Parasite. It was the first thing that came into Lesley's mind when she touched Kali's neck and felt a worm-like creature wriggling underneath the old lady's skin. It was as if she got burned by the speed with which she recovered her hand. She took a step back. Her fingers were shaking in disbelief at what she had discovered.She turned pale and intently scanned Kali from head to toe, full of horror. Her thoughts tangled for a minute. She was sure it wasn't just her imagination, which was absolutely not normal. What is that thing?Now she knows where that dark and negative feeling comes from when she is around Kali. She could not think of anyone other than MNA who would have done this. What kind of abomination did the soulless Dr. Shane do to Mrs. Dapit? Something vile is definitely going on inside the old woman's body. She has to inform Iston and Airah immediately.As she turned around to go to Iston's office, she heard a soft moan. She stilled for a second and slowly looked back a
"Kali! Please, calm down. We won't hurt you," said Airah, but the old woman ignored her."Mrs. Dapit! It's me, Lesley. Please, calm down. Bangs is here, and he needs you." That grabbed Kali's attention. She relaxed a little."Please! You have to help me get away from here!" Kali begged."Mrs. Dapit put down the knife. We are here to help you. You can trust these people. They saved us!"Kali shook her head vehemently. "No, you don't understand. I can't be here!""But why? What's the problem? Why are you doing this? Tell us what we need to do to help you."The savage look disappeared from Kali's eyes, replaced by deep sadness and... hopelessness. No one expected to see that from Kali, who was unshakable, fearless, sedulous, and most tenacious."No, no one can save me now. It's too late," Kali continued. "Please! I'm begging you. I need to get far away from here!"Lesley's chest tightened at her begging. He had never seen her so weak and powerless. Something broke this woman's confidence
"Kali! Let him go!"Dan's scream turned Lesley's attention down to them. She saw Iston lying on the rocky ground while Mrs. Dapit wrapped her hands tightly around his neck. Dan would have tried to stop it if it wasn't for another giant monster joining them.Lesley's heart started racing as she watched her friends getting hurt. She had to do something, or the three of them would die. At that time, she could not think of anything else but to take off one of her shoes and throw it with all her might, hitting Kali on the head.She exhaled sharply when Kali released Iston, who had lost consciousness. Mrs. Dapit then stood and looked up at her. She froze when their eyes met. They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. But Lesley saw nothing in Kali's except the unknown anger and desire to inflict pain on another.This is no longer Mrs.Dapit. Kali is far gone, she realized. And it was shattering. "Oh, Mrs. Dapit," her voice shaking while tears started pouring from her eyes again.
Kieran gently laid Kali's body under the tree near them. After crying for a few more minutes, he stood up, grimacing with eyes glaring at the monsters disturbing the area. A few moments later, he was like a wild animal, an apex predator, rushing and killing them one by one.Lesley could do nothing but watch the young man fight from a corner. His every attack was ruthless and bloody, filled with rage and hatred.While sitting and watching him, she felt an unfamiliar pain in her chest. Bangs felt distant and strange. He was like a different person in front of her. And not even once did he look or even glance at her."Wh-What happened?!"She turned her attention to Iston, who had regained consciousness. He was gaping at Kali's body, confused. She lazily faced the doctor with her eyes lowered."Mrs. Dapit is gone," she said grievously. "Her body could no longer handle DE01's cells' poison. We couldn't—" she swallowed. "We failed to save her."Iston gasped while he melted to the ground. He
On her way to her cabin, Lesley noticed how busy the surrounding was. Everyone was preparing to evacuate before sunrise. MNA already knows this location, so staying here is no longer safe or wise. A few groups were also assigned to look for Airah, who is still searching for her. She just hopes Ai is safe wherever she is right now.Entering the cabin where she was staying, she found food on the table. Dan probably left it. She peeked at it for a second and then ignored it. She was starving after looking for Bangs all day, but she really could not find her appetite. She is too sad, angry, and annoyed. So instead, she went straight to the bathroom and took a shower. After scrubbing her body of all the blood, soil, and other dirt, she heard someone knock on the door. She stepped out and only covered herself with a towel. And then she carefully peeked to see who was in front of her place at this time of night.Her eyes widened, and her heart beat faster when she saw who it was. She hastil
"Put your things in the car. We'll be leaving in a couple of minutes," said Dan to Lesley and Kieran, who had just finished packing their few clothes.7th Hideout has been compromised. MNA knows this place now, so they are no longer safe here. They are instructed to evacuate to the Main Hideout, where the mastermind behind the Crimson Clan is, Kieran's older sister, Catharina Kingsley."We're ready. We don't have much stuff. It's just clothes," Lesley answered Dan, standing at the door."Alright, I'll wait for you there.""Will you be driving our car?""Yes. Iston will come with us.""But," she scanned him worriedly. "Have your injuries healed?"Dan softly smiled. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Iston is a good doctor, and my wounds will heal quickly."She sighed in relief. "Ah, that's good to hear. Thank you for protecting me yesterday.""It's nothing. I'm just doing my duty."She smiled sheepishly. "Oh, right. But thanks anyway.""You're welcome," Dan replied before leaving.Lesle
"I see a diner ahead. It looks like we can stop there," Dan said. They decided to take a short break and parked their car at the diner. The four of them went down and chose a table near the door they entered. Fortunately, no one else was eating there at that time, so they felt more comfortable. They also bought Lesley medicine, and she felt better. "I'll check the engine and the tires. We are still a long way," Dan said after taking his last bite of food. "I'll help you," Iston offered, draining his glass of water. "We'll just call you when we are done," Dan added before walking out of the diner with Iston. Lesley glanced at Kieran. He is sitting across from her. She noticed he barely ate his food. He seems to have the same appetite as her, or the absence of it. "Thank you," she said, breaking the silence. "I was really embarrassed to say that I felt sick. I didn't want to be a burden." He stared at her for a few seconds before answering. "You're not a liability." She blinked a
Lesley slowly opened her eyes when she felt a gentle stroke on her cheeks. Kieran's smiling face greeted her. "Wake up. We're here," he announced.She sprang up and looked around. Iston and Dan just got out of the car, glanced at her for a second, and smiled. She rubbed her face with her palm. The last thing she remembers is Kieran offering to rest her head on his shoulder. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep on his lap. She quickly fixed herself, and then they got out of the car together. A dozen armed men and women appeared before them. Each had the Crimson Clan symbol branded on the part of their clothing or tattooed on their body. It was two letter C's surrounded by a thorny and bleeding rose.Even though the guns were not pointed at them, she did not lower her defense. Her eyes were alert, warily scanning the surroundings. They looked like they were in a huge, spacious underground tunnel. There wasn't enough light to see the corners, but she could tell the thick walls were