《Crossroads》
PROLOGUE
In the darkness of the vast room, a middle-aged man named Cody, found himself trapped in a dire situation. The sound of his trembling footsteps echoed repeatedly, breaking the silence and adding tension to the air. He sat alone, immersed in bitter moments that defined his life''s journey. However, a whispering sound emerged from behind, beginning to awaken him from his reverie.
"You know, there''s nothing more satisfying than seeing people on the brink of destruction," whispered the voice.
Cody lifted his head with mixed feelings. "Who are you? and what do you want from me?" he asked with a trembling voice.
"Oh, I thought you already knew who I was. Does it matter though? You are going to die anyway ," replied the voice with a sarcastic and confident tone. "I admire your work, you know. Though you often refuse to acknowledge it," the voice continued, flowing with a captivating voice that seeped into Cody''s thoughts.
"W-What do you mean?" Cody asked in confusion.
"You know exactly what I mean. You enjoy every moment when someone has to choose between life and death, between saving themselves or saving others," said the voice, awakening hidden memories in Cody''s mind.
For a moment, Cody fell silent, reflecting on the words spoken by the voice. Everything he had done so far was always related to life and death, whether it was someone else''s life or his own. All the decisions he made were the best decisions for himself and others. It was impossible for him to enjoy those moments if life was at stake.
As Cody was almost trapped in the mental trap set by the voice, suddenly he felt the presence of two figures appearing before him. These two figures were manifestations of the two difficult choices he had to face.
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On the left, sat someone who was the most important person in his life, staring at him with concern. On the other side, there was someone else who was his beloved family.
The figure on his left then spoke to Cody, "You don''t need me anymore; what you''ve been looking for is now beside me. What I''ve done all this time is my sincere help for you to meet them. Don''t consider this as a farewell between us. Consider it as a special birthday gift from me. Someday, we will definitely meet again," said the figure with a calm and sincere voice while getting teary-eyed.
Meanwhile, on his right side, another figure was crying uncontrollably. "I feel sorry for making you upset. I want to make everything better. Forgive me, please," she said while wiping the tears flowing down her cheeks.
The mysterious figure forcefully grabbed Cody''s hand and handed him a pistol while gripping Codys hand tightly. The voice from behind intervened again. "Choose, my friend. Choose who you will sacrifice for your life," said it enticingly, pulling Cody into a deadly decision pit.
Cody felt pressured, his heart filled with difficult questions. Tears started flowing down his cheeks, his expression a mix of despair and hatred for the situation he faced.
Finally, with heavy steps, Cody picked up the pistol. His trembling hand grasped the weapon, his eyes moving from one figure to another.
"I can''t live without both of them, but they also can''t live without me," he mumbled to himself .
But he had to make a choice:
- Shoot the Character on the Left: Choose to save the most important person in his life.
- Shoot the Character on the Right: Choose to protect the remaining family.
The pistol stopped at one of the characters in front of him, indicating that the decision had to be made. Cody''s finger was on the trigger, his breath heavy, and his heart pounding.
Then, with a long breath, the main character pulled the trigger.
BANG!
LOST
In the quiet office space, Cody woke up from his sleep feeling startled. Cody took a deep breath, his heartbeat racing . He realized that he had fallen asleep in the office until late at night, trapped in a nightmare that kept him awake with lingering anxiety.
However, the questions from the dream continued to haunt his mind. Did the decisions made in the dream truly reflect his values and principles in real life? Or were they just reflections of fears and inner struggles still ongoing within him?
Despite all of this, he then observed the surroundings. His gaze scanned the gloomy surroundings, with only the faint light from his cellphone illuminating the room. The darkness that filled the night outside, creating an eerie feeling among the silent city buildings.
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He felt there was an anomaly happening in his office room. The room he occupied was extremely dark, with no lighting except from his cellphone. He wanted to check the surroundings, but at that moment, he remembered his younger sibling who he forgot to pick up from school. He wanted to know their whereabouts, whether they were already home or not.
As Cody processed his surroundings, he was presented with two choices, two scenarios that demanded his attention :
- Check His Cell Phone: The choice to check his cell phone because he remembered his younger sibling whom he forgot to pick up from school.
- Check the Surroundings: The choice to check the surroundings of the office, as he felt something strange about the office''s condition.
Chapter 1A “Check His Cell Phone”
Cody chose to check his phone first. Gently, he picked up his phone from his desk. The screen showed missed call notifications from Mary, three times. Mary was his aunt, the one who had taken care of him and his younger sibling since they were little. She had even stepped back from her responsibilities after Cody got a job and could take care of himself.
Fear immediately struck Cody. He dialed Mary''s number, but there was no answer. He tried again, once, twice, until four times, yet still no response. Panic started to overwhelm him. "Why isn''t she picking up?" Cody muttered anxiously.
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Cody tried to calm himself down. Maybe Mary was busy or asleep. However, negative thoughts started to creep in. "What if something happened to her? What if my sister is in trouble, and Mary can''t help?" Cody kept imagining the worst-case scenarios.
After a while, Cody tried to focus on finding a more logical explanation. Perhaps her phone was off, or Mary was on her way somewhere. However, before he could find a satisfying answer, a loud thudding sound echoed outside his office door.
Chapter 1B “Check The Surroundings”
Cody chose to inspect his office surroundings. He felt that something was amiss and wanted to ensure his safety before taking further steps. Gently , Cody picked up his phone and used its screen light to illuminate the dark room.
The phone''s flashlight faintly illuminated the room, revealing dark corners that were usually unseen during the daytime. Amidst the tension clouding his mind, Cody tried to remain calm and focused.
He checked the corners of the room, inspecting every shadow that might indicate the presence of something or someone. However, the office space, usually neat and orderly, now felt like a daunting dark maze.
"The office lights should be on if anyone''s still here," Cody mumbled to himself. He looked at the light switch and tried turning it on, but there was no response from the light, it was a blackout.
After thoroughly inspecting the room, Cody walked towards his office window. He opened the curtains slowly and looked outside. His office was on the fourth floor of a multi-story building. In front of him, another building stood dark and deserted, with not a single light on.
The situation outside seemed more ominous than he had imagined. Cody saw several cars burning and overturned in the middle of the road. Small fires still flickered in some spots, providing faint illumination amidst the night''s darkness.
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However, what was more alarming was the presence of a group of strange people out there. They moved with erratic gestures, like individuals who had lost control of themselves. Some of them seemed to have red bloodstains on their clothes.
However, things took a turn for the worse. The woman was surrounded on all sides by the strange crowd. They moved aggressively, showing no intent to show mercy to anyone.
Without warning, one of the crowd members brutally attacked the middle-aged woman. She fell to the ground, and Cody watched in horror as the crowd began to assault and ravage her.
Cody held his breath, unable to believe what he was seeing. "This can''t be real," he whispered to himself. He thought it might be a nightmare or a grave misunderstanding of the situation.
The sound of screams and cries for help echoed in the silent night. Cody felt terrified and disgusted by what he saw. He felt powerless, unable to help no matter how much he wished he could.
As the horrifying scene unfolded, Cody felt shocked and almost lost control of himself. His body trembled, and he felt nauseous, nearly collapsing to the floor. He leaned against the wall, trying to endure the pain and fear.
There were no words to describe how devastated Cody felt. He felt like he was trapped in an endless nightmare. "How could this happen? What''s happening to this world?" he thought, confused and panicked beyond measure.
Suddenly, a loud thudding sound came from outside his office door. The sound snapped Cody out of his reverie, reminding him of the urgent situation outside. Cody took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as best as he could amidst the chaos.
"Noises On The Door"
The thudding sound grew louder and louder. Cody sat upright in his office chair, his eyes fixed on the door that was the source of the mysterious thudding. His heart raced, filled with a mix of fear and confusion. In his mind, questions swirled about what action should be taken.
He glanced away for a moment, letting his clear blue eyes wander around the quiet office. It was already night, and most of the employees had gone home. He was the only one trapped in this situation. In the thrilling silence, Cody tried to calm himself.
"Maybe it''s just a colleague who forgot something," he whispered to himself. "Or maybe it''s the security guard wanting to inform me of something important."
However, the thudding sound grew louder, as if they wanted to break down the door. Cody pondered for a moment, considering the possibilities. The first option was to open the door. If he did so, he would find out who was thudding. It could be a colleague or the building''s security guard on duty.
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But then again, the thudding was way too loud. It was unlikely for an office person, especially a security guard with access to office keys, to bang on the door so forcefully. Perhaps the best choice was the second option, which was to wait until the thudding subsided and the person thudding left.
To avoid endangering himself, Cody thought it best to hide and wait until the thudding stopped. But on the other hand, if he continued to wait, there was a possibility that he would forcibly break down the door and open it. These two considerations were very valid and left Cody confused.
Cody took a long breath and made a decision to...
- Open the Door : The choice to open the door, to check who''s thudding the door so loudly.
- Wait and Hide: The choice to hide and wait until the thudding stopped.
Chapter 1C “Open the Door”
After finally deciding to open the door, Cody''s heart pounded as he pulled the handle, revealing a shocking sight before him: Adam, the office security guard, his body drenched in blood and his uniform from the backside of his body almost torn to shreds,
"Adam! What happened to you?" Cody exclaimed, his voice trembling with shock.
A faint voice escaped his lips, "Help me," he pleaded with a barely audible tone. The desperation in his voice sent shivers down Cody''s spine as he stood frozen, caught in the eerie silence of the moment.
Adam collapsed onto Cody''s office floor. Shock overcame Cody, unable to believe that Adam, someone usually so strong and experienced, could be in such a state. He quickly moved closer to Adam, helping him shift to the wall to sit down.
"Hold on, Adam. I''ll get you treated," Cody said while searching for the first aid kit around his office. After finding it, he began to tend to Adam''s wounds carefully, noting the severity of the injuries.
After treating Adam''s wounds, Cody began to examine his body more carefully..He felt around Adam''s chest, looking for signs of gunshot wounds or other weapon marks, but found none. His eyes then focused on the torn clothes at the back and the scratches on Adam''s back and right arm.
The wounds depicted terrifying violence. Cody tried to envision the scenario of the attack, considering how Adam might have been attacked from behind while running or fighting against his assailants.
However, Cody''s mind couldn''t find a satisfactory answer. He stared at the large scratches, reminding himself of wild animals like tigers or bears. But in this city, such large animals were impossible.
"This isn''t a sign of an animal attack. This... this could be a sign of a human attack."
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Yet, the bigger question still hung in the air. Why were they attacking Adam? What was the motive behind this brutal assault? Cody felt increasingly panicked as he searched for answers.
Suddenly, Adam''s voice snapped Cody back to reality. "Don''t go out through the main door!" Adam urged hoarsely, creating a tense atmosphere that peaked in the quiet office.
Cody looked at Adam with panicked eyes. "What do you mean? What''s happening out there?" he asked, trying to understand the escalating situation.
"The world... is in chaos..." Adam said with gasping breaths, conveying fragmented information that sent chills down Cody''s spine.
