They were running again. This time, Zak and Darryl ran with them. They all ran with the energy of fear, constantly running as if something else was running after them, which at this point was more than likely.

Tubbo dashed beside Wilbur, feeling the soft grass and sharp rocks beneath his feet as he ran as fast as he could. The sun was creeping up behind them, slowly lighting the sky up. They had no luck with searching the town, not even Zak or Darryl had anything worth taking with them. The group slowed to a stop, Phil surveying them for a moment.

"We should stop and rest." He concluded, turning to look around. The group mumbled in agreement, their legs burning and their lungs heaving from exhaustion. They began to walk around, looking for any form of shelter. They came up to another abandoned house, which surprisingly held up well. It was less destroyed, only a few bricks having fallen from it.

They crept inside, Techno having his spear ready, quickly surveying the entire house. It was small, but it had both an attic and a basement. The basement was huge and dark, so Techno went into it with Phil, who carried a flashlight. When they concluded it was empty, they quickly went back to the first floor.

"Empty. It'll work for a night or two," Techno announced, his voice seeming so sure, but his eyes still flicking around as if something would materialize out of a single speck of dust. At this point, he would almost wish for it. To live in a world where people were constantly dying around you is hard to live in, Tubbo thought.

The group was silent, the only sounds being small concerned whispers Zak and Darryl shared, as well as the sound of shuffling as everyone settled down with their items. Tubbo found a room that had four beds, and was quick to claim one of the bottom ones. He unloaded some items he carried in his backpack, the items including his bee plush, and a blanket that was small and light enough to pack into the small backpack.

With a soft sigh, Tubbo walked out of the room. It's been a whole day since Tommy died, his thoughts whispered in the back of his head. Tubbo took in a shaky breath as he walked to the kitchen, wondering if there was any food he could snatch, or if the oven or microwaves worked.

His shoes clicked when they made contact with the rough tile floor. Despite the voices in the main room of the building, an uncomfortable silence filled the room. Tubbo began to open cabinets, pull out drawers, and try to find as much as he could. In one of the cabinets a dead rat laid, and Tubbo began to wonder how long this house had been abandoned for. He managed to find a box of brownies that had yet to expire, and a can of Spaghettios. At least they werent that awful when they werent heated.

Tubbo was about to turn and call for Tommy, perhaps to share his find, but his eyes widened and he stood there, staring behind him with his mouth slightly open. The knot squeezed itself tighter in his stomach, and he looked to the ground. He lost the appetite he had before, and with a sigh went to the main room.

"I found food, anyone want some?" He asked, his voice threatening to fall. Darryl was the first to pipe up, and he'd been previously worrying over Zak, who's state had worsened.

"Could I get a brownie for Zak? He's not doing so good, I think the has the flu or something." Darryl asked, his face full of hope and concern. Tubbo said nothing, and despite his knowledge of the most possible reasoning for Zak's health, gave Darryl a brownie. Darryl thanked him, turning to Zak and trying to encourage the boy to eat. He had paled more, his eyes dull and his form fragile. Tubbo noticed a spot on his arm, appearing as if some kind of liquid had seeped through his sweater sleeve. Tubbo felt sick, quickly looking away and scurrying to his room. Wilbur shot a worried glance at him, excusing himself from Phil and Techno.

Tubbo sat on his bed, clutching the bee toy. Tears fell softly from his eyes, and he stared at nothing. Wilbur entered the room, spotting him. Worry welled up inside of the older male, and he took a seat beside Tubbo.

"What's wrong?" Wilbur cut straight to the point, hesitantly wrapping his arms around Tubbo. He panicked for a moment when Tubbo began to cry harder, turning to Wilbur and clinging to him. Wilbur traced circles on the boy's back, mumbling to him.

"Shh... Let it all out, I know how hard this must be for you." Wilbur soothed. His thoughts were going quickly, yet they moved at a snail's pace at the same time.

"Y-You don't understand," Tubbo's voice cracked as he choked out words, and he could've swore a flame of rage lit itself, but went out quickly inside of him. Am I becoming a monster? Tubbo thought, fear wrapping its hands around his neck.

"I know I don't, I know. You don't need to explain," Wilbur felt safe, almost like he was chasing the fear away from Tubbo using nothing but words.

They stayed like that for awhile, Tubbo eventually calming down. He fell asleep on Wilbur, and the older gently laid the boy down on his bed, pulling the blanket over him and tucking the bee plush into his arm.

...

Tubbo woke up at around 2am, feeling recharged. He stretched out in his bed, yawning. He swung his feet over the side of the bed, realizing the others were in the room, too. Wilbur slept just across from Tubbo, and Techno was in the bed above him, and Phil was above Wilbur.

Deciding he should finally satisfy his hunger, Tubbo walked into the main room. He went into the kitchen, where he had subconsciously set down the box of brownies and spaghettios before he had his breakdown.

Before he got there, however, he noticed a shadow in the darkness. Squinting, he made out the figure of Zak, who was walking towards him at an oddly fast pace.

"Hey, Zak! What are you doing awake at this time of night?" Tubbo asked, but Zak stayed silent, only creeping towards Tubbo faster.

"Zak...?"

---
A/N
NEXT CHAPTER IS GOING TO BE AMAZING YET AWFUL :)