From there, the town rebuilt itself. The quake had left scars, but the people worked tirelessly. Together, they raised walls, repaired homes, and tilled farmlands just outside the settlement. The wall stood tall and sturdy, enclosing the heart of their community, though its uneven patches of wood and stone betrayed their limited resources. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to feel safe—for now.
But after the quake, strange changes began to happen. The air itself seemed heavier, charged with something none of them could explain. Plants grew faster, stronger. Animals became larger and more aggressive, their movements quicker, sharper. Injuries from hunting trips became more common, and some were severe.
Charlie vividly remembered the day his dad came back from a hunt, his jacket shredded and a deep gash carved across his chest. The sight of blood soaking through the fabric had made Charlie's stomach twist, but his mom remained calm. With her usual precision, she cleaned the wound and applied a thick herbal paste she'd been experimenting with. Instead of stitching the gash, she used glue.
"In the past, this would've meant weeks in the hospital," she murmured, almost to herself. "But now… it's different. Healing is faster, better. It's almost like…" She trailed off, shaking her head.
By the next week, his dad's wound was nearly gone, the scar faint and smooth. Charlie couldn't understand how it was possible, but he couldn't deny what he saw.
Other changes followed. New plants and resources began appearing—roots that glowed faintly in the dark, ores that were stronger than steel but lighter than wood, and fruits that left you feeling stronger, sharper, more alive. Charlie had tried one of the strange apples once, and it had been the best thing he'd ever tasted. Afterward, he'd felt like he could run forever, like his muscles were made of something tougher, more powerful.
The most unexpected change, however, was one no one could ignore: women were getting pregnant. A lot. It wasn't just a few cases here and there—it seemed like every couple was suddenly expecting.
That's why, when Charlie's mom called the whole family together one evening and said, "I have something to tell you," he wasn't entirely surprised.
They were sitting around the dinner table, the glow of a lantern casting warm light across the room. His dad sat at the head of the table, his expression calm but hiding a small smile as if he already knew what was coming. Amber leaned back in her chair, looking vaguely curious, while Gretchin fiddled with her braid, clearly impatient. Charlie sat cross-legged on the floor, munching on an apple he'd swiped earlier.
His mom cleared her throat, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the table. "I wanted to share some news with all of you," she began, her voice calm but tinged with emotion. She glanced at David, who gave her an encouraging nod.
"I'm pregnant," she said, a small, hesitant smile spreading across her face.
The room went silent.
Amber blinked, her fork halfway to her mouth. "Wait… what? But you said you couldn't have kids anymore."
Charlie stared at her, the apple in his hand suddenly forgotten. "Another baby?" he asked, his voice a mix of awe and confusion.
David let out a quiet laugh, leaning forward in his chair. "It's true," he said, his voice warm. "We weren't expecting this, not after what we thought we knew, but here we are."
"But how?" Amber pressed, still looking stunned. "You said there were… complications with Charlie."
Her mom nodded, exhaling slowly. "There were. But something about this new world… things are different. I don't have an explanation, but this is real."
Gretchin finally broke her silence, leaning back with a half-smile. "Well, this should be interesting. Another baby running around? Sounds chaotic."
David reached over and ruffled Charlie's hair. "You're going to be a great big brother, kiddo."
Charlie swallowed hard, his mind still racing to catch up. "Another baby," he murmured, almost to himself. The idea was strange, but as he glanced at his parents, he couldn't help but feel a small flicker of excitement.