Chapter Text
Without a continuous flow of newfound supplies from the warehouses, the survivors’ food supply began to dwindle, and Tommy couldn’t help but notice how their meals were steadily getting smaller. The fires they set at the docks were still burning, raging across the south end of the city. The air became even darker, now clouded with thick, billowing smoke. Niki insisted that the boys wear masks to protect them from the smog, though she was continuously fighting with Techno and Wilbur to do the same. For days, Tommy and Tubbo had not been allowed to run missions, and everyone was still trying to get used to having Ranboo around. Finally, the three were given a mission.
Phil stood against the concrete wall from which a map of the city hung. Crossed out with a thick red marker was the area burned by the fire. One building near the south end was circled by a bright yellow highlighter.
“This is the south end supermarket.” Phil said pointing to the circled building. “We’ve estimated it will be burned to the ground in a few days.” Tommy grimaced as he remembered all the supplies that had been lost to the fire he and Tubbo had started. “We need you three to strip the place of all the supplies you can find. Without setting it on fire.”
“We got this.” Tommy said confidently.
“Mhm.” Phil mumbled.
As the three walked through the main section of the bunker, Niki called to them, waving something above her head.
“Hey guys! I made these for you.” She said, holding out three reusable face masks. “We’re almost out of disposable ones.” She added.
“Thanks Niki.” Ranboo said, taking the mask, then he recognized the half black, half white pattern. “Oh come on! It was one time!” He called after Niki as she darted back into the kitchen giggling.
“You’re stuck with it now big man.” Tubbo said as he brushed past Ranboo, putting on his green and yellow striped mask. Once all three of them had climbed into the truck, Tubbo set off for the south side of the city. Columns of black smoke drifted past the skyscrapers as they drove through the abandoned streets. Every now and then they’d catch a glimpse of orange flames.
When they arrived at the super market, they were met only by a few zombies straggling around the entrance. Apparently they still had enough brains to know they needed to move away from the fire. A few blocks down, the fire raged, tongues of flame licking high into the gray sky.
Tommy cautiously climbed out of the truck. The zombies paid him no mind. The super market was situated on the bottom floor of an apartment complex. Tommy crept across the street, Tubbo and Ranboo at his heels. After forcing the automatic doors open, the boys were free to roam about the supermarket without fear of zombies. All the fruits and vegetables in the produce section had long since rotted, white and green mold growing everywhere. They steered clear of that section as it emitted a horrid stench. Soon, they came to an aisle of canned foods. They stripped the shelves, dumping the cans into several large bags. They searched the rest of the store, wandering up and down the aisles.
“We’re gonna have so much fucking food!” Tommy exclaimed. “I bet-“
“Shh.”
“Did you just shush me Ranboob?” Tommy hit Ranboo in the arm.
“I thought I heard something.” Ranboo said, glancing around the store.
“Yeah, we’ll I didn’t. Hey look! They’ve got candy!” Tommy shouted, rushing over to the candy aisle.
After Tubbo and Tommy had eaten their fill of gummy bears and skittles, they began to load the rest of it into the already bulging bags.
“Wait,” Tubbo paused, “Did you hear that?”
“See! I’m not the only one!”
“You two are hearing shit.” Tommy said, going back to stuffing his pockets with candy.
A cry rang out through the store.
“What the fuck was that!” Tommy shouted, jumping to his feet.
“I told you I heard something!” Tubbo shouted back.
“That’s not a fucking zombie! What the hell is in here with us now!”
“I don’t know, it- where’s Ranboo?” Tubbo glanced around.
“Ranboo!” Tommy called.
“Ranboo?”
“Ranboo!”
“Will you two be quiet!” Ranboo whispered loudly. “I think it’s upstairs.” They crept to the back of the store, climbing the stairs to the apartments above it. Soft cries emanated from the door at the end of the hall. The continued down the hallway. A zombie moaned as they passed one door and Tommy flinched away. When they reached the last door, they found it locked.
“Now what?” Tubbo asked.
Tommy pulled a thin piece of metal from his pocket, inserting it into the lock and twisting it around. After a few such twists, the door creaked open.
“Where the fuck did you learn to do that?” Tubbo asked, surprised.
Tommy slid the piece of metal back into his pocket without answering. Ranboo brushed past him into the apartment. He immediately backed up, noticing the large cracks in the ceiling and huge chunks of drywall that had fallen to the floor. After a particularly loud whimper, Ranboo started into the apartment again. The noise was coming from a door with the name “Micheal” written on it in a child’s handwriting. Ranboo pushed open the door to find a kid, not much older than four, trapped under a particularly large piece of drywall. The side of his face was bloody, his pink hair was tangled and matted, and he was clearly on the brink of starvation. The child whimpered as Ranboo crouched beside him.
“Are you Micheal?” Ranboo asked gently.
The child nodded and pointed to his leg.
“I know, I know, we’re gonna get you out. Tubbo, can you help me?”
Tubbo crouched next to Ranboo, helping him to lift the heavy debris. Once free, the child let out a whimper of relief, curling into a ball, clutching his leg. Ranboo picked him up gently. Micheal clutched his black hoodie, crying silently. They returned downstairs and after collecting the bags, crossed the street again to their truck. The zombies had cleared out as the fire had moved to just a block away, and the heat could be felt even from the truck.
Tommy drove in order to let Tubbo sit in the back and slowly feed Micheal skittles as he sat on Ranboo’s lap.
“Y’know,” Tommy said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Phil’s gonna be awfully surprised when we get back.”