Melody of the Holoverse

Episode 7: Petals

I froze, my senses tangled like wires.

"Now, this is rather odd," the stranger said. "I was quite certain I had shut down every person in this town. Why is it, then, that you're the exception?"

I ignored his question, my focus never straying from the unconscious little rose.

"What are you doing . . . to Rosemi?" I choked.

He nudged her limp body. "This one? Well, scoping around the place, I decided she was the best to add to the inventory."

"Inventory? What are you talking about . . . ?"

"For the buyers, of course. This baby-smooth skin. This innocent face. She's the perfect candidate"—he flashed a sickening grin—"if you're looking to break someone."

Since That Night, I had believed that dreads were the most sinister creations to ever plague Moreida. They slaughtered everything in their wake, merciless in the bones they snapped like twigs.

But as my words wrestled with this man's, another layer was added to the painting: that evil with a purpose was far more terrifying.

My muscles stiff, I pulled my rifle forward to train the barrel on the stranger.

"Get away from her," I ordered.

The man merely loosened up.

"Now, now," he said calmly, "there's no need for all that. My deliveries have been going rather well as of late, and I'd prefer to keep the momentum, if you don't mind."

I quickly understood.

"Deliveries" . . .

"As of late" . . .

I furrowed my brow. "Are you the one . . . who's been hurting these people?"

"People? These hicks?" The man chuckled. "They're not people. They're just sacks of meat that happen to move. They weren't born for themselves; they were born to serve us, the truly blessed."

The vein in my forehead bulged from the tension.

The stranger whistled. "Oh my. It would seem I've struck a nerve. Not to worry; reality tends to have that effect." He sneered, his confidence sickening. "You're gonna learn here shortly."

I shivered.

The man's stare crawled all over my body, hungry for the ins and out of my person.

"You'd like to play the hero?" he asked.

I didn't lower my weapon.

The menace accepted. "Very well. The night is still young, and I like to think I've earned myself some fun."

Like garbage, he tossed Rosemi to the side, where her body tumbled messily onto the dirt.

"Rejoice!" the fiend announced. "For the great Jera will entertain your delusions!" His sinistry oozed through. "I will teach you the painful truth."

My stance stayed unwavering.

If there was ever a time to make a bullet, it would be now. But if I pull the trigger and nothing comes out, he'll know I'm bluffing. I don't know what this man is capable of, but if range is in his arsenal, then I'll only be setting myself up.

On the other hand, if I do manage to shoot something, but the bullet strays . . .

My chest tightened at the possibilities.

For now, I need to figure out—

Whoosh!

He arrived at my front in an instant, his speed inhuman.