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This Forsaken World

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode Eighteen: A Little Blood

“Please! We didn't know! I swear we didn't!"

Bang! The scout falls dead in the street, a fresh bullet lodged in his brain. The gathering crowd jump back, startled by the callous murder that April has just committed.

“Wrong answer... You little cocksuckers spent all of your time with Rodge, and I want to know, so I'll ask this again! ... Did you know that this was going to happen?! It's not a difficult question!"

She sidesteps, moving down the line. All of Rodge's former associates kneel before Grey's pool of blood. They look toward their dead friend's body, a new pool gathering beneath his head and slowly spreading. April points her Micro-Uzi in a man's face. Staring into the barrel, he urinates on himself in fear.

“Speak..."

“W-we r-really didn't know!"

Bang! He falls flat on his face, blood pouring out of the new hole she'd made between his eyes. It swiftly pools around his head.

“No!" A woman in the crowd screams.

She pushes her way past the horrified citizens, falling to her knees and crying before the scout's corpse. Why did April have to kill her lover? He never shot Grey.

“Oh, I'm sorry! Were you going to miss him?!" April asks the woman in a mockingly polite tone. “Well, I can fix that!"

Taking aim, she fires a single round, which blows through the woman's head. The crowd jumps away from her, both for their safety and out of fear of the dainty woman who's just murdered three of their own without any hesitation. Some believe they can see a sadistic pleasure in her eyes and her twisted grin as she kills the defenseless people.

“Maybe you fuckers have forgotten?! Maybe you thought that I grew weak after the long journey?! Maybe you thought that because we've found this place, that I was too relaxed and I wasn't going to keep you in line anymore?! ... WELL YOU'RE WRONG!!!" She screams at the top of her lungs.

April suddenly spins, taking aim at Damian's head. He trembles with fear as he stares into the smoking barrel.

“Speak..." She growls.

“O-okay! I-I'll talk."

“Good boy." She grins sinisterly, baring her teeth.

“Rodge said that he wanted to kill Grey and Augustine." He begins.

“... What?!" April's eye grow wide.

Many in the crowd gasp. Though April has terrified them with her violence and bloodlust, the fact that she was remotely justified is even more shocking. None of them realized the evil brewing in Rodge's corrupted heart.

“H-he wanted t-to kill them, to hurt you f-for rejecting him..." Damian admits, staring at April's gun.

“And you weren't going to stop him?! It never crossed your tiny little mind to pass that along?!" She growls.

“We never thought he was serious!" Damian insists.

“Rodge talks a lot of shit!" Another adds.

April swiftly cracks her Micro-Uzi across the other scout's face, cutting his brow with the blades of her front sight.

“I wasn't asking you!"

Pointing the barrel back in Damian's face, the men loyal to April, who stand on either side of him, move away. They fully expect her to murder him too. After learning that Rodge admitted a desire to kill young Augustine, a nice, polite and soft-spoken child, most are probably hoping for it. Kneeling down, April pushes the hot barrel against his nose, burning the dark flesh of the bunny Voeldahn's nostril. He winces through the pain, but does not cry out.

“Next question... Did Rodge have any accomplices? Or did I just take care of them? Remember; I hate liars..."

“A-April?" A voice calls out from the crowd.

Turning her head and glancing over her shoulder, April looks back at the voice who so fretfully calls out to her. Standing beside an anxious looking soldier is a man. Feline in appearance, he has the colorations of a cheetah; his teenage daughter watches him in stunned silence as her father inches closer.

“Rodge... H-he..."

“Yes?" April calmly asks.

“He robbed me of food, and threatened to rape my daughter if I didn't give him what he wanted. He wasn't alone..." The father begins.

“Go on."

“He had that big guy with him. The one with the black fur and yellow paint on his arms."

“Thank you... I'll see that you're reimbursed." April replies.

Turning back, she glares at Damian, who has the most petrified look on his face. It's as though he's lost every bargaining chip he had, and he knows it.

