We found our way onto the 114 towards Tech Terrace near the heart of Lubbock. We were headed over to Linda's house to check on Michael. Noah and John spent the time chatting. Darla was always quiet, so I don't know if she was in shock or if this was normal. Then again, we should all be in shock by now.

The trip into the heart of Lubbock was easier than expected. There weren't the screaming masses or rampant looting that I was imagining. As I turned into more residential neighborhoods, I could see people peeking out their windows at us as we drove by. I guess most of them had holed up at home without any place better to go. Maybe in shock or waiting for rescue. If I wasn't already so well stocked for the end of the world, I would be out looting all the groceries and water I could get my hands on. But I guess it wasn't the Russians that caused the world's end but some alien oligarchs. I bet they drank space vodka.

I pulled up to the empty driveway of a midsized brick country house. The house that I was paying for but not living in. Linda's car was gone. That wasn't a good sign. I tried calling her again, but still no answer. I jumped out, grabbed my hammer, and went her the door. I banged on it a few times, then waited. No one answered, and no noise from inside. I sighed, unsure what to do next. Then I looked down at my bound hammer, and my knuckles tightened on the rubber grip. I took no pleasure as I smashed the door from its hinges. Okay, maybe a tiny pleasure.

I did a quick search through the house. Then I looked out back. There was no sign of Michael or the witch. I went back inside and scrawled out a quick note on the refrigerator. Then I double-checked Michael's room, I couldn't find his favorite stuffed bear. That was a little odd to me, so I checked his dresser. A bunch of his clothes was missing. I guessed they bugged out. Or Linda kidnapped him again. Either way, no chance of finding them until she wanted to be found.

Damn, not again. I felt guilty. I felt guilty for not feeling worse and for not caring more. I felt like I should be stressed out more and scream in rage and loss. But it just wasn't in me. I loved Michael, but I haven't gotten the chance to get to know him. Most of all, I felt guilty that I didn't love him more and didn't think of him more. But even if we didn't really know each other, I still wanted to do right by him.

I set the door back into the frame and ran back to the truck. "Where's Michael?" Noah asked.

"I'm not sure, but they took some clothes, so I hope they went somewhere safe," I answered.

"Okay, so what next?" Asked John. "Are we headed to your place? Then what?"

"Yeah," I said, "there are a few things we should pick up. But where to go, I'm not sure. I was thinking 'bout heading up north somewhere with water where we can grow some crops. But I don't think any place is really safe anymore."

With that, Eve shimmered back into view on the dashboard. Her pink hair was done up in pigtails this time. Her face was a mix of sour emotions as she waved at us. I waved back. Eve bulged her eyes at me and pointed at her mouth. I smiled and pointed at my mouth. She stomped her foot, and suddenly my vision was flooded with blue screens.

"Okay, okay, unmute," I said.

"Finally," exclaimed Eve. "Why are you idi... Why are you planning on going somewhere else when you can make a safe zone here? It's easy. First, you clear out the spawn nests, then you can take over the city dungeon, and you can turn all of Lubbock into a safe zone. You'll need to clean up the leftover beasties afterward, but no new monsters will be created here. And it will prevent the colonists from opening portals nearby."

"What's a city dungeon?" Asked Darla.

"Every population area has a dungeon of some kind that can be conquered to create a safe zone. Harmony usually builds them under major administration areas. Each area is given at least one monster nest linked to the local dungeon. The larger the indigenous population, the more nests that are created. There are two benefits to this. Firstly, the local residents get stronger by taking out infestations. And secondly, each nest destroyed will weaken the dungeon. It will take several days, but you should be able to clear out the nests here. When everyone is ERL 12, you should be strong enough to take on the city dungeon."

"Where do you think the city dungeon would be?" I asked

"It should be near wherever the local government was centered," Eve answered. "But you should start by taking out the dire rat nest. You know where that is, and it should be good practice. Then the house there should be safe for a few days while you find and clear out the other nests. Once you clear the several nets, you should be safe to try the dungeon." It was clear that politeness was killing Eve.

"Local government?" I said. "Sounds like Citizen's Tower."

"That's off 14th," John said, "not too far away. I think we should head there first. It sounds like the longer it takes to take over that dungeon, the longer we gotta deal with the monsters in town. That means more people will die. I doubt everyone is as well stockpiled as Jose and myself."

"Are you daft? You're not strong enough," Eve interjected.

"Ee-vee-ee," I rolled my head at her, "I’m going to go with John on this. You want to wait until we are level 12? Well, I’m ERL 56, and Noah is at 42. We should be able to handle things. And, if it is too much, we can always leave and come back later.”

“No, you idiot,” Eve cut in, “you just aren’t getting it. There is a process in place, and if you….”

“Mute,” I interrupted.

