Jose stood in the dimly lit cabin, scratching at his left arm with a restless intensity. His shirt was tattered and stained, a faint smear of blood trailing down the collar. A dark streak of dried blood marred his jawline, which he wiped absentmindedly with the back of his hand.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nUKMKdadU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdDmsEVB5v
"You got any raw or fresh meat?" Jose asked, his voice calm yet unsettling.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbuPQmhvDE
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJzcBMFSTy
Charlie froze, leaning slightly against the counter. "Raw meat? You want...raw meat?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC7GcevFK9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJbBVBkTUP
"Yeah," Jose said with a faint grin. "I love raw meat."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSDK0Gv4Fg
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKRGy20gzG
Charlie scoffed, his hand instinctively brushing against the holster at his hip. "Well, even if I did have it, I wouldn't give it to you."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh9ycRfr8V
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFjbGuq2jU
Jose's grin didn't waver. Instead, his eyes gleamed with something cold, almost predatory. "When I walked in this house, you tried to pull your gun, didn't you?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AYXSGmnVX
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPByr7jaeEz
Charlie's blood ran cold. His fingers twitched near the holster. What the hell? he thought, his heart racing. How could he know? I barely even moved my hand toward it.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSVI0YU0Sv
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxKbpAJVx7
Jose chuckled softly, the sound low and mocking. "Relax. I'm not here to rob you... yet." He turned on his heel and started walking toward a closet near the corner of the room.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rUu32IZEA
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwCYkHkKSm
"What are you doing?" Charlie asked sharply, his voice edged with suspicion.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirazVMOGoc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpjWjhGNHI
Jose ignored him, pushing open the closet door. Charlie's mind was spinning. What's going on with this guy? He's creeping me out.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AKiSE4qN9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfMUTO98Mw
In a few moments, Jose emerged from the closet. His appearance was strikingly transformed:
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalzBmvUayL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRzCb8ZvEr
Breton Cap: Crimson red and angled slightly over his forehead.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuhrL0zBBI
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPKuSyAmZT
Jacket: A fitted long coat in a deep, rich crimson with exaggerated lapels and intricate black embroidery.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqNcPLCGpM
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLwXEDJPZ1
Shirt: A high-collared, lighter red shirt with billowing sleeves.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYct5c38w56
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8szoOKn40
Trousers: Deep red tailored pants with an asymmetrical cut and decorative stitching.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwbd5dOmAM
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Kxtr8j5n
Footwear: Knee-high leather boots in red with black accents.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJnJSw6OGu
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqINcXhLLUt
Accessories: A red leather utility belt and a loosely tied red scarf.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF42lrwuyKU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx4lUD0ifb
Jose adjusted the scarf with an air of satisfaction. "How do I look?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatC3zQrhrR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvKnrGv5K3
Charlie stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. "What the hell...? There were clothes like that in there?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTEUI99WT9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZh8fPxwQ9
Jose smirked. "Guess you found the man who built this place's wardrobe. Fancy taste, huh?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlO10UhYaf
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0lYzGzQ9q
Charlie pointed a finger at him. "Wait a minute. When you walked in here, you had blood on your shirt—and your jaw! What's wrong with your arm?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhBDNlmEuD
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzCCkf7jxi
Jose raised an eyebrow, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a grotesque bite mark. The wound was unnatural, its edges blackened, veins of rot creeping outward.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoSoreDe0k
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSpoIJ6RuC
"You see this?" he said, his tone almost triumphant. "Got bit by some monster. At first, I thought it'd kill me. But now? It's like it's awakened something inside me. I feel...incredible."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PdVRZoJ2Z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qQGzuhSBy
Charlie grimaced, backing away slightly. "Incredible? Jose, your skin's turning pale. And your eyes…"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi14vpiSh22
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwL3Q8w3Bd
"What about them?" Jose asked, his voice laced with amusement.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRofZ1Doip
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjInGSqjD3k
"They're... purple." Charlie's voice was barely a whisper now. "And glowing."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1zEat4eed
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfMOxTYq90
Jose sniffed the air and tilted his head. "You hiding from me, Charlie?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPStV7m8ayx
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6SXUeNlL7
