Then

“What’s the plan?” Eron sat at Remy’s kitchen table, surreptitiously trying to keep one eye on the guinea pig cradled in his young niece’s, Veronica, tiny hands, while jotting down some notes on a sheet of paper.

“We wait here,” Megan, Remy’s wife, said as she cradled their youngest daughter in her lap. “They said to stay indoors.”

Eron’s eyes shot over to Cal then to Remy. At first glance the three brothers looked different from each other. It was only after a short observation of a variety of shared features did it become clear that they had the same parents.

The youngest Cruces brother looked as if he wanted to say something, but he kept his mouth shut and instead made a noncommittal sound.

“It’s been weeks,” Cal sighed. “And all they’ve done is keep sending out that same alert, at least when the internet and phones are working.”

“It’s been getting spottier,” Remy agreed. “We have no idea how long the communications infrastructure can last, especially under these… conditions.”

“You’re the engineer. How about a guesstimate?” Eron smiled suddenly. Veronica had caught on to the suspicious looks he was giving her precious Twinkle Star.

“It’s pointless to speculate. Too many interconnected and moving parts. Without anyone doing maintenance I’m expecting it to completely go down any day now,” Remy said.

“What we need to do is get you guys to one of those spire things.” Eron looked at Remy and Megan in turn. “There’s one in the middle of campus. Just an hour’s walk away, maybe twenty minutes by bike.”

“We’re not going out there with all those monsters.” Megan spoke in a tone that brooked no dissent.

“I’ll go with you,” Eron said. “I’ve already scouted out a safe-ish route. Nothing too bad monster-wise. Just some mutant birds and squirrels.” He couldn’t help it, but his glance fell back on Twinkle Star for a split second, which made Veronica clutch her tighter. He felt bad about it, but he’d had enough experience with tiny, cute animals turned mutated monsters recently to simply ignore the ticking time bomb cradled in his little niece’s arms.

“We’re not leaving our children!” Megan’s voice took on a heated tone.

“Cal and Nila will stay and watch over them.”

The pair wisely didn’t say anything.

“The government said to stay inside,” Megan glared at Eron, then at Remy, as if demanding he fix things.

“Hey, I get it,” Eron said gently. “I hope they figure this out and save our butts so we can get back to our lives, our jobs, well maybe not that… but we have the ability to keep ourselves safe. So shouldn’t we be doing all that we can? Just in case? I mean, we can’t stay hiding inside if this situation drags on for months.”

“And why not?” Megan challenged. “Isn’t it safer to stay inside. As long as we have candles those gremlin things stay away. We’ve got enough food and water. There are several grocery stores within walking distance. We can collect rain water. There are a lot of things we can do without going out there and playing at being heroes.”

Eron shook his head. “I think I read somewhere that the average home has about three days worth of food at any given time. Well, it’s been two weeks and the last time I was at the grocery store I noticed that there were a lot more people around. They’re running out of food, so now they’re willing to risk facing monsters. Can you imagine what things will be like in a few more weeks? A month or two? At this rate stores are going to run out of food pretty quickly.”

“About that,” Cal said. “I think we got lucky. I made a note of what was on the shelves and it seems like they’re being restocked,” he raised his hands, “I know how it sounds, but I think that’s something we can attribute to the magic or super technology,” he shrugged. “As long as that lasts we don’t have to worry about starvation.”

Eron shook his head. “But for how long? Which is why we need to make sure that we keep getting stronger. You guys simply have to go to the spire. Otherwise how will you protect Tessa and Veronica?”

“I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.” Megan stood, holding her five year old daughter in her arms, she called to her ten year old. “Tessa, let’s go upstairs.”

“But mooommm…”

“Now!”

“Fine,” Tessa said as she sulkily got up from her chair and followed after her mother.

“Sorry,” Eron said after the trio tromped their way up the stairs.

“It’s fine,” Remy sighed. “It’s not that I disagree with what you said, but Megan’s having a hard time with all of this.”

“Dude! We all are!”

“Just stop.” Remy held up a hand. “Give me some time to convince her.” With that he stood from the table and made his way to the stairs, shoulders hunched.

“You guys get what I’m saying, right?”

“Megan’s just scared for the girls,” Nila said. “I pretty much feel the same way she does.”

