Dark Halos

5027

Prologue

I don't remember a time where the creatures didn't try to attack the city of last survivors. Most of the population already gone since the Massacre of the Damned. An event that occurred thirty-five years ago to this date. Everyone now hesitates stepping out of their own homes to get the mail in the morning, fearing that one of their own would be taken. Anticipation in the back of their minds as others observed from their windows. People rather be killed by their own hands than go with those monsters.

That was how my instructor Branlia went, by her own hands as I watched with widened eyes. She told me herself that only the strong can last and the weak be damned. That she was damned for as long as she can recall. Those being her final words as she sat in a tub full of water. Lifting the tranquilizer gun, taking her own life without a second thought. It was painful to stay and watch since it took multiple tries. It was her drowning that took her life in the end. Missing the ideal part of her body, she continued until her body was fried into a disgusting crisp. A dark shell of her once lighter colored skin, curly hair matted to her freckled face, the life escaping from her eyes as the town evacuated again to another disclosed location.

I didn't shed I tear until after the funeral. She was a beloved instructor and companion in arms. The arrangements were paid for by the little military we had left. It had to be a closed casket, no one wanted to see what she had done to herself. Those that knew her were not told of what happened, only that she was now gone.

I was alone, going through Branlia's many belongings that she possessed. She didn't have any offspring and her husband was one of those of the massacre long ago. She left me with whatever I want. I found a couple of pictures of her and her husband, Orlando. They appeared really happy before they came to live in this area. They looked normal before the events paraded the small town. I wondered what would of happened if she didn't moved to this area of the dying world? Would she have continued lived with her husband? Or would they both have died eventually due to the spread of this monstrosity race?

The questions continue to plague my concentration as I walked out of the makeshift hut of mud and stone. The original framing of the houses decayed, making those part of the cursed day move below sea level. Feeling the vibrations of those from above, fearing that one day, those creatures would get curious and bury below the ocean floor.

Following the tracks back to where the people of the city now lived away from land and in the air. This was one of the few establishments of reaching the olden part of town without being noticed. A safe haven of sky and sea that the land could not reach.

No one knew who, more like what they were. It didn't matter, they just appeared. It felt like an earthquake until a scream tore through the midnight air. That was when the first victim was claimed. Everyone started to seek shelter or at least higher ground to get away from it. But the unknown forces were too fast. That was when the killings happened. Some took their own lives as others barely escaped. One after another they were dragged under, others trying to run from it. Being dragged into the depths of the earth that are unknown to most. Only a few knew their fates that were kept in the dark, one of them including me. A couple who survived told their tale for historians to record. One that I heard from Branlia before.

Not many people knew this besides my instructor who was part of the secret service, but those things need a host. In their Underground Society they found a fresh host and lay its eggs inside while they are still squirming to try to escape. In the Underground, the bodies are used as incubators to keep the eggs in a moist environment so they can develop. She was the first to find the incubation center where those who were not killed were taken. It was a nightmare to see as she explained in detail. One of the many talents that she had left behind, her vivid stories of the horrors she experienced.

It's sickening to even think about it but people are starting to rebel. Trying to fund their own group through the small government and the reminiscent military of what they once were. Lives were lost to those fucking creatures and yet this is one of few times the people agreed on something. They wanted to take back what was once theirs, their lives back in the homeland, their homes with the white picket fence, their lost ones who died not being able to protect themselves. They want it all back in their possession.

To lock it away in order to keep it away from the shattered windows and to escape from the view of what killed them. Because we are selfish beings. The government got on board, drafting people to be in this 'war.' It was more like a sacrifice where people were live bait. It was unexpected when the people volunteered willingly, no questions being asked.

Everyone had a reason to join on the hunt, to be witness on this bloodbath, to sacrifice their lives for what's left of this country. I wondered why no one asked what it was we were fighting. I would sell my soul if it was to know everything in the world. Everything comes at a price.

That's why I was one of the first who volunteer among the masses of people. There were those who were too scared to raise a hand, afraid to be mocked, terrified to step up along the stairs that lead up to the ballet box to place their names for everyone to see. To be in this catastrophic situation with others along my side was one that I thought I would not see. The act of one is the same as moving a wall with thousands, a push was needed in order to cause chaos. I ignored the sound of the cheers from the crowd as they rushed to follow in the bloodied steps that I left behind, hearing the deafening sound of my chest cavity muting my other senses, not remembering the events of what happened afterwards as the people cheered for those going to war out of patriotism and bloodlust.

What I did remember was the feeling that Branlia would of been, scared but at the same time proud. A small smile crept upon my face, I will not regret whatever choices I continue to make until I stop breathing.

I, Daniella Galvez, will avenge the fallen.

Training was done for those of us that signed the petition to go out onto the field. It would of been suicide if we ran with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Some resources were spared for us as the courses were gruesome. I had to know it all or else how could I be what the people needed. Leaked photos of what was out there, even one if we were to survive, a myth among others as it was a nightmare for me. I held my head up high as I did my fucking best until the end of the regiment.

I am in the class of the Dark Halos, valedictorian of my year. Becoming dark for all of the death we saw, our halos remained as we sacrifice our lives for no more to be caused.

I will bring everything to an end as this is my number that people will know me by until further notice. Randomly generated by the government, it doesn't affect the ranking of those who volunteered. Those who were still in the military kept their original ranking from the beginning. This number is my name now, my brand, my identity until the threat has been taken care off.

5027.