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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmxeMTTR6b
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLET5zKOfk
"You got any raw or fresh meat?" Jose asked, his voice calm yet unsettling.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWo9ZPKfoQ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyYyS4jRZm
Charlie froze, leaning slightly against the counter. "Raw meat? You want...raw meat?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdxQACrrS3
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabBkD67xtT
"Yeah," Jose said with a faint grin. "I love raw meat."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMN9fdgntG
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhScoPUefg
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."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopcd09LIt9
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak6xN5P65J
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?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU4FiizCBk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGmCIhFv1n
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7uKmQ4E4G
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLzGEbnQKe
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0foWMIrae
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSQh6zmrsH
"What are you doing?" Charlie asked sharply, his voice edged with suspicion.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECZTRpdMBl
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSkjnSCT9p
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtssCLItwo
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVce9SrExTF
In a few moments, Jose emerged from the closet. His appearance was strikingly transformed:
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FeEv4xPuv
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmlPgSgJ2U
Breton Cap: Crimson red and angled slightly over his forehead.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTkZ5HHnL7
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorlN7vxrAX
Jacket: A fitted long coat in a deep, rich crimson with exaggerated lapels and intricate black embroidery.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AfOD4AF52
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlYfHyTopj
Shirt: A high-collared, lighter red shirt with billowing sleeves.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUYnOnLXQD
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehMhAf2K7M
Trousers: Deep red tailored pants with an asymmetrical cut and decorative stitching.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmvaBbrPjD
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktb1kxHRbZ
Footwear: Knee-high leather boots in red with black accents.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQU6iodNR8
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEe3sdbYIr
Accessories: A red leather utility belt and a loosely tied red scarf.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF6V6sRFLb
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyjBlpIAj3
Jose adjusted the scarf with an air of satisfaction. "How do I look?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHBbNQ8iOP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpLhgfbuPK
Charlie stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. "What the hell...? There were clothes like that in there?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRkQk1hxgn
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tztHSlQ3s
Jose smirked. "Guess you found the man who built this place's wardrobe. Fancy taste, huh?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSDHneZ8WZ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI2ZCAJI61
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?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSQK1LQv9S
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ709yc5Hxho
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzJiE4gFZM
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoe6XQPWtf
"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."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz8fHYGaSt
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdUx0iPvVM
Charlie grimaced, backing away slightly. "Incredible? Jose, your skin's turning pale. And your eyes…"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVPtrvBOUl
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RLThpUAut
"What about them?" Jose asked, his voice laced with amusement.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4hjVtmQW4
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnbupEiWIF
"They're... purple." Charlie's voice was barely a whisper now. "And glowing."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nLFzgJKMg
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVnEUaqJwz
Jose sniffed the air and tilted his head. "You hiding from me, Charlie?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL4xc8J1NQ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo5M1626m1
"What?" Charlie snapped. "I'm right here, dumbass. Are you going blind too?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ShGEiCEpg
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzJ7nxCRKN
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69bSSouV3v
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjnSQgLOZK
"Jose, what's going on with you?" Charlie asked, his voice rising in panic.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpqULXajS9
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyP8UVX0W2
Jose dropped to the floor with a thud, holding his stomach and head. The groans deepened into guttural growls before he went completely still.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQCttOFPNt
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gh5I96hFW
"Jose?" Charlie called out, his hand gripping the handle of his revolver.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWBIJsnvYM
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbw9DBu0l3
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3utSlWTQgQ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7fHE7FrPn
"Sangreeeeeeeeee!" Jose roared, his voice guttural and monstrous.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysjR6mLApp
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sCglmxTna
Before Charlie could react, Jose lunged at him with terrifying speed, sinking his teeth into Charlie's arm.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mFjyMZQga
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyGsR2TAxp
"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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRCAYz3pMk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC3f4JROUy
"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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UoIj0kIHI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHetc8psiO4
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfv8gcuBGQ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJxQdXjrsi
"Hey there," Jed called cautiously, stepping closer. "You folks, uh... know what's makin' that awful smell?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZbr8O8Nbj
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uWJBiRoKp
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKyDXUhmld
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wjfqY2RQi
"Aw, hell…" Jed muttered, instinctively stepping back.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRr26kiHVA
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQdkzgFenz
With a guttural snarl, the three lunged at him, their movements jerky but terrifyingly fast.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8eq92by6R
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq86NrcrZ8k
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6wkJIJ1mv
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkejKWwcqe
"What the—?!" Jed barked, firing again and again to no effect.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9QDGd6xVK
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7oJtHhjUa
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhe1tDZUj9
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm7Q0LBrSM
"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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzymz5cE2mn
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94PxIAFCIp
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaBEctFe9I
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDbmdgBYzc
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6FykMlBV0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk3RcPUx8K
"Uncle Jed!"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZL1ZBqgvc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDpiJf0JmY
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZkXkzXzJT
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK1RXuu2P4
"Get off him!" Jed bellowed, kicking at Jose's side.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDTrRCLbkt
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh4A8IJf5Q
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVwG5L5liF
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC8Wvm7mVR
"Kid, do somethin'!" Jed barked.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OpPM79vzP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkXMTpbhEZ
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MLcVx52cY
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtB5erZQxf
Jose dodged, the beam missing him by a hair and nearly grazing Jed.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPMDLJC8bU
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzq3d2RYuH
"Watch where you're aiming, kid!" Jed growled.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHNfobHvcF
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5AXxMMrlQ
"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?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJzMOl3Qy9
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgyTmDGg3Q
"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?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8s52s0Aby
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPznrV5FAB
"Vryko-what?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRbdXFnUNR
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaYUaLVmg9
"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."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmft9LrZvH
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh81q7DpFxl
"You think they're undead?" Charlie asked, his voice trembling.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuJxvA8Ho7
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0E5LudRFq
"Either that or really, really angry cannibals," Jed replied, his tone dry.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZZvRQaM6L
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMs7CZ09H2
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?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLc0gDHx1O
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPyeRpUho3
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."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoSs4dfHKN
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyL0VQz6kv
"Oh, great," Charlie muttered. "Limited ammo. Just my luck."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3GDsvlMCP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirOf8Eu6A1
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDfMHIOo1o
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhkCt7UYHq
"Don't move," Charlie whispered suddenly, his voice tense.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53owPUzXP0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehwuPiN5uP
"What?" Jed hissed, confused.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eRwjuYxXa
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HywOVhbQX
"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."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIUNeq7n8u
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk1HGkAsOt
Jed froze, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he nodded, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Smart thinkin', kid. Real smart."
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmhjCttmam
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33yHCxet31
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.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmotqyRBuo
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VSj1NqEeN
"Good news is, we got a trick to keep alive," Jed murmured.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeqC0jXBaI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGZhl7zPfF
"What's the bad news?" Charlie whispered back.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9IL6dXrHU
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJZtc0SOeW
Jed tilted his head toward the door, where the sound of snarling and clawing had grown louder.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vDdLp6iL6
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvk7LbYaDL
"There's more of 'em," Jed said grimly.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE0YoQfYEI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Cz8YPgvR
Charlie swallowed hard, his trembling hand brushing against his glowing arm. "What do we do?"
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCSRTK6lXS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY6AAXnnm6
Jed's eyes didn't leave Jose, who was still pacing, his movements becoming more aggressive.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMMV03jqZ0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSodZcVC1ED
"We survive," Jed said.
ns3.145.60.120da2