“Yeah, but you went out there on day one,” Eron said.

“Not that I wanted too and I don’t have any kids to worry about,” Nila said.

“You can’t push her too hard. I think she’s the kind of person that’ll push back harder. Stubborn,” Cal said. “Even if you’re right.”

“It’s not about being right or wrong,” Nila said. “It’s about getting her to see things your way and clearly what you’re doing isn’t working.”

“I get that,” Eron sighed. “It’s just that even Rayna and our parents are out there, killing mutant animals.”

“How are they doing? The phone cut out before I could take a turn talking to them,” Cal said.

“Doing good for the most part. They just went to a spire the other day. Luckily it popped up at the mall, so it was less than a ten minute walk away.” Eron hesitated.

“And?”

“It popped up in the middle of the mall. Turns out in exchange for losing stores the mall got a ton of those gremlin things. Fortunately they were prepared, got in and got out with only minor scratches.” Eron took a sip of his stout. “As expected they’re all human hybrids, like us. Each a different class with no rhyme nor reason.”

“That makes sense, you two have different classes. Clearly it runs in the family,” Nila grumbled.

“What?” Cal raised his brow.

“Nothing, just sucks that you got cool powers, while all I got was a little stronger.”

“No way! Enhanced Physiology sounds pretty cool! You’re pretty much a super soldier. Like Captain America!”

“616 though, not movie version,” Cal said.

Eron nodded sagely. “So, more of the comic book peak human than outright superhuman. Still pretty good.”

“Nerds,” Nila said flatly.

Cal and Eron both shrugged.

“So, what’d they get?” Cal magnanimously chose to ignore his girlfriend’s jibe.

“Rayna’s a Gravitic, Dad got Physical Powerhouse, and Mom’s a Forcefield Generator.”

“Nice!” Cal nodded appreciatively. “Good mix. Damage dealing, defense, control. They’ve got everything covered.”

“Okay, please translate for the non-nerd in the room,” Nil said.

“Alright, I’m not sure exactly what they can do since they didn’t have enough point to unlock the descriptions, but at a guess… I’d say Rayna can manipulate gravity, Dad’s like the Hulk, but without the turning into a huge, green rage beast, and Mom can make force fields.”

“I’m so jealous,” Nila sighed. “You got mind powers,” she pointed a finger at Cal.

“Mind bullets!” Cal grinned. The other two merely looked at him with a perplexed look on their faces.

“That’s telekinesis, Kyle.”

“What are you talking about?” Nila frowned at him.

“Well… how ‘bout the power to move you?”

“Right,” Eron said. “I think we know how telekinesis works. Do you think you’ll eventually be able to do mind bullets? Or get strong enough to affect human-sized objects? Bigger?”

“Whatever,” Cal said. “Nila, please continue… no culture whatsoever.” The last bit he muttered under his breath.

“I heard that!” Nila said.

A belated look of recognition crossed Eron’s face. “Are you going to have us call you Wonderboy now?” He smirked.

“Only if you go by Young Nastyman,” Cal grinned.

“Focus, nerds!” Nila frowned.

“Sorry, sorry, so I got mind powers,” Cal said.

“And I got Solar Paragon,” Eron said. “I actually spent points unlocking the basic description, which was a waste. Basically, I now absorb solar energy, which gives me powers. It was woefully lacking information, but judging from how much stronger and bulletproof I am now, I’m thinking I’m basically like Superman.”

“Yes, yes we saw how you picked up the car and ran up and down the block,” Nila said.

“Wait, how did you figure out you’re bulletproof?”

Eron looked at his brother. “Cal… don’t get mad.”

Cal narrowed his eyes. He could feel eldest brother mode being activated. “Too late.”

Eron sighed. “On my last trip to the grocery store I ran into a bunch of meatheads trying to keep other people from going inside. A couple of them had guns.”

“But guns don’t work?” Nila looked at him with concern.

“The ones we tried didn’t, sure,” Eron said. “The ones they had did. Shot me in the chest when I told them to fuck off. Felt like paintball pellets, didn’t leave a mark on me, just put holes in my shirt. So,” he looked at Cal, “no need for concern.”

“That was careless, Eron,” Cal said. “We can’t assume anything. We’re not the only ones who might’ve gotten powers. In fact I’d say it’s smarter to approach everyone as if they do have abilities.”

