DAY LURKERS

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[+3 advance chapter on Pat reon]

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We continued our ascent up the mountain path, fatigue clinging to our weary bodies. The sweltering heat of the day had drained us, and hunger gnawed at our stomachs.

"Let's rest for a bit," Sakura said wiping the sweat from her forehead on her sleeves.

"Yeah, good idea. I am starving," Hinata replied.

"Alright, that place looks good enough," I pointed at at the giant tree on our left. There was enough shade to take a rest and regain our energy.

As we trudged along, the sight of an abandoned house caught my attention. I halted in my tracks, my gaze fixed on the dilapidated structure nestled amongst the rugged terrain. The collapsed roof and crumbling walls spoke of years of neglect, a silent testament to the desolation that had befallen this place.

"Look, a small house," I exclaimed, drawing Sakura's attention.

Her eyes followed my gaze, and a sense of unease washed over her features. "It looks like it has been abandoned for ages," she observed, her voice tinged with trepidation.

Hinata took a deep breath, her resolve unwavering as she approached the decaying building. "We can probably rest in there," she suggested, stepping through the creaking doorway.

The interior of the house seemed frozen in time, its once welcoming atmosphere now shrouded in an eerie silence. Dust danced in the slivers of sunlight that pierced through the broken windows, casting ghostly shadows on the weathered floorboards. It was clear that no one had set foot here in many years.

My eyes fell upon a dilapidated bed in the corner, its frame creaking under the weight of time. A surge of sadness washed over me as I noticed the two skeletons lying upon it, their remains tied with rotted ropes. The tragedy of their fate hung heavy in the air.

Sakura's complexion turned pale, her voice barely a whisper. "Oh my God..."

Hinata, ever composed, surveyed the scene with a solemn expression. "They chose to end their lives before succumbing to the horrors of the zombies," she concluded, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.

The realization of the tragic fate that befell the occupants of this abandoned house weighed heavily on our hearts. It served as a stark reminder of the desperate measures some had resorted to in the face of the relentless zombie horde.

As we took a moment to collect ourselves, the need for rest and sustenance remained. We found a corner of the house relatively free of debris and settled down, our tired bodies sinking into the dusty floor.

Sakura broke the silence, her voice laced with empathy. "It's heartbreaking to think of the despair they must have felt, to choose death over a life consumed by fear and suffering."

Hinata nodded in agreement, her eyes glistening with a hint of sadness. "I am glad they didn't end up becoming one of those freaks. Atleast they had each other on the other side."

As we sat in the dimly lit corner of the abandoned house, a somber atmosphere enveloped us. The weight of the tragic discovery lingered, leaving us grappling with the harsh realities of the world we now inhabited.

Sakura's gaze turned distant, lost in contemplation. "Their love must have been strong to face such a decision together. In a world overrun by darkness, they found solace in each other's arms."

"Or maybe someone killed them and made it look like a suicide," I said after carefully scanning every corner of the house.

"Looters and bandits?" Sakura asked.

"I think so. Look at the selves and that small kitchen, everything is in their places except for the food and water and those two were killed first then they were hanged to make it look like a suicide," I explained.

"How did you know?" Hinata asked as she carefully looked at the skeletons, "Humm... Their ribs seemed to be pierced by something... A kunai maybe..."

As the realization of foul play settled upon us, the air grew heavy with a mix of sorrow and unease. The evidence became clearer, pointing towards a sinister plot that unfolded within these walls. The tragedy of their deaths now morphed into a grim reminder of the dangers that lurked even among the living.

"Damn, you are right, Fred," Hinata said as she sat on the floor beside us, "They were murdered."

"You girls eat some food and rest. Meanwhile, I will put them to rest," I stood up. It's only right to burn their remnants and let them be one with the earth. I carried the skeletons outside the house. I gently laid the remains of the unfortunate couple on the ground.

I activated the Omnitrix on my wrist. Heatblast's fiery form engulfed me, the intense heat radiating from my body.

Using my pyrokinetic abilities, I summoned flames from my hands and created a funeral pyre. The crackling fire danced and swirled around the skeletons, consuming them in its embrace. As the flames grew, a sense of solemnity settled over the area, paying tribute to the lives lost and the love that had once thrived within these walls.

Humm... I have seen death and experienced it myself. But as the days goes by, I wonder, is it ok to live like this? And I know the answer, it's obviously a big NO. Maybe it's time to create a cure.

Hinata and Sakura watched in silence, their expressions a mix of sadness and respect. The flickering light of the fire cast ethereal shadows on their faces, highlighting their determination to protect the innocent and ensure that justice prevailed.

Once the fire had reduced the remains to ashes, I extinguished the flames with a wave of my hand. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke, mingling with the somber atmosphere that surrounded us.

I transformed back into my human form, the Omnitrix deactivating with a soft hum. "What's with the gloomy look? Considering the decay, there is no way to find who did this. They are probably dead too or maybe alive..."

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After resting in quiet for a bit, we made our way toward the second outpost.

As we left the abandoned house behind, a somber aura clung to us, each step a reminder of the fragility of life in this post-apocalyptic world. Our path led us deeper into the rugged terrain, navigating through dense foliage and rocky terrain.

I wanted to use my Omnitrix to fly there fast, but I can't waste unnecessary power. Who knows what kind of freaks are hiding in the shadows.

The journey to the second outpost was filled with a heavy silence, the weight of recent discoveries still lingering in our thoughts. Sakura, ever perceptive, sensed the heaviness and broke the silence.

"I can't help but feel a mix of sadness and anger," Sakura spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of frustration. "To think that even in this desolate world, where survival is paramount, there are still those who choose to inflict harm on others."

Hinata nodded, her gaze focused ahead, determination etched on her features. "It's a harsh reality, Sakura. There is nothing anyone can do. Huh?!" She signed us to stop.

As Hinata signaled us to stop, we immediately took cover behind the thick foliage, our senses heightened. The silence was broken by the faint sound of rustling leaves, accompanied by low, guttural growls. The tension in the air was palpable as we prepared ourselves for a potential threat.

Peering through the leaves, I caught sight of a group of mutated zombies emerging from the dense undergrowth. Their twisted forms and disfigured limbs sent shivers down my spine. They were nothing like I have encountered before.

These freaks are around 5-feet tall humanoid. These were not the mindless, slow-moving zombies we had encountered before. They possessed an eerie agility and a hunger that seemed insatiable.

Hinata's eyes narrowed, her Byakugan activated as she assessed the situation. "Shit! Day Lurkers... 8 of them," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of caution and determination.

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AN: Does it now sound like more of a zombie apocalypse? More fights are coming up in the upcoming chapters. And, I agree, I kinda messed up at the beginning chs, but just you wait for the next 4 chs and you will see. Zombies ain't the only threat looming in the world.