Cody tried to calm himself, although his confusion was spiraling out of control. However, Adam''s weak voice jolted him into a harsh reality. "Use... this... pistol... these... few... bullets... Protect... yourself... and... your sister," Adam whispered with struggling breaths, giving Cody final instructions before exhaling his last breath in Cody''s embrace.
A mix of emotions overwhelmed Cody. Sadness over Adam''s departure, confusion about what was happening around him, and panic as he realized the seriousness of the situation.
"I need to move quickly," Cody muttered to himself, taking the still-warm pistol from Adam''s hand. Carefully, he followed Adam''s advice to avoid the main door. Cody headed towards the emergency stairs, taking determined but heavy steps.
Once outside the office building, Cody crept around, avoiding the crowd on the main street. He felt like he was in the midst of a great chaos that he didn''t fully understand.
After moving away from the crowd, Cody realized he had two critical choices that needed careful consideration:
- To Cody''s Home : Cody felt the need to go home as a place of refuge. Perhaps his sister was already there and needed to be saved from the chaos outside. Cody knew he had to prepare to escape the city if necessary.
- To His Sister''s School : Cody was reminded of his sister who he hadn''t picked up from school yet. He had to go there and rescue her if she was trapped inside the school.
(Author''s Note: If the reader chooses to check the phone in the previous scenario, The option to go to his sisters school will be automatically selected.)
Cody took a deep breath, deciding he had to act quickly. The decision he made would affect his and his sister''s fate in this uncertain future.
Cody then goes too.
Chapter 1D “Wait and Hide”
Cody decided to hide under his desk, hoping to stay safe from whatever danger lurked outside. Time ticked by in tense silence, broken only by the steady thuds of someone thudding on the door. Each thud made Cody''s skin crawl. Amidst these relentless knocks, he occasionally heard faint moans, as if someone was in pain. These eerie sounds heightened Cody''s fear, causing him to huddle in terror and cover his ears, praying silently for the noises to stop.
"Please, stop it!" he pleaded, hoping the sounds would go away.
The knocks gradually faded, eventually ceasing altogether. Then came the sound of someone dragging their feet, moving away from Cody''s office door. This made Cody even more afraid, convincing him to stay hidden until everything outside was quiet.
An unsettling calm settled over the office, thirty agonizing minutes passed. Finally, Cody mustered the courage to come out. He emerged cautiously, creeping towards the office door. He pressed his ear against it, trying to hear any sounds outside. Convinced it was safe, Cody slowly opened the door and peered out.
Before him stretched a long, dimly lit corridor. On the left, a hallway led to an elevator, while the emergency exit was on the right. To the right, there was a meeting room facing the corridor, with the office restroom tucked away beside it. Cody shone his flashlight down the corridor, scanning left and right for any signs of the earlier disturbance.
His gaze fixed on the far end of the corridor, his flashlight revealing a large figure sitting outside the meeting room. The figure was breathing heavily, sending chills down Cody''s spine. Distant growls added to his mounting fear.
"Who''s there?" Cody''s voice trembled as he called out, his eyes locked on the shadowy figure.
The figure stirred, emitting a low growl as it began to approach Cody. Panic surged through Cody as he darted towards the emergency door on the left. Footsteps echoed ominously behind him, getting closer with each passing moment.
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Reaching the emergency door, Cody grabbed the handle, his heart pounding in his chest. Before he could open it, a strong force pulled him back, causing him to fall. The darkness made it hard to see his attacker, leaving Cody to face only a looming silhouette.
As the figure lunged forward, Cody dodged with all his might. He aimed his phone''s flashlight at the assailant, revealing a shocking truth.
"Adam?!" Cody''s voice quivered, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Adam, in torn and bloodied clothing, stared back at Cody with a piercing gaze. Cody tried to understand, "What happened to you, Adam?"
No answer came. Adam attacked again, prompting Cody to evade desperately. Cody sprinted towards the emergency door, pushing it with all his strength. However, Adam managed to block the door with his head, preventing it from closing completely. Acting on instinct, Cody slammed the door towards Adam''s head, momentarily stunning him. With a swift kick, Cody pushed Adam away and locked the emergency exit.
Breathing heavily, Cody descended the emergency stairs, his mind reeling from the encounter. When he reached the ground floor, he cautiously made his way to the office lobby.
Seeing a crowd resembling Adam in the distance, he chose to avoid the main entrance and left through the back door.
Outside, Cody moved stealthily past people on the main street. After getting away from the crowd, he faced a crucial decision:
- To Cody''s Home: Cody felt the need to go home as a place of refuge. Perhaps his sister was already there and needed to be saved from the chaos outside. Cody knew he had to prepare to escape the city if necessary,
- To His Sister''s School : Cody was reminded of his sister who he hadn''t picked up from school yet. He had to go there and rescue her if she was trapped inside the school.
(Author''s Note: If the reader chooses to check the phone in the previous scenario, The option to go to his sisters school will be automatically selected.)
With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Cody took a deep breath, realizing that his decision would not only determine his fate but also that of his sibling in this harrowing ordeal.
Cody finally decided to go to...
Chapter 2.1 A “To Cody’s Home”
Cody decided to go home with a pounding heart. Ever since leaving the office, his emotions were in turmoil. He hoped that his sister, Lilly, was already home safe. However, doubt continued to haunt his mind, especially after seeing the quiet and empty surroundings around his house.
Cody''s hurried steps seemed to slow down as he approached his home. Every step felt heavy, filled with tension and worry. There was no light around the house except for the beam of his cell phone flashlight. The dark atmosphere that enveloped his house seemed to add to Cody''s fear.
When he reached the front door, Cody paused for a moment to observe his surroundings. He tried to suppress his anxiety and focused his attention on what was around his house. After ensuring there were no signs of suspicious activity, Cody carefully opened his front door.
The atmosphere inside the house felt hollow and silent. There was no sound except for Cody''s trembling footsteps. He decided to search for another light source so that his cell phone flashlight wouldn''t run out of battery. Cody reached for a small drawer near the shoebox to find a spare flashlight.
After finding the flashlight, Cody moved slowly towards the kitchen. The dark kitchen made him feel even more anxious. However, before he reached the kitchen area, a noisy sound caught his ears. Cody stopped for a moment, listening carefully.
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"Who''s there?" Cody muttered softly, his eyes focusing on finding the source of the sound. He felt more tense as the noisy sound became clearer.
Cody decided to drop to the floor, walking cautiously on his knees. Every step he took was done with extreme caution. Cold sweat began to dampen his forehead as he approached the dining table. Cody tried to remain calm, although his fear was taking over.
As he approached the dining table, Cody felt an indescribable fear. He pondered for a moment, trying to find a way to protect himself if the situation worsened. Cody looked around for an object that could be used as a weapon. In the end, he found something nearby.
- The Flower Vase: The flower vase placed on the dining table. It could be used as a weapon for Cody.
- Adam''s Firearm: Cody remembers the weapon given to him by Adam. The weapon is kept in his back pocket.
(*Authors Note : Only available if the reader chooses Open the Door scenarios, if not. You can only choose option A)
Cody chose to
“ The Flower Vase”
Cody looked at the flower vase placed on the dining table with a hesitant gaze. Although not very clear in the darkness, the shape and color of the vase still brought back beautiful memories. The vase, shaped like a cylinder and made of clear glass, was a gift from his aunt, Mary, when Cody had just moved to his current home. Cody remembered vividly how Mary smiled brightly while giving him the vase, feeling happy and proud of Cody''s new home.
Now, in the dark atmosphere and pressure around him, the flower vase seemed to be Cody''s best choice to use as a weapon. It''s easy-to-grip shape and sharp end gave him hope. Cody felt around the dining table, searching for ways to utilize the flower vase to the fullest if the situation worsened. He felt his heartbeat quickening, the tension in his body becoming more pronounced.
"It must be strong," Cody thought to himself, referring to the flower vase. "Although it''s just glass, it can be a deadly weapon if used correctly."
Cold sweat dampened Cody''s fingers as he tightly gripped the flower vase. There was deep concern in his heart, but his decision had been made. Cody was ready to face any possibility with the flower vase as his weapon.
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With the flower vase in hand, Cody moved towards the mysterious figure in the room. He planned his steps, positioning himself to attack. However, before he could launch his attack, the figure attacked him first. Their hands caught Cody''s, preventing him from using the flower vase as a weapon.
"You''re quite brave," the figure said mockingly.
Cody was surprised by the figure''s presence. After all the horrific events at the office, seeing someone alive in front of him felt like a breath of fresh air.
"You''re alive!" Cody exclaimed hopefully.
"What do you mean I''m alive? Of course, I''m alive! You strange person!" the figure replied, sounding annoyed. They disarmed Cody and slammed him against the wall, causing Cody to fall.
Before the figure could continue their attack, Cody shouted pleadingly, "Stop...Stop! I don''t want to die! I want to meet my sister!"
The figure stopped their attack and helped Cody to stand up.
“ The Gun From Adam”
Cody pondered for a moment in front of the gun Adam had once given him. The gun was something he never expected to own, especially in a situation like this. Although he now had a weapon, Cody felt hesitant and afraid.
He had never had any experience shooting before. Cody had never taken firearms self-defense training or even been interested in such things. He always saw guns as tools created solely for killing, something far from the values he held.
However, now, Cody felt compelled to use the gun if he wanted to survive. Despite hating it, he realized that he had to make the most of it in this dire situation. Cody raised the gun carefully, feeling the heavy moral burden on his shoulders.
"I used to reject it, but now I have to face it," Cody thought as he gazed at the gun with a mixture of hatred and despair. "I just hope it never comes to the point where I have to pull this trigger."
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Deep worries enveloped Cody, but he knew this was a choice he had to make, whether he liked it or not. Cody had to face the reality that in this violent world, sometimes we have to use tools we hate to survive.
With the gun ready in hand, Cody approached the mysterious figure in the room. He positioned himself to shoot, but before he could do so, the figure attacked him first. Their hands held Cody''s, preventing his attack.
"You''re quite brave," the figure said mockingly.
Cody was surprised by the figure''s presence, but also relieved to see them alive in front of him.
"You''re alive!" exclaimed Cody hopefully.
"What do you mean I''m alive? Of course, I''m alive! You strange person!" the figure replied, sounding annoyed. They disarmed Cody and slammed him against the wall, causing Cody to fall.
Before the figure could continue their attack, Cody shouted pleadingly, "Stop...Stop! I don''t want to die! I want to meet my sister!"
The figure stopped their attack and helped Cody to stand up.
Chapter 2.2 A “Meeting A New Friend”
"I''m sorry for attacking you; I had to do it to protect myself," Brad said as he introduced himself. "My name is Bradley, but you can call me Brad. I''m a new police officer in this area," he added, trying to explain his situation to Cody.
Cody looked at Brad sharply, still trying to process the information he had just received. "My name is Cody, and I have a question for you. Why would a police officer like you ransack a house and attack its owner and assume him as a thief?!" Cody asked, his tone still filled with annoyance.
Lowering his gaze, Brad replied, "Again, I apologize; I didn''t mean to attack you. I thought you were a robber or one of ''them.''"
"Them? What do you mean by ''them''?" Cody asked, his confusion deepening.
