《The Monster Tamer》


 Chapter 1: The Monster Apocalypse

    Chapter 1: The Monster Apocalypse


    Have you ever heard of vampires and werewolves? How about devils and demons? Do you believe in them, those creatures that you can only see in fairy tale books and movies? Well, they are all true, but they were just hiding from the humans until that day.


    The world had changed drastically since that day. That day was known to the whole world as the monster apocalypse. That beginning of that day was just like any other day, humans were doing their daily routines, going to school or work. They never thought that they would come, monsters of different kinds and sizes.


    When night fell, the monsters started to emerge and started to wreak havoc on humankind. At first monsters that looked like warped animals have been sighted. Those monsters came in different sizes, some as small as a cat and some as large as an elephant. Those monsters had a taste for human flesh. The warning was to flee for your live if you ever sighted such creatures, but mostly none ever survived to tell the tail.


    The humans tried to fight back with their weapons, such as guns and firearms. But these monsters had thick skins that were not easily punctured. Because of that human scientist started to research on weapons that can kill such monsters. They also tried to solve the question on where these monsters came from.


    Some thought that these monsters came from the sky like alien beings from outer space. Some speculated that they were mutated species of animals, while some thought they were demons from hell.


    At first these creatures only came out when night falls, and so the humans felt safe on daytime. But as time passed by, these monsters were adapting to daylight. These gave another problem to the humans.


    As time passed by and the war against these monsters are still raging, a more intelligent forms of monsters emerged. Those monsters have human forms and with strong abilities. These are the monsters that were told in myths and legends. Vampires, werewolves, gargoyles, cyclops, and many more. Those things that you read in books are probably real.


    With the emergence of these more intelligent monsters, humanity was pushed back in the war. And not long, humanity perished. The world that you once knew are now in ruins with these monsters ruling the world. In the end they called these monsters daemons.


    That all happened when I was asleep. When I woke up, I saw a world completely different form before I had an accident that put me in a comatose state.


    I woke up in what looked like an abandoned medical facility. I did not know how I survived being here all along, but I did. I was disoriented and in shock when I went out and saw that the world was in ruin. I did not see a single soul in my first day out.


    When darkness fell, it was the first time I have encountered a daemon. I was filled with fright and what I did was run for my life. The daemon who was moving like a leopard in all four feet was fast and caught up with me in no time. The daemon toppled me on the ground and snarled at me on top. I can see its sharp teeth while solely opening its jaws ready to take a bit off my head.


    My whole body was frozen in fear, my eyes were wide looking at the daemon above me. What entered my mind was my daughter.


    ''I cannot die here without knowing what happened with my daughter.'' The thought was running on my mind when the monster was on top of me. ''I need to survive!''


    The daemon stopped his advances. We maintained eye contact for as long as I remember. That was when I heard a loud electric noise and a bang.


    The daemon on top of me was hurled out by some force, fresh blood sprayed on me. When I looked around, I saw a group of humans wearing some kind of armored suit and carrying big guns with blue glowing lights.


    "Are you okay?" The man in front asked me instantly. But I only looked at him in a daze. "Here, let me help you."


    The group was able to kill the monster with their powerful weapons and I was taken in by them. The happenings after that were fuzzy but their community accepted me in and told me everything that had happened. Eight years had passed since my memory of the accident. They had told me how the human survivors have lived since then and how other surviving communities are either a friend or a foe. In this world it was kill or be killed.


    I lived my life only wishing to find my daughter safe and alive. My only goal now was to find her. In the time that passed after waking up, I have notices changed in my body.


    At first it seemed unusual that eight years have passed by, but I still looked like my twenty five year old self. At first, I did not think too much about it, but my body started to manifest powers. I started to show powerful strength, fast speed and agility that is not normal for a normal human being. I used these powers to help the community that took me in, but it also manifested fear on the people that was living there. My powers frightened them because it was not normal to have powers like me, they thought I might be similar to those daemons that were human in form.


    My new life started in this apocalyptic world. I have only one goal and that was to survive and find my daughter or any of my family. I have wished that they were still alive.


    Along the way I will encounter different kinds of daemons and how I found out that I have an ability to tame daemons.


    I am Claudia and this is my story. This is the story on how I strived to live in this post-apocalyptic world ruled by the daemons. This is my journey on how I was called "The Monster Tamer".

 Chapter 2: Before the Apocalypse (1)

    Chapter 2: Before the Apocalypse (1)


    I was looking at the clock on my computer and sighed.


    "Just five minutes left." I murmured to myself.


    I was only waiting for my shift to end. I was a normal twenty-five year old office worker working eight hours a day, five days a week. I was just above the minimum wage earner and my salary just helps me for ends to meet. To top it all off, I was a single mother of an eight year old daughter.


    "I need to go pick up Cindy at school before buying something to give to my brother and his family." I muttered.


    I looked at my cellphone and looked at my brother Paul''s text message. I read it for number of times now since I received it last night.


    *Come to our family gathering for once. Dad would love to see you. I am sure that mom would love to see you too. ¨C Love, Paul.*


    I sighed once again. I do not have a good relationship with my mother since I got pregnant at seventeen. The father of my child was my childhood friend and sweetheart, Gray. We became couple just after junior high school and they dated until they entered senior high school. We only did it just once in the heat of the moment and did not think of using any protection. When I knew I was pregnant, I felt scared with the idea of another life growing inside of me and what my parents would say, and so told Gray at once. He told me that everything will be all right, but after a week he just vanished without even saying goodbye. I only just knew that Gray''s family decided to migrate to another country and did not even tell me even until he left me.


    I remembered how I cried every day since Gray abandoned me. My mother scolded me since then and I became a depressed pregnant teenager. Because of that, Paul took me in under his wing. He was just starting to work in his first job after graduating, but he was happy to take care of me. Because of my brother I was able to finish high school and was able to get a two year course in college. I was able to land a job at this small company because of the help of my brother.


    "If not for Paul, I will not go there." I sighed.


    Paul was having a formal family dinner tonight because he was going to introduce his long time girlfriend and now fianc¨¦e Alison to our parents. I loved the couple, because of their help I was able to raise Cindy with ease.


    I looked at the clock on my computer once again and saw that it was time for me to clock out. I saved and closed all of my work before shutting down the computer in front of me.


    "You are early to clock out today." My friend and seatmate Eden said. "You usually work overtime."


    "I need to go to my brother''s house tonight." I replied. "He is going to introduce Alison to our parents."


    "You are going to see your mother? Is that okay?" Eden asked.


    Eden was someone I instantly bonded with when I started in this small company. She thought me all the things I needed to know, and we become close friends ever since. I had told her my family circumstances and my not so good relationship with my mother.


    "I had no choice, Paul invited me." I replied while putting my things inside my bag. "If it is for Paul, then I can stand all of my mom''s retort."


    "I am sure your mother will come thru in time. She may have been just disappointed because of your teenage pregnancy." Eden tried to comfort me. "You were a promising student back then as you have said."


    It is true that I was a top student back in my school days. I would have chosen a reputable university with a good degree if not for my untimely pregnancy.


    "It has been eight years now Eden. I do not want to hope even further." I replied with a sad face. Eden looked apologetic to have even mentioned the thing about my mother. "Do not worry, I am used to it. Well, I need to get going.


    I got my bag and walked towards the elevator.


    "Take care on the road okay." Eden said.


    "Thanks." I waved goodbye and continued my way.


    **


    I drove to the school''s driveway and go straight to the entrance. Many children were seen walking towards their school buses. If I were not here to pick up my daughter, Cindy would have taken the school bus to our apartment by herself. I have taught my daughter to be independent at an early age because we live alone. We live in a small apartment that was just the right size for the both of us.


    I saw Cindy in no time. I stopped the car for her to climb inside.


    "Hey mommy." Cindy greeted with a smile.


    "Hi my baby girl. How was your day?" I asked.


    "It was good." Cindy smiled and took out a piece of paper. "I got an A+ in our test today." She smiled brightly waiting for a compliment.


    "Wow, that''s great!" I complimented her with a bright smile. "I am really proud of my little girl."


    "Thanks." Cindy looked satisfied with my compliment.


    I started to drive away. I looked at my daughter and smiled. Cindy was starting to grow up and her features are starting to be more like her father''s every single day. I had dark black hair and brown eyes while my daughter had light brown hair and green eyes. Gray had dark blonde hair and green eyes, so Cindy''s features are more similar to him.


    I sighed just by thinking of the one that abandoned us in our time of need. It has been eight years and there was no word from him. I have stopped hoping to see him again.


    "Are we going straight to Uncle Paul''s house?" Cindy asked.


    "Not yet." I replied. "Let us go to the grocery store to buy some fruits to give them first. Then we will drive to your uncle''s house."


    "Is grandma and grandpa going to be there?" Cindy asked in curiosity.


    "Yes." I sighed gently. "Uncle Paul will introduce Aunty Alison as his wife to be, so they will be there."


    "I hope grandma won''t get mad at you again." Cindy said with a frown.


    I was thankful that my mother did not show any animosity towards Cindy at the least. My father adores my daughter so much and my mother at least loves her.


    "I''m okay, don''t worry about me." I patted my daughter''s head. "Well look, here we are."


    I pulled into the grocery''s driveway and parked my car in the parking area. We got off and walked towards the entrance of the grocery store.


    When we were walking hand in hand, I saw a teenage boy shivering by the side. He looked like a homeless boy. The boy had platinum blonde hair close to silver, and his eyes were¡­ red?


    I rubbed my eyes thinking that I maybe just seeing things and looked again. When I looked again, I saw that the boy''s eyes were now reddish brown.


    ''I was seeing things like I thought.'' I told myself.


    I saw the teenage boy does not have any shoes and was only wearing a thin t-shirt and pants in this cold weather. Autumn was in its last days and winter was just here. I felt pity seeing the boy, thinking that when I was in the boy''s age, I was also experiencing such difficulties. I walked towards the boy.


    "Do you need help?" I asked the teenage boy. "I know a shelter where you can spend the night while the weather is starting to get cold."


    The teenage boy looked at me straight into my eyes with a blank expression without replying. After a while he shook his head without talking. He then stared at a distance again, not even minding my presence.


    "But you are going to freeze here." I said but the boy did not look my way again.


    I sighed and took off the jacket I was wearing.


    "Here, use this." I put my jacket over the boy''s body. I also took off my boots and started to put it on the boy''s feet. "It looks like we have the same size, that''s a relief. At least this can keep you warm."


    "Why are you doing this?" The teenage boy started to talk. He looked at me with a blank face devoid of emotion. "Why are you helping me?" He asked.


    "I just cannot pass a young boy that needed help." I smiled at him. "If you do not want to go with me, at least go to the shelter. I am sure they will be giving warm food and a place you can sleep. It is just two blocks from here." I point the way.ssssss


    I stood up and took Cindy''s hand once again and walked towards the grocery''s entrance.


    "Why did you give your shoes and jacket mommy?" Cindy asked with a confused look.


    "Because that young boy needs it more than I do, baby." I replied. "I can buy new ones from the grocery, but the young boy does not have money to even buy food for himself. I hope he goes to the shelter." I looked back at the boy. He was staring into the distance once more.


    Cindy pulled my hand and stopped. "Wait mommy, I am going to give him the apple that I did not eat at school. He needs it more than me."


    "Okay." I giggled seeing my daughter''s kind gesture.


    Cindy trotted towards the young boy and gave him her apple and trotted back. The young boy looked at our way and mouthed a thank you. That time I thought I saw the young boy''s eyes were red once more, but I just passed it as the lighting of the sunset.

 Chapter 3: Before the Apocalypse (2)

    Chapter 3: Before the Apocalypse (2)


    I drove for an hour going to my brother''s house. It was located a little out of the city borders where I need to drive along tall thick trees. It was dark once we arrived at their house. Paul had invited us to spend the night there rather than drive back to the city at the middle of the night.


    When I pulled over, I saw my parents'' car parked at front. I can feel my heart thumping hard getting nervous to come face to face with my mother again.


    The last time we saw each other was in the new year which was nearly a year has passed. Mother and I always get into arguments because of the cold treatment and retort she always throws my way every time we meet. My mother''s eyes that were full of disdain always gets my blood boiling.


    After Cindy was born, I tried to patch things up with my parents. My father was accepting, but my mother was like a solid brick wall that was unbreakable. I thought that as time passed by her wall could break, but as years had gone by and nothing has changed. I lost hope and resentment had started to fester inside my heart. Every time my mother reminds me of my ''mistake'' it irritates rubs me the wrong way, and an argument will start between us.


    "Do not worry mommy." Cindy held my mother''s hand and smiled.


    "Let''s do this," I inhaled deeply like I was ready to go into a battlefield.


    I walked towards the porch and rang the doorbell.


    *RING*


    Not long, we heard footsteps going towards the door. It opened and we saw Paul standing in front of us.


    "Hi Claudia, I am happy to see you." Paul hugged me tightly.


    "Hey bro, how have you been." I hugged him back.


    "Good, good." Paul replied. "Look at my little niece. How are you doing baby girl?" He lifted Cindy in his arms with a warm smile.


    "I am good Uncle Paul." Cindy replied with a smile. "I got an A+ in my test today." She said proudly.


    "Oh really, that''s great!" Paul said. "My niece is really a smart girl like her mommy."


    "Hehe, yeah." Cindy giggled.


    "Well, let us go inside. It is cold out." Paul ushered us inside. "Mom, dad and Alison are already inside waiting."


    "Okay." I replied and stepped inside the house.


    Every step I take felt heavier as we were walking towards the living room. Once there, I saw my parents sitting on the sofa.


    "Hello dad, hello mom." I walked towards them and gave my dad a kiss first.


    "Hello, my dear." My father smiled gently.


    I kissed my mother''s check after, but she kept silent. Her eyes looked at me coldly as always.


    "You''re late." My mother said. "You know we can''t start dinner without you."


    My heart felt a pinch after hearing my mother''s words. She was doing her usual cold tone on me again together with the usual retorts.


    "It''s okay mom, Alison is still not yet done with cooking dinner." Paul quickly took my side.


    "That''s right honey. We did not wait for that long anyway." My father said in my defense.


    "Hi grandpa and grandma." Cindy waved to my grandparents to ease the situation.


    "Oh my, look who is here." My father took Cindy from Paul and carried her. "How is my little darling girl?"


    "I am doing fine grandpa." Cindy kissed her grandpa by the cheek and kissed her grandma who was beside her. "Did you know, I got an A+ in my test today?" She said with a bright smile.


    "Wow, that is good sweetheart." My mother replied with a smile. "If only someone here used their brains like you."


    I felt another pinch on my heart. The stinging words from my mother has been a norm since then and I was getting used to it. But even though I was used to it does not mean I was numb from the pain.


    "Mother, please don''t start." Paul said. "This is a special day for us so please¡­"


    "Hmph." My mother stopped talking after she got reprimanded by her son.


    "Claudia, you''re here." Alison said with a bright tone when she arrived at the living room. "Just in time, the food is ready. Let''s eat dinner."


    All of us then headed to the dining area and took our respective seats. The dinner that Alison cooked looked quite special for the evening. There was roasted chicken, stir fried vegetables and mashed potatoes. There was also the high priced good wine that Paul bought and aged for a few years. He had told me back then when he first bought it years ago that he would only open it in a special occasion, and this was the special occasion.


    "Then let''s start eating." Paul said after leading the prayer.


    We started to eat peacefully. I had missed having such a peaceful time eating like a family once again. It has been eight years since that one ''mistake'' I made. But I did not regret having Cindy. I was happy that Cindy came into my life.


    "So, do the two of you have a date prepared?" My father started to chat.


    "Well, we were thinking to hold the wedding on June next year." Paul said with a smile. "Alison wants to be a June bride." He held Alison''s hand gently and smiled at her sweetly.


    "We have already hired a reliable wedding planner. The budget is also set, and everything is planned accordingly." Alison added.


    "That is good to hear. At least both of you have a plan for your future." My mother had a sharp gaze at me. I knew that my mother''s words were aimed at me.


    ''Hold it in.'' I told myself. ''This dinner is for Paul and Alison. Let''s be patient.''


    "Then when are we going to meet your parents?" My father butted in before my mother had followed up on her remark. "It will be good to meet with the in laws soon."


    "Yes, I have already told my parents." Alison replied. "They will be free next weekend. If you are free, then we can book a restaurant this week."


    "Of course, we are free my dear." My mother replied. "We are not that busy as to not meet up with them. Unlike others, we do not need to work to the bone to make ends meet. At least we have good paying jobs because of our good education and planning. I am happy that you and Paul have been planning ahead for your future."


    "Mother¡­" Paul tried to hush their mother gently but heard the utensils on the table clatter.


    *BANG*


    I was at my last straw. My mother''s remarks aimed at me were taking a toll that I banged the table hard.


    "Just please stop with the remarks mom." I tried to suppress my anger. "I know very well that you are aiming at me with those words."


    "Oh, I did no such thing." My mother played innocent. "If you felt guilty then it was not my intention to do so."


    "JUST STOP IT!" I burst out in anger. "I know what I have done but that was a long time ago. I have apologized to you countless of times since then, but you have not even given me the chance to redeem myself!" Tears started to go down my cheeks.


    "Do not use that tone on me Claudia!" My mother retorted.


    "I have tried to accept all of your words, but you are going too far mom!" I replied. "Yes, I have done a mistake that I cannot undo. But I do not regret because I have Cindy after that mistake. I loved Gray mom, I loved him so much that it broke my heart when he left me. When I needed you to comfort me, to be a mother to me, you were not there. You shunned me because of the one mistake I made."


    Everyone was silent in the dining room. Words were thrown by mother and I, and they hit hard. I knew I have hit a spot on her and that was enough.


    "I cannot stay here any longer." I said and pulled Cindy from her seat. "We will be going."


    "Claudia, please don''t." Paul stood up and tried to stop me. "It is dark outside, and the road is dangerous at night."


    "I can''t stand being here another minute if I will only hear words that stings me out of her mouth." I said with anger. "I am sorry Paul, but I need to leave."


    I stomped towards the entrance and readied Cindy to go out.


    "Claudia, why don''t you talk to your mother calmly." My father caught in on doorway. "I am sure that you two can work things out."


    I looked at the aisle and saw my mother standing while looking at us.


    "If she wanted to talk, she would have done it ages ago when I was begging for her forgiveness." I said with a cold tone. "I am sorry dad, but I believe I lost a mother since I made that ''one'' mistake." I said with an icy tone and left.


    "Claudia¡­ Claudia." Paul ran and tried to stop us, but I closed the car door and reversed it at a tremendous speed.


    **


    The road was dark on the way home. The huge trees were casting shadows that can give illusions for drivers driving at night. I was driving with a lot in mind. I knew that the relationship with my mother had been strained years ago and I tried to mend it. But years had gone by and my mother had just been so hard that I had given up hope.


    "Mommy, are you okay?" Cindy asked with a worried tone.


    "Don''t worry baby girl, I''m fine." I wiped the tears off my eyes. I was driving at a good enough speed, but it did not help on what was to come next.


    In the trees by the side, I saw shadows moving. I thought that it maybe from the headlights of the car, but then something bounced out of the trees. On the road in front of our car, I saw a silver white wolf with burning red eyes. It was relatively a little bigger than the wolves that were natives in this area. I was so surprised that I turned the steering wheel to the right hard, and the car swerved hard. I lost control of the car in an instant.


    "Cindy, get down!" I yelled.


    *CRASH*


    Our car rammed into a tree by the side of the road. The crash was big that the hood of the car was crushed. I hit the steering wheel hard, I can feel my head throbbing in pain.


    "Mmhhmm¡­" I moaned. I tried to open my eyes, but all I can see are blurs.


    I smelled blood and I can feel something wet trickling from my forehead.


    "C-Cindy¡­" I looked by my side and saw my daughter unconscious.


    Then I heard footsteps getting closer. I looked by my side and saw a shape of someone.


    "M-My daughter¡­ please¡­ save her." I muttered to whomever was there.


    *CREAK BANG CRASH*


    I did not know what was happening, but I felt that the door on my left was yanked out of its hinges. I tried see better, and I thought I saw the young boy from the grocery earlier.


    ''No, that''s impossible.'' I thought.


    "Sorry¡­" I heard the person say. "I''m so sorry¡­"


    That was the last thing I heard when my visions went black.

 Chapter 4: Waking up in an Unknown Place (1)

    Chapter 4: Waking up in an Unknown Place (1)


    The next time I felt my consciousness resurfacing, I can feel my body being pushed in a fast speed. I tried to open my eyes and see blurs of light passing by over my head.


    "Claudia¡­ Claudia!" I can hear my brother Paul''s voice calling out to me with agony and concern. "Please, don''t leave us." He muttered by my side.


    I tried to open my eyes even more, seeing the florescent lights above my head while I was being pushed.


    ''It looks like I am in a hospital.'' I thought to myself.


    I looked around me and saw Paul at my right while my father and mother was on my left. On top of me were nurses and a doctor.


    "Mom, dad¡­ she is awake." Paul said smiling with tear stains on his cheeks.


    "Claudia¡­" Father called out. "Please fight my dear daughter. Don''t leave us." He pleaded.


    "Claudia, my dearest¡­" Mother called out to me. "I am sorry¡­ I am so sorry for how I treated you for the past few years. I was just¡­ I did not know why I did that, but I felt so disappointed in you. I had high hopes for your future, and it shattered because of the mistake you made. But I will not think about that any longer, just please¡­ please¡­ please don''t leave us. Give me a chance to make up for the eight years."


    My mother''s words were the words I have longed for in these past eight years. I was so happy to hear them, but once I tried to talk no voice was coming out. I felt my throat so dry, and my body was screaming in pain. Then I remembered the accident me and my daughter was in.


    "C-Cindy¡­" Was the only word I was able to utter.


    "Do not worry about Cindy¡­" Paul replied at once. "She is fine. The air bag saved her from getting injured any further. But your air bag was¡­" He was not able to continue his words.


    I knew full well that the air bag in the driver side where I was sitting did not able to deploy successfully. I did not know why it did not deploy after the crash, but because of that I can feel a concussion on my head. I do not know how bad it is, but what I know is that my head felt like it was splitting in two.


    "Excuse me, but we will be bringing her inside now." I heard the doctor said. "This is as far as you can go. Please wait at the waiting area."


    "We understand." Father replied to the doctor. "Do not worry, I am sure the doctors are going to do everything they can to save our baby girl." He said to comfort mother. I can hear her sobbing non-stop.


    "Claudia, please fight¡­ okay?" Paul said to me. His eyes were pleading. "Come back to us."


    I was pushed into what I knew was the operating room. With my blurry vision, I can see people wearing scrub suits, head and face masks. They were preparing medical instruments by the side and I can feel them placing things on my body.


    *BEEP BEEP BEEP*


    "This will make you feel groggy and fall asleep." The doctor placed a mouthpiece of some kind over my nose and mouth. "When you wake up, everything will be fine."


    I really wished that everything will be fine once I wake up. I wanted reply to Paul before I was ushered in here that I will fight to live because I still want to be together with them. I still want to live especially now that mother had broken her solid wall that keeps me out by herself. I want to attend Paul and Alison''s wedding in June. I want to see my daughter Cindy wearing her flower girl dress.


    ''My baby girl¡­'' I thought to myself. ''I want to see my daughter grow and become a beautiful young lady. I want to be there when she finishes her elementary and high school studies. I want to be there when she gets the degree of her choosing in college. Please God¡­ let me live.''


    This was the last thought that was in my mind.


    **


    I am not sure if I am awake or am I dreaming. I can feel my body floating in water. Everything around me was dark, it was as if my eyes were being blocked by some blindfold. My mind was still groggy, and I felt a haze over my consciousness.


    "How is the patient?" I can hear muffled voices.


    "The patient 1357 is doing fine for now professor." Someone replied. "There is no significant change in her body after injecting Genome-666 in her blood system but if she makes it then there is a possibility that she will be a success."


    "Hmmm¡­ I see." He replied. "We cannot be sure until we see exceptional results."


    "How about the others professor?" Someone asked with worry in their tone. "The outside is getting chaotic. It had blown out of proportions. We need something to fight back."


    "I know. The weapons that we were able to produce have shown significant results. But we need humans that can wield them efficiently, to show the weapons'' one hundred percent capabilities." He replied. "We need to find humans that can bond with Genome-666 and survive."


    My ears were hearing their words, but my mind was not able to understand what they were talking about.


    "Do you think¡­ we have a fighting chance professor?" Someone asked.


    "We have to." He replied and paused. "¡­ for the sake of humanity, we need to find a way and fight back."


    There was a silence after their conversation. My head was getting all cloudy once more. I am still not sure if this was a dream I am having. The conversations of the people with muffled voices were not making any sense to me as well, so I passed it by as a dream. My body was in a state where I cannot move them by my own will, confirming that this might really be a dream.


