As the dark morning sky illuminated with the gleaming buildings, casting an ethereal glow over the deserted road, Setai pressed his foot firmly on the gas pedal. His muscular hands tightly gripped the leather steering wheel of his high-performance sports car, effortlessly gliding through the city's labyrinth of concrete and neon lights. With every twist and turn, his car moved with the grace of a panther on the prowl, leaving a trail of burnt rubber in its wake.
Yet, beneath the veil of this seemingly perfect morning drive despite it's darkness, Setai's mind churned with an avalanche of thoughts, the burdens of the day threatening to consume him whole. His temples throbbed with each pulse of adrenaline, fueling his desire to reach the Los Angeles Medical Center. Little did he know that destiny, in all its wickedness, had conspired to interrupt his journey.
Just as his thoughts collided with the storm raging within his mind, a specter appeared from the shadows, a silhouette daringly cutting across the path of his powerful machine. In the blink of an eye, time slowed down, allowing Setai to witness a heart-stopping tableau that etched terror deep within the core of his being.
The figure, shrouded in mystery, danced across the road like a fleeting phantom. Setai's grip on the wheel tightened, his eyes widening with horror as the imminent collision loomed nearer. With a symphony of screeching tires, metal meeting metal, and a cacophony of shattered glass, his world exploded into chaos.
In the midst of the chaos, the human body propelled through the air, as if caught in a grotesque macabre ballet. A surreal and haunting moment frozen in time, the body contorted and twisted in unnatural ways, its descent a haunting echo in the air. The asphalt beneath it became a stage of morbid performance, a testament to the fragility of life and the ruthlessness of fate.
Setai's heart raced, thundering within his chest like a wild stallion seeking escape. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to act, to make sense of this unthinkable tragedy. His car screeched to a halt, leaving behind a trail of burnt rubber and a lingering scent of despair. A desperate symphony of car alarms pierced the morning air, their shrill cries mirroring Setai's internal anguish.
With unsteady hands and adrenaline coursing through his veins, Setai rushed out of his vehicle. His steps were a dance of urgency, a mad sprint towards the motionless figure that lay discarded like a broken puppet upon the unforgiving ground. The world around him faded away, his focus solely on the enigma before him.
Every cell in Setai's body reverberated with a chilling mix of trepidation and determination. His every step was fraught with uncertainty, as if the very ground beneath him had turned into quicksand, ready to consume him at any moment. The fallen figure lay motionless on the cold asphalt, like a broken doll abandoned in the chaos of the world.
Trepidation gripped Setai's heart, each beat a painful reminder of the potential tragedy before him. His hands trembled with a mixture of nerves and compassion, as he fought against the overwhelming urge to flee from this haunting scene. But he couldn't ignore the silent plea of the injured soul before him, even more so, someone who appeared to be the age of his son. He mustered all the courage within him, determined to offer solace to this shattered being.
With every step he took, the world seemed to close in on him. The air thickened, charged with a suffocating heaviness. Each breath felt like a struggle, as if the very atmosphere had turned malevolent, sucking the life from his lungs. Yet, Setai pushed forward, propelled by a force he couldn't explain, driven to bring a sliver of hope to this tragedy.
As he walked towards the motionless figure, Setai's eyes darted anxiously, searching for any signs of life. His voice, almost lost in the vastness of the eerie silence, escaped his lips before he could stop it. "Are you alright?" he asked, the words carrying an echo of hope amidst the suffocating darkness.
Inwardly, he berated himself for the foolishness of his question. How could someone, struck down by a speeding sports car with reckless abandon, be anything but battered and broken? Pain and despair were the only possible responses, yet still, he clung to a sliver of optimism, praying for a miracle that seemed impossible.
Setai's heart pounded against his chest as he inched closer to the mysterious figure. Every step he took sent a shiver down his spine, intensifying the overwhelming sense of dread that enveloped his entire being. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, as if warning him of the impending horror he was about to witness.
With wide eyes, Setai fixated on the grotesque sight unfolding before him, unable to tear his gaze away. The once lifeless body lay motionless on the cold, unforgiving ground, defying the very laws of nature that govern us all. But then, to Setai's horror, the unthinkable happened. The prone figure began to stir, limbs contorted in a dance that sent a wave of fear crashing over him.
