《Record of the Lontra》


 Day 1 - Singapore

    Day 1 - May 2026


    My name is Elaina. Today marks the 8th stop in my world tour after graduation. My friend, H¨¥i l¨¢ng, and I had planned this trip for years. We were going to see the world before settling into our careers. I had just finished my environmental science degree, H¨¥i l¨¢ng got out a few weeks ahead with a veterinarian masters. We had left Boston and galavanted through Europe and Africa before heading to Asia. We have been friends for years now, attending the same college and spending hours in the library. We even dragged each other to competitions and generally managed stayed out of trouble. And this trip was proving to be the best adventure yet.


    We had spent the day wandering the markets of Singapore, debating foods and where to go next. He suggested China, we could see his family in Beijing. I posed the idea of Japan, onsens and local cuisine. It felt like today would go like all the others. I wish it had.


    We stopped at a park for lunch, H¨¥i l¨¢ng left to get something for us while I waited by a fountain. The air was warm, the scent of cut grass and a light breeze. My revere was cut short by a call of alarm. Turning I looked to see a woman collapse on the path nearby. I darted over to her, recalling the first aid my military mother taught me. She was uninjured but her pulse was slowing rapidly and her skin burned to the touch. I looked up anxiously to see others fall. They all lay convulsing, family and companions crying out in panic. I heard the shriek of wheels and caught sight of a pale grey van, men with strange cases desperately clamoring into the back before it speeds away.


    Something felt wrong, horribly wrong, that twisting in your gut when the world goes awry. I stepped away, looking for any sign of my friend. Not sure what else to do I dialed for an ambulance, waiting anxiously, unease rising as the line continued to ring. I hung up and tried the police. Nothing. I looked back over the park as the victims began to stand, sightless eyes roving about. They meandered slowly for a moment. The world bleeds to silence as I watched them, transfixed. A scream; desperation, pain, horror twisting into a wretched noise. I pulled back, terrified as the group turned towards the source. I dialed again, calling H¨¥i l¨¢ng, praying for him to answer. The howl of sirens erupted in the streets, the screaming continued. A faint click as the line connected.


    "H¨¥i, where are you?" The words tumbled out of my mouth. "Something is going wrong out here."


    "I just went down into the subway to get us some lunch. Something freaky is happening, people are going crazy, rabid and biting at each other. They¡¯re like animals. Where are you?" Somehow his clear English cut through the pervading chaos and seemed almost calm.


    "I... I''m still at the park, by the fountain. There, there''s screaming."


    "Ok, I''m coming" His voice faded out for a moment. "Here, give me that" Suddenly he was back at my ear. "I''m coming hang on."


    The line went dead as a woman came running up to me, bleeding profusely. I reached out to her and saw panic mixed with relief in her eyes. Her back was torn, vivid tracks where clawing hands broke through her skin and teeth sunk into her shoulder. She fell into my arms, weeping.


    "The.......... they just came at me, they went mad." Her voice faltered as she sank to her knees. I looked up to see figures with cruel eyes stumbling towards us, they snarled like something feral. The screaming was all around me now, deafening. I began to back away, still supporting the woman in my arms, her bleeding back soaking into my clothes. The sound was overwhelming, screaming and sirens, dead eyes following me as the group from the slowly encroached. A snarling sound came from my arms, rasping breath, and a sudden shriek. I felt an intense pressure against my ribs as my heart thundered and pushed back. The woman I had carried turned and lunged at me, hissing viciously, her eyes empty, mouth dripping blood and spittle, clinging to my arm, nails breaking into my skin. The world slowed, I felt tears run down my cheek, an empty cry of terror rang in my chest.


    There was a resounding crack as she was beaten away, a pool cue ramming through her throat, leaving her scrabbling on the grass. An arm wrapped around me, pulling me away.


    "Hey, snap out of it we have to run!"


    I could barely hear myself babbling an explanation of what happened as he snapped a second pool cue in half and passed one end into my shaking hands. My heart hammered in my chest, mind spinning as we rushed past people fleeing in terror from lifeless eyes and ravenous mouths. The crowd tumbled down the steps into the subway station. H¨¥i l¨¢ng pulled me aboard the train as the doors clapped shut behind me. People flung themselves at the glass screaming and snarling, terrified and lifeless. A ping as the train pulled away, bodies falling onto the tracks behind us. Then silence.


    The darkened tunnel had encompassed us, there was the low hum of the tracks and little else. For a few precious seconds, I reveled in the silence, just breathing. A woman beside me began asking softly in her native tongue and I could barely make out her requests. "What are we going to do." I took a deep breath, seeing myself reflected in the glass door. Long hair tied up, clothes soaked in blood, a weapon in my hand, blank expression past my glasses. It took a moment to realize that they were looking to H¨¥i l¨¢ng and me for the answer. We looked at each other and he simply nodded. I looked around quickly, padded seats, metal handlebars, narrow halls. We didn¡¯t have much.


    "Anyone have a knife or sharp object? Start tearing the covers off the seats, we''ll use them as body armor. Take some of the poles down as well. Children and noncombatants get in the middle." I turned to H¨¥i l¨¢ng. "Keep an eye on them here. I am going to check the other cars. See if anyone has been bitten or scratched."


    I pushed through the crowd, heading to the back of the train. We were in car 6, a small doorway leading to a narrow hall and two narrow bike lockers to my left. My senses trembled as I tapped each door, dreading the cold eyes that might be lying in wait on the other side. Nothing. I peered through the glass into the next car and saw only shuddering bodies as the train moved and empty eyes. Moving carefully I slipped back into our car.


    "Car 7 is overrun. I don''t know about the rest behind it but we need to be ready. I''ll check the others toward the front. What about here?"


    "No bites, some scratches but no one reactions yet. I''ll keep an eye on it. Take this though." H¨¥i l¨¢ng traded my pool cue for a section of metal piping torn from the railing. I looked into his eyes and saw unease, he was always a gentle soul, all of this was overwhelming. I leaned closer to a whisper.


    "We¡¯ll get out of this, there has to be someone coming to help." He nodded softly. I looked at the survivors, gesturing to ensure they understood. "The car behind us is infected. Keep quiet." Without waiting to see their reaction I moved toward the front of the train. The next two cars were empty, bags left behind as if the inhabitants rushed out. Upon reaching car 3 I knocked on the locker doors between trains again and nearly leaped from my skin as the door was thrown open and a shaking pistol leveled at my head.


    "Easy, I''m not going to kill you. Look there are survivors in car 6. We need help though....." I didn''t get the chance to finish as I heard the gunman press lightly on the trigger.


    "I ain''t gonna go out there. Leave me alone." The door was closed again and I found myself alone in the hall, the door to car 3 was barred shut and looking in I saw the inhabitants of the last two cars. A sharp-eyed businesswoman noticed me and approached the door. I could barely hear her through the glass as she addressed me.


    "Who are you?"


    "I''m human if that''s what you mean, we have a group in car 6. The cars behind us are overrun. We have small children with us. Can you help us?" She shook her head with a look of distaste.


    "We won''t risk it. I got in contact with the conductor and we are going to stop at the third station to get off. I won''t let your group in here if there are more monsters behind you."


    "Please at least let us move the children to your car. We need somewhere they can be safe while we hold off the other cars."


    Her eyes narrowed with disdain. "No." I watched in shock as she walked back into her group, rage and fear broiling into a torrent in my mind. She ignored us. I nearly pounded on the glass again as my phone buzzed in my pocket. Picking up I hear H¨¥i l¨¢ng at my ear.


    "Those things are trying to get into our car"


    "O..........ok, Move the survivors back into cars 5&4 they''re empty. Don''t go near car 3, there is a coward with a gun and car 3 won''t let us in. I''m coming." I hurried back to the group, watching them file past me into the safe space behind. As we moved an announcement came over the speakers. The conductor''s voice let on that he had been crying but he held his fear in check.


