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No Plagiarism!7KKyk4xAVFrxv69WqhFeposted on PENANA Once again, the Hunger called to Marcus, dragging him toward familiar ground. Every step he took brought him closer to losing control again.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZu5TlHf0N0 維尼
Then, in the distance, he saw it—the warehouse in Dren.8964 copyright protection521PENANA2ewoMqKC4T 維尼
And beyond it, the sound of children laughing.8964 copyright protection521PENANAjDrVEOEhrb 維尼
"Please… not the children." His voice was a whisper, a plea to something that no longer listened.8964 copyright protection521PENANAqFl5azRbft 維尼
A child’s voice rang out.8964 copyright protection521PENANASySpPsMHhQ 維尼
"Rocky, come on!"8964 copyright protection521PENANA9rnJUNIbx2 維尼
Marcus knew that voice. Lucas. Rodrick’s son.8964 copyright protection521PENANAoJykqZNg5d 維尼
He pressed himself against the rough bark of a tree, hoping—praying—that no one had seen him.8964 copyright protection521PENANAFK5SxWuE3T 維尼
But Rocky had.8964 copyright protection521PENANAMVxPnHwgf4 維尼
The dog caught his scent, sniffing the air, his tail wagging as he bounded toward the tree.8964 copyright protection521PENANAoAWeFF3qEF 維尼
Marcus wanted to back away, to disappear into the shadows, but the Hunger wouldn't let him.8964 copyright protection521PENANAtpFBvo4uOF 維尼
Rocky wagged his tale when he seen someone he use to know.8964 copyright protection521PENANAqQDx8HuHak 維尼
His body moved on its own.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZCQB3YTN8u 維尼
A single motion.8964 copyright protection521PENANAx7fC22gdd6 維尼
A sickening tear.8964 copyright protection521PENANAMR1L2ifKN1 維尼
And Rocky was no more.8964 copyright protection521PENANAREuVTuxwd1 維尼
Marcus stared at his hands—soaked in blood, holding the dog in two pieces.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZdJ23wzWh6 維尼
Then came the screams.8964 copyright protection521PENANAfNFNmIeYN0 維尼
"There's a monster in the woods!"8964 copyright protection521PENANAp4STzPx1oZ 維尼
Lucas and the other children saw him. Saw the blood. Saw the carnage.8964 copyright protection521PENANA5OazHlXkJE 維尼
Marcus turned to flee—but his body wouldn't listen.8964 copyright protection521PENANA9rdHxy30gm 維尼
His feet dragged him forward.8964 copyright protection521PENANAwQBnOuiqvm 維尼
Back toward Dren.8964 copyright protection521PENANA1kk1FfF8Cg 維尼
Back to where the pain began.8964 copyright protection521PENANAQdF0zGCwfC 維尼
He stayed within the tree line, watching for movement. Then he saw it.8964 copyright protection521PENANAvovcpPyaqG 維尼
His house.8964 copyright protection521PENANAm2xxcZtMUq 維尼
The peach tree that had once grown beside it now stood barren, its branches twisted and lifeless.8964 copyright protection521PENANASAgknYYZkj 維尼
Connor had loved peaches.8964 copyright protection521PENANA5cBpNrz8Kk 維尼
But the tree had stopped growing the night his family died.8964 copyright protection521PENANA9AOF9NwqGH 維尼
Like everything else.8964 copyright protection521PENANA85jEiV2wYP 維尼
A blur of motion—Marcus tore the wooden boards from the back door and stepped inside.8964 copyright protection521PENANAMwP25Fsntu 維尼
Silence.8964 copyright protection521PENANAUFYsA1zV8H 維尼
Cobwebs clung to every surface. Dust choked the air. They had left it untouched.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZPeZoxPPxj 維尼
The people of Dren had covered the furniture, locked the doors, and left the house to rot.8964 copyright protection521PENANA4tTw587T37 維尼
8964 copyright protection521PENANAlyCiCQ1Nv4 維尼
The house welcomed him with silence—but he was not alone.8964 copyright protection521PENANA0GQL6b5XQv 維尼
"Welcome home, love."8964 copyright protection521PENANAxgSPAkYoSv 維尼
