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CHAPTER 6: EP. 2 – THE TRAIN, II

The train was even longer now that I was walking more slowly instead of running. I still had to hurry, I knew the dokkaebi wouldn't let us rest for long. The next scenario was imminent, after all.

It was awfully quiet in the train, the few survivors I've seen before were nowhere to be found. They were either dead, or hiding. The latter would be a problem. I didn't want to be ambushed.

Walking through the freshly crashed train reminded me of these videos on the internet where people are exploring these so-called lost places.

My phone was trampled on by the crowd before, but now the frame was battered by the crash as well. I had no way to use it anymore.

I thought I was really lucky to have spent points, otherwise I would've had the same fate.

"Fuck."

There was no way for me to contact anyone. I couldn't help but worry.

I prayed for their safety, it was the only thing I could do. Although, I wasn't exactly religious, and this world seemed godforsaken now, but it helped me calm my mind at least a little bit. Worrying wouldn't help anyways.

"Argh!"

The silence was penetrated by shrill shouts. It sounded like people were fighting. Led by a mixture of curiosity and caution, I moved onward.

I could barely make out two figures struggling beneath the moonlight. It were the young woman from before and a man in a suit, though it wasn't the strange office worker. The man forced himself onto her and pushed her to the ground. Her clothes were already ripped at various places. It was obvious what he was trying to do.

This disgusting–

I decided to pick up the pace, and accidentally kicked a loose metal pipe, making it go fly, resulting in a loud noise. The man was startled by my sudden appearance, and weakened his grip. The woman saw her opportunity to strike back, and freed one of her arms. With a swift motion, she grabbed one of the big shards of the broken windows around her and pierced his neck. He had no chance to react at all, and his eyes were bloodshot, his face distorted into a grimace of anguish and hate.

Instead of words, spurts of blood escaped the bloody throat. I was sure he was cursing at her. The before timid woman, who broke down, was now actively killing a person. Survival instincts really do change people...

"Hrggg!"

Despite a huge piece of glass in his throat, he didn't give in and let go at all, it looked like he only grabbed her even stronger now instead. But just before he could somehow overpower her again, she twisted the piece of glass, and the audible gnashing was agonising. The man's strength was fading and his extremities became limp, his head dropped.

She didn't hesitate and pushed the lifeless body off of her. Her hands were bloodied, and I noticed the deep wound in her palm.

"Your hand–"

"Don't touch me!"

Her reaction was to be expected after what she just went through, but I couldn't leave her alone after I've already saved her life once. Well, technically, that constellation did.

"We should really treat that wound."

She tilted her head threateningly and shot me a piercing look, and I didn't think it'd be a good idea to pressure her further. I still decided to keep an eye out for her. She wiped off most of the man's blood, and used his tie to bandage her wound.

This surely wasn't sanitary, but I suppose it was better than nothing.

After wrapping her hand in the cloth, she rummaged through the man's pockets. This woman truly was an odd one, but she definitely had potential.

"I understand that you can't trust me, but we should still stick together."

Her eyes told me, I'd end up the same as the looted corpse next to her if I even took so much as a step forward.

"You'll walk in the front."

I wasn't sure if it was the best idea to trust her, since she was still on edge. Despite that, I decided to leave myself open to show her I posed no danger to her.

She followed me through the carriage but kept a safe distance. It was more comfortable for both of us.

"MAXIIIM!"

A muffled and quiet scream barely echoed through the carriage, but I knew exactly whose scream it was. Without hesitation, I started to rush down the carriage without checking if the woman was still following me. Luckily, I now knew the surroundings and didn't need to be as careful anymore, but the running back and forth made me slightly crazy.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Damn train...

After some time, I saw a dim light shining in the distance.

"Liam!"

"We're here!"

I was relieved they were both fine, but wondered why he felt the need to call me, there didn't seem anything amiss.

His mother also looked fine, given the circumstances, of course.

"I was scared."

"What was that?"

"I was scared, all alone–"

He's just a little kid, with a gravely injured mother. Of course, he would be scared. I pat his head.

