28 Ever Afters Later…
An Ever After High AU Fanfiction based on the 2002 movie, "28 Days Later"
By FishN'Chips
Prologue
The sterile white halls of the Ever After Research and Science Center buzzed with artificial lighting as scientists moved between lab stations, murmuring notes into recorders and adjusting test tubes filled with a strange, glowing serum.
Dr. Elias Grimm, the lead researcher, furrowed his brow as he examined the subject of their latest experiment—a caged raven with crimson-tinged eyes. The bird twitched erratically; its beady gaze fixed on him with an almost unnatural intensity.
"Test Subject 42A exhibits heightened aggression and increased cognitive awareness," he dictated into his recorder. "Proceeding with phase three of viral exposure—"
A sharp clang echoed through the lab.
Dr. Grimm's assistant, Dr. Marian Vale, spun around at the sound, her face paling. "What was that?" she asked, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
Before he could respond, another crash followed—a cage had hit the floor, the metal door swinging wildly. One of the infected test rabbits lay still, then suddenly convulsed before leaping onto a scientist's arm, sinking its elongated front teeth into his flesh.
The man screamed.
"Security!" Dr. Vale shouted, slamming her hand onto the emergency alarm.
The lab erupted into chaos. Monkeys shrieked as they forced open their cages. They knocked over the bird cages, accidentally opening them in the process. Because of that, the caged birds flapped wildly as they flew away, knocking over vials of the luminescent virus and the infected animals lunged at researchers with unnatural speed and ferocity.
Dr. Grimm barely had time to react before a bloodied rat scurried up his leg, its front teeth sinking into his exposed wrist. He yelped, trying to shake it off but the pain shot through him like wildfire.
"Breach! There's an outbreak here in the lab!—It's spreading too fast for us to contain it!" Dr. Vale gasped, backing away toward the exit as more researchers fell, their bodies convulsing before their eyes turned a haunting, bloodshot red.
Then, there was another scream…And it didn't sound human.
Dr. Vale turned just in time to see Dr. Grimm looking at her—His face twisted in rage. His pupils shrank and his sclera is bloodshot, and his lips curled back in a feral snarl.
"No," she whispered, stumbling backward as he lunged at her.
The last thing she heard before darkness consumed her was the relentless, animalistic screeching of the infected.
And then the world fell silent.
Chapter 1: Finally Waking Up…
A groan escaped Briar's lips as she stirred, her head pounding like an ogre's war drum. She blinked against the slivers of sunlight streaming through the half-open curtains, her vision blurry.
"Ugh… what happened last night?"
She sat up slowly, feeling the room sway around her. Her blanket was halfway on the floor, one of her pink heels was dangling off the edge of the bed and her usually flawless curls were a tangled mess.
The dorm room was wrecked.
Empty bottles of enchanted cider and royal rum rolled across the wooden floor, accompanied by discarded confetti, streamers, and what suspiciously looked like a half-eaten slice of cake smushed into the carpet.
Briar rubbed her temples. "Ugh… Ashlynn?" Her voice was hoarse, throat dry like she had been shouting all night.
No answer.
She frowned and looked over at Ashlynn's bed. The covers were a crumpled mess but Ashlynn was nowhere in sight.
"Ash?" Briar called again, pushing herself onto unsteady feet. "Come on, don't play games. If this is a prank, it's so not funny right now."
Still nothing.
A strange chill crept down her spine as she took in the eerie silence. She looked out the window. Basing on the sunlight entering her dorm room, she deduced that it was mid-morning. Normally, Ever After High's dormitories would be buzzing with activity by now—Students chattering, doors opening and closing, the faint aroma of whatever breakfast food left wafting through the halls.
But there was nothing.
She stumbled toward the door, pausing when she noticed deep scratch marks on the wooden frame. Her breath hitched.
"What the hell…?"
Reaching out, she hesitated before gripping the handle and slowly pushing the door open. The hallway stretched before her—Deserted. Dim morning light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting distorted shapes on the walls.
A chill wind rustled through the corridor, making the streamers still clinging to the ceiling sway eerily.
"Hello?" Briar called out, her voice echoing in the emptiness.
No response.
Her heart pounded against her ribs.
She stepped into the hallway, her heels clicking against the polished floor, the sound unnervingly loud in the silence.
Something is wrong…
Terribly, terribly wrong.
And for the first time in her life, Briar Beauty wished she hadn't slept so long.
Chapter 2: What Did I Miss?
Briar stumbled back into her dorm, closing and locking the door shut behind her as she tried to steady her breathing.
"Okay…Okay…Deep breaths…Maybe there's just a school event or something…And everyone's there…"
She ran a hand through her tangled curls, wincing when she hit a knot. "Ugh, I look like I got into a fight with a banshee and lost."
Shaking off the uneasy feeling gnawing at her stomach, she made her way to the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, grimacing at her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles clung beneath her eyes and makeup remnants smudged her cheeks.
"Ugh, so not my best look," she muttered, reaching for a washcloth.
After freshening up, she changed into clean clothes—a comfy pink hoodie, black leggings, and sneakers instead of her usual heels. If she's going to figure out what's going on, she'll need to move fast and heels aren't exactly meant for running should she ever come to that.
That's when she noticed her mirrorphone lying on her desk.
Picking it up, she pressed the power button. The screen lit up.
Her stomach dropped when she saw the date.
The date read: February 12, 2025
It was 28 days after the party.
"What…No…That—That can't be right…"
Briar grabbed a nearby calendar to double check, flipping back to the last marked date—The night of the party.
Her hands shook as she spoke, "I've been asleep for twenty-eight days?...What the hell did I drink at that party?..."
She clutched the desk for support as a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. "Okay, this is impossible! I mean, sure, I sleep a lot but not for nearly a month!"
Shoving down the panic rising in her chest, Briar forced herself to move. She needed answers.
She grabbed her dorm key, her phone and charger, and her wallet. She shoved them all in a sling bag she found on a shelf, not caring if it was hers or Ashlynn's and stepped back into the eerie, empty hallway.
As soon as she stepped out and walked in the hallway, she immediately realized that something is dead wrong…
Streamers and confetti still clung to the walls but they were faded and torn, swaying slightly as if moved by an unseen breeze.
Abandoned backpacks and books littered the floor. A tipped-over table in the common area had dried punch pooled beneath it, like a frozen moment of the party that had long since ended.
The air smelled stale and dust clung to everything.
Briar hugged herself as she whispered, "Hello? Is anyone here?"
Her voice echoed down the corridor.
Nothing.
She swallowed hard, pushing forward. The farther she walked, the worse it got.
A row of lockers was dented and scratched—Some were even forced open, their contents scattered. A lone shoe sat in the middle of the hallway, its owner nowhere in sight.
The eerie silence pressed in on her.
Then she reached the main hallway leading to the classrooms and froze.
Crimson handprints smeared the walls.
A chill ran down her spine as she slowly approached to take a closer look. The stains were old, dried into the stone wall, but unmistakable.
She swallowed. "What the fuck happened here…"
Heart pounding, she pressed on, forcing herself not to panic. Maybe it isn't what it looked like. Maybe someone just got hurt while goofing around and—
Her foot hit something.
She looked down and gasped.
A mirrorphone, cracked and lying in the dust. The screen was still faintly glowing, stuck on an unfinished message:
"HELP! THEY'RE EVERYWHE—"
The message cut off abruptly.
Briar's breath came in short gasps as she backed away.
Then—
A noise.
A faint shuffle echoed from somewhere down the hall.
She spun around, heart hammering.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then, another sound—A low, wet gurgle—From around the corner.
Briar felt ice settle in her veins.
She's not alone.
Chapter 3: Run
Briar's breath hitched as she caught movement in the shadows at the far end of the hall.
A figure stood there, half-hidden in the dim light, swaying slightly. Though the hall was dim, she was able to recognize who it is.
"Ashlynn?" Briar's voice was barely above a whisper and the figure twitched at the sound.
Hope sparked in her chest. Finally, someone she knows!
"Ashlynn! Oh, my fairy godmother, you scared me!" Briar let out a breathless laugh, stepping forward. "Where is everyone? I just woke up and everything's a wreck, and—"
Then Ashlynn stepped into the light.
Briar's words died in her throat.
It was indeed Ashlynn—Her sweet, kind, always-put-together best friend—Or rather, something that used to be her.
Her skin is pale. Her eyes were bloodshot and wild. There is a deep, ugly bite mark marring her neck, crusted over with dried blood.
But it was her mouth that made Briar stumble back.
Blood dripped from her lips, staining her chin and soaking into the delicate lace of her once-perfect dress.
Ashlynn tilted her head at Briar, her lips parting—revealing dirtied and blood-stained teeth. A low, guttural growl rumbled from her throat, rising into an unnatural, high-pitched shriek that made Briar's entire body lock up in terror.
"A-Ash?" Briar stammered, instinctively taking a step back.
Ashlynn's body jerked unnaturally before she let out another inhuman scream—Then bolted straight at her.
Briar's heart stopped.
"Ashlynn—?!"
But there was no recognition in Ashlynn's bloodshot eyes…No hesitation…
Just rage.
Briar ran.
Her sneakers slammed against the floor as she tore down the hall, panic clawing up her throat.
"Ashlynn! STOP!" she screamed but the thing chasing her wasn't listening.
Ashlynn is fast—Faster than Briar had ever seen her move, her once-graceful steps now erratic and unnatural. Her fingers clawed at the air, reaching for Briar's hair, her arms, and her throat.
Briar barely managed to duck into a side hallway, shoving a toppled bookshelf behind her. Ashlynn slammed into it with unnatural force, shrieking, fingers grasping wildly through the gaps.
Briar pressed a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming as Ashlynn snarled, snapping her teeth like a rabid animal.
Tears pricked at Briar's eyes. "Ashlynn…Please," she whispered. "It's me, Briar."
For a moment, Ashlynn paused.
Briar's breath hitched. Is she still in there? Is there a way to—
Then Ashlynn shrieked again, slamming her fists against the shelf, sending cracks splintering through the wood.
Briar stumbled back as the realization hit her.
Ashlynn isn't there anymore.
Chapter 4: The Unexpected Savior
Briar's heart pounded in her chest as Ashlynn's fingers scraped against the bookshelf, her shrieks filling the hall. Briar is frozen in place, her back pressed to the cold stone wall, eyes wide in horror. She has no idea what to do. Ashlynn is too far gone.
She was about to make a run for it when—
CRACK!
A sharp, bone-jarring impact echoed through the hallway.
Ashlynn froze, her shrieks cutting off abruptly. Her body went slack for just a moment, as if stunned.
Then, another CRACK!
Ashlynn crumpled to the ground, motionless, blood pooling beneath her head.
Briar gasped, her hands shaking as she dared to peek out from behind the bookshelf. Her eyes went wide as she saw a figure standing over Ashlynn's fallen form.
The figure held a baseball bat, now dripping with blood.
Briar's mind raced as she recognized the person. "Duchess?"
Duchess stood there, her usually pristine white dress now stained with blood splatter. Her expression is cold, unblinking, her eyes locked onto Ashlynn's unmoving body. Her grip on the metal baseball bat is tight but she didn't seem to be shaking.
Briar stammered, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. "W-What the fuck is going on!?…What the fuck happened to Ashlynn!?"
Duchess didn't look at her, her gaze focused on the lifeless form of Ashlynn on the floor. "This is what happens when you don't run fast enough," she replied flatly, her voice distant. "I've seen enough to know what happens next."
Briar blinked, feeling a chill at the tone in Duchess's voice. "You've seen what exactly?"
Duchess finally turned to look at her, her face hard as stone. "This." She gestured toward Ashlynn's body. "People turning into these…Things." Her voice trembled for the first time, a flicker of something human in her eyes.
Briar swallowed, her throat tight with emotion. "But… Ashlynn…Sh-She was my best friend! She—We were just at the party…A-And now…" Her voice cracked as the reality of it all sank in. "How long have we—How long has this been going on!?"
Duchess paused, her lips pressed into a thin line. "28 days ago…This nightmare started 28 days ago, I think. I—I'm not sure…I lost track of time."
Briar's stomach churned, the image of Ashlynn's body still burned into her mind. "I-Is she dead?"
