on the faucet and let the cold water cascade over my skin. I tried so hard to scrub away the filth and blood

-thu

humping sound from

ht about Shae, about how she had become one of them. Their desperate cries

heir expectations. I can't believe I made another mistake. If only I had never suggested to escape the gathering, th

of my heart and lungs. It felt like dr

ack for the faucet, trying to find something to hold onto. After what seemed like an eternity, the lights flickered back o

o figures took a step closer, their movements slow and jerky. I tried

I curled up in a ball underneath the faucet, trying

ch my breath, a gentle and st

ush, where the

a delica

e ancien

ts of old and

ollowed the source of the music as if nothing malevolent just happened. The sound seemed to come from

hes of our

p, forging a b

a new chapt

reen home, ou

a pace that encouraged movement without feeling rushed, making

r sitting on the cashier's counter. The projector d

ended, my fa

h an urgent announcement," he said. The sound of his voice filled the air. A sense of

to inform you that the rumors of a zombie outbreak in our region are, in fact, true. The undead have been

immediately turned to the raging creatures I had encountered on

e other regions of the Maharlikan Republic? Are the

t condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this crisis." he mom

s to exercise extreme caution. For your safety, please make your way to the Alatus District H

here were loads of volunteers and refugees outside the building. I spotted my m

glad she'

rything in our power to protect you and keep our community safe

hat sound may have irritated Shae because the

check the door, she already

as I saw her ru

stinct feature from her is the bite mark on her left cheek. The exposed in

ers digging into my skin. I shouted

ld barely recognize her; the girl who had once laughed beside me during family reunions-who h

e ground. The sound of her body hitting the c

I pleaded, my

ise, I felt my heart shatter a

re we discovered our shared love for stargazing. I could still hear our youth

ging her attacks as flashes of our hiking adventures flickered through my mind-

me to embrace my emotions instead of retreating into my mind. "You c

entless assault, three sharp gunshots rang out. S

knees beside her lifeless body. "Shae..." I choked out. The black

, full of concern. My body went numb as another long-forgotten memories came

the first time in a long