In the heart of midtown Manhattan, nestled between towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, stands a small, quaint coffee shop called Heavenly Brew. Its warm, inviting aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and freshly baked pastries wafted out into the street, drawing in customers from all walks of life. The shop is a haven for those seeking a moment of peace in the chaos of the city. It's adorned with vintage coffee posters and a large chalkboard menu showcasing a variety of drinks and treats. The wooden tables and mismatched chairs add a touch of rustic charm, while the large windows allow natural light to flood into the space.
Barista Maggie: A petite, lively woman in her late twenties with short, curly hair and sparkling green eyes. Maggie had a contagious smile and a knack for remembering customers' names and orders. Her cheerful demeanor made her a favorite among regulars. She wore a bright red apron with the Heavenly Brew logo, her hands always busy crafting intricate latte art. Maggie grew up in a small town in Vermont, where her love for coffee began. She moved to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a renowned barista and eventually opening her own coffee shop. Her bubbly personality and passion for life is evident in everything she did.
Barista Eli: A tall, broad-shouldered man in his early thirties with dark hair pulled back into a neat bun a mustache and goatie and piercing eyes. Eli is calm and collected, with a quiet confidence that puts people at ease. He's known for his meticulous coffee-making skills and his ability to handle the busiest shifts with grace. His deep voice is soothing, and he has a way of making even the most rushed customers feel relaxed. Eli has a background in culinary arts, having worked in various high-end restaurants before discovering his love for coffee. He was an expert in espresso extraction and had a deep understanding of coffee beans from around the world. He's the steady hand in the storm, always ready to offer a kind word or a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
The Customers
Susan: A middle-aged woman with graying hair and a tired expression. She's always in a business suit, with her laptop and cellphone in hand. Susan's a regular at Heavenly Brew, often stopping by for her morning coffee before heading to her demanding job. Despite her weary appearance, she has a kind heart and a soft spot for the baristas. She's often brought them small treats or gifts, appreciating their hard work. She's a senior project manager at a large advertising firm. Her job was stressful, with long hours and tight deadlines. Heavenly Brew is her sanctuary, a place where she could take a moment to breathe and recharge and exhale all her stress and worries.. She has two grown children who moved out of the house, leaving her with an empty nest.
Mrs. Alvarez: An elderly woman with silver hair neatly styled into a bun and warm brown eyes. She's a retired teacher who frequents the cafe for its quiet atmosphere and delicious pastries. She's a gentle, nurturing soul with a sharp wit that belies her age. She wears a brooch shaped like a butterfly and always carries a hardcover book with her. Mrs. Alvarez had taught literature at a high school in the Bronx for over 40 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and a love for storytelling that captivates everyone around her. After retiring, she spends her days reading, writing, and visiting the Cafe, where she enjoys the company of the baristas and the comforting atmosphere.
Jake: A young man in his early twenties, with messy blond hair and an air of perpetual distraction. He's a college student, often seen hunched over his laptop, surrounded by textbooks and notes. Jake's got a friendly but nervous disposition, always looking like he was on the verge of a minor crisis. He wears glasses that frequently slide down his nose. He's studying computer science at NYU, juggling a heavy course load and multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. He's ambitious and driven, but the constant pressure often leaves him frazzled. Heavenly Brew a place where he can study and find a semblance of peace amidst the chaos of his life.
The Morning Routine
It was mid-morning, and Heavenly Brew was buzzing with the usual activity. Maggie was behind the counter, chatting with Susan as she prepared her usual order—a double-shot espresso with a dash of cinnamon. "So, how's the project going?" Maggie asked, frothing the milk with practiced ease.
Susan sighed, rubbing her temples. "It's a nightmare, honestly. But your coffee is the one thing keeping me sane."
Eli was in the back, grinding fresh coffee beans and preparing for the mid-morning rush. He carefully measured the beans, ensuring each batch was perfect. He could hear the murmur of conversation from the front, a comforting reminder of the community they had built.
Jake was at his usual table, typing furiously on his laptop, surrounded by textbooks and notes. He muttered to himself, frustration evident on his face. "Come on, work," he groaned, tapping at the keys.
Mrs. Alvarez sat by the window, enjoying a cup of tea and reading a novel. She looked up occasionally, taking in the bustling scene with a contented smile. "Another beautiful day at Heavenly Brew," she thought to herself, sipping her tea.
