The Purge: Savior In The Shadow

18 - Kitsune

Rafi couldn't stop shaking erratically as if there's an earthquake rumbling in his body. He couldn't believe she was laying there, blood seeping off her chest. She... she... He didn't want to say the word, knowing he will only cry more. "Emilia! Emilia! Please d-don't... go. Emilia!" He kept crying her name out, hoping she will wake up.

As for Melanie, she wimped at the side, trying desperately to hold herself together. Even if she had been a nanny for only a few years, she got attached to Emilia, enjoying her company and the family. She tried talking to herself in hopes assuring herself everything is going to be fine, that this is just some sort of a cruel nightmare. But, when she tried pinching herself awake, she can only sob louder in denial.

"This is a dream... It's just a dream... This has to be a dream..."

She kept on pinching, hoping she will wake up; that this is just a cruel trick her mind was playing on her. After a dozen or so pinches, she gave up and let her tears fall out.

Like an instinct, Gaden moved his hand and patted Melanie, rubbing circles in her back. Melanie turned around and wrapped her arms around his body abruptly, putting her head on his shoulders. Gaden could feel the tears soaking his shirt, but he didn't care. All he wants is to be there for her as much as possible.

"Shh... it's ok... It'll be alright." 

He ran his hand through her hair, caressing her and whispering sweet nothings into her ear. After a few minutes, her breath stopped hitching and tears stopped coming out. She pushed herself off of him and stared at his eyes in a somber way. He looked around her eyes, noticing there wasn't any wet stain in her face. But if he looked closely, there's a pink coloration around her eyes, giving out the only clue that she cried her eyes out.

Even if she calmed down, they could hear Rafi's begging and screams still going strong, denying the fact she was dead. They both looked at him sympathetically, not blaming him for being in denial.

"Emilia! Emilia!" He continued, screaming his lungs out. He didn't care if he looked pathetic. He didn't care if he alerted the enemies into their location. All he wants is for his wife to come back to him again, warm in his arms. He could have saved her from this terrible fate, but he didn't. He didn't react fast enough to protect her from danger. 

The voice of Rafi's wailing persisted in on the house... Its somber sound reverberating all throughout the darkened halls of the house... Each of his friends can hear his tearful sobs, even the people outside.

Weirdly, they noticed the air around them start to fill with white smoke. It was going in all directions, wisping and curling further and further. Eventually, they couldn't even see a few meters away from them, their whole bodies covered in wispy, white smoke. Millions of thoughts were jumbling around their head, and all of those thoughts involved an impending danger.

What is this?

Suddenly, the sound of gunshots erupted all around them and they can hear bloodcurdling screams from afar, making them cover their ears from that nightmarish sound, including Rafi, who snapped out of his wailing. The screaming started getting stronger, turning into unholy shrieking. They pressed on their ears harder, hoping it was over. Gaden opened his eyes a tad bit, sensing something different from the air. 

He couldn't comprehend what it was, but he knew it was getting dark. How can it get darker when it's already night time? Plus, the lights are out. He opened his eyes more, and what he saw startled him. The wisps of smoke started to turn red, dancing along the air. Blood? In curiosity, he stood up from his spot and looked out the window.

Immediately, he can make out the silhouette of a person running towards them and jumping in attempt to make it in the window. Widening his eyes, he ducked and pressed his hand down Melanie's head. Luckily, they both dodged in time as the spot where they were awhile ago was filled with the unknown person's body.

The person impacted the floor with a loud thud, landing ungracefully. 

"Oww..." It grunted, grabbing his upper thighs from the pain. By the voice, they can determine it's a man. Weirdly, he wasn't wearing any robe like Saviors. Instead, he was wearing a police vest, making them assume he's their ally. Even so, they couldn't risk any more casualties, and they all looked at him in cautiousness whilst pointing the gun at him.

The person turned around, revealing a middle-aged man with brown eyes and fair skin. He had a slightly bald hair because of age and his nose was slightly sharp. 

"Why are you pointing at me? Didn't you call for help?" Slightly dropping their guns in confusion, they all looked at each other, thoughts running around their heads.

"It's a good thing your son called us." Rafi's ears perked, looking at the new person in interest. "Th-thank you Mr..." Sensing he didn't introduce himself to the group, he spoke, "I'm Millard. Millard Hoven." He took his hand out at the group, asking for their introductions. Rafi accepted his hand and shook it as he wiped his eyes out, trying to be as polite as possible.

"Rafi. This is Melanie and Gaden." He gestured for them to come closer, who were walking slowly closer to them in reluctance, not sure if they can trust the man. They were scrutinizing every body movement the man was doing, looking at him in suspiciousness. Sensing no danger, they let their guards down, knowing the man was emitting a safe aura.

"Hello." Gaden shook his hand, followed by Melanie. Finally, the screams stopped, making the night return to a normal, peaceful one. As if nothing just happened. They all looked at Millard, who had a smile and proud eyes plastered on his face. "They did it."

"W-Who won?" Melanie asked, curiosity and hope lacing in her voice. Millard looked back and replied proudly, "My army."

"Sir!" They looked at the door, hearing footsteps from where the voice came from. Out came a man with a white fox mask. They could see rifles strapped on his body and a katana on the holster situated on his left hip. "It was a success." The man reminded Millard.

Millard opened his mouth into a curly grin. "It's because we have you." He stood up from his spot and walked closer to him, ruffling his hair like a father to his son. They could see the masked person bashfully looking down at the floor, putting his hands together in the back.

"W-well, it's also because of your strategy, Sir. Your plan saved these peo-..." The fox guy averted his eyes from his boss to them, who was looking back at him in wonder. Unbeknownst to them, his jaw dropped down behind the mask. The sudden silence confused all of them. Notably, Millard looked at him to see if he was okay.

"You okay?" At the bottom of Millard's eyes, he saw movement. He looked down and saw him moving his hands up his body. Eventually, the person gripped the chin and lifted the mask upwards. He was wearing an eyepatch on his left eye, letting them know it was damaged. Their, standing in front of them, was Brian.

To be continued...