WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Jace Walter never lived a perfect life with his family, all because they were trapped in poverty. But even at that, life still held meaning for him.

It was 12 years ago, July 17, 1998, his birthday.

On that day, Jace had just turned 12, and he was playing outside with his 7 year old sister, Emily. They laughed and chased each other in the sun, enjoying a rare moment of joy that didn't last. It was Emily who saw the chaos from above and pointed toward the sky.

At first, the sky had been bright and blue. But suddenly, it became dark. Black as though night had fallen too soon.

Something massive tore through the clouds, slamming into the city with devastating force, tearing buildings apart as if they were paper.

The chaos threw Jace across the ground, knocking him unconscious. But hours later, he opened his eyes, miraculously alive.

He found himself buried under a broken concrete and twisted metal. He struggled free, and searched desperately, only to find his younger sister's body, motionless.

Tears started dripping from his eyes as he cried out for her, but Emily never stirred. His sister, his family, the little life he once had despite living in poverty, was lost forever.

Suddenly, gunfire echoed in all directions, shattering the silence. Jace who was beside his younger sister was terrified, hearing the shooting. But the true nightmare, wasn't the gunshots or the destruction that took his family. It was what came next.

Close by, Jace spotted a man who was dead on the ground, rising back to his feet. At first, Jace thought the man was just another survivor. But then, the body of that man began twitching violently. A terrible scream burst out, as it's eyes glowed with hunger. Spit and blood were dripping from his mouth. He snapped his teeth like a wild beast. But he didn't want food, because all he wanted was blood, Jace's blood.

This creature lunged towards Jace, as he screamed with terror. But just before it could reach Jace, a gunshot echoed. The monster dropped dead at his feet.

Soldiers appeared out of nowhere, with weapons drawn. One of these soldiers had saved his life, and from that day, the world Jace had known was gone forever.

******

10 years later, Jace was sitting quietly in the back of a military truck, armored up and riding with a new crew of soldiers.

It was his first mission as a soldier himself. Around him, the others were busy talking, laughing, drinking and smoking. Acting as if nothing could touch them. But none of them seemed to understand the danger ahead, neither did Jace.

Suddenly, a soldier named Jones tapped on Jace's leg.

"You alright?" He asked.

Jace only nodded without a word.

"First time on a mission, huh?" Jones chuckled.

Jace gave no response, staring ahead in silence.

For some reason, out of everyone in the truck, Jones had chosen to speak to him.

"Don't worry, Jace," Jones said with a smile. "I know you'll do great. I believe in you."

At first, Jace didn't want to talk to anyone. But those words, small as they were, reached him. "Thanks, Jones." He replied softly.

Few minutes later, the truck stopped moving. The road ahead was blocked, and the soldiers came out, gathering around their leader Sam for instructions.

The first sight Jace noticed was a broken bridge, stretching over an abyss.

The first sight Jace noticed was a broken bridge, stretching over an abyss. The thought of what layed ahead, turned his stomach.

"Alright, everyone listen up," Sam called, his voice commanding. "We're here on a mission, and the truth is... we don't know what the hell we're up against."

Jace's heart beated quickly.

'If their leader didn't have an idea of what their up against, what chance did they have?' he thought.

"Our mission," Sam continued, "is to find the president's daughter." He said, handing each soldier a photograph.

Looking at the picture, the young woman in it was strikingly beautiful in Jace's eyes.

"Her name is Ana," Sam explained. "Her last know location is on the other side of that bridge. We must do whatever it takes to bring her back safely, even if it costs our lives. Any questions?"

Jace hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand. Sam's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"What is your question, soldier?" He asked.

"How are we going to make it across that bridge?" Jace asked, eyeing the broken expanse. "It's a dead end."

The other soldiers suddenly bursted into laughter, mocking his question.

"This your first mission?" Sam asked.

"Yes sir." He replied.

"Alright, here's the thing." Sam said. "The vest you're wearing right now, is have a magnetic rope that is long enough to make it across."

"Really?" He asked in surprise.

"Just follow my lead, and do what I do, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Jace replied.

Sam, also handed out earpieces. "Take these." He orders. "Just in case we get Separated, we can use these to communicate and report back to the Headquarters. And remember, if anyone finds the president's daughter, don't wait for the rest of us. Press the green on your vest. We'll track you down. Any more questions?"

"No, sir!" The Soldiers all replied, including Jace who doesn't want to appear foolish again.

But despite been told of the magnetic rope on his vest, his eyes drifted back to the shattered bridge, still wondering how they were going to cross it. But when the time came, crossing the bridge was far easier than he could have imagined.

******

As soon as they crossed the broken bridge, Sam was on the lead with his rifle raised, as his boots crunches softly along the roadway. The others followed in formation, moving carefully and breathing hard.

The city ahead looked like a graveyard. Empty skyscrapers stood like tombstones, their windows dark and the streets silent.

Jones stayed close to Jace, his fear was clear as his eyes jumped at every shadow.

"This place is massive," he muttered. "How the hell are we supposed to find the president's daughter in time?"

"That's the question, Jones," he replied looking around the streets. "I keep wondering if the president's daughter is even still alive right now."

"Something about this place is not right, Jace. I can feel it." Jones said. "It's like something is watching us."

Suddenly, a movement no one saw, slipped through the shadows up ahead. So fast, that it was gone in and instant.

"I never doubted that," Jace whispered back, as he held his weapon tightly around his fingers.

"Enough chatter," Sam said, raising his fist to halt the group. "We've got a lot of ground to cover, and moving as one will slow us down.

"What are you saying, Captain?"

"We need to split up." He replied.

"Split up?" Jones said, surprised. "Sir, with all due respect, I believe us splitting up is suicide. We need to stick together." He said boldly.

Sam's eyes narrowed. "Are you questioning my orders?" Sam asked.

"That's not my point, sir." Jones replied boldly. "My point is... we could all be easy targets if we split. We don't know what's out here."

"Easy targets, huh?" Sam asked with a curved smile. "Tell me something, Jones... Are you afraid?"

For a moment, Jones paused for a bit, and finally answered firmly. "Wouldn't you be?"

Immediately, Sam's eyes turns toward the rest of the squad. "If anyone of you is too afraid to carry on, now's your chance to run back, and make across that bridge." He said and waited. But none of the soldiers moved.

"Then I guess it's settled," he said, looking back at Jones. "We're 10 in numbers, we move in pairs. Fan out, cover more ground." Sam said as he marched forward with his rifle without looking back.

The soldiers broke off into twos, disappearing down the shattered streets until Jace and Jones were left behind in the open.

"You coming?" Jace asked, stirring at him.

Jones hesitated, because his eyes were fixed on the ruins ahead. "I don't know, Jace. I've got a bad feeling... like this is my last mission."

Suddenly, Jace grabbed his shoulder as if Jones was like his junior brother. "Is this the guy who once told me he believed in me back in the truck?" He asked in a playful tone. "Well Jones, as much as I hate to admit... I believe in you too. Whatever's out here, we face it together. Okay?"

Jones exhaled slowly, then gave a short nod. "Alright. Let's move."

As they both stepped into the shadows of the city, the silence pressed down heavily than before. Every corner felt alive, every alley waiting to breathe.

As the two turned into a narrow street, they heard something scraping against the concrete right behind them.

"Did you hear that?" Jones asked.

"Jones," he whispered. "We're not alone."