The atmosphere was serene, a perfect snapshot of everyday life in the city. The sun filtered through the large front windows, casting a warm glow over the shop. The soft hum of conversation, the clinking of ceramic cups, and the hiss of the espresso machine created a comforting symphony of sounds. Regulars chatted with the baristas, while newcomers marveled at the cozy ambiance. It was a typical morning at Heavenly Brew, a small oasis of tranquility in the heart of Manhattan.
The Calm Before the Storm
As the morning progressed, the shop continued to fill with customers. Maggie and Eli moved with practiced efficiency, serving drinks and pastries with a smile. The regulars knew each other by name, exchanging pleasantries and catching up on the latest news.
"How's your grandson, Mrs. Alvarez?" Eli asked as he handed her a fresh cup of tea.
"He's doing well, thank you. Just started high school, can you believe it?" she replied, her eyes twinkling with pride.
Jake finally managed to get his code to run, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. He leaned back in his chair, savoring the moment. "Finally," he muttered, taking a sip of his coffee.
Susan glanced at her watch, realizing she needed to get to the office. "Thanks for the coffee, Maggie. See you tomorrow," she said, grabbing her briefcase and heading for the door.
Maggie waved goodbye, her smile never wavering. "Have a great day, Susan!"
Despite the busy pace, there was an underlying sense of peace and contentment. Heavenly Brew was more than just a coffee shop; it was a community, a place where people came together to share a moment of respite in their hectic lives. Little did they know, this morning's calm was about to be shattered in the most horrifying way imaginable.
A Sudden Disturbance
The tranquility of the morning was shattered when the door to Heavenly Brew burst open. Susan, who had left the shop only moments before, staggered back inside. Her appearance was drastically altered. Her business suit was torn and bloodied, her hair disheveled, and her face marked with scratches and bruises. Her eyes were wide with terror, and she stumbled towards the counter, gasping for breath.
"Help me! They're coming! The demons... they're trying to kill me!" she screamed, her voice raw with panic and desperation. She collapsed onto the floor, unconscious, with a black substance coming out of her mouth and nose. The shop fell into stunned silence. Maggie and Eli exchanged horrified glances before rushing to Susan's side. Mrs. Alvarez and Jake looked on in shock, their minds struggling to process what they were seeing.
"Eli, call 911!" Maggie shouted, her voice trembling as she knelt beside Susan, checking for a pulse. Susan's skin was cold and clammy, and her breathing was shallow and erratic.
Eli fumbled for his phone, his usually steady hands shaking. "Hang in there, Susan," he muttered, dialing the emergency number. Mrs. Alvarez clutched her hands together her eyes wide with fear. "What happened to her? What's going on out there?"
Jake stood frozen; his laptop forgotten. "This can't be real. This must be some kind of joke, right?"
Before anyone could answer, Susan's body began to convulse violently. Her eyes flew open, revealing pitch-black irises. Her skin turned grey and waxy, and a guttural growl escaped her lips. Susan, or what was once Susan, lunged at Eli, her teeth bared and bloody. He stumbled back, narrowly avoiding her bite. Maggie screamed, dropping her phone as chaos erupted in the small shop. Mrs. Alvarez tried to move away from the creature, while Jake grabbed a chair, holding it in front of him like a shield.
Eli grabbed a heavy metal rod that was used to prop the back door open. He swung it with all of his might, striking Susan in the back of her head. She staggered but didn’t fall. In a moment of clarity, Maggie remembered a story her grandmother had told her about warding off evil spirits. She grabbed a handful of salt from the counter and threw it in Susan’s face. To everyone’s astonishment, she recoiled, and let out a deep guttural scream like a wild animal.
Realizing they had a chance, Maggie and Eli quickly gathered more salt, forming a circle around Susan. She thrashed and screamed but couldn’t break free. The group watched in horror as her body convulsed violently before collapsing to the floor once more, this time lifeless.
The shop fell silent again, the air thick with tension. Everyone was in shock at what had just happened. Jake was the first to speak, his voice trembling, “What the Fuck just happened?” with tears rolling down her cheeks Maggie replied, “I don’t know – is that really Susan lying on the floor or am I in a nightmare?” At that moment everyones phones suddenly rang simultaneously, emitting a loud, piercing sound. They fumbled to answer, their eyes widening as they read the message on their screens:
Emergency Alert: National Wireless Alert
"This is a national emergency. The country is under attack by an unknown force. Stay indoors and barricade all entrances. Avoid contact with infected individuals. Further instructions will follow."
