Veil Of The Undying

Chapter 8

Aria

Axel is incredibly kind. He stands on the balcony, waiting to welcome anyone who arrives. He wants to save everyone.
I've learned that he and my father were very close. Since I never knew my father, it's comforting to see someone who did.

Axel has provided me with food, a place to sleep, and a change of clothes. He even offered me a gun, but I declined; I don't think I could ever bring myself to use one.

I can't sleep; every time I close my eyes, I see Kai as a zombie, aimlessly wandering.

I don't know how long I've been sobbing when I hear gunshots. I rush outside to see Axel shooting at zombies from the balcony. There must be people out there. The blonde girl from earlier, Ava, also emerges from her room, strangely calm amidst the chaos.

Axel shouts for her to open the door, and she complies. I want to help her, but I'm paralyzed with fear.

I hear voices-men's voices, specifically. Summoning all my courage, I move toward the back door and find five men standing there. Four of them are eyeing Ava like she's prey, and as soon as I step into view, they turn their predatory gaze on me. I don't need to be a mind reader; their intentions are clear.

They make me uneasy, and it's clear Ava is also unsettled; she steps back from them.
Axel arrives, and I see the worry etched on his face. What kind of men has he let in?

"Gentlemen, how may I assist you?" Axel asks, his smile strained.

"Axel, my old friend, don't you remember me?" one of the men says with a toothy grin. His teeth are nearly gone, and I can smell his foul breath from here.

"I don't recall a Jack. You're welcome to take some food, water, and medication and stay the night too but; Please leave by morning," Axel says, his tone stern. He must sense the danger these men pose.

"What!?" Jack yells, but another man interrupts him before he can continue.

"We understand, Axel," the man says with a mocking tone, his eyes cold and menacing. I shiver at the sight of him.

"Girls, go to bed. I'll keep watch," Axel instructs Ava and me. Reluctantly, I head to my room. I don't trust these men.

The light in my room is off, and I'm under the blanket. I've been trying to sleep for hours but can't seem to drift off.
Eventually, I fall into a restless sleep.

I'm plunged into a nightmare, reliving the terror of being kidnapped. I feel someone's hands all over me, struggling to escape their grasp.
These nightmares are all too familiar when I miss my medication, but this one feels alarmingly real.

I snap awake, only to find the creepy man from earlier on top of me. I try to scream, but no sound comes out. I fight with all my strength, but fear and shock leave me weak.

When I finally manage to scream, "Help! Get off me! No!" no one comes. No Axel, no Ava.

He slaps me hard, and I hear a deafening ring in my ear. Blood pools in my mouth. "You think I'm scary? Scream one more time, and I'll throw you out for the feeders," he threatens, his voice dripping with malice.
I'd rather be devoured than endure this again.

Just as he starts tearing at my shirt, a dark figure appears behind him. "Get off her," the figure commands in a calm, measured tone.

The light flicks on, and I'm terrified to see the man's face. "Oh, it's you?" the man says, recognizing the figure. "Roni, go mind your business."

Roni levels his gun at the man. "You have five seconds to get off her before I blow your brains out." He counts down, and true to his word, exactly five seconds later, the man collapses with a bullet wound. The gun must have a silencer because I only realize he's been shot when he hits the ground.

I stare at Roni, tears streaming down my face.
He doesn't acknowledge me; he simply turns and walks out.

Unable to stay in a room with a corpse, I flee, searching for Axel and Ava. When I finally find Axel, I scream in horror.

They've killed him. He's been stabbed repeatedly, and the knife lies beside him.

Shaking uncontrollably, I search for Ava and eventually find her. She remains eerily calm, as if nothing is happening. "They... they killed Axel," I stammer.

"I know," she replies flatly.