Over a hundred. Just a little bit over a hundred. They're all coming from a variety of different directions- mainly in the West. They aren't far away and can arrive at our doorstep in less than ten minutes. We have ten minutes to make it up to the meeting room. Ten minutes.
10:00
Ludwig raced down the corridors, knocking feverishly on each door.
"Everyone get out! Get up to the meeting room upstairs! Right now!" His voice was ordering yet desperate at the same time- two things that never crossed paths until now.
He couldn't remember who stayed in which room so he merely pounded on every door closed.
Ten minutes. Would that be enough time? Would that get everyone to safety? Whatever the answer may be it would have to work. That was the time that was given to them so that was the time they had.
The thundering footsteps of the dead gradually grew louder and louder as they came closer to the house.
How am I going to warn everyone? Running around and screaming isn't going to help at all. It'll only make it worse.
"Ludwig? What's going on?" As a miracle was sent down to him, Gilbert and Rodriech came sprinting up to him from down the hall. The blonde ran over to meet them, a plan coming to mind.
"Gilbert, Rodriech- I need you guys to wake everyone up. Don't interrupt me and don't ask any questions after this. Go wake everyone up and tell them to get up into the large meeting room upstairs. We have ten minutes. Now go! Hurry!"
Obeying to what was said, the albino and brunet nodded and dashed away to warn everyone.
That was good. They'll tell everyone faster than me. Three men are better than one. The meeting room is the safest place to go. Windows only on the top floor, one entrance to the hallways that can be barricaded, and one office only accessible in the meeting room. Everyone has to get there before the biters come barging in... Everyone-
Ludwig's thoughts ceased as a sudden alert went off in his mind.
I need to get Feliciano.
8:59
Mathias awoke with a start, looking around quickly to see what was going on. The faintest sound of a Prussian yelling 'Get to the meeting room! Now!' was what jolted him back to consciousness. Berwald was already up and ready, getting a pistol and knife in his hand.
"We have to go. Can you walk?" Berwald questioned bluntly, walking over to Mathias. The Dane swung his legs over the bedside and gingerly stood up. A small grunt escaped him as he swayed where he stood. After a moment of barely gaining balance, Mathias shook his head.
Quickly, the Swedish male went over to him and scooped Mathias off his feet. He cleared his throat awkwardly as Berwald carried him bridal style in his arms.
"Let's not speak of this once we get to the meeting room, yes?" Mathias said, looking up at the other. Berwald nodded.
"Let's go." With that, Berwald exited to room and walked briskly upstairs to the meeting room.
As they walked, Mathias glanced outside the windows that aligned the hallways. A mass of biters crept their way towards the building, just barely making it to the metal gate. There were tons of them- more than they had ever encountered before. It was bigger than the herd that stampeded Mathias when he was with Lukas...
"Hey! What's going on? Why's everyone going to the meeting room?" Antonio came trotting up to them, obviously just awoken from his sleep.
Berwald gave a short nod to the biters outside, causing a tiny gasp to come from the Spaniard.
Oh dear... Antonio thought, this wasn't good. There's so many. This building can't hold up for long with this number.
"There's no time to stare. Come on, we have to go." Mathias informed the Spanish man. It was true. They couldn't stop to talk, they had to go. Antonio nodded and briskly walked beside them as they made their way to the meeting room.
Mathias looked back up to where Berwald was taking them. The bullet wound in his side ached as he was held. Oh... He hoped this mass of biters won't be a danger to anyone.
7:30
Ludwig ran down every hall to the point where it seemed like he was running in circles. Every passing second was a second lost to getting up to the meeting hall. Where was Feliciano? Where was he? That was his main concern. He couldn't get to the meeting room with the others until he got Feliciano.
"Feliciano! Feliciano!" Ludwig shouted down the halls. The only response he received was his thundering footsteps beneath him. This wasn't good. The biters got closer by the second. It was only a matter of time before they broke in.
Right before he started to lose hope, a sudden idea came to mind. Oh no...
The basement
As the thought came clear to his mind, the German ran down the steps and towards where Feliciano may be. He was correct. The door was ajar and the faint talk of a person in there confirmed the fact that that was where he was. Ludwig quickly came into the room, nearly paling at the sight.
