Inside the Training Hall
Mosta drilled a squad of young villagers through brutal endurance training.
The air was thick with sweat and tension.
Mosta barked, his voice cutting through the noise like thunder.
"There's no such thing as tired here! Out there in the field, tired means dead!"
The group pushed harder, gasping, muscles burning.
Mosta shouted again, fire in his tone.
"Every drop of sweat you lose today—saves you a drop of blood tomorrow!"
One trainee collapsed to the ground, completely spent, unable even to lift his head.
Mosta saw him instantly.
He stormed over, fury blazing in his eyes.
"You stopped? Try stopping when you're buried under rubble—then tell me how quitting helps you!"
The trainee panted weakly.
"I… I can't take it anymore…"
Mosta's voice turned to steel.
"Then you don't belong here."
He pointed at the exit.
"Get out. From now on, you'll train with the kids—or the old men!"
The young man limped away, ashamed.
Mosta turned back to the others, his voice sharp as a blade.
"You're the youth squad—the strongest, toughest ones we have! You're this village's first and last line of defense!"
Someone groaned in pain.
Mosta's head snapped toward the sound.
"If I hear another whine, you're out. Silence is law here."
Among the trainees, he noticed a quiet Chinese young man—steady, focused, unbreakable.
Mosta watched for a second, impressed, then turned back to the others.
"I'm not training you to be heroes," he said, his tone cold and real.
"I'm training you to survive. The world out there won't give you rest—so why the hell should I?"
One by one, the others started to drop, collapsing from exhaustion.
Only the Chinese trainee remained—motionless, calm, breathing evenly in meditative focus.
Mosta stared at him with a faint, rare smile.
"That's what I want to see…"
He raised his voice to the room.
"Five minutes' rest—then we move to combat drills!"
---
In the Operations Room
Almy was deep in the dark web, Her eyes glowed white, like twin lights. her powers letting her dive through layers of hidden networks.
Information flashed before her—fast, endless.
She scanned secret databases, until one caught her eye: a classified file between the U.S. and Japan.
Her eyes widened as she read.
They were collaborating on giant combat robots designed to cleanse mutants.
Model name: Robot-103.
Equipped with micro-missiles, machine guns, and capture weapons.
It could scan a target's age, gender, and injuries just by looking.
Almy froze, shocked.
She dug deeper, searching for any trace of vampires—until she hit something strange:
an encrypted folder, anonymous and impossible to crack.
Almy frowned.
"What?… That's impossible. I've never failed to break through before."
After several attempts—she did it.
Inside, she found the archives of a Mexican inventor named Diego.
Old video files—recorded before the nuclear blast.
On-screen, Diego worked in a car repair shop, grease-stained and frantic.
Diego: "I know this sounds insane, but the end of the world is close. Any day now, zombies could appear. With all the viruses and bacteria mutating… we're heading toward collapse. Every year it's something new—and people just keep breeding and crowding. It's a recipe for extinction."
Almy opened another clip.
Diego (tired, hopeless): "They all mock me now… my friends, everyone. For warning them. For trying to make them see. Doesn't matter anymore. I'll just save myself."
The final video showed him building an underground bunker, crafting weapons from car parts and motorcycle engines. His genius was obvious.
Just then, Daisy entered the room.
Daisy: "Hey, Almy! What are you doing?"
Almy blinked, returning to reality.
"Oh… just digging through the dark web. Why? What's up?"
Daisy: "We need you outside! We're getting ready for the Halloween party."
Almy: "Already? You guys started early."
Daisy: "Yeah, the whole village is in the square!"
They both headed out.
---
In the Village Square
The little village buzzed with life.
Children ran through the alleys with masks and glowing pumpkins, their laughter echoing under the chill evening breeze.
Black and orange flags fluttered from windows.
In the center stood Stan, wrapped in his heavy coat, commanding the preparations like a general.
His voice cut through the noise:
"No chaos! I want the lights running all night—no blackouts at midnight!"
Connor leaned against a tree, smiling faintly at the sight.
Nearby, Hana directed villagers with a cheerful energy, helping hang decorations and organize the setup.
Simon and Ethan joked with kids, making them laugh before nightfall.
