Chapter 43: The First day

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The First day

Everything happened so fast. Killian turned around to see the siblings and aunts dazed. Staring out the window, as if they were hoping everything Penelope had said about the apocalypse was false.

They knew Killian and Penelope weren’t fabricating stories, but still. They hoped that it was all a misunderstanding. That the world they knew would not cease to exist.

Aunt Mary let go of her two sons and walked towards the window. Right before she could step any closer, Killian reached out to her and shook his head.

He turned towards Erik and said "It’s best to close the curtains" as he closed them. "For today, try not to step out of the complex. Stay indoors. No one goes anywhere during the day time. Once the sun sets, we can step out."

"Why?" Kai asked.

"Chances of one turning during the first hours are higher when exposed to the sun’s rays. I don’t know the scientific reason, but I do know that exposure on the first day is asking for danger." Killian answers in a solemn tone.

Penelope looked at Killian, then turned to Erik and said "He’s right." She was more acquainted with the details for this apocalypse than anyone. She had the author’s perception. This wasn’t your typical zombie apocalypse. The sun was your worst enemy. Zombies were a piece of cake compared to what nature could do. The sun itself carried the zombie virus. No one could figure out how the sun was connected but it was later labeled as a solar flare infection. Many living beings exposed to the solar flares would soon turn. One was lucky if they experienced an awakening instead of a mutation.

"Let’s stay in for the day, we will go out at night." Erik decided.

Just as they decided to rest they heard loud crashing noises. One crash after another.

"Welcome to the Zombie Apocalypse" Killian said as he turned around and headed towards the door. He needed to go home, he needed to rest in order to prepare for what was coming.

"Where are you going?" Erik asked.

"Sleep. This might be the last time we can get real sleep. From now on, our nerves will be on high alert. Once havoc starts, it will never stop." He said as he exited the apartment.

Everyone went quiet.

"He’s right. Let’s get some rest." Erik said.

Kai, Erik, Ben and Aunt Lucy returned to the 24th floor, heading to their apartments.

Aunt Mary and Penelope returned to their selected bedrooms.

They kept hearing chaos unravel outside the building. At one point, they felt overwhelmed by it and decided to enter the space.

Inside the space, Penelope saw her two aunts heading towards the farm land, intending to clear their minds by farming.

Ben, Erik and Kai were sparring. Preparing themselves for the inevitable.

Penelope took one look at them and decided not to join.

She headed towards the golden cave.

***

In apartment 2002, Vanya and Harold were sitting on a creme couch.

"Harold, focus!" Vanya said as she tried to guide her younger cousin on controlling his superpower.

He woke up this morning screaming in panic. When Vanya entered his bedroom, she saw him crying. Literal tears.

"Sis, what’s happening to me?" He said.

Vanya was dumbstruck. Harold’s legs turned into metal. She wasn’t sure how to explain it to him.

"It seems, you have awakened..." She said.

"Awakened?" Harold asked.

"Yes, you are now called an awakener." She said with a deadpan face.

"Sis, what is going on? How do you know this?" Harold asked.

Vanya took a deep breath and decided to be honest with this kid. She would tell him about the upcoming apocalypse and what to expect. She wouldn’t say anything about the original soul dying. This kid couldn’t take another devastating blow.

"So, you’re saying you were reborn?" He asked.

"Yes."

"And the apocalypse is starting?" He asked again.

"Yup."

"A zombie apocalypse at that?" he asked again.

"Yeah." She replied.

"Did it hurt?" He asked.

"Huh?" she asked.

"Did it hurt to die?" Harold asked quietly.

Vanya stayed quiet and tried to remember the way the previous soul died. She couldn’t really place the pain so she decided to go with her own experience.

"Like hell" She replied. "It was a very painful experience. I hope you never experience that torment."

"Then, can you teach me on controlling my powers. Let’s train to get better and let’s survive this hell." Harold said.

Vanya smiled and nodded.

Now, here they were. Sitting on a couch. She was teaching him how to regulate his breathing. How to circulate the power raging within him, so he could control it properly without exhausting himself.

That was when it happened, the blazing red sky. The solar flares were emitting a strong radioactive energy.

Vanya got up so fast, Harold was sure her superpower was speed.

She closed the blinds to the window, and started explaining the anomaly happening outside.

"It seems we don’t have much time. The apocalypse has begun." She said.

"Is this the first sign of it?" Harold asked.

’Astrid, how much time do we have before the virus outbreak?’

’Host, the virus has begun spreading due to the solar flares sending radioactive energy out. By tonight, people will either mutate, awaken, or become a virus carrier without turning into one.’ Astrid replied.

’So, we need to stay away from daylight?’

’Yes, stay away from daylight for now.’

"Yes, so stay out of daylight for now. We’ll go supply hunting in the evening" Vanya responded.

"Sis, how are we going to bring the supplies up without being seen?" Harold asked.

"I awakened a space power and light. Well, I think it’s light. I’m not really sure." She said as she demonstrated a white radiant light on her palm.

"So, you’re a dual element user!" Harold exclaimed. Not really a question.

"Yeah, but keep the light power to yourself. Being a dual element user isn’t as grand as it sounds." Vanya stated.

Harold wasn’t sure what she meant but understood that this was non-negotiable.

Suddenly, Vanya changed the subject. "We should warn the vampire about these changes."

Harold: "Vampire?"

Vanya looked at him with a pitiful gaze, this kid was just so...oblivious.