Inside the large villa, a calm and serene atmosphere prevailed, as if the outside world's troubles were a distant memory. On the sofa, a man sat, chatting with his daughter and playing games, while in the kitchen, his friend busied himself preparing lunch.
After agreeing to take it easy, Noah focused on his recovery, though he knew deep down that a week wouldn't be enough to fully heal. It had been three days since they escaped the clinic, and he still hadn't devised a plan to return and check on his wife.
Those three days were spent shielding his daughter from the dark thoughts that gnawed at him. He made every effort to help her feel safe again, enjoying their moments together, knowing that no one could guarantee he'd make it back.
Kali divided his time between researching and monitoring Noah's condition. They had also gathered more information about the outside world's deteriorating situation: the phone lines were down, and the only thing on TV was an endless emergency broadcast. At one point, Kali ventured outside the villa, which sat atop a small mountain overlooking the city, to survey the situation below.
All he saw was more smoke rising from the city and the occasional flash of speeding cars. Uneasy, he hurried back inside, worried he might have been spotted by one of the fanatical worshipers roaming the streets.
Noah still hadn't told his daughter about his plan to leave by the end of the week. He was trying to prepare her gradually, but she often asked about her mother. One day, Judy turned to him and asked, "Do you think Mommy is still at the clinic?"
Noah sighed and gave her a reassuring smile. "You know how strong your mom is, right? She can get through anything. I'm sure she's waiting for me to bring her home."
Though she trusted her father, Judy was a sharp child. "You're going to check on her, aren't you?"
Noah was taken aback by her perceptiveness. "You've figured me out. Yes, I am. I can't leave your mother behind, but I promise you, I'll come back with her. Do you believe me?"
Judy was quiet for a moment, then met her father's eyes. "Of course I do, Daddy. I know you're a superhero, so you'll come back with Mommy."
They both laughed, and Noah ruffled her hair. "That's my brave girl."
With only a day left before Noah ventured into the city, he sat in the basement with Kali, listening to the latest discoveries. Kali spoke, "From the blood sample I took at the clinic, I noticed something interesting. Not all the cells survived the virus—some of them died after about 48 hours."
He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, "This means not everyone infected will become one of the worshipers. But I still can't figure out why the virus seems to alter their beliefs."
Noah, lost in thought, barely registered Kali's words. His mind was swirling with worries and unfinished plans. Kali pressed on, "Also, the virus isn't as contagious as we initially feared. You just need to be cautious with infected fluids—blood, saliva, water." He gave Noah a moment to absorb the information before reaching into his pocket and pulling something out. "Here, take this."
Noah's eyes widened as he saw Kali handing him a gun, along with nine bullets. He couldn't hide his surprise. Kali had always been a pacifist, someone who valued peace above all else. The sight of the gun in his friend's hand seemed completely out of character.
Their bond ran deep, stretching back to their days in the orphanage where they had grown up together, sharing the same struggles. They had always supported each other. While Noah eventually found his soulmate and started a family, Kali remained single, dedicating himself to his work. Noah thought he knew him well.
With confusion, Noah asked, "Why do you have a gun? I thought you were against violence and war."
Kali laughed softly, patting Noah on the shoulder. "Just because I own a gun doesn't mean I use it. I've never fired it. But as a man living alone in a big house, it's more of a safety measure."
Noah nodded, the explanation making sense. Kali had become a successful man, wealthy enough to attract envy. It was only logical that he'd want something to protect himself, even if he never planned to use it.
"I see," Noah said, taking the gun reluctantly. "I guess it could come in handy, even though I've never liked guns."
After that, Noah laid out his plan to Kali. He intended to take his car and use the mountain's back road to avoid the crowded main routes. It would take him about an hour and a half, but given the circumstances, it was the safest option.
Kali, ever cautious, asked, "Alright, but what will you do once you reach the clinic? What if that creature is still there? You can barely use your left arm, and even with the gun, I doubt it'll be enough."
It was clear that Noah had been expecting these questions. He smirked and replied, "I've got a plan. I'm going to create a massive distraction—something that'll draw all the attention away."
