Fatal Charisma For My Spoiled Sister

My twenty-year-old stepsister, Poppy Sinclair, suffered from a severe case of Adult Baby Syndrome. A grown woman, yet she insisted on crawling around in diamond-studded training pants, demanding to be spoon-fed, carried everywhere, and only drinking from a novelty sippy cup.

Each time, shed offer the same self-satisfied pout: Im Poppy, the precious little baby! Its totally normal for me to be completely helpless, duh!

My parents and my husband, Brock, adored this act, calling her "pure" and "unaffected."

So, when the news broke that I had been bonded with the 'Irresistible Charm System,' Poppy threw a tantrum, rolling on the Persian rug and wailing:

Sister, give that system to Baby! Baby wants to be the most captivating little princess in the whole world!

Brock pressed his hand down on my shoulder, his expression full of protective tendernessfor her, not me.

What do you need charisma for, Theo? Youre pregnant, he sneered. Hand it over to your sister before she ruins her vocal cords crying!

My parentsRichard and Candace Sinclairbacked him up, threatening to disown me if I didn't comply, all so they could forcibly strip the system from me and give it to her.

I was about to fight them, to claw my way out, when the fetus, only three months old in my womb, suddenly spoke in my mind:

[Mom, just give it to her! The zombie apocalypse starts in three days, and a MAX Charisma System is a fatal magnet for the infected. Whoever binds it, dies!]

...

The fight instantly drained out of me. I slumped back onto the sofa, my gaze disturbingly calm.

Brock Hastings gave a cold chuckle and increased the pressure, forcing me back into the cushions.

Thats better, Theo. As the older sister, you need to be the adult here.

Poppy might be twenty, but shes psychologically a toddler. Shes the baby in the house.

How could you ever compete with a baby?

I looked up at the man Id married.

On the rug, Poppy was perched on her hands and knees in the pink, frilly training pants, her backside sticking out. She sucked noisily on a jeweled pacifier, rubbing snot and tears all over the hem of my skirt.

Seeing I was no longer resisting, she spat out the pacifier and spoke in a sickeningly high-pitched voice:

Bad, bad sister! Not giving Baby the sparkle! Baby is going to be super mad now-now!

Unless Sister gives Baby the system right now,

And gives Baby a horsey ride! Then Baby will forgive you!

With that, she rolled over, her two pale, chunky legs kicking wildly in the air.

My mother, Candace, rushed over, scooping Poppy into her arms and patting her back.

Oh, my precious heart, dont cry, dont cry.

Your sister is just being selfish, darling.

Once you get that sparkle, youll be the most captivating little princess in the whole world!

Youll have anything you want!

My father, Richard, glared at me, holding a stack of legal papers.

Theo, sign the transfer documents.

Give the system to Poppy, and well still be a family.

Refuse, and youre out of the Sinclair house. Brock will divorce you, and that thing in your belly will never be born!

Thing?

This was Brocks child, and just because I wouldnt surrender a system, it was a thing?

My baby snorted inside me.

[Mom, these idiots. Dont worry about them. The zombies will teach them a lesson soon enough. Just toss out that ticking time bomb so we can stock up on supplies for our getaway!]

I took a deep breath, smothering the chill in my eyes, and spoke softly:

Fine. Ill give it to her.

If Poppy wants it so badly, how can I, as her sister, deny her?

Poppy immediately peered out from my mothers embrace, pouting again. Hmph, it was always Babys anyway. Sister kept it for so long, so embarrassing-bad!

Brock released my hand, his expression softening into approval.

See? Wouldnt that have been easier? You always have to make things so difficult.

Wait.

I spoke up suddenly, my voice weak but carrying an undeniable firmness.

If you force the full transfer now, Poppy will die.

That single sentence succeeded in freezing everyone in the room.

Brocks face darkened, and he leveled a vicious glare at me. Theo Wells, what game are you playing now?

I lowered my gaze and spoke slowly.

The Irresistible Charm System carries a massive amount of energy. A normal body cant withstand the instantaneous infusion.

The energy has to transition slowly, bit by bit. Otherwise, the recipient will explode from an energy overload.

I raised my head, looking at Brock, a faint smile curving my lips.

The system requires a controlled process of exactly three days.

Of course, if you dont care about Poppys survival, you can try to force it right now. I won't stop you.

No!

My mother shrieked, rushing over with a look of pure terror.

We cant risk it! My Poppy cant take that kind of risk!

Three days it is! For Poppys safety, well wait!

I quietly accepted their decision, hiding the mockery in my eyes.

Three days.

Exactly when the apocalypse hits.

This Charm System amplified the hosts allure by ten thousand times. In peacetime, it might be a miracle.

But in the end times, it would be a beacon for every infected creature within range.

