Dandys World: T.B.O.T.G. (infection Au)

Chapter 1: A New Nightmare

The sun had risen, casting long shadows through the dense forest as the group of toons huddled together at the edge of the cliff. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, their bodies aching from the frantic escape. The horror of the night still clung to them like a dark cloud, refusing to dissipate even with the arrival of daylight.

Rodger, now the de facto leader, stood at the front, his single eye scanning the horizon. The expanse of forest before them seemed endless, and with each passing moment, the reality of their situation sank in deeper. Dandy was gone, replaced by a monstrous, twisted version of himself. And now, that creature was out there, hunting them.

Poppy, ever the optimist, was the first to speak, though her usual cheer was noticeably absent. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Her bubble head glistened in the morning light, a stark contrast to the fear etched on her face.

Rodger didn't answer immediately. He was still trying to piece together everything that had happened. The ichor—the virus—had transformed Dandy in a way none of them had expected. And if they didn't act quickly, it would only be a matter of time before the infection spread to the rest of them.

"We need to find shelter," Rodger finally said, his voice firm. "Somewhere safe, where we can regroup and figure out our next move. We can't stay out in the open like this."

Teagan, standing close to Toodles, nodded in agreement. The teacup on her head clinked softly as she moved, a stark contrast to the dark thoughts running through her mind. "But where can we go? We're not equipped to survive out here for long."

Vee's screen flickered as she scanned the area. "There's an old maintenance shed about a mile from here. It's small, but it should be secure enough for now."

Rodger nodded. "Good. Let's move quickly. We don't know how much time we have before he comes after us again."

Goob gently lifted Toodles, who was still shaken from the night's events, onto his shoulders. The young toon clung to her father, her 8-ball head quivering as she tried to process everything that had happened. "I want to go home," she whispered, her voice small and filled with fear.

"We will, sweetie," Teagan soothed, though she knew their home was no longer safe. "We just need to stay strong a little longer."

With a collective nod, the group set off, their pace brisk but cautious. The forest was eerily silent, the usual sounds of wildlife conspicuously absent. It was as if the entire forest had sensed the darkness that had been unleashed and had retreated in fear.

As they walked, the memories of the previous night replayed in Rodger's mind. Dandy's transformation, the ichor seeping into his body, the way his eyes had changed... It was all too much, too fast. He had been prepared for the dangers of the ichor in its usual form, but this new strain—this virus—was something entirely different.

He glanced back at the group, taking in their weary expressions. They were all struggling to come to terms with what had happened, and he knew he needed to be strong for them. But the truth was, he was just as scared as they were.

After what felt like hours, they finally reached the maintenance shed. It was a small, nondescript building, its walls weathered and covered in vines. It looked as if it hadn't been used in years, but it would have to do.

Rodger cautiously approached the door and tried the handle. It creaked open, revealing a dark, musty interior. The shed was filled with old tools and equipment, most of which were covered in dust and cobwebs. A few rays of sunlight filtered through the cracks in the walls, casting eerie shadows on the floor.