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The journey of Jude, Camellia, and Karem began. The three of them walked in heavy silence, each trying to hide the tension gnawing at their chest. Mystery loomed over the place, and the air carried a suffocating feeling, as if the forest itself was warning them of danger. Every step they took on the soil, damp with dry leaves, left a deep mark.
Jude spoke, trying to break the silence with a slight smile:
— "Guys, there's no need for all this tension. We're used to such adventures. I wasn't just a video game player... I was a real adventurer who risked his life in the farthest places."
Camellia laughed shortly and said:
— "Heh, do you remember the abandoned house?"
Jude smiled, nostalgia in his tone:
— "How could I ever forget it..."
Karem sighed sharply, looking around nervously:
— "That's enough! You're joking while we're between life and death! What's the point of these memories now?!"
Jude laughed sarcastically and said:
— "Yeah, yeah, you just don't want to remember how you peed your pants that time."
Camellia burst out laughing, imitating the voice of a frightened child. She leaned close to Karem's ear and whispered mockingly:
— "Mom... I'm sorry... Mom.. oom, save me!"
The two burst into laughter, while Karem's face turned red with anger and embarrassment, and he shouted at them:
— "Stop it right now!"
Jude smiled, his eyes carrying warmth amid the tense atmosphere:
— "Ah, you two are the best companions! Even if we have to die… we'll die together."
Camellia raised her eyebrows with a smile and said:
— "Yes… although I don't really want to die."
Karem smiled despite his fear, but he felt a strange warmth in his chest.
The three continued their path through the desolate forest—dense trees blocked the sky, and cold winds carried faint, eerie sounds that made them feel watched.
Suddenly, from a nearby spot, they saw one of the ghouls hiding behind a tree, its red eyes gleaming in the sunlight as it tilted its head, studying its prey intently. The three froze in place, their hearts pounding loudly in the tense silence.
Karem, who was about to scream at the terrifying sight, was stopped by Camellia, who quickly covered his mouth with both hands and whispered harshly in his ear:
— "Don't scream! You'll attract the other ghouls!"
At that moment, Jude gripped his rifle, his hand trembling slightly, waiting for the ghoul to move so he could fire. But the ghoul kept watching them without coming closer.
Camellia spoke in a low voice:
— "Maybe we should run..."
Karem's eyes widened as he said anxiously:
— "Why?! What if it follows us?"
Camellia sighed, her gaze sharp:
— "It's a trap. Look at it... it can't see us clearly, but it senses our movements and our scent. And if you look behind the other trees... you'll see more ghouls waiting for the moment to attack."
Jude gasped, quickly spotting the other ghouls hiding behind the trees, realizing she was right.
Camellia had always been the genius of the team — in video games and in real hunting — the one with sharp insight and devilish plans.
Jude spoke slowly, breathing steadily:
— "Yeah... how did we not notice that? They're luring us in. The moment we fire, they'll all attack at once."
Karem muttered in a trembling voice:
— "Guys... I'm starting to get really scared."
Camellia signaled with her hand and whispered quickly:
— "Run... slowly."
The three began to retreat quietly, their steps cautious as if walking on broken glass. The ghouls' eyes followed them, but none of them moved. With every step they took backward, their breathing slowly returned to normal, as if they had just passed through the jaws of death.
Jude wiped the sweat off his face and said:
— "Phew! That was close... those things are smart!"
Karem added in a trembling voice:
— "I think things are getting more dangerous... the deeper we go, the scarier it gets."
They kept walking until they reached the abandoned village, but the sky suddenly turned black, and heavy rain began to pour. It was the first time it had rained since they arrived in this place; the thick drops fell on their faces like a terrifying warning.
They hurried toward one of the deserted houses and went inside for shelter. Jude sat near the window, watching the rain, when something caught his attention. The ghouls outside were moving in a wild, erratic way, as if the rain terrified them.
He focused his gaze and said in astonishment:
— "I think the rain hides our scent from them... and it seems to scare them too."
Camellia, scanning the room with her eyes, said:
— "Let's look for food."
The two began checking the cupboards and the refrigerator but found only a few scraps of food. Karem sat on the floor in frustration, letting out a long sigh:
— "Haaah... ugh... should we go out again?"
Camellia replied firmly:
— "Jude said it's dangerous outside. We need to find another way out."
She began inspecting the place with a sharp eye, searching for any escape route. Moving toward the backyard, she saw a low wall connecting the two houses.
She pointed toward it and said:
— "Let's climb over it... we might be able to get into the next house."
Jude climbed the wall first, stood on top of it, and reached out his hand to help Camellia up. After she climbed as well, they both extended their hands to Karem, who started complaining:
— "The rain's slipping off me! I can't hold on to you!"
Their hands kept slipping from the wetness, and every time they tried to pull him up, he slid halfway down again. But they didn't give up. On the final attempt, they managed to pull him up.
Suddenly, just as they were pulling him over, a loud crash echoed!
One of the ghouls had slammed into the door of the house they were just in, breaking it off its hinges and sending it flying. Their hearts froze in shock.
The ghoul's eyes glowed a fierce, blood-red light, and its roar filled the air with indescribable terror.
For a moment, Jude and Camellia couldn't even process what was happening. As for Karem, stuck halfway over the wall, he felt he was about to die. But they finally managed to pull him over, and the three of them dropped into the next house.
They ran fast, but the ghoul didn't give them a chance to escape—it smashed through the wall with its massive body, like a monster from a nightmare, their breaths quickening as they trembled in fear.
Meanwhile, Linda stood by the window of the mansion, staring at the pouring rain, a tightness filling her chest. She whispered to herself:
— "Rain... strange... why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?"
Jason appeared behind her, smiling as he said:
— "Haha, rain! I can't believe it! I love the rain!"
Linda replied worriedly:
— "Yes... it's raining. I'm worried about them..."
Jason tried to reassure her:
— "Don't worry, they're professionals."
She answered firmly:
— "But this isn't a game, Jason... it's life or death."
He lowered his head and said:
— "I know... but they'll come back. They've always risked their lives and returned alive."
Linda placed her hand over her heart and said:
— "I hope so... but what if they need help?"
Jason replied tensely:
— "Even if they do, who would go out in this weather?"
Linda said with determination:
— "I will."
Jason's eyes widened, and he shouted angrily:
— "Are you insane?! They might come back alive, but you won't. Don't risk your life."
She looked at him resolutely:
— "Don't worry... but if I don't go, my conscience will never rest. Please, don't tell Elias I left."
Jason muttered, holding his head:
— "You really are foolish and reckless... enough to make me feel like an idiot and a coward."
Linda began to prepare—she packed her guns and ammunition, then headed toward the door. Suddenly, Jason appeared behind her and said:
— "It's true that I'm a coward and scared... but I'm not scum who would let a girl go alone."
Linda smiled faintly despite the tension, feeling that the coming battle would be far harder than any of them imagined.
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