Simon: "If you see a strange shadow tonight… don't be scared—it's probably me!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Then Hana spotted Daisy and Almy arriving.
They waved and joined the crowd.
While chatting, Almy noticed Ethan up in the trees, helping Simon with the lights.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Almy (to Hana): "That guy next to your brother—is that Ethan?"
Hana: "Yeah. The mutant we brought from Spain, remember?"
Almy: "Right… he was unconscious in the medical wing last time."
Daisy: "He was at the last team meeting. Didn't you see him?"
Almy: "No, I must've missed him."
She paused, thoughtful.
"What's his full name?"
Daisy (smirking): "Why? You suspect him too, like Connor?"
Almy: "No, I'm just curious."
Hana: "Ethan Walker, I think."
Almy glanced back toward him—just a few seconds of silent observation, curiosity flickering in her glowing eyes.
---
At the Edge of the Village
Khaled was working on an old generator, tightening bolts, testing wires.
Behind him, Mosta appeared, a towel around his neck.
Khaled: "How was the youth squad today?"
Mosta: "They did fine. Rough day."
Khaled (smiling): "You just came from the shower, huh?"
Mosta: "Yeah."
He pointed at the generator.
"You sure that coil's gonna hold?"
Khaled: "If it doesn't, no big deal. It's just backup—extra lighting for the festival."
When he finished, Mosta stretched his shoulders.
"Come on. Let's go see how Stan's doing."
As they walked, Khaled's eyes flicked toward the dark treeline—something in the forest watching, silent, still.
The sun was dipping low as they reached the main square.
Khaled (softly): "What a view…"
Mosta: "Nothing beats nature."
When they arrived, they stopped in awe at the decorations.
Khaled (grinning): "Wow… you guys outdid yourselves."
Stan: "We just wanted the kids to smile."
---
Later That Night
Around the bonfire, the team gathered.
Flames danced in their eyes. Smoke curled into the dark sky.
Khaled stood, a warm drink in his hand, gazing at them with quiet pride.
Khaled: "You know… Halloween used to just mean costumes to me.
But tonight, looking at all of you… it feels different.
I see family—people who've been through the same pain I've carried for years."
Everyone listened in silence.
Connor crossed his arms, eyes glinting with emotion.
Simon leaned against Ethan, whispering dramatically,
"Ugh… my heart can't take this!"
Mosta stared at the ground.
Stan's cold eyes softened, the fire reflecting in them like regret.
Khaled smiled faintly.
"Each of you has fought in your own way. Faced your fear. Fallen—and risen again.
Tonight, we're not celebrating fear.
We're celebrating the fact that we don't fear anymore."
He raised his cup toward the flames.
"For the team.
For the family we built.
For the memories that made us—and the nights we laughed despite it all."
Everyone lifted their cups.
All: "Cheers!"
Connor: "Now before the meat burns—Simon, back away from the fire!"
Laughter rippled through the group.
---
But Almy barely heard it.
Her eyes kept drifting toward Ethan.
He laughed with Simon, unaware of her gaze.
Mosta: "Someone play some music already!"
Hana: "On it!"
She pulled out a speaker and queued a soft classical tune.
Almy smirked to herself.
"Perfect timing…"
She walked over to Hana.
"Wait—let me pick something better. A song people forgot."
She scrolled, then hit play.
The Weeknd's "I Feel It Coming."
Ethan froze.
He turned toward her.
Their eyes met—for the first time.
Almy's heart raced, heat flushing her face.
(In her mind): It worked… he noticed me.
Ethan: "Who picked this song?"
Daisy and Hana giggled, pointing straight at Almy.
Ethan: "No way—you know The Weeknd?"
Almy (blushing): "Yeah… he's my favorite. Especially this one."
Ethan: "Mine too. This was the first song that got me hooked."
Simon elbowed Connor.
Simon: "Ohhh, something's definitely happening here."
Connor: "Yeah. They're totally into each other."**
A harsh training, a mysterious digital discovery, and the warmth of a celebration unlike any other Halloween night.
👁️🗨️ Is it just a night of festivity… or the beginning of a new chapter of shadows?
⚡ Read now and share your thoughts: which scene touched your heart the most? ❤️