“The next time anyone even thinks about robbing, raping, hurting or murdering anybody in my tribe, you go to a scout or you stop them yourself... I don't care who's responsible. If I ever find out that anyone sat by and allowed shit like this to happen again... I'll kill you and your whole fucking family for being complacent! Is that understood?!" She screams to the crowd.

“Yes, April!"

The voices of the crowd reply almost in unison. Damian and his two remaining scouts don't disappoint her either, nodding and agreeing, as they know that their lives depend on it.

“Good... Now where's the other one? What's his name?"

“Kane?" Damian clarifies.

“Yes, Kane. Where is he?"

“We really don't know!" Damian pleads.

Grabbing hold of Damian's snout with her free hand, the claw of April's middle finger hovers over his eye. It waves slowly, as if she's contemplating gouging it out of the socket.

“... Are you sure about that?"

She speaks in a frighteningly sweet tone, a little smile on her face. Damian blinks as she gently pokes his eye ball with her claw.

“I-I'm sure! Kane was gay for Rodge; he left to look for him! Maybe he saw his body and ran off?!"

“You aren't protecting him, are you? Maybe I should take one of these, just to make sure..." She grins wide, baring her teeth.

“He's not even my friend! I actually hate him! He's threatened to rape my girlfriend, too!" Damian insists.

April's eyes narrow, scanning the black furred, rabbit man. He trembles like a leaf; his fearful eyes, which stare at her readied claw, beg her not to hurt or kill him. She can see that if he was going to lie, he's long ago lost the courage to do so; he's not deceiving her.

“Hmph!" She whimpers, rising to her feet. “It's too bad you weren't more useful... Kill Kane on sight, because we know he's going to be a problem!" She instructs her men.

“Yes, April!" They reply.

“What about them?" A loyal scout asks.

April looks over Damian and the remaining two, pausing to think.

“Grey's still alive... So, I'll spare the three of you, for his sake."

“Oh, thank you, April! Thank you!" They exclaim.

Falling on their faces like whipped slaves, the bound men proclaim their loyalty, fearful that anything less will earn them a bullet in the head.

“Don't thank me. If Grey dies, so do you..."

Turning to face her troops and the large crowd, April scans her troops. Some of them look quite appalled by her behavior, but many more seem amused by the suffering she's inflicted. This is what happens when most of your tribe is formed from the captured remnants of your slaughtered enemies. Luckily for April, the fearful see the respect she's earned from the former raiders by her public show of force; it's bred a morbid admiration. No one dares to challenge her leadership now.

“Find Rodge's boyfriend and bring him back here if you can. Otherwise, if he fights too much, just kill him and bring me his severed head." She calmly and coldly instructs.

“Yes, April!"

“And get rid of these carcasses; I don't want my town stinking of their shit."

With naught but a word, several men sling their rifles and rush toward the corpses. In front of the frightened citizens, many of whom have enjoyed several months of peace, safety and prosperity within April's tribe, they strip the bodies of weapons and valuables as if they were typical highwaymen. With her Micro-Uzi in hand, April walks away from the group, pausing only to glance at Tyson. Holstering her weapon, she stares with icy blue eyes.

“With my little bear hurt, I want you to lead the search. Check the whole town. When you're done, you know where I'll be..."

“Alright." Tyson nods.

Slowly opening his eyes, a weakened Grey feels the effects of the dated drugs flowing through his system. Glancing down, he watches with a dazed shock as Dr. Shaw coaches Havana, guiding her through the suturing of his wounded leg. The albino mouse Voeldahn works diligently to close his injury, which the doctor has since checked and thoroughly cleaned. The pink flesh of her furless hands are stained with his blood. Whatever was in the clear fluid that Dr. Shaw injected him with, he can't feel the needle and thread, at least not in its entirety. Lifting his head for a better look, the doctor and nurse realize that he's awake.

“Damn. I was hoping it would last longer. I suppose that's what happens when you use thirty-year-old anesthetic." Dr. Shaw remarks.

