They spent the next two days at the museum. Luffy was drawn to the butterfly exhibit. It was beautiful and warm and fragrant there. He'd happily spend hours sleeping on the walkway. "I think this is my natural habitat," he'd told Zoro.

Nami was very interested in the gems. She spent hours 'collecting' priceless pieces. Usopp took turns freaking out over Nami's theft and spending time with Sanji in the Cabinet of Curiosities. "I like this section best," Sanji had decided, spinning the globe.

When Robin wasn't in the gift shop sitting with Franky, she walked the entire museum. She spent the most time in the Egyptian section, sitting amongst the rows and rows of mummies.

Zoro slept in the gift shop with Franky and Crocus. He'd wake up occasionally to eat and then go right back to sleep.

On the third day Luffy came and found him, "It's time to go."

"Ready to move him?" Zoro asked Crocus.

Crocus sighed heavily, "Go get the younger fellow. I'm too old."

"Where to, Fearless Leader?" Nami asked as they walked back to Franky's truck.

Luffy shrugged, "I don't know."

"That's not particularly helpful," Nami complained.

Luffy snickered, "I haven't decided yet. I'll know when I see it."

"You awake, Franky?" Robin asked, climbing into the back of the truck.

Franky opened an eye, he shook his head, "Wait… wait… who's driving?"

"Hello," Robin sighed, pinching Franky's uninjured arm.

"Robin, Robbie, baby, who's driving?" Franky murmured, trying to sit up.

"Nami," Luffy said, climbing into the bed of the truck.

Zoro shook his thumb in gesture, "People are looking for you. Get your ass in the cab."

"Awwwww," Luffy whined, "But I wanna sit back here too."

"Move your ass," Zoro pressed.

"Nami?" Franky said, "Who's Nami?"

"The pretty young girl who visited the zoo with her friends," Robin said simply.

Franky nodded, "Can't… recall… pretty? What?"

"Sleep," Robin murmured, pressing her thumb between Franky's eyes and stroking upward. "I'll keep an eye on your truck."

"Wait…" Franky breathed out, struggling once again to sit up, "I wanna go home."

"What?" Robin shook her head.

"I need to swing by the apartment," Franky groaned, pushing up on his elbows. "We've got the Winchester and Smith & Wesson there. We could use that stuff right now."

"Where ya live?" Nami asked through the window.

Robin shook her head, "It's not worth the trouble…"

"We got time," Luffy insisted. "It's no problem."

"If you're sure," Robin conceded, "It's on Memorial."

They weren't the only truck on the road. There were several truckloads of men, armed to the teeth. Many of them had paint scrawled across their doors, 'Zombie Survival Vehicle' or something similar. They honked at Nami, waving their hands and guns and shouting in greeting.

"I'm mildly uncomfortable," Usopp muttered.

"Eh," Zoro murmured with a shrug, "It's a Texan thing."

The streets grew quiet again and even Usopp longed for the noise of the locals. Nami followed Robin's directions and they pulled up to a gated apartment complex. It was nice but certainly wasn't as luxurious as Iva's had been.

"What's the code?" Nami asked, pulling into the drive.

"Keep going. He has the gate pass hanging up," Robin instructed, "Go all the way to the back, turn left. Park at the first building." She clicked her tongue as Franky sat up, "Where do you think you're going?"

"It's my damn house," Franky growled in frustration. "I'm going in to get my own shit."

"You have one arm," Robin breathed out, "You realize that, right?" Robin held her jaw tight, "If there're zombies hanging around they'll eat you in about sixty miserable gulps…"

Franky looked down at his left arm, ending just above the elbow, "Mother fucker! That's permanent?!"

"Maybe," Robin murmured, shaking her head.

"Well that's super lame," Franky complained.

"Here?" Nami asked, turning the corner.

"Yeah," Robin confirmed, "We live just on the other side… of the… building…"

Nami nodded, driving the truck over the curb. The truck bounced over the sidewalk and through the grass. "Here?"

Robin shook her head, "Yes, dear. Right here."

"The one with the pretty plants?" Luffy asked, climbing out the truck's open window.

"Yeah," Robin answered, dropping the tailgate. "They're fake."

"Who's stayin' and who's goin'?" Usopp asked.

"I'll go with them," Luffy said simply. "You guys wait here."

Zoro nestled into the seat, closing his eyes, "Sure thing."

"Honk if there's trouble," Robin instructed.

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable taking one of these strong boys with ya?" Crocus asked, gesturing.

Franky flipped Crocus off, "I'm man enough I could lose both fucking arms…"

"You're half dead and I was speaking to Robin, Mr. Cutty," Crocus sighed.

