𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄: 𝐒𝟏 - Chapter 7: Don’t Tell Them I’m Turning

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Dhammawitaya School Rooftop – 1:03 p.m.

Rain.

It started as a soft drizzle—almost peaceful.

But soon, the wind picked up, sweeping through the rooftop like a whispering ghost. The sky darkened, clouds thick and heavy, like the tension in the group.

Sol stood under the overhang, staring at nothing. His hoodie soaked. His jaw tight.

Behind him, Rin sat, leaning against the water tank, trying not to look weak. His skin had paled. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He gripped his arm tightly under the long sleeve.

Each throb of pain was louder than the last.

Jet and Tae argued over their next move.

“We can’t just sit up here forever!” Tae snapped. “There are hundreds down there. If they break into the building, we’re dead.”

Jet crossed his arms. “And what, we run out there and become lunch?”

“We should try for the admin building,” Mew said. “If the phones are still active, we might be able to contact someone.”

“Who?” Jet laughed bitterly. “The police? The army? No one’s coming.”

Sol turned, voice low but sharp. “We have to believe someone will.”

Everyone fell silent.

Eli, crouched near the ledge, watched them all quietly.

His gaze flicked to Rin.

And didn’t move.

---

1:19 p.m.

Rin’s vision blurred for a second.

He blinked hard.

No. Not now.

He pressed his fingers against the wound under his sleeve. It burned—like fire crawling under his skin.

He heard footsteps and looked up.

Sol stood there, holding a bottle of water and a protein bar.

“You need to eat something.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

Rin sighed and reached for the bar. Their fingers brushed.

Sol didn’t pull away.

“You’re burning up,” Sol said softly.

“I’ve had worse hangovers.”

“Stop pretending.”

Rin looked at him, suddenly tired.

“I don’t want to scare them.”

“You’re scared,” Sol whispered.

Rin didn’t answer.

Sol knelt in front of him. Rain still fell gently around them, the only sound for a moment.

“I’m not going to let you go,” Sol said. “We’ll find a way.”

“You really believe that?”

“I have to.”

Rin stared into his eyes.

Then leaned in slowly—

Their foreheads touched.

“I don’t want to turn into him,” Rin whispered. “Into Tinn.”

“You won’t.”

“I’m not strong like Eli. I’m not... special.”

“You’re Rin,” Sol said firmly. “And that’s enough.”

---

1:37 p.m.

Eli finally broke his silence.

He walked straight to Jet and said, “He’s infected.”

Jet blinked. “Who?”

“Rin.”

Jet froze. “Are you sure?”

“I saw the bite. He’s hiding it.”

Tae overheard. “You’re serious?”

“He got bit in the gym. They didn’t tell anyone.”

Jet’s face darkened. “So what? We just wait for him to turn and kill one of us?”

“No,” Eli said softly. “He hasn’t changed. Not yet.”

“And you would know?” Tae snapped.

Eli didn’t flinch. “Yes. Because I’m the same.”

The group froze.

Jet stared at him. “What?”

“I was bitten too,” Eli said. “Two days ago. But I didn’t turn.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“Then how are you still... you?”

“I don’t know. I think some people… mutate differently. The virus doesn’t kill us—it merges.”

Tae took a step back. “So you’re saying Rin might be like you?”

“He might,” Eli said. “But if you corner him, if you make him feel like a threat—he will become one.”

Jet looked shaken. “You should’ve told us sooner.”

“I didn’t because people like you panic.”

“Hey!”

“Look around, Jet,” Eli snapped. “We’re all scared. But if you push this, if you turn this place into a witch hunt—none of us will make it out.”

---

2:06 p.m.

Rin was asleep when they came.

Jet. Tae. Mew.

And Sol, standing between them and Rin.

“He’s sick,” Jet said. “We can’t ignore that.”

Sol’s hands balled into fists. “He’s not a danger.”

“He will be.”

“You didn’t see him fight for us. He could’ve killed Tinn—he risked himself to save me!”

Tae looked uncertain. “What if he loses control?”

“Then I’ll stop him,” Sol said. “But until then... he stays.”

Jet turned to Mew. “Say something.”

Mew shrugged. “If Sol’s willing to die for him, that’s his call. But if Rin so much as growls in his sleep, I’m not waiting around.”

They left after that.

Sol sat down beside Rin again.

And felt the first tear hit his cheek.

Rin stirred.

Opened his eyes.

“You still here?” he whispered.

“Yeah,” Sol said, his voice breaking. “Always.”

---

2:30 p.m.

Eli sat alone near the edge of the roof, staring down at his trembling hands.

He’d told the truth.

But not all of it.

He wasn’t just like Rin.

He was changing.

He could hear things.

Smell them.

Feel the others.

Even Tinn.

He wasn’t just surviving anymore.

He was evolving.

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