Chapter 9: Embracing the Darkness

Chapter 9: Embracing

Stopping for a moment, John saw the gruesome remains of what was once a person on the floor. He quickly grabbed a curtain, ripping it down, and covered the body with it, offering whatever comfort he could in this nightmarish situation. He knew that others out there were likely facing far worse fates, so he tried to take solace in the fact that at least her pain was over. Gathering his resolve, John proceeded to search the office for a backpack or bag to carry supplies. He needed a flashlight, medical supplies, preferably in a medical box or bag, and anything else that could prove useful in the challenging times ahead.

"Thank god for plot armor," John faintly laughed, acknowledging the fortunate presence of mother dragons nearby, which might deter other dangerous creatures for now. However, he also realized that the real threat now would be other people. Many of them might have been corrupted or succumbed to their darker impulses.

Speaking aloud, John attempted various commands to access the game's system, but to no avail. He shrugged off the frustration and continued his search, eventually finding a backpack in the lost and found area. He emptied out the schoolbooks and took some essential supplies like pens and a pair of scissors. With the backpack now equipped, he left the main office, determined to gather what he needed from the kitchens, the nurse's office, and the gardener's shed before leaving.

As he made his way to the kitchens, the distant sight of smoke and the orange glow of fire filled the air, accompanied by the sound of sirens. "Sigh, would have preferred zombies, but will take what I can get," John muttered to himself as he approached the kitchens. There, he gathered non-perishable foods and sharp kitchen knives, opting to wield two large kitchen knives in each hand.

"Now just the nurse's office and the gardener's shed. I hope everyone else who survived is okay and not around here," John said to himself, feeling restless but grateful for the continued protection of the plot armor. As he entered the nurse's office, a chilling scene awaited him.

On the bed lay a lifeless body, cut open and oozing blood, with a woman hunched over it. "Now, that should do it. No life means no more pain for you. Now I can move on to my next patient," the woman said in a hoarse, scratchy voice.

Turning her head toward him, her long black hair reached down to the floor, obscuring most of her face, which bore a torn and terrifying mask. Her crimson red eyes sent shivers down John's spine as he noticed the leather nurse outfit, reminiscent of something from a horror movie.

"Sorry to interrupt," John nervously spoke, trying to approach her while holding a knife in each hand. "There was an accident in the main office. I wasn't sure what to do, so I figured I'd come to the nurse's office to get help. Thankfully, you're here to help."

"Oh my, what happened to them? Couldn't they come here on their own?" she asked, her movements accompanied by eerie cracking sounds resembling bubble wrap.

"I'm sorry, but no," John quickly replied, choosing his words carefully as he edged closer. "She was on the ground, and even though I probably could have carried her here, I was worried it would do more harm. So, I decided to seek the assistance of a medical professional like you. It's clear that you can help her and end her pain." Hoping to use her madness to his advantage, John carefully observed the girl's behavior as he approached. Her slight head tilt and nod seemed like she was still trying to comprehend the situation, giving him an opening. With a mix of fear and determination, he got closer to her, clutching the kitchen knife tightly in his trembling hand. His heart raced as he prepared himself for what he was about to do.

In a swift, desperate motion, he lunged forward, swinging the kitchen knife at her head. His aim was precise, targeting her temples to incapacitate her quickly. The blade connected, and he felt the resistance as the knife dug into her head. An ear-splitting scream erupted from her throat, but before it could escalate, John reacted without hesitation. He plunged the other knife into her throat, silencing the sound as blood spattered around him.

She reached up to claw at the knife lodged in her throat, her eyes wide with terror and agony. John took a step back, his hands shaking uncontrollably, and his stomach churned as he realized the gravity of what he had just done. He had taken a life, even one as corrupted and inhuman as hers, it was still a life. He wiped his mouth, trying to suppress the nausea that overwhelmed him.

Looking down at her lifeless body, John forced himself to take in every detail of what he had done. He wanted to burn it into his mind, to always remember his first kill, to remember the feeling, so he would never forget the weight of taking another person's life. He questioned if it was really necessary to kill her, but the image of the blood-soaked table reminded him of the danger she posed to others. He tried to convince himself that this act was for the greater good, that he had to do it to protect innocent lives. Deep down, however, he knew it was just self-justification to come to terms with the harsh reality of what he had become.

Prayers for forgiveness filled his mind as he hoped that the darkness of this act would not consume him entirely. The shock of taking a life gnawed at his soul, and he knew that he would carry this burden with him forever. He realized that the road he had chosen was not an easy one, and the path he had embarked on was fraught with perilous choices and unforgiving consequences.

As he stood there, feeling the weight of his actions and the haunting silence around him, he vowed never to forget this moment. He would carry the memory of his first kill as a reminder of the fragility of life and the danger of losing one's humanity in a world filled with darkness. And as he prayed that it would never get easier, he knew that his journey was far from over, and the darkness of this new world would continue to test his resolve in ways he could not yet imagine.

But also knowing he needed to push forward, survive till the end, and make those who caused this pay for what they had done, he turned away. Proceeding to search for some medical supplies, he focused on finding bandages, painkillers, and a few antibiotics. He also collected clean gloves and rubbing alcohol, carefully placing them all into his backpack. With a fresh knife in hand, he shakily left the nurse's office, knowing that he had to continue on, that things would keep happening, that he has to keep pushing forward.