Instinct (English version)

Chapter 7

You are quietly walking in a gigantic maze of corridors. The dark stone walls are decorated with gargoyles holding gothic lanterns shining with a green light, thus creating a haunted castle atmosphere. This drastic change of environment makes you think that you have reached the fourth level of this horror game. What will happen on this floor?

Jade is struggling to walk. Even though she will not admit it, she is breathing heavily and needs an incredible amount of strength for each step. She is also leaning on you way more than before. You decide to have a break in order to check her condition and help her sitting against the wall.

Her forehead is burning up, as tiny drops of sweat are dripping. This is not good. You look carefully at her wound. It is far from pretty. The cut is still open and a yellowish fluid mixed with blood droplets is abundantly coming out of it. The skin all around is bright red. The sight of this unappealing show makes you wince.

"Let me guess... It's infected, isn't it?"

You nod. Frustrated, she hits the wall behind her.

"Tch, what a pain in the neck!"

You do not know if she is talking about her wound or the responsible. Or both.

You suddenly have the idea to remove one of the green bulbs in order to press it on the wound. After all, action films and video games taught you that any scorching object could heal a wound. Any adventurer has already done it.

"Are you insane? You're not an expert surgeon to do those kinds of practices! Besides, your hands will be covered with blisters before you'd even manage to remove the bulb. Here, take this and go find a water source to wet it instead."

You never thought that the brunette would manage to make you feel like a half-wit. The young woman rips a ruffle from her top without regret and holds it out to you. Since when does she care so little about her clothes? In a matter of few seconds, it seems to you that you are facing a whole new Jade. You are wondering if there is an injection that could have given her brain cells.

You catch the piece of cloth and search for a water source. This reminds you that you have not drunk anything since the beginning of your adventure. Your throat is really sore due to the great amount of time you have spent running everywhere!

You find a water fountain inlaid in the wall a few steps away. The water flowing from a small angry face's mouth is clear and seems fresh. How lucky you are! You honestly doubted that the game's master would be so generous. Was he pitying you?

You plunge the piece of cloth into the fountain, and are about to quench your thirst when you freeze. What if the water was poisoned?

Would you rather stay cautious, or go all in?

You decide not to drink the water of the fountain.

You are not willing to take this risk. It would be stupid to die like that after everything you did!

However -concerning Jade- her leg is already infected so she has nothing to lose. Besides, she will not be a great loss. You might as well bring the wet piece of cloth back to her.

You bite your lower lip. You should not think about this, especially since she has been rather quiet since the episode of the lift. As she is wounded, you should be more sympathetic towards her. You quickly banish those thoughts from your mind.

While ignoring your thirst, you promptly return next to the pretty brunette, hoping that she did not faint because of the fever during your absence.

Continue your adventure to paragraph Next.

You decide to quench your thirst anyway.