How nice would it be to have a silent night? A peaceful night with nothing to stir its purity. A night where all dreams that came were calming and soothing to the mind. A night where you could let down all defensive boundaries because you genuinely feel safe. A night with no worries, no danger. A night like that seems perfect, right? However, that being said, what follows a perfect night is a perplexed morning. 'Cause no night could simply be that perfect, especially in the apolocalypse.

Tino woke up abruptly, his eyes widening as he looked around his resting spot. There was no sound to wake him nor any one that stirred him awake from his sleep. It was more like a sudden thought that jolted him awake. Blinking away his last strands of sleepiness, he looked about the shop. Mathias was curled up in a fetal position where he fell asleep the night previously. He was obviously still asleep. Next to the Dane was a laid out coat.

Suspicion rising in him, Tino crawled over to the coat. It was Berwald's coat. He usually slept on it every night when they would go to sleep. However, as the male came closer to it he noticed how smooth it was. There were no wrinkles or weight imprinted creases on it. Of course this could mean that Berwald had smoothed it out and had already awoken but the balance of probability said otherwise if looking at other conclusions.

"Mathias." The Finnish man whispered over to the sleeping blond. Mathias shifted a bit before slowly pushing himself up in a sitting position.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Did Berwald come back last night? He said he was going to look around to see if it was safe to sleep... Did he come back?"

Tino's eyes were hard and coated with concern and a hint of anxiousness. The last thing he could remember was seeing the taller other walk out for a quick perimeter walk. He couldn't recall seeing or hearing the other return.

What if he's gone? Did he leave? What if something happened— no. No, don't think that. This is Berald we're talking about. He wouldn't be hurt. That can't happen. That's not like him.

"No, I don't remember him coming back." Mathias responded, looking at the vacant sleeping area with the same concern. A silence filled the room as his answer settled into Tino's mind. Tino blinked almost robotically as he felt his mind work furiously while his stomach turned uncomfortably.

Oh no. This wasn't good. Tino felt his heart race as he stared down at the jacket, his eyes now glistening with fear and... He felt his breathing pick up as everything around him seemed to flicker in and out of focus. Dad! Help! Stop. P-Peter! Stay alive, I'm right here. Not again. Your fault. Shut up. You killed him. No.And look here. Now he's going to die too. Please. Your fault!

"Let's find him." Tino blurted out hastily, jumping to his feet before Mathias could oppose or agree. Mathias blinked, a bit surprised at his quickness and change of tone. He seemed so soldier-like now. His whole demenor had changed in a second and a look of brokenness shined through his eyes. Mathias couldn't tell whether this was a good sign or not. Nonetheless, he followed the Finnish male outside.

Outside was still. There were no biters seen at first and the roads around were bare. The only noticeable movement was the newspaper flying through the low breeze in the air. The sun was just rising from the east, casting long shadows from the stationary cars and debris from other buildings. There was no other life seen. Mathias shuddered at the stillness of everything. It chilled his bones at how the world looked as if it were frozen in time and he was damned into it.

Tino hunched over a bit as he examined the ground around the shop. There had to be something, anything, that could tell them where he went. Of course, the most logical solution would be to call out his name and see if he responds. But this was the apocalypse. Calling out a name could only make matters worse. Noise awoke danger and that was something that was trying to be avoided in this situation. So, it was best to search in silence. That didn't help Tino. The longer he looked about the more anxious he got. His thoughts grew louder at every passing seconds, causing him to wince and flinch every now and then.

"Check the other side." He ordered Mathias as his agitation increased. Mathias looked at him oddly, taking note of his odd behavior but thought that is was best to just agree and go check the other side of the shop.

"Alright."

He walked around the corner, squinting his eyes as he tried to deduce anything from the stuff around him. A broken glass bottle. A rat carcasse. Empty cardboard boxes. Blown away dirt caking the edges of the shop walls. Nothing really struck any relation to Berwald. It was just the common things you'd find outside of the back area of a shop. However, right before he decided to go back to Tino, Mathias noticed something glinting up at him from the floor.

It was glasses. Berwald's glasses.

"Hey, Tino." The Dane called out, walking closer to the object. "I think I found something—" His voice faltered as a lump formed in his throat.

"What is it?" Tino walked up to his side as he, too, knelt down to get a look at the glasses. Right when it became clear to his eyes, his face paled. Blood. Blood splattered the front of the glasses and seemed to drip from the sides of them. This could mean that Berwald was bleeding from the head and took a blow to the side. Or it could mean that he killed something and got it splattered over his face. Then again, why would he just leave his glasses cracked and bloodied on the floor? That could only mean one thing: danger.

He's dead, isn't he? He's dead. Him too. I didn't make sure that he came back safely and now I've killed him. This is my fault isn't it?— of course it's your fault. It's always your fault. Peter. Now Berwald. You're nothing but a killer— I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to— that doesn't make a difference. You still did it.— But— You monster. You're the cause of all their deaths.

