Instinct (English version)

Chapter 10

You are running to the room, the killer on your heels. He is fast, but you took little time to find him, which means that your destination must not be far away. You still hope that you gave enough time to your friends to set the deft plan up. You slap yourself mentally. Why did you not think of taking back the knife? It could have been very useful for your counter-attack.

Exhausted, you glance behind you, to check if the killer did not lose track of you. Your current goal is not to leave him behind. Fortunately -if it really can be considered as good luck- the huge person is following you closely. You throw yourself into the opening of the big room and turn around, just in time to see Johan and FF2/N throwing one of the ripped curtains on the criminal. The latter, disorientated, is getting mired down in the piece of fabric.

"Y/N, where's Benjamin? We were counting on him to floor the killer!"

You look at your friend while shaking frantically your head. Now is a good time to switch to plan B, is not it? The panicked look on FF2/N's and Johan's faces says a lot about the existence of a possible backup plan. You know that the worst is yet to come...

The killer gets rid of the curtain in a few seconds. He is raging mad. Without wasting his time, he rushes to the first victim at his fingertips. Always the worst role in the story, right?

FF2/N is standing in front of the entrance, paralysed by fear. Johan is also bewildered because of the failure of his plan. You can see him rushing to rescue you, as if he suddenly received an electric shock, but it is too late now: he will never manage to catch you up in time. You instinctively raise your hands in front of you, in a vain attempt to protect yourself. You have a little thought for your family, as the killer's blade is only a few inches from you.

Suddenly, Jade comes out of nowhere and throws herself on your enemy.

"Leave Y/N alone, you vile brute!"

Her arms wrapped around the killer's neck, she is vainly trying to keep herself on his back. What a rodeo queen! This takes the monster by surprise, and narrowly extends at the same time your life expectancy.

But the young woman cannot do much against that brute. The latter grasps her by her beautiful brown hair and brutally throws her on the ground. Panting, Jade wince as she is holding her leg. Her wound has obviously not gotten better. The killer leans above her and quickly stabs her right through the heart. The young woman screams of pain. You are watching the scene in slow-motion, horrified. This plan is a disaster. Escaping through the maze is no longer useful: you are all doomed.

You can hear a gunshot. The killer collapses on Jade, a lead bullet lodged into his cranium. Your brain is struggling to analyse what has just happened. You are scanning the room, looking for the origin of that mysterious gunshot.

Clara is crouched near the curtains, a gun in her hands, Anna behind her. A faint smoke is escaping from the barrel. Thousands of questions are crossing your mind, when you can hear Jade coughing. Forgetting the tall blond girl, you immediately kneel down next to your dying friend -soon followed by the rest of the group- and roll the killer's body to the side.

Fresh blood is dripping from the corner of her mouth, while she is struggling to breathe. The young woman can barely turn her head towards you, her whole body engulfed by pain. Clara gently takes her hand. Dying, she still manages to whisper some words.

"You better rock next time. That plan was pathetic. As a recompense, I wanna have a crown at my funerals."

You roll your eyes. Even close to death, she keeps exasperating you. Even if she is not completely wrong. The young woman coughs again.

"Oh, and Y/N, I'm gonna be honest with you, I don't like you. But if I learn that you don't get out of here alive and that I died for nothing, I'll hate you even more!"

She raises the corners of her mouth to form a faint smile. You are about to cry. This young woman you could not bear at the beginning saved your life. You discovered a whole new part of her personality that you did not even suspected, and you have eventually appreciated her. You came a long way in so little time!

You would like to thank her, but you do not have the words. Instead, you take her hand too and hold it tight against your chest. With her last strengths, Jade gently puts her palm on your cheek, right before passing away. Her arm falls along her body again. You close your eyes as tears are flowing down your cheeks against your will. FF2/N is tenderly taking you in her arms, while you bury your face in her neck. Her gentle strokes on your back are comforting and pacifying you in no time.

Johan is meticulously inspecting the killer's body, and takes his pulse. Nothing. He is well and truly dead. The young man then removes his hood and observes his face, dubious. He stands up, obviously disappointed.

"The police will find his identity. For now, let's get quickly out of here. By the way, Clara, where did you find the firearm?"

"I wanted to find a safe place for Anna, between the curtains. She's the one who found the weapon."

"I guess it won't be funny for the game's master if we don't have any chances of winning. Are there any bullets left inside?"

The tall blond girl immediately checks the cartridge clip.

"There are five bullets left."

"Good. Who knows what may happen nex-. "

He barely had the time to say this when a heavy metal gate blocks the entrance of the room. Would you believe! You all quickly get back on your feet, and huddle up together, ready to defend yourselves. Clara is nervously pointing the barrel of the gun everywhere.

"What a pleasure to see you all safe and sound again! And you defeated my redoubtable henchman? I'm astounded!"

"Show yourself, coward!" shouts Clara, ostensibly bolder thanks to the weapon in her possession.

"The time will come my dear, don't worry! But you still have a last tiny detail to take care of before reaching the final step: "The Den of the Evil Manly Prodigious and Sensational and Incredibly Hottie Master"!"

You raise your eyebrow. Is he really hoping to be credible with that? Clara immediately lowers her weapon, tilting her head to the side, confused. Johan shrugs his shoulders.

The voice from the loudspeaker is having a break, catching his breath. The master then loudly hawks.

"So, I was saying that there's a last thing to do before having the honour to meet me. I didn't lie to you when I was explaining that you had to get rid of all the killers to win the game. I therefore reiterate what I said: you have to execute ALL the killers in this room to reach the next level. Good luck!"

You are scanning your surroundings, on the lookout for any danger. You are however the only ones left in this room...

You suddenly realise what this is involving. You immediately and quickly pull away from each other, taking refuge in the four corners of the room. You are looking at your companions, panicked. Is there a traitor among yourselves?

Continue to chapter 11!