The Walking Dead x Dandys World AU

by OrangeJuiceBliss, Puppet_Gurl

Notes:

This AU takes place in a world where all of the characters are still toons. I am not humanizing them because I don't like doing that. It's an open world scenario. So they're not all limited to Gardenview. And the toon handlers don't exist. This au also includes me and my friends ocs :]

If you wanna see all the characters ref sheets, they're all posted on tiktok @artoutoftheblue if you wanna see their designs!

Also, this is my first time actually writing something so please don't be mean. That is all.

Chapter 1

[The day seemed just as normal as any other day. 9:00 AM. Everyone was in their houses getting ready to go off to work. Well, all except for Astro. While he was still asleep, his brother, Charley, was getting ready for his job as a therapist.]

[Charley didn't mind Astro living with him unemployed. After all, he is his only family. Plus, even if the main thing he does is sleep, he still helps around the house while he's at work. It's the main thing he promised to do, since he had a hard time keeping a job.]

[He never really left the house while Charley was gone. Unless he asked if he could do any work outside the house for him. Despite the neighborhood knowing Charley super well, due to his very friendly personality. The neighbors mainly know Astro just as the shy one of the place. But that didn't stop a few of them from trying to make conversation with him.]

[The neighborhood gardener, Dandy, liked to stop by to help Astro when he was working outside a lot. And always brought along his little dog, Pebble. Even if Astro was super awkward, Dandy didn't mind how long it took for Astro to fully adjust to the friendship that was developing between the two.]

[Even when he wasn't working outside, Dandy started coming over just to hang out. He'd spend dinners with Charley and him. And each day they just became closer and closer. Hell, Astro would even sometimes go with Dandy on his walks he took with Pebble. Finally getting himself outside for the first time in a long time. And soon enough, Astro started conversing with all the other neighbors as well.]

[Dandy, the gardener, seemed like a pretty optimistic and outgoing kind of guy. Super fun to be around, and definitely the energy that Astro needed while Charley was at work to actually go out and meet the other neighbors.]

[Sprout, the baker, ran a bakery down the street with his best friend, Cosmo. Though Astro never got to meet Cosmo, so she doesn't know much about him. Sprout seemed like a nice guy, but slightly overbearing. A bit too much energy for Astro to handle alone. Thankfully she was never stuck alone with him.]

[Shelly, the archaeologist, is one of the most kind ones out of them all. Full of energy and optimism. And LOVES to talk about dinosaurs. Astro couldn't even mention one obscure thing about them without Shelly going on a full ramble about them. Though he didnt mind listening, it was really nice for him to listen to her yap for hours on end on all the interesting prehistoric creatures.]

[Vee, the game show host. He took a bit adjusting to her personality. Though soon enough he realized that she just had a difficult time presenting her emotions. Once that barrier was broken, the two actually had a lot of nice conversations. Vee would even visit Astro at his own place sometimes just to bring him stuff that she thought he'd like.]

[Yeah...a really nice place to say the least. Though, it wouldn't stay like this forever.]

[Astro had awoken to the sound of an emergency alert on the TV. Confused, and alarmed, she walked over to it to pay closer attention to what was being said. Something about not drinking the water...and..the dead coming back to life?? No..that can't be true. This has to be some kind of hijacked program or something.]

[But sure enough, when Astro looked out her window, she could see them. Those...incredibly disturbing figures roaming the streets. Covered in blood. Disfigured in horrible ways. And immediately shut the window.]

["This...this has got to just be a bad dream...the dead coming back to life..that only happens in fiction!"]

[He kept that thought to try and keep his hopes up. Trying to ignore the occasional screaming coming from outside. Though, she still decided to lay low. Locking the doors and boarding up the windows. Arming himself with knives in each of her four hands, just in case she needed to defend himself.]

[After settling down from boarding up the house. All he could do now is worry. What about Charley...he's still at work! Is he...even alive still..? He would've absolutely come back by now....]

