The virus

Chapter 8

Mark's POV:

I was looking around the library I entered, trying to find some interesting or useful books to read. To my disappointment, a lot of them were ripped apart or just plain missing.

After not finding anything of use, I started making my way towards the exit, deeming the abandoned library useless. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a faint scream from outside.

Seeking clarity, I pushed the heavy wooden door to the dusty book storage, walking outside and looking around. My eyes landed on the abandoned hospital. There was faint light filtering through one of the windows, a sign that somebody was inside. I froze up at the memory of seeing Spirit walk in that direction earlier, quickly coming to my senses and running to the building.

As I got closer, I felt the aura of the place spreading around. It felt horrible, making me want to hurl on the spot. I recognized it as the feeling I got whenever I was near one of those corrupted rotting creatures.

Despite my body's attempts to physically revolt against the aura, I pushed further, bursting through the door and frantically looking around.

The bright flaming tattoos Spirit always boasted about were illuminating the room, harshly outlining her arms which were wrapped around the creature's neck from behind in a tight headlock.

I analyzed the situation for a brief second, looking for any openings to help. Upon realizing, that the monster probably couldn't see much through the burning flames surrounding it, I formed a water spear, tightly gripping it and sending it flying at the creature's stomach. I hit my target, however the monster merely absorbed the attack, continuing to struggle against Spirit.

Taking a step back, I leisurely snapped my fingers, the creature's stomach abruptly starting to churn, before bursting with water and a thick hot pink substance mixing in with the clear liquid. The mix flowed down onto the cracked floor. I couldn't resist the smirk growing on my face, but I quickly shook it off as I realized the creature could still move.

Collecting all the water that just came pouring out of it, I formed blades around my hands, lunging at the creature and aiming for its throat. It seemed like Spirit understood my idea, as she strengthened her grip around the monster even more, giving way for my attack at the last second as I pierced through its rotting flesh.

The spell sliced through it smoothly, leading me to think that the neck was some sort of weak spot for these creatures.

I dislodged my hands from the monster, getting rid of the water that was now stained with its neon pink blood. The creature had gone limp, starting to fall over in Spirit's direction. She seemed to notice, reacting quickly and backflipping off of its back, landing next to me. All the fire in the building had died down, a mix of the water damage and her exhaustion. Her tattoos, however, were still illuminating the otherwise dark room, revealing just how on guard she still was.

The creature stumbled backwards, crashing into the wall behind it as a loud thud echoed through the hallways.

I turned to Spirit, who raised her arm, engulfing it in flames. Her slightly deranged glare mixed with the fire reflecting off of her eyes quickly made me realize she still wanted to push the attack. I quickly grabbed her arm, making her flinch away and lightly hiss in pain due to the water contact with her flames. "Don't, there's no point. It can barely move anyway and it'll bleed out eventually." I said. "We should go find Aqua instead, if there's a creature here there might be more, Aqua might be in trouble."

She slightly glared at me, seemingly pissed off at my methods of restraining her, before sighing and nodding. "Let's hurry up then." She turned to the door and ran out of the building with me following close behind.
"She said she would go to the store, so let's go there first." Spirit yelled behind her.

I didn't feel the need to reply since it made sense, so I just kept on running.

After about a minute of running, we made it to the store, instantly noticing Aqua with her back pressed against a wall, wielding a water shield that seemed almost broken. She was shaking, fear seemed to have taken over her senses as the creature attacking her approached where she was standing, preparing to swing and land one final blow.