    "Anyone alive on board we are skipping the next 3 stops. We will be arriving at the final station get ready." Pounding at the far end of the car caught my attention as the infected began scrabbling at the inner door of our refuge. Bloodied faces pressed to the glass clawing hands scraping the pane. The door buckled. I gestured for the other fighters to come closer, my own hands shaking.


    "We''ll form a cycle, here, where there''s more space. Groups of four, when you tire pull back and the others shift to the left. They can only come at us so fast, that door is a choke point." The door groaned as it bent out. "Get ready!" A loud clang and ringing echo as the creatures burst through the door, stumbling, falling on their bellies and scrambling through the aperture. A raw cry of desperate rage tore from my chest as I brought the pipe down on the head of my nearest foe. It slammed into the wall and stopped moving, the others stepped forward with me and within moments the floor was slick with blood, arms going numb with the ferocity of our defense, breathing ragged as we traded out with each other. As the tide of rabid creature slowly abated H¨¥i l¨¢ng grabbed my shoulder when I cycled to the back of the group.


    "Something is going on in car 3. I moved everyone into car 5. We are coming up on the station but the train isn''t slowing." I nodded, still trying to slow my breathing. Leaving the defense in his control I darted back to car 3, stumbling against the barred door gasping for breath. I looked through the window and for a moment couldn''t see. An anxious panic flooded my mind as I tried to look into the car, all that reached my ears was a tearing, crunching sound. The train passed a series of lights and in horror realization dawned. The car had been overrun, bodies cluttered the floor, blood-soaked the walls, the window was tainted with the contents of a human''s chest cavity. A few of the creatures knelt in the gore, shoving it into their gaping mouths. I pounded on the door to the locker and again the frightened gunner threw the door open and leveled his pistol at me.


    "The car next you is gone, you need to move." His hands shook harder and he burst past, shoving me into the other door and stumbling away. I looked back through the bloodstained window, the creatures in car 3 were dead. The businesswoman, pipe in hand, stood in the middle of the train car, her body shaking. I pounded on the glass and she turned to me, a cold sensation running down my neck as I saw the bite. Fresh blood still cascaded from the deep wound as she stumbled forward, her eyes rolled back into her head, a tremor ran through her frame.


    The sound of breaking bone resonated in my ears.


    Her body jerked violently.


    Her head snapped back.


    An unearthly howl, resonating in the confined space, tainted with a blood-curdling scream filled the train cars. I covered my ears in pain, slumping against the door as my balance threatened to give out. Unable to tear my gaze away I watched, sickened and terrified as the woman''s small figure stretched and snapped, elongating limbs, fingers reduced to boney claws as she tore at the floor and her own face until nothing was left but a screaming mouth. Soaked in blood she scrabbled in the train car, scoring the metallic floor. A muffled crying echoed in the background. The cars lurched around a turn, beginning to slow, the motion rolling the woman onto her hands and knees. She stopped, body heaving with labored breath, moaning slowly. Then the empty head turned towards me and as I pulled my trembling hands away from my head I heard the crying again and realized it was mine. I bit my lip to silence myself, it was still too late. The mouth, once screaming turned into a horrid grin as the monstrosity reached out and punched through the glass on the door. Its crimson-stained hand encircled my throat, fear kept me rooted in place. The grip tightened as it lifted me slowly till I struggled to find solid footing. I didn''t think about running, fighting. All I could think of is how much pain she must have been in. The agony she felt as her body was mutilated. The madness in her mind as she realized she was turning. The tears didn''t stop, they were burning down my face in rivulets of fear. I didn''t want that to happen to me.


    My arm moved without my mind, a metal pipe slamming into the forearm, beating at it in a frenzy. A scream, not afraid, not in pain. A shriek of pure defiance as metal collided with flesh and bone. The crunch of the limb giving way and breaking. The spindly creature howled in anger and withdrew its arm, snarling back at me through the door. I felt my phone going off, fumbling to get it out of my pocket as I stumbled back.


    "Yes?" the word leaving my mouth was shaky and hoarse. My eyes focused on the dark expanse of car 3 and the empty hole in the door.


    "They are gone, for now, we lost a few people in the fight. Someone showed up with a gun and we drove them back. The train still isn''t stopping. We need to get off." There was an emergency exit between cars 4 and 5. The station ahead had two sets of tracks.


    "Jump." Hesitation on the other end, then a slow inhale,


    "Alright." The line went dead, silence filled the car, the sense of inertia weakened as the train lost momentum. From car 3 a low guttural sound crawled out. The empty face hovered through the window before it withdrew. A low click, a scraping sound, and ever so slowly the creature turned the latch and slid the door open. I heard a tap on the door behind me, H¨¥i l¨¢ng, bloodied but alive, his arms wrapped tightly, smiling reflexively at me through the window. Something in my eyes made the smile vanish and he looked across the car I was in, fear drained the blood from his face as he pointed past me. The spine legged creature had pulled its head and shoulders through the doorway, rasping for breath. It turned hollow eye sockets to the door behind me and started scrabbling forward. It was going after the others, easier prey.


    I didn''t think much would happen next as I threw myself at the creature, slamming my metal pipe into its head. It shrieked at me backing away, lashing out with the broken limb and hurling me into the side of the car with enough force that the breath was driven from my lungs. I crumpled to the floor like a broken doll, clenching empty hands in pain as I fought to force air back into my starving lungs. A strange sound came from above, rumbling, breathy. I looked up to see the spindly creature standing over me, reaching for me.


    A terrible, thunderous sound reverberated in the train car. My ears rang loudly as the sound echoed out twice more. The creature recoiled, shrieking angrily stumbling to the back of the car. Someone grabbed my arm, dragging me to my feet as I managed to take in a ragged breath, gasping as I stumbled back. The gunman looked at me quickly before focusing back on the monster. I used the moment to look back as the last few survivors jumped free, H¨¥i l¨¢ng reached for my hand and the world twisted.


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    When I opened my eyes the world was dimly illuminated by the red glow of emergency lighting, I lay on my side, a pane of glass beneath me, the whole world seemed to be skewed for a moment before I realized that the train car had been turned over on its side. I stumbled to my feet, pain suffusing each breath. The creature was nowhere in sight, the gunman groaning in the corner, the ragged sounds of those dead-eyed beings from the back of the train. I fell to my knees and crawled over to H¨¥i l¨¢ng as he regained consciousness on the far side of the train near what was once the roof.


    "We need to get out of here. We......." I was interrupted by pain, coughing raggedly. "We need to go." He nodded and looked around, grimacing as he stood up.


    "There''s the emergency exit on the roof. We can use that." He went over to the gunman and hauled him upright as I struggled with the emergency latch. The sounds grew louder as I forced the hatch open and scrambled out, falling the few feet to the tracks. H¨¥i l¨¢ng clambered out with a bit more grace, reaching back in for the gunman. He was almost out of the train when a wrathful shriek reached my ears and he was pulled back, struggling for a moment until five long spines of bone sprouted through his chest. He choked, blood spilling over his lip, and was dragged inside. H¨¥i l¨¢ng abandoned the train, grabbing my hand and rushing towards the platform. I followed numbly as we darted up the now empty stairs for the surface. As we set foot outside the sudden change in lighting left me blinded for a heartbeat. Then sight and sound returned to me, crashing over my senses; people screaming in terror, footfalls pounding the streets, gunfire, sirens; buildings on fire, humans fighting each other, tearing each other apart, officers and soldiers trying to funnel survivors. There on the side of the road, a fire truck was abandoned, siren still wailing. I rushed forward, H¨¥i l¨¢ng close behind, raiding through the compartments on its side for anything. Little remained save for a firefighter''s jacket and clamped to the side panel, a fire hatchet. I pulled the hatchet free from the moorings the cold metal soothing in my hands. For a few heartbeats, the world was drowned out as I admired the crimson steel. Then a sound broke through the chaos and the screams grew louder. I turned, mortified as it sounded again, that demonic wailing.


    The spindly monster from below was dragging itself out of the subway, shrieking a challenge to the skies. I fumbled for a stronger grip on my weapon. Why was is here, did it follow me? The monstrosity lunged forward rattling viciously. I feared the oncoming collision, bracing for impact.


