I have to hand it to humanity. When shit hits the fan, people really know how to communicate. Cell service had returned, and with it, critical information. While Gusoyn was snacking on a Slim Jim, Autriel was sunbathing, and Ruth was out for a bit, I got on my phone and tried to figure out what the hell the situation was.

In short, people had started to cluster around populated areas. I'd figured that after Wyoming. So far, I'd been trying to avoid major roads and towns, so I patted myself on the back for that. The military was currently handling it like an internal uprising, except they were encouraging people to coalesce. Heavy vehicles were having difficulty with the mobility of the monsters, and aircraft were used exclusively for recon. On the other hand, civilians were approaching this like an alien attack. Those who couldn't(or wouldn't) move to safe zones fortified themselves. Militias were formed and people were starting to identify the races of monsters and their methods.

One thing neither of them expected was the mental damage. They were confused that the goal of the monsters' wasn't extermination, usually. The current hypothesis was some kind of hypnosis. Most people who were exposed to a monster for too long before being rescued, were found to be charging back into the wilderness. Mental clinics were just as common as regular ones. People exposed for too long suffered other internal changes, including nausea, possibly Stockholm syndrome-induced depression, and a lack of desire to eat. Patients could be forced, or forced themselves, to eat, however complained that it wasn't enough anymore. Doctors were stumped.

Fairly satisfied, I waited for Ruth to get back, started up the RV, and headed east. After half an hour, I found a roadblock of cars. I wasn't really expecting it on this on highway 2, but I took a detour north and then continued on my way. Two hours in, I saw Osceola and figured I'd drive through. Fate had other ideas.

I came across a scrap-made gate on the outer edge of town, next to a gas station. It was fortifying the road, but other than a few cars on the side, nobody was trying to get in. It wasn't really a gate, but more of two wooden towers created on the shoulder. I maintained my speed and shifted into the right lane, when I heard the crack of a rifle and slammed on my brakes. Fuck, Autriel. She was on the roof!

Not anymore, because she busted through the rear window with shocking dexterity while I was smashing the brake pedal. She had a panicked look on her face. Gusoyn hid away from the window and Ruth did the same. I rolled down the window, leaned out it, and yelled, "Human! I'm human!"

A loudspeaker on one of the towers came to life. "What are you? Some kind of fucking Trojan horse? Get out of the car."

I yelled out, "We're not gonna harm anybody! Just let us through!"

The klaxon did it's best to portray the amount of sarcasm this guy was giving off. "And what? Then dump off your monster fuckbuddies? Stay right there and we'll get a van out to you. You're going to be fine, okay?"

But the others wouldn't. I heard the sound of a car starting up and realized time was short. Nothing but open grassland everywhere. Fuck Nebraska. I suddenly stomped on the accelerator and swerved left, across the median. The RV wasn't exactly zippy, so the tower guard decided to take a potshot through the windscreen. The round easily penetrated the windshield and ricocheted off of Autriel's forearm scales. She roared and crouched, holding her arm. Other than the shock, she seemed unharmed.

I came up with the brilliant idea of zig-zagging while I could hear over the loudspeaker, "Martin, you trying to kill him?"

I managed to start a U-turn, and then the speaker said, "Looks like just one shot isn't gonna stop him. Aim for the tires."

All took cover, except Autriel, who continued to crouch. She was busy hyperventilating and Ruth was strangely quiet. Gusoyn was roaring out of the open window. The open fucking window. I started to scream something, when bursts of four shots from two different places ripped through the RV. Mostly superficial damage, except both rear tires popped and a bullet hit one of Autriel's horns. It made this deafening *Ding!*, kind of like a tuning fork struck with a hammer. She flung herself as close as possible to the wall while screaming, "Why me?!"

Control went to shit, so I turned left as best I could, perpendicular with the road. I yelled at the rest of them, "Get out! I'll keep Aurelio! Meet you later!"

All began to protest, but I pointed to the door and bellowed, "Fuck off! Get to the trees!"

I've never seen three individuals book it so fast. Ruth swung around to the door with shocking elegance and opened it with her shoulder. Autriel used a combination of her legs and wings to achieve obnoxious levels of speed. Gusoyn was the last out and actually propelled herself off of the steps so forcefully, the entire RV shook. They were already halfway to the trees by the time I looked back and noticed a white van approaching my position.

