- El Sereno Neighborhood -
After returning home, the first thing Paul did while the services were still functioning was to place several orders over the phone to different stores. He bought a couple of generators, gas drums, portable gas fuel tanks, a liquid transfer pump, and two large plastic water tanks for a house reserve. Almost everything was overpriced, but he knew money wouldn't matter much in a few days.
In the dining room, the family was sitting, clearly stressed and waiting for answers.
"What's wrong with you, Paul?" Alicia looked at him, concerned. "You're acting just like Nick."
"Talk to us, Paul," Madison urged. "If you don't talk, how can we know what's happening that has you so worried?"
"Let him take a breath, guys," Nick interjected. "Jeez."
"Alright, let's start looking at facts," Paul suggested. He turned on different news channels, which were reporting various cases of protests, hospitals being overwhelmed, massive purchases in businesses, an increase in aggressive behavior, and even cannibalism in some places, attributed to psychedelic drugs, not only in their country but globally.
"What do you see from those news?" he asked.
"There's an increase in violence and people are panicking," Claire observed.
"A crisis," Madison murmured.
"Too many crazy people," Nick added.
"Yes, that seems to be the case at first glance," Paul agreed, "but why? Why is it happening now? The economy isn't collapsing, or something like that, which could attribute all those events at once."
"Something is happening on a large scale that we don't see, which is slowly raising the chance of these events happening," Alicia noted.
"Yes, now you're getting it," Paul said, smiling a little. "Something is wrong on a large scale. There's no need to go about our daily lives unaware of the things happening around us, only to realize what's happening at the last moment."
Travis smiled a little at seeing how Paul was trying to teach them what was happening, but he still thought that he was wrong in killing that woman.
"Now, let's focus on the heart of the matter," Paul suggested, searching for the website and showing them a new memorandum. He passed the phone to Madison first, who read the information slowly but intently. Her face paled quickly after a moment, and she passed the phone to Travis, who was visibly shaken, Travis put on his glasses and read it with a little weak hand. The others watched intently, curious about the info in there, seeing the drastic change in Madison and Travis.
After a while, Paul said, "Now you get it, this isn't happening randomly. This is something worldwide, and not just that—we are all infected with something that we don't know about."
"The problem is grave, very grave," Paul put emphasis on his words. "Not only is all of humanity infected, but on death, they produce what it calls there 'unusual post-mortem behavior,' producing an aggressive behavior like what we saw on the news in some cases."
"Now u are ready to look at this video not being too judgmental about what is recorded, it's about the events yesterday before I fainted when I was with Travis looking at the place where Nick was before his accident getting high looking for leads to what Nick claimed to have seen that was making him insane after opening with us" Paul then starts the video and show them all at the same time
The screen shows a shaky, first-person perspective as Paul and Travis enter the church.
Alicia gasps, covering her mouth with her hand as they see the blood pools on the floor while she leans into Madison, who puts an arm around her. Later on, the video shows Gloria appearing at the entrance, bloody and pale. Paul yells at her to stop, but she keeps advancing, Madison flinches with each gunshot, her grip tightening on Alicia's shoulder. Paul in the video shoots Gloria in the head, and she collapses. Travis is seen frozen in shock.
Travis, watching the scene unfold again, looks pale and shaken.
"It wasn't me seeing things...I am so.. relieved, but Gloria, how did she die to become that thing" Nick looked hurt seeing Gloria killed, with a hand over his mouth, but was a little more at ease seeing that it wasn't him being crazy
"I don't know, sorry Nick" Paul actually was almost sure it was because of the overdose but he didn't want to say it to make the girls worried.
"But whatever Gloria was, it wasn't her anymore, she wasn't a human in any case, it looked human sure but it wasn't a human, not only that, they are pretty durable, the only thing that stopped that was shooting it on the head not even on the heart could kill it and any other place it don't felt it."
