“Don’t kill me…I don’t wanna die…Please let me live…”
My eyes shot open, and I found myself lying on the small bed in my dimly lit room. Cold sweat covered my body. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the vivid and haunting dream. The excruciating screams lingered in my mind, accompanied by the weight of choices, a moral dilemma, and the hunt for Marcus Farhide. Who is this person? Why do I have to kill him? Will I even be able to do it? Perhaps Desire will show me how I’m special. Maybe I don’t have to hurt anyone.
“Hey, Mari! You awake?” Zara's energetic voice echoed through the thick metal door.
The banging felt like a sudden jolt, cutting through the unsettling echoes of the dream. The room, dimly lit and enshrouded in shadows, retained the remnants of the haunting vision. I sat up, the metallic taste of fear lingering in my mouth. Gently, I opened the door.
Zara’s grin quickly turned to a face of worry. “You good, kid? You’re pale as a motherfucker right now. Had a nightmare?” My bracelet caught her attention. “Oh…First job…I get that feeling, kid. Had the exact same face during my first time.”
“Okay. No time to mope around. We got a job to complete.” She said, springing to her feet, offering a hand to pull me up. I accepted her hand, feeling both support and determination in her firm grip. “But first! We need to go shopping,” she declared, casting a discerning glance from my head to my toes. “Your outfit might be cute, but it’s all messy and bloody. That ain’t going to protect you from anything.”
Embarrassed, we left the dimly lit room. I smiled. The idea of shopping, a welcome distraction from the heavier matters at hand.
As we ventured into the bustling city beyond, the dimly lit corridors gave way to vibrant lights and the hum of daily life. With each step, the echoes of the nightmare retreated, replaced by the promise of a fresh start.
Zara led the way, her contagious energy making the prospect of updating my outfit a symbol of resilience. A small act of rebellion against the harsh reality. As we entered the first store, Zara wasted no time, darting towards the racks of clothing. With a grin, she pulled me closer, exclaiming.
“Here, Mari! Look! They’re pretty cute, right?”
I glanced over, seeing full combat gear.
“Don’t worry about the price. The cool big sister Zara's got you. Cashier boy! I want this!” Zara said, running towards the cashier.
Despite her weird interests, spending time with her like this made me forget about my problems. Even if it's just for a second. The initial embarrassment began to fade, replaced by camaraderie and shared purpose.
Moving from one store to another, the city’s pulse embraced us. The vibrant lights, rhythmic chatter, and array of clothing showcased a world beyond haunting dreams. It felt familiar. I missed going to the mall with mom and dad. With every fitting room visited and each chosen garment, a sense of transformation unfolded, a promise of a fresh start.
In the midst of uncertainty, updating my outfit became a silent declaration, a testament to resilience. A small step towards reclaiming normalcy in this twisted world.
“Okay, got the new clothes, full set of light armor. All we need now is a knife or something to complete the look,” Zara said, pulling me back to reality. It reminded me of the jobs, especially the one assigned to me. Marcus Farhide. His name and the screams of agony echoed in my mind. I received a small knife. The weight of the task settled heavily in my arms. This might be the weapon I wield to “hunt” Marcus Farhide.
Our shopping trip was abruptly interrupted as my metal bracelet flickered to life.
TARGET: MARCUS FARHIDE
WITHIN 5 MILES
BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE REVEALED IN 10 SECONDS
HUNT HIM DOWN
Fear and anxiety surged within me as the timer kept ticking. He's close, within striking distance. I might be able to hunt him down, or he might find me first. My breathing quickened. My body became restless. I wanted to scream. I clutched my knife, it's cold metal reminding me of what’s at stake here. A bitter reminder of the fine line between predator and prey.
Navigating the bustling streets, every passerby became a potential threat. Every alley, a potential ambush. Anxiety had a tight grasp on me. The weight of the knife weighed my hands down, a constant reminder of the job I was forced to complete. Zara, sensing my unease, shot me a sympathetic look.
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“It will be okay,” Zara whispered. We both knew there was no turning back. I watched in fear as the clock counted to 0.