I don't actually remember much of what happened after that. They came up to me. I tried to explain the situation and that I had a child. They thought I was in some kind of shock. "Oh God, what'd they do to him?" I ended up getting pissed and then they all tased me. Pricks.

I woke up in cot. It smelled and felt like a hospital bed. I looked up and the ceiling was all tarp. I looked around and found I was in some kind of mobile clinic. It reminded me of when I watched M*A*S*H, except there was a lot quieter. They had placed Aurelio on a table with a towel over it. He was asleep. I saw one of the nurses with her back turned back to me, and instinctively tried to get up. Turns out, I was bound to the bed with these leather straps.

Immediate panic. The nurse turned around and speed walked toward me. She spoke to me in this artificially kind voice. Like a fast food drive-in speaker, but more infuriatingly condescending. "Now calm down. They're just there to make sure you don't hurt yourself. I'll tell doctor O'Neil you're awake."

I wasn't having it. "I'm fine. Won't hurt an ant. Get me out of these."

She maintained the fake smile and rehearsed voice, "Don't feel bad. Everyone else has them at first, until we make sure you're okay. Look, we're not inhumane. We even kept your son next to you. I'll be right back." Before I could get a chance to retort, she spun around and walked away. I yelled, "What if I gotta scratch my nose?!" She ignored me and I reverted to maintaining a simmering contempt.

Her shoes make a clopping noise on the concrete floor and I was still stuck. I thought nurses were supposed to listen to you. I looked to my right and saw a guy sitting up and staring out blankly. I noted he wasn't bound and wondered what the hell that guy did that I didn't. Then, I noticed he was rocking back and forth to the beat of a song he was singing to himself. It reminded me of those chain gang songs I heard when I watched old movies with my grandfather.

"Gotta find a girl with one eye. One eye's all I need."

"Single big one glowing in the sky. One eye just for me."

"Maybe she'll come when I die. One eye to set me free."

The idea of being pinned down right next to this madman was terrifying. I immediately stopped looking at him. Where the hell was I and what did I need to do to get out? Doctor O'Peel, or whatever his name was had better hurry up.

Meanwhile, the monster group had evaded their pursuers. They still kept moving north, following the lake shore. Gusoyn spoke to the rest mid-run, "Didn't we just have a conversation about not stopping? Not knowing where this horde is and how far away it is, is really making me uncomfortable."

Autriel had switched to low altitude flight, maintaining speed with the rest of them. "I don't know where they are. If you really want me to, I could spend the time performing an energy detection ritual. All I know is that he's now stationary, and they are inevitable. Rather than forming a timetable, let's just focus on getting him out as soon as possible."

Gusoyn replied, "Have a plan?"

Autriel pondered, "Maybe. First thing humans do when they take in one of their kind, is they bring them to some kind of doctor. They're always relying on people who tell them 'It's going to be okay', then cut off a limb. Let's circle around and look for a way in."

Eventually doctor O'Neil came to me. He was annoyingly condescending as well. He spoke to me like I was some kind of trauma victim that wasn't even listening to him; Just asking me a bunch of questions. "Describe your captors." "Yes, they were your captors." "No, I do not know what happened to your car." "Oh, you're the one who caused that fuss on the road." "Do you need a minute?"

What I would like is for you to get me out of these binders, so I can knock some sense into you, you overeducated dick. He decided to take another approach, "So, how did you get all of those wounds? It seems to me like you decided to pick a fight with a dog."

"I did. Thumped it on the head and now she follows me around. It's a weird situation."

"There's a crisis outside and you decide to fight a feral dog. What of the other monsters inside your vehicle and the child?"

"Kid's adopted for now. No idea who the dad is. Mom's one of the monsters, except she's got a sword glued to her arm. Other two are who-knows-where. Even if I did know, I certainly wouldn't tell you. Can you stop looking at me like some kind of cultist?"

He ignored my question, and continued writing on a notepad. "Why wouldn't you tell me? We're trying to gain as much information as possible. Their capture and study would certainly help us understand them."

I was irate. "Because you'll probably dissect them or some shit! To be honest, I'm a little worried you're gonna jab fifty needles into Aurelio over there now that I've told you whose kid he is. I thought there was some kind of first contact protocol or something you've got for them!"

