June 17, 2025; "He's been asleep for a while now. Should we wake him up?" He heard Jill ask softly. She was lying on his right. And someone else was lying on his left, his arm was being clung to like he might run away suddenly.

  "No, Dawn said he needed to rest as much as possible. Amy used everything she had and was only barely able to touch those injuries with her abilities." Tonya said back softly. "Why didn't he say anything?"

  "I don't know Tonya. I don't think he knows how to quit." Jill said as Tonya snorted.

  Clay continued to keep his eyes closed. His body, especially his abdomen and ribs felt like he spent ten rounds in a boxing ring taking body shots the whole time.

  "I think that's a bit of an understatement, Jill. By what Dawn and Amy said he shouldn't have been able to move at all, let alone go through what Dawn and Luke said he did at the hospital." She caressed his bicep, tracing a large vein lightly with her index finger from his shoulder to the crook of his elbow. "What did Dawn say? She had never met a man able to ignore pain, and fatigue, and treat it like it didn't matter. She said he packed her from the third floor because she was being difficult." Tonya said with a giggle.

  Why the hell was that golden orb flashing? He focused on it, still maintaining his breathing and keeping still. He didn't want to be awake yet. His status screen popped up.

  Clay Benton, Human Male, Age 40

  Titles: Zombie Slayer

  Level: 6

  Class: Sovereign

  Health Points: 73/360

  Mystical Points: 46

  Strength: 23

  Dexterity: 20

  Intelligence: 14

  Wisdom: 18

  Passive Abilities - Adaptable Conversion; Eyes of Insight; Enhanced Virility; Touch of the Devine; Lesser Spatial Storage; Aura of Malis

  Skills - Vicious Strike; Frenzy; Dark Bolt

  Remaining ability points to be allocated: 23

  Nice let's see what those new Passive Abilities do. He focused on Lesser Spatial Storage and the information screen for the skill popped up.

  Lesser Spatial Storage: The host can store up to 250 cubic feet of nonliving material, items, or other resources. This space is accessible at the will of the host, though to place something in the space the host must touch the object. The host can take something out at will, though only one object at a time and the host must designate within a ten-foot radius where he wants to place the object. This space is roughly 15.8 feet by 15.8 feet in size and exists entirely in another dimension.

  You know that was going to come in handy. He looked at the Aura of Malis.

  Aura of Malis: Once the host's adrenalin begins to flow a natural Aura of Malis radiates from them causing weaker creatures to flee as they sense the intent of the host to cause significant harm or even death.

  That's fucking sweet! He spotted the number of available ability points and mentally whistled.

  Damn, he had to distribute some ability points. He thought about it and then focused on the abilities and how much in each.

  Clay Benton, Human Male, Age 40

  Titles: Zombie Slayer

  Level: 6

  Class: Sovereign

  Health Points: 73/360

  Mystical Points: 66

  Strength: 30

  Dexterity: 26

  Intelligence: 20

  Wisdom: 22

  Passive Abilities - Adaptable Conversion; Eyes of Insight; Enhanced Virility; Touch of the Devine; Lesser Spatial Storage; Aura of Malis

  Skills - Vicious Strike; Frenzy; Dark Bolt

  He couldn't help but shudder as he felt himself grow in every stat.

  "I think he's waking up." Tonya said.

  Damn it! She had felt him shiver from the stat gain. He was going to have to get up now. He sure as hell didn't feel like he was tired after gaining the stats. But that health point number was fucking low. He needed to heal. And apparently, Doc and Amy already did what they could. He dismissed the status screen.

  He let out a yawn that wasn't entirely fake and opened his eyes slowly. Jill and Tonya both leaned over him, smiles on their faces as he "woke up" finally. His throat was dry but he tried to say, "Uh, ladies, is everything okay?"

  He got two grins that said everything was great now, and then they both looked at each other and nodded, then back down at him. Their looks changed after that glance at each other and he heard warning sirens going off in his head as they both smiled sweetly at him.

