Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I couldnt decide whether Horace would be dead weight or not. It was a heartless notion, to even consider what I was considering. Leaving him behind it would be easy. I could argue that Id work better alone anyway, that he was a risk. That whatever this strange [Solo] Class was, it clearly described a lone wolf, one who excelled alone.

And Horace? Horace was a loaded gun that could turn on me at any moment. A risk that could kill me, whether by dragging me down at the neck, or a bolt of energy to the head.

My decision was ultimately swayed by something I hoped wouldnt change, even in the apocalypse.

I wasnt a bad person. I could say that confidently. I warred with that morality, cursing myself for acquiescing to it, to putting myself at risk, but prideful at who I was.

If there was one thing in my life I could be proud of, it was that. No matter how many times the world kicked me down, no matter how hard it got or how angry I felt, I didnt bring it to bear on others.

Younger me had been hotheaded, emotional, prone to violent outbursts. But that had always culminated in broken furniture or something similar. Never injuries on someone else.

Now, I looked at Horace and realized hed die without my help. He could barely walk, he was stranded here, and he didnt have the means to explore safely.

Meanwhile, as I sat here, I had a clone exploring the surrounding area, testing foodstuffs, and scouting the geography. Third was constantly gathering information, assessing the terrain, and watching for threats.

I tensed as, back in the lab, Second cut Horaces bindings. I was ready to react, to dodge, or do anything. Instead, Horace rubbed his wrist. Thanks. Then it looked like the weight of the world came over him. What are we supposed to do?

My idea was already in progress, exploring the new world from the safety of this lab. To him, however, it couldnt have looked more hopeless. We were both stuck in here for the time being.

Maybe we should get some sleep. Ill keep watch. Said Second.

And then what? Horace asked.

And then well have to see how your leg is feeling, I responded. It made him wince and I could see the thought cross his mind as if it had been written there on his forehead. We wont be leaving you, I assured him.

He relaxed, somewhat, and we both had the pleasure of sleeping.

By the time I came back, it was already hours later. The sun was setting, throwing shadows across what was left of the campus I knew. I moved quietly down towards the lab, intending to drop the food off for myself.

And then I froze.

Down the stairwell, there were webs. Thick strong strands, pure white, hanging from the walls and stairs. I immediately pulled my gun out and saw legs. Huge, meter-long things that bit into the walls lightly, two, three, then four emerging.

I was running before I could even think.

Inside the lab, I woke up, staring at the door, breathing heavily. It was like waking up from a nightmare, only it was real. One of me ran, far far from the building, slowing down in the plaza, staring backward in fear. The other two sat frozen in dread, like a deer in headlights, or flies in a web.

It was the thing that had killed me. There was no mistaking it. Id gotten enough of a look to know what I saw. A giant fucking spider, except its legs were sharp enough to slice through my chest and take my head off. The memory, so fresh, rushed back at me.

I started hyperventilating. I had died.

Why hadnt I barricaded the cave? Why didnt I post someone outside? I shouldve kept watching outside the lab. I hadnt heard a single thing. It mustve emerged within the last handful of hours.

Horace blinked. Whats wrong

My clone grabbed his mouth and pointed to the door. Kneeling beside him, he whispered. Giant spider. Two words, nothing else.

To his credit, Horace didnt even argue or ask questions, he just went quiet and watched the door, glancing at his leg. I let go of him and he stayed noiseless. We sat there in silence, my mind trying to work through the fear.

I had a gun. That was something. If it didnt kill me before I could figure out whether a bullet went through its brain or not. I tried to calm down and failed. I knew nothing, not even how it looked, just a vague impression of its form before it had killed me. But it couldnt be anything else.

My heartbeat spiked again.

What the hell had I gotten myself into? And how was I getting out?