Duchess's eyes hardened again. "I don't know, Briar, and I'm not sticking around to find out. One thing's for sure, though. She's not Ashlynn anymore." Her voice is firm, but Briar could hear the faint crack in her tone, the pain behind the coldness.
Briar bit her lip, her emotions in a whirlwind. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry…But she couldn't…Not here…Not now. "What do we do now?...Where do we go?"
Duchess wiped the blood off the baseball bat with a disgusted look, then turned to face Briar fully. "We need to leave…See if there's anyone else like us here…Get some supplies…And then, we get the fuck out of here."
Briar nodded, still shaken but somehow oddly reassured by Duchess's cold, calm demeanor. "You've…Been surviving this whole time?"
Duchess's lips quirked slightly in a strange, humorless smile. "Yeah…I mean, someone has to, right?...I was at Book End when all of this blew over…I just got back here at school and you're the first person I've seen."
She glanced over her shoulder at the hallway, then back at Briar. "I know how to stay alive, Briar. If you want to make it, you're gonna need to stick with me…If you can handle it."
Briar's hands clenched into fists, her eyes steely with determination. "I don't care what it takes. I'm getting out of here."
Duchess gave a sharp nod. "Then let's go."
Briar glanced back one last time at the body of her friend—Now a hollow shell of what she had once been. She felt the weight of her loss settle deep in her chest, but there was no time to mourn.
Chapter 5: Other Survivors
Briar and Duchess moved swiftly through the eerily silent halls of Ever After High, stepping over broken glass, scattered books, and ominous stains of dried blood. The once-glorious school now looked like a ghost town, its fairytale charm twisted into something out of a nightmare.
"We should check the dorms," Briar whispered, gripping a makeshift weapon she had found—a broken chair leg. "We need food, water, supplies…Anything that can help us survive."
Duchess nodded, tightening her grip on the blood-stained baseball bat. "Agreed…But we need to be quick. The longer we stay in one place, the higher the risk of running into them."
They reached the dormitory wing, cautiously stepping over a toppled suit of armor.
Down the hall, one of the doors is locked from the inside. Briar frowned and exchanged a glance with Duchess.
"I think someone's in there," she murmured.
Duchess knocked sharply. "If you're human, open up."
A tense silence followed. Then, the distinct sound of a chair being moved.
The door cracked open just enough for a pair of cautious violet eyes to peek out.
"Raven?!" Briar gasped, relief washing over her like a tidal wave.
Raven quickly unlatched the door and yanked both girls inside before slamming it shut and barricading it again.
Inside, the room is dimly lit, but Briar immediately recognized the other survivors. Apple is sitting on the bed, her golden locks messier than usual. Dexter stood nearby, adjusting his glasses with a trembling hand and across the room, his twin sister, Darling, was sharpening a dagger with an almost eerie sense of calm.
"You're alive," Briar breathed, pulling Raven into a tight hug. "I thought—I thought everyone's gone!"
"We thought the same about you," Raven whispered, squeezing her back. "When everything happened…We got separated."
Briar turned to the others. "How long have you all been hiding in here?"
"Since it all began," Apple answered, her voice quieter than usual. "The dorms were the safest place we could find…But we ran out of food days ago."
Darling stood up and crossed her arms. "We can't stay here forever. We've been planning to leave but we have no idea if anyone else was still alive. The school is crawling with them."
Duchess, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "Then it's settled. We're leaving."
Dexter adjusted his glasses again, looking uncertain. "But…Where would we even go? If we move carefully, I think the school has enough supplies to last us for a while, most especially if we ration them properly."
"Not a good idea, Dex. What will we do once the supplies run out?" Raven said firmly. "If we leave, at least we have a long term shot."
Apple bit her lip before nodding. "We're with you."
Briar glanced at Duchess, then back at the others. "Then it's decided. We're leaving Ever After High."
The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of their decision settled on them. There's no going back now.
"Then let's pack whatever we can and move fast," Duchess said. "Before they find us."
They began gathering supplies, their minds set on one thing—Survival.
Chapter 6: Escape Plan
Briar slung a makeshift bag over her shoulder, stuffing whatever little food and bottled drinks she could find into it.
Darling sighed, adjusting her grip on her dagger. "The dorms barely have any supplies. We should hit up the Castleteria next."
Raven frowned, glancing at the others. "Are you sure it's safe? That's a pretty open space."
Darling gave her a wry look. "Nowhere is safe, Raven…But we need food if we're going to make it out of here alive."
Dexter, who had been rummaging through a closet, suddenly looked up, adjusting his glasses. "Wait…The Castleteria is right next to the school garage," he said, a flicker of hope in his voice. "If we're lucky, the school van might still be there."
Briar's eyes widened. "That would save us so much time! It's so much better than walking!"
Apple, who had been tying her golden locks back, perked up at the idea. "We can go to my mother's castle. It's walled, guarded, and secure. If there's anywhere safe in this chaos, it's there."
"That's…Actually a good plan," Raven admitted, glancing at Apple.
Duchess crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "Assuming the castle is still standing," she muttered. "We don't even know if this thing has spread beyond the school."
Apple frowned, but before she could argue, Darling clapped her hands once. "Okay, so we have a plan. Get to the Castleteria for supplies, hit the garage for the school van, and get out of here."
Raven exhaled, looking at each of them. "We stick together. No one goes off alone. If we see any of them, we run. If we can't run, we fight."
Dexter swallowed hard but nodded. "Got it."
Briar took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Then let's move."
They stepped out into the hallway, the eerie silence pressing in on them as they made their way toward the Castleteria. The air felt heavier now, as if the school itself knew they were trying to escape.
Chapter 7: No Turning Back
The Castleteria was eerily silent as they slipped inside, moving as quietly as possible. The long tables, once filled with the lively chatter of students, were overturned, with trays and food scattered everywhere. Dried blood smeared the walls, and the lingering scent of decay mixed with the faint smell of either stale or spoiled food.
"Move fast. Take only what we need," Raven whispered, scanning the room for any signs of movement.
They split up, grabbing anything that could sustain them. Apple grabbed a few sealed loaves of bread that were still good and some bottled water while Darling stuffed a bag with granola bars and dried fruits. Duchess, ever the practical one, found a stash of canned goods.
Dexter, meanwhile, had found a nearly empty vending machine. "I got some chips and some soda," he said, holding up a few bags and cans. "Not exactly a full meal but it's better than nothing."
Briar, who had been checking a supply closet, returned with a few bottles of juice. "This is all I could find there. Looks like the castleteria hasn't yet restocked before shit hit the fan."
Apple glanced toward the door. "Okay, we have what we need. Let's get to the garage now."
They moved quickly, navigating through the deserted halls until they reached the school's garage. The air smelled of motor oil and dust and several vehicles were still parked inside, untouched.
"There it is," Dexter whispered, pointing to a slightly beat up but still functioning 2006 Dodge Caravan with Ever After High's logo on the sides.
Briar stared at it. "We're really going to take that?"
"You got something better?" Duchess shot back.
Raven moved ahead, trying the door. "Locked. We need the keys."
"Check the office." Darling suggested.
Dexter and Briar rushed to a small office in the corner, the door already slightly ajar. Inside, papers were scattered everywhere, and an overturned chair lay next to a dried pool of blood.
Dexter's hands shook as he rifled through the drawers. "Come on, come on…"
Briar checked a coat rack near the entrance and grinned when she spotted a set of keys hanging from a hook. "Got 'em."
They sprinted back, and Dexter wasted no time unlocking the van. Everyone piled in, slamming the doors shut.
Dexter slipped into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel with nervous fingers. "I—I've never driven an actual car before, only in video games…"
"That's better than none of us knowing how to drive," Raven reasoned, buckling her seatbelt. "Just do your best."
Good thing the van is an automatic and not a standard.
Darling and Duchess took seats in the middle, weapons still in hand, while Briar and Apple sat in the back.
Dexter inhaled deeply before twisting the key in the ignition. The van sputtered—Then roared to life.
For a second, they all sat there in silence.
Then came the first guttural screech.
Briar turned, eyes widening in horror as she saw them—Dozens of infected rushing toward the garage, drawn by the noise.
What's difficult is that they were all former classmates, friends, and teachers.
Raven sucked in a sharp breath. "Oh no…"
There, at the front of the horde, is Headmaster Grimm, his once dignified face twisted into a bloodthirsty snarl, his elegant coat torn and soaked in crimson.
And beside him—
Briar's stomach dropped. "H-Hopper…?"
Her boyfriend, Hopper, stumbled forward, his princely attire in tatters, his usually nervous and awkward expression replaced with something monstrous. Blood dripped from his lips as his hollow eyes locked onto her.
"Briar…" Apple whispered, seeing the devastation in her friend's expression.
But there was no time for grief.
"Dexter, DRIVE!" Duchess screamed.
Dexter slammed his foot on the gas. The van screeched forward and it barreled through the garage doors.
Chapter 8: Out on the Road
The van jolted violently as Dexter stepped on the gas, plowing straight through them in their path. The sickening thud of bodies hitting the metal van made everyone flinch but there was no time to hesitate. They had to escape.
The garage doors burst open as the van sped out onto the road, tires screeching against the pavement. The school that had once been their home grew smaller in the rearview mirror.
No one spoke for a while.
Briar sat in the back, gripping her arms tightly as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. The image of Ashlynn lunging at her, of Hopper's vacant, bloodstained face—She couldn't erase them from her mind.
"They're gone…" she whispered, barely audible.
Apple, sitting beside her, reached over and gently squeezed her hand. "I'm so sorry, Briar…"
Briar wiped at her eyes quickly, as if ashamed to show weakness. "I should've—" Her voice cracked. "I should've done something. I—I just ran."
Darling, sitting across from them, looked over with soft but firm eyes. "There was nothing you could have done."
Briar let out a shuddering breath. "But what if they were still in there?...What if we could've—"
"You saw them, Briar," Duchess interrupted, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "There's no saving them."
No one argued. The truth was too painful to deny.
From the front seat, Raven glanced at Briar through the rearview mirror. "I know it hurts," she said softly. "And it won't stop hurting any time soon…But right now, we have to focus on staying alive."
Briar closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. After a moment, she nodded, though her hands still trembled.
Dexter, gripping the wheel tightly, kept his eyes on the road. "Where do we go from here?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Apple straightened slightly. "My mother's castle…But I think we're gonna have to go through Book End first before we get there."
"And what if it's already fallen?" Duchess asked bluntly.
Apple hesitated, "Then we'll figure something else out…But we have to try."
Dexter nodded, stepping a little harder on the gas. "Then that's where we're headed."
Chapter 9: The Baker's Refuge
The van rumbled down the empty roads, past abandoned cars and buildings. The village of Book End had once been bustling with life, its streets filled with fairytale folk going about their happily ever afters.
Now, it's a ghost town.
Shattered windows, overturned and or burning cars, and an eerie silence surrounded them as Dexter carefully drove through the desolate streets. The occasional bloodstain on the cobblestone roads or abandoned belongings reminded them that not everyone had escaped in time.
Raven peered out through the windshield. "This place is too quiet."
"I don't like it," Duchess muttered, gripping her baseball bat tightly.
Apple pointed ahead. "I think I see something…Dexter, pull over."
Everyone turned their heads toward a small shop on the corner. "Sweet Retreat Bakery" was painted in elegant golden letters on the now-grimy window. Inside, they caught a glimpse of movement.
Dexter slowed the van, parking just outside the bakery.
"Is that…?" Briar squinted through the dust-covered glass.
Then, from the shadows inside, a familiar face peeked out.
"Ginger!" Apple gasped.
Ginger's wide pink eyes locked onto them and within seconds, she scrambled towards the door. She fumbled with the locks before finally yanking it open.
"Oh my fairytale, I knew someone would come eventually!" Ginger cried as she rushed outside.
Darling and Duchess quickly jumped out, helping her inside the van. The moment the door shut behind her, Ginger collapsed into the seat, breathing heavily.
Raven put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
Ginger nodded shakily, pushing her glasses up her nose. "I mean, I'm alive, so that's something." She looked around at everyone. "I can't believe you guys are still together! I thought I was the last one left."
