NecroSync

In the apartment, the sound of the television filled the living room, keeping silence from settling in. Nathan, sitting on the couch, watched the news program absentmindedly while finishing the last bites on his plate.

"It's been about two weeks since we were treated to the breathtaking northern lights and the beautiful colors they created," the presenter mentioned as footage of the event appeared on the screen.

"This event left us with unforgettable memories and incredible photographs, allowing people all over the world to enjoy a spectacle that, for many, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he continued enthusiastically, while more images of the phenomenon played on the screen.

Nathan took a sip from his drink as he listened.

"However," the presenter went on, his tone shifting to something more serious, "now that the event is behind us and we've returned to normalcy, we must report that cases of rabies attacks in people have risen significantly. Those infected exhibit extreme aggression toward any living being around them. We urge everyone to remain calm and stay alert for anyone acting strangely or out of the ordinary."

The camera zoomed in on the presenter's face, his expression grave.

"Rest assured that authorities are already working to identify and contain the rabid animal that may have caused this. Everything will return to normal soon, so please don't panic," he concluded with determination, clearly aiming to calm his audience.

Nathan turned off the television with the remote just as the news program moved on to its next segment. He stood up from the couch, stacking his plate and glass to carry them to the kitchen. But before he could take a single step, the familiar ringtone of an incoming call sounded from his phone.

Without bothering to check the caller ID, Nathan answered.

"Yeah? Who is this?" he asked, balancing the plate in his other hand.

"Nathan, it's me, bro," said a familiar voice on the other end.

A faint smile crossed Nathan's face as he recognized Jake's voice.

"What's up, Jake?" he asked, heading toward the kitchen and setting the dishes in the sink.

"Are you ready for the party yet?"

"Not yet, but I'll shower real quick and get ready to head out," Nathan replied as he made his way back to his room.

"Alright, bro. I'll see you in a bit, then," Jake said before hanging up.

Nathan let out a small sigh as he pulled off his T-shirt and headed for the bathroom.

"I'm only going because you asked me to," he muttered, closing the door behind him.

------------------------------

Minutes later, Nathan's distinct ringtone rang out again from his room. Moving at his usual unhurried pace, he answered while sitting on the edge of his bed.

"What?" he said, a touch of annoyance in his voice.

"Hurry up, man," Jake insisted on the other end of the line.

"I told you I wouldn't take long. We've still got time, relax," Nathan responded casually.

"Not as much as you think. We need to stop and grab a few things before heading to the party," Jake pointed out, his tone more serious now.

"What things?" Nathan asked, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.

"I talked to Emma, and she gave me the green light to bring our own booze. So we've got to pick something decent to avoid looking bad. Got it?"

"Emma let you do that?" Nathan asked, incredulous.

"I swear. So hurry up so we can buy what we need before it gets too late," Jake replied with urgency.

Nathan let out a soft chuckle.

"Yes, sir. At your command."

"I'll meet you in fifteen minutes at your building's entrance," Jake said before abruptly ending the call.

Nathan set his phone aside and moved toward the mirror in his room, pulling on a fitted black T-shirt. He studied his reflection for a moment.

"I guess I look alright," he muttered to himself, running his fingers through his hair to fix it.

He was dressed in dark blue jeans, well-kept brown sneakers, and the black T-shirt that highlighted his athletic build. He wasn't overly muscular, but he was in good shape—enough to be noticeable. His black hair was slightly tousled, but in a way that looked effortlessly natural, and his brown eyes carried a calm, almost detached expression. His jawline was subtly defined but still retained a hint of "baby fat," a reminder that he was young—likely in his late twenties.

Standing about six feet tall, Nathan had a presence that was both relaxed and commanding. He grabbed a blue hoodie from the hook by the door and draped it over his shoulders, ready to head out.

"Alright," he said softly, switching off the light in his room before stepping outside.

------------------------------

"Hey, Jake, have you heard about the attacks happening around the city?" Nathan asked from the passenger seat, staring absently out the window as the car rolled down the avenue.

"You mean the people who got bitten by that rabid animal?" Jake replied, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Yeah, that," Nathan said, crossing his arms. "They mentioned it on the news again today. They said the attacks are increasing," he added, his tone tinged with worry.

"Are you scared?" Jake teased with a smirk, glancing at his friend for a moment before returning his focus to driving.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. What worries me most is the idea of getting infected with that thing. I read somewhere that if you get rabies, they have to inject you with needles three times bigger than normal—and straight into your stomach. Can you imagine that?" Nathan shuddered at the thought, letting out a heavy sigh.

