I don't even know her name." Grim said as he watched over at the milk. Steam was rising into the air. "Oh, I think the milk is done." Grim said as he turned back to the milk. He picked up the bottles and held the bucket, ever so gently and carefully poured the milk into bottles, being careful to not get burnt. After pouring all of it to its assigned bottles. "There we go. Its done." Grim said as he picked up his bottle and looked down at it. "I'll be the first one." Grim said, giving a playful wink at Miguel as he went ahead and took a drink of the warmed liquid. Ash watched intently, waiting to see if Grim would spit it out like Miguel had done earlier. "Grim finished taking his drink and paused for a moment. For the first time in a while, his cheeks slowly gain a shade of red. "Oh..." Grim said, his eyes suddenly having a dreamy state. "This...this is good..." Grim said, smiling. "Really? Let me try!" Ash said, taking a bottle of her own and taking a sip. At first she paused to wait for it to kick in. Then the flavor and feeling did kick in, Ash too going into a calm, dream like state over the goodness of the milk. "Oh yeah...it's good..." Ash agreed smiling.

Miguel looked at Grim sadly. He always felt sad whenever Grim talked about his mother. He almost felt like it was his own mother. He heard the story oh too many times. Miguel wrapped his arm lovingly around Grim's back.

"I'm sorry, Guada." He said. "I wish I could have met her too..." Grim began to drink the milk and pass it around. Miguel took his bottle and stared at it momentarily. He was afraid that it would taste discusting. He hesitantly took a sip and he warmed up immediately. It tasted delicious.

"Delicioso!" Miguel said with a grin. He continued to drink, loving how good it tasted.

Nicholas felt rather sad at Grim's story. It reminded himself of his own family. He tried to hide this sadness, but when he drank his milk he couldn't help but smile. "It's so good." Nicholas said.

Stiles listened intently to Grim's story. He started to drink his milk. He reached out his hand and placed it on Grim's shoulder.

"I'm sorry that happened to you." He took some sips from his bottle. He made a small smile from the taste. "Ahh... There's more where that came from. We can always milk the cow again and use the milk for cooking as well. We just have to make sure the cow is always healthy."

Grim smiled as he drank his milk. Even if his body itself felt sick, he was glad that he could still enjoy these tastes like this. "I think I would like to have milk like this every day." Ash muttered. Grim glanced at her. "It's possible. As long as we make sure to leave enough milk for the calf." Grim said as he finished his milk, staring down at it. "Now I kind of want to stay here in the farm...but that would mean changing our plans about New Dystopia." Grim mentioned. "Jack should be there already!" Ash said excitedly. "Yes, along with the rest of the children."

Nicholas looked down at the mention of Jack and the others. He wanted to see them, but part of him was afraid of finding out. He just wanted to stay in this moment forever.

"C-Can't we just stay here after we see them?" Nicholas asked. "I like it here..."

Miguel finished his and agreed with Grim. He was tired of staying apart of a group anyway. You couldn't trust anyone.

"Well, we could try to see if everyone is there and come back here. We could see if anyone wants to go with us or stay there. I like small groups anyway. It reminds me when it was just us, Papa and a few other people. Remember that Guada?"

Stiles rummaged around in his bag to count his supplies. He was running somewhat low. "I could see if I can get more supplies from there. Depending on how much help they need I may stay. But if they're fine I would rather stay outside and help travelers. I wouldn't mind staying with this group either; you could use a doctor. I can teach you things I know as well Grim."

"I will take you up on that offer." Grim said to Stiles about teaching him a few things medical wise. He could use as such. Grim smiled. "How could I ever forget? It was great. He would even find the time to tell us bedtime stories in the night after a long day. Whoever joined us always had to be nice to us cause dad was the only doctor in the group." Grim said with a chuckle. He thought and started to pack the stuff up. "He always found a way to spoil you too! Like with chocolate!" Grim said as he stretched. "Alright. How about this? We head over to New Dystopia. Do what we have to do, check if anyone needs anything, pick stuff up, check if the group is there. When we're done, we can come back here and make it our home...we can fix the place up and make it a small interval base for survivors too." Grim suggested. He pointed at Stiles. "This way you can help out any survivors that end up coming this way too." Grim said, offering some sort of a joint plan. Ash stood up. "I like that plan! Then when I grow up, I can marry Nicholas!" She then pointed at Miguel. "And Grim can marry Miguel!" Grim gasped. "Ash!" Grim said, only to pull Miguel close. "We're practically ALREADY married!"

