Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia or any of its characters or plot otherwise I'd be writing a movie script.

Author's notes: I was almost done this chapter earlier but a virus caused me to wipe my hard drive clean and I lost the chapter so yeah. Anyway enjoy this chapter I think you guys will like it especially since I haven't written in so long. Oh and the Baby's name I took some advice and a private message suggesting to use a rather stronger North American female name, so I took Katrina Alice Edelstein. Also I'm going to try and change Taiwan's name to (something I saw I can't remember where) Wan/Wan-chan which one ever seems to flow better.

Chapter 13

Month of no Light

The home of the Reapers, one large three story mall, next to the Sacramento River, housing over thirty people surviving a zombie Apocalypse. Being skilled and seemingly unstoppable warriors in their own right, they killed any zombie and mutant that dared cross their path. Only they soon found that there is a force that they couldn't or more accurately wouldn't dare face.

The mall once in its splendor with all the windows revealed over thirty people going about their day inside or just outside the mall, is now seemingly a ghost mall. The windows even the large two story tall panes of glass lining the sides of the food court is now boarded up or covered in dark plastic bags. The front door boarded nailed, and taped solid shut followed by the metal curtain that locked the store down. The skylights too, little light glared through the bags or any small holes that covered the windows, leaving the mall in almost total darkness. But the skylights had strings attached to the sheets covering the windows making it easier to tear them down that it was setting them up.

In the centre of the darkness on the second floor almost dead centre of the mall itself, some life stirred, only it was accompanied by an unwanted sound.

"WAH!" a baby's cry echoed through the halls of the mall. Alfred jumped, Ivan choked on his vodka, Vash woke with a start, Arthur spilt his tea, and Francis chomped down on a rose in his mouth causing one of the thorns to poke the roof of his mouth.

"Elizabeta! Calm Her Down!" Alfred growled through gritted teeth in desperation.

"I'm sorry, Katrina shush" Elizabeta desperately trying to sooth her and Roderich's new born daughter.

"Security Points Go!" Alfred half whispered half called trying to be as quiet as possible, grabbing his shotgun followed by others, grabbing their sniper rifles, assault rifles, and heavy machine guns. Roderich stayed behind with Feliks, Berwald, Tino, Ravis, Seyana, Bellana, Elizabeta, Katrina, and Vietnam.

Alfred made his way towards the food court, with Matthew, Vash, Heracles, Sadiq, Feliciano, Ludwig, and Peter. Though they protested at first, they finally agreed that since Peter like the rest of them was now living in this nightmare of a world, they might as well as stop trying to protect him from it, and agreed to let him have a more mature responsibility but still didn't give him a gun.

Kiku, Yao, Wan, Thai, Im Yong Soo, Im Yang Soo, and Hong all lined the third floor eyeing the skylight windows which were still covered. Guns at the ready as if expecting a zombie to leap through them at any moment.

Ivan, Katyusha, Natalia, Toris, Feliks, Randal, Antonio, and Ralph approached the rear door, where heavy chains and locks held the door shut. Ivan slowly approached the door pressing one of his ears against the door listening for zombies, but he heard nothing, the occasional moan, but other than than Ivan had no reason to believe that the door was going to be under siege.

Arthur lead Romano, Eduard, Gilbert, and Francis towards the front doors, where wooden and metal boards barricaded the doors and plastic sheets sealing any holes which people or zombies alike can peek through. The group was sure to do everything they could to make sure that the zombies would have the most difficult time finding reason to believe that anything non-zombie was inside the mall. Though it would have seen obvious to a normal person that something or someone would be inside the mall, the zombies and mutants lacked common sense, and the "Closed" sign that Alfred hung on the front doors seemed to only help the objective of steering interest away from the mall.

After all secure openings where checked all groups save for the ones guarding the area where Roderich was guarding arrived at the food court. Alfred against the wall peering through a small hole in one of the plastic sheets to have a look outside. Alfred turned away from his peeking hole and turned to the rest of the group that had just arrived.

"How were the other check points?" Alfred asked. Though assuming that they weren't running back panicking to him, they were most likely safe.

"We're good da" Ivan said shouldering his weapon.