    *BEEP BEEP BEEP*


    "What is happening?" I presumed it was the voice professor that was asking.


    "Patient 1357''s vital signs are dropping!" Someone replied. "She is going into cardiac arrest!"


    "Quick¡­ do something!" The professor said in aggressively.


    "we are doing all we can sir." Someone replied.


    "Sh*t!" The professor cursed. "This cannot be¡­ is this another failure?" I can hear the hopelessness in his voice.


    A thick cloud enveloped my consciousness once more and I can feel my body plunge into an abyss.


    **


    I opened my eyes slowly. What greeted me was a vision of a ceiling with cracks and cobwebs. I tried to remember the last thing that happened to me.


    What entered my mind was the car accident and when I was taken to the hospital. I remember my family surrounding me when I was being pushed in a hospital bed.


    I sat up and looked around and saw that I was indeed inside a room that can be said as a hospital room, but the place looked abandoned.


    "W-Where am I?" I tried to get up from the hospital bed I was lying on. I saw a hospital tag in my right wrist. "1357¡­" I read out loud the numbers written in the hospital tag.


    I tried to stand up, but I felt down in an instant. "Ahh¡­" I shrieked. My legs felt like there was no strength in them, like they were not used for such a long time.


    "Hello¡­ is any body there?" I called out. "I need help."


    But what greeted me was utter silence. I tried to get up while holding on the bed. My legs were still shaking but at least I was able to stand up. I walked slowly towards the window of the room. I pulled the curtains open and saw the scenery outside.


    Outside was an abandoned parking lot. There were some cars that were parked but they looked old and abandoned. There were overgrown trees, and the asphalt flooring of the parking lot was broken due to the overgrown roots from the trees.


    "What the hell is this place? Why am I here?" Questions started to plague me.


    I knew that I was in an accident and I should have woken up in a hospital. Yes, this was a hospital, but it was more of an abandoned hospital.


    "My family will not have abandoned me¡­no." I told myself. "At least I am sure Paul would never abandon me."


    I slowly walked towards the door, my senses on my feet were slowly getting back. I saw some clothes hanging inside an opened cabinet near the door and thought to change my hospital gown before leaving the room.


    After changing, I opened the door slowly while my heart was thumping rapidly inside my chest. I turned the knob carefully and the door opened with a creak.


    *CREAK*


    I took a peek outside and what greeted me was an abandoned hallway of a hospital. I gulped hard, and while feeling the tense atmosphere I stepped outside the hospital room and into an unknown place.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 5: Waking up in an Unknown Place (2)

    Chapter 5: Waking up in an Unknown Place (2)


    I walked out of the room I was I slowly. I looked at the hallway that was in front of after coming out. The surroundings were decaying, the paint was falling off, the doors to other rooms were unhinged, and the wood was decaying.


    I walked and saw an elevator and in front was a staircase leading down.


    "Of course, there elevator is out of commission." I told myself.


    I faced the staircase and saw a number six painted on the wall indicating that I was on the sixth floor.


    ''Fortunately, I was going down and not up.'' I thought.


    I started to climb down the steps carefully. It was a little dark on the stairway, the only light I get was when I was changing floors. Because of the silence and the eerie atmosphere, my mind was starting to imagine frightening things.


    "Don''t think of such things, Claudia." I scolded myself. "Thinking of such things won''t do me any good."


    I tried thinking of other thoughts to dispel the fear that I was feeling right now. But my heart was not helping me in the least. I can feel it thumping hard inside my chest. Every step I take makes me anxious.


    When I land down to every floor I pass by, I see discarded medical equipment lying on the floor. I was also able to see hospital beds on the hallways still with white bed sheets that are now full of dust.


    "It is as if the people in this hospital just left in a hurry." I said out loud.


    My mind was racing on what could have happened in this place. If this hospital was abandoned, then the equipment and things inside should have been moved out and not be left like this.


    Then I remembered one show that I loved watching when I was younger. It was a show about a zombie apocalypse. The protagonist there woke up from his comatose in a deserted hospital which were full of the living dead. All the hair on my body stood up in attention when I remembered that show.


    "Stop thinking¡­ stop thinking." I repeated like a mantra.


    When I reached the ground floor, my eyes went wide in shock. The ground floor was a mess like there was a fight that ensued here long ago. And there was¡­


    "Blood¡­?!" I looked at the floor stained with dark brown dried up blood. I knew for a fact it was dried blood because the stains were something I remembered in an incident in my past where I saw dried blood in the floor.


    I felt frightful in an instant. This was a scene where a lot of blood was spilled. I saw the patterns that the dried blood make was indicating bodies were dragged, explaining why there was no dead bodies or skeletons.


    I looked around feeling my blood going towards my head. I saw a baseball bat lying on the ground and quickly got it and held on to it tightly.


    "Thankfully, the dried blood indicated the bloody scene happened a long time ago." I felt some relief knowing this. "But it won''t hurt just to be careful." I said while holding the baseball bat defensively.


    I walked towards the exit and saw bullet shells littered on the floor. There was a makeshift barricade of different kinds of things at the entrance door, but it looks like what they were trying to prevent from entering was able to barge in.


    I carefully stepped out of the door and the sunlight hit and blinded me for a second, it looked like it was just after mid day. My eyes started to adjust with the brightness and saw the parking lot outside. The room I was in was facing the rear parking lot where I saw abandoned cars, but in the front of the hospital I saw armored vehicles and a tank.


    "What the hell happened in this place?" My mind was trying to find an explanation to all of this. "Was there a war that broke out when I was sleeping? Why was I left inside the hospital and clearly there were no others left inside?"


    I did not have the courage to look into other rooms, but I was sure I was the only the living person left inside that abandoned place.


    I walked towards the parking lot trying to scavenge things on the abandoned cars. Nature was starting to reclaim the vehicles parked outside, all was full of rust pertaining that it has been such a long time since this place was abandoned.


    "Then how come I was here?" I asked.


    Many questions were swirling inside my head that I do not have answers for. I thought about getting what I needed first before having such questions plague my mind.


    I tried rummaging the abandoned cars but found nothing helpful. The last thing I searched was the armored vehicle parked just by the gate. I looked inside and saw a pistol and some hand grenades lying on the seat. I opened the door and held the gun and inspected it.


    "It is a good thing Paul brought me in the firing range when I was young." I told myself.


    Paul was a member of a gun club in his college days, and I always go to the firing range they frequented in. I was amazed seeing him and his friends at one session that I also wanted to learn. Of course, at first Paul did not want me to partake in such a dangerous hobby, but his friends were able to convince him otherwise and they said it was a good knowledge to have in the future. Paul reluctantly agreed just because Gray was there by my side to assist me.


    "It was a good thing to learn how to use a gun." I said while inspecting the magazine and checking the safety lock.


    I tried aiming it and when I thought it was okay, I put the gun on my jean''s waist band. I inspected a backpack that was also inside the armored vehicle and saw some bullets, a water bottle and military rations.


    "I do not know how to use this one, but I think it won''t be that hard to use." I said while looking at the grenades on the seat. "In the movies, they only pull the pin out and throw it where they want it to explode." I nodded in my own explanation.


    There was a total of three grenades, and I put it gently inside the backpack and put on the backpack after. Now that I was able to get something out of scavenging, I decided to walk and find other people that can help me.


    "If we are at war, it would be best to be on guard with people." I thought. "They won''t attack a civilian, would they? But it would be best to be careful at the very least."


    I looked back at the abandoned hospital that I just came from and headed out. My priority was to find other people that I am sure were not an enemy first, and after that I will try and find my family.


    "Cindy, mommy will find you¡­ I promise." I told myself.


    **


    The sun was starting to go down on the west. I had been walking for hours with some stops along the way. At first, I followed the road that I found after coming out of the abandoned hospital. But after some hours, I wasn''t able to come across any town, not to mention a living and breathing person.


    Thankfully, I was able to alleviate my hunger with the military rations and was able to refill the water bottle with water from a running spring I passed by.


    "Why is that hospital located in such a remote area?" I asked myself a question I also do not have an answer to.


    It was so strange for a hospital to be located at an area that was so far from civilization. This just added to my many questions that were now running thru my head.


    I looked at the sun that was now setting and thought that I need to camp out outside. Thankfully, I have some outdoor experience since young. Father always took us out on camping trips when we were young. He was able to teach me and Paul some outdoor survival.


    I was gathering firewood and was thinking of starting a fire when I heard some rustling behind the trees. I thought it was just the wind, but I heard the rustling getting nearer and nearer.


    My heart was thumping hard, and I can feel the fear starting to spread all over my body. I then thought what kind of animals could be lurking in this part of the woods.


    I took out the pistol and was looking at where the sound was coming from. Rather than running which I know won''t help if the animal has four legs, I opted to kill it once it emerged from the trees. I was aiming my pistol over the direction of the noise, but I can feel my arms were shaking with fear. I then remembered the big wolf I saw that caused my accident.


    ''What if a wolf that size was the one behind those trees?'' I thought to myself. ''Wolves always hunt in packs. I will be dead if it was.''


    My heart was thumping hard with fright. I was debating to run and retreat or stand my ground and fight. But before I was able to decide, I heard a snarl just behind the trees.


    *GRRRR*


    My eyes went wide with shock seeing the creature that emerged from the trees.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 6: Eight Years have Passed (1)

    Chapter 6: Eight Years have Passed (1)


    *GRRRR*


    My eyes went wide with shock seeing the creature that emerged from the trees.


    A creature emerged from the trees. It was a creature I have never seen before. It was as big as a rhinoceros, but its appearance was far from one. The first thing my eyes saw was the two long fangs and razor sharp teeth as the creature was snarling at me. Its skin was covered with scales. It was standing on its four feet with sharp claws. Its eyes were amber and had slits for irises. All I could think while looking at the creature was it was a monster that only exists in books ang movies.


    My body was shaking in fear. The monster was looking at me while salivating.


    ''This thing looks at me as food.'' Was what I thought.


    The monster was stalking me slowly. I did not make sudden moves, knowing that it could endanger my life. The monster can tear me with its claws and teeth in an instant.


    ''Think, Claudia¡­. Think'' My mind was racing on what to do in this kind of situation. I have thought of what should be done when seeing a bear like playing dead or something, but I think that won''t do with this kind of creature. Then I thought about the grenades inside my backpack.


    ''I can use that as I diversion and run away after the explosion.'' I thought to myself. ''Even if I was not able to throw it successfully, the explosion can give the monster a moment of confusion giving me the time to run and hide.''


    I slowly reached towards my backpack slowly, not making any sudden movements to alert the monster. While I was doing so, the monster was clearly stalking me slowly. Once I was able to get one grenade from my backpack, I quickly placed it back on my back and looked carefully at the grenade in my hand.


    "Just pull the pin and throw it." I told myself. "It is that simple."


    This was my first time to even touch a grenade, let alone use it. My heart was racing inside my chest as if horses were running in full speed. I can feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead.


    "Well, here goes nothing." I quickly pulled the pin out of the grenade and threw it at the direction of the monster.


    The monster was unfazed with the grenade I threw and tried to smell it with its nose.


    ''Now run!'' I thought to myself.


    I turned around and dashed to the opposite direction. Once I did so, I heard the load roar of the monster.


    *ROAR* *BANG*


    I huge explosion followed the roar of the monster. I was thrown a few feet from where I was standing after the explosion. I tumbled down the ground until I was able to stop. I looked at the spot where the explosion took place and saw think smoke brewing.


    "Did I get it?" I asked myself.


    I was sure that the grenade was directly below that monster. It should have blown that creature to smithereens.


    *GRRR*


    "What the f*ck?!" I cursed out loud. "It''s still alive?!"


    I did not wait to see the monster once again and dashed away. I was running like hell through the thick bushes. The tree branches on the way were scratching my face and arms while the bushes were scratching the jeans I am wearing.


    Then I heard the monster''s foot steps just behind me. It was dashing towards me at tremendous speed.


    "Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t¡­" I cursed silently while running with all my strength.


    Then I saw a huge tree with a hallow trunk underneath. I quickly ducked and hid myself there. I scooped up fallen leaves and made it as a cover for the opening.


    I tried to calm my racing heart which was thumping heart in my chest. I held my mouth with my hand to prevent my deep breaths from being heard from outside.


    ''Please don''t let it find me¡­ please don''t let it find me.'' I was chanting in my mind like a prayer.


    I heard the monster''s footsteps coming near slowly. I can hear its heavy breath, like it was just near where I was. I did not move from my spot, I tried to concentrate with my hearing. After what felt like forever, I can feel the monster move away from my hiding spot. I did not move until some time had passed. When I thought it was clear, I sighed in relief. But my relief was short lived because I heard the monster roar ferociously just from outside.


    *ROAR*


    The tree I was hiding shook violently, as if the monster were ramming unto it from outside. I did not wait until the tree was uprooted from where it stood and rushed out of my hiding spot. I grabbed the pistol from behind and turned off the safety lock.


    When I cam out the monster was lying in wait. It was running towards me ready to pounce. I lifted my pistol and shot at the monster. The bullets hit the monster, but it ricochets when it hit the monster''s body.


    "What the¡­?!" I was confused why the bullets did not even pierce the monster''s body, but what I thought was maybe its body is hard as steel. "It that why the grenade did not even give that monster a scratch?"


    The monster was just seconds away when one of my shots luckily hit one of the monster''s eyes. The monster stopped in its tracks and howled in pain. It was a lucky shot, but I did not wait for it to recover so I ran as hell out of there.


    My lungs felt that it was on fire while I was breathing harder. I was running so fast since a while ago and I felt my body was at its limit. My legs were shaking, and my speed was starting to slow down. When I thought that I was able to run away in a safe distance from the monster, I felt a force push me down the ground hard.


    "Ahh¡­" I shouted in pain after feeling the powerful jab at my back.


    I can feel the weight that was pinning me down on the ground, I felt like I was being crushed. A powerful force pushed me sideways and now I was facing upwards. Then I saw the monster that was chasing me. Its paws were pushing down from above. I tried to break free from the paw that was pushing me down to the ground but to no avail. The pistol I was carrying was thrown in a distance from me, leaving myself defenseless while the monster was pinning me down to the ground.


    *GRRRR*


    The monster growled on top of me. I saw blood dripping from its left eye where I luckily shot it. The monster''s saliva was trickling from its mouth right towards my face. I felt helpless with my current situation.


    "No¡­ I can''t die here." I told myself trying to be brave in this helpless situation. "I won''t die until I find my daughter." I had a firm resolve.


    I made eye contact with the remaining eye of the monster. At that time, my mind went blank in an instant. The monster also stopped growling on top of me and we stared at each other for what felt like forever.


    I felt in a daze while I was looking at the monster on top of me. It felt like time stopped as our eyes met. I did not know how long the monster and I was like that until I heard a loud sound of some kind of machine. I did not know where it came from or how to explain the sound, but what I could tell from the sound was it was like an electricity charging and a sudden loud bang was heard.


    *BANG*


    The monster from above me was thrown away with a huge force. A blue streak of light just passed thru my vision very fast.


    *ROAR*


    The monster roared loudly in pain. I was disoriented from what was happening and was still gathering my bearing when I tried to get up. My body felt like it was hit pretty hard, I can feel the pain all over.


    "Are you all right?" I heard a man''s voice by my side. When I looked up, I saw a man that looked my age wearing an all black suit with blue strips of light. He had dark brown hair and dark green eyes. "Are you hurt? Can you get up?"


    "I-I think I can¡­" I replied still unfocused.


    "Here, let me help you." The man lent me a hand and helped me up.


    "Thanks." I said when the man helped me.


    "Stephen, that daemon is still alive." Another man who was wearing the same clothes as the man who was helping me said.


    "Kill it while it is still down!" The man that helped me up said. I believe Stephen is his name.


    "Understood." The man replied.


    Then I heard the same sound that I heard a while ago. Now I knew where the sound came from. It was a sound that came from the weapons that the people with Stephen are holding. The weapons they are using are like firearms but bigger. It had blue strips of light that was connected to the person''s clothes.


    The group of people bombarded the monster with what I thought was blue lasers coming out of the weapons they were using. The weapons were able to pierce the monster''s steel like skin. Blood oozed out of the monster. The people just stopped when they were sure that the monster was not moving from its spot.


    "Is it dead?" I asked in disbelief.


    "I am sure it is." Stephen who was holding me up replied.


    "That''s great¡­" I felt relief wash over my whole body. And maybe because I felt safe, my body lost its strength, and I was about to fall down. Thankfully, Stephen who was still holding me caught me.


    "Miss¡­ miss¡­" I can hear Stephen calling out my name, but my consciousness started to fade to darkness.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 7: Eight Years have Passed (2)

    Chapter 7: Eight Years have Passed (2)


    I felt my consciousness starting to come back but my whole body still felt heavy and so was my eyelids. I can feel that I was lying comfortably on a bed and the place I was at felt warm.


    "Where did you find this one?" I heard a voice of a woman asked.


    "We found her not far from the town where we scavenged for goods." The voice was familiar. It was from the man that helped me named Stephen.


    "You know that we are barely feeding our own, but you take another mouth to feed." The woman argued.


    "I could not just leave her to die Anna." Stephen replied. "The daemon was this close on killing her."


    "Then you should just have let it." Anna shouted out of frustration. "Stephen, you cannot save everyone. You know that." She sighed out loud.


    There was a brief silence before Stephen answered.


    "Even so¡­ I will not let someone die in front of me." Stephen said with a firm voice. "I would not stand by and watch knowing I could have done something. That will not happen."


    "Stephen I¡­" Anna''s voice felt remorseful.


    After their conversation, I was able to lift my fingers and then my hands. I can feel some strength going back to my body. I slowly opened my eyes.


    "Miss¡­ you''re awake. Thank God." Stephen said. "Anna, please call Doc."


    I saw the woman named Anna. She had strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes. She looked at me with contempt before going out of the room.


    "I think¡­ I am not welcome." I said with a hoarse voice.


    "Do not worry about her. She is grumpy sometimes." Stephen said. "Once you get to know her, you will see some good sides about her. By the way I am Stephen. May I know who you are and how did you get there in the middle of nowhere."


    "My name''s Claudia. And how I got there is a long story." I replied. "and I think I can''t talk to much because of my dry throat." I smiled awkwardly.


    "Oh, I am sorry¡­ where are my manners." Stephen walked towards a side table and took a pitcher of water and poured it into a glass. He came back to my side and helped me up to drink.


    "Thanks." I replied after having some water to drink.


    "Don''t mention it." Stephen had a friendly smile on his face.


    The atmosphere inside the room felt awkward with only the both of us.


    "Soooo¡­ are you hungry?" Stephen asked to break the silence.


    "Well, a little." I replied honestly. "How long was I asleep by the way?" I asked looking at the window. It was still dark out.


    "Well, you were out for at least a day." Stephen replied. "Doc said your body looked like it was still recovering from something."


    "Well, truthfully I just woke up from what I think was a coma." I replied. "I actually do not know what is happening right now. I just woke up at an abandoned hospital with no one around. I walked for half a day until I came in contact with that monster."


    "WHAT?!" Stephen said out loud. "That is¡­ I mean what you said was¡­" He was out of words.


    "I know right." I scoffed out of sarcasm with my situation. "Even I cannot believe what happened. I mean, who would have left a patient in a hospital. I do not even know how I am still alive."


    Stephen looked at me in wonder and disbelief. But he composed himself and looked at me with gentle eyes.


    "I think you lived for a reason." Stephen replied. "I mean, if you are meant to die then, you should have died in the hospital and when that daemon attacked you."


    "Daemon?" I asked. "Is that what you call that monster?" Stephen nodded.


    "Yes, that is what we call them." Stephen replied. "Tell me, what was your last memory?"


    "I can remember the car accident I had." I replied. "I was in the car with my daughter when a wolf jumped at the center of the road and in front of us. I was surprised and steered the car to the side, and we hit a tree hard. I still remember being brought to the hospital and the operating room. But after that¡­" I shook my head telling Stephen that I was out until the day I woke up in that abandoned hospital.


    "So, you do not know about the daemons or the monster apocalypse?" Stephen asked. "How long were you asleep?"


    "Monster apocalypse?" Those words were rather ominous, but it could clearly describe everything I have seen so far. "I am not sure how long. But I remember the date of my accident was in January 2020."


    "2020?!" Stephen said in shock. "You have been in a coma for the past eight years!"


    "E-Eight years?" I said in disbelief. "But that''s¡­ impossible!"


    "But it is¡­" Stephen replied. "The date now is June of 2028. The first monster sighting was in March 2020, and since then monsters started to terrorize earth and the humans."


    "Eight years¡­" Many thoughts were running through my head, but the prominent question was that why I still look the same.


    I have seen my face in the mirror on the room I was in at the abandoned hospital. Nothing much has changed on my face since the last time I remember. I still look like my twenty five year old self.


    "Claudia¡­ are you okay?" Stephen asked. "You look pale."


    "M-Maybe it is because I just woke up." I gave an excuse.


    ''I am not yet sure of my current predicament.'' I thought. ''And I am not also sure if Stephen and the other people here are trustworthy. It would be best to keep this info to myself for now.'' I decided.


    "I heard that the girl you have brought is awake." An old man with gray hair and wearing eyeglasses came inside with Anna following from behind. "Hello, young lady. You can call me Doc." He had a friendly smile and stretched out his arm for a handshake.


    "Claudia." I replied and shook his hand.


    "Well Claudia, if you can let me have a look at you for a while." Doc said. "You can go back now Anna, Steph here can assist me."


    "But¡­ I am the female here." Anna said. "Shouldn''t I be the one to assist you?"


    "Yes but Steph is the one who is more experienced." Doc replied. "So please..."


    "Hmph¡­" Anna turned around and stomped away.


    "Sorry about that Claudia." Doc said and took a sit beside Stephen.


    "Oh, no need to apologize." I replied. "I am the outsider here, so I should be the one to apologize."


    "Anna is just jealous. Haha." Doc chuckled. "It is because you are getting all of Steph''s attention here."


    "Doc¡­" Stephen said. "Stop joking."


    "Oh, you know what Anna feels about you." Doc replied. "Huh, it really is good to be young."


    "Hehe." I giggled.


    "See, you look beautiful when you smile." Doc told me. "You have been scowling since I came in. A beautiful lady like you should smile, even in this chaotic world." He sighed. "Well, let me start checking your vitals first."


    Doc started to check on my vitals and then my bones and muscles. He was deep in thought while checking up on me.


    "Your muscles really looks like they are not used for quite a while. It is a miracle that you were able to move, let alone to walk all that way for half a day." Doc said. "Other coma patients that woke up after a long time would have needed therapy to be able to walk again. So, is it true¡­ eight years?"


    "Yes." I nodded in reply.


    "Claudia does not know about the daemons and the monster invasion and the apocalypse Doc." Stephen said. "It just proves that she really was asleep for that long."


    "For you to wake up in an abandoned hospital is sort of a miracle." Doc said, he was holding his fingers on his chin deep in thought. "If you were in a coma, then you should be in life support. And machines like that needs electricity. Does that place still have running electricity?" He asked in curiosity.


    "I honestly do not know." I replied. "I don''t even recall having any machines connected to me when I woke up. I just got up on a hospital bed feeling confused." I frowned and told myself why I never thought of that when I woke up.


    "No worries young lady, it is perfectly understandable." Doc patted my head. "Steph, have you told her about what happened in these past eight years?"


    "Not all Doc." Stephen replied. "I have just given her an explanation about the daemons and the monster apocalypse that happened after she went into coma."


    "Hmm, I see." Doc nodded his head in understanding. "Tell me Claudia, do you think you are ready to hear what had happened in the world when you were asleep?"


    "I know it will be too much to handle, but I need to know." I replied. "Waiting for me to be ready will not change anything." I said.


    I need to adapt to this new world I am in now if I want to find my daughter. It would be better to know what happened first. At least maybe some of my questions could be answered.


    "Then I will tell you the story on how the monster apocalypse started and what situation we humans are in right now." Doc started.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 8: The Monster Invasion and Apocalypse

    Chapter 8: The Monster Invasion and Apocalypse


    Doc found a comfortable position to sit and looked at me with a serious expression on his face.


    "The things that I will tell you might look like something you only see in the movies, but I will tell you here right now that everything is real." Doc started. "I hope you are not a skeptical person because I myself will not believe it if I did not see and experience it myself." He explained.


    "I understand." I nodded in understanding. "I am an open minded person, and I think I will take what you say at face value after seeing and experiencing things I cannot give explanation."


    "Then I will start." Doc said. I gulped in the anticipation of what happened the eight years I was in a coma. "Let me ask you first, Claudia. Do you believe in those monsters you see in fairy tales?"


    "Monster in fairy tales? Do you mean like witches, vampires and werewolves?" I asked.


    "Yes, those ones." Doc replied. "What if I tell you that they are real?"


    I was deep in contemplation with what Doc had just said.