The doctor spread his hands out and shrugged, "They've made no response to any attempt at communication. All they do is raid vulnerable settlements. They speak our language, which is most interesting, but it may be an advanced form of mimicry. Otherwise, they've given us nothing. Why do you defend them?"

I still tried to be defiant, "I'm not! I don't think…" I didn't have a response I wanted to give him. Right now, he must be thinking I'd been unwillingly dragged along by them and must be rationalizing it. If I said I had willingly brought them along, it'd make me a special case and he'd never let me go. I went back around to the beginning. "You gonna let me out of these binders?"

The doc gave out a sigh. "No. I don't suppose you do. The binders are there to ensure you don't harm yourself or others. You don't seem that dangerous, so I'll have staff remove them in a while. In the meantime, try to rest and collect yourself." He then walked off. How come I can hold my own against monsters, yet can't get out of these?

Time passed, but there were no clocks. I was worried I was going to go insane in there and I'd never been traumatized like the rest of them. I mean, taking the forced downtime to think, it was weird. There was the guy next to me, singing about eyes, and then there was another muttering about "sexy blue jello". Across from me, an unbound man kept saying, "Grimsby, this is weird. What do I do?", and then giggling. Autriel had explained that monsters were an all-female race, requiring human males. Biologically, that was pretty cool, but their creativity was on another level.

Again, I had no semblance of just how much time passed. The only idea I got was from the plastic windows outside, making a crude sundial. On the other side of the wall behind my head, was a radio operator. Maybe it was a radio, or she was some kind of communications person. Either way, she spent most of the time talking. Over time, I learned that there was an increasing amount of monster activity outside the borders of town. They were being unusually bold, and were probing the defenses. They were looking for gaps in lines of sight, and local leadership was trying to find any before they did. As the sun went down, I noticed everyone's tension increased. Except for the patients, who seemed more comfortable, even eager, like they knew.

Meanwhile, the monster group had identified a tent city and the main hospital cluster. They moved to a nearby trailer park and waited inside one. Autriel had casted a scrying spell and was sitting down with her eyes closed and palms out. She gave off a dim, pale blue light. Occasionally, she would move her fingers. Ruth used the tip of her blade to carve a crude map into the shag carpet, based on Autriel's description. Gusoyn broke her silence. "See him?" The dragon stirred, her eyes moving around under the lids. "Mmmm, no. Not yet. I've a general idea of where he is, but it's much easier when I have a part of him with me." Gusoyn snorted, "I think he'd be happy to help if you asked nicely." Autriel retorted, "You were there as well when Ruth suddenly decided to lecture us." Gusoyn changed the subject, "Come to think of it, you know I'm not very good at the more complex magic, but why've you not been using it around him?"

"Oh you know, I don't want to have him go into culture shock. It seems beings like ourselves and magic are just myths here, so I want to ease him into the new reality. I've explained the basics, such as the forms of energy and their relationships, but it would be best to slowly feed him information. The last thing I want to do is scare him and have him retreat. Though, a crash course may be our only option."

Gusoyn said, "Oh I get it. Like breadcrumbs."

Autriel affirmed, "Exactly. He's not ready for the full metaphorical 'loaf' yet. We'll give him a taste for it, and then see if he wants to continue. Start having him looking for things he hasn't seen before, teach him the basics, and then get more complex from there."

Ruth chimed in, "Have you ever taught a human magic before? I thought we were all born naturally with the ability."

The dragon shifted in her cross-legged position, "Erm...No. I haven't. Of course it comes to us by instinct, but I don't think so with humans. It would certainly be a waste if I didn't try. Oh. Got you."

Ruth changed the subject, "What have you found?"

"Found him. I think I found a possible opening in their perimeter as well. It's kind of weird to scry without anyone trying to detect me. Though, I've made a few of the staff turn around and look at nothing confusedly. They might have more aptitude than we think."

"Focus, dragon."

"Right. I see him. We're going to need all of those doctors out of there. Either a distraction, or something that would make them want to leave their patients. Hmmm. Something that would make those stubborn hacks run from their posts."

The group pondered. Gusoyn suddenly perked up, "I've got an idea."

