A laser attack sped toward Ms. Star, who was on the ground and injured. Suddenly, Mantis pushed Ms. Star out of the way, causing him to take the laser hit instead.

"No! Mantis!" Ms. Star screamed as she rushed towards him, half of his body already burned. Mantis lay there, slowly turning his gaze to Ms. Star.

"Why?" Ms. Star asked as she took Mantis's hand.

"This world can't lose you... Star. Without you, the light of hope for the future will fade. At least I can die as someone good. I'll prove them wrong," Mantis replied with a smile before taking his last breath. Ms. Star wept and tightened her grip on Mantis's hand.

"Comic characters really do take their time finishing their dialogues, huh?" Khairul remarked with a bitter smile. He and Nasuha were in a park, sheltered under a pavilion, the sky turning orange, signaling evening time.

"But I didn't expect Mantis to sacrifice himself for Ms. Star. Quite shocking; this story is fun," Khairul said, awed.

"Ms. Star's comic is more mature than the cartoons I watched when I was a kid. In the cartoon, Mantis was evil for a long time, but in the comic, he dies for Ms. Star after just two issues," Nasuha replied.

"I feel like buying more of this comic."

"Looks like I have a new fan with me."

Not long after, night fell. Khairul and Nasuha walked around the park. Colorful lights lit up around them, and some people were setting up mats and sitting together.

"Where are we going to sleep tonight?" Nasuha asked.

"I don't know," Khairul replied.

"If only we could sleep in a hotel or something... Ah, forget it; we'd get caught if we went to a hotel," Nasuha sighed.

"You know it," Khairul said, and they both chuckled.

As they were riding the motorcycle, suddenly, it started to rain heavily and quickly. In a panic, Khairul accelerated the motorcycle to find shelter. They finally took cover in a nearby hotel building.

"How are we going to move in this rain?" Khairul grumbled, while Nasuha dried her hair with a small towel, looking puzzled.

"There's a hotel here," Nasuha said, glancing at the sign above them.

"Khai, I know you want to sleep comfortably, and I wouldn't mind paying under a hundred for a night, but don't expect any hotel to let us in. Just showing our IDs, and they'll automatically call the police, and our escape will be over," Khairul said, crossing his arms to form an 'X'.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Khai. You look mature, and I'm not saying anything bad, but for a high school kid, I look a bit older too. What's the harm in trying? Who knows, they might let us in?" Nasuha's eyes sparkled with the light from the sign reflecting on her face, and Khairul exhaled deeply.

"They'll just call the police, and we'll have to run... even in this heavy rain."

Nasuha and Khairul entered the small hotel building, which had a counter at the end. An elderly woman with large glasses was manning the counter, and Nasuha approached it.

"Hi, Auntie... Do you have any vacant rooms?" Nasuha asked.

"Oh... Ah... Just a moment... Let me check... Uhm..." replied the elderly woman, speaking slowly. Khairul approached them.

"There are... many available... Haha... Do you want a room, Miss?" the woman asked with a smile. Nasuha returned the old woman's joke with a smile and a small laugh.

"Yes, yes," Nasuha replied.

"Please show me your IDs," the woman requested.

Khairul and Nasuha froze, looking at each other. They then turned away, bringing their faces close together.

"I told you... They're asking for our IDs," Khairul whispered.

"Hmm..." Nasuha looked troubled. They faced the elderly woman again, Nasuha offering her a bitter smile. The woman widened her eyes a bit, studying Nasuha and Khairul.

Their clothes were slightly wet, and they carried worn-out bags. Nasuha's hair was a bit messy, and Khairul had slight bruises under his eyes and a bandage on his forehead.

"Oh... Never mind, dear... It's 50 ringgit for a night... Room 3..." the elderly woman offered. Nasuha and Khairul were taken aback.

"Tomorrow... you'll go home, okay..." the woman advised. Nasuha and Khairul just looked at her, and Nasuha smiled, nodding slowly.

"Alright, Auntie."

"And... don't do anything weird," the woman added.

