Destiny: Chosen For Battle

I looked at Nixton and then back at the scary-looking people running in our direction. The way they ran was abnormally fast and unnervingly strange.

"Will you keep checking out those or should we run? Because we can't fight a hundred of these fucking people!" Nixton shouted, running away like a snake.

I dropped my heavy bag and ran with the others as fast as my legs could take me. June was leading the way, running like the wind, while I was trailing at the back.

"Come on, Destiny!" Lex shouted, running back and grabbing my hand.

"Come on," he added, breathing heavily.

We ran deeper into the unknown, horrifying forest, but the ugly creatures kept catching up to us. Suddenly, Nixton fell to the ground, shouting in pain as a big, sharp object lodged itself in his leg, causing blood to gush out.

"Fuck," Lex cursed as we stopped running and rushed back to help Nixton.

"Oh my God," Camila cried, looking back at the dead people who were nearly upon us.

"Are you OK?" I asked Nixton.

"Do I look fine?" he snapped through gritted teeth.

"Come on, we'll help you up," Lex and Kelvin said simultaneously, grabbing Nixton's arms.

"We need to hurry! They're almost here!" June cried, her voice shaking with fear.

"I'll distract them," I said, stepping forward. Lex stared at me like I was crazy, about to argue, but I abruptly cut him off.

"Lex, Kelvin, get Nixton out of here. I'll catch up."

"No, Destiny, it's too dangerous. We don't even know what these things are!" Lex finally said, but I smiled at him reassuringly.

"I'll be OK," I replied firmly.

"I'll help," June said, stepping up beside me. I nodded.

"Be fine for me," Kelvin mumbled, and I nodded again, steeling myself.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a split second. When I opened them, water began pouring out of my hands, pushing back the monsters. June fought like a pro, slashing her sword through their skin, but they wouldn't stay down.

"They only stay dead for five seconds before getting back up!" June gasped for air. I nodded, understanding.

"We need to run," she added, and I didn't argue.

We both took off, running as fast as we could, almost catching up to the others.

Up ahead, Lex and Kelvin had fallen to the ground with Nixton. They looked completely exhausted.

"Come on, guys, go without me," Nixton pleaded tiredly.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Camila yelled. "We can't leave you! You're one of us. So get your butt up and start running!" she cried, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Nixton, come on," I begged, glancing back at the monsters closing in on us. We all urged him to get up, but he sat there, unmoving.

"I said leave! I can't run with a wounded leg, don't you get it?!" he yelled, his voice filled with despair. "Just leave!"

"They're coming, Nixton. You won't make it alive," Kelvin said grimly.

"Go without me, guys," Nixton said with a small smile. Then he turned to Camila. "And Camila... I love you."

Camila let out a quiet sob, tears streaming down her cheeks. Kneeling beside him, she whispered, "If you're not coming, I'm not going either."

The monsters were almost upon us, and in desperation, I ran toward them, crying out as I summoned an icy sword from my palm. I fought with everything I had, determined to keep us all alive.

"Hey, Camila, you should go too and stop crying like a baby," Nixton chuckled weakly, brushing away her tears.

I ran back to Camila and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We have to go," I urged her, but it was like she didn't hear me.

"You said you love me, right? Then get up, and let's go together. I can't live without you. If you're not coming, I'd rather die with you," Camila stuttered, her voice breaking.

Nixton said nothing at first, staring into her tear-filled eyes. Then, without a word, he kissed her deeply.

"Leave, please. I'll be fine. I promise," he said after breaking the kiss. "Don't put the others in danger. Go. I'll come back."

Camila nodded reluctantly, standing up.

"Guys, let's go," she cried, looking back at Nixton one last time.

"Hey, there's a place at the top of that mountain!" Sofie called out.

I tapped Nixton on the shoulder with a sad smile. "Go," he whispered. With a heavy heart, I turned and ran with the others.

We ran up the mountain until we reached the top.

"Guys… where's Gold?" I mumbled, frantically looking around.

"Oh God, we left him behind!" Lex gasped, and everyone started murmuring in panic.

Almost immediately, Gold appeared, carrying Nixton on his back. He struggled up the mountain, a hundred monsters chasing after him.

"Guys, a little help!" Gold called out breathlessly.

Kelvin reached out to grab him, while Lex held onto his other hand. Together, they pulled Gold and Nixton up.

"Nixton!" Camila cried, running toward Gold and helping to lay Nixton down.

"Thanks for saving him," she whispered, and Gold nodded silently.

"Hope those dead fuckers can't get up here," I muttered, staring at the struggling creatures below.

"They're called zombies—the living dead," Gold explained. "They feel no pain, and when they bite, they transfer a virus that takes over your brain and turns you into one of them."

A shiver ran down my spine.

"Luckily, they're too stupid to climb. Let's keep moving," Gold added.

The group continued on, Kelvin carrying Nixton on his back. It was getting late, and everyone was exhausted.

"I'm so hungry," Sofie muttered, holding her waist.

"Thought you were mute," I said, earning a glare from her. I flipped her the bird in return.

"I told you all to listen earlier. Now we're running for our lives. We almost got killed by zombies," Sofie snapped.

Nobody responded. Everyone was too deep in thought.

"I almost lost Kelvin," Camila broke the silence.

"We didn't want to lose him either," Lex replied.

"He's the funny one here. I'm not ready to lose the ass hat," Gold chuckled.

"Guys…"

"Finally, sleepyhead's awake!" June giggled as Nixton stirred.

"I almost thought I was dead," Nixton said, confused as he climbed off Kelvin's back.

"Guys… we're dead," he whispered ominously.