    "So, you are telling me that monsters like that do exist?" I asked being open minded with the idea.


    "Yes, they are real." Doc replied with a serious expression. "In March of 2020, there was the first sighting in the central part of the United States of what they thought to be a werewolf."


    "A werewolf?" I was surprised. I am not sure if it was just a coincidence, but I lived in the central part of the United States and that is where I had an accident. And the cause of my accident was a white wolf that is bigger than any wolf I have ever seen.


    "Yes." Doc replied. "At first, they thought it was just a wolf that was overgrown in size, but more sightings have been surfacing that the government investigated it. That was when they found a pack of humans that can shapeshift as werewolves. Of course, the government took action and sent military men to subdue these creatures. In their fight with them, they learned that these creatures are more powerful than us humans. Our normal weapons do little damage to them and that was when they dug deep in the folklore and knew that only silver was the only thing that can deal a heavy damage to them."


    "So, they used silver bullets?" I asked in curiosity. Of course, I knew such things in watching movies and TV shows. But who would have thought that those creatures will be real, and their weakness is true as well?


    "You are correct." Doc replied with a nod. "Humans had a fighting chance with these creatures, but what they did not expect that there were others."


    "Others? As in other monsters that you only found in horror stories?" I asked.


    "Yes." Doc replied. "You would have thought that these monsters were only a figment of writer''s imagination, something that can be said as fiction. But we did not know that behind those fictional works were myths and legends from long ago. The stories that were passed down generation by generation held truth. We just thought that they were fictional because these creatures were used in different kinds of stories and media, such as books, movies, TV shows and the likes."


    "So, you mean there were vampires and witches as well?" I asked out of curiosity.


    "Not only that, but there were also ghouls, goblins, orcs¡­ name monster you have heard of and they sure exist." Doc replied.


    I was letting all of these information sink on me. Now I have an idea as to what kind of battle took place in the hospital that I woke up in.


    "But you told me that the humans fought back, correct?" I asked. "All of these monsters at least had weaknesses, right? Then why did the human race fall?" This was the question I was really inkling to ask. Doc had a deep sigh before replying to my question.


    "Yes, the humans had a fighting chance with the monsters that suddenly emerged into our world." Doc replied. "But after a year of fighting, the gates of hell opened. Unimaginable horror was unleashed unto the world."


    "G-Gates of hell?" I said in disbelief.


    "At first scientist and researchers were finding out the answer to why these monsters just started to let their presence known when they have hidden in plain sight for thousands of years. And they got their answer when the gates of hell opened." Doc explained. "There really is no physical or tangible gate like what you are thinking, but in places there are portals that will suddenly open, and a huge number of hellish creatures started to emerge. Those creatures are different from the ones I our myths and legends, we can only dub them as demons. But in time we called all of these monsters daemons."


    "Daemons¡­ I heard one of the people with Stephen say that." I looked and Stephen and he nodded.


    "Those daemons have tough skin, and our weapons are no match for them." Stephen said. "Not only that, but they were also much stronger than the ones that first emerged. Even those that first emerged seemed to have powered up when the gates of hell started to open."


    "So that''s why my bullets ricocheted after I fired at the monster back then." I now have some understanding. "But then¡­ the weapons you and your comrades were using was very effective against that daemon."


    "Yes, those weapons were specifically manufactured to work against daemons." Stephen replied. "Scientist and researchers were able to manufacture strong weapons to counter these creatures."


    "Then, why did humanity fall?" I asked once again. "I mean¡­ our race has advanced technology, and those weapons are proof. What happened?" More questions are starting to form in my mind after answers are being given to me.


    "The weapons had a flaw." Doc was the one to answer. "These weapons are packed with much energy that a normal human body cannot withstand the recoil and backlash."


    "That is why we are wearing special armors to protect ourselves from the recoil of the energy that is being fired from the weapon." Stephen added. "But the armor can only take a specific amount of backlash and so we have a time limit in using the special made weapons. If we exceed the given time, the armor we are wearing will break and further use of the weapon can harm our body directly."


    The information from Doc and Stephen are starting to sink in my mind.


    "More and more daemons started to emerge in our world and humans were slow on fighting back." Doc said with a sad face. "We lost the war with them four years ago. And the world is as you can see it. The apocalypse of mankind was brought by the monsters."


    There was a brief silence. I can see the regret and sadness in Doc and Stephen''s faces.


    "But some humans survived, like you?" I asked in the hopes of my family members surviving the apocalypse that took place.


    "There are some human communities that were formed. But they are always at a small population." Stephen replied. "It is because if a big concentration of humans is formed, daemons tend to emerge and quickly wipe them off."


    "But there are at least a few communities at some distances." Doc replied. "We get to interact with some, but we rather have to stick to ourselves. Without the laws to restrict humans on what to do, many bad people had emerged."


    "There are some groups of bad people that raid communities and tend to rob and do unspeakable things to others." Stephen said with anger etched on his face. "Rather than helping one another in this time of chaos, they do such atrocious things." He squeezed his fists hard.


    "These daemons¡­ do you have any idea how they opened these gates of hell that you mentioned?" I asked one of the questions I deemed important. "I mean, why did they invade our world and why are they doing this?"


    "We also do not have any answers to that." Doc replied. "When the war with the daemons started, scientist and researchers tried to analyze the data they got but there were only theories and no tangible answer. Maybe if we could just ask those daemons that have human form and consciousness there would be some answers, but there were no successful interactions with them since the war started."


    There was silence for a while after Doc and Stephen had explained to me what happened. The things they have said were swirling inside my head that I felt dizzy.


    "Let us stop here." Doc said. "You need to rest." He stood up and patted Stephen on his shoulder.


    "Rest well for now. Do not think of yourself as a burden, okay?" Stephen gave me a friendly smile. "I know you do not have a home to go to, you are always welcome to stay here with us."


    "T-Thanks¡­" I said awkwardly. "I will think about it."


    Doc and Stephen walked out of the room and I was left all alone. Their story was a lot to take in. I laid down in bed and sighed deeply.


    "I do not have a choice but to stay here for now." I told myself. "Maybe I will stay put for a while. Once I get used to this new world, I can go search for my family."


    I thought of my daughter in an instant.


    "Cindy would be sixteen by now." I said deep in thought. Thinking of my daughter as a teenager brought a smile on my face. "I am sure that she would be a beautiful young lady."


    I strayed away from the thoughts that Cindy or my family did not survive in this apocalyptic world. I kept my hopes up, not wanting to think of the worst.

 Chapter 9: The Community (1)

    Chapter 9: The Community (1)


    Because I was sleeping for a day now as Stephen had said, sleep evaded me tonight. I sat up from bed and examined my leg muscles.


    ''They are working perfectly fine.'' I thought to myself.


    I remembered what Doc had said a while ago. I think it really is surprising that I was able to move without difficulty after waking up from my eight year coma.


    ''To think that my muscles could recover fast.'' I thought. ''And the connection I had with that monster, or daemon as they call them. It was undeniable that creature and I had some kind of connection when our eyes met.''


    I looked at my hands and examined them carefully. I opened and closed them, but I did not feel anything out of the ordinary.


    ''It might be just my imagination.'' I tried to give an explanation to myself. ''Maybe I am just overthinking.'' I sighed deeply and stood up.


    I walked towards the door and carefully opened the knob. I took a peek outside, as if I was a prisoner trying to escape.


    "Why are you peeking like that?" I was startled when I heard Stephen''s voice.


    "O-Oh Stephen¡­ it''s you." I replied awkwardly. "W-Well I thought I could use some fresh air outside. I do not know if I can go and take a walk."


    "Of course, you can." Stephen replied with a smile. "You are not a prisoner here Claudia. You can take a walk whenever you like. But it would be best if I accompany you, if that is okay? I can be your guide."


    "S-Sure, if you are not busy." I replied with a smile.


    "I came here to bring you some fruits to eat." Stephen replied. "You can eat an apple along the way, if you like." He handed me a red apple.


    "Thanks." I took the apple with gratitude and took a bite. "Hmm¡­ it''s yummy and juicy."


    "I am glad you like it." Stephen said. "We grow some fruits here in the community. Because of food shortage, we started raising some crops and fruits in our territory that can help feed the people in our community. Jelly will surely be happy to hear that the fruit of the trees she has been taking care of was enjoyed. She takes it as a compliment for her efforts."


    "Then please tell her that her trees bear good apples." I smiled.


    "Why don''t you tell her yourself. I will introduce you to the others tomorrow." Stephen replied.


    Stephen and I walked out of the small building where the room I was in a while ago. It looks like the small building serves as a small hospital for this community.


    It was night time and some lamps illuminate the path we are walking it. I looked around to see the place I was in right now.


    "You have electricity?" I asked out of curiosity.


    I know that after humanity''s downfall some things are difficult to maintains such as electricity, transportation, food manufacturing and the likes.


    "We have solar power running the electricity in the community." Stephen replied. "We were lucky to be able to scavenge solar panels in one of our patrols out of the community."


    "You go out often?" I asked thinking that I can have a chance and venture outside.


    "Yes, we do. But only out of necessity." Stephen replied. "And only those who have title as warriors are able to go out. As you know, it is not safe to go out without the weapons we use."


    "Is it safe here in the community? Doesn''t those daemons attack here?" I asked in curiosity. "And your weapons, how did you acquire them?"


    "Hahaha. You have so many questions." Stephen laughed out.


    "A-Am I that noisy?" I scratched my head embarrassed.


    "Oh no, you are not. I understand your thirst for knowledge. I can''t even imagine waking up in this kind of world. You can ask me any question. I just hope I can answer all of them." Stephen smiled. "Well to answer your first question, the land this community is standing is regarded as a safe zone. We are not sure why daemons do not come near safe zones. The researchers were not able to finish their study before humans lost the war. The remaining human communities around the world are standing in safe zones, and this is one of the reasons for human conflicts right now."


    I remembered what Doc and Stephen said to me, that bad people emerged from the collapse of the law system. I believe that safe zones are now a necessity in this apocalyptic world. Those who wish for power would covet these safe zones to control.


    "It is a relief to hear that it is safe here." I replied.


    "Yes, and you can stay here if you like. We would welcome you if you wished to stay." Stephen said.


    "How are you sure that I am not a bad guy that will try and insert myself in this community?" I joked and laughed.


    "What, like a spy?" Stephen also laughed at my ridiculous notion. "Well, I am not really sure that you are not a spy. But my heart says that you are not." He flashed a sweet smile at me that made my heart skip a beat.


    "W-Well I promise that I am not a spy, so you need not think about that." I replied, feeling a blush on my face.


    "We had some conflicts with rogues, but at least we guard our community well and chase them out." Stephen reassured. "Our warriors are quite experienced in battle. Some are ex-soldiers and marines, like me."


    "You were a soldier?" I asked in surprise. Looking at Stephen, he had a good physique. I just realized now after hearing that he was an ex-soldier that his body has well toned muscles. The black long sleeved shirt he was wearing could not hide his proportioned muscles underneath.


    "Yes, I was a lieutenant in the US Army and was assigned in the middle east in my first years of service. When the war with the daemons started, I was called back here to fight." Stephen replied. "And that takes us to your next question about the special weapons."


    I was also anticipating hearing the story about these special weapons that can defeat a daemon. As I have seen with my own eyes, normal weapons do not work with these creatures.


    "Even after scientist and researchers have done their best to manufacture better weapons that can damage and kill daemons, they always failed." Stephen explained. "But at the sixth year after the war started, a multinational company was able to manufacture effective weapons against these monsters. I think you have heard the name because they were famous for being successful in many kinds of businesses. It is called Wilhelm Corporation."


    "Isn''t that the famous corporation that has businesses in major industries such as pharmaceutical, technology and the most recent was weapons manufacturing?" I asked in surprise.


    "Yes, that is the one." Stephen replied. "At first, I felt there was something fishy, knowing that Wilhelm Corporation just started in the weapons manufacturing industry ten years before the war broke. But when leaders of nations saw how effective the weapons they manufactured against the daemons, they looked past the shady things and let Wilhelm corporation supply them the weapons they need."


    "But like you said the weapons had a flaw, correct?" I asked.


    "Yes, the recoil of the power that the weapons unleash was so strong that a normal human body cannot withstand continues use. That is why the special armors were manufactured as well to go with the weapons. But even with that, the use of the weapons is limited and cannot be used in their full potential." Stephen sighed. "This is what happens when you use it without the armor."


    Stephen pulled up his sleeves and I saw terrible burn marks from his right wrist. The scar was something that anyone would flinch after seeing. I could not imagine how painful it was when he had the burn.


    "Oh my¡­" I was shocked.


    "The scar extends until my right shoulder. I got it when my armor reached its limit and broke, but I was still fighting the daemons using the weapon." Stephen had his eyebrows crunched while remembering this. I can just imagine how horrific it was. "I was lucky that I made it out with my life, but I got this terrible scar as compensation."


    "Just think of it as a gift from God." I held his right arm with the scar, trying to comfort him. "Maybe it was not yet your time back then, and you still have a mission you need to do. Like guarding this community for instance." I smiled.


    Stephen looked at me with warm eyes. I think my words had at least comforted him from that grave past he was remembering.


    "I never had thought about that." Stephen said to me. "You have a point. Maybe I still have a mission that I must accomplish here. Or maybe there is someone that I still need to meet in my life." He smiled sweetly at me that made my heart skip a beat once more.


    Stephen was a good looking guy. Maybe that is why Anna has the hots for him and is getting jealous because Stephen is taking care of me.


    "Um Stephen¡­ can I ask another question?" I asked, planning on something.


    "Of course, you can." Stephen replied.


    "You said that only warriors can go out of the safe zones, right? Can anyone be qualified to join as warriors or only ex-soldiers and marines can?" I asked.


    If only warriors can go out the safe zones, then I needed to be one. I also do not plan on going out of the safe zone without any weapon. Going out without having means to protect myself is utter suicide.


    "Well¡­ no, not really." Stephen looked at me questioningly. "The weapons we have are a handful and some unfortunately had lost their previous owners in battle. We make it a top priority to retrieve these weapons in worst case scenarios." He had a sad face remembering his fallen comrades.


    "Then¡­ can I join?" I asked. "I mean, I have some combat skills thought to me by my father. I am sure after some training I can be of help to you. I also want to give something back to the community after I join here." I reasoned out.


    "Really¡­ you decided to stay?" Stephen had a happy face all of a sudden. "Ahem¡­ I mean that is good you decided to stay. But do you really want to join and become a warrior? I mean, you can do something else to benefit the community."


    "No, I really want to join." I said with a determined face. "Please let me."


    "Okay." Stephen sighed. "I will introduce you tomorrow to the other warriors. But before you can join, there will be a physical test. Of course, you can''t be a warrior without passing it."


    "I understand." I said with determination. "At least I can try."


    I smiled knowing that I have a chance to become a warrior. If ever I cannot pass the first time, I can try and try until I can go in. I am determined to become a warrior, not only to be able to go out and search for my family but also to give something back to the community that took me in.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 10: The Community (2)

    Chapter 10: The Community (2)


    In the morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. I was lucky to have met good people that took me into their community. Knowing that the world as I knew it has ended and this apocalyptic world was the one, I woke up in, I was not quite sure what will happen to me. In fact, I was frightened right after waking up at that abandoned hospital, but for some reason something at the back of my mind just kept telling me to keep going.


    ''Maybe my inner consciousness is telling me to survive so that I can find my family.'' I thought to myself while washing my face.


    I look at myself in the mirror in front of me and sighed. I look exactly as I did before I was in the accident. If it is true that it has been eight years since the year of my accident, then I do not have any answers as to why I did not age even a day since then.


    ''I cannot let anyone know of this or they will think of me as one of those monsters.'' I thought while wiping my face with a towel.


    The daemons that Doc and Stephen had told me were monster that I could only see in fairy tales and fictional stories. Now that they truly exist in the real world, they are an object of fear for humans. Me not aging a single day maybe seen as something odd and can be tagged as supernatural, and the people in this community might deem me as a danger.


    ''This is a secret I must keep to myself for now.'' I told myself.


    I walked outside and the sun had just risen in the east. It is early in the morning but some of the members of the community are already doing their business. I saw Stephen walking towards me.


    "Good morning." Stephen greeted me with a smile.


    "Good morning." I replied. "So, are we going straight to the training grounds?"


    "Yes. I thought I will introduce you to the warriors first before getting breakfast." Stephen replied. "We will be having our early morning jog before getting breakfast."


    "Okay." I replied.


    Stephen then started to lead the way to the warrior''s training grounds. We pass little houses and then a small market along the way.


    "Good morning Stephen." An old that was starting to open a fruit stall greeted.


    "Good morning Marie." Stephen replied. "Here let me help you there."


    Stephen helped Marie with carrying some basket of fruits to her stall.


    "Oh, is this young lady the one you rescued outside?" Marie gave me a warm smile. "I am happy that this boy Stephen here was the one to find you. He is a good boy that always wants to help."


    "You praise me too much Marie." Stephen chuckled awkwardly. "I just want to help if I can." He put each fruit basket on top of the stall.


    "But it is true, you are such a helpful and nice boy. If it were others, I am sure they will just have left her there." Marie said with a sad face. "Well young lady, you are most welcome here in our community. If you need anything, do not be shy to ask. I am Marie by the way." She extended her hand for a shake.


    "T-Thanks." I said with an awkward tone and shook her extended hand. "My name is Claudia." I gave her a smile.


    "Grandma¡­" A young girl came to us running while carrying a basket of apples. She tripped and was about to fall when I caught her by reflex.


    "Careful now." I said and smiled at her. "This are quite heavy for your age. Why don''t I carry them for you okay?"


    "T-Thanks¡­" The young girl looked at me in surprise.


    "Jelly! How many times have I told not to run while carrying the baskets?" Marie scolded. "Please forgive my granddaughter, she is always in a hurry."


    "It''s okay. So, your name is Jelly. You are the one taking care of the fruit trees here, correct? Stephen told me. I tasted one of the apples you have grown, and it was quite delicious." I gave her a smile. I looked at the young girl and can''t but help thinking of my daughter. "How old are you, Jelly?" I asked while helping her carry the basket of apples.


    "I-I just turned twelve." Jelly replied shyly. "I am happy you liked them, my apples."


    "Yes. They were quite juicy and tasty." I replied.


    "Here let me help you." Stephen extended a helping hand. "The baskets are quite heavy." He said while taking them from me.


    "Not really." I replied but handed the basket to Stephen anyway. "I can handle the weight."


    "There." Stephen said while putting the last basket on the stall. "Well, we will be going on our way. I will take Claudia to the warriors training grounds."


    "Oh dear, you want to be a warrior?" Marie asked. "I hope you change your mind. There are many other jobs you can get besides becoming a warrior."


    "Y-You can help us here int eh stall." Jelly said while looking at me with pleading eyes.


    "Well, I¡­" I was lost for speech with their sentiments.


    "I have already told her about it." Stephen came in. "Claudia said she will just try out first. If she is not cut out in becoming a warrior, then you can help her get another job."


    "that is god to hear." Marie sighed in relief. "Well, I will not be taking your time any longer. Have a nice day."


    "Thank you." I replied.


    "Please visit us again, okay?" Jelly said while looking at me with sentimental eyes.


    "I will." I replied and gave them a smile and waved goodbye.


    "I will give you another apple when you come by." Jelly shouted from behind.


    We walked past the market and I saw the training grounds at a distance. I saw people doing some light training.


    "Jelly''s mom was a warrior." Stephen said while we were walking. "She¡­ did not make it back after one mission outside."


    "Oh my¡­" I was at a loss for words. I then realized why Marie and Jelly did not want me to become a warrior.


    "They are just thinking of your wellbeing, so don''t take it as an offense that they did not want you to be a warrior." Stephen said.


    "It''s okay. I completely understand their circumstances." I replied.


    Knowing that a family member did not come back after going out must be dreadful. I cannot help but think what my family would have thought knowing that I was left and abandoned in the hospital.


    ''Maybe they think I am dead.'' I thought.


    When we were near the training ground, I saw a familiar face from a distance. Anna was distributing towels to the warriors in the training grounds.


    "Steph¡­" Anna saw Stephen and me walking towards the training grounds.


    I was about to greet her a good morning when she passed me by and go straight to Stephen.


    "Good morning Stephen." Anna greeted him. "Are you ready for your morning jog? I have prepared your towel and drinking bottle just right over there. I will give it to you after training."


    *WHISTLE*


    "Someone is getting a special treatment." A man who just whistled said. "That is unfair you know." He pouted.


    "That is how a woman shows her love Devon." A muscular girl said.


    "Well, I can''t help but feel jealous, Sasha. Anna is giving the captain special treatment." Devon replied. "Hey captain, you really are a lucky fellow huh."


    "Cut it out Devon." Sasha elbowed Devon.


    "Ouch¡­" Devon reacted. "Hey, is that what you do to your vice captain Sasha?"


    "Sheesh, if you just act respectable then I would respect you." Sasha retorted.


    "Stop now both of you." Stephen said. "And Anna, you do not need to do this. I can take care of myself, thank you very much."


    Anna''s smile went upside down and her gaze landed on me. "Hmph."


    Anna stomped away towards the benches.


    ''Well, not everyone is welcoming.'' I thought to myself seeing Anna''s cold treatment.


    "Oh, you brought the newcomer here captain." Devon said and walked towards me in large strides. When he was just in front of me, I cannot but look up to see his height he must be at least six feet and four inches by estimate. "Hello, I am Devon. Do you remember me?"


    Then I remembered that he was with Stephen when they rescued me.


    "Yes, I remember." I replied. "Thank you for saving me back there. My name is Claudia."


    "You really are quite a strong woman." Devon said with a grin. "To have faced off with that daemon and only using a gun and hand grenade. You''ve got guts."


    "T-Thanks for the compliment¡­ I guess." I smiled awkwardly, not sure whether what Devon said was a compliment.


    "Don''t not mind this big oaf. He just likes woman with guts." Sasha said. "I am Sasha by the way. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand, and I shook it.


    "Nice to meet you as well." I replied with a smile.


    "So, Claudia is here because she wants to join the warriors." Stephen said.


    "Whoa¡­ really?!" Devon said in surprise and grinned widely. "That is so cool. With your guts, I believe you can do good. And seeing you in action the other day while fighting off that daemon, I believe you have a great future as a warrior ahead."


    "Well, that is good to hear because we are a little short handed now but¡­ are you sure about this Stephen?" Sasha looked at Stephen questioningly.


    "Of course, she needs to pass the test first." Stephen replied. "She is willing to take the test and after she passes, we will see."


    "Okay, then let me give her the test." Sasha replied. "Being that she is a girl like me. But don''t worry, I won''t go easy on her as well."


    "Of course." Stephen replied. "Is that okay with you?" He asked me.


    "Sure." I replied and smiled. "I am ready to take any test."


    "That''s the spirit." Devon said.


    "Hmph, what can a little girl like you do." Anna who was watching us by the bench said but the others ignored her.


    "Let is start the test by ten in the morning." Sasha replied and I nodded in understanding.


    My heart was pounding just by thinking what kind of test they would give to me. I was nervous but excited at the same time.


    Edited by: nalyn


    CREATORS'' THOUGHTS


    Les01


    Sorry for having a week off. I was on vacation and was not able to write. But now I am back with updating regularly.


    Thanks

 Chapter 11: Becoming a Warrior (1)

    Chapter 11: Becoming a Warrior (1)


    After the warriors morning jog and training, all of them go to a canteen where they all go and eat their meals.


    "Because I let you wait for us, why don''t you join us at breakfast?" Stephen said.


    Stephen was just finished with his morning jog and he was all sweaty. I can see drops of sweat at the end of his hair. The white shirt he was wearing was also wet and I could see his proportioned muscled underneath. I gulped hardly and tried my best not to stare.


    "Oh no, it''s okay." I replied. "I really did not wait that long. I was also amazed seeing all of you train." I smiled.


    The training grounds was not that big. Like Stephen had said, there aren''t many warriors. I counted the ones I could see here in the training grounds and there were eight in total. I am sure that there are more around the community such as the ones guarding the perimeter walls, the entrance and also the ones doing rounds. They may be small in number but I can say that they are quite skilled seeing them train.


    There morning training consists of their routine morning jogging and after training with weapons. Some were using wooden weapons in the form of swords, axes, daggers and the likes. I also saw a firing range at the training grounds were others are training to use firearms.


    "I thought normal weapons does not work on daemons?" I asked.


    "The guns are a means of training for us so that we can practice our aiming." Stephen replied. "We are also not lacking in ammo for practice because we have a mini R&D unit here."


    "Wow, really?" I asked in astonishment. "That''s so cool!" I said with excitement. I may be just a normal office lady in the past but I have my likes and hobbies, and one is the passion for guns.