"When do I get a gun?" Peter asked pouting as he eyed every other members weapon.

"If we get out of this alive, we will talk about giving you one" Alfred said while Peter shook with joy. "Well, random patterns, roaming aimlessly, I think it is safe to say that we are safe" Alfred said looking back through the hole in the sheet.

"Can I take a look?" Peter asked.

"Sure, just don't touch the sheet" Alfred said stepping aside to let Peter take a look.

Peter stepped forward and looked through the hole doing his best not to touch the sheet at all. This was the first time Peter saw this, and he was willing to bet that no matter how many more times he sees it, it would never stop amazing him. Outside Peter was getting a good look at the highway and several tall buildings. But the buildings and the highway wasn't what was interesting. What was interesting is what covered them. Peter eyed countless zombies, thousands on thousands if not millions roaming across the highway, arms waving outside the building windows looking like seaweed swaying in the ocean but much stiffer. The sides of the buildings and the highway were covered with other mutants crawling up down left and right leaving almost no bit of the buildings or highway visible. Peter could also make out Banshee's, Jumpers, and most frighteningly Juggernauts over turning bits of rubble and some cars as if to see if food was hiding underneath. Peter only continued to watched amazed. This was the horror that had imprisoned them for the last three and a half weeks inside this mall. This is what had the whole city scared to it's core that they dared not make their presence known to the outside. Peter finally catching his breath, he stepped back away from the hole and turned to the group.

"Had enough?" Alfred asked. Peter only nodded in response. "Alright, time to head back"

As the group arrived they met Roderich, eager to hear if the armada of zombies had lessened at all.

"No Roderich, all the zombies are there, and their millions of glory" Alfred answered setting his shotgun down and found a seat next to Bellana. All the others entered and made themselves comfortable as well. Matthew approached the natural gas Barbecue where he was quietly cooking with Yao. Alfred turned back to Roderich. "It's almost been a month" Alfred sighed.

"Yeah, Twenty-seven days to be exact" Roderich watched Elizabeta sooth Katrina, doing the best she can to keep her quiet.

"You know Roderich, I'm glad and don't regret that you and Elizabeta had a daughter, but I can't help but shake the feeling that it would have been easier if she had waited another month or two." Alfred said, not realizing that he is being a little insensitive, but Roderich couldn't argue.

"Yeah, but no matter how hard this is, I will never regret bringing her into this world" Roderich said.

"It's interesting to think about how innocent she is, and yet she is going to grow up in a living nightmare" Alfred watched Elizabeta swaddling Katrina in the thick white blanket that they gave her.

"Yeah, its a shame, I would like to have her grow up in the world we grew up in" Roderich said.

"Don't even think about it" Alfred said. "The world we grew up in was just as messed up, the only difference, was that it didn't involve having to fight for your life every second, and struggling to not be eaten literally"

"I guess that's true" Roderich responded his head hanging in some slight depression. "I wasn't exactly a successful man, to be honest, I was in a heap of debt before the outbreak" Roderich explained. "Had the Outbreak not gone on for another year, I would be living in the streets"

"Oh come on, there is no way that can be true" Alfred said not believing him for a second.

"How does over three hundred thousand dollars in debt sound" Roderich sighed.

'NO WAY THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND!' Alfred screamed mentally. 'Either he is terrible with money and a terrible paying job, or he got scammed something fierce, but I'm not going to ask.'

"Anyway, it looks like the food is ready" Roderich pointed to Matthew who was silently waving to everyone.

"Good, I'm starving" Alfred said walking over to receive his food.

Dinner had gone without much trouble, and Katrina managed to stay quiet throughout the day. It was now nightfall and slipping into the twenty-eighth day. Alfred and Matthew sat by the doorway keeping watch.

"What a month" Matthew sighed. "A month of no light, I think I'm losing any color I had in my face"

Alfred giggled slightly, but he couldn't deny that all of them were looking paler, the lack of light was making them all ghost white in color.

"Once this is all over, I say we get sunburned" Alfred said half joking.

"Ah, that would feel nice, except the pain that would come with it" Matthew said.

"Yeah, then let's make it a light burn, one that will go away over night." Alfred sighed.

"Sounds good" Matthew replied.

