In theory, the mansion that Casey located in Moraga was perfect. It was tucked away nice and snug away from the other houses. Excellent tree cover to avoid unwanted attention was a plus. There were 6 bedrooms, with plenty of room left over to make more, if necessary. There was even a generator on the property already. Should Dan and Todd siphon some gas from the nearby cars they suspected they could live a lavish, comfortable existence up in the hills. Despite the size of the property and privacy, one main flaw made itself known right away: one of the fire alarms had a low battery.
Beep. “Low Battery.” The synthetic woman’s voice said, every minute of every day. Beep. “Low Battery.”
It drove everyone crazy, but they needed a proper hideaway for Ethan to die in peace. About a week ago, he developed the early signs of Ignitis, a disease that arrived around the same time the demons did. Ignitis made the throat feel like it was coated in hellfire. The disease was characterized by a burning sensation that rose from the lungs, up the wind pipes, and the throat, until it closed up shop for good. Ethan wasn’t going to be long for this world. The group decided this would be the place to let him rest.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
The main issue with the pesky smoke detector was that it was installed in an inconvenient place. The detector rested high above the large opening to the living room; at the base where the ceiling met the wall. There was no hope to reach it without assistance. Todd attempted everything they could think of to reach it with what they had on hand. Meanwhile, Dan went out to the closest homes in search of a ladder, but never had any luck. He found plenty of replacement batteries, not that it did them any good without a way to reach the alarm. They all made a pact that they would try not to mention the damn thing whenever it went off.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
Casey sat by Ethan as the Ignitis rose up to his throat. It wasn’t going to be long before it hurt too much for him to speak. Casey cried to Gina about the life she and Ethan would have had if the world stayed the way it was. If not for the demons, they would’ve gotten married. They concocted plans to move up to Oregon or Washington for a fresh start in what they thought was the most beautiful place in the world. She looked down at the man dying from some sort of hellfire disease, the man she loved, and just wished for his pain to end.
Beep. “Low Battery”, said the smoke detector.
“Low Battery.” Ethan began to repeat these words, even though it hurt him to do so. The group thought it gave him comfort somehow. They started to notice he would face in the direction the detector was, waiting for it to sound off again. Everyone chalked it up to some sort of end of life delusion. A habit or a pattern that would get his mind off of the situation. It was annoying, but it didn’t hurt to let him keep doing it. It was nice for Casey to still hear his voice, even if it was strained.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery”, Ethan repeated. Each and every waking minute.
It gave him resolve. Ethan was almost inspired by the smoke detector’s dying words. As the days went by, Ethan started to feel better. This was miraculous, they all thought. As long as they’ve known of Ignitis, it’s killed anyone who contracted it. His pain slowly started to subside over a five day period. It retreated back to the lungs from whence it came. Everyone could tell he was in remission. Ethan was sitting up, he was eating solid foods, drinking water on his own. Everyone in the group rejoiced.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” Ethan continued to repeat after the smoke detector. He felt compelled to do so.
Another in the group, Carson, got irritated at the constant beeping, the constant repetition of the alarm, and Ethan too, at all hours of the day. He had discovered an area of the house that muffled the monotony. Carson would spend a good amount of time there when he wasn’t working. Learning about this, many others in the group decided to schedule ‘quiet brakes’ amongst themselves. Even being in the backyard didn’t help, the smoke detector seemed to echo throughout the property. It was absolutely maddening to everyone, except to Ethan. It began to irk him more and more that there was a hiding spot to be free of the noise.
A couple days went by.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” Ethan and Casey repeated together.
Gina asked Casey why she started to repeat after the smoke detector too. “Don’t you think it’s maybe not the brightest idea to feed into whatever is going on with Ethan? The lack of air probably killed a few brain cells.”
“Gina, look, I don’t expect you to understand or believe me but-”
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” Casey had to say. “But Ethan was so close to…well, you know…When we moved in here he started to feel better. He was telling me it was the Beeps. That the Beeps gave him the strength to fight against the unstoppable.”
“I’m sorry-” Gina shook both of her hands violently as if she was shaking ants off her body. “You’re telling me that the ‘Beeps’, healed Ethan. And you’re expecting me to believe that?”
“Well, I guess I’m not asking you to believe in anything. Before, I would have told you that demons weren’t real when they were. You know me, I’m the type that doesn’t believe in something until I see it for myself. And I saw that the Beeps-”
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery!” Casey rejoiced. “-fixed him.”
Gina didn’t have the words. She grew worried for her friends. This was a level of stir crazy hitherto unheard of. One by one, she talked to her other housemates about what Casey had told her and what she and Ethan were beginning to believe. There was talk about moving to a new home now that Ethan was on the mend. She and Carson began to scout out ahead to find fitting new homes for their group. One that would tick all the right boxes without the-
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“I’m not crazy.” Ethan said to Dan. “You gotta think about it for a second.”
“Unwell. Not crazy.” Dan’s head would not stop shaking.