This was obviously over thinking, but that's what happened. You'd be surprised how over-the-top thinking people did in this life.

"Tino? You okay?" Mathias turned his head to the side a bit as he looked over at the Finnish male. He noticed the paleness in his face and quick breathes the other was making. He quickly spoke again in hopes of soothing him. "Berwald might not be dead. These are just his glasses. He's probably out there in hiding from something- we just need to find him. It's not too late, okay? He's still—"

"Dead." Tino interrupted, his voice shaky as he took a wobbly step backwards. "He's dead. They're both dead. They're dead. They're dead on my name. I killed them."

Mathias blinked, shaking his head quickly in response to what was said. "No. No, no you didn't kill him. Tino, you're not thinking straight." He held a hand out to out it on his shoulder but Tino flinched back, his eyes staring blankly at the floor. The words spoken made it through one ear then came out the other. The thoughts in Tino's head seemed to wrap their dark chains around his mind again, pulling him down once more. He was losing himself... again.

"You're wrong, you're wrong." Tino choked out, his words coming out breathy and shaky as he tried to steady himself. No. He can't succumb to this again. He can't lose himself again. No. He couldn't. "D-Don't you see? I killed him just like I did Peter. They're both gone because I didn't protect them. I didn't make sure he was safe before I slept. I didn't get to Peter on time. I did it. Can't you see?!"

A strained laugh escaped the Finnish male's lips. His eyes were dull yet clearly showed exactly what he was feeling inside. The cracks in his pupils were coming to view once again as he felt his mind overpowering him.

Mathias looked around, praying that Berwald would show up miraculously. Why was Tino like this? What was happening? He sounded like a mad man right now. Where was the reserved, blunt guy he was talking to the previous night? Who was the shaking, insane person standing before him? Berwald would know exactly how to address this situation since this happened many times before. However, Mathias had just been reunited with them and had now knowledge of the other's ill mentality.

Before Mathias said anything else, Tino pulled out his handgun and stared at it with a sickening grin. He moved the gun around carelessly, occasionally pointing it towards his own face.

"Tino, put the gun down." The Dane said suddenly with concern lathering his voice. He didn't know what the other had in mind. He didn't know if he was going to shoot himself or shoot him or shoot something that didn't need to be shot. He didn't know what was happening but what he did pick up was that Tuno wasn't mentally stable. That was obvious. "Put it away before you hurt anyone or your self–"

When Mathias reached over to Tino to put down the gun, Tino gasped softly and jumped back. He stared at the other surprised, his mad expression never changing. The hand on the gun tightened in grip as his finger played around the trigger. "Oh? Oh no. Don't come near me. I might hurt you too." He let out a chuckle as he stepped backwards a bit. The gun was raised up a bit before its metal was gently pressed against the side of his head. Mathias felt his breathing hitch as he watched the other point the gun to his own temple. Tino stared at him with those broken eyes once again, his finger resting upon the trigger. "I just end up hurting everyone, huh?"

"Tino, stop."

"I'm the cause of it all. Wouldn't it be best to just—"

"Put the gun down!"

"—get rid of the pest?"

Bang

Tino gasped as he felt himself being tackled down to the floor. His gun fired but ended up hitting the shop wall to the side of them. Mathias was on top of the other, struggling to keep him down and taking the gun from him. Tino grunted as he tried to get the Dane off of him.

"G-Get off of me!" Tino shouted, his hands fumbling for the trigger of the gun once again. Mathias panted as he tried to keep the other male's arms pinned down so he could grab the gun. It was a surprise to see how strong Tino was now. Before he would be so delicate and never being able to carry things for more than twenty pounds. Now Mathias felt himself breaking out in a sweat as he wrestled with the man below him.

Right when Mathias managed to get an opening to grab Tino's wrists he felt metal being pressed against his forehead. He froze as Tino stared up at him with the same distorted smile.

"T-Tino.." Mathias whispered, feeling his own face pale as he stared at the gun between his eyes.

Tino took in a short, wobbly breath, not moving from what he was doing. "I'm going to hurt you, too. I will. I will hurt and kill you too, just like how I did with the others. But now, it'll legitamitely be on my hand." He let out a light laugh, moving the gun's aim up and down. "Will I kill you here?" Head. "Here?" Chest. "Here?" Stomach. "Here?" Heart. "Or here?" Center face. "Let's choose."

Mathias felt his heart stop momentarily as the Finnish male muttered to himself upon where he would shoot. This wasn't good. With Berwald gone, this is how Tino changed to be. A dangerous man with the psychotic belief that he must kill/hurt the ones he love. The fearful Dane looked around for anything to help get away or save himself. Unfortunately, there was nothing.

"Three.."

Was this it? Was I to be killed by my own family?

"Two.."

I guess so..

"One."

I'll see you soon, Lukas.