Lorna’s voice.8964 copyright protection521PENANA0Ed6DXi0tp 維尼
The scent of lavender filled the air.8964 copyright protection521PENANAhiNIkDkh4P 維尼
Marcus turned sharply, searching for her. For any sign of her.8964 copyright protection521PENANA2zzr8qAWcT 維尼
He stepped into the living room.8964 copyright protection521PENANApnPvGlovbB 維尼
The crate was gone. The floor had been scrubbed clean—as best as they could.8964 copyright protection521PENANAYq03KgKBnp 維尼
But Marcus could still see it. Still smell the blood.8964 copyright protection521PENANAUKVYVNrTfK 維尼
The memories flooded back.8964 copyright protection521PENANA6CLRohnfcw 維尼
His weakness.8964 copyright protection521PENANAJeQtEi4PtZ 維尼
His failure to protect his family.8964 copyright protection521PENANAQ1yv18KOTp 維尼
The foolish words he had spoken in the final moments of his life.8964 copyright protection521PENANArRD9MKTMn2 維尼
His legs gave out, and Marcus fell to his knees, sobbing.8964 copyright protection521PENANA3cwAKQWAa5 維尼
Then, from outside—8964 copyright protection521PENANAXgUbqWrI29 維尼
"The monster is in the mayor’s old house!"8964 copyright protection521PENANAYsB8QOsG5k 維尼
Marcus’s head snapped up. He had left the door open.8964 copyright protection521PENANAn5EhBZqW5z 維尼
He slammed it shut, grabbing a chair and wedging it under the knob.8964 copyright protection521PENANAJsmnM419m7 維尼
Then, a gleam from the fireplace caught his eye.8964 copyright protection521PENANACDObPeetfm 維尼
Connor’s longsword.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZlunL2WU4g 維尼
It rested on the mantle, untouched by time.8964 copyright protection521PENANABNmMsMRwI1 維尼
Marcus reached for it, unsheathing the blade. It was exactly as he remembered it. The same craftsmanship. The same weight. The same sharpness.8964 copyright protection521PENANAOcRGNHtKEP 維尼
His wrist turned, testing its balance. It felt like it belonged to him.8964 copyright protection521PENANAmZ0eFESOy5 維尼
Then, a thought struck him.8964 copyright protection521PENANASBvi8X9J2Q 維尼
Why did the blacksmith make Connor a longsword?8964 copyright protection521PENANADJr7IUiFIw 維尼
He was far too young.8964 copyright protection521PENANAja3EGwaKvz 維尼
A realization settled over him like a vice.8964 copyright protection521PENANA212aW58dHT 維尼
Tyler planned this.8964 copyright protection521PENANAdTdcEBKQ7j 維尼
All of this.8964 copyright protection521PENANAcaQrJTNoOC 維尼
The Darkness inside him stirred.8964 copyright protection521PENANAjeoZANwzzn 維尼
Black veins crawled down his arm, reaching his hand, the one gripping the sword.8964 copyright protection521PENANAcND4pZT7nt 維尼
The steel shifted.8964 copyright protection521PENANAtl6WNeOwrc 維尼
The blade dissolved into a swirling green vapor.8964 copyright protection521PENANApruGmobdGi 維尼
Marcus swung it experimentally. The smoke-like form remained, as if the weapon had transformed into something unnatural.8964 copyright protection521PENANABk7L1qM7wg 維尼
Then, movement outside.8964 copyright protection521PENANAwOiI5thyrE 維尼
Shadows shifted against the curtained windows.8964 copyright protection521PENANA03NTQcEEBX 維尼
The townsfolk had surrounded the house.8964 copyright protection521PENANA5XYBk7iND2 維尼
Marcus ducked under the kitchen table—8964 copyright protection521PENANAUpX3bngb15 維尼
His body moved before he understood why.8964 copyright protection521PENANABUSA7Ygx8f 維尼
And then the fear struck him.8964 copyright protection521PENANAdiejHcqQl0 維尼
A deep, paralyzing fear.8964 copyright protection521PENANACTm4Z2H7yQ 維尼
The kind that only a child could feel.8964 copyright protection521PENANAI1CyfptiSU 維尼
His breath hitched.8964 copyright protection521PENANATpqg8PjexW 維尼
His trembling fingers traced the underside of the table.8964 copyright protection521PENANA8F1yTHRRog 維尼