[She did her best to push the thought of his brother being gone away. But as the clock kept ticking on, he only worried more. Charley CAN defend himself. But he's been gone for hours now...]

[All she could do now was just sit and stare at the door. Maybe, just maybe, he'll knock on that door, and be ok..he has to be ok...]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[Charley had just finished a session with one of his patients, before his phone rang.]

[“Hey, Charley, could you come to the reception area for a moment?”]

[“Oh, yeah of course”]

[He didn't even think twice about going. To him this was just a regular day. Though he did wonder why he was being called down. Probably wasn't a big deal. When he got down there, he saw one of his coworkers with…an incredibly ill looking person.]

[“Oh thank god you got down here. One of my patients just came in. I think they're very sick. Would you mind keeping an eye on them while I go call an ambulance for them?”]

[“Yeah I can absolutely do that”]

[“Wonderful, thanks Charley!”]

[Charley stayed close to the patient. Them seemingly getting worse and worse by the minute. It looked more like they were dying than anything else. Though there was something going on that was more concerning to him…]

[There was a lot of racket going on outside. Maybe…the sound of panic? Screams? Is this some kind of prank on the office? Well…what's the harm in at least taking a look outside to see what's going on.]

[As he took a peek outside, he realized whatever was going on could not be good. People covered in blood just roaming the streets. Something that looks straight out of the scene of a horror movie. Seeing that, he quickly slammed the door shut again.]

[What the hell was all that!? Something terrible has to have happened….wait…Astro is still home! Possibly all by herself..! I have to make sure he's ok!!]

[Charley rushed over to the front desk and grabbed the phone, and called home.]

[“Come on come onnn..pick up the phone..!”]

[Unfortunately, all he received in return was nothing but the voicemail. Oh god…what if whatever’s going on got to him too! …No..he's fine. He has to be fine. Maybe…he’s still asleep. Yeah, that has to be it.]

[The second his coworker got back, he was grateful. He wouldn't want to leave this sick person all alone in the front.]

[“Heyyy uh, so I need to go home…right now”]

[“Why's that?”]

[“I just need to check up on my sibling is all…”]

[“Oh, alright. Do what you need to, Charley.”]

[As they said that, Charley very cautiously made his way outside. Instantly struck by nothing but the smell of death in the air. It was awful..there's no way this isn't getting caught in his fabric.]

[Thankfully the house isn't that far at all. Everything in town is conveniently placed at walking distance. Unfortunately that does mean there aren't a lot of cars to hide behind from these…things.]

[Bushes were good enough I guess. Though they kept nicking him every time he hid near one. It was better than no cover though.]

[He poked his head up to find a clear path to the house. Whatever these things are, they don't seem to be that smart. Every few seconds he could either see or hear them run into something. At least that can possibly make this easier.]

[At least he made pretty much zero sound when walking, making it a lot easier to be stealthy walking home. Even if he had to constantly duck behind whatever object was closest to him. From what he's seen at least, they're not easy to shake once they spot you. Best to stay out of their sight entirely.]

[Instead of using the front door, he snuck around to the back one since there were less people behind the house. Unlocked the door, and walked into the house.]

[The place already looked like some dystopic house. All the lights were off, windows boarded up. I guess Astro wasn't asleep then…]

[He was just happy that this meant that Astro was probably alive. Maybe still in the house. The place didn't look broken into at all. Plus Astro would never flee without him.]

[Just in case, he decided to stay quiet. Making his way around the house and checking every room for Astro. Or at least a sign of him being there.]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[Astro had been hiding in the closet for what felt like hours now. Her attention was instantly diverted to the sound of the back door opening.]

[Fuck! What if that's one of those things..! Hopefully whatever it is isn't smart…]

[Despite how quiet the footsteps were, she could still hear them. The house was so quiet that you could hear a pencil drop. She was just stuck in there, afraid, as the footsteps got closer and closer…very slowly.]

[He was smart enough to arm himself though. Four knives should definitely be enough to kill one of those things. She kept listening, hearing whatever it was open doors. Probably checking to see if anyone is in the house..]

