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 was about to say something to Miguel, then he saw him run off to puke. Grim's eyes widened, hurrying over to his brother. "Miguel!" Grim looked over and wrapped his arms around Miguel's shoulders. "Miguel you're sweating like a pig..." Grim said as he helped Miguel stand. "He could've caught a sickness?" Jack asked. "I don't know. Miguel, what are you feeling?" Grim asked. He was extremely worried for his brother. What if he had contracted gloom? There was no cure for that and there were only a number of people that didn't die or went inside by it. He was just lucky. "Come on Miguel, I'm going to carry you. No complaints." Grim insisted. Without much warning, or problem, Grim picked up Miguel bridal style. "Lets hurry back." Grim said. Jack nodded and started to walk away with Grim. Grim looked down at Miguel worryingly. "Miguel. Tell me everything your feeling. Every symptom, everything you feel. Understood?" Grim asked, almost pleading as he walked with Jack.

Miguel was very stunned and confused. First he heard Grim talking to him, then suddenly he was in Grim's arms being carried like a princess. He tried to get out of Grim's hold all while trying to assure Grim that he was okay.

"Guada... I-I'm fine..." Miguel muttered, before he turned his head to face the ground. He felt like he needed to throw up. His forehead was cool, signaling he had no fever. Despite this, he was still sweating.

"I just feel nauseous and nervous sí? I'm fine... I just need to go to sleep when we get back." He spat out some bile onto the ground all with a groan. He still tried to assure himself that he wasn't sick at all.

"You're fine my @$$." Grim said, holding Miguel close. It could just be bad indigestion. They walked for hours into the night. By the time they reached the city, it was easily 3 AM in the morning, more or less. Being recognized by the guards they were let in quickly without much problem. "Will you head to the hospital?" Jack asked. "Yes. I'll be with Miguel." Grim said as he walked away to aforementioned hospital. He walked and looked down at Miguel. He kept puking even though there was nothing left to puke out. Just bile and his gastric juices. "Maybe it's just some bad tummy ache..." Grim muttered as he kissed his head.

Miguel still tried to move his way out of Grim's hold, even though every single attempt failed. At one point he didn't even have enough energy to struggle, but he still made a fuss. Once they got to the hospital, Miguel groaned slightly as he heard all the noises and whatnot.

"A-Aye... I feel like I'm about to mierda mi pantalones...." He tried again to get out of Grim's grasp. "Por favor Guada I'm fine... I just need to sleep sí? Sleep...." He was about to go on, until Stiles suddenly appeared. He ran a hand through his hair. Miguel's eyes widened.

"Doctòr!" Miguel said worriedly. "E-El niño-"

"Nicholas is fine." Stiles said with a small smile. "I just did a small procedure on his neck. I didn't want to do surgery unless I absolutely had to. He's just sleeping and he's a little shaken up. He needs to see you both." He went forward to try to help Grim. "What happened? Miguel, you look terrible."

Grim was about to protest to Miguel and he saw Stiles, explaining what he had done with Nicholas. Grim cleared his throat. "Well, the mission was a success. But Miguel...has been puking ever since we left. He's to weak to even get out of my arms, which is surprising considering how feisty of a b*st*rd he can be." Grim said as he looked at Stiles with pleading eyes. "I'll go and check up on Nicholas. Can you check up on Miguel and see if he has a virus or something?" Grim asked. He didn't even wait. He handed Miguel over to Stiles, now having him carry Miguel bridal style. "He said that he was feeling nauseous and like, quote, sh*t*ng his pants. Call me if anything." Miguel said as he looked down at Miguel and pointed at him. "Be nice to Stiles. We're going to figure out what is going on inside of you. No buts or you aren't sleeping with me tonight." With that, Grim walked away into the room where Nicholas was. Cupid and Ash were there too, but there were sleeping and snoring in a corner chair. Grim smiled and gently walked over to Nicholas' side. "Hey Nicholas." Grim said. "We did it. The auction is completely destroyed!...Miguel killed your uncle Panic too...and Melusine as well. They're gone. They won't hurt anyone anymore."

