Chapter 5: An "odd" shelter
As team RWBY, Ace, Maria, Qrow and Oscar was following the trails...
"Doesn't look like this is gonna let up..." - Qrow sighed.
"Just want to get this stupid Relic to Atlas." - Blake said.
"I thought you said trails led somewhere, asshole. And we haven't see a thing yet." - Yang grumbling.
"Maybe we're not there yet, cuz i'm sure it always led to.." - As Ace was said halfway.
"Everyone, quiet. Did you guys hear that?" - Ruby asked. This time, they heard a metallic squeaking noise.
"Hmm, that noise..." - Ace muttered. Then before them was a large but abandoned farm, one of the front gates swings back and forth due to the wind. A large sign above the entrance said "BRUNSWICK FARMS".
"See? Told you the trails led to somewhere." - Ace said.
"Yeah, sure." - Yang muttered.
"It looks abandoned." - Weiss said.
"Well, it's better than nothing." - Ruby said.
"Come one, i think we can all use some rest." - Qrow said as they all go inside. When they finally arrived at one of the house, the snow storm has gone from bad to worse.
"But still, this is strange. Despite this place was abandoned, it seems like nothing was completely destroyed." - Ace wondered.
"Maybe everyone left in a hurry. Before things took a turn?" - Weiss said as she shivering from the chill. Qrow was trying to open the door but realize it was locked.
"Hmm, stay on guard." - Qrow said as he prepare to kick the door but Ace stop him.
"Wait master! Let me." - Ace approach the door, he pull out a lock picker then insert it into the lock, it took few seconds until...*click*
"Got it." - Ace slowly open the door, his right hand was holding his katana in case if something happened. Then he quickly get in for first watch, he look around...
"I think.. we're.. good. C'mon, let's get inside." - Ace said. They all get inside the house, eyes still cautiously looking around the place.
"Don't forget to close the door, it's already cold in here as it is." - Maria said as she step inside the house. (Luckily the door's lock was not busted)
"I saw a chimney from the outside, maybe we could get a fire going?" - Blake asked.
"Please. I'll look for some blankets." - Weiss said as she proceed to the next room.
"Yang, go with her." - Qrow said. While the others was looking around, Ruby notice a group of pictures on the wall. She decide to step closer to see, the pictures show the families who "used to" own the farms, then Ace walks up to her.
"Nice families there. What do you think, Rube?" - Ace asked.
"Something doesn't feel right." - Ruby said. Suddenly, they heard a scream.
"Weiss!" - Ruby exclaimed as she and Ace head up stair and went into the room the others are in.
"What's going o.. Oh bloody hell..." - Ace was shocked at what he saw, before them was a bed with two decomposing corpses on it.
Few moments later... Everyone was around the now burning fireplace, Ace just came back from give the corpses a proper buried.
"What took you so long?" - Yang asked.
"I decided to check the other houses, and i found out there are bodies in every home. Like the whole farm just went to sleep and never woke up." - Ace said as he brushing snow off himself.
"My Oum..." - Yang dumbfounded.
"So we're not staying here, right?" - Weiss asked.
"I wish we could. But as i predicted earlier, the storm outside is getting worse. I doubt we'll get anywhere without or before getting freeze to death." - Ace sighed.
"Seems like we don't have choice but to stay here then." - Qrow said. Ace walk over to Weiss.
"Here, thought you might need this." - Ace handed Weiss a blanket.
"Thank you." - Weiss said as she use the blanket to cover herself.
"Well, might as well get comfortable." - Maria said as she take a book from the bookshelf.
"Yeah, fat chance." - Yang scoffed.
"Okay then, let's do something. If this place wasn't abandoned it might still have supplies we could use." - Ruby suggested.
"Hey, yeah. Maybe even a car." - Oscar said.
"I'll do some sweep of the grounds." - Qrow said as he get up, then he turned back.
"No one goes anywhere alone." - he warned.
"Yang and i can search the other buildings for vehicles." - Blake said.
"*sigh* Fine, whatever gets me out of this house." - Yang said as she and Blake start to leave. Ace stand up after warming himself.
"I'll go with Ruby, you stay here until you're warm enough ok?" - Ace said to Weiss.
"Actually... I think i'll go with you too." - Weiss looked up.
"Heh.. Ice Queen.." - Ace muttered and tried to hold his giggle.
"What's that?" - Weiss ask with her eyebrown raised.
"N.. Nothing, your choice then." - Ace said.
Ruby, Weiss and Ace went to search the supplies room. Ruby use the flashlight from her Scroll due to the room was covered in darkness, Weiss use her Myrtenaster to send small flames to light up the candles in the room.
"There." - Weiss said.
"Let there be light." - Ace said. As the room was lighted, they saw a bar and a full of alcohol shelves.
"On second thought, maybe we should keep this room closed.." - Ruby said.
"Huh?" - Weiss wondered.
"I'm just... not sure how my uncle's taking all of this." - Ruby frowned.
"Oh." - Weiss said. Ace place his hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"Don't worry, he's an adult. I'm sure he'll be fine." - Ace reassure Ruby.
"Hopefully... Anyway, come on! We'll never get to Atlas on an empty stomach!" - Ruby said as she walks forward. As she was open another door...
"Ruby? Are we really still going to Atlas?" - Weiss asked as she look down sadly.
"Why wouldn't we be?" - Ruby asked.
"I mean... You heard what Jinn said. If there's no way to kill Salem, then what's the point in all of this?" - Weiss said sadly.
"I.." - but before Ruby could said anything.
"Are you giving up that easily?" - Ace intefere. Weiss look up.
"Look, call my guts fat. But i'm sure that things are not hopeless just yet, maybe there is something that we don't quite know yet, all i want to say was don't.. and never give up hope like that, ok?" - Ace said.
"... Yeah, you're right. Maybe i was just tired and i really hate this place." Weiss said as she and Ace step into the room.
"anything else, Ruby?" - Weiss asked.
"Nothing but more alcohol" - then she notice a large metal door on the ground.
"and a wine cellar, i think?" - Ruby said, then she was able to find something that she had to let out a yelp.
"What? What is it?" - Weiss asked.
"FOOD!" - Ruby exclaimed, holds out a can of beans.
"Yeah, good find Ruby." - Ace praise Ruby.
"Uh.. Canned food?" - Weiss asked in incredulous.
"Oh trust me, you put enough salt on anything, and it will taste juuust fine." - Ruby said happily.
"I also brought a salt shake with me, should help though." - Ace said.
"Well, i guess it's better than nothing." - Weiss smiled. Then she walks over to help Ruby and Ace grab some cans of food. Ruby and Weiss going back first.
"But i still seriously hate this place..." - Weiss said. As Ace was grabbing the last few cans, he suddenly feel something's not right and look over the cellar door on the ground.
"Ace! Are you done?!" - Ruby yell bring Ace back to reality.
"Uh.. Yeah! Coming!" - Ace said as he carry the canned foods and hurriedly walks to Ruby and Weiss.