  Then they started getting closer until he couldn't extract himself if he tried. Their ample cleavage damn near spilling out on his chest, though they weren't putting any actual weight on him.

  "So, Hun, you drop a bomb on us like that and then damn near get your fool self killed?" Jill said, her voice dripping with honey and something else. Something dangerous if the hair on the back of his neck was any indication. Her sweet perfect smile never left her beautiful face.

  He started to reply, to try to disarm that loaded statement with a different train of thought. After all he didn't know how long he had to save Dawn he couldn't wait around or take extra time. At least that's what he was going to say but Tonya hoped right in over the top of him.

  "How are you ever going to make it home so you can be my prince if you fucking die my love?" Tonya batted her eyelashes and licked her lips seductively, still stroking his arm.

  One heartbeat. Two. Three.

  Jill didn't bite that was a really bad sign. What did these two agree on to make them suddenly get along again that quickly? Whatever it was it had his danger sense going fucking haywire right at that moment. He couldn't even enjoy the great view sitting on either side laying on his chest like they were having a contest as to which woman had a better rack.

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  It was too damn close! If their shirts could show any more, their tits would be literally out on his chest! He swallowed, hard. "Uhh, I'm sorry." He said hesitantly. He half expected them to keep going. This sounded kinda planned to a point with the way they're acting together.

  "That's okay. Apology accepted. Now don't run off like that again without letting us know, Hun." She gave him a peck on the cheek. "You're not going anywhere, so don't even think about it. We're safe right here for now. I'll get you some food you have to be starving."

  As she said something about food his stomach decided to roar like a mini T-Rex, which caused the women to laugh. Before Jill got up and disappeared from view.

  "It's not a conspiracy Clay. See, you were right. We are friends, and we both have fallen in love with you. And if what you said was true, then you like us both. That's not a sin Clay." She eased down next to him resting her chin lightly on his shoulder. "We've worked our differences out, and we'll try to wait for you to figure things out for yourself. But we can both tell you have feelings for us, and we're not going to just sit by and let you build walls as Jill says that's what you're probably trying to do."

  Son-of-a-bitch! That was the same fucking thing his shrink had said he was doing after his divorce. Fuck! He could kinda see it though, she was right. "Look, I had my heart ripped out of my chest and my livelihood stripped away, my home taken, my life savings drained. By the woman I thought I loved. I did love. She didn't feel the same way." He looked her right in her eyes. "Jill's right. I'm sorry. I'm not worthy of either of you. You see, I'm really just a coward that can't afford to risk those feelings again."

  He grimaced. "I'm broken." He looked back at her. "So please, don't worry about someone like me. You could both find someone much better." He rolled away from her, easily shaking her free of his arm as he stood up. He only had his fucking boxers on! He could see his rucksack against the wall so he walked over and pulled out some clothes. It was chilly outside those blankets and his muscles were so stiff he had to limber them up with some use or he'd pay for it later.

  Tonya let out an exasperated sound and said, "Damn it Clay, you need to rest!"

  "I need to get home. That won't happen if I'm lying about." Was his response as he shoved a leg in a pair of pants. He could feel her eyes on him as he dressed. He hoped she found a better person to love than him. She was a nice woman, and so was Jill. They both deserved better.

  "Grr, your fucking... Impossible!" Tonya huffed as she threw the blankets off and started putting her shoes on.

  He finished dressing and picked up his rucksack, thought about storing it in his spatial storage, and it disappeared. He could sense what felt like a thread attached to the rucksack through his mind. He knew that all he had to do was think about it and where he wanted it within ten feet and it would appear. He did the same with his pistol. Stuck the axe down through his belt in its now normal spot.

  "Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Came Jill's voice from the doorway. Clay looked up and saw her holding a bowl of steaming food, a scowl on her face. His stomach growled of its own volition.

  "Oh, he says he needs to get home and he can't do that lying about," Tonya said, sarcasm dripping as she gave him a deviously sweet smile. "Oh, and he's not worthy of either of us apparently." She hopped up having finished putting her shoes on. God that smile was loaded!

