The Tainted Blood.
They looked at us not with curiosity, but hunger.
Before I could give an order, one lunged forward, its movement faster than any human could track. Mira fired, the shot echoing through the woods, and the creature dropped, twitching, still staring at us as black blood seeped from its wounds. But the noise awakened the others.
I could hear them moving, dozens of them, maybe hundreds. The forest began to tremble.
Ash cursed, "Now we know why the other teams lost connection."
"Stay close," I commanded, raising my weapon. "We move east. We find shelter. Then we look for my husband."
"Miss Nine," Shina whispered, voice trembling. "What if he's… one of them?"
I froze.
For a second, I couldn't breathe.
Then I whispered, almost to myself, "Then I'll find a cure."
Even if I had no idea what that cure could be.
