Chapter II - 5: 'Downtime'
Clink. Clink. Clink…
The dead of the night really made Alice self-conscious about every little noise she made as she climbed the stairs.
Apartment A5… Should be on the first floor according to the map layout downstairs…
Now on said floor, facing her was a balcony. To her left was a janitor closet and to the right was a hallway parallel to said balcony. This passageway had four doors opposite of the balcony: A5, A6, A7, and A8.
Ah, there it is.
The apartment block was just like any other apartment. It was a simple typical three story grey superstructure with four flats on each floor.
Entering hers, she took in her new temporary living space. It was compact - made for someone with a limited budget.
Hmmm… Not too big, not too small. Liveable at least. Appears cosier than the barracks.
***
"Nngh," Alice stretched her limbs.
Yep. Definitely a lot better than the barracks.
Fog filled the room as Alice laid in the tub. Her identification tag still around her neck, she merely relaxed and enjoyed the moment.
Removing all the body-wear off herself was a long and strenuous process. Certainly so with the absence of any mechanical aid.
Yet, this clunky fifteen minutes was worth the relaxing bath.
A few minutes later, stretching her arms once again, she stood up.
I got to move… Whether I like it or not.
Reaching out for a towel, she dried herself. Afterwards, she put on the spare clothes she had found in the cabinets.
Now in slippers, wearing grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt, Alice most comfortably laid on the sofa and grabbed a remote control.
Hopefully, I'll get to know more about this 'Earth.'
Click.
Alice switched on the TV. Closing her eyes, she simply listened as she occasionally flipped channels.
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'"-idol singer Richie Starr on tour at-" Beep.'
'"I'd buy that for a-" Beep.'
'"The damn Senate is to withdraw our troops from the West-" "Who will hold the border then?! You -" Beep.'
'"For added flavour, you can add a few ti-" Beep.'
Alice took a deep breath, Forget what you just heard, Alice. Forget what you just heard…
'"-has been successfully isolated. While survivors are indeed sealed off, government care packages and support are regularly sent."'
The news… Should be insightful.
'"Up next: terror attack at D4 Central. Five servicemen - murdered…"
Alice's eyes snapped open as she focused on the screen. The pictures of the five dead Gigans were being presented on the screen.
Alice dared not to even catch a glimpse of the names.
The newsman neutrally continued, '"Yesterday evening, D4 Central was attacked. The security team on shift at the time were murdered while they attempted to interfere. The Legion suspects this tragedy was of Gigan origins."'
The screen shifted to the entrance of the base, with the camera facing a young Gigan with fiery eyes.
Mei…
She solemnly spoke to the camera,'"The Legion extends its deepest condolences to their friends and families."'
Alice felt her hands shaking, and felt sweat dripping down her face.
'"However, while the investigation is still ongoing, be rest assured that justice WILL prevail. Ave Legionem!"'
Alice shut her eyes.
'"Ave Legionem indeed, young lady. May the victims rest in peace… Now, up next,tension is rising near the Terran Republic's National Southern Borders…"'
The reporter's voice faded away as Alice was lost in deep thought.
Everything's alright. All is okay. It wasn't my fault. They had it coming… I did what had to be done… I… I'm not a murderer… A killer maybe… A soldier definitely… But not a murderer…
I only killed them for the humans… Yes, I killed for their sake… I always did… I… Wait… Upon landing here… I… I… I killed a few flyers. Human flyers… Attacking Legion soldiers…
Her eyes widened.
Oh… No… No…
That… That was a misunderstanding…
She buried her head in her hands.
Yeah… A mistake… A simple error of judgement…
Huff. Huff. Huff.
One that led to the death of justified freedom fighters… Of innocents!
Her left hand suddenly felt wet. This wetness came from a strange liquid - one that was chunky and globby.
What…
She recoiled as she stared at said hand. It was the one she used to crush the unsurrendering flyer.
It was bloodstained and covered in unrecognisable gore.
No… This… This ain't real…
And yet, it felt real. The blood was as hyper-realistic as it could ever be.
She tried rubbing it off to no avail.
"Come on…"
Every time she removed the gore, more appeared. It was as if it was growing out of her hand.
"Come on… Come on… "
The logical part of Alice knew this was most probably a product of her own mind. Even so, she was far from rational at the moment.
"Why. Won't. It. Go."
Standing up, Alice stumbled her way to the bathroom.
Bam. Crack. She knocked over a flower vase in the process.
Now at the sink, she began to frantically scrub the hand to no effect.
"You're just wasting soap, you know?"
Alice tensed.
That voice…
She hesitantly looked in the mirror and momentarily froze.
Ohhh no… That can't be…
"Ohhh yes. It can be. In fact, given the situation, it has to be."
Taking a deep breath, she rinsed her hand, removing the foam off of it. There were no traces of any bloody remains; it was as if there were none to begin with.
I thought this 'relationship' was over…
"Oh, it certainly was. It's just that it isn't anymore," the voice's reply was filled with dismissal.
Slowly, she turned around.
Plunk. Plunk. Plunk…
Droplets of water fell on the marble floor as she looked ahead.
Facing her was herself: same clothing, height and hairstyle.
Yet, the entity in front of her had a slightly huskier voice, "Long time no see, Alice. Missed me?"