Feliciano was kneeling next to Lovino's biter, unlocking one of the chains binding its wrists. The biter growled and snapped viciously at the Italian, squirming as he was slowly being set free.
"No! Feliciano stop!" The German shouted, rushing over to the other. Feliciano turned to him, smiling wide.
"Ludwig! You're here! Please help me get these chains off fratello." He said, unsnapping one of the chains on Lovino's left wrist. "We need to get him to the meeting room with everyone else! Rodriech said there's biters coming in so we have to-"
"No. We can't bring him." Ludwig interjected, eyes hard yet worried. Feliciano walked up to him, confused at what was said.
"No? But why? He's family! He's sick! We can't leave him to die!"
"Feli... He's already dead."
"No, he's sick. That's what you said! You're finding a cure for him! You-"
"We have to leave him! He's... He's not safe!"
Feliciano shook his head in disbelief. What was this? Leave his brother for the biters? Wasn't Ludwig supposed to protect them and keep them safe? Why was he just abandoning Lovino? He couldn't wrap that around his mind. His brother was obviously sick so why couldn't they bring him to safety?!
Of course, the thought of him still being alive was still in his mind. It continued to refuse the fact that his brother was long gone and this was a mere monster that looked like his family.
Ludwig knew arguing wouldn't do anything to help. Then again, it would only make things worse. The longer they stand here and talk, the faster they were put in danger with the biters. Desperate, Ludwig knew he had to get Feliciano out of this room alone no matter what.
"Feliciano... Let's go." Ludwig took a step forward to take Feliciano's arm. If he wasn't going voluntarily, he would have to use force. He was not about to leave his loved Italian down here, even if it meant the other hating him once they got upstairs.
The Italian quickly stepped back, slowly getting closer to Lovino's biter.
"I'm not going!" He exclaimed, eyes starting to water. "I'm not leaving my brother!"
Feliciano shook his head, holding out an arm between Ludwig and Lovino. Ludwig stared in horror as he watched the Italian slowly walk backwards towards the biter of Lovino. Lovino snarled and bit through the air to reach the flesh before it. It had no consciousness to distinguish this as its brother- it was only fresh meat in its eyes.
"Feliciano, please... Please get away from him. Please!" Ludwig was begging now, reaching over to the other. He stopped when this gesture only made the Italian walk farther away from him.
"No..." Feliciano shook his head, tears racing down his cheeks. "I-I'm not leaving him... Not now..."
One step. Lovino lunged forward as far as it could.
"I can't leave him..."
Another step. Lovino was now just an inch away from reaching the food it so desired.
"He's my brother... Why don't you understand?!"
One last step.
There was nothing he could do once that step was made. That simple step changed everything in the room. It destroyed a life. It broke a heart. It was lustful for the monster who commenced it. Who knew just taking a step could change a life? Not even one, but two.
At that step, Lovino's biter reached over with its free hand and grabbed Feliciano. Feliciano fell backwards onto his brother's living corpse, fully throwing himself into its take. Teeth sunk into his shoulder as it began to feast off of the male in its hold.
A scream pierced through the air, impaling Ludwig's heart as he stared at the horror before him. Feliciano shut his eyes tightly as his face twisted in pure pain. Blood gushed from shoulder and neck as Lovino's biter tore into his body. His hazel eyes snapped open and were wide with terror and shock as they locked onto the German frozen before him.
Was this how he was going to die? By the hands of his own brother while his lover stood feet away helplessly from him? Feliciano gasped, his legs giving was as he collapsed to the floor. Lovino's biter now hunched over him, using its free hand to claw into his body. A gash on his chest. An incision across the face. More along his already eaten shoulder and soon to match the other one. The only sounds that came out from him were cracking screams and gasps of air that mixed in with the horrendous growls and hisses that rumbled from the biter.
Ludwig stood frozen at the door, eyes wide as ever. Tears silently rolled down his cheeks as he stared at the suffering Italian before him.
There were only three times the German cried in his entire life. The first time was when he was a young nation- a mere empire at the time. He was dying on the battlefield with a French soldier standing above him. The memory of a little girl awaiting him brought tears to his eyes as he was defeated. The second time was when he was reborn as the nation he was (Germany), but knew he had no recollection of any memory of the past as the feeling of loss and loneliness weighted on his heart. The third was right now... as he watched his beloved being eaten and killed right before his eyes.
