The Perfect Path To Insanity-Chapter 38: Nyx—the Zombie

"Nyx, massage my feet!" Ae-rin stretched her body, arms reaching high above her head, and plopped her legs on a chair.

They were in a dust coated classroom. The windows cracked with grime streaked across the glass, abandoned long ago.

Nyx stepped in from the hallway, closing the door gently behind her. Her footsteps light and quick on the dusty floor.

A smile curved her lips. "Ah. Ae-rin— I apologize. I cannot help with massages today."

Looking down at her bruised palms, skin red and swollen, her fingers slightly curled inward to avoid flexing the tender areas. "Last game wasn’t easy. Haha. I almost burnt myself." Softness lingered in her voice as she held her hands out for Ae-rin to see, palms upturned.

Ae-rin opened one eye slowly, and took in Nyx’s look, gaze traveling from the hands to her face.

A look of concern almost flashed on her face as she opened her mouth to talk.

But then, she caught Hel’s presence, silently reading a book in the back of the classroom.

Hel was seated at a desk with legs crossed, one foot tapping idle on the floor.

Rapidly, shaking her head, Ae-rin stood up casually, posture straightening as she rose to full height. Her hands raised high and then tried to slap Nyx.

"What a bitch. Why do you care about your hands? You’re just lazy! Always making excuses!"

In a swift moment, Nyx held Ae-rin’s hand from hitting her, fingers wrapping firm around the wrist.

A smile softened her expression further as she said, "There’s no need for silly fights, Ae-rin. I promise, I’ll give you the best messages tomorrow! Just when my hands heal."

She then released her grip, leaving Ae-rin stunned.

But then Hel stood up, chair scraping back on the floor. She dropped her book on the desk with a thud that sent dust motes floating up.

Walking to where Nyx and Ae-rin were, and stopping right in front of them.

Chin raised, Hel asked Nyx. "Last game, Hwageun. How many people died?"

Nyx stiffened. Her gaze dropped to the floor. Spark faded from her eyes, leaving them dull and unfocused.

Hands clasped together in front, her fingers interlacing tight. She replied, voice barely above a whisper. "Six."

"What caused their deaths?"

A tremor ran down Nyx’s back. "B-because I was too slow. I was lost on what to do. And I wouldn’t have survived i-if you didn’t throw a rope for me to hold onto."

"Kneel," Hel commanded.

She knelt on the dirty floor. Back straight but head lowered.

Her swollen hands rested on her thighs.

And Hel took a carton of juice from a nearby table. Tilting it slowly, and pouring it over Nyx’s hair and face.

The liquid dripped down her chin and soaked her uniform collar, streams running along her neck and shoulders.

"You cry too much, you know that?" Hel emptied the juice box.

"Even your pretty face wouldn’t save you this time. You bring bad luck. Every time you join a game, something goes wrong. I don’t know why Sari still keeps you around."

When Hel was done, she stomped on Nyx’s swollen fingers.

She winced from the pain but took it all in.

Her bully continued. "Your ’new friend’ would be thrilled to hear this, wouldn’t she, Hwageun?"

Hel set the empty carton down.

The juice pooled around her knees on the floor. Nyx’s breaths were even despite the stickiness clinging to her skin.

But then the classroom door got knocked down.

Crash!

Dust rained on them.

When they turned, they saw Eris fuming by the door.

Slowly, she looked down on Nyx, eyes widening at the scene. "What?" she muttered in disbelief.

And then on instinct, she pushed Hel away with both hands on her chest. "Bullying?! Really? What if the Faction leader hears about this? The fuck are you on to? Leave her alone!"

Ae-rin casually held Eris by the hair, yanked her head back, and slammed her face down on the table. "She’s your team leader. Pay your respect."

BAM!

"No-no!" Nyx stood up. "Please stop! I’m the one you’re mad at! Don’t hurt her! I’ll give you anything you want, but please stop!"

And when they did, Ae-rin released Eris with a shove that sent her staggering back.

"Out. Everyone." Hel said.

Everyone, including Ae-rin, all left the classroom.

Outside, Nyx held Eris’s bruised face between her palms.

Her thumbs gently rubbed on the swelling cheek, turning her head slightly to inspect the mark.

The fresh scent of lilies met Eris’ nose when she leaned in.

She then used the hem of her shirt to wipe the blood off the split lip, pulling it away stained red. "Do you like getting beat up?"

"Fuck no." Eris replied, wincing as she touched her own face with fingertips.

"But you always take up their shit and call it yours. Why do you let them bully you? We all know it was Hel’s carelessness six of our teammates are dead! Why are they calling you bad luck? It’s bullshit!"

Nyx only smiled. "You wouldn’t understand," she said. "Maybe it’s my name. Maybe it’s easier if someone carries the blame. But you shouldn’t get dragged into it."

She pressed the fabric gently to Eris’s cheek.

"If anything ever happens to you because of me... I wouldn’t forgive myself. So Eris, don’t throw yourself in danger... not even for me." Her smiling eyes met Eris’s.

Eris stared at her for a moment, then yanked off the cardigan she wore and tossed it over her head.

Plop!

"Your clothes are soaked," she said gruffly. "Wear that before you catch a cold. Damn it... now I’ve got to fight twice as hard with those fuckers around."

Peeking from under the cardigan, Nyx burst out laughing.

Her shoulders shook tremendously as she pulled the cardigan down around her neck, adjusting it over her shoulders.

"Hahahah! Eris! You’re such a dear. Who knew you could be so nice, you hotheaded!"

And Eris watched how Nyx laughed, her own lips curved up.

She smiled to herself. A gradual warm feeling spread up her chest.

Rolling her eyes at her friend, she replied, "Ha ha. Laugh all you want. But I mean it. I won’t let any of those bullies hurt you."

—

Eris’s eyes snapped open.

Cold, murky air filled her lungs.

She was back in the present, leaning against a cracked wall, with a metal pole clenched in her hands.

Across from her, Nyx— no.

The zombie form of Nyx was still tied up.

Its breathing was loud through ragged exhales, body still straining and thrashing violently against the cords.

Saliva dripped from the zombie’s bared teeth.

Eris’ chest tightened with each inhale.

A pang shot straight up to her heart making her breaths shallow and labored.

"Nyx?" She called out. The thudding pulse echoing loudly in her ears.

But all she got as a reply was inhumane snarling.

Her throat closed up tight, making swallowing painful and forced. It was like a lump blocked the airway, stuck in her throat.

She sucked in air and coughed. ’What am I even protecting?’

Her hands gripped the pole until her knuckles turned white. Fingers now numbed from the pressure.

"I won’t let them hurt you. I won’t let anyone kill you. Not even when this game ends— there has to be some way to save you."