THE LAST OF US: THE EVIL WITHIN

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 21: STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP WILL SCATTER.

third person's pov

...

As the night before their plan approached, Cadmus searched for a piece of paper and something to write with. In the dim light of the room, he found a bond paper and a pen. With a heavy heart, he sat down and began to write a letter to Lilith, just in case he couldn't make it out alive. When he finished, he carefully folded the letter and approached Zild.

"Zild, if anything happens to me tomorrow, promise me you'll give this to Lilith." He handed Zild the letter. "I just don't want to leave things unsaid. This is important to me. Promise you'll make sure Lilith gets it, no matter what."

Zild's face softened, and he nodded, saying, "I promise,"

...

"It's over." Lilith whispered.

Cadmus' body slumped to the ground, lifeless, and Lilith's breaths became heavy, while a single tear escaped her eye.

"It's over?"

Something felt weird inside of Lilith when she fought with Cadmus. The whole fight didn't sit right... She wasn't just battling Cadmus, there was this strange emotional mess clouding everything.

It was like wrestling with her own feelings...

Standing over Cadmus's lifeless body, Lilith couldn't believe she had done this. Memories of their times together clashed with the reality of what she had just done. A feeling overwhelmed her...

VARUS' POV

"Susunod ako, Yuki, I promise."

As I climbed the stairs of the apartment building, leading the infected away from Zild, I knew the risk I was taking... The groans of the infected echoed behind me, their footsteps a haunting reminder of the danger lurking just steps away.

On the top floor, after locking the door, knowing I didn't have enough time before the infected burst in, I looked down on my arm, revealing a bite...

I chuckled. Sorry, Yuki, for always making promises and not fulfilling it.

Gripping my gun and machete tightly, my thoughts wandered to Yuki. Memories of her laughter and smiles flooded my mind, filling me with both joy and sorrow...

In that moment, gratitude filled my heart for the privilege of being her dad. Despite the challenges, she brought me immense joy and love. She was my reason for fighting, my guiding light in dark times...

As the zombies barged inside, my heart sank... The sudden attack overwhelmed me, and I knew I had to act fast. I fought with all my might, swinging my blade to keep the infected at bay and give my friends time to escape. But as more zombies closed in, I realized I couldn't hold them off forever...

In the middle of chaos, all I could think of was Yuki, wishing to see her grow up, witness her milestones, and be there for her as she go through life. I imagined the person she might become, wondering about her dreams, her passions, and the adventures that awaited her. I wished to share in her joys and sorrows, to be her guiding hand through it all. But as the battle raged on, I faced the harsh reality that I might not live to see Yuki grow up... Still, I want her to remember me. I wanted her to know that I loved her more than anything in this world and that every decision I made was to keep her safe. So, amidst the chaos, I whispered a silent plea to the heavens, begging for Yuki to never forget me, to carry my love with her always...

Sorry, Yuki, ah, hanggang sa dulo, takot pa rin ako... 

As I fought against the overwhelming horde of infected, I grew tired and weak, and with one last effort, I stumbled backward, losing my balance and purposely falling off the edge of the building, leading the infected to follow me down, sacrificing myself...