Both of her companions said simultaneously, "What?"

"We'll have to find someplace dark and dreary, and that might be tough, because all I see is grassland. I skimmed a copy of that encyclopedia that one guy published a few years back. Ruth, how extensive is your monster knowledge?"

Ruth turned her head, yet still continued drawing. "I have existed since when we used to slay men. Why?"

"What do you know of the Atlach-Nacha?"

Autriel turned to her with a grimace on her face, "Never found anyone less pleasant. By the gods, what are you thinking?"

"Let's go kidnap somebody. I'll explain on the way."

Around this time, they determined I was mentally stable enough to remove my binders, however I was forbidden from leaving the bed. The evening sun was showing through the plastic window.

Ruth and Gusoyn found a young man with relative ease. They discovered him trying to scavenge a pharmacy then crammed a towel in his mouth. It was much harder to find what Gusoyn had mentioned, but they caught the scent of the venom the arachnid produced in generous amounts. They found her in the basement of a house, spreading web everywhere in a chaotic, but noticeable pattern and muttering bitterly. Autriel volunteered to stay outside.

With Autriel gone, Ruth did the talking. It was good to have a diplomat that can switch on and off her emotions as needed, because this little arachnid was bitter as all hell. She was the same color scheme as Ruth, though the latter claims no relation to her.

"And what doesss the ssssentient ssstick want with me today? I sssee you brought a dog as well. Kind of an odd pair you are. Which one isss the massster? The pet or the tool?"

Ruth was unfazed. "I'm aware of the reproductive practices of your race. We require one of what you specialize in making, with transformation at a certain time."

"I feel nothing for thisss human. You would have me do thisss, then take him away? Do you feel nothing for traditionssss?"

"I do not, but I do have something that needs done. We both know the effect your venom has on you. Wouldn't it be nice to have some temporary relief? Perhaps it would help clear your mind and find someone you care about in your own… unique way."

The arachnid hissed. "Fine. I'm assssuming you know how much he will need? You know the level of teasssing thissss isss for me, right?"

"I'm sure you'll survive. As I stated before, you will mostly likely be better."

The Atlach-Nacha injected her venom into the sleeping man. He briefly woke, but then fainted again. On the way out, Gusoyn roughed him up a little, to show signs of struggle.

Afterwards, they met up with Autriel. She asked, "Everything go well?" Gusoyn answered, "We have an hour. I think they'll kill it too quickly. I think we need another distraction."

Autriel snorted a puff of smoke, "Well, there's always arson." Gusoyn fireman carried the man and they made good pace toward the town. Autriel spoke again, "Are you concerned about the morals here? I'm quite sure this is permanent and it's a fate very few humans would be fine with."

Ruth replied, "Morals and disgust are a thing I have, but I choose to acknowledge them or not. Whichever is more convenient." Gusoyn said after her, "Maybe, but I really get the feeling that the ends justify the means. Maybe one day this'll haunt me, or maybe I'll be comfortable in knowing I had the guts to do what had to be done."

Autriel said, "I see." They all pondered as they headed toward the opening in the wall Autriel had found.

Back at the clinic, I noticed some of the patients being moved out and another being placed in. One particularly beat up man was being carried on a stretcher. One of the nurses came over and talked to the doctor.

"We found him outside. He's suffered some bruising, but no broken bones. There's also a point on his chest where it looks like two large needles entered."

The doctor moaned, "Oh what? Vampires now? I swear, I'm opening up mythological books more than my practice ones nowadays. We'll get some blood work done. Just put him with the rest."

Poor dude. I didn't know there were vampires. I guess another thing to add to the list.

Nothing went on for half an hour, but then he woke up. He seemed fine, but complained of feeling hot. The nurse came to him and took his temperature. She giggled and said he had a small fever. Looks like he caught a cold. Another thirty minutes went by and then I absolutely soaked the hospital cot.

The new guy started convulsing. I had a friend who was prone to seizures, so it wasn't the first time I'd seen this. Two nurses came over and put their hands on him. It was when they drew away I knew something was wrong. Suddenly, the man started becoming brown and fuzzy. Then, I shit you not, twenty terrifying seconds later there was a gigantic spider in his place. Not gigantic compared to spiders, I mean gigantic compared to humans.