Briar forced a small smile. "Well, now you're with us."
Ginger exhaled a sigh of relief. "I've been hiding in the bakery since this whole nightmare started. At first, I thought it would be safe—You know, there's plenty of food and it's a solid building and all—But…" She hesitated before adding in a quieter voice, "I ran out of food and water a few days ago…I was so close to eating raw cornstarch."
"Yikes," Dexter muttered.
Ginger continued, "It's been bad here. It was pure chaos during the first few days and a lot of people…" She swallowed. "Didn't make it."
Everyone fell silent, the weight of the situation pressing down on them again.
After a moment, Ginger perked up. "Before we go to wherever it is you guys are going, we need to make a stop first."
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"The police station," Ginger said confidently.
Darling's brow furrowed. "The police station? But won't that be crawling with Infected?"
Ginger shook her head. "I checked a while back. It's completely abandoned. I think it still has weapons inside."
Duchess crossed her arms. "You want us to go toward danger? That's a new one."
Ginger adjusted her glasses. "If we leave now, we have nothing to defend ourselves with. The only real weapons you have here is Duchess' baseball bat and Darling's dagger. Those are fine and all but we need to get better weapons so that we'll actually stand a chance out there."
Dexter drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "She's got a point."
Apple frowned but nodded. "I don't like the idea but if it means we'll be safer… We should do it."
Raven sighed, leaning back. "Looks like we're making a stop, then."
Darling tightened her grip on her dagger. "Then let's make it quick."
With a new destination in mind, Dexter turned the van around, heading toward the police station—toward whatever awaited them there.
Chapter 10: Locked and Loaded
The van rolled up to the abandoned police station, its tires crunching over scattered debris. The building loomed over them, its once-proud emblem cracked and hanging above the entrance. The front doors were slightly ajar, the silence inside eerie and suffocating.
Darling leaned forward from the passenger seat, scanning their surroundings. "We shouldn't park right in front. If someone else is out here, they might try to take our van."
Dexter nodded, gripping the steering wheel. "Good call."
He carefully maneuvered the van around the side of the building, tucking it between an old police cruiser and a crumbling brick wall.
"This spot should work," Apple said, glancing around.
Raven reached for her backpack. "Alright, let's move fast. We don't know how long this place will stay quiet."
They climbed out of the van, their footsteps cautious as they approached the entrance. Duchess was the first to push the doors open, her bat gripped tightly in her hands.
The air inside was stale, reeking of dust and something metallic—dried blood.
"Stay close," Dexter whispered.
The group crept through the dimly lit corridors, the occasional flickering light casting eerie shadows on the walls. Papers were strewn across the floor and desks were abandoned in a rush.
"This place is a ghost town," Briar muttered.
"I'd rather it stay that way," Ginger added, adjusting her glasses.
Finally, they reached a thick, metal door labeled Armory.
Darling tried the handle—It was locked.
"Well, that's just great," Duchess scoffed.
Raven, however, raised her hand. A small pulse of dark magic crackled between her fingers before she blasted the lock off, sending it clattering to the floor.
"Show-off," Duchess muttered, rolling her eyes as Raven smirked.
Inside, rows of shotguns and pistols lined the walls, untouched and waiting.
"Jackpot," Dexter breathed.
They wasted no time.
Darling grabbed a Mossberg 500, testing the weight before slinging it over her shoulder. Raven picked up a Remington 870, while Dexter took the Benelli M4.
Apple hesitated before taking a Glock pistol, checking the magazine with surprising familiarity. Briar followed suit, though her hands trembled slightly as she examined the firearm.
Duchess loaded up on shotgun shells, tossing extra ammo into their backpacks.
Ginger, meanwhile, wandered into an adjacent room marked Evidence Locker. She glanced around, rummaging through confiscated items until something caught her eye—a snub-nose .38 revolver.
She checked the chamber, found it empty, and quickly dug through nearby drawers until she found a box of .38 special rounds.
By the time she returned, everyone was geared up.
"This should help," Ginger said, slipping the revolver into a pocket in her dress.
Darling nodded. "We're officially not defenseless anymore."
Dexter slung his shotgun over his back. "Let's get out of here before we overstay our welcome."
No one needed convincing.
As they made their way back outside, weapons in hand and ammo secured, a distant, inhuman shriek echoed through the streets.
Raven tensed. "I think we just woke something up."
Dexter exchanged a look with Darling. "Then let's move. Now."
With their newly acquired firepower, they bolted back to the van.
Chapter 11: First Blood
The shriek was sharp and guttural, splitting through the silence like a blade.
Everyone turned just in time to see a single infected police officer stumble out from behind a cruiser. His uniform was torn, blood staining his once-polished badge. His eyes were bloodshot, his mouth twisted into a snarl. Then, with unnatural speed, he broke into a sprint straight for them.
"Shit—He's fast!" Dexter shouted, fumbling to raise his shotgun.
But hesitation froze the group in place. No one had ever actually fired a gun before. The weight of the situation pressed down on them—This isn't just some hypothetical fight for survival. This is real.
Then surprisingly and without hesitation, Ginger and Apple stepped forward.
Ginger raised her revolver first, hands steady as she aimed at the infected officer's head. Apple followed, gripping her Glock tightly.
BANG! BANG!
Ginger's shot landed first—a clean hit straight to the skull. Apple's bullet struck the chest, knocking the infected officer back. The combination was more than enough to bring him crashing lifelessly to the pavement.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Everyone stared at the unmoving body, their breaths heavy.
Briar was the first to break the silence. "Holy…You two—" She swallowed, looking at them in shock. "Where the hell did you learn to shoot like that?"
Ginger adjusted her glasses, looking at the gun in her hands. "I, uh…" She hesitated before taking a breath. "When I was hiding in the bakery, one of those things broke in. I—I didn't have a gun so I grabbed a knife and stabbed it in the eye. It dropped instantly. That's when I figured it out—If you go for the head, they die."
Apple nodded, lowering her gun. "My father…Before he passed, he had a private shooting range at the castle. He insisted I learn how to use firearms even though my mother wasn't a fan of the idea. He said a queen should always be prepared for anything."
Raven blinked. "Damn, Apple. That's…Unexpectedly badass."
Apple gave a small, humorless smile. "I didn't think I'd ever actually need it."
Before anyone could say anything else—
Distant, bloodcurdling screeches echoed from the streets.
Briar's stomach dropped. "Tell me that's not—"
Darling whirled around. "The gunshots. They attracted more of them."
Dexter turned towards the van. "No time to argue—RUN!"
They bolted.
From the darkened alleyways and broken windows, a horde emerged. Dozens of infected, who were once townsfolk, came sprinting toward them at unnatural speeds, their howls filling the air.
Duchess was the first to reach the van, yanking the door open. "MOVE IT!"
Everyone piled inside.
Dexter fumbled with the keys, hands shaking. "Come on, come on—"
The engine roared to life just as the infected slammed against the windows. Clawed hands scratched at the glass while they bared their teeth.
Darling twisted in her seat, shotgun raised. "Drive! Now!"
Dexter didn't need to be told twice. He floored the gas pedal, plowing through the horde. Bodies bounced off the hood as the van sped out of Book End, leaving the police station—And the nightmare behind.
Raven exhaled sharply. "That was way too close."
Ginger clutched her revolver tightly. "At least we know one thing for sure now."
Briar glanced at her. "What?"
Apple answered for her, voice grim.
"We're going to have to kill a lot more of them if we want to live."
No one disagreed.
Chapter 12: Ashes of the Past
The drive felt endless, but when they finally crested the last hill, Queen Snow White's castle came into view.
Or rather—What was left of it.
The castle was engulfed in flames. Black smoke billowed into the sky, embers floating like fireflies in the wind. The once-pristine white stone was cracked and crumbling, the banners of Queen Snow White now nothing more than tattered, burning rags. The scent of burning wood and something far worse filled the air.
Apple gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "No…No, no, no—" She nearly threw open the door before Darling grabbed her wrist.
"Apple, wait! It's too dangerous!"
"But my mother—" Apple's voice cracked. Her blue eyes shimmered with tears as she stared at the burning castle. "She could still be in there!"
Dexter, gripping the steering wheel tightly, spoke softly. "Apple…If anyone was still inside, they wouldn't have survived this."
Apple let out a choked sob as her whole body trembled. Raven placed a hand on her shoulder, offering silent comfort.
Then Briar stiffened, eyes narrowing toward the tree line. "Guys…We're not alone."
Everyone turned.
Two figures stumbled out of the tree line in the forest. Their dresses were torn with dirt and dried blood staining their skin. One of them, barefoot and barely able to stand, had delicate wings drooping behind her back. The other had long, tangled turquoise hair, her eyes wide and filled with exhaustion.
It took a moment for them to register who they were.
Cupid. Meeshell.
"Help…" Cupid croaked, her voice hoarse, her usually perfect pink curls tangled and matted. "Please…"
Meeshell was gripping Cupid's arm, her own dress barely recognizable from its previous royal splendor.
Apple got out of the van in an instant, running toward them. "Meeshell! Cupid!" She caught them both before they collapsed, her own grief momentarily forgotten.
They tried to speak but were incoherent since they were still shaking from their ordeal. Given that, Apple did her best to calm them both down.
Dexter sighed, running a hand through his messy brown hair. "We can't leave them behind but we've got a problem. The van can only fit seven people. Now we're at nine."
Apple looked up at Dexter. Then she looked past the castle. Hope sparked in her gaze.
"The royal garage," she whispered.
Darling followed her line of sight. The separate, high-security garage was untouched. The fire hadn't spread to it.
Apple turned to the group. "My mother's personal car is in there. A 2020 Cadillac Escalade. We could take that."
Dexter immediately nodded. "Alright, that's our best shot."
Without wasting any more time, they left the van, grabbing all of their food, weapons, and supplies. Moving quickly, they sprinted to the garage. Apple used the emergency override code and the reinforced doors slowly groaned open.
Inside sat a sleek, black Escalade.
Darling whistled. "Damn, now that's a royal ride."
Apple tossed Dexter the keys from the nearby hook. "You drive. I'll ride shotgun. I know the roads here."
Dexter nodded and Raven didn't complain. "Everyone, load up!"
Briar helped Cupid into the backseat while Raven steadied Meeshell. They all squeezed in, fitting perfectly with the extra space.
As soon as the last door shut, Dexter started the SUV.
The Escalade roared to life and as he stepped on the gas, tires screeched against the pavement as they sped away from the burning castle.
No one looked back.
They need to find a safe place to hunker down for the night.
Chapter 13: Survival Story
The sun had set, casting long shadows over the land as the Escalade cruised steadily down the winding road. They were far away from the burning castle now and well out of the village of Book End, now passing through deserted fields and forests. The sky was tinged with pink and orange as the last light of day began to fade but it felt like time had stretched on forever since they'd left Queen Snow White's burning castle behind.
Inside the SUV, everyone sat in quiet exhaustion. Meeshell, still bruised and trembling a bit from her ordeal, had been speaking for the past few minutes, recounting her side of the story.
"It feels like it all happened in a blink of an eye," Meeshell began, her voice faint but steady. "I was with Cupid. We were in Book End when it all started. We barely made it out of the village and we thought we were lucky."
Dexter, who had been driving, glanced over his shoulder at her for a moment. "What do you mean, 'lucky'?" he asked, his voice filled with an eerie curiosity.
Meeshell took a slow breath before continuing. "We had no idea how bad it was. We thought, once we got inside the castle, we'd be safe." She paused, shaking her head. "There were guards at every wall, gate, and door but one infected somehow managed to get in and it didn't take long for it to infect everyone inside the castle."
Apple, who had been staring out the window, turned her head towards her. "You're saying an infected got past the guards?"
Meeshell nodded, her eyes haunted. "Yes…One…And before anyone realized what was happening, people were already running left and right. The whole castle descended into chaos. Most people ran and others locked themselves in rooms—There was panic everywhere…Then, the fire started. I think someone must've knocked over something…A candle…Or an oil lamp, maybe." She paused, visibly shuddering at the memory. "Smoke filled the halls and we couldn't see…Couldn't breathe…But we made it out."
Apple's voice softened, "And…My mother?"
