I got to the entrance of my daughter's university, and it was absolute chaos. The central part of the city was always crowded, but this was something different.
different shape and sizes of inhumane creatures are running and attacking civilians. blood and flesh were scattered. They were humanoid creatures, with long arms, unnatural skin, red eyes and sharp teeth, bashing students and civilians with crude weapons. I could also saw a Cops fighting back and killing those creatures.
Gunfire erupted in the distance, fueling the commotion. I could see people screaming and sobbing as they attempted to flee from these beasts. My heart was beating as I searched the neighborhood, trying to find my daughter.
In the chaos, One of My call got through, I shouted "Stacy are you okay?", I could here a quite sob from the other side.
"Stacy? Are you okay?!" I yelled.
There was a pause, then a quiet sob on the other end.
"Dad..." she whispered. "We're hiding. In the girls' restroom. I--I'm really scared..."
My heart dropped.
"Listen to me," I said quickly, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Stay calm. Tell me exactly where you are. I'm right outside the university. I'm coming to get you. Just keep the phone on, okay? Don't hang up."
"I won't," she whispered.
I popped open the trunk of my car. There it was--the metal baseball bat I'd never gotten around to throwing out. For once, I was glad I didn't.
Gripping it tightly, I sprinted through the shattered main gate and into the chaos inside.
The first girls' washroom I found was just off the main hallway. I kicked the door open, heart pounding--only to be greeted by silence and the metallic stench of blood. The lights flickered above as I stepped inside, my shoes splashing through.
There were bodies. Students. Motionless.
No Stacy.
I backed out, breath quickening, and took off down the corridor, checking room after room. That's when I saw it--one of those creatures. This one was smaller, goblin-like, with sickly green skin and bulging eyes. It was clawing at the door of another restroom, as if giggling to itself.
I didn't stop to think. With a shout, I brought the bat down on its skull with everything I had.
CRACK.
Its head split open like a melon, spraying thick, black blood across the walls and floor. The body twitched once, then went still.
I pounded on the door with my fist and shouted out, 'Stacy, are you in there?' The sound of a latch clicking open was followed by the creaking of the door as it swung open.
I saw my daughter standing there with fear in her eyes. The commotion outside had clearly frightened her. She rushed into my arms, pressing her face against my chest as tears ran down her cheeks.
"It's fine, sweetie. I'm here to get you home."
I tried to calm her down, letting her take a moment to breathe. After that, I looked her over to make sure she wasn't hurt--no cuts or bruises hiding anywhere.
I glanced at the door--there it was, the sign for the ladies' washroom. Shaking my head, I gently guided my daughter inside, still glancing over my shoulder for anything--or anyone--that might be lurking.
While scanning the ladies' room, I noticed another girl tucked away in the corner--she looked a little hurt.
I quickly searched for something to block the door, but there was nothing useful. Just the standard lock. It would have to do. I turned the latch and took a deep breath.
We can't stay here long. We need to get to the car as soon as possible, I thought.
Turning to my daughter, I whispered, "Is she your friend?" She gave a small nod.
I knelt beside the girl and gently asked her.
"Have you called your parents? Or do you know where you're supposed to go? If you live in the city, it's probably not safe to head back there right now."
She looked down, silent for a moment.
"Hey, do you want to come with us? We can't leave you here like this--and with whatever's going on outside, it's not safe. Is that okay?"
She hesitated, then gave the slightest nod.
"Alright, What's your name?"
She looked up and, this time, spoke clearly trying to hide the pain. "Sofia."
"Nice to meet you, Sofia. Can I take a look at your injury? I just want to make sure it's nothing too serious before we move."
She nodded again, and I gently examined the spot--her leg looked swollen and scraped up, definitely painful but not life-threatening.
"Can you walk on it?" I asked.
Sofia winced, tested her weight a little, then nodded. "Yeah. I think so."
She turned to my daughter. "Stacy... can you help me?"
Stacy stepped forward, reaching out to steady Sofia as they prepared to move.
"I need you two to stay behind me at all times," I said, looking between Stacy and Sofia. "If something--or someone--comes at us, don't panic or run. Just find a corner, somewhere safe, and hide. Got it?"
They both nodded.