    "Take this you son of a bitch." H¨¥i l¨¢ng roared his challenge overhead, standing on the roof of the truck as he aimed the fire hose at the creature, hauling back on the valve handle. The water pressure shot out like a jet, knocking the monster back into the underground and H¨¥i l¨¢ng off the back of the truck. I snagged the jacket and ran around to him, finding the Beijing native soaked, laughing, and waving his hand dismissively.


    "Well, I needed a shower anyway." I couldn''t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all as I pulled him to his feet. The truck sheltered us from notice by the majority of the crowds as we debated our next move. "We can get to the airport or the marina from here. So the question is, boat or plane." I bit my lip, weighing the options thoroughly.


    "The airport is where everyone else will likely go, it will be crowded, if someone turns then it would become a meat grinder in there." He nodded carefully.


    "The marina is closer, let''s go for it if we can make it out to sea we have a good chance." Looking around he gestured to a nightclub. "The club should be empty, it''s not even open yet. We can go through there and along the alleyways to the boats." I nodded in affirmation and we broke into a run, barreling past the moving bodies in our path and rushed into the club, closing the door quickly and leaning back against it in case the creatures wanted to follow. The room was silent, the screaming outside muffled by thick walls. We moved across the open room, the panels underfoot making a hollow sound. We had nearly made our way across when the lights suddenly flared to life, multi-colored and glaring. The illumination revealed several men with chains and baseball bats closing in slowly, one man in the sound booth, laughing with a manic noise. All I could wonder was how a mindless clich¨¦d situation like this managed to organize so quickly.


    "Really guys? People are killing each other and you immediately go for the punk post-apocalypse gear?" The comment seems to strike a nerve as one of them snarls in anger and rushes us. He doesn''t get far as I bring the hatchet down into his shoulder, no time to register the pain as I cleave into his chest. H¨¥i l¨¢ng hurled himself at another, batting the man away with only his hands. The others prepared to lunge in, their eyes targeting H¨¥i l¨¢ng more than me to avoid encountering the hatchet. From the audio booth came a sudden shriek of pain, all eyes turned to see the windows of the booth awash in scarlet. A hideous rending sound of flesh being torn apart, the bloodied glass shattered, crimson shards glittering past us. That same twisting in my gut as my eyes adjusted to the sudden flare of light from within the booth and I saw a disturbing silhouette. Ignoring the thugs I threw myself at H¨¥i l¨¢ng, tackling him to the side of the room.


    "Get down!"


    Screams erupted from the others as a clawed hand lashed out, tearing a man in half to silence him. Vicious hands sank into another''s chest till lifeblood spilled from him like a sieve. The monster from the train rushed out like a maddened serpent releasing that sickening wail before it turned on the thugs and began ripping them apart.


    "Get a door open, we need to run." I pushed H¨¥i l¨¢ng towards the back, glancing back at the thugs to find only hewn bodies. And like a foul memory, two long spindly arms and a faceless head were light from beneath as the creature stalked about on the lighted floor. A length of chain was on the floor nearby, I grabbed it hurriedly and wrapped it around my forearm. The monster looked to me, that same rumbling sound coming from its chest. Fear coiled around my heart as I realized that this "thing" was laughing. It stood in a swathe of death, covered in blood, body broken, and it was laughing at me. It lunged forward, its teeth latching onto the bracer of chain I had made, grabbing my leg with one arm as if to tear me in half. Twisting awkwardly I took my hatchet and swung at the already broken arm that held me, cleaving the limb just above the elbow, my foe reeling back, wailing as it held the stump. I fell back breathing hard, searching wildly for a way to kill this thing. It screamed again and threw itself at me, giving no time to recover as it racked the remaining hand through the floor. Panic flooded my veins as I scrambled on the floor, trying to get out from beneath the vengeful monstrosity. Screaming I lashed out at its chest, opening a wide wound, the blood that painted my face was hot and burned against my skin. Half blinded I stumbled away, glaring through the one clear lens I had left, the other a world of ebony and vermilion. The creature ignored the gash and turned after me with a snarl, slamming its clawed hand into the lighted floor panels. The claws shattered the panel, its arm slamming down into the frame and bulbs. Suddenly it began howling in pain, its body convulsing violently, the severed arm floundering to pull the other free before the creature crumpled to the floor, the scent of burnt flesh assaulting my senses. H¨¥i l¨¢ng approached cautiously, watching the creature.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "What the hell did you do?" I laughed for a second before groaning in pain.


    "That wasn''t me." I continued my exclamations of pain as H¨¥i l¨¢ng pulled me to my feet, supporting me as we stumbled out of the building. The broad alleyways behind the club were blessedly empty. The sound of chaos had dimmed, I assumed that the fighting and survivors had moved away from the area. We managed to slip into a small apartment building, the structure was new and to our luck mainly uninhabited. The few tenants must have been at work when it happened. H¨¥i l¨¢ng laid me down on a bed and went into the bathroom to clean up.


    "Water is still running, for now, if there are some bottles in here we should fill them up. We are lucky we trained for that marathon last month or I don''t think we would have made it." I listened to him ramble on for a bit, trying to ignore the pain caused by each breath.


    "Are you ok?" I realized the absurdity of me asking him regarding my own condition and smiled a bit. He leaned through the doorway and raised a brow at me.


    "You''re one to talk. But yeah, I''m ok."


    "Good." I heard my own breathing slow, felt my pulse pounding in my head. "Good" A light touch on my shoulder woke me. H¨¥i l¨¢ng was leaning over me with a deeply serious expression.


    "Take these." Several pills and a bottle of water were pushed into my hands, I noticed his arms were wrapped in fresh bandages and shadows had lengthened in the room, he smiled ruefully. "I got scratched a couple time, figured I would clean them up. From what I can tell, your ribs are bruised all over, no bites or scratches, though the chains left a pretty pattern too. So, bruised, badly bruised, but nothing is broken. How do you feel, can you breathe alright?" Testing his question I sucked in a deep breath and winced at the strain on my ribcage.


    "It hurts but I can manage." He watched me with a worry bordering on fear.


    "I am not letting you die on me after all this, you understand? You''re too stubborn." I nodded, slowly forcing myself to sit up, realizing that my ribs had been bandaged and the blood cleaned away, the fireman''s jacket hung on the bed frame. He caught my eye and shrugged.


    "I had to make sure none of that mess was yours."


    "Fair enough. How many supplies did we get?" He grabbed a bag from the kitchen and set it on the bed.


    "Some nonperishables, few makeshift bandages, and painkillers, even a spare set of clothes for you." I got to my feet, taking the coat and tying it to my waist and tucking the hatchet into it.


    "What about you?" He gave me a wry smile.


    "Nothing in my size. The street still looked clear when I checked a moment ago and nothing came up here. Let''s go for it and get that boat." Gathering what we could, H¨¥i l¨¢ng and I stepped back out into the alleyway and worked our way along the empty path. We were closing on the pier when a low growling came from a nearby yard. I turned to see a large dog step out from his yard, covered in blood, though it looked like he had done all the biting. I nearly reached out to calm the animal when I saw the lifeless film in its eyes and slavering jaw. It lunged and without a choice I struck it down, the reverberation sending a fresh wave of pain through my arms.


    "It¡¯s like rabies but worse." I looked it over carefully. ¡°I don¡¯t see any bites though. And it''s affecting everything." There was nothing else we could do for the creature, turning away as we continued to the pier. A steady hum of sound came from ahead, a rattling noise interspersed. Stepping out of the alley we looked out to the gates of the pier and my heart sank. Hordes of dead-eyed figures were throwing themselves at the wrought iron gates and fencing, rattling the chains that held the gate fast. They seemed not to notice us, the noise at the gates drawing them. We looked about hurriedly, desperate for a way in. The buildings weren''t close enough to jump, the fence stood roughly ten feet in height so climbing wasn''t an option, we couldn''t fight through all of them.


