When Stanley finally left the building, he and Winston’s group finally part ways. From what he had observe from the new group, the people are tight-lipped about the situation so he didn’t force himself there. Gathering information is much better on site so that very night, he left and decided to wander on the streets.
There were several corpse lying everywhere and there seems to be no sign of human activity, which made him slightly frustrated. Wasn’t apocalypse something lively so what’s going on now? Why is the streets so empty and there’s not even a single zombie crawling around. As a human being starved of thrill, this is definitely unacceptable!
As he thought back about the drug case, Stanley have a few suspicions in his heart. If the outbreak started because of the drug then the only way to stop it is to create an antidote but if the whole issue involved is not only that then he don’t know what to think.
After roaming the outskirts of the street, his feet led him towards an abandoned bridge. There are few dirty cars parked in the corner and some had been overturned and destroyed, on the road he saw several corpse lying motionless on the ground serving as the result of an accident. Well it’s not that surprising to see dead people anymore.
Stanley eventually crossed the bridge and after half an hour he finally reached the other side which leads to an abandoned factory. There are several metal equipment and some prints on the ground. After inspecting the wheel marks, Stanley figured out that this factory has been used just recently. Confirming his suspicion, he went to the warehouse and as he suspected he found it empty.
He drag himself for a while and went to several warehouse to see and as the other ones, all the warehouse were empty. Stanley sat on the ground exhausted. He steadied his breath for a while and stood up and decided to leave the place. He didn’t find anything anyways.
However, when he’s about to leave. He sensed a movement not far away from him. Stanley paused and decided to listened to his ears. His senses were sharp because of his ability and thanks to that, he’s ready to protect himself. After discerning what the sound is, Stanley immediately hid himself on the corner.
The car stopped just five meters away from his position. The owner turned off the lights and stepped outside. Stanley saw the man took off his coat, judging by his outfit he seems to be a businessman. After the man stepped out, he threw his coat inside the car and went to open the trunk.
Stanley shifted on his position and stepped closer to see what’s going on and there, he saw the man taking out a huge bag which he simply threw on the ground without any hesitation. The bag squirmed a bit as the impact of the fall seems to broke a few bones.
Stanley heard a muffled sound making his ears twitched a bit.
He decided to wait for a while and as the man loosened his tie, he saw him gave the bag a ton of harsh kicks on the bag as the muffled sound slowly died out.
Five minutes passed, the man paused with a satisfied smile on his face. His face was hideously pleased with himself. He looked around for a bit and just fixed himself up as he looked meaningfully at the bag on the ground. Concluding that the person is already dead, he didn’t pay attention to him anymore. Carrying a heavy load would be a bother so he decided to leave the corpse behind. No one would notice him anyways.
With his mind finally made up, The man hopped on his car and speedily drove off leaving a huge trail of dust in the air.
Stanley eventually come out of his hiding spot and after sensing the car has already gone a mile away, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He walked for a bit and cautiously scrutinized the bag. Hearing a muffled sound earlier, there must be a person inside. What could he be doing here in the middle of nowhere if not to dump corpse? Stanley is sure curious and somehow pitied the abandoned puppy. Stanley stared at the bag with some few thoughts in his mind.
When he finally decided to turn away and leave, he suddenly got hit with his conscience. He closes his eyes and inhaled. No matter how much he thought about it. There’s no reason for him to check the bag nor even pay attention to a dead person. It’s not even on his jurisdiction to interfere in someone else’s business.
But…what if the person is still alive?
What if he’s the one marked as the murderer for leaving him out?
Stanley, yet again thought on his mind. As he stared at the bag, Stanley wet his lips and contemplated for a bit. There is that strange feeling inside him that pushes him to open it and it truly bothered his mind.
He hesitated for awhile and soon he finally picked up the courage to unzipped the baggage. The inside was dark and a person was curled up inside. His weak frame was covered with bruises and bite marks. Stanley wrinkled his brow. His nose faintly recognized a familiar scent.
With a heavy heart, he turned the person’s face to his side and saw the small face covered in cuts. His hair was covering his eyes so Stanley was in doubt but after lifting his bangs away and seeing his face under the moonlight. Stanley immediately went stiff, his face burst in cold sweat and his blood turned cold.
“GASP!”
Stanley froze seeing the person inside. He wobbled a bit and soon his legs gave out making him kneel on the ground with a very shocked expression on his face. His chest heaved up and down and his heart almost jumped out. He felt as if all the blood in his body went up his throat.
Why is he inside…? How…
Stanley swallowed his fear and quickly braced himself towards the bag. He took the person out the bag and wiped off his bloody face with his trembling hands. As he felt around his pulse, Stanley didn’t realize the tears streaming on his cheeks. His hands trembled as he inspected the person’s vital parts. It wasn’t too late, he can still feel his warmth. He’s still alive…
Stanley hauled the person in his arms, gathering his lifeless body in his embrace as he tried to transfer his own warmth. Stanley brushed his fingers across his cheeks as the suffocating feeling resurfaces, he felt his guts being teared apart.
What happened to him?
Where did he go?
Why did he become like this? What did you do? Byul…
Byul laid lifeless in his arms. His breathing was incoherent and his body was filled with cuts, his clothes were ruined as if he was defiled, even if he saw him clothed, the marks on his body tells the truth. Stanley clenched his fist. He never thought that one day he’d see him like this. He always thought he wouldn’t feel a thing for him yet he was the one who wished…
Wished that he will stay by his side.
The man cried in silence as the suffocating feeling ragged his breath. He held the person in his arm as the very person was filled with regrets. This time, he felt death really hurts.
With his overflowing feelings spread across his system. He heard a familiar beep!
“Skill: Master’s Bond unlocked!”