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Crossroads
Chapter 1C “Open the Door”

Chapter 1C “Open the Door”

After finally deciding to open the door, Cody's heart pounded as he pulled the handle, revealing a shocking sight before him: Adam, the office security guard, his body drenched in blood and his uniform from the backside of his body almost torn to shreds,

"Adam! What happened to you?" Cody exclaimed, his voice trembling with shock.

A faint voice escaped his lips, "Help me," he pleaded with a barely audible tone. The desperation in his voice sent shivers down Cody's spine as he stood frozen, caught in the eerie silence of the moment.

Adam collapsed onto Cody's office floor. Shock overcame Cody, unable to believe that Adam, someone usually so strong and experienced, could be in such a state. He quickly moved closer to Adam, helping him shift to the wall to sit down.

"Hold on, Adam. I'll get you treated," Cody said while searching for the first aid kit around his office. After finding it, he began to tend to Adam's wounds carefully, noting the severity of the injuries.

After treating Adam's wounds, Cody began to examine his body more carefully..He felt around Adam's chest, looking for signs of gunshot wounds or other weapon marks, but found none. His eyes then focused on the torn clothes at the back and the scratches on Adam's back and right arm.

The wounds depicted terrifying violence. Cody tried to envision the scenario of the attack, considering how Adam might have been attacked from behind while running or fighting against his assailants.

However, Cody's mind couldn't find a satisfactory answer. He stared at the large scratches, reminding himself of wild animals like tigers or bears. But in this city, such large animals were impossible.

"This isn't a sign of an animal attack. This... this could be a sign of a human attack."

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Yet, the bigger question still hung in the air. Why were they attacking Adam? What was the motive behind this brutal assault? Cody felt increasingly panicked as he searched for answers.

Suddenly, Adam's voice snapped Cody back to reality. "Don't go out through the main door!" Adam urged hoarsely, creating a tense atmosphere that peaked in the quiet office.

Cody looked at Adam with panicked eyes. "What do you mean? What's happening out there?" he asked, trying to understand the escalating situation.

"The world... is in chaos..." Adam said with gasping breaths, conveying fragmented information that sent chills down Cody's spine.

Cody tried to calm himself, although his confusion was spiraling out of control. However, Adam's weak voice jolted him into a harsh reality. "Use... this... pistol... these... few... bullets... Protect... yourself... and... your sister," Adam whispered with struggling breaths, giving Cody final instructions before exhaling his last breath in Cody's embrace.

A mix of emotions overwhelmed Cody. Sadness over Adam's departure, confusion about what was happening around him, and panic as he realized the seriousness of the situation.

"I need to move quickly," Cody muttered to himself, taking the still-warm pistol from Adam's hand. Carefully, he followed Adam's advice to avoid the main door. Cody headed towards the emergency stairs, taking determined but heavy steps.

Once outside the office building, Cody crept around, avoiding the crowd on the main street. He felt like he was in the midst of a great chaos that he didn't fully understand.

After moving away from the crowd, Cody realized he had two critical choices that needed careful consideration:

* To Cody's Home : Cody felt the need to go home as a place of refuge. Perhaps his sister was already there and needed to be saved from the chaos outside. Cody knew he had to prepare to escape the city if necessary.

* To His Sister's School : Cody was reminded of his sister who he hadn't picked up from school yet. He had to go there and rescue her if she was trapped inside the school.

(Author's Note: If the reader chooses to check the phone in the previous scenario, The option to go to his sister’s school will be automatically selected.)

Cody took a deep breath, deciding he had to act quickly. The decision he made would affect his and his sister's fate in this uncertain future.

Cody then goes too….