“Get somewhere safe. Check up on your friends and family. Prepare for the worst.”

~The President addresses the nation, 3 days before power grids fail

By the time Devin made it back to town, the setting sun bathed Bainbridge in an orange hue. The horrendous foot traffic of the day had died down, replaced by a lethargic crowd. It was a mix of people who were not in a rush to go home or didn’t have a home to go to at all.

Mostly, it was the latter.

More common than the former nowadays. He shook his head, fishing some shards out of his pocket as he walked back to the safe zone entrance—

—only to then remember that he used every shard he had at his disposal for his circle forging.

“Crap.” Devin cursed, glancing at the soldiers that didn't seem to notice him yet. “I guess this is a good time to test something out.” He smiled as he brought up his soul card to bring a certain item to life.

Stealy’s Red Cap

Equipped to the Side Deck

Item Manifested!

Stealy’s Red Cap (Rare)

Equipment/Dimensional

The lucky hat of the legendary

golden hobgoblin, Stealy.

1st Circle—ACU

+0.2 Acumen

+Hated Enemy (Goblin)

{Attention Slip}

{Gap Slip}

“This…is so freaking ugly.” Devin grimaced at the brown, dirty, patchwork hat that dropped in his hand. “I guess beggars can’t be choosers.” He sighed as he hesitantly slapped the cap onto his head.

Unexpectedly, a surge of instinctual information flowed into his head, allowing Devin to manipulate the item’s abilities like they were an extension of his own body. The hat revved in his growing 6th sense like a car, ready to launch into action.

“Actually, this is so cool.” He grinned as more energy swelled from his core. It flowed through his veins, reinvigorating him before it left his body through his skin where it was gobbled up by the ugly hat.

At least no one will see me wearing it. Devin thought as he reread the card’s abilities just to be sure.

Taking a deep breath, Devin concentrated, and for the first time ever, deployed his magic circle. Instead of appearing in a flashy shower of sparks, his circle was barely noticeable, tracing itself on the front of his hat before disappearing altogether.

“Did it work?” Devin asked himself, unsure. He felt the subtle pull slowly drain his resources, but other than that, nothing seemed different to him. Growling in frustration, he didn’t notice someone walking towards him until the idiot walked right into him.m

“Hey! Watch where…you’re going?” The careless guy’s yell tampered down to a confused whisper as he looked directly at the spot where he collided with Devin. He looked around, but even though Devin was right in front of him, the man’s eyes seemed to slide off of him. “This stupid, freaky ass apocalypse.” The man muttered, leaving without ever laying eyes on Devin.

Bingo, he thought with a smile.

“But will it get me through the checkpoint?” Devin glanced at the new set of soldiers who looked equally as tired. “Only one way to find out.”

His heart pounded as he walked by the soldiers several times, but not once did they question him. It was like Devin didn’t even register to their senses. He even tested if other people would feel his touch, and anything less than a shove was wholly ignored.

It was like he was a ghost, one with an ugly red cap. Like I’m some knockoff plumber. Might as well call me Luigi.

After squeezing past the pedestrians who were going through the gate and crossing through the gate, Devin cut left into the town’s park that sat near the entrance. He walked the winding, wood trail until he was sure he was out of sight, and only then did Devin release the manifestation of Red Cap.

Warning!

Stamina below 5%!

Instead of taking his next step, Devin collapsed, heaving for air like he was having a panic attack. Pressure swelled in his chest with each beat of his heart, yet when Devin investigated further, he discovered his core was the culprit. It pulsed harder and harder every time he gasped for air, literally taking his breath away. It was only when his core calmed down was able to take more than a smidge of oxygen for himself.

“What the hell—was that?” He questioned between his coughs and sharp inhalations. The answer came in the form of another screen.

Stamina above 25%

Stamina Shock Status dissipated

I guess there’s no such thing as power without consequence. Devin glanced around. It’s a good thing that it happened here instead of out in the wilds. Who knows what kind of monster would find me at my weakest time? He shuddered.

Somehow, those things always had a way of showing up at the worst times.

Devin took one last deep breath and got to his feet. He looked around to make sure no one was watching him before leaving the trail to cross the street. Although he was unfamiliar with the town, Devin was able to follow the few street signs that still stood. Despite that many of them were missing, it didn’t take long for Devin to come across a relatively clean neighborhood on Pantzer St and Southern Rd.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

He whistled. “Some people have all the luck.” All the houses on the street still stood strong with no obvious holes, burn marks, or other signs of people trying to break in. There was only one house on the whole street that had broken windows, and they were covered by planks of wood from the inside, like the rest of the house down the street.

Beyond that, the road only had one pothole for crying out loud. And it’s filled in. Who does that when most cars are just roadblocks now?

At least it seems like they’re working together. Devin shook his head. Can’t expect people to do that anymore.

Almost every city and town went to hell after the world announcement appeared in front of everyone. Devin had seen entire neighborhoods face extinction from just a few monsters and beasts, so he was glad to see some semblance of suburbia still living strong.

“Oh my God, what's that smell?“ Devin drooled at the scent of bacon drifting down the block. I’m real jealous of whoever’s making that right now.

Just like Gerald said, the blue house fell on the middle of the street, proudly displaying the American flag from its awning. It’s refreshing to see, like a cool lemonade on a hot summer day. Devin hustled up the steps and knocked on the door. It only took a few seconds for someone else to answer, and it happened to be the person he was most familiar with.

“Devin, my boy! You look a helluva lot better.” Gerald greeted him with a big smile. “Come ‘round back. I’m sure you gonna like what we got going on back here.”

