The game

A uncertainty hung in the air, as despite the growing unease, there was the possibility that the girl might not be, in fact, plotting anything sinister.

Every thought of Johnny was a crossroads between the instinct of self-preservation and the hesitation born from uncertainty.

After a few seconds that seemed to stretch into eternity, the red-haired girl finally opened her beautiful unique eyes, a vibrant shade of violet.

With a gentle gesture, the girl's expression transformed into a satisfying smile. Her lips curved delicately, creating an expression that, while friendly, still held a touch of mystery.

The light of the smile in the girl's violet eyes radiated confidence, leaving Johnny in a momentary state of perplexity.

"What the hell is happening?" thought Johnny, perplexed, as his hand released from the girl. A veil of confusion enveloped his thoughts, and he felt trapped in an enigma that challenged his understanding.

Johnny's imagination began to wander down uncertain paths, considering the possibility that she possessed the power to glimpse the past, or perhaps was involved in mental manipulation, or even something beyond his comprehension of reality.

Johnny's murderous intent pulsed with overwhelming intensity, a force he had never experienced before in his life.

It was as if every fiber of his being was saturated with a fierce urgency to eliminate the presence of the red-haired girl. His instincts, normally under control, now roared in a deafening chorus, insisting that he should follow this murderous impulse.

However, the situation became dramatically complicated. For he found himself within the lord's territory. The shadows of death loomed over the idea of an assassination, casting doubts on Johnny's chances of escaping such an act. It was a fierce dilemma between visceral desire and pragmatic reality.

"Not a good idea, boy!" warned Mia, her voice laden with caution and concern, as if she had sensed the turmoil in Johnny's thoughts.

Johnny nearly jumped on the cushioned seat of the carriage, his eyes widened in surprise, as Mia's words echoed in his ears.

Cecilia, noticing the tension, asked with a confused expression, "What's not a good idea?" Her eyes sought to understand the meaning behind Mia's words.

"Can't you perceive the way your brother looks at me? He's head over heels for a beauty like me!" exclaimed Mia, her voice echoing a mix of confidence and teasing. As she spoke, she delicately slid her fingers through her curls.

Mia's tone carried a hint of playfulness, as if she were enjoying the dynamic between her and Johnny. Her eyes, full of mischief, locked onto Cecilia's, challenging the interpretation of the situation.

Cecilia, upon hearing Mia's words, let out a playful scoff, accompanied by a mischievous smile. "Oh, I'd love to have Mia as a sister-in-law," she said, throwing a playful glance in Johnny's direction.

"Damn, she's a damn psychopath!" thought Johnny.

"Hey, kids, look at the Excommunicatus!" echoed the voice of the coachman outside the carriage, abruptly breaking the tension that had lingered inside.

The three children directed their apprehensive gazes to the window, facing an alarming sight.

Outside, humanoid creatures roamed near the Holy Church. The diffuse moonlight highlighted their distorted forms, creating dancing shadows that revealed the anomaly of their figures.

"My god! They're zombies!" muttered Johnny, feeling a chill run down his spine. He had never seen anything so horrible and repulsive in his entire life. How could such aberrations exist in this barbaric world?

Johnny's heart raced, pounding heavily in his chest. He didn't expect such a surprise on this trip that was supposed to be calm and enjoyable. He looked at his carriage companions, seeking some explanation.

Cecilia almost jumped out of the carriage, shouting, "Disgusting! Turn the carriage around, sir coachman, we're heading towards them!" She was terrified, covering her mouth with her hands. She couldn't bear to see those grotesque creatures crawling on the ground, with pieces of rotten flesh hanging from their bodies.

The coachman said, "No need to fear, they're harmless!" He tried to reassure the girls, his voice calm. He tightened the reins to continue the path.

Mia played with her hair, delighting in her friend's horror. She found it amusing to see Cecilia's reaction, so fearful and sensitive.

Johnny noticed Mia's subtle sickening micro-expressions, identifying in her the traits of a psychopath, possibly a juvenile maniac, unable to hide her true nature.

The carriage advanced, revealing more details about these grotesque creatures.

The coachman looked at the passengers with a solemn expression and said, "They are the Excommunicatus, beings who were once human but lost their humanity through punishment from the Holy Church. They were transformed into obedient slaves, without free will, to serve the purposes of humanity!"

Cecilia and Johnny watched with horror as the humanoid figures emerged at the carriage window. Their faces were in an advanced state of decomposition, with flesh hanging loose, revealing exposed muscles. In the rare patches of visible skin, it exhibited an abnormal paleness.

The Excommunicatus had no nose, mouth, or ears. Their eyes were like two black stones, dull and emotionless, just a void reflecting the lack of consciousness.

Cecilia felt a lump in her throat and asked, "Why were they transformed into this? What did they do so wrong?"

The coachman sighed and replied, "They were heretics, sinful people! They defied the Holy Church, practiced forbidden magic, worshipped false gods, or rebelled against ecclesiastical power. Therefore, they were judged and condemned by the Inquisition. This serves as an example and a warning to others, so they don't commit the same sins!"

Johnny's mind began to wander, questioning the process of creating these abominations. Was it a form of lobotomy that destroyed the brains of the victims? Was it a power of the gifted, altering the minds and bodies of people? Was it a magic to possess the souls of the condemned?