"This is where Connor hid when Tyler came."8964 copyright protection521PENANAjNLE9cVJ8R 維尼
8964 copyright protection521PENANAEYks9B6B2k 維尼
The house groaned around him. Shadows flickered as flames crept along the walls.8964 copyright protection521PENANA6MHgvDnMM6 維尼
Then, her voice.8964 copyright protection521PENANAk0mNpZkanW 維尼
"This is where I was."8964 copyright protection521PENANAtHzigaHxBl 維尼
Marcus turned sharply, his breath catching in his throat.8964 copyright protection521PENANA5YM2uYBicj 維尼
The voice came from a small box nestled between two lanterns—Lorna’s cherished lanterns.8964 copyright protection521PENANAfXWjrV1kkj 維尼
He reached out, hesitated, then lifted the lid.8964 copyright protection521PENANAnrQeIgtNTs 維尼
Inside, a pile of ash.8964 copyright protection521PENANAn63reM3evQ 維尼
Next to it, her wedding band.8964 copyright protection521PENANAxbljY3uCiu 維尼
Marcus’s fingers trembled as he picked up the ring.8964 copyright protection521PENANAIjV3ktw6yW 維尼
His voice was barely a whisper.8964 copyright protection521PENANA9ueoprhUyk 維尼
"Why didn’t they bury you with it?"8964 copyright protection521PENANAcCLkaZFu76 維尼
The answer came, hollow and full of sorrow.8964 copyright protection521PENANAUfbdHmY9MJ 維尼
"Tyler."8964 copyright protection521PENANAG3A8ddW8C5 維尼
The name alone ignited a fire within him hotter than the flames consuming his home.8964 copyright protection521PENANA3RRP9BeMLr 維尼
His rage billowed like a storm, deep and unrelenting.8964 copyright protection521PENANAYtRMfLgYrT 維尼
Marcus slipped the ring onto his little finger.8964 copyright protection521PENANAtL9IfUU81j 維尼
Then, the smell of smoke thickened.8964 copyright protection521PENANAj6Djwd6rFe 維尼
The villagers had set the house on fire.8964 copyright protection521PENANAdI0f5myThE 維尼
Marcus turned to the window. His only escape.8964 copyright protection521PENANA1mDeldwEok 維尼
Through the glass, he saw them—a sea of people.8964 copyright protection521PENANAMzE050epUN 維尼
Torches. Pitchforks. Fear. Hate.8964 copyright protection521PENANAWVXEprrK8T 維尼
And then—8964 copyright protection521PENANANcNvFGx3jx 維尼
The Hunger returned.8964 copyright protection521PENANAEn7c6ZdNjZ 維尼
A blur of movement—Marcus crashed through the window.8964 copyright protection521PENANAuJXd7XzuDa 維尼
The sword in his grasp dissolved, shifting into its green vaporous form.8964 copyright protection521PENANA53snXJbyyh 維尼
He landed among them. They barely had time to react.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZ9A6ndGrDn 維尼
The closest man didn’t even scream.8964 copyright protection521PENANA6dyQjiGPbO 維尼
Marcus swung the blade. The vapor touched flesh, and where it passed, a path of decay spread.8964 copyright protection521PENANAlY3cvA76mv 維尼
The man crumbled to the ground, lifeless.8964 copyright protection521PENANAAYvf96SgV4 維尼
Marcus felt it.8964 copyright protection521PENANAQkYzJYm7s9 維尼
The Hunger was being fed.8964 copyright protection521PENANASpdGkZmzFE 維尼
This was different. This was not like before—this satiated him.8964 copyright protection521PENANAPurgXpEgO2 維尼
Someone rushed him with a knife—Marcus moved faster.8964 copyright protection521PENANAkFMDNVYqzL 維尼
One slash, and they fell apart like dried leaves.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZOmYCRZPKQ 維尼
Screams tore through the night as the massacre began.8964 copyright protection521PENANABesdwQWmra 維尼
One by one, they died.8964 copyright protection521PENANAiqjhhb6PTo 維尼
None could run.8964 copyright protection521PENANARLAnasF8HZ 維尼
The elderly. The young.8964 copyright protection521PENANAyKuRSTYxUi 維尼
No one was spared.8964 copyright protection521PENANAT7Tay0mvgP 維尼
Their screams filled the sky.8964 copyright protection521PENANAxZ5GLXZNeW 維尼
Their bodies lined the road.8964 copyright protection521PENANANgzOOJVBfJ 維尼
