Chapter 12
Adam opened his eyes again. He was standing in his teacher’s office.
In front of him James sat behind his desk.
He was looking at him with the same practiced concern he always wore. It was the face of a man who had tried to kill him multiple times. A face he had personally destroyed.
"Adam," James began. His voice was a familiar hollow drone. It was the soundtrack to the beginning of his loop.
"I know you’re grieving but you have to fight through this. You have to continue with your daily life."
Adam stared at his teacher. His face was a complete blank devoid of any emotion.
He did not feel fear or anger or even sadness. He felt nothing. There was only a cold quiet emptiness.
The terror and the guilt from his first kill had been washed away by his own death. The cycle was desensitizing him. He was a stone being smoothed by a river of blood.
"I think I’m unwell," Adam said. His voice was flat and monotone. It was the voice of a machine reciting a line. "I’m going to the nurse’s office."
He turned and walked out of the cubicle without waiting for a reply. As he left he saw James watching him. He caught a flicker of nervousness in the teacher’s eyes. This cold distant version of Adam was not part of his plan. It made him uneasy.
The moment Adam stepped into the empty hallway a system window materialized before him. Its blue light was a comforting presence in his chaotic world. It was the only thing that made sense.
[Congratulations Host. You have successfully eliminated two hostile targets.]