In sheer horror, they beheld a sight that froze their blood. Emerging from the shadows, a monstrous entity lurched into view. It was a ghastly amalgamation of a spider and a zombie, resembling an arachnid nightmare from the depths of hell itself. This monstrous creature loomed before them, towering over them like a grotesque colossus with humanoid features.

Its eight twisted, spindly legs skittered on the ground, and its bulbous, rotting abdomen oozed with malevolence. Its eyes glowed with an unholy hunger as it locked its gaze onto the helpless group, who felt their hearts pounding in terror.

As the group stared in terror at the monstrous creature before them, they soon realized that they were not alone in seeking refuge at the city's safe haven. The thriving haven had become a beacon for survivors, but it had also attracted the attention of these abominable creatures, making it even more dangerous than they had initially anticipated.

----

The group's worst fears had materialized before their eyes as they stood face to face with this nightmarish creature. Panic and desperation filled the air as they tried to come up with a plan to escape or fight back. Each of them gripped their makeshift weapons, ready to defend themselves against this new threat.

This abomination was a horrific blend of undead and arachnid, its unnatural form moving with an unsettling grace as it traversed the web it had spun. On its contorted body rested a mysterious glowing egg, casting an eerie sapphire radiance that bathed the scene in an otherworldly glow.

The creature's eyes locked onto the group, freezing them in their tracks. Their hearts pounded in their chests as the spider's intent remained shrouded in mystery. It just stood there, guarding the enigmatic egg with an unsettling and ominous aura.

Gemini's mind raced, and he quickly assessed the situation. "We need to back away slowly and find another route. There's no way we can take on that thing head-on," he said, even though he knew he could fight it if he used his power. However, he also knew Fourth would not agree with that approach.

Nook looked around, her eyes scanning for potential escape routes. "There's an alley behind us. It might be narrow, but it's worth a shot. Let's move quickly and quietly," she suggested, her voice trembling.

As the group began to retreat, taking cautious steps backward. The creature's eight legs seemed to enjoy the fear it instilled in its prey. Its glowing eyes fixed on them, and a grotesque grin spread across its decaying face.

Just as they reached the entrance of the narrow alley, the creature let out a bone-chilling howl that seemed to pierce through their very souls.

From the darkness, more monstrous creatures emerged, drawn to the call of their leader. These spider-like abominations were smaller than the first but no less terrifying, their grotesque forms scuttling with an unsettling grace. They moved as a coordinated pack, their eyes fixed on the group, hungry for fresh prey.

Panic surged through the group once more as they found themselves surrounded by this nightmarish pack of creatures. Fear threatened to overwhelm them, but they knew they had to stay focused if they were to survive this nightmare.

Mick's hands shook as he raised his weapon, a wooden plank with rusty nails jutting out of it. "We can't let them overwhelm us. We have to fight back!" he declared, his voice wavering. It was surprising to see Mick, a gaming addict with physical weakness, boldly said something like that.

Mark and Milk stood shoulder to shoulder, wielding their baseball bats to protect Lisa, Nook, and Love, who stood behind the two. "Mick's right. We can do this," Mark said, trying to bolster their courage.

The creatures moved closer, their unsettling movements sending shivers down the group's spines. Gemini carried Fourth on his back, his heart pounding with protectiveness. He knew he had to break his promise to Fourth. He had to use his power. There was no way his friends could deal with these monstrous creatures alone.

However, before he could use his power, a brilliant display of light and energy enveloped him. The majestic light surrounded his body, and the ground trembled beneath him. His friends watched in awe as Fourth unleashed his abilities, creating a powerful flash that knocked back the approaching creatures. The monsters howled in pain and covered their eyes, their bodies showing burn marks from exposure to the brilliant light.

"Keep your promise, GemGem." Fourth pleaded, his weak voice tinged with both determination and affection. "Don't your power unless you have to." With those heartfelt words, Fourth slumped unconscious on Gemini's back.

Seeing his boyfriend's current state, Gemini couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and annoyance. He wondered why he was always the one forced to keep his promise while Fourth seemed to break it whenever necessary. It was tough for Gemini to comprehend why his boyfriend could use his power to protect them, yet he was forbidden from doing the same.

"Let's run and find a hiding spot while the monsters are still stunned," Gemini said, trying to temporarily clear his mind and focus on the dire situation at hand.

Without wasting a single moment, everyone sprang into action, their hearts racing with fear and determination. They followed the path Love had shown them earlier, their footsteps echoing through the deserted alleys. The sound of the spider monster's menacing screeches spurred them to run even faster, each step propelling them closer to safety.