"No. Don't worry. We won't," Khairul replied with a bitter smile.

Khairul and Nasuha entered the hotel room, and Nasuha immediately jumped onto the bed, rolling around.

"Ah... It's so... comfortable... I miss my bed..." Nasuha smiled in relief. Khairul took off his jacket. The hotel room was small, containing only a bed, a small wardrobe, a table, and a small television at the end of the room.

"I miss home so much but I still don't feel like going back and facing them," Nasuha sighed, covering her face with her hands, imagining her father and the faces of her bullies.

"This bed is even more comfortable than mine..." Khairul rested his head on the mattress.

"Just lie down once," Nasuha invited.

"No need."

"I'm going to shower first... My whole body feels sticky." Khairul stood up again, grabbed his bag, and walked into the bathroom.

He turned on the shower and unwrapped the bandage on his forehead; the scratch was still red. He soaked himself, closing his eyes slowly.

"At least I can die as someone good."

The line from the comic touched my heart. His suffering... His actions... His wrongdoings... Did they all mean nothing when he dies?

Will I be punished through my death?

You're thinking too far, Khairul...

After Khairul finished showering, Nasuha entered the bathroom. Khairul put his jacket back on due to the cold from the air conditioning in their hotel room. He sat on the edge of the bed, leaning his head back while watching television.

"More strange attacks are happening in America; human corpses have been found partially eaten..."

The bathroom door opened, and Nasuha stepped out. Khairul turned to look at her, his eyes widening. Nasuha smiled and playfully twirled her now-short hair with her finger.

"Do you think it suits me, Khai?" Nasuha asked, her smile awkward, and her ears were red.

"W-Why did you cut your hair?" Khairul stood up and walked over to Nasuha, worry etched on his face.

"I don't know... I just thought... if I cut my hair, it would be harder for the police to recognize me, right? Just in case someone's looking for us or finds us," Nasuha replied. Khairul sighed in relief.

"What do you think, Khai? Does my short hair look... nice?" Nasuha asked shyly. Khairul just looked at her and covered his mouth with his right hand.

"It looks n-nice to me."

"Hmm." Nasuha nodded with a smile.

Then, they both watched television, with Nasuha sitting on the bed while Khairul sat on the floor, leaning his head against the mattress.

"I'm happy that I met you, Andrew... I love you."

"I-I love you too, Emma."

As the two characters on the television leaned in for a kiss, Nasuha and Khairul averted their gazes from each other.

How awkward... Watching a movie like this together with Khairul.

He spent a lot of his money on me. I don't know how I'll repay everything he's given me. I feel so guilty, but at the same time, Khairul makes me worry less. It's as if there are no problems when he's around.

It's hard to explain, but Khairul, you make me feel safe. Even though I'm in a room with a boy right now.

Khairul yawned, and Nasuha lay down, still watching Khairul.

"Khai... Just sleep on the bed with me..."

"Huh? No need. It'll be uncomfortable for both of us," Khairul replied. Nasuha remained silent for a moment.

"Just give me one pillow. I don't mind sleeping on the floor," Khairul insisted.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"Khai... Please, just get up on the bed now," Nasuha ordered. Khairul was stunned, confused by Nasuha's request.

Khairul sat on the bed while Nasuha lay down. Suddenly, Nasuha's right hand held Khairul's left hand.

"Khai... Do you remember what I said? That I'll take responsibility for whatever happens while we're on the run?" Nasuha asked.

"Y-Yeah... What's with you?" Khairul looked uncomfortable, turning his head away, trying not to look at Nasuha.

"You've given me so much... I haven't given you anything in return. Look at me, Khai."

Khairul shifted his gaze back to Nasuha, their eyes met, and Nasuha's lips trembled.

"I... can give you... me," Nasuha said, her lips still quivering. Khairul quickly pulled his hand away from Nasuha's and stood up, taking a few steps back.

