Things got harder.

Waking up to Perv Who was snarling at something it was a bit awkward as I was groggy but I woke up!

I was alive it felt like wires were pulled.

I could hear intention in my mind the intent to attack but the caution of familiarity.

I was a bit worried that is until I saw the culprit, I was stuck on the feeling though...

I recognized but didn't put two and two together!

It was the bird you know the little grey one...

Even though the one we had in our group was little it had doubled in size and the poor thing was round it was the size of a big exercise ball.

Its grey feathers turned grey and white and its beak was spear-like The bird had black eyes and it was apparent it was no longer just a regular bird.

Why is it round though?

I mean like a big grey exercise ball if you kicked him would he bounce?

Looking at perv who had grown also about a quarter of a foot making it a good four foot even.

The goblin's skin had gotten even greener along with size and color there was a new set of tattoos grey.

I was originally worried and a bit panicked but Rory just looked at us.

Her senses were rather high today thanks to her ability and it seems she didn't panic because of it.

she led with "what are you idiots doing can you not recognize one another... oh Now that makes sense! "

Rory who was originally a black-eyed black-haired girl.

She now had black hair with white stripes.

She had heard the commotion and was stirring with anger but never opened her eyes.

When she did though not only did she realize, she was the only one who seemed to fully realize period.

More like she only was willing to speak after I had gotten the bird and perv to calm down.

When she was finally up and willing to speak.

She wouldn't stop staring at me?

I noticed her eyes were Lighter now in color.

Almost Milky white, and anytime she lost focus Her eyes lost that milk color and returned to a gorgeous obsidian black.

*Even then she continued to stare so intently, I asked the issue and her words made me cringe!

Rory: "didn't you have white skin?"

"Weren't your eyes solid black?"

"And that streak of long grey hair it's so pretty!"

*I spoke back.

Rico: "well you're also on the receiving end, your hair has white and so does your eyes."

"It's almost like you are trying to be a phantom."

* After a few minutes of shock from what I told her about her hair and eyes.

Made both of us begin to laugh hard!

I mean we didn't have much else to do and I think neither of us cared at this point.

These weird changes were nothing compared with all the recent events.

It was good to have a laugh and to just not care for a bit.

I guess it was no real matter either way what we looked like?

We also found out we have been asleep for about three days.

The answer came, as soon as I opened the pack of raw meat it had spoiled.

without the salt, meat tends to spoil after two to three days, but it didn't go to waste.

The lovely Exercise ball ate all of it, the spoiled meat that is!

After some time of watching know disgust, I proposed a Question about the bird?

She said we keep it...

That's just what she did its name is now "plush".

Giggling at her childish naming sense.

I asked out of curiosity her age, When I received the answer I told her my age.

Turns out I am fifteen and she is sixteen.

We both left our hometowns but both of us were reluctant to explain much more.

It was way too painful to think about past events so we just didn't go there...

We skipped all that sadness for now and talked about our goals.

I told her where I was going and the long story short.

We both agreed to form a team it was apparent neither of us trusted each other fully but trust can only grow with time.

We agreed The bird would be her companion and plush was now part of our team.

Perv and I were already over the formalities and the way we battled required both of us present.

We all got packed up ate our fills and split into two teams it was needed for us to gather as much as possible.

I realized that with the random changes albeit quite small.

They have to lead us to eat more, granted We have been eating smaller beasts.

When compared to other beasts, Perv and I have always taken smaller beasts.

But with the speed of change, We will begin to have more and more trouble.

The real problem was plush and perv they seemed rather starved and ate doubles.

As in a whole two beasts a piece!

Rory and I alone ate a full beast ourselves, and this was only breakfast...

We would have to hunt for dinner and rations as All we had was jerky and MREs for the next few days.

There is not that many MREs left in the box I had, to be honest, we will have to find more or maybe figure out some other ideas.

I am not gonna say I haven't enjoyed having to live on them, So I will search for more especially as no one thinks to raid military stores.

