LOGINLeo eventually managed to get to his feet, though calling it walking would have been generous.He pushed himself away from the concrete wall, using one hand to steady his body. His knees nearly buckled as he stood, and he had to remain still for a moment before attempting another step.Mira watched him with an unimpressed expression."You're sure you can walk?"Leo shot her a look. "You want me to prove it?""Not particularly. I just don't want to carry you.""Don't worry. I'd rather crawl.""Good. At least we agree on something."Mira turned toward the ladder. She placed the knife between her teeth briefly and gripped the first rung, but the moment she pulled herself upward, pain shot through her side. Her fingers tightened around the metal.Damn it.She had been hoping the injuries would hold until she got inside. Apparently, even climbing a ladder was going to be a problem.Behind her, Leo noticed the hesitation."You're hurt."Mira glanced down at him. "Brilliant observation.""I
The gravel road leading back to Villa No. 1 was almost deserted.Mira limped uphill, her right hand pressed against her injured side while the other held a five-inch combat knife. Blood had dried along her knuckles, and every few steps sent another wave of pain through her battered body. She tried to keep her breathing steady, but her ribs had other ideas. Even drawing a deep breath was uncomfortable.The crimson rain continued falling, covering the road and everything around it in a faint red sheen.She had killed the Evolved One, but the victory had cost her more than she had anticipated. Her weapons were gone, her tactical equipment was damaged, and the spatial storage she had depended on for almost everything was now inaccessible. The knife in her hand was practically the only weapon she had left.A notification appeared before her eyes.[SPATIAL STORAGE LOCKDOWN: ACTIVE][REMAINING TIME: 71:36:42]Mira stared at it for a moment."Three days. Wonderful."She dismissed the notifica
Three days had passed since the destruction of Vance Manor.Three days since the Wheel of Fortune exploded, unleashing a horde of zombies upon the surrounding streets.And three days since Julien Vance, Chloe, and Mrs. Vance had escaped with their lives.Yet surviving had proven far more difficult than any of them had imagined.The first night had been spent inside an abandoned workshop. The following morning, they had moved to a small residential building several streets away, hoping to find somewhere they could stay until the situation improved.There had been no improvement.The streets were still dangerous. The number of zombies seemed to increase with every passing hour, and the few survivors they encountered were far more interested in protecting their own belongings than helping strangers.Their injuries had also become a problem.Julien's side still hurt whenever he moved too quickly. Chloe's arm remained swollen, making it difficult for her to carry anything heavy, while Mrs.
The service road was barely wide enough for their three bodies as Julien Vance staggered forward, one hand pressed against his injured side.Behind them, the Vance Manor had disappeared into a cloud of dust and smoke. The distant sounds of screaming and snarling still followed them, growing louder whenever the wind shifted. None of them dared look back for too long."Keep moving!" Julien snapped when Chloe slowed down. "Do you want those things to catch up with us?"Chloe shot him an irritated look but continued walking. Her clothes were torn, her hair was a mess, and one of her arms hung awkwardly at her side. She had never imagined that a day could turn so horribly wrong.Mrs. Vance was in worse condition. She leaned heavily against the wall, struggling to catch her breath as she followed them. Her expensive shoes were ruined, and there was dust all over her face."Wait..." she finally gasped. "I can't walk anymore."Julien turned around, his expression darkening."Mother, this isn't
Julien Vance POV"She's running!"Julien's voice came out as a desperate rasp as he watched Mira's black armored SUV disappear through the ruined perimeter wall.For several seconds, he remained on his stomach, one arm pressed against the muddy ground and the other wrapped around his injured ribs. Blood ran down his forehead, blurring his vision, but he could still see the vehicle speeding away.Mira was leaving.That woman had driven straight toward the Wheel of Fortune. She had risked everything to reach the manor, fought her way through the crowd, and tried to get close to the legendary structure. Yet the moment the needle landed on the black slot, she turned around and ran without looking back.She hadn't even tried to claim anything.Julien's stomach tightened.'That bitch knows something.'He remembered the expression on her face when she saw the black slot. It hadn't been disappointment. It hadn't been frustration. It had been genuine fear.Mira wasn't the kind of woman who aban
Mira’s knuckles were torn raw, her blood mixing with the cold crimson sludge on her skin.Every breath pulled cold, ozone-heavy rain into her lungs, burning like liquid glass. Her tactical vest was stripped, her right shoulder throbbed from a deep tissue tear, and her sidearm sat lost somewhere in the dark mud behind her.The Evolved One stood four feet away.It was bleeding dark, thick grease from its chest wounds, but its frame didn't sag. Its shoulders remained locked, muscles twitching under its gray skin as its four-hinged jaw clicked against its teeth. It didn't pause. It didn't circle.It charged.Mira didn't retreat. She drove her boots straight into the gravel slope, closed the gap, and slammed her elbow into the side of its face before its long arms could sweep wide.THWACK!The impact rang like a hammer hitting dense leather. The creature’s head snapped sideways, but its thick neck muscles held. Before she could reset her hips, its heavy palm slammed flat into her ribs.BOO