“How... How bad is it?" Grey asks in gruff, weakened voice.

“It was almost a through-and-through. I found the bullet just beneath your skin, at the back of your leg; I cut it out fairly easily. It missed your arteries and there was only mild tissue damage. You're extraordinarily lucky. With any more luck, your properly cleaned wound won't infect, but I'll put you on more antibiotics anyway; I know April would want that." Dr. Shaw explains.

“And I'm almost done here!" Havana chirps. “Just a few more stitches..."

“You're doing a good job." Dr. Shaw praises the mouse.

“Thanks!" She grins.

Turning her pink eyes toward Grey, they narrow in a subtle but off-putting way. Watching her steady hand as she pushes the needle through his pinched skin, Dr. Shaw's rounded ears shift. Grey and Havana turn their heads, the mouse Voeldahn pausing as they hear April calling out to him. Inside of the hallway, Augustine stops her mother, who begs her daughter for details about Grey's status. The old otter is quick to depart, leaving the human alone in the room with the white furred mouse woman.

“Doctor! Please tell me you have good news!" April whimpers.

“Relax! Just have a seat." He instructs.

“Oh no..." April's voice quivers.

Hearing her fear as she prepares herself for the worst, Grey tries to call out. He feels a weakness in him and is unable to cry out to her. As he listens to Dr. Shaw explaining how clean the injury was, Grey feels something. A chill runs up his spine and a knot forms in the pit of his stomach as he turns his eyes toward the nurse who's finished sewing his wound. To his surprise, she leans closer to his face, staring at him with startling intensity.

“It's nice to see you again." She coos, a strange tone in her voice.

“Uh, yeah... You too."

“It'd be nice if you had to stay here for a night."

Grey furls his brow at her remark. The tension is overwhelming as she leans even closer. Grey pulls back, shifting atop the table where he lay. Why is he so uncomfortable around Havana? When he met her on the road, she never seemed so unnerving; she was sweet and psychically stunning. What's changed? Havana's eyes turn away from his face, her lips curling around her snout in the most lustful of grins as she sweeps his form. Her pink orbs land on the bulge in his underwear, before returning to the wound she was stitching. She pats his legs with her crimson stained hand, giving him a gentle squeeze.

Thinking back to his one and only dream of her, the feeling in the pit of his stomach grows worse. For a moment, he briefly wonders if it might not have been a dream at all, but seeing the innocence of her presence as she sits quietly beside him, he shakes it off. How preposterous of him to think that she would abuse him while he lay wounded, potentially dying of a serious infection. She doesn't seem capable of such a horrendous act. However, it doesn't change the fact that if he could walk, he'd gladly leave the clinic right away, fleeing the uncomfortable aura that floods the room.

“Oh, thank God!" April loudly exclaims.

Turning his head, Grey struggles to lift himself on his elbows, focusing on the door. Shuffling boots quickly thump in the hall, racing for the door. As he waits, he feels a hand grab him. Quickly turning, Havana gives his covered genitals a little squeeze as she rises to her feet, looking expectantly at the door. A startled Grey looks at the nurse, who only turns her eyes toward him for a second, the corners of her lips rising slightly.

“Little bear!" April exclaims, bursting through the door.

“Hey, sugar." He speaks in a soft voice.

Turning his head, he smiles at his lover as she bounds into the room, followed quickly by Augustine and Dr. Shaw.

“All done?" The doctor asks.

“Yeah. I'm almost through with him." Havana replies.

“Good work. Go wash those hands and then we'll take stock of the medicine." He instructs. “I need to find Grey some more antibiotics."

The old doctor follows the nurse out of the room, leaving the two women to spend time with his patient. Leaning over the table, April throws her arms around Grey's neck, kissing his face and forcing him back. Were he not still weakened from the numbing injection, he'd be more apt to sit up and return her affection. Instead, however, he can only bend an arm, draping it across her back and softly nuzzling her in return. A curious Augustine walks around the table, passing above him as she takes her place at his other side. After giving her mother a kiss, Grey turns his attention to the twelve-year-old girl. Hopping up and sitting atop the table, she smiles warmly and scoots closer.