"Ah, Matvey"

"Alfred"

Alfred and Matthew turned to see Katyusha and Bellana awake and walking towards them.

"Katyusha, Bellana what are you two doing, everyone should be asleep" Matthew said standing picking up his sniper rifle.

"We couldn't sleep" Bellana replied walking towards Alfred, while Katyusha walked towards Matthew.

"Well neither could we, that's why we volunteered to watch" Alfred replied, pulling Bellana into a comforting hug.

"Matvey it's cold" Katyusha sighed leaning into Matthew's chest. Matthew shivered from both shock and awkwardness, but hearing Katyusha's tired voice and her almost falling asleep in his chest, Matthew had no choice but to hold her as well. Not that he isn't complaining, he could just feel a certain Russian's eyes boring a hole through him if he did anything wrong. Other than that, Matthew had nothing to complain about, he was holding on who he thought was the hottest chick he could ever get this close too, even when he and Alfred were still in University.

"kolkolkolkolkol" Matthew heard the certain Russian chant quietly bringing him back from his mental paradise. Suddenly Matthew felt Katyusha get heavier as she struggled to stay awake.

"Hey come on, let's sit together" Matthew said.

"Oh, Mattie being bold, father would be so proud" Alfred mocked.

"Can It Al!" Matthew retorted doing his best not to yell.

"kolkolkolkolkol" Ivan's chantting grew just a little louder. Matthew glanced over and saw that Ivan was watching him while he was being hugged from behind, by Matthew could only guess is Natalia, it would explain the look of horror on Ivan's face, though Ivan lost a fair bit of his fear of Natalia, he still couldn't be within close proximity of her without breaking into a cold sweat.

Matthew and Alfred returned to their positions sitting at opposite sides of the door frame, weapons at their sides, and a female in their arms, of course this seemed almost like a cheesy romance film to them when they thought about it, but they didn't complain, I mean how could they. Alfred turned his head towards the outside of the store they were taking refuge in, but with little to no light coming from the outside, there wasn't much Alfred could see. The only source of light they had and agreed to have was any flashlights, and candles they had available. They had to keep the candles and any fire that they had at a low and use it as little as possible, they didn't close off the vents, but they didn't let them run to force oxygen through the mall. Fearing that if the zombies saw a working vent they might believe that someone was inside. The oxygen that flowed through the vents was enough, but since the mall was so large, it didn't refresh all the air inside the mall, keeping some of the air inside stale but livable.

"I hope this horde passes soon" Alfred said.

"No kidding, I want to stand in the sun for just five seconds, I would feel so much better once I do that" Matthew said.

"No argument here" Alfred answered.

The rest of the night went uneventful, Matthew and Alfred struggled to say or think of anything that would help keep them awake. Katrina thankfully stayed asleep, her need to cry was a curse to all the fight capable members in the clan, and a threat to their safety. But no matter how desperate they got, they managed to keep their sanity. And how they managed to keep quiet and not fight or tear at each others throats was beyond any of them, maybe the fear of being eaten alive scared them enough that they didn't feel like fighting.

The following morning, everyone gathered at the entrance preparing to recheck all the doors and windows to make sure that they are all intact. Hoping with every fiber of their being that they remain untouched, if zombies did managed to enter the mall, they would have to force themselves to shelter inside the one store with all the bedding and food and hope that they don't get found. Suffice to say, that would be a scenario that would drive everyone of them crazy.

"Ready?" Alfred asked everyone as he crouched by the entrance of the store they were hiding in, exhausted eyes peering outside to make sure that the inital area was clear. Alfred then turned back holding his shotgun close to his chest looking at the others to see their response. Seeing everyone nod their heads, Alfred then nodded back. "Alright, stay low" Alfred said as he crouched with his team behind him, keeping his head lower than the railing blocking off the opening in the centre of the mall, which lead straight down to the first floor.