Miguel huffed and uncomptorably shifted in Grim's hold once more. "Y-Yeah I'm feisty...." Miguel muttered in between pants. "And I'll kick you if you come near me, Doc-Ngh...." Miguel groaned in pain. Stiles frowned and stepped forward to take Miguel. He felt Miguel's head to take his temperature.

"There's no fever...." Stiles muttered. He looked to Grim. "Don't worry. He is safe with me. I'll try me best to get a diagnosis."

Meanwhile, once Grim arrived at the room where Nicholas stayed, the boy roused up from sleep to see Grim.

"Papa...?" He said. Once he actually realized it was Grim, Nicholas frowned and rubbed his eyes. It was evident he was taken out of a pleasant dream. There was a small bandage over his throat.

"They're gone?" Nicholas asked. His voice was low and raspy, probably from the procedure. He shifted in bed to sit up. A part of him felt bad, for Panic was his uncle even if he did hurt him. Slowly, Nicholas wrapped his arms around Grim's neck.

"Thank you..."

Grim smiled wearily as he hugged Nicholas gently. He kissed his head, moving some strands of hair out of his own face to see better. "It's all alright. Stiles must have done a great work on you. You'll be able to eat without hurting. I'll make you tasty things to eat and you'll be able to enjoy them." Grim said with hope in his voice. "We'll wait until you feel better before returning to the farm too." Grim glanced back at the door and then back at Nicholas. "Also, Miguel is feeling a bit sick. If you hear him complaining or cursing, it's because I left him with Stiles." Grim added. Dear god he was tired. But he wouldn't sleep just yet. There was stuff to do. "Don't repeat his bad words though. He has the mouth of a sailor."

Nicholas smiled as Grim brushed his hair out of his face. If felt very warm. Once Grim mentioned eating again, Nicholas frowned softly and placed his hand with his neck.

"It didn't only hurt..." He said sadly. "I... I didn't want to eat not only because of that. It's just that when I swallow it just feels... Icky. It doesn't only hurt but it just reminds me of what happened and..." He thought for a moment and looked to the sleeping Ash. He tried to smile once more. "That's not important anymore. I'll try to eat more." Upon finding out Miguel was sick, Nicholas gave Grim a hug. "Okay. I won't aware I promise."

Grim kissed Nicholas' forehead. "You're a very brave young boy. By this point, there is nothing this world will be able to do to change you. You're a warrior of your own right." Grim said as he rubbed his head gently. "Alright. I'll go ahead and let you sleep. It's pretty late, and you need the rest." Grim said as he walked away. "I'll see you in the morning, alright? I'll treat you to whatever you want to eat. Good night." Grim said as he walked out and gently closed the door. He could hear Miguel complain across the hall. "(How stubborn can he be?)" Grim thought as he smirked a bit. Miguel just made his day every day. His attitude, his way of being, even when he was stubborn to the bone it just made Grim want to squish his cheeks and awe at him. He was a stubborn b*st*rd...but he was his stubborn b*st*rd. He strolled over to where Stiles was with Miguel, knocking on the doorway as he peeked in. "He isn't giving much trouble, I hope."

Nicholas felt rather confident in himself once Grim kissed his forehead. He was never called brave before, nor was he called anything similar to a warrior. "I'm a warrior?" Nicholas asked. He liked to Ash once more and smiled. It made him happy, not only for himself but at the fact that Ash would be married to a warrior when they grew up. Not married to a coward. Suddenly he yawned and realized he was still very tired. As Grim left to give Nicholas some rest, Nicholas laid down and went to sleep while thinking of what foods he should eat. Maybe ice cream. He was good stories once where children loved the dairy treat. He never had any in his life.

Once Grim entered the room where Miguel was, it didn't look too pretty. Miguel was basically fighting Stiles off while he tried in vain to check his ears. Despite the weakness caused by the illness, Miguel still had his fight in him.

"G-Guada! Ayudame!" Miguel exclaimed. "He's trying to rape me!"

Stiles blushed bashfully at such an accusation, and tried to push Miguel back on the hospital bed. "I-I'm just trying to check your ears! Hold still!" Miguel only responded by swatting Stiles' face.