Brad explained, "Have you not seen what''s happening out there? People acting strangely, with red eyes, foaming mouths, attacking others randomly? Those are the ones I mean, the ones infected by the virus."
Cody listened to Brad''s explanation with apprehension. "People infected by a virus? You mean they change like that because of a virus?! You must be joking. No one changes so viciously just because of a virus!" Cody said, his voice becoming more strained.
"I don''t know for sure what causes it, but I''ve heard bits of information from the news. Apparently, the virus spreads quickly through direct contact with the infected person. So you have to be careful if they attack you by biting or contacting their blood," Brad warned Cody.
"So what were you doing around this residential area? Shouldn''t you be with your colleagues at the police station?" Cody asked Brad, trying to gather more information.
Brad explained, "That''s the problem. I was locked up by my colleagues in an empty holding cell when I was drunk at the welcoming party. I woke up when the office was deserted and dark. Luckily, the cell wasn''t locked, and I could get out. Long story short, I left using the patrol car, but it ran out of gas, and I was starving, and your house was the only one unlocked."
"Wait, how did you manage to come here using your car when the city streets are crowded by them? I couldn''t even bring my own car," Cody asked, trying to understand how Brad got to his house amidst the chaos outside.
"My post isn''t too far from this residential area. I avoided using main roads and toll roads, so I took a longer detour to reach this residential area," Brad replied, explaining the route he took to get to Cody''s house.
"Then why did you ransack my house besides the fact that the door wasn''t locked?" Cody asked Brad again, trying to find out more about Brad''s true intentions at his house.
"Again, I didn''t intend to ransack your house. My house is actually around this residential area. But it''s quite far, about five blocks from here, and I forgot to bring the key from the office, and my patrol car ran out of gas and stopped right in front of your house, AND I was starving. So I had no choice but to enter your house," Brad explained his situation clearly to Cody.
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Cody listened to Brad''s explanation, feeling like he was starting to understand the situation. However, his heart was still focused on his worry for his sister, Lilly. "Before I forget, have you seen a 7-year-old girl named Lily in this house?" Cody asked with concern.
Brad shook his head, "Oh, so that''s what you were shouting about earlier; no wonder you were hysterical. To answer your question, sorry, I haven''t seen her. Since I''ve been here, no one has come or gone from this house."
Cody''s heart ached hearing Brad''s answer. He felt even more anxious about his sister''s whereabouts. Without saying anything, Cody distanced himself from Brad, trying to take deep breaths to calm himself. His mind tried to process all the information he had just received.
"Okay, I have to think this through," Cody muttered to himself. "First, Lilly isn''t at home; I have to find her quickly before something bad happens to her."
"Second, I''m stuck with this police officer. I have to persuade him to come with me if I want to survive and find Lilly," he continued, trying to find a solution to this complicated situation.
Cody approached Brad again, noticing his tired and hungry expression. "Where will you go after this?" Cody asked, trying to plan their next steps.
"To be honest, I don''t know," Brad replied honestly. "Even if I go back to the office or go home, I probably won''t last long. Not to mention, my patrol car ran out of gas, so I can''t go too far."
"Speaking of gas, I actually have a reserve of gas for my car. It''s about 4 gallons of gas in my garage; if you want, I can give it to you," Cody offered, trying to help Brad.
"Okay, of course, I''d love that; I really want to get out of this city," Brad replied enthusiastically.
Cody smiled but then interjected with a condition. "There''s a condition; you have to help me find my sister until we find her. I won''t agree to give it to you for free if you don''t agree to my terms."
Brad nodded in agreement with Cody''s terms. "Deal, I''m ready to help you, Cody," he said firmly.
"Glad to do business with you, Brad, and welcome aboard," Cody said happily, feeling relieved that there was finally someone who could help him. But in his heart, Cody still felt the unresolved tension. The mission to find his sister, Lilly, remained his top priority.
Cody continued his journey, searching for his sister Lilly alongside Brad in Brad''s patrol car. As they navigated through away from chaotic streets, Cody couldn''t help but feel a sense of urgency and anxiety gnawing at him. "Do you know any safe places amidst all this chaos?" Cody asked Brad, his voice tinged with desperation.
"I''m not entirely sure, but I''ve heard of a farm not far from here," Brad responded to Cody''s question.
"A farm? Do you really think a farm is a safe place?" Cody retorted to Brad''s suggestion.
"Well, I think so because it''s quite secluded, they have vast land, and they can sustain themselves with food from their livestock," Brad replied confidently.
"What about their security? They can''t possibly have weapons, can they?"
"Funny you mention that, the owner of this farm is one of the founders of the local animal hunting organization. So don''t question whether they have weapons or not,"
"The farm owner is also a hunter. What a hypocrite. I bet he kills his livestock more often than he cares for them," Cody remarked sarcastically.
"Well, I don''t really care about that. What I know is he has a large farm, and I think that''s the safest place for now,"
"Alright, let''s head there first. Maybe Lilly is there. Come on, Brad, direct your car towards that farm,"
"Ok, Cody," Brad replied.
Chapter 2.1 B “To Cody’s Sister School”
Cody continued his steps, his heart filled with worry and tension. The cloudy sky added to the eerie atmosphere surrounding him as he made his way towards his sister''s school. He couldn''t imagine his sister being trapped in such chaos.
When Cody arrived at his sister''s school, a shocking sight awaited him. The school had been tightly barricaded with chairs and tables, creating a fortress-like appearance ready to fend off attacks. The doors looked strongly locked, and a haunting silence pervaded the school grounds that should have been bustling with the lively noise of children.
Carefully, Cody traversed the school grounds, searching for a way to enter the building. His anxiety was palpable; every step felt like walking on hot coals.
As he explored the wooded area behind the school, Cody found a closed basement door. He fumbled to open it, discovering that it was blocked by something long like a broom. Cody tried various methods to unlock it, and after several attempts, he finally managed to open the door. He entered the basement cautiously, trying to make as little noise as possible. It was pitch dark inside, with no light penetrating from outside.
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Cody then turned on the flashlight on his phone, illuminating the dark basement floor. He searched for items that could be used for survival. Cody found a flashlight in a student''s desk drawer under the basement stairs. He then replaced his phone flashlight with the flashlight as his light source.
Cody stepped onto the stairs leading to the door on the upper floor of the basement. After opening the door, he saw an empty school corridor, with students'' lockers securely locked on his left side. Seeing the deserted school, Cody grew more concerned about his sister''s whereabouts.
"Lilly, where are you? I hope you''re safe," Cody muttered anxiously about his sister. Cody walked slowly, observing his surroundings. He then headed towards a classroom nearby, hoping to find Lilly sheltering inside.
Suddenly, an attack came from the dark!
Chapter 2.2 B “Meeting A New Friend”
"Who are you?! Don''t come near!" shouted a woman, her face filled with fear and panic.
Cody tried to quickly explain himself, "I''m not here to hurt you! I''m looking for my sister, Lilly. Do you know where she is?"
"Lilly... She... She''s not with me. We got separated when we fled," the woman revealed, her voice interrupted by wounded sobs.
Cody felt terrified hearing this news. However, he comforted the woman, and once she calmed down, Cody began to introduce himself.
"My name is Cody. I''m Emily''s brother. Are you a teacher here?" Cody asked the woman.
"My name is Emily, and yes, I''m one of the teachers here," Emily replied, wiping her tears.
"What happened here, and why are you alone in this school?" Cody asked Emily.
Emily''s sobs resurfaced. "I... got separated from my students. I... sacrificed myself so... they could escape," Emily said amidst her wounded sobs.
"What do you mean you sacrificed yourself? What really happened?" Cody asked, confused.
"I protected my students from ''them,'' those infected people," Emily said with fear.
"Infected people? You''re talking nonsense. Calm yourself and speak slowly and clearly to me," Cody reassured Emily.
"Okay, I''m sorry for speaking incoherently; I''ll explain what happened here," Emily replied while composing herself.
"I was teaching that morning, the atmosphere was calm as usual. Towards the evening, as the children were about to go home, suddenly strange people were wandering outside the school gate. Their eyes were red, their mouths foaming, and their movements were erratic. I heard from the news, those were signs of people who got infected by a mutated virus. I saw them from afar, and I had a bad feeling then, so I told the kids to go back to class, and the school security then approached those people," Emily explained.
"When I told the kids to go back to class, suddenly loud screams were heard from the school security, and I ran towards the noise. I was shocked and horrified, seeing what happened in front of me. The unfortunate school security guard was torn apart by ''them,'' and they started moving towards the school," Emily said, frightened at recalling the incident.
"I then locked the front door of the school and barricaded it with a broom; I then instructed my colleagues to lock all the exit doors in the school and barricade the windows with chairs and tables in the classrooms so they wouldn''t enter. And I told the kids to stay in the classroom with other teachers," Emily continued.
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"As the night progressed, they got closer and closer; I tried to calm myself and my students. Before you came to this school, I had actually decided with my colleagues to escape from this school, taking the students out. I then took them into the basement, trying to exit from the back of the school using the basement door."
"That basement entrance that was closed," Cody muttered, remembering clearly his entry point into the school.
"But I don''t know what possessed me at that time; foolishly, I pushed them out of the school, and acted like a superhero, trapping myself in this school," Emily said in frustration.
"I tried to buy time for my students and colleagues by diverting ''their'' attention to me, and somehow I succeeded. And those infected people are now gathered in the room you were trying to open earlier," Emily said, pointing to that room.
Cody was shocked by this and grateful that he hadn''t opened that door.
Cody then asked Emily again, "So, are you planning to stay in this school forever? You must have another plan to escape, right?"
"I do, but I can''t do it alone," Emily replied.
"Well, that''s why I''m here, right? If we continue to be trapped here, we''ll only become their prey. So, what can I do to help, Emily?" Cody said, wanting to assist.
"There''s a school bus parked in the side yard of the school. I dare not go there because there are many infected people around it. Besides, I can''t drive a bus. So, I need your help to escape using that bus," Emily asked Cody for help.
"Alright, I''ll help. I''m also fed up with the situation in this school and want to get out of here," Cody said.
"Follow me and my commands; I''ll get us both to that bus safely," Cody reassured Emily.
"Okay, Cody," Emily replied.
Cody led Emily out of the school through the side door to the schoolyard. When Cody opened the door, the atmosphere outside became even more frightening. A horde of violent infected individuals was seen roaming in the parking area, creating a highly dangerous atmosphere.
"Hurry, we have to go to that school bus," Cody exclaimed urgently.
Emily followed him trembling, her heart pounding hard. They had to face a big challenge to reach the school bus that would be their way out.
As they approached the bus, a sudden attack occurred. One of the Infected people then leaped towards Cody, trying to thwart their plan. Quickly, Cody moved to avoid the attack.
"We''re almost there! Hold on, Emily!" Cody shouted, motivating himself and Emily not to give up.
They reached the bus door, but their challenge was not over yet. Cody had to start the engine and drive the bus out of the school. Emily sat at the back, her eyes fixed on the window showing the horrifying violence happening outside.
"Where are we going after this?" Cody asked Emily, trying to find a safe place.
