Chapter 22

The city was desolate. Every corner was in shambles with the ground covered in debris. Douma was disheartened but he knew this was bound to happen. Now sitting down and enjoying a meal was completely off the list.

It was horrifying to see the place that was deemed 'bright and lively' go to this. There was hardly anybody on the streets except a few people who decided to go for a walk since the Winter storm had evaded. The stores were closed, a few destroyed and abandoned ever since.

"Looks like I'll have ramen someplace else." Douma took a deep breath and continued walking to see if those creatures were still around they were definitely responsible for this mess.

Shinobu gulped and followed after Douma horrified by the state of the city.

Upon walking they noticed a few buildings had collapsed leaving shards of glass on the ground that were melting for some reason. 

"Hmm? Dissolving glass?"

There were bubbles forming on the surface of the broken glass piece, foam leaked the moment droplets smeared on the edges. The glass melted into a translucent liquid that scalded the ground releasing pungent smoke into the air. 

Douma took a step back he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Considering the fact it was obvious what caused this, Douma knew what could've happened earlier in the city. This was serious now.

The further he went the darker it got, there was more rubble and smoke arising from the buildings. It was apocalyptic. 

The blonde stopped when he noticed a familiar-looking restaurant, one that he was planning to go to if it weren't for the turn of events. It wasn't even recognizable anymore, the interior was gloomy and eerie. Shinobu glimpsed at Douma in pity, they won't get to enjoy their meal together.

Both of them looked up and saw a helicopter in the sky followed by a few jets. It seems they were patrolling the area and with the environment returning to normal people are bound to leave their homes and venture to the city. Which wasn't a wise move those creatures were still out there.

In a situation like this there was hardly any place to take shelter making it easier for the monsters to find their targets. If the next alien attack happens nobody is prepared and the thought of that was horrifying.

With debris everywhere it would be a nightmare to escape, Douma knew how agile the monsters were. 

But what disturbed Douma the most were the lifeless bodies on the ground hidden underneath the rubble, a few more in the stores.

Oh dear. Douma felt a shiver run down his spine, he would've been a goner that night if it weren't for what he is. These people were unfortunate to have stumbled upon such ruthless creatures, Douma was shocked the creatures have gone as far as to kill innocent civilians, from the looks of it they did it, those gashes and limbs torn apart were beyond animalistic.

Covering her face, Shinobu let out a soft cry she couldn't bear to witness something so gruesome. The thought of how these people ended up like this made her want to throw up it was barbaric.

A few bodies looked burnt with their bones able to be seen, either the monsters were chomping on them or a major explosion happened involving hazardous chemicals while these people were running for their lives. Or it was the strange acidic substance. Douma covered his face with his fan and walked away feeling sick. There was no healing them now, they were long gone.

Just then, he heard a shuffling sound from one of the rubble along with muffled cries and murmuring. Douma's senses sharpened on instinct.

In between the pile of rubble was a man reaching out desperately, Douma had a feeling he was stuck there. His clothes were stained with dirt, there's a possibility he had been trapped under the rubble for days, no rescue team was around that's for sure. 

"L-l-leave now-

Both Douma and Shinobu watched as the man tried to pull himself out of the rubble but to no avail. This went on until the man stopped and let out an agonizing scream. 

"Don't worry I'll get you out of there." Carefully the blonde walked over to the spot trying to signal to the man not to make a sound. The monsters could be around and Douma didn't want a whole swarm of them coming this way. He had to save this man quick.

We have to save him fast anyone could be watching us right now. The hair at the back of Shinobu's neck stood up, the thought of standing around in this foggy area without knowing what was out there made her heart race. The aching worries were spreading to her knees she couldn't keep her composure anymore she just wanted to leave this place.

Sadly the man didn't understand Douma's motives and started flailing his arms around screaming loudly to which Douma and Shinobu looked around anxiously. The only thing that could be heard were the cries of the man, if other people were running by to help, the man's trip to the hospital would be fast but for now Douma and Shinobu were alone here.

"G-get out of here," The man's stutters were in between every word of his sentences it was hard to catch what he was trying to say. "Go now!" For some reason he was reluctant to get help Douma couldn't comprehend why, wasn't the man trying to break himself free earlier? Was there something else that Douma didn't know about which left this man frightened? Douma will still help him regardless, this was too devastating and there might be more out there waiting to be rescued.

Before Douma could even lend a hand to the poor man, a blurry figure bolted past him and snatched the man away from the spot, disappearing into the smoke. Shinobu gasped and ran towards Douma gripping on his sleeve in panic.

Silence fell leaving Douma bewildered by what just happened. He didn't get to save that man, the feeling of despair hit him with questions floating in his mind. What if he moved faster? Maybe the man would've been free now. But that creature, from the appearance it was one of the silverfish, it would still lunge at him regardless or worse, attack Shinobu who was defenseless. Douma tried to calm himself down there was nothing he could do anymore but to get ready for the next ambush.

The silhouettes of the marine silverfish slowly emerged as Douma heard footsteps behind him taking off in the opposite direction with some cries and screams. 

That's when the creatures began running towards every person in sight with their jaws wide open. Douma stepped back and ran after the not-so large crowd but enough for the creatures to get a hold of it was shocking to know there were still people here despite recent events, everybody had been warned to stay indoors. Even though the Winter storm was gone it was still dangerous to go outside.

Shinobu caught up with him struggling to accelerate the sounds of the monsters behind her was slowing her down it was hard to concentrate. Moreover Douma suddenly dashing towards the direction of these people was making her agitated their lives were at stake.

"They're back! They're back!" Someone from the crowd shouted looking back, watching their reactions to this gave Douma the urge to tell them to just keep going and don't look back not even a second.

People were still trying their best to free their loved ones from the rubble, but unfortunately the creatures caught up to them. This made the situation even more chaotic as people started pushing each other desperately trying to get away. Douma was almost close now he wished it was possible for all the remaining civilians to escape safely but judging from the numbers of silverfish heading their way, efforts seemed futile, these alien bugs were too fast.

"We're not going to make it," A woman from the running crowd collapsed to the ground as two other people tried to lift her up. "Keep going!" One of them yelled carrying her bridal style following the crowd.

The creatures got closer as a few started pouncing on people shoving them to the ground while the rest continued chasing after them catching up eventually and mauling them.

"Those things are getting closer! Somebody help us!" Cries of desperation filled the air as Douma swiped his fans at the bugs tumbling towards him aware that some people were now watching him in horror.

The crowd slowed down as Douma continued fighting off the creatures, they weren't a problem to handle but the concern was the civilian's safety they had no defenses against these creatures and even though Douma was doing his best to protect them, people were still getting injured and killed in every direction. 

"Everyone keep going don't stop!" Shinobu yelled running past Douma with the remaining people.

A few people hid behind Douma watching closely. The blonde took note of this and urged them to get away, they insisted on making sure he was OK since right now he's the only one who can fight them off. Douma was grateful for that but it was too dangerous for them to stick around.

"You can't stay here by yourself those bugs will devour you like they did with those innocent people back there!"

"Son it's dangerous those things are a menace!"

"Everyone just keep going I'll fend them off for as long as I can."

Everyone looked at Douma in shock as they nodded and took off running leaving Douma behind. They felt bad but he was right, there was nothing else they could do he was the only one geared up for this.