    After having been exposed in the firing range were my brother and his friends frequented, my passion to learn about guns started. But I will not say I am an expert or anything. I just know one or two things because of browsing the internet and the ones I learned at the firing range.


    "Would you like to try firing?" Stephen asked when he saw my excitement.


    "Really? Can I?" I asked in excitement.


    "I cannot see why not." Stephen replied with a smile. "I also saw how you handled a gun just a few days ago. I am sure you had some experience. And if you want to become a warrior, this is one of the things that you need to master."


    "Then I would love to fire some shots." I replied.


    Stephen and I walked towards the firing range area. I saw two men doing some shooting. When they saw Stephen and I coming close they stopped and turned to us.


    "Good morning captain." The two greeted.


    "Good morning." Stephen replied. "I believe you have heard about Claudia." The two nodded my way and I did the same to acknowledge them.


    "This is Howard and that one is Max." Stephen said. "They are our marksmen. Max here is our sniper, one of the best I have ever known." He patted Max''s shoulder.


    "You flatter me, hehe." Max chuckled. "Nice to meet you Claudia."


    "Nice to meet you too." I replied.


    "So, I heard you want to join the warriors." Howard said. "Won''t you mind us giving you some test."


    "Sasha will be the one testing here later." Stephen said with a slight frown.


    "Oh come on captain, she just needs to do some firing that''s all." Howard said with a smile. "There is no harm done. And if you get our passing grade then that is a plus." He winked at me.


    "I think that is a good way to see her skills." Max said while holding his chin in thought. "It will also be good to assess where she will be more efficient. Well that is, if the miss will consent to our little test."


    Stephen sighed and nodded with both of their remark.


    "What do you think Claudia? Are you up for their test?" Stephen asked me.


    "Sure, why not." I replied with a shrug of the shoulder. "I also want to see how far I can go."


    "That''s great!" Howard replied and handed me a gun. "This is a Glock 19 that are good for beginners. Try using this and shoot the target. Do not worry about the ammo. You can empty the magazine if you like."


    Howard handed me the gun. I looked at the gun in my hand and trying to gauge its weight. I opened the gun magazine and saw that it was full. I returned the magazine and tried to aim it towards the paper targets at a distance.


    ''Fortunately, I have already used this gun in the past.'' I thought.


    I was surprised that Stephen had put a shooting headphone over me. I smiled as thanks.


    I concentrated on my target and started pulling the trigger.


    *BANG BANG BANG*


    I fired continuously until the gun was empty. I felt satisfied with my firing and smiled.


    Howard then pulled the line to pull the target towards us. To there surprise, the holes on the paper target were in just two places, the head and the heart. Not only that, the holes were concentrated at the center most part of the targets.


    "Well would you look at that." Howard said with a surprised look. "No wonder she was able to fire a shot directly on one eye of that daemon."


    "You know that?!" I was surprised at first but thought that maybe he was there with Stephen''s group the time they rescued me.


    "Not really, but I saw the dead body of the daemon when they returned." Howard replied. "We use the thick skins of the daemons to create our armors you see. And when we started to dissect the body, we saw the gun shot to the eye."


    "That is why we wanted you to test you here." Max said. "Well you passed our test. Congratulations."


    "T-Thanks." I said in surprise.


    I did not imagine that I would be able to pass the test in just one try. But I felt somewhat weird. I looked at the target and saw the two holes on it. I have stopped going to firing ranges and target practice since I had my daughter. I was confident while firing a while ago but I was surprised that all of my shots were clean at the bulls eye.


    "You are good, I will give you credit." Howard said. "How about I show you what I am capable of doing. If you like, I can teach you myself in the future." He winked at me and Stephen shook his head in dismay.


    "He just wants to show off." Stephen said.


    Howard led us to a site where there are obstacle courses with dummy targets. What got into my mind the first thing I saw the dummies was that place is a tactical firearms training.


    Howard stood by the side and took one of the long firearms lying by the table. I scanned the and saw other firearms lying down in different spots.


    "Watch me closely." Howard said while readying himself.


    I just realized that people started to gather behind us. I can hear them murmuring.


    "They also want to see how fast Howard can finish." Stephen explained. "All of us here also tried this course. But Howard still holds the best time."


    "Really?!" I asked in amazement and Stephen nodded with a smile.


    *BUZZ*


    The sound of a horn is heard and the timer started to tick. I saw Howard started to shoot the dummy targets at a fast speed and precision. I was in awe seeing how fast he moved from one place to another, changing guns along points and shooting the dummy targets with high precision. Not long he stopped, indicating that the training course has ended.


    "7:30 seconds." Max said.


    I heard murmuring behind me once again. Looks like Howard still holds the best record.


    "May I try?" I asked raising my hand.


    All was silenced with my words. Yes, I know that I have never done this but something inside me is saying it wants to try.


    "Are you sure?" Stephen looked at me with wide eyes in shock.


    "Well¡­ if it is okay?" I asked.


    "Sure, why not." Howard said while getting back.


    "Great!" I felt excited wanting to try this course.


    I knew I will not be able to do good in my first try, but I still have the inkling to want to do it. I carried the long firearm from the table and examined it closely.


    The truth is I do not have any experience holding this kind of weapon, but my body moving on instinct like it knows how to.


    "Ready¡­ GO!" Stephen yelled. And with his mark I started to retrace Howards steps.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 12: Becoming a Warrior (2)

    Chapter 12: Becoming a Warrior (2)


    "Ready¡­ GO!" Stephen yelled. And with his mark I started to retrace Howards steps.


    My body moved smoothly from with the memory I had while watching Howards steps just a while ago. I felt adrenaline rush thru my body and I felt exhilarated. A smile crept on my face unknowingly while I was moving from point to point, changing fire arms along the way.


    The next thing I knew I was at the finish line. I felt fulfillment after finishing the course. I was panting hard trying to catch my breath, but I felt good.


    "Wow!" I can hear the awe of the crowd that was watching from behind.


    The other warriors were applauding, something I did not expect.


    "Claudia, you were great!" Sasha was pushing the crowd to get to me. She was accompanied by the towering Devon. "I didn''t know you could use different kinds of firearms." She said in awe.


    ''Actually, I don''t.'' I thought to myself. ''But of course I will keep that to myself for a while.''


    Whatever I am experiencing right now about these abilities, I will use them to my advantage. It may be frightening to know how I got such ability in the first place, but what matters now is how I can utilize it and get stronger to find my family outside.


    "I knew you were a badass!" Devon had a wide grin and patted me in the back a little bit to hard, considering he has big hands over my average sized body.


    "What''s her time?" Howard asked with a curious look.


    "Oh, yeah right." Stephen was looking at me in surprise that he forgot to see the timer. "7:41, she is just shy from your record of eleven seconds."


    "That''s amazing!" Max was in awe, looking at me with twinkling eyes. "Hey, Claudia right? Why don''t you join us? We could need someone with your skills."


    "Join you?" I asked in confusion and turned to Stephen for answers.


    "Max and Howard here are marksmen, meaning they use long range special weapons. Max here is the leader of their group." Stephen replied.


    "Really!" I was in awe and looked at Max. He really looked like someone capable of leasing a team.


    "Hey, no snitching." Sasha retorted. "I was the one who asked first." She said with a raised eyebrow towards Max.


    "I know but look at her potential." Max gestured his hand towards the targets I just shot in the last round.


    I was only able to look at them now when Max placed our attention to be. Like what I did in the shooting range, all of my shots hit the bulls eye. I was surprised that I was able to do that the first time trying this course. This just further confirms that I might really have an ability that when I see some moves, my mind memorizes it and my body moves as what I have just memorized.


    ''Is this something like photographic memory?'' I thought. But it maybe go beyond just photographic memory because my body can mimic the actions exactly.


    "Let Claudia decide first where she wants to go." Stephen stepped in when he saw Sasha and Max having an argument about what group I should join.


    "Um you don''t need to fight." I said. "I mean, I haven''t took the test yet."


    I remember that I will take the test later with Sasha.


    "That is Sasha''s test." Howard said. "You just passed our test, and in flying colors!" I was surprised with Howards words.


    "Does that mean¡­ I am in?" I looked at Stephen with expectation.


    "Well, technically yes." Stephen said while scratching his head. "But you can still take Sasha''s test later, if you want."


    "Yes Claudia. Please take it." Sasha pleaded. "After that then you can decide what group to join." She clasped my hand closely.


    "O-Okay." I replied awkwardly.


    "Alright, you can let her go now." Stephen stepped in and snatched my hands from Sasha''s grip. "Let''s go and eat breakfast first. I am sure you are all hungry after morning training." He said to the other warriors as well.


    "Yeah!" The warriors replied and they dispersed after Stephen''s words.


    "Come Claudia, I will show you our mess hall." Stephen showed the way.


    "That''s great. We have a new addition to our small group." Devon hanged his arms on Stephen and my shoulder. "Let''s go and eat. I am famished after all that moving."


    "Our menu is not that great, but all that we cook and eat here are from the hard work of the people from the community." Sasha said while we were walking side by side. "We also have good cooks."


    "Don''t worry about me." I replied. "I am not a picky eater." I smiled.


    While we were walking, Devon and Sasha went ahead of us while Stephen matched my pace.


    "Is Sasha a leader of a group as well?" I asked out of curiosity. She really wants me to join her group, meaning she also leads one, I guess.


    "Yep, that''s right." Stephen replied. "She leads the group with short range special weapons."


    "Short range?" I asked in surprise.


    I never thought that there would be short range special weapons to be manufactured against the daemons. I means, who would want to fight face to face against such monsters.


    "Yes. I know what you are thinking." Stephen replied looking at me. "It really takes courage to use short range weapons against daemons because you fight them face to face, but they are more effective compared to the long range ones. Some daemons are quite fast and can evade long range attacks, that is where short range weapons come in. Not only that but short range weapons has a more concentrated power output on their blades that makes it more easy to cut through armored bodies of daemons."


    "But to be able to come face to face with a daemon¡­" I remembered the terror I felt when I came in front of one just a few days ago.


    "That is why Sasha wants you in her team." Stephen replied. "You did not slow down in the face of fear and you thought the best way possible to get out of your situation. That is something a close combat that should have while fighting against a daemon. You will not only need strength and agility but also a fast wit and mental courage in the face of danger.


    "I-I was also frightened that time, you know." I said truthfully.


    "Who wouldn''t in such a situation?" Stephen replied. "It is your courage and quick wit that we admire. And that is something that Sasha is looking for."


    "How about you? You did not want me to join in the first place." I asked in curiosity.


    "It is because I know the danger warrior''s face every time we go out." Stephen said with a sad smile. "It is literally hell out there. And it breaks me when we return with a smaller number than before we head out." I can see how it pains him to lose men as a leader.


    "I am sorry that I cannot listen to you on not joining." I apologize. "But I can promise you that I will do my best to get back safely every time." I smiled at him.


    "Then I will hold on to that promise." Stephen replied with a sweet smile that made my heart skip a beat.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 13: Werewolf Pack

    Chapter 13: Werewolf Pack


    In a wooded area somewhere in American continent, a group of werewolves were living at an abandoned camp site. Wooden cabins were now used as their homes. A lake was seen beside the camp site and was a sight to behold.


    The sun was just setting on the west and its light was being reflected by the lake. It was a majestic sight to behold. This place was specifically chosen by this wolf pack because of its beauty and also the location.


    The camp site was situated in a valley that was nearly impossible for normal humans to venture without hiking for hours on the mountain that was just behind the camp site. It was a perfect site for this werewolf pack that did not want to have any conflict with any surviving humans in this monster infested world.


    The leader of this pack was Alpha Mark. He is still a young werewolf but had the genes of an alpha that could lead a pack. He had platinum blonde hair close to black and reddish brown eyes that turns to red if he feels deep emotions. Even amongst the werewolves be had an odd color. His werewolf form was that of a pure white wolf with striking red eyes, something that is rare for species that usually has dark colored fur. That is why he was thought to be the king of all werewolves, someone that could lead them to a new age.


    But contrary to the expectations of the werewolves that knew him, Mark did not want to live a life of endless war and conquest. He wanted a life far from the battles of conquest between the daemons that roam the world freely. This was something his pack that knew of his past was curious because he was once captive of humans.


    Mark when he was young of age was made a guinea pig by humans in their experiments on supernatural beings. He typically spent his childhood and adolescent inside a lab located in a remote area, locked away and experimented on. His pack thought that if anyone had a deep grudged and hatred against humans, it would be him. But his actions betrayed their thoughts.


    Mark was able to escape the lab he was held captive in and was on the run since then. On the road he met a few rouges and little by little he was able to form a pack. He challenge every pack there is in the American continent and in some parts of Canada and South America. He had the biggest wolf pack there, before the opening the gates of hell.


    Once it was opened and demons of the underworld were unleashed, humans started to dwindle in the war. Daemons started to fight each other after the human''s defeat for territory and supremacy, hence utter chaos ensued on earth.


    Mark''s pack thought that they will also fight in the war but they were surprised that he did not want to take any part in it. When the daemons started to fight each other for supremacy, Mark fought for the territory his pack was on and now was living out of the radar.


    Because of this, many thought that their Alpha was a coward. Many have challenged him in combat for the alpha position thinking that he may be just a weak werewolf that is still young and lacking in experience. But every opponent that came his way was crushed by him in combat. And this afternoon was the same.


    A werewolf had challenge Mark in combat for the position of alpha. They were fighting each other near the lake side, and the challenger was clearly at a disadvantage.


    "Grrrr¡­" A large gray wolf is being stepped on by Mark who was still in human form.


    Mark was shirtless and his well toned and muscular body was shown in all glory. He was towering in height, more or less six feet. The transformed werewolf was big but he was being easily strangled by Mark on top.


    "Is that all you have got?" Mark said with a blank expression. "If you couldn''t even take me down in my human form, then how can you defeat me in my werewolf form?" He asked nonchalantly.


    It was true that Mark was the strongest werewolf in the pack, that is why he is the Alpha. But many were thinking that he was a coward and weak because of his decision to hide from others. But every time a challenger comes, Mark always displays his strength to the pack making their mouth shout for quite a while.


    "I cannot believe there are still idiots thinking that they can defeat Mark in battle." Jordan who is Mark''s beta said.


    "It''s because they think Mark is weak in making his decisions." Greyson who is Mark''s gamma replied. "I also do not know why Mark made such a decision. I mean, with the might of our pack warriors we can surely conquer the whole east coast first and then the west. We can rule the whole American continent if we join the territory battles, I am sure of it."


    "That is because Mark does not want weak human survivors to be hurt in the cross fire." Jordan replied.


    "Why would he think about the humans?" Greyson asked. "I know what those scumbags did to our alpha when he was young. He should despise those good for nothing beings. They were the ones that brought this upon themselves."


    "Don''t say such things." Jordan shot a warning glance at Greyson. "Not all humans are bad."


    "S-Sorry¡­" Greyson raised his arms up in defeat candidly. "I forgot that your deceased was human. Your son is also half-half." Jordan sighed.


    "Humans are weak. I was powerless to save my wife back then when daemons appeared. I was on the run with my son that was only a toddler when the war started and humans started hunting us." Jordan remembered. "That was when I met Mark and his pack. He took me and my son who was half human half werewolf. I raised the ranks and become his beta ever since."


    Greyson stayed silent after Jordan recounted his past. The fight was still ensuing by it was evident who the victor was at this point.


    "Mark, he also believe that there is still some goodness in humans." Jordan said while they were focused in watching the fight. "He had told me once when he escaped his captors, he met a human woman that showed him kindness when he was in his lowest. He had lost all hope in humans back then, but this woman had sparked hope into him once more. Because of the memory of that woman, he has vowed never to take human lives at all costs. And that was his alpha command to us in his pack since then."


    The fight ended where Mark snapped the oversized werewolf''s neck with his human arms.


    "YEAH!!!" The crowd cheered for their alpha who was the victor.


    The sun had just set when something had caught Mark''s attention. He was in a daze looking at a distance. Jordan and Greyson was looking at him in confusion.


    "Mark, what''s wrong?" Jordan walked towards Mark.


    "I just felt something." Mark was still looking at a distance. "It felt like an electric current just run thru my body and I became alert."


    "What does that mean?" Greyson asked.


    "I¡­ do not know." Mark said looking at the direction where the sun had just set.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 14: Vampire Clan

    Chapter 14: Vampire Clan


    It was near dawn in a vast land at the another side of the world. In a medieval castle located at the continent of Europe lives a clan of vampires that have lived in the world since the dawn of humanity. They have lived in secrecy and was able to live with humans for many years.


    They feed on human blood but they were able to co-exist with them until the modern world. But after the gates of hell opened and the numbers of humans started to die down, they came out to save humans, hence they were known as humanity''s saviors in the continent of Europe. But of course they acted as saviors with a price, and that is for the humans to share their blood to feed the vampires.


    Europe now has the most number of human survivors thanks to their vampire saviors that watched over them, while they in turn give blood as food to these vampires. The continent of Europe is now being govern by the vampire lord Alucard.


    Two vampires are walking along the dark corridors of the castle that was only lit with the moon light shining from the outside.


    "Is the vampire lord still awake?" One vampire that has a huge built and was wearing some kind of knights uniform asked. "I would like to give my report."


    "You just came back from wiping out the orc camp at the outskirts of Dublin, General Graham." A vampire that was wearing a dark brown suit and holding a stack of papers replied. He was a little shorter than the general who is walking by his side. "Won''t you want to take a rest first?"


    "Nah¡­" General Graham replied. "What about you, the trusty secretary of the vampire Lord Alucard, Secretary Lucas? Dawn is just hours away and you are still working so hard."


    "You know that as the lord''s secretary, I am expected to be by the lord''s side while he is still awake and working." Secretary Lucas replied. "You know that this castle is UV proof so the sun''s light will not affect us in the least, and so it is not an excuse to slack on work even though the sun has risen."


    "Such a workaholic like the lord, tsk tsk." Graham shook his head. "I miss the good old days where we just need to lay low and do not need to work hard on governing a continent. I mean, that was the human''s work."


    "Well, it was also the human''s fault why this happened you know." Lucas replied. "They sought power that they could not handle, hence we are now handling the aftermath."


    "The humans here are lucky to have our lord who is merciful." Graham said with a smirk. "If not for our lord, they would have died down by now."


    "Lord Alucard also looked at our best interest. You know that the human''s are our main source of food." Lucas replied. "Our lord has been benevolent to the humans since the old times. He had us only take the blood that we need and let the humans live and erase their memories after every feed."


    "Well that is because our lord had a human lover once." Graham said and the both of them fell silent for a while.


    "It would be best not to talk about her in front of the lord, Graham." Lucas reprimanded Graham.


    "I know, I know." Graham replied. "Her name had become a taboo in our clan."


    "You know that he is the oldest amongst us, hence the most powerful of us all." Lucas said. "The loss of the lord''s lover had been the worst days we had. We were not able to stop him go on a rampage here in Europe."


    The vampire lord is one of the most ancient vampires, and with his many years comes his great power. A vampire''s strength come from his age.


    "Who would have forgotten that?" Graham said. "We were not able to stop him slaughtering many humans because of what happened to his human lover that was dubbed as a witch and hanged. It was just lucky that it also happened at the same time the black death was spreading all over Europe. We were able to mask so many deaths as the illness spread. Maybe half of the death toll was the lord''s doing." The both of them sighed.


    From afar, a slightly opened door in the hallway was spotted with some light coming out of it. The two of the vampires headed that way and came inside the door.


    Inside was a huge office that was lighted. In front of a desk was a man with long silky black hair and pale white skin. He had blue sapphire eyes that is shining brightly. He can be called a beauty, even for a man. His long strands of hair were falling on his desk neatly while he was so focused on the documents in front of him.


    "Lord Alucard." Graham bowed. "I have come back from my mission in Dublin."


    Alucard who was seriously looking at the documents changed his gaze and looked at Graham. Graham stiffened with his lord''s stare.


    "Have you dealt with the orcs?" Alucard asked with a flat tone.


    "Yes my lord." Graham replied quickly. "We had some difficulty because as you know, orcs multiple quickly. But we were able to flush all of them out. We completely annihilated them."


    "That''s good to hear." Alucard put down the document he was reading and pinched his temple. "These daemons just pop out one after the other. We exterminate one and another one will appear." He sighed deeply as if fatigued.


    "While the door to hell is open, there is no end to this." Lucas replied. "We are lucky that we only encounter low level daemons so far. We can only do this much just to protect the humans in our borders."


    "And governing such a huge area is also a lot of work." Alucard replied. "Why can''t we just let the humans govern once more?"


    "You know why, my lord." Lucas replied with a serious tone. "They were the ones that made this catastrophe. Who knows what will happen if we let them have authority once more. At least here in Europe we can oversee and govern them closely."


    "But the rest of the world is in ruins." Alucard said while looking out of the window. It was still dark outside, but the dark was never a problem with vampires.


    "Well f*ck the rest of the world." Graham said with anger. "They were the ones who brought this upon themselves. If they were not greedy for power, then this would not have happened."


    The room was silent for a while. Not long a grandfather clock inside the room rang three times indicating that it was three in the morning.


    *DING DING DING*


    After the clock had struck, Alucard had risen from his seat and walked towards the window. He was so focused looking outside that Graham and Lucas was curious as to what happened to him.


    "My lord¡­?" Graham called out, but without a reply.


    "Lord Alucard?" Lucas called out as well but his voice fell on deaf ears.


    Lucas was concerned and walked towards Alucard''s side. He was in a daze, looking outside the window as if he was looking past the darkness outside.


    "My lord¡­ is something the matter?" Lucas asked.


    "I felt something¡­" Alucard replied while still looking outside. "It was an odd feeling, as if someone is calling out to me."


    "Calling¡­ like telepathically?" Graham asked.


    "Not like that." Alucard looked at the two vampires. "I do not know how to explain this. It is as if my body is somehow connected to someone. I¡­ I do not know for sure." He said and looked out of the window once more.


    The two vampires looked at each other with confused looks on their faced. They only shrugged in the end, not knowing what their lord is talking about.

 Chapter 15: Weapon of Choice (1)

    Chapter 15: Weapon of Choice (1)


    Like promised, some time after breakfast I will take the test that Sasha prepared. I was actually curious as to what the test would be after taking the test for the long range weapons. As I recall, Sasha leads the group that are short range based.


    ''Does that mean we are going to use weapons like axes and sword.'' I wondered to myself.


    Sasha was leading the way back to the training grounds while Stephen and Devon were walking with me at either sides. I was feeling a little awkward being sandwiched by these two guys along the way.


    "Are you curious on what weapons you are going to use?" Devons asked with a care free smile.


    "Well¡­ a little." I said out of curiosity.


    "Well in practice there will be wooden weapons to choose from, like daggers, spears, swords and the likes." Devon explained. "I for one use an unsharpened big axe for practice, that is because I use an axe like special weapon."


    "Does that mean I need to choose a weapon similar to what I will be having?" I asked.


    "You can choose whatever you like in practice." Stephen was the one to answer. "But I suggest you use what you think will be the best for you." I nodded in reply.


    We arrived in the training grounds and Sasha walked towards where the wooden weapons were placed. She got a long wooden stick and swung it skillfully. I was in awe seeing her handle the wooden stick so gracefully.


    "Ohhh¡­ she is serious." Devon said while his eyes were glued to Sasha. "You better be ready." He whispered towards me.


    I was confused on what Devon just said and looked at Stephen for answers.


    "Sasha uses a special weapon similar to a long stick." Stephen replied to my silent question. "That just means she won''t go easy on you."


    I looked at Sasha who was starting to warm up. She looked at my direction and waved at me.


    "Come Claudia¡­" Sasha called. "Pick a weapon here."


    I jogged towards her direction and looked at the wooden weapons that were stacked neatly by the side. There were wooden spears, daggers, knives, and swords. There were also leather whips blunt axes. The weapons for training comes in different shapes as well.


    "So, what fancies you." Sasha whispered by my side.


    I looked over the training weapons and my eyes caught attention on a wooden sword. It was like those that are used for kendo classes. Not that I have seen one in person but I have seen it in televisions shows in the past.


    My curiosity with the wooden sword made me reach for it. I took it out from the pile of other wooden swords. The textured amazed me and I was swinging it without knowing.


    "So you are choosing a wooden sword?" Sasha asked. "Have you learned kendo in the past."


    "Not really." I said truthfully and smiled at her. "But I want to try it out."


    "If that is your choice then let''s go." Sasha smiled warmly.


    Sasha and I walked at the center of the training grounds. Like the test just a while ago, many warriors swarmed around us to watch. I felt pressured with the gaze of these people all over me.


    "Don''t mind them." Sasha said. "Just focus on me and our match." She said while twirling the wooden stick in her hand.


    Sasha was in position and made a hand gesture that she is ready and come at her. She had a smile on her face and I can feel she was excited with our match.


    I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and also got into position. It was my first time holding a wooden sword but I let my body''s instinct take over. When I opened them, I have completely given my body to my instinct.


