Chapter 3: Five Days (2/2) (Madness)
After a year of study, I wanted to visit my mother and her new family in our old hometown. Oh yes, I completely forgot to tell you. Annika, my mother, married a new man three years after my father died. Well, she must have felt lonely, I've always sent her more than enough money so that she can live in peace, but that wasn't enough and she decided to marry a new man. His name is "Androld Tait" and he's a big businessman or something like that.
I met him and his two children two years ago when Annika first told me that she was getting married again. To be honest I didn't react very well to that at the time, I mean it's only been three years since he died! Has she forgotten him after such a short time?
But when I think about it again now, my mother Annika and my father were never particularly close, they didn't fight or anything. No, they just didn't interact much with each other, at least when it wasn't about me.
My mother never really worked in her life she came from some rich family or something, she was married to my father very early and never really had to work, however she always liked to draw and make art. I don't really know much about her work. But she seems pretty good at it.
As for her looks. It's weird to say that about your own mother but she looks really young, even though she's 40 she looks like she's in her twenties. She has black long hair and beautiful blue eyes that look like the sea. She is about 164 cm (5ft 4) tall and has lots of curves, you wouldn't know she gave birth to me just by looking at her.
I know she used to worry about me, worrying that if I didn't make friends and fall in love, I would miss out on something in my life. But I'm just not the person for that. I mean I'm not shy or anything, I can talk to other people very easily and also to the opposite sex. It's just that most of the people I hang out with, whether it's at school or college, are just stupid.
Wow that sounded super snooty, mhm well I just don't want to waste my time.. can you understand that? ... Ah it doesn't matter now. Where was I ... oh my mother and the new family.
Androld Tait, on the other hand, is a tall and muscular male, approximately 190 cm (6 ft 3) tall. He has short blond hair and brown eyes and looks damn arrogant at first glance. His entire aura taunts anyone in the same room with him. I really couldn't stand the guy. He only married my mother because she is so beautiful, I tried to talk to her about it, but she doesn't see it that way and still wanted to get married.
Well in the end I slowly changed my opinion of him. He took care of my mother and never let her go hungry. She has even improved her art a lot in the past and some of her works have even made it into many famous art exhibitions.
Androld's two children are Claus who is my age and Charlotte who is 2 years younger than me. The mother of the two probably died of an illness 6 years ago or something, to be honest I don't care. Both children inherited the same arrogance from their father and radiate it without ceasing. They see themselves as better than everyone else because their father owns some shares in large companies, but they have done nothing to justify this arrogance. I didn't like them both then and I don't really like them now either. Although I have to admit that Charlotte looks really cute... almost like a doll without a mark.
My summer vacation started two days ago and I then went to visit my mother and see how she was doing. Today the fastest form of ground transportation is the supersonic train. Less than four hours around the globe that's the promise. Well anyways, after one hour I travelled from the university to my Hometown.
A lot has changed here over the years, in short it has become gigantic. Don't get me wrong it was huge before, only now it's at least tripled in size. With today's technology, building such a city is not as difficult as it was a few decades ago, I mean we could even build and populate several cities on other planets so building cities here on earth isn't that hard.
However, I have learned from history that the earth used to look different in the past. There is said to have been much less land mass instead there were some oceans separating several continents from each other. Crazy, right? I mean how did the first man who didn't have advanced technology like today move around the world then? With ships on the water?
Hahaha, our ancestors really had to endure a lot, didn't they?
...
After half an hour of walking and a lot of searching, I found my mother's new house, a small villa in the middle of town, in the style of an old Victorian mansion.
"Mhmm... at least those snobs have style."
As I got closer to the villa, I was blocked by two bodyguards, both of whom had square faces and were tall and muscular. Anyway, I wasn't nervous, because of the military and thanks to a few missions, I've experienced worse and don't get unsettled that easily. As for the type of missions...well, we can talk about that later...
I told one of the bodyguards about me and after a tedious few minutes of waiting, they opened the fence gate and there was a man looking similar to the others. The one I spoke to earlier told me to follow the man, he would take me to my family. I didn't see anything suspicious about it and followed the man.
After a while, I saw the villa up close and I realized that it is not as small as I thought. Oh, forget that it's huge, and has its own little statues everywhere. After being led into the villa, I met Claus. Claus is a relatively tall male at 181 cm (5 feet 9). Like his father, he has short, blond hair and brown eyes. He greeted me with his fake arrogant smile and asked how I was doing. I spoke to him briefly and ignored him afterwards, which he didn't seem to like very much as he answered with a "Tsh!".
