She's gone!
In the blink of an eye, the once tranquil world now teetered on the edge of chaos and destruction.
The cause and cure of the disease remained shrouded in mystery, spreading swiftly from village to village, town to town, and city to city.
Kadori pressed on, skillfully avoiding the main roads now overrun with these nightmarish creatures.
His heart raced at the thought of his mother's fate—unsure if she still clung to life or had succumbed to the terrible transformation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he reached his home.
Fortunately, the madness had not yet infiltrated this corner of their world.
"Mom! Mom!" Kadori's voice echoed through the house as he frantically searched. She was nowhere to be found, causing him to collapse to his knees, tears streaming down.
"Kadori, are you okay?" A sweet voice broke through, and turning, he was met with the sight of his mother, unharmed.
He quickly rose, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Mom," Kadori choked out, clinging to her.
"I'm okay, Kadori." His mother returned the embrace, sensing that something was amiss.
"We have to leave quickly; the world is in danger," Kadori implored, pulling away to gather their essentials.
"What do you mean?" His mother's puzzled expression mirrored her concern.
"Everyone outside is falling prey to a strange disease. We need to find Uncle Duncan; he knows a way out," Kadori responded, hastily packing their belongings into a sack.
"Kadori, you're scaring me. What's going o—"
Bang!
A thunderous crash rang out as the entrance door was sent flying. A figure emerged, its face and body mangled, intestines spilling, and razor-sharp fangs on full display.
The creature was gnawing on something, blood dripping from its mouth.
Kadori could hardly bear to consider what it was feasting on.
Kadori's mother, Sarah, shielded him, brandishing a large stick for defense.
The creature surveyed the two strangers before it, then lunged forward with a guttural growl.
Sarah swung the stick with all her might, connecting with the creature's head. It staggered back, a pained cry following.
"Go! Go!" Sarah commanded, urging Kadori out through the back door.
Outside their small house, a horde of these creatures approached.
"Sh*t, go back!"They retreated inside, only to find the wounded creature now fully recovered.
It tackled Sarah to the ground, intent on sinking its fangs into her. Sarah fought with all her strength to evade the attack.
"Die!" Kadori's shout resonated as he struck the creature's head with a hefty plank. It relinquished its grip, but it wasn't defeated.
"Let's go!" Sarah ordered, seizing Kadori's arm, and they fled through the front door.
Outside, chaos reigned as people fought to survive, and the creatures attacked, biting and transforming them.
"This way!" Kadori pointed. "Uncle Duncan is in that area."
The duo sprinted, dodging attacks from the creatures, families abandoning their own in their frantic flight for safety.
"Dad? Dad!" A distraught girl cried, lost amidst the calamity.
Sarah halted to assist, recognizing her as Olivia Gladstone, a girl of Kadori's age with a heart-shaped face and dark hair.
The Gladstone family had shown kindness to Kadori's despite the class difference.
Wealthy but humble, they treated others with respect.
Although pity welled within Sarah, Kadori held her back.
"Mom, what are you doing? I don't have time."
"We can't leave her," Sarah insisted
"We have to flee,Mom,no time to save someone else."
"Her family was good to us,Kadori. It's time to repay the favour."
pulling away to approach Olivia.
"Are you okay? Where's your dad?" Sarah inquired, concern etched on her face.
"H-h-he was taken," Olivia sobbed, clinging to Sarah.
"It's going to be okay, Olivia, you are—" Sarah's sentence was cut short as a creature emerged behind her, sinking its fangs into her shoulder.
"Mom!" Kadori's cry echoed as he rushed toward them, a plank in hand. He struck the creature's head, but it refused to release her.
Drawing his small knife, Kadori stabbed with all his might. Finally, the creature relented, but it was not yet vanquished.
"No, no," Kadori wept, kneeling beside his mother.
The wound darkened, veins snaking across her skin.
"Go, Kadori. You both must find Uncle Duncan and be safe," Sarah managed, her face contorting, bones cracking.
"No, Mama, I can't leave you!" Kadori cried.
"It's okay, Kadori. It's okay. Now go, and don't forget, I'll always love..."
Sarah's body convulsed uncontrollably, causing the two teenagers to flinch. Her form twisted, bones cracking.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," Kadori cried, turning his gaze back one last time before fleeing.
****
People surged onto a large ship waiting in the river, racing to board before it filled and they risked being left behind with those vicious creatures.
The colossal wooden ship looms over the tranquil river, its timbers creaking with the weight of history. Hundreds of eager souls swarm towards it, their footsteps echoing against the shore. The air is alive with anticipation, as families, traders, and adventurers alike embark on this grand voyage. The ship was provided by the government to secure the remaining survivors and take them to a much safer area.
"Where are you?" Uncle Duncan wondered, scanning the crowd surging onto the ship from his vantage point.
He was searching for Kadori.
Amidst the throng, a slender boy stood, wearing a pained expression.
Spotting him, Uncle Duncan descended from the ship and covertly ushered Kadori and his friend aboard.
"Where's your mother?" Uncle Duncan inquired. Kadori stood in silence, tears streaming down his face.
Uncle Duncan understood. She was gone.
Kadori found a spot to sit,his fist clenched tightly as he blamed himself for not helping her on time. If only he was fast enough,she would still be here.
"Are you okay,Kadori?" Olivia beckoned on Kadori,with a concerned look. Part of it was her fault Sarah died,"If there is anything i can do.."
"That's enough!" Kadori snapped,"If only she didn't look back to save you,she would have still been alive! It's all your fault!" Kadori blamed her,almost at the point of hitting her.
But Uncle Duncan stepped in to intervene before he does something drastic.
'I guess his mother's death broke him to pieces. He is blinded with revenge and rage. Someone blinded with revenge and rage is ought to be dangerous.' Uncle Duncan pondered