When circumstances force humans to act without using reason, terrible things happen due to greed. The rulers disappeared, and law enforcement could no longer ward off the chaos. They say Jakarta is the safest place; is the green zone the destination, hell or heaven? It's neither because everything above is full of question marks. Some people are still trying to defend their lives or rights among the many question marks. The problem is, will those who survive remain fully human or turn into mindless corpses wandering around chasing around?
Puffs of smoke rose high, making the sky a slightly greyish colour. While ensuring it was under control outside, I tried to look out of the narrow, dusty room in an empty building. There was no one but bodies strewn about the streets like trash. Cars and public facilities were damaged due to demonstrations and massive looting that occurred several years ago. But, I'm not sure, I don't know, maybe I've forgotten too much about the sea of people.
I looked up for a moment and looked at the cloud of smoke. Maybe a fire. Then, with stealthy steps, I approached one of the bodies lying under the electricity pole on the right side. The reaction that arises is always the same every time I encounter a lifeless body; I almost vomit stomach acid when I see the condition of the corpse of a man wearing a security guard shirt with the name Sunaryadi on it. His face was destroyed with gaping bite wounds covered in flies on his left hand and both legs. I don't know what happened to the poor man until his right hand was no longer intact.
Scenes like this have become a constant sight since demonstrations and the pandemic. Even corpses that had become human skeletons were left lying like carcasses. But a scene like this is a nightmare that can't be avoided even if I try to wake up. My brown irises caught the knife and gun at his waist.
While saying a prayer in my heart that I didn't mean to steal, I slowly took the two weapons, trembling, then put them in the two back pockets of my jeans. Then I left the security guard's body and looked for another hiding place. Unfortunately, my stomach suddenly thrashing for filling made me think twice.
I have to find a hiding place that has a supply of food.
Barefoot, I walked warily and occasionally hid behind walls or cars. Not because of fear of being arrested by state officials amid a strange epidemic that has hit the country, but rather because humans who have met their end come back to life as something else. Something scarier than a predator that preys on humans. More greedy than state officials who fight over seats and treasures.
Sometimes, I also wonder about nature; women who are always considered weak by men have managed to survive this far. Walking aimlessly along streets is considered safe from 'them,' taking shelter at night in high places, and moving as fast as possible during the day without a weapon. The hot sun burns every layer of skin, especially the soles of the feet, which come into contact with the asphalt. What a fool! When I find an empty shop, instead of looking for footwear, I prioritise looking for food to maintain my life.
Raising my head while reading the street sign that says Boulevard Raya - a row of abandoned luxury houses and shophouses - is like a silent witness to the disaster that struck this place. My eyes widened when I saw one of the strange creatures walking alone in the middle of the road with a blank stare. With a quick movement, I ducked to protect myself behind a rusty dark green bus. My heartbeat was racing wildly, beads of sweat appeared the size of corn kernels, and I was breathing shallowly, afraid that the brainless creature would hear the slightest sound. Unlucky! Both hands trembled when I imagined whether my life would end in this place.
In my heart, I should have just hidden in that narrow room. However, hiding without knowing the outside situation is the same as slowly committing suicide. Swallowing hard, I crawled under the bus with quick movements without making any noise. I can see from here that both legs are clad in worn and torn brown pipe pants; the creature is walking unsteadily while occasionally stopping to find out what to look for.
He stopped about ten meters from my position-the closest distance for them to attack and take lives easily. As a result, my heartbeat became increasingly erratic; even for a few seconds, I held my breath. I crumpled my t-shirt to my chest so the pounding wouldn't get louder like the song that invited them.
The shuffling footsteps approaching the bus made me want to scream for help. However, there was no time to avoid them, so I took the security guard's knife. I had to survive even though I didn't know how to kill that crazy predator. If vampires are killed in the heart, then where should I stick this knife into their body?
When pacing around like he was looking for something with a growling voice, all my nerve cells were forced to avoid the bus immediately, and I decided to crawl out of there. In front of this old bus was a rusty public transportation painted dark blue not far away.
Unfortunately, bad luck suddenly came when my right shoulder accidentally touched the bus's body. After being caught off guard by the undead, I ran to find a hiding place. He ran, almost keeping pace with me with a scary growling sound and cloudy white eyes.
"Ah, damn!" I exclaimed with my energy starting to run out.
My body fell onto the asphalt when I accidentally tripped over a pair of black flip-flops. Blood seeped from his forehead and knees: pain and soreness. When I stood up, the living corpse would lunge at my body with its slimy mouth ready to tear flesh. Reflexively, I kicked him in the stomach quite hard, causing him to take a few steps back.
As if not giving up, his two blackened hands wanted to grab my body again, but fortunately, I was in a stable position to fight back. My right hand pierced his forehead, which was so soft, causing black and rotten blood to flow profusely. He just collapsed in the middle of the road, and I took the opportunity to run as fast as possible to find shelter without even looking back.
I don't know whether this method was able to kill him or not because all this time, all I did was hide and hide like a coward. Now, I no longer feel the nerves in the soles of my feet that touch the asphalt under the hot sun. Everything was numb except the survival instinct.
God, I don't want to die in that condition.
#####
The rise of Stella Rogers as the last clan of mixed-blood red foxes makes vampires vying for the blood of the Half Blood. Despite changing her name, changing the color of her irises, and even smelling like a human, Stella Rogers, who is now Federica Dawson, must face various obstacles to protect herself from those who try to resurrect a half-blood vampire named Grim Ripper. In between these obstacles, Federica Dawson is met with a vampire who calls to become an ally of the Half Blood. The journey to find a way to kill the Grim Ripper makes them fall in love with each other. Did Federica succeed or did she kill herself?
Ameena thought working in a lawyer's office was terrific until she realized that her boss, Adam-was a handsome and sadistic lawyer who liked to order his secretary without understanding her feelings. Interacting too much with Adam makes him interested in Ameena, and he has the heart to destroy Ameena's love story with her fiancé, Alvin. Will Adam be able to trap Ameena's heart? Or is he the one who will be left behind?
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”