"Now, look at this," Paul continued, "The World Health Organization publishes an 'International Disaster Emergency Response' memorandum, instructing public health officials on how to dispose of the remains of infected individuals. Advice includes disregarding DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) patients and removing patients to a morgue if efforts to restore life are unsuccessful within 60 seconds. If signs of life resume thereafter, the remains are to be regarded as a biological hazard."
"Do not resuscitate a patient and if tried only on the margin of 60 seconds should be done, something after that if it presents any signs of life the remeans are to be regarded as a biological hazard." Paul repeats to think more about it.
"Now you see?" Paul looked at them, bringing them out of their stupor. "The body is a biological hazard, do u get it now, even they know, those things aren't human anymore, there is no cure for death, that thing isn't a living person, the problem is we are all latent carriers, being infected already activating on death becoming that, so this crisis can only get worse and worse from now on, think about it"
"There are 7.8 billion people worldwide, and this is snowballing fast. Every death is one more of those things. In a short time, not only will we be fucked, this world will be fucked. We are about to experience the beginning of an apocalypse."
He continued, "I, for one, intend to survive it as long as I can. So, what do we do now?"
"No one's talking about this," Nick muttered. "No one's saying anything."
"Don't be so exaggerated, dear," Madison said softly. "They're going to contain it."
"It can't be that bad, Paul, right?" Claire asked.
"Mom, don't you see it?" Alicia pressed. "What are we going to do now?"
"Leaving the city would be the correct first thing to do," Paul advised. "If nothing else, for the danger of the big population."
"When this thing starts snowballing, communications will fail because no one's there to manage the servers," he went on. "The electrical grid will collapse for the same reason. With the fall of electricity, it means there will be no more water grid. So yes, being in a city is useless for anything more than scavenging resources."
"Damn it," Claire murmured. "It's all going to go to hell."
"Okay, what about the desert?" Madison suggested.
"Yeah, it'll be okay there," Travis chimed in. "We'll be safe, we get away from the city and the people."
Suddenly, a truck's horn sounded outside, followed by a knock on the door. Everyone turned to look.
"Oh, that must be for me," Paul said, standing up. "I bought a few things that will come in handy to have—whether we're staying here or going away, they'll be useful."
"I gotta call Liza," Travis said, leaving the room.
Paul went outside to get the things and sign for the receipt. As he turned in front of the neighbors, he saw they were having a party.
"Hey, Mrs. Cruz," he greeted her with a nod. "You're having a party?"
"Hi, Paul," Mrs. Cruz waved and smiled at him. "Yeah, we're celebrating Gladys's ninth birthday. You should come by."
"That's great," Paul responded. "Times fly before we realize."
"Got a ton of food and now we're getting a bunch of cancellations 'cause of that bug going around."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Cruz," Paul said sympathetically. "It's a shame. We'll see."
He carried the items inside, which were heavier than he had anticipated.
"Mom, are you going to tell her? Mrs. Cruz?" Nick asked.
"Tell her what?" Madison asked, looking at him curiously.
"What's happening," Nick said impatiently.
"Nick, we don't know what's happening." Madison looked at him seriously.
"Well, we know more than she does." Nick crossed his arms.
"Okay, I'll talk to her. I'll tell her," Madison agreed.
"It's just like no one is paying attention," Nick continued. "It's—it's like it's not real."
"It is real," Madison said firmly.
"I'm about to step into a world of shit. You know that, right?" Nick says with a pitiful face.
"Nick, don't be a drama queen as always," Paul interjected. "I gotcha, bro."
"I stole a lot from the hospital, and there's also the shit you need," Paul told them, setting the bags of medicine and other items on the table for Madison to sort through. "See what Nick needs from there. You know what to give him and how much, so I won't say anything more about that."
Then Travis appears with his cell phone in hand.
"Damn it. No one's answering. No Liza, no Chris. He's pushing my calls." Travis comments stressed out
"Did you try Liza at her house?" Madison
"Of course, I tried the house, Maddy. Of course, I did." Travis
"Okay, go. Travis, go get them now." Travis
"Call me if you're gonna be longer." Madison
"If I'm longer, go without me." Travis
"I'll catch up." Travis
"No." Madison
After Travis leaves the house
"Uhuh. Problems in paradise" Paul snickers at her.
