𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄: 𝐒𝟏 - Chapter 10: We’re All Monsters Now

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Dhammawitaya School – Music Room – 1:12 a.m.

They’d moved Rin inside after the rooftop fight. He was unconscious, wrapped in a blanket, pulse faint but steady.

Sol sat beside him, not saying a word. His hand never left Rin’s.

Across the room, Jet paced like a caged animal. Tae sat quietly, arms around his knees, watching everyone like they might turn on him next.

Mew poured water from a broken bottle cap onto a rag, cleaning the blood off Jet’s face. “You’ve got a split lip.”

“I’m fine,” he muttered.

“You’re angry.”

“Because we almost died again.”

“You mean Rin almost died for us.”

Jet didn’t answer.

---

1:24 a.m.

Eli sat near the broken windows, staring out into the moonlit courtyard. The blood moon still hovered, crimson and cold.

“You knew Tinn wasn’t dead,” Tae said quietly, approaching him.

“I felt it,” Eli replied.

“You said he was the next stage. What does that mean?”

Eli looked at him. Really looked.

And finally… spoke.

“I’m not immune. I’m not infected. I’m both.”

Tae blinked. “What?”

“I was bitten months ago. Before the outbreak reached the city. I should’ve died. But I didn’t.”

“…Why not?”

Eli pulled his shirt collar down, revealing a bite mark.

But it wasn’t rotted.

It shimmered—glowed—like it pulsed with life.

“I’m the first,” Eli said. “Patient Zero was my brother.”

The room fell into shocked silence.

“You’re saying—” Mew started.

“I didn’t start it,” Eli said quickly. “But I survived it. My brother changed first. He bit me before he went full rage. I should’ve turned. But my body… adapted. I’m not like them. Not like you either.”

Tae’s voice cracked. “Then what are you?”

Eli looked out the window again.

“Something in between.”

---

1:45 a.m.

Jet stood. “You should’ve told us.”

“I didn’t think you'd believe me.”

“You’re right.”

“Still,” Sol said, “he’s saved our asses more than once.”

“Doesn’t mean I trust him.”

“You trusted me less,” Rin rasped suddenly from the corner, stirring.

Sol turned, relief washing over his face. “You’re awake.”

“Barely,” Rin groaned, propping himself up. “Did we win?”

“You lived,” Jet muttered.

“Shame,” Rin smirked weakly.

---

2:00 a.m.

Eli stepped forward. “I think the virus is evolving.”

“What makes you say that?” Sol asked!

“Tinn was stronger. Faster. He didn’t hunt like the others. He strategized. That’s not random mutation.”

“Then what is it?” Mew asked.

“It’s… intentional. Like something is guiding them.”

“Don’t say hive mind,” Rin coughed.

“I don’t know if it’s that. But they’re getting smarter.”

“Smarter zombies?” Tae whispered. “That’s a nightmare.”

“No,” Eli said. “That’s the next stage. And if we don’t leave this school soon, we won’t survive it.”

---

2:16 a.m. – Infirmary Hallway

Jet stood alone, hands braced against a shattered locker.

He felt sick.

Not just tired—rotten.

His stomach churned.

His skin tingled.

Then—

He lifted his sleeve.

There it was.

A scratch.

Thin.

Fresh.

From when Tinn tackled him.

His breath caught.

“No,” he whispered. “No, no…”

He backed into the shadows, heart racing.

Did he tell them?

Would they leave him behind?

Would Tae cry?

Would Mew panic?

Would Sol kill him?

He gritted his teeth.

I can fight it. I have to fight it.

But somewhere in his mind…

He already knew.

---

2:41 a.m. – Classroom

Tae sat beside Rin now. Sol was asleep against the wall, his arm still draped over Rin’s lap.

“Are we monsters now?” Tae asked softly.

Rin opened one eye. “Maybe.”

“I keep thinking… we don’t cry when we kill them anymore.”

“They’re not people anymore.”

Tae frowned. “But they were. They had parents. Friends. Lovers.”

Rin looked at him.

“You know what makes you not a monster?”

“…What?”

“Feeling guilty about it.”

---

2:57 a.m. – Courtyard

Eli stood at the broken gate, staring at something in the dark.

A figure.

Walking toward the school.

Not shambling.

Walking.

A girl.

No rot.

No blood.

She stepped into the moonlight.

Her eyes glowed blue.

She smiled.

“Found you,” she whispered.

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