“I'm so glad you're okay, little bear! I was so scared!" April whimpers.

“How are you feeling?" Augustine asks.

“I'm fine... A little weak." He speaks softly.

“You'll get well soon. I don't mind taking care of you until then." April coos.

“Thanks, sugar... Hey, Augustine." He reaches out a hand to her.

“Yeah?"

“I'm sorry... I failed you..." He says, taking hold of her hand.

“What?!" April gasps in shock.

“You didn't fail me!" Augustine retorts.

“I did..." He insists. “If I'd seen this coming... If I was wearing my holster, I might've taken care of Rodge myself. Instead, you had to shoot him. I never wanted you to have to do something like that."

Hearing his words, April turns toward her daughter. In her fear over Grey's health, she never questioned how Rodge died; she never even examined his body. It's news to her that her daughter is responsible for saving her lover.

“It's not a big deal." Augustine retorts.

“Killing is always a big deal. It takes a piece out of you, Augustine, each and every time. Trust me... I never wanted that for you. I should've been more careful; it's my fault."

“You didn't do anything wrong." April insists.

“Yeah! Rodge tried to kill you. I'm just glad I saw it coming and did something." Augustine adds.

“Me too. Good job, sweetheart."

April slips an arm around her daughter's body, pulling her closer and kissing her head.

“I wasn't going to let him take my new dad away from me. I don't want to have to find another one." She remarks.

She smiles as if she were teasing him, but the sentiment still touches Grey. Already warmed by her daughter's remark, the knowledge of Augustine's actions fill April with pride. Lying back on the table, Grey rests as the two women sit around him, a white tigress on each side of him. April shifts, stretching out atop the table and partially lying beside him. Looking over her lover, Grey seems despondent. His anguish weighs heavily on her; she'd do anything to take his pain away.

“Don't worry, little bear." April softly kisses his cheek. “I'm taking care of everything."

“What do you mean? Rodge is dead." Grey looks perplexed.

“I wasn't going to let this go, not with you hurt, so I did a little digging."

“What did you do, mom?" An uneasy Augustine asks.

“I asked them questions... Very forcefully." April replies.

Turning his head, Grey's eyes scan her face. She smiles quite innocently, but he's certain that she's done something horrible. How he'd love for her to change her ways and continue to be good... However, the fact that she's done something for him, out of her immense love and adoration, is still heartwarming. Torn by his own emotions, Grey can only remain supportive of her. After all, for all the time he'd spent on the road before the voice came to him, he can't ever judge her. He's also grown attached; he loves her too much. Leaning in, he kisses April lovingly on her lips, her smile growing wider as she returns his affection.

Resting his head against the old pillow, Grey turns his eyes toward Augustine. The girl smiles so warmly, still holding onto his hand. Her mother leans in, nuzzling his face and laying against him, closing her eyes and becoming comfortable.

“I guess you'll be resting for a little while, huh?" Augustine asks.

“You're probably going to win all the races for a few days." Grey grins.

“We can always do something else! We never finished Huck Finn."

“I don't suppose you know any card games, do you?" He asks.

“No, but I can learn." Augustine replies.

“I know my way around a deck." April interjects.

“Alright!" Dr. Shaw suddenly exclaims.

Augustine turns toward the voice, and April shifts, sitting up on the table. Her legs hang over the edge as she sits up, watching Dr. Shaw as he enters the room, Havana walking behind him.

“Here's a bottle of antibiotics. He'll need to take each pill, twice a day, starting now." He instructs, handing April the bottle.

“Of course! When can he come home?" April asks.

Havana's narrowed eyes turn toward Grey, who dutifully swallows the medication, her faint but lustful smile returning to her face.

“The tissue damage was minimal, but he should rest his leg for a day or two before moving around. He can stay here un-"

“No!" Grey suddenly exclaims.

“Little bear?"

