Jose stood in the dimly lit cabin, scratching at his left arm with a restless intensity. His shirt was tattered and stained, a faint smear of blood trailing down the collar. A dark streak of dried blood marred his jawline, which he wiped absentmindedly with the back of his hand.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRYSv9SUl0
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPDJ3h0hkE
"You got any raw or fresh meat?" Jose asked, his voice calm yet unsettling.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1OWy7p8G8
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uecGBMcj6
Charlie froze, leaning slightly against the counter. "Raw meat? You want...raw meat?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi99HLb1kGZ
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL6cx0429B
"Yeah," Jose said with a faint grin. "I love raw meat."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgznBbkFf9a
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ujJYR72Cc
Charlie scoffed, his hand instinctively brushing against the holster at his hip. "Well, even if I did have it, I wouldn't give it to you."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqcz0F6OA5
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMIiTcr8SA
Jose's grin didn't waver. Instead, his eyes gleamed with something cold, almost predatory. "When I walked in this house, you tried to pull your gun, didn't you?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl3ajiE5IB
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNHqci7lrT
Charlie's blood ran cold. His fingers twitched near the holster. What the hell? he thought, his heart racing. How could he know? I barely even moved my hand toward it.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcUlAwgxkZ
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIqRKH0wOr
Jose chuckled softly, the sound low and mocking. "Relax. I'm not here to rob you... yet." He turned on his heel and started walking toward a closet near the corner of the room.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckzwFk3wZi
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrLqIjuRkN
"What are you doing?" Charlie asked sharply, his voice edged with suspicion.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL76mGMuaS
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJUEW4eC9j
Jose ignored him, pushing open the closet door. Charlie's mind was spinning. What's going on with this guy? He's creeping me out.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDiKIKy404
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExDjcQzaDn
In a few moments, Jose emerged from the closet. His appearance was strikingly transformed:
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R2Y5pvfLd
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALpLkeuC1U
Breton Cap: Crimson red and angled slightly over his forehead.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhYYxRSOqE
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G6HrsW2EN
Jacket: A fitted long coat in a deep, rich crimson with exaggerated lapels and intricate black embroidery.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EOUvPtBlB
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQOxLDez0R
Shirt: A high-collared, lighter red shirt with billowing sleeves.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s6XbQTv53
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuhq05CG65
Trousers: Deep red tailored pants with an asymmetrical cut and decorative stitching.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCjFJqhn62
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EedTm9SxL
Footwear: Knee-high leather boots in red with black accents.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7PehbvXcC
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSS8KhQldU
Accessories: A red leather utility belt and a loosely tied red scarf.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODoqHqggwq
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLZ2eXxCcI
Jose adjusted the scarf with an air of satisfaction. "How do I look?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgBfOxUCmB
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ933jBn67Lg
Charlie stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. "What the hell...? There were clothes like that in there?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQyIomyrYp
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH5fU2MB1f
Jose smirked. "Guess you found the man who built this place's wardrobe. Fancy taste, huh?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhiz50BKRH
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zmN9g63nv
Charlie pointed a finger at him. "Wait a minute. When you walked in here, you had blood on your shirt—and your jaw! What's wrong with your arm?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq9VLw0qKI
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMZGut4kgG
Jose raised an eyebrow, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a grotesque bite mark. The wound was unnatural, its edges blackened, veins of rot creeping outward.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf9ZUg2efh
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXUznTTZgt
"You see this?" he said, his tone almost triumphant. "Got bit by some monster. At first, I thought it'd kill me. But now? It's like it's awakened something inside me. I feel...incredible."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ru7zutBIK
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwcVgQlgQ0
Charlie grimaced, backing away slightly. "Incredible? Jose, your skin's turning pale. And your eyes…"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwBbj8sZX9
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSXjW56LFt
"What about them?" Jose asked, his voice laced with amusement.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaePbBBik2
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUfGKlbh6g
"They're... purple." Charlie's voice was barely a whisper now. "And glowing."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNgu3rRrTt
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHbwSj1tSG
Jose sniffed the air and tilted his head. "You hiding from me, Charlie?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTQhnyNP6R
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgVC5kF4Hv
