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

Miguel once again tried to go back to sleep but it all was in vain. Ash jumped on him and it instantly woke him up. He let out a small grunt then a groan before sitting up and rubbing his head. Can't a guy get a nice session of sleeping in?

"Sí, Sí.... After this I'm going to sleep in. I just had a trial yesterday..." He said with a small yawn. Miguel then reached or to poke Ash's sides. "And you have a date to play with the piggies! Los conchinitos~!"

Nicholas meanwhile let out yet another small sniffle an wrapped his arms around Grim's neck. He wasn't really an enthusiastic excited boy in general. He just wanted to sleep and sleep some more.

"O-Okay..." He said with a small frown. Still... On the inside Nicholas was able to actually feel a small bit of happiness. He was going to be away from so many people and on top of that, he could play with the animals. "Wake me up when we get there..."

Stiles confined to prepare the supplies, filling a small series of bookbags with many different things. There were six big bags which he filled with supplies like medicine, food, tools, ammunition and water. There were also two smaller bags which he filled with food, water, toys and a few little things for entertainment like coloring books and puzzles.

"It's very important to keep the children entertained." Stiles said with a smile as he packed some crayons and markers into the smaller bags. "It keeps their spirits high and distracted from the world. I'm preparing a bag for each of us."

Krampus chuckled at Stiles' thinking. "You gave this a lot of thought huh?" Grim held a sleepy Nicholas in his arms, Ash stretching her arms at Miguel for him to carry her. "Thank you, Stiles. I'm sure they'll be entertained for hours on end." Grim smiled. He could only think of how they could be fun. His only free activities were to play with Miguel and read. Krampus picked up his own luggage, a bag filled with clothing and tools. "Right. Down we go then." Krampus said as he walked out of the apartment, heading down where Cupid and Jack had the donkeys along with a cart that they would be pulling, in it the materials they could get for the farm, such as farming tools and seeds and so on. Grim glanced over at Miguel. "Come on tesoro, its a long walk to the farm." Grim teased as he walked while carrying Nicholas.

Nicholas didn't take a moment too soon before he instantly tried to go back to sleep in Grim's arms. He didn't want to say goodbye to anyone in the city. Hell, he didn't even want to look at it. He just wanted to wake up at the Farm and forget the city even existed.

Stiles meanwhile, was very excited for the journey. He looked to Krampus with a smile. "Ja... I put a lot of thinking into this preparation. A journey such as this one requires such provisions." He then looked to Grim. "And I hope they are entertained. It was hard to get a hold on good coloring books and crayons." With that, he took all the bags in his arms and began to head downstairs along with Krampus.

Miguel yawned and rubbed his neck. This was going to be a long day. A part of him felt too lazy to even get up honestly. But he had to. With a smile he picked up Ash in his arms and gave a big hug. "What animal do you want to play with when we get back huh? I hope we have gatos~ I love kitty cats. But I don't think they're farm animals though awwww~" Miguel looked to Grim and stuck his tongue out.

"Ahh be quiet you! I'm gonna be the first one there."

Edited November 17, 20159 yr by Aqua7KH

Ash became rightfully excited at the question, all sleepiness suddenly just fading away for the time being. "Cats! I want cats too! And the pigs! And horses! And maybe a sheep?" Ash asked as she held onto Miguel. Grim chuckled as he walked with the group downstairs, watching Cupid and Jack waiting for them. However there was someone else as well, Jacko. "Thank goodness I got you guys before leaving! I wanted to say goodbye!" Jacko smiled. "Aw you're going to miss us!" Cupid said. "Not you. I'm talking about Miguel, Grim and the kids!" Jacko joked, to which Jack rolled his eyes. Jacko walked over to the brothers and gave them a hug. "You two watch yourselves out there, alright? You too Stiles." Jacko said, taking out something that seemed to be a book. "Here. Don't know how useful it will be, but once you settle down you surely will have time to use it." Jacko said as he handed the group the book. It was a cooking book, which had chapters with recipes ranging from beginner to pro. "I...I'm going to miss you bunch of losers." Jacko admitted. "But I will definitely come visit though!" And so meanwhile Cupid tied a carrot to a string and the string to a branch, forming bait that would inspire the donkeys to walk, hopefully.

