5 hours before the apocalypse.
Rin Katherine and her little brother returned home from buying supplies, the warm glow of the setting sun casting long shadows through the city streets. Rin, fresh from her university graduation, walked with a quiet confidence, her hands tightly gripping a worn-out book. Her little brother, barely ten years old, glanced at it curiously as they approached their apartment complex. "Rin, what's that book you've been carrying since 12th grade every day?" he asked, tilting his head. Rin turned to him, smiling softly. She chuckled and held the book up. "It's a Bible." Her little brother sighed. He had seen her carry it everywhere, but he never understood why she clung to it so much. As they entered their small apartment, he hesitated at the door. His voice, laced with uncertainty, broke the silence. "Rin… will mother and father return?" His hands grabs Rin's jacket and said, "It's been a year now."
Rin's smile didn't falter, though a flicker of sadness passed through her eyes. "Be patient," she said, kneeling down to his level. "I've prayed for them already, They'll be safe." The words lingered in the air, a promise made with conviction. The little brother wanted to believe her, wanted to trust in her unwavering faith. But deep down, doubt gnawed at him. A year was a long time. Later that night, Rin sat at her desk, doing the remaining of her work on the wooden table.
Maybe I should get a job now.
I need to honor my parents a little more.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a grotesque sound from outside. A deep, sickening noise, like flesh being torn apart. Her ears perked up, and she froze. The air in the room suddenly felt too still. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she cautiously approached the door and cracked it open. Her breath hitched. Down the hallway stood a monster—its skin sagging, its limbs contorted unnaturally. It twitched, sniffing the air like a starved beast. Rin remained perfectly still, her face blank, but inside, her mind raced.
This isn't safe. We can't stay here.
She turned back and forced a calm smile. "Hey, little bro," she whispered, "let's play tag outside."
Her little brother blinked in confusion. "Huh? But it's late—"
Before he could protest, Rin grabbed his hand, along with the katana their father had left behind, and bolted through the door. The movement caught the monster's attention. Its head snapped toward them, its jaw unhinging grotesquely.
"I… will… eat… you."
The little brother gasped, but Rin quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, her grip tightening on the katana. She had no time for hesitation. With one swift motion, she leaped over the creature and dashed toward the stairs.
The monster shrieked and lunged after them. Its voice rattled against the walls. "I'm a gluttonous being! I'll do whatever it takes to feel something! Come here! I will eat you alive!" Rin didn't look back. She ran faster, pushing her little brother ahead. But in her haste, she stumbled. The floor seemed to lurch beneath her feet, and she barely caught herself.
"Crap—"
Another monster loomed at the bottom of the staircase, its grotesque form blocking their escape. Rin's little brother tugged at her sleeve, his voice trembling. "Sis… what do we do?" Rin clenched her jaw, shielding him with her body. "Go into that corner. Stay out of sight." Her little brother hesitated. "But—"
"I said go!" Her voice was firm, yet not unkind. He obeyed, pressing himself into the shadows as Rin faced the monster. "Sis, I can't see you die like that," he whispered. Rin exhaled slowly. "I promise that I won't—" The monster lunged. She barely had time to react. Instinct took over. She swung her katana, the blade slicing through its grotesque flesh, but it only staggered back, its body twitching.
"Run! Just run!" Rin shouted.
Her little brother took off, vanishing into the darkened hallway. Rin squared her shoulders, gripping the katana with renewed determination. Her voice was steady as she whispered, "Isaiah 58:10… If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness… and your gloom be as the noonday…" The monster lunged again. Rin dodged, ducking low as its flying tentacles nearly grazed her. She needed an advantage. Her eyes darted to the flickering light above, the electrical cord swaying slightly.
If I can make use of that…
She reached for the cord, but it was out of her grasp. The monster closed in.
It's not working— Rin gritted her teeth and grabbed the nearest object—a table.
A risky move, but she had no choice.
"Lord, forgive this monster of all its sins," she muttered, then charged.
With all her strength, she slammed the table against its head, the impact sending a sickening crack through the air. The creature reeled, but Rin didn't stop. She brought the table down again, and again, fury and survival instinct fueling her movements.
"Philippians 4:13… I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, Amen."
The monster let out one final, gurgling sound before collapsing into itself, its grotesque form withering away.
Rin staggered back, breathless. Sweat dripped from her brow. Her body screamed in exhaustion, but she pushed forward. She had to find her little brother.
She ran, her vision blurring from fatigue, until she spotted him huddled in the corner.
"Gosh… thank God you're okay." She knelt beside him, pulling him into a tight embrace. His small frame shook as he sobbed against her shoulder.
"I… I thought you were gone," he whispered.
Even in such an emotional moment, Rin remained calm. She stroked his hair. "I had to save you," she murmured. "It was simply a command from the Lord."
She helped him to his feet, and together, they made their way down to the bottom floor. The apartment, once a place of peace, had become a nightmare. Blood smeared the walls. Shattered glass littered the floors. Distant screams echoed through the hallways.
As they walked, Rin's mind raced. Why is this happening? The world was crumbling, and she knew—deep in her gut—that there was something far more sinister at play.
These monsters… they weren't just mindless beasts.
They had once been human.
And yet, Rin refused to believe they were beyond saving.
She tightened her grip on the katana. "We'll find other survivors," she said, determination flickering in her eyes. "And we'll figure out what's really going on."
Her little brother looked up at her. "And if we don't?"
Rin smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Then we keep moving. We don't stop. No matter what."
He swallowed hard but nodded. He trusted her. He always had.
The both stepped into the unknown, the flickering light casting long shadows behind them. The monsters would keep coming. The world would keep falling apart. The little brother is super unsure if they can even survive or not.
I'll make sure you are safe little brother.
Even if i die in the process.