Meeshell lowered her head, looking at the floor of the SUV. "I… I didn't see her…I'm sorry, Apple."
There was a heavy silence in the car as everyone absorbed her words. Briar exchanged a glance with Dexter. The loss was real now. The fire that had consumed the castle had taken more than just walls and banners—It had taken the people who once stood as pillars of their world.
Suddenly, from the backseat, a faint, labored breath broke the silence.
Cupid stirred. Her eyelids fluttered and she slowly began to wake from her nap, groaning softly.
Briar turned to look at her, blinking as she noticed something odd. Cupid's face was pale, more so than usual. The light that had always sparkled in her eyes seemed dimmer. Briar's brow furrowed but before she could say anything, Cupid sat up straight, forcing a smile.
"I'm fine," Cupid murmured, though the effort to sound convincing was clear in her voice.
Meeshell turned to Cupid with a small frown. "You should rest more. You've been through a lot."
Cupid nodded slowly but didn't respond further. She placed her hand over her forearm, subtly trying to cover something with her sleeve. The others didn't notice, too absorbed in the conversation, but Briar's sharp eyes caught the motion.
There was something off about Cupid's behavior. She seemed distant, weaker. Briar was about to speak up when Apple's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"We need to find a place to stay for the night," Apple said, her voice weary but determined. "This whole thing has been too much and we need to regroup. Tomorrow, we'll figure out what to do next."
The rest of the group nodded, their exhaustion palpable. Dexter then spoke as he continued to drive. "We'll have to keep an eye out for any towns or places to stay. We can't risk stopping in the middle of nowhere with more infected around."
Briar glanced out the window, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in her gut. She glanced back at Cupid, her concern growing. She couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with her friend.
And then, as if on cue, Cupid let out another soft sigh and sank back into her seat. She was so quiet now, barely moving, and her eyes were half-lidded, like she couldn't keep them open for much longer.
It was too much of a coincidence. Briar felt a knot tighten in her chest.
But before she could voice her concerns, the others began discussing their next move.
Dexter spoke up, "We've driven long enough. There's a small, secluded cabin just off the main road ahead. We'll stay there for the night…Or at least until morning."
Briar's eyes met Apple's in the rearview mirror. She saw the same uncertainty in her expression.
Chapter 14: The Cabin and The Truth
The SUV crunched its way down the gravel path that led to the small cabin nestled in a forest clearing. The sun had dipped below the horizon and the sky was a deep shade of purple, fading into the night. The temperature had dropped considerably but the group was thankful to have made it to safety. Dexter slowed the SUV down and parked in front of the cabin, a place he had frequented with his friends in the past.
Briar leaned back in her seat, looking out of the window. "This place is supposed to be secluded?"
Dexter smirked, his hands gripping the steering wheel. "It is. You'd be surprised how many people don't know about it. This is a hangout for me and the boys—Daring, Hunter, Sparrow, and Humphrey. We come up here every summer. No one knows about this place except us."
"Until now," Ginger muttered under her breath.
Apple turned in her seat, a little more alert. "Is it safe though?" she asked, glancing around.
Dexter nodded, though his smile faltered slightly. "Yeah. No one should be here…Let's hope it stays that way."
They all piled out of the SUV, grabbing their gear. The evening air was cool and a slight breeze rustled the branches of the surrounding trees. They moved cautiously toward the cabin, a small wooden structure with a rusty roof and a couple of windows.
When they stepped inside, Briar's heart dropped as she saw a body lying on the floor in the middle of the room. It was Humphrey, his body twisted unnaturally.
"Oh no…" Dexter muttered, rushing to his side. "Humphrey!" His voice was thick with disbelief as he knelt beside the body, inspecting it closely.
Briar stepped forward, her stomach lurching at the sight. She had known Humphrey; he was always the quiet tech guy at school…But now—This.
"I don't think it was an infected who did this," Ginger said, kneeling next to Dexter, as she looked all over the body. "Look. There's no bite mark." She pointed to Humphrey's chest, where a deep wound was gaping at them. "He was stabbed."
The room fell silent as they all took in the implications. Dexter clenched his fists, visibly upset. "Who would do this? Humphrey's one of the good guys." His voice cracked with emotion.
Briar took a step back, trying to push the image of his lifeless body from her mind. "He was stabbed…Then it only means that a fellow survivor like us did this."
Dexter snapped, standing up and wiping his face. "Humphrey wouldn't have gone down like this…He would've fought back."
Before anyone could respond, Cupid made a small, strangled noise. Briar turned toward her, surprised to see that she had fallen to her knees. Her hand was clutching her stomach as her breath became shallow.
"I—I don't feel so good," Cupid whispered, her voice cracking. "I feel…So weak…Oh godmother, I can't—" She gasped, and her body trembled violently.
"Cupid?" Meeshell spoke in a panicked tone, rushing to her side. "What's happening to you?"
Cupid's eyes were wide with fear as she looked at the others. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean for this to happen…"
Briar's heart sank. She took a step closer but she already knew the truth. Cupid's face was pale, her lips were cracked, and her pupils were dilated. "Oh no…" Briar whispered. "You're infected…"
Cupid nodded slowly, her lips trembling. "I didn't want to bring this upon you all, but…When we were running away from the burning castle, one of the infected—" Her voice broke, and she covered her mouth, swallowing back tears. "I got bit…I thought it was just a scratch…That I'd be fine…But now…" She gasped for air, the reality setting in. "Now I'm—"
Apple stepped forward, a fierce expression on her face. "Cupid, no…This can't be happening…"
"I'm sorry…" Cupid choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want you to leave Meeshell behind…"
The group stood there in stunned silence. The weight of Cupid's words hung heavily in the air. Briar's chest tightened, her mind racing.
What are they going to do now?
"She's still our friend." Meeshell said softly, her eyes filled with sorrow.
Briar clenched her fists, her emotions swirling. She could see the agony in Meeshell's face, the same look of helplessness she herself felt…But reality is right there in front of them…
Cupid is infected.
Dexter stepped forward, his face hardening as he spoke with determination. "We can't take the risk. She'll turn." His voice was heavy, like each word took something from him. "If she gets violent…"
Briar's heart sank as Dexter's words echoed in her mind.
What are they going to do now?...Would they have to…?
Chapter 15: A Hard Choice
The cabin grew colder as the group silently gathered their thoughts. Cupid was still in pain, her condition deteriorating by the second. Her cries were soft but anguished, echoing through the dimly lit room as everyone tried to process what they were facing. Time is running out.
Briar stood by the window, her mind racing, but her heart couldn't keep up. Cupid is their friend…But now, as her body grew weaker, Briar's mind kept circling back to the inevitable—Cupid is infected.
Ginger, breaking the silence, stepped forward. Her face is unreadable, her eyes hard and determined. "I'll take care of her," she said, her voice quiet but resolute.
Apple turned her head, surprised. "What do you mean, take care of her?" she asked, though she was afraid of the answer.
"I'll make sure she's at peace," Ginger replied, her eyes briefly flicking toward Cupid, who was now curled up on the floor, holding onto Meeshell's arm. "She's not going to make it…We all know that…And if we don't do something now, it'll just be difficult and ugly later on."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, Ginger knelt down beside Cupid, who had grown quieter, her breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps. "Come with me now, Cupid." Ginger whispered, lifting Cupid gently into her arms. "Everything's going to be okay..."
Ginger carried her out of the cabin, each step heavy with finality. Dexter tried to go after her but Darling held him back with her arm.
After a few moments, they heard it—the crack of a gunshot cutting through the forest, sharp and final. A chill ran down Briar's spine.
Then, moments later, Ginger returned, her expression unreadable, her hands covered in dirt and blood. She didn't say anything at first, just moved to the corner of the cabin and began dragging Humphrey's body outside.
Dexter asked, his voice rising as he got angry at what Ginger was doing. "Hey, hey! What the hell do you think you're doing!?"
Ginger's expression and action didn't falter. She pulled Humphrey's body out of the cabin and continued dragging it toward the back of the property. "We can't keep a body inside the cabin. It would be...Unbearable." She threw a glance at Dexter, who was seething with anger. "Sleeping with a dead body inside here would make it hard for everyone."
"First, Cupid—" Dexter's voice cracked with anger, but there was something else underneath. "And now, you just drag Humphrey out just like that!? You didn't have to do that! We could have—"
Ginger stood up straight, cutting him off. "Dexter, what else could we do?...Cupid was already slipping away…You saw the signs…Hell, everyone here's seen it…She was burning up…She was sweating buckets…Not to mention that she was getting weaker and weaker…Do you really think you could just let that go on?" Her eyes bored into his, steady and unwavering. "This isn't about choice anymore…This is about survival…And she wouldn't have wanted us to risk all our lives for her."
Briar's hands clenched into fists. "Ginger—" Her voice trembled as she spoke. "It should have been a decision made by everyone…We could've had a discussion first!"
But Ginger didn't flinch. "I'm sorry if you don't agree with it, Briar, but I did what had to be done."
There was a long pause and then Dexter let out a deep breath, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I get it, okay?" His voice is low but steady. "I just—I thought there could've been another way. But… you're right…There wasn't…"
Briar felt like her chest was caving in. There was no winning here. Ginger had made her decision and there was no going back.
"What do we do now?" Meeshell asked softly, her voice almost too faint to be heard.
Apple stepped forward, wiping her eyes. "It's already dark out and everyone is just outright exhausted. Let's spend the night here…We have our supplies. If you're hungry, go ahead and eat."
Dexter added to that. "The bathroom's down at the end of the hall. There's also a shower there in case anyone wants to. There's also lots of sleeping bags and blankets here. Go ahead and grab one and sleep wherever you please."
And they did exactly that. Ginger and Meeshell were the first to hit the shower. Raven and Apple followed them because they want to use the restroom. Briar, Duchess, and Darling got the sleeping bags and blankets out for everyone, and Dexter started a fire in the fireplace.
After a brief dinner of canned goods and bread, they all tried to get some sleep, hoping to get some of their energy restored so that they can be somehow ready for the next day.
Chapter 16: A Brief Respite
A few days later…
The cabin felt quieter than it ever had before. The wind whistled through the trees outside, but inside, there was only the sound of creaking wood and the occasional rustle of someone moving. The tension that had built up in the last few days still hung heavy in the air, like an unspoken agreement to just survive. No one really spoke about what had been done to Cupid but it loomed over them like a shadow, reminding them of how fragile their existence had become.
As of the moment, they were facing yet another issue. Their supplies were dwindling and no one is sure how long they could keep pushing forward.
They gathered in the main room of the cabin, sitting in front of the fire in the fireplace that cast long shadows on the walls. Apple was the first to speak, breaking the silence.
"We can't keep going like this," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper, yet carrying the weight of everyone's thoughts. "We're running out of food and we don't yet fully understand what's going on out there…If you ask me, the whole world is...Changing too fast for our liking."
Dexter was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed as though he was trying to block out the chaos of everything. "Apple's right…We need a plan…We can't keep hiding in this cabin forever."
Briar nodded but stayed quiet, her mind elsewhere. Cupid's death still weighed heavily on her and she wasn't sure how to process it. She had seen things—Horrible things—since the outbreak but this felt different. She had known Cupid. She had laughed with her, shared secrets with her, and now...She's gone.
Ginger stood at the fireplace, stoking the embers as the flame flickered. Her face was shadowed, her eyes hard. She hadn't spoken much since her decision about Cupid. The others hadn't really pressed her but the silence between them spoke volumes.
"How long can we keep doing this?" Meeshell finally spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable quiet. "We can't just keep rationing everything…We're not going to make it if we keep living like this…We need to find something more…Sustainable."
Briar glanced at Meeshell, who was huddled on the couch with her arms wrapped around her knees. The mermaid's normally vibrant skin was pale, her usual carefree demeanor gone. She had seen a lot, too. They all have.
"We'll figure something out," Dexter replied.
It wasn't much but it was all they had.
The next few days passed slowly, a mix of unease and determination. They made do with what little they had left, foraging for food in the forest and checking the cabin's small supplies. They did their best to ration everything but it wasn't enough.