Breaking off with the other groups, Alfred cautiously made his way across one of the bridges connecting the two sides of the second floor together. Pointing his shotgun infront of him feelings of paranoia growing every second as they approach the food court. Again praying to every god in existence that the windows were still intact. Finally arriving at the food court without running into any zombies or mutants rested many of their fears, but they knew they couldn't relax, zombies could just be simply roaming the food court, meaning a lot of trouble for the Reapers. Alfred slowly made his way to the edge of the wall that opened to the food court. Pressing himself against the wall he inched towards the edge his heart beating rapidly hoping that there was nothing in the area he was going to that he would need to be worried about. Finally reaching the edge in what seemed like lifetimes with his adrenline soaring, he looked back to the others to see them all still there weapons ready. Alfred then spun around the corner and pointed his shotgun into the food court his tired eyes scanning for anything unnatural or not man made. After a few seconds Alfred saw nothing in the food court, Alfred let out a sigh with relief, and in a more relaxed feeling he crossed the entire room of the food court to take a look at the windows. And finally let out a second sigh of relief when he observed the boards and sheets and concluded that all the windows were still in place.

Kiku and his group after managing to make their way to the stairway at the back of the mall, ascending to the third floor he walked one side of the large walkway eyes and weapons on the skylight windows still thankfully covered. Slowly making his way across the third floor he felt himself grow more at ease the more windows he passed that were still intact and covered. Kiku then finally saw the end of the walkway leading towards the front of the mall where Arthur's group was just arriving to inspect the front doors. Kiku quickly observed the last of the skylight windows and saw that they were all intact, feeling relieved he lowered his weapon and peered over the edge down towards the front entrance where he could see Arthur and his group finishing their inspection of the front entrance. Seeing Arthur wave a hand signalling that the front entrance was fine Kiku and the others turned back towards the food court.

Ivan and his group made their way towards the back of the mall towards a large section of doors located at the back of the mall. Assault rifles raised and pointing at the doors in the back of the mall Ivan then slowly and very gently pressed one of his ears next to the door listening for anything on the otherside. Nothing. Ivan stayed there longer still listening, there was something going on, there should be no reason he isn't hearing anything, there were millions of zombies roaming the city yesterday, he should be hearing groaning, moaning and dragging of feet, something was definitly off today. But all Ivan really cared about at the moment, was that the doors were still on their hinges, and zombies weren't attacking them or on the wrong side of the doors. That is all that really mattered to Ivan as he turned back to the others and they headed towards the food court.

Alfred set himself against the wall beside the windows and watched as the other groups quickly appeared returning from their check points. Alfred quickly counted everyone from the arriving groups and saw that all of them were still there, though he had no reason to count, they weren't running back panicking. When Alfred knew that everyone was here, aside from Roderich who was guarding the store with the remaining members.

"Okay, here we go, day twenty-eight" Alfred said as he looked outside peering through a small slot that they left purposefully unsealed so that they could look outside. Alfred looked outside and saw the same overpass highway, and business buildings that they had only seen the last month. The highway covered and infested with zombies, and mutants alike, Alfred didn't see them specifically looking for something as they all seemed to wander aimlessly as usual. This didn't brighten Alfred's spirits as he watched then all sway like they normally did, Alfred felt himself slowly slip into despair as he realized that the horde was still there and didn't seem any less zombies or mutants, he could see the sides of the buildings, and make out the glass on one of the buildings, but it didn't help. Alfred turned away from the window and looked at the others. As he looked at everyone else, his mind climbed out of the hole of despair and he felt himself become sane again. It was then that Alfred knew how they managed to survive this long without being at eachothers throats. They were too close to get mad at each other, and they were the reason everyone seemed to find a reason to fight everyday, they were family. Alfred looked at Ivan and began to second guess himself, but quickly banished the questioning.

"They're still there" Alfred sighed earning a sigh of exhaustion from everyone else. They all shouldered their weapons and turned back towards the store they were residing in. Ivan however didn't leave immediately, he took a quick peek outside just to see for himself, and he saw the same thing Alfred did, the horde was still there. Ivan quickly left the view and turned back to follow the others.

They returned with the sour news for everyone else, though the news was saddening, everyone had grown accustomed to hearing it, after all it had been the "Month of No Light" which is what they were calling it now.

"Were going to sleep now" Alfred sighed as he set his shotgun on the ground Matthew following suit taking off their jackets, and socks and slipped under the covers of one of the beds attempting to catch up on some long needed sleep.

