"Aaargh!" A high pitched scream tore through the air as Devin jolted awake, the sound reverberating off the cold concrete walls around him.
He ground his teeth, the flickering lights above casting erratic shadows across the room. Kneeling on the cold, hard floor, he forced himself upright, his knuckles trembling as he clenched his fists.
"Where the hell am I now!?" he roared, his voice echoing in the empty space. "The Golden Palace, the scenarios, the bright guy—what the fuck is going on!? What is real? What is fake? What am I—Nngh!"
Devin winced in agony, clutching his throbbing head as memories surged through his mind like a violent tide.
A cleaver in his grasp. Aidan trying to escape. One powerful swing—Aidan's leg severed, his screams piercing the air.
"What is all this? I, I didn't…"
Devin's breath hitched as his gaze shifted to the iron door Aidan had breached in his memory.
A rotting leg lay at the threshold, oozing blood, the thick scent of decay and iron filling the room.
"No, no, I didn't do that. It, it wasn't—Nnngh!!!" Devin grimaced again as the memories overwhelmed him.
Angel breaking free from his shackles, and stopping him from chasing Aidan. Devin impaling Angel's chest with the cleaver, dropping him to his knees. Angel's blue eyes wide with horror as the cleaver rose above Devin's head.
"No! Please, don't do it, Devin!" Cassidy pleaded, her voice trembling as she struggled against her own shackles.
Devin smiled. The cleaver fell.
The light in Angel's eyes faded as his head rolled across the concrete floor.
Devin gasped, his crimson eyes widening in horror as he came to. Angel's decapitated head lay before him, crawling with maggots, his lifeless eyes staring back.
"Bleurghh!!!" Devin collapsed to his knees, retching violently onto the cold concrete.
"No…" he shuddered, his crimson eyes glistening with tears. "I didn't do it. I didn't kill them. Why, why would I?" His voice broke as he hiccupped and sniffed, tears streaming down his face.
"I… I'm—" Devin paused, his breath catching as the scent of decay grew stronger.
He turned to the corner of the room.
Cassidy's lifeless body lay crumpled, her skin pale and waxy, blood pooling beneath her from countless stab wounds.
"Aaaargh!!!"
The high-pitched scream cut through the air again, catching Devin's attention. He shuddered, the familiarity of the voice sending chills down his spine.
Horrified, Devin staggered to his feet, his breath hitching as he stumbled toward the iron door.
Down the dim, suffocating corridor, Devin followed a trail of blood, each crimson smear dragging more memories to the surface.
After taking care of Angel and Cassidy, he had chased Aidan down this very corridor. Aidan had looked back in horror, his eyes wide with terror as Devin raised the cleaver high and brought it down with a sickening finality.
On the ground, Aidan had pleaded, his voice trembling. "Wait! Devin, please! I'll forget everything—I swear! Just let me go, please-"
Devin came to, his breath hitching as he looked down at Aidan's one-legged corpse. His jaw tightened, and he pried his eyes away from the lifeless body.
"Aargh!" Devin broke into a sprint, his heart pounding as he raced toward the source of the screams echoing through the corridor. Turning left, he burst through another iron door—and froze.
Emily's wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto the bloodied cleaver in Devin's grasp, her body trembling as she backed away.
"You're a monster. I could never be with you!" she screamed, her voice cracking as the cleaver clattered to the floor.
"I'm not a monster!" Devin roared, his voice raw with desperation. He lunged forward, wrapping his hands around Emily's neck. "I did this all for you! And now you don't love me? Then die!"
Emily struggled, her hands clawing at his as her breath came in ragged gasps.
Devin stood mortified for a second, his body frozen in horror. Then, with a guttural shout, he rushed forward, prying himself off Emily. "Get off her! Let her go! Let her go, let her go…"
Youn… ster… You… Mas… ter…
The words echoed faintly, a sweet voice struggling to reach him through the haze. Devin blinked, his vision blurring as he felt the tender skin, muscle, and veins beneath his hands.
His eyes snapped open, the world sharpening into focus. Tearful hazel eyes stared back at him, wide with terror.
A beautiful young woman struggled under his grasp, her tender ivory neck and face turning a sickly purple.
'Oh my god!' The realization hit Devin like a thunderclap—his hands were wrapped around her neck, her skin bruising beneath his grip. He recoiled, releasing her as if burned.
The young woman fell back, her body trembling as she backed away from Devin.
'I'm sorry!' Devin mouthed desperately, his voice trapped in a void, refusing to emerge. He shuddered, his crimson eyes glistening as he tried again. 'I'm sorry… What's going on!? My voice! Where's my voice!?'
The young woman looked up fearfully, watching as Devin mouthed frantic words to her. She saw the concern in his crimson eyes dissolve into raw fear, his trembling hands clutching at his face as if trying to hold himself together.
'Is he crying?' she wondered, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she stood up. Touching her bruised neck, she turned and walked out of the room.
'I'm a monster.' Devin sat alone, letting the weight of what had transpired sink in.
'I could have killed her.' He shuddered, grateful that he had stopped when he did.
Footsteps echoed into the room, pulling Devin from his thoughts. He looked up.
The young woman had returned, a steaming porcelain bowl cradled in her hands.
Smiling softly, she sat beside him, holding the bowl out to him. "You must be hungry, Young Master. I've cooked you some soup. Please, enjoy."
A warm feeling settled in Devin's chest as he met her gaze. Her warm hazel eyes held no trace of fear, only patience and kindness. Her dark hair was tied neatly behind her back, and she waited quietly for him to take the bowl.
The smell of steamed meat and vegetables wafted through Devin's nose, his stomach grumbling in response.
With trembling hands, Devin lifted the bowl from her. Slowly, he took a spoonful of the soup, letting the rich, savoury warmth melt across his tongue and settle deep in his stomach. A tear slid down his cheek.
The young woman stood, addressing him formally. "Good day, Young Master. My name is Livia Perpet, and I am your personal maid servant."
Devin looked up, stunned. 'You are my maid…' His lips formed the words, but his voice betrayed him.
Livia read his lips and nodded dutifully. "Yes, Young Master." She smiled softly, her pink lips curving gently. "If the soup isn't enough, your breakfast is ready at the dining table. Your uniform is prepared for today's induction, and if you require assistance of any sort, you just need to ask. Do you need anything right now, Young Master?"
Devin sat frozen, taking it all in. He shook his head silently.
"Understood, Young Master. Please enjoy the soup, and if you need me, I'll be in the kitchen."
Livia bowed respectfully before turning and walking away, leaving Devin alone, to break his fast in peace.
End of Chapter 33