Miguel couldn't help but take some time to remember it all. The once faded memories came back to him like a visit from an old forgotten friend. His memories with the Wolves were distant as the pleasant ones came back. Miguel could learn how to remember the good and accept the bad. The chocolate... Oh the chocolate. He could practically taste the sweet taste on his taste buds. Even the dark memories he remembered fondly. The memories of whenever Grim and Miguel argued, the time Miguel ran circles around his in the middle of the pouring rain at night, even the day his actual father died and he was taken in by Death and his son. Grim suddenly pulled Miguel close, and he responded with a playful rub in Grim's head with his knuckles. "Only I'm the husband!" He proclaimed proudly.

Stiles listened intently at Grim's plan. It was absolutely golden. He was sure New Dystopia didn't need him. The rest of the world did. And he was going to do his best to help. Stiles smiled warmly at the scene of Miguel and Grim messing around. "I am excited for the plan." He said. "The base will be strong."

Meanwhile Nicholas was distant. He was lost in his mind, imagining a future where this all came true. Playing with the animals, laying down with Ash in the limitless fields all while letting the sun warm their skin. He had his chin in his hands, and he smiled at the thought. It was too perfect.

Grim smiled and chuckled at Miguel. "Then I'll be the wife, and only because I'm too pretty." Grim said with a sly smirk. He took out his map and made a big circle where the farm was located on the map. "There we go. Now we can remember where it is if we ever get lost." Grim said as he stood up, and started to kill the fire, throwing water into it. "Let's get going then." Grim said as Ash stood up and got ready. Grim looked around for Nicholas. "Nicholas, we're leaving! Come on! The sooner we get to type city the sooner we return!" Grim said as he held his backpack on his shoulders. Ash then pulled on Grim's ponytail. "Carry me!" She demanded. With a sigh and a smile, Grim rested Ash on his shoulders to carry her.

(Ignore this)

Edited May 8, 201510 yr by Stardustblade358

Nicholas was knocked out of his daze like a bird knocked out of the sky. He quickly stood up and dusted himself off, running ahead quickly to grab Grim's hand. "What if they're bad?" Grim asked with a frown. He wouldn't be shocked if they were. Every camp he was apart of were vicious. He didn't want to go through that again.

Miguel rolled his eyes with a grin. Grim always had something to say back. He watched at Ash sit on Grim's shoulders. "What can you see from up there?" He asked.

Stiles followed along with his rifle on his shoulder. He sighed softly in response to Nicolas' question. "That is true..." He said. "We don't know if it's just a decoy to ambus us. We could always just sneak around and approach the came from behind, but that's very dangerous on its own."

"I see trees and more trees!" Ash said sarcastically. Ash held onto Grim's head, and Grim held onto Nicholas' hand and onto Ash so she wouldn't fall down. "If it's a decoy it has been a very popular and well planned decoy. They've been sending radio signals and everything." Grim said as he thought about it. How could they know if they were falling into a trap before it was too late? "Well when we get there, we'll get to see how things go. If anything we'll create a distraction and one of us will check things out before the rest enter or something, to make sure things are safe. Who knows?" Grim said as he walked along, holding Nicholas' hand and holding onto Ash. The group walked around for what eemed like hours. Ash hummed as she entertained herself looking around. "Hm...Oh! There's a clearing ahead!...it looks like a building!" Ash said as she pointed onward. Such as Ash had confirmed, the group reached a clearing, and right in the clearing, there was a LARGE wall that stretched across for easily smiles. Made out of barbwire, wood, and any other material that could be used to form a wall. The doors were makeshift metal and large enough for vehicles to ride through if opened. There were rotting corpses of gloom infested animals and humans scattered around, some were already bone, others seemed fresh as flies flew around. "Well then, they sure aim to impress." Grim muttered. Ash watched in awe. "Amazing!" "They've surrounded the entire city." Just as suddenly, loud clicks. From the top of the wall, guns were being aimed. "Wha!" Ash said as Grim quickly pulled her off him and hid her behind him. "Wait!" The doors opened ever so slightly, a man and a woman walking out. The man seemed of older age, his hair gray along with his beard. The woman seemed younger, having long brown hair with flowers decorating it. "They have children! Lower the guns!" The woman called. She took a step forward. "I'm Mother Nature. He's Father Time. Are you survivors looking for sanctuary?"