    "We have to go back if there''s another..........." H¨¥i l¨¢ng put a silencing hand on my shoulder and pointed to a smaller gate on the eastern side of the horde. I nodded thankfully, stalking past the horde cautiously. The back gate has a small tumbler lock holding it closed, I knelt looking it over. "Keep an eye on them, I think I can get this open." Pressing my ear to the lock I worked the dial slowly, listening for the sound of a pin dropping. The noise of the horde and sirens in the distance and my own pounding heart, muddle together, obscuring the one sound I seek. Frustrated I swear quietly to myself and look around. H¨¥i l¨¢ng tags my arm and points to a roof nearby that leaned out closer to the fence.


    "Do you remember pole vaulting as a kid?" The question gets a raised brow from me as I look to him for an explanation. "We could make it across from there." I watch in confusion as he slips over to a house nearby and unpins the flagpole, darting back to press it into my hands as he hurries off to find another. Taking both poles he leads me to the side of the home he had indicated, eyeing the large trash bins leaning against its wall.


    "We can make it up here." Backing up he passes the poles to me and runs for the wall, using the trash bin as a step to jump for the roof and scramble up. Motioning hurriedly for the improvised vaulting poles, he takes them onto the roof and reaches back down for me. Eyeing the gap with worry I back up, drawing in a painful breath, running full force at the building, following H¨¥i l¨¢ng''s path. My foot hits the bins, launching me up and sending them crashing to the pavement, the sound echoing in the street. H¨¥i l¨¢ng grabs my arm, a cry of pain escaping past my clenched teeth as his hand closes over my bruised flesh, pulling me onto the roof. There was no time to stop and recover as I took a pole and looked towards the fence. The sound of the horde grew louder as they mobbed the side of the house to follow the noise. Gauging the five feet between the building and fence one more time I nodded to H¨¥i l¨¢ng and ran forward, planting the end of my pole at the edge of the roof and throwing my weight behind to motion. I felt my feet leave the tiled roof, gravity seemed to stop as my momentum swung me forward. A grating sound came from behind me, the pole slipped into the rain gutter followed by a sharp snap as the gutter buckled under the weight. The pole swung wildly, I swayed sharply forward swinging out over the gathering horde. Panic surged, I screamed in alarm. H¨¥i l¨¢ng threw himself into me, the force sending us over the fence as the gutter gave out and crashed into the streets. We hit the ground awkwardly, skidding to a stop. The landing placed me on already bruised ribs, intense pain blooming along my back, gravel cutting through my shirt and skin. I opened my mouth to scream, even the act of breathing was agony. The most I could manage was a broken sob, biting down on my hand to stifle the noise. H¨¥i l¨¢ng ran over, rocks scattering underfoot, kneeling down quickly.


    "Shit." Face contorted with regret he pulled me to my knees. I clenched my teeth reflexively, the world blurring through tears. Warm rivers streaming down my sides, coloring the gravel.


    "Hold on, let me wrap this." Scraps of cloth tied into a long bandage were bound around my body. "I''ll get the gravel out when we get out to open sea. Come on, just a little bit longer." I nodded, biting my lip as he helped me to my feet. "Look, there are some boats over there with sails. I don''t see any of.......them. Why don''t you go pick out a boat for us and I''ll raid the warehouse for supplies. Keep your phone on." I knew he was trying to give me the easier job but in my condition, I couldn''t argue. I stumbled away towards the boats, the pain steadily fading to a deep throb as I distracted my mind with a list of supplies and planning survival. I searched along for a moment, most of the boats were simple fishing vessels or ornate motorized yachts I am sure were overrun. There were a few of the creatures, so few that avoiding them wasn''t hard. Finally, near the far end of the pier, there was a small fishing boat. She was a soft cream color, dark wood accents. I climbed aboard carefully, no sound but the soft lap of water against the hull. She had a backup diesel engine but could sail under her own power and harness the wind. The wheelhouse stood above deck had large windows looking out over the prow and sides, the steering and controls within. Within the cabin, a railed stairwell leading down to a beautifully arranged living quarters, room for 6 people. Emboldened by the successful find I climbed back on deck and began gathering basic supplies, filling several canisters with fuel for the backup engine. I had sat down for a moment when I felt my phone go off in my pocket.


    "Hey, how''s the search for supplies going? I managed to........" A bitter voice split through the recap of my success.


    "I''ve got your friend right here, make your way back to the boathouse by the gate or I blow his brains out." The line went dead. I should have cried, I should have broken down in fear and worry. Instead, something in my chest grew cold. My hand tightened around the haft of my hatchet, the crunch of gravel suffusing my senses. When I reached the warehouse I saw H¨¥i l¨¢ng kneeling on the third level of a small yacht, beside him stood a grizzled man with bloodshot eyes and a magnum. I caught my friend''s gaze for a moment before turning a cold stare on his assailant.


    "I''m here, what do you want?" The voice leaving my lips was grave, dripping with bloodlust.


    "Your gonna get a boat supplied and then I''m gonna sail outta here." He looked down to the hatchet greedily. "Drop the ax I''m keeping that."


    "No." He pressed the gun to H¨¥i l¨¢ng''s head. "Unless you want me dead before I can load your precious boat." He tossed a steel pipe down to me.


    "Use that." I looked down at the pathetic weapon and slowly knelt to reach for it, the madman watching my movements carefully.


    H¨¥i l¨¢ng saw his chance, I watched, unable to move as he lunged to his feet and shoved the man away. The gun fired and H¨¥i l¨¢ng''s body convulsed as lead thudded into him. Roaring vengefully he rushed the man, wrestling the gun away and headbutting him in the face, forcing them both over the edge. There was a sickening thud from the far side of the craft and a soft splash as they fell into the sea. I could barely register the scene that had played out in front of me, kneeling frozen on the docks. H¨¥i l¨¢ng had been shot, he was going to drown. The cold realization forced me to my feet as I sprinted to the place they fell, leaping onto the lower deck, a growing bloom of blood decorated a corner of the craft, dropping my bag and hatchet I threw myself into the water.


    Pain.


    The fierce salinity burned my wounds and stung my eyes even as the water was soothingly cool, the world muffled and relaxed. I kicked hard, pushing for the depths as I searched anxiously for any sign or trail to H¨¥i l¨¢ng. A faint tendril of blood slipped past me and I swam after the source. There, drifting halfway down, he wasn''t moving, if I hurried I might be able to save him. I reached out, grabbing his arm and turned to the surface. The seconds seemed to wax ever on, the open sky so far out of reach. My lungs screamed desperately for fresh air.


    Finally, I felt my fingers break the surface, followed quickly by the rest of me as I greedily gasped for breath. Coughing and choking I pulled my friend with me to the pier and dragged us onto dry land. H¨¥i l¨¢ng was unconscious, his pulse was fading fast, yet somehow his skin burned to the touch. Rolling him onto his back I frantically started CPR pushing aside the pain from each motion, breathlessly begging my friend to wake up.


    ¡°Come on, come on dammit!¡± The strength was fading from me as I kept trying, the air was frigid around us. ¡°Get up. You can¡¯t do this.¡± I slammed my fist into his chest to hear him suddenly draw a ragged breath, rolling onto his side and retching water. I laughed with relief, collapsing against him in a shaky embrace.


    ¡°Elaina¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought you were dead.¡± H¨¥i l¨¢ng pushed me back and clutched his shoulder.


    ¡°That freak got me though. My shoulder is pretty bad.¡± I moved his hand enough to see the wound.


    ¡°The shot was clean enough. I don¡¯t know about the bone underneath but it will heal. Can you move it?¡± He struggled for a moment.


    ¡°Somewhat. We should get out of here. That noise is going to bring something here.¡± As if to punctuate his point the masses on the gate were growing frantic. Hurling themselves against metal and howling in anger, even turning on themselves. We were both in no condition to fight. Helping H¨¥i l¨¢ng to his feet I gathered my things and started moving back towards to ship I had chosen.