Emily remembered a place she had visited during her school''s field trip. "I remember there is a farm around here from my school trip before, Cody The place is quite remote and spacious. They have many livestock that can be a food supply. We can try going there," Emily suggested, trying to find a solution.
Cody agreed with Emily''s suggestion. He drove the school bus towards the farm recommended by Emily. As the bus traveled through increasingly deserted roads, Cody couldn''t shake off his worries about his sister''s fate but also felt relieved that he wasn''t alone in this terrifying journey.
Chapter 3.1 A “Finding Freedom at Freedom Farm”
As they approached the farm recommended by Brad, the atmosphere became more calm and quiet. The previously peaceful countryside now felt serene, with signs of new life evident from neatly parked vehicles along the road.
The farm itself appeared before them, a vast expanse filled with barns, silos, and grassy fields for livestock feed. The clear sky above cast a comfortable shadow over their impending arrival.
Brad drove the patrol car carefully, passing through the wide-open farm gate. Silence echoed as they ventured further into the property, with only the chirping of birds and gentle breeze audible.
Cody''s heart beat calmly, filled with anticipation and caution. He observed his surroundings for any signs of life or safety. "Stay alert, Brad. We don''t know what we might find here," Cody whispered, his eyes scanning from one bright spot to another.
Brad nodded in agreement, his hands ready on the steering wheel. "I''ve got your back, Cody. Let''s proceed with caution," Brad said, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
As they turned, a figure emerged from behind a barn, prompting Cody and Brad to remain cautious. "Who''s there?" Brad called out, his voice echoing in the quiet farm.
The figure stepped forward into the bright light, revealing a middle-aged man with a friendly smile. "Don''t worry, friends. Welcome to Freedom Farm," the man greeted warmly, raising both hands in a welcoming gesture.
Cody and Brad exchanged wary glances before Cody spoke up. "We''re just looking for someone. Have you seen a young girl named Lilly around here?" Cody''s voice sounded calm, hoping for a positive response.
The man scratched his chin thoughtfully before nodding. "Ah, yes, I saw her a while ago. She seemed to be enjoying the view by the riverside," the man replied, his voice full of kindness.
Relief washed over Cody upon hearing the man''s words. "That must be Lilly! Can you take us to where you last saw her?" Cody asked with a relieved smile, his eyes exuding joy.
The man nodded once again. "Follow me. I''ll take you to her," he said, leading the way towards the riverbank on foot.
Cody and Brad followed closely, their senses heightened as they approached the area. The warm afternoon sun welcomed their arrival, creating a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere as they stepped forward.
Suddenly, laughter filled the air as they neared the riverbank. A refreshing scene unfolded before them, where Lilly sat with several other children playing by the riverside.
"We''re here!" the man exclaimed with a kind smile, noticing the happiness on Cody and Brad''s faces.
Cody embraced Lilly with joy. "Are you okay, Lilly? Have you made new friends here?" Cody asked, his eyes filled with happiness.
Lilly beamed, "I''m fine, Cody! They''ve been really nice to me. Thank you for bringing me here!"
The man smiled at the happiness on their faces. "Welcome to Freedom Farm, a place of peace and love. May you find serenity here," he said, expressing his hopes.
After warmly welcoming them, the man introduced himself as Thompson, the owner of Freedom Farm. He explained that Freedom Farm had the tagline "Providing Service as Pristine as Heaven." Thompson invited Cody, Brad, and Lilly to tour the farm while introducing it.
Cody initially thought the tagline was exaggerated, but after touring with Thompson, Cody began to see that the tagline wasn''t far from the truth. The farm was very clean, quiet, and spacious. The livestock there were also very docile, as if they were in heaven.
Cody felt amazed by the tranquility of the farm amidst the chaotic conditions outside. He then asked Thompson, "Thompson, you know what''s happening now, right? About the virus-infected people attacking the city?"
"I understand what you mean, Cody. You''re wondering how I can keep this farm safe from them, aren''t you?" Thompson replied to Cody''s question.
"About that, don''t worry, Cody. You will see the most advanced defense I''ve given to this farm," Thompson said confidently.
Thompson then took them to the edge of the farm, where he showed them a tall iron fence topped with spikes. "Do you see that fence, Cody? That''s what I mean by state-of-the-art defense!" Thompson exclaimed proudly.
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"Not only equipped with sharp spikes, but I''ve also electrified the fence! I''m very confident in my defense, even bears wouldn''t be able to penetrate this farm!" Thompson said with great assurance.
Cody was surprised by what he saw and heard. "How can a farm build such a tall and dangerous fence!?" Cody muttered to himself. "And what''s the urgency for all of this? I don''t know what''s going on in Thompson''s mind, thinking that building this fence was a good idea! He''s a strange person!" Cody questioned Thompson''s thoughts.
However, on the other hand, Cody also began to see the results of what Thompson had done. No infected people had managed to enter this farm. Cody also saw Lilly walking freely around the farmyard without being escorted or protected, indicating that this farm was very safe.
Cody decided to abandon his intention to question Thompson about it. "Ah, never mind. I don''t need to think about unimportant things! As long as Lilly is safe and sound, I''m okay with it," Cody muttered resignedly. However, Cody still harbors doubts in his heart.
Thompson continued their tour, introducing Cody, Brad, and Lilly to various parts of his farm. They saw clean and tidy animal pens, fertile fields, and clear, fresh water sources. Everything looked very harmonious and well-organized.
As the sun began to set, they all returned to the main farmhouse to rest. Thompson offered them to stay overnight at Freedom Farm, considering that the journey back to the city had been quite tiring.
"Would you like to stay here overnight? We have comfortable guest rooms and complete facilities," Thompson offered warmly.
Cody and Brad glanced at each other briefly before Cody replied, "We appreciate your offer, Thompson. We will take this opportunity to rest for a while before continuing our journey."
Thompson smiled contentedly. "Alright, let me show you to my house," he said.
They went together to Thompson''s house and decided to stay with his family.
That night was filled with peace and silence. Brad was outside, sitting by the campfire, enjoying the bright night sky filled with stars. Cody approached Brad after putting Lilly to bed, expressing his concerns to Brad.
"To be honest, I still have some doubts about Thompson, Brad," Cody confided in Brad.
"What do you mean, Cody? Thompson reunited you with your sister. You should be grateful to him for taking care of Lilly so well, even providing the safest place for both of you. What more do you need, Cody?" Brad replied, trying to dispel Cody''s doubts.
"I don''t know, Brad. I just sense something off about him," Cody expressed.
"Ah, that''s just your mind playing tricks on you, Cody. You''ve been paranoid ever since you lost your sister. Try to relax and think positively," Brad reassured Cody.
"I just want Lilly and myself to be safe, Brad," Cody said with worry.
"If you want yourself and Lilly to be safe, Cody, you need to learn to protect yourself. Given what happened back at your home, it seems like we lack self-defense skills. I''ll teach you that along with how to use weapons," Brad suggested to Cody.
"Alright, Brad. I owe you one," Cody said gratefully.
Cody and Brad then started practicing self-defense and learning how to use weapons.
The following day, while Cody was outside observing the daily activities at Freedom Farm, he noticed something very suspicious. One of the residents, who usually appeared relaxed and calm, suddenly moved secretively, sending a message through a hidden communication device in his pocket.
Cody watched him closely, trying to digest what he had just witnessed. "There''s something very strange here," Cody muttered to himself, trying to understand the meaning of the gestures he had seen.
Meanwhile, Brad also felt something was amiss. She had gathered some information from overheard conversations among some of the residents of Freedom Farm. There were suspicious plans, but not enough evidence to confirm what was actually happening.
Cody and Brad met in a hidden spot at the edge of the pasture, trying to formulate their next plan. "Something''s not right here, brad. We need to act before it''s too late," Cody said seriously.
Brad nodded in agreement, "I''ve gathered some suspicious evidence. We need to find more information before exposing all this."
They both planned to investigate further that night, as darkness enveloped Freedom Farm. However, before they could proceed further, a horrifying event occurred.
Lilly, Cody''s sister who had just been found and declared safe, suddenly disappeared. Cody and Brad searched around the farm but found no trace of her. Their anxiety grew as they realized Lilly might have been kidnapped.
"Someone must know that we''ve found her. There''s a betrayal among us," Cody said with a worried voice.
Brad looked at Cody seriously, "We can''t tell anyone. We need to find out who can be trusted before revealing anything."
They decided to investigate further that night, but before they could proceed, they suddenly discovered something shocking.
While exploring the farm, they stumbled upon a warehouse filled with weapons. Their hearts pounded as they took in the sight of rifles, ammunition, and various other weapons stacked high. "What the hell is going on here?" Cody whispered to Brad, his voice trembling with disbelief.
As they continued their investigation, they discovered something even more horrifyinga pile of corpses far behind the farm. The stench was overwhelming, and the sight of the bodies made Cody''s stomach churn.
"Oh my God, Brad, what have we stumbled upon?" Cody said, his voice shaking.
Before they could fully process what they had found, they heard Lilly''s distant scream. Panic surged through them as they sprinted towards the sound. Just before they reached her, they were ambushed and captured by Thompson''s men. They found themselves trapped, with no clear way out of the terrifying situation they were in.
Chapter 3.1 B “Finding Freedom at Freedom Farm”
As they approached the farm recommended by Emily, the atmosphere became more calm and quiet. The previously peaceful countryside now felt serene, with signs of new life evident from neatly parked vehicles along the road.
The farm itself appeared before them, a vast expanse filled with barns, silos, and grassy fields for livestock feed. The clear sky above cast a comfortable shadow over their impending arrival.
Cody drove the bus carefully, passing through the wide-open farm gate. Silence echoed as they ventured further into the property, with only the chirping of birds and gentle breeze audible.
Cody''s heart beat calmly, filled with anticipation and caution. He observed his surroundings for any signs of life or safety. "Stay alert, Emily. We don''t know what we might find here," Cody whispered, his eyes scanning from one bright spot to another.
Emily nodded in agreement, Cody hands ready on the steering wheel. "I''ve got your back, Cody. Let''s proceed with caution," Emily said, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
As they turned, a figure emerged from behind a barn, prompting Cody and Emily to remain cautious. "Who''s there?" Emily called out, his voice echoing in the quiet farm.
The figure stepped forward into the bright light, revealing a middle-aged man with a friendly smile. "Don''t worry, friends. Welcome to Freedom Farm," the man greeted warmly, raising both hands in a welcoming gesture.
Cody and Emily exchanged wary glances before Cody spoke up. "We''re just looking for someone. Have you seen a young girl named Lilly around here?" Cody''s voice sounded calm, hoping for a positive response.
The man scratched his chin thoughtfully before nodding. "Ah, yes, I saw her a while ago. She seemed to be enjoying the view by the riverside," the man replied, his voice full of kindness.
Relief washed over Cody upon hearing the man''s words. "That must be Lilly! Can you take us to where you last saw her?" Cody asked with a relieved smile, his eyes exuding joy.
The man nodded once again. "Follow me. I''ll take you to her," he said, leading the way towards the riverbank on foot.
Cody and Emily followed closely, their senses heightened as they approached the area. The warm afternoon sun welcomed their arrival, creating a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere as they stepped forward.