'Oh my sweet little brother, you have a lot to learn before you can impress me...mhm'
After I passed Claus, I saw my mother and Androld and his daughter Charlotte in the abnormally large living room. They were laughing and drinking tea together, which suddenly stopped as I walked into the room. 'Aya- do you have to make it so obvious that you don't want me here?'
"Hello Annika, Androld, Charlotte, how are you?" I said with a fake smile.
My mother gave me a quick look and smiled before turning her cold gaze back down to the floor.
Androld on the other side stared at me and said, "Hello, HELLO? That's all you have to say Neo!!! After all this time you avoided us and your mother. Do you even know that she was really worried? you!!! After we haven't heard from you for so long you could have been dead, with these terrorists fighting for their religion in the north it wouldn't be so unlikely DAMN!!!"
After that Charlotte said "Mhm...for Neo such an idiot who enlists in the military it would only be fair if he died"
'Aha my little sister can be really sweet and compassionate right? hahaha' thought Neo.
afterwards Annika said "stop it Charlotte, don't talk about him like that, he's your older brother. My son I'm fine, your father... Androld and your siblings have treated me well all these years, how are you my son, Did they give you enough food in the military, did you get injured somewhere? How's the university so far? Do you have money problems? Oh no, you look so skinny, should I fix you something to eat?."
'Slim? Madam, I haven't done anything else for the last few years but work out and you think I look skinny, well never mind she seems fine and by the looks of her she seems happy. As long as it stays that way, that's enough for me. Well I should go now or this is going to be more awkward than it already is. I have to look for an apartment for a few days and I have to try and find this guy that my father was in contact with.'
'To be honest to you I didn't just come back home to visti my mother but also try to find a fellow researcher of my father, his name is... "Etienne Trop"... he's the only one from the research group of my father that didn't die on the spaceship. After the accident he is said to have gone into hiding and only a few weeks ago there were signs of him in this city again. He's the only clue I've had for years. I can't pass up an opportunity like this. Well, I have to find him first.'
"Annika, my mother, I see that you are fine, don't worry so much about me, I'll stay in town for a few days and look after you, I've already rented an apartment and won't stay here" , Neo said.
Annika wanted to answer, but suddenly there was a very loud noise
"PPPPPPPRRRRRRRHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
It was so loud that I couldn't hear anything for a short time. Everyone seemed also to be in that state. Charlotte even lay on the floor and peed herself. But there was no time to laugh, suddenly we heard loud noises and we all ran out of the villa.
And then we saw the incredible.
...
Countless asteroids could be seen in the sky, all of which were flying towards the earth. The sky was burning with red lights that day and I couldn't believe my eyes. For a moment I thought I was dreaming that I was about to wake up and everything would be back to normal, but that thought was quickly interrupted by Androld, who was madly trying to get someone on the phone. Only then did I see the faces of the others... fear, all of them were incredibly scared, but my mother just looked at me and besides the fear she had another expression on her face... confusion.
What Neo didn't know was that his face wasn't that scared like the rest of the family, but rather it looked like that of a child that had been given the gift he always wanted for Christmas.
But before I could say anything, I saw an asteroid coming our way. The asteroid came relatively close but didn't hit us, it hit the villa. But because the asteroid passed so close to us, the temperature increased drastically, although we were still a good distance away from the burning rock, you could feel the power and speed of the asteroid on your bare skin.
"PRRRUUUUUUHHHHHHH!!!!"
After the impact we all looked at the mansion, the big beautiful building is now a burning ruin. Meanwhile, Androld managed to do what he wanted to do with his tablet and a small hologram opened over the tablet. You could see the latest news. There it was said that the military attack against the asteroid storm that suddenly appeared a few days ago had failed, the asteroids are currently falling on earth and the number of deaths is probably not yet known. They also warned of earthquakes and tsunamis that could occur.
...
After hearing the news everyone panicked and hugged each other tightly, even the maids who were outside with us couldn't help it and everyone started crying and sobbing. Well everyone but me.
However, my mother also hugged me for a few minutes, although I tried to prevent it, she just pushed through. I can still remember thinking ... 'This woman has such strength, even a muscular soldier can't hold a candle to her.' Well, although the atmosphere in the front yard of the villa was sad, I found this situation rather interesting.
An unknown asteroid whose material survives a shot from a highly efficient interstellar laser weapon ... what material are these asteroids made of? Should I go into the mansion and examine the stones there more closely? While I was wondering, my mother had taken me out of her arms again and kissed me a few times on my face.
But suddenly there was a new announcement ... the materials in the stones can revive the dead ... There have been several reports of such events in which the people who died near the stone have been resurrected.
....