    ¡°I found a smaller ship, it has sails and an engine. I¡¯ll look for a first aid kit once we¡¯re aboard.¡± The shriek of metal bending roughly, the howling grew. I looked over my shoulder to see the gate collapse inward as the hinges snapped. The creatures were silent for a second before snarling again and flooding into the marina. One of the creatures came lunging out of a boathouse at us, grabbing H¨¥i l¨¢ng with a shriek. He let out a pained yell and slammed the foe away.


    ¡°Run!¡± He pushed me ahead of him as we made a mad dash for the boat. We managed to take sight of the vessel before the horde overcame us. I sprinted ahead, throwing my possessions aboard and cut the mooring line free. Scrambling on deck I looked back to see H¨¥i l¨¢ng a few paces behind, he glanced back at the horde and stopped before the boat. I saw him cover a growing stain of red on his arm.


    ¡°Go, I¡¯ll meet you out there.¡± The horde was hesitating at the narrow gangway to the ships as it buckled beneath their feet. I reached out my hand to him.


    ¡°Are you mad? Get up here we have to go!¡± He looked at the wound he was covering and stepped back.


    ¡°I can¡¯t, it got me, I can¡¯t risk you too. Just go, go and I¡¯ll find you.¡± His voice shook, his eyes drowning in pain, my heart froze. ¡°I¡¯ll find you.¡± He ran further down the pier, yelling at the top of his lungs. ¡°Come on you bastards! I¡¯m right here!¡±


    The horde broke into a frenzied charge, stumbling and falling into the water as they gave chase. Biting back a whimper of anger and grief I pushed the boarding ramp away and stepped into the wheelhouse. There wasn''t enough wind to pull out from the docks, knowing I had no other option I let the engine roar to life. A responding cry came from horde and they turned away from their pursuit of H¨¥i l¨¢ng, several falling into the sea as they backtracked. I looked for my friend one last time, seeing him slip onto another boat, before I gunned the engine and pulled away.


    For a time I did little save guide the vessel out to open water and let her drift, the sea was calm, skies open and empty. I stood on deck and watched the marina, waiting for another ship to sail out in the richly growing twilight. Nothing came. He wasn''t coming.


    My mind went blank, still trying to understand the last few hours. Reminded of my wounds by the blood drying on my back I stumbled below decks and snagged a medical kit from the supplies. Making my way to the back of the vessel I slipped into the bathroom, finding to my aid a mirror on the door. Laying down a sterilized surgical drape I sat on the floor, using my phone''s camera to look over my own shoulder into the mirror to see my back as I unwound the bandages and gingerly peeled off my ripped shirt.


    I felt faint as I saw the vivid black and violet patches, broken up by angry red lacerations, choked with gravel and weeping precious blood. Taking hold of a long pair of hemostats I worked carefully, starting along my lower back, hands trembling as I dug the small stones from my skin. I was only halfway along my back when the blood loss throughout the day and my faintheartedness at the sight of it twisted my stomach in painful knots. I hurriedly leaned over the toilet, vomiting up the contents of my belly, groaning in disgust and pain. For a moment I couldn''t move, breathing raggedly and blinded by tears, leaning my forehead against the smooth porcelain.


    When my breathing had settled I moved back to sit on the drape, taking my time as I cleaned my lower back and applied antiseptic to the open wounds. The methodical treatments let me push down the anguish that threatened to overcome my heart. Sure that the bleeding had stopped I applied gauze and sterile cotton pads. Hands shaking I struggled to open the cap to a bottle of sedatives. After taking a dose I began again, moving steadily higher as I pulled the remainder of the gravel from my bruised flesh. By the time I finished cleaning each wound, the bottle of antiseptic was nearly half-empty, each gash plastered with a bandage. The sedatives were beginning to take hold as I pulled a largely rolled ace bandage from the kit and wrapped my torso, wincing in pain at the pressure on my bruising. I''m sure that there are contusions under all that beaten muscle but I wasn''t willing to test for it at the time. I stumbled to the captain''s cabin, stripping off my sodden and blood-soaked clothes and collapsing on the bed. The room faded out as I gave in to my exhaustion.


    I woke again less than an hour later to an aggravating sound, almost like the grating of nails on a chalkboard. Groaning with the effort I pulled myself off the bed, dragged on my tattered pants, and wandered up on deck. Looking out of the cabin I saw a seagull perched on the bow of the ship, it was eating some parcel of trash and looked up, squawking at me in a horrid tone. Out of all the monsters I had dealt with this proved the most irritating. Disappearing back below I grabbed my hatchet and upon returning, I found the maddening foul had moved to the aft. I had stepped towards it when another sound caught my ear. Looking to the sky I found several of the blighted birds circling to the port side, another ship below them. I yelled angrily at my stowaway and kicked its meal overboard, gaining a squawk of displeasure as it winged away.


    The wind had picked up as I slept, pulling softly at the sail. Testing the ropes I slowly pulled the sail around into the wind, nearly losing my footing as the heavy canvas caught the currents, the ship leaping forward eagerly. I fought with the rigging for some time, once even overshooting my target and sailing off nearly a hundred meters from the vessel. When I finally brought my craft under control the evening was already coloring the sky a darker hue. I dropped the anchor and waited aside the strange craft for a moment, listening.


    Relief flooded my heart when no sounds save the sea were forthcoming. I stepped across and searched thoroughly. Someone had been aboard, there were signs of blood on the wheel. The engine had stalled out and the emergency raft taken as evidence that the craft had been abandoned. Deciding against dignity I scavenged through the small fishing vessel and found to my relief a water filtration kit, boat hooks, more rigging, fishing poles and bait even. I spent the next half hour moving the supplies to my vessel and arranging them in the bunk room. Once I was sure that the ship was empty I raised anchor again and pulled away.


    For another hour I focused on learning to maneuver my craft, stopping for a time to renew my mild sedation. By the time the ruby sun had fallen level with the waves and only hints of violet remained in the sky I had neared a small island to the west and spotted another craft in the water, roughly the size of my own. I approached it with far more grace than my first attempt had entailed however this vessel was not so simple to access.


    In the fading light, I saw three figures standing on deck, stumbling with the sway of the water. I dropped anchor and slipped below deck again, scrounging through my supplies until I located a flashlight. Back on deck I looked out over to the opposing vessel and glared the light over the figures. Dead eyes looked back to me hissing angrily at the sudden illumination. I stifled a groan of frustration, eyeing them in the half-light warily. Turning off the flashlight I looked about me, wondering if it would be best to get rid of them and raid the ship or simply sail away.


    My foot bumped into a boathook lying on the deck, picking it up I examined the tool. A long pole with a blunt hook at the tip along with a sharp bayonet, it was roughly the length of my arm and a chain ran from the end. Satisfied that I would not be losing a weapon I fixed the chain around the cleat on the starboard side where I stood. The boathook was blessedly light, I took aim and hurled it towards the nearest foe.


    The monster shrieked in anger as the hook punched through his chest and knocked him down. I took hold of the chain and reeled it back to me, yanking him over the side. I nearly let go as the creature began scrambling along the chain screaming at me if there were more onboard then the other two they would certainly be alerted by the racket. It hung there for a moment before the weight of its body tore it away from the boathook and the figure fell into the sea. I brought the hook back up, staring at the gore hanging from it in disgust.


    Gripping the clean end of my tool I hurled it again, watching it sail past the remaining monsters. Groaning irritably I pulled it back, my frustration giving some measure of urgency, the chain leaped in response pulling the hook across the narrow back deck where they stood, tanging around their feet and tripping them into the waters. I watched in amazement before I knew it I was laughing. I had spent the entire day trying to flee from these monsters and here they are falling down like bowling pins. The laughter ached against my bruises, and I could feel the sting from the wounds that had reopened when I threw the boathook. Regardless I was sure it was now safe and slipped down to the back of my craft, grabbing a fresh boathook.


    The other vessel was small enough that simply catching the side allowed me to slowly guide it along the waves to line up with the low deck on the rear of my ship. I lashed the two together to keep either from drifting and stepped across. The ship looked to be a small motorboat with a cabin below deck, a blood-stained emergency raft was tied to the prow. Taking all I could from above deck I retrieved my flashlight and cautiously slipped down the stairs. The galley was small and cluttered, barely any room to maneuver. I sifted the light about the limited space, blood running cold when I saw it.


