I pushed myself up from the ground after the sounds of those creatures finally faded.
What confused me wasn't just the danger.
It was them.
The way they moved… like they had no minds. No emotions. Just empty bodies moving forward without purpose, without hesitation.
My phone vibrated.
Ben: Alex where are you
Michael: we're all at Ben's house, where are you
Lisa: we're worried about you
I stared at the screen for a second.
Then I remembered.
Ben's house.
That's where we agreed to meet.
I checked the distance.
Five minutes,That was all.
I didn't waste another second.
I started running.
Street after street, turning corners without slowing down. I could hear things behind me. Footsteps. Movement. Something following.
But I didn't look back.
Not once.
I reached the house, completely out of breath. My chest burned as I tried to breathe.
I stood in front of the door, raising my hand to knock.
Before I could, it opened.
Michael, Ben, and Lisa stood there.
All of them looked worried. Tense.
Michael: what took you so long, man
I didn't answer right away.
My eyes moved to Ben.
His shoulder was wrapped, poorly treated but clearly injured.
I said what happened to his shoulder
Ben shrugged slightly.
Ben: nothing serious. I accidentally dislocated it while waiting for you guys. The important thing is you're here.
Something about that didn't feel right.
But I let it go.
I'll explain everything… just let me breathe first i said
They nodded and let me in.
The door closed behind us.
I told them everything.
The creatures. The number of them. The way they moved.
Each of them reacted differently.
Lisa looked terrified, like she didn't even want to imagine it.
Michael was shocked, trying to process how many I saw.
But Ben…
He wasn't scared.
He wasn't even surprised.
so i told him why aren't you reacting ,He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
Ben: I've seen worse than that
A chill ran through me.
Before I could ask anything else, he added quietly.
Ben: don't tell Michael or Lisa… we'll talk later
I nodded.
Lisa looked at us.
Lisa: what are you two talking about
I forced a normal tone.
nothing. He just wanted to make sure I'm okay i told her.
She relaxed a little ,Not completely.
But enough.
I took a breath.
and told them :
the important thing is we're safe for now. But we need to think clearly.
They all agreed.
does anyone have any idea what we should do next i said
No one answered.
Silence filled the room.
The crystal started glowing again with the gray color.
I still didn't understand what these colors meant.
Then a thought came to me.
does anyone know a place where we can get something to defend ourselves i asked .
They thought for a moment.
Then Lisa spoke.
Lisa: my uncle owns a hunting shop. Guns and gear.
i asked do you know where the keys are.
Lisa nodded.
Lisa: he's at our house right now. After a barbecue party. He should have them.
good. Then you and Michael go get them
They both looked at me.
Lisa: DID YOU LOST YOUR MIND.
Michael: we're not leaving you two alone
I'm exhausted. And Ben's shoulder is injured. We're not in a condition to move i said .
They hesitated.
take flashlights and knives from the kitchen. If anything happens, you'll at least have something.
that what i told them.
It took time.
But eventually they agreed.
Lisa stood at the door and looked at me.
Lisa: stay safe… and don't get into trouble
And then They left.
The door closed.
And silence filled the house again.
Heavier than before.