    Sasha was letting me have a head start as she was waiting for me to make the first move, and so I took a step forward and rushed towards her. I swung my wooden sword at her and she was able to block my attack easily.


    I was getting a hand using the wooden sword and was able to make swift slashes. Sasha on the other hand was able to defend every attack I throw at her. Our exchange of blows was both exciting and thrilling that a smile crept on my face.


    Sasha was also swift is twirling her wooden stock. I can see how skillful she is on using it. I was having a hard time blocking her counter attacks but at the same time thrilled that I was able to do so.


    I do not know how long we were trading attacks but it felt a long time for me. I am sure that Sasha was also having a good time, seeing that she had a smile on her face. But of course we cannot prolong the match for that long. There should be a clear winner in this fight and I also do not want to lose.


    My eyes were not only focused on her every attack, but also searching for an opening. At first Sasha''s every move was flawless and we were exchanging blows. We were evenly match in my amazement, thinking that this was my first time holding a wooden sword as a weapon. But my body was moving purely on instinct and was able to match Sasha every move. And not long I was able to find an opening.


    ''She is getting slower.'' I thought while watching her movements.


    After exchanging blows with each other for some time now, Sasha''s movements were starting to slow down for a fraction of a second. She has a slight pause after taking my attack and before she makes a counter attack. This was the opening I was waiting for.


    My next attack was planned. I swing my sword near her left shoulder that she was able to defend from. My wooden sword bounced from the parry and Sasha was readying for her counter attack. Rather than hold my stance and defend for her counter attack, I rotated my body counterclockwise and used my leg to trip her. I used the fraction of a second opening and made a surprise attack on her.


    Sasha was caught by surprise but was able to jump on instinct. But she was late for a millisecond because my feet was able to make contact on hers. She lost balance and I did not hesitate to use the opportunity to swing my sword at her.


    Sasha was still alert and was able to parry my latest attack, but her body was already off balance and was falling back wards. I was surprised that she was able to break her fall by using her hands and athletically somersaulted away. Of course I did not want to loose this chance I''ve got and rushed toward her. By the time she landed on her feet, she was met with the tip of my wooden sword on her throat.


    "You¡­ you''re fast." Sasha said while catching her breath.


    "I can say the same for you." I said while panting.


    "Hehe¡­ hahaha." Sasha laughed out loud. "I loose. Damn girl, I knew you''ve got talent." She stretched her hand for a handshake.


    "Thanks." I replied with a smile. I took her hand gladly in mine and shook it.


    "So¡­ where would you like to join?" Sasha said with twinkling eyes towards me.


    "I¡­ am not quite sure yet." I said, scratching my head awkwardly.


    "Why not choose a weapon first." Stephen said while clapping his hands.


    I then just realized that the other warriors that were watching were now applauding us. I felt shy being the center of attention suddenly.


    "That''s right." Devon said. "Choosing a weapon will also be like choosing the group you want to be in."


    "Then that means I am really in?" I said with excitement.


    "Like I said, you already passed the test before." Stephen said with a warm smile. "That just leaves us to you choosing your weapon of choice. Come, follow me."


    Stephen lead the way. I followed him feeling elated that I was able to pass the test to join the warriors.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 16: Weapon of Choice (2)

    Chapter 16: Weapon of Choice (2)


    Stephen led me to the place where they store the special weapons they are talking about. Because these weapons were deemed important, they made a storage space where these weapons are stored safely.


    The storage warehouse was not far from the warrior''s training grounds. It seemed like an old school gymnasium. In fact, the area of the community looked like school grounds.


    "Stephen, is it okay to ask if this place was a school before?" I asked out of curiosity.


    I haven''t explored all of the community''s ground, but I believe I can explore it in one or two days at best.


    "You are quite observant." Stephen smiled at me as a reply. "Yes, that is correct. This place was a school, actually it was a big university before the apocalypse. The mess hall was once the school canteen, the lodgings for the residents of the community were once students'' dormitories, and this was once the school gymnasium."


    Stephen took out a key from his pocket and opened the lock of the door. Once inside, he switched on the lights and I saw the interior of what was once this university''s gymnasium. The basketball court now has rows of weapon''s display cases. At the far corner I saw Humvees parked side by side, I count a total of four.


    When we walked through the first rows of weapons, I saw different kinds of guns and assault rifles. At the next row was melee and bladed weapons like axes and swords, I even saw a Japanese katana that I only dreamed of holding. My hand reached out to touch the hilt and I can feel goosebumps all over my body. All I could say is that this place is heaven for any weapons enthusiast.


    "Do you like swords?" Stephen asked when I stopped and touched the katana.


    "What¡­ oh?" I noticed that I was focused so much on katana in front of me that I retracted my hand afraid that there is a ''no touch'' policy here. "I guess I had a fascination back then. I never knew that I could see an actual genuine Japanese sword. Is it real?" I asked out of curiosity.


    "Yep, that is genuinely real. This is called an Nodachi." It was Devon that replied. "This was once a possession of an old Japanese guy from this community. He said this was his family''s heirloom." His bright cheery face changed into a sad one.


    "Is he¡­?" I do not want to end my question because I knew the answer from their faces.


    "He was a good guy." Sasha said. "He thought Devon and I many things with bladed and handheld weapons. He was our sensei."


    I do not want to ask what happen to the owner of this sword because I knew that it would bring out the sadness with both Sasha and Devon.


    "Would you like to take it?" Stephen asked while looking straight towards me.


    "O no¡­ no, no. How could I?" I replied while shaking my hands. "I mean, isn''t this an heirloom? Shouldn''t family member or you who has been thought by him be using it?" I asked.


    "The old man didn''t have any family left. And none of us thought that we are worthy having it. But if it is you, I think you can use it with your skill with the sword. The way you swing back there¡­ swoosh." Devon replied while making a swinging action holding an imaginable sword. "Well, it may be a long sword compared to your stature, but I think you can manage it." He said while looking at me from head to toe, sizing me.


    "Hehe, if that is okay with you all?" I asked.


    "It is okay with me." Sasha replied. "I am sure sensei would like his sword to be used by someone capable of wielding it. Devon and I had our specialty weapons already and swords are not one of them."


    I looked at Stephen questioningly.


    "I use long range weapons, if you remember." Stephen replied. "And I also think you are rightful to take use it."


    Stephen took the sword out of its display and handed it over to me. Curiously, my hand felt warm holding the katana. It was as if it has a life of its own.


    "But wouldn''t it be useless to daemons?" I asked while taking out the sword from its sheath. "I mean, you said normal weapons are useless with daemons."


    The blade gleamed from the light. It looked like it has been properly maintained and sharpened. It was rather longer than those Japanese katanas I see on movies or television, but I think I can manage using it. I thought at first it was heavy, but I was able to carry it with ease.


    "Yes, that is what I said." Stephen replied. "But amazingly, this sword is different. It can slice a daemon in half." I was surprised hearing what he just said.


    "I did not believe it at first. But when I saw it with my own two eyes, it was unbelievable." Devon said with sparkling eyes. "The old man said that this sword was blessed by the gods in his home country. He said it had been used to slay demons in the old ages and was passed down in his family generation after generation."


    "If this sword was used against such demons as sensei ha said, then I believe it is very useful against daemons." Sasha added. "Well, daemons typically came out of the gates of hell, right?"


    I nodded understanding what this sword can do.


    "If you are okay then¡­ can this be my weapon of choice?" I asked in anticipation.


    "Then it is yours." Stephen replied with a gentle smile. "Well of course we will still be going to the special weapons section. I think having one special weapon by your side together with that sword can help you when you are outside."


    "Oh really?" I asked thinking that one weapon was enough for a warrior. As they have said, special weapons are more valuable in this apocalyptic world. "I thought one will be enough?" I asked.


    "This is a normal weapon. Other warriors won''t hold it against you having one normal weapon and one special." Devon replied. "All of us has side weapons too you know, if we ever encounter other people."


    "Other people?" I asked. "So, these normal weapons in your storage are against other humans?"


    I have had this question to myself the first time I saw the normal weapons, ''why do they store these weapons if they are useless against daemons?'', now I know why.


    "As I have said, the world has become chaotic." Stephen said, starting to lead the way to where the special weapons are stored. "The evil in humans emerged after society collapsed."


    "We are not only fighting daemons but also other humans that deems a threat to us." Sasha said with a serious face. "Ironic, isn''t it? The surviving humans should be banding together to defeat the monster threat, but now we are fighting against each other. Those scums should be called monsters as well." She had such hatred etched in her eyes.


    "Well, here we are." Stephen was standing in front of an armored door. It was sealed rather safely.


    Stephen put his hand on a glass pad at the side and it started to scan his palm. It was a lock that can only be opened using specific palm print, I thought. Once open, I saw a room with three huge monitors. In front was a man typing on a keyboard so fast.


    "Hey JD." Devon called out. "Aren''t you even tired being cooped up in here?" The man turned around and looked at us.


    "Oh, its only you guys." JD said and got back looking at the monitors.


    JD looked like a man nearly in his forties, with curly unkept hair and beard with large round eyeglasses. He resumed his work and got typing on his keyboard.


    The monitors are showing different kinds of weapons. They are flashed one after another while JD is typing at a fast speed.


    "JD here is the head of our R&D." Stephen said. "He is a little eccentric, but he is a good guy."


    "Hey, I can hear you Steph." JD said while scratching his head. "You are the one barging here in my lab and now is saying such things about me." He stood up awkwardly and scratched his head.


    "This is Claudia." Stephen introduced me.


    "Yeah, yeah¡­ I know." JD replied and pointed at one monitor. "I saw her taking the test."


    "It is a pleasure to meet you." I stretched out my hand. JD was about to take it when he looked at his hand and rubbed it in his shirt. He then took my hand and shook it.


    "I am JD." JD replied with a nonchalant expression. "As Steph had said, I am the head of the R&D department. As if we you can call this R&D. My team only consists of three people. So, you''re here for a weapon I believe. I have got the best one that suits you. Come with me."


    JD walked towards a door with another door that was locked by palm. He opened it scanning his hand and the door opened. Inside the door was a room full of the weapons I saw Stephen''s group used when they rescued me, but without the blue streaks.


    "While watching your every move and analyzing your stats, I have just the weapon that is available and ready for use." JD said while walking through rows and rows of weapons. "I have made some adjustments a while ago based on your fighting ability, but we can still do modifications after you have used it in combat."


    I was looking around in awe seeing different kinds of special weapons being displayed in the room. Besides the special weapons, I can also see the special armored suits that the warriors were wearing being displayed in capsuled cases.


    ''Why am I remembering batman and the bat cave looking at this room?'' I giggled thinking of one of the comic book superheroes that I loved back then.


    "These are the ones." JD stopped in front of a glass weapon''s case and opened it. He took out two pistols out and handed them over to me. "These are both M1911-style handguns. I believe you have the knowledge to use them."


    "Yes." I replied while looking at the twin pistols in my hand. They are quite heavy and are colored black.


    "Unlike normal pistols, you do not need ammos to reload them. They use compact energy that is being supplied in your special armored suit. That is why, these are connected to your suit." He held out the wire that is connected to the pistols. "As for the suit, hmmm. You need to be measured at once." He was about to touch my waist, trying to measure it with his hands.


    comment


    "Where do you think your hand is going?" Stephen caught JD''s hand midair. He had a chilling smile etched on his face towards JD.


    "Ohh¡­ I just thought of measuring the young lady, hehehe." JD chuckled awkwardly.


    "Be careful with this guy. Mostly he is focused on his work, but he has a tendency to be a pervert." Sasha whispered.


    "Hey Sasha, that''s harsh." JD replied. "I am not a pervert. I just¡­ you know¡­ praise women''s body, hehehe."


    "Middle aged pervert." Devon said with a blank face.


    "Let Patty do the measurements." Stephen said.


    "Is someone looking for me?" There was a cute voice from a corner and a head popped out. She had eyeglasses and had her red hair braided in pigtails.


    "There you are Patty. I have been looking all over for you." JD said.


    "I am just checking the weapons'' condition here boss." Patty said while jogging towards us. She stood beside JD and I saw she was small in height. "Hello, my name is Patty."


    "Hi, I''m Claudia." I replied to her greeting.


    "Patty, get her measurements for the special armored suit." Stephen ordered.


    "Right away captain." Patty saluted like a soldier. "Come with me Claudia."


    I followed Patty to get my measurements. Before going, I looked back at Stephen.


    "We will be waiting for you." Stephen replied, Sasha waved at me at Devon smiled.


    I felt at ease being able to join this community. I cannot but help feel lucky having to meet them in this chaotic world I woken up to.


    Edited by: nalyn


    CREATORS'' THOUGHTS


    Les01


    Hello dear readers. Sorry for not writing for a week. I got sick and needed rest. But now I can write constantly again after the rest I got.


    I hope you enjoyed reading.

 Chapter 17: Wilhelm Corporation (1)

    Chapter 17: Wilhelm Corporation (1)


    In an underground secret facility located somewhere in Central US, there was a group of scientists still working on researching the monster apocalypse brought upon to the world.


    "Here, have some coffee professor." A young man in a white lab coat handed a coffee to another man who was wearing an identical lab coat. He was sitting in front of a computer monitor, focused on his work. "It has been a rough day, and we are still far from the answers that we are searching for."


    "I know." The man took off his eyeglasses and pinched his temples. He had a very tired face. "It has been eight years since the incident happened, and we still could not find any means to fix the mistake that we did."


    "I am sorry professor Howard." The young man looked at the professor with pity. "I only heard of what happened eight years ago. That was before I joined the company."


    "You are lucky Vince, to have not seen that incident." Howard sighed. "I was still a young scientist back then, eager to find answers to questions that are hard to answer. We thought we have found the answer to the essence of life itself, a power that can end all illnesses and stop famines and hunger. We thought that the power we sought for will give humanity a better life and transform our world for the better. But what had happened was the opposite." His face contorted with guilt.


    "We are doing our best now sir." Vince replied. "I am sure we could find others that can bond with Genome-666 to a hundred precent rate. We can reclaim this world if we work hard."


    "Thanks. I appreciate your words." Howard smiled faintly.


    The big monitor on the other side of the room had the map of the world being showed. There were blinking dots with different colors.


    *BEEP BEEP BEEP*


    A beeping sound was heard after their conversation. Then a red dot appeared out of nowhere in a part of the map of the United States. Vince was curious and came closer to the monitor. He clicked the keyboard and the world map zoomed in the North American continent.


    "Umm sir, I think you should see this." Vince called.


    "Hmm, what is it?" Howard put on his eyeglasses again and pushed his chair towards where the big monitor was.


    "Here sir." Vince said. "This just appeared all of a sudden." He pointed to the red dot.


    "Hmm, that''s strange." Howard said.


    Howard started typing on the monitor and another screen appeared.


    "Do we have some GE-S in that area?" Howard asked.


    In the monitor there was a header where it is shown that GE-S is short for Genetically Enhanced Soldier. The results for Howard''s search are shown as zero.


    "I believe we have no GE-S there sir." Vince replied with a confused look.


    "That location, I think I know of it." Howard then typed on the monitor once more. The name of the hospital appeared. "Like I thought." He put his fingers on his chin deep in thought.


    "What is it sir?" Vince asked.


    "This place was a hospital under the Wilhelm Corporation before the apocalypse started. It had been also a discreet research facility that was used to experiment on the first batches of GE-S." Howard replied.


    "Oh¡­" Vince replied. "Then that was before I entered the company. That is why I do not know of it. But what happened to that facility sir?"


    "It was overrun by monsters during the war. It was abandoned abruptly because of that." Howard said. "I know because I was there when it happened. I was assigned to that facility before. But to have a red dot over there¡­?" He was deep in thought.


    "Does that mean there is a GE-S test subject that survived for that long?" Vince asked. "What does red means sir? I have since orange, green, yellow colors for GE-S but I have never seen red before."


    "As you know, the colors symbolized the percentage of the bond of a GE-S to Genome-666. The more the color is going to red means the higher the percentage." Howard replied. "That red light¡­ might possibly be our new hope, Vince." A happy smile brightened his gloomy face.


    "You mean that we might have a super GE-S sir?" Vince''s voice was also bright. "If that is true, then this can be a breakthrough in our research!"


    "Yes, you are correct." Howard replied. "Call HQ at once and tell them of this development. This can be our hope to fight back and reclaim our world."


    "Yes sir, right away." Vince rushed to where a satellite phone was and started to call.


    Howard who had a gloomy face at first now had a bright face. It was something he had been hoping for since the monster apocalypse ruined the whole world.


    **


    A day or two have passed by since the emergence of the red dot in the monitor. Howard was busy rummaging on old files that luckily made out when they abandoned the research facility.


    "There were so many patients that were used for research." Howard said. "I tried narrowing it down with the ones that had a high chance of success rate."


    "How were you able to get test subjects sir?" Vince asked. "As of now, we have many volunteer for a chance of having their family in a safe place far from the daemons. But back then I am sure that is not the case."


    "You are correct." Howard sighed while reading the documents from file after file. "It was an inhumane thing to force someone, and I tried battling out with the director. He wanted fresh and healthy subjects but at first, I was against it because the bond with Genome-666 had a low success rate. Some of higher ups sided with me and we were able to come into a decision to use patients that have their life hanging by a thread."


    "You mean those that are dying sir?" Vince asked.


    "Yes." Howard replied. "We have many out our list such as cancer patients in their fourth stage, heart attack patients, patients who had accidents and are in a comatose that have low chances of surviving. That is why the research facility had a front of a hospital."


    "Then how were the first research subjects?" Vince asked.


    "The first stages were a failure. We were not able to bond Genome-666 to human genes. But as the research went on, and with the use of the blood we got from the monsters we gathered, we are able to have until fifty percent success rate." Howard replied.


    "Well, that is pretty high knowing that the research was still in its early stages." Vince replied. "Now we have at least seventy five percent succession bond."


    "But that rate is still pretty low. To reclaim our world, we must have at least ninety five percent GE-S, and an army of them. Maybe this red dot can help us achieve that goal." Howard said.


    *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*


    "Come in." Howard replied.


    The door opened and someone in an officer uniform came in.


    "Sir, the director had just arrived." The officer informed.


    "I see. Thank you." Howard replied. "Please lead the director to the receiving area. Tell them I will be there shortly."


    "Yes sir." The officer bowed and left.


    "You and the director don''t vibe together, huh?" Vince asked.


    "We really do not see eye to eye." Howard said and stood up from his seat. "But he is a good scientist and was once my mentor. I have learned many things from him, and I respect him for his knowledge and wisdom."


    "Well, he really is something to climb up the ladder of the company and became the director of the North American branch." Vince said.


    "He is an ambitious man." Howard said. "Well, let us go. We can''t let the director waiting."


    "Right¡­" Vince said and followed Howard out of the room.


    Both of them walked in the hallways and stopped by a door were there are uniformed officers standing guard. Howard showed them his ID and Vince as well. The officers let them enter the room. Inside, there was man wearing black suite looking at a monitor as big as a window that shows a beautiful scenery of a lake and the trees that surrounds it.


    "Such a shame that we can only see this beautiful scenery in a monitor. Knowing that we are now living like moles, deep underground where it is safe from those daemons." The man said. "I hope that your research can have a groundbreaking change." The man turned to face Howard and Vince.


    The man was middle aged and had some gray hair streaks on his black hair. He had a calm expression and a vibe of supremacy.


    "It is good to see you again Director Thompson." Howard greeted and Vince followed.


    "Now tell me Howard, about that red dot you found." Director Thompson had a chilling smile on his face.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 18: Wilhelm Corporation (2)

    Chapter 18: Wilhelm Corporation (2)


    "It is good to see you again Director Thompson." Howard greeted and Vince followed.


    "Now tell me Howard, about that red dot you found." Director Thompson had a chilling smile on his face.


    "Yes sir." Howard can feel the chills running up his spine. Director Thompson was smiling kindly, but his aura had a different effect. "Vince, you can show the director our findings."


    "Y-Yes sir. A few days ago a red dot appeared in this part of US." Vince pushed a button in the remote he was holding. The room lights went dim and the huge window like monitor changed to the map of North America. Dots of different colors are spread across the map with one red distinct blinking dot can be seen.


    "This location¡­ it looks familiar." Director Thompson said.


    "Actually, I found out that location was one of our first research facilities." Howard replied. "It was abruptly abandoned after a monster attack."


    "Oh yes¡­ I remember." Director Thompson said. "I believe we did not have any successful test subject from that facility, correct? That is why we were able to abandon it easily."


    "Yes, that is true." Howard said. "But what if there was one test subject that was able to survive until today. That is the only hypothesis I could come up with after seeing after this red dot appeared out of nowhere."


    "Hmmm, a surviving test subject after eight years of dormancy." Director Thompson was in deep thought. "And to think it would have a red color as well."


    The start of the experimentation was because of Director Thompson''s study and research on these supernatural beings. At first these test subjects became feral and hard to control. There were instances that they were able to escape confinement due to the supernatural powers they possess. Because of this, the later test subjects were equipped with trackers.


    All of the test subjects were injected with a GPS tracker in their bodies. It helps Wilhelm Corporation to track their creations. Not only that, but these trackers also serve as a transmitter that transmits data into the Wilhelm mainframe that analyzes the output of the power of these creations. The color coding is one way to gauge the strength of a test subject they have created.


    "Hmmm¡­ interesting." Director Thompson said. "I would like you to take the lead and investigate this, Howard. You are my former assistant, and I cannot think of anyone else better suited for this task."


    "Thank you, director." Howard replied respectfully.


    "You will personally go there to find this surviving test subject and get it back into our hands." Director Thompson said. "This creation is rightfully ours. Of course, we do not want it roaming around in the wild."


    "I-I understand." Howard shivered with the thought of going outside.


    "Do not worry Howard." Director Thompson said. "I will not let you go alone. I will send one of my best guards and his team to assist you in retrieving this test subject. Come in, Jason."


    The lights went back on, and the door opened. A tall man with a slim mildly toned body came inside. He was wearing a black shirt and pants with a long black coat. His long wavy hair was tied in a ponytail. He looked quite antagonizing, and it felt like a dark menacing aura surrounds his body.


    "You called, boss?" Jason replied.


    "You go with Howard here on a mission to retrieve a possible surviving test subject in this part of America." Director Howard said. "You go take Jill and Arya with you."


    "Got that boss." Jason replied with a sinister grin. "It will be fun getting lose sometimes. I want to devour the monsters I see and kill." He had a murderous aura emitting out of his body that Howard and Vince cower in fear.


    "I thought so as well. This will help you get even more stronger." Director Thompson smile did not falter with Jason''s menacing aura. "With Jason and the two with you, you will surely be safe Howard. No need to fear going out. Jason here is a Class A Soldier and one of my trusted bodyguards."


    "Y-Yes director." Howard replied, trying to hide his fear.


    "Then that is all settled." Director Thompson said. "I will expect good news after a few days, I hope." He started to walk towards the door. When he was side by side with Howard, he patted his shoulder and then left the room.


    "Just don''t get in my way, weakling scientist." Jason said. "I wouldn''t want to go saving your ass while I am fighting monsters. I expect you to take care of your sorry but when we are outside." He then followed behind the director and left the room.


    "Oh my God." Vince had his feet shaking the whole time when Jason came in the room. His feet gave out in the last second and he finally fell sitting on the floor. "It felt like I lost some years of my life in just that few minutes. Sir, is that one of the director''s best creations."


    "Y-Yes." Howard sighed out in relief. "Jason is one of the successful test subjects that were able to bond with Genome-666. We were able to bond it with a gene from another daemon and it had a seventy nine percent success rate in bonding with his body."


    "No wonder I felt my body wriggle in fear just by standing in the room with him." Vince said. "Were you able to work on him as well?"


    "Yes. I was one of the director''s assistants when he was working on Jason." Howard replied. "At first he was just a Class C but now he is now in Class A."


    Test subjects are classed from A to E, with A being the strongest and E the weakest. This class system is also used to rate daemons, but for daemons they have Class S and SS having the strongest power.


    "So, it is true that his strength and power is growing with the daemons he defeats and devours?" Vince asked.


    "I am afraid so. But not all successful test subjects can evolve while devouring other daemons like he does. He is a special case." Howard replied. "It is a little scary, knowing that he was able to obtain such powers with the personality he has. He was in death row and was given to us as a test subject."


    Vince went quiet, knowing what Howard meant. Jason was a thief and murderer that killed many innocent lives before the monster apocalypse took place. Such a person who had joy in killing was given a power that monsters have was someone to be feared.


    "Arya is a Class A as well, while Jill is a Class B." Howard said. "I think I will be safe above ground with them accompanying me."


    "Are you sure you will be okay with those¡­ people?" Vince asked. "I mean, they are not that far off from those monsters¡­ those daemons."


