Close Encounter

Alex and Emily cautiously walked down the street, attempting to avoid any possible encounters with monsters. Though they had a rough idea of the city's state, they were still facing the unknown. They had no idea which streets were filled with monsters and which areas were relatively safe. Only through trial and error could they find a safe haven to catch their breath.

The streets were filled with forsaken vehicles. It would appear that Alex was not the only one to have car troubles recently. He was starting to wonder if a single car was functional in this entire city.

As he began to ponder about the current state of affairs, he heard a thunderous crash. Shortly down the street, the wall of a building exploded, and a body was hurled through it. As it fell to the ground, it splattered into a thick meat paste.

Behind the rubble, a hulking, ghastly figure could be seen. It stood nearly 10 feet tall and was partially covered in fur. If one examined its physical characteristics closely then, it would slightly resemble a goblin. Though obviously much larger and more sturdy than its miniature counterparts. The creature wielded a large two-handed stone hammer which was marred with gore. Evidently, it had been on a killing spree.

Surrounding it was a swarm of goblins, most of which were splattered in fresh blood and bore primitive jewelry newly fashioned from human body parts. They laughed maniacally as the large furred creature exuded its authority.

Emily gasped in fright as Alex watched the goblin swarm dig into the meat paste with an insatiable appetite. Evidently, they found human flesh to be quite the delicacy. Alex grabbed Emily's hand as he dragged her back the way they came. This horde of goblins was not something they could easily mess with.

The two created some distance between themselves and the goblin horde. Afterward, Alex came to a stop and emptied the contents of his stomach all over the sidewalk. He could no longer contain his nausea. Alex vomited once again as his memories resurfaced. Only after there was nothing let in his stomach did he finally wipe his mouth and exhale heavily.

"God damn!"

Emily looked worried; she was hiding behind a car and couldn't see clearly; as such, she was in a much better state than Alex was. After a few moments of comforting Alex, the two began to walk down a different path. Hopefully, they wouldn't encounter such a dangerous situation again any time soon.

The two cautiously made their way down the street when they saw a mini-mart that appeared to be unoccupied at the moment. Unknowingly Alex had managed to find himself at the same mini-mart where he had left his truck last night. He looked in delight as his truck lies in the parking lot of the seemingly vacant store. He rushed over to his truck and embraced it tightly.

Though it wouldn't run, seeing something so familiar filled him with joy.

"Oh my baby, we've been apart far too long!"

Emily stared at Alex as if he were an idiot. She walked up to him and asked the question that she already knew the answer to

"Does it run?"

Alex gazed at her with a complicated expression. "Of course not! If it did, do you think I would have left it here and walked home last night?"

Emily grew frustrated. This idiot was standing in the middle of the street embracing a truck that couldn't possibly function with a stupid grin on his face. Under normal circumstances, this would be fine, but their situation was grave right now. At any moment, they could come under assault from monsters.

"Then why do you look so happy!?!" she expressed in an agitated tone, desperately struggling to contain her temper.

Alex's eyes flashed as he immediately realized something and opened the doors to his truck. He took out a large gym bag and emptied its contents.

"We can use this to stash supplies from the mini-mart in front of us. After all, we have no idea when we'll be able to find something to eat and drink again."

Emily stood in silence as she calmed her nerves. It was apparent that he had just realized such a thing when she was scolding him. Why did this guy act like it was his plan all along? Nevertheless, she forced a smile.

"Lead the way."

Alex nodded and took point as the two entered the mini-mart. The two made their way into the mini-mart, which Alex had just recently purchased alcohol from. The ever-pervasive scent of death filled their nostrils as they entered the building. Alex looked behind the counter and found the girl who couldn't even look him in the eyes last night lying dead. Though this wasn't the work of goblins. There was clearly a gunshot wound on her chest upon further examination.

The isles appeared to have already been ransacked to a degree. It was clear that while they were fighting out of the dormitory earlier. The store had already been looted by humans. Alex felt sickened upon witnessing the scene and learned a valuable lesson from this. Sometimes humans are the real monsters. He would have to be careful from now on when interacting with his own species.

Alex stuffed what food and beverages he could find into his gym bag. It was mostly junk food and energy drinks, but at least it was something. He then walked over to the refrigerated section and opened it. A cool breeze blew across his face. Despite the blackout, the cool air was still trapped inside. He grabbed a 40 oz bottle of malt liquor and took a swig from it.

Emily eyed him carefully. He piled a few more bottles into his gym bag and placed them carefully around the soft goods. This idiot could still drink at a time like this? She was starting to suspect his reliability.

Misinterpreting her scrutinous gaze, Alex shamelessly asked

"You want some?"

Emily shook her head in disgust.

"How can you drink at a time like this?"

Alex laughed awkwardly

"It's the end of the world; this might be my last drink."

"..."

Emily stood there in silence and contemplated the meaning behind his words and thought to herself

'Things were only going to get worse, weren't they?'