Wings of Flesh

Their jaws dropped at the bizarre scene before them, the frantic clucking of a chicken echoing in their ears. Their eyes widened, struggling to comprehend the sight unfolding before them.

Anu pulled Vikram close to her chest, while Aditya stepped protectively in front of them. A cold sweat broke out on Samradh's forehead as he gulped, a bead of perspiration trailing down his temple. Instinctively, he moved in front of Vinayak, shielding him—Vinayak stood utterly frozen in shock.

The nurse, who had been screaming in terror on the floor, scrambled to her feet and ran away with all her strength.

Inside the ICU, the lights flickered wildly, emitting a harsh buzz buzz sound. The panicked clucking of the chicken now blended with the flickering hum, and as if that weren't enough, the frantic flapping of wings joined in, creating a nightmarish cacophony.

At the center of it all was the little girl lying in the ICU—the source of the chaos. Her body was slowly, painfully transforming into a chicken. The process was horrifying; bones cracked, skin tore apart, and each agonizing shift sent fresh screams ripping from her throat.

"W-What's happening to her?" Vinayak stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.

Samradh hesitantly took a few steps toward the little girl—now a chicken—his fear evident in his trembling hands. "I... I'm not sure, but first, we need to catch her!"

Before he could move closer, Vikram's urgent voice cut through the chaos. "Watch out!"

The chicken, flapping wildly, darted across the room, leaping onto Anu. She shrieked, losing her balance and falling backward.

"Catch her!" Vikram shouted.

Despite his fear, Vinayak sprinted forward, Samradh right behind him. Vikram and Vinayak lunged, both determined to grab the transformed girl before she could escape.

They ran through the hospital, Vikram leading the way. Just as they were about to reach her, she jumped onto his head and flew out the window.

Samradh cursed, "Shit! Let's go outside! And remember—her wings are pink!"

Vinayak nodded. "Yeah, we need to hurry!"

Vikram scanned the streets as they rushed out of the hospital. His eyes darted around, searching for the runaway chicken. "Hey, look! There she is!" he exclaimed, pointing.

As soon as she noticed them, she started running again.

Samradh shouted, "You two, watch for cars!"

They dashed across the road, weaving through a narrow passage, and entered a crowded market. Vikram clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. It's all his fault. I swear, I'll make him pay for this.

He searched frantically, his gaze sweeping from store to store. Then, he overheard a conversation between two girls.

"You shouldn't have killed that chicken," one of them said. "Her pink wings were so cute."

Her friend sighed. "But we can't do anything about it. Just forget it—he's a butcher, after all."

The three men exchanged looks, realization hitting them hard.

Vinayak shook his head. "No… let's not lose hope. We need to confirm it first."

Samradh nodded. "Yeah, he's right. Let's go!"

Vikram took off toward the butcher shop, panic gripping him. Please, God, no. Please don't let him have killed her. She's just a kid…

They arrived at the shop, panting, sweat dripping from their brows. Vikram took a deep breath before asking, "Did you just chop up a stray chicken?"

The butcher scowled. "Huh? Get lost. I don't have time for this. I'm busy with customers. I only use farm chickens. If you don't believe me, I'll show you."

Grinning, he grabbed a chicken and slaughtered it right in front of them, trying to intimidate them.

Before he could react, Samradh stepped forward, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him down onto the wooden cutting board. Pressing a gun to his forehead, he growled, "If you don't want me to show you the difference between beheading and a bullet to the skull, shut up and tell me—where's the pink-winged chicken?"

The butcher's bravado crumbled instantly. "N-No! Please! I was just joking! I—I'll tell you!" he stammered. "I already killed it… and sold it to a customer. He lives right behind the market. Room 598."

Samradh yanked his face up and punched him.

Vikram snapped. He lunged at the butcher, fists raining down mercilessly. He couldn't accept it. He wouldn't accept it.

Outside, Vinayak staggered to the side of the road and vomited.

Vikram's voice cracked as he yelled, "Why did you have to kill her?! Why?!"

The butcher cowered. "I-I'm sorry! I won't use stray chickens again! Just stop!"

Samradh pulled Vikram back, gripping his shoulders tightly. "Stop, Vikram! I know how you feel, but… just stop!"

Vikram trembled, unable to bear the weight of reality. His knees buckled, and he broke down, tears streaming down his face.

"It's… it's unbearable now," he choked out, his voice breaking. "Every day… I wake up hoping, praying that no one else has been killed. But as soon as I see another body… that unshakable feeling grabs me again. It's going to be me next… I know it… I—"

His hands clenched into fists against the cold, bloodstained ground. "I tried to deny it… I tried to push it away… but he's coming. Slowly… slowly… for me… for my family…"

His shoulders shook violently as his cries grew desperate. "The smiles on their faces… are fading… every day, turning into fear. My mother and father… they don't sleep anymore. My grandma… she prays, she cries in front of the temple, but she won't show me her fear. My father… he stays up all night… just trying to work… just trying to keep going…"

Vikram gasped for air, gripping his head as if trying to hold himself together. "Just… end it. End it already!" His voice cracked, raw with agony.

He clutched at his throat, his nails digging into his skin. "It's like a rope… tightening… choking me… and I can't breathe… I can't—"

Vinayak watched Vikram break down, his body trembling with sobs. Unable to bear it, he suddenly turned and ran.

Samradh frowned. "Where are you going now?"

"Stay with Vikram. I'll be back," Vinayak called over his shoulder as he sprinted toward Room 598.

His mind raced. Vikram… seeing you like this is unbearable. I've known you since kindergarten…

Without hesitation, he slammed the door open, making it crash against the wall. He ran straight to the kitchen.

"Hey! Who are you? How dare you barge into my house?!" the man inside shouted.

Vinayak shot him a sharp, threatening glare. "That butcher gave you a stray chicken—one that had a disease. If you don't believe me, come with me to the shop. Officer Samradh is beating him up for this right now."

A woman gasped from the kitchen. "What?! But we just cooked it!"

Vinayak's voice was firm. "Don't worry. Just give me all the pieces. We need to examine them."

By evening, as the sky turned a deep orange, Vinayak walked through the empty streets, lost in thought.

Vikram… I would've fought bigger guys with you, broken campus rules, run through the city at night… but now you're crying, and I can't fight this nightmare for you. I can't help you with this…

He sighed, looking up at the sky. Tonight, the college students leave for a one-week trip. I'll be going too. I just hope… when I come back, I'll see you again. But if not…

His fists clenched. Sorry, Vikram. Sorry I wasn't there to help you.

With that, he buried the chicken pieces in the cemetery, prayed for the little girl, and walked away.