Through the Eyes of the Abyss

prologue

Prologue

Bumabalot sa buong pabrika ang walang patid na kalampag ng makina, nilulunod ng ingay ang mundo sa labas habang sumisilip sa maruruming bintana ang papalubog na araw, pinipintahan ang mga pader ng malamlam na kulay ng araw.

Marcus's eyes barely registered the deepening sky - he moved like a puppet along the assembly line. Nanginginig at nangangatal ang kaniyang mga kamay, pilit hinahabol ang bilis ng mga makina. Parang nilamon na ng dilim ang mga mata niya. The sickly glow of flickering lights carved shadows into his sunken face, rendering him as ghostly and unnatural as the machines around him.

"Marcus, hijo... ayos ka lang ba?" a hesitant voice cut through the hum of the line. Nanginginig ang kamay ng matanda habang nakapatong sa balikat ni Marcus. Hindi siya sumagot. Nanatiling malayo ang mga tingin niya, parang nawawala sa espasyo at oras, habang ang mga galaw niya ay matalim at wala sa tiyempo, tila ba may ibang puwersang kumokontrol sa kaniya.

The air grew tense as the others exchanged uneasy glances, fear prickling their skin at the sight of his sharp, erratic gestures - a chill seemed to seep into their bones, crawling up their spines.

Then the break whistle shrieked. Agad na binawi ng matanda ang kamay sa balikat ni Marcus, at sabay na nag-alisan ang mga kasamahan niya, tila hindi kinaya ang bigat ng atmospera. Naiwang nakatayo si Marcus, tila nakapako, habang ang naglalagablab na init sa kaniyang dibdib ay lalong tumitindi.

His vision wavered, steps drawn forward by an instinct that burned through the fog in his brain. Nagpatianod siya papunta sa harap ng malaking meat grinder - its deafening hum gnawing at his thoughts. He was a prisoner in his own skin, driven by an ache he couldn't explain.

Tila sumabog ang init sa kanyang dibdib, lumalaganap ang agos ng sakit, nagkukulong sa bawat hibla ng kaniyang laman. With a choked, guttural moan, he lurched forward, his insides twisting as if something were clawing to get out.

Sa isang iglap, naramdaman niya ito - bumuka ang kaniyang bibig, at sumambulat ang mga mapuputing uod na nagbagsakan sa umiikot na makina sa ibaba. They squirmed and pulsed, vanishing into the machinery as if pulled by a dark purpose, slithering into the meat that churned with relentless precision.

Lupaypay na bumagsak ang katawan ni Marcus sa sahig. His vision dimming as he watched helplessly, the grinding gears carrying the worms into a thousand gleaming links of sausage.

Before the last of his humanity disappear, Marcus knew the infection was already on its way to the world - hidden in every bite.