It's the year 2038 and a deadly virus has consumed the world for more than 14 years.
In Denmark, an unknown politician took it upon himself to create a safe space from the infected. As long as you abide by the 8 Obligations, you are allowed to live...
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It's nerve-wracking to see the hostel all dark and quiet like this. We have never had the Anthroes this close before. Which is a miracle if you actually think about it. We've been so lucky so far. This was bound to happen sometime. I just really hate the timing of it. All I want to do is be with Magnus, but now I have to make sure that everyone is safe and quiet instead.
We have gathered everyone - except Magnus and a few hunters - in the dining area. Jace is currently telling them everything we know so far. That the Anthroes are getting closer and that we need to live under the radar for a little while. Meanwhile I'm gathering a team of hunters. Our mission is to figure out if it's just a few strays that has wandered off from their pack or if it is a bigger threat than that. Then, depending on what we find out, we will either kill them or crate a trail of scent, leading them in a different direction.
"Is everything ready for the mission?" Jace joins us in the reception area where we are gearing up.
"Almost. I just need to tell Magnus that I'm going."
Jace sends me an approving look after watching the hunters pack bag after bag with disgusting and smelly content.
"Good. Go do that."
I sprint out to the lab but when I get there, I can't find him.
"Magnus, where are you?" I can tell I'm beginning to panic. What if everything was too much and now he has run off? But then I hear a muffled sound coming from the cell next to Jacob. From underneath a blanket Magnus peaks his head out.
"I'm here. I just figured the safest place Is close to that thing where they can't smell me."
Smart boy.
"You can't scare me like that."
"Sorry." He is now sitting up under the blanket.
"I have to go on a mission..."
"I figured as much."
"I'm sorry I can't take you with me, but the hunters..."
"You don't have to explain. I understand. Go do your thing, I'll be here when you come back."
"Good..." a deafening silence follow my last word. Neither of us know what to say anymore... things are different now between us... I just hope it's a good different and not a bad, once we get to talk about it. I clear my throat after a little while. "Gotta go..."
"Okay... be safe."
"I will..." I walk to the door, but just as I'm about to leave, arms are wrapped tightly around me.
"Come back okay... Promise me that."
"I promise..." I place my hands over his as he hugs me from behind.
"I'm holding you to that promise."
Then he lets me go and I walk out to join the other hunters.
****
Slowly and silently, we move in unison away from the hostel. We are all on high alert. No one knows how close they have gotten since they were noticed on the last hunt. After a few kilometers, we see them wandering around in large groups. Sniffing the air. Tracking the scent of humans. Some of the Anthroes are inside buildings. We can see them through the windows. They are scouring every room. it seems like they are getting smarter and smarter. That they are evolving. Maybe because they have too, in order to get food. Now that they have walked away from their usual food source by the shore, they have to find their food on their own instead. Or maybe they have always been this smart, but just never had to use it before. Who would have guessed that the City's sacrifices have been the thing that helped us survive throughout these years?
I scan the area swiftly and signal for two other hunters to follow me, when the coast is clear. We have to lead them further away. There are too many for us to kill without losing people ourselves. While we are going to create the trail, the rest of my team are heading over to our preplanned destination. They are going to make it seem like there is a camp there. Making the human scent strong enough to keep the Anthroes there for a while.
While we sneak through the streets, I notice the new posters that the Privies have put up. Wanted posters. For Magnus. With a reward. Free passages and safety in section B in the City for the person who comes forward with intel that will lead to Magnus' captivity.
I shudder instantly. This isn't good. What if anyone has seen him? We aren't the only survivors. There are still other people out here. Someone might be tempted to turn him in.
I take a deep breath and push the thought out of my head. I can't be thinking about that right now. It's too dangerous for me to be unfocused. I tear the poster of the wall, fold it, and put it in my pocket. I have to show Jace when we get back. One potential threat at a time.
My team of hunters are currently leaving scent on every surface we can find. They have made a tiny cut in the palm of their hand and are smearing a trail of blood onto building, trees. Anything they can find. Creating a trail away from the hostel. I pull my knife out of my belt and do the same thing.
We have to move fast. Since it's fresh blood, it won't take long for the Anthroes to catch our scent. We can only hope the other half of my team has made it to the destination and have everything prepared.
We run silently towards the destination while making sure our trail is easy to follow. We can already hear the Anthroes catching on. They are growling amongst each other and sniffing the blood we have left behind for them.
Finally, we arrive, and the team has done great work. They have littered the area with human waste. A filthy but effective method. But it sure as hell stinks terribly.
When the other hunters have finished the final touch of the fake camp, they join us, and we begin to cover our own scent by smearing rotting flesh from dead Anthroes on our clothes. Something the hunters had brought with them along with the human waste. I for one, sure as hell don't envy their part of the plan.
Hopefully, we can now make it back to the hostel without The Anthroes following us once more.
The mood amongst my team of hunters is high when we go back. Every Anthroe have disappeared from the streets. We have successfully led them astray. We have outsmarted them, and now we get to love a little while longer in safety. It's a great feeling.
An ear-piercing scream cuts through the air like a knife. Followed closely by one more. Without even thinking we instantly run in the direction of the sounds.
As we run, the Hostel appears in the horizon. And what we see is utter chaos. The apocalyptic sounds hit us.