Miguel smiled warmly as he witnessed Ash's excitement. Seeing her so happy only made Miguel even more happy himself. Still, he glanced to Nicholas from time to time. Since arriving at the city he noticed the boy was much more sad, or just unwilling and maybe even depressed. He hoped the farm would bring his spirits up. After hearing Ash's question, Miguel smiled and pressed his nose to Ash's.

"You can have whatever animal you want. I'll go to the other side of the world and bring you what you want." Once they went downstairs, Miguel chuckled and smacked Jacko on the back jokingly.

"And remember; no lock will hold your cookies from me~!"

Stiles smiled and began to look through the cookbook. He absolutely loved how it looked.

"Danke for the cookbook. Everything looks absolutely delicious in here. Don't worry, I'll take care of myself and ensure Miguel doesn't eat infected food." He mused, flipping through the pages. "This is very impressive... I will certainly show you around the farm when you come visit."

Jacko sniffled, trying not to get emotional. "I wish you luck you guys. You're welcome to visit whenever you want!" Jacko smiled. "Thank you, Jacko. Definitely visit us!" Grim purred, holding Nicholas. Ash squealed in Miguel's grasp. "We'll have all the animals!" She squeaked, looking at Jacko. "You better bring cookies!" She ordered. "I will." Jacko insisted. "Lets get moving boys! I ain't getting any younger." Krampus teased, beginning to walk along with Jack. "Come on donkeys." Cupid cooed, waving the carrot to which the donkeys walked to follow, pulling the small cart. "Goodbye Jacko." Grim waved, walking away along with the group to the gate of the wall, where soldiers were already waiting to open it up for them. The large steel gates opened up, revealing the outside, the overgrown forest and nature itself, skeletons of dead infected that had been killed and left to rot scattered around. "Oh boy." Grim cooed, walking out with the group. "Be careful out there!" one soldier called. "Send us a giftcard!" Another joked, waving as they walked away from the city. "Bye bye New Dystopia!" Cupid sung.

Nicholas was awake in Grim's arms, however he didn't want to be. Still, as everyone was saying bye to Jacko Nicholas felt bad to not say anything. As they began to leave Nicholas quietly piped up to bid Jacko a farewell before they left.

"T-Thank you for the food... Bye..." He said, waving at Jacko.

Stiles looked towards Nicholas and sighed.

 

Once they got outside the gate, Miguel had to say he almost forgot about what it all looked like. With all the things going on with the trial and what not he forgot the fact that the rest of the world was basically over. There was a strange silence to it, a strange eerie one. Still, it didn't bother him. He only continued to walk with Ash still in his arms, and he talked with her about the animals.

"We're going to have all the cute animals~ what animal do you want to sleep with tonight? I heard Los bébés love to cuddle and sleep~!"

Stiles meanwhile kept his guard up as soon as he stepped out of the gate. He had his rifle ready at all times, and occasionally checked the cart to make sure everything was secure. He just hoped they would arrive at the farm without a hitch. Luckily it was in an obscure area so there shouldn't be much human threat. Animal threat however... Was another thing. Especially gloom infected animals.

"Be on high alert." Stiles commented. "There is a lot of coyotes in the area. They may come out and hunt later. Some of them are infected... And feral."

Nicholas snuggled in Grim's hold as they walked. When Stiles have the warning about the coyotes however, he shivered slightly at the thought. "I almost got bit by one..."