Suddenly, light laughter filled the air as they neared the riverbank. A refreshing scene unfolded before them, where Lilly sat with several other children playing by the riverside.
"We''re here!" the man exclaimed with a kind smile, noticing the happiness on Cody and Emily''s faces.
Cody embraced Lilly with joy. "Are you okay, Lilly? Have you made new friends here?" Cody asked, his eyes filled with happiness.
Lilly beamed, "I''m fine, Cody! They''ve been really nice to me. Thank you for bringing me here!"
The man smiled at the happiness on their faces. "Welcome to Freedom Farm, a place of peace and love. May you find serenity here," he said, expressing his hopes.
After warmly welcoming them, the man introduced himself as Thompson, the owner of Freedom Farm. He explained that Freedom Farm had the tagline "Providing Service as Pristine as Heaven." Thompson invited Cody, Emily, and Lilly to tour the farm while introducing it.
Cody initially thought the tagline was exaggerated, but after touring with Thompson, Cody began to see that the tagline wasn''t far from the truth. The farm was very clean, quiet, and spacious. The livestock there were also very docile, as if they were in heaven.
Cody felt amazed by the tranquility of the farm amidst the chaotic conditions outside. He then asked Thompson, "Thompson, you know what''s happening now, right? About the virus-infected people attacking the city?"
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"I understand what you mean, Cody. You''re wondering how I can keep this farm safe from them, aren''t you?" Thompson replied to Cody''s question.
"About that, don''t worry, Cody. You will see the most advanced defense I''ve given to this farm," Thompson said confidently.
Thompson then took them to the edge of the farm, where he showed them a tall iron fence topped with spikes. "Do you see that fence, Cody? That''s what I mean by state-of-the-art defense!" Thompson exclaimed proudly.
"Not only equipped with sharp spikes, but I''ve also electrified the fence! I''m very confident in my defense, even bears wouldn''t be able to penetrate this farm!" Thompson said with great assurance.
Cody was surprised by what he saw and heard. "How can a farm build such a tall and dangerous fence!?" Cody muttered to himself. "And what''s the urgency for all of this? I don''t know what''s going on in Thompson''s mind, thinking that building this fence was a good idea! He''s a strange person!" Cody questioned Thompson''s thoughts.
However, on the other hand, Cody also began to see the results of what Thompson had done. No infected people had managed to enter this farm. Cody also saw Lilly walking freely around the farmyard without being escorted or protected, indicating that this farm was very safe.
Cody decided to abandon his intention to question Thompson about it. "Ah, never mind. I don''t need to think about unimportant things! As long as Lilly is safe and sound, I''m okay with it," Cody muttered resignedly. However, Cody still harbors doubts in his heart.
Thompson continued their tour, introducing Cody, Emily, and Lilly to various parts of his farm. They saw clean and tidy animal pens, fertile fields, and clear, fresh water sources. Everything looked very harmonious and well-organized.
As the sun began to set, they all returned to the main farmhouse to rest. Thompson offered them to stay overnight at Freedom Farm, considering that the journey back to the city had been quite tiring.
"Would you like to stay here overnight? We have comfortable guest rooms and complete facilities," Thompson offered warmly.
Cody and Emily glanced at each other briefly before Cody replied, "We appreciate your offer, Thompson. We will take this opportunity to rest for a while before continuing our journey."
Thompson smiled contentedly. "Alright, let me show you to my house," he said.
They went together to Thompson''s house and decided to stay with his family.
The following day, while Cody was outside observing the daily activities at Freedom Farm, he noticed something very suspicious. One of the residents, who usually appeared relaxed and calm, suddenly moved secretively, sending a message through a hidden communication device in his pocket.
Cody watched him closely, trying to digest what he had just witnessed. "There''s something very strange here," Cody muttered to himself, trying to understand the meaning of the gestures he had seen.
Meanwhile, Emily also felt something was amiss. She had gathered some information from overheard conversations among some of the residents of Freedom Farm. There were suspicious plans, but not enough evidence to confirm what was actually happening.
Cody and Emily met in a hidden spot at the edge of the pasture, trying to formulate their next plan. "Something''s not right here, Emily. We need to act before it''s too late," Cody said seriously.
Emily nodded in agreement, "I''ve gathered some suspicious evidence. We need to find more information before exposing all this."
They both planned to investigate further that night, as darkness enveloped Freedom Farm. However, before they could proceed further, a horrifying event occurred.
Lilly, Cody''s sister who had just been found and declared safe, suddenly disappeared. Cody and Emily searched around the farm but found no trace of her. Their anxiety grew as they realized Lilly might have been kidnapped.
"Someone must know that we''ve found her. There''s a betrayal among us," Cody said with a worried voice.
Emily looked at Cody seriously, "We can''t tell anyone. We need to find out who can be trusted before revealing anything."
They decided to investigate further that night, but before they could proceed, they suddenly discovered something shocking.
While exploring the farm, they stumbled upon a warehouse filled with weapons. Their hearts pounded as they took in the sight of rifles, ammunition, and various other weapons stacked high. "What the hell is going on here?" Cody whispered to Emily, his voice trembling with disbelief.
As they continued their investigation, they discovered something even more horrifyinga pile of corpses far behind the farm. The stench was overwhelming, and the sight of the bodies made Cody''s stomach churn.
"Oh my God, Emily, what have we stumbled upon?" Cody said, his voice shaking.
Before they could fully process what they had found, they heard Lilly''s distant scream. Panic surged through them as they sprinted towards the sound. Just before they reached her, they were ambushed and captured by Thompson''s men. They found themselves trapped, with no clear way out of the terrifying situation they were in.
Chapter 4.1 A “Freedom Farm or Freedom Fall”
Cody woke up in darkness. His head throbbed in pain, and his body felt weak. He tried to remember what had happened before, but his memories were fuzzy. As his vision started to focus, he realized he was in a narrow room with damp walls and a pungent musty smell. Flickering neon lights overhead added to the eerie atmosphere.
"Where am I?" Cody whispered, his voice hoarse and filled with fear.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from a hidden speaker in the corner of the room. "Welcome to Freedom Fall, the side you haven''t seen at Freedom Farm," the voice said with a cold and mocking tone. "You will play a game that risks your life with others," the voice continued. "And this game will be guided by someone you know," the voice added. Suddenly, Thompson appeared in front of Cody. Cody was shocked, but deep down, he knew Thompson was behind all of this. "He is Thompson The Gambler, and he loves gambling with lives," the voice introduced Thompson with his nickname.
Cody felt his blood run cold at the words. "What do you want from me?" he asked angrily, trying to fight the fear surrounding him.
"Welcome, Cody," Thompson greeted Cody theatrically. "I am The Gambler. And you, my friend, are a participant in this game of life and death."
Cody glared at Thompson in anger. "What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?"
The Gambler laughed loudly. "I want to see the expressions of fear, despair, and hope on your face. That''s what gives me satisfaction. This game is very simple, Cody. You just have to choose one of the 3 cards in front of you," The Gambler said as he handed the cards to Cody.
"These three cards will determine your fate in this game. Each card has different scenarios that you must go through. Some are quite easy, and others can easily take your life," The Gambler said in a creepy tone.
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"But, because you are a good person, Cody. I will give you a chance," The Gambler said. "Among these three cards, I have slipped in a joker card. That card is your golden opportunity to get out of here. If you don''t get it, then you have to draw another card until you get the joker card," The Gambler gave Cody hope.
"I don''t want to play your stupid game, Thompson! Get me out of here!" Cody yelled angrily at Thompson.
"Relax, Cody, I just want to play with you, Cody, no need to be angry with me," Thompson said, trying to calm Cody.
"But, if you don''t want to play with me, you have to pay with something more valuable than yourself," The Gambler said.
"Something more valuable than myself? What do you mean, Thompson?! You''re talking nonsense!" Cody asked angrily.
"Hey, calm down, Cody, you have to calm down to understand my point. My game requires a fee to play, and the fee I mean is someone''s life, your life. If you don''t want to play, you have to give me compensation worth it, either your life or your friend''s life," The Gambler said.
Cody was shocked by Thompson''s answer. He had to risk a life, either his own life or someone else''s.
Cody felt his heart beating faster. He knew there was no easy way out of this game, but he had no other choice. "Alright, I''m ready to play, Thompson," he said firmly, trying to hide his anxiety.
"Thats My Boy, Cody. Now choose one of the cards below to start the game."
Cody felt his heart racing as he chose one of the cards. This was his stake, someone''s life. Each card represented a choice of life and death, and Cody had to choose wisely. He carefully lifted the card he chose, taking a deep breath before turning it over.
As the card flipped open, a major decision hit Cody. The choice he made would determine the course of this game, maybe even his own fate and others.
Cody chose:
- Card on the Left: Option to take the card on the left.
- Card in the Middle: Option to take the card in the middle.
- Card on the Right: Option to take the card on the right.
“Card on the Left A”
Card on the Left A
Cody felt his heart pounding faster as he chose the card on the left. He reached out for his feelings, trying to sense any vibrations that might come from the card. The Gambler smiled slyly, waiting for Cody to reveal the card.
After a few tense seconds, Cody made the decision to flip the card with trembling hands. The flickering neon lights added to the tension in the room. As the card opened up, it revealed a playing card of the Queen of Diamonds.
"What does this mean?" Cody muttered to himself, his eyes studying the card''s image carefully.
The Gambler grinned widely. "Ah, Cody, your choice is quite interesting. You''ve chosen the Queen of Diamonds."
The Gambler then brought an item in front of Cody.
Cody was shocked to see from the monitor brought by The Gambler. On the screen, he saw Emily locked in a dark room. Not only that, the room was filled with a group of infected surrounding Emily. What''s more chilling, Emily seemed unaware of the presence of the infected group, even when the real danger was so close.
Cody held his breath, feeling the pressure increasing. He had to think fast and decide on the right course of action to ensure the safety of Emily.
"She doesn''t know what''s around her," Cody muttered to himself, his eyes continuously monitoring Emily''s movements through the monitor.
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Meanwhile, The Gambler smirked satisfactorily at Cody''s tense expression. "Your choice has significant consequences, Cody. Are you sure about what you''ve chosen?"
Cody nodded firmly, his eyes still focused on the monitor. "I have to help her out of this situation," he said with determination.
Cody carefully observed every movement of Emily through the monitor. He saw the group of infected getting closer, and he had to act quickly.
"Emily, you have to listen to me," Cody whispered through the communicator provided by The Gambler. He tried to warn Emily without alerting the infected group.
Emily, hearing Cody''s voice through the communicator, were slightly surprised. They didn''t know that Cody was watching them from afar.
"Cody? What''s happening?" Emily asked anxiously, trying to understand the increasingly tense situation.
"Try to look around you," Cody said carefully. "There''s danger near you, and you have to find a way out of the room as soon as possible."
Emily, although confused, began to observe their surroundings more carefully. They only just realized the presence of the infected group surrounding them, and panic started to spread.
"How can we get out of here, Cody?" Emily asked with a trembling voice.
Cody looked at the monitor screen seriously, trying to find a safe way out.