And when the final breath was taken—8964 copyright protection521PENANAaiPgcsyhFR 維尼
The Hunger subsided.8964 copyright protection521PENANAHzhJ1n2iuS 維尼
Marcus exhaled sharply, looking down at his hands.8964 copyright protection521PENANAd9k8RrjSkh 維尼
The blade was steel again.8964 copyright protection521PENANAHtXQJZJOaa 維尼
The wedding band was gone.8964 copyright protection521PENANAWEQ98N9S6m 維尼
Then, her voice—filled with despair and fury.8964 copyright protection521PENANAGjqBGEzJze 維尼
"This one was not Tyler.8964 copyright protection521PENANA2cLKfB8j3D 維尼
This one was you, Marcus.8964 copyright protection521PENANA4Rv7sSxQez 維尼
What you have become eats life, love—any light.8964 copyright protection521PENANAcbKe7E9XB4 維尼
My ring turned to ash like yours.8964 copyright protection521PENANAa2BqsRoEi0 維尼
We would be together as a family if it wasn’t for you.8964 copyright protection521PENANA1pMEYj121q 維尼
You killed everyone you loved!!"8964 copyright protection521PENANA10eI0FJ49G 維尼
8964 copyright protection521PENANAVvkydGONVc 維尼
The weight of Lorna’s words crushed Marcus.8964 copyright protection521PENANAmuFmqmCVi0 維尼
"You killed everyone you loved."8964 copyright protection521PENANAfiJBpzrKLJ 維尼
And she was right.8964 copyright protection521PENANA43ZuRbhBzG 維尼
With nothing left—nothing but the monstrous thing he had become—Marcus turned and left.8964 copyright protection521PENANAMTGjGamzBr 維尼
He walked away, leaving Dren and the massacre behind.8964 copyright protection521PENANAH19DiabPFa 維尼
___________________________________________________________________________________8964 copyright protection521PENANA2gsc65s2Qn 維尼
"Father!"8964 copyright protection521PENANAepbOWEg3Q7 維尼
Melissa’s scream pierced the silence of the dead town.8964 copyright protection521PENANAE9Lj3FePnY 維尼
She collapsed beside her father’s corpse, her tears soaking into his blood-stained clothes.8964 copyright protection521PENANAZdZecXf7sP 維尼
The streets were littered with the bodies of her people.8964 copyright protection521PENANAo0NTx6JVHV 維尼
Fathers. Mothers. Children.8964 copyright protection521PENANAHSJBOgcswB 維尼
The town of Dren was gone.8964 copyright protection521PENANAL5PE77MTt9 維尼
Melissa’s shoulders shook with grief.8964 copyright protection521PENANAGgkP7RrtP8 維尼
Why? Who could do this?8964 copyright protection521PENANACqU16ChK4U 維尼
A figure approached, draped in priestly robes.8964 copyright protection521PENANApdzs8fzrr9 維尼
"Excuse me," the man said gently, "we are preparing the Funeral Rites for your father and the others."8964 copyright protection521PENANAdY04kezM75 維尼
Melissa lifted her head. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw others in the town—all wearing robes.8964 copyright protection521PENANAkfhBYENzAX 維尼
Her sorrow hardened into suspicion.8964 copyright protection521PENANAoHvWfVQ4LH 維尼
"Why are you here?" she demanded.8964 copyright protection521PENANAyOdPNj1yMh 維尼
The priest pulled back his hood, revealing a young man with dark hair and sharp, intelligent eyes.8964 copyright protection521PENANA1J12xdeLAS 維尼
"We are hunting the Usher of Annihilation," he said.8964 copyright protection521PENANAaQdMs88B4I 維尼
Melissa's breath caught.8964 copyright protection521PENANAugjtoy5osr 維尼
"The one responsible for this."8964 copyright protection521PENANASTJYruZ021 維尼
His voice was steady, but she could see the grim determination behind it.8964 copyright protection521PENANAyaWUFO0pdr 維尼
"We have a lot to talk about."8964 copyright protection521PENANAzPLWQtPsHT 維尼
The man placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head.8964 copyright protection521PENANAQUvtlTZSIN 維尼
"My name is Orion. We are the Faithful Eye."8964 copyright protection521PENANAFuLNeXCviD 維尼
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