Chapter 55
Chapter 54 RYN
I turned and ran and as expected the beast came after me. I felt the ground tremble as its paws hit the ground and raw fear consumed me.
What do I do now? I have no weapon. No fighting chance! Theon's words came back to me. "...remember your mind is also a weapon and the closer to the boundary you are, the stronger it becomes." How do I use my mind?!
From the corner of my eye I saw the shadow of the beast grow larger meaning it was closing in on me. Suddenly, I threw my body to the left, crashing and rolling on the floor. I groaned as I hit the ground, feeling a sharp pain in my side. If I can feel pain now, then I will definitely feel the wrath of the beast.
The beast landed where I would have been and I used that opportunity to get to my feet and and make a run for the tree. When the beast realized it didn't get me, it roared in anger, and goosebumps rose out of my flesh.
I made it to the tree in time and faced the oncoming mutant.
My mind is weapon5. How? What do I do?
All of a sudden, I remembered a similar moment at Sadie's Estate. I had faced the mutant and it hadn't hurt me. Could the same happen here?
"Stop." I whispered as the beast stalked towards me.
Closer, and every atom in my body, spasmed and trembled in fear.
My mind is a weapon. The beast reached the boundary and towered over me with its claws raised and ready to strike. I raised my empty gun, choosing to believe it was loaded and aimed for its face. "Stop." I whispered and closed my eyes as I pulled the trigger.
To my surprise, it worked.
I opened my eyes just in time to see the beast stagger back and I pulled the trigger over and over again until it was down at my feet.
I panted heavily, still not believing that I actually did it. Then I let out a shaky laugh and checked my wristwatch. I had twelve minutes left.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Fucking hell.
I shoved my gun back behind my waist and proceeded to cross the barrier. The moment I did, Lheard a scratching sound. I turned to see that the so-called beast I killed was moving its fingers to form a fist. Another step forward and its other hand twitched just as a bullet poured out of its body.
Fuck! This simulation is rigged. This beast cannot die. No wonder, Konana couldn't make it after blinding the beast. You just. can't escape it!
I tried coming back to the boundary and the movement stopped. So it dawned on me that when I go outside the boundary, the beast heals. When I stay, it dies.
Checking my watch, I realized I had nine minutes left.
"Think Ryn. What can you do from here?" I looked around and suddenly an idea dawned on me.
Your mind is a weapon.
I smiled to myself. Now it dawned on me. My mind being a weapon meant it would give me ideas on what to do.
As I climbed, I put an eye on the beast and saw that it remained dead and unmoving. So I concluded that as long as I stay on the tree, I can buy myself some time.
"Thanks Theon." I whispered to myself as I got on one of the branches that was as long as half a mile.
Just as long as it takes to cross the space between the boundary and the maze.
Slowly, I got down on the tree branch and began to crawl slowly on it. I passed the boundary and looked back but nothing happened so I kept on crawling and every few feet, I would turn to check on the beast and to my joy, it stayed unmoving. Yes! This is the headstart I needed.
I checked my watch and realized I had six minutes left so I quickened my pace and got to the end of the branch which was right over one of the ridges of the maze.
Now here's a problem. I am too high up and if I jump I would break a bone.
Seeing no other choice, I slowly lifted myself on the tree branch and calculated where to land for minimum injury.
With five minutes left on my wristwatch, I jumped.
I was able to land on a ridge which minimized my fall but the sharp ends of a branch stabbed my stomach. Groaning, I pulled it out and managed to rise to my feet.
That's when I realized I had a fractured ankle.
Fuck! It hurts.
Just then, I heard the terrible roar of the beast and realized I had little time so I half-limped, half ran.
Following the directions I memorized, I was able to make great progress quickly until I reached a two way road and forgot which way to go.
Shit! Was it the right or the left?!
I groaned and closed my eyes, trying to remember how I memorized it. A haunting roar filled the air as I heard the beast get closer. Checking the time I realized I had two minutes left and decided to go left. Hopefully, if I meet a dead end, I'd be able to run back in time. Turning a corner, I ran downwards and to my relief, I saw the entrance to the middle of the maze.
I made it!
Smiling to myself, I made a run for it but just then two people appeared at the entrance and I stopped in my tracks.
"Mom? Dad?" I said in horror as I watched my parents look at me with disgust and anger.
Oh no, this can't be happening. Not again.
Closer and I could feel the beast literally one hedge away from me.
"You don't deserve to be happy!" My father said,
B BB
"I wish you were never born My mother whimpered.
I shook my head, feeling tears burn my eyes. I touched my pendant and chose to remember the last words of my father.
'Remember, your Mom and I love you very much, my beautiful Kathryn. We will never abandon you and we will never let anything bad happen to you."
To my left, I saw the beast turn a corner.
I looked at the angry doppelgangers of my parents and pulled my gun from before me. "Sorry parents, I have somewhere to be." and with that said, I shot them both in the head and refused to look at their bodies as I ran into the garden maze. With ten seconds left, I sighted the flag, and made a run for it but to my dismay the beast jumped in front of me. Without hesitation, I emptied my bullets in its eyes. It swiped and clawed me in my stomach just as I was about to dodge it. I felt the pain, hot and sharp and I almost fell. Checking my wristwatch, I realized I had three seconds left, so I pushed myself forward and gave it everything I've got.