[She wasn't going to stay there like a sitting duck. If this was one of those freaks then he needed to act now, find it before it finds him. He very slowly opened the closet door. For once the old thing didn't creak like it normally would, and he left it. Standing by the bedroom door was the main thing she could think of doing. Waiting there for it to open the door, and he'd kill it.]

[The footsteps stopped in front of the bedroom door. The doorknob slowly turned, and the door opened.]

[Astro didn't think twice before lunging at whatever was there, holding a knife to its neck before…wait…that's not one of those things, that's Charley!]

[“Oh! Charley!- My bad..I thought you were one of…those things”]

[“What things? What are you talking about?? You worried me, not answering the phone!”]

[“...Charley there was a broadcast about what's happening. Do you have no idea what's going on?”]

[“Uh, no? I didn’t pass a TV on the way here. Why, what’s going on?”]

[“I woke up to this alert on the TV. I didn't hear much of the first part. But uh…for some reason, the dead are coming back to life? That's the easiest way I can explain that”]

[“Wait, is that why you tried to stab me??”]

[“Well- Yeah. I couldn't take any chances of you being one of those dead ones”]

[Astro looked over at the boarded up window in the bedroom. Got off of Charley, and walked over to it.]

[“Well…whatever started this…I think we're in some big trouble now…]

Chapter 2

Chapter by OrangeJuiceBliss

[It had been a week ever since the outbreak. Stores and pharmacies had been ransacked of everything they had. Trying to live in the city was getting harder and harder. That didn't stop one little shrimp however.]

[Despite the world basically ending in everyone's eyes, Shrimpo was thriving. He'd already been homeless before, this didn't feel any different. Though, now he has a firearm. He managed to take a rifle off someone who had died to the losers.]

[All the losers were pretty easy to avoid. If he can't do that, then one shot to the head and they're down. Simple as that. Wild how so many people have already died to them. Whatever. He didn't care about that.]

[He'd managed to make this small house on the outskirts of the city his home. It was so small it honestly felt more like a shed than a house. He didn't care though, shelter was shelter. Plus, even if it is small, it's got enough room to store food and ammo. Shields him from the rain, and he could safely start a small fire to stay warm if he wanted. After all, with all the power gone, the AC wasn't exactly working either.]

[Wasn't anything he isn't used to though. Living on the streets since his teen years made him sure of one thing. The only thing he needed to worry about was him and him alone. Nobody else.]

[Made supply runs a lot easier for himself too. Only needing to grab food and water for one person takes a lot off of you. Nobody to worry about or get in the way. Sure he honestly sucked at sneaking around, but he didn't care. In fact, he enjoyed killing them a lot. It felt like something to take his anger out on.]

[It's been this way for him ever since the outbreak started, and liked it this way. Though, he did feel like he was the last one alive. He hasn't seen a single person who hasn't been killed by a loser. Well, until he tried to ransack the bakery…]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[He'd made sure to bring a backpack along. All of the food was stale, but it hasn't been for that long. It's good enough.]

[There were a lot of sweets that's for sure. Cookies, cakes, donuts. He made sure to grab every one of those he saw. Might as well treat himself while he can.]

[As he was finishing up filling up his bag, he heard some rustling in the storage closet, instantly diverting his attention to it.]

[One of the losers? Hm…well, only one isn't worth wasting a bullet.]

[He grabbed one of the pastry knives off of the counter, and made his way over to the door. Fully prepared to take down whatever was in there. He'd never taken one hands-on, but it might be more fun than using the rifle.]

[He put his hand on the doorknob, raised the knife, and swung the door open. Before he could do anything, he was met with a panicked voice instead of the groaning the losers make.]

[“WAIT WAIT!- IM NOT DEAD!!”]

[When he looked, he realized what was actually in there. This…cake roll. Did he lock himself in this closet? Sheesh, what a loser. He dropped the knife on the ground once he realized that there was no danger.]