Ludwig blinked, suddenly coming back to his senses. He started going over to the Italian to stop the biter but stopped mid step.
"D-Don't!" Feliciano choked as crimson liquid began to flow from his mouth. Despair and pain reflected from his eyes as he stared at Ludwig. "G-.. Go! Saf-.. Leav-.. Me! Go-.. Plea-.." He screamed once again, now looking at Ludwig desperately for him to listen to him. For once, at least this once, he wanted the other to follow his orders.
For a large part of his life with Ludwig, Feliciano always followed the other's orders. He always did as he did and depended on him to make the choices. Now, just for this one time, he wanted to be the one to make the move. It was for Ludwig's own good.
Ludwig opened his mouth but nothing came out. However, his legs managed to work and he found his feet slowly retreating from the room. No. Wait. Why was he doing this? Why was he leaving? Get back to Feliciano! What are you doing, you imbecile?!
"I-..." Ludwig mumbled, his voice fragile through tears. Feliciano slowly grew weaker where he lied, yet his eyes never left the German. The faintest smile upturned the corners of his lips as a trembling intake of breath was made.
"G-Go..."
Ludwig gulped, understanding that Feliciano was right. He needed to go. Even if he managed to take him from Lovino's grasp, what next? He'd just turn and die another way. It was best that he left. But then again... It was hard to bring himself to do such a thing.
He gave the other a nod, blinking away his tears. "I-I'm sorry..."
With that, the German parted ways with the Italian and the other was left lying on the cold floor, staring at the empty doorway. Feliciano broke down in tears once more as unimaginable pain coursed through his body. The biter beside him never hesitated on each bite and tear it made next. He squirmed and silently begged for mercy for everything to stop. His own screams echoed around his ears as he stared up at the ceiling above him for this to end.
Make this stop. Make this stop. I can't bear this anymore. The pain... It's too strong. End me. Kill me faster. Please. I beg of you.
Feliciano gave a short gasp as his body became limp. His eyes closed halfway, still staring at the ceiling above him. Very faintly, a hand reached out before him. It wasn't the biters nor anyone in the room's for no one was there anymore. It was a bright hand that was uninjured and gentle.
"You're okay, little brother. It's all over now."
3:05
Ivan and Toris ran down the hallways and towards the staircase to get to the meeting room. The biters reached the metal gates and were gradually pushing their weight to get to the building itself. There were so many...
"The ground is vibrating." The Russian exclaimed worriedly as his violet orb looked towards the windows.
The Lithuanian panted as he ran, grunting as he put weight on his bad leg. Nonetheless, he kept running. There was no time to stop and take a breather. They had to get up the meeting room as fast as they could.
As they ran, Toris stared out at the world beyond the window. Biters piled against the metal gate as they tried to shake it down. He gave a small gasp as he noticed the gate wobbling. At this rate, the fence will fall and there'll be nothing keeping them from the building. They'll eventually get in. And then when that happens... What happens then?
"Ivan, we have to run faster!" Toris exclaimed despite him being the slowest one of the two. "Th-They're going to break the fence!"
"Look! It's just up these steps!"
"Ack!"
Ivan suddenly stopped running when he heard someone drop to the floor. Turning, he saw Toris holding his leg with shut eyes as he desperately tried to push himself up.
"T-Toris! We have to go!" Ivan beckoned with a pleading tone.
The brunette shook his head, making an attempt to stand. When he stood, he cried out once more and fell back to the floor. His leg throbbed and ached as much as ever. It was obvious he couldn't get up the meeting room by himself.
"Ivan.. I-I can't.. my leg hurts too much.." Toris whimpered, staring up at the Russian. Ivan stared down at him before he quickly knelt down. Swiftly, he took Toris' arm and swung it over his neck. Gently, he hauled him back on his feet and gradually walked up the steps to the meeting room.
It was a little surprise, Toris had to admit. Ivan would never go out of his way to help someone like this when it was a live or die situation. He would always move on his own and silently wish the other would follow. However, this was a change. A change caused by the current circumstances and events. Sometimes change could be good.
Right when they reached the top of steps, a loud crash made them both flinch. Looking over out the window, Toris stared in horror as the metal fence laid on the damp dirty grounds outside. Biters began to drag their feet over the fence as they walked towards the building.
Oh no... They're in.