The spider-like monsters, their grotesque human faces contorted in eerie grimaces, moved with an uncanny swiftness along the weathered walls of the old apartment buildings. Their elongated claws etched ominous scratches into the decaying surfaces, a testament to their unnatural strength and aggression. 

From their bulbous abdomens, they unleashed streams of viscous green liquid – a potent mixture that possessed both strength and corrosiveness, capable of dissolving even solid concrete upon impact. The sight was horrifying, a gruesome display of their deadly capabilities.

As they continued their desperate escape, their wide eyes caught sight of a door swinging open from a nearby ground floor condo of an old apartment building. A brave-looking girl appeared at the doorway, waving frantically and yelling at them to come inside and find shelter. Her voice cut through the chaos like a beacon of hope.

"Quick, hurry! Come in here!" she urged, her voice unwavering despite the terrifying scene outside.

Without hesitation, they all rushed towards her, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Adrenaline fueled their movements, and just as the spider monster lunged at them with its sharp, hairy legs, they managed to slip inside the building, narrowly evading its deadly grasp.

The door slammed shut behind them, momentarily sealing them off from the nightmarish creature that lurked outside. The sudden silence inside the building was deafening, and they all took a moment to catch their breaths. However, they knew they were not yet safe from the monsters.

Outside, they could hear the spider monster screeching in frustration, and the ground shook as it angrily thrashed about, breaking things in its path. Some of them were even attempting to attack the doors, their corrosive web threads leaving a trail of destruction.

Mick lay on the floor, his eyes fixed on the brave girl, a deep fear etched across his face. "Do you think the door can hold the monster at bay?" he urgently inquired, mindful of the creature's incredibly corrosive green liquid.

The girl eyes darted around the room, looking for any signs of weakness in the door. "We need to reinforce it," she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos outside. "I've managed to salvage some metal bars from nearby debris. If we can brace the door and block any gaps, it should hold long enough to keep the hideous spider monsters out."

Amidst the chaos, Gemini remained focused on his unconscious boyfriend, carrying him protectively on his back. While others worked to secure the door, Gemini's instincts told him that their current plan was only a temporary solution. He knew they needed an alternative escape route if they were to survive this ordeal.

As Gemini's eyes swept across the apartment, he caught a glimpse of a shattered window on the opposite side. The glass shards lay scattered on the floor, a clear sign that someone had forcibly entered the condo. His mind raced, and he immediately pieced together the truth – this strange girl must have ventured out to scavenge for supplies, and this condo was one of the places she had looted, not her shelter. 

Curiosity gnawed at him as he glanced at the empty alley beyond the broken window. It appeared to be a viable escape route, conveniently unnoticed by the spider-like monsters fixated on the other sides of the building. A question nagged at him, though – why hadn't the girl suggested fleeing through this alley instead of fortifying the door? There must be a reason, he thought to himself.

With the reinforced door holding for the moment, Gemini approached the girl, trying to maintain a calm demeanor and act innocent. "Hey, I noticed the broken window over there. Do you think it's possible to escape through that alley?" he asked, pointing towards the shattered glass.

The girl seemed to hesitate from what Gemini was saying, and he quickly took notice of the uncertainty in her eyes. Before she could say something, Mick, the hyperactive one of the group, was overjoyed with the good news. He ran towards the window and looked out with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Class president is absolutely right! Everyone, come quick! We've got a potential escape route here. I don't see any monsters on this side," Mick exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement and relief.

Without wasting any time, Mark and the rest of the group rushed over to check out the view from the window. After a quick assessment, they all agreed that this could be their chance to get to safety.

Gemini, noticing the door about to give way, turned to the mysterious girl who had helped them and politely asked, "Can I ask for your name?"

The girl stopped, her gaze shifting between the window and Gemini, and answered hesitantly, "My name is Fan."

"Nice to meet you, Fan. We're truly grateful for your help," Gemini said with genuine gratitude, observing her uneasy demeanor. He sensed there was more to her story than met the eye. However, he knew that this was not the time to worry about that.

"Since you know your way around here, would you mind guiding us to a safe place?" Gemini asked sincerely, hoping to earn her trust.

Fan seemed surprised by the request, but a small smile formed on her face, and she nodded in agreement. "Sure, I can lead you all to my camp. It's nearby. We should leave before the door gives way completely."

As the group hastily vacated the apartment, mere minutes ahead of the spider-like monstrosity bursting in, their frantic glances scanned the surroundings until they rested upon the windows. However, upon reaching the windows, they were met with the disheartening sight of Gemini's party having vanished into the distance. 