[“What the hell is wrong with you? I could have killed you!”]

[“My bad? I didn't think I needed to make my presence known, for all I know, YOU could've been one of the dead”]

[“...Fair, I guess. Staying there on purpose or did you lock yourself in?”]

[“...No comment.”]

[The pastry toon got up off the floor, and stood in front of Shrimpo.]

[“Well, it's great to know I'm not the only one left! Name's Cosmo, how about yours?” He said as he held out his hand to shake.]

[Shrimpo stared at his hand, before lowering it with his. “Shrimpo.”]

[“Oooookay, not a fan of handshakes. That's fine. Hey!-”]

[Before Cosmo could continue, Shrimpo was already leaving the building. He decided to follow behind.]

[“Hey, wait up! You can't just leave like that”]

[“Yes I can, I just did”]

[“Well that wasn't very friendly of you. For all we know, we're the last two alive! You'd really just abandon the only other living person in an apocalypse like this?”]

[“Take one good look at me and you tell me if I look like I give a fuck.”]

[“...”]

[Cosmo was stunned. Why would someone not care about helping the only other person he knows is alive. He can't survive on his own! The first thing he did was accidentally lock himself inside of a closet…Even as Shrimpo turned away, he kept following him.]

[Shrimpo just tried ignoring his presence. Though knowing he was being followed was aggravating. He's not a people person at all, and had quite enjoyed being alone during all of this.]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[As he was nearing his shelter more, he was getting sick of it. The last thing he wanted was this moron knowing where he was staying.]

[He let out a frustrated sigh, and turned around, “Are you just going to follow me around like some lost puppy all day?”]

[“Well, I mean…I don't have anywhere else to go.”]

[“Dude, look, I've been perfectly happy dealing with all of this on my own. In fact, I like it. I prefer being all by myself, apocalypse or not.”]

[“Maybe you do, but I can't survive on my own like you can. I don't even have a weapon!-”]

[As he said that, Cosmo got a small pistol tossed at him by Shrimpo.]

[“There. Now you have one. Now leave me alone.” He said as he started making his way to the shelter again, before Cosmo spoke to him again.]

[“I- does this thing even have ammunition??”]

[“Why the fuck would I give you a weapon without ammo? Do you take me for some kind of idiot?”]

[“No, of course not! I'm just- surprised you even gave me one…”]

[“Uh huh. Don't mention it. Now, could you do me a favor and go the fuck away!?”]

[He tried to make a run for it, but unfortunately their arguing seemed to have attracted some of the dead. Shrimpo just let out a frustrated sigh, before getting his rifle out and began killing each walker with a shot to the head.]

[Cosmo was just stunned, but quickly got out of that state and began helping Shrimpo. His aim was awful though, it took him three tries before he could hit one in the head. It aggravated him a lot, but he wanted to help this shrimp as much as he could, even if he didn't want it.]

[Once all of the dead were down. Shrimpo just huffed and started walking to his shelter again. Cosmo walked in the other direction, but waited until he was far enough away from him before turning around and following him again. Far enough away that he wouldn't know it.]

[This guy is a master at killing these things…I have to stick with him. Even if he doesn't want it, he'll see that we need each other.]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[Shrimpo made it back to his shelter, and unpacked all of the food he stole. There were some shelves in the house that he could set them on to keep them out of the way. Once he finished doing that, he sat down on the blanket he put on the floor to relax. Eating one of the donuts he brought.]

[When he finished that, he laid back and tried to fall asleep. As he was slowly drifting off, suddenly there was the sound of something crashing outside.]

[He reluctantly got up to investigate what was going on. Unfortunately, low and behold, it was that annoying ass stranger, Cosmo…who had tripped over a bucket outside.]

[“What the hell is your deal? Didn't I tell you to GO AWAY!?”]

[“Look…I understand that you want to be alone, okay?-”]

[“-Then leave me alone!!”]

[“No! Because what you fail to understand is that the more people you have, the better chances you have at surviving!”]