    A man leaned back in his chair, motionless, a revolver in his limp hand. Behind him, the wall had been violently decorated with the contents of his skull. My stomach turned, if it hadn''t been already empty I would have retched at the sight. I moved closer and pulled the gun from his lifeless grip, my hands shaking so badly I dropped it. Somehow the first thing I felt seeing the body was anger, then a wave of sympathy. He had died with no one near and monsters just outside the door. The sympathy coiled into sickening grief, the flashlight tumbling from my shuddering grip as I stumbled back up on deck.


    Pain suffused my being, burning tears made tracks down my face. I fell to my knees, clutching my head, crying in anguish as the day ran through my mind. The people I had seen turning, killing each other, the woman on the train, the hordes, my friend. My friend was gone. H¨¥i l¨¢ng had disappeared, dead or turned I couldn¡¯t know, and blood stained my hands as well. I was alone on the sea with no company save for the dead and they were no comfort. Pain wracked my body as I sobbed till I couldn''t breathe.


    The sky had gone dark as I grieved, pale silver moonlight illuminating the world. I wanted to stay there, abandon the sphere of pain I existed in and let go. Still, the need to survive. All energy spent I slowly got to my feet and forced myself to function. I moved back below deck, fumbling in the dark till I found a switch. The lights flared on and I looked with absolute apathy at the man, retrieving his revolver and my flashlight from the floor. I pulled one of the drawers from the cabinets and rifled through the room. The small kitchen space held spices, water, and even food supplies. Going to the single room quarters at the back I found several files, a map, a notebook, and even a portable H.A.M radio. Pleased with my finds I took them aboard my ship and untied the smaller craft, gratefully pulling away from the floating coffin.


    I drifted out over the silent waters for a time, escaping until the horizons were empty. Prying my hands from the wheel I went back below, exhausted, fumbling for the medication again. I sat for a time, sifting through the supplies until I laid my hand on a small electric lantern. Taking it with me, I climbed the stairs again and wandered to the prow. Turning on the lantern I set it beside me and looked out over the waters, quiet and undisturbed.


    "So this is what we are left with. No matter what happens to us the world keeps going." No answer came. I closed my eyes, picturing my friend beside me. H¨¥i l¨¢ng would have shook his head and said something about how there was still the next day. "The next day will be the same. I¡¯ll just be out here alone. I might as well be waiting to die." My throat ached, tears threatening to overwhelm me again. "Why am I the one here and not you? Why do I have to survive alone?¡± I wanted to say more, needed to say more, desperate to pour out my soul in a strange silent confessional. The wind grew as I waited, pulling at my hair, tendrils wrapping around my shoulders as if to make me stand. Shutting off the lantern I turned away from the night and sought comfort elsewhere.


    Exhausted and battered I wandered back into my cabin, trying not to think about the day. I busied myself organizing my supplies, sorting food from weapons and fuel. Finally, I came back to the paperwork I had retrieved on the other ship. The notebook revealed to be a collection of lab notes that were barely comprehensible so I set it aside for another time. The files revealed more all labled "Project Promethian - Third Genesis." I found a list of locations and countries, and delivery methods. For a moment I was confused before I recognized the pattern. The people in the gray van. It was them. The man back on that boat was part of the group that started this.


    I was done feeling horror that day, all that was in my mind was a seething rage. I nearly threw the documents aside when rationale bid me set them down again. I instead turned my attention to the map, its corners encompassed the world, major cities marked with a large red circle. This must have been how they planned the spread of whatever caused this. Narrowing my search to the immediate area I found markings at two islands Tekong and Sudong. It took some time to figure out my own rough position on the map, thankfully the ships previous owner had a finely tuned compass in the wheelhouse. I wandered up the stairs, grabbing the portable radio on my way and resting it on the dash as I marked my location. To my luck, I found that Tekong was not far and so turning the wheel and adjusting the sails to catch an evening wind I started out.


    Midnight crept closer as I came upon my destination, the island itself appeared to give off a low light. As I pulled closer I saw a shelter built near the coast with lights still on in some of the windows. I managed to get closer to the docks, searching for any sign of dead eyes or shambling figures. Several silhouettes stood outside as if watching for any sign of approach. I must have been noticed as one of them pointed in my direction. I wasn''t ready for another fight and directed the sail to pull my craft further out. Dropping anchor I furled my sail and checked the rigging before stumbling back below deck.


    My empty stomach was aching fiercely and every fiber of my being was worn. I cobbled together some semblance of a meal from rice and a lump of meat I didn''t care to question, even grabbed a bottle of drink. This is where we meet, you and I. Sitting in a small cabin, far out to sea. Tomorrow I may try again on the island or even sail back to the marina. But for now, my day is done and I need rest if sleep is even attainable at this point. Yes, tomorrow may bring a better light, what else could there be after the apocalypse has come.

 Day 2 - Tekong

    Day 2


    I awoke late this morning with a heavy ache in my bones. For a moment I was confused at my surroundings before recalling the previous day. A stale taste in my mouth, the brandy I had taken sat poorly with me. Wandering to the bathroom I found to my displeasure that I had left the mess of my medical care awash over the floor, the motion of the waves scattering my tools. Groaning with frustration and pain I set about cleaning the mess and sterilizing the tools as best I could. The pain in my back wasn¡¯t debilitating so I saved the next dose for later.


    Setting the kit aside I found to my gratitude that basic hygienic arrangements were already aboard, I had forgotten to check for them beforehand. I nearly put them to use when a slow frown crossed my face and I set them back. Simple pleasures such as these would be increasingly rare in the future to come, it would be best to save them for now. Scrubbing my teeth with a dry toothbrush and running a comb through my hair I set about to the task of finding some whole clothes to wear. My luck seemed to continue as I found the closet was already stocked. The garments were a touch larger than my size but of sturdy material, a mild adjustment fixed the matter.


    I pulled the clothes H¨¥i l¨¢ng had packed for me from the bag and stored them away as an odd memento for him. I stood there a moment listless as I tried not to think about the pain. Taking a deep breath I rubbed the back of my neck and dug up old memories. When I lived with my mother the soldiers always organized a camping trip in the summer months. The whole family would go. Mother would always say the same thing to me and my siblings our first day out.


    ¡°If it comes down to it, and you are alone, there are three steps you have to take to survive. You need to find shelter. You need to find food.¡± Those I already had but the last¡­ ¡°And you need to live, if nothing else happens you stay alive, if your breathing then you have a chance.¡± I repeated the phrase to myself as I went to the galley. Scouring the fridge I found it lacking in breakfast options and instead took a handful of granola from a bag in the cabinet.


    I climbed up to the wheelhouse to eat and plan my next move. Considering all that happened I am sure my mother was still alive, likely bunkering at the nearest military outpost. The rest of the family was scattered and worry for them weighed on me. Chiding myself for sitting around aimlessly I determined my next move. I was going to go find them.


    I would need an atlas, supplies, even a crew if possible. I was off the coast of Singapore in the south Pasific. When I left the states my mother still lived south of Boston and my brother was still with her. One sister was in California and another had moved to Georgia. I could reach California first, but with the size of the state I would have no idea where to start. Going through the Panama Canal would take me close to Georgia and from there north to the New England coast. Focusing on plans and timelines helped drive the anxiety from my mind as I got to work cleaning up the cabin.


    The morning was waning close to noon by the time I finished, the light shimmering on the sea. I stowed the last of the fishing supplies in the bunk room before donning a pair of heavy boots and braiding my hair up. Sure that I looked a deal more prepared than I felt I pulled my vessel around and sailed back within sight of the island. Reading the manual for the H.A.M radio carefully I opened a broadcast.


    "This is the Lontra to Tekong Island, Lontra to Tekong Island can you hear me?" For a full minute, there was silence. I tried again, searching for a signal. "This is the Lontra to Tekong Island, Lontra toTekong Island please respond."


