After Chad was done nearly swerving off the road, they decided to postpone messing with status screens and phones until they reached their destination. Although "decided" might not have been quite the correct term. Regardless, Annie's threats prevented Chad from immediately dumping his other two available stat points into his right arm's strength as well. The obvious physical changes from the first point suggested he wouldn't be able to get away with making the changes sneakily, either.

A little under half an hour later, they pulled off of the highway and onto a smaller country road. After a few twists and turns that took them down paved, gravel, and ultimately dirt paths, they finally pulled up to a small white cottage set amidst a field of long grass. A few old oak trees shaded the front of the house, their leaves rustling quietly in the breeze.

Chad pulled up to the dirt patch that served as a driveway and hopped off the bike hurriedly. His long gait took him quickly up the creaky wooden steps and onto the covered front porch in a moment. Coming to a halt in front of the door, he raised his right hand to knock, then stared at it.

Maybe not the best idea. After a moment of hesitation, he switched to his left and rapped on the door.

"Gram Gram! Are you home?"

He waited with bated breath for a response as Annie caught up. She stepped up beside him, shooting furtive glances behind them with one hand on her pistol.

Chad gave her a sidelong glance. "Are you allergic to cats?"

"No?" She frowned. "Just pollen and the like. Why? Does she have one?"

"She's got a few." Lifting his fist, he pounded on the door a little harder. "Gram Gram? You ok?"

A reedy voice called out from within. "Just one moment! I'll be right there!"

Chad sighed with relief at the response, settling back to wait. A short while later, the door opened with a soft creak.

In the doorway appeared a short old woman made only shorter by a permanent hunch. Her face sported a pair of thick glasses and an assortment of wrinkles that would've put elephant skin to shame. Atop her head sat a pile of wispy white hair that probably represented an attempt at a bun. In reality, it ended up looking more like a bird's nest - an impression not helped by a couple of twigs that stuck out at odd angles from within.

The woman stepped forward and squinted. One trembling hand gripped her walker tightly as the other adjusted a handmade shawl with little flowers hanging about her frail shoulders. "Yes? Who is it?"

The familiar sight allowed Chad to relax a little further. His grandma was safe. Whatever else was happening, at least he had that. However, Gram Gram's familiar disheveled figure made the new addition to her look stand out even more starkly - a tag of Crazy Cat Lady (Lvl 1) hanging above her head.

Well. Guess that fits. Still, kind of on the nose. Did everyone get one of these things?

"Is that you, Chadwick?" The woman's voice wavered slightly as she spoke. As she recognized her grandson, the woman's wrinkled face lit up in the picture of grandmotherly affection. "Oh, it's so good to see you honey! It's been too long, far too long."

"Hey, Gram Gram." The arm wrestler stooped down to embrace her awkwardly, being extra careful not to squeeze too hard. She seemed even smaller than when he'd last seen her. "I've missed you too. Glad you're ok. Anything weird happen around here?"

"Oh, no. You know your ol' grandma, boring as can be." The elderly woman adjusted her glasses and blinked. "My, did something happen to your arm?"

"Ehm, it's nothing." He coughed slightly and shifted to hide the second "bandage" Annie had wrapped around his arm. The first one had ripped a bit after his stat increase. "Just spilled some, er ketchup. On it. Yeah."

"Oh, silly boy." The woman chuckled. "You've always been such a messy eater. Why, I remember when you were seven…"

"Anyway," Chad coughed into his fist, interrupting the story before it got going. "Do you mind if we come inside?"

"We?" Gram Gram glanced around in confusion for a moment before spotting Annie. "Oh, who's this with you? Is this your girlfriend?"

"No, Gram Gram." Chad gave an exasperated sigh. "She's my massage therapist."

Annie inclined her head. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. My name's Annie."

"Annie? What a nice name." The elderly woman smiled broadly. "Nice to meet you as well, young lady. My name is Clarabelle. Clarabelle McMasterson. But you can call me Gram Gram. Now come in, come in. I'll put some tea on."

Clarabelle shuffled back into the house. Annie nudged Chad in the side as she turned away, pointing above the woman's head. "Uh, how many cats does she have exactly?"

Chad chuckled as they stepped inside. "You'll see."

