Leng's heart raced as he witnessed the mutated beast dissolve into nothingness under the overwhelming power of Gemini. The sheer magnitude of Gemini's abilities left him both in awe and terrified. Until now, Leng had believed their leader, Leo, to be the epitome of power, but facing Gemini revealed that there were others with extraordinary abilities surpassing even Leo's.

The realization struck Leng deeply, making him feel small and insignificant. He had underestimated the depth of power that existed in this desolate world, a power that far surpassed anything he had encountered before.

As Gemini turned his attention to the three thugs, Leng watched in horror as a dark and ethereal aura enveloped Mew and Prat, his two subordinates. Their bodies began to fade, gradually dissolving into wisps of dark energy. The sound of their agonized screams echoed through the shed, haunting Leng's every thought.

As the last traces of Mew and Prat disappeared, Gemini's piercing gaze settled on Leng. Leng's legs felt weak beneath him as he met Gemini's eyes, feeling the weight of his presence. Gemini's voice cut through the silence, resonating with a commanding tone.

"Why are you here?" Gemini asked, his voice carrying a mix of authority and curiosity. His eyes bore into Leng's, demanding him to speak the truth, unmasking any deception that lingered in the air. "Make the right answers or prepare to suffer the same fate as your subordinates."

Leng's throat tightened, the weight of Gemini's question pressing upon him. He knew he stood at a crucial moment, his response potentially determining his fate. He took a deep breath, summoning his courage, and met Gemini's gaze head-on.

Leng's voice trembled slightly as he began to speak, his words cautious yet filled with a hint of desperation. "We were sent here by Leo, our leader, to search for survivors and bring them back to our camp," he admitted, his eyes shifting between Gemini and Nook. "Our camp has suffered from the actions of a group that betrayed us, led by Bang. When they escaped, we were left in dire need of fresh blood."

Nook, who had been listening closely, couldn't help but interrupt. She was still scared by what Gemini had done and his strange and distant attidute, but she also wanted to question Leng. "But there's more to it than that. Your group seems to know Gemini, and you clearly wanted to capture him and take him back to someone called Pha." 

Gemini's expression remained stoic, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his face at the mention of Pha. He looked at Leng, continuning his interrogation. "Where is your camp?" Gemini demanded, his voice tinged with an icy edge.

Leng swallowed nervously, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Our camp is located in the canteen building of the Medical Faculty," he reluctantly revealed.

Nook's eyes widened in shock and surprise, her gaze meeting Gemini's. He noticed her reaction and raised an eyebrow, silently urging her to speak. The fear and concern in Nook's voice were evident as she shared her knowledge. "That's where Fourth and Captain went a week ago and never returned," she said, her voice quivering with a mix of emotions.

The mention of Fourth's name ignited a fire within Gemini, his calm demeanor replaced by a burning rage. The thought that Leng's group may have harmed his beloved boy was enough to make his blood boil. He took a step forward, his dark energy crackling around him.

As Gemini's anger threatened to consume him, a calming light emitted from the jade pendant hanging around his neck, gently bathing him in its soothing glow. The radiant energy washed over him, quelling the rising storm within his heart. Gemini's eyes returned to their normal state, although a faint halo of darkness still lingered around them. He tenderly touched the pendant, a small smile playing upon his lips, realizing that Fourth must have entrusted it to him.

Taking a deep breath, Gemini regained his composure and turned his attention back to Leng. His voice, still tinged with a touch of coldness, had reclaimed a hint of warmth and longing for his beloved. "Has anyone within your camp taken in a young good looking student named Fourth from the Musical Faculty?" he inquired, fixing his gaze upon Leng.

Leng's voice quivered as he responded to Gemini's question, his fear palpable. "I... I don't know the name of every person who joined our camp," he stammered, trying to choose his words carefully. "But if Fourth was truly a handsome student, there's no way we wouldn't have noticed him." 

"Why would that be the case?" Gemini's inquiry persisted, unsatisfied with Leng's vague response. His dark aura wrapped around Leng, a chilling and oppressive force that made it difficult for him to breathe. The weight on his chest intensified, and he struggled to find words that could quell Gemini's rising wrath.