Toris felt his breathing pick up as he and Ivan reached the meeting room. Opening the door, they rushed in and slammed it shut behind them.
Taking a shaky breath, Toris turned into the room. At the moment, only Antonio, Mathias, Berwald, Rodriech, and Gilbert were there.
"Th-The fence... It fell. They're coming in."
1:30
Francis swung on his backpack that held all their essentials as Matthew, too, gathered his things. Rodriech had ran down the hall shouting that they all needed to get up to the meeting room on the top floor. Only briefly did he mention that it was because of the biters coming in. However, Francis understood immediately that was the reason for it.
"We have to go, now!" Matthew informed. There were hammering fists banging on the walls of the building as the biters made it to the building. Time was running out and it was running out fast.
Alfred and Arthur were waiting outside their room anxiously. The American was looking around frighteningly as the rumbles of the biters were louder than ever.
Arthur quickly put both hands on Alfred's shoulders. "It's okay, Alfred. It's nothing bad. We'll be okay, alright? We just need to get to the meeting room on the top floor. That's all. You can do that, right?" It was key that the American was calm right now. If he broke down and cried like how he had done before would only lead to disaster for them all.
Fortunately, Alfred listened well with Arthur and calmed down a bit.
The door of the room swung open as a Canadian and Frenchman ran out. Not needing any words to be exchanged, Arthur took Alfred's hand and the two started following the others down the hall.
Unfortunately, they got the memo late and the biters were already piling into the building. Windows were smashed in by decomposing hands, faces of the dead already pushing in as they heard fresh meat move about the building. Some cleverer ones managed to barge down the front door and started hobbling through the halls on the hunt. It'd take them a while to navigate upstairs to the meeting room so there was still time for the remaining four to make it there. But it was running out fast.
As they ran, the biters near the staircase that led to the floor of the meeting room had begun to climb through the window. They growled and blocked the pathway for the family. There were four inside and more slowly threatening to come in.
"Francis what do we do?!" Arthur asked with a tone of distress. He turned his head quickly around them, noticing that there were a couple slowly coming up behind them. Were they too late?
The Frenchman scanned the area for an opening or anything to keep them from the biters.
"There!" He pointed to a large enough gap between a biter and the staircase. If they ran fast enough they'd be able to slip through with no problems.
They all looked to the gap and nodded and began to run towards it. Francis ran through with no problem. Matthew followed quickly. Alfred pushed in front of Arthur as they both went to follow.
"Shit-" Alfred felt the hand that was pushing him disappear as Arthur fell to the ground. A biter managed to grab his ankle and pull him to the floor, slowly creeping up to dig it's teeth into him.
Alfred's eyes widened as he quickly ran away from the gap and went to Arthur. He swiftly kicked the biter in the face and jammed his foot onto its head, splattering brains all over the floor. It was a quick action but left Alfred smiling widely. He did it. He saved someone. He helped someone. He didn't let fear take hold of him this time. The American looked down at Arthur, holding out a hand.
"Are you okay?" Alfred questioned, the bright smile still on his face.
Arthur stared up at him, taking his hand. This change in Alfred... He was smiling now. It wasn't just a forced smile, but it was genuine. It was the signature American smile. The smile that glowed at the sight of cheeseburgers and French fries. The smile that lit up at the talk of heroism and justice. The smile that was always followed with an obnoxious laugh that would always tick off those around him. That smile... It was back. He was coming back.
"I'm okay." Is what Arthur was about to say. It was the words just about to leave his mouth when it was snatched away from him.
The hand holding his tightened a bit as Alfred's smile disappeared. It was as if time suddenly stopped and everything around them froze.
Arthur stared in horror up at Alfred as the color drained from his face. Alfred stared back at him then slowly trailed his eyes down to his stomach. A bony hand now dripping with blood protruded from his stomach as a biter behind him snarled in hunger.
One of the most precious things in life is the gift of time. Often people take it for granted and just think of it as another day, another hour. They don't appreciate how little time there is in life and how many wonderful things happen in time. An hour could hold the joys of a proposal. A week could hold a memorable vacation trip that will never be forgotten. A day could be extremely bad but make he next day one of the best. So much can happen in time and we often don't even think about it much. We don't cherish the values granted by time until they don't have any more time left. That's how Alfred felt now as he felt death's grasp on his heart.
