Chapter 71 – Running Time
In the distance, the sound of ambulances, fire trucks, and even police sirens began to echo through the streets—an approaching storm of flashing red and blue.
The Unwanted all recognized what that meant: they had only minutes before this place filled with adults, questions, authorities… and trouble. It was officially time to run.
The Unwanted and Damian thanked each other.
Damian addressed Titus: "Titus, right? We need to have a conversation."
Titus nodded.
Bruno asked: "Your name is Damian?"
Damian confirmed: "Yeah—Damian Nowak."
Bruno observed: "I think you're about to lose your job. At the very least, you can't stay here anymore."
Damian agreed: "I know. I'm leaving right now."
Walter suggested: "Why don't you come with us?"
Sarah added enthusiastically: "Yes, great idea. You're a wolf too, I think. You should totally come with us. We couldn't even eat pizza, so we can go get food and get to know each other."
Cristal cut in, annoyed and dismissive: "No. Why? I don't want to deal with him."
Titus overruled: "Actually, I think Walter and Sarah have a good idea. This way we can also have our conversation."
Damian accepted: "Of course—sounds great. And I'm starving."
The group bolted out the opposite side of the restaurant, heading for the parking lot. They all jumped into Bruno's SUV.
Damian admired: "Wow—now this is luxury."
Cristal announced: "I want sushi. What about you all?"
All of them shouted in unison: "Yes!"
Bruno said: "I know the best Japanese restaurant in the city. Yeah, let's go. I love their food."
Cristal pointed out: "There's a problem."
All together, groaning: "What problem?"
Cristal explained: "He's dressed like a chef. They won't let us in."
They all looked at each other, wondering what to do.
Walter assured: "No problem. I think I know where we're going—it's downtown."
Bruno confirmed: "Yes."
Walter explained: "My family owns a few clothing stores around there. We can stop by one and Damian can pick whatever he wants—on the house."
Everyone screamed with excitement: "Yeahhhh!"
Sarah asked: "Can I pick something too?"
Walter agreed: "Yes, of course."
Cristal chimed in: "Then me too."
Walter replied: "Yes, for you too, Your Majesty."
Titus, Bruno, and Damian just watched the scene unfold.
Bruno kept his eyes forward, driving.
From a distance, an unseen narrator could have sworn the scene made no sense—and yet, it made perfect sense for them. Moments ago these kids had torn through grown men like elephants stepping over mice. Not a drop of blood touched them, not a bead of sweat.
And now, as the sirens grew louder and the night vibrated with chaos, they behaved exactly like what they truly were beneath the power: teenagers. Hungry, impulsive, a little spoiled, a little reckless… and already arguing about sushi and shopping as if they hadn't just survived a massacre.
Hook: And that silence hid a danger that would soon come to light…
Chapter 72 – Sunset Pursuit
Location: Open highway — Vehicles in motion
Time: Sunset
Four black SUVs cut through the highway at lethal speed, racing toward the designated coordinates. Inside each vehicle, armed men packed into tight tactical formations, their gear rattling with every bump in the road.
Black 1 radioed: "All units, stand by. Estimated time: ten minutes. Night‑vision ready on my mark."
In the second SUV, the Woman in Black sat motionless, eyes fixed on the bleeding horizon. Yet her gaze wasn't on the world outside—it was trapped inward, sinking into a rotting abyss of memories and power she never asked for.
Her mind churned like a storm devouring itself.
The Woman in Black thought, a silent, broken voice: Why am I still here? Why this blood? Why this cursed destiny? I only want the sweet lie of being… ordinary. I wish I could rip out my own eyes so someone—anyone—could see the emptiness I carry.
Her Inner Voice was metallic, cruel: Pathetic. Weak. You dare feel pity? Have you forgotten who you are? You are the sole heir, the shadow of His Excellency, the Lord's granddaughter. Weakness is treason. Will you try to run again? No… you won't.
Her breath trembled. Sweat chilled her temples. She covered her face with both hands as the civil war inside her tore deeper.
She thought, a voiceless scream: I want to burn this power out of me… I want freedom—just a normal girl's life, without bloodlines, without titles, without this eternal damnation.
Her Inner Voice echoed, monstrous: There is no escape. This body is ours. This power is ours. The prey… the prey belongs to us… to us… to us…
Black 1 radioed with icy calm: "All units: 30 seconds to target. Safeties off. Prepare to fire. No impure creature must remain alive. Objective One: eliminate Subject Zero."
The SUVs screeched to a stop at the entrance of the SEWERS. Thirty‑two heavily armed soldiers jumped out—eight per vehicle—moving with precision.
The Woman in Black's voice was cold, authoritative, flawless—no trace of her inner battle: "We split into four teams. Radio contact every two minutes. Understood?"
The men responded in unison: "Yes, My Lady!"
They entered the darkness without hesitation, ready to kill or die.
---
Inside the Sewer Labyrinth
Thirty meters in, the tunnel forked.
The Woman in Black commanded: "Black Leader 1 and Black Leader 2, take the right path. I'll take the rest left."
They advanced in perfect silence, steps muted by damp stone.
Black Leader 1 radioed: "No movement."
The Woman in Black responded: "Lady 1, no movement."
They pressed on another hundred meters until the tunnel widened again before splitting into two new passageways.
Lady 1 radioed: "A second passage. We're splitting."
Black Leader 1 radioed: "We're facing another division. Splitting now. Next check‑in: two minutes."
Location: Sewer Depths — Subject Zero's Throne
Deep within the maze, five dozen monstrous creatures lifted their heads at once. A scent hit their lungs—a scent so intoxicating their jaws began to drip saliva. Hunger seized them like possession.
On a crude stone throne sat SUBJECT ZERO, watching his creations with a detached, godlike calm.
Subject Zero gave a nod. "Go hunt."
Dozens of aural‑shredding howls erupted, echoing through the tunnels. The beasts scattered in all directions, melting into the darkness.
Lady 1 radioed: "Leader Black 1, over."
Leader Black 1: "Copy."
Lady 1: "Did you hear the howls?"
Leader Black 1: "Affirmative."
Lady 1: "Activate Phase Two."
Leader Black 1: "Roger."
The teams pulled a small black kit from their tactical suits. Inside—a syringe filled with glowing green liquid.
Lady 1: "Proceed."
Needles pierced necks. The substance entered their bloodstream.
Leader Black 1: "Phase completed."
Lady 1: "Three‑minute stabilization. Contact after that."
The soldiers stood still, breathing through the thick rot. The howls grew closer. The air soured into pure decomposition.
---
Hook: But something in the darkness was already moving, ready to change everything…