Present Day—2161, Vaal
As dusk settled over the landscape, casting the world in deep shades of purple and gold, the survivors moved quickly through the dense forest, their footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, but the looming threat of the creatures kept their senses on high alert. Corey could feel the tension in the group as they followed Dr. Moloi, who led them with a swift, practiced efficiency.
The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees towering overhead like silent sentinels. Every rustle of leaves, every crack of a twig underfoot, sent a jolt of adrenaline through Corey’s system. He kept a firm grip on his machete, ready to defend himself at a moment’s notice, but the only sound that accompanied them was the distant call of a nightbird, its mournful cry echoing through the woods.
Corey kept close to Ntlentle, his eyes darting around nervously as they navigated the forest. Ornelas noticed the way his brother’s gaze often lingered on Ntlentle, ever since she had saved them down in the tunnels. Perhaps a mix of concern and something deeper—something unspoken. But there was no time for those feelings now, no room for anything but survival.
Dr. Moloi finally slowed as they approached a small clearing, where an old, weathered cabin stood hidden among the trees. The structure was unassuming, its wooden exterior blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. It looked as though it had been there for decades, untouched by the outside world.
“This is it,” Dr. Moloi said quietly, motioning for the group to follow him inside. “The cabin was built as an emergency hideout. It’s off the grid, impossible to find unless you know where to look.”
D’Souza nodded, his expression serious as he assessed their surroundings. “How secure is it?”
“More secure than anything else you’ll find out here,” Dr. Moloi replied, pushing open the door. “It’s reinforced, and there’s a secure basement that’s shielded from detection. We should be safe here for the time being.”
The group entered the cabin cautiously, their eyes scanning the interior for any sign of danger. The inside was as rustic as the exterior—a single room with wooden walls, a stone fireplace, and minimal furniture. A small table with a few chairs, a worn rug on the floor, and a row of old books on a shelf were the only decorations. But despite its simplicity, the cabin radiated a sense of safety, a temporary refuge from the horrors they had faced.
Palesa immediately moved to check the windows and doors, ensuring they were secure. Corey and Ornelas set their packs down by the table, while Ntlentle lingered near the doorway, her eyes fixed on her father.
Dr. Moloi set his rifle down against the wall and turned to face the group. His gaze was serious, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—regret, perhaps, or the burden of secrets kept for too long.
“We need answers,” D’Souza said, breaking the silence. “You said those creatures are the next stage in the virus’s evolution. What exactly does that mean? And how do we stop it?”
Dr. Moloi sighed, running a hand through his greying hair. “The VX-9 virus was originally designed as a cure for cancer, as you know. But I discovered that it was also part of a classified government project—Project Lazarus. The goal was to create a virus that could not only cure disease but also enhance the human body, pushing it to its absolute limits.”
Ntlentle’s eyes widened in shock, and she took a step forward. “Dad, why didn’t you tell me any of this? You knew what was happening all along?”
Dr. Moloi’s expression softened as he looked at his daughter, his voice filled with a quiet sorrow. “I never wanted you to be involved, Ntlentle. When I confronted the government about them using my cure for nefarious reasons, they threatened your life. So I agreed in order to protect you. But things spiralled out of control. The virus mutated, becoming something far more dangerous than we ever anticipated. The enhanced creatures you’ve encountered are the result of those mutations—humans who were exposed to a concentrated form of the virus and survived, only to be transformed into something else.”
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Corey felt a chill run down his spine as he listened. “So these creatures... they were once human?”
“Yes,” Dr. Moloi confirmed, his voice heavy with the weight of the truth. “But they’re no longer in control of themselves. The virus has taken over, turning them into powerful, intelligent predators. And as the virus continues to evolve, these creatures become more dangerous, more organised.”
D’Souza frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “You said the virus was designed to enhance the human body. What was the ultimate goal? Super soldiers? Biological weapons?”
Dr. Moloi hesitated before answering, his gaze dropping to the floor. “In the beginning, it was about survival—curing disease, extending life. But as the project progressed, the focus shifted. There were those who saw the potential for weaponisation, for creating a new breed of soldier—one who could heal rapidly, who could be stronger, faster, more resilient than any normal human. But the virus was too unstable. The mutations it caused were unpredictable, leading to catastrophic results.”
Palesa, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her voice tinged with anger. “So all of this—everything we’ve been through, the lives lost—was because of an experiment gone wrong? Because someone wanted to play God?”
Dr. Moloi nodded, his expression grim. “I tried to stop it, but by the time I realised what was happening, it was too late. The virus had already spread, and the enhanced creatures had begun to emerge. The government abandoned the project, leaving the survivors—those twisted by the virus—locked away in a special facility. But they eventually escaped.”
Corey felt a wave of anger and frustration. “So what do we do now? How do we fight something like this?”
“There’s no easy answer,” Dr. Moloi admitted, his voice heavy with regret. “But there might be a way to slow the virus’s progression, to halt its evolution before it becomes unstoppable. The data you recovered from the facility—it contains information about the virus’s weaknesses, vulnerabilities that we can exploit.”
“Then we use that data,” D’Souza said, his voice resolute. “We find a way to stop these creatures, to protect the survivors who are still out there.”
Ntlentle stepped forward, her eyes locked on her father’s. “And what about you, Dad? What are you going to do?”
Dr. Moloi’s expression softened as he looked at his daughter, the weight of the years evident in his tired eyes. “I thought you were dead. These past two years, have been difficult… But I’m going to do what I should have done from the beginning—help you, help all of you, find a way to end this nightmare. I’ve made mistakes, Ntlentle, but I won’t make them again.”
“I thought you were dead too. I looked for you. Charles and I looked for you, but he...” her voice trailed off.
“I’m sorry, Ntle… I wish I could take it all back. But I’m here now. Ready to do the right thing.”
Ntlentle’s eyes filled with emotion, but she nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “We’ll do this together, then”
Corey watched the exchange, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. They had been through hell, but they were still standing, still fighting. And now, with Dr. Moloi’s knowledge and the data they had recovered, they had a chance—a slim one, but a chance nonetheless—to make things right.
“Let’s get to work,” Corey said, determination clear in his voice. “We need to figure out our next move before those creatures find us.”
The group gathered around the small table, laying out the data and documents they had retrieved from the facility. The air was thick with tension, but there was also a sense of hope—a belief that they could still turn the tide in this fight.
As they poured over the information, the night deepened around them, the forest outside growing darker and more silent. The safe house offered some protection, but they knew it wouldn’t last forever. The creatures were out there, hunting, and it was only a matter of time before they found them again.
But for now, they had a plan, and they had each other. And in a world as dark and dangerous as theirs, that was enough to keep going.
As they worked, Corey glanced over at Ntlentle, who was focused on the documents in front of her. Despite everything they had been through, there was a quiet strength in her, a determination that mirrored his own. He felt a surge of admiration for her—for the way she had faced down the horrors of this world and come out stronger.
They were in this together, all of them, and they would fight to the end to protect what was left of humanity.