Summoning his courage, Leng spoke, his voice trembling with fear. "Leo, our leader, has a special interest in pretty boys," he confessed, his voice trembling. "If Fourth was as handsome as you say, there's no way we wouldn't have taken notice and brought him to our leader."

Infuriated, Gemini's dark force constricted around him, unleashing a surge of uncontrolled anger. With a sudden and violent jolt, Leng felt his left arm snap under the merciless pressure. An anguished cry escaped his lips, tears blurring his vision as pain consumed him.

In the midst of Leng's excruciating pain, Nook stepped forward and touched Gemini's shoulder. Depiste wanting Leng dead herself, she tried to reason with him. "Gemini, don't kill him just yet. He may have valuable information that could help us. We can learn more from him if he's alive."

Gemini's rage gradually subsided as Nook's words penetrated his fury. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering between Leng's writhing form and Nook's pleading expression. The remnants of his dark aura dissipated, and he took a step back, allowing Leng to gasp for air, clutching his broken arm.

Nook was right; this bastard could still be useful for him to find his Fourth. Gemini inhaled deeply and slowly regained his composure. With a wave of his hand, he gestured for Leng to rise. Despite his agony, Leng managed to pull himself up, his broken arm hanging limply by his side. Gemini's gaze bore into him, cold and unwavering, as he spoke with a chilling tone. "You will take us back to your camp, Leng. We will go as survivors you have found."

Leng had no choice but to agree to that. However, before going to Leng's camp, Gemini first led the three of them to the Radio Room to meet Win and Satang, who, according to Nook, were Fourth's friends staying there to receive updates from the government. Leng's arm throbbed with pain as they made their way through the Musical Hall, but he remained silent as he knew his fate could get worse if he annoyed Gemini.

Satang became cautious when Gemini's group arrived at the Radio Room's door. He had only heard of them from Fourth, who said they were his friends, but he had never met Nook and Gemini in person before.

He glanced at Win, who looked equally nervous. He decided to be polite but firm with the newcomers. He asked through the door, "How do we know you two are indeed Gemini and Nook?"

Satang's cautious demeanor softened as Nook recounted the story that Fourth had shared with her back at the shed. It was about how he met Satang and Win and how they ended up in the radio room in the first place. He listened carefully, absorbing every detail, and began to recognize the authenticity in Nook's words. As she finished speaking, Satang exchanged a glance with Win, who nodded in agreement, confirming their trust in Nook and Gemini. He finally opened the door.

When the door opened, Satang quickly noticed the stranger with them and asked, "Who is he?" pointing at Leng, who flinched under his gaze. Gemini answered, "He's one of the thugs who ambushed us at the shed. He might have some clue about Fourth's whereabouts. He's going to lead us to his camp."

Satang and Win exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to process the information. Nook stepped forward, her voice was calm.

"Let me explain."

Satang and Win listened intently as Nook recounted the events that had unfolded, carefully omitting the part about Gemini's strange powers after waking up. Leng stood silently in the corner, his broken arm throbbing with pain, his face etched with fear and apprehension.

After hearing the story, Satang and Win were shocked and enraged at Leng. Their pity for him, when seeing his broken arm, disappeared. They completely agreed with what Gemini had done to him; they would have done the same or even worse.

Win cleared his throat, his voice filled with a mix of hope. "We've been receiving updates from the government through the radio signal," he said, his eyes lighting up. "They've established a safezone in the South of Bangkok, where they're providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to survivors. It's the best chance we have for safety and rebuilding our lives."

Satang's expression hardened, his determination shining through. "We've been clinging to hope, holding out here, waiting for news like this," he interjected, his voice laced with a newfound sense of purpose. "If you hadn't come, we would have sought you all out and started planning our journey to the safezone."

After Gemini heard the news, he was glad. He remembered that when the zombie outbreak started, his parents were attending a social event in the South of Bangkok, inside the safezone. So there was a high chance that they were fine. He felt a surge of relief and hope.