"Alright" Arthur sighed, it was his and Ivan's turn to stand guard that night. "Just be awake for the nightfall drink".

The nightfall drink is a tradition they adopted since the beginning of the "Month of No Light", everyone except Peter and of course Katrina would drink an alcoholic drink or anything that they had supplement at the time, as a "To your Health" toast every night. Celebrating that they had just survived another day.

"Of course, just wake us up if we aren't" Matthew said as he quickly drifted off into sleep next to his brother.

Arthur turned to Ivan only to see him giving the evil glare at Matthew, though it was subtle and not "I'm going to murder you" feeling in it.

"What are you glaring at Matthew for?" Arthur asked.

"Oh, nothing da" Ivan said turning towards the Englishman looking as innocent as possible.

"Oh, you're feeling protective over Katyusha" Arthur said sniggering slightly. Ivan looked shocked. "Yes I saw them last night, and don't worry Matthew isn't shallow"

"How can you be so sure da?" Ivan asked sounding a little more sinister that time.

"I may not know them that well, but if there is one thing that I know about those two, is they won't intentionally violate anyone" Arthur explained looking Ivan in the eye.

"I suddenly don't care anymore, I'm horrified by the thought of what he could do to Katyusha, I will see to it that he never will da" Ivan said turning away from Arthur and towards Matthew and Alfred.

"No I think what horrified you was Natalia groping you from behind" Arthur sighed.

Ivan quickly stopped in his tracks from what the Englishman said. "You saw that too did you da?" Ivan asked. Arthur nodded in response. "I'm still going to threaten him" Ivan said walking towards Alfred and Matthew. Suddenly Francis stepped in the way of the Russian holding a spray bottle with a cross dangling on the side.

"No, bad Ivan, stay away, Down" Francis said in a commanding tone spraying the bottle at Ivan.

HISS! Ivan hissed like a cat and backed away as Francis advanced towards him pushing him away from the sleeping brothers.

"Where's the cat?" Heracles asked out loud hearing the hissing.

"I think that's Ivan-san" Kiku sighed pointing to Ivan who was ducking behind a bed still hissing at Francis and clawing the air with his right hand like a cat as well.

"If only he was small and fluffy, that would make him so much more lovable" Heracles sighed.

"I don't agree" an evil voice gently echoed behind Heracles and Kiku. Both males turned to see Natalia watching the scene with a slight look of annoyance on her face.

The rest of the day was like all others uneventful, Katrina cried multiple times during the morning causing everyone into a panic as they constantly checked the doors and the windows almost to the point where they actually stayed at their check points to save them a trip. They enjoyed the time away from the enclosed space of the store they were in, but it didn't change the fact that they wanted to see the sun again. After finally managing to calm Katrina down, and Feliks complaining that the fright Katrina keeps giving them cost him seven years of his life evening finally set in, quickly followed by nightfall.

"Alfred, Mattie, wake up" Arthur said as he shook both Alfred and Matthew awake. Despite sleeping the whole day, staying awake for two days straight took its toll on the two.

"Yeah, we're up" Matthew sighed as he slowly got up, Alfred following close behind.

"Is it the Nightfall Drink?" Alfred asked sleepily.

"Yes" Arthur answered. "Just to let you know we were short on wine so substituted for Ivan's Vodka and I made some tea that bodes well with wine, so it should taste fine."

"Okay, let's give it a try" Alfred replied only not knowing that they had never let Arthur cook before, and that Ivan's vodka was strong stuff. Oh little did they know the horror it would bring for them.

Everyone was gathered in a circle waiting for the twins to arrive. Several candles set in the centre of the circle illuminating the whole group, Ivan handing out cups to everyone to prepare them. Alfred noticed Peter sound asleep in his bed not far from them, and Katrina thankfully also asleep in her crib that the group built shortly after he birth. Alfred and Matthew sat beside each other in an opening in the circle, and soon Ivan passed out all the cups and proceeded to start with the vodka and tea mixture. Arthur sat down receiving his drink as well. Ivan finally finishing pouring the drinks and sitting down, Arthur then took the stage.