Frustration erupted like a volcano, manifesting in exasperated screams that echoed with bitter disappointment. Reluctantly, the spider monsters withdrew back into the shadows of their hideout. The realization gnawed at them – had their queen not been preoccupied with her precious treasure, she would have been present to thwart the escape, preventing these humans from slipping through their grasp and they would have enjoyed a good and delicious meal.

Amidst the escape, Gemini's sharp perception honed in on intriguing details about Fan. He recalled that as she climbed out of the window, a fleeting moment allowed him to catch a discreet glimpse of her tending to an injury nestled in the lower part of her abdomen. She concealed it quite well.

However, that wasn't the only thing that had captured Gemini's attention. He had also noted Fan's deliberate movements, her seemingly intentional choice to take a longer and more circuitous path to avoid a specific area. Her actions were subtle, yet they conveyed a hidden purpose.

As the rest of the group moved ahead, Gemini decided to follow his instincts and took a detour to investigate. Carefully, he made his way to the spot that had captured his attention. The surroundings were eerily quiet, with remnants of a tragic event scattered around.

And then, realization struck. Gemini finally understood everything, a knowing smirk lighting up his face. He rejoined the group, behaving as if nothing had occurred, participating in their discussions, and keeping his discovery to himself. Not a single person noticed that he had briefly stepped away. This could be attributed to his enhanced physical abilities, which allowed him to swiftly complete all those actions in such a short amount of time.

The group's journey to Fan's camp was fast, and they soon found themselves standing in front of a humble dwelling that had been converted into a makeshift shelter. The small house nestled in what had once been a slum area of Bangkok, a place that had witnessed its fair share of struggles and stories. Its exterior bore the marks of its history, with graffiti-strewn walls and a barricaded door that spoke of both resilience and a need for protection.

As they approached the door, Fan's demeanor shifted from a survivor guiding them to a familiar face returning home. She gently knocked on the wooden door in a distinct pattern, a coded signal that identified her to those within.

The door creaked open, revealing a teenage boy who immediately broke into a bright smile at the sight of Fan. He rushed forward and embraced her tightly, their bond evident in the way they held each other.

"Sis, you're back," the boy exclaimed, his voice brimming with genuine joy and relief.

A warm smile adorned Fan's face as she returned the embrace, holding her brother with a mix of tenderness and reassurance. "Yes, I'm back."

Gemini's group watched this heartfelt reunion unfold. The boy's gaze shifted to the newcomers, curiosity lighting up his eyes as he took in the unfamiliar faces before him.

Fan introduced them. "These are the survivors I met." As if sensing the need to prioritize safety, Fan gently nudged her brother. "Let's invite them inside first. It's not safe out here."

With a nod of agreement from Fan, the young boy pushed the door wider, welcoming the newcomers into their modest sanctuary. Stepping inside, Gemini's group was greeted by the sight of two other teenagers – both girls – who rushed forward to embrace Fan with enthusiastic hugs. It took some time for Fan to extricate herself from their warm embraces, and she even had to offer them some candies she had found in order to distract them and regain her personal space.

As the children vanished into the corners of the shelter, another figure emerged from the shadows. A woman in her forties, her appearance aged prematurely by years of laborious work, came into view. Her eyes met Fan's with a mixture of surprise, annoyance, and a barely perceptible undertone of anger that she managed to keep hidden.

"Why are you here? And where are your stepfather and his friend?" The woman's voice held a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

"They're gone," Fan replied, her tone cold and distant.

"What do you mean they're gone?" The woman's eyebrows furrowed, her expression shifting from annoyance to growing frustration.

"You know exactly what I mean," Fan shot back at her mother, her voice quivering with a mix of emotions. "I'm well aware of what you and him were planning."

The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation and truth, as the strained conversation between mother and daughter reached a breaking point.

"You...!" Fan's mother trembled with a potent mix of anger and frustration. Her emotions boiled over, culminating in a swift, stinging slap across Fan's cheek. Without another word, she turned and retreated to her room, the door closing with a muted thud behind her.

Fan stood there, her face stinging from the impact of her mother's anger. Bitterness clung to her lips as she managed a wry smile, swiftly brushing away the tear that had threatened to fall. Her gaze shifted to Gemini's group, a mixture of apology and exhaustion in her eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that," Fan said, her voice holding a note of weariness.

"It's okay, I—" Love began to speak, but Fan swiftly cut her off.

"Let me take you somewhere to rest," Fan interjected, her resolve unwavering. "It must have been an exhausting journey for all of you."

---- New chapter!! 🥳🥳 Leave your thoughts for the chapter as usually na! I love reading all of your comments----