[“Cosmo. Your aim is dogshit. I saw you back there use multiple bullets to kill one loser.”]

[“Well…I've never used a gun before…”]

[“Good grief. If you hadn't locked yourself in that closet by accident, you'd have BEEN dead!!”]

[“That's why I want to stick with you! At the beginning of all of this, I got separated from my best friend…we were both in that bakery together, and instead of fleeing, I locked myself in that closet. Because I knew I wouldn't have survived if I didn't!”]

[“You've come to the wrong person to care about that. The only person I need is myself. I don't need someone else to take care of. Now, if you could get off my property, that would be great” Shrimpo said as he walked to the door, closed, and locked it shut.]

[Cosmo still wouldn't back down though.]

[“Come on man, you're killing me by doing this!”]

[“Go away! You can figure out how to survive on your own”]

[“I really can't! It's not like I can watch a tutorial on how to use a gun!”]

[“Again, I don't want someone else to take care of! Clearly I'd have to if I allowed you in”]

[Cosmo then started thinking…and had an idea.]

[“...if I agreed to cook for you, would you let me in? I even have some medical knowledge if that's better..!”]

[“What can you even cook?”]

[“Well…I can cook and bake? That bakery you robbed was co-owned by me”]

[“...What can you bake?”]

[“Uhm…anything really. If I have the ingredients-”]

[“Chocolate donuts?”]

[“...Yeah”]

[To Cosmos surprise, Shrimpo unlocked the door. He stood there awkwardly for a second, expecting Shrimpo to open it. After a few moments of silence, Shrimpo spoke.]

[“You can open the door yourself”]

[“Oh- right-”]

[Cosmo opened the door, made his way into the house, and locked the door behind him. Finally, safety…]

Chapter 3

Chapter by OrangeJuiceBliss

[It hasn't even been that long, and already Vee was hoping it would just end. The constant fighting off the dead and having to scavenge for supplies was driving her mad. Worst of all, she and her group can't locate Astro and Charley either.]

[Her group consisted of her, some of her neighbors, and strangers they came across. At the very least she has familiar faces with her. Even her best friend, Brighteny, was found and taken in by the group as well.]

[Aside from her and Brighteny, the others are: Dandy (unfortunately.), his dog, Cocoa, Teagan, Bassie, Sprout, and this unhinged gargoyle named Custos. Sure he was good to have around, making and supplying weapons for the group. Though he keeps trying to convince Dandy to turn his dog into a walking turret…]

[They had tried getting Pebble to sniff out where Charley and Astro could be, but they're probably long gone by now…or maybe even dead…it was a terrible thought, but Vee couldn't help but be realistic. There's been no trace of them for days.]

[She sighed, and said, “Guys, I think we need to go ahead and cut our losses. We haven't seen any sign of those two ever since this shit started.”]

[Sprout immediately chimed in, “No! We're not leaving until we find them. We can't leave any of our friends behind, Vee!”]

[Typical Sprout…sheesh. He really stops at nothing to make sure everyone's safe.]

[It was so fucking overbearing.]

[“I get that you don't want them to be alone. Believe me, I don't want that either…but it's been days. Everyone is exhausted. We're running low on supplies, we need to leave!”]

[“Vee…these are our friends at stake here-”]

[“What about the rest of us though! Fuck! We need to leave! Just look at all of them!”]

[Their exhaustion was super obvious. All of them, tired, having barely eaten. This wasn't fair to everyone else. None of them even know if this search is just a wild goose chase anyways.]

[“...Well maybe everyone else needs to rest. But- look!-”]

[Sprout then pointed to Custos.]

[“He looks perfectly fine. How about I take him on one more search, while the rest of you go back to the hospital and relax”]

[“Sure. That works. Hey guys! Everyone, except for Custos, come follow me back to the hospital. We can all finally rest.]

[Cocoa chimed in, “Why does Custos have to stay? Shouldn't he rest too?”]