Ash squealed excitedly at the thought. "Sheep! I want to sleep with the sheep! They're soft!" Ash insisted. Grim rubbed Nicholas' back reassuringly once Stiles gave the warning. "Understood." Grim hummed. Jack led the donkeys that pulled on the cart, holding a revolver near his hip as Cupid had his own bow and arrows. "Do you think the same coyotes will attack us again?" Ash asked. "Can't be for certain. But like Stiles said, this area is their natural habitat, so to encounter them wouldn't be as surprising." Jack explained. "I just hope that it's only coyotes." Cupid chimed, shivering slightly at the thought. "Remember that one time with the bear?" "How could I forget? You screamed like a girl." Jack teased, before glancing at Grim. "Oi, Grim, do you remember that one time a tiger escaped the cage at one of the auctions?" Jack asked. Grim glanced up as he thought. "Oh yeah. That was just a year after we were partnered up, I think. It was crazy. If we weren't in our cages we would have been eaten up." Grim spoke at the memory. "You two know each other long?" Krampus asked casually as he kept glancing around for any signs of trouble. "We were partnered up for a few years after being in the same bandit camp. We escaped together too." Jack explained happily. "Those were the days." Grim joked.

After hours and hours of walking, the group made it to the barn. Luckily no one had touched it, as the only entrance to the area was a rather unique one. Stiles immediately placed his supplies inside the barn right after checking the area for intruders.

"It's all clear. We are good." Stiles announced, going to unpack his bags.

Meanwhile Nicholas' eyes widened. Already he saw all the sheep and all the other animals come to greet them. Nicholas began to move around only in the slightest, as he wanted to go hug the animals.

"Put me down..." Nicholas said softly. "I want to say hi to them..."

Miguel had a... Rather interesting reaction to arriving. As soon as he saw the animals approach Miguel put down Ash so she could go wild. Right after that, he trotted over to a haystack and let his body drop on it. He could unpack, but Miguel figured he could let Stiles and everyone else do that.

"Finally... Mi casaaaaaaaa~" he sang, letting himself sink into the hay.

 

Grim gently set down Nicholas, allowing him to go ahead and have fun hugging and greeting the animals. Jack, Cupid and Krampus looked around in awe. “My my, this place is like a little piece of heaven.” Krampus hummed. “I’ll admit. I never really thought this place would be so nice.” Jack said. Cupid went ahead and released the donkeys from their restraints, allowing them to wander around the farm and make new friends. “There’s so many animals too.” Cupid gasped. Krampus picked up stuff from the cart, setting them down and unpacking one by one. Grim rolled his eyes at Miguel’s laziness as he laid on the hay. “Your house, but you aren’t doing much.” Grim cooed. Ash simply went wild. She squealed as she ran around and began to hug all of the possible animals, chasing down the piglets to give them a hug as well. Jack helped Krampus unpack different stuff. “Here we go. Some seeds. We would need to fix up the soil first, though.” “We can do that.” Grim hummed. “This pace is pretty good and stable. Just a few fixes here and there but it’s good.” Krampus added.

Nicholas immediately went over to the small baby goats he saw laying around the side of the farm. They looked to be having a lazy day, just lounging around on some hay. When Nicholas came they all stood up and began to cheer. Nicholas sat right down with them and smiled softly as they all smothered him with their soft fuzziness.

Miguel meanwhile only whined and pressed himself even further into the hay.

"Come on, Guada. We just walked forever and we're finally here. Don't you guys want to I dunno, relax before unpacking all that mierda?"

Stiles sighed softly and only continued in his unpacking. "Well, as irresponsible and lazy as that sounds... He does have a point. Why don't we all rest for a while? I volunteer to keep watch." He looked to Grim. "And if we do that, I'd like to have a few words with you before you sleep."

"I like Miguel's idea!" Cupid said before throwing himself onto the nearest stack of hay, groaning in comfort as he snuggled up. Krampus settled the stuff in a corner. "A nap sounds good to me." He said, before flying upwards to the roof, sitting down on one of the wooden rafters and laying back, getting himself a nice spot. "No fair, you get the best view!" Jack chuckled, climbing up a ladder to one of the elevated wooden levels where more hay was kept, making a bed of his own to nap in. Grim watched and eventually shrugged in agreement. "Alright. I guess napping wouldn't be so bad." Grim hummed. He turned to Stiles. "What is it you need to tell me, Stiles?"

Miguel just laid back rather triumphantly in his little hay bed. He felt very victorious.

"Huzzah~! I'm the winner~~" Miguel chimed, almost disappearing completely inside the hay. "I started a trend~~"

Stiles only looked and Miguel and shook his head, gesturing Grim to follow him to the back of the barn. Once he was there his expression turned into that of a worried one.