    "Well, they sure are a fearful bunch. But I think I will be fine." Howard sighed. "They at least listen to the director. They blindly follow his orders."


    "I know. Weird right." Vince was deep in thought. "I mean¡­ the director is just a normal human just like us, but these monsters of creation follow every command he gives."


    "I am not sure as well. I think there is something more with the director that we do not know of." Howard replied. "And it would be best to keep your curiosity under wraps Vince. You know that curiosity kills the cat. I know that we scientists are curious in nature, but anything about the director and the higher ups is a no-touch."


    "I know¡­ I know." Vince said. "I will go and get the materials you need ready. I will be right here waiting for your return."


    "Thanks Vince." Howard patted his shoulder. "I will also go and get ready for my departure."


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 19: A Mission to get Medicine (1)

    Chapter 19: A Mission to get Medicine (1)


    Days become weeks and weeks became months. Time went by fast inside the community. JD and Patty were able to make a special suite of armor with measurements they got from me. I was able to wear them in no time and practiced them with my twin guns connected.


    I felt a heavy pressure surround my body the first time I activate my special weapon. Like they have said, this armor and weapon is packed with strong power that can damage a strong body of a daemon. I had difficulty using them and so Stephen was with me while I was practicing. Besides that, I was now included in the daily schedule of a warrior. That was constant training from morning till nighttime. There were breaks every three days of training so that we can rest.


    With my constant practice using the special weapon and armor, I was then included in missions outside the safe zones. At first, I was included in easy missions such us scavenging outside. I was able to see daemons that are low in class, which I was able to fight easily using the nodachi sword and the special guns that I now possess.


    The people in the community were hostile to me at first because I was a newbie here and an outsider, but with the help of Stephen and the old lady Marie, It was beginning to be accepted little by little. Marie''s granddaughter Jelly and I became close as well. Whenever I have a rest day from warrior training, I head out to Grandma Marie''s fruit stall in the market and help out. Because of that, I had become a known face in the market.


    After becoming a warrior, Sasha insisted that I room in with her. She had a dormitory room all by herself and because she and I bonded immediately from the start, she wanted me as her roommate.


    Everything was getting into order. I was able to be part of the community, became a skilled fighter and a warrior, and was able to adapt to life in this apocalyptic world. The only thing that is left is to find my family, especially my daughter.


    I have opened up this matter to Stephen and Sasha, and both of them have the same reaction they gave to me. ''Do not hope to find them alive in this world''.


    It was a phrase that made me sad, but I understand why they said that to me. It was because most of the humans had died when the monsters appeared. They did not want me to expect and hope, but I was adamant to at least try and find them.


    Stephen was against it at first, but Sasha was willing to help me. Because of it, they are willing to form a group with me every once a month to visit the friendly communities in the vicinity. My home back then was not that far from here, and if ever they survived then the best bet was, they are in the nearby communities.


    Today was the day of the month where we will visit one of the safe zone communities nearby. We have already gone to two communities without luck, but I am not losing hope. It was early in the morning, and I was so excited that I am up already.


    "Hmm, you are quite early." Sasha replied and looked at the clock on her bedside. "It is only five AM. There is no training today, why don''t you sleep some more." She said with a sleepy voice.


    "I am already up so its okay." I replied with a smile. "You get some more sleep. I will just go for a morning jog outside."


    "Hmm¡­ okay." Sasha replied and got back to sleep.


    I wore my sweatpants and shirt and head out. It was still early in the morning and was a little chilly outside, but I felt more alive after taking a jog.


    I jogged on my usual path around the dormitory building and to the market. Grandma Marie is always early in opening her fruit stall. I make at least three rounds of jogging around the building before heading out to the market. I always help Grandma Marie and Jelly in opening there stall every morning even in training days.


    Their fruit stall was getting near while I was jogging in their directions. I saw Grandma Marie stacking up some boxes with Stephen.


    "Good morning Grandma Marie." I greeted. "Good morning Stephen. What brings you here so early?"


    "Oh, good morning Claudia." Grandma Marie replied. "I asked Stephen here to lend me a hand. Jelly is sick today and I left her home to take some rest."


    "Hi Claudia. Good morning." Stephen replied. "We don''t have training today and because Grandma Marie asked, I thought it is better to help out so that Jelly can take a rest while sick."


    "Oh, so Jelly is sick." I started to help in carrying the box of fruits inside. "Does she have a cold or something?" I asked.


    "Yes. She has been sneezing since the other day." Grandma Marie replied. "She was running a temperature last night and I told her to take some rest today. I hope she is doing fine now."


    "Let me check on her after we are done here grandma." I replied.


    "Oh, thank you my dear." Grandma Marie said with gratitude. "I am a little worried but with you checking up on her, I will feel relieved."


    "No worries grandma." I replied with a smile and resumed helping.


    "So, Sasha, Devon and you are going out today, right?" Stephen asked while fixing some fruits in the front counter.


    "Yes." I replied. "We have decided that a small group will be better to move around while visiting other communities, right?"


    Stephen had accompanied me in the first two trips on the nearby communities. He wanted to go today as well but I insisted that he needed to take a rest and asked Devon to accompany Sasha and me.


    "Yes, that is correct." Stephen replied. "Do you really not want me to accompany you today as well? I mean, after this I am free the whole day."


    "We are going to be fine Steph." I replied. "You also need to rest you know. You are always busy because of community work. Having a day off is rare for you."


    "She is right Steph. You do not need to go out of your way to help the selfish whims of someone." Anna''s voice was suddenly behind me. "Why don''t you go out with me and go to the daycare center? I am planning to bake and apple pie today and give it to the orphaned kids there. I am sure they will be happy to see you again. They have always been asking about you whenever I go there. They want to play with you again."


    "Oh Anna¡­ good morning." I greeted awkwardly. She was still hostile to me even after months have passed by.


    "Hmph¡­" Anna gave me a sour look.


    "I-I don''t know Anna." Stephen replied while scratching his head. "I can visit them another time, I guess."


    I am not sure, but I just noticed that Stephen was avoiding Anna since I got here. And I thought they were a couple because of how Anna was clinging to Stephen like now.


    "Oh, come on Steph. We haven''t been going out lately you know." Anna pushed me aside and clung to Stephen''s arm in an instant. "


    I felt like a third wheel being here and seeing them so close.


    "I think you should go, Steph." I said just to escape being in this awkward position. "I am sure the kids will be happy to see you."


    Stephen also brought me to the daycare center a few times. It was like a little orphanage where young kids that lost their parents are being taken care of. There were a variety of kids there, some that are jolly and some that had sad faces. People in the community are working hard to cheer up the children in the daycare center and Stephen was one of them. The kids there love him and that is why he goes there from time to time to play with them. Stephen has this gentle aura that can calm a person, I know because I was one of those persons he had helped.


    "I-Is that okay?" Stephen asked me with a confused look.


    "Why not?" I replied. "It is your day off so you can do as you please."


    "You heard here, let''s go." Anna replied. "Hey granny, I will buy some apples for the apple pie okay."


    "Sure, sure." Grandma Marie replied.


    Not long, Anna left while pulling Stephen with her.


    "She is a good gal you know, but a little obsessed with Stephen." Grandma Marie said.


    "Well, I do not see why she can''t be." I replied. "I mean, they are both single right? And I can see that Anna really liked Stephen."


    "Hah, you are dense sometimes you know?" Grandma Marie sighed.


    "D-Dense?" I was surprised with the word that grandma described me. "Am I dense?" I asked myself.


    "Well, I think we are done opening here. Thanks for the help, and here." Grandma Marie gave me some bananas. "Take this with you and give some to Jelly as well. Tell her to take her medicine after eating."


    "Thanks grandma." I replied with a warm smile while taking the bananas. "Well, I am off."


    I waved goodbye and headed for grandma and Jelly''s living quarters.


    **


    *KNOCK KNOCK*


    "Hello¡­ Jelly it''s me." I knocked on their door but there was no response.


    "Hmm, maybe she is still sleeping." I told myself.


    Good thing Grandma Marie lent me her keys. I opened the door with it and entered.


    "Hello, Jelly." I called out. "I came here to visit you. Grandma said you have a cold."


    When I stepped inside, I saw Jelly''s door to her room open. She was lying down on the floor near her bed to my surprise.


    "JELLY!" I quickly ran towards her and knelt beside her. I touched her forehead, and I felt that she was burning up. "Oh my God, you have a high fever. Let me take you to Doc."


    I carried her in my arms and dashed outside in an instant. My destination was to Doc''s clinic.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 20: A Mission to get Medicine (2)

    Chapter 20: A Mission to get Medicine (2)


    I took Jelly to Doc''s clinic in a hurry. When we got there, she was immediately put in a hospital bed in a make shift ward with an IV drip on her arm. She was having chills. Doc had given her some injections through her IV and left to get some more that he said she would need.


    "I-It''s cold." Jelly said.


    "Let me get you a blanket." I said to her.


    I stood up and go out of the ward to ask Doc where I can get extra blankets when I saw him talking to Sasha and Stephen. They had a worried look on their faces.


    "Claudia¡­" Sasha called when she saw me coming. "How is little Jelly?" She asked.


    "She said she is a little cold." I replied. "Doc, where can I get extra blankets?" I asked.


    "Oh, here let me get it for you." Doc said and walked towards a cabinet and took a blanket from the stack inside and gave it to me. "Here."


    "Thanks." I replied. "Um, if I may ask, why are the three of you looking worried? Does Jelly have some kind of serious illness?" I asked worriedly.


    "Oh no, it is not that serious." Doc replied. "But the problem is, I will almost ran out of antibiotics. What I have left will probably last for another three days, and what Jelly''s body needs to fight off her illness is a week dose of the medicine. If we cannot get Jelly the antibiotics she needs, then her illness might become serious."


    "Then can''t we get the medicine she needs?" I asked in a worried tone.


    "It is not that easy Claudia." Stephen replied. "As you know, procuring medicine is not that easy now. We need to get medicine from a community that has the equipment that produce them. And like other communities, we need to wait in line to get them."


    "I have ordered a new batch of medicine and antibiotics, but the problem is the shipment is not until next week." Doc said. "I am sure that the medicine is already packed and ready, the only problem is the delivery date. I am afraid Jelly''s young body will not last that long without medicine."


    "Is it the community we usually get our medicine supplies?" Sasha asked.


    "Yes, it is still that community." Doc replied.


    "Then that''s perfect!" Sasha squealed in delight. "Claudia and I have plans to go there!"


    "Is it that community we have a schedule on going?" I asked.


    "Yes, that is correct!" Sasha said in delight. "The travel on foot is half a day at least. We can just spend the night there to do what you need yo do and get back the morning of the next day. We will make it in time, right?" She asked Doc.


    "You probably will." Doc said, nodding his head. "Then I will leave the delivery to you."


    Doc walked to his desk and got a pencil and a piece of paper. He wrote down something and then handed Sasha the piece of paper. I also looked at what was written on the paper and it looked like a name of a medicine.


    "This is the medicine that Jelly needs." Doc said. "You do not need to get all the packaged I ordered because it would be quite heavy for the both of you. You only need to get this back to me here tomorrow."


    "Hmm, I understand." Sasha nodded. "So Claudia, are you ready to go?" She asked me.


    "As ready as I will ever be." I replied with determination.


    I wanted to help Jelly from the bottom of my heart. I am sure Grandma Marie will also be very worried. Then both of them have been good to me since the first time I came here in the community and I want to give back their kindness.


    "I am coming with you." Stephen said instantly.


    "But don''t you have plans today at the daycare center with Anna?" I replied. "Sasha, Devon and I can take care of this."


    "This is an important mission that I need to partake as well." Stephen said. "I think Anna and the kids in the daycare center will understand." I just nodded in understanding.


    "Then let''s get ready then." Sasha said. "Meet you all at the gate by ten."


    "Sure." I replied.


    "Okay." Stephen replied.


    Sasha and Stephen exited the clinic and I took the blanket to Jelly and I saw her sound asleep.


    ''She was breathing evenly now. Thank God.'' I thought.


    I draped the blanket over her and looked at her sleeping. She looked like an angel while her eyes were closed.


    "Don''t worry. I promise I will get the medicine that you need." I said and kissed her forehead. "Just sleep tight and rest well."


    I walked towards the door and looked back at Jelly one last time. If my daughter was sick like her, I will surely do anything in my power to get what she needs to be healthy again.


    ''Maybe this is my motherly instincts kicking in.'' I thought. ''I hope our journey will be uneventful.''


    Little did I know that this trip will be very different from the other trips I have gone through.


    Edited by: nalyn


    CREATORS'' THOUGHTS


    Les01


    Hi dear readers. Sorry for only updating now. All I can say us that I become very busy with life. Anyways, this chapter is short but I am sure to update more frequently from now on.


    Thanks for understanding.

 Chapter 21: The Medical Community (1)

    Chapter 21: The Medical Community (1)


    Sasha, Devon, Stephen and I all rendevouz at the gate entrance. We were wearing our special armor and they are carrying the special weapons assigned to us. Stephen is using a rifle like weapons, while Devon has gauntlets and Sasha had a lance like weapon in use. I on the other hand always carry the Japanese sword that was entrusted to me and the twin pistols that is a special weapon. We also packed some provisions that we need on the road ahead.


    "Are you all ready to depart?" Stephen asked.


    "Yes." The three of us reply in unison.


    "The trip will not take long." Stephen said. "In my calculations, can make it there before the sun sets if there are no problems along the way."


    "That is, if there are no problems." Devon repeated with a smirk.


    "Let us just hope for the best." Sasha said while adjusting her weapon on her back. I nodded with her words.


    What we need right now is to make haste. We need to get the medicine that is needed for Jelly to make a full recovery. My business in the community only comes second.


    The gates in front of us open and we depart to our mission at hand.


    **


    The journey to the community was uneventful to our surprise. We did not encounter any daemons along the way and we were able to arrive at the community without any problems.


    "Halt." A guard on the wall shouted. "What is your business here?"


    I looked atop the wall and saw several guards pointing normal weapons at us. I felt my body tighten in alert. Having others point a gun on you is rather nerve recking. We had our hands up just in case they think we were enemies.


    "I am Stephen from another community in the south." Stephen replied. "We are here to get some medicine supplies. I believe Doc had already sent a word."


    The man above the wall that looked like the one in charge gestured the other men to lower down their weapons. He called for another person and had a conversation with him. They were conversing and nodding until they are done talking to each other. The man who was in charge looked at us from above.


    "Your identities have been cleared. You may enter." The man said. "Open the gates and let them in!" He ordered.


    Not long, the big gates in front of us opened little by little. Guards were also stationed at the entrance holding special and normal weapons. They let us in while being cautious of the surroundings.


    We walked slowly inside but still on guard. Many eyes are upon us. A man that looked like in his late forties or early fifties was walking towards us. He had a smile on his face.


    "Welcome to our humble community." The man said with a huge smile on his face. "It has been a while since I saw you Stephen. How have you been? You have never once visited us here, your mother will be happy to see you in person."


    "Hello father." Stephen said with a blank face.


    I was surprised to know that Stephen have living family here in this community. I looked at Sasha in confusions and she just blinked at me.


    "It is complicated." Sasha whispered to me. "I am sure Stephen will explain it to you." I just nodded.


    "What brings you here and your unit?" Stephen''s father asked. "Oh, there is a new face."


    "We are here to get the medicine that Doc needs to treat a patient." Stephen replied. "We are planning to spend the night and go back out early in the morning. Oh, and this is Claudia. She is also here for some personal business."


    "I see." Stephen''s father replied. "Then I will tell the others to prepare your rooms. Why don''t you go to your mother and say hi. I bet she will be delighted to see you."


    "¡­thanks." Stephen said with a glum expression.


    The man that was in charge on top of the wall was walking towards us with a serious expression.


    "My name is Glenn." He introduced in a curt way. "I will show you to your rooms. Follow me."


    Sasha, Devon, and I followed the man named Glenn while Stephen followed his father somewhere else.


    After we were sent to our rooms and left alone, we took off our armor and weapons to change into normal clothes and took a shower one after the other.


    "Hah, that was intense." Devon said while we are all lounging.


    The room had two bunk beds. Both Sasha and I took the bottom bed while Devon and Stephen would probably take the upper ones. Sasha and I were sitting besides one another in my bed while Devon was standing up, towel drying is hair.


    "Do you know Stephen''s dad?" I asked out of curiosity.


    "Yes." Sasha replied. "He was out superior and commanding officer in our unit when we were in the army."


    "Oh¡­" I replied. I nearly forgot the the three of them were all in the army together in the past.


    "He is a strict one,, even to Stephen his own son." Devon said. "I still remember the intense training we received from him. It still gives me the shivers remembering it." He gestured.


    "Well, as you can see in the interaction between father and son. They have some bad blood going on between them. It is not my story to tell, so. I can''t tell you what''s going on between them."


    "Oh no, it is fine." I shrugged my hands. "I am not that curious." I replied.


    I cannot pry on other''s relationship. I too have some problems with my relationship with my mother, and I understand that prying eyes can''t be good for the person that receives them.


    *KNOCK KNOCK*


    "Come in." Sasha said.


    The door opened and Stephen was standing there with a middle aged woman. She was rather beautiful even with her age.


    "Good evening ma''am." Sasha and Devon stood up to greet her and I followed doing the same.


    "Oh, no need to greet me like that." The woman said. "I am just happy to see that you are living well."


    "Claudia, this is my mother." Stephen introduced. "Mother this is Claudia. The one I am talking to you about."


    "Hello Claudia." Stephen''s mother greeted and extended her hand and I took it immediately to shake.


    "H-Hello." I greeted awkwardly.


    "I heard you searching for your family. Maybe I can help you with that." Stephen''s mother said.


    "Really?!" I beamed after hearing her words.


    "Yes, well I have heard the names of your daughter and brother that Stephen had mentioned." Stephen''s mother had said. "Let us talk in my office."


    "O-Of course!" I replied enthusiastically.


    At last, I have a lead on my family.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 22: The Medical Community (2)

    Chapter 22: The Medical Community (2)


    Stephen and his mother led me to a clinic. Inside the clinic was the office of Stephen''s mother. I looked around to see their family pictures inside picture frames. I see a young Stephen when he was just a kid with a little girl and a dog. The little girl looked like his younger sister. I also see certificates of doctorates hanging on the walls.


    "You are a doctor?" I asked Stephen''s mother.


    "Yes." Stephen''s mother replied. "I am also a lab researcher and the lead of the team here in this community that manufactures everyday medicines that people would need." She explained.


    "Wow." I was amazed with how important she is in a time like this. "What you are doing here is very noble of you. I mean, at the time we are in now, what you are doing is very important. You are an important person."


    "Oh, I won''t say that I am someone that important." Stephen''s mother giggled. "This is the least I can do to help others. At least I can do something that can help the community."


    Stephen''s mother is being humble with her work and so I did not say anything else


    "Please take a sit." Stephen''s mother gestured. "My son here has explained your situation. It is a miracle that you have survived all this years."


    "I myself am surprised as well." I took a sit while Stephen and his mother sit as well. "I am just thankful that I am alive. I just wish that I can also find my family."


    "Yes, I Stephen had also told me that." Stephen''s mother said. "And I believe I could help."


    "I told mother about your situation." Stephen said. "I also told her the names of your family members such as your parent''s, brother and daughter."


    "I will be very grateful if you have any news about then." I said in anticipation. "I have already gone to a few communities just to dampen my hopes of finding them. Your words just now give me a ray hope." I said with eagerness.


    "Stephen mentioned that your daughter''s name is Cindy, correct?" Stephen''s mother asked.


    "Yes, that is correct." I replied.


    "And your brother''s name is Paul?" Stephen''s mother asked again.


    "Yes. My brother''s name is Paul." I replied.


    "I am not sure if they are the same people you are searching for, but I was able to meet someone by those names." Stephen''s mother said. My heart raced after she said those words. "But the girl Cindy, she looks like she was in her teens. Maybe between fourteen to sixteen in my estimation. Seeing you so young, I was a bit reluctant that she would be your daughter."


    I was taken off guard hearing Stephen''s mother. I remembered that I still looked like a twenty five year old woman. Having a teenager for a daughter would be close to impossible. I scrambled my thought on explaining.


    "I-I may look young but I am quite older in age." I smiled awkwardly. "I mean¡­ well¡­" I was out of thoughts on what to say and scratched my head awkwardly.


    "You do not need to explain yourself if you don''t want to." Stephen''s mother reassured. "I am just telling you that I met someone with those name. Cindy was a teenager traveling with her uncle with the name of Paul and her father Gray."


    "Gray¡­?" I was surprised to hear that name after so long.


    "Yes. Actually I got acquainted with Gray because he was a doctor like me." Stephen''s mother replied. "He is a very bright and capable man and also a very important person. He is a leading doctor on the medical community. The medical community was he old Center for Disease Control or CDC of the old years. He is a lead researcher there, working on the research of the genetics of these daemons. His research had given us some useful information such as the weaknesses of daemons that were known and cataloged. He is also still researching other kinds of daemons species there."


    I cannot believe my ears that I am hearing the work of Gray, the one that became AWOL when I got pregnant with Cindy. To know that my daughter and brother is now with him is quite surprising. I knew how Paul loathed Gray when he abandoned me. Hearing this made so many thoughts come rushing inside my brain.


    "Claudia¡­ Claudia¡­" Stephen was calling out to me. I didn''t realize that I was spacing out, being lost in my own thoughts.


    "Oh¡­ sorry." I apologized. "I was lost in my thoughts back there."


    "That is quite alright, dear." Stephen''s mother replied.


    "So, if I may ask¡­" I trailed. "These people¡­ are they now in that medical community you have mentioned?" I asked in anticipation.


    "Yes. The last thing I know, Gray and his family are there now." Stephen''s mother replied. "Like this community, the medical community manufactured medicines and more. It is bigger than this community and more doctors and researchers are residing there."


    "Thank you¡­ thank you very much for the information." I said with a bright face. I was so grateful for the information Stephen''s mother had shared.


    "It is nothing." Stephen''s mother replied with a smile. "I am happy to help. My son here looks like he is very fond of you."


    "I-Is that so¡­.?" I felt shy hearing her say those words in front of Stephen himself.


    "Mother!" Stephen scolded.


    "Oh come on Steph, having someone to spend your life with is my greatest wish. And Claudia here looks like a very pleasant girls." Stephen''s mother said.


    I can see Stephen blush. We are both feeling awkward. While. His mother was beaming with a smile.


    "W-We better go now. It is getting rather late and we have an early start tomorrow." Stephen said. His words let me felt relieved and I stood up together with him.


    "Oh, is that so? Then please have a good night''s rest." Stephen''s mother replied. "Claudia dear, I would like to see you again in a more convenient time. You are welcome to visit here again. Stephen, you definitely have to come back with Claudia in the near future. Stay here for a few days so that we can get acquainted."


    "I understand mother." Stephen said with an awkward face. "We will be going now." He took my hand and pulled me out of his mother''s office.


    "Thank you once again ma''am." I said with gratitude.


    "Please call me Grace." Stephen''s mother said.


    "Then, thank you once again Grace." I said while waving good bye while Grace was waving back.


    Stephen was still holding my hand until we were outside the clinic. The night was getting deeper and the stars were twinkling brightly in the night sky.


    "Sorry about my mother." Stephen said making a stop under a tall tree along the way. "She is quite chatty."


    "I think your mother is lovely." I said with a smile.


    "Well, yes. I mean she is a very lovable person." Stephen replied. "And what she said is true. I really do like you Claudia." Stephen confessed out of nowhere.


    Stephen''s confession took me by surprise. I have been with his community for quite some time now and I had a hunch about his feelings before,, but I have never given it a serious thought because of Anna. But now that Stephen is confessing in front of me, I was really taken off guard.


    "S-Stephen¡­ I-I do not know what to say." I replied. I really do not know what to say. I never thought of romance since after Gray. And now in this kind of world, romance is at the very end of my bucket list.


    "You do not have to give me a reply now Claudia." Stephen said with a blushing face. "I understand that you have your priorities. I am just happy that I can be by your side and help."


    "Thank you." I replied.


    I was happy to know that Stephen is not pressuring me for an answer. He is a great guy and all, what woman would not want someone as capable and kind as him. Knowing that he has feelings for me made my heart race, but not as intense as what I felt with Cindy''s father, Gray. Maybe because I am more mature now.


    "But Claudia, I just want to ask you something." Stephen started to get serious. "I have thinking about this for a while now. I saw you flinch when my mother asked about the teenage Cindy she cannot possibly be your daughter. But seeing your expression, I am convinced that she is your daughter. You told us you were twenty five years old, but you told mother you were much older than you appear to be. There are quite a few inconsistencies. And I have been some things that are quite mind boggling about you."


    My eyes went wide when I heard Stephen''s words. I had been very careful from the start as to not raise suspicions, but I guess Stephen really has an eye of an eagle to have caught wind of me. I was not able to confirm nor deny his thoughts and was trying evade eye contact.