That was it, I couldn't contain my curiosity and interest any longer and ran to the villa. I heard my mother say something behind me and she tried to come after me but was quickly stopped by Androold.
As I ran towards the ruins of the mansion I thought about the news I just heard. Simply put I couldn't believe it. The dead can rise? How is that possible? ... Could there be a way to revive father?
I couldn't think straight at the moment and wanted to see the power of these asteroids with my own eyes.
I quickly arrived at the front entrance of the villa and went through the still open door.
The entire roof was destroyed and only partially intact. After making sure the rest of the roof was strong enough not to collapse on me. I decided to go inside the villa.
Debris was scattered throughout the villa and you could even see a few dead bodies here and there. Probably personal that didn't make it out in time. I went further into the villa and that's where I saw it for the first time. A large black rock that glowed red and purple. When concentrating on it, the large stone appears to be alive. As if it were breathing slowly.
Beside the rock I saw a maid buried in rubble with a pipe pierced through her chest. It was clear that she was dead. I decided to watch the body for a while longer to see what would happen with her. But thanks to that I got the the scare of my life.
The apparent corpse flexed its fingers and slowly stood up with its head down and the tube still through its chest. As if she wouldn't mind it at all. She was making noises like "Arh" "KRhaa" and so on and I wondered if she was asking for something.
"Are you alright? do you need anything?" I asked slowly.
She responded to my voice with a loud scream and hobbled towards me. At that moment I could feel the hairs on my back standing up. She was aggressive, that's what I recognized first. Having fought a few battles against humans, I know the feeling she gives me very well.
... It was pure and strong killing intent. Even though I've already killed a few people as a soldier and many wanted to kill me too on the battlefield. I've never felt or had such a strong killing intent. It feels like the woman wants revenge for touching her in the wrong place.
'Woman, I didn't do anything to you, I don't even know you, so please leave me alone' Neo thought to himself
Although I joked about it, the situation was still serious. The woman wants to kill me at any cost. So I didn't hesitate and grabbed the pipe she had in her chest and pushed her away, she fell sideways to the ground and hit her head on a piece of rubble. Now I'm sure she was dead because there was no intent to kill anymore.
...
After seeing all this, I decided to go outside to my mother, I can't leave her alone now. I have a very uneasy feeling that the world is changing drastically right now. Alone, she will most likely die. Oh and examining the asteroid, although it hurts, I can't examine it here right now. Not that I have the tools or anything, anyways.
...
We met up with all the survivors of the mansion outside and Androld decided to take them all to a military outpost north of town since he knew the general there. He said there should be around 30,000 soldiers there and they also have Mechs and some robots that could protect us.
We are currently in the east of the city. Since we had quite a few cars here, we decided to form a small column of three black cars. Of course, to be on the safe side, we took everything edible from the kitchen that was still there, which wasn't really much, because most of it was buried under the rubble. The travel form here to the outpost would take around 5 hours per car through the city. But because we don't know the situation in the city to evaluate the travel time seems impossible.
...
After a day of driving we didn't get much further. Shocking situations unfolded before us that one would normally, if at all, only find on a battlefield.
Men vs men battle it out in broad daylight. Everyone is trying to get a car as soon as possible to get out of town. The only reason we haven't been mugged is because people are scared of the bodyguards, all of whom are armed with military-grade knives and small handguns. Here and there there were still the typical idiots who tried to steal something from us. Well, that usually ended quickly with a shot in their heads.
Another problem was the rubble and the undead. The rubble from houses and shops partly blocked the road, so we had to take detours that will cost us more time. And then there are the undead who use every opportunity to annoy us. They attack us when we sleep, go to the bathroom and take breaks.. I mean come on, that's just antisocial, isn't it. Have at least a little mercy and attack us openly and honestly during the day and otherwise disappear. Well, they still don't have much sense, always attacking in waves instead of proceeding tactically and carrying out a large, coordinated attack and simply overrunning us with their mass. These things really don't have any sense anymore.
Furthermore, there was another message on the news today. Apparently, the Asteroids brought a virus to earth that kills people when infected and then revives them, but they have no mind and no memories of their old lives. They would even attack their children if they stood in front of them. Also, they seem to eat people, but not each other. They are therefore labelled "Undead" by the government. Don't approach them and if you do get into a fight, don't be bitten or scratched by them as this will spread the infection. The military has everything under control and is planning large-scale attacks to protect the residents of large cities, said the news.
As crazy as this all sounds, I see the reality right in front of me with my own eyes. I have to accept them for better or for worse. The only good thing is that we've received reports that the military outpost is still standing and holding out against the undead. The bad thing is that our cars ran out of gas today.