"Well, it's my turn to lead this" Arthur started. "Another day gone, another day lived in darkness, tonight we drink to each others health and with a prayer that tomorrow morning that we will finally be free" Arthur finished, this speech was also repeated every night that it was possible. Everyone quickly downed the drink more or less expecting it to taste terrible because of how strong the Vodka was supposed to be, but surprisingly it didn't taste all that bad.

"Alright everyone off to bed" Arthur sighed. Apart from doing the speech he was also in turn for watching the entrance with Francis. Arthur sat down with his assault rifle in his lap, Francis soon joined him also with his weapon.

"This is going to be a long night eh, Angleterre" Francis said trying to start small talk.

"How many times have I told you not to call me that you frog" Arthur sighed in an irritated voice.

"About as many times as I've asked you to stop calling me frog" Francis replied. And for once in his life Arthur couldn't think of a proper retort.

"You win" was all Arthur could manage. Arthur looked away and quickly realized that his vision was getting blurry, and slowly beginning to zone out.

"Goood to knnoww, cause I wwa-" Francis's voice quickly faded out of his ability to hear as his world slowly grew black.

One Morning.

"HOLY CRAP BROTHER WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Arthur quickly felt his ears ring as a voice screamed.

"WILL YOU BLOODY KEEP IT DOWN!" Arthur yelled back, as he quickly came too he felt himself slip of something wrapped around him, he quickly looked back to see it was Francis's arms wrapped around him. "AAUUGGHH!" Arthur leaped up and screamed, Arthur quickly did a self check, and realized that all his cloths were still on. "Whew" Arthur sighed with deep relief. Arthur suddenly wondered what time it was and checked his watch, and read Six in the morning. "How long had we been asleep?"

"Six days" Peter answered.

"WHAT!" Arthur exclaimed

"I tried to wake you guys up but you all just tossed and turned for days and I decided to leave the room, I also had to feed Katrina, change her daipers, sooth her when she started crying it was a nightmare" Peter said pouting in annoyance that he had to take care of a child for six days.

"Well that was very responsible of you Peter, now, about the others?" Arthur asked

"Before that, what were you two doing?" Peter asked looking at Arthur skeptically.

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Arthur yelled.

"Okay, then may I asked what happened six nights, everyone is not only out of place, but some are even mixed up with the wierdest people." Peter said pointing to the others.

"Well that you doooon-WHAT HAPPENED!" Arthur yelled as he suddenly realized that not only was Peter right, some where sleeping with the wrong partner, and some even looked indecent, and Arthur didn't even want to think how indecent.

"What did you guys have that night?" Peter asked again.

"Nothing we are going to serve EVER AGAIN!" Arthur said raising his voice. Arthur quickly took a look around and saw some people like Heracles, Sadiq, Eduard, Raivis, Hong, Im Yong Soo, Im Yang Soo, and even Randal was laying on the floor bundled in blankets or out in the open half naked. But what horrified Arthur even more was when he felt something in the air that felt like impending doom. Not for him but for someone else. Arthur cautiously followed the feeling with his eyes until his eyes landed on Ivan who was thankfully in bed, but it took a moment longer for Arthur to realize who with. Arthur could make out the long blond hair belonging to Natalia. And judging from their shoulders which were bare Arthur could guess that some horrifying events took place last night. Arthur soon realized that Ivan was fully awake and his eyes were over shadowed by a blueish hue over taking the top of Ivan's head, how that was possible Arthur didn't know, but however it happened, it must be because Ivan is coming to the conclusion that his life is over.

"I'm going to wake the others" Arthur said turning away.

"I don't think that's possible" Peter said pointing to some others. Only for Arthur's mind to go blank with both shock and disbelief.

Arthur saw Roderich and Elizabeta together in the same bed but where thankfully still clothed. Toris was with Feliks but they too were still clothed as far as Arthur could see. Berwald was sleeping with Tino laying on top of him, but like the others they too were also fully clothed. Arthur then spotted Viet with Thai, Kiku with Wan, Seyana(Seychelles) with Ludwig, Lichen with Vash, Matthew with GASP! Katyusha, and Alfred DOUBLE GASP! With Bellana. And from what Arthur could tell the only article of clothing all of them had on, was the blankets they shared.

One Hour Later.

