CHAPTER XVI
As we began to scan the mansion for any hidden zombies, our hearts racing with anticipation, we stumbled upon a gruesome sight - numerous mutilated and decaying corpses that seemed to have nothing to do with the zombies. We were now trapped, surrounded by an army of animals on all sides, their aggressive behavior sending chills down our spines. Every single one of them seemed to be gazing at us with an unnerving intensity.
The village's dire state was taking its toll on my team members. Daniel, Robin, and Elisa were getting increasingly frightened, still reeling from the loss of one of our own just moments ago. Daniel's voice trembled as he exclaimed, "We shouldn't have come here! We made a huge mistake!" Robin's anger boiled over as he lashed out at Aliyana, "You knew my brother had a weak heart, and yet you brought him along?"
Elisa's voice cracked with desperation as she pleaded, "Oh mom, please save me from these people! I swear, I'll never go on another mission again!" Meanwhile, August's voice was laced with sarcasm, "You're all so scared? Don't you think this is just an amazing adventure?"
As everyone argued, my gaze drifted towards the gate, where I spotted a figure jumping over the wall. My heart skipped a beat as I realized it was Ariana. "Wait, it's Ariana! She's fine!" I exclaimed, pointing her out to the others.
We all rushed to Ariana's side, relieved to see her unscathed. However, our relief was short-lived. As Daniel approached her, asking if she was okay, Ariana's response sent a chill down our spines. "You left me all alone, that's why," she growled, her eyes fixed menacingly on us.
It was then that Looka pointed out the blood seeping from Ariana's waist, a clear indication that she had been bitten by a zombie. Before anyone could react, Ariana sunk her teeth deep into Daniel's hand, causing him to scream in agony.
Without hesitation, Robin grabbed a cleaver from my bag and severed Daniel's infected hand, his actions swift and decisive. "What have you done?" Daniel cried out in shock and pain, but Robin's response was laced with desperation, "I did it to save you, brother!"
As Ariana lunged at another team member, Haider swiftly plunged his sword into her mouth, and August followed up by beheading her. The scene was one of utter chaos, with emotions running high and the team's dynamics pushed to the breaking point.
The air was thick with tension, fear, and panic as we struggled to process the events unfolding before us. The sound of Ariana's screams still echoed in our ears, and the sight of Daniel's severed hand was a harsh reminder of the brutal reality we faced. The team's unity was being tested, and it was unclear how much more we could endure.
In that moment, I couldn't help but wonder if we would ever make it out of this godforsaken place alive. The zombies, the animals, and now Ariana's betrayal had pushed us to the edge. As I looked around at my teammates, I saw a mix of emotions - fear, anger, and desperation. We were all trying to stay alive, but it seemed like the odds were stacked against us.
The scene was a testament to the human will to survive, and the lengths we would go to protect each other. As we stood there, frozen in shock, the reality of our situation began to sink in. We were in a fight for our lives, and it was unclear if we would emerge victorious.
At this moment, more than the horror surrounding me, I was haunted by memories of my past life. Those memories that brought warmth in the cold and coolness in the heat, memories that lingered like a bittersweet ache. What existed between Mon and me was beautiful, a treasured recollection that I couldn't help but cherish.
In college, news of our relationship spread like wildfire, and Malvika's happiness knew no bounds. During lunch, she came to my seat, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Sam, I heard you proposed to Mon. What's the plan now? When are you going to break Mon's heart?" she asked, her voice laced with excitement.
I replied in a hushed tone, "Break Mon's heart?" Malvika's expression turned stern, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't tell me you've forgotten our plan? We had this plan, didn't we? Look, you can't back out now. We only have six months left before the final exams, and after that, I want to go on a date with you."
My curiosity piqued, I asked, "A date?" Malvika's face lit up with a radiant smile as she leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Yes, a date. I really like you, and I know you like me too. Plus, Mon's taste is impeccable, which is why I liked her too. But what's not working is that I just can't bear her anymore. So, let's get this over with, break her heart, and then we'll go out together."
Malvika's words washed over me like a brainwash, and suddenly, breaking Mon's heart didn't seem like such a bad idea. I was caught off guard by the intensity of Malvika's emotions, and her manipulative skills were undeniable. She was a master at getting what she wanted, and I was just a pawn in her game.