“I uh... I'd rather just go home right away... I'd be more comfortable at home, with my girls." He replies.

“Aww! Well, if you have to stay here, I'll just stay with you, like last time!" April chirps.

“Me too!" Augustine adds.

“No, no. I can make it back home." He insists, pushing himself upright on the table.

“Are you sure?" April asks.

“Yeah, I'm sure."

“Alright. We'll go whenever you're ready, little bear."

“I don't know if that's such a good idea." Dr. Shaw remarks.

“He wants to come home... He's coming home." April growls.

Glaring at the doctor, he views the biting fire in her eyes, and realizes that there's no arguing with her. Her love for the human, bordering on obsession, is plain to see; he's never witnessed her listen to anyone as she listens to Grey. Though he hasn't seen or heard of what she's done yet, Dr. Shaw has a healthy fear of his leader. As an early addition, one of the first to join her tribe after she left Coalton in her search for Grey, he's never seen her personally assault or murder anyone without provocation. Having spoken to many of Coalton's survivors, and knowing what she's capable of, Dr. Shaw relents.

With a nod of his head, he releases Grey from his care, asking him to stay only long enough for the doctor to find a set of old crutches, to aid him in walking and relieving the stress on his leg. Collected from a storage room, he bandages Grey's leg to protect the stiches before returning his blood-soaked pants.

“Don't worry, little bear! I'll fix those for you!" April chirps, hugging the human tightly.

“Thanks, sugar. Ready to go?" He asks.

“Mhm!"

With his filthy pants covering him, Grey leans on his crutches, taking a moment to get his bearings. Once he's ready, April and Augustine accompany him into the hallway, staying on either side and moving at his pace. Reaching the front door, he hobbles outside, thankful to be away from the choking tension within the clinic. He already feels more at peace. Moving slowly through the streets and toward Searchlight Tower, Augustine grows concerned. She sees how the citizens of Searchlight watch them; their fearful gazes are focused upon April. What has her mother done to inherit such looks? It wasn't long ago that her people viewed her with an almost motherly respect.

“Why is everyone looking at you like that, mom?"

“Like what, sweetheart?"

“They look petrified. What happened, while I was in the clinic?" Grey asks.

“Oh, I just had to kill a few people." April casually replies.

Augustine closes her eyes and sighs, herself growing fearful that her mother will return to her old ways.

“You did what?!" Grey pauses.

Though he already had his suspicions, the confirmation still disturbs him.

“I needed to find out if there was a conspiracy. What if more were coming after us? Besides, they clearly needed the lesson."

“... Who did you kill?" Grey asks.

“Two scouts from Rodge's group, and some bitch that was with one of them... What?"

Grey doesn't speak, but she can see the disappointment on his face. Realizing that she may have upset or displeased him, a wash of shame and embarrassment overwhelms her.

“Th-they're just adjusting! They'll be alright, little bear!" April nervously insists.

Her sad brow and glossy eyes look up at him so pitifully. Turning on his crutches, Grey leans on his good leg, taking his hand from a crutch and resting it on April's shoulder. He pulls her in, hugging his lover tightly. Kissing her cheek, she wraps her arms around his body as he nuzzles her face.

“It's okay. I'm not mad at you." He speaks softly, into her ear.

“You're not?" She sheepishly asks.

“No, sugar."

“Oh... I'm glad."

“Do you remember when I first called you sugar?" He asks, still holding her.

“Of course!" April chirps.

“Augustine found the bag of white sugar, when she was figuring out what was in the spice cabinet. It was hard as a rock at first, but I broke it into a powder and tasted it. It became soft, and it was very sweet. It's just like you, April."

“Aww, Grey!" She sniffles.

“Please... Stay that way. You don't need to be so hard."

Hearing his words, April now feels a tinge of guilt for killing the two scouts and the heartbroken woman. Resting her chin on his shoulder, she suddenly wonders if any of them have family who're crying over their loss. These are things that never bothered her before, but Grey causes her to pause. He's the angel on her shoulder, constantly keeping her devil at bay. April sniffles again, nodding her head. She pulls away, turning her eyes up and staring into his. With a little smile, he takes a hand and rests it upon her cheek, carefully brushing away the solitary tear that escapes one of her eyes. He comforts her with a tender kiss.

