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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k9yvDNme2
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasReVS53z5
"You got any raw or fresh meat?" Jose asked, his voice calm yet unsettling.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY4uDIBEIA
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCZy89NQIO
Charlie froze, leaning slightly against the counter. "Raw meat? You want...raw meat?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9PO5mUJji
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkZFvwSfQQ
"Yeah," Jose said with a faint grin. "I love raw meat."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo10VCFNTf1
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7BSh0Tkmm
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."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzIyCdZ55T
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsFOFdseG5
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?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX0nzB0oKx
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHgcZ3xroA
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWAgyjuQ2Z
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LV7MRTsTU
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGC3bi4vbf
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uXdHXJ4Fu
"What are you doing?" Charlie asked sharply, his voice edged with suspicion.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7oXluoT8D
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNqnjPDPXS
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99L3PafGbr
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT7nahicFb
In a few moments, Jose emerged from the closet. His appearance was strikingly transformed:
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLd62gqBP7
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbIlGfSvst
Breton Cap: Crimson red and angled slightly over his forehead.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHp0MWqtVm
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0WNjjYc74
Jacket: A fitted long coat in a deep, rich crimson with exaggerated lapels and intricate black embroidery.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dqs5mE6iZ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDebSt2qAj
Shirt: A high-collared, lighter red shirt with billowing sleeves.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb5g4m2zqr
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38haZ0yxLN
Trousers: Deep red tailored pants with an asymmetrical cut and decorative stitching.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSSIifS4Pu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LTPFoiV7W
Footwear: Knee-high leather boots in red with black accents.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeC4Fy6Gx1
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMNb4IuKvF
Accessories: A red leather utility belt and a loosely tied red scarf.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eXhzDyJ3n
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzts6x85T0
Jose adjusted the scarf with an air of satisfaction. "How do I look?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSoULfOcrL
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ko5WxeMO0
Charlie stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. "What the hell...? There were clothes like that in there?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtoVTE4BDm
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGmdp2Fna1
Jose smirked. "Guess you found the man who built this place's wardrobe. Fancy taste, huh?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwscmTZpBXB
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14FxktkoO0
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?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQSOVds3Em
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zMVhpidpa
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmfFdwO9Xa
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4EnmL8giR
"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."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2epoTqK6d
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4W7lbYNzb
Charlie grimaced, backing away slightly. "Incredible? Jose, your skin's turning pale. And your eyes…"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j4ahe7vP6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU7MDcmAnw
"What about them?" Jose asked, his voice laced with amusement.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsQKdunvPa
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWDpGAhkn5
"They're... purple." Charlie's voice was barely a whisper now. "And glowing."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2lFDRZEyK
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rAiJujvjU
Jose sniffed the air and tilted his head. "You hiding from me, Charlie?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTtDMLgzda
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0CO8cBD9R
"What?" Charlie snapped. "I'm right here, dumbass. Are you going blind too?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg17S6kjqA
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoLAtaqvq3
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1gTTYVby9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXxjYJoCWv
"Jose, what's going on with you?" Charlie asked, his voice rising in panic.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI5d7iwfus
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT8Gznn2wu
Jose dropped to the floor with a thud, holding his stomach and head. The groans deepened into guttural growls before he went completely still.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnYUe2X2Uu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmGGNxd7A
"Jose?" Charlie called out, his hand gripping the handle of his revolver.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgNaAajnPW
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiqpaPrh1O
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BMm6IDUIW
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FbWecNyp5
"Sangreeeeeeeeee!" Jose roared, his voice guttural and monstrous.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYNwkJLByu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhkNsZG2Ss
Before Charlie could react, Jose lunged at him with terrifying speed, sinking his teeth into Charlie's arm.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKOG8zZ9pO
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9bBBpfDUB
"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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwW6Fj4Nj9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3QZoKoe7D
"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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc3CIe4Kcb
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNEytklB7I
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwphOIqwt8k
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiHDvkxKfD
"Hey there," Jed called cautiously, stepping closer. "You folks, uh... know what's makin' that awful smell?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7hk58vpPx
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVSV02oCga
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfRwqb2FzR
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYnfWhNzDD
"Aw, hell…" Jed muttered, instinctively stepping back.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGjaQR2SHJ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfabldb05J
With a guttural snarl, the three lunged at him, their movements jerky but terrifyingly fast.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbST1R53diN
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg5E731ZiH
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLey2pnbyg
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeuWCGruRg
"What the—?!" Jed barked, firing again and again to no effect.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0jjIPcset
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB062IDzl2i
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BmqU6tu1y
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcgJAf7EJy
"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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8t6VmI1os
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzRJFcqvbD
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazsdLsXMN9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwUQx8bOJ2
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIOmSFVtkI
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnCEu5PhcN
"Uncle Jed!"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW2tZnPT8S
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEFjrAKDYm
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4vYC7V0uR
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDSPipzgJu
"Get off him!" Jed bellowed, kicking at Jose's side.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV3F5ycqZw
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg1VcYw6w8
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOSphH8adQ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NfwJKL3eO
"Kid, do somethin'!" Jed barked.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5VxPoPtu8
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MGmvI0PaI
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwLAMK4uXH
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwypL1fbpPV
Jose dodged, the beam missing him by a hair and nearly grazing Jed.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O2PuKLdRj
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFz14hcObL
"Watch where you're aiming, kid!" Jed growled.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nYY3edixE
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv8zU8D3Ap
"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?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aA4pnoIaX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJd0SD0ixM
"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?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Lmv7m8Hq
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSQAj278Ha
"Vryko-what?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBKWdMZz3s
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyuiUR5X5D
"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."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvLCMwH9yU
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEvRPKQqPm
"You think they're undead?" Charlie asked, his voice trembling.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH1VYyOxqs
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpYNl6eLhY
"Either that or really, really angry cannibals," Jed replied, his tone dry.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqo82wqqJ9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZYtOIXP7Y
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?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XyBpsREAu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE3b8vnKyH
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."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZD87VtsW4
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTKgtW3Xao
"Oh, great," Charlie muttered. "Limited ammo. Just my luck."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nm8dJ8FNP
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP0sTVa4yG
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ1d8CZ23O
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFLcU5ws94
"Don't move," Charlie whispered suddenly, his voice tense.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb1BvjoZaW
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX1BaAKVyn
"What?" Jed hissed, confused.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CyljkM4Xg
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV2Svsz6W9
"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."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s3Fbj6fSu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3VUNGVvun
Jed froze, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he nodded, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Smart thinkin', kid. Real smart."
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziIXe2UAXX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WCVBs5KmW
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.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES03TsTPC9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dLkiRjdpZ
"Good news is, we got a trick to keep alive," Jed murmured.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XSOYvgUfI
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnYEqp1rOd
"What's the bad news?" Charlie whispered back.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7DFwNmzF8
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4KBm2KQ9Q
Jed tilted his head toward the door, where the sound of snarling and clawing had grown louder.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef0OLeb8qR
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ELdQoQT3u
"There's more of 'em," Jed said grimly.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWCEfK6ySS
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdf5Eiaw5B
Charlie swallowed hard, his trembling hand brushing against his glowing arm. "What do we do?"
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXE8UcltUg
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzjLloDt9T
Jed's eyes didn't leave Jose, who was still pacing, his movements becoming more aggressive.
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAWk88rk3J
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufDdwBPydI
"We survive," Jed said.
ns 15.158.61.38da2
