Welcome to the world of Stuffed Haven, where plushies are more than just toys—they’re warriors, protectors, and survivors. In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, KoonKoon, Momo, and their brave band of stuffed animals have one mission: to protect the little ones and keep hope alive. But when whispers of a traitor within their sanctuary emerge, their fragile safety is shattered. Who can they trust? And who is the mysterious ‘Him’ pulling the strings from the shadows?

Join KoonKoon and his friends as they face dangers far greater than their stitched seams and button eyes were ever meant to handle. Adventure, mystery, and heart await in a story that will change the way you see stuffed animals forever.

This is the second post in KoonKooon’s adventure in the zombie apocalypse.  Post # 1, the beginning to the story is the post 63 Days In.  

Previously on KLC’s The Fluffy Dead…

Dean cleared his throat and began his story. As he did, the boys saw it all in their heads. 

Dean and Cassie entered the superstore stealthily through a narrow gap in the automotive department. They looked to their left and to their right. There didn’t seem to be any threat nearby, but the superstore was huge. They chose this store because most of the entrances had been reasonably secured once they had a go at fortifying it. It didn’t seem like there were many people left in this part of Hemet. 

“Ok, Cassie, let’s head straight to Market and get whatever we can carry back, a quick grab job, then let’s get back,” Dean said in a hushed tone. 

Cassie nodded and they set off, trying to ignore the eerie sense of potential peril that loomed in the dark nothingness surrounding them. They were slow-moving, which was as much due to caution as it was due to their tiny little legs. They often found themselves startled by sudden noises, unsure whether they were real or just a trick of their imagination.

“There isn’t much left, Cassie said as they entered into the secret space. They had hallowed out a space in the shelving, with the help of other team members during the beginning of the evacuation. Most of the panicked masses started to fade out because they had made the mistake of going to the most popular and well-stocked place in town. There were plenty of supplies, yes, but the problem was that everyone had the same idea. Clearly, the Zombie Survival Guide did not sell enough copies. Max Brooks was an absolute genius. 

The hollowed space was almost invisible if you didn’t know it was there. Almost like a perception filter or the Room of Requirement, it was there for them whenever they needed it. They loaded up the sacks they were carrying and headed to the toy aisle. There was a little car waiting, like the Jeep they used to get around on runs. The animals used the car to get around between aisles because the store was so massive, even by human standards. The only opening to the store was just enough to fit the smallest of animals, so they had to carry the sacks back on their own. The car cut travel time between departments down incredibly though. 

They hopped in the car and set off. Soon enough they had reached the first aid aisle and like the other aisle, they had a secret stash here as well. They stepped inside and Cassie was about to set down her bag when someone grabbed her and pulled her backwards. She tried to yelp but there was a hand over her mouth. Dean jumped at once and then stopped. Cassie was released and she turned around. It was just Bobby, an older and mostly grumpy stuffed animal who usually preferred to do his missions alone. Although he was very kind deep down, he didn’t like people to know it, or at least not without a healthy dose of sarcasm. 

“I’m sorry Cassie, Dean but shhhh”, he said, as he indicated that they should listen. 

They both turned, sat down, and listened. At first, they didn’t hear anything but then they heard a mild whispering that eventually formed itself into stifled words. 

“He’s getting restless. He wants to know about the animal camp at the nursery,” came an unfamiliar voice. “He wants more surveillance, and he wants to make the humans pay”. 

Dean and Cassie exchanged worried glances; they were talking about Stuffed Haven, their own base. Who were these guys, he turned to Cassie but stopped when he heard another, softer, voice. 

“Isn’t it enough that we have a spy on the inside? I don’t understand the urgency”, the voice said. 

Dean didn’t need to meet Cassie’s gaze to see the horror these words inspired. A spy in their own camp? He shuddered and was about to turn to the others to strategize an escape when they heard a familiar sound that made their hearts drop in their little stuffed chests. They looked up and sure enough, it was Nambi. She was their beautiful bear friend from London. She must have followed them here from the base. Nambi was almost done with her training but wasn’t cleared for missions yet. She must have been restless; she was always too eager to go on her first run. 

She was about to approach the strange stuffed animals and stopped at the sight of them. 

The strange animals started at her appearance and were caught off guard by her genuine and friendly hello. 

Before they could recover, Dean and Cassie jumped out of hiding and put themselves between Nambi and the strangers.

