Two days later. Riverside High School.

Caitlin bit her lips as she slowly made her way across the bloodstained hallways of her high school. She was holding onto a handgun, not to protect herself from the monsters, but to save herself from fellow human beings.

At this point, Mr. Isaac no longer had the patience to drag things out as he did with Katie’s class. After Katie was out of the equation, Mr. Isaac took Caitlin back to the school, where he initiated the final game.

Unlike all the previous games, this game would leave no one out, and it would spare no survivor. At the end of the day, those who weren’t killed in the games would find themselves sacrificed alive to the Chaos Domain in exchange for its blessings.

This was the end. There would be no happy ending, and ultimately, no one would live happily ever after. Everyone would die, with the villain being the sole exception.

That was a cold, brutal fact that Caitlin knew all too well.

Every single class within the school has fallen to the curse. Thousands of students were scattered across the campus, with sickening games set up in every single classroom, each hosted by one of Mr. Isaac’s puppets that used to be a teacher or a faculty member. Even the halls weren’t completely safe. All sorts of beasts, Caitlin identified them as Chaos Descendants, patrolled the halls, forcing the students to seek shelter in the classrooms and therefore play the games.

Of course, even without the Chaos Descendants, the students had to join the games sooner or later. Most of the students had little food or water, and the classrooms were the only places that provided these resources.

Win the games, and you get to live for now and receive a few hours of rest. Lose...well, there was always room for one more head on the ceiling!

Even as she took another step, Caitlin could feel fatigue and despair alike creeping into her heart. Not far away, leaning against the wall, was a pair of bodies. One of them was holding onto a handgun, the weapon that ended the life of him and his girlfriend. It was a pair of suicides, which barely made Caitlin feel a thing.

She has seen too much to be fazed by a couple who sought escape in death.

But even as she glanced across the couple, Caitlin couldn’t help but find herself worried about her girlfriend. Katie. The woman who was placed in that torture chamber back in that factory. Two days ago. What was she doing right now? Well...screaming, most likely. But was she even still alive? Mr. Isaac claimed that even Katie could be slain, and he was damn sure about it.

So...could Katie Lockwood be dead already? The madwoman who protected her throughout these games, the only reason that she was alive...could she be gone?

Caitlin didn't know. All she knew was that without Katie, she couldn’t even escape Mr. Isaac by killing herself. Even if she could end her own life, her soul would still be a prize of the teacher, and she would be a fool to think Mr. Isaac would just let her go.

The only thing left for her to do was survive. Live as long as possible and perhaps pray for a miracle to happen. Then again, ironically, this was also what Mr. Isaac wanted them to do. He wanted them to remain hopeful, and when that hope was turned to dread, he would come in and harvest them.

Caitlin continued walking down the halls. Suddenly, she heard an ear-piercing scream from one of the classrooms. The young woman drew a deep breath, but she made no effort to run. Instead, she stepped into the classroom, acting as calm as possible. After all, if you were irrational and your name wasn’t Katie Lockwood, you probably wouldn’t live very long.

As soon as she entered, she realized the decorated halls of the classroom were...well, they were still decorated, just with something else. Instead of posters of words of encouragement and wisdom, there were pieces of gore strung across the wall like ribbons. Severed heads hung from the ceiling with terrified expressions that showcased the horror experienced by the poor victims. The smell of blood was thick in the air.

There were already others inside the classroom. A dozen students and one teacher. The students were all survivors, with all of them looking as beaten down as Caitlin, if not more. The teacher was slightly better dressed with his suit and tie. If it wasn’t for the fact that the entire upper chunk of his head was removed, he actually looked decent.

If only…

The students in the classroom have formed a line, and Caitlin made her way to the back of that line. As she stood there, she suddenly recognized the student in front of her.

“Terry?”

Terry turned around and saw Caitlin as well. His mouth opened, but no word came out. In the end, all he could form was a sigh.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly. “I know it’s not going to change a thing, but...I’m sorry for blaming Brian’s death on you and Katie. You...you were right. Someone had to die that day.”

It took Caitlin a while to realize what he was talking about, and when she did, she simply waved her hand. “Yeah, don’t worry about it. Honestly...none of that matters anymore.”

“Yeah…” Terry suddenly snickered. “Then again, I guess Brian was lucky. At least he didn't have to go through all these atrocities.”

“I suppose…”

In front of the line, a student walked up to the teacher with shaking legs. The teacher asked him some sort of math question. The student took a long time to reply, and when he did, it was clear the teacher wasn’t satisfied. It didn't take too long for the student’s head to part way with the rest of his body.

A second student walked up. As he answered the question, Terry asked another question of his own.

“So where’s Katie?”

Katie...just the mention of the name made Caitlin bite her lips, but she composed an answer regardless. “Katie...she’s...as far as I know, she’s dead.”