I guess everyone expects them to be empty, as the markets?

While making my slow trek to other places In my short travel.

My choice that turned out to be more than bargained for with the trip now being hundred-plus miles.

I had found a map and figured out that the traveled forty-six or so miles of the now hundred-plus.

Which was only a few smaller towns is now expanding.

Along the way through I found out that people raided only certain stores.

Why?

I'd love to know!

Along with other knowledge of traveling.

such as sewers were much safer and So were basements.

My list got longer and longer as I traveled along with perv.

I also found out that there are toilets, bathing, and many more luxurious things that i miss.

Hey, come on it's my first time traveling so the discovery of these issues will be new to me!

Although as most rural houses and some outer city houses have basements that are made for weathering hurricanes.

I found more than enough places for settling down and sleeping.

The basements were best as they have only one entrance.

That is most not all some have two entries one from inside the other outside.

I just ignored those basements.

I shacked up inside one while being chased by a spider that had a mad grudge.

I was super comfortable along with being safe.

It was a win and a win with a third win since we could cook food without worry.

We burned a fire which is just a camping stove but we are in basements with the safety that it provides and the source of heat is nice.

We were able to cook and clean ourselves using drinking water though for a shower It is hard to waste our drinking source.

Usually, water boilers are in the basement which holds water that is heated and boiled.

I don't know if it's safe to drink but each one I have checked has had water, and at this point, I scoff at the idea of letting it go to waste!

So I usually have to get that Along with ransacking anything left.

Since I don't have to do this alone anymore I think I will suggest We will split the list. *

Rico: hey Rory small problem we will have to find quite a bit of stuff and we have a lot of ground to cover.

maybe we should split up?

Rory: okay make a list of what I need to grab?

also, I have a few personal errands.

Rico: Okay, I suggest we split up and meet back up outside the city.

Here is a Map with instruction for what to do i have it already memorized just go ahead and take it.

Ransack places of interest as this Is a small town.

Rory: I can take uptown, I have scouted most of It.

If you are comfortable with the downtown area?

Rico: I am comfortable with that on my way to look for housing, I ran into a few good places like military stores, grocery markets, sports stores, and the best thing I have not seen for a while is the museum!

It should not be too hard traveling around the city after I blew up most of the inhabitants, I mean besides the ones that got away...

which i can guarantee some did this reason is why we are leaving soon, So be on the lookout!

Rory: okay agreed.

* I took my wagons and bike while I gave Rory two wagon also I gave her a list of things we would need as she decided to go up to the higher side of town.

I was going downtown I told her she only needed to prioritize key items but as a side list, I put a few items for when we would need that extra.

As things running out, we are a team now I wanted to think well for both of us.

I wouldn't either of us feel left out!

I also put personal items for her as for her essentials nothing special just you know a personal tent for outside, a sleeping bag, a bike, wagons, just suggestions, and afterthoughts.

Even if she didn't need them or I didn't need them I suggested extras of everything.

Rory: "Why should we overstock?"

"Isn't carrying all this gonna slow us down?"

Rico: "we will at times find ourselves in the middle of nowhere in deep sh*t, bad weather like rain, cold, and much worse plus it's never a bad idea to be prepared. "

She was rather level-headed and didn't bulk as she saw the sense in it although reading the list she seemed annoyed.

Maybe it was me?

I tried not to question it leaving without speaking.

With that, we separated and I am now on my way it started as a rather peaceful bike ride.

Perv and I were together and Rory was with plush.

I am quite all right with it because I didn't want the bird.

I suggested letting it go.

she flipped it on me saying.

"It will come in handy much like your companion!

This one is mine!"

She seemed to have fallen in love with it and like with my companion.

They clicked so... I have no arguments.

The bird listened to both of us but was smart enough to realize I wasn't it's master.

So it treated her like a leader, as it chirped its pudgy body behind her.

I will have to check for a screen which i am doing for that though maybe I am missing something?

I WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!!

I Hit that corner breaking into a cold sweat!

