Reborn in Blood: The Trials of a Leech. Book 2 - Bloody War

A few weeks passed in the blink of an eye as law enforcement worked tirelessly to find any leads and track down my family. During that time, I was subjected to countless tests by doctors and medical personnel, all trying to understand the changes happening to me. My diet had shifted drastically, and now, my body rejected any food except blood. Because of this, they kept me isolated in a room far from others, and I was never allowed out without a few guards accompanying me.

It wasn’t just the strange new diet that had everyone on edge—it was the rapid healing. The more blood I consumed, the faster my wounds healed. Even the last of the scars on my face had finished healing, leaving me looking even better than I had before all of this started. The disfigurement was gone, replaced by a strange, almost unnatural perfection.

The doctors and the higher-ups they reported to were fascinated—and perhaps a little fearful. They wanted to know how this transformation was possible, and more importantly, how they could harness it for themselves. The only problem was, they needed to find the one who had done this to me—the mysterious doctor from the hospital. This had the government and the military craving for the secrets my body held.

But as they dug deeper, they ran into dead ends. No one could find him, and any information about him ever working at the hospital seemed to have been wiped from existence. It was as if he had never been there at all. The more they searched, the more it seemed like I had been caught up in something far beyond their understanding—or mine.

As the days blurred together, I grew more restless. My family was still out there somewhere, but I had no way to reach them, no way to warn them about what might be coming. The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t stay locked up forever. I needed to find answers, and I needed to find my family before it was too late.

I had thought of a plan that would allow me to see my family again. I knew the people holding me were driven by greed, their desire to understand and harness the changes in me outweighed any ethical concerns. I decided to use that to my advantage, carefully laying out my strategy in my mind.

I began by asking for small things, hinting at what more could be achieved if they gave me what I wanted. Eventually, I made my request: I wanted to see my family. I suggested that they could send an escort with me to ensure nothing went wrong, appealing to their sense of control. But I didn’t stop there. I hinted that visiting my family could lead to even greater benefits.

"If I have the gene that allowed me to become like this," I explained, "then my family might also carry the same gene. Since I was a geneticist who studied ways of increasing human traits or giving them new ones before all this happened, I believe I can find and analyze it in their blood samples. This might lead to replicating the gene in others, allowing them to acquire the same gifts I have."

The prospect of replicating my abilities in others was too enticing for them to pass up. I could see the hunger in their eyes as I spoke, the gears turning in their minds as they imagined the possibilities. They discussed it among themselves, weighing the risks and rewards, but I knew I had them.

After what felt like an eternity, they agreed. I would be allowed to see my family but under strict supervision. They would send a team with me to collect blood samples and observe any interactions. They believed they could control the situation, but in reality, they were playing right into my hands.

With the plan set, I could hardly contain my anticipation. Soon, I would be reunited with my family. But more than that, I would finally be free from the walls of this room, free to find the answers I desperately needed—and perhaps, even the mysterious doctor who had done this to me.

DING

Another noise but this time that's all that was there just the noise.

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They strapped a bomb to my neck, a constant reminder that they didn't trust me, that they thought I might run or try something reckless. But they didn’t know the truth—I wasn’t planning to run. I needed them just as much as they needed me, at least until I found that bastard who left me for dead.

The bomb wasn’t large, more of a deterrent than a serious threat, but it was still powerful enough to cripple me if they decided to press the button. It could easily be hidden under my clothes, so my family wouldn’t see it and start asking questions. I had to play my part perfectly—make them believe this was a great gift for humanity, and that I was genuinely eager to help.

I adopted a cooperative attitude, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to help advance human potential. I talked about how my "gifts" could revolutionize medicine, and how they could create stronger, healthier humans. I painted a picture of a bright future, one where we could eliminate diseases and even reverse aging.

The more I spoke, the more they seemed to buy into my act. I could see the shift in their eyes—no longer were they just wary guards and scientists; they were becoming collaborators, partners in a grand experiment. They began to trust me, little by little, as I showed them how cooperative I could be.

But underneath it all, I was biding my time, carefully planning my next move. The more they trusted me, the more freedom I would gain, and the closer I would get to finding the doctor who did this to me. And once I had what I needed, I would make sure my family was safe—no matter the cost.

For now, I played the role of a willing participant, waiting for the right moment to turn the tables in my favor. I couldn’t afford any mistakes; everything hinged on them continuing to believe that I was on their side. I would take control and rule not the other way around I just needed time to gather power and influence from them.

The convoy of armored black cars pulled up to my house, the vehicles spreading out as the men inside set up surveillance over the area. My heart pounded in my chest as we drove into the driveway, knowing this was my only chance to see my family again—or at least to find out what had happened to them.

As I stepped out of the car, two guards flanked me closely, their eyes scanning every inch of the surroundings. I walked to the door and bent down to pick up a small rock from the garden. With practiced hands, I twisted it open, revealing a hidden key inside the fake stone. I unlocked the door, slipping the key into my pocket as I pushed it open. The guards stayed close, two of them following me inside while another pair swept through the house, checking each room.

