As Noah lay on the ground, pain coursing through his body, he felt himself slipping into a haze. Desperation clawed at him, and he fought to shake off the fog. Using his right arm, he pushed against the cold concrete, straining to get up, but his limbs felt heavy and unresponsive.
Rolling onto his stomach, he forced himself to look up at the towering figure before him. One thought surged through his mind: Not yet! I can't lose yet! Blood trickled from his mouth as he spat it onto the floor, determination igniting within him. With a guttural roar, he gave it another try, pushing himself to stand.
Finally, he managed to rise, albeit crooked and unsteady, leaning against the wall for support. "This is it!" he shouted, his voice raw but resolute. "We're both fighting for what we believe in—you for your savior, and I for my family. Show me your savior's determination!"
He knew provoking the man might not help, but time was running out, and he needed to stall for Kali and Judy to reach safety. With trembling hands, Noah reached into his pocket and pulled out the surgical knife he had taken from the ER room, its blade gleaming under the harsh lights.
"This is my stand, here and now!" he yelled, raising the knife defiantly. "Show me your truth!"
The firefighter's smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise, then twisted back into a look of malicious glee. Noah's heart raced as he gripped the knife tightly, readying himself for whatever came next. This was a fight for everything he held dear, and he wasn't backing down.
Noah was no fighter. He had a tall, average build, but his muscles had never seen serious training; he had always been too wrapped up in his work and family to focus on fitness. Yet as adrenaline surged through his veins, it granted him a fleeting sense of strength and resolve. At the very least, he thought, he could withstand a few blows.
He knew deep down that he couldn't hope to win against a trained man, especially one enhanced by a strange virus that only fueled his rage. But the thought of his daughter and friend drove him forward. "Come at me!" he shouted, determination flaring in his chest.
The firefighter cracked his knuckles and stretched, his smile chilling. "This is your grave, heretic!" he bellowed, charging at Noah like a raging bull, his massive frame barreling forward with terrifying speed.
Noah's heart raced as he braced himself. The sheer force behind the man was staggering, and he could feel the ground tremble beneath him with each heavy step. Knowing he wouldn't survive a direct hit, he steeled himself, focusing all his energy on dodging.
As the madman closed in, Noah sidestepped at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the shoulder charge that would have crushed him. He felt the rush of air as the firefighter barreled past, and for a split second, he saw the opportunity.
Gathering what little strength he had left, Noah spun around and slashed the knife toward the attacker, aiming for anything that might slow him down. It was a desperate move, but he couldn't afford to back down now. This fight wasn't just for him—it was for the safety of his family and the hope of a future.
As the knife plunged into the madman's left eye, Noah felt a surge of hope, a fleeting shift in fate. The giant staggered back, blood spraying like a grotesque fountain as he clutched his face, a horrific scene that should have filled Noah with triumph. But he knew this wouldn't be enough to hold him at bay.
Without wasting another moment, Noah turned and sprinted toward the exit of the parking lot, pushing himself to run with every ounce of strength he had left. Panic gripped him as dark questions clouded his mind: Can I make it? Did Judy and Kali escape? What will happen to my child if I die here? He knew Kali would protect her, but could anyone survive in this mad world?
Fatigue clawed at him, and the weight of his decisions bore down like an anchor. His body, battered and exhausted from the morning's chaos, began to betray him. Just as he reached the edge of the lot, his right leg buckled beneath him, sending him sprawling onto the cold concrete. Pain shot through him, and he lay there, staring back at the spot where he had left the staggering firefighter.
Is he gone? The thought flickered through his mind, a desperate hope. I was running, but how far could I have gotten?
Then he raised his head toward the ceiling of the parking lot, and his heart sank. The firefighter was no longer on the ground—he was crawling along the concrete overhead like a grotesque spider, defying all laws of human capability. Blood dripped from his wounded eye, but the madness in his gaze remained intact, burning with rage and intent.
"How can a normal human do this?" Noah thought, terror freezing him in place. The man's fingers pierced the concrete, leaving deep gouges as he moved with unnatural speed. It was a nightmarish sight, and for a moment, all hope felt lost.
Noah's mind raced with despair. How can I win against this monstrosity? Maybe I should just surrender? The thought flickered, tempting him with the prospect of peace. He can feast on my flesh as long as he leaves my daughter alone! My only anchors in life were my wife and daughter. I never cared about myself, not really. And with Lucy gone, maybe I'd find her again?
Just then, the madman on the ceiling leaped down, aiming to crush Noah with his weight. But in that moment of surrender, something primal within Noah fought back. A surge of energy coursed through his veins, igniting a spark of determination. He rolled to the side, narrowly escaping the impact, and landed on one knee, breathless but alive.
How can I give up now? he thought desperately. Nothing is certain; Lucy is still waiting for me in the ER room! My daughter needs her dad. But doubt gnawed at him. How can I defeat him? My knife is still plunged in his eye. I must muster the last drop of my energy!
As Noah struggled to rise, he looked up to see the madman standing over him, the eerie smile creeping back onto his face, as if to say, This is your end!
But then, out of the corner of his eye, a blur of motion caught his attention. A car appeared from the rear, barreling down the parking lot at breakneck speed. It looked like a racing car, sleek and powerful, its engine roaring as it skidded into view, tires screeching against the concrete.
Noah's heart raced as he realized this could be the distraction he desperately needed. If he could just hold on a little longer, perhaps he wouldn't have to face the end alone. The madman turned toward the approaching vehicle, and in that split second, Noah seized the opportunity.
Noah yanked the knife from the madman's eye and drove it deeper, aiming for the brain. As he did, the racing car approached with relentless speed. The madman, still clutching his ruined face, barely had time to react before the vehicle collided with him, sending his body flying several meters away.
The car screeched to a halt, and the door swung open. It was Kali and Judy, both wide-eyed with urgency. "Get in now!" Kali shouted, glancing back to ensure the monstrosity wouldn't rise again.
Relief flooded through Noah as he jumped into the car, slamming the door behind him. In that instant, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. They were finally out of the clinic's parking lot, the horrors left behind, at least for now.
Kali hit the gas, and the car roared to life, racing away from the chaos. Noah looked back one last time, ensuring the nightmare was truly over, and then turned to his daughter, who clung to Kali, tears still glistening in her eyes. "We're safe now," he reassured her, though he couldn't shake the dread that still lingered in his heart. The fight wasn't over, but for this moment, they had a chance.