"Khai—"

"Don't, Nasuha... I—I didn't help you for that. You're worth more than the money I spent. To me, you're worth more than anything; I don't want you... to do this..." Unconsciously, Khairul's voice became hoarse, and his eyes glistened with tears. Nasuha stood up, realizing that Khairul looked very disturbed and uncomfortable.

"Khai. I'm sorry, okay? I understand. I'm sorry... for putting you in this position. I don't know what's wrong with me; I'm stupid. Khai." Nasuha stepped closer to Khairul, but suddenly tears fell from her eyes.

"Khai..."

"Huh? Am I... crying? What's wrong with me?" Khairul quickly wiped away his tears, and Nasuha looked at him with a sad, confused expression.

I'm so stupid. Why did I forget? He's just a high school kid like me. We're just kids.

"Khai... I'm really sorry. I'm disgusted with myself. Why did I think about that? I don't know. I'm just stupid." Nasuha was also on the verge of tears but held herself back. Khairul took a deep breath and exhaled, calming himself.

"Enough. It's fine. But remember, Nasuha. Remember what I said," Khairul urged, and Nasuha nodded in understanding.

The room light was turned off, and Khairul lay on the floor with a pillow under his head while Nasuha slept on the bed. Khairul looked at his left palm and then clenched it tightly.

I don't... understand what I felt earlier.

My body felt weak; I felt scared?

I've never felt that scared before.

Even when I fought with many people... When I was in the disciplinary room, facing that old man. I've never felt that scared.

What was I afraid of?

My thoughts conjured up dark images, and I hated it. I despised the filthy things my mind imagined. I didn't like it... I was scared.

I don't want to be like those boys who degrade girls. I hate them. Their filthy thoughts and mouths.

"Be careful... okay..." said the old woman at the hotel as Nasuha and Khairul walked out. They both turned back with smiles.

"Okay, Auntie. Thank you!" Nasuha said, and the hotel keeper smiled and nodded slowly.

As soon as they exited the hotel, Khairul and Nasuha walked towards Khairul's motorcycle while putting on their helmets.

"Hey, Khai," Nasuha called out, and Khairul looked at her.

"About last night, I just wanted to say again. I'm sorry..." Nasuha said.

"It's okay, Nasuha, I..." Khairul's words stopped as he looked into Nasuha's eyes, gripping her hand tightly.

"I care about you. I don't want you to do anything stupid like that again."

"I promise." Nasuha smiled and raised her pinky finger. Khairul also smiled, and they both got on the motorcycle.

"Oh yeah... I care about you too, Khai," Nasuha said. Khairul raised his thumb, and they both moved away from the hotel building and shops.

When Khairul accelerated his motorcycle to overtake other vehicles, Nasuha usually touched his shoulder, but this time, she stopped her hand from reaching Khairul.

"The traffic is terrible up ahead..." Khairul said as he slowed down a bit; there was a long, busy traffic jam in front of them. Khairul maneuvered slowly through the tightly packed vehicles, alongside other motorcyclists.

Khairul had to stop his motorcycle, stuck behind several other bikes.

"What happened?" Nasuha asked.

"I don't know." Khairul was also confused; usually, motorcycles could weave through without a problem, but something seemed to be blocking their way.

There was an accident up ahead involving several vehicles. Many people had exited their cars and looked angrily at a male driver in a gray car, who was likely the cause of the accident.

"Can't you see the road, huh?!"

"Dumbass!"

The male driver inside the gray car locked himself in, bowing his head, trembling with fear.

"I didn't do anything wrong! He was speeding... He was speeding!" he lamented, his eyes wide open as his whole body shook.

Everyone was noisy... So noisy around me... Yelling at me!

"Everything you do is wrong! What good are you?!"

Just shut up...

"Asshole!"

Shut up.

"It's your fault!"

Shut the fuck up!

Suddenly, the man burst out of the car and punched a guy standing nearby his car. Everyone around the car glared at him with sharp glares and angry expressions.

"Shut the fuck up!" the man shouted.

Khairul managed to advance his motorcycle, and he and Nasuha could see what was happening. They were both shocked by the sight.

"Seriously... fighting in the middle of the road," Nasuha sighed.

