Almost Isolated

Prologue

October 31...

Tobias Aquino's head throbbed as if he was going to puke. He managed to leave the kitchen but the smell of copper and the sight of blood... death around the room... had latched over his brain.

God... God... No! He was fighting against his desire to scream, trying to control his breathing when he heard something crash somewhere above. Then... a faint movement of struggle.

Terry?

Tobias' first instinct was to call out for his friend. However, coming to his senses, he realized the murderer might still be in the house. Possible with Terry.

He'd groped for his cellphone and cursed. Not in his pocket!

He was already running late. He'd been stupid to leave his phone in his car. So much for calling for help! He considered going back to the kitchen to check if any of the 'dead' had their phones working -!

"Help!" The voice sounded muffled and distant but clearly, it was Terry. "Somebody -"

What's going on? His mind was in chaos. Robbery?

Tobias moved carefully towards the end of the hallway then into the living room, holding his breath as he finally ascended the wide stairway for the second floor to the hall going to his friend's room.

The del Valle house had always been well lit up for the evening. Now with the beige painted walls, white tiled floors and the stillness of the atmosphere; the whole place had become a mausoleum.

His eyes were scanning at the line of expensive ceramic jars along the hallway when someone moved from behind him. Glancing sideways, Tobias saw a flash of metal. He was quick to dodge it as the kitchen knife struck the wall, instead.

Tobias was about 5'8" but his assailant was a lot bulkier. He had waxy complexion and eyes that lacked a soul. The man was not wearing a mask to cover his face giving Tobias a hint: no survivors. The man will definitely kill him like the others.

The murderer tried to stab him again. Tobias gave him a swift kick in the stomach then body slammed him to the floor. It was probably, full adrenaline... his fear of death that made him reach for his assailant's neck; giving all his might to squeeze the man's throat until he lay motionless.

"Fu...ck! Fuuu -" He heard Terry's voice, seemingly out of breath... strangled.

Tobias got up and took the knife. He considered, sticking it into the murderer's chest just to make sure; he couldn't do it.

The man is dead, he told himself.

Storming inside Terry's room, with the kitchen knife held in his hand, he froze. His friend was already dead. Eyes wide open, Terry was on his back over a puddle of blood. An ice pick driven through his stomach.

His friend was stabbed multiple times to the death like the others. Tobias took a step back as his eyes fell on the person kneeling beside Terry.

A smile played on the second murderer's lips as Tobias' head was bashed by something hard.

Ceramic jar? He felt warm blood as it slid over his face. The big man was still alive! His bad...

"Of course..." Tobias tried to say to his friend's murderer; the taste of rust flooded over his mouth. Another heavy object came crashing against him and silenced his words. Then another... and another!

He collapsed for the floor, his ears buzzing, wildly. He couldn't feel anything...

Tobias became aware that he was wearing the same old military uniform as Terry and smiled, ruefully.

Another man... down!

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