The biter retracted its hand from Alfred, causing the American gasp. This whole time he never took his eyes off of Arthur, who did the same with the highest level of fear. As if in slow motion, Alfred's legs gave way and the American started to fall to the ground.
"A-Alfred!" Arthur shouted once he found his voice to speak again. He jumped up and caught Alfred in his arms before the other fell to the floor. The biter growled and reached over to grab them but Arthur was too quick for it. Swiftly unhooking his pocket knife, he pushed away its decomposing arms and stabbed the blade into its skull. Once that was over, he snapped back over to the dying boy in his arms.
Alfred stared up at him as Arthur held him close to his chest. The warmth of the other was comforting as Alfred gradually felt himself grow colder.
To his surprise, he wasn't scared. Usually he'd be terrified of this. Back at the ship, Alfred would be horrified when he was hurt so badly he was close to death. Back there he was scared to die. However, now, he wasn't scared of death. Maybe it was because it was because he saved Arthur. Or maybe it was because he knew it was his time to go.
"Shit. Shit. You're g-going to be okay, Alfred. You will b-be. Oh God.. Oh God... This is all m-my fault.." Tears painted Arthur's cheeks as he stared down at Alfred. There had to be something to save him, right? There had to be! But there wasn't and that hard truth wasn't one Arthur was ready to accept. "P-Please... Don't die.. Don't die, Alfred.. Don't go away.."
Alfred stared up at Arthur, his sapphire eyes gleaming with tears as the light started to flicker off and on behind them. "Arthur... Don't cry. Please, don't cry.. It's okay.. I will be okay, but not in the way you want... J-Just.. Please.. Don't cry.." He could never stand to see Arthur cry.
The first time Alfred saw Arthur cry was when he first had to leave him to go back to his country. He was still a young nation and when he started to cry, Arthur started to softly cry as he comforted the small American. Alfred knew Arthur was trying to conceal his cries when that event took place but he still could see through his lies of comfort. That's what Alfred admired about Arthur. The Brit always kept up a strong heart even if everything was falling. There were countless times when Alfred saw through the other's fake smile to assure him. But he played around to make Arthur feel that it worked.
Now he had to do that.
"A-Arthur..." Alfred choked out, making Arthur quiet down for a second. "I may die- wait, yeah I will die- but please d-don't be sad... I put myself in d-danger for you.. I wanted to protect y-you.. That's what heroes do, right? Protect th-those in danger... I was trying to b-be a hero.. This isn't your f-fault and it's something I did.. I wanted, for once, to be the hero for my hero..."
Arthur sniffed, feeling more tears drip off his chin. "Oh Alfred..." He reached over and brushed some of Alfred's hair out of his face, shuddering slightly at how cold Alfred's skin was. "I love you... I'm so proud of the nation you became... I'm so proud of how strong you became and how wonderful you are.. I know, I wasn't the best at raising you, but I never thought any little of you. I've always been so pleased with who you turned out to be. Y-You.. You never failed to amaze me...
Alfred chuckled weakly, his eyes begin to feel heavy. "Thank you, dude... That means a lot to hear from you. I.. I love you, too.." He coughed which turned into a sharp wince as he furrowed his brows tightly at the pain in his abdomen. Arthur made a little hushing noise as he started to slowly rock Alfred in his arms. Alfred appreciated this gesture and smiled a bit, leaning his head against the Brit's chest.
His heart beat was so strong compared to his faltering one.
"Hey.. Artie.." Alfred mumbled, his voice extremely fragile. Arthur looked down at him, putting on a shaky smile.
"Y-Yes, Alfred? What is it, dear?"
"Can we... Can we play toy soldiers, again?" The words were now just barely above a whisper as the American's eyes slowly closed. "It's been a while... I still have them in my storage room... Th-They're my favorite..."
Arthur felt a sharp pain in his heart at those words. He actually kept them? All this time, he believed Alfred had thrown away everything from his colonial age- especially those little wooden soldiers.
"Of course we can." Arthur answered, feeling his eyes well up with more tears as he noticed how relaxed Alfred was becoming. "W-We can play it as many times as you want.."
Alfred's lips twitched into a little smile at that.
"I can't wait... Thank you... for everything."
