Daphne's Transformation

Location: Next Door Villa

"Kill it!" A hoarse voice echoed in the air, chilling and eerie. Daphne trembled slightly, her dark hair disheveled, her blue eyes filled with panic. She clutched a gun tightly, shaking uncontrollably as she backed away.

"Don't come near me…" Daphne pleaded, facing the swaying figure of the approaching zombie. To this predator, human words were clearly useless; all it saw was blood and flesh.

"If you don't shoot, you'll die…" Yang Tian's voice floated like a ghost. "I won't save you, even if it knocks you down. I won't intervene…"

"No!" A spark of courage surged within her. Daphne covered her mouth with one hand, tightly gripping her Glock 18 with the other, and pulled the trigger with a bang.

The zombie let out a chilling howl; the bullet missed its head and hit its shoulder instead. Unfazed, the zombie lunged at her again.

"Get away!" She fired two more shots, panicking and losing her aim, continuously retreating.

"It will grab you, bite your neck, and blood will flow… you're going to die…" Yang Tian's voice continued to echo in her ears, but her scream broke his composure.

"Shut up! Damn you! Just shut up!" She fired wildly until the magazine was empty, hitting only a few shots. Overcome with emotion, Daphne collapsed into Yang Tian's arms, crying uncontrollably.

"Why didn't you help me? You just watched!" She pounded her fists against his chest, anger and fear intertwining.

Yang Tian could only endure in silence. After a moment, Daphne gradually calmed down, realizing what she had just done.

"I'm… I'm sorry." She lowered her head and slowly stepped away from Yang Tian's embrace.

"You need to have the courage to face this if you want to survive!" Yang Tian ignored her apology and began teaching her how to change the magazine.

Under Yang Tian's guidance, Daphne clumsily changed the magazine. His approving look made her blush.

"Hold the gun steady with your right hand, support the grip with your left, and aim for the head!" Yang Tian's voice was gentle yet firm.

Though fear still lingered in Daphne's heart, she focused her mind.

Suddenly, she sensed Yang Tian's breathing grow heavy, and unease washed over her. His gaze flickered with an unusual desire, his breath igniting a tumult of thoughts within him, urging him to bite her.

"Yang… please…" she whispered.

Startled, Yang Tian pushed her away, clutching his head in pain as he backed against the wall, battling between desire and reason.

"I'm sorry…" he muttered, seemingly overwhelmed by the struggle.

Daphne tightened her grip on the gun, her eyes filled with conflict. "If you really can't control it, I can… give you a little."

Yang Tian stared at her, incredulous. Daphne slowly approached him, pulled out his knife, and made a small cut on her finger, red blood welling up.

"This is just… to satisfy you a bit," she said softly, her gaze resolute.

Yang Tian wrestled with himself and pushed her hand away. "That will only unleash greater urges."

"I just wanted to help you," Daphne replied, her eyes trembling, her fingers pale.

"Don't ever do that again," Yang Tian said, gazing at her face as he gently stroked her hair. "Thank you, really. I won't hurt you."

She slightly opened her eyes, pouting in mock indignation. "Then why did you scare me?"

Yang Tian couldn't help but chuckle, feeling his agitation subside.

"Some things can be released and healed," he thought silently, finally understanding the meaning of their connection.