Edward, Dorman, and several of their friends exchanged glances. None of them responded immediately. The air around them seemed thick; only the sound of water rippling softly under the pier could be heard.Harvey waited casually, as if inviting someone to eat together was a normal thing to do with people he had just met.Dorman moved a little closer to Edward, leaning in so that no one else could hear him."What do you think this kid is up to?" he whispered softly. His eyes remained fixed on Harvey. "He doesn't even know us, right? Why is he suddenly being so friendly?"Edward didn't answer right away. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, his gaze sharp but full of doubt—like someone trying to piece together an incomplete puzzle.Edward didn't immediately respond to Dorman's whisper. His forehead wrinkled again, deeper than before. There was something in the way he looked at Harvey—a mixture of curiosity and reluctance to admit that he might have misjudged him.After a few seconds, he took

One of the old men immediately rebelled, his chair shifting as he tried to break free.His face was red, his eyes wide with a mixture of anger and fear.“You!” he shouted hoarsely. “You—the young man from yesterday! You deceived us!”But his voice sounded fragile.Not threatening.Rather, it was the cry of someone who had just realized that he had walked into the mouth of a tiger.Dorman blinked rapidly, breathing short and shallow like someone who was running out of air.He looked down, then looked up again—trying to convince himself that the figure in front of them was still the same person who had laughed with them by the lake.“Harvey…” his voice trembled. “Why…? What did we do to you… to make you do this?”One of the old men's face reddened. His jaw muscles tensed as he turned his face to Edward and Dorman, his eyes wide with anger.“Look what happened!” his voice broke, hoarse and high-pitched. “I told you that stranger was suspicious. But you invited him to the village and part

Jessica slammed the door open, as if all her frustration had crashed into the wood. She grabbed her combat staff and tucked it behind her back. Her usually flat expression was now hardened; cold, yet alert.A few seconds later, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway. Alex and Rein appeared, both already wearing their gear. Alex seemed to be adjusting the safety hook on his waist, while Rein lowered the large goggles that covered almost half of his face and pulled his mask tight."You guys are still slow." Jessica narrowed her eyes, her tone sounding like a command, not a complaint. She put on her gloves, one by one, until she heard the click of the small locks. Then she pulled her mask into place, covering her mouth."You heard it yourselves," she continued, her gaze directed at the window, which was vibrating slightly from the noise outside. "The chaos is near.""I know." Alex replied as he pulled on his tactical vest and tightened the locking belt. A row of metal needles and throwi

Vanessa and Crysta scattered amid the billowing smoke and the sound of sirens wailing in the distance. The smell of smoke and burning metal stung their noses. Around them, people were running, some screaming, some just standing frozen in fear.Vanessa stared at the row of half-destroyed buildings, then at Crysta. “Crysta! People are in danger!” her voice rose, her breath coming in gasps.Crysta wasted no time. She ducked and ran against the crowd, her body barely visible in the thick dust. Among the ruins, several small children were crying, their eyes red from the smoke.Without hesitation, Crysta pushed her way toward them. Her left hand cleared away debris, while her right hand pulled up a small child who had fallen. Another explosion echoed in the distance, making the ground shake beneath their feet.The crowd scattered in all directions, the sound of screams and cries mingling with the incessant wail of sirens. Police and firefighters worked hard to calm the residents, raising th

As soon as blood dripped from the high school student's eyes, panic immediately spread like wildfire in the cramped space.Passengers screamed and pushed each other away, chairs shifted, and bags fell scattered on the floor."Stay away from him!" someone shouted."He's infected! Stay away from him!"The high school student backed up against the wall of the train car, his eyes wildly searching for help. He was breathing heavily. "I-I... I can't go anywhere. Please, believe me! I won't hurt anyone!"But no one listened. Fear overcame reason.A water bottle flew through the air, hitting his temple and shattering. Water mixed with blood dripped down his cheek."Go away, zombie!" someone cursed."Get out of our car! Don't infect us!"Insults rained down on him from all directions—like bullets that left him no room to breathe."Disgusting!""Just jump off the train!""Don't infect us, you monster!"The child's breathing was ragged. His eyes were red, not only from the blood, but also from p