A Rude Awakening

Visions of the giant monster fill my nightmares as I snuggle Jackie close. The moment it threw a car through the store's window is replayed time and time again.

In my stupor, I squeeze my companion tighter into my chest to distract me from the horrific replays.

It persists.

Every few seconds, the crashing of the car smashing through the window would repeat. I'm unsure why this particular memory is stuck in my mind, but I can't shake it. I give up.

Opening my eyes, I see her beautiful freckles resting beside me. Her bright red hair frames her smooth face perfectly as she smiles in her slumber.

Unable to resist, I plant a kiss on her forehead and decide to prepare for the day.

Another crash resounds through my mind as the apartment shakes. The sound of twisted steel rings in my mind, forcing me fully awake.

It wasn't a dream.

"Jackie! Get up!" I shake her shoulder and sit up fully as my eyes scan for my weapons.

"Damn it!" My voice is raised as I try to recall where I left my knife last night but refuse to leave the sleeping beauty.

With no time to spare on politeness, I shove her off the couch. Her delicate body falls to the floor before she stirs. I jump to my feet and dash across the living room.

"Huh? What's going on?" The nude Jackie rubs her eyes as she asks groggily.

"Get out of here," I shout, not giving her an answer.

If my suspicions are correct, there is no way I can face my opponent in such a confined space. My safety is guaranteed through my resurrection, but I don't know how death would affect the young lady. Did the weight carry over for them as well?

She doesn't question my demand but instead fumbles with an old shirt she picked off the floor to cover herself. I realize now that it wasn't the brightest idea to sleep without our clothes.

"Just take it and go!" I scream one last command as I reach the bathroom and grab my knife off the counter.

'I just need to stall it until she can get out of the building, then I'll escape with her. If it's the big daddy from before, we'll be safe!' There's no way that such a large creature could follow us. It isn't much of a plan, but it will have to work.

When we had returned to the quiet apartment, I hoped that the threat had left the building. If I knew it still lingered… It doesn't matter. Either way, I was an idiot for letting us be that loud. I know better than that!

I guard the entrance of the apartment as my thoughts are confirmed. The stumbling hulk, that I fought tooth and nail previously, peered through an opening in the metal door. The steel was able to withstand the impacts for a while, but ultimately it succumbed to the pounding and bent away from the frame.

"Alex! I can't get the window open!" Jackie struggles with the old window, attempting to slide it open in a panic.

I'm not sure why it would stick now, but I don't care.

"Smash it!" My calm but firm voice eases her nerves as I notice her actions become more deliberate. The condition of the apartment no longer matters. It is compromised.

In one ear, I hear the shattering of a glass window while a resounding bang enters the other as the monster strikes the door in front of me. Caught by surprise, I'm unable to dodge as the barrier is freed from its hinges and becomes a projectile.

Time slows down as my fate is determined. Every moment that passes, helplessness creeps into my heart as the door flies on a collision course with me. I had already stopped supporting myself, seeking the safety of the floor, but my body just hung there. Like being suspended in molasses, every movement is drawn out.

I close my eyes and accept it.

"Allleeexxx!" Jackie's drawn-out cry fills the air.

It is the last thing I remember before a sharp pain reaches my forehead, and all senses disappear.

"Ha! You were killed by a door! A door!" The mysterious voice confirms my sudden shift to the void.

My thoughts linger on Jackie and the worthless struggle that preceded my death, plunging my depressed mood even further. 'I learned a lot during the cycle, but how much of it was actually useful? I'd have to form a new relationship with her... Garret would still be Garret... would it be the same if I don't save her? What if she-'

'Wait, did it just confirm that it is watching me?' The words that were spoken a moment before had finally registered.

I wait for any more hints that I might learn about its identity but am met with silence.

It isn't until the holographic screen, now a dark black with white text, positions itself directly in front of me that I give up. I'm confident that I'll learn more as information seeps out, but refuse to dwell on it.

I glance at the screen, hopeful that I unlocked something useful. New perks had begun to become an expectation rather than a reward.

[Please Select Your Perks For Resurrection]

[Increased Volume] - Snap Fingers 10x increase

[Decreased Volume] - Snap fingers 10x reduction

[Tenacity] - Slightly reduced damage

[Swiftness] - 10% increase in stamina and movement speed

Congratulations, you've unlocked new perks!

[Addictive Touch] - You have successfully performed intercourse! This perk will guarantee a positive feeling toward you from anyone you've slept with in previous cycles. Be warned, it is not a miracle and won't change a personality!

[Vital Strike: Blades] - You have a habit of targeting your opponent's weak spot rather than winning a battle of attrition. With this perk active, your bladed weapons will have increased durability and destructiveness whenever targeting a vital area.

'…Addictive touch?' My hands tremble at the thought of manipulating people's minds. Will future perks be so ridiculous?

I float in place as I consider my selection. I want to return to the world quickly and release my frustrations when the voice returns.

"Don't choose too hastily. You're now qualified to use another ability." The sudden information prevents me from selecting Vital Strike and taking my revenge on the freak that killed me.

Now that I'm aware of their weakness, my confidence soared.

"You can exchange three perks for the opportunity to tie a soul to yours. Their memories will be carried back with them every time you restart," The voice casually drops a bombshell of information.

"Why couldn't I do this earlier?" I recall having four perks after meeting Ali. Wouldn't I have been able to save her?

Ignoring me, it continued explaining, "In the event that they die during a reset, you will be required to pay one perk for storing their soul until you are reborn."

Paying a perk that could help me with my task seemed like a hefty price, but if I could have companions working toward the same goal, it is probably worth it. I would just have to balance the valuable perks with building my forces…

"If you lack the perks to pay for storage, the person will no longer exist in your world. They will be erased from future attempts, and not even you will recollect your time with them." The final bit of explanation reaches my ears as I wonder how large of an army I can make.

The realization that I would have summoned Ali immediately causes me to shake. With how dangerous the world was, could I really protect her?

"If I were to exchange my perks now, will they remember the last cycle?" I ask the voice as I'm reminded that I abandoned Ali…

I pause, hoping whoever the voice belonged to is kind enough to clarify.