As the deadly infection spreads, enveloping the world in suffocating despair, you are forced to endure the new horrific reality alone. An unexpected encounter with an enigmatic stranger changes everything. Your first meeting with him almost ended in...
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Simon shakes you, causing your eyelids to flutter open. You struggle to adjust to the utter darkness that engulfs the living room. The lack of light makes it impossible to discern your surroundings. Disoriented, you shake your head and attempt to shut your eyes again, yearning for a few more moments of slumber. A soft sigh escapes your lips as you nestle back into the comforting warmth of his embrace. But he refuses to let you sink back into his arms. His fingers tighten their grip on your shoulders. As his nails pierce your flesh, the pain shoots through your body. A sharp and unexpected sensation forces your gaze to lock onto him once more.
"You must wake up. Now," Simon murmurs. His voice is a soft yet intense whisper. It cuts through the tranquillity that had previously filled the space. He shakes his head, and his palm covers your lips as you try to voice your confusion. His eyes are wide, radiating a palpable sense of fear and urgency. The tension in the room is tangible, seeping out of him and into the surrounding air. You are still half-asleep, unsure of what's happening. But before you can ask, he drags you towards the staircase. "You need to hide. I heard a dog barking at the end of the street. They have returned, and I am certain that this time they won't leave so easily."
As he talks into your ear, his warm breath grazes over your exposed skin, sending shivers down your spine. The all-too-familiar sensation of dread envelops you. He urges you to ascend the staircase, fetch your knife, and find a safe hiding place. You reach for his hand, assuming he is coming with you. But his fingers elude your grasp, slipping away like a wisp of smoke in the breeze. The thought of him leaving triggers a robust panic in you. If he won't stay, you want to go with him. But as your lips part. he shakes his head. His eyes dart around the hallway, a telltale sign of his heightened alertness.
"I have to take care of them... I-I need to distract and lure them away from you. I promise, I will be fine," he reassures you, his hands cradling your cheeks. The warmth of his palms seeps into your skin, grounding you amidst the chaos. The urgency of his tone, coupled with the mounting tension, forces you to accept that there's no time for disagreement or discussion. So, after taking a deep breath, you nod.
"Will you come back?" You ask as he ushers you up the creaking wooden steps.
"Yes."
"Promise?" You pause halfway up the stairs to glance back over your shoulder. Your eyes are clouded with worry. He's capable of taking care of himself, you know that. But it doesn't squelch the fear that clenches your heart. You can't bear the thought of losing him.
"Promise," he says, his voice steady, his gaze unwavering.
After the echo of Simon's heavy footsteps fades towards the living room, you feel an urgent need to move. It propels you towards your bedroom with a speed that surprises even you. You grab your knife from the nightstand. Driven by indescribable force, your feet carry you across the carpeted hallway into your brother's room. This room is where Simon sleeps now. And the evidence of his presence here is scattered all over the floor. A sudden instinct convinces you that you need to hide his stuff. With rushed, somewhat clumsy movements, you gather all his things, stuffing them under the bed in a haphazard manner.
