’What’s natural about blood falling from the sky?’
[...]
For once, the system seemed to have no immediate response.
Dan folded his arms. ’I’m waiting.’
[System acknowledges that its previous explanation may have been imprecise.]
[The phenomenon may not be considered naturally occurring by normal human standards.]
[However, these phenomena are ultimately caused by beings whose level of existence is beyond that of the System.]
[Through the limited authority currently available to it, the System is capable of slightly influencing certain aspects of these phenomena.]
Dan stared blankly at the notification. ’So basically, you’re saying something way stronger than you causes it, and you can only mess with it a little.’
[That is a reasonably accurate summary.]
’Whatever.’ Dan shook his head.
There was no point arguing with the System over semantics. If anything, the conversation had only reminded him how little he actually understood about the apocalypse and the forces behind it.
For now, he had more immediate concerns.
He turned around and headed back into his house.
A few moments later, Dan emerged with an umbrella in hand.
He opened it and stepped into the rain.
The crimson droplets struck the canopy above him with a soft, rhythmic patter. The sight was unsettling, especially in the quiet of the early morning, when the streets were still mostly empty and the world had yet to fully awaken.
Fortunately, the blood rain didn’t appear to possess any harmful properties.
At least, not yet.
Dan started walking.
The supermarket wasn’t far from his home. It was only a few minutes away on foot, close enough that there was little reason to waste time driving there.
Besides, Dan was perfectly capable of handling a short walk.
He followed the familiar streets as the red rain continued falling around him. The city looked strangely ordinary despite the impossible scene overhead. Buildings stood where they always had. Streetlights still worked. A few early risers hurried along beneath umbrellas, some staring uneasily at the sky while others simply tried to avoid getting drenched.
It was almost surreal.
The world hadn’t changed yet. But Dan knew it was only a matter of time.
He tightened his grip on the umbrella and continued forward.
Soon, the familiar streets gave way to a larger commercial district.
And there it was. The Five-Star Supermarket.
The massive building stood prominently among the surrounding stores, its expansive glass frontage and brightly illuminated entrance making it impossible to miss.
Dan slowed as he approached.
Although the System had already given him the supermarket’s name, he had never really needed it. He had been here before, after all.
His eyes eventually settled on the enormous neon sign mounted above the entrance.
[WE HAVE IT... WHIT SUPERMARKET]
Dan stopped beneath his umbrella. He stared at the sign for several seconds.
Then he shook his head. ’What a ridiculous name.’
He wasn’t a stranger to this place. He had visited the supermarket several times before, but somehow, seeing that sign never failed to remind him just how strangely unique the name was.
We Have It.
Short, confident. And absurdly literal.
Dan couldn’t help but wonder what the person who named the supermarket had been thinking.
He let out a quiet sigh. "Well..."
His gaze shifted toward the entrance. "If they really have it, I’m about to take almost everything."
With that thought, Dan folded his umbrella slightly and stepped toward the supermarket entrance, ready to begin the first major supply run for his family.
...
The automatic glass doors slid open as Dan stepped into the supermarket.
Warm air immediately replaced the cool dampness outside. The steady patter of blood rain against the glass entrance faded into the background, replaced by the familiar sounds of shopping carts rolling across polished floors, distant conversations, and the occasional announcement playing through the supermarket’s speakers.
Dan folded his umbrella and shook off the excess crimson droplets before placing it into the umbrella stand near the entrance.
His eyes swept across the enormous supermarket.
It was even busier than he had expected for this early in the morning.
People were already moving through the aisles, pushing carts and filling baskets with groceries. Families, couples, elderly shoppers, students, workers grabbing supplies before heading off for the day.
Everything looked completely normal.
Almost disturbingly normal.
Dan took a slow breath.
And tomorrow, according to the System, something capable of causing actual harm is going to happen.
He still had no idea what it would be.
That uncertainty made him even more determined to make use of the time he had.
Before he could take another step, a voice came from the reception counter near the entrance.
"Good morning."
Dan turned.
The woman sitting behind the small customer-service desk was difficult to overlook.
She was young, probably around his age, with long brown hair tied loosely behind her head and an attractive face that carried an unusually lively expression. Her uniform was neat, though the way she sat behind the counter suggested she had never been particularly interested in behaving like a perfectly polished corporate employee.
Her figure in that formal dress made Dan gulp — the cut of it tracing every curve, the neckline doing nothing to hide the swell of her breasts.
She gave him a quick once-over before glancing toward the umbrella in his hand.
"Hey handsome, you’re soaked."
Dan looked down at himself. "Not really."
She raised an eyebrow. "Your shoulder is literally dripping."
Dan glanced at his shirt. "...Fair point."
She laughed. "Sorry for starting the conversation like that, I’m just bored. Anyways don’t worry. We don’t charge people for bringing rainwater inside, even though this rain water is a special case."
Dan smiled. "Good to know."
He started to walk past her, but she suddenly glanced toward the windows.
Seeing he was about to leave to get what he needs, her expression became slightly more thoughtful. "You came because of the rain, didn’t you?"