Gina smiled and shook her head ever so slightly at the conversation she was hearing about the 'new girl'. "Careful boys, one may say this is 'sexual harassment'." Adjusting her glasses by placing her thumb on the bottom of the lens and middle finger on top, she chided them ever so slightly. While it may have been all in the name of 'fun' she highly doubted Lightning would want to be glorified as some sort of sex symbol in the office space. Although it could have helped with her earlier quandary about whether or not she had the 'looks' to work here.
"Aw, c'mon Gina! You know it's just for fun and all!" The tallest of the men grinned at her, hoping she hadn't been offended in the slightest. All of them were just excited to meet the new girl. Many of them even had a bet going on whether or not she'd be an older woman or younger. None of them guessed she'd have pink hair or be quite so attractive.
"What's 'fun' for you may not end up being the same for others, Topher." Gina lightly scolded him. "That being said, did you win or lose your bet?" Her curiosity had gotten the best of her, and it did seem to be moderately harmless. At the very least, it wasn't some stupid nonsense of seeing who could land a date with her first. The plot of almost every single romantic chick flick out there. Boy sees girl; bets to get girl, someone (in a ploy to make him lose) reveals the fact that it was all a bet, boy claims feelings are real, girl is hurt- storms off. Although she hated to say it and would never freely admit this aloud- Gina loved those kinds of movies. To the point that they almost always became predictable and she found herself guessing entire lines characters were going to say. It had been this that made people assume she'd seen movies Gina had never ever heard of, let alone watched.
"Right, right, right. I've got it." Topher smiled, he didn't so much mind when Gina scolded him. The grey eyed black haired male rather enjoyed their 'bickering' contests they usually had. She may have mildly 'threatened' him here and there, but he knew deep down she didn't exactly mean what she said. Gina loved to joke with him, and he returned that sentiment. "I'd say...I won." Topher had bet Neil would've found himself a hot, new, young assistant come Monday morning. And here she was, a bombshell who could give even Gina a run for her money. Not that he was into Lightning- he'd only caught a glimpse or two of her, but she was very attractive.
"To the victor go the spoils." Gina wondered how much they bet. But in the case that this somehow came up in an HR mediation, the less she knew- the better. "What are you planning to do with your winnings?"
"Maybe drinks." Topher shrugged, "Nothing set in stone. Why, you in?" He was hopeful that Gina would actually opt out to come with him. Most of the times he invited her out, there was always some sort of excuse as to why she couldn't join. Maybe Gina got the wrong idea and assumed he was inviting her out for a romantic interest. Not that he ever really spoke about that sort of thing with her, because he didn't want to feel like an ass with an overly large ego if he turned out to be wrong.
"Drinking on a Monday." Gina lightly scoffed, he certainly liked to live a little more on 'edge' than most in the office world. "Thanks for the offer- but I'll have to decline." She wasn't one to go out to bars and mingle with other people. Not that there was much to really 'mingle' about, considering the fact that most drank themselves into stupors that would last well into the next day followed by reminders (usually in the bed beside them) of their previously made bad decisions.
"You're really gonna make me drink alone?" Topher asked, a bit of his grin fading at that. Although he could invite out another coworker, he'd been set on Gina joining him. She never really came 'out' with coworkers. It led many to speculate she didn't enjoy their time together, or that Gina just considered them 'coworkers' as opposed to friends.
"So long as you come to work tomorrow fine and ready to go, then do as you like. I'm not forcing you to do anything." Gina coyly avoided the question from Topher. She didn't enjoy the inhibitions of alcohol- or understand the hobby whatsoever.
"So cold." Topher mused, joking a bit with Gina. He really just wanted her to join him. But he didn't want to push the issue any further.
"Your drinks will keep you warm." Gina shrugged ever so slightly. She wondered when the guest on honor would show up, so that they could get the introductions well under way. Hearing footsteps, she assumed it to be Lightning. "Welcome ba-" Gina's light blue eyes instantly widened while her mouth hung open in shock. It took a moment for her to register the sight before herself.
