Escape

The creature screeched and raised its claw for the killing blow, but in that moment, a dagger slammed into its back.

The degenerate stumbled, momentarily distracted. Kiah blinked and turned, wide-eyed. It was Anwyll who had bought her a second.

"Get up and fight!" He barked. "You aren't dead yet."

Next to him, Naya struggled against her opponent, blood staining her sleeves. They were all in a pitiful state.

Yellow had run out of arrows and fought with a dagger now. Red was barely standing, gashes streaking across his skin. Even Blackie was a wreck.

But they kept going. They kept fighting.

Kiah felt a surge of determination.

Why should she be the one to give up first? She wouldn't be left behind. She refused. Her mother didn't raise a quitter. She couldn't give up now.

Gritting her teeth, she ignored the burning pain and stood. She had to utilize Anwyll's distraction. She wrapped her fingers around her labrys, gaze fixed on the gnarly degenerate in front of her.

'Die, you bastard.'

With a scream, she swung her blade at the degenerate's arm — and missed. In turn, it scratched her abdomen, and she stumbled back.

Determined, she didn't let the injury stop her and sliced the degenerate's arm as it aimed for her again. She didn't bask in happiness as its arm landed on the floor. At that moment, she felt no pleasure.

All she wanted to do was kill the beast.

So she raised her weapon again and aimed for its neck, the killing blow. But because of her injured arms, she missed and ended up jabbing its ears at first.

So with gritted teeth, she started sawing his head in half instead, blood splashing over her face.

The degenerate struggled, sending several blows to her stomach, but she ignored them, only focusing on accomplishing her goal.

Finally, its body went limp and crumpled to the floor.

She staggered a bit and gazed up at the sky, eyes closed and laughing breathlessly.

'I did it. I actually—'

"The capsule is leaving!"

Her eyes flew open as panic seized her chest.

She turned and saw the capsule already lifting from the ground.

"Shit!"

She ran. Everyone ran.

'Don't leave us. Don't leave us…' she chanted in her head, eyes locked at the capsule.

Yellow was in the lead. Anwyll and Naya were close behind her. Kiah trailed behind them while Red and Blackie were still battling one degenerate behind.

"Fuck this!"

Red's voice sliced through the air. He bolted, leaving Blackie behind.

Blackie dodged a claw and tried to flee too, but—

"I'm sorry, dude. It's nothing personal, but it's between you and me. I choose me. You have to slow that monster down!"

Red tripped him.

Blackie hit the ground hard, a degenerate not far behind him.

Kiah halted unconsciously.

Her eyes darkened, and she glared as Red ran past her with a grin.

Red had run his mouth all day. Not only was he a trash talker, but he was also a heartless bully. Even sacrificing his teammates. What a cheap shot!

People like him disgusted her the most.

She looked at the capsule still rising, then at Blackie.

She cursed under her breath and turned back, whipping out her stun gun. She fired at the creature, and it convulsed and dropped to the floor. It wasn't dead, just temporarily incapacitated.

But that was enough.

"Come on, buddy." She grabbed his arm, dragging him up with trembling hands.

"You aren't any better than me. We'll both die." Blackie rasped, trying to convince her to leave.

"I refuse to die," Her voice cracked. "I have someone waiting for me. I can't die before I see her."

She dragged him along as best as she could with her bleeding shoulders. It was an excruciating ordeal. Simply agonizing. Utterly petrifying.

Damn her good conscience!

"We won't make it."

"Shut up!" She snapped.

Ahead, the others were near the capsule.

Anwyll turned to see Kiah behind and frowned.

"Oh, my goodness."

Naya gasped and was about to run and help when Anwyll grabbed her.

"Stay here. I'll go."

"We will all go." The Yellow-haired girl muttered before running back.

"You're all out of your mind! They are dead men walking." Red spat. But when no one listened to him, he sneered, "Fine then. You can all die for all I care. I'll be the only one passing the test!"

When Kiah saw everyone coming back, something cracked inside her.

'Idiots.'

Unshed tears welled in her eyes. But she'd never been more grateful.

"Are you alright?" Naya asked when they got close.

"This isn't the time." Anwyll snapped. He didn't hesitate and swung Blackie over his shoulder like he weighed nothing. "Run."

Naya and Yellow assisted her, and they all ran to the capsule.

Before it could take off, they jumped and entered it.

They made it.

Lying on the cold metal floor, Kiah sighed, gazing at the blurry ceiling.

'I am alive.'

It was time to take a nap.

The capsule ride was a blur of Anwyll and Naya hovering beside her, trying to keep her awake, calling her name over and over again. But despite their efforts, Kiah fell unconscious.

*

When she stirred again, she found herself in an unfamiliar place.

A steady beeping filled her ears. Sterile light filtered through white curtains that surrounded her like a makeshift ward. She blinked slowly, her vision adjusting.

A monitor was clipped to her finger, the source of the beeping sound. Her body was wrapped in bandages and fine soft linen, and she was no longer wearing her blood-soaked gear. Instead, she wore a loose, white medical gown.

And beside her sat a familiar figure with red eyes and silver hair, arms folded across her chest.

"Eden?" Her voice cracked.

The girl turned, her expression unreadable. "You're awake."

Kiah struggled to sit up. Her shoulders were sluggish but pain-free. It was a relief.

"I made it."

"Barely," Eden stared at her expressionlessly. "But I'm glad you did."