Here's the new chapter of The Loud Dead Tales. This chapter we'll be seeing some of the Loud Kids friends. I should have mention, all the characters in these short stories are kids. These are their stories after all, seeing the world from there point of view.

I hope you enjoy this.

It's been nearly 5 months since the outbreak, 5 months since the dead has risen, 5 months since society collapse. It became a dog-eating dog world, riots broke out across the country as the government tries to maintain order. They even thought, turning a city into a safe zone. What it did was turning the city into all you can eat buffet, for the dead. It only took few weeks until the dead came into the city, beginning their reign of terror upon the living. Only those who manage to escape from that living hell are the lucky ones who could see the light of day.

Arnold is a loner. A young man whose is 25 years old is one of those lucky people. He been surviving on his own since the fall of Detroit. How did he manage to survive? He relayed by his quick thinking, he watches other survivors from far distance to see if they're armed and dangerous, or just poor sobs who aren't armed at all. He survived this long by observe and stagiest his moves just right. Only people he trusts these days is himself. He doesn't risk by getting mangled by big groups. That's how he survives this long.

He's glad he avoids going into larger cities, they're always the dangerous places to go. It'll be suicidal to go into cities. While is good to avoided larger groups Arnold won't hesitate to kill. He'll willing to steal and kill other survivors, butcher them with no second thought. Men, women, even young innocent children. He came across a building that looks like an Auto Repair Shop and a Mini Market. Arnold knows there might be other survivors inside, he took out a pair of binoculars out from his bag and scan the area for any living or dead. What he sees he didn't expect.

An 8-year-old boy with orange hair wearing a red with green stripe sweater. Walking to a car parked by the side of the garage. Putting bags what appears to have supplies inside the car. He watches very cautiously to make sure what he's dealing with. The boy looks easy to take on, however, there might be other survivors nearby. Unless he's by himself, which doesn't make much sense. How could a kid able to survive this long without anyone nearby? Is he alone? Separated from his group? Or only him and someone else? Well, it doesn't matter, does it? All Arnold cares right now is the car and the supplies. Even if means to kill the kid. After all, is a fucked-up world they're living in. Kill or be killed.

He watches the boy leave the car and head beck inside the Mini Market and disappeared. As soon, the kid is gone Arnold quickly ran up to the car stealthy. Even darting to the side of the building without being seen. He quietly ran up to the car and take a good look at it. The car has spikes from both wooden and steel pipes in front of the car rear, all the windows have bars as protection from any dead fuckers from breaking in to eat them. Luckily the kid left the door unlock. Inside have some weapons either home-made or guns. Seeing this made Arnold smile with success. Is like lady luck is on his side. With this vehicle Arnold won't have to worry about anything attacking him.

"Wh-Who are you?!" Said a young voice from behind him.

Arnold bolted upright as he turned around. He sees the same kid from earlier pointing a revolver at him. Looking at him, Arnold took a good look at him. His left face has a burn mark as if he was caught in a fire. This kid must have seen some shit to have that scar.

"I-I said who are you?! And what are you doing?!" Shouted the boy.

"The hell is with you kid?" Said Arnold looking at him with a stern look.

"I-I ask y-you first! W-Who are you?!"

"Why would I tell you that?" Arnold asked him "Plus, didn't your parents told you is rude to point a gun at someone without telling them they're name?"

"W-Why would I tell y-you my n-name?" Said the boy with Arnold looking at him.

"It would be nice to know someone before things get too fucking messy." Said Arnold staring at the kind as he slowly put his hands down "For starters, my name is Arnold Fernside. And you are…?" Arnold asked the kid who is hesitant to respond. But with his gun lowered a little he looks at the man in the eyes.

"R-Rocky… Rocky Spokes." Rocky responds with Arnold smirks "This is going to be too easy." Arnold thought

Whenever he gets himself cornered by someone with a gun. He first talks to them calmly, getting them to lower their guard before he could whip out his gun and shoot them dead. But with Rocky being a kid and seems to be on his own, he won't bother to waste any bullet. This how far Arnold has survived this long "Okay Rocky… are your folks around?" He asked.

Rocky is silence by this question. Arnold notice that Rocky eyes are moist knowing full well his parents are gone. He then slowly walks towards him "From the look on your face, tells me that you're alone." Said Arnold with Rocky having his gun still pointing at him "D-Don't come any c-closer! I-I m-mean it!" Shout Rocky with his hands trembling.

"Or you what? Shoot me?" Asked Arnold with his hands lowered "Have you ever shoot a person?"

"N-No…"

"Then that means you don't have the balls to pull the damn trigger." Arnold stood over him with Rocky looking at him "It also means…" He knees Rocky at the stomach then throws a punch on his left cheek. Rocky hits the ground holding onto his stomach groaning in pain with the revolver he's holding laying next to him "…how a little shit like you survive this long?"

Arnold then turned around and head to the car "No offence kid, you're not worth to waste a bullet. Also, I'll be taking the car off your hands." He said chuckle a little.

"S-Stop!" Rocky shouted which made Arnold look back at the kid, seeing him back to his feet despite a bruise on his cheek with small stream of blood dripping down "I-I'm going to g-give you a c-chance to walk away. I-If you r-reset, then I-I'll have n-no c-choice but to s-shoot you."

