We all agreed--I seriously needed a bath.
So the plan was: I'd go first, then my mom, and then the rest of the girls. Everyone wanted a chance to wash off the hell we'd just gone through.
But I wasn't about to take chances.
I told them, "I'll bathe first. You all stay in the basement while I'm up there. We can't risk it."
Once I was done, I'd keep watch while they took turns.
Before heading upstairs, I looked back. The girls were smiling, chatting, even laughing a little. It was strange--that moment of peace was such a sharp contrast to what we had just survived.
I climbed to the first floor and entered the guest room. We picked this one because it was right across from the basement stairs--easier to react fast if anything happened.
On the way, I noticed light seeping in through the windows. That set off alarms in my head.
I went back down and quickly told Ruby my idea, maybe a few of them could bathe early while I handled some things.
Mom went first. Then my daughter and her friend waited their turn.
Meanwhile, I hit the garage, grabbed planks and nails, and started reinforcing the house.
Once I ran out of planks, I dragged furniture in front of all the windows--every last one, both floors.
Temporary fixes. But they'd have to do.
The house was sealed as best as I could manage. Not perfect--far from it--but enough for now. Still, I didn't want any of the girls sleeping on the first or second floor. Too risky if something got in.
I got back inside after the exhausting job. Weird thing was, I didn't feel exhausted. I should've been wiped out, but there was still something... buzzing in me.
I found Ruby wiping dust off the furniture.
"Honey," I said, "you should head down for now. I need to hit the shower."
She nodded, walked up to me like she was about to kiss me--then caught a whiff of the sweat, blood, and whatever else was caked on me.
"Yeah... maybe later," she said, wrinkling her nose as she turned away.
She headed for the basement, her hips swaying like she knew I was watching.
I stepped in and gave her a playful slap on the butt. It jiggled just as I expected, and I couldn't help but grin.
"Seriously?" she said, trying not to smile.
I laughed like a kid pulling a prank and dashed toward the bathroom before she could get revenge.
After she disappeared into the basement, I stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. The quiet hit harder than I expected. Just the creak of the floor and the faint hum of the house. No monsters. Just me--finally alone. I turned on the shower, watching steam rise as the water warmed. It was time to wash off more than just the dirt.
I stood under the shower, letting the warm water wash off the dried blood. The water swirled down the drain--along with the last bit of adrenaline.
Those things were everywhere. I looked down at my hands. I felt something... unnatural. Something I'd never felt before.
"Did I really kill them?" I muttered. It wasn't like I felt bad. They looked worse than cockroaches. I'd do it again if they showed up. That wasn't murder. That was pest control. I nodded.
What really got to me was the massacre on those streets, in those buildings. So many innocent lives lost. If I'd been even a little late...
The scene of those monsters attacking my daughter kept replaying in my head. A wave of nausea hit me, but I held it back.
I let out a dry breath. "What kind of father would I be if I shook up at a time like this? I need to be strong."
I shook my head. I'm not going to become one of them. And I'm not letting any of my family fall, either.
"Tsk. Get it together," I muttered.
Maybe there's still a military out there. Maybe not. Doesn't matter. All that matters now is keeping my family safe. And if that means putting down anything that gets in our way--then that's exactly what I'll do.
The flashback ran through my head.
What were those monsters, anyway? There's no way those things were created by the government... right?
And what was that blue shimmer I saw on my body every time I killed one of them?
I tightened and loosened my grip, feeling something... powerful in my hands.
For some reason, that question felt important right now--like I had to figure it out. Magic? Like those games I used to play with my daughter?
It all sounded too unreal. But if killing those monsters gave me power... then what the hell did that mean?
Still thinking, I glanced toward the mirror across from the shower.
What I saw made me freeze.
I was speechless for a second.
Because of my job--all those extra hours over the years--I hadn't taken care of myself. I'd gained weight. Well... gained weight would be putting it mildly.
I was like 200–230 pounds. Yeah. Hella fat.
But the reflection looked... different. Not thin, exactly. But definitely less fat.
Was this because of those monsters too?
"Wow," I muttered, striking a few random poses.
Tsk. Still no muscles, I guess.
"Maybe I should start exercising tomorrow," I said to myself, shadowboxing and making those dumb punching sound effects with my mouth.
I tried to bounce around like a boxer, but I didn't account for the strength in my legs. I jumped way too high, slammed my head into the ceiling, and landed flat on my ass.
Crouched down, holding my head in pain, I groaned.
"Shit, what the hell was that?"
Still rubbing my head, one thing was clear.
This isn't normal.
Something's definitely changed.
As I sat there, rubbing my head, the lights suddenly went out.
I looked up at the ceiling.
"Was that me too?" I muttered. "Ha... probably not. I'm getting ahead of myself." Still aching, I stood up.
I reached for a towel--then remembered. This wasn't my room. I hadn't brought one. Or even spare clothes.
Well, considering the power's out and it's pitch dark, maybe I didn't need one. I could dash to my room and change fast enough.
I peeked out of the bathroom.
All clear.
Somehow, I could see better than I expected. It was dark, yeah, but the faint light from the window was enough.
"+1 vision points," I chuckled to myself.
Then I noticed a soft glow coming toward the room.
"Ruby? That you?" I whispered.
The light entered the room, revealing two familiar figures--my mom and my wife.
Mom held a lamp. Ruby held a broom.
The warm light they carried... also lit up me, completely naked.
I gasped and covered myself like I was in some bad anime scene.
My mom coughed and said awkwardly, "We heard some noise, came to check, and then the lights went out." She gave a weird little laugh, but kept her eyes on me a little too long--almost like she was noticing something.
Ruby tilted her head. "Wait... honey, can you stand still for a second?"
"Ruby. Seriously? My mom's right here."
"Oh come on. It's not like she hasn't seen you naked before," she said, casually.
Okay, fair point. Living under one roof since Mom moved in had led to a few awkward... incidents. Still.
Mom squinted. "Just do as she says, Jun."
So I stood there, painfully awkward, one hand covering myself. Some patches of pubic hair stuck to me. I hadn't even had time to trim--but hey, blame work life.
Ruby gestured. "Move your hand."
I looked at both of them like they were insane. Then sighed and slowly moved my hand.
I felt violated.
They both gasped and leaned in, whispering.
"Did he start going to the gym?" my mom whispered.
Ruby whispered back, "We had crazy sex last night, so... no. And usually, when he stands, his belly covers half of his... thing."
"I noticed that too. His belly's almost gone."
"Yeah--and you know what? He's not even hard right now."
Mom blinked. "Wait, you're saying he's six inches relaxed?"
Ruby blushed. "He's over twelve when he's in the mood."
"Okay, seriously!" I snapped. "Can you stop gawking at me and just tell me what's going on?"
They looked at each other, giggled like teenagers, then turned to me.
"You've lost some serious weight," Ruby said.
"You didn't need to stare at my junk to tell me that," I muttered, annoyed.
Still naked and tired of the conversation, I strode up shamelessly, took the lamp from Mom's hand, and said, "If you're done checking me out, head to the basement and lock the door."
And I walked out of the room and headed toward my room on second floor.