Nicholas panicked and hid right behind Grim at these newcomers. He held onto Grim's leg tight so hard that his knuckles turned white. His heart began to speed up, and for a moment be felt like he couldn't breath. He wondered why he was feeling this way. Sure there were guns pointed at him, but he only felt this way when thinking about it being around many people. Just the thought of big crowds terrified him. "I-I want to leave..." Nicholas breathed. "P-Please..."

Miguel was already extremely tired by the time they got there, and already had broken into a thick sweat. It surprised him at how tired he was especially because of the fact that he never sweat that much and he hardly ever got tired. From traveling and hunting all these years Miguel could go for days walking. He watched the two people come out, and Miguel put his hands in front of him. "Hola..." He said slowly, unsurely. Woman with flowers in her hair or not, Miguel definitely knew looks can be deceiving. "We're not bandits or anything..."

Stiles put his hands up as well. It was good that children were here. If it wasn't for Ash or Nicholas they could have been shot down. He looked to the kids to make sure they were okay, but somewhat noticed Nicholas' panic.

'Must be the guns...' He thought to himself. "We are survivors." Stiles said. "I am Stiles. I'm a trained medic of the German Army and we are in desperate need of supplies." He didn't answer if try were going to stay yet. He figured that was Miguel and Grim's choice if this really was a sanctuary.

Grim slowly picked up Nicholas, holding him closely in his arms to calm him down, guns following their every move. The young woman stepped out, raising her arms. "Put your guns down! I won't allow you to accidentally shoot one of the children!" She yelled, the men and women slowly lowering their guns. The older man, known as Time, walked over to her and patted her shoulder. "We need to make sure they aren't sh*tt*ng with us. They could be bandits or worse." Time responded. Nature pointed at them. "They're too small. The children are well fed too. They aren't malnourished. I doubt bandits would take care of children that well...neither that the children would be that attached." Nature argued. Time groaned to himself and held his head. "You make good points...still...alright alright." He muttered, turning over. "The German army? Well then..." Time said as he pointed at himself. "I'm a Scientist. I was part of the original team that tried to stop the Gloom from spreading before...**** hit the fan. Nature is an engineer. Please, do come inside. It's not very safe to stay out here at night. the Gloom infested animals are quite problematic." Time said as he started to walk back. Nature smiled and turned to them. "Please, this way." She said gently before walking off. The group was led inside, to which they encountered the large city. The buildings were still covered in nature for most of it, but survivors and military alike walked among the streets. They weren't many. Maybe around 500 people, including men, women and children. All using their skills to help around. "Whoa..." Grim gasped. He had never seen so many people all around in one place. Not even at the auctions. "Wow..." Ash whispered. "Before you go any further, we need to inspect you." Time said as he picked up a small pin. "I'll give you each a small pinch. The color of your blood will determine your health. Red is uninfected. Red mixed with black substance is born with infection. Black is foreign infection."

Nicholas began to shiver in Grim's arms once they entered the city. He heard many people moving about but he was afraid to look. He buried his face in Grim's chest and began to cry. His heart was beating rapidly against Grim's. He refused to let go.

Miguel was very doubtful of this group, although when he entered he had to admit he was extremely amazed and impressed by the city. He never seen actual civilization before, let alone two hundred people in a single place before. He looked around in awe at the scene. At the mention of the tests however, Miguel glanced to Grim in panic. What are they going to do when they find that Grim's blood is black?

Stiles nodded at Time and Nature as he followed them inside. He was very interested in Father Time especially because of the fact that he was a scientist. Such knowledge could be useful to create new medications that could treat once harmless illnesses that were now extremely deadly in an apocalypse including simple sicknesses such as the flu or small pox. Stiles noticed Nicholas, and leaned to the side to whisper in Grim's ear.

"You need to think about what you're going to do when they try to draw your blood..." He looked to Nicholas. "Is he having a panic attack?"

