Aldrich groaned as something soft and warm pressed against his cheek. His eyes fluttered open, and he found a tiny, scruffy puppy sitting beside him, its tail wagging enthusiastically. The dog's tongue darted out, giving him a quick, slobbery lick.
"Ugh… Good morning to you too," Aldrich muttered, wiping his face. He let out a long breath, his body still heavy with sleep. But then, the events of the day before came flooding back—the monster of a rat, the struggle, and the puppy. His heart softened as he glanced at the small creature, who was clearly happy to see him.
The puppy barked again and playfully nipped at his fingers. Aldrich couldn't help but smile. "Alright, alright. You win. Morning, Spot."
The name felt natural. The dog's coat, speckled with dark patches, made it seem like the perfect choice. Aldrich chuckled softly to himself, pleased with his own genius.
As he stretched and rubbed his eyes, he turned to his side. His stomach lurched slightly when he noticed Sham lying next to him, still fast asleep. She lay on her stomach, her back exposed. Her long, dark hair spread out across the pillow, framing her peaceful face. A wave of warmth rushed over him—gratitude, affection, and a strange sense of vulnerability.
He couldn't help but admire her quiet strength, how calm and steady she was in the chaos that had engulfed them. He wanted to stay close to her forever, but the weight of his responsibilities, and the strange feeling in his chest, made it difficult to fully relax.
Carefully, Aldrich pulled the blanket over her exposed back, not wanting to disturb her warmth. He then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder, his lips lingering there for a second. He lingered for just a moment, savoring the tenderness of the moment.
Her eyelids fluttered, and for a second, he thought she might wake up. But Sham only shifted slightly, a quiet hum escaping her lips as she curled into herself, content in her sleep.
He smiled, relieved, and gently lifted Spot, cradling the puppy in his arms. As he made his way to the kitchen, he couldn't help but think back to the night before, to everything that had happened since that fateful encounter with the glowing object.
"Alright, Spot," Aldrich said, setting the dog down on the kitchen floor. "Time for breakfast."
He rummaged through the fridge, but the pickings were slim—just some eggs, bread, and milk that was already a little past its prime. "This is what you get for being so irresponsible," he muttered to himself, laughing. He made a mental note to go shopping later.
Spot barked, wagging his tail eagerly. Aldrich grinned. "Yeah, I know. You need food too. I almost forgot about you in all the madness."
He pulled on his jacket, intending to make a quick trip to the nearest vet to get Spot checked out. "Let's get you squared away, little guy."
The sun had barely risen as Aldrich stepped outside, his breath visible in the cold morning air. Almira City was bustling with activity. The streets were filled with people hurrying to work, vendors shouting from their carts, and cars honking in the distance. Towering skyscrapers loomed overhead, their glass facades gleaming in the early light, but despite the city's modernity, something felt off. The air seemed heavy, as though the calm before a storm had settled over the whole city.
The contrast between the city and the dark, menacing forest beyond the outskirts was striking. A heavy, oppressive fog clung to the trees, and Aldrich couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his stomach as he glanced toward it.
The city was safe—for now. But he knew that couldn't last forever.
A few blocks away, military trucks rumbled through the streets, their bright red sirens flashing. Soldiers in full tactical gear moved briskly, their faces hard and determined. Over the loudspeakers, an urgent announcement echoed, warning citizens to stay away from the forest.
Aldrich's pace slowed, curiosity drawing him toward the commotion. Spot tugged at his leash, barking excitedly as they passed the line of soldiers. Aldrich glanced at the nearest soldier, a young man with dark circles under his eyes, and decided to approach.
"Hey, what's going on? Is the forest that dangerous?" Aldrich asked, trying to mask the concern in his voice.
The soldier looked him up and down before replying, "You could say that. We're setting up barricades to keep whatever's out there from coming in. Some sort of… transformation is happening out there. We're getting reports of animals turning aggressive, and there's been talk of something bigger, something worse."
Aldrich felt a tightness in his chest. "How bad is it? What are you really preparing for?"
The soldier hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "Let's just say… it's not just the animals. We've been getting word of… mutated creatures. People are saying the forest is starting to change, like the land itself is shifting. You'd be better off staying away."
Aldrich's thoughts raced, and he couldn't help but wonder if the strange power he'd felt ever since touching the glowing pillar was somehow connected to whatever was happening out there. The sudden surge of energy, the strange voice he'd heard, it all felt too connected for it to be just a coincidence.
Before he could ask anything else, a large military truck pulled up beside them, and a giant of a man stepped out. He was easily seven feet tall, his massive frame causing people to step aside as he strode down the street. His muscular build made him look like some sort of living weapon, but it was more than just his physical presence—there was something unnerving about him.
Aldrich couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt a wave of pressure, like an invisible weight pressing down on him. The man's aura was overwhelming, and Aldrich instinctively took a step back, the hairs on his neck standing up.
"Who is that?" Aldrich asked quietly, his voice edged with unease.
The soldier—Kyle, as his name tag read—glanced over and seemed to swallow hard. "That… that's a mutant from the main base," he whispered.
Aldrich's eyes widened. "Mutant?"
"Yeah, enhanced strength, speed, you name it. We've been getting reports of a few like him, but we're still not sure what caused it. Whatever's happening in the forest, it's affecting more than just the wildlife."
"Is he here to fight whatever's out there?" Aldrich asked, trying to wrap his head around the situation.
Kyle nodded but then quickly slapped a hand to his mouth, as though he realized he'd said too much. He leaned in closer. "Look, you didn't hear it from me, but these mutants… they're not just soldiers. They're part of something bigger, something top-secret. You can't tell anyone, alright? Promise me."
Aldrich nodded, still reeling from the information. "I promise," he said quietly.
As he walked away, his mind buzzed with questions, but he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was happening in the forest was only a small part of a much larger, darker picture.
The vet clinic was a small but well-kept facility, nestled between two larger buildings. Inside, the air smelled faintly of antiseptic, but there was a comforting warmth to it. The veterinarian, a friendly woman with short auburn hair, smiled warmly when Aldrich and Spot entered.
"Hello there," she said, taking the puppy from Aldrich's arms and giving him a thorough check-up. "What's the name of this little one?"
"Spot," Aldrich said with a grin. "After his coat."
The vet laughed softly. "A great name for a very cute puppy."
After a thorough examination, the vet reassured Aldrich that Spot was perfectly healthy. "You're in good hands. Just make sure he gets his shots, and you'll be fine."
Aldrich paid for the check-up and bought a bag of dog food. As he reached for his wallet, he noticed how little money he had left. After the vet visit, he'd be down to less than a hundred dollars.
"Thanks again," Aldrich said, giving the vet a grateful smile.
Walking home, Aldrich's thoughts drifted back to the forest and the mutants. He knew he couldn't ignore the growing sense of unease. Something big was happening, something that might be connected to everything he had encountered so far.
When he finally reached the apartment, he was greeted by Sham, who was in the kitchen making coffee. She looked up and smiled at him, her eyes soft.
"You're back," she said, her voice warm and reassuring.
"Yeah, just got Spot checked out," Aldrich replied, glancing down at the puppy, who was busy sniffing around.
"Good. He looks happy," Sham said, kneeling down to pet Spot.
Aldrich watched her for a moment, feeling a strange sense of calm. But it didn't last long. The thoughts of the forest, the mutants, and the strange power that was building within him loomed over him.
He swallowed hard. "Sham," he began quietly, "Do you think… we'll be okay?"
She stood up and met his gaze, her expression serious but determined.
"We'll figure it out," she said firmly. "We always do."
Aldrich nodded, but deep down, he knew the road ahead would be anything but simple.