Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 458: Deafening silence

Chapter 458: Deafening silence

Albus emerged from the interrogation room, feeling rather refreshed after giving his statement to the Enforcer Captain.

He walked into the hallway where Harry was waiting pensively.

Despite meeting today for the first time, the two had managed to form an unlikely bond in the face of what was otherwise quite a traumatizing affair.

"How was it?" Harry inquired once he’d noticed his presence.

Albus sighed. "A terrible experience."

"What?" Harry turned wide eyed causing Albus to chuckle.

"It was fine. What would they dare to do to a TruthSeeker?"

"A TruthSeeker?"

Albus paused before realizing that he might have expected too much.

Most of the mundane portion of society was not privy to the existence of the TruthSeekers and instead referred to them as scholars which they were though the title of ’TruthSeeker’ held a bit more nuance.

Regardless, it was too much to expect Harry to understand the pedestal a TruthSeeker was placed on hence, Albus reworded his statement.

"A professor at the prestigious Imperial University."

Harry nodded with renewed understanding. "That makes sense. They wouldn’t want to make things too difficult for you."

"Exactly," Albus remarked. "Now then, I believe I should be taking my leave. The old lady won’t be pleased that I spent so long outside getting groceries."

"Want me to come along?"

"That would be much appreciated. But before that, I do believe that I haven’t gotten the groceries I was sent out to get."

"I think I can help with that. Come with me." Harry said as he turned and led the way to another section of the Royal Blue precinct.

Due to the riots, most of the food that should have been distributed was pillaged, leaving very little behind for others who might need it.

For that reason, the D.O.D. had no choice but to take some out of their reserves to help.

Of course, based on how their Captain spoke, they would be regaining what they’d lost from the nobles.

In any case, Harry was able to help Albus get the groceries he’d set out for at a cheaper price which was most appreciated by the professor.

Once done, the duo set out from the precinct, making their way toward Steris Avenue, which though not a part of the noble area, was not too far from it.

Alex had been generous in ensuring Albus and Rose would be able to retire without having to worry about working again.

The walk home was quite spirited with Albus regaling Harry with tales from his time as a budding TruthSeeker with the young man paying rapt attention.

It was good to know that not all young men were averse to stories about scholarly triumphs.

Soon, they arrived at Albus’s home after almost an hour of walking.

Albus walked to the front door and knocked only for the door to open at a slight touch.

His expression shifted, same with Harry as the young man dropped the groceries he’d helped Albus carry before putting his hand to his holster, prepared to pull out his revolver at a moment’s notice.

Albus trembled, fearing for the worst, terrified that the riot had somehow found its way to his doorstep.

Gulping nervously, he pushed the door open while muttering the name of his beloved. "Rose."

"You’re back." A soft voice replied from inside, quickly setting Albus’s nerves at ease as he rushed inside.

The living room was dark, so dark that he needed the crimson light of the Nighteye to see anything within.

Rose sat in a corner, her figure mostly obscured by shadows.

Seeing her in such a position caused a sense of apprehension to well up within as Albus took a step forward. "I’m sorry I took so long. There was a riot and..."

"It’s fine, Albus. I’m just happy to see you have returned." Rose muttered, cutting him off.

Albus detected something, a hoarseness in her tone, almost like she was finding it difficult to speak.

"Rose, why is everywhere dark?"

"... Because I don’t want you to see me." She earnestly replied, a melancholic undertone hidden in her voice.

Albus caught it and again, his heart tightened. "Why?"

"... I’m sorry, Albus dear. I’m sure you did your best. I tried to fight it but... it was hard."

A wet sound followed as Albus took a step forward, drawing his attention to the wooden boards which were covered in a black liquid.

He recognized it as he had worked on it with Alex.

It was the cure they had created for the Blight.

Albus trembled.

"Albus dear... do tell Alex that I’m sorry."

"No..."

"And I’m sorry, I know we promised to continue as a family but fate seems to have other plans so don’t beat yourself too much, okay?"

"Rose, please..."

"I love you, Albus."

"Don’t do this."

"... I always will."

Albus made to speak but Rose’s body went still before falling to the ground, resulting in a dull thud.

The crimson rays of the Nighteye looked over her figure and Albus saw it... he saw what remained of his wife.

It was a blossoming tree made of flesh and bones, covered in blood and pus.

The silence that followed was deafening.

***

Emily hid in a corner as she didn’t dare engage in the resulting chaos.

Men and women, for the most common reasons, turned on each other like crazed wolves, tearing themselves apart, and causing the once silent streets to be rife with chaos and bloodshed.

She trembled, her heart beating erratically as she hoped for her uncle to return quickly.

But it would seem whatever was causing people to attack each other was not only restricted to her place as other parts of the abandoned city erupted in conflict.

So what should she do?... What could she do?

As she trembled, she struggled to her feet just as a young lady, almost her age, approached her with maddened fury.

"Why do you get to be close to Mr. Sanders!" The girl screeched loudly as she brandished a bloody crowbar, setting off Emily’s fight or flight response.

As she ducked to the side, she turned prepared to fight back only to watch as the girl paused, her expression twisted in agony.

Before Emily could do anything, the girl’s body broke down before swiftly reforming into a grotesque tree.

Emily collapsed at the sight.