"What?" Charlie snapped. "I'm right here, dumbass. Are you going blind too?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruwGVBLZx9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1I3uNdiv3
But Jose wasn't listening. His movements were jerky now, less controlled. He stumbled forward, clutching his stomach, groaning. The stench emanating from him was unbearable—like rotting meat and something unearthly.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyZ3kqbpdC
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8hjXYpvbr
"Jose, what's going on with you?" Charlie asked, his voice rising in panic.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwIl90OJg
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmypFRRET7
Jose dropped to the floor with a thud, holding his stomach and head. The groans deepened into guttural growls before he went completely still.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaqd16BUyh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWOWy0Zfbc
"Jose?" Charlie called out, his hand gripping the handle of his revolver.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH57DVB39My
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkaPo8B1k2
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then Jose's head snapped up with a grotesque crack. His sclera had turned pitch black, his irises glowing a vivid, menacing purple. Saliva dripped in thick streams from his mouth, and a primal hunger gleamed in his eyes.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4JbX8P4Fs
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nktwMVbiI
"Sangreeeeeeeeee!" Jose roared, his voice guttural and monstrous.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOo5UAxwYF
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtP3Gm7IhF
Before Charlie could react, Jose lunged at him with terrifying speed, sinking his teeth into Charlie's arm.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUUTTuroOx
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4Osp5QAox
"Argh!" Charlie screamed, the pain searing through him as he fought to pull Jose off. Jed's boots scuffed against the cobblestones as he trudged through the desolate street, his nose wrinkling against the stench hanging in the air. He muttered under his breath, his revolver resting loosely in his grip.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg41EWi5Ps
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBFLLm97M0
"Smells like death had a party and forgot to clean up," he said, his gravelly voice tinged with irritation. He'd already checked five houses, each one empty but with the same foul odor clinging to the walls. His patience was wearing thin.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD3VzgwPjA
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON1tctCs5k
He stopped at the corner, scanning the street ahead. That's when he saw them—three figures huddled together, crouched low to the ground like feral animals. Their heads bobbed as they moved, and their hands tore into something Jed couldn't make out at first.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMBMZ7Fhzf
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8oMfhmW80
"Hey there," Jed called cautiously, stepping closer. "You folks, uh... know what's makin' that awful smell?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkiZaemg2k
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FokRx45Yf
The three figures froze mid-motion. Slowly, they turned their heads toward him, and Jed's stomach dropped. Their faces were gaunt, their skin pale and stretched tight over their bones. Blood smeared their mouths as they chewed on raw flesh—human flesh.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiTQXUYndz
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz8M17AMUq
"Aw, hell…" Jed muttered, instinctively stepping back.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb1TtxcNt1
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksw5MQVrSN
With a guttural snarl, the three lunged at him, their movements jerky but terrifyingly fast.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgmWNo9FVs
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZJ1mWi0kK
Jed dove to the side, rolling across the dirt. He came up on one knee, his revolver already in hand, and fired a shot square into the forehead of the nearest creature. The bullet hit with a sickening crack, but the thing barely flinched, stumbling only slightly before continuing its charge.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMn6RCJEnj
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8irB0BdhQO
"What the—?!" Jed barked, firing again and again to no effect.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYEWyTMlmb
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalJREDozt9
He heard the crunch of movement behind him just as searing pain shot up his leg. Jed cried out, twisting to see a fourth monster latched onto his calf, its teeth sunk deep into the muscle.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimKyJFnEYJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi0nhda07H
"Get off me!" he roared, aiming down and firing repeatedly. The creature's grip loosened after the third shot, collapsing with a wet thud. Jed staggered to his feet, blood soaking through his pant leg. The other three were closing in fast.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC7sOePJPr
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrjmDl74MF
Gritting his teeth, Jed turned and bolted, limping heavily as he sprinted back toward Charlie's house. The monsters snarled and howled behind him, their footsteps scraping across the ground like nails on a chalkboard.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu51QnqiiCd
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHzNazvd9h
Jed reached the house, slamming the door shut behind him and throwing the bolt across. His chest heaved as he leaned against the wood, the pounding of his heart nearly drowning out the sound of snarling from the other side.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKQ7dZ2WpH
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Zkp96ex3
"Uncle Jed!"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVMDTg8655
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsM8QnMYeh
