Somewhere in Louisiana.
The memories of that life-changing night nearly three decades ago still linger in my mind. I can't shake the feeling that it might happen again, hence why I've held onto Van Helsing's Diary all these years. Who knows, with zombies now roaming the world, anything is possible.
Despite the chaos caused by Dracula and his minions, my friends and I managed to keep our club going during our school days. However, it wasn't without its challenges.
Rudy pursued technical education, diving into machinist training and mastering gunsmithing and bladesmithing, all while excelling in archery competitions.
Horace took a different path and enlisted in the Army straight out of high school. He was determined to shed his childhood nickname of "Fat Kid." His journey led him through Infantry, Airborne, Ranger, and eventually Special Forces training. His military service took him across the globe, shaping him into a formidable and experienced Soldier. When he finally separated from the Army, he returned home and joined our company.
Eugene also joined the military, serving in the National Guard as a 25C radio operator/maintainer all while working with us.
Meanwhile, Patrick and I sought higher education, entrusting Eugene to keep the Monster Squad afloat while we pursued our Bachelor's Degrees in Biology.
As for my younger sister, Phoebe, she pursued studies in ancient languages at the University College London, finding work as a translator to help cover the costs of her studies.
Our humble Monster Squad club evolved into a full-fledged company, complete with a tax ID, workers' comp insurance, and all the necessary formalities. Nevertheless, the journey was far from easy.
After the epic showdown with Dracula, our once peaceful town was swiftly taken over by government authorities. In less than 24 hours, federal agents, including those from the FBI, CIA, and NSA, flooded our streets. To our disbelief, there were even reports of Men In Black roaming around, although we were dismissed as "mere kids" with "wild imaginations" when we shared this information. The official word was that a devastating tornado had struck our town, causing chaos and destruction. The brave police officers who lost their lives during this supposed tornado were hailed as heroes who had valiantly tried to protect the town from the havoc caused by the freak storm. Our claims of encountering monsters and otherworldly beings were promptly dismissed and ridiculed, leaving us feeling frustrated and belittled. However, instead of giving up, we banded together and delved deeper into our mission, amassing an arsenal of weapons and tools as we researched various legends and urban myths, ranging from wooden stakes and silver bullets to arcane artifacts. As we grew older, our inventory expanded to include far more firearms.
What fueled our determination were accounts of other groups engaging in similar pursuits. We followed the exploits of Mystery Inc. as they crisscrossed from Ohio to the Northeast, the adventures of the Goonies in Oregon, and the valiant actions of the Ghostbusters in bustling New York City. Although Mystery Inc. often unmasked criminals posing as supernatural entities the Goonies were more interested in "Rich Stuff" and treasure hunting, and the Ghostbusters were eliminating the threat of the already dead, we sought to confront the genuine threats lurking in the shadows of our world. Our investigations led us to the notorious Gremlins of California, the menacing Critters of Kansas, and even a thrilling hunt for Graboids in the Midwest. Rumors of the elusive Necronomicon caught our attention, and we ventured to uncover its whereabouts. Allegedly, it was in the possession of some Vegas stage magician. Our endeavors also took us face to face with the nightmare-fueled demon known as Freddy Krueger and into the eerie grounds of Camp Crystal Lake in pursuit of the notorious undead serial killer Michael Myers. While our pursuits were met with some triumphs, such as vanquishing cursed mummies, lycanthropes, and stray vampires, they also established the Monster Squad as a force fearless enough to tackle the tasks that others dared not confront.
Then THEY came. The undead. The zombies.
We had always prided ourselves on being better prepared than others before the undead outbreak began. Our group possessed invaluable experience fighting for our lives, an arsenal of weapons that would make the ATF look twice, and two military-trained members, Eugene and Horace, who had provided us with essential combat training and small-group tactics. Thanks to their expertise, we were proficient in shooting, evading detection, engaging in squad combat, and more. These skills have proven crucial in ensuring our survival in the challenging environment we've faced in recent years.
We managed to secure a warehouse and meticulously stockpiled essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and ammunition. Additionally, we established a rooftop garden, year-round greenhouse, and rainwater collection. We also installed a septic system, and our defensive perimeter is tightened up tighter than Gill-Man’s ass. Recently, we've intercepted radio transmissions hinting at increasingly bizarre occurrences, surpassing even the unnatural sight of the undead walking. Reports suggest the emergence of cults and disturbances related to "Old Gods" - leaving us deeply unsettled.
Upon hearing distressing news about Mystery Inc. falling into the clutches of an abomination, we have resolved to leave the safety of our fortress and embark on a perilous journey to investigate and render aid if possible.
We are the Monster Squad.
