How To Survive A Calamity

Author: Peas_and_Carrots

Chapter 1: Goodbye, Zach Harper

Words : 1208 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 1 of "How To Survive A Calamity" starts revealing the story: "I've done many things I'm not proud of. ' Zach's thoughts against the cold pavement... Don’t miss it!

"I've done many things I'm not proud of. ' Zach's thoughts against the cold pavement were fleeting. The night sky and brewing clouds had never seemed so far and yet so low before. In the distance, the electric sounds of the nightlife became a muffled backdrop. Looking back, Zach suppressed the urge to exhale a self-deprecating laugh. And that was only because of the burning pain caused by the bullet sized hole in his lungs. 'Well, fuck. It hurts no matter how many times you get shot in a lifetime...' Zachary Harper for as long as he remembered had always been a bold soul and risk taker. He never seemed to fit in quite alright with the regular masses, actually. Since Middle School, he had been branded an outcast, a delinquent, a problem child. Some even called him a demon. That was because wherever Zach Harper went, violence followed. He had always been involved with the dregs and filth of society, he was notorious. But Zach was often misunderstood by others. He wasn't a delinquent because he wanted to, neither did he find solace in being one. But nothing he ever placed his hand into ever seemed to work out. He wasn't smart or good at studies, he wasn't good looking —average at best, just saying— and he wasn't all that good in communicating his feelings. But if there was one thing Zach Harper was notorious for being good at, it was fighting. Zach was a brawler, famous in his childhood streets. As a result of that, he was often found amongst the many thugs in a part of his neighborhood, and since he never seemed to fit in anywhere else, and no one seemed to acknowledge him, he flowed with the wrong crowd and spread his name. However this changed during a certain incident. Zach's little gang was forcefully detained by the authorities over a minor incident. Having someone like Zach amongst their ranks had caused the little goons to grow too confident and bolder in their mischief, until they had grown beyond being a nuisance. Thinking back on the events of his life, in his own blood, Zach barely restrained a painful self-deprecating laugh as he recalled how furious and maddened his father had been to discover he had been arrested at only 15. Fortunately, the crime committed wasn't something big, and only a 'small' bail sufficed to get him out. His father, who was his only parent and struggled to raise him, was furious and beat the crap out of him that day. He had had enough, he would send Zach to Military school. "You like fighting, ey? I'll make sure that bastard talent of yours isn't wasted then, " he said. That incident had change his life, or so Zach thought. He stopped moving with his previous group which had been forcefully disbanded and went back to school. Zach was ready to start a new leaf and abandon his previous life behind him, he swore it. He would, from then forth, be a model student. He would attend classes, and make the top of his class, if possible. At the very least, he would no longer be involved in any more gang fights. Zach earnestly believed so. He really wanted it to be. That was what he thought at first. But things led to more things and Zach found himself beating up a group of high school seniors that tried to bully him. In his defense, it was their fault. He was the victim this time...well, for the most part. But that just led to a chain of events that signaled the downward spiral of the rest of his life. The 3rd year Seniors of the boys he beat came after him for revenge and to teach a lesson. And teach a lesson, they did. They taught one Zach never forgot. After suppressing the notorious Zachary Harper, he became their bread shuttle, their buss boy, their lackey. These seniors were the real deal, they were real Delinquents and Zach couldn't hold a candle to them. What was worse was that those delinquents were only rookies of a group of Biker Gangs that were well known within that neighborhood. The way Zach was treated, was exactly in the same manner these seniors behaved before the Bikers. Zach was merely at the bottom of the food chain, a large one. Similarly, these Bikers were dominated and absorbed by a much larger and powerful Street gang — which were a fraction to a much larger Underground Organization — swallowed up its entire members and 'dealt away' with those that refused to bend the knee. At this point, Zach was caught in a spider web. There was no way out. These guys were actual gangs, while he was merely a third year middle schooler who was a little good at fighting. Zach had no choice, he bit down, and lowered his head , succumbing to his faith. His life would only get worse and twisted. And eventually he dropped out of school by the time he became a second year in senior school. Recognized for his fighting abilities, Zach became a plaything to these people. He became an amusing toy, and would be staged in fights, with bets placed on him and his life on the line. He could only continue to throw his fists for the twisted entertainment and amusement of others. If there was anything good thing about all of it, it was that he at least received some money for all the matches he participated and won. On that day, Zach Harper died... Yes... 'Yes. That's how it was supposed to go at least! ' Zach opened his eyes to a bright light, a brand new world. Everything seemed so large, and he recognized to be staring at an expansive ceiling that covered his entire view. 'Where...' Zach halted his thoughts immediately. There was...a woman with long brown hair and bright eyes. A very large woman leaning over and smiling down at him from above. 'Oh...' Zach's hurtling thoughts slowly calmed . He wasn't was surprised or 'excited' as he should have been anymore. If anything, he felt relieved. He had been reincarnated. He was given a second chance at life, and could live it differently this time around. He could live it in peace, away from all the violence, crimes, blood and pain from his last life on earth. Zach felt... happy. 'Death truly opens up new prospects, huh, ' he mused feeling relief flow through his now beating heart. He couldn't understand what the woman whom he assumed was his mother was saying, but Zach wished in his heart to live peacefully this time around. ... [DING!] ... He heard a piercing ring in his head, then a strange synthetic voice buzz through his ears like an alarm, as a string of illusionary letters appeared before his eyes. ... [WARNING! WARNING! The {Great Calamity} is upon all..]... 'What...? ... [ [DING!] A New Quest has been issued:- Type:- SURVIVAL Name:- Quest To Becoming Stronger: Description: The {Great Calamity} is coming...Get stronger and survive. Duration-: ... Reward:- ... Penalty:- Death, ??? ] ... '...Eh? '

How To Survive A Calamity

Chapter 1: Goodbye, Zach Harper

Comments (0)