DUSK OF DECAY

CHAPTER 8

In a desperate bid to escape the relentless pursuit of the Lunatics, the group finds itself in a small, dimly lit room, their heavy breaths echoing in the confined space. With their backs pressed against the door, they lock it, knowing that their bodies are drained and their chances of making it out of the labyrinthine station are running thin. Fatigue is etched on their faces, and the tension in the room is palpable. As they catch their breath, one by one, they settle down in a circle on the cold, hard floor. Their eyes meet, reflecting a mix of determination, fear, and camaraderie. In the flickering light, the group exchanges glances. With a deep breath, one of them starts, their voice low but resolute.

Amidst the stories, Zara's voice trembles slightly as she addresses Mark "Why did you protect me like this? Risking everything?"

Mark's gaze softens as he looks at her. "When you tried to run away and they shot your friend, I saw fear and vulnerability in your eyes. I'm a father of a daughter Zara. I know for a fact if anything were to happen to her, my world would come crashing down. You're also someone's daughter. As a parent myself, I can understand what they'd have to face if something ever happened to you. Plus, I wouldn't be able to bear the fact that I let another child get harmed when I had the capacity to help."

Zara heard his words, but didn't really agree with him. But she didn't contradict him. "You could say it was my fatherly instincts, that pushed me to save you. I don't know if I'd succeed in doing so. But I know I'll try my level best to save you just like I'd save my daughter." He continued. "Can you really afford to be that selfless? In a situation like this, you never know, who might stab you in the back." She replied. Lisa and Mark chuckled. "Zara, we weren't born yesterday." Said Lisa. Zara couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.

Tears shimmer in Zara's eyes as understanding dawns upon her.

As they continue talking, stories unfold, the room becomes a sanctuary of shared experiences and unspoken emotions. In the midst of their vulnerability, they find strength in each other, in the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggles.

Outside the locked door, the sound of footsteps and voices grows fainter. The Lunatics are momentarily thwarted, buying the characters a precious respite. But they know this is only a temporary reprieve. The small room that had become a haven of stories will soon transform back into a battleground.

For now, though, in the cocoon of their shared tales, the characters find solace and unity—a stark contrast to the chaos that rages just beyond their door.

Noah stretched out on the floor and felt a damp sensation, causing him to sit up. His fingers were wet, coated with an unfamiliar colorless substance with traces of another red substance. His companions exchanged puzzled glances. Noah dipped his fingers into the liquid once more, then cautiously brought them to his nose and inhaled. The strong, unmistakable odor of formaldehyde instantly triggered recognition. "What is it, boy?" Said Mark. The group's attention shifted towards Noah, waiting for an explanation.

Noah cleared began to explain. "It's formaldehyde, and what seems to me like blood with it" he said, his tone a mix of astonishment. But strangely, his tone had a hint of positivity. "You know, the chemical they use to preserve dead bodies." The room fell silent, the weight of Noah's revelation sinking in. The atmosphere shifted from confusion to a mixture of surprise and unease. It was as if the room had suddenly grown colder, the realization of their surroundings setting in. Noah's statement had opened a new layer of mystery, raising questions about their current location and the possible presence of a mortuary or laboratory nearby. The others exchanged glances once more, a silent understanding passing between them that they were in a situation far stranger and potentially more dangerous than they had initially thought.

Noah leaned forward, his eyes focused as he continued his explanation. "Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling chemical compound," he began, his voice steady as he shared his knowledge. "It's commonly used in laboratories and mortuaries to preserve biological specimens, including human bodies, by slowing down the decomposition process."