Now generally, I know about how matter can't be created or destroyed. There wasn't enough dude to make a spider this big, but if I was standing up, it would be head and shoulders taller than me. Didn't make any fucking sense. Everyone was screaming. Even the patients had come out of their stupor and began screaming bloody murder. The spider decided it should make some noise too and made something between an inhuman screech and a slurp. It scuttled(if anything that size scuttles) out of the tent opening, ripping it twice as wide.

Meanwhile, as if sensing the chaos, a group of monsters made it through an overlooked blind spot in the perimeter, and began incapacitating guards. After the surprisingly well-coordinated strike, the rest of them began pouring in. The only reason I was aware of this, was the sudden yelling into the radio next door.

Then the commercial building next to us spontaneously combusted. It's like the universe just couldn't handle all this crazy and decided to take it out on whatever was nearest. All I could see was the muffled red glow from behind the tent. I grabbed Aurelio and crouched behind the bed for a little bit. When all of the unbound people left, I got up and began to run away.

That lasted until the doorway, when I was suddenly flung off my feet at the knees. I fell forward, but instinctively caught Aurelio and let him down onto the ground. Something had bound my legs together.

I whipped around to face a woman, except her bottom half was a green snake. It was probably the most tame thing I've seen so far, except for her face. Her face was anything but tame. This long, forked tongue stuck out of her mouth and then quickly retracted.

She spoke, revealing a pair of fangs. "Looks like I'm the first one to find you." She leaned closer and I moved my head back until it touched the dirt. "Oh, and looks like you've already got a little one. That's hot, like a MILF, but a man. A DILF, it would be."

The fangs got closer. "Then I suppose you've been through this already. However, that's going to be absolutely nothing compared to now."

My ass is grass, and there's about to be a snake in it.

Conveniently, three silhouettes appeared in the doorway. The demented voice in the back of my head was mildly disappointed. Every other voice was relieved. The lamia released my legs and began making a loud hissing noise. Autriel made that Jurassic Park roar right in front of me. Ruth smacked on the metal doorframe pipe, making the lamia flinch with every strike. Gusoyn also yelled.

They exchanged their curses, but the lamia slowly slithered backwards and out the opening the spider made. (Still rampaging out in the tent city, by the way.) I knew she wouldn't be far. Gusoyn pointed in the direction to go, so I scooped up Aurelio and bolted in the direction she pointed. I asked Autriel if they'd spotted a parking lot. She asked me what that was. I told her to think of a place where there were a lot of vehicles like the one we'd been riding in. She made a concentrated face, and started thumping her fist against one of her horns, making a clanking noise. She suddenly opened her eyes, "I know one!" We shifted our course to the left.

We found a lot full of modified vehicles, and miraculously, found our RV. It was next to an auto parts store and looked like they had begun work on making it into a mass transport vehicle. The rear window had been hastily switched with plexiglass and the tires had been replaced. The outer shell still had bullet holes in it, though.

I didn't care. It was still our car, and there was nobody around to stop me from getting it back. The door was unlocked, but the keys were missing. We raided the auto body shop office and found them on a peg. We bolted back, started up the RV, found it to be at half a tank, and drove like there was a horde of monsters at our backs. (Which there were.)

We drove east, and I don't know how long, maybe less than an hour. I found a cluster of houses around a church and decided to pull over. There were no signs of life, so we decided to call it a night and get some much-needed sleep.

No rest for the fucking weary, though! The sleep was deep, but I awoke around midnight. There was this hot and dry breeze blowing against my face. I was sleeping on my side, so the first thing I saw were a pair of amber eyes, illuminated by a pair of pilot lights above them. Not this shit again. However, for some reason, I was somewhat looking forward to what she had in store this time. Gusoyn didn't even acknowledge me waking up and just began speaking.

"You know, I've been thinking."

I sniffed.

"You're really weird for a human."

"How's that?"

"I can't tell if you're really brave or a coward."

"Why?"

"Because on one hand, you fight all three of us and me head-on. You don't panic while stuck inside an apothecary's tent, you don't take any sass from Autriel, and you're able to stay calm around Ruth. You even got out of the RV in front of people with weapons, so we could escape."

I said expectantly, "But?"