In that terrifying moment, any thoughts of escape or seeking help faded from Setai's mind. The grotesque sight before him had paralyzed him with fear, leaving him unable to move or even scream for help. He was completely at the mercy of this unearthly being that defied all comprehension.
As Setai's eyes scanned the broken and maligned limbs of the risen creature, his mind reeled with disbelief and terror. The boy's arm, once a symbol of strength and vitality, now twisted back in a sickeningly agonizing manner, seemed to bear the weight of his shattered body. Each broken bone screamed out in silent torment, while the disjointed legs resembled the aftermath of a catastrophic accident. A cold, bitter pool of viscous black liquid oozed from the boy's battered form, staining the ground with its unearthly presence. Its consistency seemed to defy logic, its inky darkness mirroring the depths of the abyss. It was a sinister testament to the horror that now plagued Setai's every waking thought at that moment.
The air around Setai grew heavier with an otherworldly aura, suffocating his very soul. It was as if the forces of the supernatural had converged upon this place, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. The deafening silence amplified the terror, echoing in Setai's ears like a deathly symphony of the damned.
As he stood frozen in fear, Setai's mind raced, desperately seeking some semblance of understanding, it suddenly dawned upon him, like the once piercing rays of the morning sun, that this boy, wearing the telltale garb of the hospital, was none other than one of his own patients. But this wretched creature, once brimming with life, now bore the indelible marks of anguish and devastation. The remnants of broken bones were etched across his body, serving as a haunting testament to the darkness that had consumed his very essence.
"What the hell are you doing all the way out here?! We need to take you back to the hospital!" Setai's voice, trembling with an undeniable urgency, echoed through the desolate surroundings. His words shattered the heavy silence, capturing the injured boy's attention. And in a sudden, unsettling twist of fate, the boy's ravaged head swiveled with a ghastly creak, fixing his piercing scarlet eyes upon Setai. The crimson orbs glowed ominously, radiating an unearthly aura in the dimly lit morning. It was a chilling moment that seemed to defy the laws of time, freezing the atmosphere in an eerie suspension. A palpable tension hung in the air, the inexplicable energy crackling with an intensity that clawed at Setai's every nerve. Involuntarily, he became ensnared within the unwavering gaze of those penetrating scarlet irises. They held an enigmatic quality, as if imbued with a flicker of something ancient and foreboding. A sinister shiver cascaded down Setai's spine, kindling his senses and igniting a cacophony of alarm bells, signaling the imminent danger lurking just beneath the surface of this ethereal encounter.
Setai's heart pounded in his chest as he found himself ensnared beneath the formidable weight of those bone-chilling and soulless scarlet orbs. They held a vacant emptiness, devoid of any hint of humanity, as though the life force had been cruelly siphoned away, leaving behind an ethereal vessel of pure darkness. In that chilling moment, confusion overwhelmed him, sending tremors through his trembling body. Did the patient, who now possessed an unhinged and violent disposition, have a role to play in this nightmarish ordeal? Or was it the deafening explosion, resonating ominously through the air, that wielded some sinister influence over this grotesque tableau? Snapping himself out of his bewilderment, Setai's survival instincts kicked in, propelling him backwards in a desperate leap, narrowly evading the patient's savage lunge to sink his teeth into his flesh.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Uttering a hushed and trembling plea to himself, his voice lost in the gusts of the night wind, Setai struggled to comprehend the horrifying reality of his circumstances. The patient, overcome by some unknown force, had transformed into a mindless monster. But before Setai could fully grapple with the severity of the situation, the patient surged forward once more, driven by a ravenous hunger for violence. Realizing the fleeting nature of his safety, Setai darted towards his idling car, blessed relief flooding through his veins that he hadn't turned off the engine. His trembling hand fumbled for the keys, his heart leaping with joy as he felt the cool metal within his grasp. In one fluid motion, Setai slid into the driver's seat, his heart pounding an adrenaline-fueled symphony in his chest. The patient's ghastly form shrunk rapidly in his rearview mirror, an image that caused him to release a disbelieving sigh, mixed with the trepidation that he had narrowly escaped a fate worse than death.