He told the others that they needed to make plans to head to the safezone once they reunited with Fourth, Captain and his friends at the Medical Faculty. Everyone nodded in agreement. Satang and Win quickly gathered their belongings and followed Leng to his camp.

As they made their way towards Leng's camp, Nook's concern for Gemini weighed heavily on her mind. He had been the one who ended Prat and Mew's lives, and she couldn't help but wonder how he truly felt about that. Determined to offer him some comfort, she approached him with a gentle tone.

"Hey, Gem," she spoke softly, catching up with him. "Are you okay?"

Gemini glanced at her. "About what?" he replied, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Nook took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She didn't want Gemini to burden himself with guilt, as she believed his actions had been necessary. She chose her words carefully.

"About Prat and Mew. You were the one who... ended their lives," she hesitated, searching for the right words. "But you did what needed to be done."

A faint smile played on Gemini's lips as he listened to her words. He appreciated her concern, but he found no room for remorse or guilt within his being. He firmly believed that his actions had been justified, and he held no regrets. The thought crossed his mind that his dark power might have numbed his emotions, but he decided to keep that to himself.

"Nook, I'm fine," he assured her. "Don't worry about me. I did what was necessary to protect you. Prat and Mew got what they deserved."

Nook nodded in understanding, yet an unsettling feeling gnawed at her heart. Gemini's response, though reassuring, carried an undertone of detachment, like the chill of an icy breeze. She sensed that there was more to his words than he was letting on, a hidden layer of complexity. Perhaps Fourth would be the only one capable of penetrating Gemini's facade and helping him come to terms with his emotions.

------

As Gemini and the others approached the entrance of Leng's camp, a mix of apprehension and anticipation filled the air. The canteen building of the Medical Faculty stood before them, its walls weathered and worn, a testament to the harsh treament of our mother nature.

The familiar sight triggered a torrent of memories within Gemini's mind, as he was instantly transported back to the time he and his friend had ventured to this very place in search of food. In that perilous moment, Fourth had emerged as a hero, utilizing the speakers in the radio room of the Musical Faculty to provide them with crucial assistance, helping them escape from the clutches of the ravenous zombies. 

The recollection washed over Gemini, etching a genuine smile upon his lips, a rare sight that softened his otherwise cold expression. The mere thought of his beloved boyfriend filled his heart with a comforting warmth, fueling his unwavering determination to reunite with him. Gemini vowed silently, his eyes brimming with determination, that anyone foolish enough to cause harm to his cherished boy would be condemned to suffer the most unimaginable fate, a fate worse than death itself.

As they approached, a thug posted as a guard at the entrance caught sight of Leng, his eyes widening with relief. A mixture of concern and curiosity flashed across the thug's face as he noticed Leng's injured arm and the absence of their comrades, Prat and Mew.

"P' Leng, you've finally returned," the guard exclaimed, his voice laced with relief. "What happened to your arm? And where are P' Prat and P' Mew?"

"You ask too much," Leng snapped, his voice tinged with a hint of impatience. "Open the door. I need to see Khun Pha immediately. I have brought him the one he has been searching for."

The thug's eyes darted between the group of people behind Leng until they settled on Gemini. Suddenly, a sinister grin crept across the guard's face.

"So, P'Leng has found him," the guard said, his voice sounding as if he wanted to praise and earn favor from Leng. "This is great! Khun Pha will be most pleased. You will soon receive good favor from him and Khun Leo. Don't forget about us then, P'."

"Open the door and let us in. I don't have time." Leng  gave command, ignoring the guard's flattery.

After entering the camp, Leng led Gemini through the familiar corridors of the canteen building. The dimly lit hallways were filled with a sense of urgency and tension. It was evident that the camp was on high alert, likely due to recent events and the betrayal they had suffered.

"Khun Gem," Leng addressed him with a scared undertone, anxiety creeping into his voice. "I can only take you to meet Khun Pha. The others will have to remain in the common room. It's a camp rule."

Gemini nodded understandingly, assuring Nook and the rest of the group to be cautious and patient, promising he would return to them soon. Their nods of agreement conveyed trust and support, easing Gemini's worries.

