Chapter 4: Monster
—If you want your freedom, bring me that ring and kill the one who wears it.
Those were the words running through his mind as he opened his eyes, remembering the mission imposed upon him, determined to reclaim his freedom.
The hunt for his new prey begins.
The sun hid behind the gray clouds covering the city's sky, and loud thunder echoed, signaling the start of a great storm.
While the little girl trembled in fear of the man from earlier, Bianca, clutching her hand tightly to keep her close, thought about how to escape the psychopath now hunting them. If he caught them, it would be the end.
Rushing past parked cars and dumpsters, Bianca and the girl ran through the empty city streets. Not a single person was outside at this hour, and Bianca couldn't help but wonder how that was possible. It was only 5:00 p.m., and rain was imminent; at least one person should have been around. This was just her luck in action. She could never smile and say, "I'm so lucky." Problems always found her, no matter when or where, and she had to stay alert because something bad was always around the corner.
The sound of quick, heavy footsteps and labored breathing behind them made her heart race. She knew whose steps those were. Normally, one would think it was just someone jogging to get home before the rain started, but this was different.
Looking back, Bianca saw the man in the trench coat and hat running frantically toward them. He seemed utterly determined to catch them, picking up speed and closing the distance with each stride.
His eyes revealed desperation, a burning need to catch the teenager at all costs. In a burst of nearly inhuman speed, the man suddenly appeared in front of the two girls, cutting off their path.
Startled by his swiftness, Bianca couldn't react in time, and the man grabbed her right arm. Startled and afraid, she let go of the girl's hand. Acting on reflex, she grabbed the man's coat sleeve and, using his own weight, flipped him over her shoulder, slamming him onto the ground. Thunder roared, and rain began to pour, giving her a chance to escape before the man recovered. With some luck, the rain would make it harder for him to find Bianca and the girl.
Grabbing the little girl's hand again, she heard an awed voice behind her.
—Wow! How did you do that, miss? — The girl had just become her fan.
Deep inside, Bianca allowed herself a small smile. If it weren't for the current situation, she would have gladly taught this innocent girl everything she knew about self-defense and fencing.
The man, still lying on the ground, now without his hat, felt the rain on his face and body. Exhausted from chasing his target, he stood up once more.
— I can't let her escape. If that brat gets away, she'll kill me — he muttered to himself. His head began to crack, forming fissures that oozed bubbling black liquid.
— I didn't want to show my true self, but you leave me no choice — he said, glaring in the direction of the fleeing girls.
— Black Mass: Dark Dome! — he shouted with all his might. A wave of black energy spread rapidly through the street, trapping the girls within.
Bianca, realizing the rain had stopped, looked up but didn't see the sky. Instead, she collided with the dome's boundary, falling comically as though she'd hit a wall. The pain in her face was sharp, and a rebellious tear threatened to fall.
— What was that? — she asked, wincing.
Looking around, she finally understood why the rain wasn't falling. A massive, black dome surrounded the entire street, blocking everything, including the rain.
— What is this? When did it appear? — she muttered, baffled by the strange phenomenon in front of her. Too many questions flooded her mind, reminding her of her curious friend Zelena.
This was impossible. There was no logical explanation for this. It's like magic, she thought. Surprised, she remembered her earlier encounter with that boy.
Flashback
—Magic is something incredible that people can't explain.
—Wouldn't you like to believe in a world where magicians can perform miracles?
Bianca couldn't believe it. That boy knew something.
Desperate to break through and escape with the little girl, she realized it was impossible to breach the dome with her bare hands. Searching the ground, she found a long metal rod resembling a sword. Finally, some luck. Taking a deep breath and mustering all her strength, she swung at the polarized wall, hoping to create even a small hole for the girl to escape.
— I can't! I can't fail someone again! — she cried out, desperate at her inability to act. Her earlier words echoed in her mind, "I'm pathetic."
Slow, deliberate footsteps and a sinister chuckle sounded behind her. Turning toward the laughter, Bianca was horrified by the sight before her.
There stood the man who had been chasing them, his cracked face oozing dark slime. Additional limbs, resembling octopus tentacles, sprouted grotesquely from his torso.
It was the most horrifying, repulsive thing she had ever seen in her life. This was no longer a man. It was a monster—a savage creature closing in on its prey.
— So here you are — he said slowly, his raspy voice sending chills down their spines. He began taking small, deliberate steps toward them as the thunder grew louder.
Bianca's breathing became erratic. Armed with only a metal rod to defend herself and the child, she doubted she could defeat the beast. Every second felt like an eternity. There was no escape, and their hunter wouldn't let them go again.
As all the surrounding sounds—the rain, the thunder, the footsteps—overwhelmed her, Bianca felt something tugging at her clothing. She looked down to see the terrified girl clutching her uniform with trembling hands, her eyes wide with fear.
It was a heartbreaking sight. A child should never have such a look in their eyes. Bianca wondered, What would my mother do in this situation?
— In this world, there are very bad people. If you want to protect others, you must become strong — Bianca heard a familiar voice echoing in her mind. She felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Recognizing the presence, she turned, hoping to see the image of her late mother.
The memory of her mother's words, spoken when Bianca was still innocent and joyful, filled her with nostalgia and calm. Back then, she believed in magic, the stories her mother told her, and had confidence in herself and hope for the future.
Relaxed now, an idea came to her. It was risky, but if she wanted to see tomorrow, she had to act now.
— Hey, what's your name? — Bianca asked the little girl calmly.
— Alice, miss — the girl replied softly.
— Alice, stay behind me and don't move, okay? — Bianca requested, and Alice nodded quickly.
Standing firm with the metal rod in her hands, Bianca pointed her weapon at the beast, ready for the duel.
If she was going to die here, it wouldn't be without a fight while protecting a life.