The familiar wood-paneled space spread out before him, cluttered but comfortable. An antique dining table sat near the door where glass cabinets containing all manner of knickknacks and statuettes and other tchotchkes lined the walls. Around the corner, a small sitting room populated with lumpy couches and a low coffee table beckoned. The scent of cedar mingled with some kind of springtime floral candle to make for an almost, but not quite, cloying scent that pervaded the entire room. To Chad, it smelled like home.

None of those things were the most notable feature of the space, however. That distinction belonged to the army of cats.

Sitting atop cabinets, laying on couches, walking across tables - the furry creatures lounged on practically every surface like living rugs. Their numbers weren't the only impressive thing, either. The sheer variety of fur colors, sizes, and types was always a marvel to behold. If Chad didn't know any better, he'd have said his Gram Gram was trying to open some sort of cat zoo or live museum exhibit.

He stepped further in, taking care to avoid the collections of squeaky mice and feather-topped balls scattered across the floor. Behind him, Annie gazed around in awe at the sight. "What in…"

"Huh." Chad spared a cursory glance at the swarm of furballs himself. "Seems like she's picked up a few more since I've been gone."

"A few?!" Annie hissed. "This is normal?! Chad, this is more cats than I've seen in my life!"

He shrugged. "What can I say? She loves the things. Can't imagine why though."

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One of the cats - a Siamese with stunning blue eyes - leaped down from the kitchen counter to rub up against Annie's legs with a soft purr.

"Don't trust that one," Chad warned her as she bent to scratch it. "He's a jerk."

"How do you even remember them individually…" She leaned down and rubbed its ears as the feline headbutted her hand. "He seems friendly enough, though."

"Yeah, till he gets tired of you. Then all of a sudden, wham, he'll claw at you for no reason whatsoever. Traitorous little bastard. The tabbies are nicer."

Annie smiled at the cat, then froze suddenly. "Uh, Chad?"

"Hmm?"

"The cat has text, too."

"What?" He frowned in confusion at the feline as it continued with its innocent act. As he focused on it, text appeared above its head, just like Annie had said.

Cat (Lvl 1)

He frowned, looking around at more of the animals. Each of them had the same tag. Apparently, humans weren't the only ones who received this system stuff.

Huh. Weird. Guess that makes sense though. Especially if things like those monsters got labels too. I can guarantee some of those things were dumber than a cat.

Gram Gram continued shuffling toward the kitchen as they talked quietly. "Sit, sit! I'll be there in just a moment."

"That's ok, Gram Gram." Chad called over to her. "I don't know if we'll have time for tea today."

"Oh, that's a shame." Disappointment laced her tone. "Are you certain you won't be able to stay and talk? It's been so long, and I'm sure we have plenty to talk about. Why, the Johnsons down the road just got a new cattle dog, I hear…"

"That's nice, maybe you can tell me about it later." Chad replied distractedly as he patted his pockets. "Shoot."

"What is it?"

"My phone's gone… Must've left it at your place." Chad glanced up at Annie. "Does your phone still have service?"

She nodded. "I was already looking some stuff up while we drove. It didn't look promising. Social media was just full of people panicking and asking questions... I'll see what else I can find."

With a nod of thanks, he glanced around the room to find a boxy old TV set. The thing was covered in a thick layer of dust and cat hair from disuse. "Gram Gram, mind if I turn on the TV?"

"Oh, it's no problem at all dearie. Only…" She chuckled wryly. "Why, I can hardly get the television to work most days. You know me, I'm just no good with technology like you young'uns."

"That's ok, I'll do it."

After a brief moment of searching, Chad managed to fish the remote out of a drawer by the fireplace. The screen blinked to life with a high-pitched ringing noise. The sudden sound of the local news startled away a couple of white cats that had been sleeping atop the TV.

"...An unprecedented event. The national guard and military have already been mobilized to defend against the ongoing threat…"

The screen changed to what Chad assumed to be a live feed of the portal over Dallas. Mutated and strange forms continued to pour out of it, scattering into the sky or rushing down the ethereal white spiral staircase. Along the bottom ran a blocky headline that read "BREAKING NEWS: ALIENS ATTACK DALLAS".

As he watched, Chad saw a fleet of fighter jets streak by and shoot at the descending creatures. Many of the things evaporated into clouds of bloody mist or fell screaming below. The fiery trail of a missile rocketed out from another plane, striking the portal itself in an explosion of flame and smoke. When the cloud faded, however, the glowing ring of energy remained intact.

