"You did well, zombie girl," Ross said, his voice unnervingly calm, almost casual, as if he were dismissing a trivial task rather than addressing a creature that had been hunting for her very life.
"Now go. You’ve served your purpose."
The words hit her like a physical blow.
He didn’t need to move; his presence alone was enough to instill absolute, paralyzing fear.
She felt it settle in her chest, a crushing weight that made her limbs heavy and her thoughts scatter.
And then she fled.
Like a storm unleashed, she shot through the air, claws tearing at the space around her as if the speed could outrun the terror gripping her soul.
Her mind raced, a maelstrom of panic, confusion, and rage.
She had been strong, relentless, unstoppable—but now, for the first ti since she had gained sentience, she knew the raw, bone-deep horror of being utterly powerless.
Every nerve scread at her to run faster, to escape the inevitability of death that Ross represented.
She felt like she was being hunted not by a man, not even by a creature, but by the very concept of annihilation itself.
The air seed heavier, the shadows darker, the ground trembling beneath her flight.
For the first ti in her existence, she understood what it ant to fear truly—and that fear burned brighter than any hunger, stronger than any anger, sharper than any claw.
And sowhere, deep in the recesses of her mind, a chilling thought echoed: she might never escape him.
***
Another day dawned, and Sebastian slowly awoke, his eyes fluttering open to the soft glow of flickering torches.
A fierce, gnawing hunger gripped him, but it barely registered—his first instinct was to find his wife.
"Bella?!" he gasped, his voice catching between fear and relief, a surge of emotion that made his chest tighten.
"I’m here," Bella said gently, her voice calm and steady. She held out a small plate of biscuits, her hands trembling slightly as she offered them. "You should eat... you need your strength."
Sebastian’s gaze swept around their surroundings, taking in every detail.
They were sowhere unfamiliar, yet strangely comforting.
The space around was a cave, though far from ordinary.
Torches lined the walls, their flas flickering and dancing, casting shadows that seed almost alive.
The air was warm and pleasant, carrying a faint scent of herbs and grilled food that made Sebastian’s stomach churn with need.
Near the far wall, a man was tending a small grill, carefully flipping pieces of at over the fire.
His movents were deliberate and practiced, and he didn’t seem to notice them yet.
The sight of him brought a sense of both curiosity and unease.
"Where... where are we?" Sebastian asked, his voice hoarse.
He tried to sit up, but his limbs felt heavy and uncooperative, as though every muscle had forgotten its purpose.
His body ached in ways he hadn’t realized before.
Bella’s eyes flickered with a mixture of gratitude and worry.
"Sowhere safe... for now," she said softly, though the pause that followed hinted at more she wasn’t ready to say. "He... he’s the one who rescued us. His na is Ross."
Sebastian’s mind whirled with questions. Rescued?
Who was this man, standing silently by the grill, unaware of the gaze he held?
Sebastian’s body still felt weak, yet a spark of determination flared within him.
He needed answers, and he needed them fast—he could not afford to be idle, not when danger might still be close.
He reached for the biscuits, his hand trembling, and took a small bite.
The flavor was simple, but the warmth it brought to his stomach was imdiate and welco.
As he chewed, he allowed his eyes to roam the café again, noting the small details—the way the shadows shifted, the flicker of heat from the grill, the quiet confidence in Bella’s posture.
Sowhere in the back of his mind, Sebastian knew this calm was temporary.
But for now, he would focus on the simple truth: he was alive, his wife was beside him, and they had a chance to recover.
That alone felt miraculous.
"We should go back, Bella," Sebastian said after finishing the last of the biscuits.
Unease gnawed at him like a persistent itch he couldn’t scratch.
He didn’t trust Ross—couldn’t trust him.
Even cloaked and hooded, with his face hidden in shadows, there was sothing about him that scread danger.
His instincts told him that staying here, even for a mont, was risky.
"Let’s talk about that later," Bella replied firmly, though exhaustion weighed her words down. "Right now, eat and regain your strength. I’ve already contacted base and told them not to interfere with that zombie girl. She’s far beyond what we could handle at the mont."
Sebastian nodded, but it did little to soothe the tension coiling in his chest.
He knew Bella was right, but his anxiety over their surroundings and Ross’s presence refused to abate.
His eyes swept this cave again, taking in every shadow, every movent, every flicker of torchlight—hyper-aware, as if danger could strike at any second.
Just then, Ross reappeared, carrying three enormous grilled chickens, the aroma rich and intoxicating.
The sll made Sebastian’s stomach twist with hunger, but it also made him grit his teeth with frustration.
"Food’s ready," Ross announced casually, setting the chickens down on the table with a loud clatter.
Then, with a sly smirk and an almost playful tilt of his head, he added, "Oh? Sleeping beauty finally woke up."
Sebastian’s face twisted in anger. "Fuck you!" he roared, leaping toward Ross, fists raised and trembling with raw fury.
Bella moved faster than he expected. She shoved herself between them, placing a firm hand on his chest.
"Stop! Don’t even think about it," she hissed, her eyes sharp, almost dangerous.
Her grip was steady, and though Sebastian could have pushed past her, he froze, anger clashing with reason.
Ross leaned back slightly, hands raised in mock surrender, his smirk widening.
"Hey, hey, calm down. No need to start a fight before breakfast," he said, though the teasing edge in his tone made Sebastian’s jaw clench even harder.
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