“Seriously, think about it…”
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” Ethan muttered it fast. “This house is a secluded oasis against the demons. The Beep has to be a beacon, bringing in the just people that are left in the world. It saved my life! We have shelter, electricity, life has been better ever since we became enveloped in the Beep’s love.”
“Okay, maybe crazy is the right word.” Dan clapped his hands to his knees and got up to leave.
Ethan grabbed onto Dan’s sleeve. “I know there’s talk of leaving this place. Tell me right now, do you really think that makes sense? Point me to another sanctuary where we’ll have power. Seriously. Believe me or not, you can’t tell me with good conscience that we’re better off taking the risk.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“...No, probably not.” Dan admitted, scratching his head.
“Dan, what do you want most in this world?”
“Uh, for it to go back to the way it was?”
“Okay, aside from that.” Ethan responded, clearly annoyed.
“I don’t know. Whiskey, steak. A real meal. Why?”
“Ask her.”
“Come the fuck on, Ethan.”
“Do it.”
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” Ethan hung his head in reverence.
“Okay…Hey, Beep! It's Dan. If you could be a dear and get me a glass of whiskey and a Wagyu steak then I’ll convert to Ethan’s shit ass religion.”
“The Beep will deliver, Dan. She always does.”
Carson and Gina got back to the house later that night. They had a tremendous score earlier in the day. About 15 minutes down the road they found a house with an old cellar. Using a large rock they were able to barge their way inside. It was the jackpot. Aged wines, ice boxes full of artisan goods, and much to Dan’s surprise - littered within the haul were the things he sarcastically asked the Beep for earlier. He thanked the scouts for the goods then remained quiet for a good portion of the night. As he sipped his whiskey and chewed through his steak, he angled his head toward the smoke detector. It sat up high on the wall, watching down over him like the lost lamb he was that now was found.
Beep. “Low Battery.” said the smoke detector.
“Low Battery.” replied the indoctrinated one.
Saving Dan’s soul emboldened Ethan. He began to strut about the mansion over the course of the next couple of weeks. They began to call each other The People of the Beep. It wouldn’t be that much longer before they pulled Lydia into the fold. Ethan would hold meetings with the four of them to discuss the Beep’s devine machinations. Why them? Does she work on behalf of God? Is she, herself, God? What holy message has she been trying to spread to them? Then Ethan would talk of his dreams when he was afflicted with Ignitis. What he considered at one point delusions or hallucinations, he now knew were divine visions. They needed to create a new community. One with the Beep at its heart. Paradise would be much too big for their numbers alone. The new issue was that the four of them did not have the necessary skills to jump start the community. Carson, Gina, and Todd would need to be on board too.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” The four chanted in unison. The Beep’s will was made clear. Their holy mission would begin right then.
Todd would be their first target. They were always the handy one. Shrewd, resourceful. With them at their side, The People of the Beep would be able to begin The Great Propagation, as Ethan coined it. Dan and Todd had spent a lot of time together in the intervening years. They created all manner of tools to help their friends get by. It would be the easiest way in, Ethan thought. Dan obliged. The two spent much time alone for several days as they worked on various different projects. It took a lot of convincing, subterfuge, a bit of persuasive coercion, but eventually Todd agreed to attend one of their meetings.
“A human needs, on the basest level, a sense of structure. A purpose.” Ethan began.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” The four People of the Beep chanted.
“L-low Battery.” Todd said delayed so as to not seem rude.
“Back before the demon scourge, we lived comfortable and structured lives. We grew content in our safety, we did not know what we had - that was special. Since then the human race, she has lost her way. We’re scattered. We live in tribes, hubs, or scattershot little groups, like ours here. Yet, we all yearn for peace. Something we can call our home. Dan, what was it that you said to me before you realized what the Beep brought to your life?”
“I wanted to go back to the way things were.”
“That’s right. Back to the old ways?”
“Yeah.” Dan felt relieved.
“To everyone here, I want to share my deepest sympathies because there is no going back to what we were before.”
The small congregation hung their heads in mourning for a time that was long gone. Even Todd joined in. “But let me tell you guys, a better era for mankind is nearly here. We did not have a guide back then. Now, there is a voice that speaks to me. She healed me as she knew I could help usher in an era of peace upon this blighted Earth.”
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery!” The congregation shouted together.
“Low Battery.” Todd said.
“Todd…” Ethan focused on the target. “That is Her. Since we got here She has provided us safety, saved my life. The Beep wishes to save humankind as well. One chirp at a time.”
“How do we do that though, Ethan?”
“She has been telling us this whole time. Low battery doesn’t mean we need to replace the batteries on the smoke detector, no. We became too comfortable in a technological world. We were disenfranchised and alone. It took communities and it tore us apart. Look at everyone else in this room, Todd.”
Todd looked to the others. They looked upon him with smiles on their faces.
“Now tell me that we are not closer than ever before. We didn’t do that by rewatching The Office or doomscrolling Instagram, did we? We joined as one community, we live in harmony. We are safe in the hills. The reason we survive now is that we live in a home with The Beep as our guiding star. Together we can expand our home to become a real community. That is The Great Propagation”
“Well that…sounds great, Ethan. How do you think we would be able to actually make this happen.”