The gravity of the situation hit them like a tidal wave. This wasn't just an isolated incident; the entire nation was under siege. Their small coffee shop, once a haven of peace and community, was now a fortress against an unimaginable horror.
Eli looked at the others, his expression grim. “We need to barricade the doors and windows with whatever we can.” Tables, chairs, and shelves were hastily piled against the entrances, forming a makeshift barrier. They then dragged Susans body to the basement door and pushed her down the steps. "We need to find weapons," Maggie said, her voice steady but urgent. "Anything we can use to try to defend ourselves." She grabbed a knife from the kitchen, while Mrs. Alvarez found a heavy rolling pin. Jake managed to break one of the legs from a chair, wielding it like a club. And Eli picked up the metal rod he used on Susan.
As the group armed themselves, the screams outside grew louder. They could see the creatures outside, their black eyes glinting with malevolent hunger. Some of the creatures were former neighbors and acquaintances, their faces twisted into grotesque masks of rage, confusion and hunger.
Jake peeked through a small gap in the barricade, his face pale. "They're everywhere. This whole block is crawling with them." "We need to stay calm," Eli said, trying to keep his voice steady. "We can't let them get to us." Maggie clutched her knife tightly, her knuckles white. "What do we do? How do we stop them?"
"We need to find a way out," Eli replied. "But we have to be careful. We don't know what's waiting for us out there." For a moment, the group gathered in the center of the shop, catching their breath. The sounds of chaos outside continued, but inside, there was a tense silence. Mrs. Alvarez looked at the cellar door, tears streaming down her face. "Susan was such a kind woman. How did this happen?"
Jake shook his head, his eyes wide with fear. "This is like something out of a nightmare. This can't be real." "It is real," Eli said, his voice firm. "And we need to stay focused if we're going to survive." Eli took charge, his calm demeanor a source of strength for everyone in the group. "We need to find a way to signal for help. Maybe we can get to the roof and use something reflective to catch the attention of a helicopter or a drone."
"There's a fire escape in the back," Jake suggested. "We can use that to get to the roof." But we’ll have to be super quick once we open that door. "Okay," Eli nodded. "But we’ll have to be quiet and careful.”
As they began to gather supplies for their ascent to the roof, a loud crash echoed from the front of the shop. The barricades trembled, and the creatures' inhuman growls grew louder. They turned to see several more of the demonic creatures pushing through the shattered windows, their eyes glinting with a malevolent hunger. The creatures' mouths were smeared with blood, their clothes ragged and stained. The pounding on the barricades intensified, and one of the tables used to block the door splintered under the pressure.
"Quick! To the back!" Eli shouted; his voice tinged with desperation as he led the way toward the fire escape.
The group hurried through the narrow hallway, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. As they reached the back door, Maggie's hand trembled as she fumbled with the lock. The door finally swung open, revealing the rusty metal steps of the fire escape. The chill of the outside air hit them hard, bringing a momentary sense of relief. But the reprieve was short-lived.
As they stepped onto the fire escape, the creatures broke through the barricades with a cacophony of splintering wood and shattering glass. The demonic beings surged into the shop, their guttural growls and frenzied movements sending waves of terror through the group.
Eli led the way up the fire escape, the metal steps clanging beneath their hurried footsteps. Jake, still clutching his injured shoulder, followed behind, his face contorted in pain. Mrs. Alvarez, despite her age, moved with surprising agility, but her eyes were filled with fear.
As they ascended, the fire escape creaked ominously, its old structure strained under the weight of the group. Below them, the creatures began to swarm out of the building, their black eyes fixed on the fleeing humans. One particularly large creature, its face twisted into a grotesque snarl, lunged at the fire escape, grabbing hold of the bottom rung and starting to climb. Maggie looked down, her heart pounding. "They're coming! Hurry!"
Eli reached the first landing and turned to help the others. "Keep moving! Don't look back!" Jake was the next to reach the landing, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Mrs. Alvarez, determined to keep up, was close behind. But as she reached for Eli's outstretched hand, her foot slipped on a patch of rust, and she lost her balance. With a scream, she tumbled backward, her hands grasping at the air."MRS. ALVAREZ!"