"Back at the city I had given the kids evaluation tests as I had requested... Due to the trial I hadn't had a chance to speak to you about Nicholas." Stiles looked towards where Nicholas laid with the lamps with a frown. "He... He is suffering from severe depression... For a child this is very serious... He is not living, merely existing. I fear for him, as a human being cannot live like this. I know because I suffered similar feelings when my daughter passed away."

Grim pursed his lips as he listened to Stiles. Depression. Sever at that. It certainly wasn't something unheard of. But it was rare in children as young as Nicholas still. "You don't think he would..."Grim began, not really finishing the sentences as he felt the scars around his neck, which made it obvious of what he was thinking. Could Nicholas be in bad enough shape to consider suicide? Maybe. "What can we do?" Grim asked. "You wouldn't tell me unless you have a plan...right? You went through it so there must be something to be done to help?" Nicholas was no longer just a kid. He was family.

Stiles sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. It was a very difficult situation. It's not like he could just treat Nicholas.

"The thing is, we're in an apocalypse... I would recommend medication and counseling, but that's a challenge in itself. Even medication could be bad. Sometimes it makes the depression worse. I'm a medic with knowledge of psychology. I don't have a PHD." Stiles still tried to give a reassuring smile. "However, I believe the best we can do is show him as much support as possible. It goes quite a long way. Honestly, it sounds like Ash is the light at the end of his little tunnel, too."

Grim hummed as he unconsciously played with his braid. Sometimes Grim forgot that the world was much different before the Gloom. That there was order and no need to fight for your food, that medicine was abundant, and simple illnesses that would be deadly today could be cured easily. That the state of the current world wasn't normal. It was apocalyptic. "We may not have what would usually be necessary for this. But I really think we should be able to help him with what we can. Many have done it before. We can do it too. We...we'll help Nicholas become healthy again." Grim said reassuringly. The world wasn't right. For those who have been sick mentally it was simply a pat on the back and move on. Many were undiagnosed too. ADD, Schizophrenia, especially PTSD which was the most common. "We'll be sure to make the wrongs right. We're out of the city, and Nicholas does seem more relaxed to be here than back there. We just have to make sure Ash doesn't overwhelm him."Grim insisted smiling a bit.

Stiles smiled himself at the mention of Ash. Now she was an interesting character. They both were polar opposites, basically.

"What worries me is the fact that Nicholas seems unwilling to want to get better. Such a thing is common. I just fear that it'll get worse. Obviously we're at the farm now, so I can't make a true observation until we see how he reacts to being at the farm again. Hopefully he will respond better now." With that, Stiles places his hand on Grim's shoulder. "I just wanted to inform you. Honestly depression and post-traumatic stress is as common as a cold now... But right now what most important is sleep. Why don't you get rest? I'll wake you up if there's any trouble. Also, inform Miguel what I have told you please."

Grim nodded gently. Maybe the change of scenery would do more than good for Nicholas. Now they were to help him get back on his feet. Help him want to live. Help him become a child again. He smiled up at Stiles. "I guess a nap does sound good. Wake me up if you get too tired though, and I'll exchange turns alright?" Grim said. The walk did tire them all out. "I'll explain to Miguel once he wakes up." Grim added, walking off to the nearest pile of hay. "I know I say this a lot, and sorry if it becomes annoying but...thank you." Grim said, waving at Stiles before making his way to a pile of hay. Once he made sure he wasn't going to accidentally sit on anyone, he laid down, falling asleep almost instantly.

Stiles was relieved to see that Grim was to go to sleep. Sometimes he worried that Grim wouldn't get enough rest.

"Yes, I will wake you up if anything. Just focus on getting rest. You've earned it." He said with a smile. But suddenly Grim thanked him. Usually Stiles would be flattered, but this time... He just felt a warm feeling in his heart.

"It's no problem... I will do anything for a bruder." Stiles said as Grim walked away.

 

A few hours later though, Grim was shook awake by Stiles. He didn't even need to explain what was wrong, there was loud shouting and crying coming from nearby.

