[Congratulations! You are now level 10!]

[Open your status page to select a specialization.]

“Is..is it over?”

“Are they all dead?”

Felix didn’t reply. He couldn’t. His body refused to move from its spot. It stood perfectly still. If not for his breathing, one would think he was frozen in place. Even as the surviving members of his squad inched closer to him, he remained unmoved.

“Lex! Your arm!”

Lana, Felix’s former Senior Officer at the local police station, was the first to reach him. She was also the first to notice the river of blood leaking out of Felix’s shoulder and the bodies laying in front of him. Soon after she noticed it, so too did the rest. They did not rush to his side like her however. Most of the police brigade laid scattered across the ground, lifeless. With the dust settling, the fear and adrenaline slowing wearing off, the sheer amount of bodies carpeting the floor was unavoidable. It was a harrowing sight. Some broke down, most threw up.

Lana put her right arm around Felix, her left hand covered her mouth. For all the strength she was trying to show him, it wouldn’t do to puke. Felix didn’t notice. He didn’t care. Even though blood flowed out of him in every direction, even though he had dozens of broken bones, even though his vision was blurring, he didn’t care. He stood in silence, a scarlett statue. As death loomed, seeking to make his silence permanent, he stood. Indifferent. For in this victory, he had lost what he held dearest.

|---------|

“...let today stand as a testament to our will to survive. The good, strong men and women of Waterbury will not sit quietly as our town is attacked by these monsters. We will fight! Until every last one of those disgusting creatures is gone...Please give another round of applause to our police force. Their tireless work and great sacrifice has been outstanding. They are the greater protectors than we could have ever asked for. They...”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

|----------|

Felix walked out onto the roof. He was sick of the phony ‘celebrations’. There was nothing to celebrate to him. They had barely survived. He didn’t know how many people had lived in Waterbury before, but he was sure not even a fraction of that was left. 

“Protectors. Ha,” he chuckled mockingly at himself.

We haven't protected anything.

He took off his uniform, throwing it to the floor, and grabbed his left forearm. His new forearm. He felt the smooth metalic exterior. Clenching his fist, he threw a few punches. It had been two days since he had swapped his fleshy arm for a bionic one, but it still didn't feel right. It was part of his 'reward' for reaching level 10. It—

The door to the roof suddenly opened. Turning around, he was met with a familiar face.

“I knew you’d be hiding up here,” Lana walked over to him, a drink and snacks in hand.

“You didn—”

She quickly cut him off, “I know, but we can’t have the town hero starve at his own party can we?”

Felix sighed, “Hero.”

“Hero.” She repeated.

He didn't like the title but he understood that she was only trying to comfort him. Quietly taking the glass and plate out of her hands, he voiced his thanks.

"Thank you."

Lana bent down to pick up his uniform, "Don't thank me yet. After you're done with that you're going back to the party."

"What? Why?"

She patted his shoulder tenderly, "Because. You're our hero an—"

"I'm not a hero."

"You're our hero. And. This party is more than just a celebration. It's about hope."

Felix snorted, "Are you going to draw a S on my uniform?"

Lana frowned, but didn't respond. She folded the uniform and walked to the door. Placing it down next to it she turned to him.

"I'll be waiting downstairs."