I gave them a firm nod in return, then turned back toward the door, listening for any sound beyond it.
As I slowly peeked outside, a wave of horror hit me. The hallway was littered with bodies--twisted, lifeless, and some already starting to rot in a way that didn't seem natural. The stench was thick in the air, sharp and putrid, turning my stomach almost instantly.
I steeled myself and gave the girls a quick nod. It was time to move.
We slipped out of the bathroom, every step slow and silent, my grip tightening around the bat with each creak of the floor. The hallway stretched out like a warzone--still, quiet, and full of dread.
Then, without warning, one of those goblin-like creatures lunged from the shadows.
The girls gasped, stifling their screams with their hands, eyes wide with panic.
Instinct took over. I stepped forward and swung the bat with everything I had. The crack echoed down the hallway as it connected solidly--sending the creature flying. It slammed into the far wall and dropped like a ragdoll, twitching once before going completely still.
The sound of the impact echoed louder than I'd hoped.
Too loud.
Five more of them came sprinting down the hall, claws scraping the floor, eyes locked on us.
"Back inside. Now!" I barked, forcing the girls behind me. Stacy grabbed Sofia and they ducked back into the washroom, closing the door with a soft click.
I turned to face the hallway alone.
My hands clenched tighter around the bat. I felt... alert. Hyper-aware. My heartbeat thundered, but my arms didn't shake. My breath was steady. There was a strange heat in my chest--like adrenaline, but different. Deeper.
The first creature leapt at me.
I moved before I even realized it--ducking and twisting as if my body already knew what to do. I slammed the bat into its side mid-air. It hit the wall with a crunch and crumpled.
Another came from the left. I turned, faster than I should've been, and caught it in the ribs with a swing that sent it flying down the hall. The strength in my arms startled me--but I didn't question it. Not now.
Three more.
One sprinted at me low, claws scraping for my legs. I jumped back--higher than I should've been able to--and brought the bat down hard on its back. Something snapped.
Another tried to latch onto my shoulder. I twisted, grabbing it mid-leap, and slammed it to the floor. My muscles burned--but it wasn't fatigue. It was energy.
I ended it with a brutal downward swing. Two left.
The next hesitated, sensing something had changed. I could see its doubt. I took the opening--charged it, bat raised, and struck before it could react. The blow caved its chest in. It collapsed with a gurgle.
One.
It hissed, backing away--but I wasn't done. I stepped forward, swinging low. It dodged and slashed, grazing my side. I barely felt it. I grabbed its arm, pulled it in, and drove my knee into its gut. As it doubled over, I finished it with one clean strike to the head.
Silence.
The hallway stank of blood and something more--burnt ozone, like the air itself had shifted. My chest rose and fell, sweat dripping down my temple... but I didn't feel weak.
I felt...Strong and Faster.
I looked at my hands, the faint blue light shimmer curling along my skin before fading.
What the hell is this? I wondered.
Shaking my head, I pushed the thought aside. Not now. This isn't the time.
I looked back toward the bathroom door.
Through the narrow crack, I caught sight of two small faces peeking out--wide-eyed. I gave them a small nod, signaling it was safe. I could see a flicker of relief.
The door creaked open, and the girls stepped out cautiously, sticking close to me as we began to move down the hallway.
Stacy tugged on my sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "Dad... what were those things?"
"I don't know," I said honestly. "But whatever they are, we're not sticking around to find out more."
She nodded, but I could tell the fear hadn't left her--just tucked away for now. Sofia stayed quiet, limping slightly as she leaned on Stacy for support. I adjusted my grip on the bat and kept moving.
"Stay close," I murmured. "We're heading for the car. Keep your eyes open, and if anything moves... you tell me. Got it?"
They both nodded.
We crouched behind one of the wall. My car was within sight, about thirty meters away, but the courtyard between us was filled with those things. At least 50 of them. Some roamed, while others clawed at the ground or tore through the bones of former students.
I could probably take ten. Maybe twenty.
The thought felt insane... and yet it didn't feel wrong for some reason.
That same hum from before pulsed faintly under my skin... Magic or mana is it? whatever the hell that was. I didn't have time to understand it. I just knew I felt stronger. More aware. Like my instincts were sharpening with every second.
We needed a plan.