Continuing onward, Leng led Gemini to the inner sanctum, a heavily guarded room where Pha resided. As they arrived, Leng turned to face Gemini, his voice trembling with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

"Please wait here for a moment," Leng requested, his eyes avoiding Gemini's piercing gaze. "I will inform Khun Pha of your arrival."

As Leng left to inform Pha, Gemini stood there, his gaze fixed upon the door. After a few moments, the heavy doors swung open, and Leng emerged with a nervous expression on his face. He motioned for Gemini to enter, his voice barely above a whisper. "Khun Pha is waiting for you."

Gemini confidently stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the inner sanctum. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls, and the air was thick with a palpable sense of power and malevolence.

Pha, an imposing figure with a cruel smile etched across his face, stood up from his chair as he caught sight of Gemini. His eyes gleamed with sadistic delight as he approached Gemini, his grip tightening on Gemini's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze

"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" Pha purred, his voice dripping with malicious intent. "Gemini, it seems like we're going to have a lot of fun together before I dispose of you."

Gemini didn't flinch as Pha approached him, his expression calm and defiant. His hands remained in his pockets, his eyes locked with Pha's. He spoke.

"You've always hated me, Pha," Gemini said, his voice firm and composed. "But I've always wondered what made you despise me so much, especially since we were childhood friends once."

"I remember your hatred started after we finished high school," Gemini went on, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Bang tried to tell me why. I didn't believe him at first, I thought he was joking. But now, I can see he was right."

Gemini smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He looked at Pha directly, his voice laced with irony and empathy.

"It all boils down to one thing, doesn't it, Pha? The reason you've been so hostile towards me is because I turned down your love confession two years ago."

The room seemed to grow still, the weight of their shared history hanging heavily in the air. Gemini's words hung between them, waiting for Pha's response, as the darkness and malevolence of the inner sanctum served as a chilling backdrop to their confrontation.

Pha's face twisted in rage, his eyes burning with fury and humiliation. He couldn't believe Gemini had the nerve to bring up that painful memory, to mock him with his rejection. He felt a surge of anger and resentment, mixed with a bitter longing for what could have been.

He clenched his fist and swung it at Gemini's face, hoping to wipe that smug smile off his lips. But Gemini was faster, he caught Pha's wrist in mid-air, stopping his attack. He looked at Pha with a mixture of pity and contempt, his voice cold and cutting.

"So it was the truth," Gemini said, his grip tightening on Pha's wrist. "You've been holding a grudge against me for rejecting your feelings. How childish."

Pha's face contorted with anger and frustration as Gemini caught his attempted slap. He struggled against Gemini's grip, his voice filled with venomous rage.

"How dare you! You think you can mock me?" Pha spat, his eyes burning with fury.

Gemini maintained his grip on Pha's hand, his voice unwavering and calm. "Pha, you're the one who couldn't handle rejection," he said, his tone laced with a mix of disappointment and understanding. "Our friendship meant something to me, but your obsession turned it into something toxic."

Pha tried to let go of Gemini's hand, he used all his strength but to no effect. Gemini finally got pity and released it, making Pha fall back. As Pha stumbled backward, his anger reaching its boiling point, he shouted at the guards in the room, commanding them to attack Gemini. The guards, loyal to Pha and conditioned to follow his every order, immediately lunged forward, weapons in hand.

Right at this moment, Gemini's dark aura intensified, crackling with energy as he raised his hand. The guards froze in mid-air, their bodies suspended by an invisible force. The room fell into an eerie silence.

Gemini snapped his fingers, and the guards disintegrated instantaneously, reduced to nothing more than swirling dust. No trace of their existence remained, as if they had never been there at all. Pha, utterly stunned by the sight, crumbled to the ground, unable to muster the strength to stand.

"They deserved to die anyway," Gemini declared icily, his voice laced with disdain as he wided the blood from his nose. "Bang have told me about their unforgivable actions since the first day of the outbreak."

In the corner, Bang nursed his broken left arm, remaining silent, fully aware that this grim outcome was inevitable from the moment he agreed to lead Gemini back to the camp.

---- New chapter finally arrives! 🥳😘Share your thoughts and votes everyone😘.----