LOCATION REVEALED
MAY THE HUNT BEGIN
The bracelet’s announcement painted a grim picture in my head. A map appeared on my bracelet. There were 2 points. He was close. The sound of cars began to separate itself from the urban symphony of the city. A patrol of cars was following a limo. The limo at the center of the convoy suggested a high-profile figure. Could this be Marcus Farhide attempting to slip away under the veil of protection?
A man dressed in an extravagant suit and bright jewelry came out of the limo. I pointed my bracelet at him.
TARGET CONFIRMED
MARCUS FARHIDE
The revelation sent a shiver down my spine. Marcus Farhide, the man I was tasked to hunt down, stood before me. Surrounded by the darkness of the alley, he approached the entrance of a building. The vivid dreams, the haunting screams, all culminated in this moment. The atmosphere crackled with tension as we faced the high-profile target. The man's gaze met mine, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Is this the hunter they sent me? Pffff HAHAHAHA! It’s just a brat," he sneered, seemingly unperturbed by the danger surrounding him.
My hands tightened around the knife, a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through me. The weight of the task felt heavier than ever. The choice to become a hunter, to confront Marcus Farhide, was no longer a distant nightmare but a harsh reality.
Zara, ever the steady presence, whispered, "Remember, Mari, he's just a target. Just remember your training. Focus on the job."
I didn’t have any form of training.
As if on cue, Marcus Farhide made a sudden move, reaching into his pocket. Instinctively, I stepped forward, the knife in my hand trembling with a mix of fear and determination. The air thickened with anticipation. Muscular men and machines emerged from the patrol cars, each holding different kinds of weapons. Marcus pulled out a pill and took it. He fell to the floor, seemingly in pain. His eyes turned bloodshot, and his veins bulged out of his skin, desperate for air.
NEW RISK LEVEL DETECTED
REWARD UPDATED
MRE (6 BAGS) VISTA MOTEL (2 NIGHTS)
MAY LUCK BE ON YOUR SIDE
I exchanged a quick glance with Zara, our silent communication acknowledging the heightened danger. Marcus writhed on the ground, the effects of the pill visibly altering his physiology. His eyes glowed an unnatural shade, and the air buzzed with an unpredictable energy.
Despite the chaos, Marcus managed to smirk. "You think this is the end, little hunter? This is just the beginning."
The words hung in the air as he unleashed an unforeseen burst of energy, scattering the approaching enforcers. Panic and confusion ensued. I steadied myself, watching as Marcus Farhide transformed into a formidable adversary, his every movement radiating power. Fear took control of my body. I ran away.
“HEY, KID! WHERE YOU GOING?!” Zara exclaimed, noticing me flee.
"Oh no, that won’t do. Desertion is not good, Mari! SYSTEM OVERRIDE INITIATED." Desire darted towards me, latching onto the back of my neck as a collar wrapped around it.
"BATTLE HELMET. TRAUMA PROTOCOL ACTIVATED."
He transformed into a helmet with a screen covering my eyes, and my vision turned red.
"SUGAR LAND PRESET."
In an instant, it was as if I had been transported into another world. The dark and grim surroundings were replaced by a bright and joyful candy world. In my newfound sugar-coated reality, the once ominous alley transformed into a landscape of candy canes, lollipops, and cotton candy clouds. The menacing figure of Marcus Farhide disappeared. All that was left was a giant donut and whimsical creatures made of sweets who danced around him.
The sweets charged toward me, and an irresistible desire to play with them took over. The despair and hopelessness I had felt began to fade. With newfound joy, I sprinted toward one of the sweets, eager for an embrace. As I reached out, its body crumbled into multiple pieces, laughter filling the air. The other sweets followed suit, cheering for me in delightful harmony.
Joy filled me. I’d never felt happier. “Come and eat me! Play with me!” The giant donut ran towards me while laughing. Eager to savor its taste, I dashed towards it. Opening my mouth, I attempted to take a bite, but it proved to be chewy and resistant.
“JAW DEPLOYED” Desire’s voice echoed in my mind.
With the activated jaw, biting into the donut became effortlessly satisfying. Strawberry filling and bits flooded my mouth. It was delicious, sweet, warm, and crunchy.