"There there, Nicholas... It's okay..." Stiles said to Nicholas as he rubbed Nicholas' shoulder. He rushed to Nicholas as soon as he woke Grim up.

Nicholas was sitting against the wall, hugging his knees and shivering in fear. "..."

Miguel was up and to the side, already readying his machete. "A few men and a woman I think." He said with a shrug. "I don't know about you, but I don't mind taking out a few pendejos!"

 

Grim quickly jumped onto his feet, realizing the situation at hand as the dizziness faded away. “Men and women? A whole group?” Grim asked. Ash was sitting next to Nicholas, though not crying, she was shaking like a leaf. Krampus was standing by one of the entrances, his wings out and sharped. Cupid had his crossbow ready and one arrow in his hand. Jack walked over to Grim, handing him a revolver as he himself held a handgun of his own. “Are they hostile? Do they have weapons?” Grim asked, hurrying over to one of the entrances to take a peek outside. “We don’t know just yet, but better safe than sorry.” Krampus hissed. “They could be a group of bandits or of travelers. Either way I don’t see any children with them so I can’t tell.” Cupid groaned. Grim walked over to Nicholas and rubbed his head reassuringly. “Don’t worry, we won’t let them lay a single hand on you.” Grim hummed. He glanced around. “Should one of us head out and see what they want?” Grim asked. “That’s dangerous.” Jack warned. “I could go. I’m old. I honestly don’t give a ****.” Krampus joked.

 

Stiles decided to climb on top of the barn to get a better look. He grabbed a pair of binoculars from his bag and once he got to the roof Stiles looked right into the trees and into the direction of the shouting.

"I can't see anything... Nein!" Stiles three his binoculars to the side. "I can see what looks like to be a group of men... Bandits. They have another man kneeling down. I believe they are going to execute him!" With that, he jumped down and looked to everyone.

"I do now know what you think we should do... I vote that I go with Miguel and Grim to try and ago the execution... The men are clearly bandits so perhaps this survivor might be interesting... Krampus I don't know if you'd like to come but someone needs to watch the children in case of there are others nearby."

Miguel rolled his eyes and put his hands on the back of his neck.

"Who died and made you el presidenté?" Miguel asked. "Well... I do have to admit I don't mind going over there and beating up all of those pendejos. This place is going to get boring anyway."

Nicholas meanwhile shivered when Grim placed a hand on him, almost as if he expected to Grim to hit him. Nicholas looked down. "..."

Everyone analyzed the situation and nodded. "Alright. You three head out and try to stop the execution. Anyone else tries to get near the children and the farm will have to go through me." Krampus assured. "I'll watch over from above in case things get out of hand." Cupid assured, climbing up as he held his crossbow in hand. Jack stood by the children. "Be careful. Also I suggest that if you kill one you kill the rest. The last thing we would need is for one of them to run off and return with reinforcements." Jack hummed. "Good idea." Grim said as he checked that his gun was full with bullets before clicking it back into place. He looked over at his brother and at Stiles. "Lets go. If we can save this man from an unfair faith it should make for the day." Grim said, and with that he hurried out, jumping over the fence as he began to hurry across the trees to the bandits. How he hated to even think about them. They were nothing but a sickness to the world. Jack looked down at Ash and at Nicholas, rubbing their heads reassuringly. "It's alright. Nothing bad will happen to you." He assured.

Stiles gave a curt nod himself, and made sure his rifle was ready. As soon as it was he went right into the forest after Grim. "Be careful. We must hide in the shadows."

Miguel only rolled his eyes once more, and aggravatedly followed along.

"Everyone listen to me because I'm a German doctor ja and I know everyzing ja!" Miguel uttered, mimicking Stiles' accent as he went into the forest.

Nicholas shook his head and looked down right into the ground. "..."

Once they approached the group of men, more things came into view. As they approached it appeared that there wasn't just one man kneeling down waiting to be executed; there was another man and a woman as well. The woman's belly was big.

Stiles' eyes widened as he watched from behind a nearby tree at the edge of the forest.

"A pregnant woman..." He uttered, quite cautious of the scene in front of him.