"Sorry for leaving you alone for too long."

"A smile definitely suits you better. You're not as scary looking anymore."

The young woman stood in front of me and giggled lightly.

Scary looking? Is she mocking me?! And... I didn't notice her passing me, is it a skill?

Her sudden appearance, however, startled the kid, and he hid behind me. She held out her hand, in it, a chocolate bar. Where did she even get that from?

"Your name is Liam, right? Take this, it's tasty!"

Her lips formed a charming smile. I nodded at him because he seemed to be unsure whether to succumb to the sweet bribe or not.

I was still confused as to why she suddenly opened up, even though she was ready to end me before.

I looked up at her and... she smiled at me?

She can't read minds, can she?

"No, I can't read minds."

"How–"

"You're just that easy to read!"

Am I that much of an open book, or is she just good at reading people?

Either way, I once again realised I couldn't let my guard down around her.

We couldn't afford to lose any time, yet we decided to rest a little since we were already exhausted enough, one of us even severely injured.

Liam cuddled up in his mother's arms and slept. She was still in danger, but her complexion seemed to brighten up, she'd make it if nothing unexpected happens.

The exhaustion of all the running caught up to me and my legs started to hurt, my back was aching. I was definitely pushing myself.

I tried to sneak a quick glance at the woman sitting a little farther ahead but--

She noticed me. What is with her perception?!

"Amelia.", I was perplexed and apparently didn't react in time.

"My name. Didn't you want to know?"

She would've probably ended me right there and then if I said I didn't, so I decided to nod.

"Mh. My name is--"

"I already know it. The little one over there screamed it very vocally, after all."

"Right."

"So, what's your plan?"

"Plan for what?"

"Everything. The next few hours, days. What do we do with her?", she nudged with her head into the direction of Liam's mom.

"What do you mean, 'what do we do with her'? Are you suggesting we leave her?"

"We can't carry a person with one foot in her grave around!"

"We also cannot leave anyone to die. Also, she's the kid's mom. You can leave if you want to, but I am not going to leave anyone behind."

"Fine, Mr. saviour complex."

"I'm not--"

"Sure, whatever you say. Now, what's your plan?"

This woman...

"Don't have any, other than to somehow survive."

"I saw you, you know? You're telling me you don't have a plan, but were acting as if you knew what was happening? I call bs."

She was starting to annoy me. Why was she asking so many questions...

"Believe what you want, but for now the only plan is to rest. What's after is a problem for future me."

'Tsk.'

Did she just--?

"Great.", she turned away and put her head down onto a seat padding that was broken off of a seat. It looked like she was planning to sleep, or rest at least.

I'm so very sorry for not entirely trusting you just yet, someone who just proposed to leave an injured mother behind.

But I wasn't entirely lying, either. I didn't have much of a plan, since I didn't know the reason behind the scenario not ending. All I could do is just wait and see how the situation unfolds, resting isn't the worst plan for now after all. We have to be at full strength, or at least at the best condition possible for whatever comes next.

[There has been an error while trying to access your attribute window.]

What-

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[There has been an error while trying to access your attribute window.]

[There has been an error while trying to access your attribute window.]

[There has been an error while trying to access your attribute window.]

Why can't I open the damn thing?!

You are unable to contact the dokkaebi 'Cyril' unless you are in close proximity of each other.

This restriction has been configured by: 'Cyril'

Useless. Of course that bastard would do something like that.

It would prove difficult to do much without knowing any of my attributes and skills.

What's with me and being so bugged out? I can't understand the dokkaebi, and now I can't access my attribute window. It's almost as if the system doesn't accept me...

It was no use brooding over it, so I decided to let it go for the time being and get back to it once I've had a chance to talk to Cyril.

My eyes started to feel oddly heavy, and forcing them open was a chore. It was probably the hardest challenge I had yet to face, at least mentally.

The clash of willpower and utter exhaustion that hit my body was decided quite quickly and clearly.

I fell asleep.