"Maybe the guy who got surrounded is at fault... Ugh... It's really difficult to move like this. That accident looks bad," Khairul replied.

The sound of sirens approached; police cars and ambulances were nearing the accident scene, and other vehicles made way for them.

"You asshole! You're going to jail for this!" shouted the man who had been punched, and the face of the driver became increasingly panicked as he watched the police car approach.

Two police officers got out of the car, and the male driver was panting. They walked toward him and the people surrounding the accident scene. A nurse from the ambulance got out to check on the injured.

"No... I... Hah!" The driver panicked.

I'll kill all of you!

Kill... all of you...

"Arrrrrghhhhhh!" the driver screamed, his voice deepening, and he suddenly collapsed onto the street. Several people around him backed away as the two police officers reached him.

"Calm down, sir," said a female officer who tried to reach for the man. Suddenly, when the man's face lifted, it transformed into something spider-like, with multiple eyes and a jagged mouth.

The female officer couldn't believe what she was seeing, but before she could process what was happening, the creature leaped at her and bit her face.

"Urghh!"

Everyone there panicked, and chaos erupted as the crowd began to flee. Blood splattered everywhere, and the male officer accompanying the female officer drew his gun.

"Stop right now!"

The creature had devoured half of the female officer's face and leaped toward the male officer.

Khairul and Nasuha were unsure of what was happening, witnessing the chaos with many people fleeing. They were both confused, as were the drivers still in their vehicles.

"Bsssssshhh... Bissssshingggg!" The creature, resembling a human and a spider, jumped with the male officer's head lodged in its jagged teeth. It leaped onto a man, several legs sprouting from its sides, stabbing into the man's body.

"Ah! Help!" the man screamed before the creature bit his head.

Khairul saw clearly what was happening; he quickly reversed his motorcycle and turned to Nasuha, who couldn't see everything but sensed how serious the situation was by looking at Khairul's pale face.

"Run!" Khairul shouted to the other motorcyclists behind him. They were increasingly bewildered and confused. Khairul, in a panic, dismounted his motorcycle, grabbed Nasuha's hand, and ran.

"Khai! What's happening?!" Nasuha asked.

"There's a monster killing people!" Khairul replied.

Many people were already running behind the stuck vehicles. The spider-like creature leaped onto one of the vehicles, and the occupant rushed out of the car, screaming in fear. More and more people realized what was happening and abandoned their vehicles to escape.

"What's happening? I-I'm scared, Khai!" Nasuha covered her ears and closed her eyes, the screams, the terrifying sounds of the spider-like creature, and the chaos around her made her steps falter.

"I don't know! Just hold my hand... tight!" Khairul shouted.

The spider-like creature was quickly killing many people, leaving a trail of blood with half-eaten bodies scattered around. The creature was closing in on Khairul and Nasuha, who were running with the crowd.

A woman running beside Khairul and Nasuha was seized by the creature, causing Nasuha to fall, and Khairul's grip on her hand slipped.

"Nasuha!" Khairul halted, seeing Nasuha on the ground with her knees scraped from the fall. When she opened her eyes, the creature was beside her, devouring half of the head of the woman it had attacked.

It turned its head toward Nasuha, blood splattering onto her cheek. Hundreds of eyes stared directly at her, freezing her in place, and a scream of terror would not escape her lips.

"Kill... every... one... of you! Bissssshhhh..."

"Nasuha!" Khairul struck the creature's head with his motorcycle helmet, causing it to stagger back, its face dented and several eyes popping.

Khairul hit the creature's face several more times and kicked it away. The spider-like creature stopped moving for a moment as Khairul rushed over to Nasuha to help her stand.

"Nasuha..." Khairul held her hand tightly, and Nasuha trembled as she slowly tried to rise.

"Khai..." Nasuha nearly fell again, and Khairul noticed the scrape on her knee.

"Shhhhaaaakittttt!" The creature began to move again. Khairul turned back; the creature leaped at him. He pushed Nasuha aside, and the creature lunged at him, biting into Khairul's shoulder.