The exact moment Alfred's last breath was made was the exact moment Arthur felt his whole world collapse. Sure, the world had already collapsed but his world was the only 'world' that kept things the slightest bit of okay. He stared down at the lifeless American in silence. He stared at his still face that still held his small smile. He stared down at the boy he found in the fields that one day. He stared down at the boy who always wished upon adventure. He stared down at the boy who went against him to be on his own. He stared down at the boy who was always filled with hope and promise. He stared down at the boy who gave him headaches and horrible illness every Fourth of July. He stared down at the boy who he promised to keep safe no matter what.
Not once did Arthur ever think he'd see the great United States of America come to an end.
A blood curdling scream pierced through the silence that settled between the two. Arthur bowed his head as he held Alfred's limp body tightly to his chest. Tears fell from his face and splashed upon Alfred's pale one. He screamed and sobbed over the boy he gave everything to and cared for deeply. He stroked Alfred's hair as he sobbed, hoping this was all an elaborate nightmare he would soon wake from. Daggers seemed to grow in his chest and stab his heart every time a tear fell.
"W-Wake up... Please, Alfred... Wake up... D-Don't die... Don't l-leave me, again..." Arthur put his hand against the American's face, gently rubbing his thumb on his cheek. No response. The Brit shook his head as his trembled from his cries.
It was as if every nerve and bone inside him broke. The cries that erupted from the Brit were the loudest cries ever made from him. He'd been through wars, lost precious lives, was abandoned by those he loved, faced unimaginable horrors and pain- yet, the pain and despair he felt now was incomparable to all that put together.
When Arthur's screams and wails broke through the air, the nearby biters around them stopped and fell to the ground. It was as if an invisible force stripped them of their fake life. A fact that wasn't pondered upon by them, that that was caused because of the little magic Arthur still had. Apparently his strong grief and emotions triggered any magic he had left.
Arthur flinched a bit when he felt a hand suddenly make contact with his shoulder. He was all ready to fight them if it was a biter but he only broke down crying even more when he saw Francis and Matthew standing behind him. They killed the two biters that blocked the path and others when they saw Alfred go down.**
Both had a look of pure sadness etched on their face. Matthew stared at Alfred's body in complete disbelief. He couldn't believe it. His brother, the person whom he looked up to and saw an inspiration to become stronger, was dead. No.. No he can't be. The hero can't be dead.
"Arthur... We have to go. Please, let go of Alfred... We have to go." Francis spoke gently and in the more comforting tone he could muster. Arthur jerked his shoulder away from his touch and held Alfred closer to his chest.
"N-No! I'm not leaving him... I'm not leaving A-Alfred." The Briton sobbed, his body trembling against the cold one in his arms. Alfred's head still leaned against his chest but now limply as no more life pumped through his veins. Francis furrowed his brows his pain as he stared at his weeping lover. He couldn't bare to see the other so broken... so sad.
"Mon Cher, please..-"
Arthur shook his head once again. Francis paused for a moment, glancing over at Matthew. "Okay.. We won't leave him.. Matthew will bring Alfred with us, okay? He'll carry him up to the meeting room.. is that okay?"
Truthfully, Arthur didn't want to part ways with Alfred ever but deep down he knew it was needed. Very reluctantly, he allowed Matthew to carry Alfred off his lap and into his arms. Matthew whimpered a bit when he held his dead brother, not baring to look at his face. Slowly, Arthur stood back on his feet and immediately buried his face into Francis' shoulder. Racking sobs were thrown into his shoulder as Francis did his best to comfort his broken lover.
"Shh, shh.. It's okay. It's okay.. I got you.." Francis whispered softly, stroking Arthur's hair and rubbing his back. He looked over at Matthew, a sad expression crossing his face.
They both were in utter despair at the events that occurred but, unlike Arthur, they knew they had to keep strong and not let their emotions slow them down.
"Don't worry, papa." Matthew said quietly so only Francis heard. "I know what to do..."
Francis nodded as Matthew picked up Arthur's knife. In order to be able to bring Alfred up to the meeting room, he would have to destroy his brain. If his brain was destroyed, he wouldn't come back as a biter.
With that, what was left of the family walked up the steps to the meeting room.
0:00
Inside, the ones who made it alive, kept silent to themselves.
Mathias sat against the wall as he struggled to find a good sitting position. The wounds on his torso prevented him from standing up or sitting down properly in a chair so Berwald set him down against the wall.
