《Cursed Awakening》 Foreword Thank you for taking the time to read my stories and immerse yourself in my world! I''d like to make it clear that this is a translation of the stories I write in French. I use DeepL and double check my translations before publishing them. However, I''m not a professional. So if you notice any phrases or words that don''t sound very "English", please let me know in a comment! It will be greatly appreciated! This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Also: please note that these short stories deal with subjects that may be disturbing to some readers. Here are the themes that may shock some readers: TW -Physical and psychological violence -Sexual violence -Scenes involving blood -Suicide -Violence against minorities -Self-mutilation -Murder -Loss of loved ones -Terrorist acts -Drugs And now: please enjoy! ^^ A World Without Tomorrow - Chapter 1 The sensation of frozen asphalt against her cheek began to make her head spin. The muffled sounds of the city gradually became a murmur, while the pungent smell of damp settled in. Everything went on without a sound. Yuni could feel the uniformed man''s foot pressing her skull harder and harder against the floor. Lined up in a perfect straight line, in the middle of a little used cul-de-sac, the creatures howled in terror. Yuni said nothing. Her gaze was fixed on the grey wall in front of her, already inoculated with blood. Her turn was fast approaching. Looking death in the face gave her neither warmth nor coldness. She was one of those people who had been convinced that there was no hope for them. No chance of redemption, no chance of fulfilment. But fate is vicious. A woman silently approached Yuni and pointed the barrel of her gun at her forehead. At that moment, all her fears took over. Tears streamed down her face. The officer''s finger went to the trigger and... Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ~~~ A tiny drop landed on one of her whiskers, snapping her out of her reverie. Opening her eyes, Yuni regained awareness of the world around her. The dull buildings as far as the eye could see, the black sky heralding an impending storm... For a moment, her lungs filled as the rain thickened by the second. "Finally, after weeks of drought!" The feel of the water against her black fur sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine. In her grey jacket, patched from scratch, she spread her arms to the side and opened her mouth wide to feel the drops on her tongue. Yuni fell back into childhood. Perched on a huge roof of abandoned offices, she could watch the hours pass at the speed of light. After a few minutes of excitement, the young cat padded over to the ledge and sat down. In the distance, the colourful lights of the city shone for miles, adding a little cheer to the gloomy atmosphere that remained in Nighthaven. One day I''d walk out there, head held high, no questions asked. Her eyes wandered to the void beneath her feet. Darkness had settled in over the last few minutes, preventing them from seeing anything in the streets below. What if... Yuni leaned forward, ready to fall. What if that darkness was calling me? That I didn''t belong in the light? A long, heavy silence answered her. She straightened up. It wasn''t her time yet. A World Without Tomorrow - Chapter 2 There was a deathly silence over the noise of the neighbouring streets, over the place with its long, vertical black columns. Ross, in his big faded jacket, knelt in front of one of them, among the graves. The name "Rose Macarbe" appeared on a screen, with the dates "2023-2031" just below it. "Happy 20th birthday", the man breathed in a low voice. With that, he placed a single red camellia at her feet. As he rose to his feet, an electronic whisper from his artificial assistant came directly into his ear: "Ross, Commissar Kyle is requesting you immediately. He says it''s urgent. -Tell him I''ll be there in ten minutes." ~~~ Kyle dipped his nose into his new uniform. The stench of the nearby sewers, mixed with blood, made his head spin. Ross approached the Commissar, his step measured. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. "Sensitive as ever," he smiled. Kyle gritted his teeth. -I''ve lost the habit of this kind of scene. My sick leave ended a few days ago and here I am, back on a murder case." Ross walked over to the lifeless body against the wall. The victim''s scarlet skin was streaked with lacerations. He ran a hand through his dishevelled hair and turned back to his superior. "What do you want from me? -What species is it?" Kyle replied abruptly. "-Impossible to determine. You know better than I do that many of them have long claws that could match these markings. -It doesn''t help me. -I know, Ross sighed. But I''m not a medium. I can''t risk accusing innocent people... -Innocent people?" he interrupted. "Do you really think these beasts can distinguish Right from Wrong?" The rain began to fall in a crescendo. Each drop seemed heavier and heavier. Ross clenched his fists as blood mixed with the water on the floor. "These things only want our downfall, Ross, open your eyes! He''s not the first person to get fucked up. Since they''ve been here, they''ve seen us as prey. -Have you ever tried to talk to them? Make contact?" Kyle slid his black tie between his fingers, but Ross''s sentence stopped him before he could sneer. "Ross... Tell me you''re joking." One step after another, his legs brought him almost up against Ross, his gaze only inches lower than his. "Listen to me: your goodness and naivety don''t belong here anymore. It was fun when we were ten, but I''ve grown up. It''s time you do as well, right?" Ross remained motionless. Fresh minty breath entered his lungs. He closed his ocean blue eyes before feeling a light tap on his right cheek. A gesture Kyle had repeated often since his arrival at the head of the Anti-Evolved Brigade, as if to satisfy a need for superiority. "Just do as I say and you''ll be fine," the commissioner blurted out before opening his umbrella. Without another look, he turned on his heels and walked off into the pouring rain.