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 gave a soft nod. "You're right about that." He smiled. Miguel was impulsive and the type to act first and think later. But it was such charm that made him even more lovable and loyal to everyone who met him. "Don't worry. He'll wake up. I'm sure of it." Grim cooed. Though if he would still be Miguel by when he did lingered in his mind. He walked closer to Columbus. "I just want you to know that he is a changed man from when I found him. I promise you. He means well. We've all done bad things in this world anyways." Grim added. He stood next to Columbus for a moment, tilting his head almost cutely to the side. "I'm sorry for any trouble he has caused too. I'm sure you have your reasons, you must have lost a lot yourself...I hope we can be friends after the trial?" Grim asked, giving a second of his famous smile before walking away. "Have a nice day." Grim waved. It was all strategy one way or another. To befriend, to make more allies than enemies. Technices learnt in hell itself. The trial could go either way. Better to make sure things were at their favor. Krampus picked Miguel up in his arms, just as Grim returned. "Lets take him to the room. Stiles. You can finish your tests on the kids if you want." Grim said. "Er about the kids and the current situation. What will you tell them?" Krampus asked. Grim shrugged. "The truth. Lies will do no good."

Columbus wasn't expecting such words from Grim. He was half impressed and half annoyed. Then again, any other person would've flipped him off so this was new. Still, he refused to show any ounce of kindness. With a small grumble he turned and walked away. "..."

Stiles nodded and picked up Miguel's legs. "I agree." Stiles said. "Although sometimes it is wise to reveal such things at more appropriate times... There's no escaping this. If we don't tell them now they will find out on their own. I just hope they will handle it well." Stiles glanced down to Miguel in sadness. "When Miguel wakes up his world will end." He could only imagine how Miguel would feel when he realizes everyone knows his secret now. A secret Miguel was so ashamed to have.

Grim frowned. "I know." He whispered. The three carried Miguel to the room, laying him down on the mattress. "That should do it." Krampus huffed. Grim sat down next to Miguel, watching over him as he gently played with his hair. "Thank you, Stiles, Krampus. Your help means a lot right now." Grim said, keeping his gaze low. "No problem about it. If you would allow me, I would actually like to stand watch outside the room until after the trial. Rumors are going to spread like wildfire, and I would like to be around to stop anyone who thinks it is their right alone to judge." Krampus explained. Grim simply nodded. As horrid as it was, it was true, and he preferred to not take any chances. "Thank you, Krampus." Grim said. Krampus gave a small nod before walking out to make guard at the door. Grim looked up at Stiles. "Do you think the children would be safer staying by your side until tomorrow? Or could you bring them over? I want to stand by in case he wakes up."

Stiles smiled softly at the kind favor Krampus was going for them. Stiles could tell Krampus was a very loyal man. Such men were rare in a world such as this one.

"Danke." Stiles said. Once Grim asked about the children, Stiles took a few moments to think before looking to the door. "I'll take them in my care for tonight if that's alright with you." He offered. "They shouldn't see Miguel like this... It was enough to see him when he was sick with E. coli. I'll explain to them what's going on and spend time when them until Miguel wakes up."

 

Grim nodded. “Understood.” Grim said. He stood up, watchful of Miguel as he walked over to Stiles and suddenly gave him a big hug. “You’ve been kind to us, so I want to thank you. Even as strangers you helped us out, and you stood behind Miguel after the accusation, even after it’s all true.” Grim said as he let go, smiling at Stiles sweetly. “Thank you!~” Grim cooed happily. As bad as the situation was, to know that there was someone else looking out to help them out made the day. “I hope Ash and Nicholas don’t get sad. We’ll see each other in the morning anyways…at least I hope.”

Stiles was just about to leave, before Grim came and gave him a big hug. Stiles didn't expect that at all. Not one bit. It was funny actually... Stiles hasn't felt a hug in a very, very long time. The last hug he ever got was from his precious daughter.

"I-It's..." Stiles uttered softly, unsure of how to react. "Anytime, friend... You all are my family now." He looked to Grim and smiled. Family... That was right. With a small chuckle, he broke away from the hug. "Don't worry about the kids. They'll be fine ja? I'll take care of them." With that, Stiles left.