  Jill's eyes narrowed to slits and his danger sense kicked into fucking overdrive as she slowly turned back from Tonya to Clay and strode up to him. "Hun, eat your food. Then we'll finish this conversation." She handed him the bowl. Everything about her screamed danger! "Hey Tonya, can we have a little chat while Clay eats? I would just love to hear why he doesn't think he's worthy."

  She turned to Tonya and held out a hand which she took, then gave him another look before both women walked out. He could hear them start talking softly as soon as they left his sight. He stared after them for a good minute. His brain tried to work through everything until it clicked.

  "Damn it! I think I just made it worse." He grumbled. The chili in the bowl was pretty filling as he scarfed it down. He could have probably eaten another two bowls though. Well, it wasn't going to fill itself. "Shit," he sighed, "I guess it's inevitable. Like ripping a bandaid off Clay. Just get it over with and move forward." He composed his thoughts and went to find more food.

  It was pretty easy. Amy was stirring a pot over a gas stove so he just followed his nose down the hall into the kitchen past the living room where Jill and Tonya were sitting on a couch talking quietly between themselves.

  When Amy saw him with the bowl after seconds she gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder after filling his bowl for him. "I'm sorry I couldn't heal you anymore Mr Clay. Your internal wounds were so severe I didn't know if we could save you. You need to rest." She said.

  "The longer we stay, the more dangerous the journey is likely to become. I need to get home." He said starting to eat his second helping.

  He took the opportunity to use his Eyes of Insight ability on Amy as she talked about how severe his injuries had been. He knew they had to have been pretty bad, he still felt like he'd been run over by a semi.

  Amy Smitt, Saint Female, Age 30

  Titles: Combat Medic

  Level: 4

  Class: Healer

  Health Points: 220

  Mystical Points: 78

  Strength: 10

  Dexterity: 18

  Intelligence: 20

  Wisdom: 24

  Oh wow! Level 4 that was pretty decent basic stats too. "Damn. I need a skill to see skills." He said to himself as he kept eating. And she had a title.

  He nodded as she asked if he was breathing better, she kept talking while stirring the chili. Soon he had his fill and politely took his leave. But as he turned around to walk to the door he was met by Jill, her arms crossed in front of her and a look on her face that said, "Go ahead and try it, see what happens."

  " I need to use the restroom." He said innocently.

  "Sure, I need some fresh air myself." She reached down and grabbed her makeshift mace and casually said, "Let's go, Hun." And slid her arm into his as she gave him a wry smile and winked at him.

  He grumbled to himself as they made their way outside and he really had needed to relieve himself so after he no longer felt like his eyeballs were floating devices he took his time and tried to stretch some muscles. He could see a few corpses nearby but nothing like the area had been around the hospital. And they had all been killed.

  He could tell several of them had been killed by a heavy blunt object, some by a sword, and others by knife wounds. But nothing was close to the brick house they had sheltered in at the current time. At least nothing Clay could see.

  While they walked he went ahead and took a peek at her status screen with his Eyes of Insight ability.

  Jill Fairbanks, Beastmen Female, Age 39

  Level: 5

  Class: Mystical Warrior

  Health Points: 280

  Mystical Points: 54

  Strength: 24

  Dexterity: 20

  Intelligence: 14

  Wisdom: 16

  She gained three levels!

  Holy shit what did he miss? Jill acted like nothing was wrong as they walked around. But the only time she let go of him had been when he had unzipped his pants to urinate and only long enough for him to finish and zip back up. She wasn't going to give him a chance to do anything without her.

  Not that he felt like it to be honest with himself. He did need the rest. And where were the others? He hadn't seen Luke, Dawn, John, or Hope anywhere and he finally asked, "Where's everyone else?"

  She lay her head on his shoulder as they walked back towards the front door of the house and said, "Scavenging, of course." She opened the door as they got to it even though he initially went for the doorknob, she beat him to it.

  He made his way to the living room and was surprised to see Amy and Tonya sorting a lot of supplies they had stacked along one wall. There was a lot of clothing and even several large backpacks already full of supplies. Probably enough for a couple of weeks at least.