Briar had volunteered to go out on the third day, though she knew it was risky. She needed to do something…Anything…To keep her mind occupied. She found herself walking along the forest edge, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her hoodie, her mind replaying everything. She had been trying to think about the future but it was hard to picture anything beyond survival. It was hard to think about a life beyond what's happening right now.
As she made her way back toward the cabin, she spotted Ginger, sitting on a fallen log at the edge of the trees. Ginger was looking down at her hands, the familiar snub-nose revolver clenched in her fingers.
"Everything okay?" Briar asked, stepping closer.
Ginger didn't look up but she gave a small nod. "Just thinking," she said quietly.
Briar sat down next to her, trying not to look too closely at the gun. "About what?"
Ginger's eyes flicked to her briefly, her face unreadable. "About what we're going to do next…What happens when we run out of food?...What happens when we can't keep hiding anymore?"
Briar wasn't sure how to respond. She wanted to say something comforting but the truth is…Ginger's right…They were running out of options.
"I don't know," Briar admitted, staring out at the forest. "But I think we just...We have to keep going…Right? I mean, it's better than nothing…We can't just give up."
Ginger's lips curled up slightly. "Yeah…Keep going…No matter how hard it gets."
For a long while, they sat there in silence, the only sound the whisper of the wind through the trees. Briar felt like she was starting to understand Ginger better now. They weren't just surviving anymore—They were fighting for the possibility of a future…Even if that future is uncertain.
Back at the cabin, the others were resting, trying to save what little energy they have left. They were all thinking the same thing but were too afraid to say it aloud: What if there is no future?
That night, they gathered in front of the fire again. No one spoke about what had happened with Cupid, or about Humphrey, or about the struggles that lay ahead. They couldn't. It was too much.
But as the fire crackled and the shadows grew longer, they found comfort in the silence. For now, they were together…And in a world like this, that was enough.
Chapter 17: A Glimmer of Hope
The sun was just beginning to climb over the horizon when Apple, Briar, and Ginger set out to forage. Ginger had insisted on bringing her snub-nose revolver—Just in case they find something they could hunt.
"I'm not exactly a marksman," Ginger remarked, "But if I get lucky, I might bring back a rabbit…Or a deer…Better than eating the last of the canned beans."
Briar nodded, though she didn't feel much like hunting. All she wanted was to find something—Anything—that would fill the gnawing emptiness in her stomach.
As they walked through the woods, the silence between them felt heavy. There was no more cheerful chatter, no joking. The days had turned into weeks of survival and the weight of it all had become too real.
Back at the cabin, Raven was rummaging through the cabinets, cupboards, and shelves, looking for anything useful when she found an old transistor radio along with some batteries tucked away under a pile of dusty blankets. Once she put in the batteries, she fiddled with the knobs, trying to get a frequency.
"Come on," Raven muttered to herself, trying different frequencies. The static crackled but every station she tuned into was dead. The world felt just as empty as the airwaves. She was about to give up when something strange caught her attention.
A voice—Cold and mechanical—Blared through the speakers.
"Salvation is here. The answer to infection is here. If you can hear this, you're not alone. There are others like you. There are other survivors. We can protect you. Our location is at the Castle of Roses. You must find us…"
The message repeated, looping endlessly.
Raven's heart skipped a beat. "Castle of Roses? That's... Rosabella's castle," she said to herself, the realization hitting her like a bolt of lightning. "But why the hell would there be a cure there? And why...Why is that the only working frequency?"
She grabbed a piece of paper, hastily scribbling down the message. The idea of a cure, of something that could end the madness, was tempting, but they couldn't just take a chance and drive off into the unknown without some solid reasoning. The Castle of Roses was on the far side of the kingdom and it wasn't exactly on the way to anywhere else they had planned.
As Raven continued to think, she heard footsteps outside, heavy and quick, getting closer. She rushed to the door, just in time to see Apple, Briar, and Ginger bursting into the cabin, their faces pale with fear.
"Pack up! Get everything!" Apple shouted, her voice frantic. "We need to move, now!"
Briar slammed the door behind them, looking over her shoulder like she was afraid of being followed. "There's a horde coming this way! We can't stay here! We have to leave the cabin! Now!"
"What!?" Raven asked, her eyes wide. "How many are there!?"
"Too many to count!" Ginger replied, her voice tight. "They're gonna come through the trees any moment now!"
Without another word, all of them sprang into action, throwing their supplies into the SUV, gathering what they could as quickly as possible. Raven glanced over at Dexter, who was already checking the weapons they had taken from the police station, preparing for the worst.
Once they were all in the car, they immediately drove away. Raven filled Apple in on what she had heard from the radio. "There's this weird message, Apple...It said that the 'answer to infection' is at Rosabella's castle."
Apple's eyes narrowed. "Rosabella's castle? But that's so far out of the way. Why would the answer to the infection be there?"
"I don't know," Raven replied. "But it's the only lead we have…And it's the only frequency that's still broadcasting."
A long, heavy silence followed in the car. Each person weighed the options. They all knew there were no easy choices left, no safe path forward. The world outside had become a land of chaos and uncertainty, and the idea of a cure—Any cure—Felt like a glimmer of hope in the dark.
Finally, Apple spoke. "I don't think we have much of a choice. We can't stay in that cabin anymore and we don't know how long we can keep running…Okay…We'll head to the Castle of Roses…Right now, it's the only chance we have."
"It's a long drive. It'll take more than a day of driving to get there…If ever we find a gas station, we'll need to refill the tank." Dexter said, his voice steady. "Let's hope Rosabella's got something to save us."
The SUV's engine roared as they drove further and further away from the cabin. The trees blurred past them as they sped down the winding roads, racing against time and the infected who were rapidly closing in on their location.
As the road stretched ahead, the group didn't speak much. The weight of what they were doing hung over them like a shroud. They only know one thing: They have to get to the Castle of Roses.
Briar, staring out of the window, tried to imagine the place as a safe haven and she forced herself to believe in it.
Chapter 18: Roadside Revelations
The SUV rumbled down the empty roads as Dexter kept his eyes locked on the road ahead. The afternoon sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows over the abandoned kingdom. Apple, sitting beside him, could see how exhausted he was—his knuckles tight on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched.
"You've been driving all day," she finally said.
Dexter let out a tired sigh. "I know what you're thinking, Apple…I'm not tired…I can keep driving..."
"Come on…Pull over…Let's switch."
Dexter glanced at her like she had just suggested something insane. "Apple, you don't even—"
"My mother taught me," she interrupted, folding her arms. "She said along the lines of it being an important skill for a future queen."
Dexter hesitated, looking at the road, then back at Apple. Finally, he sighed and pulled over. "Alright, fine. But if you crash this thing—"
"I won't crash," Apple assured him as she got out and took the driver's seat.
To everyone's surprise, she handled the SUV well, driving through the night with a quiet determination. The rest of the group dozed off in turns, exhaustion finally catching up to them. The only sound was the occasional groan of the undead in the distance but they never stopped.
By morning, they spotted an abandoned gas station on the side of the road and pulled in.
"This is perfect," Dexter said, rubbing his eyes. "We're running low on gas."
"I'll check if the pumps still work," Ginger said, stepping out with Apple.
The others stretched their legs, shaking off the stiffness of the long drive. Briar wandered off toward the convenience store at the gas station, cautiously stepping inside. The place is a mess—shelves were overturned, broken glass crunching beneath her sneakers. There isn't much left. Most of the food is either gone or rotting but something caught her eye near the counter.
An unopened pack of cigarettes.
Briar hesitated, staring at it for a long moment. Though she's had her fair share of smokes at some of the parties she went to, she swears to herself that isn't a smoker, most especially since she never smoked back at Ever After High, even if they were out at Book End…But after everything that had happened—Losing, Ashlynn…Losing Hopper…Losing Cupid…The constant fear gnawing at the back of her mind—Something about it felt...Liberating.
"Fuck it…"
She grabbed the pack and a lighter, stuffing them in her pocket before heading back outside.
The others were still busy. Ginger found some jerry cans and was filling them up with extra gasoline while Apple was making sure the SUV's tank is full.
Briar took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long slow drag.
The moment the smoke curled into the air, she felt every pair of eyes snap toward her.
Dexter is practically gawking at her, "Briar—Since when do you smoke?"
Briar exhaled, her expression unreadable. "I smoke at some of the parties I've went to…"
"You can't be serious," Raven scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Raven, the world as we know it has ended." Briar said simply. "I'm really not worried about lung cancer right now."
Apple wrinkled her nose. "It smells terrible."
Briar smirked. "You'll get used to it."
Ginger looked at her with something like curiosity. "Never pegged you for the type."
Briar took one last drag before flicking the cigarette away. "Neither did I."
As the awkward silence settled, Briar reached for the SUV keys.
"I'll drive."
Dexter, still staring at her, blinked. "You what?"
"You heard me."
"Let me guess…You also learned to drive at some of the parties you've been to." Raven said, raising an eyebrow.
Briar gave a small shrug. "Exactly…Met a lot of drivers…Some of them were more than happy to teach me how to drive…Never thought I'd actually get to use the skill though…"
Apple let out a surprised laugh. "You sure are full of surprises today, Briar."
Briar smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."
She slid into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors.
Dexter hesitated before finally sighing and climbing into the passenger seat. "Fine. Just...Don't kill us, okay?"
Briar chuckled. "No promises, Charming…"
As they pulled out of the gas station, the cigarette smoke still lingered in the air behind them, mixing with the early morning mist.
Chapter 19: The Grocery Store Raid
The SUV rumbled down the road, the midday sun bearing down on them. Inside, the group was restless. Hunger gnawed at their stomachs and their supplies had long since run out.
"Okay, I don't wanna sound dramatic, but if we don't eat soon, I might actually die," Dexter groaned from the backseat.
"Same," Meeshell sighed, clutching her stomach. "I think my stomach is eating itself."
"Would you two quit whining?" Briar muttered, rubbing her temple with one hand while she kept the other at the wheel. "We're all hungry."
Just then, Apple—who had taken the shotgun seat next to Briar—perked up. "Look!" She pointed ahead.
In the distance, standing like a mirage of salvation, was an abandoned grocery store. The parking lot was eerily empty, save for a few scattered and rusted shopping carts.
Briar immediately turned the wheel, maneuvering the SUV toward the back of the building, parking in a secluded alleyway between the store and another abandoned shop.
"Smart thinking," Raven nodded in approval. "Last thing we need is someone stealing our ride."
Once they were sure the coast was clear, they piled out.
"Alright," Raven began, taking charge, "We go in, get only what we need—Non-perishable food, water, medical supplies if we can find them. Anything else is a luxury so don't waste space on junk."
With weapons drawn, they carefully entered the grocery store. The place was a mess—Aisles overturned, broken glass crunching under their shoes, and a rancid smell lingering in the air from long-rotten perishables.
"Ugh, it stinks in here," Apple gagged, covering her nose.
"Rotten meat," Dexter muttered, pointing toward the butcher section. The display cases were filled with green, maggot-infested carcasses.
"Yeah, okay, let's just stay far away from that," Briar said, already moving in the opposite direction.
They quickly spread out, grabbing supplies.
Apple and Meeshell focused on water and they got as many bottles and jugs as they could.
Dexter and Raven raided the canned goods and they took whatever that they could get their hands on from beans and soup to chili and canned fruits. They also got some jerky and granola bars into their backpacks.
Meanwhile, Briar and Ginger drifted toward a different aisle—The one filled with cigarettes and booze.
Briar grabbed a pack of berry-flavored and chocolate-flavored smokes while Ginger, to Briar's surprise, plucked a pack of cherry-flavored smokes from the shelf.
"You smoke now?" Briar asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ginger shrugged, tucking the pack into her pocket. "You said it yourself…The world has already ended…Might as well try everything at least once…"
Briar chuckled. "Fair point."
They turned their attention to the liquor section.
Ginger grabbed a couple of bottles of hard cider while Briar went for the beer cans and, for good measure, a bottle of whiskey.
"Raven's gonna chew us out," Ginger smirked.
Briar grinned. "Let her. If I'm gonna get eaten by the infected, I at least wanna have a drink first."
As they reconvened at the checkout area, the group immediately dug into their findings, sitting right in the middle of the aisles as they devoured their food.
