Immune to the parasite that destroyed the world

Haruto gasped for air, his feet dangling above the ground as Shina's hand tightened around his throat. Her eyes were no longer the warm, familiar ones he knew—they were cold, glowing white, with veins of blue slime spreading across her face like cracks in glass. The room flickered with the dim, faulty overhead lights, casting eerie shadows that danced with the tension in the air.

"Shina..." he choked out, his voice barely audible. "It's me... Haruto..."

But Shina didn't respond. Her grip only tightened, her expression blank and lifeless. Haruto's vision blurred as he struggled to breathe, his mind racing.

How did it come to this? She was just here... just a few minutes ago...

Namra limped into the room, her laser sword humming weakly in her hand. She was injured, blood staining her suit, but her determination never wavered. The flickering light reflected off her visor as she took in the sight before her—Haruto, helpless in Shina's grasp, his legs kicking weakly against the air. Without hesitation, she raised her pistol and fired.

The shot struck Shina's leg, sending a tremor through her body. Her grip loosened just enough for Haruto to drop to the ground. He landed hard, coughing violently as he clutched his bruised throat. His vision swam, the edges of the world blurring, but he could still make out Namra, standing firm despite her wounds.

"No!" Haruto shouted, his voice hoarse. "Don't shoot her! She's still Shina!"

Namra's eyes narrowed as she reloaded. The metallic click echoed like a final judgment. "Open your eyes, Haruto. She's not Shina anymore. The parasite has her."

Haruto shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "No... she's still in there. I know it!"

Shina let out a guttural growl, her glowing eyes locking onto Namra. In a flash, she lunged, her movements unnaturally fast. Namra barely had time to react, stepping aside just in time as Shina's clawed hand slashed through the air where she had stood. The strike tore through the wall, leaving deep gouges in the metal.

"Haruto, get out of here!" Namra shouted, her voice strained. "I can't hold her off forever!"

Haruto didn't move. He couldn't. His legs felt like lead as he watched Shina—his friend, his ally—turn into a monster.

"Shina, please!" he cried, his voice breaking. "Fight it! You're stronger than this!"

For a moment, Shina hesitated. Her glowing eyes flickered, and a faint, almost human expression crossed her face.

"Haruto..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "Run..."

But the moment passed, and the parasite took control again. Shina let out a deafening scream, her body convulsing as the slime oozed from her wounds. Her fingers contorted into unnatural angles, her muscles twitching violently.

The sound of rapid gunfire echoed through the room as Sakura burst in, her pistol raised. She took in the scene with a single glance—Haruto on the ground, Namra barely holding her own, and Shina, fully transformed.

"Sakura!" Haruto shouted, his voice filled with desperation. "Don't hurt her! She's still Shina!"

Sakura's expression was unreadable as she aimed her pistol at Shina. "Haruto... she's gone."

"No!" Haruto screamed, lunging forward to stop her.

But it was too late. Sakura fired a single shot, the bullet piercing Shina's chest.

Shina staggered, her glowing eyes flickering. For a brief, fragile moment, they softened. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. Then, slowly, her body crumpled to the ground.

The room fell silent, the only sound Haruto's ragged breaths.

Haruto dropped to his knees beside Shina's body, his hands trembling as he reached out to her. The blood spreading beneath her was dark, almost unnatural, laced with streaks of blue.

"Shina... no... please..."

Sakura knelt beside him, her voice soft but firm. "Haruto... I'm sorry. But she was already gone. The parasite... it doesn't leave anything behind."

Haruto shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "She was still there... I saw her... she told me to run..."

Namra limped over, her expression grim. "Haruto, we don't have time for this. The parasites are still coming. We need to move."

Somewhere in the distance, an eerie screech echoed through the hallways, followed by the unmistakable sound of shuffling feet—more infected were coming.

Sakura grabbed Haruto's arm, pulling him to his feet. "We have to go. Now."

Haruto turned back to Shina one last time, his heart breaking. Then, with clenched fists, he nodded and ran after the others, leaving behind the last remnants of his friend in the growing darkness.