“What…my condolences.” The boy sighed. Then again, what else did he expect? Katie has rarely left Caitlin’s side in the games. Her absence could only mean one thing. Suddenly, he let out a mocking smile, not at Caitlin, but at himself.

“We were such fools. Eric. Kyle. Vivian. Me. All of us. We spent so much time worrying about how dangerous Katie is, but in the end, my only issue with her is that she’s not dangerous enough. At least...at least she’s better than Mr. Isaac.”

“Yeah I’m not too sure about that.” Caitlin grinned at the comment. Better? Mr. Isaac killed mainly as a means to an end while to Katie, killing and exerting pain was the end itself. It was difficult to say who was better.

The second student was luckier than the first and got the answer correct. For that, he was directed to the side, where he quickly helped himself to a sandwich and a large glass of soda. He sat down on a blood-stained table and devoured the food like he has been starving for days.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

A few other students took their chances with the questions. A few survived. Most didn't. Finally, it was Terry’s turn. Before he walked up, he gave Caitlin one last glance.

“Good luck, Caitlin. I hope you can survive this. And...if you see Katie again, tell her I’m sorry for what I said.”

Caitlin returned a slight nod as Terry walked up to the teacher, who posted a question.

“What is the 10th power of 2? Answer in five seconds.”

Terry’s brain turned blank at the question. 10th power? Of 2? How was he supposed to know? Did he look like he was a math person? He wanted to reach down for his phone, but his hands were shaking so hard from fear to do anything helpful. He tried to think, to multiply, to recall the memories of math classes, but all that filled his mind were scenes of atrocities. Brian, cut in half. Lucy, burned alive. The first few students in the line who got their heads ripped off. Would he suffer the same fate?

One second passed. Then two. Just as Terry closed his eyes and waited for the killing blow, a voice suddenly called out from behind.

“1024!”

At that moment, this voice was like that of an Angel. Terry didn't think. He didn't doubt. All he did was repeat the number, whether it be right or wrong. “1024! 1024!”

Even as the number left his lips, his eyes remained closed. It took a full ten seconds for him to realize there was no pain. He got the right answer. He got the right answer! His eyes snapped open as the thrill of life filled his gaze. He was saved!

Behind him, Caitlin lowered her phone. She was the one that spoke up at the last moment and saved Terry.

The undead teacher gave Terry a dismissive wave before turning his attention to Caitlin. His eyes were nowhere to be seen, but Caitlin could tell he was examining her, and she would be a fool to think he was happy about her intrusion. Nonetheless, she stepped forward with an unflinching stance.

“You think you can terrify me?” She smirked. “You are no more than a puppet! You wanna scare me off! Bring me Mr. Isaac!”

The teacher tilted what was left of his head before posting the question.

“What is the 100th power of 2? Answer in 3 seconds.”

Caitlin was silent. She couldn’t answer the question and she knew it. 100th power of 2? That was a number so big even most calculators couldn’t find out! This was likely punishment for her insubordination, an excuse to have her killed.

Three seconds passed in a flash, and many students in the room, including Terry, couldn’t help but turn away. Caitlin, on the other hand, stood her ground and stared into the teacher’s remaining head. If she was to die, then she would do so with her eyes open. It was the last act of defiance she could do.

But the blow never came. The puppet was stopped by its master. At the last second, Mr. Isaac came out of nowhere and saved Caitlin’s life...for now.

A few students turned to the side just from seeing him. The menacing aura coming off the teacher...it only made them quiver uncontrollably.

“Ever the hero.” Mr. Isaac smirked coldly. “I thought stripping you of your girlfriend could make you less...naive. But I guess not. I guess some people just never learn.”

“Oh, I learn.” Caitlin replied with a cold grin of her own. “For example, I learned that you, Mr. Isaac, are just no more than a foot soldier in the Dark Pantheon. A mere pawn. I know that to the Dominators and Lords out there, you are nothing! And when it comes to all the factions out there, tell me…” She stared into Mr. Isaac’s soulless eyes. “if you are facing the forces of Hell right now, can you still be this cocky?”

“How did you know…” Mr. Isaac frowned before coming to a sudden realization. “Ah...Dominator Lupon, right? I wondered why he escorted you and Katie out of the classroom when he was posing as a Section U Agent. He wanted to sabotage my ritual...too bad! The only thing his foolishness did is give me an excuse to report him to my superiors.”

He stared back into Caitlin’s eyes and knew very well why she was saying all this. “Of course, I wouldn’t turn on him now, if that’s what you’re hoping for. But still...I don’t appreciate your attempt to rebel.”

Mr. Isaac turned around and scanned the classroom before setting his eyes on Terry, and all of a sudden, Caitlin had a very bad feeling. Once again, this feeling was verified when Mr. Isaac spoke up to Terry, making him an offer.

