39 Meeting

David Dolan stood, looking at the residents either sitting on the floor or on foldable chairs. 

He cleared his throat then said, "I called this meeting because of two things. The first reason is: I have an announcement to make. The second is how we will go about the first." 

All the faces that were on him were filled with worry and anxiety. David Dolan was always serious on a daily basis, but for him to harrumph before he spoke –although his voice was already so clear– spelt trouble.

"...As you all know, I listen to the radio, and I feel you all should know that President Villin has issued an emergency executive order."

"What? An executive order?"

"Wow. We'll survive. We're saved."

"That's great."

"Hallelujah."

"Oh, Thankgod."

David Dolan raised his hand slightly to silence them.

"But… we don't know what it's about. We are told to stay indoors and be patient, that this is the work of a terrorist group."

"What?! Terrorists? No way…"

"They left us to die?!"

"We're screwed over…"

"Oh sh*t. I'm going to die… I'm going to die…"

"What do we doooo?!!!"

"We're dead meat!"

David Dolan shouted, "Don't panic! We aren't dead yet! Which means we will surely survive!"

"Yes!"

"Thankgod, Mr. Dolan is so brave…"

"There's hope…"

Mark was a few people away in front of Damian. He turned back to see if Damian was in the meeting but he found him almost immediately.

Damian looked spaced out and deep in thought, like never before. He had a look of complete disbelief.

…What is he thinking? Is he okay? He looks like he saw a ghost… Mark wondered.

Julian, after confronting a demon in person, was sceptical about their survivability. So he questioned, 

"Are you sure? We were told in a corporate way to f*ck off by the government. We have nowhere to hide because those monsters are everywhere and are going to enter the subway. Those monsters… controlled by terrorists? Don't f*ckin' sh*t me. Are you all insane?! Terrorists?!

"We're f*cked. That's… the truth…"

The crowd suffered the brunt of the harsh truth of reality by Julian's words. They cried, wailed and lamented. Pitifully, they await their impending death.

David Dolan grit his teeth and shouted, "Calm down! Those creatures aren't immortal! We will fight! You want someone to come in shining armour to save you?! I guess it'll be better since you'll die in your sleep! Let me ask you this: how well do you think those greedy bastards in suits can protect themselves from those creatures?

"They are in the same position as we are! Take this as a real-life survival of the fittest, by this time we survive together! We will fight for our survival! Together!"

"Yeah!"

"Yes!"

"Definitely!"

"We can't be weak!"

"Hallelujah."

Rachael sat close to Mark. She noticed Mark's attention was driven back to Damian continuously.

"Mr. Cross looks a bit out of it. Is he okay?" She asked.

Mark returned his attention to David Dolan. He sulked and replied, "He's an asshole."

"Did you guys get into a fight?"

"Hmm. If we did, he'd be dead before I even land a punch." Sadly, it was true.

"Haha. You're that confident in your strength? Ok. Oh, I never got to properly thank you for helping me out."

"Oh, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It's my pleasure. I also have a daughter about Michelle's age."

"That's great. Where is she?" 

"She's with her mother in a church up Washington Heights. That's why I and Damian left early. I wanted to see her."

"Oh, Nice. In a church. Talk about the best place to hide from creatures that look like demons, haha."

…Can I ask him about what happened that time he saved me? But was he really the one that did that? Shouldn't I just ask? No, I have to find the right time or else he might not tell me… Rachael turned her attention back to David Dolan.

"Now that brings me to the second reason. The second phase is going to start tomorrow…

"Some of you don't know about the phases since I confiscated all the phones for our safety, so I'll explain…"

Mark said to Rachael, "Hey, don't you think David Dolan is such a great guy? He took it upon himself to guide and protect all these people. He's so brave. I wonder if I can be like that…"

Rachael looked at him and saw his eyes. They were like a child's when they saw something they admired and thought was really cool.

"Now I've explained, you don't need to panic. Since we know when it'll begin we can prepare… 

"We will continue to expand to give more people hope for survival, but this underground is binary. If we're ambushed from the north and the south there is nowhere to run. So we need to move to somewhere more convenient. It's also for our safety. I'll create a plan and inform you all tomorrow. That will be all for now."

"Nice. Mr. Dolan is so smart. This is all thanks to him."

"We'll definitely survive."

"There's still hope for humanity."

"We'll plough through the phases. I don't care if this is the work of a terrorist group but we will definitely have our revenge one day."

Mark marvelled at David's brilliance, "Wow. David Dolan is so cool."

Rachael shifted her gaze back and forth from Damian to Mark. Damn, they're both out of it…

Damian didn't listen to a thing going on around him. There's so much for me to wrap my head around…

…

About 40 minutes ago in Damian's tent.

"What elevator? What are you saying?" Damian asked.

Arthur opened his mouth to speak but closed it.

Then he said, "I don't know what he'll do to me if I tell you. Damian, I'm scared..."

"There's no need to worry. I'll protect you no matter what."

"O-Ok…

"I was playing Robloks with some friends on my computer. It all started when I heard an explosion. I stopped playing and got on the floor. I felt the ground shake fiercely but nothing serious happened after. Dad rushed in and carried me on his back…

"Mom got the car key and we left the apartment. There were people in the hallway, waiting for the elevator. They were all so restless. They fought to be in front for when the elevator opened…[1]

"Mom, dad and I were at the back, waiting for the elevator to open. Dad dropped me and told mom to wait there as he tried to organize everyone…

"An old dude with a scar across one of his eyes stopped beside me. I looked at him, and he smiled. Then I saw many black shadow things coming out from his back and moving weirdly. He walked into the commotion and disappeared…

"Mom started acting funny… and then… and then… Arggh!" Arthur curled himself up in a corner and shivered.

Damian couldn't believe his ears. He didn't know where to start to piece things together.

…A shadowy figure came out from Mark and Harry. No way. If Harry was driven to scare people, then… then could Mark have been driven to rage? Could those be the real demons? Now I understand what Vincent meant…

…But how did Arthur see them? Damn, he can't answer in his current state…

"Don't worry Arthur. You're safe with me. Just don't worry…" Damian patted Arthur's head and calmed him down. The look on his face betrayed his kind actions but this time it wasn't one of apathy, he was grim.

…

Rachael went to Damian's side with Michelle but he didn't seem to notice.

…Come to think of it, there was no way a skinny demon entered the apartment building immediately after the apocalypse started. So how was his mom infected? No, that didn't look like an infection. Was she… possessed?

…Every other floor resident followed the stairs like I did. That's why Mark killed so many people on the reception floor, but why did they all rush to the elevator? Mind control? Crowd manipulation? Damn. I'm so f*ckin' clueless it's driving me crazy…

Damian looked up yonder at where David Dolan sat. And to my greatest surprise, he's like the man Arthur saw…

…I don't know the terms of his special power… but, there is a chance… I'm in the lion's den!

All eyes were already on Damian when he came to this realization. A chill ran down his spine. Everyone was a potential enemy wherever David Dolan was.

* * *

[1] Referring to Chapter 2: Hell On Earth