"No point in waiting," Dexter said with his mouth full. "Might as well eat now."
Apple rolled her eyes but took a seat. "Fine, but let's not make a mess."
Within moments, the group was tearing into their meals, greedily eating whatever they could. The sounds of cans popping open, water bottles being emptied, and crinkling wrappers echoed through the store.
Briar popped open a can of beer and took a swig.
"Seriously?" Raven sighed, giving her a disapproving look.
Briar wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "What? I need it."
"You don't need beer. You need water."
"Water's boring," Ginger chimed in, opening a bottle of hard cider and taking a small sip.
Raven groaned. "You too? What the hell, Ginger?"
Ginger shrugged. "Briar's right. The world's already ended…Might as well do everything that we've been told not to do."
"You two are hopeless," Raven muttered, shoving another granola bar into her mouth.
As they finished up, Dexter stood up, brushing crumbs off his lap. "Alright, we've got what we came for. Let's pack up and go before something finds us."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
With bags full of food, water, cigarettes, and booze, they left the store and made their way back to the SUV, fully stocked for the next leg of their journey.
Chapter 20: A Close Call
Dexter stretched his hand out. "Alright, Briar, hand over the keys."
Briar, leaning lazily against the SUV, raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You had a drink," Dexter reminded her, holding his palm open expectantly.
"It was one beer," she scoffed.
"And that's one too many in a world where we can't afford to crash," he shot back. "Now, the keys."
Briar sighed dramatically but fished the keys out of her pocket and dropped them into Dexter's hand. "Fine, Mom," she muttered under her breath.
Dexter rolled his eyes and climbed into the driver's seat. "Alright, everybody, load up."
The others wasted no time packing up their newly acquired supplies, stuffing bags of canned goods, bottled water, and other essentials into the back.
As Dexter looked at his sidemirror, he suddenly froze, his expression turning grim.
"Shit…Shit…"
"What now?" Raven groaned, sitting in the passenger seat.
Dexter sighed. "Flat tire."
Everyone groaned collectively.
"Are you kidding me?" Briar groaned. "Now? Now is when we get a flat?"
"Great," Meeshell sighed. "Just our luck."
Apple, ever the optimist, perked up. "Do we have a spare?"
Dexter got out and went to check the back. He lifted the compartment cover and let out a relieved breath. "Yeah, we've got one."
"Okay, then let's change it fast," Raven said, looking around cautiously. "I don't like staying in one place too long."
Dexter and Raven immediately got to work, jacking up the SUV and removing the flat tire. Meanwhile, Apple, Ginger, and Briar kept watch with their weapons drawn.
"Are you sure you guys know what you're doing?" Darling asked, hovering behind Dexter.
"Yes, Darling." Dexter deadpanned. "It's not rocket science."
Raven grunted as she worked the lug nuts loose. "Would go a lot faster if you'd shut up and help."
Darling held up her hands. "I think not…Well, not right now, at least..."
Briar snorted. "More like the useless type."
Darling gasped dramatically. "I am offended."
"Yeah, yeah, shut up and make yourself useful," Ginger said, smacking her lightly on the arm.
As they tightened the last lug nut, Apple suddenly went rigid. Her ears perked up. "Do you hear that?"
The group fell silent.
A low, distant moaning carried through the air, growing louder with every second.
"Oh, fuck no," Raven hissed, clutching her shotgun.
Briar's grip tightened on her pistol. "We've got company."
From the far end of the street, a horde of infected emerged—running, twitching, and snarling as they locked onto the group.
Dexter's heart pounded. "Not good! Not good!"
"How many!?" Meeshell asked.
"Too many!" Apple yelled.
"Then move your asses!" Raven barked.
Dexter and Raven hurriedly finished up the tire, throwing their tools in the back without a second thought. "Everybody in, NOW!"
The group scrambled into the SUV as the infected picked up speed, some breaking into full sprints.
Dexter jammed the key into the ignition and twisted.
The engine roared to life without a hitch.
"Go! GO!" Meeshell screamed.
Dexter slammed his foot on the gas and the SUV lurched forward, tires screeching as they tore out of the parking lot.
In the rearview mirror, the horde swarmed the spot where they had just been, clawing at the air in frustration as their meal escaped.
Apple exhaled in relief. "That…Was way too close."
Raven let her head fall back against the seat. "Yeah…No kidding…Fucking fairy godmother…"
Briar smirked at Dexter. "Alright, fine, you driving was the right call."
"Thank you," Dexter said dryly, gripping the wheel.
Meeshell peered out the window, watching the horde disappear in the distance. "Let's not do that again."
"Agreed," Ginger muttered, clutching her revolver.
Chapter 21: Restless Nights and New Destinations
The SUV rumbled down the cracked and deserted road as the sun dipped below the horizon. The fading light bathed the landscape in deep orange and purple hues, casting long shadows across the desolate land.
Raven rubbed her temples. "We've been driving all day. We need to stop soon."
Apple, who sat beside Dexter in the front, nodded. "Rosabella's castle isn't too far now. Maybe we should rest before we get there."
Dexter sighed, his grip tightening on the wheel. "Yeah, I don't want to roll up to the castle exhausted. Who knows what we'll find when we get there?"
Darling peered out the window. "Look…Over there."
In the distance, nestled in the trees, was a small abandoned trailer park. A few rusting RVs and trailers sat in eerie silence, their windows either broken or fogged up with grime.
Ginger whistled. "Creepy…But I guess it beats sleeping in the car."
Apple shook her head. "We're not splitting up to sleep in separate trailers. We're staying together."
Raven agreed. "Yeah, and we're not leaving the SUV either. We don't have sleeping bags and I don't trust those trailers."
They pulled into the park and parked in a secluded spot, though they ensured that they had a quick exit route.
After a quick dinner of canned food and bottled water, Briar stretched her arms and pulled out the pack of cigarettes she had taken earlier. "Alright, who wants one?"
Ginger raised her hand. "I could use one."
Meeshell wrinkled her nose. "I don't get it. Why now?"
Briar smirked. "Because after everything, I think we earned this moment to chill."
Darling shrugged. "I mean…Can't argue with that logic."
Briar lit her cigarette, taking a slow drag before exhaling. "You guys can keep rolling your eyes, but hey, at least I don't stress-scream like some of you."
Ginger laughed softly as she took her own drag. "Yeah? Give it a few hours."
Once their short break was over, they all crammed into the SUV, making the best of the cramped sleeping situation.
Screams in the Night
The SUV was filled with deep, exhausted breathing. The night outside was still. Too still.
Then—
A piercing scream shattered the silence.
Apple jolted awake, her heart hammering. "What the fuck—?!"
Another scream—this time from the back.
Raven immediately reached for her pistol, aiming wildly before realizing—
It was Briar.
And then Meeshell.
And Ginger.
All three woke up screaming at the same time, drenched in sweat, their eyes wide with terror.
"Whoa, whoa!" Dexter turned in his seat. "What the fuck's going on?!"
Darling shook Briar's shoulder gently but firmly. "Briar! Wake up!"
Briar gasped, blinking rapidly as she looked around. "What—Where—?"
Meeshell was hyperventilating, her hands trembling. "I—I thought—I saw—"
Ginger clutched her chest, trying to slow her breathing. "That was—Too real."
Raven rubbed her face groggily. "Ugh… Is this what happens when you smoke before bed? Because if so, I will never pick up that habit."
Apple leaned forward. "What did you guys dream about?"
Briar wiped her forehead. "The castle…But it wasn't the same…It was burning…And the dead—Oh godmother…Even though they were on fire, they kept coming after me…I could hear their screams…"
Meeshell shuddered. "I—I saw the ocean…But instead of water, it had blood…And it was filled with bodies…And—" She swallowed hard. "I saw Cupid…"
Ginger stared at her lap, her voice quieter. "I saw my mom…She was one of them…"
A heavy silence filled the SUV.
Raven exhaled. "Okay…It was just a dream…None of it was real."
At that, Dexter checked the time.
5:48 AM…Almost sunrise.
"Well, we're all awake now," he muttered. "Might as well keep moving."
No one argued.
They took a few moments to collect themselves before Dexter started the engine. The SUV rolled out of the trailer park, leaving behind nothing but tire tracks in the dirt.
Arrival
By mid-morning, they finally arrived.
The Castle of Roses stood before them, its towering walls covered in overgrown vines and red roses. The entrance gates were closed but there were clear signs of life—Makeshift barricades and torches that are still burning.
Apple's breath hitched. "They're really here."
Dexter honked the horn twice, signaling their presence.
For a few moments, nothing happened.
Then—
The massive iron gates slowly creaked open.
A figure stepped forward, flanked by two other persons. As the sunlight illuminated her face, there was no mistaking the golden-brown curls and the piercing hazel eyes.
It was Rosabella.
And with her was Daring and Hunter.
They all took one look at them, their expression unreadable—Then Rosabella finally spoke.
"You made it."
Chapter 22: The Castle of Roses
Just as Dexter was about to step on the gas and drive forward, Darling suddenly spoke in a low, urgent voice.
"Something is seriously wrong here."
Her tone sent an immediate chill through the group.
Apple furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"
Darling's blue eyes flicked toward the figures at the gates, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Look closely at their eyes…Look at the way they looked at us…I don't know but it's just wrong…Something about them is off…Hide all of your weapons under the seats. Now…And whatever happens, do not—Ever—hand over the car keys to them."
Ginger blinked. "Are you sure about this? I mean, this is Rosabella's place. Surely, she wouldn't—"
Darling shot her a glare. "Just do it. Now."
Raven exchanged looks with Apple and Dexter before nodding.
Quickly, they slid their weapons under the seats—All of their shotguns and pistols including Ginger's revolver. Darling hesitated before tucking her dagger away, a sinking feeling growing in her stomach.
Dexter gripped the wheel tightly before finally driving through the massive iron gates.
A Welcome That Feels... Off
They rolled into the courtyard, where Rosabella greeted them as she was still flanked by Daring and Hunter.
Rosabella smiled, her arms open in welcome. "You made it."
Daring smirked. "Took you long enough."
Hunter crossed his arms, giving them a once-over. "You all look like hell."
Raven stepped out of the SUV first, glancing around. "Yeah, well… it's been rough."
One by one, they climbed out of the car, stretching their stiff limbs.
Rosabella motioned toward the castle entrance. "Come, you must all be exhausted."
Daring clapped Dexter on the shoulder. "We've got fresh food, warm beds, hot showers—"
Briar groaned dramatically. "Oh, sweet heaven!"
Hunter chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, come on. You all stink."
Despite Darling's warning, everyone followed Rosabella inside.
The grand halls of the Castle of Roses were eerily quiet.
No bustling maids…No guards stationed anywhere…No sign of Rosabella's parents, Belle and Prince Adam.
It was just them…
Showers, Food, and Rest—Yet the Unease Grows
After what felt like an eternity, they were finally able to clean up. The warm water washed away the grime and the fresh clothes that were provided for them were soft and comfortable.
Dinner was an extravagant spread of a variety of roasted meats, fresh fruits, and warm bread, almost too good to be true.
Yet…
The unease only grew stronger.
Meeshell whispered, "Why are there no guards? No staff?"
Ginger leaned closer. "And where are Rosabella's parents?"
Darling, who had remained tense the entire time, exhaled sharply. "Good. You're all finally noticing."
Briar set down her glass of wine, glancing around at their hosts. Daring and Hunter ate normally, but Rosabella…
Rosabella was just watching them.
Not eating…Not drinking…Just staring at them with hollow and empty eyes…
It sent a chill down Briar's spine.
Hunter, seemingly unaware of the tension, leaned back in his chair. "So…Where've you guys been this whole time?"
Dexter cleared his throat. "Surviving."
Daring smirked. "Clearly."
Raven kept her voice even. "We heard your transmission on an old radio. It said that there was an 'answer to the infection' here. Is that true?"
Rosabella's expression didn't change. "Yes."
Apple frowned. "What is it?"
Rosabella smiled. "You'll find out soon enough."
And for some reason…
That didn't sound comforting at all.
Chapter 23: The Experiment in the Garden
The next few days were…For a lack of a better word…Uneasy.