"Don't be an ass Paul" Madison gives his son a stinky look.
"Alright, alright, don't get mad, I will not say anything more" Paul gives her a coy smile.
"Alicia! Claire!," Paul calls his sisters then picks up a bag and a briefcase from his dorm and puts them on the table for all to see. "This is the thing. All of you need to learn to defend yourselves from anything. I know you don't like that I have those things, Mom, but I like them. But if that isn't enough, you know they're an evil needed for protection—nice to have, just in case. Now, more than ever."
Paul then taught them how to use a pistol, a semi-automatic rifle, how to reload, how to shoot, safety precautions, how to change a magazine, how to clear a weapon, the different calibers of bullets, and general knowledge to take care of while using firearms for their safety and others.
"That's all you need to know," Paul said finally. "From now on, it's just practice and getting used to them."
"I'll get a little rest before Travis comes back," he told them, heading to his room.
"Mom, give me some of the stuff Paul brought," Nick asked not looking so good. "I'm starting to feel like shit."
Madison moves to help him looking the meds. ""Alicia, help your brother while I sort the meds""
Alicia, however, was looking at Claire, who was eager to slip away with Paul.
"But Mom, all the time is me, Claire, you go now" Alicia looked to his mother and then sent the ball to her big sister
"Naughty, naughty Alicia, alright I will help Nick, go and do whatever you want" Claire
Claire hadn't even finished speaking when she already slipped into the room of Paul, and Madison saw that, getting a little annoyed about what was to come.
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Alicia's eyes widen with excitement as she sees Paul, lying on the bed already naked. She quickly strips off her clothes, revealing her beautiful ass and perky big tits. "Brother, I've been waiting for this moment," she purrs, kneeling between his legs and taking his growing erection into her mouth.
Paul's cock twitched at seeing her like that. The scent of Alicia's arousal was intoxicating as she knelt before him, her soft lips wrapping around his throbbing member. Her tongue danced expertly over the sensitive underside as she took him deep into her mouth. The wet heat was almost too much to bear.
He let out a low groan as she cupped his balls, massaging them gently. "Fuck, Alicia," he managed to grunt out.
She pulled back with a wink, "You like that, brother? Want me to keep going?"
"Yes, please," he breathed, his hips jerking involuntarily.
Alicia dove back down, taking him as far as she could without gagging. Her throat constricted around his tip, sending waves of pleasure through him. It was almost too intense to handle.
But Alicia wasn't done. She slid her mouth off his cock with a pop and shifted her body, licking and kissing along the underside of his shaft. She paid extra attention to his balls, rolling them between her lips and sucking them gently.
Paul's fingers tangled in her hair, urging her to continue. "Damn, sis. Your mouth feels so good."
Alicia expertly sucks and licks Paul's cock, savoring every inch of him. The smell of his musk drives her wild, and she can't wait to taste his cum.
Paul groans in pleasure as his sister brings him to the edge. "Alicia, I'm going to cum," he warns, but she doesn't stop. She wants every drop. With a final thrust, Paul releases his load directly into her mouth. Alicia swallows greedily, relishing the taste of her brother's seed.
She pulled back with a smirk and a happy clouded look, before he could respond, she straddled his lap and lowered herself onto his already again rock hard cock. They both moaned as she enveloped him fully. Alicia began rocking her hips, riding him with abandon.
Paul gripped her waist, encouraging her movements. "Fuck, you're so tight. Your pussy was made for my cock."
Alicia leaned forward, grinding against him and capturing his lips in a searing kiss. He thrust up into her as she rode him, the bed creaking beneath them.
The sound of a door opening pulled their attention away from each other. Claire stood in the doorway, a devilish grin on her face.
"Well, well, well. Looks like we're having some fun without me,"
"Mind if I join?" she purred, slowly stripping off her clothes.
Paul and Alicia looked at each other, then back to Claire with eager expressions. "Come on in, sis," Paul said, beckoning her closer.
