1 Resurrected ...Again

I slammed the door as my body tumbled to the ground, causing the monstrosity that followed to collide with the steel barrier. Undeterred, the beast claws at the obstacle, causing clangs to resonate through the dim room. It snarls as it attempts to rip the door to my apartment from the frame.

"Thank God for that door upgrade," I mutter as a soft sigh escapes my lips—a warm breath relieving the chilled body that housed it.

A sharp wave of pain courses through me—everything hurts.

I lost vision in my eye earlier when it was popped from the socket, but it is definitely still swinging as it bumps into my face. 'At least if I was just blind, I could make it…'

'Damn it!' The crimson drops streaming from my leg were already forming a small pool on the floor beneath. At least, that's how it feels. Trying to inspect the area is pointless. My good eye can see, sure, but the darkness doesn't allow it.

The bleeding needs to stop, or at least slow down, but getting help isn't happening. The only option I have is to slide my shirt off and tie it to the limb. The chilly air pierced my torso as I struggle.

'I can't turn.' Writhing in pain I use my trembling hand in an attempt to stifle the bleeding but it's pointless. I refuse to become one of those things.

The thoughts won't stop.

"I have to do something," the words echo through the desolate room as I instinctively search for a solution. 'No, why can't I see anything?!'

Trying to wipe the blood off my face does nothing, the darkness is overwhelming my sense completely.

'The present!' a thought crosses my mind as I recall the layout of the room.

'I bet mom never thought I'd use it like this…' With my back against the wall I just need to put the strength into my legs and stand up. Just stand up. That's all.

"ARGH"

The creature behind the door seems to be stirred by the sudden outburst of pain. It attacks the metal foe relentlessly as the sound of steel tearing reaches my ears. 'I have to hurry.'

The injured limb doesn't agree as it attempts to bear the weight of its shattered body.

'It doesn't matter. It's almost over.'

The stench of iron is palpable as the excess movement causes my injuries to ooze with warmth.

'I have to save her.'

Clear thoughts set my path. The pitch black of the room will not stand between me and my goal as I flail my arm along the wall—feeling for a familiar ivory handle.

It's decorative, but it will work.

I manage to keep my grip on my savior as I collapse, forcing the blade from the cheap mount.

My hands feel around in the darkness, inspecting the soaked shirt that wrapped around my leg, 'Damn it!'

There's nothing that can be done. The bleeding won't stop.

If only the power was still on, I could cauterize the wound. It wouldn't be pretty, but it might give her, and me, a chance to survive. This sick game has gone on long enough.

'If I cut off my eye, I could still use the good one… but with this leg…'

My chest rises as I take a deep breath, gripping that marble handle with both hands. '1, 2, 3… This should be the spot…'

Most people didn't know where the heart was, but it worked last time. Counting the spaces between my ribs I find the perfect nesting spot for the dagger.

I push it with all of my strength, sliding it deep inside my body.

A sharp burning sensation accompanies every movement, and reminds me of my failure. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen.

A penetrating warmth pierces my chest as my limbs are enveloped in a familiar coldness. It becomes more difficult to keep my eye open as my energy fades, struggling to take my next breath.

Only death is left.

My soul enters a now familiar space after death, surrounded by a dark void with only myself to be seen.

"Seven times now and you haven't even gotten outside," A voice resonates through the darkness, "I should have chosen someone less pathetic."

'No, give me a chance. It's not over!' It's not apparent whether the voice heard my thoughts, but it didn't stop me.

Floating aimlessly for a moment, my soul seems to be undecided. If only it can move on, this can be over. Everything seems hopeless while trapped in this empty void. The eternal struggle of thrust on me was the origin of it all.

I attempt to clear my thoughts when a jolt overtakes the free-flying sensation and my vision shifts to a familiar sunny afternoon.

'Thank you!' I blink repeatedly adjusting to the new sensation. It wasn't the first time, but every shift carries a weight. A burden that I must bear.

"Save the girl." The mysterious voice commanded.

Where did the voice come from? Who the hell knows.

Perhaps it was God, but that thought was silly to me. Why would a creator of universes be concerned with the life of a mere mortal? Couldn't they just save her?

The banging on the door returns, but it was lighter, closer to a soft knock.

"Shut the hell up!" My voice cracks as I make a fast attempt at analyzing the condition of my body. It was only a few hours ago, but it felt like a completely different person.

'I can take that… thing… outside the door, but what about the big one?' Looking for better weapons than my old baseball bat, I try to come up with my 8th answer…

'Screw that!'

Sitting in place isn't going to accomplish the goal, but this is the first iteration I took a moment to actually think…

'The gun in James' apartment would really help…' I decide, finally standing to my feet and pacing the small apartment.

Kicking dirty clothes out of the way, my mind continues to churn…

A loud crash shakes the room and knocks me from my concentration as I realize what is happening, 'No… the yelling…'

The door creaks and moans as both creatures hack away at it. Panic sets in, this has never occurred in the past, the little one was always dead before I encountered the big one.

The metal shield always holds.

Clanging resonated through the room as the door begins to buckle. It won't be long now.

The time to plan is gone. I quickly return to the ivory handled dagger that hung on the wall, too afraid to spend time searching the kitchen for a sturdier weapon, and pull it from its perch.

'The fire escape…' Realizing my only hope, I dive out the window. The creatures aren't agile and don't appear to be intelligent. No way will they be able to follow me!

The rusty fire escape sways as my body crashes onto it, sending a shiver of life through the unused structure. Not worrying about safety, I begin to sprint down the dilapidated staircase toward the alley. Every footstep echoes through my body and makes my soul tremble.

If more of those beasts hear it, there will be no escape. I have to push through.

Finally, after descending the final staircase, the ladder comes into view. The life saving hunk of steel was the last obstacle before my new record.

Climbing onto the shaky construct, a sense of fear overwhelms me as it fails to descend.

"WHY! Come on!" Screaming in frustration, the knife that I clench in my white knuckles found itself being sheathed in between my teeth. The cold steel is a constant reminder of the danger this world now brings.

Grasping the ladder with both hands, I jump, placing as much weight as possible on the rungs. Hopefully, if it is seized from not being used I'd be able to loosen it.

"Damn it! Just freaking go already!" My shouts echo through the alley as I jump and jump and continue as the crashing of the upstairs door reaches my ears.

Frantically hopping in place while staring at the window I don't notice the ladder shift slightly. At first it barely moved…

"Not good!" I scream as I plunge toward the ground with only the sky in my vision.

My heart freezes as my body grows tense, not knowing what to expect. The sudden drop is interrupted by an instant stop.

'Thank god it didn't break.' The thought crosses my mind as my leg reaches toward the concrete in the alley.

The hair on my arms stands on end as a low howl enters my ears.