Grim held Nicholas close, humming as he tried to calm him down. As far as he knew, he could be killed on the spot. However, he was most concerned for Nicholas, who's heart was beating so fast he could have a heart attack. "There there, Nicholas." Grim said as he smiled at him, wiping some tears away from him. "It's ok. Nothing is going to happen alright?" Grim assured, looking over at Stiles worried. "He gets worried very easily. I don't think he likes crowds either." Grim said as he held Nicholas, humming and holding him gently. Time tested Stiles first. Clear. He then tested Miguel. Clear. Ash, born with the sickness. He was hesitant in testing Nicholas. Grim turned to Nicholas, taking one of his hands gently. "Come on Nicholas. Real brave now. For Ash. You're gonna marry her when you grow up right? You need to show you're strong." Grim said softly. Time quickly pricked Nicholas' finger. "Born with the sickness. Not surprised with their age." Time said. Grim then rubbed Nicholas' thumb gently. "Look how brave you were!" Grim said, praising Nicholas. Time took Grim's hand and made a cut. Black blood came out, as slick as oil. "Infected." Time muttered. By the sound of the word loud clicks were heard as all guns were pointed at Grim. "Wait." Nature said as she turned to Time, whispering something in his ear. Time thought about it and gave a nod. "Lower the guns." He said, the soldiers doing as told. "Dr.Stiles, we'll take you to the storage. You can take as many medications and items you can carry. The group can go with you, however; you," Time pointed at Grim. "I would like to speak to you." Grim nodded, holding Nicholas. Nature smiled. "Please come this way, doctor." Nature said as she showed them the way to the storage area. Grim smiled at Miguel. "You go ahead. I'll be right behind."

Nicholas was reluctant to offer his thumb to Time. He continued to shake and shiver however he soon calmed down after Grim's humming and comforting words. He let Time take his blood knowing that he had to be brave if he was going to marry Ash when he grew up. He didn't want to be a scardy cat. Scardy cats can't be husbands. As soon as Time was done, Nicholas buried his face into Grim's chest once more. He was silent after that. "..."

Miguel was ready to attack someone as soon as the guns were draw. After the soldiers put down their weapons Miguel glared at every single one of them. He had to admit though that the soldiers were only doing their job at protecting everyone. Miguel looked to Grim, not wanting to leave his side at all. "I can't leave you alone, hermano mejor..." He muttered.

Meanwhile Stiles was very interested in seeing the storage room. He didn't want to take much medication; he only needed some antibiotics and whatnot to help illnesses and infections. He followed Nature. "Danke for letting me see your storage room, madam." Stiles said.

Nature gave a small nod as she entered a building with multiple rooms. She led him to a specific room, opening the door as it showed shelves of medicines, and anything medicine related, including tools and other stuff. "We've been forming what we call 'Scouting Teams'. These groups go around and collect items from abandoned cities and towns so we can use them. I've been working on some energy engines in hopes of starting doing medicines of our own." Nature explained with a smile. "Take whatever you need." She insisted. "Heh? Someone new?" Nature turned to see a white haired boy standing by the door. "Jack. Yes. This doctor came with a small group, including two children." Nature explained. Jack gaped. "Two children? Does one of them have skull markings. Or does one of them have long hair in a braid?" He asked. "Yes, how do you-?" Before Nature could stop, Jack dropped his boxes and started to run. "MIGUEL AND GRIM ARE HERE!" Jack screamed. You could hear the gasp from a familiar runt across the hallway. "They're alive?!" Cupid dragged himself, even as he was using crutches, right behind Jack. "Cupid! You shouldn't be moving!" Nature screamed as she ran after him. Grim slid closer to Miguel. "Then stay." Grim insisted. Time gave a nod. "It's fine. You can stay. I just want to check up on something." Time said as he started to check up on Grim. Taking temperatures and so on. "You haven't had any cravings for human meat?" Time asked. "No?" Grim asked equally as confused. "Well," Time said rubbing his head. "You might be what we've developed to call 'Gloom Ghouls'." Time said. Grim blinked a few times. "Excuse me?" "You aren't the only one who has been infected with gloom and not lose their minds. We call them Gloom Ghouls. They have become adapted to the Gloom. So as long as you don't infect anyone else...you aren't a threat." Time said. Grim smiled and looked over at Miguel. "You hear that?! I'm not a threat!" Grim said almost in a squeal. Just then- "MIGUEL, GRIM!" Jack hugged Miguel and kissed him on the cheek, then on Grim's cheek. "You guys are alive!"