  He took a seat on the couch. They probably weren't going to let him do anything if he tried, at least Jill and Tonya wouldn't. So he settled in and soon Jill left his side to help the other two women sort through everything. It almost looked like they just grabbed everything they could and brought it back not sure what might be usable, except for the food.

  He focused on Tonya with his Eyes of Insight and let out a mental whistle as he saw her stats.

  Tonya Lovinngal, Orc Female, Age 33

  Level: 6

  Class: Enchantress

  Health Points: 220

  Mystical Points: 112

  Strength: 10

  Dexterity: 20

  Intelligence: 24

  Wisdom: 20

  For the second time on the same day, he realized how much information his Eyes of Insight ability omitted by not giving him anything about their skills. But level 6!

  He groaned inwardly as he sat wasting time.

  Over the next two hours, the others in his group started returning. First was Hope, she had recovered a crossbow and a quiver of bolts from somewhere and at least three more knives he could see on her person. She brought back a large duffel bag of jerky, pork-n-beans, and oysters she found in a small grocery store that had already been mostly ransacked.

  He used his Eyes of Insight.

  Hope Klairmont, Human Female, Age 26

  Level: 4

  Class: Ranger

  Health Points: 280

  Mystical Points: 54

  Strength: 22

  Dexterity: 16

  Intelligence: 22

  Wisdom: 16

  Ranger for a class. That was new. He couldn't remember for sure but he thought that sounded like she was a ranged warrior. That could be helpful. Pretty soon Dawn and Luke returned too. They had two bags of food, some antibiotics and some other fancy worded things only Dawn and possibly Amy knew what to use them for.

  Eyes of Insight.

  Dawn Grimmor, Human Female, Age 36

  Titles: Witch of Asclepius

  Level: 5

  Class: Master Healer

  Health Points: 240

  Mystical Points: 116

  Strength: 15

  Dexterity: 20

  Intelligence: 28

  Wisdom: 19

  Wow, she got a title too. Sounded kinda like her personality. He wondered who the hell Aesculapius was but he wasn't going to ask her about it. Or anything else for that matter. The vision of her twisting the knife in that zombie lord's head with the exact same look she was giving him now flashed through his mind, and he instinctively shivered.

  And then it clicked. Oh shit, she was walking right up to him. Damn.

  "I hope you are resting Mr Clay." Her eyes narrowed as she looked him over with a discerning eye. Then nodded as if seeing something satisfactory and said, "Well your ribs are right again. You heal pretty quick, but you really do need to heal." She waved her hand as if dismissing any argument he might have. Not that he had any. He had already seen how far Jill was willing to let him go. Hell for a second there he had thought she was going to try to help him piss!

  "At least take it easy while we gather what we can from here." Dawn continued.

  "Yeah, there's still some stores we haven't searched yet, Mr Clay." Luke said with a gesture at the various supplies lying around. Clay could see he had what looked like a different sword. This one looked very old, and well taken care of.

  Clay used his Eyes of Insight on Luke. So far he hadn't looked at the man's stats.

  Luke Grimmor, Beastmen Male, Age 38

  Level: 5

  Class: Warrior

  Health Points: 300

  Mystical Points: 62

  Strength: 26

  Dexterity: 22

  Intelligence: 14

  Wisdom: 12

  That was surprising. He hadn't expected the man's strength to be so high. He absently waved his hand, dismissing what Luke said and just replied with a sour tone. "Don't worry. I doubt I'll be healed up for a day or so anyway. And I seem to not get a vote in the matter regardless." He gestured at Jill and Tonya, both of whom shot him a look.

  He shook his head and retreated to an empty room in the house and locked the door. He pulled out his rucksack and took out his phone, turning it on. He saw an unread message and clicked on it. It was a picture of the Missouri State line down by Joplin. It was from his sister Glinna.

  He read the message.

  "We made it to Missouri. Be cautious of people. Love you, Clay. Please be alright. If you get this, I'll see you at Jake's."