“I know, that’s why I kept it quiet. I was trying to investigate, get more information first.”

“You should’ve said something right away,” Cal said. “What if Nila and me ran into these meatheads?”

“I don’t think you have to worry about those losers.”

“What’d you do?” Cal’s eyes locked with Eron’s.

“Jeez, man, relax.” Eron looked away. “What is this? An interrogation?” He frowned. “I just took their guns and slapped them around a bit, sent them away with a warning.”

“The guns? What did you do with them?”

“I was going to bring them back. I figured working guns would be good to have. Except when I tested them they didn’t work.”

“Maybe they got damaged when you took them?”

“C’mon Cal, I’m not dumb. I was careful and I know how to handle a gun. There was nothing wrong with them mechanically. They just wouldn’t fire when I tried them.”

“Yet they worked for those guys,” Nila said. “Maybe that’s what they got from the spire.”

“You think what? Their powers were ‘make guns work’?” Cal pinched the bridge of his nose.

“It sounds weird, but you’re the one that keeps going on about magic and super science,” Nila said.

“Sure, why not?” Cal sighed. “This changes things. We need to be more careful. At a minimum if we see anyone with a gun, we need to assume it works. I’m not sure that I’m bulletproof and I don’t think I want to test it out. Nila, I’m pretty your you aren’t.”

“I don’t want to get shot.” Were Nila’s wise words.

Cal turned to his youngest brother. “Do you think you’d recognize those meatheads if you saw them again?”

“Yeah, pretty sure I can.”

“Alright, after you take Remy and Megan to the spire, I want you to stake out the grocery store. Guys like that will be looking for payback. If you see them again you grab them. We need to find out how they got their guns to work.”

“Uh… I should probably just go straight to the store. There’s no way Megan is going to agree.”

Cal shook his head. “Remy will convince her.”

“Okay, sure.” Eron was unconvinced. “Keep in mind that if I’m at the grocery store then I won’t be out earning points.”

“You’re down to less than a point for each mutant squirrel in the park, right?”

“It’s still points.”

“Face it, Eron. You’ve gotten too strong for this zone,” Cal smiled. “Even Nila and I are only getting a point or two. How about we let Remy and Megan have a turn at farming?”

“Fine,” Eron grumbled, “but I still say Remy isn’t going to convince her.”

“You guys are such nerds,” Nila said.

As it turned out Cal was right. Remy convinced his wife to go to the spire. It only took two days.

Then

A forceful series of knocks banged against Remy’s front door.

The brothers were seated at the kitchen table with a taped-together map of the city they had printed out on a dozen sheets of paper during one of the growing rarer times that the internet was functioning.

“Eron,” Cal said.

“What? You want me to get the door? But it’s his house,” Eron said with a look at Remy.

“You’re the bulletproof one,” Remy said. “I’ll go upstairs, make sure they’re safe.”

“C’mon man of steel,” Cal grinned at Eron, “I’m sure you can handle it. I’ll be right here to back you up. Besides, I doubt that monsters knock.”

“Maybe we just ignore them.”

“Then they might think my house is empty and a good place to loot,” Remy said.

“Can’t you use your mind powers,” Eron wiggled his fingers at Cal, “to find out what they want.”

A frown crossed Cal’s face. “You know what. Let me try.” A faraway look settled on his face. His eyes seemed to stare at everything and nothing at the same time. After a few seconds his brows pinched together slightly and veins began to throb visibly on his temples. He looked much the same as he did when he was lifting weights on his heavy days.

“Uh… is he going to be okay?” Eron exchanged a concerned look with Remy.

“I’m fine.” Cal let out a long breath. “Damn… now my head hurts. Alright, so there’s four men outside and they’re just doing their jobs. At least that’s the impression I got. Vaguely threatening, but I don’t get the sense that they’ve got the ability to hurt you.” He nodded to Eron. “Good enough?”

“Sure, why not,” Eron shrugged.

“Let me get upstairs first, then go answer the door,” Remy said as the knocking grew more insistent.

“Only douchebags knock like that,” Eron muttered.

