Deeming it unfit to stay in the house, Shem brought Lorey, who wore a blank look, outside their house. Gazing around their street many homes were subjected to the same fate with blood leaking out from the crevices of the wood walls and doors.
Viewing this scene Shem displayed an ugly expression full of fear and distress.
'This happened to everyone, not just us.'
His face darkened as he realised no one stood outside the Amarico house, it was the only house without at least one person outside.
Feeling the chill of the morning breeze Shem shivered and wrapped his arms around his bare chest realizing how cold it was.
"Hey Lorey." Shem whispered in a soft and quiet voice. Lorey responded in a monotone voice with her face looking towards the neighborhood away from Shem, her expression blank and eyes glazed.
"What is it, Shem?"
"I'm going to go inside and put on some clothes, then let's head downtown and try to find some help. I'll also grab you a jacket alright?"
" … "
'She's not responding, should I say something more?'
Choosing against this option Shem left Lorey alone and after a quick pause entered the house. He gathered the necessary belongings from both of their rooms making sure to grab her motorcycle keys on the way out.
Once he made it outside Lorey stood in the same position observing the broken families similarly grabbing essential belongings in preparation to go downtown in hopes of both explanation and salvation for what transpired.
Many were on their phones calling emergency services or other family members, the former of which did not answer.
"Lorey …" Shem said in a soft voice, as if trying not to frighten wounded prey.
Lorey's face still serious, she shifted her head to look at Shem. As if assessing him she looked him up and down.
"Yes, Shem?" Her voice still monotone.
"We should head downtown, to the main police station. You up for driv-"
Before Shem could finish his sentence Lorey pulled him into a tight hug, tears welling up inside her eyes, face now full of raw emotion.
"Too tight. Can't Bre-breathe." Shem barley coughed out, face turning a bit pale while patting Lorey's back to comfort her.
Releasing her grip on Shem, Lorey looked up at him, her expression now no longer blank and instead somber with a hint of cheerfulness.
"Okay, let's go."
-----------
(Lorey POV)
'I can't believe I forgot about Shem!'
Lorelai was riding her motorcycle with Shem hanging on tightly as they weaved through the unusually empty streets. After the hug Lorey put on the jacket Shem brought for her and forced Shem to don a helmet before heading downtown.
Guilt controlled Lorey's emotions prompting her to recount her actions for the past thirty minutes.
'I just left Shem by himself, he was the one to clear his mind and think of what to do.'
Her face growing red with embarrassment she focused on the road, guiding them to the police station.
'I'm supposed to be the strong one!'
Before long they reached the city-centre of Sand city, Sand city was a fairly small city with a population of one million but was highly developed and resided within the Orange Continent.
Military vehicles were neatly arranged with tents extending off every vehicle, multiple signs directed people to the correct tent. A speaker sat on one of the vehicles repeating the same message every minute in a robotic voice.
"The military is currently working on the reason for the deaths.
If you have any information about people who have died in their sleep please enter the middle tent.
Do not go to sleep."
Shem, who had taken off his helmet, exchanged looks of disbelief with Lorey.
'How do they not know how they died? Our parents died and these idiots can't figure out shit!'
Sighing, Lorey exhibited a tired face while turning off the ignition and stepping off the bike. Bringing Shem with her to the centre tent Lorey thought it was best to share their gruesome story in case it was in any way helpful.
The tent was even bigger than it looked, having multiple lines leading to stations with soldiers at each desk the scene resembled immigrations at an airport. Choosing an empty line the soldier first asked them for their full legal names along with identification.
The soldier explained that they were tracking who was alive from their city, after hearing that the siblings' faces fell together, a gloomy atmosphere surrounding them.
Seeing their bloodstained figures the soldier only asked once for their story and did not press for details. Lorey's appearance, still gloomy, asked the soldier while gesturing to the siblings' clothing, "Is there any place for us to wash up?"
The soldier whose face turned a bit red exclaimed in a minor panic, "Ah, yes. Sorry for not letting you know earlier, my lieutenant told me to be accommodating. Both tents at the far ends are for cleaning up, left side for males and right for females."
Giving the soldier a polite nod Lorey left, Shem followed quickly behind after saying thank you directly to the soldier.
'There are a lot more people in the lines than when we came, I am glad we got here early.'
Now there were around fifty people waiting in the lines, most of whom were in a similar state to Lorey and Shem. A few were still crying softly in the corners, some comforted by friends or family and others alone, enemies of their own minds. The horrors that everyone has seen were extreme, but not enough to break them, yet.
Exiting the tent Lorey and Shem headed their separate ways after saying a quick goodbye, on her way to the showers the repeating message came on, a little different than the last. Hearing the message Lorey felt a small chill on her back and disturbing images of last night flashed through her mind.
"The military is currently working on the reason for the deaths.
If you have any information about people who have died in their sleep please enter the middle tent.
Refrain from going to sleep.
We repeat, refrain from going to sleep. You will die."