Cody saw two possible routes to choose from:
- Left Route: Option for Emily to escape through the left route.
- Right Route: Option for Emily to escape through the right route.
Cody then chose the route
“Left Route A”
Cody looked at the monitor screen with firm determination. He chose to guide Emily towards the left, following the path that might lead to a safe exit. He gave instructions carefully, trying to minimize contact with the group of infected around them.
As Emily began to move according to Cody''s instructions, the situation became more tense. The group of infected became more aggressive, and they had to move cautiously to avoid becoming prey. Every step Emily took was guided by Cody from a distance, avoiding dangerous areas inside the room.
"They''re getting closer, Cody!" Emily shouted as the group of infected started to approach them quickly.
Cody had to act fast and direct them towards the hidden exit at the end of the room. He tried to use every corner of the room to outsmart the group of infected and ensure the safety of Emily.
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Finally, with Cody''s guidance, Emily successfully reached the exit. They escaped the danger safely, although panic was still evident on their faces.
Cody felt relieved seeing them safe from that terrifying situation. However, he knew that the real challenge might have just begun, and he had to remain vigilant about every next step The Gambler would take.
"Good Job Cody, you guided them well," The Gambler said.
"You''re despicable, Thompson! You''re consciously playing with lives as if they were your toys!" Cody exclaimed angrily.
"That''s my intention, Cody. Seeing people in terror is a spectacle for me. Now, choose another card, Cody," The Gambler said as he handed over another card.
Cody then chose:
- Middle Card: Option to take the middle card.
- Right Card: Option to take the card on the right.
“Right Route A”
Cody looked at the monitor screen with tension. He instructed Emily to move to the right, trying to find a possible hidden exit there. However, the group of infected was getting closer, and the situation was becoming more tense.
"Emily, you have to move quickly to the right!" Cody said through the communicator.
Emily, filled with fear, tried to follow Cody''s instructions. However, as they moved to the right, they encountered unexpected obstacles. The increasingly aggressive group of infected blocked their way, and a fight broke out.
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Cody tried to continue giving instructions, but the situation became more chaotic. Emily were injured, and they couldn''t fight against the large number of infected. Eventually, they were overwhelmed by the group of infected, and their lives were taken before Cody''s helpless eyes.
Cody felt terrified and guilty for his wrong choice. He mourned the failure to save Emily, and he had to face the tragic consequences of his decision.
BAD ENDING 1
“Card in the Middle A”
Cody, after choosing the middle card, felt nervous and uneasy. The Gambler smirked cynically, patiently awaiting Cody''s reaction to the card he had chosen. The card in front of Cody was revealed, and it was the Ace of Hearts.
"Ah, the Ace of Hearts," said The Gambler with an excited tone. "A card filled with love and life, but in my hands, it carries a much darker meaning. You will play to save the life of someone very dear to you, Cody."
Cody felt his blood run cold. "What do you mean? Who do I have to save?" he asked, his voice trembling.
A large screen suddenly lit up in front of Cody. On the screen, he saw Lilly, Cody''s younger sister, trapped in a dark and frightening room. Surrounding her were walls filled with puzzles and mysterious symbols.
"Lilly!" exclaimed Cody, fear and worry gripping his heart. "What have you done to her?"
The Gambler chuckled softly. "Lilly is in a room full of puzzles. Your task, Cody, is to help her solve these puzzles so she can safely escape. But remember, time is not on your side. Behind every mistake, there is a threat waiting."
Lilly looked scared on the screen, trying to understand the situation around her. "Cody! Please help me!" she cried, her voice full of fear and panic.
"Stay calm, Lilly! I''ll help you," said Cody, trying to reassure his sister. "Follow my instructions, and we''ll get out of here safely."
The Gambler signaled, and a large timer appeared in the corner of the screen, counting down from fifteen minutes. "The game begins now," he said with anticipation.
Lilly looked around, trying to understand the puzzles on the walls. "What should I do, Cody?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Cody focused, trying to understand the puzzles in Lilly''s room. "Lilly, look at the symbols on the walls. There are clues there. Start with the symbol that resembles the sun. What do you see?"
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Lilly ran to the designated wall. "There''s a sun symbol here. Below it are a series of numbers. What should I do?"
Cody thought quickly. "Those numbers might be a code. Try entering that code into the panel on your right."
Lilly nervously entered the code provided by Cody. The panel beeped and opened, revealing the next clue. "We did it, Cody! What''s next?"
Cody looked at the screen with intense concentration. "Now, look for a symbol that resembles a star. There may be another clue there."
Lilly found the star symbol on the other side of the room. "There''s another clue here. Some jumbled letters. How should I arrange them?"
Cody thought hard. "Try arranging those letters into a meaningful word. Hurry, Lilly, our time is running out."
Lilly anxiously arranged the letters. After a few moments, she shouted, "I did it! The word is ''escape''! What''s next?"
The Gambler smiled satisfactorily as he watched Cody and Lilly work together. "Time keeps ticking, Cody. What''s the next step?"
Cody looked at the screen under pressure. "Lilly, look around the room. There''s a floor panel that can be pressed. That might be the way out. Try pressing that panel."
Lilly followed Cody''s instructions and pressed the floor panel. A door opened slowly, revealing the exit. "Cody! The door is open! I can get out!"
Cody breathed a sigh of relief. "Quickly, Lilly! Get out of there now!"
Lilly ran towards the exit, but suddenly the screen flickered and showed a timer that was almost running out. Cody felt his heart racing, hoping his sister could escape in time.
Finally, Lilly made it out of the room just as the timer reaches zero. Cody felt a heavy burden lifted from his shoulders. "Lilly, you''re safe!"
The Gambler smiled with a satisfied expression. "Congratulations, Cody. You have successfully saved your sister. However, the game is not over yet."
Cody glared at The Gambler in anger. "What more do you want from me?"
The Gambler pulled out another card from his pocket:
- Card on the Left*: Option to take the card on the left
- Card in the Middle: Option to take the middle card
- Card on the Right*: Option to take the card on the right
(*Author Note : If youve already choose this card before, you cant pick it back again)
Chapter 5 A : “The Last Joker”
Cody, after choosing the card on the right, felt his chest tighten and his stomach churn. The Gambler grinned widely, eagerly awaiting Cody''s reaction to the chosen card. The card in front of Cody was revealed, and it was the Jokera card promised by The Gambler as the way out of all these games.
"Ah, the Joker," said The Gambler with an excited tone. "A card that brings disaster and destruction, yet also an opportunity to escape from here. But, of course, it''s not that simple. There is one final game you must go through."
Cody felt his blood run cold. "What do you mean? What other game do I have to face?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The Gambler waved his hand, and suddenly two figures appeared in front of Cody. Lilly and Emily, with their hands tied, stood scared and confused. They couldn''t move, only able to stare at Cody with eyes full of worry.
"Lilly! Emily!" cried Cody, fear and worry gripping his heart. "What have you done to them?"
The Gambler chuckled softly. "Lilly and Emily are in great danger. Your task, Cody, is to choose who you will save. Your choice will determine who lives and who dies."
Cody looked at them with terror. "I can''t choose between them! They both mean so much to me!"
The Gambler stared at Cody with a cold gaze. "A choice must be made, Cody. If you don''t choose, they both will die. Your time is limited. Start choosing."
In the middle of the room, a table with a gun lay on top, indicating that the choice he had to make was between life and death.
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The Gambler''s voice rang out again. "Now, Cody, choose. Who will you save? Lilly or Emily?"
Cody felt pressured, his heart filled with difficult questions. He looked at the table in front of him, on which lay a gun symbolizing the choice he had to make.
Tears began to flow down his cheeks, his expression a mix of despair and hatred towards the situation he faced.
Cody looked at Emily on the left. Emily was a friend who had worked hard to reunite Cody and Lilly. Without Emily, Cody might never have found Lilly. Emily had always been loyal, helping Cody every step of the way, and she was an important part of Cody''s life. Choosing to sacrifice Emily felt like stabbing a knife into his own heart.
On the other side, Cody turned to Lilly on the right. Lilly was his only blood relative since their parents passed away. Cody had raised Lilly since she was young, taking care of her and protecting her in every way. Seeing Lilly in danger made Cody feel shattered. How could he choose to sacrifice his own sister, his flesh and blood, his only remaining family?
"I can''t live without both of them, but they also can''t live without me," he thought in deep confusion.
The Gambler added teasingly, "Choose, Cody. Your time is running out."
Cody was now faced with two very difficult choices:
- Shoot the People on the Left (Emily): Choice to save Lilly.
- Shoot the People on the Right (Lilly): Choice to save Emily.
- Shoot The Gambler*: Choice to save both of them
The gun stopped at one of the characters in front of him, indicating that the decision had to be made. Cody''s finger was on the trigger, his breaths heavy, and his heart pounding fast.
(*Author Note: This option appears if the reader holds Adam''s Gun)
Chapter 5 A : “Shoot the People on the Left” END
Cody decided to shoot Emily. He aimed the gun at Emily, his eyes filled with tears. "Forgive me, Emily. I have to save Lilly," he whispered.
With trembling hands, Cody pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed in the room, and Emily fell. Lilly cried hysterically in front of him, shocked and unable to believe what had just happened.
The Gambler smiled with satisfaction. "A difficult choice, Cody. But you managed to make a decision. Congratulations, you have won this game."
Cody fell to the floor, his body trembling violently. He felt an immense guilt crushing his heart. Emily, his best friend, someone who had sacrificed a lot for him, now lay lifeless because of his decision. His tears kept flowing endlessly.
The Gambler approached, clapping his hands vigorously. "Congratulations, Cody! You have successfully completed my game. Look at the expression of despair and sadness on your face... this is what I was looking for."
Cody could only glare at The Gambler with deep hatred and pain. "You monster," he said with a voice full of anger and despair.
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The Gambler just laughed. "You may see me as a monster, but I am just a reflection of the darkness within you. Now, let''s get out of here."
With arrogant steps, The Gambler escorted Cody and Lilly out of the building. Lilly, still in shock and disbelief, could only cry. She couldn''t believe the choice her brother had made. As they walked out, Cody felt a heavy burden on his chest. The guilt of killing Emily haunted him incessantly.
After they exited the building, The Gambler stopped and gave a hearty congratulations. "Congratulations, Cody. You and Lilly are free now. But remember, the shadow of your choice will always haunt you. Farewell."
Cody and Lilly continued their journey, although they had escaped from that terrible game, the guilt still haunted both of them. Cody couldn''t shake off the image of Emily''s face from his mind. Every step he took felt heavy, filled with regret and deep sorrow.
Lilly, still silent and crying, couldn''t fully comprehend what had happened. She only knew that her brother, who had always been her protector, had to make a horrifying choice. They walked in silence, the shadows of that tragic decision continuing to follow them.
In the quiet midnight, Cody looked up at the sky with deep sadness. "Forgive me, Emily. I hope you can understand. I had no other choice."
Lilly could only hug Cody tightly, trying to provide a little comfort amidst the darkness enveloping their hearts. They knew their journey was far from over, and the shadows of the past would continue to haunt every step they took.