"Back off you bastardo! Besa mi culo! Chin****! Que chin*****?! ****** ******** *****!!!!"

"Miguel." Grim said as he rolled his eyes. Of course he wouldn't go down without a fight. "I doubt that will happen, Miguel. I don't think you're his type." He added as he walked over to Miguel. "Excuse me Stiles. Let me help you." Grim said, and with that, he pulled himself up on the hospital bed, slightly shoving Miguel a bit as he made himself comfortable on the bed. He then rested back and pulled Miguel close, having Miguel rest against him as he sat behind him, grabbing his hands. "Now are you going to behave or will I have to tickle you into submitting to behave?" Grim asked, almost teasing the younger boy. Miguel has always been a tough one. "As long as I'm around no one is going to hurt you, now please behave so Stiles can figure out what's got you sick. If you don't, I'll take the kids out for chocolate ice cream, and I won't bring you any. Instead you'll have to deal with nasty tasting hospital food, just like the one from the horror stories that dad would tell us." Grim teased again. He wrapped his legs around Miguel's stomach, keeping him still in one place. "Ok Stiles, I have him pinned. He can't escape."

Miguel was even willing to go against Grim until Grim threatened to tickle him. Miguel did not like being tickled. For a few moments he considered trying to attack Stiles once again, but decided not to after Grim said Miguel wasn't going to have any chocolate ice cream.

"Chocolaté....." He said with a frown. He slowly leaned to the side to glare at Stiles. "This isn't over."

Stiles rolled his eyes, throughly relieved at the fact that Miguel gave up. With two swift movements be checked Miguel's ears.

"All clear." Stiles slid back in his chair and crossed his arms.

"Now what's that so hard?" He asked. Miguel was going to give a sassy remark back, until he groaned slightly and shifted underneath Grim's hold.

"I have to go to the bathroom...." Miguel whined slightly. "Let me go.... Por favor..."

Stiles sighed softly. "Let him go."

Grim frowned slightly as he rested his head against Miguel's. He hated seeing his brother like this. He gently let him go and rubbed his cheek. "Be careful. Yell for me if you need anything. I'll treat you to chocolate tomorrow for breakfast. How yummy does that sound?" Grim asked as he kissed his head. He easily jumped off the bed and helped Miguel down. He looked over at Stiles with a weary smile. "Thank you so much for being so patient with him." Grim said with a small chuckle. "He had quite the day today though. I hadn't seen him that professional in a long time. He almost looked like a superhero. He saved my butt more than once, too." Grim said as he gave a small shrug. His back was killing him, currently. Not literally, but you know what I mean. "Did you see anything that could tell us what he's sick from, by the way?" Grim asked curiously, rubbing the back of his head and started to pick up his hair, somewhat braiding it, but more currently just getting any knots out of it, as it had been a long time he had it not in a braid.

Miguel grunted as he sat up. He was holding his side. He looked to Grim with his eyes cloudy and tired. "I..." He muttered. "I don't know...." With that, he left to the bathroom. He only ever denied food like that when it was very serious.

Stiles meanwhile ran a hand through his hair exhaustedly. It had been a very long day for the German doctor.

"I bet he saved you plenty of times with an attitude and drive like that..." He let out a deep sigh of both relief and exhaustion.

"I cannot pin point an illness right now. He doesn't have a fever and his only symptoms makes me believe he just has a really terrible time with indigestion... I'll going to see when he comes back if his er... stool is unusual. Sorry if this sounds too disgusting." Stiles said as he rubbed the back of his head.

Grim gave a small nod and smiled. "It's fine. I used to help my dad with patients all the time when I was younger. Before and after Miguel joined us, he had me help feed them, test them, make autopsies to take out any useful organs for food or transplants. I've seen so much. Nothing can disgust me anymore." Grim said gleefully. He suddenly walked over to Stiles and gave him a big hug. "You've helped us so much. You saved us from the wolves, and you healed Nicholas, and now Miguel. We owe you a whole lot. Thank you. Thank you." Grim said gratefully, eventually letting go of the doctor as he turned on his heels. "I'm going to sleep. It's late. I'll be here early in the morning to help out with Miguel and the children. Call me if needed for anything."Grim said. He took a glance at the direction Miguel had headed and then walked to the opposite direction, making his way out of the hospital and to the hotel building, where the moment he reached the mattress, he felt himself collapse of exhaustion on it. Man it felt good. It only took a few minutes for his vision to haze and darken as he fell asleep.