After a peaceful ride not expecting much to be left alive.

I mean especially things in groups that are bigger than two or three...

That was such a wrong calculation.

Why Goblins?

I rounded the corner rather loud not thinking, i mean...

High...

I am not gonna lie I was singing loudly perv has learned to plug his ears.

I sing great okay!

i just don't have to sing for anyone besides myself so I can make the words up as I go, but I was just going without a care.

While playing with the screens I could see through them but that was my main focus.

Then ran directly into a group of goblins!

These bastards breed like rabbits!!!

A big group at the quickest count I saw twenty.

I did not stay long for accuracy's sake.

Making a U-turn and high tailing it out!

I can only think of one thing "RUN"!

Pretty simple right?

I on a bike Was faster than a goblin but only by a bit.

I had heavy wagons making it impossible to escape.

With that, they were able to keep up, I saw a garage center and had a rather wise idea since there was always a set of stairs in those things.

I made a mad dash for it hoping it truly had stairs!

After I got into the carport I ditched my bike which was a tricycle style.

Unless it was turned it would just keep going straight.

Until the bike slowed and the handlebars turned whatever way it arched into a turn luckily!!

It went right behind a rusted old parked car on the right side wagons and all.

They made it out of sight and I made as much noise while my lovely perv stayed hidden in the wagon.

I ran to the stairs and the door was open so I just screamed banging on our small attention pan.

I jogged up The stairs, Two stairs at a time.

I mean after running so much from all these faster things

I have learned to dodge well I can feel some of the attacks coming like a spidey sense but nowhere near as useful...

I get hit quite a bit!

Less than what I used to though, So I have progressed much and have toned my body making it fitter although it's a real work in progress.

I got tired quickly after biking so hard into an all-out push of a run.

Then the incline of the stairs made muscle I hadn't ever thought of straight burn!!

I got up the stairs about Five short flights or, halfway at the up second level and almost to the third.

I heard perv blow our Whistle it is Pervs favorite toy I think since we have found it.

We found a small horn house with all types of wooden flutes and whistles it was around this time I found out hand made items had some weirdness.

It's not all processed goods deteriorated just most of them.

Some processed goods have that weirdness to them although they don't seem enjoyable...

Perv always blows it like a signal but does this weird trill with Its tongue making it reverberate!

The goblins to me stopped and in their seconds of pause.

I jumped hard Throwing feet first, Kicking them all.

They began to fall back making them start crashing down the stairs On to each other!

Stacking over they were unable to change the inertia!

From there I began stabbing and slashing as quickly as possible in another quick count I counted forty plus.

My goals were the jugulars, Or the back of the Skull Or The spine are wide open Oh and their eyes!

Goblins who can't see Can't fight as for the ones that got a throat slit or a spine stab that somehow survived!

I would come back and make it permanent for them.

When it was needed that is mostly all goblins played dead for a while.

They then get up and make a run for it.

At first, I thought it was accidental but I soon found out it was a defensive ability like possums playing dead.

When a goblin takes too much damage they play dead hoping their predator will miss place the intent to kill,

Usually, It will chase and catch their brethren who are braver.

Those who continue to run die, While the other plays coward, then gets away.

It is sick, smart, and kind of wrong on so many levels!

About halfway through some tried to fight back seeing no escape as they were mostly stuck under others.

Being Assaulted from both sides they were panicking making my job easier.

Unable to stand in the space given.

I am an ass...

Because I would keep kicking them down making my way clear!

The stacked goblins screamed and writhed in pain as i took my time.

Having them fall onto each other, made them kill even their own to get away making it even easier for me and perv.

after about thirty minutes we finally killed them all plus the possum ones!

I am no beast when it comes to this I just had a smart idea, along with help from the enemy!

I don't suppose I will be this lucky each time.

I didn't know what to do with this many goblins and I am not sure if it is okay to leave this mess?

I went to my wagon and got lighter fluid and a few matches leaving perv there to guard our stuff.

