THE LAST OF US: THE EVIL WITHIN

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10: BITTER CHALICE.

third person's POV.

...

"Chester."

In the dining room, Madison fed Chester, slipping him food under the table as everyone ate their meal in silence.

Suddenly, Candice started coughing uncontrollably. Lilith, sitting nearby, quickly grabbed a glass of water and handed it to Candice. She took a few sips, but then, with a shock expression, she dropped the glass and started desperately gasping for air.

Madison glanced at Lilith with a worried expression. "Do something!" she exclamed, looking concern.

Serena, her eyes wide, replied, "Something's not right." She hurriedly went to Candice to help, pushing Lilith aside, and the others at the table joined in the commotion.

Candice, still struggling for breath, managed to say, "I think... I think it's an allergic reaction." Serena panicked, desperately tried to figure out what triggered it while Chester barked nervously.

As everyone freaked out, Candice suddenly threw up blood, making everyone scream in shock. The room turned chaotic.

Serena, taking charge, said, "Move, give us some space!"

Gerthy asked, frightened, "What's happening to her!?"

Heather, in a rush, grabbed another water bottle, handing it to Serena. "Maybe she needs more water!" Heather suggested, her eyes reflecting concern.

Serena nodded appreciatively. She gently supported Candice, helping her take small sips of water.

As Candice attempted to drink the water, her body refuses to accept it, causing her to vomit again. Panic set in as the situation worsened. All of the sudden, Candice fell to the floor. Serena's face was tense as she checked Candice's pulse. "She's not breathing..."

"What do we do!?" Syndra asked with wide eyes.

Shocked and unable to move, Serena was frozen in the moment. Drystan, realizing the urgency, stepped up and tried to press on Candice's chest to bring her back. Despite their efforts, Candice didn't show any signs of getting better.

Serena couldn't believe she couldn't save Candice. Feeling helpless and overwhelmed, memories of struggling in med school came back, making her doubt herself. She stood there, frozen, haunted by the idea that she had failed, and couldn't shake off the feeling of being useless.

Serena's tears welled up, she mumbled, "I should have done more..."

The room went crazy. People screamed, and some thought someone caused Candice's death. Fear and confusion spread, and the group, once united, started pointing fingers...

Chester whimpered at the corner of the room, while Cadmus pulled Lilith behind him for protection. Madison, overwhelmed, started to cry, and Zild reached for Gerthy's hand for support. Tobias, attempting to calm everyone. Yuki hid behind his father Varus, seeking comfort. Heather screamed, haunted by memories of her brothers' deaths. Syndra and Miranda, overwhelmed by the tragedy, began blaming and accusing, adding to the chaos. While Cayden hid behind Eve who was just wide-eyed and frozen.

The room was a mess of fear and sadness, everyone was on the edge of falling apart.

Miranda pointed at Gerthy, accusing, "Ikaw nagluto nito, diba!?"

Zild, quick to defend, replied, "She didn't know about any allergies! It's not her fault."

Miranda, still blaming, insisted, "Someone has to be responsible!"