“Don’t be afraid.” Kuroki said as she tightened her grip on Ian’s hand.

Ian nodded and as they held hands, they lightly walked out of the shack, along with everybody else.

Chapter 10

“Go! Come on!” Eve whispered.

Everyone was crouching and running at the same time.

“I see a house! We can go there.” Kuroki whispered.

Everyone nodded. Velora was having a bit of trouble carrying the radio. At one point, it almost fell.

“Halfway there!” Kuroki thought.

She still had a grip on Ian’s hand, she never let go. When the group was halfway there, the radio began to become noisy. It sounded like some sort of interference or something. Everyone’s eyes widened. They scanned the area swiftly. However, out of everyone, Velora noticed it or rather them.

“Run!” Velora screamed.

She stood up and began running with the radio. Everyone else had realized it then, fregones were very close, they had heard the radio. Kuroki got up and began running, still holding onto Ian’s hand. Eve ran behind them. Fregones began chasing them, they didn’t run fast nor slow, they ran as fast as humans. However, they were deadly. They were pretty much aliens. Velora got to the abandoned home and opened the door, holding it open for everyone else. Eve began to get tired, perhaps her hand began to hurt and bleed again, or rather, where her hand was. Eve collapsed. Her face was pale and her eyes seemed red. Kuroki looked back, but just as she did, she saw a fregone jump up in the air, its hand extending and forming into a sharp claw and piercing through Eve’s upper chest, most definitely where her heart was. Kuroki kept running, her eyes welling up with tears. She couldn’t go back, she’d risk her and everyone else’s lives.

“May you rest in peace Eve. I’m so sorry.” Kuroki thought as she cried silently.

She saw what happened and she didn’t blame Kuroki for not going back because by the time she closed the door, there were at least 5 fregones surrounding Eve and possibly devouring every last inch of her.

“C-Calling…out to…any survivors…this i-s..the a-rmy l-looking for….survivors. I…repeat..l-ooking for..survivors.” The radio said.

Kuroki ran to the radio.

“Yes! Please! We need help!” Kuroki whispered but yelled as well.

The army officials asked Kuroki her location, she gave it to them. Within about 3 hours, a white truck appeared in front of the abandoned dwelling. The group went inside but not before confirming that it was the army who’d sent the truck. While the group was on their way to a safer place, Kuroki thought back on what had happened. She blamed herself for everything, if only she’d helped Eve! If only she’d made Eve go in front of her! Kuroki began to cry silently, she covered her face with her hand. Ian noticed and felt bad for Kuroki. He reached out and hugged her. He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her into a warm, comforting embrace. Kuroki looked up at him,

“I-It’s my fault…right? It’s my fault Eve died!” She cried.

Ian shook his head and frowned.

“It’s no ones fault. Don’t blame yourself for something you couldn’t control, please. I don’t like seeing you like this.” Ian whispered.

He leaned in and pecked Kuroki on the lips and resumed hugging her. Kuroki was surprised. Her eyes widened but she hugged back and cried into Ian’s shoulder. It wasn’t long before they finally reached a small community of survivors. It was ideal. They had solar panels and power generators. They had growing crops and even animals like chickens and cows. Kuroki still felt somewhat morbid. But the scenery helped a lot. She smiled tiredly, this, was the start of a new life. Kuroki reached for Ian’s hand and caressed it. She looked at him and smiled.

“Thank you.”

Ian smiled back and reached for Kuroki’s cheek and leaned in, this time, fully kissing her with love and warmth.

This for sure was the start of a new life. They would enjoy it as much as they could.

The End