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User: I long to see this world burn.
Other person: But what of the people? Isn't it worth having a family, friends, a connection?
User: It's revolting. I dream of ending them, feeding their remains to dogs. What do you think of this world? Is it beautiful to you?
Other person: of course,It's Beautiful.Then, what do you call your hobby?
Other person: Destruction. It's my joy.
User: Why such hatred? What makes you loathe everything so deeply?
Other person: (smirks) You ask too many questions. Do you want to know my life so badly?
User: No, I just want to understand you.
Other person: Why? So you can write my story? (glares)
User: you see, this is an interview. I seek to know why you turned this world upside down. Because of you, so many innocent lives have been lost.
Other person: Innocent? How amusing. Monsters are far purer than humans. No, they've corrupted themselves into monsters. (laughs darkly)
---
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Scream—
What? What happened—
She jolted awake, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. A piercing scream shattered the night's fragile silence. She stumbled to the window, her breath hitching as her eyes widened in horror.
Outside, chaos unfurled like a nightmare. People were running, their faces twisted with fear and despair. Flames licked at the edges of the street, and shadows danced eerily in the glow.
Aaaaaaa! (She screamed, clutching the windowsill.)
Th-they're killing each other. M-mom… Where are you?
Her words dissolved into the cold air, unanswered.
---
Two years later
Two years ago, the world crumbled beneath the weight of a nightmare no one saw coming. A virus, silent and merciless, swept across humanity, leaving devastation in its wake.
They called it Madness21—or simply M21. It didn't just kill; it toyed with its victims like a sadistic puppeteer.
1. Desire – It preyed on people's deepest wants, turning their dreams into obsessions.
2. Fear – It unearthed their darkest terrors, twisting their minds into submission.
3. Health – It targeted the strongest bodies, devouring them as if savoring a feast.
The virus whispered lies, conjured hallucinations, and stripped away reason until only madness remained. People turned on one another, clawing, screaming, killing. The only salvation was fire. Burn them, they said. Burn the infected before the madness spreads.
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"Hello, this is reporter Robert," the voice crackled over the static-filled broadcast. "Most of my team is gone… killed by the infected. This may be my final report. It takes two days to reach the nearest shelter, and I've seen no survivors…"
"Liam, turn it off. Come eat dinner," Rose called softly, her voice carrying a weariness far beyond her years.
"Okay, sister. Wow, this looks amazing!" Liam said, his small face lighting up as he sat at the table.
"Eat well." She forced a smile, her hands trembling slightly as she served him. "Tomorrow, I have to go to school. You'll stay home alone, won't you?"
"I will!" Liam's voice was bright, but it faltered as he hesitated. "Umm… Sister, when will Mom come back?"
"S-soon," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You know Mom is sick. She'll come back… we just have to wait."
Her words felt like fragile glass, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.
---
The knock came suddenly, breaking the brittle silence. It was heavy, insistent.
"Rose. Open the door. It's me—Mom."
Liam's face lit up with joy. "Sister! It's Mom!" He leapt to his feet, running toward the door.
"No. No, it can't be," Rose muttered, her voice trembling. "Nooo! Don't open it!"
She lunged for him, pulling him back and wrapping her arms around him tightly.
The lights went out with a flick of her hand, and she dragged him beneath the table.
"Stay quiet, Liam. Don't make a sound," she whispered, her voice cracking as she clutched him close.
"But it's Mom!" Liam sobbed, his small shoulders shaking.
"Hush…" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
From the door, the voice grew louder, more insistent.
"Open the door. Open the door!" The words came in a rhythmic chant, punctuated by frantic, almost violent knocking.
The sound of desperation filled the air, but Rose knew better. That voice wasn't their mother's anymore.
---
(to be continued)
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