GOOD ENDING 1
Chapter 5 A : “Shoot the People on the Right” END
Cody held Lilly tightly, tears streaming uncontrollably down both their cheeks. He felt a deep disgust towards his life filled with difficult choices and tragedies. His reddened eyes reflected the decisions he had made. He closed his eyes, deciding to end it all there with Lilly.
"Lilly, we will live peacefully there. After this, everything will end," Cody whispered with a voice full of determination, yet also filled with profound sadness.
Lilly, still innocent and not fully understanding the consequences of what was about to happen, nodded in agreement. "I trust you, Cody. We will be together forever there," she said with a voice still full of innocence.
Cody calmed himself and reassured Lilly that they would find peace there. He bid his final farewell to his sister, trying to shield Lilly''s eyes from what was to come.
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Cody pointed the gun towards their heads. He felt his heartbeat quickening, but he had made his decision. With trembling hands, Cody pulled the trigger.
The sound of the gunshot echoed in the room. Lilly slumped lifelessly in Cody''s embrace, unaware that they had ended their lives together. The Gambler, witnessing the event, was surprised by what had happened, but he also praised Cody as a hero.
"You ended the game in a surprising way, Cody. You are a hero in my eyes," The Gambler said with a tone of appreciation, although there was a touch of disappointment in his voice. "However, it seems you are too foolish to understand the consequences of your actions. You chose the last path that meant nothing," he added with a voice full of sarcasm.
Cody''s blood-soaked body bore witness to the tragic end of the game orchestrated by The Gambler. Silence crept into the room as Lilly and Cody had departed from this world together.
BAD ENDING 2
Chapter 5 A : “Shoot The Gambler” END
Cody set aside the pistol and opted to retrieve a weapon from his pocket. "I can''t let them die. I will fight," he thought with strong determination.
He reached into his pocket and found a small weapon that he had hidden, a weapon given by Adam. With that weapon, Cody felt a renewed sense of hope. He aimed the weapon at The Gambler, who was still smiling cynically before him.
"What are you doing, Cody?" The Gambler asked mockingly.
"I choose to fight," Cody replied firmly.
With a steady hand, Cody pulled the trigger of the Adam''s Weapon and shot The Gambler. The bullet hit The Gambler''s chest, causing him to stagger and fall to the floor. His cynical laughter turned into cries of pain.
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Cody quickly ran towards Lilly and Emily, releasing them from their bindings.
"You''re safe now," Cody said as he hugged them both tightly.
Lilly and Emily cried tears of joy, grateful that Cody had managed to save them.
"Thank you, Cody," Lilly whispered with a trembling voice.
"We need to get out of here quickly," Emily added urgently.
Cody nodded, and the three of them immediately ran out of the room, leaving The Gambler''s helpless body lying on the floor. They had successfully escaped from that terrible game unharmed.
GOOD ENDING 2 (TRUE ENDING)
Chapter 4.1 B “Freedom Farm or Freedom Fall”
Cody woke up in darkness. His head throbbed in pain, and his body felt weak. He tried to remember what had happened before, but his memories were fuzzy. As his vision started to focus, he realized he was in a narrow room with damp walls and a pungent musty smell. Flickering neon lights overhead added to the eerie atmosphere.
"Where am I?" Cody whispered, his voice hoarse and filled with fear.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from a hidden speaker in the corner of the room. "Welcome to Freedom Fall, the side you haven''t seen at Freedom Farm," the voice said with a cold and mocking tone. "You will play a game that risks your life with others," the voice continued. "And this game will be guided by someone you know," the voice added. Suddenly, Thompson appeared in front of Cody. Cody was shocked, but deep down, he knew Thompson was behind all of this. "He is Thompson The Gambler, and he loves gambling with lives," the voice introduced Thompson with his nickname.
Cody felt his blood run cold at the words. "What do you want from me?" he asked angrily, trying to fight the fear surrounding him.
"Welcome, Cody," Thompson greeted Cody theatrically. "I am The Gambler. And you, my friend, are a participant in this game of life and death."
Cody glared at Thompson in anger. "What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?"
The Gambler laughed loudly. "I want to see the expressions of fear, despair, and hope on your face. That''s what gives me satisfaction. This game is very simple, Cody. You just have to choose one of the 3 cards in front of you," The Gambler said as he handed the cards to Cody.
"These three cards will determine your fate in this game. Each card has different scenarios that you must go through. Some are quite easy, and others can easily take your life," The Gambler said in a creepy tone.
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"But, because you are a good person, Cody. I will give you a chance," The Gambler said. "Among these three cards, I have slipped in a joker card. That card is your golden opportunity to get out of here. If you don''t get it, then you have to draw another card until you get the joker card," The Gambler gave Cody hope.
"I don''t want to play your stupid game, Thompson! Get me out of here!" Cody yelled angrily at Thompson.
"Relax, Cody, I just want to play with you, Cody, no need to be angry with me," Thompson said, trying to calm Cody.
"But, if you don''t want to play with me, you have to pay with something more valuable than yourself," The Gambler said.
"Something more valuable than myself? What do you mean, Thompson?! You''re talking nonsense!" Cody asked angrily.
"Hey, calm down, Cody, you have to calm down to understand my point. My game requires a fee to play, and the fee I mean is someone''s life, your life. If you don''t want to play, you have to give me compensation worth it, either your life or your friend''s life," The Gambler said.
Cody was shocked by Thompson''s answer. He had to risk a life, either his own life or someone else''s.
Cody felt his heart beating faster. He knew there was no easy way out of this game, but he had no other choice. "Alright, I''m ready to play, Thompson," he said firmly, trying to hide his anxiety.
"Thats My Boy, Cody. Now choose one of the cards below to start the game."
Cody felt his heart racing as he chose one of the cards. This was his stake, someone''s life. Each card represented a choice of life and death, and Cody had to choose wisely. He carefully lifted the card he chose, taking a deep breath before turning it over.
As the card flipped open, a major decision hit Cody. The choice he made would determine the course of this game, maybe even his own fate and others.
Cody chose:
- Card on the Left: Option to take the card on the left.
- Card in the Middle: Option to take the card in the middle.
- Card on the Right: Option to take the card on the right.
“Card on the Left B”
Cody felt his heart pounding faster as he chose the card on the left. He reached out for his feelings, trying to sense any vibrations that might come from the card. The Gambler smiled slyly, waiting for Cody to reveal the card.
After a few tense seconds, Cody made the decision to flip the card with trembling hands. The flickering neon lights added to the tension in the room. As the card opened up, it revealed a playing card of the Queen of Diamonds.
"What does this mean?" Cody muttered to himself, his eyes studying the card''s image carefully.
The Gambler grinned widely. "Ah, Cody, your choice is quite interesting. You''ve chosen the Queen of Diamonds."
The Gambler then brought an item in front of Cody.
Cody was shocked to see from the monitor brought by The Gambler. On the screen, he saw Brad locked in a dark room. Not only that, the room was filled with a group of infected people surrounding Brad. What''s more chilling, Brad seemed unaware of the presence of the infected group, even when the real danger was so close.
Cody held his breath, feeling the pressure increasing. He had to think fast and decide on the right course of action to ensure the safety of Brad.
"She doesn''t know what''s around her," Cody muttered to himself, his eyes continuously monitoring Brad''s movements through the monitor.
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Meanwhile, The Gambler smirked satisfactorily at Cody''s tense expression. "Your choice has significant consequences, Cody. Are you sure about what you''ve chosen?"
Cody nodded firmly, his eyes still focused on the monitor. "I have to help her out of this situation," he said with determination.
Cody carefully observed every movement of Brad through the monitor. He saw the group of infected getting closer, and he had to act quickly.
"Brad, you have to listen to me," Cody whispered through the communicator provided by The Gambler. He tried to warn Brad without alerting the infected group.
Brad, hearing Cody''s voice through the communicator, was slightly surprised. They didn''t know that Cody was watching them from afar.
"Cody? What''s happening?" Brad asked anxiously, trying to understand the increasingly tense situation.
"Try to look around you," Cody said carefully. "There''s danger near you, and you have to find a way out of the room as soon as possible."
Brad, although confused, began to observe their surroundings more carefully. They only just realized the presence of the infected group surrounding them, and panic started to spread.
"How can we get out of here, Cody?" Brad asked with a trembling voice.
Cody looked at the monitor screen seriously, trying to find a safe way out.
Cody saw two possible routes to choose from:
- Left Route: Option for Brad to escape through the left route.
- Right Route: Option for Brad to escape through the right route.
Cody then chose the route
“Card in the Middle B”
Cody, after choosing the middle card, felt nervous and uneasy. The Gambler smirked cynically, patiently awaiting Cody''s reaction to the card he had chosen. The card in front of Cody was revealed, and it was the Ace of Hearts.
"Ah, the Ace of Hearts," said The Gambler with an excited tone. "A card filled with love and life, but in my hands, it carries a much darker meaning. You will play to save the life of someone very dear to you, Cody."
Cody felt his blood run cold. "What do you mean? Who do I have to save?" he asked, his voice trembling.
A large screen suddenly lit up in front of Cody. On the screen, he saw Lilly, Cody''s younger sister, trapped in a dark and frightening room. Surrounding her were walls filled with puzzles and mysterious symbols.
"Lilly!" exclaimed Cody, fear and worry gripping his heart. "What have you done to her?"
The Gambler chuckled softly. "Lilly is in a room full of puzzles. Your task, Cody, is to help her solve these puzzles so she can safely escape. But remember, time is not on your side. Behind every mistake, there is a threat waiting."
Lilly looked scared on the screen, trying to understand the situation around her. "Cody! Please help me!" she cried, her voice full of fear and panic.
"Stay calm, Lilly! I''ll help you," said Cody, trying to reassure his sister. "Follow my instructions, and we''ll get out of here safely."
The Gambler signaled, and a large timer appeared in the corner of the screen, counting down from fifteen minutes. "The game begins now," he said with anticipation.
Lilly looked around, trying to understand the puzzles on the walls. "What should I do, Cody?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Cody focused, trying to understand the puzzles in Lilly''s room. "Lilly, look at the symbols on the walls. There are clues there. Start with the symbol that resembles the sun. What do you see?"
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Lilly ran to the designated wall. "There''s a sun symbol here. Below it are a series of numbers. What should I do?"
Cody thought quickly. "Those numbers might be a code. Try entering that code into the panel on your right."
Lilly nervously entered the code provided by Cody. The panel beeped and opened, revealing the next clue. "We did it, Cody! What''s next?"
Cody looked at the screen with intense concentration. "Now, look for a symbol that resembles a star. There may be another clue there."
Lilly found the star symbol on the other side of the room. "There''s another clue here. Some jumbled letters. How should I arrange them?"
Cody thought hard. "Try arranging those letters into a meaningful word. Hurry, Lilly, our time is running out."
Lilly anxiously arranged the letters. After a few moments, she shouted, "I did it! The word is ''escape''! What''s next?"
The Gambler smiled satisfactorily as he watched Cody and Lilly work together. "Time keeps ticking, Cody. What''s the next step?"
