Instinct (English version)

Chapter 5

You are now in a corridor lighted by warm lights coming from wall-mounted chandeliers. You are walking on a gorgeous red velvet carpet, which gives you the impression of being a VIP. You may finally have the opportunity to say your famous thank you speech at the end of it, the one you have been untiringly practicing in front of your mirror for already a decade.

You are now feeling the first signs of tiredness. You do not know for how long the game has begun, but the lack of sleep added to the intense emotions that you have been feeling all along is giving you headaches. You hope that adrenaline will give you strength until the end of the game, even if something is telling you that it is far from being over...

Besides, you have not met anyone for a while. The loneliness is a heavy burden, not mentioning the anxiety that consumes you. Are your friends fine? Are they still alive? These questions are constantly running through your head, and you do not have any answers...

You can then suddenly perceive a movement from the corner of your eye. You immediately lift your head while your heart skips a beat. Instinctively, you are about to turn around and run, when...

"Y/N? Is it really you?"

You recognise this voice -and the figure who appears a few meters away. Thomas! Even though you would rather see your old friends, you are still relieved to meet someone who does not want to kill you and who -in addition- is really nice. You rush to him, bursting with joy.

"I'm happy to see you too! I was really afraid of being the only survivor left. I haven't seen anyone in a while... I hope everyone's fine..."

This does not reassure you concerning your friends, but you nevertheless have now a companion to support you in your trek. Unity makes strength!

Thomas is leading you to a fork in the road, a few meters away.

"I'm coming from here," he says while pointing to one of the corridors. "I thought I should have continued here, but as I met you in this path, it means that we should go there."

You then enter the last path, the only one still not taken. You stick to Thomas: now is not the time to lose track of him again! You finally arrive at a completely dark room. You blink several times, but this does not help you at all: you still cannot see anything.

"Argh isn't there any interrupter somewhere?" complains Thomas.

At the same time, it seems to you that you can hear some rustlings in the room. You immediately grab your companion's sleeve, who instantly stops moving. As you two stay quiet, you can hear muffled groans. You can feel Thomas stiffening, while panic is taking over. This cannot be good...

Suddenly, the lights turn on, blinding you temporarily. You blink frantically, your eyes gradually adapting.

The rectangular room is entirely white, and gives you the impression to be in an operating room. Something is telling you that the game's master was lacking inspiration while creating this room: the environment of the hospital is the worst cliché one may find in horror films. Stereotype... but still a good one, especially when you realise what gruesome show is happening before your eyes.

"MF1/N! MF2/N!"

You rush to the metal gate that is separating you from your friends. The latter are each one tied up to a chair, gagged and handcuffed. Their eyes are imploring you to free them. This sight makes your blood run cold, and your legs are shaking. Thomas takes you by the shoulders and pulls you away from the gate, but you cannot stop looking at this horrific scene. What is going to happen to them?

"Welcome dear friends! Do you like the game so far?"

You wish you could shut that theatrical voice up, once and for all.

"You son of a-!"

"Geez Thomas you shouldn't swear like that! What if your mother sees you?" says the voice, offended. "Anyway, I am honoured to announce that both of you passed the first two steps: "The Catacombs" and "The Royal Menagerie". I'm impressed by your brilliant performance!"

Wait, is he really giving stupid names to his different levels? This guy is totally insane!

"You are now in the third step: "The Death Row". Creepy, isn't it? This room is for you, Y/N. See the two big buttons in the middle of the metal gate? Each one represents an electric chair. Press one and BOOM, the person on the chair will immediately receive a deadly electric shock! I hope you're appreciating my gift for doing such a good job!"

This is too much. You rush again to the metal gate and try to break it, while screaming at the top of your lungs. Your friends watch you, eyes full of fear and panic. There must be a way to get them out of here!

"Come on Y/N, pull yourself together! There's no need to make such a fuss. Please calmly press one of the buttons. You'd better decide quick, or I will activate both chairs! So, which one will you choose?"

You collapse. Tears are flowing down your cheeks, but it does not matter. How dare he. How could he ask you to sacrifice one of your most beloved friends. You never thought that you would one day face a person so cruel. So... inhuman. When is this going to stop?

"Tick... tock... tick..."

Thomas kneels down next to you. He puts a hand on your thigh, but you are avoiding eye contact. He gently whispers in your ear.

"You don't have to do this, Y/N. I can press the button for you. Just tell me which one, and I'll do it."

His voice is calm and reassuring. He manages to soothe you a little bit, enough for your brain to work properly again. You quickly dry you tears and raise your head towards your friends. You want to look them straight in the eyes, one last time.

Do you accept Thomas' help?

If you decide to press the button by yourself: continue to chapter 5 (A).

If you prefer letting Thomas do it: continue to chapter 5 (B).