Stiles wasn't expecting a thank you, nor was he expecting the hug. Still, Stiles was greatly pleased by the kind gesture and happily hugged Grim back.

"It's good to know. Maybe we'll be partners you and I. I'll teach you anything you want to know ja?" He patted Grim's back and watched him leave.

-

Sadly, Grim's lovely sleep didn't last too long; after only a few hours, he was interrupted by soft shaking by Nicholas.

"Wake up..." He said worriedly. As the procedure was very small and minimal, Nicholas didn't need too much time to recuperate. He continued to shake Grim until he woke up.

"Miguel is very sick..." He said sadly. "Mr. Stiles wants to see you and Cupid too. It's an emergency..."

It only took the mention of Miguel for Grim to go from zero to fully awake. He snapped his eyes open and sat up, looking at Nicholas with worried eyes. "Let's go." He said. He stood up and walked with Nicholas out the door, straight to the hospital. "(Please be curable, please be curable, Miguel please be alright, I can't lose you, I just can't.)" Grim thought. Countless scenarios started to go across his mind. Good. Bad. Neutral. It made his core shake with fear of the unknown. The two reached the Hospital. Cupid was already talking to Stiles while holding Ash in his arms. Grim ran up to him. "Stiles! What happened?! Where is Miguel?! Can I see him?! Is he breathing?!" Grim asked, one question after the other without any breaks to breathe. He had the look of pure fear in his eyes. Similar to the fear of when he was separated from Miguel years ago. It made him want to cry. If only his father were here. "Yo calm down, let him explain." Cupid said, rubbing Grim's back.

Stiles appeared to be very distressed and worried. One could easily tell he hasn't been sleeping judging by the fact that he had terrible bags around his eyes as well as a look of exhaustion written all over his face. Sadly, that was common with the doctor when be had things that must be done.

"At first I thought it must be some kind of stomach virus, or some kind of small illness in the gastric system." He explained to Grim and Cupid. He was hesitant to speak with the children in the room, but he couldn't wait. "Miguel kept having to use the bathroom. It was terrible diarrhea which is normal in such case. But it's not... There was a lot of blood in his stool which means it's... E. coli. There's no cure for it. Not even antibiotics. The only treatment we could do is to just keep Miguel as hydrated as we can. Now that's it the only thing that concerns me..." He looked to Cupid. "E. coli as you may know is transmitted through contaminated foods: raw meats and whatnot. I'm afraid that he got it from the food here, which means the food is contaminated." He looked back to Grim. "Has Miguel ate any sort of undercooked meat in the past ten days? Unpasteurized milk? E. coli is often transmitted through raw milk as well." He saw how frantic and fearful Grim was, and tried to remain as calm as possible. "...He's in the next room. It took him a while to finally fall asleep. He has before but he only woke up vomiting and groaning from abdominal pain."

Nicholas meanwhile didn't really understand what Stiles was saying. There was just too many big words that he couldn't figure it out. It sounded terrible and it only made him afraid of what was to happen with Miguel.

"W-What's wrong with him?" Nicholas asked softly as he tugged on Grim's pants. "What's E. coli?"