Finally releasing his love, Grey takes hold of the crutch beneath his left arm, and the trio continue to walk slowly and methodically back to Searchlight Tower. It's a long walk, but a pleasant one. Reaching the tower, they all prepare themselves. Though power has been restored, the lack of maintenance has left the elevator too dangerous to use; the stairs are still their only option. Climbing the steps is an arduous task, but Grey manages it. Slowly but surely, he reaches each landing, before April opens the door to the fifth-floor penthouse. Plopping down on the couch, Grey sets aside his crutches.

“Alright! Take off those pants." April casually demands.

“On the couch, huh? Who's on top?" He smirks.

Augustine giggles, watching her mother and the human.

“Take off your pants, so I can wash them... Smart ass." April grins.

Heading into the kitchen, Augustine, begins preparing an early dinner. As the little family's unofficial chef, she has free reign over their food and limited spices. Meanwhile, April uses the bathroom hand pump to siphon water from the basin of the toilet, using a bucket and old soap to scrub out the dried blood from Grey's black jeans. After cleaning his pants, she takes a seat beside him on the couch and sews the bullet hole shut, before hanging them to dry near an opened window. As Augustine finishes cooking, portioning the food onto several plates, there's a knock at the door.

Having long ago reclaimed Tyson's key so that she could give it to Grey, April answers the door, her Micro-Uzi in hand. Standing alone, Tyson waves innocently to her. Holstering her weapon, she allows him inside. The red fox Voeldahn sees the pantless Grey sitting on the couch in naught but his underwear, a very visible bandage wrapping his left leg, just above the knee.

“Hey, Grey. How're you feeling?" He asks.

“Hi, Tye. I feel like I got shot in the leg." Grey chuckles.

“Makes sense." Tyson remarks.

“Do you have news for us?" April asks.

“Er... Sort of..." Tyson nervously scratches behind his ears. “I did like you said; we searched the whole town. Everyone let us check their houses, and the empty ones were searched too."

“And?!" She asks excitedly.

“Kane's gone..."

“... What?" Her voice takes on a familiar and icy monotone.

“He must've slipped away before we found out where he was hiding. He's gone, and so is his stuff that he had where him and Rodge were staying. Damian and the other scouts ratted him out faster than a lightning bolt after what happened earlier, so we checked there first." Tyson explains.

“God damnit!" April growls, balling a first.

“Relax, sugar. He did his best, right, Tye?"

“Of course!" Tyson chirps.

April looks at Grey, her rage swiftly subdued by his presence. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and unclenches her fist as she slowly exhales.

“Fine... You did good, Tyson..." She speaks softly. “Go back home, but remind the men that if they see Kane again, to kill him on sight."

“Of course! Thanks, April. I hope you feel better, Grey."

“See you later, buddy." Grey waves.

Tyson quickly takes his leave, and the family resumes where they'd left off. They carry out an almost routine behavior, eating their dinner and spending time together watching television, using the power generated by the sun and the wind before night falls. Once dusk draws near, they continue some dramatic reading, as they'd done with Treasure Island. Once it's dark enough to require oil lamps and homemade candles, Augustine retreats to her room to lay in bed and listen to music. Meanwhile, April and Grey return to their own room. Lying in bed together, Grey wraps his arms around her, holding April's nude form against his unclothed body as the couple relax.

“What do you think happened to Kane?" He suddenly asks.

“I don't know, and I don't care. So long as he's gone, and I still have you, I'm happy." She replies.

“I love you, sugar."

“I love you too, little bear."