"Actually," Franky announced, "I feel good. I'm good."

"About your question," Luffy interjected, "I got this."

"I hope there's not a dog in there that hasn't eaten for weeks," Usopp whispered.

Nami shook her head, "I have a feeling if there was one of them would've come straight here."

Robin reached above the doorsill and grabbed a spare key. She unlocked the door and stepped aside for Luffy and Franky to pass. They disappeared inside the apartment, the door closing behind them.

"Cool place," Luffy chattered, fingering all the precious figurines on mantle. "I like it."

"Thank you," Robin said, smiling. She grabbed several frames and began removing the photos, stacking them all together in one. She grabbed a handful of USBs and then began packing everything into a stylish Marc Jacob bag.

Luffy wandered around the apartment as the two of them packed. He opened drawers and touched nearly everything that was within reach. He opened a door at the end of the hall and Robin gently closed it. She smiled, "Nothing to see in there."

Luffy nodded slowly. He had seen the beautifully painted furniture and the bright-colored toys and he didn't understand why she would be embarrassed. But he left it alone, returning to the living room.

Franky was standing beside the couch, juggling the items he was trying to carry, wearing clean, fresh clothes. Finally he just let everything fall. He groaned, rolling his neck until it popped, "Robin, beautiful, Robin," he rasped, "Could you help me?"

Robin shook her head, busy with packing her own bag, "Nope. Struggle builds character."

"Luffy," Franky rumbled, "Can you be a super guy and help me out?"

Luffy nodded, "Sure."

"Can you carry the shotgun and the pistols to the truck?"

"Sure thing…"

HONK. HONK.

"Time's up," Luffy announced, collecting all of Franky's belongings. He turned to look at her, "Robin?"

"I'm ready."

Franky was surprisingly fast given his critical injuries. He opened the door and peered outside. He made a face before explaining, "Lots of Zomb-s."

"Around the truck?" Robin asked.

Franky made another face, shrugging, "All over the lawn…"

"The truck's just right there," Luffy said simply. "Let's just go."

"Franky's wounded," Robin began to protest. "I don't think he can move all that fast…"

Franky winked, "I've never felt better."

"A couple bites won't hurt him," Luffy murmured, "Not anymore.

"Huh?"

"I'm going," Luffy announced. "Follow me."

It wasn't far to the truck at all. They sprinted there in just a few yards. The issue was climbing into the ridiculously high truck while zombies were running at them. Franky, one armed and wounded, lifted Robin up quickly. He jumped up, surprisingly limber, and onto the tailgate. He slid in and back as Luffy handed him his bag and slammed the tailgate shut.

"Come on, Luffy," Zoro scolded, kicking open the passenger door. He still had marks on his face where his sleeve had left an imprint during his nap. He grabbed hold of Luffy and yanked him, Usopp shutting the door.

The good thing about the truck was that it was very high off the ground. It was difficult for the zombies to reach the doors or windows or even the truck bed. The wheels were enormous and the suspension was a monster. It didn't matter if Nami hit one zombie or twenty, she could simply mow over the bodies like they were nothing.

The bad thing about the truck was that it was loud. The tires were loud. The engine was loud. The exhaust was loud. The horn was loud. Sanji opened the window to speak to Franky, "Subtlety isn't your thing, is it?"

"Subtlety is for chewing," Franky joked, looking to Robin, "Right, baby?"

"Right, baby," she murmured, still adjusting the items in her pack.

"Any suggestions on where I should be driving?" Nami asked, brushing against a shrub.

"Hey!" Franky complained, banging on the glass, "Watch the paint. It's custom!"

"A bookstore," Robin insisted, shaking her head, "I brought two of my favorites but I just didn't have time to sort through my 'to be read' pile…"

"Are you serious?" Zoro asked.

Robin, Franky, and Crocus nodded. Robin smiled, "Reading is my joy in life."

"I thought I was your joy in life," Franky grumbled.

"Oh, honey," Robin cooed, "You're right. Reading is my greatest joy in life."

"That's messed up," Usopp muttered, shaking his head.

"I don't care if we go to a bookstore," Luffy decided with a shrug. "I've never been much for reading though."

"There's a Half Price Books just a little down the road," Robin instructed, leaning in the window, nearly crushing Franky. "Do you know where you are?"

Nami nodded, "Yeah. I'm familiar-ish."

"Does anyone else want to go home?" Usopp asked. "While we're still here, ya know?"

"I don't own anything of value," Zoro said simply.

Nami shook her head, "I left my dead boyfriend on the bathroom floor. He probably stinks to high Heaven…"

"Whoa… whoa… Whoa…" Usopp spoke rapidly, "You have a boyfriend?"