Jake let out a brief laugh as he turned the wheel to take the next street.

"Man, you're always worrying about something. And yet, you're the first one to act when things get ugly. That's why you're always starting bar fights," he joked, throwing a sideways glance at Nathan.

Nathan shook his head, a sarcastic laugh escaping him.

"You might be right about that, but this time it's different," he said more seriously, his gaze drifting back out the window.

Silence filled the car, wrapping the two of them in an uncomfortable calm. Jake stayed focused on the road, while Nathan watched the nighttime scenery pass by. The glow of streetlights and building signs lit up the empty streets, but something in the air felt off, as if the city itself were holding its breath.

At a red light, Jake stole a quick glance at his friend. Nathan's expression was distant, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he were carrying a worry he hadn't fully voiced.

"Hey, don't stress so much, man," Jake said suddenly, breaking the silence. "No matter what happens, you know I've always got your back, right?"

Nathan turned his head, surprised by the comment. Jake gave him a confident smile and flexed his arm, showing off his biceps.

"Besides, if something tries to attack us, you already know what we'll do. We'll knock them out, like always. No one's ever beaten us," Jake added with a deep laugh.

That finally got a laugh out of Nathan. The tension in his shoulders eased as he looked at Jake, amused.

"You're right. With a giant like you by my side, I doubt anyone would even dare to come near us," he said, chuckling.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jake asked, pretending to be offended.

"Come on, look at yourself. You're huge, and you can fight. Do you really think anyone's going to pick a fight with us?" Nathan continued, smiling widely. "It's always the same thing: someone gets brave enough to try and hit me, but as soon as you step in, they turn tail and run."

Jake shook his head and muttered with mock indignation,

"Not my fault they're all cowards."

Then, with a more relaxed smile, he added,

"Although, it's not like you can't hold your own. You can fight too—and pretty damn well."

"Yeah, but I don't intimidate people just by being in the room," Nathan said with a shrug.

Jake let out a light laugh.

"Fair enough."

Nathan glanced at his friend, and for a moment, he couldn't help but feel grateful. Jake was much taller than him, standing close to 6'5". His body was a wall of muscle, built over years of hard work and a bit of genetic luck as an African American. His biceps seemed to have muscles on top of muscles, and his sheer presence demanded respect.

But behind that intimidating exterior, Jake was a completely different person. Kind, charismatic, and loyal to the core, he was the kind of friend anyone would be lucky to have. To Nathan, Jake was more than a friend—he was like a brother. He couldn't imagine his life without him.

"Hey, man, we're almost there," Jake's voice suddenly broke into Nathan's thoughts.

"Right," Nathan replied, pulling himself back to the present.

------------------------------

Later that night, after the party, Nathan and Jake returned to the apartment together. The air outside felt freezing, as if an invisible blanket of cold had wrapped itself around the city.

Nathan closed the apartment door behind them as Jake collapsed onto the couch with a yawn.

"It's way too late for you to head home on your own. Just crash here tonight," Nathan said, tossing his keys onto the table.

"I wasn't even going to argue. I'll sleep on the couch, like always," Jake replied, stretching as he kicked off his shoes.

Nathan glanced toward the apartment window. Through the glass, he could see the empty street, dimly lit by the streetlights. There was something strange about the atmosphere, something he couldn't quite put into words. It was as if the air was charged with an invisible tension, an unsettling calm that sent a shiver down his spine.

"What's up?" Jake asked, noticing the look on his face.

Nathan shook his head and tried to smile.

"Nothing. It's just... something doesn't feel right tonight."

Jake looked at him curiously but decided not to press.

"Come on, relax. Nothing bad is going to happen."

Nathan nodded, but the feeling didn't go away. A small spark of unease had taken root in his chest, one he couldn't ignore. Something in the air told him trouble was coming, though he couldn't say what. That was why he had insisted Jake stay the night. Even if he wouldn't admit it out loud, he didn't want to be alone.

"Well, good night, man," Jake said, settling into the couch.

"Good night," Nathan replied, turning off the apartment lights before heading to his bedroom.

In the darkness, as he lay in bed, Nathan stared up at the ceiling, listening to the silence of the city. The cold felt deeper than usual, and that lingering sense of unease kept scratching at the edges of his mind.