Arnold gave a snort laugh as he looks at Rocky "You're going to shoot me? Ooh, I'm scared." Arnold mocking him "He's bluffing. There's no way this brat is going to shoot me." Arnold thought before went on talking "Look kid why not be a good boy and go fuck off before I change my mind." Arnold told him

"I-I'm going t-to count to f-five! If y-you don't l-leave, then I w-will shoot you!" Rocky warn Arnold as he cocked the gun with Arnold basically laughs "Five!"

"Oh no, someone look pissed." Arnold laughs once more "What should I going to do?"

"Four!"

"Oooohhhh, don't officer! Please don't shoot!" Arnold mocking at Rocky raise his hands up in a mocking fear.

"Three! Two!"

"Alright, fuck this." Arnold huffed getting tired of this shit as he reaches out for his pistol. But as soon, his fingers touch his gun.

(BANG!)

A shot rang the air with Arnold felt a pain in his chest. He looked down to see a hole on his shirt as it started to get stain with blood. He gasped as he stumbled backwards "The… The fuck?!" He wheezes in pain with his lung filling up with blood. He looked back at Rocky where the revolver is smoking. He shot him… the kid actually shot him. With Rocky pulling the hammer which the barrel loaded another bullet, he pulled the trigger only this time shooting him at the knee which Arnold fell to his hands screaming in pain.

"Shit…!" Arnold cursed reaching and took his gun out only for a third bullet which shot two of his fingers off. Arnold scream in agony as Rocky then pointed his revolver at him "I-I gave y-you a chance…" Said Rocky.

"N-NO! PLE-" Arnold was silence when the fourth bullet went straight through his skull killing him. Rocky fired two more times at the head splattering chunks of brain and skull fragments on the ground. A pool of blood soon was form as Rocky stares at the body holding his gun shakingly. Before long sounds of running footsteps came to him.

"Rocky!" Shout Rusty running to his little brother "Rocky what hap…?" He was cut off when he sees the body when two more came running up to them.

"Rusty!" Shout Girl Jordan running with Tabby by her.

"Dude what the fuck was all that gun…" Said Tabby.

But as soon both girls run up to the two brothers, they see the dead body of another human being. Girl Jordan put her hand over her mouth while wrapped her arm around her stomach feeling like she's going to puke. She looked away as sounds of her letting out contents on the floor "Bloody hell…" Tabby staring at the body.

More footsteps running towards them as Carol ran up to them with her hair tied into a ponytail holding bags of supplies, they found "What happen?! Is anyone…?" Carol then stares at the corpse of Arnold "W-What… What the fuck happen here?" Carol asked.

"H-He was a-about to steal t-the car. He d-didn't give m-me a choice." Rocky explained trying to hold in the tears as his body shakes.

Rusty comfort his brother "Hey, is okay Rocky. You did what you have to." Said Rusty.

"Rusty…?" Carol spoke with Rusty turning his head towards her "T-Take Rocky in the car. And try and calm him down." Carol ordered which Rusty nodded. He guides Rocky to the car in the backseat.

Carol looked where Girl Jordan is on her knees and hands gagging with Tabby gently rubbed her back to comfort her, while Girl Jordan gasping for air. The young blond walked up to them with Tabby looking up at her "Is she okay?" Carol asks Tabby.

"She needs few minutes." Respond Tabby which Girl Jordan raise her hand up "I-I'm fine…" Said Girl Jordan looking at them with some content over her mouth while tears streaming down her face "I'm… I'm still not use to seeing dead bodies that… aren't rotting."

Carol nodded understanding "Tabby get her in the car." Carol told her which the rock-n-roll girl nodded, picking Girl Jordan up and take her to the car. Don't know what to do Carol sits on the car hood taking in deep breaths while running her face, trying to progress what happen. Rocky actually killed someone… he killed a living human being. Carol doesn't know how to respond to it. She looks through the windshield to see Rusty hugging Rocky close to him, while Girl Jordan wrapped herself with her arms shaking. Can't blame the girl it has been about 5 months since the outbreak. And she still isn't used to dead bodies.

Carol look at Arnold body as it lays in the pool of blood which already attracting flies. She shook her head "Shit…" She curses under her breath as she then walks to the driver's seat. She starts up the car with Tabby in the passenger seat. She starts up the engine not wanting to stick around as she looked through the rear-view mirror to look at Rocky "Rocky?" Carol spoke softly with Rocky looking at her "You did what you thought is for the best for the group. Hope you understand that." Said Carol.

As soon, Carol starting to drive the car leaving Arnold's body behind. There's one thing Carol understand. That is always be cautious around strangers.

Sorry for the long wait. Hope this chapter make things up. I've been focusing on the Owl House stories ever since the show came out. Anyway, hope you like the characters I put down.

Let me explain about Carol morals on here.

Carol is basically Lori's right-hand who she trusts. Means she'll be acting leader while Lori is off doing either supply run or something more… personal. Since Carol became Lori best friend since the whole selfie episode, Lori trusts her the most. Carol is a kind-hearted person but will do anything to keep the group safe.

Hope you enjoy it, leave a review and I'll see you later.