Yet, his fleeting moment of respite evaporated like morning mist as his racing thoughts converged on the haunting explosion that had torn through the day, shattering the tranquil peace. The once serene atmosphere had been irrevocably disrupted, its fragments hanging precariously in the air like broken dreams. What diabolical force could orchestrate such a catastrophic event, setting in motion this nightmarish chain of events? Setai's mind raced with a frenzied determination to uncover the truth, even as the car's engine roared beneath him, propelling him forward towards an uncertain fate.
With a palpable sense of urgency gnawing at his core, Setai sped relentlessly towards the hospital, his thoughts entangled in a web of trepidation that ensnared his beating heart. Merely a street away, sinuous tendrils of smoke billowed ominously towards the dark swirling sky, tainting the once pristine sky now devoid of light, with a nefarious presence that heightened Setai's senses, awakening within him a primal awareness of the impending danger, as if his earlier encounter didn't even meant anything.
Drawing nearer to the revered streets of the medical sanctuary, a jarring symphony of gunfire erupted in the air, piercing his ears and rupturing the once tranquility of the day. The cacophony reverberated through the atmosphere, each bullet discharge echoing like a malevolent heartbeat, its sinister rhythm conducting the very pulse of chaos. A shroud of ominous tension thickened the air, rendering each anguished scream a soul-rending crescendo in this grotesque orchestra of suffering. Upon reaching the epicenter of this torment, Setai was confronted with a harrowing sight that eclipsed his darkest nightmares. The hospital, once an emblem of solace and restoration, now lay before him like a macabre tableau, a canvas tainted with unspeakable horror. Its once immaculate facade now marred by broken windows and crumbling walls, the building exuded an air of desolation that penetrated Setai's soul.
As he stepped tentatively into the unhinged realm of pandemonium, time itself seemed to dilate, elongating each passing second into an eternity of dread. Shadows danced menacingly on the walls, their sinewy fingers mocking the flickering lights that fought to penetrate the veil of darkness. Setai navigated the labyrinthine streets of chaos, his heart hammering in sync with the relentless drumbeat of destruction that surrounded him. Every corner he turned threatened to unleash a fresh onslaught of terror, a trepidation that whispered to his instincts, urging him to flee. Yet, he sat in the car, star-struck in horror as he watch the chaos unfold.
Setai sat there, eyes wide with both awe and terror as the chilling scene unfolded before him. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a horrifying reality he had never imagined. The soldiers, their determined faces etched with a mix of determination and horror, relentlessly fired their weapons at the infected patients. Yet, their efforts seemed to be in vain. The bullets, once symbols of safety and security, proved to be pitifully ineffective against these monstrous creatures.
The infected patients, now transformed into something beyond comprehension, moved with an uncanny agility that sent shivers down Setai's spine. Their lithe and sinewy bodies seemed to possess a superhuman strength, like Olympic track athletes who had spent their entire lives dedicated to the sport. Their limbs propelled them with a terrifying speed, making it almost impossible for the soldiers to get a clear shot. It was as if they were fighting against an enemy born out of nightmares, not mere mortals stricken with illness.
These were no ordinary zombies of fiction, no mindless creatures aimlessly roaming the land in search of human flesh. No, these patients possessed an unnatural resilience to bullets, as if they were endowed with an otherworldly armor. They could even dodge and evade the projectiles, defying the laws of nature. It was this defiance that elevated them into a whole different category of terror.
Setai's heart raced as he witnessed the unyielding determination of the soldiers. Each pull of the trigger was accompanied by a fervent hope, a desperate plea for their rounds to find their mark and end this relentless nightmare. The thunderous roars of gunfire reverberated through the air, the stench of gunpowder mingling with the acrid odor of fear. But for every creature they managed to bring down, ten more emerged, their hollow eyes brimming with an insatiable hunger. As he sat he sat there, contemplations were suddenly interrupted by a piercing commotion that sent shivers down his spine. The chaotic scene unfolded before his eyes, as a valiant soldier grappled with an infected patient. The soldier, who possessed an imposing stature and brawny physique, strained with every fiber of his being to repel the ghastly creature's vicious advances. The patient, consumed by an insatiable hunger, thrashed and clawed with frenzied determination, intent on sinking its venomous teeth into the soldier's defenseless flesh.
