Husband, where are you?

Elena drove home, watching the streetlight flicker in the night. 

The people are laughing and chatting with joy, which is a stark contrast to the darkness that looms in her mind. 

She couldn't help but wonder how many of these people would survive in this upcoming apocalypse.

Should she send an anonymous letter to the Department of Unnatural Phenomena (DUP) to warn them of the incoming apocalypse? 

This department had been helpful during the alien invasion in her past life, but sadly, they, too, had fallen into the war. 

She felt torn about knowing the future, and then she realized it may be better to let her husband decide.

Her gaze hardened as she remembered some of her previous memories. 

Way back, she had been too trusting and too willing to sacrifice for a peace that never lasted. 

She now begins questioning whether her generosity is a blessing or a curse.

But this time, she promised herself it would be different.

Her husband's safety and their future came first.

A sense of purpose ignited within her as she gripped the steering wheel tighter.

She would embrace life fiercely and without regret, ready to fight for whatever challenges life would bring to them. 

No more selflessness.

Elena suddenly missed her husband and wondered where he could be right now. 

She hoped he was safe and not injured like in the past.

According to the timeline, he would return in two weeks, but that felt so far away. 

She just wanted to see him again.

*******

The police in City A had been on high alert after receiving a critical tip about an impending arms smuggling operation.

The informant got details about a particular group of criminals planning to trade illegal firearms within Willow village.

The higher-ups flagged this mission as important, making every department in the station join forces to make a thorough plan, knowing that one wrong move could alert the smugglers.

So, in the past half month, the officers were all busy conducting exercises, doing surveillance, gathering intelligence in the area, and mapping out the location for the best hiding spots.

Finally, the day arrived. 

According to the informant, the criminals will attempt to do their bidding tonight.

With their strategy in place, the police officers crept to their chosen spot behind the bushes and waited patiently for the criminals to come.

In the thick bushes, hidden from a view, lay a tall man with a strong muscular build. 

His chiseled features, including a strong jawline and high cheekbones, along with a cold aura, gave him an air of authority. 

With a tousled dark hair peeking out from a worn police cap, he blended seamlessly into the shadows.

This man is none other than Ethan Caldwell, Elena's husband. 

He was deployed on the day of his wedding, which put him in a bad mood, but he still took on a policeman's duty. 

He doesn't really want this job, but his family, as a military generation, forces him to be one.

At just 20, he was thrust into perilous missions, earning him a stellar reputation in the military for having high success in completing each mission. 

When a certain position opened up at the City A police station, he orchestrated his transition, becoming the youngest chief of police at 28.

This move was meant to keep him behind a desk, away from danger, but the higher-ups demanded him to lead this critical case. 

As Ethan prepared to leave, a wave of distress washed over him when he caught sight of Elena's annoyed expression.

He wanted to explain, but the police officers had already arrived, leaving him with no choice but to follow them.

Unbeknownst to everyone, he had been in love with his wife for years.

Their grandfathers were college comrades, and he had watched Elena grow up from a distance.

Now that they were finally married, he yearned to cherish and protect her.

Yet, the weight of duty often overshadowed his intentions, and their time together felt fleeting. 

With a heavy heart, his resolve hardened, and he promised that after this mission was over, he would resign for good.

Thinking about his wife, a smile formed on Ethan's lips, but it vanished instantly as his communication device beeped. 

Just as he was about to inquire, a sudden burst of gunfire erupted nearby, jolting his reflexes into high alert.

The gunfire intensified, but Ethan realized his squad hadn't moved to engage the criminals yet.

There was no return fire from their side. 

Were the criminals fighting among themselves because a deal had gone wrong?

As the gunfire eased, Ethan contacted the dispatcher.

"Comrade, what's the situation? Can you send a drone to scan the area? Just make sure to keep it away from the fighting scene," he commanded.

"Roger, Chief," the dispatcher replied, quickly backing up the request.

Ethan then switched to his squad's channel.

"Team Eagle, listen up! Move south and see if you can get eyes on what's happening, but be discreet."

"Roger, Chief! Team Eagle, let's move! Stay low and don't get too close to the action," Lieutenant Oslo, code name Eagle, commanded his team.

Ethan remained on high alert as Team Eagle advanced cautiously.

Minutes ticked by, and the dispatcher's device beeped again.

"Chief, the drone didn't detect any life signs around the perimeter. It looks like the criminals have vanished," the dispatcher reported, a hint of distress in his voice.

"Sounds suspicious. Increase the scan parameters and let me know immediately if you find anything new," Ethan instructed, his gut twisting with unease.

"Copy that, Chief," came the dispatcher's reply.

Ethan opened the communication line again, directing Team Bear to position themselves on the north side. 

"If you see anything, notify me right away."

"Team Eagle! What's your status?" Ethan called out.

"Chief, something feels off... it's way too quiet," Lieutenant Oslo responded, his voice laced with anxiety.

"Team Bear, how's it looking over there?" Ethan pressed.

"Chief, the smell of blood is overwhelming, and there are trails everywhere," Lieutenant Xander, codename bear, replied, his tone heavy.

"Team Eagle and Team Bear, stand by for further instructions," Ethan ordered, adrenaline coursing through him.

Another beep from the dispatcher interrupted the silence.

"Chief, we rescanned the area, and it appears only Team Eagle and Team Bear are present. Everything else is clear."

"Noted. Keep monitoring the perimeter and let me know if anything changes," Ethan replied, his mind racing.

With the confirmation of a clear area, he sent a message to his squad: move silently to the center and avoid any hidden threats.

As the remaining teams crept closer, the strong scent of blood became undeniable.

When they finally reached the center, Ethan was horrified. 

Bodies were scattered everywhere, but something was terribly wrong.

They hadn't died from gunfire, their heads were severed, and some bodies were split in half as if attacked by something with claws.

"Chief, this is brutal," one of the policemen said, his voice trembling.

Ethan took in the gruesome scene—the severed heads and exposed intestines, a sudden chilling realization that something unknown had done this. 

His instincts kicked in, and he immediately called the higher-ups, urgency filling his voice as he explained the horrifying discovery.