As I looked into Malvika's eyes, I saw a spark of determination that made me wonder if I was in control of my own actions. Was I truly making choices based on my own desires, or was Malvika pulling the strings from behind the scenes? The line between reality and manipulation was blurring, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face the consequences of my actions.
Malvika's words echoed in my mind, "Break her heart, and then we'll go out together." It was a simple plan, but one that carried a weight of emotional complexity that I wasn't sure I was prepared for. As I stood there, frozen in indecision, Malvika's gaze bore into mine, daring me to take the next step. I felt like I was walking a tightrope, balancing between my loyalty to Malvika and my growing feelings for Mon. The outcome was far from certain, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was playing with fire.
As Malvika walked away towards the canteen with her friends, my friend Mahi appeared out of nowhere, a letter clutched in her hand. She handed it to me with a knowing look, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and concern. "Mon gave this to me for you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a message for you, something about 'I Love You'."
My heart skipped a beat as I took the letter from her, feeling a flutter in my chest. But before I could even process the contents, Mahi continued, her words dripping with skepticism, "Sam, are you sure you're going to break Mon's heart for that cunning Malvika? She's playing you, Sam. Don't you see that?"
My temper flared up, and I shot Mahi a warning glance. "Don't you dare say anything bad about Malvika," I snapped, my voice low but menacing. "I won't tolerate any negative talk about her. So, think carefully before you speak next time."
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving Mahi looking taken aback by my outburst. I didn't stop until I was a little distance away, where I finally opened the letter. But instead of the passionate declaration Mahi had led me to expect, I found a simple, sweet message. "Today, our teacher is taking us to the physics lab, so I'll be late for lunch. Please don't go hungry, eat something."
As I read Mon's words, a tender smile spread across my face. I felt a pang of affection for her, and my heart began to tug in her direction. I couldn't explain why, but suddenly, my mind was drawn to Mon, and I felt a strong desire to be with her. The thought of hurting her, of breaking her heart, seemed increasingly unbearable.
The letter had somehow shifted my perspective, and I was no longer sure if I was ready to go through with Malvika's plan. As I stood there, lost in thought, the conflict within me grew. My feelings for Mon, my loyalty to her, and my growing attachment to her were all at war with Malvika's manipulative influence. I didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain - I had to make a choice, and it wouldn't be easy.
I headed to the park with my friends, a place where we often hung out and had a blast. But what they didn't know about me was my tendency to bully kids, a habit that only my friends were privy to. Today, we were targeting two innocent-looking kids, having just snatched their ice cream and football. The kids stood before us, their faces etched with hope that we would return their belongings. But I devoured the ice cream, prompting one of the kids to burst into tears. My friend, not to be outdone, let the air out of the football, sending the second child into a sobbing fit. We were laughing hysterically, enjoying the spectacle we had created.
But our merriment was short-lived, as Mon appeared out of nowhere, her eyes widening in shock and disappointment as she took in the scene. "Sam, I liked you because of your helping nature," she said, her voice laced with sadness. "And here you are... What's going on?"
I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, and I stuttered, trying to defend myself. "Mon, Mon, we were just joking around. Look, my friend has given the kid back his football, and I've bought him a new ice cream."
Mon's expression remained unimpressed. "You can't fool me by doing that now. I'm leaving. Come back when you've changed, until then, goodbye."
As she turned to leave, I panicked, calling out to her. "Mon, Mon, please listen to me!" But she was already walking away, leaving me feeling anxious and regretful.
My friend nudged me, a smirk on her face. "Sam, you're acting like a real girlfriend, all worried and whatnot. Looks like Malvika's plan to break Mon's heart might not go as smoothly as you thought."
I shot her a warning glance. "Shut up, buddy. Don't mess with my head. Now I have to go apologize to Mon. Ugh, this is such a headache."
As I walked out of the park, irritation and frustration simmered beneath the surface. What was I going to do? How was I going to fix this mess? The thought of losing Mon's trust and affection was unbearable. I had to make things right, but how? The uncertainty hung over me like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over my already complicated life.
To be continue....