A menacing group roared out of the parking lot, the car's tires screeching violently as they tore away. As they vanished, Noah's gaze remained fixed on the clinic, hollow and distant, as if part of him had been left behind. One thought echoed relentlessly in his mind: "I have to go back!"
That thought was ripped apart by a sudden wave of pain, overwhelming him as the adrenaline drained from his system. The wound from the earlier crash had reopened, blood flowing in thick streams. Judy, panicked, lunged toward him, her small hands trembling as she checked on him. "Daddy, are you okay? Please, don't ever leave me again!"
Noah forced a pained smile, his face pale as he tried to mask the agony. "I'm okay, sweetheart. I promise, I'm not going anywhere," he said, though each word was a lie to keep her calm. Only Kali, who was gripping the wheel tightly, knew just how serious the situation really was.
Noah broke the silence, his voice hoarse. "What the hell was that thing back there?"
Kali, still navigating the roads with no clear destination, responded without looking back. "I don't know for sure, but it looked like one of the virus's effects. The firefighters had the same dark markings."
There was a brief pause. Kali avoided saying more, knowing what Noah feared most—Lucy transforming into one of those creatures. Steering the conversation away, he added, "That's not important right now. You need medical attention, fast. I'm taking you to my place. Both you and Judy need rest."
Noah exhaled deeply, his body aching as the pain became harder to manage. He could feel his strength slipping away, and the world around him dimmed. With his right arm, he pulled Judy close to his side, making sure she was safe beside him. Within moments, the exhaustion won out, and he drifted into a heavy, unresisting sleep.
The car finally came to a halt, and Judy gently shook her father awake. They had arrived at Kali's place. Stepping out of the vehicle felt like moving under a crushing weight for Noah—every step a struggle as blood loss weakened him. He glanced down at his injured left arm. "Damn it… This doesn't look good," he muttered.
Kali and Judy quickly moved to support him, guiding him inside. Kali's home was an impressive, sleek villa with a green garden in the front and large, expansive windows, offering clear views of its ultra-modern interior. The inside was just as futuristic—clean lines, minimalistic furniture, and an atmosphere that felt more like a cutting-edge lab than a home. They helped Noah to the nearest sofa, laying him down to rest.
Judy sat next to her father, worry etched deeply into her face. Her normally bright expression was clouded with fear. Kali returned swiftly, arms loaded with medical tools and supplies. He inspected the wound, his face tightening as he realized how bad it had become. It looked far more grotesque up close—twisted, swollen, and bleeding profusely. His thoughts raced: How is he enduring this? If I don't treat him soon, he'll...
Sensing Kali's unspoken fear, Noah, ever the one to break a dark moment, jumped in. "This? Bah, it's nothing!" he declared with a grin, trying to lighten the heavy mood. "I wrestled a frenzied bear earlier today, and I'm still standing! I could handle a few more." He glanced at Judy, throwing in another attempt at humor. "Didn't you know? Your dad's a superhero."
Judy's lips curled into a faint smile, but her eyes remained serious. "Daddy, I'm not a little kid anymore. You're hurt."
Her words pierced through Noah's facade, but he simply sighed, leaning back into the sofa, his daughter's worry weighing heavier than his own pain.
Noah gently patted Judy's head, offering her a soft, reassuring smile. "Why don't you grab something to eat in the kitchen?" he suggested, knowing full well that what was about to happen next was no scene for her to witness. She nodded, sensing his intent, and after Kali pointed her toward the kitchen, she quietly made her way there, leaving the two men alone.
With Judy out of earshot, Kali turned to Noah, his expression grim. "Noah, if the antibiotics don't work, you might need to..." He trailed off, but Noah knew exactly what he meant—amputation. But at this point, it didn't matter. His thoughts weren't on himself anymore. All he could think about was his wife and daughter.
"Kali," Noah said quietly, his voice steady despite the weight of his words, "just promise me you'll take care of Judy if anything happens to me. I know the world's gone to hell, but you're the only one I trust now..."
Before Noah could finish, Kali cut him off sharply. "Stop it with the drama, Noah. Are you really looking for the easy way out? You're not dying today, not while you've got the best doctor in the country by your side. I'll make sure you heal, and you'll live to see Judy grow into an incredible woman."
The conversation ended there, replaced by the focused silence of medical work. Kali meticulously began stitching the wound, the procedure more like a full-on operation given the severity. Noah clenched his jaw against the pain, but this time, he said nothing—his trust now placed entirely in Kali's hands.
A few hours passed, and Judy was still at the kitchen table, her legs swinging anxiously as she waited for any news. She fought the growing urge to sneak back and check on her father, knowing deep down that she would only distract Kali. But the waiting was unbearable.
Finally, Kali entered the kitchen, his clothes soaked in blood. Judy's heart skipped a beat, but before panic could take over, Kali gave her a reassuring smile. "Rest now, hero," he said softly. "Your father's going to make it. He's asleep, and everything's going to be fine. I'm sorry you had to see all this today."
Without hesitation, Judy jumped up and wrapped her arms around her uncle, hugging him tightly despite the blood. She had been holding it all in for so long—the fear, the uncertainty—and now it all came pouring out. She sobbed uncontrollably, her small body shaking as the tension finally broke. Kali stood there silently, embracing her, letting her release all the emotion she had been bottling up. She cried as though she was mourning her mother all over again, the brave front she'd put on throughout the day crumbling away.
When she finally cried herself into exhaustion, sleep overcame her. Gently, Kali scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to one of the empty rooms. He laid her on the bed, tucking her in carefully before leaving her to rest.
Exhaling heavily, Kali went to clean himself up. Once done, he headed down to the lab in the basement. His expression hardened as he placed a small vial of blood on the counter, staring at it for a long moment. Then, with a steady hand, he began his research—knowing this could hold the key to everything.