Kali, more confused than ever, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what? And what exactly is that?" He braced himself, knowing from experience that Noah's ideas often bordered on the insane.
Noah grinned. "Come on, Kali. You know I'm a physicist, right? I know a thing or two about chemistry too. I'm planning to rig up a small bomb in the parking lot using the fuel from the cars. But that's only if I run into any worshipers. Honestly, what are the chances? I doubt they've turned the clinic into their headquarters."
Kali was stunned. He had expected something out of the ordinary, but this was extreme, even for Noah. "You never cease to amaze me, Noah. Do you think you're living in some action movie or a web novel?"
Noah burst into laughter, his chest heaving until he could barely catch his breath. "You know me too well, my friend. I always go all-in. Trust me, those fanatics will regret ever messing with my family."
Kali's voice was sharp with concern. "What if things go wrong, Noah? What if you're up against more than you expect? A whole group of them?"
Noah's face hardened, his usual calm replaced with grim determination. "I've thought about that. I've got pocket bombs—small, but they'll do the job. If it all falls apart, I'll grab my wife and get out. There's no other option."
The tension between them was thick, the weight of the moment settling in. This wasn't just a plan. What happened at the clinic would determine everything—whether Judy would still have a father by the end of it all.
Kali's voice faltered, his emotions finally breaking through. "Noah, whatever happens, you have to come back. Judy needs you. I can't be her father. I wouldn't know how."
Noah's gaze softened, though his resolve stayed firm. "I'll come back. I swear it. Even if things get rough, I'll be back in three days. You have my word."
Their farewell was filled with unspoken fears, the kind that hung heavy in the air. It felt final, too final. Noah turned to his daughter for what might be the last time. Their conversation was raw, packed with emotions neither of them could hide. He promised her he'd bring her mother home, that everything would soon be okay, that these dark days would eventually fade into distant memories. But the fear behind his eyes betrayed the confidence in his voice.
At dawn, Noah moved slowly as he packed, each action heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. First aid supplies, materials for his plan—he checked everything twice. The sun's early light bathed the villa as he stood for a final moment, gazing at Kali and Judy, their faces etched into his mind as if this could be their last time together.
Forcing a smile, he gave them a nod and climbed into the car. The engine rumbled to life, and with one last look, he drove off, heading down the back road of the mountain, leaving the villa—and a piece of his heart—behind.
Noah drove through the mountain, his eyes glued to the ruined city below. What was once the pulse of daily life had crumbled into a haunting graveyard of burnt-out cars, wreckage, and ash. Every shattered building, every twisted streetlight, felt like a painful reminder that the world he knew was now just a memory. His grip on the wheel tightened as he scanned every inch of the road ahead, waiting for something—anything—to go wrong.
But to his surprise, nothing did. An hour slipped by, and he was now closer to the clinic than the villa. The tension in his chest shifted as he searched for a place to park unnoticed. He needed to move carefully now—stealth would be his only ally. Finding a hidden spot off the road, Noah pulled the car to a stop, heart pounding.
He grabbed his materials, checked his gun and the small bombs—everything was set. Taking a deep breath, he started the final stretch on foot, creeping forward with deliberate steps, using the shadows to his advantage. He ducked behind a small bus and caught his first glimpse of the clinic's entrance.
What he saw made his stomach drop.
His mind flashed back to his conversation with Kali. "What are the chances? I doubt they've turned the clinic into their headquarters."
He cursed under his breath. "Damn it. I jinxed myself."
In front of the clinic, a group of worshipers stood guard, their bodies hunched with crazed energy, gripping makeshift weapons stained with dried blood. Their eerie, twisted smiles stretched too wide, their eyes gleaming with a fanaticism that chilled Noah to the bone. Behind them, the clinic's walls were defaced with crude, blood-red symbols and scrawled words: "Praise Chaos. Praise the Void."
Noah's gut twisted. They'd done it. They'd turned the clinic into their stronghold. Another wave of misfortune in his already spiraling life. But none of it mattered now. He'd have to face them, no matter the cost, if he wanted to find his wife.
His fists clenched as he steeled himself. There was no turning back.