Both of them kept walking away from the site... the side streets were silent, and the cold wind carried with it the ashes of the distant explosion.They stepped down onto land covered with simple grass, their feet getting dirty with soil, and the sound of their breathing was the only thing that could be heard.

Yuki was crying quietly, wiping her tears now and then with her trembling hand... When she lifted her head, she saw Jack breathing heavily, his body swaying with every step, his face pale, sweat shining on his temples.

Yuki, in a hoarse voice:"Where... are we going? There's no one here..."

Jack, in a tired tone:"Away... just away from the city..."

They kept walking until they entered an area covered with thick trees, and the fog started to wrap around them slowly... light at first, barely visible, so they didn't even notice it.

Yuki suddenly stopped, her eyes full of confusion and fear:"Jack... who were those people? And why were they trying to kill you?"She paused for a few seconds, then whispered with a trembling voice:"Wait... they were all after you, weren't they?!"

Jack stopped... he turned toward her slowly, his face very pale, trying to say something:"I—"He suddenly collapsed to the ground!!

Yuki screamed:"Jack!!"

She ran toward him quickly, knelt beside him... her eyes widened, her breath quickened when she saw the blood... blood flowing from his shoulder, back, and stomach.Panting, she placed her hands on the wounds:"Stop bleeding... please, just stop..."

She quickly took off her outer shirt and wrapped it around his body, tightening it over his back wound first, then wrapping more fabric around his chest."Damn... his shoulder..."She tore part of her jacket and tied it around his shoulder, pressing hard to stop the bleeding.

Jack slowly opened his eyes while trying to press on the wounds, reaching out to grab her wrist.Yuki, with a small nervous smile:"You're... awake! Don't move too much, you're still bleeding—"

Jack, weak but determined:"We have to... move... this place isn't safe..."

He stood up despite the pain, and Yuki held his arm to help him... They kept walking slowly until they reached the edge of a wide river lit by the faint moonlight.Jack dropped down beside the water, washing his face silently, while Yuki stared at her reflection on the surface... a pale face stained with her grandfather's blood and dried tears.

Yuki, in a faint Japanese whisper:"I don't even know who I am anymore..."

She sat beside him... he looked at her but said nothing. He just closed his eyes and fell asleep from exhaustion.

...

Time passed, the moon stood high in the sky, and fog filled the forest quietly.Ffff... the soft rustle of the trees was heard, and the air felt strangely still.

Jack slowly woke up, breathing heavily... he placed his hand on his chest, and suddenly his body started trembling..."Hehh... hehh..."His breathing grew faster, gasping...Thump... thump!... thump!!... THUMP!!!!

The parasite inside him began reacting violently... blood burst from his mouth, and he coughed hard...The pain grew, his heartbeat raced, his silver eyes flickered with an unstable light, he grabbed his head in silent agony, panting and struggling to hold on...

He looked toward Yuki, who was asleep beside the tree, trying to stay quiet so she wouldn't wake up...But she stirred slowly, sensing movement, and opened her eyes—only to see Jack twisting in pain before her.

She rushed to him:"Jack! What's happening?!"

Jack (smiling despite the pain):"Don't worry... it's just... it doesn't want to leave me alone..."

He vomited dark blood onto the ground... Yuki's eyes widened in horror, she grabbed his shoulder tightly, but he gestured weakly that it was over.After a few minutes, he calmed down, breathing deeply, rinsing his mouth with the river water.

Yuki, in a hoarse voice:"I want an explanation... now. What's happening? Who are you, Jack?!"

Jack looked at her silently... before he could answer, he suddenly turned toward the trees behind her.H-fffffff... a faint rustle of leaves... slow footsteps, as if someone was watching from afar.

Jack's eyes widened, he slowly stood up, putting his finger to his lips, signaling Yuki to stay silent...The leaves moved again...Then — a sudden cut...

The End of Chapter.