The sun dipped low on the horizon as Damian pulled into a small gas station on the outskirts of town. He parked by the pump, hopped out, and began filling the truck’s tank. He had told his parents he was visiting a friend in Austin—a convenient excuse that kept them from asking too many questions. But Astrid? She wasn’t buying it.

Sitting in her car a block away, she watched him carefully. Astrid knew Damian’s circle of friends was small, and most of them were still finishing up their degrees. Whatever he was planning, it wasn’t a casual visit.

After everything that had happened at the hospital, Astrid had secretly enabled his location sharing on his phone. She didn’t trust him to stay out of trouble, not with how protective—and reckless—he’d become. She tapped the screen of her own phone, watching the small blue dot that represented Damian slowly move away from the station.

“Where are you going?” she muttered, gripping the steering wheel.

She trailed him at a safe distance, keeping just far enough back to avoid raising suspicion. As the miles rolled by, her unease grew. The open highway stretched before them, and familiar landmarks disappeared as they ventured farther away from home.

When they passed a weathered sign that read “ROAD CLOSED AHEAD,” a cold shiver ran down her spine.

“What the hell are you up to, Damian?”

She had spent hours poring over videos online—terrifying clips of people battling ugly creatures, news reports detailing strange occurrences, and posts from survivors talking about “awakening abilities.” The idea that Damian was running headfirst into danger filled her with dread. And yet…a small part of her was curious. She had seen the way his body had changed, the quiet confidence in his movements. Whatever he had become, it wasn’t normal.

Inside his truck, Damian was oblivious to her pursuit. His phone was stashed in the center console, a playlist playing his favorite song as he sang along without a care in the world. The distant chaos of the world seemed miles away for the moment.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

But when he neared his destination, the sight of military trucks blocking the main road snapped him back to reality.

The refinery loomed in the distance, its skeletal framework stark against the darkening sky. Large flood lights cast eerie beams across the grounds, illuminating clusters of guards stationed at the perimeter. Damian parked his truck just off the road, far enough from the barricades to avoid detection. He grabbed his gear—a backpack stuffed with essentials and his newly crafted weapons—and set out on foot, weaving through the brush for cover.

“Military,” he muttered under his breath, squinting at the uniforms. “They’re locking the place down. Has the death toll really gotten that bad?”

He scanned the area, noting patrol patterns and possible blind spots. He was about to press forward when a faint sound caught his attention—a faint crunch of footsteps on the gravel behind him. His body reacted instantly, the system’s heightened senses firing on all cylinders.

Damian whirled around, drawing his sword in one fluid motion.

“Who’s there?” he barked, his voice low but sharp.

A figure emerged from the shadows, illuminated faintly by the moonlight. Damian steadied his stance, ready to strike—until he recognized the silhouette.

“Stop!” the figure shouted, their voice trembling. “It’s me, Astrid!”

Astrid stumbled forward, gasping as she realized just how close she had come to being struck. Her brother’s reflexes had turned him into something almost unrecognizable—swift, precise, deadly.

Damian’s jaw tightened as he lowered his weapon. “What the hell are you doing here?”

She managed a weak smile, brushing off the dirt from her jacket. “Uh…surprise?”

Damian stared at her, dumbfounded. “Astrid, do you realize how stupid this is? You followed me here? Are you insane?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” she shot back, her voice shaky but defiant. “You told Mom and Dad you were going to Austin, but you’re out here sneaking around a quarantine zone. What are you up to?”

He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “This isn’t the time for a heart-to-heart, Astrid. This place is dangerous. You need to leave—now.”

“No way,” she said firmly, planting her hands on her hips. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on. I’m tired of being left in the dark, Damian.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze darting between her and the refinery. He sighed, finally relenting.

“Fine,” he said, his voice low. “But if you’re coming with me, you do exactly what I say. No questions, no arguments. Got it?”

Astrid hesitated, then nodded. “Got it.”

Damian gestured for her to follow, his mind already racing by his decision.