Claire climbed onto the bed, positioning herself so that she could lick and suck on Paul's cock while Alicia continued to ride him.
"I'm going to cum," he said through gritted teeth, feeling his release building after having these two little minx pleasuring him at the same time.
"Cum inside me," Claire pleaded, "I want to feel it."
Paul obliged, burying himself deep inside her as he released, feeling his hot seed filling her up. At the same time as Claire cries of ecstasy echoing off the walls as she rode out her climax on her brother's cock.
Their mother surely must be hearing all the action outside these walls seeing how loudly is Alicia moaning with no restraint.
Then he pulls out of Alicia and pushes Claire down onto the bed, flipping her over onto all fours, entering her from behind with a powerful thrust. He fucks her hard and fast, grunting with pleasure as her tight pussy squeezes him.
He fucks her relentlessly, their bodies slapping together in a primal rhythm. Claire screams in ecstasy as Paul fills her with his throbbing member.
With a final thrust, Paul releases his load deep inside Claire's quivering pussy. He collapses on top of her, both of them panting with exertion. After a moment he moves to the side and Alicia climbs onto his chest as does Claire, enjoying the snuggles between her two siblings.
------
After resting for a while, Paul got up, leaving the girls on the bed. He could hear Madison speaking on the phone with Travis outside his door.
"Travis?" Madison said into the phone. "Travis? Hi."
"Yeah, baby, where are you? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, we're okay. Can you come home?"
"I, um... Well, where are you? You're at Liza's?"
"Wait, Travis, what was that?"
"Tell me what that was."
"No, I'm gonna wait for you. I'm gonna wait for you."
"No, Travis, just—no—"
"Whoa! Travis?"
Hearing her cry a little, Paul left the girls on the bed and went to see what had happened. "What happened?" he asked, seeing her not so well.
"It was Travis," Madison said, tears filling her eyes. "I couldn't hear him very well. There was too much noise on the line."
"He's okay?" Paul pressed.
"Yeah, but it seems they're stuck somewhere on their way to here," Madison continued. "Then there was a sound like an explosion in the background, and the call got cut."
Paul, seeing her vulnerable like that, was getting pretty stressed. "Hey, it's okay, Mom. He'll make it." He just embraced her silently to make her calm down.
Madison relaxed in the shelter of her son's chest, calming down. This same chest that had been there for her ever since Steven passed away. Getting emotional, she wanted to reach for his face, to touch him, to feel him more, but stopped midway. She chose to stop this, to try to make him normal again, but she just pushed him to random women. Her daughters, however, had brought him back—this time, not for her, but for them. She picked Travis.
Paul saw her little moves, knowing she was stopping again from feeling more, and sighed. "It's alright, Mom. You can touch me if you feel it to feel near. I'll always be there for you, as I will be for my sister, hell, even Nick, as annoying as he is, and... and Travis, too. I can see he makes you happy, too." Paul took her hand and put it on his face.
They were like that for a moment when Alicia and Claire interrupted them. "Is everything alright, Mom? Paul?" Alicia asked, with Claire at her side.
"Mom? Guys! Check this out," Nick called from the living room.
Hearing that, Paul left the girls on the bed and went to see what had happened. "Look, it's Mr. Dawson," Nick said while seeing the streets from the window.
"Oh, my God," Claire said, bringing her hands to her mouth, shocked by what was happening.
"It's a bad time for Mrs. Cruz to be outside," Paul remarked.
"Don't look. Don't look," Madison told the girls.
"Mom, Mr. Dawson's hurting them," Alicia said, trying to go outside to help.
"No. Alicia!" Madison stopped her.
"What are you doing? Mom. Mom!" Alicia said, frustrated.
"Mom is right, Alicia. She's gone," Paul said firmly.
"Why don't we help her?" Claire asked.
"In these times, we barely can help ourselves. We can't add the burden of being preoccupied with someone else, at the front of my mind, you are the priority for me—everyone else can save themselves as they can,"