Chapter 48

  Family Plan

  Jen slumped at her rough wooden desk, staring at piles of orders.

  “I can’t believe I'm still doing paperwork in the apocalypse.”

  She tossed the charcoal down with a huff, wiping black smudges from her hands.

  “God, I miss dual monitors.”

  Black smudges marred her round face.

  The plain door squealed loudly on wooden hinges.

  “Got a few more orders!” A large bearded man exclaimed jovially, holding a stack of bark squares.

  “NOOO!” Jen sagged in defeat.

  He flinched guiltily.

  “...I mean that's great Erik. I don't need to feel my right hand anymore. It's fine.”

  “Oh come off it. More orders means more money. More money means we can buy power. You know that.” Erik came around behind her and rubbed at her tense shoulders. “At least you don't have to deal with monsters.”

  “And I would prefer if you never did as well.” She gave her husband a stern look.

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  “It's fine, I only go out occasionally, and I need the experience if this is the world we live in now.”

  He squeezed her shoulder.

  “Besides, the System even told us this is Easy. It's not all that bad out there.”

  Jen eyed his grays at his temples and in his beard.

  “You’re fifty.”

  He just stared back at her.

  “And?”

  Why is every man in my family like this?

  “Please, this isn't some bar fight, you could die out there– ”

  The rickety door banged open.

  “DID YOU SEE THAT ASSHOLE TRYING TO SELL WEAPONS RIGHT BY OUR SHOP?”

  An older man, face red, once powerfully built, stormed into the rustic cabin.

  A small mousy woman trailed behind, dark curly hair going gray.

  “Dad, calm down.” Jen’s hands raised, trying to calm him. “Erik already talked to him, he won't set up there tomorrow. Plus the stuff he makes is crap compared to yours.”

  The angry man deflated a bit.

  Then puffed right back up.

  “STILL! He knew what he was doing, that bastard, I might have to go over there-”

  “NO! Do not go over there dad! It's fine.”

  The small older woman spoke up, “Please Ken, let it go?”

  The anger slowly bled from his face.

  “Alright Claire, you win, but that guy better not be back anytime soon. I will stomp him. I don't care if he's younger than me.”

  “We know dad.” Jen patted his arm with a smile, “How about you guys head to your cabin and relax, we will be over soon to help make dinner.”

  “Thanks sweatie, we will see you soon.” The demure woman gave her daughter a quick peck on the cheek, and steered her mumbling husband out the door.

  “... stomp him like I stomped that goblin…”

  Erik stepped up beside his wife.

  “It's a shame Kenny isn't with us, I would feel a lot safer having him to watch our backs.”

  Jen sighed, “Yeah I miss my little bro.”

  She managed a strained smile, “But this is like a video game or something, and he always loved games.

  “I'm sure he's having an easy go of it.”