Since my sister wanted to be the most captivating little princess in the world, and she wanted a gentle, three-day transition period

Then I wished her well. May she be the star of the show in the coming hell, until her very last, glorious moment.

The system stripping process began.

A faint pink progress bar floated between Poppy and me. With every passing hour, the glow on my skin dimmed, and Poppy's presence became increasingly, disturbingly alluring.

While they fussed over Poppy, I claimed I had a craving for something sour, grabbed my phone, and slipped out.

With only three days left, I had to secure provisions for myself and the baby.

[Mom, start with water and high-calorie rations. And formula! Ill need that when Im out!]

I drove straight to the nearest big-box store. My cart quickly filled with protein bars, canned goods, bottled water, and every type of baby formula and diaper.

The total is thirteen hundred and eighty dollars.

I handed the cashier the platinum card Brock had given me.

BEEP. Insufficient funds.

The cashier glanced at me.

Maam, this card has been frozen.

I froze. This was the household card and my primary source of funds, with a half-million dollar limit.

I immediately pulled out my personal debit card, the one linked to my savings.

BEEP. Transaction failed.

What the hell?

Before I could call the bank, Brock called. Over the phone, I could hear Poppys whiny cry and Brocks furious interrogation.

Theo Wells! What is all that trash youre buying??

Poppy said she ran out of her specialty goats milkthe kind thats air-freighted from Australia.

Dont sign anything! All the money needs to be saved for Poppys Baby Fund!

My hands were shaking with rage.

Brock, Im pregnant! Im buying essential supplies!

And that was my debit card! How dare you freeze my own money?

Brock paused, then roared even louder.

You belong to me, so your money belongs to this family. The baby in your belly is only three months oldwhats the rush?

Poppy is the baby who needs the most care in this house!

The line went dead.

The baby kicked me fiercely.

[Mom! Dump the trash-dad! When the end comes, Ill deal with him first! Dont get mad, I have a plan.]

My babys voice was clear.

[Since they froze your cards, well buy things a different way. Mom, go open several high-limit credit cards. Max out any fast loans you can get.]

[Borrow as much as possible!]

[The world order collapses in three days. Money will be worthless paper. We dont have to pay it back!]

My eyes lit up. Of course! Why hadnt I thought of that?

I abandoned the cart and drove to the financial district. Using my property deeds and perfect credit score, I pulled out nearly three hundred thousand dollars in cash advances and loans by the end of the afternoon.

I rented a large moving truck and drove it to a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of town.

I bought crates of rice, flour, oil, first-aid supplies, a commercial generator, a high-quality tactical axe, and body armor from an outdoor store.

My baby directed me from inside.

[Buy extra candy! Sugar will be hard currency in the apocalypse! And feminine hygiene products, those are crucial too!]

It was late when I finally stuffed the warehouse full. Looking at the stacked boxes of provisions, I finally felt a sense of security.

I got home close to midnight.

The moment I walked in, I saw Poppy, still in the training pants, riding on Brocks shoulders. She was holding a lollipop, tangling his hair into a sticky mess.

My parents were clapping and cheering.

Aww, Poppy is so cute! Ride the horsey, darling!

Poppy saw me, her lips curling into a sneer. She tossed the lollipop, wet with her saliva, right onto my face.

Bad sister! Late, late! Baby is hungry! Baby wants warm milk!

Go make Babys formula now!

It has to be exactly 98.6 degrees! If its even one degree off, Baby will throw up, kay?

The sticky candy residue slid down my cheek.

Milk, is it?

Fine. Ill make you milk.

These will be the last few bottles you ever drink in this life.

I was woken the next morning by the sound of hammering and glass shattering.

I sat up, instinctively protecting my stomach.

What is going on?

My baby yawned.

[What else? My brain-dead father is taking the house apart.]

I rushed out of the bedroom. The custom, high-security window bars I had secretly paid a fortune to install yesterday were being ripped out by contractors.

I had lied and said I was worried about the recent crime wave, insisting on reinforcing the windows and doors for Poppys safety. Id even installed the best soundproofing and ballistic glass.

Now, those expensive materials were scattered on the floor.

My father was directing the workers.

Tear it all out! I want frameless, floor-to-ceiling glass in here!

I ran over to stop the workers.

Dad! What are you doing? I paid for those for security!

He turned, looking at me as if I were insane.

Security? These iron bars are too depressing! Poppy says they ruin her mood!

Poppy is a princess, she needs sunlight and openness!

Throw out this trash and replace it with borderless glass. That way, people downstairs can clearly see her beauty when she stands by the window!

Poppy was on the rug playing with blocks. Hearing the commotion, she looked up and made a face at me.

Na-na-na-na-boo-boo! Sister is a scaredy-cat!

Baby has the Charisma System! The whole world will fall in love with Baby now.

Who would ever hurt Baby?

