It's the year 2038 and a deadly virus has consumed the world for more than 14 years.
In Denmark, an unknown politician took it upon himself to create a safe space from the infected. As long as you abide by the 8 Obligations, you are allowed to live...
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The creature in the cell next to me has been banging his head against the bars the entire time I've been hiding under the blanket. His growling and hissing are driving me inane. So, when he finally falls silent, I'm relieved. For at least a few minutes. Then I hear a noise outside the lab. Someone - or something - is poking around out there. It can't be one of the hunters. They would just have come inside. The creature begins to grunt. It isn't quite words, but it somehow sounds like a language anyway. The tone shifts. Rises and falls throughout his grunts. Like he is communicating.
A shiver runs down my spine when his grunts is answered from outside the window. Another creature is responding with grunts of his own.
They are here. They have found the Hostel. Panic sets in as I try to make myself smaller. Suddenly I realize there's no point in hiding if the creatures are communicating. My roommate will rat me out in a second.
Fight or flight, Magnus. Fight or flight?
My blood is pumping fast through my veins. I must make a decision. Now. The sane thing to do is to flee out the back. Jump the fence. The creatures wont waste time on following me when there are plenty of humans inside the Hostel to satisfy their hunger. It would be the sane thing - the smart thing to do.
But I can't.
I can't betray Alexander like that. He would sacrifice himself for me. I have no doubt. He would fight the world if it meant saving me. I can't run now. I might never see him again.
I won't see him if I'm dead either...
I quiet down the voice in my head. I'm not going to die. At least I hope not. I still have my uniform. If only I can get to it before the creatures comes in. I don't have my weapon since the hunters didn't trust me with it, but the suit is almost indestructible, so that will have to do.
I sneak out from under the covers and tiptoe over to the dresser where I stored the suit after arriving here. The creature in the cell is watching me closely, but he isn't warning the others. Maybe he isn't smart enough to figure out what I'm doing. After all, the disease is said to be eating away their braincells.
Silently I put on the suit. For a second, I pause before putting on my mask. I don't like feeling like a protector again. I had hoped that this part of my life was behind me. But unfortunately, I can't say goodbye to it just yet.
When I'm in full gear, I sneak a peek out the window. I can't see any of the creatures outside. I take a deep breath and open the door. No one is there.
Then I hear a scream coming from inside the Hostel. Simultaneously the creature in the lab begins to slam his head against the bars again while growling and screeching. But I can't deal with him right now. I have to help the people inside the Hostel. I run towards the doors as fast as I can. The adrenaline is pumping through my veins, and I no longer feel scared.