"What?" Charlie snapped. "I'm right here, dumbass. Are you going blind too?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwPCSATohl
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFsCzauseT
But Jose wasn't listening. His movements were jerky now, less controlled. He stumbled forward, clutching his stomach, groaning. The stench emanating from him was unbearable—like rotting meat and something unearthly.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty0q1Qyedh
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb3Q2UjXp2
"Jose, what's going on with you?" Charlie asked, his voice rising in panic.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdzlgGHt3W
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSsC3uP41H
Jose dropped to the floor with a thud, holding his stomach and head. The groans deepened into guttural growls before he went completely still.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWbO4ZPmhM
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V0Scw2bmW
"Jose?" Charlie called out, his hand gripping the handle of his revolver.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48P38gfzQy
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cXokub8zN
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then Jose's head snapped up with a grotesque crack. His sclera had turned pitch black, his irises glowing a vivid, menacing purple. Saliva dripped in thick streams from his mouth, and a primal hunger gleamed in his eyes.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgGRiOuwvt
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewPb4SWr93
"Sangreeeeeeeeee!" Jose roared, his voice guttural and monstrous.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPApyShpm0
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19gdISoo9y
Before Charlie could react, Jose lunged at him with terrifying speed, sinking his teeth into Charlie's arm.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVhYdBnod
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdEAjmUqYm
"Argh!" Charlie screamed, the pain searing through him as he fought to pull Jose off. Jed's boots scuffed against the cobblestones as he trudged through the desolate street, his nose wrinkling against the stench hanging in the air. He muttered under his breath, his revolver resting loosely in his grip.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRGiPKfU33
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOTY4N7ZMe
"Smells like death had a party and forgot to clean up," he said, his gravelly voice tinged with irritation. He'd already checked five houses, each one empty but with the same foul odor clinging to the walls. His patience was wearing thin.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZuTvaFFJ2
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g32bWt7wZ
He stopped at the corner, scanning the street ahead. That's when he saw them—three figures huddled together, crouched low to the ground like feral animals. Their heads bobbed as they moved, and their hands tore into something Jed couldn't make out at first.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O9wIEOPRC
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d9f6bX7IB
"Hey there," Jed called cautiously, stepping closer. "You folks, uh... know what's makin' that awful smell?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxASIlX6iX9
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzdnHC0zQg
The three figures froze mid-motion. Slowly, they turned their heads toward him, and Jed's stomach dropped. Their faces were gaunt, their skin pale and stretched tight over their bones. Blood smeared their mouths as they chewed on raw flesh—human flesh.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt9tEXNDxG
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWtUGMz9Xg
"Aw, hell…" Jed muttered, instinctively stepping back.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9N4exZn7K
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyh7hXRcdw
With a guttural snarl, the three lunged at him, their movements jerky but terrifyingly fast.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoSFc0rVeT
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTJ1dRFehe
Jed dove to the side, rolling across the dirt. He came up on one knee, his revolver already in hand, and fired a shot square into the forehead of the nearest creature. The bullet hit with a sickening crack, but the thing barely flinched, stumbling only slightly before continuing its charge.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D7rpmqqAM
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9XmDrba8M
"What the—?!" Jed barked, firing again and again to no effect.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo3UcDEYp0
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnrCOJRRtU
He heard the crunch of movement behind him just as searing pain shot up his leg. Jed cried out, twisting to see a fourth monster latched onto his calf, its teeth sunk deep into the muscle.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXIT67C4hl
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegsryvSti1
"Get off me!" he roared, aiming down and firing repeatedly. The creature's grip loosened after the third shot, collapsing with a wet thud. Jed staggered to his feet, blood soaking through his pant leg. The other three were closing in fast.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqnAcuugQl
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCqMlelbvJ
Gritting his teeth, Jed turned and bolted, limping heavily as he sprinted back toward Charlie's house. The monsters snarled and howled behind him, their footsteps scraping across the ground like nails on a chalkboard.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQez2FB2Cna
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWBua6lcAm
Jed reached the house, slamming the door shut behind him and throwing the bolt across. His chest heaved as he leaned against the wood, the pounding of his heart nearly drowning out the sound of snarling from the other side.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPSLhIuzyU
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeVvLpH94y
"Uncle Jed!"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwbTwgPsoJ
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFvlnSI32h