[“Because the berry wants to keep looking for dead men, and still needs help. As for the rest of us, we need a break.]

[Sprout shot Vee a death stare. Talking about the possibility of those two being dead…how dare she think that! How could she let herself believe that!?]

[“No, I'm not going. I'm helping look for our friends one last time” Dandy replied.]

[“Whatever Dandy, have fun wasting your time guys.” After finishing her statement, Vee started walking back to the hospital. Everyone, except for the three who were continuing the search, followed behind.]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[Vee set everything back up at the hospital after everyone ransacked the pantries. They really were hungry, weren't they? Acting like fucking animals over basically expired food.]

[She observed the others as they finally settled down. Chatting. Bassie sticking to Cocoa, practically clinging to her. All while Brighteny is talking to everyone about coming up with a cure. Though, Vee really didn't see a point in a “cure”. How would one cure the deceased?]

[“Brighteny-” Vee chimed in, “If I may ask. Why focus so much on a cure? How about something that can help us living folk instead?”]

[“Why not try and find a cure?]

[“The ones that you're worried about are already dead, Brighteny”]

[“Oh..well, how about a…a vaccine! That could help us all!”]

[“Now that's more like it. I'll help you get anything you need for that.”]

[Brighteny gave her a smile, “Thanks, Vee”]

[Vee nodded, and made sure the others were alright before going to her room. The group was lucky to have gotten this hospital before it got overrun. The few infected were very easy to get rid of. So now they have as much space as they need to work for now. But they also need to get Brighteny to a place where she can create a vaccine for everyone. Trying to figure out where that should be has been difficult.]

[The rest needed to get skilled with weapons too, and fast. While having Custos is helpful, he's very great at making and using the weapons, but not everyone here is able to handle them yet. They needed to find a place for target practice, out of the city. For now, they at least have Vee, Sprout, Custos, and Dandy as the ones defending the rest.]

[She made it to her room, opened the window, and sat under it. At least as a robot, all she needed to do was sit under the sun to recharge. She made sure she switched to solar power LONG before this started, and thank god she did. All of the power in the city has been out since the second day of this shit. She also doesn't take up any food or drink supplies like the others do, which is another bonus.]

[As she was resting, the only thing to do now was just think. Just remembering all that had happened at the start…the broadcasts out of nowhere…the panic from everyone. And…losing Astro and Charley, two people she cared about the most. She was very happy she found Brighteny alive, but she would have died had she not gotten there when she did.]

[Brighteny was getting attacked by the infected when she found her. Vee killed all of them and helped her to the hospital. No injuries on her, thank god. But it only made her think. They never found Astro and Charley. No trace of them, whatsoever after they established their group. It didn't give her much hope about their safety. They could be anywhere, either dead or alive.]

[Even worse, she felt that she had caught feelings for Astro before all of this. Her soft and gentle voice…her shy personality. It felt…sweet. Vee loved being around him, often visiting him and bringing gifts. It felt awkward for her, she'd never felt that way about anyone before. Hell, she wasn't even sure if it was love, or just a super close friendship.]

[Astro probably didn't feel the same anyways, he hung out with Dandy way more than he hung out with her. It got under her skin a lot, but if Astro wanted to be around him more than her, then that was his decision, not hers. And she wasn't going to say anything about it to him.]

[The only thing she hates about it now, is that she never got to tell him…and now, he and his brother are probably dead…]

—----------------------------------------------------------

[Custos was up ahead, while Dandy and Sprout were behind him. Both walking together. All looking side to side, making sure that there aren't any infected around. Or to see if there are any signs of Astro or Charley.]

[It had been silent the whole search, and Dandy finally decided to break the silence.]

[“You think there's a chance they're alive at all?”]

[“Of course there is! They probably just ran off when all of this began”]

[“Yeah, you're probably right. Though, if we don't find any sign of them after this last round, are we just gonna…give up?”]

