The blade merged with me, and like a wildfire, a burning sensation spread all over my body. It was almost as though I could physically feel new cells popping into existence, becoming one with my soul. Each second that pa.s.sed made me feel closer to becoming whole again. Bel placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You bring me great hope, Ezra. With Sintra in hand, my confidence in you is strong," he panted, looking noticeably more haggard than before. "It is now time for you to go."

I nodded. I was feeling stronger- more powerful. I could sense that Bel had finished his job.

As if a veil lifted from my eyes, the darkness around me was dimly lit now. I could make out a few archaic buildings and structures that looked like they came straight out of Lord of the Rings.

"Before you go, heed my warning," Bel brought back my attention. "The world you knew is no longer what it used to be. It is changing as we speak. Forces are gathering to take what was once mine, don't let them take it. When you are in a time of need, never forget to call for Sintra."

Before I could speak, Bel made a motion with his hand, opening a portal behind me. Through it, I saw the parking lot where I died. I felt something physically pus.h.i.+ng me towards it. I looked back at Bel, and he grinned. I understood then that it was time for me to go back. I turned around and walked towards the portal, letting it draw me back to the lake.

***

Glancing around, I looked at my surroundings and saw the aftermath of the chaos.

Fences and lamp posts were bent over, broken fenders littered the ground, and the gra.s.s near the parking lot was trampled with skid marks from tires etched into the dirt. There were small trails of blood scattered across the lot, but thankfully there were no bodies. I guess I really was the only casualty.

I quickly spotted my car. Surprisingly, there was not a scratch or dent on it. I heard the engine running when I got to it. I opened my door, and a bunch of blankets and random objects fell out of my car onto the gravel. Stooping down, I picked up my stuff and heard a phone buzzing.

It sounded like it was coming from inside the bundle of blankets. I dropped everything else and rummaged through the thick pile. After a few seconds, I finally picked out my phone and saw 74 notifications from Eli. Before I could check all the messages, the screen went dark, my phone died.

I glanced over at my car's clock, 1:30 am. Almost no time had pa.s.sed after I died. d.a.m.n. I gotta get home, Eli's probably freaking out. I think I can get back without my phone…

As I drove out of the parking lot, I noticed a lot of animals were running away from the forest. Groups of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and more were all going crazy. I watched them headb.u.t.t and stomp each other. Not thinking much of it, I pushed down hard on the gas pedal and sped away.

The drive back home was eerily silent. It was almost 2 in the morning, but I feel like there should be more cars on the road. I noticed more squirrels and other animals going wild around me. This is looking weird. I sped even faster. After a few wrong turns, I finally made it back home over an hour later.

When I reached my door, I could hear the TV blaring inside. As I inserted my keys into the lock, I heard a thump on the floor and frantic steps. Before I could twist the handle, the door swung wide open, and a large rough hand pulled me inside. The door immediately shut, and I watched as the giant of a man deadbolted it. He turned to me and began violently shaking me.

"Where the h.e.l.l have you been man?" Eli fretted as he saw my torn and b.l.o.o.d.y clothes. "And what happened to you?"

"Didn't you see the note I left?" I deflected as I tried to calm him down. "Why? What's the matter?"

"What's the matter?" He turned my attention to the blaring TV. "Look at this."

"Live reports of animals going feral are popping up all over the city," the newscaster announced. "Domesticated animals like dogs and cats are attacking their owners and everyone in their proximity. There are 13 confirmed deaths right now, but they haven't been able to identify the bodies yet. Please take extreme caution and stay inside."

Is this what Bel meant?

I looked down at my clothes and realized what the commotion earlier was about. Eli turned the TV off. "It's been blowing up all over the news the last hour. I thought you got attacked or something."

"Eli, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me anymore. I'm not a defenseless kid you have to protect."

Eli's ma.s.sive frame sunk into the couch. He slumped over with his head in between his hands. "I'm just looking out for you man; it's hard to stop after doing it for over 15 years."

"I know, Eli, I know," I sighed as I tried squeezing next to him onto the couch. "But we're not kids anymore."

"You're right, you're right," Eli agreed. "Just glad to see you're safe."

I slapped the back of his neck to get him to stop thinking about it.

"Ow, what the h.e.l.l," Eli started laughing.

As I was about to make my escape, Eli grabbed my collar and yanked me back towards him. Before I could react, I heard him wind his arm back and braced myself for the incoming smackdown. I heard the slap as loud as a gunshot but felt a light tap on my neck. I felt Eli quickly let go of me, and I whipped my head around to see what happened. I watched his hand turn red as he waved it around.

"Geez, dude, what have you been doing? Your neck is as hard as a rock!?"

I instantly thought back about my new body that Bel made. Should I tell Eli what happened? Nah, probably not. Maybe I'll tell him later.

"Yeah, bro, I've kinda been working out on the low," I lied. I rubbed my neck and pretended it hurt.

"Geez, looks like it's your turn to look out for me now," Eli laughed as he nursed his quickly bruising hand. "You tryna impress Isa?"

"Hahaha...very funny. I was supposed to see her tonight, but she ghosted me."

In hindsight, it's probably for the best that she never showed up. I can't imagine how things would've been if she had been a part of that chaos.

"Maybe something came up?" Eli suggested. "It's not like she would do that without a good reason."

"Yea, I guess that's true," I agreed. "Oh well, I'm gonna go take a shower."

"Alright, I'm gonna make some food," Eli said as he stood up and started moving the couch in front of the door.

I raised my eyebrows at him and watched him effortlessly scoot it over. When he turned around, he noticed me watching him.

"What? Better safe than sorry," he explained. "I'm gonna make some food now. You want some?"

"Sure," I shrugged.

I walked into my room and plugged my phone in. Then I went to my bathroom and locked the door. Parts of my clothes were barely hanging on by the thread. After I got undressed, I looked at myself in the mirror.

Wow. I look h.e.l.la good. I now had muscles in places where it used to be just skin and bone. I look really lean. While appreciating my new physique, I caught a whiff of my body odor and immediately hopped into the shower.

It felt so therapeutic was.h.i.+ng all the grease out of my hair and scrubbing off the sweat and grime. I stood under the hot streams of water and just let myself soak in it.

I can't believe that I literally died tonight, but I'm back now. The hot water calmed me down as I thought about everything that happened tonight.

After I finished, I put on some clean clothes and went back to check my phone again. Geez, Eli really called me 74 times. I started reading all the messages he sent me when I suddenly heard a loud shriek from the kitchen. I quickly poked my head out the door.

"d.a.m.n, that was hot," Eli yelped.

I chuckled to myself; this wasn't the first time that has happened. As I picked up my phone again, I felt it start to buzz.

I was getting a call from Isa? I answered it immediately.

"Ez, please help me. Something is trying to break into my house."