Sure, they finally had a chance to rest, recover, and recuperate—Real beds, hot meals, a roof over their heads—But something about Rosabella's castle felt wrong.
It was still just them…No guards…No staff…No Rosabella's parents…
It was like they were in another dimension…Or worse, a trap…Though none of them could pinpoint why exactly.
It also didn't help when Daring approached them one morning with a strange excitement in his eyes.
"Come, all of you. I want to show you something."
The Horror in the Back Garden
Daring led them through the castle's hallways, past the rose-covered balconies and down to the back gardens.
When they stepped outside, the smell hit them first.
It was just putrid.
Then came the sound—a low, animalistic growl, like something lurking just beyond the bushes.
And then they saw her.
Their classmate at school, Melody.
Or rather…What's left of her.
She was filthy, covered in dirt and dried blood, her once-stylish clothes now nothing but tattered rags. Her skin is gray and her once-vibrant eyes are now bloodshot and sunken. She snarled and thrashed, clawing at the air, her jaws snapping open and shut like she was trying to bite something—Anything.
A thick metal collar was clamped around her neck, attached to a heavy chain.
The chain stretched across the garden, just long enough for her to lunge, run, and fight against it—But never long enough for her to reach the stairs where they stood.
Briar covered her mouth in horror. "Oh my godmother…"
Raven took a step back, her breath catching in her throat. "M-Melody…?"
Apple shook her head, unable to process what she was seeing. "Daring—What the fuck is this!?"
Daring smirked, but there was something off about it…Cold…Empty.
"I'm studying her."
Briar's voice shook. "Studying her!? You chained up our classmate like a damn animal!"
Ginger gritted her teeth, hands balling into fists. "How long has she been like this?"
Daring shrugged. "A while now."
"Why?!" Darling snapped, stepping up to her brother.
Daring's expression darkened, his gray eyes now filled with something…Unhinged.
"Because someone has to."
They all stared at him.
His lips curled into something between a grin and a grimace. "You have to understand." He gestured toward Melody. "She's one of them now…And yet, she's still here…Still moving…Still reacting. That means something. There's something to learn from them."
Dexter's jaw tightened. "You mean you're using her as a damn test subject!?"
Daring didn't even deny it.
"I intend to study them," he said coolly. "Either to find a cure…Or a way to wipe them out entirely."
His smirk widened but his eyes were empty.
"Either way…She's useful."
The Breaking Point
A heavy silence hung between them.
Then, without warning, Briar lunged.
She grabbed Daring by his collar, shoving him back against the garden railing.
"She's our friend, you fucking psycho!" she snarled.
Daring didn't flinch.
He just chuckled, his voice low and cold. "She's not your friend anymore."
Melody let out a bloodcurdling screech, pulling at her chain, desperate to get to them.
Dexter shook his head in disgust. "You're sick…You know that…This is just sick."
Apple swallowed hard, her hands trembling. "We can't just… Leave her like this."
Raven turned to Daring, her violet eyes burning with anger. "You think this is right!? You think this is okay?!"
Daring sighed, running a hand through his golden hair.
"It's the only way," he said simply.
Darling took a step forward, looking at her brother like she was seeing him for the first time. "Daring…What the hell happened to you?"
For a moment, something flickered across his face.
Something almost…Human.
But then, just as quickly as it came, it was gone.
He smirked again.
"You'll understand soon enough."
Chapter 24: The Truth in the Library
The next morning, the group found themselves in Rosabella's grand library—One of the few places in the castle that felt somewhat normal.
They spent the early hours browsing old books…Some looking for answers…Others just trying to distract themselves.
That's when Dexter stumbled upon a hastily written letter wedged between the pages of a book on Ever After history.
His brow furrowed as he pulled it out. "Hey, guys…Check this out."
They all gathered around as he carefully unfolded the yellowed paper, his voice grim as he began to read aloud.
The letter reads as follows:
To Her Majesty, Queen Snow White,
We write to you in dire urgency regarding an unprecedented crisis at the Ever After Research and Science Center.
For months, we have conducted animal experiments, pushing the boundaries of biological enhancement and regenerative research. However, as of this morning, we have experienced a catastrophic breach.
The test subjects have turned on the researchers, attacking with unnatural aggression. They exhibit rapid infection capabilities, passing on a pathogen that can cause full blown infection and violent symptoms within minutes.
We strongly urge immediate containment protocols before the situation escalates further. This matter is not to be taken lightly—This is a threat to the entire kingdom.
Please, Your Majesty. We request your immediate assistance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aldous Grimm
Director
Ever After Research and Science Center
A heavy silence followed as Dexter's voice trailed off.
Raven's hands clenched into fists. "So this…This is how it started!?"
Darling shook her head, disbelief in her voice. "They were experimenting on animals? Enhancing them?"
Apple's face was pale. "They…They knew," she whispered. "They knew something was happening and they still weren't able to stop it."
Briar let out a dry, bitter laugh. "So what? They wanted to build some kind of super-animal and it backfired?"
Meeshell rubbed her arms, trying to shake off the chill creeping down her spine. "I don't know the whole details but whatever it is that they did…It spread way too fast—Did they even bother to sit down and think of the repercussions of what they did?"
Ginger hugged herself. "This letter was sent though…Expedited"
Briar finished her thought, "And still, no one came to contain it."
A new, horrifying realization settled over them.
This wasn't some random, sudden plague.
This was an accident…A cover-up.
And it destroyed everything.
Confronting Rosabella
Determined to get answers, they stormed through the castle in search of Rosabella.
When they finally found her, she was stumbling half-naked through the hallway and her hair is disheveled. There were stains on her arms, hands, oversized shirt, neck, chest, and tummy—And it's not blood.
She didn't even seem surprised to see them.
Briar crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Where the hell were you?"
Rosabella yawned, stretching. "Sleeping," she murmured lazily. "Not that it's any of your business."
Dexter held up the letter, his grip tight. "Then maybe this is…Seriously, how did you even get this!?"
Rosabella's gaze flickered to the paper for a split second.
Too quick.
Too controlled.
She shrugged. "What about it?"
Raven stepped forward. "You knew."
Rosabella frowned. "Knew what?"
Darling narrowed her eyes. "That the outbreak started from a lab…That it wasn't some random act of nature—It was a freaking experiment gone wrong."
A slow smirk spread across Rosabella's lips.
"And? What does that change?"
Apple's breath caught in her throat. "You mean you really didn't know?"
Rosabella tilted her head. "No…Fuck, would it matter if I did?"
Her voice was too calm…Too detached.
Dexter took a step back, something about her making his stomach turn. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Rosabella sighed, rubbing her temple. "You're all acting like knowing the cause would somehow make this situation better…It doesn't…You know what it'll only do? It'll only make it worse…Because now, you realize that everything was built on lies."
Ginger swallowed hard. "But if there's a source, then maybe there's a cure?...A spell or an antidote, maybe?"
Rosabella laughed.
It was an ugly, empty sound.
"You really think there's something like that?" She shook her head, voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, sweet Ginger… I thought you were smarter than that…If you really think that there's something like that, then how come shit still hit the fan?"
Darling's jaw tightened. "So what? You're saying we're all screwed?"
Rosabella sighed dramatically, brushing past them. "I'm saying you should get comfortable." She turned back, her brown eyes gleaming. "Because this world?...It's never going back to the way it was."
And with that, she disappeared into her room, leaving them standing there—Shaken, confused, and more suspicious than ever.
Chapter 25: The Truth Behind Closed Doors
It was a quiet morning, the sun just beginning to peek through the large windows of the castle's kitchen. The group had been trying to adjust to their strange surroundings but there was still an overwhelming sense of unease.
The majesty of Rosabella's castle felt oppressive, like a gilded cage. It was all too empty…Too lonely.
They had no idea what they were about to discover.
As they entered the kitchen, they were greeted by a shocking sight:
Their classmates Blondie and Sparrow, both looking dirty, disheveled, and in tattered clothes, were hunched over the kitchen counter, chopping vegetables. Their faces were pale, their eyes hollow from exhaustion.
At first, they thought it was a mistake—That maybe they were just more survivors who have been hiding from the infected…But when Blondie's eyes met theirs, they saw the raw fear and relief in her gaze.
"Oh my godmother!" Blondie's voice cracked, her hands trembling as she dropped the knife. "You…You're here! You're all alive!"
Before anyone could react, she rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Apple first, then Briar and the others, sobbing in relief.
Sparrow followed, his gaze darting around the kitchen nervously, as if he expected someone to show up at any moment. His lips quivered and he stepped forward to hug them too.
"We thought…We thought we'd never see you again," Sparrow said, his voice hoarse.
As they pulled away, Blondie wiped her eyes, looking around before whispering in a shaky voice, "We…We all thought we were safe here. When the outbreak started, it was us—Daring, Rosabella, Hunter, and me. We left Ever After High, thinking we were going to survive."
"But then everything changed." Sparrow added, the rawness of his words stinging the air. "Hunter…Right before we left, he saw his girlfriend, Ashlynn, get bitten and attacked by an infected…And then—Daring…He saw his parents."
Darling and Dexter gasped as he said that.
"No…Our parents too…", Darling said as she nearly cried.
Sparrow continued, "And Rosabella…With her family too."
Blondie broke down into sobs again, barely able to speak. "It…It all just went to hell…I watched everything I knew burn away, piece by piece…We were barely holding it together."
"And then," Sparrow continued, his voice darkening, "Rosabella snapped…Hell, they all did…She…She got it into her head that we were better off waiting it out—That everyone else would die off and she could rebuild from the ashes…With a group of us…Like some twisted new kingdom."
The room grew quiet as the full weight of Sparrow's words hit. The disgust in his tone was palpable.
Blondie looked up, her eyes filled with pain. "Rosabella made everyone leave…All the servants…All the guards…She threw them all out…She said we didn't need them anymore…That we should be the last ones standing in this world…The women were…Well, we were to be used…As nothing more than comfort women."
A chill ran down everyone's spine. Comfort women? The idea was sickening.
Sparrow looked at them, his face contorted with anger and fear. "And she said something else, too—She wanted to repopulate this land…Her land…She thought if enough time passed, we'd just be left with her and a few chosen ones to rebuild Ever After…As if we were her property."
The words lingered in the air like a horrible cloud.
Apple's hands clenched into fists. "You're telling me she was planning on using us as breeding stock!?...Like…Like cattle!?" Her voice was full of disbelief and rage.
Blondie nodded, looking down. "Yes…She thought that if the men died and the rest of us remained, we could somehow start over…Like we were nothing more than tools to rebuild the kingdom…And when Daring found out about it, he—He just went along with it…He was too broken…Too far gone after losing his family…It's like he stopped caring."
Briar was shaking her head, trying to process it all. "But… Daring? He wouldn't—He couldn't—"
Sparrow's voice was cold as he finished her thought. "He's not the person he once was…When he saw everything go down, he snapped…It's like he shattered and Rosabella remade him with whatever pieces that are left…And now we're just…Trapped here."
They could feel the anger and betrayal in his voice. "I don't know who Rosabella is anymore…She's not the girl we used to go with to school before."
Apple's eyes were burning with fury but it was a fury she couldn't direct at Sparrow or Blondie. It was directed at Rosabella and at the situation they were all in. She gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath.
"We need to leave. Now. This place is no longer safe."
Ginger stepped forward, her voice low and filled with a determined edge. "We have to get out of here. Before things get even worse."
Blondie agreed with them wholeheartedly, her face set in grim determination. "Please, you have to help us…They locked us up here and they forced us to work in this kitchen, doing whatever she tells us…"
Sparrow looked out the window nervously, then back at them. "We can't stay here…Not anymore…Rosabella's lost it…And we have to act fast."
Raven nodded, glancing around at the others. "We're leaving now. We're getting out of here. And we'll never look back."
It was at that moment that they realized…That they were no longer just running from the infected—They were running from a twisted kingdom, a false queen, and a broken world.
Chapter 26: Leaving
As they stepped out of the castle's grand front entrance, the early morning light just beginning to filter through the trees, they were met with an ominous silence that only heightened their sense of urgency. They couldn't help but feel like they were being watched, a strange sense of dread hanging in the air…But before they could even make it to the SUV, they heard the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps behind.
