Chapter 26

The chaos in the theater had spiraled out of control, with no way to trace its origins. Within a single hour, all staff members had mysteriously vanished. When Hudson and Winona stepped out of the restroom, they saw two infected creatures cornering a young man in a Fearless uniform against a wall. His earpiece lay discarded on the floor, seemingly no longer working. He held a cracked steel sword in his quivering fingers; its edge dulled beyond use. He looked about 17 or 18, slightly younger than Hudson. Though his features were handsome, they were now twisted in terror. His face was smeared with tears and snot. "Don't… Don't come over!" he stuttered. The creature's tendrils lashed at his abdomen, neck, and legs, leaving bloody gashes that pooled crimson on the ground. One of the infected wearing a janitor uniform chuckled before thrusting its tendril toward the boy's throat. It seemed to have grown bored and decided to deliver the final blow. "No! I don't want to die!" the boy s