Chapter Text
You still felt uneasy. Not because of them. Brute was rude but did it for alice. He lessened over time but still refused to joke with you. Alice reminded you just how touch starved you've become. The way brushing your arm made you want to leap into her arms. The way she spoke with confidence.
No, it's the amount of crows and zombies. Zombies started appearing more around the outskirts and Crows were gathering. Alice and Brutus must've felt it too.
It was time to say goodbye to each other.
You gathered your stuff, now sporting a bigger bag. Snacks, two tubberware of food, and water. Two flashlights, disinfectant and some loose bandages. You wore your hoodie and jacket as the sky dipped. You needed warmth. The blanket was neatly folded in your bag with the pillow. You were enjoying being able to bathe.
You stood at the entrance, hesitating. You heard their footsteps. You couldn’t meet her eyes as the sun dipped.
"Stay safe," she says. You chuckle.
"Can't promise that."
"Then stay alive."
You parted ways. The peace ended and you and your stuff needed to get out. The father you headed to the end of the city. The more it scared you. You felt paranoid suddenly. The warmth of earlier died. You felt watched.
"HELP!" A voice screamed. You snapped your head to a tall parking lot. "PLEASE I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" You were rooted in the spot, wide eyed. Risk yourself for another? Chance of survival? But… it ..it could be a friend. They can't be like him.. right?
The scream rose and you can see zombies gathering. You cursed.
"Man, fuck it!"
You ran into the building, flashing your flashlight and drawing zombies. Causing noise, they gathered and you slid across the ground as one dove for you.
"HELP!" The voice was closer. In one last ditch effort you slid under a car pocketed the flashlight then bolted. The zombies chase and you ran to the edge and faked a jump. Grabbing at the roof and pulling your legs up. They dove over and left a red and black mess on the ground. Like an accidental paint splatter.
You fall to the ground and huff. Standing and dusting yourself. You stroll toward the crying …voice. Wait a minute…Alice?
"I thought you and brutus..?"
The woman rose from her hiding spot and turned around. You immediately stepped back. "My savior! " She mocked and lunged for you. You sidestepped her and dashed away. Immediately waves of ink men blocked your way down. Causing you to skid to a halt. You turned around to see her smirking.
This is some bullshit!
You gritted your teeth and raced upward instead.
"AFTER HER!" Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Ink beings were forming from the ceiling and you barely managed to skirt past them.
Haven't I learned anything? You thought angrily at herself. You are supposed to be alone! Alone! Why the hell had you been so hell bent on shaking it up a bit.
Alice's words rang in your head.
“Collect them fast,” The angel says. “Word spreads amongst toon kind ya know? The ‘lord’ is on the hunt.” It's said with a condescending tone to lord and a snort.
Was he hunting you? Or just humans in general? Either way, you were running out of time. You nearly tripped as the ground shook and a large paw slammed down next to you. Fear took over as sound gave out. You bolted away.
A slimmer of hope and the prey instincts kicking in. You wedged yourself into a stuck door as you shoved yourself through. Falling hard but scrambling forward.
"WHERE IS SHE!?"
Your breathing hard and your arm hurts, you go to lift it and wince. Looking around, you looked to be in some abandoned hospital building. You had little time.
Move.
You looked for a fire escape. The hallway map was faded and incredible. Just as you heard a crash and panic set back in. Someone grabbed you. You screamed but the grip was unrelenting.
"Shhhhh, you're ok little sheep…"
You tried to glance at them through wet eyes. Your pulse throbbed and you could barely control your breathing as he pulled you into a corner and closed the curtain. Footsteps thudded. You held your breath.
Whatever it was, blocked the light under the door, casting the room in more darkness. Then… they moved on.
"You're ok, there there. The shepherd has come to collect you…" You barely registered how hypnotic his words were. Sweet, soothing, you tried to wrangle away but he was strong. You turned to see an ink fellow. But he was wearing an odd smiling mask and light show from where his eyes should be.
"She's awful isn't she? Doesn't know how subtly, soft, so so very rough…"
"Y..ye.." it's like it's compelling you to speak. Just let go… but. But, you refused .
Slap!
You shocked him as he gasped from where you slapped him and you ran toward the broken room window. Those loud footsteps were returning. The masked man lunged as you turned to him.
And promptly fell out the window.
Everything..hurts. It was all blinding pain as you hit every branch on the way down and laid there hearing ringing. Shoes came into view and you saw a kinder looking version of brutus, reaching out with worry before you passed out.
The crackling of fire slowly woke you. Your shirt was missing by the feel of warmth hitting your body. Your heart jumped and that awful feeling returned. Something wet hit your forehead and you turned your head to see a worried wolf.
“Bru..?”
He motions to be quiet as he cleans your wounds. There’s something covering your legs. You can see your clothes in a corner. Your eyes dart back to the wolf who seems to cover a cloth in something. He looks at you apologetically. You wonder why until the burn starts. You yell and he goes to shush you. He then wraps up the wound on your side. Lifting you up slight to wrap. It hurts and you grit your teeth. You notice your bandages all over . Had.. hand he taken care of you? Ok, you didn’t feel good about being stripped but he was helping..? He pulls the cover up and places your pillow under your head.
Your vision blurs and when you reopen your eyes, you realize you passed out again for a moment. You see the wolf pacing.
“Who are you?”
He halts and his ears lower, tail tucked, and he looks defeated. He starts signing but pauses when you look confused. He droops even more and shuffles over to his bag. Throwing this around before pulling out a notebook and pencil.
‘ The name is boris. I’m sorry about the other two. They don’t know restraint.’
You glare at him. “Are you with them?” His eyes widen in alarm and he hurriedly writes. As if you can move.
‘Well not by choice! I don’t want to capture you.’
“So you’ll let me go?” Boris avoids eye contact and seems to look around, as if someone was listening in.
‘I can’t’ he writes and looks guilty. ‘Someone is going to come to collect you soon in a few days. I had to tell.’
“Great,” you groan. 10 fucking years and your run comes to an end. Not by zombies or injury. Not by toons.
But the fucking lord himself wants you.
“Say, boris? What does he looks like?” Boris tilts his head. “The ink demon?”
His cute pie cut eyes, pale. He gulps and attempts to draw him. The picture looked like the crescent moon was turned on its side. Horns up and a smile, just like the mask that man wore.
“I’m being honest I don’t really understand..” Boris began to scribble more.
‘Always grinning, tall, dripping ink..’ A beast that’s always smiling? She wondered how tall this beast was.
“Hah, damn must suck having to smile,” you joke and Boris writes.
‘You don’t want to see him frown.’ Ominous.
“I’m going to sleep,” you say. You can’t do anything, with more energy. You’re gonna give them hell before they drag you there.