30 Nights [BangChan]

12

Chris and Emma reluctantly broke their embrace, the weight of their responsibilities settling back on their shoulders.

They walked into the main room of the station, where the remaining survivors were gathered.

The atmosphere was thick with fear and despair, the harsh reality of their situation evident on every face.

One of the survivors, a young man in his early twenties, looked up at Chris and Emma as they entered. "It's just us five now, huh?" he said, his voice trembling.

Before Chris could respond, an older man in his mid-fifties stepped forward.

His face was lined with exhaustion, and his eyes held a mixture of sorrow and resignation. "No," he said quietly, lifting his sleeve to reveal a bite mark on his forearm. "It's four of you. I got bit."

A collective gasp filled the room, and the gravity of the situation hit everyone hard.

The old man, who had been a pillar of strength for them, was now a ticking time bomb.

He looked at Chris, his expression a mix of determination and sadness. "I want you to end it," he said. "I want to go to my wife now."

Chris felt a lump form in his throat. He didn't want to do this, but he understood the old man's wish.

He nodded slowly, his eyes filled with sorrow. He reached for the axe that was leaning against the wall, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light.

Emma's eyes widened, and she rushed forward, trying to stop him. "No, Chris! There has to be another way!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.

The old man gently took Emma's hands, his gaze soft but resolute. "It's okay, dear. This is what I want. I need you to be strong for the others."

He squeezed her hands before letting go and turned to follow Chris into a nearby room.

Emma collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She covered her ears with her hands, trying to block out the reality of what was happening.

The other four survivors stood silently, their faces pale and eyes wide with shock.

In the small room, Chris and the old man faced each other. The old man gave a sad smile. "Thank you, Chris. For everything." Chris nodded, his own eyes filled with unshed tears.

He raised the axe, his hands shaking, and brought it down swiftly.

The sound of the axe falling was quick, but it echoed in Chris's mind, a harsh reminder of the brutality of their situation.

He dropped the axe and slumped to the floor, his mind numb. He sat next to Emma, who was still on her knees, crying softly.

Emma looked at Chris, her eyes red and puffy. She reached out and took his hand, her grip tight and desperate.

Chris turned to her, his expression blank, but the touch of her hand brought him back to reality.

He pulled her closer, and they held onto each other, seeking solace in their shared pain.

They stayed like that for a while, the other survivors giving them space.

The room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the soft sobs of Emma and the quiet murmurs of the others. The bond between Chris and Emma, forged in the fires of their shared ordeal, was stronger than ever.

As the minutes turned into hours, they held each other, finding comfort in their closeness.

They knew the days ahead would be just as brutal, but for now, they had this moment.

Chris gently stroked Emma's hair, whispering words of reassurance that neither fully believed but needed to hear.

The realization that they were on day 23 weighed heavily on them.

One more week until the sun would rise again. 7 more days of fighting for survival against the relentless darkness and the horrors it contained.