“Terry, Caitlin just saved your life back there. Do you appreciate her?”

Terry gulped. “I...yes. Of course.”

“Ok.” Mr. Isaac nodded. “Now, I want you to go to her...and I want you to carve her eyes out.”

“I…”

“And if you don’t...” Mr. Isaac tilted his head, knowing very well what Terry was thinking. “I’ll carve your eyes out.”

All of a sudden, all eyes were on the boy. Many students in the line or across the tables asked themselves what they would do in his place, and the answer was simple. They would carve the girl’s eyes out, duh! So what if the two seemed to know each other? So what if she saved his life? Fuck gratitude when it came to self-preservation! Only the weak and the stupid wouldn’t do this!

Terry froze there, in silence. Do it...do it! Go on, Terry! Take out the pocket knife you’re packing and jam it into Caitlin’s eyes! She’s defenseless against you! What are you even afraid of? Pounce on her and dig her eyes out! Katie is gone! There is absolutely no repercussion!

He stared into Caitlin’s eyes, looking for any sign of regret that she might have about saving him. Instead, all he saw was strength. Strength. Valor. Resistance. Courage. Caitlin didn't regret saving him, even if he might betray her afterward. She didn't save him because she was weak. She did so because she was strong. She saved him so she could make a stand against Mr. Isaac and his games of terror. She did so to give Mr. Isaac just another “fuck you”.

And at this moment, Terry’s fists closed. Mr. Isaac could torture him however he wanted, but if he wanted him to become just another one of his slaves, then the damn bastard needed to kill him first! He...he refused to be broken like everyone else in this school!

He turned back to the teacher. His body was shaking in fear, but his voice was determined.

“No.”

“What?” Mr. Isaac couldn’t believe his ears, much like almost everyone in the class. Are you stupid or something?

“I said no.” Terry repeated once again. “Go fuck yourself, Mr. Isaac.”

Mr. Isaac smirked in astonishment. The next second, Terry screamed as his entire left arm was crushed in an instant. Every inch of flesh, skin, and bone in his arm was crushed into dust, and Mr. Isaac barely lifted a finger. Katie could regenerate from such a blow in moments, but Terry wasn’t Katie.

“Let’s try this again.” Mr. Isaac repeated. “Do it.”

Terry was still shaking in agony, but at Mr. Isaac’s demand, he merely returned a bloody smirk. As much as he was hurting, it just felt so damn good to see the monster be embarrassed. Be impatient. Mr. Isaac wanted something, and as despite his horrific powers, he still couldn’t break Terry.

This time, his entire left leg was crushed, from his toe to his thigh.

Once again, he screamed. This time, even Caitlin couldn’t stay silent. She took a step forward and drew out her handgun, ready to give Terry a quick death, but before she could do a thing, Mr. Isaac snapped her index finger with his mind.

For the next ten minutes, Mr. Isaac proceeded to break every bone in Terry’s body. Literally. But even until the end, Terry held his ground and refused to give in. Mr. Isaac could kill his body and destroy his soul, but he couldn’t enslave him.

In the end, Mr. Isaac was practically driven mad by the act of defiance. He was even madder when, as Terry drew his last breath and he seized onto Terry’s soul, he realized something distressing.

Terry was one of the last 30 students. Throughout the games, he was one of the students that Mr. Isaac devoted the most attention to. The more broken and corrupted he was, the more he could be traded for. Previously, he was hopeless, faithless, and ruthless, willing to do anything to survive. But now, following his change of heart and sudden act of courage, his soul radiated of strength and defiance.

If Mr. Isaac sacrificed his soul to the Will of the Chaos Domain, the Will would personally pull him into the Chaos Domain and torture him for an eternity.

In other words, all the resources placed in him was lost. So much time and scheming wasted, all because of one woman.

The undead teacher screamed furiously. Instantly, every student in the classroom, whether they passed the game or not, was crushed alive. All except Caitlin, but she wasn’t doing too well either. Mr. Isaac charged into her, grabbed onto her by the neck, and slammed her against the wall of the classroom so hard Caitlin’s back crashed into a pile of guts.

“Who do you think you are?” Mr. Isaac screamed into Caitlin’s face. “Do you think I wouldn’t touch you? Do you think you can act with impunity? Well...guess again!”

He tapped Caitlin’s left arm, and the girl started screaming. A tiny piece of Mr. Isaac’s power buried itself in Caitlin’s left palm and, slowly and painfully, started to work its way to the rest of her body, rotting away her skin, flesh, bone, and soul alike.

“Feel free to cut the rot away. It won’t save you. You’ll die...eventually.” He declared coldly. “I’ve already wasted one of you. Don’t mind wasting another.”

With that said, he disappeared from the classroom that somehow appeared more hell-like than before, leaving Caitlin screaming and struggling on the ground. Alone.