The Monster In Me

New Enemy

“Can't,” Zean replied while tightly embracing Helsa who was now standing behind him. The girl was carrying a rucksack that became a scramble on her back. “My sister's sick. The backpack contained the various medications he needed. Those drugs won't do you any good.”

“True.” Taka scratched his head using his wrist which was still holding a large piece of glass. “But I've seen it all. That backpack doesn't just contain drugs. Right, right?”

Zean's body stiffened hearing that. In his heart he cursed himself. ‘Stupid! I knew someone was following, but why did I take all that food out? As if I was deliberately fishing for predators to come.’

Zean painstakingly maintained his expression in order to remain bold even though worries were now starting to fill his mind. His body had still not recovered properly since he had fallen unconscious from the rubble. Not to mention the grueling journey he had just taken while carrying Helsa and other items. Zean hesitated as to whether he still had enough energy if he had to fight with the young man before him.

It is clear that Taka is a high school student. Because even though the young man had replaced his gray pants with black jeans, Taka still wore a white shirt with a distinctive emblem on the pocket. He simply covered it with a new-looking black jacket.

However, still Zean felt he had to be vigilant. Taka's current expression resembled that of a starving lion, willing to do everything to catch prey. Zean had to be careful in his actions. If you make a wrong move, Helsa may be injured.

‘Do I just give you our backpack? But Eca needs all of that. Giving up is tantamount to giving up the life of Eca.’ Zean nodded loudly.

“Tik, tok, tik, tok,” Taka said suddenly while pointing at his empty wrist. “Time goes on, Mr. Cool. I'm not that patient to keep waiting.”

Zean could feel Helsa standing docked behind him. The girl's body trembled even more as Taka again extended a large glass shard to the front of Zean's face. Zean did not move at all even as the end of the glass scratched part of his chin.

Taka smiled as Zean pushed his hand away and looked at him sharply.

“Take it if you can.”

In the blink of an eye Zean blocked and twisted Taka's hand. Making the teenager complain and forced to take off his weapon just like that. The clink of the sound of a bell that fell into the streets as if it was a bell sign of the start of the action of the actor. Zean lunged at Taka's body just as the young man was about to throw a raw bogem at him.

Helsa screamed and squatted while tightly closing both her eyes and ears. All his life, the girl had never seen anyone else fight let alone fight fist. His body began to tremble in fear, worrying for the safety of his older brother who had suffered a lot since yesterday.

Realizing that their position is not completely safe, Helsa finally smothers her own mouth. Preventing himself from making any noise that could put their lives at risk. His sister was already quite troubled to face the annoying Taka, lest he also have to face zombies.

Meanwhile, unexpectedly, Zean was able to lock onto Taka's movements quite easily. He now fell on the young man's body, holding both his hands together so as not to attack him. Taka groaned as he continued to try to rebel.

“Sial! You don't look like someone who can fight!” luh Taka while looking up. Trying to throw his sharp gaze towards Zean. “Akh! I can't feel my hands! Have mercy on me just a little! I'm just a starving kid!”

Zean's facial expression that had hardened then slightly softened. “I know. I can see your uniform clearly.” Without completely releasing Taka from his grip, Zean got up and crouched down by the young man's side. He twisted a bit of his sore shoulder before returning to speak. “But somehow I don't like seeing you. You are dangerous for us.”

“Dangerous how?” taka asked while whining. “Mother! Daddy's! I'm in pain!”

Eventually, though by force, Zean releases Taka. However, he had earlier pulled the young man away from Helsa. “Now, go! Don't let me see you again!” tell him firmly.

In a kneeling position Taka placed both of his palms in front of the body. “Alright, thank you very much, Mister!”

Zean snorted loudly and turned around. As soon as possible he approached Helsa who was still crouching in fear.

Not in the slightest did he realize that Taka was smiling cynically while throwing something at him.

“Argh!” Zean complained in pain while holding his head that was again wet with blood. The bandage that Helsa had fitted soberly was now open. All because of the piece of wood that hit his head earlier.

Zean immediately turned around. Both eyes widened to see Taka now holding a chunk of stone the size of a fist in both hands.

“Nobody can treat me as you please!” taka shouted while laughing loudly. “People like you better get out of this world!”

Taka's gone mad. Zean realized that. So, without responding to the insane young man any further, Zean ran over to Helsa, and put his backpack on one of his shoulders. “We have to leave immediately! Eca, come on, ride again to Big Brother's back!”

Helsa who just dared to open her eyes again after hearing the voice of her brother then frowned. “Where are you going, brother? Aren't we safer here?”

Without answering, Zean directed her to hold her sister and ran. He was barely able to avoid the chunks of rock that were now hitting the streets right behind his feet.

Right after they came out from behind the giant turtle statue, they were greeted by the horrifying gazes and roars of the zombies that seemed to be gathering due to the noise that Zean and Taka caused. By exerting all his abilities and experience when starring in action films first, Zean ran while avoiding the zombies who were about to grab them both. Meanwhile, the hail from Taka was still going on.

“The basics are not sane! Was he not afraid of being attacked by zombies as well?” Zean wondered as he picked up a long staircase lying nearby. He used the stairs as a shield while they broke through the zombie horde. His strength was drained quickly by the weight of the undead he had to push, but the adrenaline rising within him helped him to become much stronger.

I don't know since when Helsa came down and helped her by his side. His little sister even took off her jacket to cover the mouth of one of the zombies that had been gaping towards them. Zean wanted to forbid Helsa to do anything more than that, but he himself was overwhelmed as well.

The number of zombies approaching them from all directions was increasing. As much as possible Zean prevented all from touching Helsa. Though despair began to come to his mind.

Until the sound of Taka's laughter resounded behind them.

“Need help?”

***