Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 13: I’m Thirsty...

Chapter 13: I’m Thirsty...

"The pendant can provide some protection," Scarlett said, her voice measured and cautious. "But it’s not a guarantee against all monsters. We still need to be vigilant. And, as I mentioned, it will only help those it recognizes as its master."

Garvin’s expression turned thoughtful as he absorbed her words. "I see. And what about its limitations? Can it protect all of us at once?"

Scarlett exhaled heavily, a weary look crossing her face. "I’m... not sure about that, sir."

The growls of monsters echoed in the distance, filling the air. The group of survivors, who had been eating quietly on the floor now became more careful with the clinking of their plates and cutlery, as if even the smallest sound could invite danger.

Garvin heaved a deep sigh and glanced at Scarlett, his gaze shifting to the infant cradled gently in her arms. "So, how did you come across that sweet little darling?" he asked, nodding toward the baby, who remained sound asleep.

"Her mother... didn’t make it," Scarlett replied, her tone softened by a trace of sorrow. "I had to help deliver her before the underground shelter collapsed around us. Poor child," she murmured, running a gentle hand over the baby’s soft hair. "To be born in a world like this, and already so alone..."

I don’t even know if the baby father is still alive or not but even if he is, how would he know that his wife had given birth. The baby mother had also died in earth since she already died here. Scarlett thought, her heart filled with sorrow. I’m an orphan. It wouldn’t be good for this little baby to end up as an orphan.

"You’re her mother now," Garvin’s voice brought her out of her thoughts, his tone quiet but firm. "Her safety depends on you."

"Wh?" Scarlett uttered softly, her eyes widened as she glanced down at the baby, realization dawning. "I... I have a baby in the middle of an apocalypse?"

Garvin chuckled, but his expression turned somber as he continued. "Have you... have you seen any of your family members here? I haven’t. It’s strange, thinking we might be the only ones left. I just hope they’re still alive, somewhere. Sometimes it feels like this world has turned us all into... nobodies."

Scarlett’s face softened. "My husband... he’s gone. I heard the news while I was still on life support in my family’s hospital." She drew in a shaky breath. "And yes, we’re all just nobodies now. We have to survive, try to understand why we’re here, and figure out if we can ever return to Earth."

Garvin nodded, with a smile on his lips. "Yeah... survival. It’s all we have." He hesitated, studying her closely. "But... why do you say your husband is dead? No matter how bad things got between you, I can’t imagine wishing him bad just because of an argument."

Scarlett scoffed softly. "I’m not joking. He’s... really gone." She glanced away, but muttered under her breath, "Serves him right."

Garvin gave her a puzzled look. "But... I saw your husband. After your funeral, he was still around."

"What?" Scarlett’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. "But... my mother-in-law and sister-in-law said he’d died! Was that... was that just a lie? For the doctors?"

Garvin raised an eyebrow. "Everything seem odd. He didn’t attend your burial, but I saw him afterward, roaming around with your sister-in-law. It’s like... everything shifted after your supposed death."

Scarlett shook her head, trying to make sense of it all. "How... how did you save me, anyway? And why? Did you actually dig me out of my grave?"

Garvin gave a sheepish grin. "Well, it’s a bit of a story. I dropped something, a pen, actually, that had an important recording at your gravesite. When I went back to get it, your coffin was already unearthed, and there you were, lying on the ground. You were barely conscious, but you managed to whisper, Please... save me. I just had to save you and I figured... something wasn’t right. I didn’t tell your family that you’re back on life support because, well, I sensed they were part of whatever was happening."

Scarlett nodded slowly, still thinking about her supposed dead husband.

Garvin studied her face, concern etched on his face. "Do you have any idea why your husband didn’t attend your funeral? And... did you plan to be saved after you’re buried? None of this makes any sense."

Scarlett shook her head, sighing deeply. "Sir, I appreciate everything you’ve done. But this... it’s personal. I can’t talk about it. I hope you understand. Not even in the right state of mind to talk about it."

Garvin then gave her a gentle nod. "Of course. If you’re not ready to share, that’s alright." His gaze softened as he looked at her, a mixture of empathy and sadness in his expression.

The other survivors finished their meal, carefully washing each utensil before settling down for the night. They laid out duvets that Scarlett had managed to gather, finding whatever comfort they could on the cold, unyielding ground.

"You should rest," Garvin said, his voice warm but firm. "Those monsters haven’t found us yet, but it’s only a matter of time. I’ll keep watch tonight. We usually take shifts, and now it’s my turn."

Scarlett nodded, casting one last glance at the baby, who continued to sleep peacefully. She then placed her in her crib after which she also laid down on the duvet, closing her eyes, willing herself to find rest.

Hours later, an inexplicable thirst clawed at Scarlett’s throat, searing and intense, forcing her eyes open. But instead of her usual black, her pupils had shifted to red bloody colour. She felt her senses sharpen to an unnatural degree, the distant growls of monsters now as clear as a whisper in her ear.

As she pushed herself up, she noticed with a chill that her left cheek was no longer smooth skin, it was covered in a layer of dark, glistening scales. Her hands had transformed, too; her fingers were elongated, tipped with razor-sharp nails that gleamed even in the dim light.

A desperate hunger gnawed at her, so intense that it consumed her reason. She felt a primal urge, something insatiable that she couldn’t name. She was no longer herself, but something darker, driven by an inhuman thirst.

"I’m... thirsty..." she whispered hoarsely, her voice distorted, unrecognizable even to herself.

Her gaze landed on the infant in the small crib beside her. She could see the faint pulse of tiny veins in the baby’s neck, her keen vision magnifying each beat, each rush of blood. Her mouth parted, revealing fangs that had replaced her once-normal teeth, sharp and gleaming with a dark, predatory intent.

With trembling hands, Scarlett reached toward the crib, her mind clouded, instincts overriding reason. Her gaze was fixed solely on the innocent child, her mouth watering, her fangs aching to sink into tender flesh.