Forty-two days have passed since the monster apocalypse has turned Jack Sullivan’s city into a wasteland. He remains bunkered down inside his treehouse fortress, with a stash of junk food, video games, and weapons. He introduces himself as a “post-apocalyptic hero” who must assemble a team of adolescent survivors to defeat a monster called “Blarg.” 

The story begins mid-battle, as Jack squares off against a large beast on the roof of CVS pharmacy. He goes into the abandoned CVS for supplies, but something that seems ordinary for him in this apocalyptic reality—a large creature—ambushes him. Jack nonchalantly claims that his life is “crazy” (6) and mentions that this isn’t the first time fighting for his life. After the monster nearly eats him, Jack unsheathes a weapon he calls the “Louisville Slicer” (9), which is a splintered bat he carries. He uses it against the violent creature. Jack says he avoids mindlessly killing and only retaliates for survival. But once he recognizes the sinister nature of the beast, he understands he must use more aggressive force.

When the monster grabs him again, Jack waits for the opportunity to attack, then stabs the giant in the forehead with his broken bat.