I must disclose that this story contains themes / content some readers may find disturbing, or be uncomfortable with, including, but not limited to:

Body Horror / Mutation / Mutilation / Deformity.
Brutality.
Cannibalism.
Death. (indiscriminate, young and old will die.)
Description of injury / sickness.
Drug usage.
Intense emotional / psychological distress.
Intense scenes.
Production of drugs.
Torture.
Use of firearms.
Violence / Dismemberment / Blood.

If any of this content is a problem for you, reading is not advised.

Applicable Genres:
Drama, Survival, Slice of Life; Horror, Thriller; Psychological Horror, Survival Horror.

Writing started: 24/1/25
Writing ended:

Word count:

Words will be added when its being written.

The whole family is gathered in the dining room, with the exception of Vanessa; the tables all sat together, forming one large table.

A few seconds later, Vanessa enters the room; carefully closing the door behind her.
Her face more lively than before yet still noticeably exhausted.

Making her way to the table, she takes the nearest available seat and sits down.

Amelia, with a sheet of paper in front of her and her notebook; along side a pencil, says:
"Okay, now that everyone is here, there are a few things I need to talk about.
Firstly; our current list of priorities, they are:

1. Establish livestock population for long term food source.
2. Find consistent source of materials outside of scavenge missions; examples:
Metals, chemicals for propellant in ammunition, wood, bricks, etc.
3. Set up better walls and more defences/traps and other stuff.
4. Find source of pain management for patients.
5. Set up communication networking system.
6. Find source of more wound attending bandages, or means to produce said bandages so they don’t run out long term.

Does anyone have any problems or things to add to this list?"

The family thinks for a moment.

Vanessa:
"Yeah, the parasite cure will be sent out soon, Dr Colermann should have given Dr Raay the exact formula by now; so I'll may have to go in and check in on the process."

Amelia:
"That's not really a problem, more something you may need to do, but I'll add that just in case."

Amelia notes it down.

Amelia:
"Anything else? Anyone?"

Rachel:
"Yeah, we've had those trackers in the larger monsters for a while now; going to gather the data and see what we can make of it; hopefully it leads us to where their coming from.

Those vehicles left behind after the attack are still being repaired, so that's something that were waiting on... and..."

Amelia:
"The combat training lessons?"

Rachel:
"Oh yeah, those."

Amelia:
"Speaking of which, have you considered doing combat training lessons at the new shooting range?"

Rachel:
"Actually yeah I have, but the issue would be having enough ammo long term; hence why its currently booking based at the moment."

Amelia:
"Alright, good point; but is that something you would like to do?"

Rachel:
Certainly.

Amelia:
"Noted."

Amelia writes it all down and asks: "Anyone else?"

Amber:
"Yeah, farming mushrooms over and over by hand with just the 3 of us; and a few volunteers every now and then; is extremely impractical; we need some form of automation."

Jade:
"I agree with Amber, would be really helpful if we had some form of specialist tools to cut and bag all the mushrooms quickly; and spread their spores faster."

Amelia:
"Okay; and how long does a shelf of mushrooms take to prepare? from start to finish?"

Jade:
"Spreading the spores after a harvest; a minute or 2; growing them, 2-3 days."

Amber:
"Harvesting them all and bagging them all by hand; 10-20 minutes per tray; depending on how many there are."