[Sprout sighed, “Yeah…we're gonna have to. We need to start moving soon. We can't stay in that hospital forever. Plus, Brightenys ideas are our only hope”]

[Custos speaks up, “Cease your prattling and stay focused! We must remain on guard, now is not the time to commune lest we be caught unaware”]

[“Fine, fine. Focusing” Sprout responded.]

[The three had walked around the general area of their neighborhood once more. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the two. Sprout hated to do it, but they really did need to go. It's a shame…they were so close to having the whole friend group together. Shelly had been with the group for a little bit too, but she had gotten lost getting chased by the infected. Who knows where she is now…]

[He sighed, “Alright, it's time to go back…we need to get moving soon…”]

[While the three were walking back, they still kept their eyes out for anything. Any hope of finding their friends at all. But as they approached the city more and more, Sprout soon realized more and more that they were wasting their time. They were never going to find those two. All he can do is hope that they're ok, and for their sake, together.]

[They were doing their best to be silent. The city was overrun with the infected. The only safe place in it was the hospital they were laying low in. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to travel in such a small group…]

[Sprout and Custos’ attention were both quickly drawn to the sound of a small yelp. Turns out, Dandy had just tripped, and unfortunately scratched himself pretty bad on the right arm. A car had a sharp spike sticking out of it, and he had scraped his arm against it when falling.]

[“Dandy- …are you alright?”]

[“I'll be fine- it's just a cut. We don't need to worry about it right now” He said, while very clearly not doing well. He was holding a hand over the cut, which had begun to bleed pretty badly.]

[The scent of the fresh blood had gotten the attention of the infected very quickly, who all had surrounded them fast. Sprout pulled out his sword, slashed and stabbed any that got near them. While Custos was using one of his pistols on him to shoot the ones further away. Dandy, due to being injured, couldn't use a weapon properly at the time.]

[Sprout grabbed Dandy and hoisted him over his shoulders, and he and Custos began to run into the city further to try and shake them. There was no way in hell they were running to the hospital with the infected on them, the last thing they need is them figuring out where they are.]

[Custos took the rear, taking out any of the dead that were still on their tail. They needed to find something to cover up Dandys cut and fast. That blood would only attract more of the dead no matter how much they ran.]

[Once there wasn't any directly chasing them, Sprout and Custos ducked behind a car. Sprout put Dandy down, and broke into the car that they were next to in hopes of finding something to cover his wound. At least until they got back to the hospital.]

[There was a sweatshirt that had been left behind by the previous owner of the car. He quickly grabbed that, and tied it around Dandys wound. Custos had to cover Dandys mouth fast, because of how tight Sprout was tying the sweatshirt, it hurt him a lot more than the wound itself did.]

[“There, that should keep you good until we get back to the hospital”]

[“Alright…”]

[“You need me to carry you aga-”]

[“No! I'm good- you didn't need to do that-”]

[“Well I'm sorry but you were just fucking standing there doing nothing, I figured that you needed to be physically taken out of there”]

[“I was just in shock, Sprout. I didn't exactly expect there to be so many of those things coming out of nowhere, what did you expect??”]

[“We're in the fucking city! Do you expect there NOT to be any around? They're everywhere!?”]

[“Will you two cease this bantering!? We haven’t the time for any of this!” Custos interrupted.]

[He peeked his head over the car to see if there was a clear path to escape. There was an alley that was clear at least, the others paths were infested with the dead now.]

[Custos took the front this time, leading the other two through the alley. Completely prepared to kill any of those dead that got in the way. Luckily, none of them were in the alley. Though now they needed to worry about getting to the hospital, which was a few streets down, and had the dead in their way.]

[They needed to come up with a plan, and fast. Before they get too surrounded…]

Chapter 4

[As dust had finally settled, it revealed what seemed to be the remains of a circus tent. The red and white fabric tore all over the ground, leaving the stage and props out in the open. Colors that used to be vibrant and eye-catching, were now faded due to sun exposure. Dirt and dust collected on the wreckage of the tent. Leftover food and beverages being taken over by ants. All of it, sitting exposed under the mid-day sunlight.]