Maggie screamed, reaching out in vain.
Time seemed to slow as Mrs. Alvarez fell. Her body hit the side of the fire escape with a sickening thud, and she continued to plummet, her scream echoing in the narrow alleyway. She landed with a bone-crunching impact on the pavement below, blood pooling around her broken body. Her eyes were wide open, staring lifelessly at the sky.
"No!" Eli shouted; his voice filled with anguish. But there was no time to mourn. The creatures had reached the fire escape, their bloodied hands grasping at the metal railings as they climbed with unnatural speed. Jake, his face pale and his shoulder bleeding profusely, tried to push past the panic. "We have to go! We can't stay here!"
Maggie, tears streaming down her face, nodded and forced herself to keep moving. The sight of Mrs. Alvarez's broken body seared into her mind. As they continued their ascent, the creatures grew more frenzied, their growls becoming louder and more feral. One creature, a man in tattered business attire with half his face torn off, lunged at Jake, its fingers brushing his ankle. Jake kicked out in terror, dislodging the creature and sending it plummeting to the ground below. But the danger was far from over. More creatures swarmed onto the fire escape, their numbers increasing with each passing second. Blood smeared the metal steps as the creatures clawed and climbed, their hunger insatiable.
Eli, now at the second landing, turned to help Maggie and Jake.
"Come on, we're almost there!"
Jake stumbled, his strength waning. Maggie grabbed his arm, her grip firm. "I've got you, Jake. Just a little further."
As they neared the top of the fire escape, the creatures grew more desperate, their snarls echoing in the narrow alley. One creature, a woman with her jaw hanging loosely from her face, lunged at Maggie, its claws raking her arm. Maggie screamed in pain but managed to shake it off, the creature falling into the mass of bodies below.
Finally, they reached the roof, scrambling over the edge and collapsing onto the gravel. Eli quickly pulled up the ladder, creating a temporary barrier between them and the creatures below. They lay there, gasping for breath, their bodies trembling with exhaustion and fear. The sounds of the creatures' relentless assault filled the air, their bloodied hands reaching for the edge of the roof. Eli looked around; his face grim. "We need to find something to signal for help. Anything reflective." Maggie, clutching her bleeding arm, nodded. "There has to be something up here. We can't give up."
As they searched the rooftop, the weight of their situation settled over them like a suffocating blanket. The loss of Mrs. Alvarez was a wound that cut deep, and the relentless pursuit of the demonic creatures showed no signs of stopping. Their small, close-knit group had been torn apart in a matter of moments, leaving them to grapple with a horrifying reality. The cityscape around them was in disarray, with plumes of smoke rising from burning buildings and the distant sound of sirens and screams filling the air. The demonic creatures continued to swarm the streets, their numbers seeming to grow with each passing minute.
Maggie, Eli, and Jake huddled together, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. They had managed to find a few reflective objects on the roof—a broken mirror, some shards of glass, and a piece of metal sheeting—but their hopes of signaling for help felt increasingly futile. The horror of Mrs. Alvarez's death weighed heavily on them. "We need to stay focused," Eli said, his voice steady but laced with exhaustion. "If we can just hold out a little longer, maybe someone will see our signal."
Maggie nodded, though her eyes betrayed her fear. She glanced at Jake, whose wound was growing worse by the minute. His face was pale, and he struggled to stay conscious. "We have to do something about his shoulder. He's losing too much blood."
Eli tore a strip of cloth from his shirt and tied it tightly around Jake's wound, trying to stem the bleeding. "Hang in there, Jake. We're not giving up on you."
The guttural growls and inhuman shrieks from below grew louder, a cacophony of malevolence that filled the air. The fire escape rattled as the creatures resumed their ascent, their bloodied hands grasping at the metal railings with frenzied determination.
Maggie looked over the edge of the roof, her heart sinking at the sight. "They're coming back. We need to find a way to defend ourselves."
Eli nodded, his eyes scanning the rooftop for anything they could use as weapons. "We need to make our stand here. We can't let them reach us."
The group gathered what makeshift weapons they could find—broken pieces of wood, metal pipes, anything that could be used to fend off the creatures. They knew that this was it, their last stand against the relentless horde. The first creature to reach the roof was the woman with the loose jaw, her black eyes glinting with hunger. She lunged at Eli, her claws outstretched. Eli swung a metal pipe, connecting with her skull and sending her sprawling to the ground. But more followed, their movements swift and unyielding.