"Oh, my." Gram Gram's eyes widened at the image on the screen. "What on earth are they on about now?"

Chad flicked through a few more channels, looking for other news stations. Most of them were still online and even broadcasting, to his surprise. Most of the reports were obviously being made at a very comfortable distance away from the city, but not all of them. Apparently, some people were willing to wade through that mess for the sake of the story. Chad shook his head in amazement. Eventually though, he happened upon a larger network.

"...Multiple major cities have reported similar disturbances, throwing the local populace into chaos." A reporter recited toward the camera. Text below indicated she was in New York City. Sure enough, a familiar portal hung in the far distance behind her. "Some claim that the source of the portals is supernatural, while others believe that this may be an act of terrorism from abroad…"

This is bigger than just Dallas, then. "Fuck."

"Language, Chadwick."

"Chad," Annie appeared at his side, her face pale. She showed him her phone screen. "This is happening all over. Not just America. There's even reports from overseas." She bit her lip. "Do you… do you mind if I make some calls? I need to check on my family. They should be out in the country, but…"

"Go for it." He nodded. "I'll keep an eye out."

Annie rushed off toward a side room, leaving Chad alone with his grandmother. He sidled up toward the windows, glaring out at the horizon for any unnatural movement. A moment later, the woman shuffled up next to him. "Chadwick? Is everything alright?"

"I don't think so, Gram Gram." He sighed. "There's some weird sh- er, stuff happening out there. I don't know if you're gonna be safe, even all the way out here…"

"Oh, don't you worry, Chadwick. My little kittens will protect me." She scratched an orange tabby behind the ears as it hopped onto the kitchen table. "Won't you, Tabitha?"

Chad looked at the cat skeptically as it basked in the attention. Text confirming the battle prowess of the Cat (Lvl 1) appeared above its head. Still, level or not, it didn't change the fact that they were cats. Even with a legion of them here, he didn't believe for a second that they'd be able to do a thing against a real threat.

Maybe they can suffocate one of those imps with their fur. Who knows? Maybe monsters have cat allergies.

"Gram Gram…" Chad grimaced, uncertain how to broach the subject. "I can't risk anything hurting you. If those things make it out here, we're gonna have to leave."

"Leave? Why, but you've only just arrived, honey."

"No, I mean you'll have to leave. With us. To get somewhere safer."

His grandma frowned thoughtfully. "Well, it's been… I don't even know how many years since I've gone on a real trip. These old bones have a hard time moving most anywhere nowadays. Why, the last time I went out with a friend - just a short outing into town, mind you - I ended up breaking a hip! Nearly scared poor Meredith half to death…"

Chad ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. That's actually a good point. Gram Gram's old. She's gonna have a real tough time traveling. No shot I can take her on my bike, either, we'd have to take that old clunker in the garage. Assuming it's even got gas.

His thoughts whirled. If they did leave, where would they go? Further away from the city? Would anywhere be safe?

At least here, we know people. I can ask the Johnsons and some of the other neighbors for help. They've got supplies, livestock, all that kind of stuff, not to mention there's no way they'd leave Gram Gram high and dry. But if we go somewhere else? With the world ending, who knows? It could be every man for himself out there soon.

He glanced around the interior of the cottage. It wasn't exactly an ideal doomsday bunker, but the place did have benefits. It was fairly independent, for one. The place drew from a community well and used a septic tank, rather than being connected to any city utilities. Gram Gram also got her residential propane tank refueled pretty regularly when he was younger, a habit that she'd hopefully kept up. Even better, he knew the place like the back of his hand. And…

"Gram Gram?"

The woman paused in her retelling of her and Meredith's eventful outing. "Yes, honey?"

"You still got pawpaw's old stuff?"

A brief shadow crossed her face as she smiled sadly. "I do. It's still all in the guest room, gathering dust. I simply can't bring myself to go through it."

"It's ok, Gram Gram." He placed a large hand on her shoulder gently. "You don't have to. I might need to look through some of it though, if that's ok."

Gram Gram patted Chad's hand with her own frail one. "Of course, honey. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Just as Chad made to stand, Annie rushed back into the room. The masseuse glanced around for Chad, panicked gaze locking on his. Her face was white as a sheet.

"We have a problem."