“You are a craftsman, Todd. I will listen and I will speak Her words. Through my voice I will guide your hands. Through you, The Beep will deliver.” Ethan stepped off the stage. In each of Ethan’s hands were Todd’s wrists. “Be my hammer, Todd.”
“What will I need to build?”
“A crucifix, Todd.” Ethan said.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery!” They all shouted as one soul.
Carson and Gina grew increasingly concerned at the erratic behavior of their friends. Despite all warnings, they fell to Ethan’s delusion. It became clear to the two holdouts that the others could no longer see reason, there was no saving them. They both agreed that they would have to-go bags packed and in the middle of the night make a break for the cellar they had found. From there, maybe they would find a good place in Lafayette or Orinda. Any place away from the madness of the Beep and its People.
They emerged from their private conversation in the Quiet Closet to a disconcerting scene. Dan, Casey and Lydia were on the other side, waiting for them. After a quick struggle, the two dissenters were dragged into the backyard. Both Carson and Gina came to, strapped to pool chairs. Gina began to panic. She violently convulsed within her restraints. Lydia pushed her hands down onto her to keep her still. The two holdouts realized the price they had paid for not leaving sooner. They looked at each other with fear in their eyes. Their fear magnified when they looked ahead of them to a mighty crucifix in the backyard.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” The People of The Beep chanted in unison.
Ethan came out of the house wearing bed sheets resewn to resemble holy robes. He walked with a sense of grandeur. His stride was befitting of his status as a holy man. The prophet of The Beep stood on the base of the nearby diving board, marking it as his stage.
“My friends.” He began his address. “The Beep told me that you two planned to leave our little Eden. I wanted the opportunity to persuade you both to stay.”
“By holding us hostage?!” Carson shouted. “With a fucking crucifix in the background?? What are you going to do?? String us up?!”
“Only if left with no other choice.” Ethan’s tone was made plain.
“What the fuck…?” Carson muttered under his breath.
“I knew you didn’t agree with us, but to be honest when She told us that you were going to leave…I-I almost didn’t believe it. We’ve been together since the beginning and now that we have found a higher calling you were going to abandon us?”
“You’re not WELL!” Gina screamed. “None of you are!”
“Forgive them Gargamog, they don’t understand what they are saying.” Ethan pleaded to the deity.
“What, you’ve…named the smoke detector? And you’re wondering why we’re leaving?” Carson rebutted.
“The Lord of Noise shared Her name with me thanks to my increased acknowledgement of her teachings, Cars. You’ve made yourself deaf to her song. She told me that the only way for you to understand is that we adopt a…heavier hand.” Ethan offered a solemn nod to Dan. “Hatchet Man.”
Dan untied Gina, dragging her kicking and screaming toward the daunting presence of the crucifix.
“Ethan, you asshole, let her go!”
“She was the original disruptor. I can’t in good conscience let that sin go unpunished. If I was lenient to her now then imagine what evils I’d allow in the future. I cannot forsake Her, even if the command pains me so.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” The People of the Beep repeated with pained tones.
“Please, don’t do this!” Gina begged as she tried to plant her feet in the dirt. Lydia ran up and grabbed her legs.
Todd hustled up to Ethan. The craftsman whispered into the prophet’s ear with a long look on their face.
“I won’t make you watch, Todd. If you would, please take Carson to the Quiet Closet. I think he needs some time alone with his thoughts, don’t you?”
Relieved, Todd rushed over to Carson’s chair. They pushed Carson into the house, just as the People of the Beep began to lift Gina up the cross. Todd did their best to push Carson over the carpet. The whole time, Carson attempted to convince Todd to let him go. That he would just run and never look back. There was no response. Eventually, Todd opened the door to the Quiet Closet. Carson was shoved inside.
Before Todd shut the door, Carson said, “You’re saving me, you know. I can’t hear that stupid ass beep in here. I’m getting what I want, you know?”
“No, you aren’t.” Todd closed the door.
Carson sat strapped to the chair in the dark. He inched around, looking for a way to set himself free once and for all. He began his solitary stint wondering if they really did crucify Gina, or if they were just trying to scare them. There was no way they would actually do that, right? Carson sat there and thought. He was ready to come up with a plan to free them from the house for good. Away from his insane former friends and incessant beeping. Hours passed in the quiet. He eventually realized that he wasn’t able to hear anything at all. Even the sound of his own breathing became a foreign concept. Carson began to miss sound. He began to miss the Beep. He counted every 60 seconds and waited to see if he could hear it. In the dark of the closet, he was in a world all to himself. For a moment, he wondered if this closet would be his tomb. That he would slowly succumb to the embrace of death away from all things. Carson didn’t wish to die. Not without the Beep.
The closet door swung open. Carson wondered how much time had passed. Ethan stared into his friend’s eyes asking, “Do you understand now?”
“I do.”, he replied.
Beep. “Low Battery.”
“Low Battery.” They uttered together.
