Chapter 116
"Bang! Bang!"
The two consecutive shots hit Dave, but to everyone's shock, the bullets seemed to have little effect, as though the distance was too far. Dave wobbled but continued to charge forward. However, the shots did seem to cause him pain, making him howl in frustration as he looked toward Beverly's direction. Holding onto the lifeless body of Biff, Dave began sprinting down a corridor, crashing into chairs along the way.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two more shots hit him, but Dave didn't slow down in the slightest.
"The gun's damage is too limited?"
Beverly was in disbelief as she examined her gun. She was sure her shots had hit, but they seemed to have no lasting effect. Jackson, also perplexed, pulled out his own pistol, eyeing one of the teachers nearby as if testing the weapon on them might reveal something.
The teacher, clearly unnerved, glared at them angrily.
"What on earth are you police even doing? Why did it take you so long to get here? That monster has already killed several people!"
"Ha!"
Beverly let out a cold laugh.
"If your school's security had tried to stop him, or at least let us in faster instead of interrogating us at the gate, we could've caught him already!"
After separating from the rest of the police force, Beverly and Jackson had quickly searched the perimeter and found the large hole Dave had broken through. They immediately began following the trail. Along the way, Beverly tried contacting Captain Brooke through the radio, but all she heard was static.
Pressed for time, they had no choice but to move ahead without backup. After speeding through town, they finally spotted Dave's figure, already inside the school, where, shockingly, no one had stopped him. But when Beverly and Jackson reached the school's gates, the security guards stopped them, refusing to allow them in with guns, claiming they couldn't risk a school shooting on their watch.
It wasn't until Beverly threatened the guard at gunpoint that they were let through. Complaints be damned; she had bigger problems to deal with. This entire situation could've been handled easily, but due to the negligence of her own police force, things had spiraled into chaos.
"Chase him! At this distance, the bullets are ineffective," Beverly ordered, jogging forward while keeping her sights on Dave.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
All her shots hit their mark, and as the distance closed, a mist of blood spurted from Dave's body. The bullets were clearly affecting him now, slowing him down.
"Jackson, give me your gun."
Jackson immediately handed it over, and Beverly swiftly aimed at Dave again, firing two shots at his leg joints in an attempt to cripple him. To her surprise, the bullets seemed to have no effect.
Dave's skin turned bright red, and suddenly, he crouched down, clutching Biff's body close. Steam began to rise from his body, and he started to change. His face twisted grotesquely, his nose becoming pig-like, and sharp tusks sprouted from his mouth. Coarse, bristly hair began to cover his skin.
"A monster!"
Beverly's face twisted in shock, a creeping fear rising within her. It reminded her of something, a vague, terrifying memory, though the details eluded her.
After the transformation, Dave seemed to be called by something. He turned and sprinted toward the gymnasium, where a large, old boar was staring at him intently, as though summoning him.
Beverly didn't move. She couldn't afford to act rashly.
"Jackson!" she called out.
"On it."
"Request backup immediately. We'll need heavy weapons."
"Got it."
Though visibly shaken, Jackson ran to the side and pulled out his radio to call for support.
Beverly now understood that Dave had become something beyond human. This was no longer a problem she could solve as a regular officer. A cold dread filled her gut, like a haunting memory she couldn't quite recall.
"What are you doing? He's getting away! If he hurts more students, you'll be responsible!" the teacher snapped, still following her.
Beverly's dangerous glare silenced the teacher. She had been tolerating this person's complaints for too long. If it weren't for her uniform, Beverly would've taught her a lesson by now.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" the teacher asked nervously. "If I had a gun, I would've already gone after him to protect my students."
Without a word, Beverly shoved the gun toward the teacher. The woman's face flushed with embarrassment.
"I-I don't know how to use it."
Beverly cocked the gun and handed it back. "Just aim and pull the trigger. It's my first day too."
"You're a cop! I'll be filing a complaint against you, you'll be out of a job soon!"
Beverly frowned. Though she wasn't particularly fond of being a cop, she suddenly recalled what Sarandy had said about her promotion.
Just then, Jackson returned.
"Captain Brooke's team is in trouble. They were attacked by a group of pigs. All nearby police forces are heading to assist them. HQ says they'll send backup from Uptown."
Beverly didn't respond, but the teacher burst out, "Uptown? That's half an hour away! By the time they get here, all the students could be dead!"
Jackson grimaced, unsure how to respond. He, too, was puzzled by how Captain Brooke's team, armed with guns, could be overwhelmed by a bunch of pigs.
In the distance, Dave, now resembling a human tank, crashed through the doors of the gymnasium. Screams filled the air as students fled in terror.
"Let's go. Even if we can't take him down, we need to evacuate the students," Beverly said, taking a deep breath. Her badge now felt like a chain, and with so many witnesses around, she had no choice but to act.
Besides, Dave didn't seem like a direct threat to them. His goal was clear: vengeance for his pigs. Though her earlier shots had angered him, Beverly could feel less malice from Dave than from the teacher beside her.
Most of the students Dave had knocked down earlier were still alive, except for the one in the cheerleader uniform. He seemed to be holding back in his rampage.
"Jackson!"
Beverly shouted so loudly that both Jackson and the teacher flinched, even drawing the attention of some of the spectators. Beverly wasn't sure why her voice had grown so strong, but now was the perfect time for a show.
"Those kids are suffering from violence! They are the future of our country! We can't stand by and do nothing!"
Jackson, unaware of Beverly's true intentions, was moved by her words.
"Beverly, calm down! Our bullets can't even penetrate his skin!"
"I don't care if I don't have a gun. For the sake of those children, I'm willing to use this axe and fight him myself!"
Beverly grabbed a nearby axe. "Even if we can only save one kid, we have to try. Their parents would be heartbroken to know their children died at school. Even though our colleagues and leaders aren't here, and we don't have backup, the two of us must fight to the death to protect the future of this country!"
With that, she charged ahead.
Jackson, inspired by her words, felt a wave of shame. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the teacher.
"Tell the department that Jackson isn't a coward!"
He turned and followed Beverly without hesitation.
The teacher, now filled with admiration, muttered, "I can't believe she's so brave. I can't believe I said those awful things to her earlier. I should be ashamed!"
She bit her lip, pulled out her phone, and began recording.