Zavrion and Vixen rushed back to the house, their footsteps heavy with dread. The moment they stepped inside, their hearts sank. The living room was torn apart, glass shattered across the floor, furniture overturned as if a storm had ripped through it.
But nothing struck them harder than the sight inside the TV room.
"Kenny!!" Zavrion's voice broke, his scream slicing through the silence as he dropped to his knees beside the unconscious figure. Kenny lay sprawled on the cold floor, his body covered in deep cuts. Glass shards had pierced his skin, blood still seeping from wounds that looked fresh and merciless. Even the soles of his feet had been pierced, tiny splinters lodged like cruel reminders of the attack.
Kin's hands trembled as he clutched Vixen's arm. His voice cracked, raw with fear.
"Love, please… call an ambulance. Please!"
Vixen didn't waste another second. He grabbed his army jeep keys, and within moments, Zavrion, Kin, and Vixen were racing through the empty morning streets with Kenny lying pale and silent in the back. By the time they reached the city hospital, the sun had already risen. It was eight in the morning.
Nurses rushed out the moment they saw Kenny's condition, lifting him onto a stretcher and wheeling him straight into the emergency ward. Kin stood frozen at the door, his fists clenched, his whole body trembling as the doctors disappeared behind white curtains with his mate.
Back in Zemura, chaos had taken over. More and more villagers, along with travelers who had been staying in the guest houses, were being brought to the hospital. Many were injured, some unconscious. The ritual's shadow still lingered over them, and no one could remember exactly what had happened. Only fear clouded their eyes.
When Zavrion and Vixen stepped out to buy medicines for Kenny, they were stopped by familiar faces—villagers who recognized them instantly. One of them, a relative of a traveler, stared at Vixen with confusion and worry.
"Sir, can you tell us… what really happened last night? We can't remember. One moment we were walking, and then suddenly… we were near the forest road. And then nothing. We woke up hurt."
Another villager pointed toward the hospital entrance, where a stream of people limped in with bandaged arms and bruised faces.
"Look at this. So many are being admitted after last night. Something is wrong here, something tied to that cult. Don't you think so?"
Vixen's jaw tightened. He glanced at Zavrion, then said in a low but steady voice, "Yes. I believe this is the cult's doing. But let's not speak here. Come outside—we'll talk somewhere else."
The villagers hesitated, then exchanged curious glances. One of them asked softly, "But… why are you here? Is Mr. Kin Ouren unwell?"
Before Vixen could reply, Zavrion's expression darkened. His voice was heavy, almost reluctant.
"Last night… my husband was attacked."
The group went still, their eyes wide.
"Husband? You mean… you're married?"
Zavrion gave a small nod. "Yes. Two months ago. We haven't had the official ceremony yet, but… we don't need papers to know what we are." His voice faltered slightly, but he ended the conversation quickly. "Excuse us. We have to go back."
With that, Vixen and Zavrion slipped away, carrying the medicines back into the sterile white corridors of the hospital.
Inside, Kin was waiting anxiously outside the ward. When the doctor finally emerged, his face was grave.
"Are you the patient's family?" he asked.
Kin's voice trembled, but his answer was firm. "Yes. He's my family member."
The doctor sighed. "He's badly injured. His left arm has a fracture. A shard of glass pierced deep near his right leg. There's trauma at the back of his head, and countless cuts across his body. We've stitched many of them, but he must not bathe or expose his wounds—there's a high risk of infection. He'll need complete bed rest."
Kin's eyes glistened, his throat tight. Vixen and Zavrion stood silently behind him, their faces grim as they absorbed every word.
The doctor continued, "We'll keep him under observation for two days. We need blood tests and a CT scan to rule out internal damage."
Everyone agreed. There was no choice. Kenny had to stay.
Later, as they sat in the waiting area, a few villagers approached them again. Their tone was softer this time, almost gentle.
"If you need any help… don't hesitate. Zemura may be cursed, but we're still a family. Whatever happens, we'll stand together."
Kin managed a faint smile despite the storm raging in his chest. Vixen placed a hand on his shoulder, steadying him.
"Thank you," Kin whispered.
And for the first time since last night, a fragile silence settled around them—one that carried more fear than comfort.
To be Continued.....