Cupid didn't hesitate. He settled Ash down, telling her to stay with Nicholas. "I'm going to tell Jacko to re-check his stock." Cupid said, and with that, he ran off in a hurry, still limping from his bandaged leg. Grim was pale and shaking. No cure? No cure. No god forsaken cure?! "N-No...why..." Grim muttered. He looked down at Nicholas, then back down at the floor. He remembered his father's books. "Escherichia Coli of the bacteria domain and Enterobacteriaceae family. Most strains are harmless but others can affect humans. There are different types too. Generally it causes toxins that destroys the blood cells and causes clogs in the filtering system, urinary infections are common as well-" Grim paused, feeling black tears fall from his eyes. "...Miguel..." Grim whispered, hurrying straight into the room. Ash pulled on Stiles' hand. "Miguel had drank some of the cow's milk before we heated it up..." Ash said, yawning as she was still trying to stay awake. "Maybe that's what caused it?" Ash asked curiously. Grim pulled up a chair right next to Miguel. They were keeping him as hydrated as they could through medical liquids, needles used here and there on his skin. But they could only do so much. Grim's hand shook as he took Miguel's hand. "M-Miguel...h...hermanito...?" Grim whispered. He felt as if his soul had shattered into pieces. He pushed his forehead against Miguel's hand. "Miguel...please...pull through. You're to stubborn to die...you can't die." Grim hissed. Usually there would be no worry. But the mortality rate in a world like this...it was near its 100%. "Please don't leave us alone...dad wouldn't want you to join him this soon, please fight, you're a fighter...I love you..." Grim whispered, his voice cracking. The atmosphere around the room itself seemed to darken, as if a cloud had covered the place. Just then, Befana and Time walked in. "We heard from Cupid, we're checking the stock now." Befana assured. Time thought about the situation. "We could try making a cure, but that would take forever...even now as we work for new cures there is only so much we can do..." Time muttered under his breath.

Nicholas listened to Grim's explanation. He still didn't fully understand what it meant, other than the fact that it was bad.

"But he's going to be okay..." He muttered, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "He just needs to sleep right?"

Stiles signed softly as he heard Ash talk. As soon as Ash said Miguel had drink the raw milk, Stiles slammed his hand on his face.

"He drank the raw milk..." He said. A part of him wanted to slap Miguel for being so stupid. "That's probably where he got infected from. I specifically said that one could get sick from it..." He kneeled down to Ash. "Miguel is going to be fine okay? Take Nicholas with you and go back to sleep." Just then Time and Befana came in. Stiles stood back up to talk to them.

"A cure would be difficult. E. coli is bacteria... Some stands are actually good for you. To make a cure that kills the bacteria could be dangerous as it could kill the bacteria that is needed for the body. It could be engineered to kill the harmful bacteria though..." He sighed softly. "There was a cure at the lab I used to be stationed at. It used Gloom as it could kill most illnesses however it was a failure. They couldn't prevent the Gloom from corrupting the body. The most we can do now is try to hydrate Miguel and hope he gets better."

Meanwhile Miguel wasn't really responsive at first. He roused out of sleep and blinked his eyes open to look at Grim. At first, he didn't even realize anyone was there. He appeared distant, confused.

"Qué...." He focused his eyes on Grim. "Oh Guada... I'll be fine sí? I'm just tired..."

Ash gave a small nod and took Nicholas' by the hand. "Come on, lets sleep." Ash said as she led him back to the room so they could sleep. Befana walked over to Stiles, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Stiles, you've done enough for the night. You should go rest. We'll take over the shift now." Befana said, assuring him that he could go back to sleep, which seemed that he really needed some. Time crossed his arms. "We have been experimenting with Gloom as well. We have been trying to create a medical gloom that will affect the people similar to how the Gloom affects the infected. The gloom should enter the body, and become part of the host, killing all illnesses and keeping the host alive. It's worked with some of our patients, but the side effects can be considered...unnerving." Time said. "They've been able to control it though, and if things keep up this way, I think Grim will develop the side effects as well. It would be up to Miguel if he wants to take it or not." Befana said. "I guess so." Time said with a sigh. Grim sniffled, kissing Miguel's hand. "Stupid...you're so stupid...you drank the milk before we heated it up and now you have E.Coli and it could kill you, stupid stupid..." Grim said between hiccups and sobs. "I would smack you if you weren't how you were now."

Stiles refused the offer to sleep, although he really should get some rest as Befana was right. Stiles overall looked like a complete mess; his hair was all over the place and he had deep dark bags under his eyes. His clothing was also messy. Normally the medic was very serious with his appearance, but from the over all exhaustion he was just all over the place. He never worked himself like this before especially since he didn't have people to help. Now he did, and he wasn't going to stop his working any time soon. He would work until his body collapses if given the choice.

