After the long, grueling day filled with shocks and trauma, everyone fell into a deep, childlike sleep—everyone except for Kali, who was still absorbed in his research in the basement, working through the night.
Exhaustion finally caught up with him. His vision blurred, and his concentration faltered, his body giving him the unmistakable signal to stop. Realizing he needed rest, he decided to check on Noah upstairs before turning in for some sleep.
When he entered the room, he found Judy curled up beside her father. She had sought comfort there during the night, unable to sleep alone after everything they had endured. Noah, pale and ghostly, had already awakened and was quietly gazing out the window at the garden. He looked frail, almost as if a light breeze could shatter him.
Their eyes met. Kali looked nearly as worn as Noah—his long hair unkempt, dark circles hanging under his eyes. They exchanged weary smiles before Noah broke the silence. "Good morning," he said softly, his voice lighter than his appearance suggested. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Funny thing is, I feel better today."
He paused briefly, then continued, "Do you think you could help me outside? I need some fresh air."
Kali nodded, carefully helping him to his feet. Together, they made their way to the front garden.
"Don't push yourself too hard," Kali warned. "You still need rest."
Noah didn't respond immediately, his attention caught by the vibrant green of the garden, the scattered flowers bringing a sense of calm. "You've got a beautiful home," he said, breaking the silence.
Kali smiled at the compliment, already sensing what was coming. "Well," he joked, "What's the point of money if you can't buy a big house to hide your single, lonely life?"
They both chuckled at that, but Noah's expression soon turned serious. "I need to go back," he said firmly.
Kali instantly understood what Noah meant—he was talking about returning to his wife at the clinic. "Are you out of your mind?" Kali snapped. "How can you even consider that in the shape you're in? Look at your arm—how do you expect to do anything like this?"
The mood shifted, tension rising as the conversation grew serious. Noah, undeterred, replied calmly, "I can't leave her there alone, not with those things out there. She needs me."
Kali's frustration boiled over, his voice rising in anger. "Which is exactly why you can't go back! Do you have any idea how many of those fanatics are still out there? You barely survived a fight with just one of them, and look where that got you! If you step outside now, you'll die. Plain and simple."
Noah avoided Kali's gaze but remained composed. His voice was steady as he said, "That's why I need you to take care of Judy while I'm gone."
Kali stared at him in disbelief. "Have you lost your mind? You want to leave Judy behind in this world? How are you supposed to survive out there, let alone fight, with one arm? You're not a superhero, Noah—that's for kids!"
As the argument edged toward a breaking point, Noah's voice cut through the tension, sharp and raw. "Oh, really? This from the guy who thought he could take on five beasts alone? How the hell do you explain that reckless stunt?"
The words hit like a punch, leaving both of them momentarily stunned. Neither could deny it—they had both acted recklessly, throwing themselves into situations that should've killed them. Silence thickened between them, until Noah finally broke it, his voice heavy with emotion. "I know you're scared. I know you don't think I'll make it. But I have to do this, Kali. I have to know if she's still alive… and if she's not, I have to bury her myself. I owe her that. I owe her everything."
Kali's heart sank. He knew there was no turning Noah away from this path—no argument strong enough to change his mind. His friend's stubbornness ran deep, as immovable as stone, something he'd known all too well since childhood. Swallowing hard, Kali took a moment to collect himself before speaking.
"Alright… but you won't survive the trip, not like this. You're in no condition to leave. You need at least a week to heal, and I won't let you go until then. And I'm not saying this as your friend, Noah—I'm saying this as your doctor."
It finally felt like they'd reached some sort of agreement. Noah, trying to reassure Kali, nodded with a hint of resolve. "You've got a deal, my friend. I'll take this week to come up with a plan. I'll reach that clinic, and I'll come back. You can count on it."
They exchanged a weary smile, but the moment was brief. Kali's expression turned serious again as he said, "By the way, I dug deeper into the virus last night." His tone grew grim. "This virus... it's strange. It seems like it's destroying cells, but at the same time, it's enhancing them. That explains the unnatural strength we saw in those firefighters back at the clinic."
Noah's eyes widened, confusion washing over him. "Wait, how can a virus both destroy and enhance cells at the same time?"
Kali's expression didn't falter. "We still need more data, but one thing's clear—this isn't a normal virus. It infects the brain and alters human behavior in ways we've never seen before."
A chilling thought struck Noah like a blow. "Hold on... how can a virus change someone's beliefs?" His voice trembled slightly, and as he spoke, a cold, eerie breeze swept through the garden, making the moment feel heavy, foreboding. "Those things... they looked like they were worshipping something. Some kind of deity. How is that even possible? And it wasn't just one—it was collective.
Like they shared the same twisted faith. This is… something new, Kali. Something terrifying."
An unprecedented horror hung in the air between them, something far beyond human understanding. Kali was visibly rattled, a deep frown creasing his forehead. He hadn't focused on this detail during the chaos but now, hearing it out loud, it made everything feel more unsettling. "I agree. This is... way beyond me. There's no scientific explanation I can give you right now. But for now, focus on your recovery. I'll keep digging into the research."
Their conversation ended, but the unease clung to Noah like a dark shadow. Something still didn't sit right. A storm was brewing, one far bigger than anything they had faced so far.
They were heading into unknown territory—more questions than answers, and the sense of something ominous lurking just beyond the horizon.