Re: Side! (life from zero in another Game)

Chapter 5: Escape

I swung the bat, smashing one of them aside. Another lunged, and I sidestepped, bringing the bat down hard. Each strike sent a sickening crunch through the air. I had seen how they moved before. I had learned.

One by one, they fell.

Panting, I turned to the television. The screen now displayed a rapidly spinning clock, the ticking sound growing louder with every passing second. The pressure in the air built to an unbearable crescendo, a noise so sharp it felt like it was going to shatter my skull.

The room lit up.

A clock sat on the desk.

My fingers moved on instinct, adjusting the hands to match the others in the room. The moment the final tick fell into place, a presence appeared behind me.

"I'm sorry... player... it's all... my fault..."

It's that girl- again?

Tiny Mita?

Before I could react, four spider-like creatures lunged at me from behind. I barely had time to turn my head before they tore into me, ripping pieces of me apart like paper. My vision blurred, pain lanced through my body, and then-

Darkness.

I woke up.

The hallway.

Again.

I exhaled sharply, bracing myself as I moved forward. This time, I knew what to do. I fought I killed each and every glitchy spider Monster i seen if this was the me from way back then I wouldn't know how to defend myself at all it's all thanks to my master and everyone I know that I can do something like this- I adjusted the clocks, and when Tiny Mita appeared again, I turned to her, gripping the bat tightly.

"You're Mita, aren't you?"

She tilted her head. "Player... You're a player, aren't you? We can play together. If I can find the strength, all we need to do is play."

Her voice was soft, uncertain. Her small frame trembled slightly, and for the first time, I noticed the scars. The missing arm. The torn dress. Something was wrong.

"What happened to you?" I asked cautiously.

"I'm uncertain. I don't think anything bad has happened... But everything good seems to be slipping away... Though, at least I have a friend. Why did they leave me? Was I not enough? I'm scared..."

I swallowed hard. "Do you want me to be your friend?"

"Friends... I have so few left now. Only one remains... I'm sad, Player. Will you be my friend?"

I hesitated, but then shook my head. "I'd love to, but I have to go on."

Her small frame seemed to shrink, her voice quiet. "My heart aches..."

A pit formed in my stomach.

"Tell me is this your home?" I asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Home? Player... You've changed. Your arms are shorter, and you don't look so angry... Player, you've grown softer. Kinder."

"I'm not sure what that means."

She smiled sadly. "It's okay... because I won't hurt anymore, will I?"

Her words made something click in my head.

The previous player who was with her... they hadn't been kind to her.

Tiny Mita sat at the desk, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the wood. "The doors won't help you," she murmured.

I barely had time to process her warning before a monstrous, corrupted arachnid-head creature lunged from the shadows. Its grotesque limbs clawed toward me, a sickening gurgle escaping its mouth. I barely dodged, sprinting forward as fast as I could. The hallway twisted, spiraling around me as the beast closed in.

Then, I saw it-a window.

With no other choice, I leapt.

The sensation of freefalling was brief.

And then, hands caught me.

Not just any hands.

"..Tiny mita-?"

" I don't ...wanna be alone! Player!" She said crying , her eyes filled with tears

I grabbed into her, in a hug while we fell into the glitchy darkness

And as the darkness swallowed me whole, I knew my nightmare was far from over.

But one thing for sure-

I'm going to save you.