It wasn't until a few hours later when Miguel roused up from sleep. He groaned softly and held his head. Boy did it hurt. He couldn't remember a single thing of what happened.

"Ugh.... Que..."

 

Grim was almost sleep by the time that Miguel woke up. He smiled, rubbing his eyes as Miguel had woken up. And as it appeared, with conscious of his own actions. “You’re awake, thank goodness.” Grim cooed, getting closer to him as he helped him sit up. “You…lost control of the gloom when you got into a fight against Columbus. You almost killed him. But he almost beat you to it, he kind of shot you in the head.” Grim explained. Then his expression soured. “…everyone knows, Miguel. About your affiliations with the Wolves as el Diablo. Apparently Columbus had been doing some investigations and found out, before blaring it out to the public. You’re supposed to be on trial tomorrow morning to see if you’re forgiven for your crimes…or if you have to pay for them…” Grim explained, shifting his position as he anticipated the upcoming response.

Miguel was actually very happy to be awake and seeing Grim there beside him. Very happy indeed... Until he heard the news about el Diablo. Almost instantly his stomach dropped, and he felt completely sick.

"Q-Que? N-No... It can't be.." He muttered softly, looking down at the stained markings on his arms. "It's because of this... My markings... Everyone knows El Diablo has skeleton markings on his body... No.... Guada, how can I escape this?" He asked, pure utter fear in his eyes. His world was broken. Everyone knew his darkest secret. How could anyone ever look at him the same again? "They're going to kill me... That marichòn! I'm going to kill him! He did this to me..." Miguel uttered venomously, shaking in his bed. He even called Columbus something worse than a pendejo. "I'm going to rip his throat out..."

The anger and wrath as expected. However he knew that it would do no good in the end. He could try to fight all he wanted and once again it was the world against him. "Miguel, calm down a bit." Grim cooed, getting his hands on his shoulders. He then pulled Miguel into a hug, one hand gently rubbing the back of his head. "I won't allow them to hurt you. You won't be killed, I promise. All of the people are divided as it is. They know that you did wrong but they also know of the good you've done as well. We've all done bad and terrible things in this world, they can't blame you for wanting to survive in a world where only the strongest live." Grim explained, hoping to bring any calm to him. When they became family Grim promised he would protect Miguel, and he still meant to keep it. He gently rubbed Miguel's cheeks with his thumbs. "You'll be fine. I promise." Grim assured, offering his pinky for a pinky promise.

Miguel was still fuming. It wasn't even because of the Trial. Miguel well knew there was a lot of people on this earth that wanted to take him out. It wasn't that. It was Columbus that really made him mad. He just wanted to beat the hell out of the guy. It was the principle.

"I don't even give a shit what they think... It's that Columbus guy that I can't get over. He called me a spick, Guada! A f****** spick! He... Agh!" Miguel cried in pain as he tried to lift up his arm. He couldn't. "He broke my arm! He snapped it right in half when he threw me into the ground! That man is poison. He's only going to get us hurt." Miguel hissed venomously.

Grim didn't even noticed the broken arm. He quickly grabbed it as gently as possible. "The gloom should fix it soon. Here, hold still." Grim said as he moved his gloom tail and wrapping tightly around Miguel's arm, forcing the bone to be pushed back into place and kept the tail around the arm this way so the bone wouldn't heal twisted up. Now Miguel's hatred towards Columbus was reaching to a point of revenge. "I know. He isn't a good man. But he must have his reasons. Fighting him or killing him won't fix anything. In fact it could make it worse. We'll just keep our distance from him and avoid any interaction. After the trial tomorrow we can pack our stuff and leave the city for the farm like we planned. Sounds good?" Grim asked calmly. If the two went berserk they would be in a whole heap of trouble. Grim knew that any sort of violence would only make things worse in a place that its trying to avoid it. "Then you won't have to worry about him anymore." Grim insisted. "Now, are you thirsty or need anything?"

Miguel growled out in pain as Grim went to work fixing his arm. As soon as Grim snapped Miguel's arm back in place, Miguel's own Gloom went to work as well. His Gloom held the bone together almost like tape or glue.