    "BMTC to Lontra, BMTC to Lontra we hear you." The voice sounded surprised. "Confirm location and intent."


    "Off the coast, less than fifteen minutes out. Permission to dock?" BMTC, why did that sound familiar?


    "Hold on.¡± Silence for a moment. ¡°Lontra you have permission. We have a dock on the western side." I was thrilled to hear a friendly voice, so excited to find people who hadn''t turned that I forgot my caution from last night and caught the wind, gliding my newly named Lontra around to dock. My approach was a little rough as I nearly slammed into the wooden decking that stretched out from the island. Lashing her loosely I stepped from the Lontra over to the main deck and took a moment to get my bearings.


    Looking up I found several large structures near the beach that settled three stories high with pale roofs. Half walls of stone were topped with chain link and barbed wire. I was beginning to get the feeling that strangers weren¡¯t favored here. Two men left a group at the end of the dock and approached carefully, rifles leveled right at me. My blood ran cold as I feared I had made a lethal mistake.


    "Hands up." I was motioned forward onto the deck, moving cautiously. ¡°Is there anyone else on board?" I shook my head.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m the only one.¡± At a nod one of them went on the Lontra and did a quick search.


    ¡°All clear.¡± One of the men stepped closer, they were both dressed in dark camo, hair cropped short. Slinging his gun over his shoulder the nearest man searched me, pulling lightly at my collar and sleeves, patting down my back. His hand withdrew when I made a hiss of pain at the pressure, blood staining my shirt. "What the fuck happened to you?"


    "I tore up my back escaping to the pier before I got out to sea, I''m thoroughly bruised and my back is torn up in a few places but that''s it." Confusion was evident as they looked at eachother, both lowering their weapons.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t they come here too?¡± My brow furrowed as I tried to understand what was going on. More confusion.


    "Well, regardless. We have instructions to take you into custody. We have medical staff here if you want to have them to look at your injuries." I nodded and was guided along the boardwalk, one of them called out on his radio about having me in hand. The other watched me a moment before speaking up.


    "Why did you say you ¡°escaped¡± from the pier?"


    ¡°You mean it didn¡¯t happen here.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Everyone going mad, rabid. People changing? None of that?¡± He looked at me like horns just sprouted.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get you to the infirmary first.¡±


    We reached the end of the dock and both men saluted to a petite woman, her dark hair tied up firmly.


    ¡°Report, Lance Corporal Tam.¡±


    ¡°Sir, this woman was the only one on the ship. She is unarmed and injured. We found nothing suspicious however she referred to an incident in the city.¡± Tam, standing to my right, took a moment to sigh. ¡°She says people were ¡°going rabid¡± Sir.¡± The woman waved the comment off.


    ¡°Possible delusion Lance Corporal. Take her to the infirmary.¡± The lance corporal saluted again.


    ¡°Sir.¡±


    I was guided to the building, still trying to figure out what what happening.


    ¡°Is this a military post?¡± The lance corporal glanced at me.


    ¡°Yes. This island is.¡±


    ¡°I was on vacation when everything happened. I had no idea.¡± He looked to his companion before speaking to me gently.


    ¡°Whatever happened let¡¯s make sure you are ok first.¡± I followed them numbly, trying to ignore the growing pain as I breathed. I had to focus. BMTC, BMTC, why was that familiar. Singapore did have a standing military, maybe the phrase was the name of this place. Considering that I just sailed up to a military outpost I decided to be glad they didn¡¯t just shoot me on the spot. I was a civilian so detaining me was probably the next step. When we reached the infirmary the second soldier hailed over an older gentleman.


    ¡°Doctor Goh, we have a patient.¡±


    ¡°Enzo, Aiden. Who did you bring me?¡± Enzo shrugged and gestured to me.


    ¡°Civilian, not sure what happened but she¡¯s pretty beat up.¡± Setting down a clipboard the man motioned us to a small room and instructed me to sit on the exam table. He left for a moment and I looked at my guards. Enzo who had been at my left was the shorter of the two, mellow eyes and a relaxed stance. The lance corporal who I could assume was Aiden Tam was still standing uneasily. Doctor Goh returned shortly with a nurse and waived the soldiers outside.


    ¡°Alright, let me see.¡± I stripped off my shirt, wincing at the movement. When my bandages were peeled away the cool air burned against my torn flesh, followed by a rush of heat as several lacerations began weeping.


    "Well, not a bad job cleaning this, if we left these wounds open though the infection would have killed you before anything else. Lay down and we¡¯ll see about these." I could do nothing but nod. The anesthetic was applied to my wounds as he worked, pulling smaller pieces of gravel that I had missed and stitching the gashes neatly, earning a sharp retort of pain from me as he pulled them closed. "There." He laid a hand on my shoulder lightly.


    "Try not to move too much or reopen those. You''re like a patchwork doll at the moment." He cleaned the blood away and covered my battered skin with salve and bandages. "Give it about a week and we can pull some stitches on the smaller ones." He then examined my bruises, pressing lightly much to my torment. He shook his head.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± I took a breath and looked Goh in the eye.


    ¡°I was in a subway car crash, thrown into a wall, had to vault a fence and landed wrong, and nearly got torn in half by a monster.¡± He stared at me for a moment, his nurse chiming in.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky it¡¯s not drastically worse then.¡± He finished his notes and took blood samples. ¡°I¡¯ll have the report for you right away doctor.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Lim.¡± After the nurse left there was a knock on the door. Doctor Goh opened it and a greying man with hooded eyes stepped in with the petite woman I had seen before.


    ¡°Is she stable?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. She needs rest and time to recover, nothing else.¡± With a wave the doctor was dismissed and both soldiers turned to me.


    ¡°I am Major Sim, this is Warrant Officer Hayes. I was informed that you sailed up to our dock after hailing us and claim there was an incident where you were attacked.¡± The man¡¯s voice worked around the english language with a sharp clipped tone, words were never to be wasted with him. Hayes stood just a step behind him, perfectly hands resting behind her back and eyes like a predator. I was still lying face down on the exam bench and had to turn my head to meet their eyes.


    ¡°My name is Elaina. I was vacationing in Singapore with a friend. Yesterday around noon we stopped at a park for lunch. Soon people started collapsing, they were seizing and burned with a fever. It seemed to be widespread, emergency services were already swamped with calls. During the incident, I noticed a strange grey vehicle flee the area. It stood out since the people who got in it were all dressed in dark clothes. When people started getting back up they acted strange, lethargic and vacant. They started attacking anything that made a lot of noise. My friend and I escaped onto a subway car, some of the train cars were already overrun.¡± I slowly eased myself into a sitting position, groaning at the strain.


    ¡°We fought them off, however a woman was bitten badly and¡­.¡± I tried to slow my breathing, my neck going cold, a ringing in my ears. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how to explain it, her body started changing, breaking, stretching. She tore her own face apart and was screaming.¡± I didn¡¯t see the look of anxiety passed between them.


    ¡°The train was coming up on the last stop but it didn¡¯t slow down and we ended up wrecking. We survived somehow and got to the surface. We escaped to the pier but my friend was shot and¡­¡± I clenched my hands together, feeling dizzy, sick. ¡°There was a horde, they chased us to the boat. H¨¥i l¨¢ng was bitten but he ran away to protect me. I got out on my ship and spent the night off shore. He said he would find me.¡± The major seemed to notice me sweating and stepped over to kneel in front of me. Up close I could see the soft sorrel color in his eyes, he took my hands and spoke slowly.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, you are safe right now. Can you tell me anything else?¡± I nodded, gripping his hands to anchor myself.


    ¡°When I got out to sea I found another ship. There were documents in the cabin. Maps marked, distribution details, something called Project Promethean. It looks like someone planned the outbreak.¡±


    ¡°Do you still have the documents?¡±


    ¡°Yes, in the main cabin.¡± Major Sim nodded to the warrant officer and Hayes marched out of the room.