Jed's eyes snapped up, his blood running cold. Across the room, Jose had Charlie pinned, his teeth buried in Charile arm. Charlie was struggling, his face contorted in pain.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXcmD7xxPR
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VxVBu46bh
"Get off him!" Jed bellowed, kicking at Jose's side.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUUz0uNacB
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa2F9kPTfT
Jose moved faster than Jed could anticipate, dodging the kick and lunging forward, his teeth snapping dangerously close to Jed's shoulder. Jed twisted out of the way just in time, his leg nearly buckling under him.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEODvbbDFRA
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3JAY3YUPv
"Kid, do somethin'!" Jed barked.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNgzj6rFZF
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD48FTnIemM
Charlie, clutching his arm, grimaced and raised his trembling left hand, placing it over his right. A faint glow built at his fingertip, and a beam of light shot toward Jose.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxQp3cOy8V
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6atOgLx84
Jose dodged, the beam missing him by a hair and nearly grazing Jed.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSVujeA9B4
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ukFIBUMd
"Watch where you're aiming, kid!" Jed growled.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLeUQy2zmY
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeVoYgaaWw
"Sorry!" Charlie said, panting. His face was pale, and sweat dripped down his forehead. "What the hell's happening? Did Jose get the Holy Crystal?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7grF6zCtOf
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQX7OaEfqM
"I don't know," Jed said, his voice grim. "But whatever this is... it ain't normal. They remind me of something outta old stories. You ever hear about vrykolakas?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XbZKZaWVM
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8OtpesG8S
"Vryko-what?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0Kf5b3SWD
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5meDKyBSp
"Undead monsters from Greece. Leo Allatius wrote about 'em back in the 1600s. Supposedly harmful spirits that feed on the living." Jed reloaded his gun with quick, practiced movements. "Could be somethin' like that."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2epIgKdaL
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav0k0qBCBb
"You think they're undead?" Charlie asked, his voice trembling.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pOyDc3ppB
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81udDDInXg
"Either that or really, really angry cannibals," Jed replied, his tone dry.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzGF8e4kf7
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXUS0kxDKm
Charlie looked down at his arm, noticing six faint, glowing marks etched into his skin. "Uncle Jed… why do I have six on my arm?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqdGTpiGCC
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9OflY52MS
Jed's eyes narrowed. "Looks like... a count, maybe? Like bullets. Means you might only get so many shots with that light trick of yours."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhaV8CSQdM
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsAQt0bWL7
"Oh, great," Charlie muttered. "Limited ammo. Just my luck."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fqcKChAGw
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbsy5u2Aot
Jose growled low in his throat, the sound vibrating through the air. His movements became erratic as he glanced around the room, his glowing purple eyes scanning every corner.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa31eYBi5YW
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSHRQcS5yl
"Don't move," Charlie whispered suddenly, his voice tense.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2CfUZNyHW
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu81p2FyKzq
"What?" Jed hissed, confused.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsqrV4aGyG
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwLk13oNyG
"Don't move," Charlie repeated, locking eyes with Jed. "After Jose changed his clothes earlier, he asked where I went when I stood still. I think... I think he can't see us if we don't move."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjwSMnY1IC
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdLoo3jBC6
Jed froze, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he nodded, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Smart thinkin', kid. Real smart."
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PCETJmH1k
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxStnWEYsHq
For a moment, the room was eerily silent except for Jose's low growl. He paced back and forth, sniffing and snarling, but didn't seem to locate them.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oUnowmxhj
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreQYgicTZA
"Good news is, we got a trick to keep alive," Jed murmured.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIagOtx7Yq
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xkn9gLTJG
"What's the bad news?" Charlie whispered back.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTANZ6ILij
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09rXVtB413
Jed tilted his head toward the door, where the sound of snarling and clawing had grown louder.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo7Tf2tYxE
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDyA0dk3dT
"There's more of 'em," Jed said grimly.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHtg20faUq
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBWKRzYmsm
Charlie swallowed hard, his trembling hand brushing against his glowing arm. "What do we do?"
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0BuoomgrT
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8dgdYHUB2
Jed's eyes didn't leave Jose, who was still pacing, his movements becoming more aggressive.
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fD3sTjmIw
140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGuTt9Saml
"We survive," Jed said.
ns160.79.110.47da2