[Movement had begun underneath some of the props. A dark hand pushed aside one of the poles that had previously held up the tent, and rose up. It appeared to be a small mime, probably one that had been performing in this tent before it collapsed. His inky hands left residue on the poles that he shoved aside.]

[His red and gold clothes were all messed up from being torn in certain places. It seemed that he had been unconscious for a while now, possibly having been hit by one of the fallen props that sat around him. He examined his surroundings, noticing how damaged the once thriving circus had become. A look of distress showed on his face as reality was setting in. He had hoped that this was a bad dream, even pinching himself to see. Unfortunately, the pain was all real. All of this was real. As was the fact that the rest of the members of the circus were gone. ]

["?!..yeooL ?..attaY", He called out. The only response he received was the sound of the wind, and creaking of worn down props.]

[Blot began searching around the tent, panicking and hoping that maybe, just maybe, his friends were just trapped under the remains. They need to be alive, they have to be..! He threw around the fabric and props, with the hopes that every time he removed one, maybe they’d be under there. Or, at least a sign of them, he’d even take that over them being missing.]

[A few minutes turned into an hour, one hour turned into multiple, and pretty soon, he was too exhausted to keep looking. Blot fell back onto the ground, arms and legs spread, just staring at the sky. Worry began to take over his mind, maybe they are dead…the little mime began to quietly sob to himself as the sun shone on him. His friends were gone…nobody was here…and he was all alone, nobody within shouting range to hear his cries for help.]

[Well, except for something…]

[The sound of him tossing around everything to try and find his friends had drawn one of the dead to his location. He was only now able to hear its snarling. Blot quickly ducked behind what was left of the stage, and peeked out only to see where it was.]

[It confused him. He hadn’t seen one of these before. It looked human, but…something was very off about it. It appeared to act more animalistic than what anyone normally would, its snarling and growling giving it away easily. He watched it more, and then noticed what was dripping off of it. Some kind of black liquid substance? He had no idea what it could be. Whatever it was, it was all over this thing. It looked like it had the consistency of blood, but...it’s not blood, it’s still black. Coming out of its mouth and eyes. Yeah, whatever this thing was might have been human once, but it’s definitely not anymore.]

[Blot didn’t really feel comfortable sticking around near this thing, and tried to leave. Sneaking away wasn’t going to be an option though. He accidentally stepped on some popcorn, making a very loud crunching sound. The sound made him freeze immediately, and had very quickly gotten the attention of the creature. When it spotted Blot, it instantly jumped at him, clawing at him, but Blot was quicker.]

["!!FFO KCUF", he yelled as he threw some of his ink at the monster, and made a break for it while it was distracted.]

[He ran, and ran, and ran. So far, that he eventually had no idea where he was. But, that’s the thing. His surroundings are now so unrecognizable to him. It wasn’t just the tent that was destroyed…everything else was too. He wandered past abandoned houses and broken chain-linked fences. Everywhere he went, he couldn’t find any sign of life whatsoever.]

[Maybe…was he the only one left? How long has this been going on?? He can’t seem to recall anything that happened before he woke up to this new world. What even caused all of this…]

["...enif eb ot evah yehT .enif er'yeht erus m'I .enif tsuj flesreh dnefed nac ehS !tab a sah attaY .did I ekil ffo nar tsuj yeht ebyam..ebyaM .oot evila t'nera sdneirf ym yaw on s'erehT..."]

[Well, whatever happened, it won’t stop Blot from finding his friends again. They’re probably worried sick about him…they’d never leave him there like that unless they had to. The best he could do for them is keep himself alive, and find them.]

[Nothing will be able to stop him from finding them, he’ll make sure of that. He will find them.]

[He took out a crumpled up picture that he had of the Balloon and Piñata, took a good long look at it, then ran, now fully determined to reunite with them.]

Notes:

Sorry it was shorter than usual, I don't really get a whole lot of ideas at the moment unfortunately ^_^"