Just in case...

I was going back into the stairs When I caught a glimpse of a giant blue and white cat.

Its claws Were sharp and shined like crystals ripping a goblin apart in one swipe!

Half a flight of stairs up above me eating like it was just picking up small bugs.

What It ate Were whole goblins.

It ate Them whole this was no joke a four-foot person whole!!!

It ate them whole, but a couple it ripped and tossed behind it...

I was just about to turn and sneak out when it saw me like its eyes were locked onto me!

since we met eyes I tried to slowly back out...

It did not give me a cute ~meow~ it was ballsy, deep, and scary!

-RAWR~

It was faster than I could think!

Within seconds it had tackled me, I figured I was dead but to my surprise, it didn't eat me.

It did knock me down Damm near crushing me but it was happy rather than angry.

I noticed that it was majorly scarred and behind it was two cubs eating.

Now I know why it was splitting them.

I am glad I told perv to stay with the wagon or this might have been bad.

It had also shocked me when a small tag embed into this cat's chest as if the metal had fused with the cat.

The cat noticed my line of sight and controlling the metal it moved it from its chest showing me the full thing.

It said "sparkle (owned by Jenna.)"

it even gave an address and a small offer of a reward of five credits to return her, any time it gets lost.

I giggled as it was rather sweet I rubbed my hand across its chin then spoke to it hoping it understood me.

Rick: Sparkle a gorgeous name indeed.

my name is Rico I implore you to eat your fill and move on quickly!

The young behind you aren't safe until you are fully acclimated.

I am sure you heard the message...

Please enjoy those goblins we do not need them.

* As if understanding what I was saying it bowed to me rubbing its head onto my face purring loudly.

Before I left it gave me something that I found rather useful.

The cat ripped a goblin in half with another rip that came to its heart along with a few other organs.

What came out of the heart was a reddish-black stone that the cat demonstrated a swallow of another goblin whole.

I figured what it was saying went: "we eat these and with these, we wIll gain the strength."

I bowed to the cat scratching its chin once more and I left with the stone in hand.

I put it in my pocket and got on my bike leaving quickly I didn't need to anger it with perv.

After a short time, I found the military shop that I had seen on the way in it was a bit run down but I could still get in.

Lucky for me no one has raided it either!

Even though it seemed like it would collapse at any moment I still went in and ransacked it...

What I live for the danger!

No, I am kidding I just went slow and thought that if the building collapsed perv could get me out.

I found five whole boxes of MREs, flares, a few flare guns, blankets, water filters, canteens, food trays, survival kits, cooking spits, and my favorite fresh clothes there was an abundant amount Of shirts and pants I took them and changed immediately.

The quality of it was okay but left a lot to be desired.

I found much more and filled my wagons up then out of the corner of my eye under some rubble I found a holy grail.

It was an original military trike pedal bike with its sidecar and an extended rear truck bed.

With a hitch for trailers!!!

I made a b-line for it hoping it still worked and with joy, it still operated I checked all the metal and it was made rather sturdy nothing broke, bent, or rusted on it!

Trying on pushing it out I found it was stuck under a beam and a bunch of fallen roofing.

I grabbed a rack from the store and a few more things of rope I fashioned a lift put something below the beam.

I kept lifting and setting then repeating, eventually I was able to move it.

Dragging it out from below the rubble the Old world war trike bike was in perfect condition.

It had an engine that was detachable after taking it out I with no hesitation quickly began to use it!

The bike I was on and a couple of wagons can all now go to Rory.

Even if she had already found herself a bike we would keep both and eventually make perv ride it.

There were so many possibilities!

With my epic find perv sat next to me now as we rode across downtown nothing else special happened.

while we raided the stores most of the grocery stores and gas stations were wiped clean or were destroyed.

Gun stores were usually locked uptight I am gonna say with an educated guess!

There are people in them or they are raided bare!

although as I didn't try to be the one to shoot anything Like a bow or gun.

