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Remembering what Mina told you earlier, you get the feeling that Darren’s got this under control. When he delivers a kick to the creature’s mouth that even <span class="mu-i">you</span> can feel from several feet away, you know for a <span class="mu-i">fact</span> that he’s got this under control!
With that handled, you instead rush over to Raj’s prone form and kneel next to Pepper. How is he?!
“It looks pretty deep…” Mutters the redhead as she shoots you a concerned glance! You didn’t really need her to help figure that out, though–deep crimson blood oozes through three claw-sized divots on Raj’s thigh, and they don’t look like they’re gonna close on their own!
A wretched shriek echoes across the <span class="mu-s">FOYER</span> as you hear the jock tussling with the beast behind you!
“You still have those <span class="mu-s">BANDAGES?</span>” Pepper asks, prompting you to root around in your pockets! Though you lent what remains of the <span class="mu-s">FIRST AID KIT</span> to Terra, you still have about <span class="mu-s">HALF A BOX OF BANDAGES</span> from your run-in with Cammy… and you think you’ve got a better idea of how to handle things this time around!
Raj, you begin as you use your <span class="mu-s">MEAT CLEAVER</span> to carefully carve away the fabric covering the wound, look around, buddy–if we didn’t do anything he would be dead already…
He’s not unconscious, but the skater doesn’t respond, nor does he fight you as you get to work bandaging the lacerations. Even his perpetual smile is absent.
We can only do our best, bro, you add, making sure to emphasize the word ‘<span class="mu-i">bro</span>’, but we can’t save everyone…
“... I fucked up, man…”
The voice comes out so weak it takes you off-guard! Raj, you retort, that’s not-
“I always fuck up…” He groans as he covers his face with his hands, “<span class="mu-i">Shit</span>...”
You open your mouth to respond, but you’re stopped by a hand gently placed on your shoulder! Turning to Pepper, the girl quietly shakes her head. ‘<span class="mu-i">Now’s not the time</span>’, says the gesture.
“<span class="mu-s">RRRRRRAAAAAAAGGGGH!</span>”
Shaking you from your moment of reverence, Darren fills the air with a primal roar as he lifts the monster in the air by its two hind legs before slamming it onto the ground with an unsettling <span class="mu-s">CRUNCH!</span>
Cracks spider across the impact point as the jock raises the beast in the air and does it again. And <span class="mu-i">AGAIN</span>. And <span class="mu-s">AGAIN!</span>
With a pitiful whimper, the monster twitches one last time before Darren brings his foot down upon its head with a decisive ‘<span class="mu-s">SPLAT</span>’.
With Raj’s wound more or less patched for now, you help your friend to his feet before turning to check on the jock standing like a statue over the monster and his friend’s corpse.
Is h-
“Shut the hell up and get upstairs.” He spits, not bothering to look up from Ronnie’s body. “I'll be there in a minute.”
Pepper doesn’t even bother putting her hat on as you ascend the stairs.
>CONTD.