Jake, despite his injury, fought valiantly, swinging his broken chair leg at any creature that came close. But his strength was waning, and it wasn't long before one of the creatures managed to grab him. It pulled him towards the edge of the roof, its teeth sinking into his neck.
"Jake!" Eli screamed, rushing to his aid. He swung his pipe, hitting the creature and causing it to release Jake. But the damage was done. Blood poured from the wound, and Jake collapsed, his body convulsing.
Eli grabbed Jake, dragging him away from the edge. "Stay with us, Jake. Stay with us!"
But Jake's eyes were already glazing over, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I can't... I can't..."
With a final shudder, Jake's body went still. Maggie and Eli looked at each other, the weight of their loss pressing down on them. But there was no time to grieve. The creatures were relentless, their numbers growing by the minute. Eli fought with a ferocity born of desperation, his pipe swinging with deadly precision. But the creatures were too many, their strength overwhelming. Three of the demonic beings, a man and two women, closed in on him, their claws tearing at his flesh.
"Eli, no!" Maggie screamed, her voice breaking with fear and anguish.
The creatures grabbed Eli, their combined strength lifting him off the ground. He struggled, kicking and punching, but it was no use. They pulled him in different directions, their inhuman strength tearing his body apart. With a sickening rip, Eli was torn in half, his blood spraying across the rooftop. His screams echoed in the night, a haunting sound that would stay with Maggie, now alone, felt a wave of despair wash over her. She looked at the torn remains of her friend, her mind reeling from the horror of it all. But the creatures showed no mercy. They turned their black eyes towards her, their hunger insatiable. With a sob of desperation, Maggie swung her knife, determined to take as many of them down with her as she could. She fought with every ounce of strength she had left, her swings and slashes landing with bone-crunching force. But for every creature she felled, two more took its place.
Her movements grew slower, her body weary from the relentless assault. The creatures clawed at her, their teeth snapping inches from her skin. She stumbled, her vision blurring as exhaustion and fear took their toll. As the creatures closed in, Maggie felt a sense of inevitability wash over her. There was no escaping the horror that had overtaken the city. With a final scream, she swung the knife one last time, the weapon connecting with a sickening thud as it stuck into one of the creature’s chests. She pulled her hand back and the bloodied knife slipped from her grasp.
The creatures pounced, their claws and teeth tearing into her flesh. Pain exploded in her mind, and she felt her strength vanish. The world around her was fading, the sounds of the city, the screams of the dying, and the growls of the creatures blending into a cacophony of horror.
As the darkness started to sink in, an unexpected sensation overcame her. The pain, the fear, the chaos, all of it seemed to dissolve into an eerie silence. For a fleeting moment, there was nothing. No sound, no light, no feeling. Just a void.
Suddenly, she felt solid ground beneath her feet. Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself standing inside Heavenly Brew. The familiar aroma of coffee and pastries filled the air, and the sounds of the bustling city filtered in through the windows. It was as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than a distant nightmare.
Maggie looked around, bewildered. Was she dead? Was this some kind of afterlife? Or had it all been a hallucination?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a blood-curdling scream. She turned towards the entrance and saw Susan, bloodied and frantic, stumbling into the cafe. Her clothes were torn, her hair disheveled, and her eyes wide with terror.
"Help me! They're coming! The demons... they're trying to kill me!" Susan screamed, as she collapsed to the floor.
Maggie stood frozen, her mind racing. It was all happening again, exactly as it had before. The same words, the same terror, the same blood. Maggie's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to make sense of it all.
Eli rushed to Susan's side, Maggie’s horror and confusion deepening as she watched the scene play out. It was as if time had rewound, trapping her in a loop of terror and death.
As Eli fumbled for his phone to call 911, Maggie grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with desperation. "Eli, we have to get out of here now! This isn't real! It's happening all over again!"
Eli looked at her, puzzled. "Maggie, what are you talking about? We need to help Susan!"
Maggie shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "You don't understand. We're trapped in some kind of nightmare. We need to get out before it's too late!"
Before Eli could respond, Susan's body began to convulse. Her eyes flew open, revealing the pitch-black irises that Maggie knew all too well. Her skin turned grey and waxy, and a guttural growl escaped her lips. Maggie knew what was coming next. The creatures would break through the barricades. -MK
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