I wouldn't imagine that it would matter with the wildlife turning to monsters of absurd friggin proportions.

I will determine the idea of weapons later for now I have my daggers.

I am in my last store It is rather late in the day with no real reason this will be the last store.

I just made it my last that it is on the way out of town.

Rory and I agreed to leave the town and travel three miles out Me at the northwest and her in the northeast.

Since I was in the lower portion of town and she was in the upper portion it made perfect sense that we would cross!

We would meet after about forty-five minutes as we both had a watch!

We set the time limit, it had darkened at 7:30 and on the bike, it would take us no more than forty-five minutes to make it to our rendezvous.

Forty-five minutes after that first plan we would go to plan B which was just 'find the nearest cellar, rest, and meet the next day at the next major landmark on our maps.

That was the Jackson city Lumberjack!!

We found nothing surprising besides a few goblins that started fights and the oddly angered cockroaches.

We made our way out of town!

Oh and the mega rat!!

I mean It was the size of a small SUV a buff stocky one and The cat earlier was the size of an eco line van maybe bigger.

That got me wondering...

So What in the hell would a hippo or an elephant look like in size?!

Is the size the only thing that changed?

Do humans and creatures get things like magic and sorcery?

After getting into the last store it seemed pretty cleared out a bit further than what I expected.

Changing the bad news into good there was a candle burning.

A rather long one it was one of those long stick ones.

I have seen them before like the ones monks use to measure the time it was a bit past half melted to be exact.

By it was a few papers and a Can it was all wrapped around to hold it I assume while picking up the paper.

I lost all of my breath not from being hit or anything like that I was just shocked breathless.

When I picked it up what was underneath is what made me shiver and go breathless it was a big can of banana pudding.

I mean huge That's five pounds I went pudding blind and didn't even bother to read the other note.

I grabbed it and went and found some civil Ware from the aisles.

I found well-made plastic cutlery it was just fine I also had plates paper kind but they will do.

I highly doubt we would need them...

I grabbed whatever was leftover as some precaution.

I grabbed underwear and all the amenities that were left toothpaste, deodorant, and toothbrushes.

There were a few of each left I found things behind shelves, under shelves, in the storeroom and the register square.

Just some examples mainly I grabbed what I wanted from this store and I also grabbed how-to manuals for fixing and for survival.

I grabbed whatever made sense to me at the time!

if it was useable there was no reason to not have it.

The things that haven't deteriorated to me were old even if it was useless it had a price!

I made my way out of there to the rendezvous and was so happy I couldn't wait to dig into this pudding.

Perv was so confused I didn't look for food but I didn't need to look around the store for food.

I grabbed as much as I had wanted to, even if it was random Nonfood items We would just have to focus on hunting.

That and the first piece of paper said five words "this is it for food!" the other notes I will read later.

Either way food or not, I was set!

After thirty minutes, Rory and I had met up she had gotten smart and found a bike hers was a wide wheeler too.

She also got three more wagons full of stuff when we saw the bikes we laughed.

After going over the inventory we found out we had more than enough for bike repairs.

She was So Wise and said we would need tools as I couldn't disagree Thus We now have a set.

She showed me she had found original made wrought iron tools they were very well handmade but didn't quite match the thought I had.

I had my doubts about them but either way, she was wise!

She also got some hobby tools books and materials, she hit the jackpot with a hobby store.

I told her I could sew making moves on that she grabbed fabric and needles along with quite a few other things like rain gear, umbrellas, and fishing gear.

Books she had how-to books also she had a few bags that were closed but stuffed full.

One was a Gucci duffle bag, I couldn't say anything after looking at my watch.

Her other wagon was filled with everything from the list and more I was not the only one to find a note or care package.

With hers was a box of cookies I mean genuine homemade cookies in a paper waxed bag inside of an old handmade wooden box

She had also mentioned that plush could fly that was rather hilarious when I saw the fat bird take flight.

It looked so wrong!

Kind of like a bee that shouldn't work...

