Us vs Monsters

Surviving together in a city emptied by monsters depends on three basic things: secure movement, role assignments that match abilities, and predictable routines. Use the siblings’ real strengths: Brandon’s swimming and general street smarts, and Cleo’s ability to notice small changes and stay light on her feet. Make choices that protect Cleo’s weakness (no swimming) and use Brandon’s strength to carry or bridge that gap.

Follow these steps every time you move or make a plan:

• Pick a reachable shelter within 20 minutes on foot.

• Why: shorter travel reduces exposure and fatigue. Choose a ground-floor building with only one main entrance you can watch, like a small community center or a standalone grocery store.

• Carry essentials for one night in a small pack.

• Why: you’ll move faster with light loads. Pack a change of clothes, two protein bars, a compact first-aid kit, a 1-liter water bottle, a lightweight blanket, and a waterproof flashlight.

• Assign roles based on skills.

• Why: clear roles avoid confusion. Brandon acts as carrier/protector; Cleo acts as scout/communicator (spotting small cues, listening, and relaying information).

• Use staged movement with short rests.

• Why: this conserves energy and reduces noise. Move 10-15 minutes, rest 5 minutes, check environment, then continue.

Concrete example: If Brandon plans to move from their apartment to a nearby library 12 minutes away, he puts Cleo in the middle between him and a wall, carries the small pack, and walks at a steady pace for three short legs: six minutes, rest two minutes behind an alleyway door, and finish four minutes to the library entrance. He stays low, scans windows, and keeps Cleo’s hands free to pick up small signals like the smell of burning plastic that hints at blocked streets.

Putting It Into Practice

Scenario: It’s late afternoon. The apartment hallway has been quiet, but the monster noise rose three blocks over. Brandon decides to move them to a single-story community center 15 minutes away on foot. Cleo doesn’t know how to swim and is scared of water they’ll pass at one underpass. Use these numbered action steps.

• Prepare in five minutes.

• Pack: 1 liter water, two protein bars, small first-aid kit, flashlight with fresh batteries, a thin blanket, and a paperback to keep Cleo calm. Expect a total pack weight under 7 pounds.

• Put a bright ribbon on Cleo’s wrist so Brandon can spot her in low light.

• Exit quietly, use the stairwell.

• Check hallway for movement for 10 seconds, then move. Avoid elevators. Walk low and fast; use three-minute legs with 90-second rests behind closed doors or alcoves.

• Handle the underpass (water hazard).

• Brandon scans the underpass first. If water fills the path more than ankle-deep, he reroutes a block longer to stay dry. If he must cross shallow water, Brandon holds Cleo on his hip so her feet don’t touch and moves at a steady 1.2 meters per second pace to limit time over water.

• Enter the community center and secure one room.

• Choose a room with only one door and a window you can barricade lightly. Stick heavy furniture to block the door and place the blanket and food in one corner for quick access.

Expected outcomes: arrival in about 17-20 minutes, Cleo calm enough to eat and drink, a secured single room that both can defend and live in for 24-72 hours. You’ll have a checklist to repeat anytime you move.

Quick checklist:

• Pack under 7 lbs: water (1L), 2 protein bars, flashlight, first aid, blanket.

• Ribbon on child, shoes tied, pockets empty of loose items.

• Exit via stairs, move in 3-2 legs (3 min move / 1.5-2 min rest).

• Avoid deep water; reroute if ankle-deep or worse.

• Barricade single-door room on arrival.

What to Watch For

Rushing the exit

Rushing causes dropped items, missed hazards, and noisy movement that draws monsters. Do this: count to ten, check the stairwell and pockets, then move in controlled three-minute legs. Not this: sprinting down the hallway with loose gear that clatters.

Leaving behind non-swimmer needs

If you ignore Cleo’s inability to swim, you risk a forced crossing or panic. Do this: always plan dry routes around water, or carry Cleo on Brandon’s hip if a shallow crossing is unavoidable. Not this: assuming “we’ll just get through it” and letting her walk through water.

Overpacking and slowing pace

Dragging too much stuff adds time and noise. Do this: limit to essentials under 7 pounds and stash extras in a locked place for later retrieval. Not this: packing everything from the apartment and moving at a snail’s pace.

Keep this plan simple and repeatable; practice the exit once so both siblings know the rhythm. When you’re steady with these routines, you’ll move with more confidence and protect what matters: Cleo’s safety and Brandon’s promise that she’s not going anywhere. You can use this chapter’s steps right away, and next you’ll learn how to set up a longer-term shelter and signals that other survivors could use to find you.

End of chapter one.