In the depths of the damp storage room, Jude held an old oil lamp, its pure light spreading across walls and a floor covered in dust. Beside him stood Linda, staring in astonishment at a dry skeleton leaning on a rickety wooden chair. It looked as though it had been sitting there, waiting for its end...
Linda stepped closer with hesitant steps, her eyes catching every tiny detail, until she noticed a yellowed, dirty piece of paper lying beside the chair. She reached out to pick it up, but Jude suddenly stopped her, gripping her wrist, his voice firm:
– "No… don't touch it. It might be contaminated."
Linda rolled her eyes nervously:
– "But it's just a piece of paper… what could it possibly do?"
He replied with a faint smile, trying to plant some confidence in her heart:
– "Men first… I don't want anything bad to happen to you in front of me."
She felt a trace of reassurance in his tone, pulled her hand back slowly, and said:
– "Alright… as you wish."
Jude reached out his hand, carefully picked up the paper, and brought it close to the lamp. The worn-out words began to appear, written in a trembling, broken hand, as if their writer had penned them in his final moments. He read softly, while Linda leaned her head toward him:
-----------
"Hello… my name is Martin. I never expected to write my own end with one hand… I don't know if anyone will ever read my message. If you're reading this now, know that I am dead. My death wasn't ordinary—I chose to end my life… because the ghoul devoured my arm, and the signs of transformation began to appear on my body. I feel I'm about to become one of them, and I didn't want to hurt or devour my companions. We are not here by chance… we're merely bait for the ghouls. I don't know why we were brought to this cursed place. Maybe it's punishment… maybe redemption for my sins. Forgive me, Mother… forgive me, Father… my end is near, I'll be joining you soon."
--------
Jude and Linda froze, exchanging terrified looks, their bodies trembling. Linda spoke in a barely audible voice:
– "Were… were there people like us before?"
Jude swallowed hard and replied:
– "Maybe… and that means we're not the only ones brought… here, And what did he mean by transformation? "
Silence filled the storage room for a moment. Only the crackling of the lamp could be heard, as if the place itself shared in the dread of what they had just read.
Above them, Black With stepped out of her room with confident strides. She wore a tracksuit split between white and black, as if it had been tailor-made for her. She stood before Dante, who froze in astonishment, while Herman began clapping in admiration.
Dante said in disbelief:
– "Impossible… this is amazing! Where did you get those clothes?"
Black With smiled arrogantly:
– "Hmm… I designed them myself."
Herman interrupted curiously:
– "You know how to sew?"
She nodded proudly:
– "Yes, before I became a star, sewing was my favorite hobby."
Dante looked at her more closely, then suddenly frowned:
– "Wait… where have I seen that fabric before? Hold on! Didn't I bring two suits last time? I gave you the black one, and I took the white one!"
She hesitated for a moment, then said lightly:
– "Ah… about that… I took it from your room."
Dante exploded in anger, stomping his foot hard on the ground:
– "What?! You went into my room without permission and stole my clothes?! You —"
He was about to grab her by the hair when she hid behind Herman, laughing as she screamed:
– "Herman! Help me! Your crazy friend is going to kill me!"
Herman grabbed Dante's arms, trying to calm him:
– "Relax, Dante… it's just a tracksuit. Not worth losing your temper over."
Black With raised her hand to her eye, stuck out her tongue, and said:
– "Dante is stupid!"
Dante grew even angrier, while Herman stood between them like a referee separating two stray cats, trying to stop the looming fight.
Meanwhile, Jason and Ray were walking through the alleys of the abandoned village, calling Lily's name with weary voices, but found no trace of her. Suddenly, Jason bent over, clutching his chest, tears welling in his eyes:
– "This is all my fault… I shouldn't have yelled at her like that!"
Ray placed a firm hand on his shoulder, his voice full of determination:
– "Now's not the time for despair… get up, brother. We'll find her."
As they spoke, one of the old house doors creaked open, and Lily rushed out, waving her hands. Jason ran toward her wildly, hugging her so tightly they almost fell, then Ray caught up and wrapped his arms around them both, tears glimmering in his eyes.
Inside the house, Jason knelt down in front of Lily, bowing his head as he whispered remorsefully:
– "Forgive me… please forgive me."
Her face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to lift him from the floor:
– "Stop it, Jason… I'm the one who should apologize. I shouldn't have run away like a coward. Because of me… your face is scarred now."
Jason smiled despite the pain:
– "What matters is that you're safe. That's all I care about."
Lily sat beside him, gently cupping his face as tears streamed down her cheeks:
– "But your face… brother, your wound is terrible."
He pulled her to his chest and patted her head.
– "Don't worry… I'll be fine."
Ray entered at that moment, wiping his sweat.
– "I think it's time to look for food. We need strength."
They began to check the house. The cupboards and the fridge were full of supplies. They sat filling their bags, while Jason carefully loaded ammunition into his pistol this time.
In the attic, Lily found two stuffed dolls, one white and one black. She smiled bitterly and whispered,
– "Just like Black With…"
She put the dolls in her bag as if carrying a piece of her former world.
In another corner Ray found a first-aid kit and began treating Jason's wound. His hands trembled with fear as he applied the bandages, while Jason tried to keep composed.
After they made sure the exit was safe, they left together. This time Lily was in front, holding her pistol with confidence. Her steps were steady. Her eyes shone with a determination they had not seen before.
– "This time I will fight with all my strength."
Ray and Jason only looked at her with proud eyes.
In a narrow alley they spotted a huge ghoul leaning against the wall, its head bowed as if in a deep sleep. Lily screamed without thinking and emptied her pistol into it, shot after shot.
Jason tried to stop her.
– "Have mercy! I think it's dead!"
Ray commented with a worried smile.
– "Lily has gotten too excited…"
Lily raised her pistol, her eyes flashing with anger.
– "I want revenge for what they did to my brother's face… damn you filthy monsters!"
They continued on, this time with firmer steps, until they finally reached the mansion.