Nation 27

CH 16: Tale Of The Siblings

Warning:

This chapter contains slightly disturbing descriptions of gore that might be uncomfortable for certain readers. Please read at your own discretion.

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[Clara]

[Less than a week ago--- 22 September 2021, Wednesday…]

“Ah! No, don’t!!!” a young girl screamed in her sleep.

Within moments, the zipper of the tent’s entrance ripped, and a boy came bursting into the small enclosed shelter. 

“Clara!” the boy yelled as he kneeled next to the girl who continued to writhe and scream in her sleep.

An audible gasp and an annoyed click of the tongue were heard from the tent's entrance, but the boy focused solely on shaking the girl awake.

“Come on, Clara! Wake up! You’re having a nightmare!” the boy yelled as Clara began grabbing and scratching at him.

“No! Stay away! Get off me!!!” Clara screamed again before abruptly awakening. 

“A-Adam? I…” Clara said groggily in a hoarse.

“Yes, you’re awake now. Here, have some water,” Adam said as he reached for a bottle that lay on the ground next to them.

“Clara, are you alright? That’s the third time this week,” a feminine voice called out from outside the tent.

“Ye… Ahem…” Clara choked as Adam patted her back.

“Take it easy. Your throat is still raw from all the screaming,” Adam said.

“Mm… Y-Yes, I’m fine… Thanks for asking, Patia,” Clara replied.

“Well, isn’t that wonderful? Now that that’s over, let’s get a move on, people! At such an ungodly hour too!” a man who was standing next to Patia yelled before walking away.

“I-I’m sorry…” Clara said timidly.

“Don’t worry about Terry. That’s just how he is,” Patia said before bending down slightly and speaking in a quieter tone, “He’s a pain in everyone’s butts, but he’s great at filming! If only he could treat us people with the same love and respect as he does with his video camera!”

Clara giggled and Adam chuckled softly.

“Well, I’ll leave you siblings alone. Just remember that we’ll be exploring the grounds at the break of dawn- which should be in less than 2 hours’ time,” Patia reminded.

“Yes, we’ll be ready. Thanks, Patia,” Adam replied as Clara nodded.

“See you two later~” Patia winked as she exited the tent.

“Clara, was it the same nightmare?” Adam asked solemnly moments after the tent was zipped close by Patia.

Clara gulped and nodded slightly.

“Y-Yes… but there was more this time…” Clara trailed off and rubbed the back of her neck.

“What is it? Was I there this time?”

“No, you weren’t… but I was…”

“Oh? What happened?” 

“I-I don’t know, to be honest…” Clara replied as she tugged a couple of strands of hair behind her ear, “As usual, there was a lot of screaming and blood… I always thought that it was an outsider’s point of view but this time…”

Clara paused and swallowed hard. There was still a numbing pain at her nape where she was attacked in the dream.

Seeing her in distress, Adam placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, “You don’t have to tell me if it’s too difficult.”

“No, it’s okay… It’s just that… After the usual scene, my view sort of fell downwards--- as if I’d tripped and fallen myself… When I lifted up my head, I saw a reflection in the mirror… It was me, and I was… I was badly injured… I…”

“Ah…” 

“Adam, I’m scared… What if--”

Adam hugged Clara before she could continue the rest of her sentence.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a dream. Besides, none of your dreams have ever happened, right?”

“Yes, that’s true…”

‘But this recurring dream seems different. The pain felt real…’ Clara thought to herself.

“Maybe your nightmares are due to stress? Besides, there are so many horror movie trailers since Halloween is just next month. Could it be possible that your mind subconsciously took a scene from one of those trailers and… intensity on the ‘scary’ factor?”

“Hmm… I guess…”

“Anyway, if anything like your dream ever happens, I’ll be there to protect you. Even if it means that I’ll have to give my life.”

“No! Don’t say that!” Clara shook her head as she slapped his shoulder.

“Ouch~” Adam said teasingly and acted dramatically, “My dear sister is so rough today~”

“No, I wasn’t! I’m being serious here!” Clara reprimanded.

“Ah, okay! Okayyyyy!” Adam relented.

“Then don’t ever say such a thing again!”

“Hm… But Clara, you’re my only sister. It’s my duty as your older brother to protect you.”

.

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[About 2 hours later…]

“Okay, everyone! Rise and shine!” Terry yelled as a small group of people started exiting their tents and gathering around an extinguished campfire.