    "I promise you Claudia, your secret is safe with me." Stephen took my hand and squeezed it gently. "My heart has been stolen by you, and I will do anything to show you that I am trust worthy. I am on your side Claudia." He said to me with a gentle voice.


    My defensive walls were broken with those words. I felt like I was alone because of my secret, even after having to know my friends now and getting close to them. I then decided to open up to Stephen for starters. Maybe after I tell him, i can have some insight on what might have happened to me.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 23: A Love Interest

    Chapter 23: A Love Interest


    I looked at Stephen straight in his eyes. I felt that he had no hidden meaning in his words, with his eyes being so clear while looking at me. I gathered up the courage to tell him my worries.


    "Steph, you have taken me in even though you do not know me and I thank you for that." I said. "I do not know how to thank you enough."


    "Claudia, do you remember what I told you the first time I met you?" Stephen said taking a step forward towards me.


    I have always stepped back when he make advances towards me, I am still feeling the same thing even now, guarding my heart from emotions I do not want to feel again. But this time I decided to hold my ground and let Stephen come close to me. His hand carefully reached out and hanged in the air for a second, as if waiting for my permission for him to touch me. When I did not back away like before, Stephen''s hand resumed its advance and landed on my cheek. I can feel his warmth radiate from his palms to my face, something I have not felt for quite a while, the warmth of the opposite sex.


    "I told you that I can sense that you are a good person and that you will never bring harm to me or the community." Stephen said. "I perfectly know that in my heart."


    Stephen''s other hand reached out to mine and put it on his chest. I can feel his heart pounding like crazy, confirming his feelings towards me. I slightly flinched, knowing how close we are with each other right now.


    "T-Thank you¡­ for believing in me. Your words really means a lot to me." I replied to his heart felt feelings. "But if ever we will be in a relationship, I have to tell you something first." Stephen nodded and waited for me to talk.


    I gathered my thoughts and told him my past. That I was a single mother and had an eight year old daughter before I got into an accident and went into a coma. I have told him about my past with Gray and how it affected me having to go into a relationship with the opposite sex. I told him everything there is to tell about me, not missing anything out. I have felt that I need to tell him everything about me before the thing that I am worrying about.


    "He is an awful b*stard!" Stephen said with an angry expression. "After making you pregnant, he just up and leave without even saying goodbye. He is really a son of b*tch. If I ever see him, I will give him a really good punch."


    "Thank you for getting angry for me, but it is all in the past now." I said slightly giggling. "But can''t you see what the problem is right now? My daughter is now sixteen years old and I still look like a twenty five year old in my body. That is what I am worried about, I do not feel like myself before the accident."


    Stephen paused and looked at me with a worried expression.


    "I understand you would be worried about that. I am also not sure what to say in this kind of situation. We do not know what happened when you were in a coma for eight years." Stephen said. "But maybe you stopped aging when you were in a comatose state. You know¡­ like those in the movies." He chuckled. I know he was helping to improve my mood.


    "So, we are in a Supernatural Sci-Fi reality movie?" I giggled. "But jokes aside, after seeing this world after waking up. I can say that supernatural beings does exist, so those sci-fi things are possible."


    "If you like to find some answers, we can go back to the hospital were you opened your eyes." Stephen said. "Maybe there are clues left there, like medical records or something."


    "Actually, I never thought of that." I replied. "I was so focused on searching for my daughter and family that I put my worries about myself right at the back of my mind. Thanks Steph, I think your advise can shed light to my worries."


    "I am just glad that I can be of some help." Stephen said.


    The mood surrounding us became light and more intimate. Stephen was still holding my hand while we are close to each other. I can feel the warmth of his body radiating towards me.


    ''This feeling¡­'' I thought about it. I cannot mistaken this situation even if I want to. Stephen''s face was closing in to mine slowly. ''This mood will definitely end with us kissing.''


    When the realization hit, I gently evaded Stephen''s advances with looking away. It was a slight rejection and I know he can interpret it as me pushing him away, and so I need to explain myself.


    "S-Steph¡­ I-I am¡­ I think this is a little bit too fast." I said. "I am not yet sure if I can go into a relationship with you and I do not want to give you false hope or anything. But¡­ can we take things slow. I mean, well I want to try¡­" I felt awkward explaining myself that my words just came out jumbled.


    "I totally understand. I am willing to wait" Stephen replied with a smile. Rather than kiss me on the lips, his lips landed on my forehead. It was a light and innocent kiss. "Come, it''s getting late and we need to get up early tomorrow morning."


    Stephen took my hand. And gently led me back to our quarters for the night. Our talk made my heavy heart feel light. I did not realize how heavy of a burden that was for me, and sharing it with someone helped me ease off some load on my shoulders.


    **


    At dawn, we were preparing to depart. We got everything we need on this trip. We have the medicine that Jelly needs to get a full recovery. I also had information about my daughter and brother.


    "Be careful on your way back." Grace said while hugging Stephen.


    "Thanks mom." Stephen hugged her back. "Take care as well."


    "Have a safe journey back son." Frank said. "Visit us again in the future."


    "I will try." Stephen replied without looking at him directly. "Well, we better go now."


    Our group left at the entrance gate and was now headed back to our own community. We were walking carefully just to make sure not to have an unnecessary encounter with any daemon along the way. It was nearing mid day when we came across an open field. We did not go through this path yesterday because we would have made it here at sun down where daemons are more rampant at night. Being in an open field and without any cover while coming across a daemon and fighting it head on is suicide in itself. But now that the sun is high up in the sky, there is a low chance in encountering a daemon.


    "So, you mean your daughter is now with your brother and your ex?" Sasha asked. We were chatting along the way and I have told them of the news about my family.


    "Yes, that is what Grace has said." I replied.


    "Well, it is a good news don''t you think?" Devon said. "It is better than to not have any news at all. And by the looks of it, Claudia''s family is safe in that community. I mean, that place is an impenetrable fortress. That community is one of the most safest in this continent."


    "I know that." Sasha gave Devon a sarcastic look. "What I meant was, Claudia''s ex¡­ the one that was MIA when she got pregnant and gave birth and did not even showed himself EVER, is the one with Claudia''s daughter and brother now. I mean, he is a total jerk you know."


    Everyone was quite until I broke the silence.


    "I am not sure what I would feel once I see him again, but if he had protected my daughter and made sure she was safe that is fine by me." I said. "Let the past be in the past. What I need to do now is look on towards the future."


    "Then we will go and pay your ex a visit then." Sasha had an evil grin on her face. "Let''s show him our THANKS for leaving you and your daughter behind."


    "Oh, I will make sure to do that." Stephen replied.


    I was happy to see that my new friends are getting mad over my past situation. But for me, I am just looking forward to seeing my daughter and family again. I hope that they are doing well.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 24: Getting Captured (1)

    Chapter 24: Getting Captured (1)


    I was happy to see that my new friends are getting mad over my past situation. But for me, I am just looking forward to seeing my daughter and family again. I hope that they are doing well.


    Sasha and Devon were walking at a distance in front of me and Stephen. I thought of asking his relationship about his father. Now that I have decided to open up to him, I also want to know about him.


    "If I may ask, are you and your father at odds with one another?" I started the conversation.


    Stephen looked at me with a sad face.


    "You do not need to tell me if you don''t want to." I said hastily. "I was just curious. I guess, I also want to know more about you."


    "It''s okay." Stephen replied. "It really is not that big of a deal. It is just that he was our commanding officer once. We were in the middle east back then when we were attacked by insurgents in a village. There were bystanders, innocent people in the line of fire. I know we do not have any fault of those that are caught in the cross fire but¡­ my father, he¡­ he ordered to open fire even with innocents in the middle of the cross fire. We were carrying high grade weapons that is why we were ambushed. I know we cannot let the enemy. Get their hands on what we were carrying but taking innocent lives just to prevent the enemy from getting their hands on the weapons¡­ it''s just not right for me. I did not carry on the orders like my fellow soldiers did and I was suspended for a few months because of that. And my relationship with my father had a strain since then."


    "I see." I have now heard Stephen''s story. It was a heavy load for him and something that have put a strain in their relationship. "I understand, how it is to have a straining relationship with a parent. It is quite hard."


    "Thank you." Stephen said.


    I was about to follow up on our conversation when the ground started to vibrate.


    "What is this?" I asked while the ground below us started to vibrate more intensely. "Is it an earthquake?"


    "No!" Sasha yelled. "Something is coming. RUN!"


    We started to run as fast as we can. Just a distance away from us was the foot of a rocky mountain. Our destination was clearly that way.


    While running the ground from under us started to open up. A huge thing came out of the ground. It has a long body like a snake that was at least five meters long. Its body was thicker than that of any snake I have ever seen.


    "It is a giant worm!" Devon shouted.


    There were at least four other giant worms coming out of the ground and chasing after us. Rather than a head, they had a huge hole at the end of their bodies that have rows of sharp teeth.


    "You call that a worm?!" I asked in disbelief.


    "Well that is what we call them because they dig underground." Stephen replied. "Let''s just hurry towards the rocky area. They cannot burry to the top there."


    Stephen pointed his rifle at one of the giant worms and fired a shot. The shot pierced a hole on it''s body and it dropped dead on the ground. But another one emerged from the ground as if to replace the dead one.


    "The hunt in groups." Sasha said. "We need to go there fast!"


    Giant worms started to sprung out of the ground. Sasha started to swing her staff while Devon used his gauntlets against the ones that are launching themselves right at us. The giant worms flew out of our way. I used my twin pistols and started to shoot the giant worms that were starting to sprang out, preventing them from even emerging. Stephen was doing the same thing as well with his rifle.


    We were nearly at our destination, Sasha and Devon made it there first.


    "Come on!" Sasha was urging us to move faster.


    "Run, run like hell!" Devon encouraged.


    Stephen and I was running as fast as we can. But before getting to our destination, I heard a squeal of some kind of bird. I see Sasha and Devon look up in the sky and so I did the same. I saw what looks like eagles, flying up in the sky. There were three of them.


    "Griffins!" Sasha yelled. "We need to take cover!" She shouted.


    The Griffins started to dive from the sky and were catching the giant worms off one by one.


    ''If there are giant worms, then there were giant birds that feed of them.'' I thought.


    But rather than giant birds, it was a Griffin that were only told in legends. I was able to get a glimpse of one that was flying above. It had a body and tail of a lion and wings and head of an eagle. Its front feet had an eagle''s talons while the back had a lions rear legs. I was amazed by the sight that I did not realize that I stopped running.


    "Claudia!" Stephen only realized that I was left behind and was about to get back to me when I see a huge shadow loom over me.


    When I looked up, a Griffin was hover over me. It was huge in size if you see it up close. I was so preoccupied with the creature that it was too late when its talons grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me up the ground.


    "Ahhh!" I screamed realizing that I was being carried up high in the sky. I can hear the sound of flapping wings while I was being carried up. "HELP!"


    I tried to reach for my weapons but I decided against it knowing that I am thousands of feet up from the ground. I can see Stephen trying to aim his rifle to the Griffin carrying me but Sasha stopped him knowing what will happen if I fall from this height.


    "Claudia! Wait for us!" I hear Stephen shout. "We will rescue you for sure!"


    The Griffin carried me further and further away from my friends. If I was not being carried by a mythical creature now, I would have loved looking at the scenery I was seeing right now. I can see the land below me more clearly. I was being flown over a forest with lush thick trees. Seeing mother nature like this was gratifying.


    Not long, the Griffin was starting to lower its altitude. I can see mountain from afar.


    "Maybe its nest is located there." I said.


    Of course I won''t wait for it to take me there. The Griffin was starting to fly lower. I saw tall trees right under me and thought that this was the perfect time for me to make my escape. I grabbed my pistols and aimed under the Griffin''s belly.


    *BANG*


    I fired a shot and the Griffin immediately let go of me. I can feel my body falling down. I quickly tried to grab the tree''s branches when I was falling. Luckily, I was able to grab on and it stopped my descent.


    "Aww, ow..ow." I flinched in pain.


    My fall was far from a soft landing. The tree branches grazed my body and it was now full of scratches. I can smell the scent of blood.


    "This is not good." I told myself.


    Blood can attract more daemons. Even though it is not yet night time, there are still daemons such as the ones that we just encountered that comes out at daytime.


    I can hear the squeal of the Griffin once more. My shot only grazed its body and I believe I just made it mad.


    "I need to get down from here." I thought.


    Once I am under the trees'' cover, the Griffin will have a hard time getting to me. I see the Griffin circle back and was now flying towards my location. I hurriedly climbed down.


    The Griffin flew rapidly towards me. I tried to shoot it from where I am but it was able to evade them. I stopped shooting and quickly resumed to climb down the tall tree. The Griffin looked like it knew what I was planning to do and quickly hovered above me. Its talons and beak started attacking me.


    "Ahhh¡­" I can feel its claws scraping my back. I randomly shoot my gun in the hopes that it hit the Griffin or at least distract it.


    I was successful toward it away but when it flew away, I lost my grip on the tree and feel downwards. Fortunately, the tree branches softened my fall but I hit the ground hard. My body felt the pain of the fall. My eyes got blurry until it went dark completely. I knew I lost consciousness by that time.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 25: Getting Captured (2)

    Chapter 25: Getting Captured (2)


    I open my eyes slowly feeling my body ache all over. I can see a fire flickering just in front of me. When my eyes open completely, I can see that it was the campfire that was burning. I then realized that I was lying on the ground with my hands tied on my back and also my feet.


    "What the¡­?" I tried to pull my limbs off the ropes that were tying them but to no avail.


    "Oh, boss." A voice said. "The human is awake."


    I looked towards where the voice came from and saw grotesque looking humanoids that has green skin. They had sharp nails and teeth and they have pointy ears. They are not as tall as a normal human, they are just as big as a grown kid. That was when I remembered some of the daemons that I learned from the community database.


    "Goblins¡­" I whispered to myself.


    "So, the little female is awake." A goblin who looked like their elder said. I can see him inspecting my weapons.


    That was when I realized that I was only wearing my sleeveless undershirt and underwear. My armor was together with my guns and sword.


    "These stuff can be added to our treasury." The elder goblin said.


    "How about the female human?" One goblin said. "She looks tasty." He gave me a hungry disgusting look.


    "Yeah. Look at her flesh, it looks so soft and juicy." Another goblin said and touched my things.


    "Hey, hands off!" I kicked the goblin that was touching me and he flew from the force.


    "You little b*tch!" The other goblins said and slapped me on the face.


    *SLAP*


    "Uh¡­" I groaned from the pain.


    "Hey, hands off." The elder goblin said. "It is not everyday that we get to catch a live human. She will be given as an offering to the coven of vampires as a sign of good will. They will need a live human for they feeding."


    "Those vampires are getting high and mighty." The other goblin said. "Just because they are becoming dominant here in the north, they are oppressing us lesser daemons." He grumbled.


    "We cannot but help to submit." The elder goblin said. "They have the huge numbers that is advantageous to them and also a great power."


    "If they are not put in check, they will rule all over the north." The other goblin said. "And we are becoming like servants to them, doing jobs and stuff."


    "Unfortunately, we do not have the numbers to oppose them." The elder goblin said. "If we are just bigger in numbers, we could at least have fought them."


    "If the gate to hell could just open again in this part. We could at least contact some of our brethren." The other goblin replied. "If it is numbers, we surely beat them. They can only multiple because they can turn humans into one of their own here."


    "That is something we do not have control over." The elder goblin said. "The gates to hell open unannounced and we do not know where. We can only sail the tides that are coming our way for now. And so, this little human will become our offering. I know that those vampires are having a hard time getting food, now that the number of humans have dwindled and they are cooping themselves in their safe zones they call communities."


    "Hear that little missy. You will become food for the vampires." The other goblin said pinching my chin hard. "You could have had a swift death if you have become our food. But with the vampires, they will bleed you until you are half dead and then just leave you barely alive just to do it all over again. You would have wished that you were dead."


    The goblin''s words made me angry that I spit on his face.


    "This little b*tch¡­" The goblin retaliated and slapped me on the face once more.


    "Enough¡­" The elder goblin said. "Let her be. The vampires that will get her will be here a while later. Put this aside for now, where the vampires cannot see. I will take this to our treasury once the vampires leave."


    The goblins took my weapons and put it under a tree and covered it with some cloth just to conceal them. Looking around, these place looked like a small village of goblins. They have tents set up around the campfire.


    ''I need to get away here before the vampires come.'' I thought to myself.


    If what I learned from the community''s database is true, then vampires have super human strength and speed. In the myths, they said garlic wards them off and you can kill them with a stake pierced on their heart, but they were proven wrong. What worked against them was silver that can wound their hard skin and sunlight that can burn them to death. The special weapons had UV capacity and were effective against them, the only problem is that a normal human cannot match the strength and speed of a vampire. That is why we seldom go outside at night as much as possible, because encountering a vampire means sure death.


    I saw a sharp rock lying on the ground. Thankfully, goblins are said not to be that intelligent. They are mischievous and foul creatures, but you can go around them if you are smart.


    I crawl slowly as to not get attention towards me. The other goblins were busy in their own businesses that they left me behind thinking that I am harmless because I am tied up. I was able to get the sharp rock and started to rub it on the ropes that are tying my wrists. It may take a while, but it is better than nothing.


    **


    I was just done with cutting the ropes on my feet when three pale looking men came walking towards me. My heart started to race when I saw their faces. They had beautiful features, something that they were given to seduce their prey but they have such pale skin to pass as being humans.


    ''It is said that pale looking vampires are the ones that are hungry.'' I remember reading in the community database. ''This is bad.''


    I closed my eyes so that they will think I am sleeping, at least to get their guard down.


    "Is this the one?" One of the vampire asked. He has such an alluring voice that can attract a normal human being.


    "Yes, this is the one." I hear the elder goblin speak. "We saw her passed out under the trees. Seems like the Griffins dropped her from a high place. She has some wounds from the Griffins and the fall, but other than that she is good."


    "I can smell her from here." One vampire said. "She smells so sweet that I want to have a bite."


    "Her scent is so mouth watering." The other vampire said. "Can''t we have a taste of her before going back?"


    "This one is going to our mistress." The lead vampire said. "So hands off."


    "Hmph, kill joy." The other vampire said.


    "Just because you are the mistress'' favorite." The other vampire said.


    "Shut it and go get her." The lead vampire said.


    I can hear the footsteps coming near me. My mind was processing the situation I am at in fast speed. If I do not do anything now, I cannot escape after. When the vampire leaned down to get me, I took a handful of dirt and threw it right on his face. I was aiming right for his eyes.


    "Ahh¡­ my eyes." The vampire groaned.


    In a split second I ran towards where my weapons are being concealed. I took my sword and guns and dashed out to the trees.


    "Hahaha, does this human want to play hide and seek?" The other vampire said. "Then this vampire will play with you." He said with such an ominous voice.


    "Is this how you give us your offering?" The lead vampire accused the elder goblin.


    "T-This¡­ we were sure she was tied up." The elder goblins tried to explain.


    "I do not need your excuses." The lead vampire said with an icy tone. "You, how long are you going to be like that?" He told the other vampire.


    "But it still stings you know." The vampire that was thrown with dirt was wiping his face.


    "Just go join the other one and get the girl." The lead vampire said.


    "As you wish." The other vampire went into the woods as well.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 26: Fighting a Vampire (1)

    Chapter 26: Fighting a Vampire (1)


    I run to the cover of the woods hoping to loose the vampires that were chasing me there.


    ''I know that this is a long shot, but I have got to do something.'' I thought to myself.


    Vampires have more heightened senses than regular humans. Not only that they are much stronger and faster than us.


    ''All I could do is keep quiet and hide until the sun rises.'' That was my plan.


    But looking up in the sky, it looks like sunrise is still some hours away. I looked at my body that was only in underwear and see that I was full of wound and bruises.


    ''This can''t do. The vampires can smell my blood from a mile away.'' I thought to myself.


    As if God was helping me, I heard a flow of water not far from where I was. I quietly moved towards the location of the sound and I saw a running stream.


    "Nice." I whispered to myself.


    The sound of the stream can at least mask my footsteps. I can also wash away the dried blood that was staining my body. Once I dipped my body in the cold water, I flinched feeling the pain of my wounds especially the one at my back.


    "That Griffin really had such sharp talons." I whispered.


    I remember the Griffin''s talon only grazing me, but the wound was quite deep. It was lucky that it had started to clot, something I find odd. As I know, a wound this deep should not start to clot and heal this rapidly. I got the wound just a few hours ago but it was starting to heal nicely.


    ''Shouldn''t I be thankful about that.'' I thought to myself. ''Before thinking about such things, let''s make it out alive from here first.''


    After having washed the blood out of my wounds and body, I looked at my tattered armor. It was filled with dried blood and looked like it cannot be used anymore.


    ''Now this is a problem.'' I thought while examining the tattered armor. ''Without this, I cannot use my guns. I cannot withstand the power output.''


    I remembered what happened to Stephen''s arm. As he had said, it was toasted after firing just one shot.


    ''I will use my guns as a last resort.'' I thought to myself. ''For now, I will be using my sword.''


    I took the belt from my armor and put it on my waist while it hoisted the guns. I held my sword firmly on my left hand and tied it up nicely to it so that I will not be dropping it anywhere while running.


    ''This can be of use to me.'' I thought while looking at my tattered armor.


    I started tearing my armor to pieces and leaving them at places to throw off the vampires that are in my pursuit. The armor had my blood stained on them, and they will try to track me by scent.


    "Come out little kitten." I heard the voice of the vampire from a distance. "This dog will play with you, hehehe."


    My heart was thumping inside my chest after hearing the vampires voice.


    ''I must calm down.'' I thought to myself. ''My loud thumping heart can be heard by the vampires.''


    Just in case, I did not stray that far from the stream. The water''s noise can help mask my movements.


    "Are you here little kitten?" The vampire taunted once more. "I can smell you. There is no use in hiding."


    I climbed a tall and sturdy tree as quietly as possible. My eyes are not that good in the dark, that is a disadvantage for me. Unlike vampires that can see clearly in dark places.


    ''They really are the children of the night.'' I thought. ''Such a fitting name.''


    Having a vantage point should at least give an advantage. Thankfully, this vampire is chatty. I have a rough estimate of where he is from the sound of his voice.


    "When I find you, I will surely have a taste of you little kitten." The vampire said. "Your scent is so tasty that I was forcing myself not to take a bite. But thanks to you, I can at least have a taste of your sweet blood. I can just imagine how your warm blood will taste while it flows thru my lips and into my mouth until it passes to my throat. Hmm¡­ it will be pure ecstasy."


    The vampires words sickens me to the core. He looked like a pervert stalking his victim.


    ''B*stard!'' I cursed him in my mind.


    "Gotcha!" I heard him say. My heart leaped hearing his words. "Huh, not here."


    I was so on edge in my current situation. Thankfully, the vampire took the distraction.


    "Clever little kitten." The vampire said. "Leaving your bloodied clothes all over the place. Hahaha, do you think that will stop me. I know you are here, I can at least hear your little heart beating. You are clever to hide where there is a stream. I cannot pinpoint your exact location, but I am sure to find you little kitten. Better prepare yourself!"


    With the vampire''s words, I can feel him moving more fast than before.


    ''He is scurrying around in search of all the tattered armor I scattered.'' I thought. ''This is not good.''


    After he has gotten all of it accounted for, he could find my hiding spot. I held my guns but decided not to use it.


    ''Can I fight a vampire with my sword?'' I thought to myself.


    With my current situation, I do not have a choice but to believe that whatever power I have, it is something that can fight a vampire head on.


    ''He is just one vampire.'' I thought to myself. ''I can take him by surprise.''


    "It''s over little kitten, I got all your decoys now." The vampire said. "*sniff sniff* I am sure I got you now."


    My heart was thumping hard inside my chest. For sure the vampire had now pinpointed my location together with my scent. All I can do now is to act fast.


    I heard the vampire dashing towards my location. I pulled out my sword and cut my palms and draw out some blood. I let it dripped below me, to help me have a second of an advantage.


    I heard the vampire sniffing and dash below the tree from where I was hiding. He moved as if he was in a frenzy. When he appeared below me in a frenzied way I leaped on to him in a swift motion, aiming for his neck.


    ''Beheading a vampire is one of the better ways to kill them.'' I remember Stephen''s words. ''They have regenerative abilities as well, and so you need to deal a lot of damage to kill one. But I suggest to behead them in one fell swoop to kill them swiftly.''


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 27: Fighting a Vampire (2)

    Chapter 27: Fighting a Vampire (2)


    ''Beheading a vampire is one of the better ways to kill them.'' I remember Stephen''s words. ''They have regenerative abilities as well, and so you need to deal a lot of damage to kill one. But I suggest to behead them in one fell swoop to kill them swiftly.''