"Argh!" Khairul howled in pain.

"Khairul!" Nasuha screamed in fear, unable to move to help him.

"Let me go! Argh!" Khairul pushed the creature's head away as it tried to bite him, its jagged teeth piercing both of his palms.

"I can die as someone good. I'll prove them wrong."

I'm about to die... and the only thing I remember is a line from a comic I read.

Blood poured from Khairul's hands onto the ground and his face. He gritted his teeth, but he was getting weaker, the creature's teeth drawing closer to his face.

Nasuha.

I'm happy. Happy to runaway with you.

I've never had a friend before. No one has ever joined me for meals... You're the first for me.

The first person to walk with me.

The first one to make me scared.

The first one I've cared about in a long time.

Just run... Nasuha... run.

I was meant to die... long ago...

"D-Don't... touch Khai!" With her remaining strength, Nasuha pulled the creature's head away from Khairul's face.

"Aaaaaaarrggghhhh!" The creature kicked Nasuha, sending her crashing into a vehicle behind them, where she slumped down, weak and unconscious.

Blood flowed from Nasuha's forehead.

"Nas-Nasu-Nasuha!" Khairul shouted, anger filling him as he turned back to the spider-like creature.

No.

I can't die now.

I have to protect Nasuha.

Don't die now. As long as Nasuha is here, don't die!

I need something... If I had power.

I could kill this thing!

Suddenly, Khairul felt a surge of strength to throw the creature away from him. They faced each other, and Khairul glared sharply at the spider-like creature.

"Kurrghhh!" The creature roared.

Thick veins grew from Khairul's right arm.

"Ugh...Argh! Arrrrrgghhhh!" A sword blade emerged from Khairul's right arm, slicing through his flesh, blood pouring down as the blade extended.

The blade in Khairul's arm resembled that of the character Mantis, sprouting from his right arm.

Khairul charged toward the creature, sliding along the ground and slicing into its left leg, rendering it immobile for a moment. The creature turned its face toward Khairul, trying to bite him, but Khairul swiftly cleaved its face in two.

The creature's body collapsed to the ground, and Khairul froze for a moment, panting as if he had come back to his senses. He looked at his right arm, now sporting the sword blade.

"What is this? Huh? What's happening to me?" he asked, trying to retract the blade back into his arm, but he was too weak to move it.

"Get back in... Get back in! Go in!" he groaned, repeatedly pushing at it without any result. He looked around, seeing bodies scattered everywhere, the spider-like creature he had killed, and Nasuha, still unconscious with a head injury.

"N-Nasuha!" Khairul rushed over to her, shaking her body with his left hand. Nasuha's eyes slowly opened, her blurry vision gradually coming into focus.

The first thing she saw was Khairul's anxious face, stained with blood.

"K-Khai... Are you okay?" Nasuha asked.

"I... I don't know..." Khairul replied, shaking his head. Nasuha felt pain in her head, placing her right hand on it.

"My head..." Nasuha groaned.

"We need to get you to safety," Khairul said, but he remembered his right hand.

"Please go back in. Go in!" Khairul panicked again about his right hand, but suddenly, slowly, the sword blade retracted back into Khairul's arm, and the veins that had sprouted faded away.

Khairul clenched his right arm, relieved that it had returned to normal.

"Khai..." Nasuha called. Khairul looked back at her.

"I can't move," Nasuha sighed. Khairul thought of a way to help her, and finally...

He lifted Nasuha onto his back, and they walked until they saw several police cars, ambulances, and crowds gathered at the end of the street. Khairul quickened his pace toward the ambulance.

"Help! Help my friend!" Khairul shouted, as several nurses approached him. One male nurse took Nasuha from Khairul and carried her toward their ambulance.

"You need treatment too..." said another nurse, but Khairul only watched as Nasuha was taken away.

"Oh? He didn't turn insane? Fascinating..."

A man with long blonde hair hovered in the sky, watching what was happening, his eyes glowing green. He crossed his arms with a proud smile on his face.