“What does he mean by ‘rise and shine’? Most of us were awoken to the screams,” someone muttered grumpily.

Clara looked down to the ground out of guilt while Adam pulled her close as he stood protectively next to her.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine,” Clara whispered.

“Well, I’m not because--”

“...10… 11… 12… Okay, that’s all of us!” Terry said with a clap, drawing everyone’s attention, “Today we’ll be--”

*Growl*

There was a moment of silence before everyone- other than Terry- broke out into laughter. Terry rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“I guess that someone skipped breakfast today~” someone said jokingly.

“Ha… Ha…” he said dryly before continuing, “So-”

*Ughhh*

Only a couple of the group laughed this time at the muffled moan.

“AHEM… As I was say-”

Shuffles were heard.

Fallen leaves crunched.

A couple of muffled moans sounded closer to the campground.

“Okay, that’s it! Which of you fools decided it would be fun to pull this crap?!” Terry yelled angrily.

“W-We didn’t--”

“Oh my God! Is he okay?!” someone screamed.

“Patia, is this one of your stunt actors? Didn’t you notify everyone that we’ll only be filming the fight scene tonight?” Terry demanded.

“I did… This person isn’t one of our guys,” Patia said.

“Whoa… Check out his costume and makeup!” someone observed excitedly.

“Dude, look at the blood and bone protruding out of his leg! It’s so realistic! How does he make it seem so natural? The way he awkwardly limps towards us because of his alleged broken bone in the leg. What a professional!” someone else said.

“Hey, Limping Man! I love your dedication and acting!” another chimed in.

“Erm… G-Guys?” Clara stammered, “That’s not an actor…”

“What are you talking about? This isn’t funny!” Terry yelled.

“We’re being serious!” Adam yelled in return, “Watch out! He isn’t the only one!”

“Oh my God…” Patia whimpered.

There were others accompanying the limping man and there is worse conditions. Some were missing limbs and the flesh was just falling off the skin. Others, like the first man, had bones protruding out of their bodies, in the most painful and inhuman way. However, they acted as if there was no pain at all. Even as more parts of their bodies tripped or got caught by a low tree branch, there was no slowing down their pace.

Clara and the rest of the group began to back away.

“Z-Zombies…” Clara stammered as she glanced at Adam who nodded solemnly.

“What crap is this?! Zombies don’t exist!” Terry yelled despite backing away himself.

“Well, what do you think those things are? Do you honestly think that a normal human being is capable of even moving around with all that blood loss and missing parts?” Patia asked.

“No, but this can’t be r-”

“Well, if you’re so sure, how about you go touch them yourself?” Patia asked sarcastically.

“No way. Why would I-”

“Guys! We’re outnumbered and look around us! They’re coming from all sides! We’re being surrounded!!!”

“Everyone, run!” Patia screamed.

Not taking another second, Adam grabbed Clara’s hand and started running.

“Adam, it-”

“Don’t worry. I think there’s a facility nearby. We’ll go there and hide.”

“Ah… Yes…” Clara panted as they ran uphill.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. No matter what.”

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[Adam]

[28 September 2021, Tuesday…]

[Basement of the facility…]

As the leader of the boys began shouldering part of the weight of a crate, Adam began to cautiously approach the boys. Once Adam was about a couple of feet away from the boys, he stopped and spoke softly so as to not alarm the boys.

“Hello…” Adam said.

“Ah!” the taller of the two boys jumped in surprise. In an instant, the other boy stood protectively in front of the taller boy.

“I was wondering when you were going to talk to us,” the smaller boy said in a calm tone.

“I’m sorry for startling you two but I promise that I mean no harm,” Adam said as he raised both of his hands to show that he was not holding any sort of weapon, “My name is Adam.”

“H-Hi… I’m Jared,” the taller boy answered but the smaller boy continued to scowl and did not relax in his defensive stance.

“I’m Louis. Who is the other person with you?” the boy asked as he gestured towards the corner Clara was still sitting at.

Adam watched the boys silently for a short while before sighing resignedly.

“Clara, it’s okay. You can come out now,” Adam called out.

There was a shifting sound followed by the shuffling of feet. It was not long before Clara’s pale face appear before the dim light. 

Adam’s eyes widened slightly before he sighed again.

‘She’s just skin and bones. Look at that pale complexion. My poor sister. I need to get her back in shape…’ Adam thought to himself.