Cody looked at the screen under pressure. "Lilly, look around the room. There''s a floor panel that can be pressed. That might be the way out. Try pressing that panel."
Lilly followed Cody''s instructions and pressed the floor panel. A door opened slowly, revealing the exit. "Cody! The door is open! I can get out!"
Cody breathed a sigh of relief. "Quickly, Lilly! Get out of there now!"
Lilly ran towards the exit, but suddenly the screen flickered and showed a timer that was almost running out. Cody felt his heart racing, hoping his sister could escape in time.
Finally, Lilly made it out of the room just as the timer reaches zero. Cody felt a heavy burden lifted from his shoulders. "Lilly, you''re safe!"
The Gambler smiled with a satisfied expression. "Congratulations, Cody. You have successfully saved your sister. However, the game is not over yet."
Cody glared at The Gambler in anger. "What more do you want from me?"
The Gambler pulled out another card from his pocket:
- Card on the Left*: Option to take the card on the left
- Card in the Middle: Option to take the middle card
- Card on the Right*: Option to take the card on the right
(*Author Note : If youve already choose this card before, you cant pick it back again)
Chapter 5 B : “The Last Joker”
Cody, after choosing the card on the right, felt his chest tighten and his stomach churn. The Gambler grinned widely, eagerly awaiting Cody''s reaction to the chosen card. The card in front of Cody was revealed, and it was the Jokera card promised by The Gambler as the way out of all these games.
"Ah, the Joker," said The Gambler with an excited tone. "A card that brings disaster and destruction, yet also an opportunity to escape from here. But, of course, it''s not that simple. There is one final game you must go through."
Cody felt his blood run cold. "What do you mean? What other game do I have to face?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The Gambler waved his hand, and suddenly two figures appeared in front of Cody. Lilly and Brad, with their hands tied, stood scared and confused. They couldn''t move, only able to stare at Cody with eyes full of worry.
"Lilly! Brad!" cried Cody, fear and worry gripping his heart. "What have you done to them?"
The Gambler chuckled softly. "Lilly and Brad are in great danger. Your task, Cody, is to choose who you will save. Your choice will determine who lives and who dies."
Cody looked at them with terror. "I can''t choose between them! They both mean so much to me!"
The Gambler stared at Cody with a cold gaze. "A choice must be made, Cody. If you don''t choose, they both will die. Your time is limited. Start choosing."
In the middle of the room, a table with a gun lay on top, indicating that the choice he had to make was between life and death.
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The Gambler''s voice rang out again. "Now, Cody, choose. Who will you save? Lilly or Brad?"
Cody felt pressured, his heart filled with difficult questions. He looked at the table in front of him, on which lay a gun symbolizing the choice he had to make.
Tears began to flow down his cheeks, his expression a mix of despair and hatred towards the situation he faced.
Cody looked at Brad on the left. Brad was a friend who had worked hard to reunite Cody and Lilly. Without Brad, Cody might never have found Lilly. Brad had always been loyal, helping Cody every step of the way, and she was an important part of Cody''s life. Choosing to sacrifice Brad felt like stabbing a knife into his own heart.
On the other side, Cody turned to Lilly on the right. Lilly was his only blood relative since their parents passed away. Cody had raised Lilly since she was young, taking care of her and protecting her in every way. Seeing Lilly in danger made Cody feel shattered. How could he choose to sacrifice his own sister, his flesh and blood, his only remaining family?
"I can''t live without both of them, but they also can''t live without me," he thought in deep confusion.
The Gambler added teasingly, "Choose, Cody. Your time is running out."
Cody was now faced with two very difficult choices:
- Shoot the People on the Left (Brad): Choice to save Lilly.
- Shoot the People on the Right (Lilly): Choice to save Brad.
- Shoot The Gambler*: Choice to save both of them
The gun stopped at one of the characters in front of him, indicating that the decision had to be made. Cody''s finger was on the trigger, his breaths heavy, and his heart pounding fast.
(*Author Note: This option appears if the reader holds Adam''s Gun)
“Left Route B”
Cody looked at the monitor screen with firm determination. He chose to guide Brad or Brad towards the left, following the path that might lead to a safe exit. He gave instructions carefully, trying to minimize contact with the group of infected around them.
As Brad began to move according to Cody''s instructions, the situation became more tense. The group of infected became more aggressive, and they had to move cautiously to avoid becoming prey. Every step Brad took was guided by Cody from a distance, avoiding dangerous areas inside the room.
"They''re getting closer, Cody!" Brad shouted as the group of infected started to approach them quickly.
Cody had to act fast and direct them towards the hidden exit at the end of the room. He tried to use every corner of the room to outsmart the group of infected and ensure the safety of Brad.
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Finally, with Cody''s guidance, Brad successfully reached the exit. They escaped the danger safely, although panic was still evident on their faces.
Cody felt relieved seeing them safe from that terrifying situation. However, he knew that the real challenge might have just begun, and he had to remain vigilant about every next step The Gambler would take.
"Good Job Cody, you guided them well," The Gambler said.
"You''re despicable, Thompson! You''re consciously playing with lives as if they were your toys!" Cody exclaimed angrily.
"That''s my intention, Cody. Seeing people in terror is a spectacle for me. Now, choose another card, Cody," The Gambler said as he handed over another card.
Cody then chose:
- Middle Card: Option to take the middle card.
- Right Card: Option to take the card on the right.
“Right Route B”
Cody looked at the monitor screen with tension. He instructed Brad to move to the right, trying to find a possible hidden exit there. However, the group of infected was getting closer, and the situation was becoming more tense.
"Brad, you have to move quickly to the right!" Cody said through the communicator.
Brad, filled with fear, tried to follow Cody''s instructions. However, as they moved to the right, they encountered unexpected obstacles. The increasingly aggressive group of infected blocked their way, and a fight broke out.
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Cody tried to continue giving instructions, but the situation became more chaotic. Brad was injured, and they couldn''t fight against the large number of infected. Eventually, they were overwhelmed by the group of infected, and their lives were taken before Cody''s helpless eyes.
Cody felt terrified and guilty for his wrong choice. He mourned the failure to save Brad, and he had to face the tragic consequences of his decision.
BAD ENDING 1
Chapter 5 B : “Shoot the People on the Left” END
Cody decided to shoot Brad. He aimed the gun at Brad, his eyes filled with tears. "Forgive me, Brad. I have to save Lilly," he whispered.
With trembling hands, Cody pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed in the room, and Brad fell. Lilly cried hysterically in front of him, shocked and unable to believe what had just happened.
The Gambler smiled with satisfaction. "A difficult choice, Cody. But you managed to make a decision. Congratulations, you have won this game."
Cody fell to the floor, his body trembling violently. He felt an immense guilt crushing his heart. Brad, his best friend, someone who had sacrificed a lot for him, now lay lifeless because of his decision. His tears kept flowing endlessly.
The Gambler approached, clapping his hands vigorously. "Congratulations, Cody! You have successfully completed my game. Look at the expression of despair and sadness on your face... this is what I was looking for."
Cody could only glare at The Gambler with deep hatred and pain. "You monster," he said with a voice full of anger and despair.
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The Gambler just laughed. "You may see me as a monster, but I am just a reflection of the darkness within you. Now, let''s get out of here."
With arrogant steps, The Gambler escorted Cody and Lilly out of the building. Lilly, still in shock and disbelief, could only cry. She couldn''t believe the choice her brother had made. As they walked out, Cody felt a heavy burden on his chest. The guilt of killing Brad haunted him incessantly.
After they exited the building, The Gambler stopped and gave a hearty congratulations. "Congratulations, Cody. You and Lilly are free now. But remember, the shadow of your choice will always haunt you. Farewell."
Cody and Lilly continued their journey, although they had escaped from that terrible game, the guilt still haunted both of them. Cody couldn''t shake off the image of Brad''s face from his mind. Every step he took felt heavy, filled with regret and deep sorrow.
Lilly, still silent and crying, couldn''t fully comprehend what had happened. She only knew that her brother, who had always been her protector, had to make a horrifying choice. They walked in silence, the shadows of that tragic decision continuing to follow them.
In the quiet midnight, Cody looked up at the sky with deep sadness. "Forgive me, Brad. I hope you can understand. I had no other choice."
Lilly could only hug Cody tightly, trying to provide a little comfort amidst the darkness enveloping their hearts. They knew their journey was far from over, and the shadows of the past would continue to haunt every step they took.
GOOD ENDING 1
Chapter 5 B : “Shoot the People on the Right” END
Cody held Lilly tightly, tears streaming uncontrollably down both their cheeks. He felt a deep disgust towards his life filled with difficult choices and tragedies. His reddened eyes reflected the decisions he had made. He closed his eyes, deciding to end it all there with Lilly.
"Lilly, we will live peacefully there. After this, everything will end," Cody whispered with a voice full of determination, yet also filled with profound sadness.
Lilly, still innocent and not fully understanding the consequences of what was about to happen, nodded in agreement. "I trust you, Cody. We will be together forever there," she said with a voice still full of innocence.
Cody calmed himself and reassured Lilly that they would find peace there. He bid his final farewell to his sister, trying to shield Lily''s eyes from what was to come.
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Cody pointed the gun towards their heads. He felt his heartbeat quickening, but he had made his decision. With trembling hands, Cody pulled the trigger.
The sound of the gunshot echoed in the room. Lilly slumped lifelessly in Cody''s embrace, unaware that they had ended their lives together. The Gambler, witnessing the event, was surprised by what had happened, but he also praised Cody as a hero.
"You ended the game in a surprising way, Cody. You are a hero in my eyes," The Gambler said with a tone of appreciation, although there was a touch of disappointment in his voice. "However, it seems you are too foolish to understand the consequences of your actions. You chose the last path that meant nothing," he added with a voice full of sarcasm.
Cody''s blood-soaked body bore witness to the tragic end of the game orchestrated by The Gambler. Silence crept into the room as Lilly and Cody had departed from this world together.
BAD ENDING 2
Chapter 5 B : “Shoot The Gambler” END
Cody set aside the pistol and opted to retrieve a weapon from his pocket. "I can''t let them die. I will fight," he thought with strong determination.
He reached into his pocket and found a small weapon that he had hidden, a weapon given by Adam. With that weapon, Cody felt a renewed sense of hope. He aimed the weapon at The Gambler, who was still smiling cynically before him.
"What are you doing, Cody?" The Gambler asked mockingly.
"I choose to fight," Cody replied firmly.
With a steady hand, Cody pulled the trigger of the Adam''s Weapon and shot The Gambler. The bullet hit The Gambler''s chest, causing him to stagger and fall to the floor. His cynical laughter turned into cries of pain.
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Cody quickly ran towards Lilly and Brad, releasing them from their bindings.
"You''re safe now," Cody said as he hugged them both tightly.
Lilly cried tears of joy, grateful that Cody had managed to save them.
"Thank you, Cody," Lilly whispered with a trembling voice.
"We need to get out of here quickly," Emily added urgently.
Cody nodded, and the three of them immediately ran out of the room, leaving The Gambler''s helpless body lying on the floor. They had successfully escaped from that terrible game unharmed.
GOOD ENDING 2 (TRUE ENDING)