My name is Raziel West, and I should be dead... again.

See, I was born in the 50's to my human mother and Greek god father. By the time I turned 14, I was assassinated during a car ride-- but not JFK style. Na, it was way worse. And Thanatos, the personification of death, orchestrated the gruesome car crash himself.

It wasn't until the 21st century-- two weeks ago to be precise-- that I was resurrected, courtesy of the plea of my mother's soul, the powers of my father, Hades, and of course, the permission of the three weavers of fate, the Morai.

At first, I woke up in a mansion with no memories of my first life. Heck, I barely remembered my name. Then I met Harvin, a buffed butler who later turned out to be a ghost. He helped me rediscover my identity and heck even saved my life when Thanatos tried to kill me again. Unfortunately, he was destroyed by the death god. His sacrifice was not in vain though, it led to me winning that fight by killing Death with my golden scepter.

That all happened about a week ago. But today I could still feel the pain of losing Harvin. My back ached whenever I tried to clean the mansion by myself.

But the tears that sting my eyes as I lie awake every night, reminiscing that moment, those tears go out to him, a true enigmatic friend.

I wish I impaled Thanatos sooner. That way, Harvin would still be around. Now...now I was alone in this silent prison of a mansion. Alone, without...

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Raziel," the shout reached me in the living room. I almost choked on my glass of orange juice. "Open up. Hope you've done your homework?"

I sprang up from the couch, grabbing a camouflage t-shirt from the arm and throwing it on. My hands frantically searched the pockets of my cargo shorts, unearthing doom in the form of a smartphone.

"Beard of Zeus," I cursed. "How did time go by so fast?"

"Raziel," Queen's voice was cheery. I doubted it would remain that way when she finds out I broke her trust. "Don't be a slow poke."

With sluggish shuffles, I stepped into the lobby and made my way to the front door.

"What's that phrase again?" I thought aloud as my left hand opened the door. "Ah, yes. What's up?"

Honestly, the phrase still needs some getting used to. But Queen and Bryce didn't mind how off it sounded coming from me. Instead, they responded in unison. "I'm good."

"Tell me you did your homework?" Queen's amber eyes fluttered. Breeze blew her chestnut wavy hair. I couldn't help but admire how good she looked in that cream-colored sweatshirt and white cargo pants.

"Sorry?" I winced, rubbing the back of my neck.

She gave an exaggerated sigh but her smile thankfully stayed.

"I know, I know," My gaze locked with hers. "I said I was going to master how to use the Internet in no time. But it's a lot more complicated than you and Bryce make it seem."

She tilted her head. "We figured you'd say something along those lines. That's why Bryce and I... plan to stay there weekend at your mansion!"

My eyes lit up. "Seriously? I mean... you guys didn't have to--"

"Oh, we did." She playfully elbowed me. "I told you, you're like an open book. Ever since last Saturday when we beat Thanatos, you've been begging for company at the mansion."

I pouted. "No, I haven't." She cocked a brow and I caved, breaking eye contact. "Okay, maybe it's a bit lonely."

My gaze fell on Bryce who was staring into the distance. His orange top and curly afro slowly danced to the wind's rhythm. The wariness in his distant gaze had me concerned.

"Bryce?"

His head snapped my way. "Huh?"

"You okay, man?"

He rubbed his slim biceps. "Umm, I don't know. I've been having these dreams lately. About this weird-looking car. It feels so different than my usual dreams."

"How?"

"As if my mind is trying to tell me something. Sometimes I hear a whisper; 'seek out this doorway'."

"Do you think it's linked to the current crisis?" Queen inquired.

Bryce shrugged. "My guts tell me it is, but I can't figure out how."

"Speaking of the current crisis," I leaned on the doorframe, eyebrows knotted. "What's the latest?"

"This is why you need us over this weekend. You've got to get better at using your phone." Queen pulled out her phone. "Lemme play a YouTube video about yesterday's wave."

My eyes were glued to her fingers which operated the device with a level of mastery I knew I might never attain.

Sometimes I wondered if being resurrected over fifty years after my death was worth it. Apart from my family mansion, everything was completely different. The cars, the buildings, the technology. Everywhere I went, I was haunted by the notion that I didn't belong here. That there's no place for me in this world. But as often as the fears creep in, I also remember Harvin's last words.

"This second life that you have, never let anyone take it away from you."

Determination burned inside me. I was going to master all the tech Queen and Bryce bring my way. They're too nice to push me to my limit, to hold me accountable for any shortcomings. So I would do it myself.

I grinned. "Oh, I'm fired up for this weekend alright."

Queen blushed. I recently noticed she does that whenever I smile or laugh--both of which I rarely do.

She flipped her phone's screen for me to see. A blond news reporter was on display, motionless. There was a small white triangle on the screen which pointed to the right.

"That's the 'play' button, right?" I vaguely recalled, tapping it as Queen nodded. Instantly, the reporter came alive, his demeanor grim.

"It began last Saturday night, and yesterday marked day six of this unfathomable plague. Most of the world thought we wouldn't see any epidemic for a while after COVID-19, but ladies and gentlemen, New Jersey is experiencing one right now." He leaned closer to the camera, stressing his next words. "People are sleepwalking en masse, night after night, tearing down the city, only to wake up at sunrise with no recollection of their actions. Footages from last night not only revealed that the horde was larger, it also showed how this unknown virus is transmitted. Watch this,"

The screen was overtaken with a different video. From the angle, I suspected was taken from a helicopter. In the dark of night, a little girl loomed past flickering Street lights. Her steps were light and uneven, her eyes shut, head nodding to the side every now and then. She headed to a scrawny man who appeared to have tripped while running. He scrambled to his knees, wincing and rubbing the back of his head.

The little girl spoke as if she were singing a lullaby. "Join our army, won't you?"

Her victim had regained enough consciousness to scream out for help. His body trembled harder when he gazed upon the empty streets.

Unfortunately for him, most people adhered to the curfew. He wheezed as he attempted to get up. His legs failed him.

She was now just inches away, a closed smile stretching across her face as she touched his forehead. "Welcome to our army."

The man's eyes shut instantly. His head began bobbing in a similar manner. After trying once again to rise, he resorted to crawling on only his elbows. "We..." his voice was sleepy. "Have work to do."

That was when the video cut.

"See that?" The reporter tugged at his collar. "This disease, whatever it is, can be transferred through physical contact. Word from the government is 'we're working on a solution' but we all know how long that's gonna take. Until scientists understand this sudden outbreak, everyone is advised to stay inside after curfew with their homes locked." He pointed a finger at the camera. "And be ready to push your roommate, flatmate, or even family member out of the place if they turn out to be infected. If you're unable to do that, then hide. Hide until the night is over."