The Citizen’s Tower was a modern looking 11 story building with white sidewalls. The first floor took up nearly the city block's length, while the tower itself was wide and tall. The design gave it an interesting “L” shaped look. As we approached, Darla was the first to notice something was wrong. The cars along the side of the street were all smashed up. Even some of the light poles were bent and laid at odd angles. A few spatters of blood pooled in the parking lots we passed.

“Those almost look like bear markings,” Darla said, pointing to long gashes along a parked hybrid. A line of four long gashes ran down the length of the pale blue car. The front light looked like it had been gnawed upon by something massive.

I brought the Jeep to a stop. “Anyone see anything?” I asked.

“Not yet. Let me try something,” John answered as he flipped the four levers to pop off the roof. The top disappeared with a shimmer letting the hot rays of the fall sun beat down upon us. “Gotta love having an inventory.”

John stood on the black leather seats. Then he took the Mossberg and peered through the scope, looking up and down the decorative red brick streets.

“Damn it,” John said, “there’s a bowel sitting in the shade under the awning.”

“A what?” Darla and I asked in unison.

“A bowel,” John said. “You know, a half bear half owl thingie. And geez, it is ugly. Got a messed up beak face and everything.”

“I think you mean owl bear.” I corrected

“Not likely,” John argued, “that would mean the mother was an owl. I mean, how would that even work?

“What are you talking about?” I asked with a sigh, “Forget it. Can you shoot the thing?”

“Just keep us steady,” John said.

With a deafening pop, the .300 Winchester magnum round pierced the owl bear’s hardened skull. The beast slumped and fell onto its bloody face. We were about to celebrate when two more of the creatures rushed around the corner of Citizen’s Tower in a strange lope. They were big, with the size and body of a brown bear. Their scraggy fur was intermixed with long gray feathers and poked out at odd paces. Ursine faces were replaced with flat, broad owl skulls and oversized orange eyes that sat above a great hooked beak.

“Sit down!” I yelled just as John took another shot. He clipped one owl bear on the left in the hip, its feathers flew, and the beast stumbled. The Jeep charged and lunged at the two monsters as the uninjured one ran straight at us. Its vicious talons scraped into the brick stonework street as it returned our charge. We were playing chicken with an owl bear.

“They’re ELR 15!” Darla yelled right before we collided with the lead monster. At the last moment, I dodged the Jeep to the side to catch a glancing blow, but still, the impact jolted us. As the owl bear bounced off the Iron Cross grill, the Jeep spun the other way. But John was ready, and he popped up again, with a pistol in each hand, and fired a dozen rounds into the one he clipped earlier. It staggered and fell to the ground. The owl bear we bounced off was dazed but slowly got back to its feet.

John fell into his seat as I took off again. This time I was more centered on the owl bear. My approach was slower, and the monster was able to take a swipe at the Jeep. But that didn’t save it as knobby run flat tired pulled us up and over the world’s most disgusting speedbump. I could feel its bones crack and snap as we bounced over it.

“I think I got whiplash,” John said.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Darla said.

“Daddy let me fight too!” said Noah.

“Okay, buddy,” I said and glanced at Noah in the rearview mirror, “next time, use your skill on them. But be sure to stay behind everyone. And Koko, guard Noah.”

“Yes, sir!” Noah answered. It made me proud every time he answered like that.

I circled the building a few times before pulling up to the curb in front of Citizen’s Tower. We piled out of the Jeep. Darla clenched a pistol with both hands while John holstered everything. Koko sniffed the air heavily but stayed on Noah’s heel as the boy looked around.

Glass circled the lowest floor of the building, and it was surprisingly clean and intact. The doors slid open as we approached. I’m not sure what it looked like before Harmony, but the inside of the Citizen’s Tower felt unusual. The only sounds were the squeaking of boots and the tap-tap of doggie toenails on an overly polished floor. Everything was spotless. Every piece of furniture was set at perfect 90-degree angles. Desks were meticulously aligned and dust free. Not a single piece of rubbish was in any bin.

We wound our way between the desks, cubicles, and plastic potted plants as we headed towards the back. But there was no elevator waiting for us. Only a broad set of stairs sat against the wall. Black runes, drenched in darkness, crept along the wall and circled the stairwell.

The stairwell went up seemingly forever. Only a soft green glow emanating from the steps provided any light. At some point, the stairs morphed from concrete with rubberized toppers into rough hone stone. Finally, we reached the top and a wide stone platform. Everyone struggled to catch our breath as we eyed the round steel grate door set into the wall.

“Well, I guess this is it,” I said. “Anyone wants to back out?”

A round of shaking heads answered me. Everyone seemed to be anxious to get this over with. And the ease with which we took out the owl bears gave us confidence. This was supposed to be a level 12 dungeon, after all. So we made a few adjustments to our gear and crossed the threshold. Noah was the last to enter, and as he stepped inside, the iron bars of the door swung shut and locked with a clang.

Then the blue screen appeared in my vision and read, “You dumb bastard – Eve.”