Chapter 36: They’re Chasing Me!
The forest fell back into a suffocating silence, broken only by C’s ragged breathing.
The scent of damp earth filled his lungs, fallen leaves clung to his shoulders, and the faint tang of gunpowder still lingered sharp in the air.
He moved slowly toward the corpse of the officer he had just defeated, every step heavy, every muscle in his body screaming in exhaustion.
Victory tasted bitter, draining the last of his strength.
This is a new record... I was able to take them down faster than before. Now I just need to find the key, then deal with the third officer who’s bound to show up soon, C thought to himself, crouching beside the lifeless body.
His trembling hands reached out, pressing two fingers to the man’s neck, searching for any sign of lingering life.
Nothing.
The officer was truly dead. Next, C began rifling through the pockets of the uniform with quick, practiced motions. He searched the pants, the jacket, the tactical vest... but found nothing. His brow furrowed slightly.
No key? But I clearly remember this guy always carried the car keys in previous loops. Damn it. Fine. I just need to go back to the first officer’s corpse.
He stood again, every part of him aching terribly. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he forced himself to steady it, channeling the pain into a faint, stubborn reserve of strength. This wasn’t over yet.
He needed that briefcase. And to get it, he needed the key to the police car.