Miguel hissed, and stood behind another tree. He had his handgun and machete ready to go. "I almost forgot girls get pregnant..."

Four men stood in front of the group. The leader, who wore a red bandana over his face chuckled as he walked back and fourth in front of them with his rifle in hand.

"You think we're just gonna let you go?" He asked.

One of the prisoners, a man in his thirties looked up to him.

"Please- we mean you no harm! Take anything you want from us! Just please let us go! My wife is pregnant... Please don't hurt her!" The woman next to him, his wife, was just looking down and sobbing.

"They're not going to listen to us..." The third prisoner hissed. "They're bandits."

Stiles looked to Grim. "I think we should wait for the right moment..."

Miguel growled. "Who the firetruck are you trying to boss around you marichòn?!"

Stiles took a small breath. "I am not trying to boss anybody around. Be quite before they hear you!"

"See?! You are bossing me around! Guada, he's bossing me around!"

Grim rolled his eyes and turned to them both while pouting. "Is now really the time?" Grim asked. He turned back to look at the situation at hand, holding his revolver close to him as he felt his hunting dagger in his pocket. "A pregnant woman..." Grim whispered. He had never seen one before in his life, in all honesty. He knew it happened, and his father explained to him the birds and the bees rather early in life, but to see a pregnant woman now was rather...strange for him. However the posibilities of how this encounter could go were endless. "We shouldn't wait for too long." Grim turned back. "I think it would be best to cause a distraction. Something that takes away their attention from their current problem to a new one. Then we attack when they least expect it." Grim suggested. He thought for a moment and pursed his lips. "It's the only thing I can conclude that will give us a chance. Men like them are easier to distract than rats if given the right content." Grim said, hiding his revolver inside his pocket. "That or we scare them." Grim removed his hair band and let his hair flow freely. He then messed it around a bit so it would be out of place and covering his eyes. "I'll distract them. Once I get their attention, kill them before they realize what's going on." Grim hummed, and with that he turned around and hurried across the shadows for a bit more. Once he was at a distance, he took out his gloomified tail and got on his fours. "I think I should remember how zombies work..." Grim huffed. Just like that, he stepped out of the shadows and into the view of the group, standing just a few feet from them while groaning loudly. "B...Brains....!!!" He groaned, his tail whipping back and forth. "Brains...!!!!"

Miguel whipped his head around to look at Grim all while rapidly gesturing his hand around in Stiles' direction.

"But he started it!" Miguel complained, to which Stiles rolled his eyes.

"You are acting like a child..." He uttered. Grim then left, and what happened next surprised them both.

Miguel's jaw completely dropped. He had to suppress a loud snort.

Stiles meanwhile rubbed the back of his head, but got his rifle ready. It was... Strange. But it'll do.

The husband meanwhile was crying, looking down hopelessly as he begged for mercy.

"Please...!" He cried. "Don't hurt my wife! Do whatever you want to us but let her go!"

The second man growled. "He's not going to listen to us! He's going to kill us either way!"

The leader grinned. "I like this guy. He speaks the truth. Now-" he suddenly grabbed the woman by the hair, and yanked her up which caused her to shriek. "Say goodbye to your precious wife and-"

"Uh, boss!"

"What the f*** is that?!"

The leader instantly turned around and saw... A zombie? He threw the woman to the ground.

"What the hell?" The leader asked. "Whatever, kill it!" He took out his gun and aimed for Grim, but suddenly a loud gunshot rang through the air. The gun was shot out of the leader's hand instantly which caused him to drop to the floor and clutch his now bleeding hand in pain. "Agh!!!" He yelled. The leader's goons looked around fearfully, going to aim where Stiles was before Stiles began to shoot. He shot at the ground at first so that way he wouldn't risk hurting the people he was trying to rescue. As they were going for some kind of cover, the husband grabbed his partner and wife, and ran to the nearest boulder to cover behind.

Miguel honestly was distracted by Grim, and didn't even realize a firefight just started. He took out his handgun instantly and began to shoot, shooting one of the goons in the chest twice before he dropped to the ground. Another one ran straight for Grim, with his knife out and ready to kill.