Trapped

Chapter 7 Final

Wholly paralysed, Rosalie couldn't move at all. Accepting this fate was not an option, but time was running out. If she didn't complete her challenge in this virtual reality game, she would be out of the game and share her mentor's fate.

Violet knew her apprentice couldn't handle the situation. Trying to comfort her, she slowly placed the gun in the woman's hands, enveloping her large hands over Rosalie's delicate ones.

"You made me realise something I forgot since being in this game: the importance of relying on someone." Violet's voice trembled with emotion as she looked at her apprentice with teary eyes, a tender smile on her lips. "You have become more than an apprentice to me; you are the friend I wish I could have in my life, so Rosalie, thank you for putting up with me and allowing me to savour those little moments in your company. For the first time since my beloved passed away, I feel at ease because I know your kind soul will pierce someone else's heart. You have become strong both mentally and physically, and you will become even stronger. You now have all the tools within you to keep going; congrats, Rosalie. As a mentor and friend, I set you free. Keep growing the flame within you; I am passing you my knowledge, so please remember to prioritise yourself. I am counting on you."

With a final, bittersweet smile, Violet firmly held her apprentice's hands. She pulled the trigger, the sound of the shot echoing as Rosalie felt her friend's body grow heavy in her arms. "Violet! Violet! No, please don't leave me. Please!"

Her tears fell down her cheeks; Violet looked at her apprentice's face for the last time, softly smiling. "I could not imagine having such a crybaby as my last memory; it is not to your advantage." Chuckling softly, Violet wiped her friend's tears.

With a composed expression, the woman closed her eyes. "Violet?" Rosalie's heart shattered, her cry for a response echoing in the silence.

"How am I supposed to continue without you by my side? I was only strong in your presence, but now... I-I have no one to set up an example."

Unconsolable, Rosalie could not let go of her friend's body. Her tears falling over Violet's face, Rosalie was determined to honour her mentor. After a few hours, she buried her friend, etching her name into the crosswoods. A few rocks were shattered around her burial, a testament to Violet's impact on her life.

Reassembling her belongings, she looked a last time at her friend's grave, leaving a trace of her passage behind. Her final words were a testament to the closure she had found: "To my mentor and friend, your spirit will always remain in my heart. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace."

Wiping her tears, Rosalie turned her back, following now her own path. Her head could not bear this sudden emptiness, yet she strolled, hoping to find a purpose. No emotions would describe her feelings; she felt suddenly little in this immense world.

After what seemed to be days, she stumbled upon a vicinity. Rosalie could hear Violet telling her to be careful of her surroundings while exploring a new area, subtly noticing every item or evidence someone was there.

Every structure stood abandoned, with little more than the occasional rodent or unknown creature stirring. The only sound that broke the silence was the loud rumble of her stomach; she needed to restore her reserves. A poignant memory surfaced of Violet offering her a snack, a small gesture that always brought comfort and support whenever hunger struck with a comforting smile.

Every sight was a stab in the heart; Rosalie fought with all her might not to crumble nor to extinguish the flame in her soul, the one her mentor had nurtured. But how could she not? Everything around her echoed her adventures with Violet.

Interrupting her momentum nostalgia, a ghoul, a creature mutated by the aftermath of the apocalypse, its skin stretched taut over its bones, suddenly emerged from a house. Face to face, the predator rushed over her, full of hunger. She had never seen such an enraged ghoul before; this one must not have encountered any humans for a long time, considering how malnourished it was. However, in his condition, there was no lack of energy as Rosalie kept running; the predator was determined to catch her.