The house was empty. No signs of struggle, no overturned furniture—just the eerie quiet of a place that should have been filled with life. My heart sank, but I forced myself to stay focused. I headed straight to my office, the guards trailing behind me. As I powered up my PC, my hands shook slightly, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

Once the computer was up and running, I pulled up the security camera feeds and tracking apps I had installed. My eyes scanned the screen, looking for any clues. There—a location pinged a few miles out, near where I had woken up in that abandoned building. A cold realization settled in my gut as I clicked over to the recent motion detections on the cameras inside the house and outside of it too.

The footage played, and I watched as my kids came home from school on the day I had gone to the hospital. They moved through the house, going about their usual routines. Then, later that night, the doctor appeared on the screen, the very same one who had done this to me. But what I saw next chilled me to the core.

My family didn’t resist him. They weren’t being forced or coerced. They had bags packed as if they knew he was coming. They calmly walked out of the house, placing their things into the back of his truck. The doctor seemed to be in control, but not in a threatening way—more like they trusted him like they were following a plan they had all agreed upon.

A shiver ran down my spine as I realized the implications. My family had left with him willingly. But why? What had he told them? What was he planning?

Ding Skill Level Up. Crack Error.

The guards behind me shifted, sensing my tension. I quickly closed the footage and turned off the screen, my mind racing. I had to figure out what was going on, but I couldn’t let the people controlling me know what I had just discovered—not yet. They couldn’t be trusted, not with this.

I turned to the guards, forcing a calm expression onto my face. "It looks like they were here the day I went into the hospital," I said, keeping my voice steady. "But there’s no sign of them after that. We should check the area around where I woke up. Since that is where the tracking app says they were there."

They nodded, already reaching for their radios to relay the information. I needed to keep them focused on finding my family—without letting them know just how much I had uncovered. As they began to organize the search, I felt a surge of determination. Whatever the doctor had planned, whatever he had told my family, I was going to find them. And when I did, I would make sure we got out of this nightmare—together.

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As we drove toward the location the tracking app had pointed to, I could barely contain the storm of emotions churning inside me. A sickening mix of anger, confusion, and dread twisted in my gut. The image of my family calmly leaving with that doctor haunted me, their apparent willingness to follow a stranger gnawing at my sanity. What had he done to them? What could he have possibly said or done to make them trust him so completely?

The thought of it made me feel like I was losing my grip on reality. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white, trying to keep my emotions from boiling over. I had to stay in control, had to think clearly. There was a very real possibility that, depending on what I found, I might have to kill the doctor. If he had harmed my family in any way, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to take deep, steady breaths. I needed to focus, to calm the chaos in my mind. This situation required a clear head, not blind rage. The only reason they had even allowed me to come was because they saw me as expendable, a meat shield who could regenerate if things went south. I had to be smart about this—use their arrogance to my advantage.

But as I thought more about the doctor, something didn’t sit right with me. If he had powers like mine, capturing him wouldn’t be easy, but... I couldn’t shake the feeling that his abilities were different. There was something else about him, something I couldn’t quite remember, but I knew it made him dangerous in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

What was it? I racked my brain, trying to dredge up the memory, but it remained frustratingly out of reach. Whatever it was, it had been significant enough to leave an impression on me, even if I couldn’t pinpoint why. The uncertainty gnawed at me, making me question everything. I needed to figure it out before we arrived—before it was too late.

As the car sped through the dark, winding roads, I tried to piece together what little I knew. The doctor had been calm, and methodical. He had gotten my family to trust him, to willingly follow him into the unknown. That kind of influence... it was more than just manipulation. It was almost like he had some kind of hold over them, something beyond the ordinary. The thought chilled me to the bone. What if his power wasn’t like mine at all? What if it was something far more insidious, something that could control minds, and bend wills? The possibility made me sick, but I couldn’t afford to dwell on it. I had to be ready for anything.

The car slowed as we neared the location. The guards around me tensed, their hands hovering near their weapons. My heart raced, but I forced myself to remain outwardly calm. This was it. Whatever was waiting for us, I had to be prepared to face it head-on. As the car came to a stop, I opened my eyes, my mind sharp and focused. I would find my family, no matter what it took. And if the doctor had crossed any lines, he would pay with his life.

Crack Ding Ding Ding.

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The surreal scene that greeted me as I opened the door felt like a punch to the gut. My family—my wife, and my kids—were all there, but they weren’t looking at me with relief or concern. Instead, they looked at me like I was the intruder, the unwelcome presence in what seemed to be their new life.

The doctor sat comfortably, my wife on his lap, her lips just pulling away from his in a kiss that made my blood run cold. The kids were playing games, as if nothing was wrong, as if they hadn’t been torn from their home, their father. But when they looked up and saw me standing there, flanked by armed special forces, their faces twisted in disgust.

