Chapter 27

But no matter what I said to Ira, he would not listen to me. He refused to come with Ms. Cristina and Austin, for he persisted in staying there with me while I recollect my thoughts.

When Ms. Cristina and Austin realized that the two of us won't be moving away from the area, they both decided to part ways with us.

Four minutes passed, and Ira just stood there, watching me as I got lost in the full moon's contemptuous beauty. Its bright light made me imagine the life I'd have had no one stopped me, and I ended up killing Allen with my hands.

As I came back to my senses, after I contemplated my insane actions, I realized what I have done and regretted it. Then I suddenly felt an ache in my chest, tightening and being torn apart.

"Argh! My chest!"

The excruciating pain made me go down on my knees, propping one arm on the ground as I held on to my chest, wrinkling my uniform.

"Clause? What's wrong?"

My friend, Ira, quickly ran over to my aid, placing his right hand on my flat back.

"It hurts! It's the same feeling as earlier!"

"Huh? But haven't you taken a pill from the nursing students earlier?"

"Y-Yeah,"

It was so painful breathing, and talking became hard to do like there was something in my chest that was slowly creeping up to my air passage to my throat. It stuck in there, and I was choking vehemently.

"Clause? Why are you? What are you saying?!"

Ira started hitting my back, thinking I was actually choking on something.

Oh, shit, I'm gonna faint... I'm losing air... M-Mom, I can't breathe. S-Save me! Everything is getting worse. The tightening in my chest gets painful every time I move, and the strength I had left in me eventually drains out of my body.

*Thud*

"Clause!"

And I don't have an idea what happened after that. Actually, I did not realize I passed out.

[Just now, an injured student who is incapable of continuing the special exam had been delivered to the infirmary. Note that only those who are unable to proceed with the special exam are allowed to withdraw. Anyways, there is only half an hour before the special exam ends! Is everyone doing their best to capture flags? I wish everyone a happy ending! Although there are unfortunate outcomes that need to be accepted.]

***

"Oi, dude! Are you still alive?! Is he having a heart attack?!"

I'm panicking! I'm panicking! Haa... Haa...

'Calm down, Ira,' I thought to myself, slapping my face. 'You gotta calm down! His pulse... Yeah, his pulse? Check if he is still breathing.'

I flipped Clause over and checked if he was still alive. From his skin to my fingers, I felt that Clause still has a pulse. Since I am a cautious person, I had to double-check whether he was really alive or not.

Closely, I put my ear on his chest, hoping that his heart is still beating.

"It's faint, but Clause is still alive."

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) He needs it. Clause needed proper

first aid treatment! I've read how to do it on the internet, but I've never actually done it in real life.

"Okay, okay. So, uh, how should I do this?"

Shit! Shit! Shit! I am panicking again! I ought to calm down!

"Haa... Ah, with the heel of my hands and straight elbows, push hard and fast in the center of the chest, slightly below the nipples. Push at least 2 inches deep. Compress their chest at a rate of 100 times per minute. Let the chest rise fully between compressions. That's what was written in the guidelines here on my phone, but... why isn't he waking up?!"

Repeatedly, I kept pushing and pushing using both of my hands, clasped onto the other, but Clause was not waking up! Nothing is happening!

I once again checked if his heart was still beating faintly. I was right.

"What am I supposed to do now?! The steps say I need to call 911, but we are on a man-made island surrounded by water! And the school can't be contacted!"

My body knew what I had to do. It moved on its own, carefully picking up Clause from the ground.

"To the infirmary... I need to go to the infirmary!"

Time is ticking on both of us. My friend is slowly losing his life... on my hands! On my fricking hands!

I mustered up every strength I have in stored in my fatty body and began

dragging Clause to the infirmary with his arm forcibly wrapped around my shoulders.

The thought of having the only friend I have to die on my hand is something

I don't wanna see or experience it. It would be the most unforgettable nightmare I'd have and something I don't wanna imagine happening.

Humans are so fragile. With little care, they could break. Be it physically, mentally, or emotionally. Even the toughest or strongest person alive will die. Everyone dies. It is only a matter of time before you or I die in the most peaceful or worst death possible.

On my way to the infirmary, I heard someone humming melodically in the uproarious night where desperate students roam around like wild beasts hoping for food.

The humming would occasionally get low and high for some unknown reason. My ears tried listening to where the sound was coming from, but I could hardly point out the direction. It was ringing inside my head from all over the place.

"I have no time for this shit. Clause needs proper treatment!"

[Only 25 minutes left before the special exam ends! Are you guys all well? Do you still have your flags with you, or perhaps it's already been captured? Oh, no. That is bad! Hurry up and steal your opponent's flag already! Or you might need to face the consequences of your lack of ability! Break a leg!]

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