I didn't pry into how she had to find out nor, did I laugh out loud at the fat floating bird but she also said in passing It was strong enough to carry someone.

With both those bits of information, I left her to toil on her own I didn't want to embarrass her.

After that, we realized we had an extra bike and extra wagons.

I mean we had wagons!

The wagons had used and will be well used.

The extra bike though when I said "how do we make it useful?"

We both looked at perv.

It didn't take Perv long as all it had to do was pedal and keep it straight it was a big tricycle.

Good thing the seat was able to lower perv was short but extremely strong.

The cool thing is some bikes were made simple, Yet well, So the materials took well to the energies.

Maybe I should learn to become a crafter if there is nothing around making it is always the easiest.

After another hour we found a house with a basement on the outskirts of a field.

I checked the house and found terrible things that didn't need to be described.

I don't want to talk about it anyway, leaving that tragedy alone we just went into our new abode below.

It was not close to any other houses making it seem like it was in the middle of nowhere!

It sat by itself making me feel at home.

It was quiet or more like silent not eerie though, even the bugs or wind could be heard.

It was peaceful but it seems we are both wary of times like these.

After a quick meal of MRE and jerky rations, we fed our companions and got ready for bed.

No, we didn't ruin the pudding tonight because you don't Destroy something so divine.

We both agreed to wait until there was a better time, we did, eat the whole thing of cookies.

We shared with our companions don't think us evil.

Ah, The note before I forget both were the same I mean exact copies.

The first note said the same thing: "This is it for food."

The second was lengthy.

*To the reader who is finding this, I am a scientist and establisher of a care group.

My name Walter Mumford, and these things you have found are the share packages we will be leaving.

Do not fret, if you have found one though.

Pease for good measure do not hunt the others out I and my group has set many of these down.

They are placed along the edge of town facing our current direction.

People can find their way easier!

If you do have a group doing a wide search, please!!!

Do not take more than one per person or three per group.

Alas if you feel alone remember My group the Farseers are open to taking in anyone willing to help or in need of help.

We will be at the campgrounds in Nascal California along the edge of the major freeway.

That period will be for eight weeks, the candle you saw is a declaration of our time.

If it was a quarter gone it has been two weeks, half is four weeks, three quarters is six weeks and when it is out it will have been eight weeks.

by then our party will move on to a bigger place.

Do Not Fear!

We will continue in one direction as a group and stop at periods for rests if you are a small group with fit people you will meet us quickly.

Some families are looking to be reunited, friends who are searching for others, and everyone who is lost but has no goal.

You are all welcome and now your group knows where we are if you do not make it in time.

Do Not Fear And Have Hope!

There will be more share packages set along the way with our place of stead marked in the next city each time, and so on.

Eventually, you will join us and your loved ones.

As for the share packages they are and will be correctly processed or handmade.

They will stay good for quite a while as the high quality made processed goods or hand made has better chances of not rotting.

P.S If you have any allergies to things they are no longer existent these ambient energies have a healing property.

The energy called mana is strong and there is another energy yet to be named.

It is evolving the wildlife and vegetation, you are also included in that as you as a human being...

You will succumb to it, evolving and strengthening our physiology.

It is happening at an alarming rate.

Those that died off before from this had the opposite reaction to mana and degenerated To quickly.

That is no longer the case We that have survived saturated by these energies contain wonderfully new possibilities.

Please count yourselves lucky. 

Do Not Fear!

Embrace it as this is the only way we will live or survive.

ADAPT AND OVERCOME! *

(Rico, as he faded off to sleep, realized the last page was a list of names of families and friends most likely members who were looking for others.)

*There is another paper it was well folded.

I thought it was more to the note so I unfolding it quickly, After I got it open I felt like I lost my good mood.

A long paper way too long...

Names of those who died, Those who survived, and made to remember and to inform those.

Those who are lost or alone aren't the only ones who have lost someone.

This sad paper will be a ray of hope for our species even though this sets us back.

It proves we can still move forward!*