After all that trauma and getting everyone up, all the fight capable members gathered at the entrance. The groups were paired up differently this time, the back door would be handled by Wan, Bellana, Natalia, and Katyusha. The top floor would be handled by Yao, Kiku, Toris, Berwald, Heracles, Sadiq, Im Yang Soo, and Im Yong Soo. The front entrance would be handled by Ivan, Eduard, Raivis, Randal, Ralph, and Antonio. And the food court is Alfred, Matthew, Ludwig, Gilbert, Feliciano, Romano, and Peter. Everyone else was back at the store with Roderich guarding the entrance.

"Alright let's go" Alfred said casually, with all the yelling that Arthur did earlier at Six o'clock that morning. Alfred wouldn't be surprised if zombies where trying to find their way in, and waking up in such an embarrassing situation most being half naked, and other waking up in bed with a female and having no recollection of how that happened. Instead of their normal silently and cautious approach to their destinations, they all just slumped walking casually towards their destinations. Alfred took his group through the same path they always did towards the food court only their weapons where slung over their shoulders and everyone of them barely keeping their eyes three feet ahead of them. The situation was similar to the other groups. The third floor group just casually waked across the third floor just glimpsing at the windows, before arriving at the end where the front entrance group was already turning around seeing that the front entrance was still intact they made their way back to the food court. Wan's group just glanced at the rear entrance and simply turned away heading back to the food court. Alfred just stood in front of the huge section of covered windows looking just as depressed or shamed as when he woke up that morning. As all the other groups arrived, Alfred walked up to the area where they left their peeking hole, loudly slumping against the wall Alfred grabbed the sheet that covered the section of the window he was at, and pulled back gently. Alfred peered through the gap and met an astonishing sight expressed by the look on his face.

"What? What is it?" Arthur asked dreading the idea that zombies where clamboring to get inside the mall. Alfred didn't waste a second as he gripped the sheets harder and yanked on them tearing several sheets down. Everyone watched horrified as the sheets fell, now exposing them in plain view to the world. At first everyone covered their eyes as the brightness of the sun glared into their eyes making them all cringe in pain. As their eyes adjusted to the light, the sight of the outdoors slowly came into view, and they were met with a big surprise. Outside, there was, nothing. No zombies, no mutants, not a creature in sight, buildings were now in plain view every bit of detail now visible, the highway and overpass, now empty except for the abandoned cars.

Suddenly the group erupted in cheering, they had done it, they had survived a month in darkness, and are now back in the light. The sounds of the cheering was heard all the way back to the furniture store that the others where still in. Hearing the cheering everyone in deep curiosity grabbed their weapons and made for the food court. Arriving to see everyone grabbing plastic sheets and ripping them off, others with every ounce of new found strength prying off wooden boards still attached to the windows. The celebration continued on every floor as sheets from the skylights were being torn down, and the boards pried off the front entrance. Ivan not waiting for the power to be turned back on forced the doors open, and leapt into the warm sun, and taking his first breath of fresh air.

"FREEDOM!" Alfred cried as he basked in the sun's warm rays. "You never felt so good"

"Um, were you talking to me?" Alfred turned to see Bellana blushing and staring at him. Alfred froze at the question, this was going to be a long day.

Author's notes: Well, I'm finally done, and I'm going to post it before my computer gets infected again, no matter, I'm glad I'm back and writing again, this was and interesting chapter in that there is so much that went wrong in it and there is so much that shouldn't have happened at all. All I can say is that Ivan's vodka and Arthur's tea will never mix again unless they decide to pull a prank on someone. Well, I'm open to opinions of what I'm thinking of doing, I will be setting a poll on these. I'm thinking of turning some of the characters into females such as Feliks, and Tino, only because I want more females in this story, and no I'm not just going to suddenly change them into females next chapter, I'm going to portray it as a secret that they didn't want anyone to find out, and everyone finds out by accident, or because of what happened in this chapter. I'm also going to take a poll on when I should do the time skip I'm thinking of happening. And as I mentioned earlier I'm going to be taking opinions of better names for Lichenstein, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Thailand. So message me if you have an idea, and don't worry if your embarrassed about the name you send, your name will never leave my inbox.

PLEASE REVIEW

the poll should be on my home page.