Damian and Kuro flew through the night, both breathing hard, both pushing beyond sustainable limits.
"Faster, Kuro! We still have one more location!"
Kuro's wings beat harder despite the pain, despite the exhaustion, despite everything screaming that he needed to rest.
'Faster! Faster! Faster!'
The bond between them carried absolute conviction.
Ashton City appeared ahead, smaller than the previous two locations, more industrial in character.
"That's the house!"
They dove toward a modest house on the edge of a working-class neighborhood.
The silence was the first thing Damian noticed.
No sounds of combat or any screams came.
Just quiet.
And underneath that quiet, a sound that made his blood run cold.
Crunch Crunch Crunch
Someone was eating. Accompanied by repeated apologies.
"Sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Over and over, wet sounds of chewing were coming alongside words spoken through sobs as well.
Thud