"Fire—"

Bang

A loud gunshot broke through the air. Mathias flinched as he heard the gun go off. Silence. He blinked, looking down.

"O-Oh my God."

Mathias's mouth opened in shock as he stared down at a bloodied Tino. The top of his head was blown and had splattered Mathias in the face with blood and brains. His broken eyes now shone dull and lifeless as they forever stared up at him. His mouth was relaxed with a sad smile ever so slightly tilting the corners of his lips. The hand which held his gun still pointed up towards Mathias.

"Need help?"

Berwald stood above the two, a gun in his firm hand. His eyes were unreadable along with the expression on his face. Bruises were blotched across his forehead as a small cut was made across the edge of his head- nothing severe. His hand holding the gun hesitated a bit as he went to put the object back into his pocket. Mathias blinked, his whole attention being disoriented by what just happened.

Seriously, what did just happen? A moment ago, Berwald was thought to be dead. That made Tino go all crazy and self and overall destructive. Which lead to Mathias trying to restrict the man from committing suicide which made a dark turn to nearly ending his life. Now Tino laid dead on the ground with his brains blown out by Berwald who happened to be alive. Confusing? Yes.

"Y-You shot Tino." Mathias mumbled, slowly getting off of the Finnish man's lifeless body. He scooted back from where he sat on the floor, looking from Tino to Berwald. "He's dead.. He's dead.. You shot him before he shot me.. He.."

Berwald nodded silently as he, too, looked down at Tino. A part of him didn't feel remorse for the action he did. Yes, he did just kill the man he loved so dearly but part of him knew it was the right thing to do. Tino wasn't Tino. This man wasn't the man he knew years before. This man was a broken minded person who suffered every passing day while being driven close to insanity and being a harm to not only himself to others around him. It would only be a matter of time before someone's death really was logically in his hands, whether that be his own or someone else's. Plus, Berwald knew if he had spoken with the old Tino, the real Tino, he would've wanted this for himself too.

The other part of him obviously felt some remorse due to his loved one's blood being spilled was by his own hand. That was something he was going to have to live with for who knows how much longer he treads this earth.

"Yes, I did." Berwald responded quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I didn't, he would've killed you. And by the time that happened, he would've killed himself."

Mathias, still having a well mind and reasonable thinking, took a moment to process all that was done and what Berwald said. Yes.. That was true.. If Tino hadn't been slain right now, then he would've been the one lying there dead. Then, by what he heard the other say moments earlier, he could've went on a killing rampage and murdered more people. So, maybe it was safe that they stopped him.

Berwald cleared his throat, holding out a hand for Mathias. "I found a map to Berlin." He said, forcefully trying to avoid speaking more upon what happened. "We're fairly close to it from here. Also, I, um, might have found a car we could... use to drive there, if probable." The Swedish male stared at the Dane, always being unable to comprehend during such uncomfortable positions he'd rather not be in- especially one like this. "Do.. Do you need help getting up?"

Mathias gulped, nodding slowly as he continued to try and process everything. It all happened so fast. Everything. So much was taking place that it was making his head spin. Wasn't it just a moment ago he was growing uncomfortable with the sight that felt like time had stopped? Now it was as if time was racing his present consciousness. He reached up and grasped Berwald's hand to pull him up. "Yeah.. Thanks–"

Suddenly, Mathias yelped in pain as he felt the ground beneath pull him back down. A sharp pain pierced through his side as he made the attempt to stand up with Berwald's help.

"Mathias!"

The voice was distant. Was it Berwald? Well, it had to be. Only living person there. Mathias blinked, his eyelids heavy as he did so. He looked up at the swirling image of Berwald as he watched the other scramble to his side. Very faintly, he felt someone slip their hands underneath him and hold himself up. Was someone carrying him? He couldn't tell. Everything was a blur.

What he could tell clearly though was the stickiness on his side. Something warm and sticky was there growing by the second. Mathias winced as his side throbbed in pain as he continued to weakly think up reasons of why this all happened.

What's going on? Time's moving too fast, too fast. I can't keep up.

That's when it hit him, and hit Berwald too as he stared down at the Dane in his arms. Mathias was shot. A bullet wound in the side caused by Tino at the moment of his death. The exact second he pulled the trigger was at the same time Berwald did towards him. That explains why the gun shot was so loud. It was two guns in unison.

Mathias felt his breathing grow shallow as he thought this over. Mentally, he laughed bitterly.

Huh, you really did kill me, didn't you? You weren't lying.

Berwald was talking again but Mathias never heard what he said for darkness had pulled him down under.

_
Author's Note:

Yikes, sorry I wanted to make this chapter a bit longer since that's what a couple of you've been asking but now I feel I rushed it.Although, I kinda did purposefully rush it so you, the reader, could get a feel of how Mathias felt when all this happened.

But I hope you liked it :)

Please leave your feedback in the comments/reviews! I love reading them and they inspire me to keep writing!