She scooted closer, and her breath dried out my eyes. "But, you refuse to speak about the tense little relationship we all have here. It's like fighting people is easier than just talking to them for you. You're throwing me for a loop."

"I mean, if I'm being honest here. I'm more than a little scared. Things with us have just worked out, and I don't want to rock the boat."

She was silent for a bit, then spoke again. This time, it was a much more serious tone. "I also have a confession to make."

"Shoot."

"I don't trust others much. I hate it when I'm told to do something. I hated it so much, I decided to become the one who gave the orders. Because of that, I didn't have anyone to open up to."

I replied, still laying down. "I had a few. I didn't socialize a lot, so I understand what you mean."

She put up a claw. "But (and this is a big "but" here), you're more than a little different. It's given me more excitement over something than I ever thought I could have. Remember what I said about throwing me for a loop? All of the humans I've met were stupidly brave or pathetically cowardly. You've ended up somewhere in between. You don't want to brave the outside world, yet you will furiously defend what you do know. You are… the first person I've met that had no expectations or problems with me. You've never dragged me into anything, yet also never wished me harm."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. All I've been doing is trying to be a decent person. Must be rough for this to be the first time you've seen one."

She continued, "To be honest, I never really knew just how tight my heart was until I got here, but sometimes, the world grabs you by the wrist and directs you where to go. Maybe it's time I made the best of this test and never ask why. Maybe it's something I shouldn't question, but it'll be a lesson learned in time."

I was really moved. "Yeah. It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right."

She sighed, the glow in her mouth briefly brightening, "Here, I've had the time of my life. I've never felt more comfortable, more accepted, and more appreciated, and I want to thank you for it. It's going to be a big adjustment for me, but just give me some time."

"Well, for what it's worth, you're welcome."

"Saying thanks is nice and all, but I think Autriel's words are getting to me. I don't have the fingers you have, so I can't make you anything. I'm not nice like you are, so I don't know what to say to make you happier. I've never understood humanity, so I can't buy you anything from them. I feel inadequate, at least in this much more complex world."

I took a breath, "Honestly, if you want to do something for me, I'll take it by the heart you put into it. I think that's the real value of gifts."

"Well, other than going out and killing something, there is one other thing I'm inherently good at."

I got what she was talking about. "I mean… There's usually windup to that sort of thing."

"That's just for you humans. I don't know why you do it so much. This is about you, though. You can face off against death, but immediately shy away when a monster, no, a girl, starts talking seriously to you."

I fidgeted under the sheet. "Not gonna lie, I'm just a little nervous. I don't start things well."

"Partners compliment each other. And believe me when I say I start by instinct. Give yourself more credit and ask 'What do I really want to do?' The only person holding you back is yourself."

"I..."

"It's hard to make arguments when you don't even believe them yourself. It would mean a lot to me to repay you for everything you've done."

"Isn't there supposed to be more to it than that? You know, love? This isn't just some instinctual thing?"

She scooted closer to me. I could feel the heat of her eyefire and could see right into the amber eyes. "But I do in both ways. You've got this strength and will to not let yourself be pushed around. You stand up for yourself and don't show fear when it really counts."

She went on, her breath feeling like a toaster oven in my face, "Yet I also love that you are a good man. I love how you gave us a chance and took us under your wing. We're scared. We're all just as scared as you are. But, you've created and defended with your life this place where we can come to understand ourselves, each other, and the new rules of the world. You project this aura of calm and comfort, and have allowed all of us to be within it. There were many times of weakness when you could've laughed at me, but didn't. So yes, I do love you. I've witnessed a lot of what you've done, and I like what I see. Do you not love me?"

That was a big question right there. "I want to. I really do. I'm just hesitant. I've been burned before."

She leapt up on top of the bed and pointed downwards at me. "Then from one jaded cynic to another, let me say this. I swear, I will stick with you until one of us is dead. I don't want a ceremony or anything like that. I like the path you've chosen, and I want to walk, run, stagger, or whatever, down it with you for the rest of my time."

I nearly cried. I'd been acting like a nervous child. Now it was time to take control of myself and do what I wanted. Despite all of this great insight, all I could think to say was, "Sure."

She immediately launched herself straight upwards with this demented grin on her face. On her way down, I said, "Welp. Fuck it."

So I did.