    I swung my sword and was about to hit the vampires neck when he came out of his frenzied state and looked up at me. His eyes were bloodshot while looking at me and was surprised to see me coming for him.


    With a swift motion, the vampire leaped out of the way and was able to evade my attack.


    "That was close." The vampire said. "You are a feisty one, little kitten." He smirked.


    I did not loose my momentum and rushed towards the vampire with the courage that I have mustered. If there is a chance to kill him, then this is the time while he was caught off guard. I swung my sword swiftly, aiming to cut off his neck.


    The vampire was on the defense. He had a shocked expression on his face while evading my every attack. To my surprise, I was able to match his speed. I did not ponder in the thought for long and just focused on my attacks.


    "What the¡­?!" The vampire said while evading my every attack. "How can a human match a vampire''s speed. Wait, are you one of those enhanced humans I have heard about?" His words caught my attention.


    "What do you mean enhanced humans?" I asked while still attacking.


    "You do not know? Aren''t you one of them?" The vampire had an angry face. "You humans delved into the occult and opened the gates of hell just to gain power. When that backfired on you, you experimented on us supernatural beings and your own species as well. Your species gained the power we supernatural beings have. And now that daemons run rampant on the face of the earth, you use those enhanced humans to fight against us."


    I gained some information from what the vampire was saying. I would like to squeeze some more information from him but his started fighting back.


    "Hoe dare you humans play God!" The vampire said with anger and started attacking me swiftly with his sharpened nails. "We may look like monsters, but we tried to co-exist with you humans thru the millennia. But what you did while opening the gates of hell was selfish of you. Now that the daemons came out and run rampant, we all have to fight to survive."


    The vampires words were full of anger. I cannot believe that vampires can feel emotions as well. It feels like they also have a heart.


    "You are not worth giving to our mistress." The vampire said. "I will kill you here and now!"


    The vampires attacks became more aggressive. I was pushed to be in defense. His sharp nails were landing at times when I was not able to block his attacks and blood started to gush out. I then realized that every time I bleed, I can see his irises get bigger but he snaps out of it and persists in attacking me.


    ''Does my blood make him go in a frenzy?'' I remember what happened a while ago when I was a the top of the tree. ''This can give me a fraction of a second.'' I thought.


    I placed my blade on my arm and cut deep until blood gushed out. The vampire stopped on his tracks after seeing me bleed. I am sure he was smelling what he just said ''my sweet blood''. He rushed towards me with only focusing on my bleeding arm. I did not waste any time and meet him head on. With a swift movement, I swung my sword and slashed his neck without any second thought.


    The vampire''s head rolled down the ground and his body fell with a thud. I was panting hard after battling a vampire.


    "H-How¡­" The vampires head was still able to talk. The body started to turn into ashes slowly. "You blade¡­ it is a sacred one blessed by the gods. I cannot believe that¡­ I will be killed by a human. Haha."


    After his parting words, his head started to crumble until it became ashes. My body lost strength after feeling safe and relieved. My legs gave in and I fell on the ground shaking.


    "I did it." I said. "I cannot believe I killed a vampire."


    I was just feeling relief when I heard rustling at the bushes. I then saw the other vampire coming out with shocked eyes.


    "How dare you?!!" The vampire shouted. "You killed my comrade! You are going to pay with your life!"


    I was surprised to see the other vampire that my mind blanked out. The next second I saw the vampire rushing towards me in haste with only one thing in mind, and that is to kill me. I quickly pulled my gun out, thinking that this was a an emergency situation that I would need to use it. I would think about the consequences later after I come out of this alive.


    When I was about to pull the trigger I saw a white blur jump out of the trees and hit the oncoming vampire. From out of nowhere, I saw a gigantic white wolf pressing down the vampire on the ground. It must be at least eight to ten feet in height. I can hear it snarling on the vampire from where I was sitting.


    "Werewolf!" The vampire screamed in rage. "How dare you trespass in our territory?!"


    The big white wolf did not let the vampire talk anymore and started to bite him off with its huge jaws and razor sharp teeth. I can hear the vampire scream in pain until it became silent.


    After it was through with the vampire, the white wolf looked at me. Its red eyes were boring into me intensely. I gripped my gun but I became entranced with his red eyes that I was mesmerized. I was deep in amazement until I realized that the big wolfed shifted into a man.


    The man was completely naked and walked towards me. He had a well built body with chiseled muscles at every inch. He had platinum blonde hair and his red eyes were like gems. I was in awe when I realized that he was walking towards me with huge steps. My body started to become hot for some reason and my heart was thumping hard inside my chest. When he got near, he knelt in one knee an looked at me straight in the eyes.


    "I found you at last, my mate." The man said. I was at a loss of what he meant.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 28: Meeting a Werewolf Alpha (1)

    Chapter 28: Meeting a Werewolf Alpha (1)


    "I found you at last, my mate." The man said. I was at a loss of what he meant.


    "What are you doing here, you f*cking werewolf?" The vampire shouted in anger. "This is our territory!"


    But the man in front of me who is completely naked did not give him any thought or care. The man just continued walking towards me. Me, on the other hand cannot explain what I am feeling right now. My body started to feel hot, and my heart was thumping hard inside my chest. I should be frightened now, with an unknown man approaching me without any clothes on. But I felt at ease now that he was here.


    "My mate, are you alright?" The man who had a body that you can only find in a perfectly sculpted sculpture, knelt on one knee and extend his hand towards me.


    I flinched at first, not knowing what this man would do, but he moved very slowly like he is showing me that he had no intention to harm me. His palm landed on my cheek and the moment I felt his heat, an electricity suddenly ran thru from my cheeks all over my body. The sensation was new and foreign that I did not know what it was.


    "You are quite wounded." The man''s expression suddenly became dark and I hear a low growl coming from him. The man stood up and faced the vampire. "How dare you hurt my mate, you filthy leech!"


    "W-What?! Leech!" The vampire was clearly shaken with the man''s gaze. "You are the one that trespassed and is trying to get in the way of my mistress'' meal, you mutt."


    "Your mistress'' meal you say?" The man started to growl even louder. "You will pay for doing this to my mate!"


    The man took one step at a time towards the vampire. Steam started to come out of the man''s body that I felt a little worried, but in a blink of an eye the man shifted into a big white wolf.


    "A-A werewolf?" I was shocked but yet amazed to see a man shift into a werewolf in front of me.


    The vampire screeched after seeing the big white werewolf in front of him. He was taking steps back while the big white werewolf was moving forward.


    "This can''t be¡­ a-an alpha!" The vampire looked frightened looking at the big white werewolf in front of him. "I am no match for someone like you."


    The vampire turned tail and started to run away but the white wolf chased after him. They both vanished from my sight but I can still hear the screaming, screeching and growling coming from both of them.


    "I need to get out of here." I told my self.


    I tried to get up from where I was, and stood up on my feet. I can feel the bruises and scratches all over my body. Thankfully, I did not incur any life threatening wounds but my body felt sore all over.


    While I tried walking, I can still hear the screams of the vampire and the growl of the white werewolf from the thick trees.


    "I wouldn''t want to know what is happening there right now." I told my self and resumed walking away.


    I flinched when I felt the deep cut I made in my arm. It was still bleeding out.


    "I need to stop this bleeding." I thought. "There is still one vampire out there. Sh*t!" I cursed.


    I realized I am now in my undergarments and unfortunately I do not have any clothing left on my body except for this. I am not planning on walking back to the community all naked.


    "I just need to get out of here and fast." I said to my self.


    I quickened my pace when I realized that the fighting sounds stopped. I thought by then that the fight between the vampire and werewolf could have finished and of course one of them would have came out the victor.


    "I would not want to stay here to know who it is." I said. ''But I hope the white werewolf survived.'' I thought.


    I then realized that I am hoping a daemon would have survived. I shook my head for these thoughts to fade, but then I remembered the discussion I had with the vampire I killed.


    ''This daemons are like humans. They also have some feelings.'' I thought. ''Could they also have some compassion?''


    I was walking fast towards the clearing. I remember this from earlier where my group had walked thru and where those worms came out of.


    ''I should tread carefully as to not disturb those worms.'' I thought.


    I realized that I am at least on the right track. I am sure that Stephen and the others have came back to the community and forming a search party to find me.


    ''I can''t let them get here.'' I thought. ''This place is dangerous. I know now that this is included in the vampires'' territory.''


    When I was about to walk further, I heard a chilling voice.


    "So, this is where you ran to." It was the voice of the lead vampire. I looked around and saw him hovering from above.


    ''Vampires could fly?'' The myths had many variations of vampires and as for their different abilities. Flying was one that were being debated up until now, but before me is a vampire that is hovering in the air confirming this ability.


    "F*ck!" I cursed out loud and tried to run even when my body was hurting all over.


    But my efforts were all in vain when the vampire swooped down from above and caught me.


    "L-Let go of me!" I tried to resist, but the vampire was able to throw my weapons at a distance.


    "You are such a feisty little human." The lead vampire said. "Stay quiet for me."


    His voice became enchanting. When my eyes fell on his, I felt like I fell into a trance. My body stopped resisting the vampire as he held me, even if my mind was telling my body to fight back.


    ''What is happening?'' I thought. ''Why isn''t my body moving as I will it to.''


    "That is a good girl." The lead vampire said. He hugged me from behind and get strands of my hair away from my neck. I can feel his nose touch my nape and took a sniff. "You really do smell good."


    I tried to resist, but my body was not moving an inch. I tried even harder, and little by little I can feel a sensation on my fingers.


    "It looks like you really are an enhanced human. To think that you can fight back on my mind control." The lead vampire said. "I should do some precaution for my own safety. Do not worry, it will only hurt at first. You will feel ecstasy while I am sucking your blood."


    I can then feel the lips of the lead vampire on my neck. I can feel his tongue lick my skin and then suddenly I felt pain, as if something pricked me deep. I can then feel him sipping from his mouth.


    ''F*ck! I am being sucked by a vampire.'' I thought.


    But rather than pain, my body felt light. It felt like my. Body was being put to sleep, like I am on some drugs. My visions started to get dizzy and blur out. What the lead vampire said was true, rather than pain, I am feeling ecstasy.


    ''Is this how humans feel while being sucked by a vampire?'' I thought. ''No wonder humans would voluntarily let vampires suck them.''


    "Your blood tastes so sweet." The lead vampire said. "I should be careful not to suck you dry. I should stop before that happens."


    My vision was started to darken out and I was at the edge of unconsciousness when I heard a loud howl. I can hear the growl of a wolf getting close to me. I can hear its steps getting nearer and nearer.


    "F*cking werewolf!" The lead vampire cursed.


    I felt my body being laid on the ground. I was battling unconsciousness and saw the big white wolf battling the lead vampire from before. My head felt heavy but I can see how fierce their battle is. But before I can see who the victor was, darkness had claimed me.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 29: Meeting a Werewolf Alpha (2)

    Chapter 29: Meeting a Werewolf Alpha (2)


    When my consciousness started coming back, I realized I was inside an enclosed space. There was a flicker of fire burning from a distance. When my eye sight became more clear, I saw a camp fire near where I was lying down. I looked around and saw that I was in some kind of cave.


    I then realized that my body felt heavy, as if something was on top of me. I was also feeling warm, even though I can hear the rain pouring hard outside of the cave''s entrance. I am only wearing my undergarments and should be feeling cold, but I felt very warm.


    "H-Heavy¡­" I mumbled when I felt the pressure on my body. Suddenly, I heard a man''s voice behind me.


    "Are you awake? I am sorry if I am heavy." The voice said. "I just do not want you to freeze to death. We werewolves have a higher body temperature, and so I hugged you to make you feel warm."


    I was startled and instinctively scurried away from the voice. When I looked around, I saw the man from before, the werewolf. He was completely naked, except for a thin cloth that was covering his private area.


    "W-Who are you?" I asked while having my defenses heightened. I looked around in search of my weapons.


    "Your weapons are over there." The man replied. "I mean you no harm. Please believe me." He had his hands up as a show of his sincerity.


    "How can I believe a werewolf?" I asked, still in a defensive position. "Even if you were a human, I will be on my guard with you looking like that." I gestured to his naked appearance.


    "Hehe, my apologies." The man chuckled. "I shifted abruptly when I smelled the scent of your blood that I ripped the only clothes I was wearing. I believe this cloth would suffice for now."


    The man used the thin cloth as a make shift skirt to cover his private part. It did the job poorly as the cloth was not that big, but he looked hot with him only wearing that piece of fabric.


    ''What are you thinking about at a time like this, Claudia?!" I scolded myself. I can feel a blush creeping on my face.


    "Do you like what you see, my lady?" The man teased me.


    "N-No! Of course not!" I replied rather forcefully.


    "I am sorry, I am just teasing you. As a show of good will, I will give your weapons back to you. You know that those can harm me." The man said with a smile while giving my weapons back in a defensive manner. "My name is Mark, by the way."


    I took my weapons from him rather forcefully, and I felt apologetic right away since I felt I was being rude. This werewolf had helped me with the vampires that were after me not long ago. And not only once did he saved me but twice.


    "C-Claudia¡­ my name is Claudia." I introduced myself.


    "So your name is Claudia." Mark said with an angelic smile that made me mesmerized. "You are my mate, Claudia."


    "Mate¡­ what do you mean by mate?" I asked out of curiosity.


    The first time I met him, he also called me mate. I did not know what that meant.


    "Us werewolves are given by the moon goddess a destined partner in our entire lifetime." Mark explained. "This partner will be the one that holds our heart and soul. We have a connection that is unbreakable."


    "Is this like some kind of soulmate or something?" I asked. "Do you mean that we have some kind of connection with one another?"


    "Yes, you can compare it like that. A soulmate." Mark replied with a smile. "Can''t you feel it Claudia, our connection to one another?"


    When Mark asked me that question, I then realized what I was feeling the moment I first saw him and until now. I can feel some kind of force pulling me towards him. My body is feeling unbearably hot when I was near him, and even at this distance. I feel at ease even though I know that he is a werewolf, a daemon that humans would fear.


    "I can see you feel it as well." Mark said while taking a step forward slowly. "I am not here to hurt you. I came here in search for you after I felt our bond."


    "B-But I am not a werewolf, how can I be your mate?" I asked in confusion. "I-I am human."


    My voice trembled with the thought that I would have become something other than a human. That I must have somehow become a monster when I was in a coma for eight years.


    "There had been instances that a werewolf had a human mate. It is nothing new." Mark said. "I just never thought that my mate would be one, considering that I am an alpha."


    I secretly sighed in relief after hearing that there were instances of werewolf having human mates, meaning I could still be human.


    "You are a werewolf alpha?" I asked out of surprise. "So, you are a leader of a pack?"


    "The only pack left at this side of the continent." Mark replied with a smile. "I do not want to brag, but it is a rather big pack."


    A big pack just means how strong the pack is, and also its alpha. That just means that Mark is not your run of the mill alpha werewolf.


    "So, your strong?" I asked. "Does that mean you were able to beat that vampire a while ago?" This was one of the questions that was running thru my mind.


    Before I lost consciousness, I was able to see a glimpse of their intense battle. I was sure that the vampire was able to hold his own against Mark who was an alpha.


    "I had the upper hand in the battle, but he was able to escape." Mark said with a frown. "Sorry about that."


    "Why are you apologizing?" I asked in confusion.


    "Because that leech sucked your blood." Mark growled in anger. "He bit you, who is my mate and sucked your blood. He also said that it was so sweet that if he could, he would have kept you for himself. I should have killed that b*stard and tore his body into pieces!" He said with such an angry expression.


    I just remembered that I was bit by that f*cking vampire in my neck. I checked it hurriedly, but when I tried touching my neck, I did not feel any bite marks or any pain.


    "Do not worry, I have already licked your wounds." Mark said while he parted my hair that was covering my neck. "Our saliva has healing properties, and it helped heal your wounds a little."


    I then realized that my scratches all over my body had closed. The big wound I made in my arm was the only one left, and it looked like it was in the final stage of healing.


    "Let me help you with that." Mark took my arm and licked the reddish wound with his warm tongue.


    Rather than feel strange by what Mark was doing, I find it rather hot. My body felt some kind of electricity with his touch, like the one I felt from before. My body was heating up with his touch.


    "You still have some wound left here as well." Mark said while parting my hair and proceeding to lick my neck.


    My body flinched with the contact. My heart was racing so fast and my body was starting to feel weird. It felt like my body was turned on with Mark''s touch.


    "Can you feel that as well?" Mark whispered into my ear, his breath felt ticklish and was fueling what I am feeling right now. "Our bodies are trying to say that it needs each other. I won''t lie to you Claudia. I want you, here and now. If you do not want to, then push me away."


    I was in a daze when Mark said that. My mind was telling me not to do this, but my body was telling me otherwise.


    ''I want him.'' I thought. ''I want Mark to touch me.''


    Mark''s face was inching nearer and nearer until our lips finally met. His lips was so soft and it taste like cherries. The sweetness of the kiss made me want more. Our kiss deepened even further and our bodies intertwined as if they were meant to be. Our passionate kiss felt so right, as if this was what it should be. I was feeling euphoria at the moment, something I haven''t felt for a long time.


    Mark''s hand started to travel all over my body. I felt a great sensation from his touch. My body was craving for him, craving for it to be taken by him. When his hand was about to enter my underwear, I just snapped out of it. I pushed him back as hard as I can. To my surprise, Mark did not resist and stepped back.


    "I-I am sorry¡­" I said. "I¡­ I am not ready for this." I composed myself.


    "It''s okay." Mark said with with a calm and reassuring voice. "Like I said, if you don''t want it then you can push me away. I do not want to force you in anything that you do not want. You are my mate, and I want your love together with your respect and trust."


    "This¡­ this is all still new for me." I confessed. "Would you¡­ tell me everything that you know?" I asked.


    "Of course." Mark said with a reassuring smile. "I will explain to you everything you wish to know. I will answer all your questions that are in my knowledge."


    I felt at ease talking to Mark. He was a werewolf, a daemon, but I feel close to him for some reason. I cannot but help to think if it is really because of the mate bond that he had said or is it something else.


    Edited by: nalyn

 Chapter 30: A Werewolf’s Story (1)

    Chapter 30: A Werewolf¡¯s Story (1)


    "Before I answer your questions, can I hug you?" Mark asked.


    His questioned made me flinch. Just after that hot passionate kiss we shared, how could I expect him not to do anything while hugging me.


    ''Not just that. I am also not sure if I can keep my own sanity, seeing just how hot he is.'' I thought to myself.


    "Do not worry. I promise I will not do anything that you do not want to." Mark said with his right arm raised. "It is just that the inside of this cave is a bit cold. I am sure you are feeling that as well."


    When Mark pointed out the temperature, my body instinctively shivered. I remembered that I am only in my undergarments right now, and now that I am not near Mark''s body heat, I am starting to feel cold.


    "A natural body heater right here." Mark smiled innocently, as if it was so natural to having this conversation with me. He opened his arms and wait for me to fall in his arms.


    Against my own judgement, I walked towards him and fell on his embrace. His arms wrapped around me comfortably as if it was so natural.


    ''I can endure this.'' I thought to myself. ''I wouldn''t want to die from the cold. I still have many things to do.''


    Mark carried me near the fire and sat me on his lap while he sat on the hard ground.


    "Isn''t this position a little too awkward." I blush on embarrassment.


    "We just shared a fiery kiss just a while ago and you are getting shy in this skin ship?" Mark chuckled. "I just do not want you to get cold, that''s all. And I like this, having you near me and feeling your warmth. It makes my chaotic heart feel peace after so long."


    "You sound like an old man." I teased him while giggling.


    "Well you could say that the experiences that I have been through have made me more mature than I should be." Mark replied with a sad kind of smile that I felt my heart being squeezed after seeing. "Would you like to hear the story of a werewolf?"


    "I-If you wish to." I became rather shy, knowing that someone I just met is opening his heart to me.


    I was not sure if this is because of the mate bond Mark is talking about, but I feel like telling him my life struggles as well. I feel so comfortable being with him.


    "Maybe my story can also shed some light on some of your questions." Mark said with a smile. "So where will I start?"


    **


    (Mark POV)


    I was still a young boy when my pack was attacked by humans. My pack was the last lycan pack in the US continent. We have been living far away from human civilization, trying to avoid contact with them as much as possible. Our pack has made an own settlement deep in the forest and we were living peacefully without any problems. That was until that faithful day.


    At the dead of night, we heard a bunch of helicopters hovering on our settlement. Our settlement was shrouded with some fairy magic that was given to us by our fairy friends, and so we did not think we would be found out. But we were wrong, dead wrong


    Not long, the enchantment that was cloaking our settlement went down without a warning. After that, human vehicles came and invaded us. At first, we were able to stand ground, with the adult lycans shifting to their beast form that was towering in height. They fought with the humans that were using the latest technological weapons.


    Their high powered weapons were able to break thru to our defences, our lycan warriors were falling one after another.


    "Mark, you have to go with the others and escape." My mother has told me.


    "B-But what about you and father?" I looked at my mother who was afraid and was etched in her eyes.


    "Your father is the alpha of this lycan pack. He needs so hold his ground and fight back." My mother said.


    "But what about you?" I was crying. "You come with me, mom."


    "I-I am sorry my little boy." My mother hugged me tightly. "I need to be with your father. You will understand after you find your own mate in the future. Be safe, my son."


    "No, mom¡­ mom!" I screamed for her, but she turned around and shifted into her beast from and joined the battle.


    I was left with all alone. I tried pushing the other lycans that were escaping to go to where my parents were, and that was where I saw them die fighting.


    My father was hit by a shower of bullets. Regular bullets do not harm us lycans, but my father was bleeding all over. That just means the bullets were made with silver, the only thing that can wound us.


    When my father''s beast form fell on the ground lifeless, my mother whimpered. Seeing her broke my heart. It was as if her heart was ripped out from her. She howled loudly that the other lycans joined her.


    *AWOOOO AWOOOO AWOOO*


    My mother then stood by my father''s lifeless body and growled. She launched an attack to the humans that killed my father.


    "Kill her." A human that looked like the leader of the group ordered. After that, bullets rained on my mother.


    My mother was able to persist, limping and blood was staining her beautiful white fur. When she was near the human leader and was about to attack, that human pulled a sword and slashed my mother''s throat. Like my father, she fell on the ground bleeding until she breath her last.


    "NOOOOOO!!!" I yelled with fury. I looked at the man that killed my mother with hatred. "I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL KILL YOU!!!"


    The human leader walked towards me menacingly while holding the sword that was stained with my mother''s blood. My body felt hot, as if I was boiling inside.


    "No, don''t." A man in a lab coat stopped the human leaders. "He is an alpha lycan''s offspring. He has not yet gone thru his first shift, if I am not mistaken. I want to study him, see how lycans shift for the first time."


    "Suit yourself." The human leader had a blank face and waved a hand towards his human subordinates.


    The humans surrounded me. They had guns pointing at me. I was not afraid of death, now that my parents are death. I just want to kill the man that kill them, before I leave this world.


    But rather than bullets, wires came out of the guns. The wires pierces thru my body and electricity ran thru my body.


    "Ahhhh!" I screamed in pain.


    I trashed all over, making the humans holding the wires on my body flying. Even if I was still a child, I am still a lycan and have strength much stronger than humans. The humans were having a hard time keeping me still while I was trashing, the electric shock was painful, but I was able to resist it.


    But then I felt something prick my arm. When I looked at my arm, I saw a dart sticking to it. I quickly took it out, but my head started to feel fizzy. I got dizzy and the surroundings started to blur. I blinked my eyes, but my sight only cleared for a second and it became fuzzy again. I felt my body weaken, and then my legs folded under me. I sat on the ground trying to hold on to my consciousness.


    "Wolfsbane. This is some kind of poison to you lycans and werewolves." The man in a white lab coast said. He picked up the dart and looked at it. "I put a little dose together with a sedative. I know your kind can burn any medicine in your body at a fast rate, and so I put some wolfsbane with it. Do not worm, a little dose will not do any harm to your body. It will just make your fast healing ability to dull, making the sedative effective. Goodnight, little lycan." The man had a chilling smile etched on his face before I lost consciousness.


    "Could you imagine what happened to me next?" Mark asked. I shook my head, not knowing what kind of horrific experiments those humans could have done to a small lycan child. "I became their guinea pig and was experimented since then. I cannot remember how many times they have pierced my body with injections and put tubes. They also tried to see how far a lycan''s regenerative abilities go. Lycan and werewolves seldom have scars on our body, but they can still have one. They gave me this."


    Mark showed me his back and I saw a huge scar from the right shoulder blade down to his waste. It was not that nasty to look at, but you can just imagine how deep could that have been. I cannot hide my surprise.


    "I was able to escape when I was in my teens, and that was when I met you." Mark said and smiled sweetly. "I believe that was eight years ago.


    My eyes went wide in surprise with his words.


    Edited by:nalyn