“Lead the way, old man. I’m already slobbering from the smell.”

Gerald chuckled as he led Devin around his house to the backyard, which was filled with people talking excitedly around several grills, surrounding a huge spit roast, several large cuts already carved off and divided amongst the partygoers as people lined up to get the smoked pork, grill steaks, and loads of side dishes other people brought. Kids ran between guests, while teens and adults conversed amongst themselves.

It was the happiest group of people Devin had seen in a long time, and the mood was quite infectious.

In the middle of the party next to the bonfire was the corpse of the elite mutant he had defeated. His earlier sympathies were forgotten the moment his stomach grumbled painfully.

He licked his lips. “You don’t know how happy I am to see that it’s you guys who are making that delicious smell.”

“It was so much goddamn meat that we didn't know what to do with it, even after giving so much away. So I called a few people over who knew what they were doing, and it turned into all this.” Gerald explained. “I hope you don’t mind all the people, bud.”

“Are you kidding? I’m just happy to be here.” Devin spoke the truth.

“That’s good, ‘cause you’re the man of the day.” The older man grabbed his shoulders. “Hey, everybody! This is the guy I was talkin’ about; the one who brought down this big ass pig we got here.”

Cups of homemade juice beer slushed in people's hands while a massive cheer rocked the place. Fighting the embarrassment, Devin smiled for the crowd, waving at their applause, and readily accepting offered beer.

It was such a change in his life; yesterday, or even before the apocalypse. Being the center of the crowd while recounting his thoughts on the situation, and how he set up his traps to take the boar down—it was a novel experience for Devin, who never had the chance to be fawned over in his entire life. He lived for himself for the longest he could remember, since before everything.

Here he was, the center of attention. All it took was the end of the world.

It was nice, but it was exhausting, especially after telling his story over and over again. At the end of it all, he found himself sitting in a corner of the backyard where he could observe everyone mingle while still being close enough to feel the bonfire.

Gerald found him alone. The old man sat next to him, handing him another drink, this one thankfully just water. “What’s wrong, man? You look like you just fought with your girlfriend.”

Devin side-eyed him. “A girlfriend? During the apocalypse?”

“Perfect time to get into a relationship. How else are you going to blow off steam?” Gerald chuckled, slapping him on the shoulder. “Now tell me what’s wrong, boy.” He plopped down next to him.

“I don’t know.” Devin stared into the fire for a moment, silent. “Don’t get me wrong, this is delicious. I’m content. I just…I don’t know. I wish I had a taste of this life before all this happened.”

Gerald stared at him before clapping his forehead. “Oh God, you're one of those types.”

The older man took his hand off his face, looking straight at Devin. “Look, kid. Just because the world changed don't mean nothin’. We’re still here. We are still alive.” He patted his chest to punctuate. “We have to keep livin’ our lives, in spite of disaster, in spite of evil, or else They win.”

“Who is ‘they’?” Devin smiled wryly.

“You know who I’m talkin’ about. They, with a capital T; Them. The mysterious blackhat organization that hides in the dark, poisoning our wells, brainwashing our children, and stealing our property.” Gerald gestured to the sky, as if it explained his hare-brained theory.

Devin laughed. “That’s some conspiracies you got there, old man.”

“It’s not some conspiracy, it's the truth!” He yelled. “Anyway, you can’t wallow in everything. You gotta keep on livin’.”

“I’ll try. Only because you said so, if you didn’t, I would’ve given up right here.” Devin said sarcastically.

“You brat.” He huffed halfheartedly.

“You elderly bastard.” Devin returned with a smile.

“You mind me taking some of this home?”

“Why not? Everybody else is takin’ buttloads. Let’s grab a bag for you to hold all of it in.”

They finished their cups and walked into Gerald’s house where his wife was preparing heaps of plastic bags filled with second, third, and fourth portions.

“Babe, this is Bella’s brother. Can you serve him up a couple of plates too?” Gerald yelled in the house.

“Oh, Isabella? Devin’s daughter? I didn’t know he had a son.” Gerald’s wife yelled back.

Devin stiffened upon hearing those names, “You knew my dad? And my sister? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Gerald scratched the back of his head, “I only figured it out at the checkpoint. Ain’t too many Carters in town.”

“So you know my sister?” Devin pressed. “Do you know what happened to her?”

“I’m afraid not.” He shook his head. “She disappeared a couple weeks before the Fall. I can only hope that she got somewhere safe.” Gerald sighed.

The possibility of her being alive is almost zero. Devin realized, then gulped as if he swallowed a pill that refused to go down. “Thanks for telling me.” He squeaked out.

“No problem. I wish I had more to say.” Gerald gave him a pitiful look before joining his wife in the kitchen.

The young man fell silent, trying to come to terms with reality. The last family I had in this world is probably dead. She died while I was galavanting around Florida.

He took a shaky breath. Logically, I know there was nothing I could do, but why do I feel like a terrible person?

This time, an answer didn’t make itself known. It was just him and the weight of his sister’s death.

“Devin.” Gerald clapped his shoulder, snapping him back to attention. “Did you hear me?”

“Sorry, come again?”

“I said, stay safe out here.” He said, sloshing his mug of beer while he hand the bag filled with grilled pork, bacon, and steaks,

“I will.” Devin gratefully accepted the leftovers. “It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Francis.”

“You too, baby.” She yelled back.

With a little more warmth in his chest than before, Devin walked back out of the gates, gladly reminded that good people still existed in this world. Yet, he couldn’t hold back the reminder that he truly was alone.