Chapter 20

<p>The blazing sun outside beat down mercilessly. It would have been a perfect day for beach enthusiasts to get a golden tan if it weren't for the hectic harassment of zombies guarding the block below.<br/><br/>Lounging on sofas comfily, PQ never expected that he would one day, invite strangers over to his place. This little gathering under the living room chandelier filled the isolation in his heart.<br/><br/>"So, how's life?" Scuffing his bushy beard, the 5th neighbour whom PQ has never met before broke the awkward atmosphere. The man who looks like he was going through a mid-life crisis is Raphael, a rather poetic name that doesn't really fit well with his unkempt appearance.<br/><br/>Despite having the appearance of a middle-aged hobo, Raphael was actually a genius Ph.D. graduate in engineering and had just turned 30 last month.<br/><br/>"Cut to the chase Raphael, we've gotta talk about this dude's insane powers." Eyes sparkling with admiration, the gothic teenage girl who built the impressive barricade downstairs rocked PQ's arm back and forth, raving about her saviour's heroic deeds. "I didn't know superheroes actually existed!"<br/><br/>PQ answered back with an embarrassed smile, not knowing how to react to the petite girl latching onto his arm.<br/><br/>Dressed in an eclectic mix of clothing, Teresa had a rather unique style that highlighted her personality.<br/><br/>"Chill out Teresa, this young gentleman isn't trying to catch a case." Dragging her away to put a stop to her fangirling, Raphael bonked Teresa's forehead with the heel of his palms. Turning to PQ, he clasped his palm, bowing down genuinely. "Thanks for saving us back there PQ. We appreciate it."<br/><br/>"Don't thank me for that, it's just basic human decency." Subduing his tone, PQ's flurry of hand gestures revealed his shyness around the compliments of others. "In fact, I'm the one impressed by your abilities. You guys handled that monster really well!"<br/><br/>"You bet! I've been waiting to set up that trap of mine!" Dancing in jubilation, Teresa flaunted confidently, tapping her brain to emphasize her intellectual capability.<br/><br/>Chuckling, Raphael rubbed her head playfully. "Hey give me my credits! I designed the blueprint for you."<br/><br/>"But I invented the idea!" Teresa shook her head in denial, shrugging off Raphael's arm.<br/><br/>The dynamic between Raphael and Teresa was sweet, but it reminded PQ of his garrulous yet caring younger brother. He was on a school trip, far away from this city.<br/><br/>Without technology in such a vast, dangerous world, any human would be clueless and frightened. How could he revel in comfort while his family could be suffering out there!<br/><br/>The pride he manifested from defeating that monstrosity of a dog faded away, bringing him back to reality.<br/><br/>"Are you good man?"<br/><br/>Observing the sombre glimmer in PQ's eyes, Raphael offered to comfort him, but PQ quickly brushed it off with a reassuring grin. "It's not as bad as you think Raphael. I'm just worried over my family's whereabouts…" He paused to entice himself with a positive mindset. "They're most likely safe. I'm sure of it."<br/><br/>Walking to the nonfunctional refrigerator, PQ diverted the focus back to his neighbours. "What about you two? Any family members you worried about?"<br/><br/>"No, not at all. I live alone and my parents has passed away years ago." Raphael replied, exchanging glances with Teresa. "She lives with her stepmother. I'm pretty sure you've seen her already."<br/><br/>"Yeah, you've definitely seen her PQ! She's the dead fat witch eaten by Chloe!" Teresa described the death of her stepmother nonchalantly as if it were part of a normal daily conversation. "I've always wanted to get rid of her."<br/><br/>"Couldn't you be a little more emotional about death Teresa?" Picking up a napkin from a tissue box, Raphael smeared off the black eye shadow concealing the dark circles under Teresa's eyes. "See? What have I been telling you? Stop binging the internet! Look at those early stages of under-eye bags."<br/><br/>Stealing away the napkin from Raphael, Teresa ran to the other end of the living room and protested. "Hey! You ruined my beautiful makeup for PQ to enjoy!"<br/><br/>"See PQ! This is the result of easy internet access!" Carrying a tray of soft drinks and coasters over, PQ was bombarded with Raphael's cries of complaints. "There's so much gore and sexual content that corrupts the younger audience! She's so desensitized now!"<br/><br/>"Shut up Raphael! You're embarrassing me in front of my idol!"<br/><br/>The lively and chaotic atmosphere put a smile on PQ's face. Even though he was kind of an introvert, he still craved for interactions. Before the apocalypse occurred, he never had the initiative to allocate time and bond with his family. Looking back on his decisions, PQ could only bear remorse.<br/><br/>Placing the drinks down, PQ rest them on the coasters he brought. It was an involuntary habit he had developed thanks to his mother.<br/><br/>"Mom always did this to protect the table." Murmuring, the detrimental effects of home sicknesses struck. His heart felt hollow and barren. This comfy apartment wasn't his home. As long as his family weren't safely together, it would never feel like home.<br/><br/>If only he had taken half an hour of free time every day to chat with his family, he wouldn't be this regretful.<br/><br/>But what if… what if he could one day reunite with his family? What if he could become strong enough to neglect all the dangers of the apocalypse and find his family himself? Was that the only way he could redeem himself and right his wrongs?<br/><br/>All of a sudden, an explosion of light ignited the morning sky.<br/><br/>Peeking at the blinding flash through his fingers, PQ was utterly stupefied.<br/><br/>"Is this nuclear Armageddon?"<br/><br/>Outshining the golden threads of the fiery sun, a grand condensation of light penetrated the stratosphere, beaming vertically into the city center like a massive pillar shouldering the infinite sky.<br/><br/>Pumping the planet, tremendous amounts of energy undulated within a fixed region as a rosy hue adorned it.<br/><br/>Persisting for mere seconds, the transient concentration of light vanished into thin air as abruptly as it appeared. All over the globe, massive obelisks were erected at the locations of meteorite spottings, stunning the surviving populations. Like a drop of blood in an ocean infested with hungry sharks, established humans surged towards the obelisks, desperately seeking for hope and answers.<br/><br/>"Say, would you like to go on an adventure with me?"<br/><br/>"Huh?" Raphael and Teresa had ceased their bickering long ago, turning towards PQ with shocked expressions.<br/><br/>'Why would anyone leave this safe haven?!', was what they would have exclaimed before witnessing the grand phenomenon outside.<br/><br/>After encountering a human with extraordinary superpowers beyond scientific explanation, they had no choice but to succumb to their fervid curiosity.<br/><br/>Clenching his fist, PQ felt the warm sensation pulsating intensely in his palms as if trying to convince him to travel towards the towering obelisk.</p>