"Now if we could just take a blood sample," The doctor continued, and I rolled up my sleeve, letting the nurse take my arm.

Alien germs. Of course they were a concern.

"Have you had any trouble sleeping?"

"Yes. Though it's gotten better, just nightmares."

The doctor nodded, he made a note.

A 'health assessment.' A complementary requirement. And as much as I didn't like going to the doctors, or being poked and prodded, I knew it was a good thing so I couldn't complain too much. Especially since I knew it wasn't really for me.

I had never been healthier, but if somebody poofed away next to me and then came back three days later? I was just thankful my mom hadn't tried to haul me to church to be re-baptized yet. Different people handled stress in different ways.

"What Abilities do you have?"

"What? That's a health question?"

"It's part of the questionnaire." He replied and I glanced at his tablet, holding out my hand -

Abilities, Skills, Stats, Environment, etc - Seven hundred questions? Pages and pages? We were at 19?

"I'm not answering all this."

"Mr. Abbot, this is a part of the Mandate."

It started so simply. My temperature. Then they wanted spit.

"Let me think about it," I told him, trying to decide if I should tell the truth, not answer, or just lie.

The doctor nodded politely.

"If you could disrobe."

I started removing my clothes and I stopped -

"Are you going to try to put your finger in my butthole?"

The doctor didn't even blink, "No, that's not a part of the physical."

I chuckled, relieved, feeling stupid for asking, I pulled down my pants.

"It's just a swab."

My father didn't say anything, as I climbed into the truck. He just looked over, turned the key.

It was the way he didn't say it.

I wanted to speak up, to say the exam was a good thing. It was there to make people feel comfortable, so they wouldn't be afraid the Returnees were infected, or dangerous. But - they just took it too far.

But then I couldn't decide where too far was? Why was I getting an exam when I wasn't sick? Was it reasonable for them to take my blood? I felt it was. So how could any question be worse then sticking a needle in my arm? What if I hadn't said no? What came after 'just the swab.'

So I found myself agreeing with him, in a way, when a week ago I thought the world would end before I agreed with my father -

But in a way change is an end of things, how they use to be. It was also a beginning.

I looked out the window, police cars had blocked a corner of lawn and white tent was erected. Caution tape around the property, it looked like a crime scene. Except the white tent had a red tint to it - of a light coming from within.

As we pulled into a shopping center my father handed me an envelope and I took it without thinking, pulling it into my inventory. He glanced at my empty hand, it still surprised him -

I was wide eyed staring at him - thousands of dollars. He just handed it to me? Without saying a word? He knew why we were here.

Motorcycle helmets. Leathers. Supplies. Emergency kits for every member of the family. I was going to do it myself, and I was going to have do it with my limited savings, it never even occurred to me to ask for more -

And I spent it without a shred of guilt, even thought I spent a lot on luxuries. Far more materials then I needed. Lots of wires. Hand tools. Crafting supplies from needle and thread to the nicest, most expensive pair of scissors they had.

If I had wanted it I bought it, sucking it into myself, and after dinner I explained why I made the kits, what I thought they needed them for, what I knew about the Dungeons in case they were ever pulled in.

My advice: Find Shelter. Hide. Watch out for bugs.

"This is a good kit." My father said, going through it.

"No coffee?" My grandfather asked like I'd forgotten rope.

"No." I nodded seriously, "Nothing that smells. No lights. No noise. These are just the basics, I don't know how you all would face each threat so add what you need, a bow and arrow or crossbow. I know everyone likes guns, but until I know if the protection is worth the noise...?"

They both nodded at this, which surprised me. Until my father said one thing and again I felt like an idiot -

"Behind enemy lines."

Of course they would already know, have their own strategies. While everything I could tell them could be fit in a half hour, he could probably lecture me for weeks and still not come close -

Still they listened to every word I said, and even if I didn't give them anything that could help? I didn't think I said anything that could hurt. I just wanted to give them every advantage.

Which is why I passed over a sparkling bottle to each, about the size of a small light bulb - my reward for surviving the Dungeon.

"These are Full Restore potions." I said, "I'm not sure if they'll work out here, but they'll heal you completely, no matter the injury, as well as refill your - Grandpa!"

Too late. He swallowed the potion -

I watched with horror as he doubled over, gasping, and my grandmother reached for him -

"Hank!" She shouted putting her hand on his shoulder, my stomach dropped as he groaned and I heard a clicking coming from his mouth -

My mother shouted! And then Grandpa spat out his teeth!

False teeth, I shook my head and then laughed, smacking my head while he wrapped them in his handkerchief. He took off his glasses, and hearing aid next - adding them to his pocket.

While the ladies glared at him and the room took a breath of relief.

"Gone." He finally said, and I wasn't sure - but then my Grandma was wrapping him in a hug and kissing him - I blushed, almost walking out of the room before -

"Cody, you blessing." She whispered at me, crying - standing up and wrapping me in a hug, even as he stood up and moved. Rotating his shoulders and arms, his legs.

I had been worried, relieved, then briefly irritated because I'd wanted them to have them for an emergency, but - if they were in pain? If they could improve their lives? Now?

I pulled out the two potions I'd been saving for myself and passed them over to them, and smiled -

"Take it, Francine." My grandfather said, "I haven't felt this good in...my life. I feel like a pup."

To help them feel as wonderful as I had, when I saw how much they supported me? They believed in me when I hadn't even believed in myself.