"I don't care!" Miguel growled. "I want to kill that man! I'm going to gut him like the pig he is!" He was going to continue, however after focusing on Grim's face and voice Miguel slowly calmed down. Grim was right. Miguel's problem however was that he couldn't just let things go. He couldn't swallow his pride.

"Mierda." Miguel cursed with a small pout. "Fine... I'll just drink water or something."

Grim sighed a bit. Miguel would be Miguel regardless. The least he could do was to stay by his side and scoop him up away from danger when the time called for it. "I'm going to get you some water alright? The kids are staying over with Stiles and Krampus is just outside watching over so we don't have any unexpected visitors." Grim explained as he stood up and poked his nose. "You can murder a pillow instead if it helps. I'll be right back." Grim said as he turned and walked out. "Hey Krampus, do you know the nearest source of drinkable water?" Grim asked. "There should be a water bottle station downstairs. It's big and with glass and blue. Can't miss it." Krampus explained. "Be right back then. Miguel is awake." Grim said as he made his way downstairs to get the bottle. It was eerily quiet, but then again most people came here to sleep, so quiet was to be expected besides the lack of people out in the halls. Like Krampus said it wasn't hard to find. It even had a large sign that said WATER on it. Krampus peeked inside the room where Miguel was, hoping for some chitchat. "Hey kid, you awake?"

Murder a pillow. Murder a f****** pillow. Honestly Miguel figured as much from Grim. A pillow just wasn't the same as actual human bone and flesh. But whatever. Maybe murdering a pillow is actually a good idea. And because of that Miguel decided to do just that as soon as Grim left. When Krampus peeked inside. Miguel was stabbing one of the pillows on his bed with a Gloom created knife. Oh well, there was too many pillows on the bed anyway.

"Huh...?" Miguel asked, a tiny bit surprised from the sudden visitor. "This is not what it looks like..."

Krampus couldn't help but to smile. "Oh please. No need to worry about that. Sometimes I want to do the same to Columbus." Krampus confessed as he stepped in. "But you know what this means, right?" He asked as he pointed at the knife. "You're becoming adapted to the Gloom. You're practically a hound like me and the rest." Krampus smiled. "Though we should probably try to help you control your temper. I think that might be the reason why you lost control earlier. Once a strong emotion takes over us we have to be careful otherwise we'll be blinded by the Gloom, allowing it to act for us." Krampus took a seat on the ground. "Oh but don't mind me. I want to see how you plan to kill the evil pillow." Krampus said, somewhat teasing but also being sincere.

Miguel huffed as he continued to stab the pillow. Honestly he didn't even care anymore. Hounds, Gloom, infected- Miguel was sick to hear it all. He had enough of all of this craziness and bulls***. Honestly everyone could go eat horse sh**. All Miguel wanted to do was to get the hell away from Columbus. "You think?" Miguel asked with yet another huff. "I was doing fine before that pendejo opened his mouth. Next time he talks mierda like that I'll turn into the f****** hulk." With that he punched the now ripped up pillow to the other side of the room, feathers flying everywhere.

Grim walked into the room, holding a water bottle in hand only to encounter feathers flying everywhere as Miguel had absolutely murdered the life out of the pillow. "I didn't think you'd actually do it." Grim said as he closed the door behind him. "Your brother is stressing out over Columbus." Krampus said. Grim pursed his lips. Of course he would. He could possibly give Miguel some words of wisdom...but the chance of something much better was too good to ignore. He picked up the nearest pillow, throwing it right at Miguel as he picked up another one. "Enough thinking about that guy! Pay more attention to me!" Grim teased, now smacking him with his own pillow.

Miguel swatted the pillow away, only to have Grim come and smack him with yet another pillow. Lovely.

"Leave me alone!" Miguel whined, trying to swipe at the pillow yet again. He hated being teased when he was pissed off.

"I'm going to think about that culo because he tried to kill me and he deserves a beating! He caused all this so why are you all happy and bah!" Miguel grabbed the pillow and began to smack Grim back with it.