...
Those idiot snobs didn't put a full tank of gas in the car 'f*ck'. So, we have to continue walking in the streets of the city which is as dangerous as it sounds. In every corner you can witness undead attacking and eating humans, it really seems hopeless.
...
Day two was very eventful, we fought our way through the streets of the city. Altogether we are 20 people. My mother, Androld, his two brats, six bodyguards and nine maids/butlers.
Today all men fought except Claus and we decided to barricade ourselves inside in a hotel. We even found 5 survivors there, but they didn't want anything to do with us, so we just ignored them. In total we lost 2 bodyguards and 3 butlers today. The good thing is that I was able to take the pistol and knife from one of the bodyguards. I have a total of two magazines with 14 shots each. So a total of 28 dead zombies if I don't screw it up.
My mother also received a knife from a bodyguard and is quite good with it. I even saw her use it to kill an undead who got too close to her, she seems more alive than before this whole mess...
... Strange.
'Maybe she was born someone naturally good at killing?' thought Neo.
...
We spent the third and fourth days barricaded in the hotel without even daring to come out. The 5 people we lost the day before took the morale down quite a bit. But on day 5, hunger called us. Little Charlotte has never looked so hungry and although I don't like her I gave her some of my rations. She looked at me with her big eyes and thanked me.
'Mhmm... even though her hair is a mess and there's dirt on her face, she still looks cute' thought Neo.
We decided to loot a small shop around the corner and then head straight to the military outpost. We are looking for everything that is edible and lasts a long time. Oh and weapons and clothing is good too.
...
No sooner said than done and we left the hotel and tried to sneak into the small shop around the corner unnoticed.
...
When we got to the store there were only a dozen or so undead and we started killing the undead one by one.
But just as we were about to eliminate the last of the undead, something suddenly jumped out of the shadow of a shelf. It jumped with such speed that we didn't have a chance to react. With his sharp claws he immediately cut open 2 bodyguards and 2 maids who just had some supplies in hand. All four were beheaded and heads flew in all directions and blood spattered everywhere.
We all started shooting at it, although that seems silly, especially since the undead are attracted by noise, we just didn't have a choice right now.
But in the end it didn't matter. The fast undead simply dodged the bullets without much effort.
After almost all of our ammunition was used up and the last two bodyguards died, we all fell into great despair.
And then it happened.
My so-called stepfather stabbed me in the back with his knife and damn deep too. So deep that the knife came out at the front of my stomach...
"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Neo yelled as blood spurted out of his mouth.
I remember that feeling very well. Pain, hell of pain. Such an intense pain that all I wished for was to just die for the pain to stop. And that metallic taste in my mouth.
Androld in turn said something like "You were never there for your family, then you should at least sacrifice yourself for them and blah blah blah."
To be honest I didn't really hear him the pain in my stomach was just too much.
...
While I didn't think much of Androld even before the apocalypse, I didn't expect him to be able to kill me so easily and without batting an eyelid.
I was just too naive and didn't think about whether I could trust him. I just wanted to keep my mom safe and then study this virus.
Fuck what an idiot I am.
However, the undead was not very surprised by Androld's actions and at the best moment jumped on me and bit my neck.
'F*ck I just got a knife in the back and now you have to bite me too?' Neo thought as he readied the knife in his right hand and hit the undead's head with as much force as he could.
The undead didn't see that coming and stared at Neo with wide eyes and after a few seconds he was finally dead.
'Yea f***** you didn't see that coming.' thought Neo
But he couldn't celebrate his victory for long, Androld this bastard and Annika didn't just watch idly. Annika my mother ran towards me as fast as she could with tears in her eyes. At that moment I wished I could comfort her. Although I don't often show my affection, I love my mother very much.
Well, she didn't end up making it to me since Androld stopped her. She tried to free herself from Androld's arms, but ended up being hit on the neck by Androld and passed out.
My anger was uncontrollable at that moment and I yelled "ANDROLD!!! YOU Miserable DOG! LEAVE MY MOTHER ALONE" but he didn't listen and said something to his two children, whereupon the two took the supplies and left the store. Meanwhile Androld took my mother on his back and left the store too.
...
I remember Claus vividly and his dirty smile like he just watched the best comedy show of his life.
On the other hand, Charlotte had tears in her eyes looking at me while she was sobbing the whole time, she wasn't sure what to do but decided to obey her father in the end.
And like that my so-called family sacrificed and abandoned me.
The last thing I remember before everything went black was hearing a loud engine, but it gradually got quieter over time until it couldn't be heard at all.
Disgusting F*** what madness.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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