The shop's broken roof let in a pale slice of moonlight. Mela, his mother, and Amara huddled in a corner, silent. Around them, about a dozen other survivors had gathered, clutching bags, machetes, or nothing at all.
At first, it seemed like safety. Strength in numbers.
But safety doesn't last.
A tall man with bloodshot eyes began pacing the room. His shirt was torn, revealing a scar across his chest. He held a broken bottle like a knife."We no fit just sit here dey hide," he muttered. "Food dey finish. Women dey here. Some of una go share."
Mela froze. His mother stiffened.
The man's gaze swept the room, then landed on a young woman in the corner. She was trembling, clutching her baby."You. Drop that pikin. You dey follow me go inside."
"No!" she cried. Her baby wailed.
The man took a step toward her. Another survivor tried to stop him — only to be punched in the throat. He fell, gasping.
Mela's fists shook. He wanted to shout. But fear crushed his voice.His mother held his arm, whispering, "Don't. Not yet."
The man grinned, teeth yellow in the moonlight. He grabbed the woman's wrist, yanking her to her feet. She screamed, clutching her baby tighter.
That was when the monsters struck.
The windows shattered inward. Claws like smoke and knives tore through the wooden frames. People screamed. Chaos erupted as survivors scrambled, some fighting, some trampling each other.
The predator turned, still gripping the woman, his eyes wide. "Shit!"
The monsters hissed, their black bodies writhing as they crawled inside.
Mela's mother shoved him and Amara behind her. "Stay close!" she shouted.
A monster lunged, its claws reaching for Amara. Mela grabbed a metal rod and swung wildly — the blow barely slowed it down. He stumbled back, terror choking him.
The predator shoved the woman toward the monster to save himself. She shrieked as claws slashed across her arm. Blood sprayed. Her baby tumbled to the floor, crying.
Mela's chest tightened. This wasn't survival. This was hell.
Then, something snapped inside his mother.
Her eyes burned with fury. She threw her arms wide, screaming, "No more!"
Light exploded outward. A shimmering wall of blue energy burst around them, spreading across the room in a dome. The monsters slammed against it with screeches, their claws sparking against the invisible barrier.
Gasps filled the shop. Survivors stared. The woman collapsed, sobbing, clutching her baby — safe inside the glowing shield.
Mela's mother stood trembling, her arms still raised, sweat pouring down her face. "Nobody… will touch them. Not man. Not monster."
The predator who had tried to assault the woman stumbled back, eyes wide with fear. For the first time, he wasn't the one in control.
Mela grabbed his mother's arm. "Mum… you… awakened."
Her lips quivered, but her voice was firm. "I will protect my children. Even if it kills me."
The monsters screamed again, pounding the barrier, cracks flickering across the glow. It wouldn't hold forever.
And in Mela's chest, the runes pulsed harder than ever.