Chapter 21
After witnessing the strange scene in the square, Yoren was noticeably unsettled when he returned to the group.
Vina quickly briefed everyone on the discovery of numerous infected corpses. Yoren stood nearby, occasionally glancing back toward the square, his mind restless despite their decision to move on.
They could tell themselves it wasn't their concern, but how could anyone ignore something like that?
The initial shock had faded, replaced by gnawing curiosity. Yoren's fear dulled into something sharper—questions.
Why had those infected died standing in place like that? What had happened to them?
Could it be... punishment? A group of older infected ladies sanctioned for late-night square dancing?
No, that didn't make sense. No one knew better than Yoren how formidable those elderly dancers could be. Their frailty was a deception, a carefully maintained illusion. When the moment called for it—whether it was picking up grandchildren from school, fighting over supermarket specials, or engaging in fierce square dance turf wars—they became forces of nature. Doors bowed before them. Entire crowds parted in their wake.
But the two eerie "statues" in the square weren't old ladies. They were a man and a woman. And besides, Mandel Square was silent—no music, no movement. Just death.
Yoren let the thought go for now. Their identities weren't as important as the way they had died.
Trapped in place. Frozen.
The infected were weakened by Originium Disease, yet when they activated their Originium Techniques, they became far stronger than most uninfected people. Unless someone like Vina or Kate was fighting them, a regular person stood no chance.