Looking over her shoulder at her lover, Grey leans in for a kiss. April reaches back as their lips caress, resting a clawed hand upon his face. Pulling his arms tighter around her slender form, he rests a hand over one of her ample breasts, giving the fur covered globe a little squeeze. April coos, moaning softly into their kiss as she pushes her perky butt against his pelvis, feeling his flesh against her body. A familiar sensation causes her to groan as his engorged manhood finds its way beneath her tail and between her toned legs, pressing gently against her loins. Breathing heavily, April ends their kisses, staring into his eyes.

“Are you sure you're up for it?" April asks in a whisper, genuinely concerned for his well-being.

Leaning in, Grey kisses her lips again, slipping her a bit of tongue.

“I'm fine, sugar. You take all of the pain away." He grins.

“Aww, Grey!"

“You liked that one, huh?" He chuckles.

“Of course, little bear."

“I wanted to be just sweet enough to get you going, but not make you sick."

“You don't need to say sweet things to get me going, little bear, and you could never make me sick. All you have to do is look at me, and I'm yours. One touch is enough... But I still love hearing it! You're such a romantic!" She chirps.

“I have my moments." He grins.

Sharing a few more, very passionate kisses, Grey takes his hand from her breast, resting it on her thigh. Guiding her into position, April arches her back, preparing herself. Though she always tries, it's always futile. Panting as she feels him grinding against her, her eyes bulge and she gasps, her voice briefly stolen as he penetrates her.

“NNG... Hhf. I, hhf, love you, hhf, sugar." He speaks into her ear.

Kissing her cheek and neck, he gives her a few thrusts, pushing himself deeper and deeper into her taut loins.

“Agh! I love you, nngf, too! Nngf! So much, hhf, little bear. Hhf, ahh!" April squeals.

April grips her lover's right thigh with one hand and the bedsheet with the other. With narrowed eyes, her eyelids weighed down by her pleasure, she stares toward a window in the bedroom, looking at the stars in the sky as her body sways with his thrusts. A bolt of purplish-blue lightning streaks the sky, and a distant thunderclap rumbles the ground. Looking into the sky, two teenage boys walk through the swamp and back to their house, eager to beat the storm. Having stayed out far too late hunting gators, the boys dash for their ramshackle home.

“Ma! Pa! We back!" They call out.

Bursting through the front door, they find nothing. An empty home greets them, and a tiny fire is nearly dead in the cobblestone fireplace.

“Ma? Pa? Lil' Abi?" One boy calls out.

“Where they be, Ferb?"

“I dunno, Tig..."

The loud thunderclap startles the boys, both of whom jump and look back at the opened door. The storm finally catches them, the rain pouring down outside. Closing themselves inside, they search the tiny cabin, scouring the few rooms with rifles in hand. Their kid sister and parents are nowhere to be found. Standing in the back storeroom, near the rear door, Tig looks for a note, hoping for any clue as to their family's whereabouts. Perhaps Mama Fi called a meeting and they've missed it? A bolt of lightning illuminates the field behind the house as Ferb happens to be looking through a window.

“MA! PA! LIL' ABI!" Ferb screeches in horror, dropping his rifle.

A startled Tig swirls around, just in time to see his brother's tail disappearing through the now opened door. Following his brother, Tig freezes, dropping his rifle into the mud. Swinging from the branch of a strong and ancient willow tree are the remnants of his parents and little sister. Snapping out of his horrified daze, Tig catches up to Ferb, who hugs the bloodied and mutilated corpse of his brutalized mother. Her wounds are horrific; she appears to have been torn to shreds by a monster. The young, teenage boys are further revolted by the state of their sister, who's clearly suffered a fate worse than death, before also suffering death as well.

“Who did this?!" A heartbroken Tig cries.

After weeping in the thunderstorm, beside the bodies that sway so gracefully from the tree branch, the boys search the corpses for clues. They immediately find a little note pinned to their kid sister's corpse; a needle stuck through a particular part of her body holds the clue. Carefully removing the note, they discover that it's a postcard from a store, depicting the town of Searchlight.

“Them bastards!" Tig shouts.

“We got's ta tell Mama Fi 'bout this!" Ferb insists.