"Get down now!" Tom whispered strongly. Everyone began to crouch except me. I stood up high, still shocked at the outcome of my past life.
"Louis, you gotta get down or they'll see you," Tom whispered. That's when I snapped back.
"Sorry, sorry, I'll get down… Hey Pops, you mind giving the radio to Tom?" I asked as we walked, crouched, to the stairs.
He turned around, shocked. "How do you know I have the radio—SHIT!"
GROWLLLLL.
"Move, zombie, to your right," I whispered to Pops. He narrowly evaded the zombie, and we continued moving until we made it to the stairs.
"Now… how do you know about the radio, Louis?" Pops asked again.
"Dude, I could see it in your pocket. Duh." That was a lie—a gamble. I couldn't see shit.
"It's not in my pocket. It's strapped to my thigh…"
"Aw, shit," I said sarcastically. The trio pointed their guns at me in sync.
"I know what's gonna happen: a monster on the fourth floor, it chases us to the other side of the building, Pops dies, and Jojo kills me and Frank because we didn't try to save him and just stared at the sky—not even acknowledging our deaths," I said, out of breath.
But they just looked at me in confusion.
"But you didn't answer my question," he asked.
"Ok, look, I'll go the other way to get up there. I gain nothing from harming you guys, but if I make it out alive and we all meet up on the roof, you gotta take me too," I said, praying they'd accept.
"Fine. If you can manage to survive, we'll take you," Tom said.
"Thanks. I'll see you guys then. Oh, and by the way, you should give your radio to Tom… just some friendly advice," I said, heading toward the other side of the building. Hopefully, that would change the course of our fate.
I walked slowly through the quiet halls. Five minutes of walking, and I finally reached the stairs. I saw something staring at me through the door. I naturally flinched, but as I looked closer, it was Frank.
As I was about to open the door, I realized he wasn't supposed to be here. That wasn't Frank. My heart began beating out of my chest as I slowly backed away. If I didn't get past this thing, I'd be stuck, and they'd leave me behind.
But it wasn't moving. It just stared at me intently, as if it was waiting. I knew if I shot my gun, who knows how many zombies would come chasing me. I needed to kill it without making too much noise. I began backtracking, searching all the rooms I passed, until I stumbled upon a skeleton holding a katana with a purple sleeve. It gave off an eerie vibe.
But I did need something other than a gun, so I didn't waste bullets. I slowly walked in, and as I went to grab it, the skeleton's head fell from its shoulders and rolled to the floor, causing me to jump back.
"C'mon. Toughen up. No way you're scared of a skeleton," I muttered to myself. I hurriedly snatched the katana from the skeleton, but soon after, I passed out.
"Where the hell am I," I said out loud as I appeared to be in a kendo dojo. I looked around and saw a girl with purple hair.
"So it seems you wish to go through the trial to use me," the young lady said.
"Uh… what? Listen, lady, I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm just looking for a way outta this strange place. I need to get somewhere before it's too late," I exclaimed.
But the girl didn't look bothered at all. "It seems you're confused. If you pass the trial, I'll tell you everything." She muttered something else under her breath: "Sadly, I won't have to explain it to you…"
"Alright then. What's this trial thing about anyw—" I started, but before I could finish, I woke up. Not in the hospital—I woke up in the car. My old family car. It was just like my dream.
"MOM! STOP THE CAR AND TURN AROUND!" I yelled, realizing I could change the future. I could make it so they all live.
"Sweetie… what's the matter?" my mom said, concern in her voice, not slowing down.
"MOM! LISTEN! YOU'RE GONNA CRASH AND FLY OUT THE WINDOW! I KNOW I MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL CHILD WHO'S OVERREACTING, BUT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN! I CAN'T LOSE YOU AGAIN, MOM! PLEASE!"
My sister looked at me in shock, but my mother listened and stopped the car.
