At once, we all approached the house, cautiously. We were filled with suspicion, cold sweat running down our backs, however our curiosity was stronger than fear. Like bugs running around a light bulb, the only hope in sight was this small cottage house. Of course, we did not know whether what we were doing was safe or not. Yet we had no other choice, we couldn't ignore this great opportunity to reach out to another living being, sacrifices had to be made. As I reached for the front door, Edmund suddenly called my name in a low voice.
"Let's check if there's someone inside first."
I let out a quiet sigh. Being excited was a thing, but being completely careless was another. I had to be more careful.
I turned back and went toward the window. The house was nothing but humble and small. Surrounded by a vast field, not a single monster in sight, it was the perfect location for a hiding spot. Behind me, no one was talking. Perhaps they were as nervous as I was.
As I looked in the window, I noticed something on the dining table. Black and square shaped, it looked like a cubic phone. It was a talkie-walkie, as it seemed. There was also a blue couch with soft blankets, a well-lit kitchen and a clock on the yellow wall. Now, all I could hear was the clock, although it was covered behind the thick walls and window.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. It was almost midnight. Wind ran by my side, brushing my hair and coat. The softness made my mind go blank for a few seconds, but I felt refreshed. I really wanted to go into that house, and close my eyes.
Though I was a little perplexed by the absence of a human soul. Why was this place empty, but with running power at full capacity? I looked around, to talk to my friends, announcing we could enter the house.
But there was no one behind me.
"WHA-" With a panicked tone, I yelled, unable to control my voice.
So many questions flowed in my mind; why didn't I sense anything? Why didn't they scream? Who did that? Where were they?Why am I the only one here? What the hell is going on?!
I walked forward, panicked and clueless, the same questions running through my mind. Where were they? What's going on? What the hell? My vision started getting blurry, I didn't understand! Then suddenly, something grasped my arm and I was violently thrown on the ground.
Bam!
Between pants and gasps, I slowly looked up at my right. With my shaking eyes, I could still notice. Above me, there was a silhouette.
No.
Not one, but two people were standing in front of me, the door of the house was wide-open. A long baseball bat resting in one of the hands of the attacker, and a tall, shivering, disgusting monster standing behind them.
A brillante.
I did not know what was happening, but as the rancid smell of the brillante ran through my nose, the silhouette with the bat lifted his arm and with a swing, the weapon smashed my head.
I quickly rolled to the side, avoiding the bat. A burst of adrenaline ran through my veins, and as I got up, I furiously asked;
"WHO THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS?!"
My breath was rough and my arm throbbed from the fall, but I could easily fight back. I just didn't know for how long, and what to do after that.
"Where are my friends? What did you do to them? What the hell is going on?"
My words reached the ears of the two men, yet they did nothing but look at each other. My infection skill helped me, as I could clearly see - and memorize - their faces.
The one with the bat was around my height, he had a mysterious yet provoking aura. He was wearing an oversized gray sweater and black pants, street boots and had tattoos all over his neck. He had dark red hair and fierce eyes, with a piercing next to his frowning eyebrows. He seemed pretty pissed off about his mistake, he couldn't knock me out like he wanted to.
Between two gasps and getting further away from them, I took a peek at the other one. I had to quickly remember their faces.
The second man was a lot taller, had almond eyes and was wearing a white suit with a black coat. He was pissed off too, his strong eyebrows frowning and his eyes glaring at his companion. He had a scar under his right eye, traversing his cheek and reaching his nose. With skin as white as death itself, he had long hair running down his back flowing with the wind. And at the contrary of his pale skin, the hair was pitch black, like void. With his leg, he kicked the tattooed man behind the knees, and spitted;
"You fucking dumbass. You can't even aim right! Give me the bat."
A woman's voice..?
"What the fuck? Shut up you whore! I wasn't expecting him to move so fast… All his other friends were floppy. Don't blame me, I didn't know he was a fucking Infected." The tattooed man answered to her, before looking back at me.
But as they were arguing, I was busy thinking of a way to escape through this. Thanks for buying me time, I guess. The brillante behind them was simply standing there, it felt both disgusting and disturbing. Why wasn't it attacking them and us, why weren't they panicking?
Oh. Maybe it was with them.
I didn't know what was going on, but I knew one thing. I had to escape, in one way or another.
But then, appearing from behind me, Edmund walked toward them. With a soft voice, he said;
"Don't harm him. I'll take care of the rest."
All I could see was his red coat, covering his tall figure. His voice, although firm, was relaxed. Like he had expected all of it, like he had planned it.
"..Uh?"
Edmund turned to me, his face showing nothing but indifference. It was not the soft look he had earlier, not the kind eyes he had while looking at him that day, when I fainted. He was not the same man.
"Jimen told us not to harm you, but he also told us to capture them. We are just doing our job." The woman in the suit said, not a hint of emotion in her voice.
They knew eachother.
"Edmund..? What the…"
I couldn't finish my sentence, the feeling of betrayal wringing my heart. Within the next few seconds, I swear I could've heard him say something. His lips, moving slowly. His eyes, hidden by the shadows of his emotions. And then I lost consciousness.