Daring, Rosabella, and Hunter stood at the top of the stairs leading down from the castle, their eyes fixed on the group with an eerie, chilling intensity.
Daring's sword gleamed in the early sunlight, his face expressionless, but there was rage in his eyes. "No one is going anywhere." he said, his voice low, almost a growl.
Rosabella's voice cut through the air like a cold wind. "You think you can just leave?...After everything we've done for you?...After everything we've given you?" She gripped her halberd tightly, her stance rigid, as if daring them to take one more step.
Hunter, his crossbow drawn, stood a few paces behind them, his lips curled in a sneer. "One more step and I'll rain arrows on all of you."
The group froze, the weight of their situation settling in. Apple, Briar, Ginger, Blondie, and the others have nowhere to go. They can't just back down now. They can't let them keep them in this hell any longer.
Then, in a quick and almost silent, but definitive move, Ginger's hand moved to her side. She pulled out her snub .38 revolver, her fingers steady as she aimed the barrel at Daring. The sharp snap of the gunshot echoed in the air, followed by another from Briar, who pulled her Glock from under her jacket and aimed it straight at Rosabella.
Everything seemed to happen in a blur, the shots ringing out in quick succession. Daring fell first, his body crumpling to the ground like a ragdoll, the sword slipping from his hand. Rosabella screamed in agony as the bullet hit her square in the chest, the halberd falling from her fingers. Her body, too, collapsed into the gravel with a sickening thud.
Hunter, too, was caught off guard. He tried to fire his crossbow in retaliation but the bolt missed its intended target. Blondie screamed as the arrow embedded itself in her side, the sharp pain coursing through her. Her knees buckled, but she stayed on her feet, struggling to hold on.
"Blondie!" Briar yelled, rushing to her side, but Blondie waved her off, gritting her teeth.
"I'm fine. It's not bad." Blondie's voice was shaky but firm as she reached down, broke the wooden arrow in two pieces, and pulled the broken pieces of the arrow out herself. There was a grimace of pain but nothing more.
They quickly gathered together, determined to get out of there and put as much distance between them and Rosabella's twisted kingdom as possible. They tended to Blondie's wound with what little medical supplies they had left, making sure it was cleaned and bandaged. They took their time, carefully treating her, and when they were finished, they turned their attention to Melody.
She was still chained to the garden, her once bright eyes now dull and lifeless, the infection taking hold of her. She had become a shell of the girl they once knew, a mindless creature in a garden of horrors.
It wasn't easy, but it was necessary. Melody immediate sprinted towards Ginger as she stepped forward, her eyes hard as she held her revolver once more. She didn't say a word but everyone knew what had to be done. The shot rang out and the misery that was Melody was finally ended.
With Blondie now patched up, they all piled into the SUV with Apple at the driver's seat, ready to leave…But just before they drove off, Apple exchanged a glance with Raven.
Without a word, they both nodded in unison. They couldn't let this hellhole stand any longer. They couldn't let it remain as a monument to Rosabella's twisted reign.
Before Apple stepped on the gas pedal, Raven used a fire spell and conjured a huge ball of violet flames. She then threw the violet fireball towards the castle entrance and it exploded and spread as soon as it hit the furniture inside.
The fire swiftly engulfed the castle.
The fire blazed higher, devouring everything in its path. As the dark smoke rose into the sky, they knew it was finally over.
Rosabella's twisted dark kingdom has fallen.
At that, they drove on, the sound of the roaring fire fading behind them.
Epilogue: 6 Months Later…
The ocean breeze is warm, carrying the salty scent of the sea as it gently rustled through the trees. The once-constant fear that had followed them for months had finally faded, replaced by a strange but welcoming sense of peace.
Meeshell stood at the shoreline, her bare feet sinking into the damp sand as she gazed out at the waves. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the water. It had been her idea—To take to the sea…To leave the horrors of Ever After behind and to find something new.
She hadn't been sure if it would work but with the help of her mother, Ariel, and her grandfather, King Triton, they have done the impossible.
Their new home—A large wooden house nestled between the trees of a once-uninhabited island—Stood behind her, its structure a testament to their survival. It wasn't a castle, nor was it the lavish dorms of Ever After High but it was theirs.
As she turned, she saw the others moving about, living—Actually living—For the first time since the outbreak.
At the Garden
Apple wiped the sweat from her brow, kneeling on the dirt as she carefully pulled ripe vegetables from the ground. It had taken months of learning but she and Briar had finally gotten the hang of farming—Something neither of them ever expected to do.
Briar groaned, stretching her sore back. "I swear…I used to complain about early morning classes but this?...Fuck, this is actual torture."
Apple chuckled, handing her a fresh tomato. "Think of it this way. At least we're not starving anymore."
Briar inspected the tomato, then grinned. "I never thought I'd be a farmer but I have to admit, I love the fact that I know how to grow my own food now."
Apple smiled softly, looking out at their thriving garden. It wasn't much, but it was theirs.
By the Shore
Blondie sat on a large rock, watching the waves roll in as Raven and Darling fished off the docks.
Darling let out an excited yell as she reeled in a decent-sized fish, holding it up proudly. "Finally! I was starting to think I was cursed."
Raven smirked, pulling her own fishing line back up. "You probably just scared them away with all your talking."
Blondie giggled as Darling playfully nudged Raven.
"I still can't believe this is our life now," Blondie said softly, gazing out at the horizon. "I used to spend hours on my MirrorBlog, documenting royal gossip and school drama. Now I'm documenting which fishing spots are the best and what days the tides come in."
Darling grinned, throwing an arm over Blondie's shoulder. "And yet, you're still thriving."
Blondie laughed, leaning into her friend's embrace.
Inside the House
Ginger stood at the makeshift kitchen, stirring a pot of vegetable stew over an open fire. The scent of herbs and roasted fish filled the air.
Dexter sat nearby, helping Sparrow carve wooden bowls and utensils. He glanced up at Ginger and smirked. "You know, for someone who baked sweets back at Ever After High, you make a pretty great cook."
Ginger huffed playfully. "Survival changes everything, Dexter."
Sparrow smiled as he finished carving a spoon. "And we got better because of it."
At Nightfall
As night settled over the island, they all gathered outside by a large bonfire, the flames flickering and casting warm shadows across their faces.
The mood was light—The kind of peace they had never thought they'd have again.
Briar took a sip of the homemade cider she had brewed, sighing in satisfaction. "Damn…Six months…Can you believe it?"
Raven poked the fire with a stick. "If someone told me a year ago that I'd be living on an island, farming and fishing for food, I would have laughed in their face."
Blondie smiled as she leaned against Apple's shoulder. "And yet, here we are."
Apple's expression softened. "And we're never going back."
There was a quiet agreement among them.
Meeshell nodded, watching the flames dance. "Last I heard is that the infected are now dying because of starvation…But that doesn't matter now...We've built something here…Something better."
Darling stretched, letting out a sigh. "Honestly, I don't care anymore…As far as I'm concerned, Ever After is in the past…And we are never ever going back there…This is our home now."
They all fell into a comfortable silence, listening to the crackling fire and the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore.
For the first time in a long while, they felt safe.
They had survived.
And they're never going to look back.
The End.
Post Script (P.S.):
The Snow Kingdom
Inside the glimmering, icy walls of the Snow Kingdom, a single figure stood on a balcony, staring out over the white expanse. Crystal's gaze is distant, her eyes clouded with sorrow. Her heart ached with the emptiness of not knowing where her friends had gone and what had become of them. The outbreak had cut them off from the rest of the world…From Ever After when her parents, the Snow King and Queen ordered their border to be closed and she could still remember the shouts of chaos before she and her people had sought refuge behind their impenetrable ice walls.
She hadn't been able to get any word from Ever After since then.
"I wonder what happened to them…" she spoke softly to herself, her voice barely audible to herself. She had always been one to check on her friends to make sure they were okay…But now, she felt powerless…Alone…
As the icy winds howled outside, Crystal wrapped her cloak tighter around her, staring out at the endless snow. She could feel the weight of the silence pressing on her, as though even the snow had forgotten what had happened in Ever After…And she was left in this frozen land, wondering if things would go back to the way they were before.
Land of the Giants
On the vast plains of the Land of the Giants, the giant beanstalk had been cut off, severed from the land of Ever After by the giants. The once towering vine that had connected them to their world was now just a twisted mass of dead ends.
Despite that. Jillian had managed to escape, finding refuge in the land of giants. She had snuck away quietly without anyone noticing, and now lives in quiet solitude. She was no longer the proud, confident girl she had been before the outbreak.
Sitting in the corner of a massive room, Jillian stared out of the window, the sound of the wind outside matching the emptiness she felt inside.
"Humphrey…" she speaks to herself, tracing the edges of her now-faded memories of her boyfriend. "Where are you?...What happened to our friends?...What happened to everyone I cared about?"
She had never felt so helpless. In the Land of the Giants, she was safe…But she didn't want safety. She wanted her friends…She wanted answers…And most of all, she wanted to know if Humphrey is still alive…If he had managed to survive the outbreak…Or if she had lost him forever.
Wonderland
Back in Wonderland, the once vibrant magic portals that connected their world to Ever After had been sealed indefinitely, as ordered by the Queen of Hearts. Madeline, Lizzie, Kitty, Alistair, and Bunny had all returned safely…Though they have no idea where Courtley is in the midst of everything that's happened…But just like Jillian, their hearts were heavy with uncertainty as they know nothing of their friends' fates back in Ever After.
"I can't believe we've lost contact with them," Maddie said, her usual playful demeanor absent as she sat at the table with a forlorn expression on her face.
Lizzie, her face pale, leaned against a table, looking at the door as if it might open and let in the answers they desperately wanted. "How long has it been?...3 months?...6 months?"
Kitty, her tail twitching uneasily, crossed her arms. "We need to know what happened to them…We need to find out if they're okay."
Bunny nodded, her usual lighthearted nature gone. "Yeah…We definitely do."
At that, Alistair hit them all with reality, "I agree with you all…However, it's really not safe to go back there…And even if we want to, we can't…Queen's orders and all…"
Yes, they are safe in Wonderland…But they can't say the same for their friends from Ever After...
Ever After
In the desolate land of Ever After, Nina had survived. However, the price she paid was steep. To evade the infected, she had stayed in her miniature form, small enough to hide away. Alone, she had been left behind, trapped in the world she had once known.
"I wonder if there's anyone left…" she murmured, sitting on the edge of a broken window ledge, staring out at the abandoned remains of Ever After High. She had heard nothing for weeks…Not a single sign from any of her friends. "I couldn't help them…I couldn't save them..." She wiped the tears from her eyes, feeling the sting of helplessness. "I wonder where you all are now…"
She had always been brave before but now, she was filled with nothing but fear and regret. She didn't even know if the others were alive anymore…Or if they had managed to escape this nightmare.
Hollow Hood
Back in Hollow Hood, Cerise and her sister, Ramona, lay together, their bodies extremely weak from starvation. They were among the unlucky ones. The infection had ravaged their family and they've lost everything.
Cerise's bloodshot eyes, a sure sign of infection, fluttered, her strength all but gone.
The same can be said for Ramona as she's barely able to speak with her face twisted in agony. The infection had already taken hold and it was only a matter of time.
Neverland
Neverland made the mistake of underestimating the infection.
A single infected individual had somehow stumbled past the land border between Ever After and Neverland, its crazed, infected screams echoing through the trees as it attacked the guards at the border.
The guards, unprepared for such an attack, fell one by one to the infected individual. It was only a matter of time as the infection spread beyond the border with the atmosphere turning chaotic. The once peaceful land was now tainted with screams and the sounds of violent struggles. The Neverland border guards fought valiantly, but it was clear the infection was spreading faster than anyone could stop it.
28 Days Later…
The Port of Neverland is in chaos. The infected ran wild, their shrieks filling the air as they tore through the port, overrunning anything in their path. The gates to the port were breached and the infection spread like wildfire.
In the distance, Captain Hook's ship appeared on the horizon…
And it wasn't any better there. The crew, now all infected, moved with jerky, unnatural movements.
There is no salvation to be found here. Neverland, like Ever After, is lost...