Jed's eyes snapped up, his blood running cold. Across the room, Jose had Charlie pinned, his teeth buried in Charile arm. Charlie was struggling, his face contorted in pain.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMODqwhKGb
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTc6gwmW6O
"Get off him!" Jed bellowed, kicking at Jose's side.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzPp6ZatvR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wJnoh4A1z
Jose moved faster than Jed could anticipate, dodging the kick and lunging forward, his teeth snapping dangerously close to Jed's shoulder. Jed twisted out of the way just in time, his leg nearly buckling under him.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3creJEfMfw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD4Ry0iKC0
"Kid, do somethin'!" Jed barked.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7NgMFGCfj
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dr9wItJ4Y
Charlie, clutching his arm, grimaced and raised his trembling left hand, placing it over his right. A faint glow built at his fingertip, and a beam of light shot toward Jose.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVgA1lD4Hl
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7mfkPrBIC
Jose dodged, the beam missing him by a hair and nearly grazing Jed.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtvh3tVKZK
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv68yyOjMq1
"Watch where you're aiming, kid!" Jed growled.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE7hU2FBP8
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLzcTqBMdV
"Sorry!" Charlie said, panting. His face was pale, and sweat dripped down his forehead. "What the hell's happening? Did Jose get the Holy Crystal?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGh7MXcQ3c
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4HkcQ4dxo
"I don't know," Jed said, his voice grim. "But whatever this is... it ain't normal. They remind me of something outta old stories. You ever hear about vrykolakas?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4pI5ej9uv
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXWoCqjqwV
"Vryko-what?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u0kTF2Y5K
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCpSHeX03T
"Undead monsters from Greece. Leo Allatius wrote about 'em back in the 1600s. Supposedly harmful spirits that feed on the living." Jed reloaded his gun with quick, practiced movements. "Could be somethin' like that."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD5XuwvEa3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9plHuG1Ph
"You think they're undead?" Charlie asked, his voice trembling.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZHofphCSQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Q7OBpg7B
"Either that or really, really angry cannibals," Jed replied, his tone dry.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzNuiOiMKR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKsHHmoaG4
Charlie looked down at his arm, noticing six faint, glowing marks etched into his skin. "Uncle Jed… why do I have six on my arm?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikm7NcX891
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG45PpyPNrV
Jed's eyes narrowed. "Looks like... a count, maybe? Like bullets. Means you might only get so many shots with that light trick of yours."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfdK674KA3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8KhjVh7CX
"Oh, great," Charlie muttered. "Limited ammo. Just my luck."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5TECbE53q
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluDJTzClEC
Jose growled low in his throat, the sound vibrating through the air. His movements became erratic as he glanced around the room, his glowing purple eyes scanning every corner.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvtMQy6QNN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqbAkAtq9m
"Don't move," Charlie whispered suddenly, his voice tense.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvB4bLDRqX
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcktWQa1qU
"What?" Jed hissed, confused.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA1zo9QJyf
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsF3PmF2i9
"Don't move," Charlie repeated, locking eyes with Jed. "After Jose changed his clothes earlier, he asked where I went when I stood still. I think... I think he can't see us if we don't move."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYFsVShFhr
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zxw0DRTlO
Jed froze, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he nodded, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Smart thinkin', kid. Real smart."
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GVovESxVz
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVikDRwpbQe
For a moment, the room was eerily silent except for Jose's low growl. He paced back and forth, sniffing and snarling, but didn't seem to locate them.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gkriBJ2FU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2PapTobok
"Good news is, we got a trick to keep alive," Jed murmured.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kIRfhuV3i
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWzNOG7RCS
"What's the bad news?" Charlie whispered back.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5xCSuqq66
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6gV6CDBln
Jed tilted his head toward the door, where the sound of snarling and clawing had grown louder.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiCcwjL4Ft
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrb3KfNrvz
"There's more of 'em," Jed said grimly.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDPP4lu75w
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMg0jnT9Qu
Charlie swallowed hard, his trembling hand brushing against his glowing arm. "What do we do?"
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Vg7LZcWT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp20nwbwbxU
Jed's eyes didn't leave Jose, who was still pacing, his movements becoming more aggressive.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YOH7VkUjq
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74UldeWezM
"We survive," Jed said.
ns3.141.24.158da2