“Hello,” Dean said calmly. “We don’t know who you are, but clearly you know about us. We don’t want any trouble now. We just want to get our friend and get out of here; we won’t be giving you any problems, we are just going to go”, he said. 

“Wait right there, you’re not going anywhere, we’re just getting to know each other”, growled a grumpy-looking owl. 

“I said we aren’t going to have any trouble, so relax there Hedwig”, Dean said sarcastically, smirking as the owl huffed. “Me and my friends here are going to get our stuff and go”, Dean said and backed away slowly. 

“Dean, why do you aggravate the animal so?”, Cassie asked bemusedly. 

The owl lunged at Dean for the sarcastic remark and Dean fought him off as the other animals on both sides tried to pull the two apart. Bobby grabbed both animals by the ears. “Knock it off you idjits,” Bobby said gruffly to both. 

The owl opened his mouth to retort when a scary noise like a foghorn came out of nowhere. Bobby grabbed Nambi and pulled her into the storage space. A younger little bunny, from the other group jumped in as well, obviously scared. 

“Oh no it’s him”‘ one of the strange animals said, obviously very afraid. One of the strangers bumped the shelf and something huge fell down. It was a humidifier or some sort of similar machine. It was blocking Nambi, Bobby, and the little bunny inside the storage space. All animals tried earnestly to move the blockage, but they could not budge the item. The noise came again, and it was clear that the animal strangers were afraid. 

All of the strangers ran towards the noise, it seemed as if they were propelled by fear of this “He” they had overheard mentioned. 

“No, Chrissa come back, he will be angry!” The cry came from the surly owl. 

He was yelling at another animal who was sprinting away from the others, towards the trapped little bunny. “I can’t leave him, he’s all alone, with these strangers” she cried. 

With a single cry from the first shouter, the owl turned around and scooped Carissa up despite her sobs and cries. 

“We will save your friend”, Cassie yelled. “He is safe here; he will be protected! You have our word”, she yelled as the sobs grew fainter. 

Dean looked over at Cassie and her leg was badly hurt. The machine had fallen on it and the severity of her pain was evident on her face. Dean pulled her free and they called out to their friends. 

“We’re fine”, Nambi yelled after calling out to make sure that Dean and Cassie were fine themselves, first. 

“Alright kids, you need to go and get help. Bring back the others to move this dang blockage. Nambi and this little guy are safe with me,” Bobby called out reassuringly. 

They knew it was true. Bobby was one of the toughest guys they’d ever met, by both human and stuffed animal standards. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Suddenly, the boys felt as if they were pulled out of a tunnel, and they were back in the room at Stuffed Haven. Everyone was speechless and then his mother spoke. 

“These other animals definitely sound troublesome”, she said with a frown. “This HE; did they indicate if he was animal or human?” 

Dean shook his head, “No they just seemed oddly loyal but equally as afraid.  At the same time I got the impression that He doesn’t like unfamiliar humans very much. 

“A spy in Stuffed Haven though? It seems crazy and I can’t think of a single person here who would do anything to hurt the group. We must obviously take this information seriously, but we must ensure that this secret stays with the seven of us. Clearly, none of us is the mole”, KoonKoon’s mother said pensively. 

“Ok boys, you should get some rest, you’re going to need—”, she was cut off as Cassie jolted straight up out of her slumber. 

“Nambi! Oh no Nambi”, she cried out groggy and confused. 

“Cassie it’s ok! Remember she is with Bobby; she is going to be ok. We will get her first thing in the morning”, KoonKoon reassured her. 

“I’m worried about her too Cass but we’ll get them all out safely”, Momo said. 

“Mom, can we have a sleepover in here tonight? I think we’d like to stay with Cassie”, KoonKoon asked and everyone nodded in agreement. She looked at Ron and he gave a nod. 

“Fine with us boys. We thought you’d want that …”, she said and gestured to the other side of the room where there were four sleeping bags set up with pillows and dinner for them all. 

His mom and Ron set Cassie up in the extra padded sleeping bag and then his mom gave her kisses and they both said their good nights and left the room. 

The boys made their way over to their sleeping bags. They each did their best to make Cassie comfortable and they ate their dinner in silence.  The silence built upon itself, almost becoming an entity unto itself.  Cassie couldn’t take it anymore.

“Ok, now it’s time to get serious”, she said. “We need a plan because Nambi we’re coming for you”!!

Curious about what happens next? Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out how KoonKoon, Momo, and the others tackle the dangers ahead!
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