“Why is he still alive?” my wife asked, her voice laced with irritation. “Why is he even here?”

The words cut deeper than any knife could. I stood there, rooted to the spot, struggling to make sense of what I was seeing and hearing. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of anger, betrayal, and heartbreak surging through me. This couldn’t be real—there had to be some explanation, some trick.

But the way they looked at me, the ease with which they interacted with the doctor, the clear affection between them—it was all too real.

The special forces around me tensed, their weapons still ready, but they were as stunned as I was. They hadn’t expected this, either. I could feel their uncertainty, their confusion as they waited for orders, for some sign of what to do next.

The doctor finally spoke, his voice smooth and confident. “Ah, I see our guest of honor has arrived. I’m sure this is quite a shock for you, but I assure you, your family is well taken care of.”

His words were calm, almost patronizing as if he were explaining something to a child who couldn’t quite grasp the situation. He looked at me with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, a look that sent a chill down my spine. This was a man who knew exactly what he was doing—who had planned for this moment.

“They’ve simply moved on, you see,” he continued, still holding my wife close. “You were a part of their lives once, but now... well, they’ve found something better. Something more suited to their needs.”

The rage inside me boiled over. “What the hell did you do to them?” I growled, taking a step forward despite the weapons trained on him.

The doctor didn’t flinch. “I gave them a choice, and they chose to be with me. It’s as simple as that. They’re happier now, as you can see. I’ve provided for them in ways you never could.”

My wife nodded, her expression cold. “You were always so distant, so obsessed with your work. The doctor showed us a better life—a life where we could be free of your burdens.”

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer. I could barely process the betrayal, the complete reversal of everything I thought I knew about my family. How could they say these things? How could they look at me like I was the enemy?

The kids remained silent, but their eyes echoed the same sentiment. They had turned against me, all of them, and I didn’t even know why. The doctor had poisoned their minds and twisted their perceptions, but I couldn’t figure out how he had done it. There had to be something more, some deeper manipulation at play.

“Why are you doing this?” I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and desperation. “What do you want from me?”

The doctor smiled again, a thin, calculating smile. “It’s not about what I want, it’s about what you deserve. You’ve been given a second chance, a gift if you will. But you’ve always been a man who takes more than he gives. Now, you’ll see what it’s like to lose everything. Plus none of this was yours to begin with, it was always mine.”

I couldn’t stand it any longer. My body moved on its own, surging forward to grab the man who had destroyed my life, who had stolen my family. But before I could reach him, a sharp pain exploded in my neck. I looked down to see blood seeping through the vest, and the world started to blur around the edges.

The doctor shook his head, almost pityingly. “You see, even now, you act on impulse, on rage. That’s why you’ll never win.”

I collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath as the pain spread. My vision dimmed, and the last thing I saw before everything went black was the doctor, still holding my wife, watching me die with that same cold smile.

The rage that consumed me in those final moments was more than just anger—it was something primal, something ancient and powerful. It twisted and surged within me, tearing apart my thoughts, my reason, until there was nothing left but a burning need for vengeance. I felt myself slipping away, as if I was being submerged in a sea of red, my consciousness drowning under the weight of pure, unbridled Wrath.

And then, everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer in the doctor’s house. The world around me had changed completely. The ground beneath me was a rough, jagged stone, glowing faintly with a crimson light. The sky above was a swirling mass of dark clouds, pierced by flashes of lightning that crackled with a sound that was almost a scream. The air was thick, and heavy with the scent of blood and something else—something foul and decaying.

I looked down and saw the doctor at my feet, his body broken and bloodied. But he wasn’t alone. My family, the guards—they were there too, but they were no longer the people I once knew. Their bodies had transformed into something monstrous, their human forms twisted into grotesque, half-angelic beings. They had wings—ragged, blackened things that hung limply at their sides—and their faces were a horrifying mix of angelic beauty and demonic malice. Their eyes, once familiar, now glowed with an unnatural light, as if they were puppets controlled by some malevolent force.

But as horrifying as they were, they paled in comparison to what I had become.

I wasn’t human anymore—I could feel it in every fiber of my being. My body was larger, more powerful, and when I raised my hands to look at them, I saw they were clawed, the skin dark and covered in strange, glowing markings.

I took a step back, horrified at what I had become, but as I did, I felt it again—the Wrath, rising within me, threatening to take control once more. It surged up, flooding my mind with thoughts of destruction, vengeance, and fury. I tried to fight it, to push it back, but it was too strong. It was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with my bare hands.

The world around me blurred, and I felt my consciousness slipping away again. The last thing I saw before the Wrath took over completely was the doctor’s lifeless body, his face twisted in a final expression of fear and pain. And then, with a roar that shook the very ground beneath me, I lost myself to the Wrath once more.