Berwald stood nearby him, observing everyone else who made it in safely.
Toris was lying down on the floor as Ivan examined his leg. There was some fracture in his leg that was caused from their mysterious predicament and needed to be tended to but, in their situation, that was impossible. Nonetheless, Ivan tried his best to comfort the injured other.
Gilbert stood near the window, staring down at the biters below. There were more now. They still came from the forests around the perimeter. It seemed like they were multiplying. Silently, he wondered if the biters had sex and populated just to kill them but that was just a silly thought... They all were too hideous to ever get laid.
Rodriech sat at one of the seats of the elongated conference table. He tapped the wooden surface absentmindedly. It wasn't for music. There was no point in music now. It held no value now. It was simply a sound for the ghosts of the past.
Matthew was sitting in the corner of the room, burying his face in his knees. He wanted to disappear. He wanted to be anywhere but here. Unlike Arthur, he was quiet about his grief- just like how he always was with his feelings. Alfred F. Jones, his heroic and strong brother, dead? That wasn't believable. The Canadian couldn't wrap his mind around that. It was too surreal.
He sat next to Alfred's body that he placed in the corner of the room. He couldn't bare to look at it... Matthew refused to see how lifeless he was.
Arthur was on Francis' lap on the floor, curled up as he buried his face in the other's body. If this was any other time than now, he would've been completely embarrassed for appearing like a baby but none of that mattered now. He didn't care if he was in a diaper with a pacifier. He was in too much pain to care about anything now.
Francis wrapped his arms around the hysteric Brit and merely rubbed his back and stroked his hair comfortingly. Yes, he was very distraught about Alfred's death. However, he had the better mind and knew it was best to stay calm and collected in this situation. There was danger right outside their door. Crying wouldn't solve anything. But he didn't say this Arthur. He had to be there for him. Francis knew now, his present objective, was to aid to his lover and make sure he was okay.
Antonio sat near the distraught family, keeping to himself. He stared blankly at the floor, feeling himself numb up. Feliciano... His precious friend Feliciano... Him too? First Lovi, now him? It was as if the world was just having the time of its life stripping the Spaniard of all those he cared for in the world.
Ludwig sat at the conference table, far away from where Rodriech was. His brilliant blue eyes stared at the polished table surface in shock of what happened before. Feliciano was dead. His lover. His precious Italian friend. He was dead. His body was being eaten away downstairs in the basement by the corpse of his own brother. The German buried his face in his hands at thought.
He didn't tell anyone Feliciano was killed but everyone could get the vibe. They could tell by his absence that he didn't make it. Just the same as they obviously knew Alfred died as well when Arthur came in bawling as his body was brought in.
However, Ludwig wasn't completely out of it because of Feliciano's death. Another part of it was of what will happen next. He had a solution to this whole apocalypse. He did. He knew exactly how to fix this whole thing but, again, he was too reluctant on sharing it. It was a horrible solution but... it was the only one possible.
"Ludwig," Rodriech had walked over to him and sat down in a nearby chair. The German flinched a bit at his voice and looked up, slightly worried and what he wished to say.
"Yes?"
"What... What do we do? There's no way out. We won't be able to survive here for long without the resources we need. We-"
Ludwig held up a hand, silencing the Austrian. Well, looks like now he had to tell them what he found out. Then again, he wouldn't have any choice. They were either going to know about the solution and do it or do it eventually without knowing it.
Slowly, Ludwig stood up from his chair, facing everyone.
"Listen, we've had quite a morning. I've barricaded the staircase to keep the biters out for a while. Let's all just recompose ourselves, regain our strength."
He paused before continuing.
"Tonight, I will tell you the plan. I've found a solution to stop this whole apocalypse."
_
A/N:
Listen up! I've started a new story called 'We Wait Until Dawn'. It's a human AU that's a crossover with the horror/psychological game Until Dawn. But I'm adding my own lil twist to it so whether you played the game or not, you'll enjoy it. Please check it out!
Back to the chapter: yikes sorry it was so long. I would've shortened it but it would've taken away the feel it gave off.
(To tell the truth: I choked up when I wrote Feli and Alfred's death ah)
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed his heartbreaking chapter! Please leave your feedback in the comments/reviews! I love to read them ;)