New Encounter

A loud gunshot was heard outside the house, alarming people and soldiers nearby. Major Rodriguez, who heard the gunshot from his office, became concerned and decided to check the source of the noise.

He quickly ran to the location of the noise and stopped to peek into the room. There, he saw a chaotic scene involving Hiro. He found one soldier wounded and a civilian scratched on the back, lifeless. Major Rodriguez noticed signs that the civilian had transformed into a creature, losing sanity and becoming a monster.

He composed himself and asked Hiro about the situation. "What happened here, Hiro, Miya? Why is it like this?"

Miya explained to Major Rodriguez, "Major, it's because the civilian who got scratched transformed, and the soldier got bitten. They've changed completely."

Major Rodriguez assessed the disturbing situation in the room with the two casualties. Soon, other teammates arrived, having heard the gunshots from outside.

The group quickly discussed the situation, realizing they had no choice. Their comrades had transformed, and the bitten soldier had decided to sacrifice himself.

Major Rodriguez, his face tense with the gravity of the situation, addressed the team, "Alright, listen up, everyone. We've got a rapidly escalating situation here. Our comrades are already dead we need to buried them now"

The team nodded in agreement, their expressions hardened with determination. Major Rodriguez directed a few soldiers to dig the ground outside the barricade. They use the extra shovel and cartwheel, as soon they start digging the ground the other soldier and civilian start to clean the mess in the room.

The two bodies have been put outside the house with the help of Hiro and others. They use the improvised stretcher they do. The plan to buried the two bodies have been execute efficiently as soon the location where the digging has been done. It's almost morning and what happen in this group is kind of traumatizing especially to the persons who have been seen the actual events.

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Hiro's POV

It's already morning and I still feel tired and sore from whatever happened a while ago to my two companions. I consider myself lucky because I'm still alive. Despite everything I've been through, here I am standing and appreciating the beauty of the sunrise in the sky. It's a new day in this world, where it's populated by infectors.

I don't know if I'll ever get used to this kind of world, but I have no choice but to live to find out where my parents are. Until now, since we arrived in this town, I haven't seen them or any signs that they're here. It's giving me a more burden on my mind, depressing enough to consider a burden in my mind.

As I talk to myself, Casi slowly approaches me, carrying a mug of hot coffee.

"Coffee first, Hiro. It's hot, you might burn yourself," Casi says, wearing a smile on her face.

"Thank you, Casi," is all I can muster as I don't feel like engaging in conversation with anyone at the moment.

But Casi continued talking to me, and as I sip the hot coffee, feeling the warmth flowing down my throat, she asked, "Hiro, how are you? Are you okay?" Concern is evident on her face.

"I know what happened earlier wasn't good, but don't let what you witnessed affect you. Stay strong," Casi adds.

I finished sipping the coffee and said, "I'm okay, Casi... thank you." A brief silence passed between us, and I felt a bit embarrassed for not reciprocating Casi's conversational energy.

(I'm sorry, Casi. I'm just a bit overwhelmed by everything happening right now)

"Uhmm...Hiro you stay here, I'll go to the kitchen and see if there's anything I can do to help for the preparation for lunch."

Perhaps Casi sensed the awkwardness in our conversation due to my lackluster response, as she excused herself and mentioned that she was heading to the kitchen to check if there's anything to do and prepare lunch for the upcoming meal.

"You seem so cold there... Hahaha."

I was surprised when someone suddenly spoke behind me, I turned around and saw Rafael face, teasing me about what happened earlier between Casi and me.

"I'm just not in the mood to talk much now, Raf."

"Is it because of what happened earlier with our two companions?" Rafael asked, while looking at me.

"Yeah man, I know that I am the one insist to kill them but right now the burden of what I do is kicking back to me" I explained to Rafael while looking of what's my eye can see on the surroundings.

"Don't you worry I am the one who shoot the gun not you, so technically we can say that we share both the burden" 

"Thanks, Rafael, for understan-"

I didn't get to finish what I was saying when I noticed someone coming towards us in our position outside the fence. Rafael also noticed it immediately, and without any delay, we went closer to examine who or what was approaching our location.

As the object seems near to us, the looks became clear, it is a human. 

A weary-looking man, probably in his fifties, emerged, displaying signs of fatigue and aging, perhaps around the same age as my parents. As he approached, I began to recognize his face.

(Is he one of my dad's friends?)

"H-help m-me..." 

He said to us while catching his breath. His clothes were tattered and seemed like they haven't been washed for a few days. 

"Ar-are you Dennis's child?-your dad and mom need help!" the man asked, his face showing surprise and anxiety.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PARENTS!? WHERE ARE THEY? WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM!?"

I said it with fear and anxiety on my face because it had been a long time since I last saw my parents, and this was the first news I heard about them. Especially in these times when the world seems to be on the brink of chaos. Where the world is overrun by the infectors.

-Volume Fin