The soft murmur of rain and the occasional creaking of old wood were the first sounds Arika heard when she woke up. Her head felt heavy, as if a thick fog had enveloped her thoughts, but what hurt most was the sharp burning sensation in her leg, a feeling that forced her to slowly open her eyes.
She was lying on a blanket on the floor, surrounded by gray, worn walls. She couldn't clearly remember how she had gotten there, but something inside her told her that it had all happened too quickly.
As she moved her body slightly, she felt the tug of a bandage on her arm, tighter than she remembered. She looked down and saw Koen sitting next to her, crouching, his hand still on hers. The concern on his face was evident, although he didn't seem to have noticed that she was already awake
—Koen... —she murmured, her voice rough and weak.
He looked up immediately. His expression changed from concern to a strange mix of relief and frustration. He leaned toward her, gently brushing her forehead.
—Arika... —he said in a low voice—. How are you feeling?
She nodded slowly, trying to sit up, but a sharp pain in her leg stopped her. With a grimace, she leaned on the floor and took a deep breath before speaking.
—I'm... better than before —she replied honestly, although exhaustion permeated her tone—. But... what happened? Where are we?
—In an abandoned house. It's a safe place for now —Koen explained, his voice softening as he saw her regain her strength—. You fainted from the pain, Arika. You were badly injured.
Arika tried to remember, but the images of the fight faded, blurred, as if her mind was trying to protect her from something too painful. However, Koen's words came back to her clearly.
"If anything happened to him, I don't know if I could bear it."
A sharp pain shot through her temple, mingling with the burning of her wounds. She closed her eyes, seeking calm, but the echoes of that conversation between Koen and Reize would not dissipate.
—I care too much... I don't know when it happened, but... if something happened to her... I... I don't know if I could bear it.
Even with her mind clouded, Arika looked at him. Koen hadn't moved away for a moment. There was something in his expression that transcended simple concern.
With effort, she managed to ask, her voice barely a whisper.
—Why do you care so much?
Koen held her gaze for a moment, as if searching for the right words. The tension was palpable, but what he said was simple and direct.
—Because I don't want to lose you, Arika.
She looked at him, surprised. Her body ached and her mind was exhausted, but deep down, something ignited. A spark. A connection.
With a weak smile, she sighed and lay back down on the blanket, calmer, though Koen's words continued to echo inside her.
—Remember what I promised you... I told you we would meet again, and look, here we are.
—That's true... Thank you for keeping your promise —Koen said with a faint smile.
He said nothing more. He remained silent, watching her intently. When he saw that Arika still looked exhausted, he murmured in his usual calm tone:
—Rest. We'll make sure you're safe.
—Okay.
As the room filled with stillness, Arika closed her eyes. This time, without fighting the darkness, she surrendered to rest. And as she did, the memories and unspoken words began to dissolve, leaving her in peace, if only for a moment.
Elsewhere in the house, Reize ran into Ethan and asked about the situation outside. Ethan explained that Elion had gone out to check. Shortly after, Elion entered, his face serious.
—I don't have good news—he said gravely—. hey're coming. The infected from the towers are moving this way. I don't know if it's a horde or just a few, but the situation is getting complicated outside.
The air immediately tensed. Faces hardened.
—What do we do? —asked Reize, staring at the door as if expecting to see them appear at any moment.
Elion spoke with a calmness that contrasted with the urgency of the situation.
—It's best to move now. As I said before, I have a shelter not far from here, close enough for us to be safe. If we keep waiting here, we'll be trapped.
Ethan and Reize looked at each other, unsure about what Elion had said.
—A shelter? —asked Reize, her eyes fixed on Elion—. How do we know it's not a trap?
Elion remained unperturbed by their mistrust. His tone remained calm and confident.
—It's not. There are more survivors there.
—Survivors? Are there several of them? —Ethan said, surprised.
—Yes. So if we don't want to die here, let's not waste any more time. We have to move fast.
Reize nodded, her gaze returning to the door as the sound of footsteps in the distance grew louder.
—Okay —she said, grabbing her backpack—. I'll let the others know.
She walked over to where Arika and Koen were, entering hurriedly.
—We have to go —he announced, her voice grave but full of concern—. Those things are getting closer. We have to leave now.
—Where will we go? —Koen asked, bewildered.
—Elion has a shelter. We have to get there.
—Shelter? —Koen hesitated—. I remember him talking about that... but are you sure it exists? How safe is it?
—He says it is. And there are more survivors.
—Really?
—Yes. I know you're suspicious, especially because of Arika, but we can't stay. You know how it is. There's always something lurking.
Koen sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked at Arika with regret.
—Yes, I know... But do you think Arika will make it? Elion mentioned that it's a bit far. In her condition, it could be very dangerous for her.
Reize nodded, understanding.
—I'm worried too. But we have to try.
Koen didn't respond immediately. His eyes fixed on Reize's said more than words could express. Finally, he spoke, his voice low.
—I know... I just hope she can make it.
Silence fell between them. They both looked at Arika, knowing that each decision weighed more than they wanted to admit.
The rain continued to fall when a strange murmur broke the stillness. Something wasn't right.
—Did you hear that? —Reize asked, looking at Koen.
Koen nodded, approaching the window. Outside, the world felt unsettling. Too quiet. Too tense.
—Yes... There's something out there. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it.
Arika, half asleep, raised her head. Although her body ached, something told her that something was wrong.
—What's going on? —she asked in a raspy voice.
Koen immediately approached her, touching her shoulder.
—Arika, wait, don't get up yet. Stay still.
But, true to her character, Arika slowly sat up, ignoring the pain.
—We don't have time to rest. What's happening outside? Is something coming?
Reize, watching the window, didn't take his eyes off it.
—I'm not sure... but I think more of those things are coming, and there are more than we can handle.
Koen turned to Arika, saw her determination, sighed, and held out his hand.
—You really are stubborn... at least let me help you.
She looked at him firmly, took his hand, and nodded, struggling to her feet. She knew he was right; they had to leave. She couldn't let the others take risks, much less let her condition slow them down further.
—Those things are getting closer... We have to go. Is there a safe place?
—Yes, but it's still far away —Reize replied.
—Okay. Then let's go —said Arika.
Koen helped Arika lean on his shoulder, and together they walked toward where the others were. Elion pointed the way to the shelter.
Koen looked at Arika with concern.
—She's hurt, but we can get her there... Right? —she asked Reize. She just nodded, exhausted.
Ethan, unflappable as ever, let out a heavy sigh.
—We won't leave anyone behind, but we don't have much time. The infected are close.
Koen clenched his jaw. His determination was clear.
—Come on. Reize, help me. I won't leave her behind.
Reize nodded, offering his arm to Arika, while Koen held her on the other side. Although she tried to stand firm, her exhaustion and pain were evident.
Ethan, seeing the group set off, raised his shotgun and glanced out the window.
—I'll cover the rear. I don't want any surprises.
Elion watched them all, his face neutral but his gaze alert.
—Let's go. Quickly and quietly.