CHAPTER 3: THE APOCALYPSE

Dad, it started on March 23rd, 20**," Elise began, her voice trembling as she recounted the events of the apocalypse. "The sun turned blood red, and the rain fell heavily. People who entered the rain either mutated into zombies or gained superhuman abilities."

Elise's eyes welled up with tears as she continued. "While some who entered the rain didn't gain any abilities, making them the ordinary human population. Research showed that most people who gained abilities often had a good body constitution due to regular exercise."

Elise took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Thankfully, you guys didn't mutate, but gained various abilities. On the first day of the apocalypse, the government tried to curb it, but it broke out with full force. On the second day, people tried asking for help from the government, but it had already fallen, and the military had taken over."

Elise's voice cracked as she spoke of the events that led to her demise. "On the third day, different people with superhuman abilities took advantage of the government's fall to seize supplies. In a week, the military established a safe base. We struggled to get to the safe base and formed a team with Zane and Alexa."

Elise's eyes blazed with anger and hurt. "Mom told me not to go for the task with Zane and Alexa, but I trusted them so much that I disobeyed Mom and went for the task to look for supplies in the national supermarket. Only to be pushed into a zombie wave... I died, Dad."

Elise's body shook with sobs as she buried her face in Madison's shoulder. Derick's face contorted with rage, and he slammed his fist on the table. "That son of a bitch! I knew he wasn't a good thing!"

The living room was shrouded in melancholy, the only sound being Elise's heart-wrenching sobs. Derick's voice broke the silence. "Madison, escort your little sister to her room. Let's talk again tomorrow."

Anita added, "Madison, take dinner with you."

As the night wore on, Elise's parents were unable to fall asleep, their minds reeling with the events Elise had recounted. Madison comforted Elise to sleep, vowing to protect her little sister with every fiber of her being.