BRAGR) Front Row Seats (Patreon)

Screams of terror filled the skies. The sounds of gunfire filled the air. Pillars of smoke spewed into the air all over the place. Flames could be seen coming from some of the buildings. The sounds of jets and helicopters filled the sky. All of this was something I can remember from my dreams. The chaos that ensued when the first monster wave hit.

The military was deployed not just here in New York but all over the country. This was the same for all countries. There was no hiding place. There was no safe haven. If you wanted to survive, you needed to make your own Eden.

“Zoe…” Angel hugged my arm tightly as we stared out at the end of the world as it happened right before our eyes.

“This is the path we chose.” I whispered softly. “We chose to watch the world end. We chose to allow people who had no connection to us die. This is our path.”

“I know…” Angel was scared, I know. I was, too, in my dreams. I had no idea what was going on. I had to live in fear, or I might die at any second.

They say that in the face of danger, humanity will come together. While that is true for some, most will only think about self-preservation. I had witnessed it many times in my dreams of people throwing even their loved ones to the front in order to stay alive. Now that I know what love is, I realize that those people did not know love.

“Master, a group of people have gathered at the barrier. One of them is Officer Higgins.” I sighed. I had warned the man to move his things quickly, but he didn’t. “Let him in with his family the rest must stay outside.”

“Understood.” I watched as Hilde jumped off the building and walked to the barrier. I took up a seat on the edge of the building so I could watch the happenings below.

Hilde walked to the barrier and tapped it with her finger. “Officer Higgins, Master says you can bring yourself and your family in.”

“Thank you.” Officer Higgins gave a tired smile while carrying two little girls in his arms and behind him, a woman with another child in her arms. They did not take anything with them, it seemed. He is a smart man. He knew what he had to do.

Officer Higgins and his wife walked past the barrier; those behind also tried to cross, only to be blasted back by Hilde. “I only allowed Mr. Higgins and his family I did not allow the rest of you. Your life and death are your own.”

“What!? That’s bullshit! Shouldn’t you be helping everyone you can in a time of crisis like this!?” I heard a man yell out. He had one foot inside the barrier. With his body in the way, the barrier could not close properly. It was a kind of barrier that formed around all objects. One gap was enough to let many monsters in.

 “Angel, stay here.” I patted her hand before jumping off the building and walked over to where Hilde was. I could tell she was about to blast the man away, but I decided to make an example out of this man.

“Fear. This is why you have rushed over to my territory. You are scared of the monsters that are now pushing through the city killing everyone they meet. You are afraid of dying. I can understand this.” I began as I walked to stand in front of Hilde.

“So you will let us in?” the man asked. I saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“No. If I let you in, then those who had gotten permission prior will go hungry. Supplies are not something I have. Not for you. Or those behind you.” My words were harsh. They were sentencing everyone at my barrier to death, but there was nothing I could do. Only those who were already given approval can enter. We may have a lot of supplies, but there are already many mouths to feed. I will still need supplies for the aftermath as well. Even then, I would still need to go out and salvage what I can.

“You bitch! I don’t care what you say we are coming in!” The man suddenly yelled in anger and charged towards me. I could only sigh…

My sword cut through the air. A thin red line of blood formed on the man’s neck as his head slipped from his body and fell to the ground. “Ahh!!!! Murder!”

“Mm… I am. But, so what? If I let you in the people who die from starvation, their deaths will also be on my hands. Either way someone will need to die. I am sorry, but since I will need to be a murder no matter what my decision is, I can only let you die for others.” With that, I kicked the man’s body through the open barrier at the people outside, who quickly dodged and stared at me in horror. “Close it.”

“Yes, Master.” Hilde waved her hand, and the barrier closed. The people outside seemed to have gone quiet for a few seconds before someone suddenly screamed.

“Monster!” not just one, but many monsters appeared. The people outside were pushing against the barrier, trying to pass through it. They hammered on it with their fists as the people behind them were mauled and bitten to death.

I could see the fear and hate in their eyes as they looked at me. But for me, I felt nothing. I turned and looked up at the winged girl on top of the building. She looked down at me with tears in her eyes. I felt bad. Angel was a kind girl. But now she was forced to see what our new world was going to be like. She had front-row seats to the slaughter.