Grim smiled. Yes, Miguel was in a terrible mood indeed. Ever more reason to rile him up with a pillow fight. "I'm happy because you're safe!" Grim said as he smacked Miguel with the pillow again. "When I saw you go down I thought of trying of killing Columbus. I almost did if I wasn't stopped. Then he said you had lost control and that you might've turned when you wake up, but of course he was wrong and now because of him we have to face an entire trial!" Grim yelled, swinging the pillow around at Miguel. He didn't even noticed as a few tears escaped his face. He tried so hard to remain positive and yet...lately it has been so hard to keep up the facade. Just like that he dropped the pillow and threw himself at Miguel, hugging him down as they stumbled on the floor. "Don't fight him, Miguel. He'll kill you again..."

Miguel grunted as he fell right on his broken arm, a sharp sense of pain shooting right up into his elbow. Ow.

"A-Agh..." Miguel breathed, looking down at Grim. What he didn't realize... That Grim was crying.

"Guada? Guada. Come on, stop crying..." He whispered, rubbing Grim's head gently. It always pained him to see Grim cry.

"Hey... I promise, okay? I won't go after Columbus again." And that was the truth. Grim was right. Miguel couldn't go after Columbus. Not for the sake of himself, but for the sake of Grim and the others. "Just stop crying... Por favor..."

 

Grim sniffled and sat up. He didn’t like to cry because of how worried it made Miguel and those around him. But this time he couldn’t hold it. Once Miguel promised he wouldn’t be looking for trouble against Columbus, he shook his head and wiped away his tears. “You better keep that promise.” Grim insisted. He smiled softly a bit and rested against Miguel again. “Tomorrow we’ll do the trial and leave with the kids back to the farm ok? We’ll fix it up and make our own little home.” Grim smiled. Krampus couldn’t help but to awe. The scene was cute. “You two really are very close.” Krampus cooed. He stood up. “I’ll…leave you to sleep, and keep watch outside.” Krampus said as he stepped out, a small smile on his face.

Miguel chuckled softly as Grim explained the plan. It really did feel good. They could leave, and actually settle into a real home. He knew the kids would be very happy to have a true home.

"Wait..." Miguel muttered, face softening as he realized something. He looked into Grim's eyes.

"Los niños... Do they... Know? Do they know... Of my past? Tell me they don't, por favor..." Miguel whispered. He couldn't bare the idea of the kids knowing about his past. What would they think?

 

Grim paused, thinking about it for a bit before shaking his head. “I…don’t know actually. I haven’t seen the kids since taking them over to Stiles for a check-up. They’re currently with him for the night. Whether they know or not…” Grim murmured. He had said that it was best to tell them the truth, but now she wondered how much of the detailed truth were they told. “Even if they knew, you’re Miguel, big brother Miguel and you’re kind and you’re wonderful…they love you and would understand that past is past.” Grim assured as he rubbed his head smiling. “Come on, it’s late. You must be tired?”

Miguel ran both of his hands through his air and let out an aggravated sigh. It was just one thing after the other after the other. This really wasn't good.

"Guada, Nicholas is terrified of being in a room with more than five people! The Snakes ruined his life. How do you think he'll feel if he knows that I was one of the Wolves, which is basically the same shit. Ash... She's okay with a lot of things. But Nicholas..." He sighed softly and looked down. Maybe Grim was right. Maybe he should just go to sleep and swallow whatever was to come tomorrow.

"Yeah... I'm tired..." He uttered, looking to his broken arm. "Maybe I'll pretend he f***** me up and make everyone feel bad for me."

Grim rested a hand on Miguel's shoulder. "You are the only family he has left. He trusts you and looks up to you. He knows how wrong this world is. He was born into it like us. We're a small family yet we've been together long enough. What's to change? I know he will understand." Grim assured. Truthfully he didn't know how Nicholas would react. All was yet to be seen. "Come on. The trail will go fine..." Grim said as he pulled Miguel gently onto the nearest mattress, smiling at a thought. "It's been a while since we've shared a bed. Brings back memories of when dad would scold us to go to sleep when we kept making jokes." Grim laughed. Those were the best times. He gently wrapped his tail protectively around Miguel, much like he would do with the kids. "Good night, Miguel."

Edited October 5, 201510 yr by Stardustblade358