30 Nights [BangChan]

8

The tension in the attic was palpable as Chris prepared to venture out.

He checked his gear meticulously, ensuring that he had everything he needed.

Emma watched him from across the room, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and unresolved emotions.

"Chris, are you sure about this?" Emma asked softly, stepping closer to him. "It's dangerous out there."

Chris looked up, meeting her gaze. "I know, Emma. But we need supplies, and I need to see if there's any sign of help coming. We can't just sit here and wait."

Emma's expression softened, memories of their past relationship flickering in her eyes. "Just... be careful, okay?"

Chris reached out, gently cupping her face with his hand. "I'll be careful. I promise. I'll be back before you know it."

She leaned into his touch for a moment, drawing strength from the familiar connection. "Just come back to me."

With a final nod, Chris gathered his courage and headed out into the night.

The cold air bit at his skin, and the oppressive darkness pressed in around him.

He moved cautiously through the snow-covered streets, every shadow a potential threat.

As he rounded a corner, he spotted a figure hunched over in the distance.

The person seemed to be from the town, and Chris's heart leaped with hope. He approached slowly, calling out softly. "Hey, are you okay?"

The figure turned, revealing a face twisted with hunger and malice. The person had been bitten and turned into a vampire. With a guttural snarl, the vampire lunged at Chris.

Chris dodged the first attack, his heart pounding.

He swung his makeshift weapon, but the vampire was fast, too fast. They exchanged blows, each strike more desperate than the last.

Chris managed to land a solid hit, but the vampire kept coming, relentless in its hunger.

Finally, with a well-aimed blow, Chris struck the vampire's head, and it collapsed to the ground, twitching before going still.

Panting heavily, Chris wiped the blood from his face and continued his journey.

Back in the attic, Emma was arguing with Harold, who was insistent on leaving. "We can't just sit here and do nothing!" Harold said, his voice rising. "We need to find a way out of town."

"Harold, it's too dangerous," Emma argued, trying to keep her voice calm. "If you go out there alone, you'll get yourself killed."

"Better than dying here like a sitting duck," Harold snapped. "I'm going, and you can't stop me."

"Please, Harold," Emma pleaded. "Think about your son. He needs you here, with us."

Harold hesitated, torn between his fear and his sense of duty. Finally, he relented, sitting back down with a huff. "Fine. But we need to do something soon."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Chris stumbled inside, his face pale and eyes wide with the horror he had witnessed.

He collapsed in the kitchen, his strength finally giving out.

Emma rushed to his side, kneeling beside him and taking his hand. "Chris, what happened?"

Chris shook his head, unable to find the words. "It... it was one of ours. Turned into a vampire. I had to... I had to kill him."

Another member of the group, Mike, placed a comforting hand on Chris's shoulder. "You did what you had to. We're just glad you're back."

Over the next few nights, the group settled into a tense routine.