    ¡°I am going to look over the files. I want you to rest. The Lance Corporal and Specialist Lee will take you to the barracks. Let them know if you need anything.¡± He patted my hand softly and left. The world felt like it stopped for a moment, the sickening feeling faded as I counted my breaths. I hadn¡¯t told him how I still heard the shriek of that monster. Aiden and Enzo came into the room, they said something I couldn¡¯t hear. Specialist Lee draped his coat around my shoulders and guided me away.


    They took me up a few floors to a long room with countless bunks in rows. Sunlight poured in through narrow windows, the spartan fixtures and clean space felt comforting. I went to the nearest bunk and sat down, slowly relaxing as I could hear a company running drill outside. Enzo and Aiden sat beside me, saying nothing. A few minutes passed before a low rumbling sound reached my ears, we all looked at each other before Enzo started laughing. The specialist leaned back with a grin.


    ¡°The cookhouse should have lunch soon. Do you feel up to getting some with us? I know Aidens a bit of a stick in the mud but you¡¯ve got me to balance it out!¡± the look he got from lance corporal Tam was nothing short of withering. I chuckled and shook my head. May as well enjoy the peace while I had it. I looked up with an empty smile.


    ¡°Sure, that sounds great.¡±


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    The evening hours began to draw near when I managed to break away from my escort for a moment. I was alone on the parade ground, walking slowly around the perimeter. The area was fenced in and surrounded by buildings so Aiden and Enzo had agreed to wait inside, sure that I would not be able to leave their sight. The sound of a slow wind and movement of grass was soothing as I began to speak aloud, arranging plans and debating circumstance.


    I had become so lost in thought that I did not notice Major Sim or Warrant Officer Hayes approaching until they were already within a meter of me. Spooked and rather unprepared I took a few paces back and eyed them.


    ¡°Did you need something Major?¡± Hayes narrowed her eyes at my casual tone and looked defensive. Sim motioned her down and smiled.


    ¡°Just seeing how you are getting along Ms. Elaina.¡± My anxiety brought out the sarcasm that often made my father proud.


    ¡°Fantastic, who knew being followed all day was so entertaining.¡± I tilted my head slightly. ¡°So are you going to tell me what you want or do we play twenty questions?¡± the major let his smile go and folded his hands.


    ¡°We received reports that corroborated what you told me earlier. Several survivors evacuated here with active military personnel. We are having them processed as we speak.¡± I felt the blood drain from me as he spoke. ¡°As you are a civilian I intend to keep you here until the matter in the city is ascertained and dealt with. We will be placing you with the other refugees and commandeering your vessel, along with any weapons and supplies on board. Consideri¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°No.¡± The word felt like steel in my throat. Major Sim eyed me slowly. I took another two steps back. The fence was behind me, I should be able to climb it. ¡°Unless you are sure that none of the survivors you took in were infected they need to be quarantined. Civilian or not right now the only thing you have on me is a whole lot of guns. I am going back to my ship, and I am going home.¡± Hayes shook her head.


    ¡°You intend to run off after we treated your wounds?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t use that to guilt me. You made the decision, I don¡¯t owe you anything.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t let you leave Ms. Elaina. Right now you have the most information regarding this outbreak and that makes you an asset.¡± Sim moved closer to me, I felt my skin flex as my heart beat faster. A wave of pressure ran over my back and along my throat, a familiar scent, clean, cool. I glanced up to confirm as the low clouds that started a few hours ago bloomed into soft grey blankets over the sky.


    ¡°It would be unwise for you to sail out in a storm regardless. Come back inside and we can settle this matter decently.¡± I locked eyes with the major, those eyes had gone flat and stern. If I went with them there would be no opportunity to leave. It had to be now. I felt the charge seconds before lightning tore across the sky, thunder bellowing in its wake. The major and Hayes looked up instinctively as the heavens broke free and rain pattered down. Now.


    Skidding around I darted for the iron fence, getting halfway up before Hayes called an alarm. I managed to clear it as she ran came after me. I turned and ran, not waiting to see if she climbed the fence. The rain came harder, urged on by the sea. I passed several buildings, soldiers ran out after me, calling for me to stop. The stitching on my back strained as I greedily took in air and my feet pounded the pavement.


    The shower grew into a torrent, my clothes already soaking and clinging to me. I stumbled around a corner, falling on my hip hard before scrambling up again. I could see the dock, my lovely Lontra riding the waves eagerly with several smaller ships clustered nearby. Soldiers guarded access and they were coming behind me. I couldn¡¯t beat them in physicality so I opted for sheer insanity. Near the dock stones formed a low seawall, I turned towards it and voices called for me to stop. Ignorant of their appeals I picked up speed and hurled myself into the steadily heaving ocean.


    Catching a breath as I hit the water I kept beneath the waves. My body screamed at the cold as I fought the weaker currents beneath the surface. Already starved from running my lungs cried painfully for breath and forced me to surface after a few strokes. Breaching a wave I found myself under the docks, nearly colliding with it as the tide was coming in. I couldn¡¯t see past the sheets of rain and swelling waves but knowing the shore was behind me the Lontra should be ahead to my right. Taking in as much as I could I dived again, fighting through the cold . I could barely make out the posts supporting the docks and kept them close. Finally they vanished and I turned right, my air running out as I saw a rudder come into view. I clung to it and surfaced, looking up to see the familiar cream hue of my vessel.


    I kept to the side of my craft, praying for the rain to hide me a little longer as I sought a way to climb on board. Finally I managed to catch the rim around one of the small porthole windows, a swelling wave pushing me up to take hold of the railing. Like a sodden cat I clambered on deck. I wanted to lay there until I stopped aching. I would have if the sound of soldiers hadn¡¯t reached me over the storm.


    I rushed to the wheelhouse and below deck, snatching my hatchet from my cabin. Racing back up the stairs I hurried to the starboard side, finding the rope that fixed my ship to the dock and hacking through it. The rope snapped angrily, whipping back to lash my leg. I pushed the pain down as I went to start the engine. My heart nearly froze. The keys, they took the goddamn keys! Roaring in frustration I shook out the sails until I felt them go taunt against the wind. I looked over to see men on the docks, guns raising.


    The wind pulled hard, throwing the Lontra to port. The sails buckled, sliding me along the deck as I clung to the ropes desperately. I turned the sail to a broad reach running to port, she took to the waves fiercely, pulling us in a tight turn. The bay was open enough that I managed the turn and changed the sail to a close hauled rigging as she raced for the open sea. I just had to get far enough that they couldn¡¯t give chase until the storm was over.


    The waves were riding higher, thunder and lighting cavorting overhead in wild zeal. The storm was invigorating, the raw power and enthusiasm as it raged unheading of the small vessel caught in its path. I found myself helplessly tied to its rampant energy, cheering to the skies as the Lontra crested waves head on. The water rushed over the deck, rain flowed down uninhibited, I tasted salt on my lips and my hands burned from fighting the sails.


    The Lontra was lost in a world of vivid grey and looming black waves, I was unable to find the shore anywhere. If I didn¡¯t find shelter soon my endurance would wane and the sea would swallow me. I left the sails and darted into the wheelhouse, by the compass I was still heading south and out to endless ocean. I stumble back out into the storm as we hit a wave and furiously turned the sail to starboard, aiming west as best I could without capsizing in the tumult. I lost count of how long I struggled against the wind and waves to keep my vessel upright and heading hopefully for land. Each impacting wave threatened to heave me into the waters, only a lifeline hastily tied to the mast saved me.


    When the rain began to ease I could only just see land on the horizon. The waves took longer to quiet and the night grew dark before they stilled. I was left aching and spent on the deck, fumbling with my lifeline. Freeing myself I could only manage a crawl to the anchor and dropped it into the water. The air was blistering cold through my sodden clothes, salt seeped into my wounds. Without the storm to focus on the pain hit me hard. I bit my lip, whimpering as I got to my feet and limping to the wheelhouse. I left my clothes in a trail to the bathroom, rinsing off hurriedly. Another does of painkillers, I would need to get more at this rate. The rest of the night was a blur. How I got into bed, if I locked the door, where I had even dropped anchor didn¡¯t matter. I fell into a fitful and pained sleep and knew nothing more.