Nika's hunger gnawed at her as she wandered aimlessly down the dimly lit street, pockets rattling with the meager coins left from the money that she'd received from the sympathetic military officer on a previous encounter.
A thought flickered in her mind like a fleeting shadow, "Perhaps I should seek out that officer and plead for his assistance." Yet, this idea evaporated quickly, overwhelmed by a cacophony of internal doubts and fears. "You dare not rest beneath the protective boughs of the wise tree due to those relentless agents. Do you truly believe that officer will extend his aid out of sheer compassion?"
Her feet led her onward, and she stumbled upon a bustling scene, far more upscale than her recent encounters. This corner of the city was vaguely familiar to her. Directly ahead lay a branch of the city's most illustrious restaurants, which had once boasted a steady stream of patrons.
Once, this place had been a thriving hub. But times had changed. Fears of contagion and the nightmarish horrors roaming the streets had driven people to the safety of their own homes. Nowadays, the military officers hailed as the city's protectors, have claimed this prestigious dining establishment as their haven.
With a glimmer of hope, Nika muttered to herself, "Maybe this is where I'll find work. They say the ninth time's the charm."
A poised concierge stood sentinel before the restaurant, ushering in the guests with a practiced grace. He promptly noticed Nika, her ragged attire and unruly hair marking her as an outsider. His stern voice halted her in her tracks.
"Hey there, child! Begone! This is no place for beggars."
"I'm not a beggar! I'm searching for employment—anything will do. I can clean and wash! All I ask for is food and shelter!"
"I said, begone!"
"Please! I'm a diligent worker!"
As the two exchanged words, a sudden eruption of agonizing screams and shattering glass echoed from within the restaurant, unsettling the crowd outside. Panic gripped the onlookers, and all eyes turned to the source of the commotion. Seizing the moment, Nika slipped past the distracted doorman and infiltrated the dining hall.
Inside, chaos reigned. People fled in terror, chairs were flung about, and blood-curdling screams filled the air. However, Nika's unfamiliarity with such gruesome scenes did not deter her. Plates of steaming food lay untouched on some tables, and the sight of warm sustenance blinded her to the horror around her. To the point that she approached a table, snatched a couple of loaves of bread, and stashed them in her bag.
Amidst the pandemonium, servers and soldiers dashed for the exit, while shouts, cries, and the clatter of breaking dishes crescendoed. A crowd gathered at the entrance, desperate to escape.
In the heart of the chaos, before a disheveled dining table, Nika spotted a trembling waitress. Her fingers clung to the edge of the tablecloth, paralyzed by fear. Nika cautiously approached, intent on offering assistance. The waitress kept her head lowered, concealing her face, and her entire body trembled. When Nika gently tapped her shoulder, the waitress raised her head, revealing vacant eyes. Her forehead was swollen, her face bloated, and a grotesque mass of putrid matter dangled from the corner of one eye.
"Oh my heavens!"
The woman's mouth yawned open grotesquely, as if her jaw might shatter from the strain as she attempted to utter something. Only dreadful grunts escaped her gaping maw, and as she opened her mouth, a repulsive mixture of brain matter seeped through her teeth.
In that terrifying moment, Nika's mind raced back to the wisdom of the ancient tree: "The most effective weapon against a man turned into a monster is running water!" She seized the nearest pitcher and doused the woman's horrifying visage.
Though the water did little to alleviate her torment, it disoriented her long enough for Nika to wriggle free from her grasp and make a frantic dash for the exit. Suddenly, a squad of security guards stormed into the restaurant.
"Halt right there!"
P.S:
Hello Everyone, I’m a writer and a manga artist, and this is a piece that I’m working on. Later on, I’m going to put my art as well, piece by piece, for everyone to enjoy. I’ll welcome critiques, but plz don’t be too harsh.
Here is the link to the picture comic (manga) I'm currently creating, feel free to visit and leave a comment, subscribe, etc.
