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:

Glossary:

Ballista:
Ancient missile launcher designed to hurl javelins or heavy balls.
Typically resembles a giant crossbow.

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, left hand still missing; 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 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, 2-4 days."

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

And with how many trays we have to manually empty out; bag up and replant; it means we can't expand the food production as we don't have time.

Which is something we will need to deal with soon."

Fiona:
"Sorry to interrupt but shes right; we can't rely on fishing forever."

Amelia:
"So; farming needs a massive efficiency boost to keep up."

Jade:
"Pretty much."

Amber:
"That's one way to put it, but sure."

Amelia notes it all down.

Amelia:
"Well... I've seen what the farming sheds for mushrooms look like already, so I'll try and design something to help; but does anyone else have complaints or issues?"

Everyone disagrees.

Amelia:
"Okay, now that's all covered and listed; I have a few concerns and ideas myself I want to bring up and ask you about."

Dad:
"Those being?"

Amelia:
"Their exactly what I'm going to tell you now; anyway.
They are:

1. I feel like we need to prepare for the inevitable coming winter; primarily we need to stock up on firewood supplies for the town just in case we get the worst case scenario.

2. I feel like you two; Helga and Michella are not in the best positions job wise and want to make things better for you two if possible."

Helga:
"I appreciate your concern; but why do you feel a need to ask?"

Michella:
"Same feeling; but why point us out?"

Amelia:
"I just want to know; are you two okay? Are you happy with what your doing?"

Helga:
"I truly appreciate the concern; but that is not an ideal topic for discussion right now; i'm sure you have bigger priorities to focus on."

Michella:
"Yeah, its not the best thing to focus on right now; we can talk about that later."

Amelia:
"Got it, moving on.

3. There has been a noticeable drop in monster attacks and sightings since the wall was finished with the exception of the death squad attack; which makes me suspicious that something is wrong; as they don't seem to be the kind of creatures that would be intimidated by a mere wall."

Rachel:
"That is a good point; all the more reason to keep building our defences up."

Amelia:
"Speaking of which.

4. I'm worried about that giant eel; the one that was attacking Hemar recently; estimated to be around 800-1200 feet long or greater at the time.

And more accurately how we could even fight back if something like that found us."

Dad:
"Those are valid concerns; but... I don't really know... Any ideas Rachel?"

Rachel:
"Yeah, we just need better countermeasures; maybe- oh maybe we can build like... some giant ballistas and set them up on towers or something; aim for its eyes."

Amelia:
"That's a great idea; but its HUGE; most you would likely do is blind it and likely piss it off; plus we have no idea what its capable of; so.... I'll just have to figure that one out later.

But anyway.

5. Concerning our roles as leaders I think it would be better for everyone if I acted as the towns figurehead.

I take the public pressure where I can; keeping most of it off all of you; and if we find other groups or towns of survivors I can make deals with them if necessary."

Dad:
"I appreciate you wanting to take the pressure off us; but I don't think putting that much pressure on yourself directly is a good idea."

Vanessa:
"Yeah, remember what we said? How you need to slow down?"

Amelia:
"That's true... But still it would be better for everyone; and as a leader it would let me lead by example even more so; by giving me the opportunities to do more."

Rachel:
"While that's true; sometimes the best thing you can do; is to do nothing and leave things alone; or do very little.

Like; remember during the attack; you told me how you were scared; you hid; but hesitated to when you saw others too scared to run but they eventually did?

And how you shot that one rope and used a trap to kill a good chunk of the death squad?"

Amelia:
"Yes?"

Rachel:
"Yeah, like that, sometimes its best to just get away from a situation or do less... I've had to do that myself when putting trackers on those monsters; most of the bigger ones I had to hide from.

Like; a big sword arm one punched a hole in the truck; and we got chased by another with 3 black points on its head.

Anyway; what I'm saying is, sometimes you need to take a less hands on approach; or do less.

Like, sometimes... less is more."

Amelia:
Oh... OH, I see. yeah... but is my idea still a good one?"

Amber:
"I'd say so but... Just remember to step back sometimes and think about things; and take care of yourself."

Rachel:
"Yeah, it would help us a lot pressure wise; but just go easy on yourself if that is what you want to do."

Vanessa:
"I don't exactly encourage the idea myself; but at least take it easy if you do."

Amelia:
"Alright; noted."

Amelia notes it down.

Amelia:
"And lastly.

6. I feel like some of us either need to learn how to use a gun, or start practising with them more; it would do us all good to practice."

Jarease:
"That's actually a good point; considering I have no firearms experience."

Jade:
"Same here; I really need to do that."

Dad:
"Yeah... would be a good idea."

Vanessa:
"Would be good to have firearm skills."

Amber:
"Would be good to do that."

Amelia:
"Agreed; need to practice more myself.
But anyway; anyone have any suggestions? complaints?"

Everyone disagrees.
"Nope; I'm good."
"No."
"Not really."
etc.

Amelia:
"Okay, so that means the current list of priorities and stuff happening is as follows:

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.

7. Parasite cure is made; now being sent to Dr Raay by Dr Colermann for making and distribution; Vanessa may need to oversee this.

8. Rachel will use data from monster tracking to attempt finding where they have come from.

9. Vehicles left behind after the attack are still being repaired.

10. Need enough ammo long term for gun training by Rachel; for now its booking based at the range.

11. Farming needs a serious efficiency boost.

12. Stock up on winter firewood for the town in case of worst case scenario.

13. I feel like Helga and Michella may not be in the best positions job wise and I want to make things better for them if possible.

14. Noticeable drop in monster attacks since the wall was done; Rachel says to build more defences anyway.

15. Worried about the giant eel; Rachel says to build countermeasures like ballistas.

16. I could be town figurehead to take pressure off the others; but I need to take it slow and care about myself too; sometimes less is more.

17. Some of us need to practice with guns more.

...So these good?"

Everyone agrees.

Amelia:
"