"Had a boyfriend," Robin murmured, "Keep up. She probably had to bash his brains out to survive…"

"You didn't tell us anything about it," Usopp scolded.

Nami shrugged, "Ya'll didn't ask…"

"Do you need to talk about it, Nami, dear?" Sanji questioned gently. "You can tell me anything."

"No, I don't need to talk about it," Nami breathed out, taking a sharp curve around an abandoned vehicle. "Everyone here has killed someone. It's just the world now."

There was a horrendous and loud screeching. It was something big and inhuman. Zoro and Luffy exchanged looks; they'd heard it before, at the mall. Usopp shook his head, "Not again! What the heck is that?"

"It's either a woman being violently murdered or a red fox call…" Robin breathed, clutching her throat.

"Will you knock it off?!" Usopp complained, shaking his head.

"Park the car," Crocus instructed. "We're making too much damn noise."

"Shouldn't I be driving away?" Nami groaned, parking the car.

"Turn off the ignition."

Nami sighed loudly in irritation before turning off the car, "Fine."

"Maybe we should find someplace indoors to hide," Sanji suggested, pushing Zoro until he moved.

"Hide?" Zoro shook his head, "That's not like you Sanji…"

Sanji shook his head curtly, "I just got a feeling, okay? We need to get the people in the truck bed inside someplace…"

"Agreed." Luffy murmured, climbing over Zoro and opening the door. "Let's move."

The screeching sound grew louder. It was enough to make the hairs on their necks and arms stand up. The sound was chilling. It made their stomachs twist into painful knots. But seeing it was worse, decidedly worse.

"Holy shit," Usopp breathed, hopping out of the car. He ran around, opening Nami's door, "Come on, woman! Move!"

"Do not run!" Robin cried out, throwing out her arms. "It appears to be a predator of some sort. Do not run. It will bring out its prey drive…" Robin dropped the tailgate and grabbed the bags, sliding to the ground. "Don't turn your back…" she shook her head, "What the hell is it?"

"There isn't a mammal I know of that looks like that," Crocus wheezed, climbing down.

They walked sideways in a line, slowly edging their way to where Luffy was knelt down, unlocking a shop door. He stood as he opened the door and finally saw the creature. He let the door shut and took several curious steps forward.

"Luffy!" Zoro hissed, trying not to yell. "What the fuck?! Get inside!"

It looked like a wolf, sort of. It was larger than the largest dog, but emaciated and had patches of missing fur. It screeched again, its mouth opening to expose wet, shiny fangs. Blood dripped from its mouth and tiny droplets fell from its body.

"It's been shot," Luffy realized, walking toward it. "It's hurt."

"Don't go near that thing, stupid!" Sanji barked, running toward Luffy to stop him.

"You guys get inside," Luffy instructed calmly, taking another step forward. "This guy's been looking for me."

"Looking for you?!" Usopp snapped. "Are you crazy?! That thing's gonna eat you!"

"It has hooves," Robin realized, looking to Crocus.

"Come on," Nami insisted, dragging Robin along behind her. "We need to get inside."

The creature screeched again. It was loud and foul. It paced in place, its head nodding up and down. Blood gushed from its wounds, splashing onto the concrete road. Luffy shook his head, "It's okay… it's okay… I won't hurt you…"

"What the hell is that?" Zoro murmured to Sanji.

Sanji shrugged, "I don't know… I… I don't know."

Luffy walked a few more yards and then sat down on the ground. He placed his hands in his lap and simply watched the creature. He didn't think he had it in him to just sit there for so long, but he could see it in the animal's eyes; it was scared and hurt and alone. It moved slowly, a few feet at a time.

And eventually the creature nuzzled his shoulder. It rubbed up against him and groaned loudly. The noise was loud; loud enough to hurt his ears, but he didn't jump. It was crying to him, he realized as it brushed against him. He placed his hand on the creature's side and stood. "We have a doctor. Wanna see him?"

The creature screeched, loud enough to set off car alarms. Luffy shook his head, "Nah, a good doctor. He's nice. He helped me."

The creature's eyes softened and Luffy saw something he didn't think possible, understanding. He turned around, looking at the row of stunned people. They hadn't followed directions; instead they'd stood there watching the exchange. Luffy smiled, "Can we see the vet?"

Crocus looked around before realizing he was the only vet there. He nodded uncertainly. "Uh, well, I think for everyone's safety it should really be put under…"

Luffy shook his head, "Start slow. He won't hurt you."

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Crocus murmured as he organized his supplies on the floor of a hair salon.

Robin was intrigued and no matter how many times Franky hauled her away she was right back beside the creature. She touched the small horns growing from the top of its head. They'd been filed and burned. She touched the scarred flesh of its back, "Versipellis."