Those bars are so ugly, they stop Baby from radiating sparkle!

As she spoke, she crawled toward me, backside wiggling. When she reached my ankle, she suddenly opened her mouth and sank her teeth into my calf.

A jolt of pain shot up my leg. I instinctively tried to pull away.

Before I could move, Brock rushed over and shoved me aside.

I hit the wall, my stomach muscles clenching in distress.

Theo Wells! What do you think youre doing? Trying to kick Poppy?

Brock tenderly picked up Poppy, checking her teeth.

Poppy was just playing with you!

This is how the baby shows affection, cant you understand that?

You have thick skin. Whats the big deal if your sister bites you? You won't lose a limb.

Poppy sobbed in his arms, pointing at me in accusation.

Sister is mean! Sister doesnt like Baby! Wah-wah-wah

Baby just wanted to taste if Sister was sweet

I covered my belly, cold sweat breaking out. I looked at the haphazardly demolished windows, at the house now open to the elements.

Id briefly considered that if they didn't commit suicide, I might lend a hand. Fortify the house enough to withstand the initial wave.

But now Hah.

Since you are so determined to seek death, I won't stand in your way.

[Mom, let it go.]

My babys voice came through.

[This house is a lost cause. Well pack tonight and hide in the vault. Its small, but that special steel door is unbreakable. It'll be safe.]

I nodded, leaning against the wall as I slowly stood up. I walked past the family, who were all immersed in their own version of bliss, and quietly returned to my room.

The apocalypse was only 24 hours away.

System Stripping Progress: 99%.

Outside the window, a strange red mist was starting to shroud the otherwise clear sky.

The final moment arrived on the third day, precisely at noon.

The whole family was gathered in the living room, waiting in anticipation. Poppy sat in the center of the sofa, clutching her sippy cup.

Hurry, hurry! Baby can feel it! The sparkle is coming!

Brock had me pinned in a corner chair. My face was pale.

As the final millimeter of the progress bar disappeared, I felt something massive being forcibly extracted from my body. The rush of weakness nearly made me pass out.

At the same instant, a pink light shot out from my chest and fused with Poppys body.

[BEEP! Irresistible Charm System successfully bound! Host: Poppy Sinclair. Charisma level elevated to MAX!]

In an instant, Poppy transformed. A strange, compelling magic radiated from her, forcing everyones eyes to stay on her.

Oh my God! My Poppy!

My mother, Candace, sank to her knees.

Mama has never seen such a captivating baby!

My father murmured to himself:

Is this the Charisma? Shes perfect. This is the true Sinclair daughter!

Brock crawled over and kissed the top of Poppys foot.

Poppy you are my goddess, my heart

Poppy stood up and twirled, her ridiculous training pants shifting with her movement. She looked down at me, her eyes full of contempt.

Sister, see? This sparkle was wasted on you.

Only a natural beauty like Baby deserves it, tee-hee~

Now Baby is the most irresistible person in the whole world. Are you so jealous, Sister?

I leaned weakly against the chair, observing the dense, sickly pink aura surrounding her.

No, Im not jealous.

I spoke softly, my voice hoarse.

I just hope you can live with the consequences of that charisma.

Pff, sour grapes!

Brock shot me a look of disgust. He stood up, ready to shove me toward the door.

Now that the system is transferred, we dont need this old hag around anymore.

Get out! Dont stand there ruining Poppys view!

Poppy gets upset when she sees your face!

My parents watched coldly, making no move to stop him.

Just as Brocks hand was about to make contact with my arm.

ROAR!!!

A deafening shriek erupted outside the window. It was immediately followed by the sound of breaking glass, car alarms, and people screaming.

What was that?

My father frowned and walked toward the enormous, frameless window.

The next second, he froze solid.

In the street outside the villa, dense crowds of people were running in a grotesque, twisted fashion. They were covered in blood, their skin rotting, biting anyone in their path.

But at that moment, as if they had caught the scent of the finest delicacy.

They stopped, all at once.

Hundreds of pairs of grey, dead eyes fixed themselves on the direction of our house.

Poppy hadn't grasped the severity of the situation. She ran to the window, seeing the frantic mob rushing toward the house, and clapped her hands in delight.

Wow! Daddy, look!

The system is so good! Baby just got the sparkle,

And already so many fans have come to see Baby! Open the door, Daddy! Baby wants to sign autographs!

I watched the horde of terrifying, decomposed faces and listened to the mind-numbing sound of them colliding with the glass.

The first infected person pressed its face against the window.

BAM!

My father, however, straightened his collar, his face beaming with pride.

Thats my precious girl! Even these avant-garde performance artists are drawn to you! That makeup is so realistic!

Since theyve shown us so much respect, we cant keep them waiting.

To my horror, my father smiled and reached for the front door handle.