"I'm... Fine." He said as he blinked his eyes some. "I cannot possibly stop now. Is there any other patients that needs help? Cupid?" He slowly looked to the room where Miguel was resting.

"I hope within the next few days he will feel better. Right now I don't even believe he can make such a decision. He's a bit delusional which is common for those infected with the bacteria."

Miguel rested his arm over his eyes. "Guadaaaaa...." He reached out his hand and placed it on Grim's face. "Don't hit meeee... The milk didn't do anything I'm okay sí? Muy happy. What's that anyway...?"

Grim suddenly stood up, glaring at his sibling, almost snapping at him. "You have a bacteria that can possibly kill you through dehydration and if not through that by the elimination of blood cells limiting oxygen the milk definitely did something!" Grim said, hissing as he felt his anger rise up and then slowly go back down. He sighed, lowering his head and slowly sitting back down. "You're so stubborn and impulsive I swear...you better be fine...you're my most precious treasure in this world, Miguel...if you were to be gone...I don't know if I could go on not being able to see you smiling again." Grim said as he rested his head down against Miguel's hand. "I'll stay with you, ok? I'm not going anywhere." Grim said, closing his eyes a bit. Unbeknownst to himself, the ends of his hair seemed to have a life of their own, gloom like liquid covering the tips as they rose up and down like snakes. Befana glared at Stiles and walked up to his face. "Now you listen to me, you are going to take a break, and you are going to regain some sleep. If you refuse I'll tie you down and make you sleep. The last thing we need is for one of our own doctors to fall sick due to something that can be avoided. Now then, doctor, any objections?" Befana hissed, the spunky red haired woman not afraid to let her opinions known regardless who she talked to. It usually was her way or the highway. She would have none of it if it meant having another one collapse.

Miguel didn't really understand fully the extent of what Grim was saying, although he could tell Grim was upset. He slowly reached out once more and cupped Grim's cheek in his hand.

"I'm... Not going anywhere sí....? No leche can hurt me..." He closed his eyes and held Grim's hand as if it was a teddy bear. "Té amo hermano mejor."

Meanwhile Stiles slowly looked up to Befana. At this point he realized he was most likely going to be sleeping no matter what. "Ja... May I sleep here, at least? I don't want to be too far away in case there is an emergency." He expected the answer to be a immediate no, but one could try. Stiles just hated taking breaks when there was work to be done.

(Sorry about the Spanish I'm typing it literally on top of my head LOL)

Edited June 1, 201510 yr by Aqua7KH

Grim wanted to melt to his touch when he held his cheek. He let Miguel sleep with his hand for the night, he didn't want to separate from his warmth. "I love you, hermano menor." Grim muttered, closing his eyes as he fell asleep with him. Meanwhile Befana crossed her arms. "Very well. You can sleep here for the night." Befana said as she walked away for a few moments, before coming back and throwing a pillow and a blanket at Stiles. "Now go to sleep!" With that, Befana walked away. Time rolled his eyes. "Forgive her. She has...quite the temper." Time said as he smiled and walked away. "That means she likes you anyways. Otherwise she wouldn't really care if you collapsed." With that, Time went on to do his things.

 

-THE NEXT MORNING-

 

Jacko along with others went through every single piece of food, water, and anything that was eatable to check for expired foods, throwing out those that had seemed to pass on their dates and keeping the ones that hadn't in their storage for later on. This went on all night, and through every food department of the city. By the time the sun was already up, Jacko decided he might as well just continue on with the day, starting to make food for the hungry people that he now had to feed for the day. This included meals to the nearest hospital and to the soldiers. Jacko was a busy busy young man. Nature had been working on solar engines all over the city, providing electricity and energy through the use of stored energy by the sun. They would have to have these solar panels all over the city rooftops. Grim slept on the edge of Miguel's bed, dried up tears on his cheeks. The gloom that had covered the end of his hair moved across his body over night, now resting on the lower part of his back. The gloom then moved on its own, extending out and forming up almost like a tail. With a mind of its own, it gently picked up a tissue from the end table, using it to wipe saliva off Miguel's lips as he slept.