"What?" Sanji asked, stepping forward.

"There's a brand here," Robin explained, "It says 'versipellis'."

"Does that mean something to you?" Zoro asked.

"It's a boy," Crocus announced, petting the creature on the rump. "Alright. With that established, I don't know what he is. He appears to closely resemble something in the rangifer tarandus family, if rangifer tarandus had sharp teeth and screeched like howler monkeys."

"It doesn't really matter what it is," Franky decided, "It's bleeding all over the place."

"I'm going to have to drug him," Crocus told Luffy. "It would be cruel and inhumane to cut into him and dig around if he's conscious."

"Do you understand?" Luffy asked, brushing his hand over the creature's muzzle. "It's so it doesn't hurt so bad." Luffy nodded, "He understands."

"I would just like to point out that Luffy isn't actually communicating with the animal and we could all be killed in a moment…" Usopp exhaled. "This is a bad decision."

"Go next door if you're scared," Luffy suggested, "I unlocked that door too."

"Oh, really?" Usopp nodded, "Okay. Great! Bye." And Usopp and Nami walked out of the hair salon and into the shoe store next door.

"Franky," Robin said, turning to him, "Go tell her my size and have her pick something out." She smiled, "Thank you."

"Super," Franky sighed, nodding as he followed after Nami and Usopp.

"Now if it rampages and kills all of us brutally he'll be safe," Robin said, turning back to the creature.

Luffy lay down beside the creature, his fingers gently combing through its warm fur. He murmured to it softly, "You won't hurt us. Will you? No, you're a good boy…"

"Okay," Crocus breathed out, "He should be asleep in just a minute." He placed his stethoscope against the creature's side and listened. "Very good."

Crocus, Robin, and Sanji worked on doctoring the creature while Zoro shaved and gave himself a choppy haircut. Franky returned with a pile of shoes and did the same, even if it was a struggle onehandedly. Luffy was impatient. It was difficult to wait until they'd finished. It took so long that even Usopp and Nami had returned to check in on them.

Finally Crocus nodded, "Bullets removed, wounds cauterized, stitches done."

"Those are .308 caliber," Usopp explained. "It's pretty tough to keep walking in that condition."

"The poor thing," Robin sighed.

"We should move it outside," Crocus suggested, "It's its best chance for survival. If it panics it might run right through the glass…"

"What does it weigh?" Zoro asked, eyeing it. "600 pounds? Maybe more."

"People were shooting it," Luffy said, sitting up. "We can't just let it go."

"There's nothing we can do for it," Crocus insisted, "We don't even know what it is."

"Someone does," Robin pointed out, ""Versipellis'. That means something." She looked around, "Anyone catholic? Take Latin?"

"I only know Latin so far as the scientific orders and class," Crocus answered. "Just like you."

"It's a place," Sanji answered.

"A place?"

Sanji nodded, "It's a research facility in Murmansk."

"Russia?" Robin asked, taken aback.

"Yes."

"What sort of research facility?" Crocus questioned.

"I…" Sanji looked at Zoro before shaking his head, "I couldn't say."

"You can't say or you won't say?" Franky pressed.

"D Foundation?" Robin guessed.

Sanji opened his mouth and shut it. He shrugged, "Germa Six Six. But they're indistinguishable at times…"

"Who are you people?" Crocus asked.

Nami and Usopp both pointed at the other three, "Really, uh, we're just normal people like you," Usopp insisted.

"Why'd the D Foundation want you bad enough to pay to ship thousands of animals and kill dozens of humans?" Robin inquired.

Luffy made a face, "I was kinda hoping you wouldn't ask."

"Why?"

"Because we don't want you involved," Sanji insisted.

Franky wiggled the end of his amputated arm back and forth, "Oh, I'm super fucking involved."

"Hey," Zoro interrupted, nodding toward the creature. "What's wrong with it?"

The creature was losing fur. Tufts fell off of it in handfuls. It seemed to be getting smaller and smaller, even as they watched. Crocus leaned forward, pressing his hand to its chest. He shook his head in bewilderment and scooted back.

The creature's bare skin changed from a deep mauve to a warm tan. The hooves split and separated and shot into several thin, short digits. The creature let out a tiny snore, its body shrinking down to no more than four feet in length. Its hooves became hands and feet. Its snout and long skull became a youthful, round face. The only fur was chestnut brown hair sprouting from the top of its skull.

Everyone sat motionless. The stillness was nearly unbearable. Finally, he couldn't hold it in anymore, and Usopp cried out, "Oh my God! Sweet Jesus! Don't let us get eaten by werewolves!"