Without a flicker of hesitation, Setai's heart surged with an overwhelming call to action. It was a visceral instinct, an unwavering command that refused to be silenced. Abandoning all caution, he cast aside the notion of self-preservation and bolted towards the perilous encounter, propelled by a potent surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Each pounding footstep intensified the urgency that seized him, driving him to defy the limitations of his mortal existence.
As Setai closed the distance, his eyes burned with determination, a flame that dared to defy the encroaching darkness. He drew upon the wellspring of strength within him, unleashing a force so potent that it threatened to rupture his very sinews. The collision with the infected patient reverberated through his entire being, as though he had slammed into a malevolent wall of inky despair. The putrid stench of decay assaulted his senses, a noxious cocktail that infiltrated every crevice of his awareness. The impact of Setai's assault proved to be a fleeting respite for the beleaguered soldier. It jolted the creature off balance, leaving it momentarily disoriented and disheveled. Like an ancient warrior seizing a golden opportunity amidst the tempest of battle, the soldier seized this precarious opening, unleashing a blistering barrage of gunfire. Each thunderous round exploded from the muzzle of his weapon, ripping through the air with unwavering precision. In a crescendo of lethal prowess, the hail of bullets tore through the air, relentlessly seeking their destined target.
The moment that hung suspended in the chaotic maelstrom of violence eventually succumbed to the soldier's unparalleled expertise. The infected patient, a former human now devoid of all semblance of humanity, collapsed in a grotesque heap, its vile existence extinguished in an instant. A visceral blend of relief and sorrow overwhelmed Setai, the torrential surge of emotions cascading through him. Relief surged through his veins, an indescribable elation at witnessing the soldier's survival amidst this brutal struggle. Yet, anguish gripped his heart, a remorse that clawed at his soul, mourning the untimely demise of yet another life, a testament to the abhorrent reality of this nightmarish realm.
Setai's mind was still reeling from the unimaginable violence that had unfolded before his very eyes. His senses were overwhelmed, struggling to comprehend the horrors he had just witnessed. But amidst the chaos and destruction, a hand reached out towards him, cutting through the tumultuous air. It was the hand of the soldier, weathered and battle-worn, yet brimming with an indomitable determination. Setai looked up at the soldier, his face etched with exhaustion, but a fierce resolve burned in his eyes. And in that moment, their hands met, bridging the chasm between their lives.
"Thanks," the soldier's voice trembled, choked with emotion, as if his words carried the weight of countless lives saved. "I really thought that was the end for me." Setai could feel the soldier's raw vulnerability, the relief and disbelief mingling within his voice. He shook his head in disbelief, a profound gratitude welling up from the depths of his being. "It's no problem. I couldn't just stand by and watch." The soldier's gaze met his with a solemn nod, a silent recognition of the courage that had defined their fleeting alliance. "Took a lot of balls to do what you did," he began, his voice laden with admiration and respect, ready to pour forth his gratitude once again. But fate, ever unpredictable, intervened with a deafening explosion that tore through the air.
The ground beneath their feet trembled violently, quaking with the force of the detonation. A plume of dense smoke rose high into the sky, shrouding the battlefield in a haze of destruction. Setai's heart skipped a beat, fear clutching at his chest like icy talons. Instinctively, he turned his gaze towards the origin of the explosion, searching for answers amidst the chaos. As the smoke slowly dissipated, revealing the ravaged landscape, a sinister sight came into focus. From the epicenter of destruction, a towering pillar of ebony smoke erupted into the dark sky, clawing its way through the vast expanse of the sky.
Setai's heart performed an impromptu somersault within his chest as he followed the soldier's line of sight, eyes fixated upon the origin of this cataclysmic detonation. Words eluded him, only to be replaced by a bewildered whisper, "Dear lord..." A disheartening sight greeted them, one that elicited an indescribable fusion of shock and terror within the depths of their souls. From the dilapidated remnants of the once resplendent hospital, a macabre legion of ravaged patients emerged. Their plaintive moans and ferocious snarls pervaded the atmosphere, reducing all other sounds to insignificance. It was a surreal tableau, a grotesque phantasmagoria; a fearsome army rising from the charred embers of annihilation.