"Now, what's the problem, sweetie? What's got you so scared and worked up?" my mom asked. But as I was about to respond, two zombies came into view—one on my sister's side, one on my mother's.
Luckily, my sister's window was up, but I could see the glass cracking. The zombie already had a hold on my mom. As I was about to rush to save her, time froze.
"You can only make one choice. You either save your dear mother—the one who would die for you, who nourished you up until now—or your sister, who looks up to you as her protector and big brother," the lady with purple hair said.
I didn't know what to say. I could only look down in silence.
"You're evil… why? Why are you doing this?" I asked.
"You look at me as if it's my fault you're weak. I didn't tell those zombies to harm your family; I only gave you a choice. Now give me an answer," the lady said.
I stared deep into her eyes. "Go to hell. I'll save them both. If I can't, I'll die and try again."
"But you're powerless. So weak that they'll tear you in half, killing you thousands of times over."
"Yeah. Then I'll have to try a million times. No matter what it takes, I won't fall at the hand of destiny again… not when I have the power to change it," I told her.
"Interesting… no one ever says both before. Usually, they'd either sacrifice themselves to save their loved ones or actually choose who lives and who dies."
"Well, I'm not like those other people. I'll admit I'm weak, but… I'd rather burn this world to ashes than let it decide who I'm meant to be," I responded immediately.
"HAHAHAHAHAH! Boy, you interest me very much. You pass—a boy willing to burn everything so fate doesn't decide who you are," the lady laughed, her voice excited.
"What do you mean I pass? And if I pass, then tell me how I went back in time… and who are you?" I asked, a barrage of questions spilling out.
"Fine, fine. First, I am a divine artifact. There are only five out there in the world that i know of Normal artifacts aren't sentient, making them weaker. Artifacts normally bond with your body, but divine artifacts… bond with your soul."
Why'd she say that last part so dark? I thought. It gave me chills.
"So what does that mean?" I asked.
"Ever heard of marriage, kid? 'Til death do us part," she said with a smile.
"HUH! I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME! AND YOU DIDN'T ANSWER MY OTHER QUESTIONS!" I yelled in shock.
"Gee, you really are loud. You didn't go back in time—that was a trial. Sorry. My name is Shiori. It's starting to take a toll on me to keep this place up. Make sure whatever you do, keep me close to you," she said, seemingly falling asleep.
Figures… it was too good to be true.
When she fell asleep, I woke up drooling on the floor, the sword on my back with a purple holster over my shoulder. I looked at the skeleton. I'm guessing you didn't make it, huh… rest easy. I'll take good care of her.
I ran out of the room, unsure how much time had passed while I was daydreaming.
I ran back to the creepy Mirrormen. He was still there, camping at the door.
"God, you're annoying. Fine… I guess I get to test out my new weapon… or Shiori?" I said, pulling the sword from its sleeve. I slowly approached the door and opened it.
It lunged before I could fully open it. I deflected its claw, but it still pinned me down, gnawing at my face. No matter how much I struggled, it was stronger. Its teeth were near my face.
A sudden image flashed in my mind: Shiori.
"Look here. I'm using the last of my energy to keep you alive. I'll sleep for a few hours after this. Now, follow my moves," Shiori explained.
It was like watching a video recording. She was in a room with dummies, like a dojo.
She got into the same position as me and told me to do exactly as she did. She pushed her leg down, flipped upright. I followed suit. Strength surged. I shook the zombie off and dodged a few feet away.
"Now it's gonna get fun. Make sure you keep up," she said. The zombie lunged, slashing with its right hand. Shiori slashed it back and went for the neck—a horizontal slash. I mirrored her every move.
The burst of speed surprised me. I killed it in seconds. Drained, exhausted, but… slightly stronger. Maybe 0.1 percent. Barely noticeable, but enough.
"Hey Shiori… what was that?" I asked aloud. No response. Understandable, though embarrassing.
Now… I could finally reach my destination: the rooftop. Here I come.