The youngest Cruces brother waited for Remy to get up the stairs before he went to answer the door. Cal hid around the corner and crouched low, trying to catch his breath. He resolved to start exercising his mental abilities with as much diligence as his physique. What was the point of having powers if such a small use took so much out of him? He pushed the thought from his mind as he settled in to listen to Eron and the unknown solicitors, ready to intervene if it proved necessary.

“Jesus! What is it?!”

Cal rolled his eyes at Eron’s tone. Much more confrontational than he would’ve recommended.

“Is this your house?” The voice was gruff and unfriendly.

“I’m standing here aren’t I?”

“We’re checking to see who’s survived so far.”

“Well, I survived. Now if you’re done, I’m busy and —”

“If you’ll just confirm your identity.”

“I don’t have my license on me and if I know the law I have no obligation to provide it even if I had it in reach.”

Cal frowned. Eron was escalating when he didn’t need too.

“If you’d just provide your name.”

“Remy Cruces.”

Cal nodded appreciatively.

“And any other occupants?”

Eron didn’t reply immediately and as the seconds stretched out Cal began to grow concerned.

“My wife and kids. Need their names too?” Eron challenged.

“Yes.”

“Megan, Tessandra, and Veronica.”

“Thank you for your time. The other reason we’re here is to inform you of a meeting at the community center for surviving citizens.”

Cal didn’t like the emphasis that the speaker placed on the word. It held something like a barely concealed sneer.

“Attendance is mandatory. Tomorrow. Plan to arrive a little after dawn.”

“I’ll attend, but I’m not taking my wife and kids outside with all those monsters!” Eron’s voice sounded legitimately outraged.

“We plan to sweep the streets free of any possible threats prior. You and your family will be safe. Thank you for your time, Mr. Cruces.”

The door shut and Cal waited in silence for Eron to return to the kitchen.

Eron raised a finger, asking for silence. It was about half a minute before he lowered his hand. “I can hear them. They’re knocking next door.”

“They won’t get an answer,” Remy said as he appeared. Followed by his family and Nila. “Our neighbor didn’t survive the first night.”

“Poor Mrs. Arten,” Megan said.

“What was that all about?” Nila looked at Cal.

“Bad news,” Eron said. “It was the cops.”

“How is that bad?”

“Well, Rem… they weren’t exactly friendly. They were looking at me like they wanted to toss me somewhere else, preferably not in this country,” Eron said. “Not to mention their rac—” he looked at Megan and the kids, “nevermind.”

“This is what I was talking about,” Megan said. “The government’s taking control of things. We don’t have to go out and risk our lives against those poor squirrels.”

“They said there’s a mandatory meeting for all citizens at the community center tomorrow morning,” Eron said.

“You caught that too?” Cal frowned.

“Yup, I didn’t like how that skin—, guy said that word. Not at all.”

“We should go,” Megan said.

“Really? I thought it’s too dangerous for you and the kids to be outside?” Eron poked.

“You can go,” Megan frowned.

Eron shook his head. “They had a list with your names on it and I’m thinking they’ll be checking ID’s. Sorry, but they’ll be looking for you four.”

“And if we don’t go, they’ll be back to find out why,” Remy sighed.

“I’ll go too,” Cal said. “Eron and Nila you stay here, best they don’t know about you guys. Just in case.”

“No way, man!” Eron snapped. “Not going to let you go into that trap without me.”

“You’re not leaving me either,” Nila said. “Strength in numbers, right.” Her tone made it clear it wasn’t a question.

“Listen to yourselves!” Megan snapped. “How are you so cynical? They’re the police, the government! They’re here to protect us!”

“Actually, that ‘to protect and serve’ is kind of bullshit. The Supreme Court ruled that cops don’t legally have to do that.” Eron raised his hands. “I’m just talking facts.”

“Not helping,” Remy frowned. He turned to Cal. “You three aren’t on the list. That’ll draw attention, questions.”

“I don’t like letting you all walk in there by yourselves,” Cal said. “We’ll just tell the truth. We’re family and we came in the hopes that we’d stand a better chance at survival together.”

“They’ll recognized Eron,” Remy said.

“He can shave and we’ll cut his hair,” Cal said.

“Awww, c’mon, it’s taken me weeks to grow this out,” Eron said.

“You look like a teenager in the middle of puberty,” Remy teased. “Face it little brother, we just aren’t meant to grow proper beards.”