CHAPTER 36: THEY’RE CHASING ME!

The forest fell back into a suffocating silence, broken only by C’s ragged breathing.

The scent of damp earth filled his lungs, fallen leaves clung to his shoulders, and the faint tang of gunpowder still lingered sharp in the air.

He moved slowly toward the corpse of the officer he had just defeated, every step heavy, every muscle in his body screaming in exhaustion.

Victory tasted bitter, draining the last of his strength.

This is a new record... I was able to take them down faster than before. Now I just need to find the key, then deal with the third officer who’s bound to show up soon, C thought to himself, crouching beside the lifeless body.

His trembling hands reached out, pressing two fingers to the man’s neck, searching for any sign of lingering life.

Nothing.

The officer was truly dead. Next, C began rifling through the pockets of the uniform with quick, practiced motions. He searched the pants, the jacket, the tactical vest... but found nothing. His brow furrowed slightly.

No key? But I clearly remember this guy always carried the car keys in previous loops. Damn it. Fine. I just need to go back to the first officer’s corpse.

He stood again, every part of him aching terribly. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he forced himself to steady it, channeling the pain into a faint, stubborn reserve of strength. This wasn’t over yet.

He needed that briefcase. And to get it, he needed the key to the police car.

C turned back the way he had come, retracing his steps toward the spot where he had shot the first officer—the one who had fallen near the car, with a bullet hole dead center in his forehead.

The forest felt darker than ever, each shifting shadow whispering of hidden threats. After a tense few minutes, he found the body.

He crouched again, ignoring the slight nausea rising in his throat at the sight of the corpse.

His hands moved quickly. And there, in the front pocket of the dead man’s pants, his fingers brushed against something hard and cold. A car key. The officer’s key.

A wave of relief washed through him. He snatched the key and immediately turned back to the police car.

He unlocked it with quick, efficient motions, pulled the door open, and began searching the interior for the briefcase. His eyes darted around until they landed on it lying on the backseat.

Confirming it was there, C checked his pistol.

One bullet left. Not nearly enough. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a spare magazine, fully loaded. With a swift, fluid motion honed by countless repetitions, he reloaded his pistol.

A sharp, quiet click echoed in the car’s cabin as the magazine snapped into place, followed by the sound of the slide being pulled back, chambering the first round. His gun was ready. So was he.

He holstered it back under his jacket, his eyes scanning the darkness around him.

Based on what he remembered from previous loops, another police car was supposed to arrive soon as backup.

The third officer. C tensed. He was exhausted, but he could still fight. That officer’s skills were below the two he’d already defeated.

His gaze fixed on the distant main road leading into the forest. He strained his ears, listening for the telltale sound of an approaching engine.

Ten seconds. Twenty. Silence. His mind began to race.

This is taking longer than before. Dammit! If I’d known he’d be this late, I should’ve just escaped with the car already.

But now I’ve waited too long. All I can do is get ready.

Then, faintly at first, he heard it, a distant rumble growing louder, accompanied by two distinct sirens.

C could tell there were two separate engines, and soon, two sets of headlights cut through the darkness. Two police cars.

Though he had no eyes, it felt as if C’s expression widened in horror.

I’m an idiot! This is an anomaly. I should’ve realized this loop was different. Shit. What’s my next move?!

Two cars meant two, three, maybe even four officers. Far more than he had anticipated, far more than he could handle in his current state.

I have to change the plan. Now.

Without wasting a second, C lunged for the driver’s door of the police car. His hand grabbed the handle, flinging the door open.

He dove into the driver’s seat, jammed the key into the ignition.

A twist. The engine roared to life, shattering the stillness of the night. Headlights blazed, illuminating the narrow dirt path ahead.

He slammed his foot on the gas, wrenching the wheel around to spin the car. Tires squealed against the dirt, flinging gravel into the darkness.

The car shot forward, leaving the corpses of the officers behind him.

The two police cars were already right on his tail.

They didn’t hesitate. In a blink, they were tearing after him, red and blue lights flashing wildly, sirens wailing through the night.

C growled deep in his throat. He knew this would be a brutal chase. The forest was tight, the terrain unforgiving, and behind him, four furious officers who’d likely realized what had happened to their comrades.

He had to escape. This was truly life or death—a race against the dark and his own pounding heartbeat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunshots shattered the night, bullets slamming into the rear of C’s stolen car.

Tiny bursts of sparks flared in the mirrors each time a round struck metal.

C ducked low, hunching behind the wheel to reduce his profile.

He sped forward, swerving between towering trees, dodging roots and logs that leapt from the darkness.

His mind raced, calculating every possibility, every turn.

I have to reach the city streets! Once I’m there, I can lose these bastards in traffic, or at least put some distance between us!

Out there, he’d have space to maneuver, to blend into the chaos. The forest was a death trap, too many places to ambush, too many shadows to hide enemies.

Bang! Bang! Bang!