Chapter 28

The woman sat curled up on the bed, her face full of terror, eyes blank and unfocused. Gripping the blanket tightly against her body, she kept repeating, “Stay away! Don't touch me! No!” She looked like a frightened animal, trembling, her screams filled with panic and despair. Daniel's eyes turned red. He stepped forward and pulled Emily into his arms, his voice shaking with tears. “Emily, don't be scared. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you…” “Get off! Let me go! You're all bad people!” Emily fought back hard, punching and biting him, like a wild child lashing out. But Daniel held on, unfazed by the pain. James, who had been frozen in shock, finally snapped out of it. He rushed over and yanked Emily from Daniel's arms, his eyes bloodshot. “Emily! It's me, James! What's wrong with you...” That name hit her like a trigger. She froze for a beat, then suddenly lunged and sank her teeth into his shoulder. Blood bloomed instantly. James winced, muscles tensing in pain, but he didn'