A bloodied coworker was in the doorway, his left hand attempting to stop most of the blood loss. His free hand kept him balanced. "Run." Speaking one final word, while blood came gushing out of his mouth, he collapsed.
"He needs medical attention!" Topher was the first one to move over to the fallen man. Grabbing the med kit off the wall, he began to attempt some sort of way to patch him up. What happened to him? These wounds were all fairly deep, and no matter what he did, nothing seemed to stop the bleeding. Checking for a pulse, it was clearly too late. His hands were caked in blood, and he had no idea what was going on.
Everyone heard the scream of a woman, and instantly turned to fear.
"Someone call 911!" Gina stood up from her seated position, scolding herself for not having her cellphone with her. Somebody had just died in front of her, and a coworker had screamed- were they about to go in lock down? Did the office just come under threat by someone? There was no reason for someone to have done this...what would happen? Gina felt a chilling fear running through herself. One that was evidently shared by all of her male coworkers. A few of them dialed out to 911, asking the police to hurry along and explaining the situation. Though it may have been reckless on her part- Gina walked out the doorway. If other people were in trouble or needed her help...then she'd do her best.
"Gina!" Topher hissed her name in a whisper, grabbing her wrist and attempting to stop her. "Where are you going!?" There was clearly some sort of situation happening that none of them knew about. And in this scenario, he could only think of some maniac shooting up the place- not that they'd heard any gunshots. What the hell was going on?
"People are getting hurt. I'm not about to just sit by and let it happen." Gina's confidence didn't seem to show an ounce of the fear that she truly felt inside. But this wasn't about just her- people were being assaulted and murdered for God knows what reason. She didn't want her coworkers to end up dead just because she didn't take action and lend a hand where it was needed. Even if there were armed gunmen around the office, then there was subtle things she could do. Like toss around items, kick chairs to make noise and distract them- anything to turn their attention away from the potential hostages they'd have if she didn't intervene. That way, some people would be able to escape, and at the very least an even greater tragedy could be averted.
"They're killing people!" Topher did his best to argue with her. He didn't want to see Gina end up like their coworker- he couldn't even tell who the man was at this point. For his family's sake, he sincerely hoped the police would be able to grant his family that kind of closure and kindness.
"So we're just supposed to sit by and do nothing? They'll kill us if we stay here, anyway!" Gina pulled her arm out of his grasp, and crouched while she slowly made her way along the side of a cubicle. Her heart was pounding so loud that it was almost the only noise out there she could hear. Aside from her every movement that seemed to be 100x what it should be. Even her breathing which seemed virtually nonexistent, now sounded like she'd run a marathon. Steadying herself a bit more, the woman 'jumped' when she felt someone touch her back. Swallowing, and her curiosity getting the best of her, Gina turned to stare at the person behind her. Topher had decided to follow her lead. Feel instantaneous relief, she let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding in.
A thought had finally kicked in to Topher. "Gina."
"What's wrong?" Gina prayed that they wouldn't be heard from their whispers. Slowly edging to the end of the cubicle, she peeked her head out just the slightest bit. No one appeared to be there. Some things were skittered about, but was that signs of struggle or merely panic? Gina slowly turned around to completely face Topher, hoping that they wouldn't be spotted, captured- or killed.
"The wounds that man had back there...he was killed by...unconventional means. Pieces of him were missing, and he had deep lacerations on his shoulders and forearms- as if trying to defend himself from whatever it was that attacked him." Were they dealing with men who had the precision of a surgeon in order to cut people apart? What could take chunks out of a mans chest, like he had seen?
"What are you saying?" Gina was getting even more worried. Were they going to end up dismembered by a group of madmen?
"They...whoever they are- they aren't using guns. We'd have heard them, and...I hate to say it, but I think they're using some sort of knives. From my guess, I'd have to say it's some sort of blade. But I don't know what can take pieces out of people." The very thought had him shuddering.
"Even more reason to help." Gina felt a bit of renewed resolve from his words. Turning back around, she hesitantly glanced around the corner. Still no one. Gina braced herself, and took a deep breath. Running across the aisle, she released her breath and continued along, so Topher would have plenty of room to follow. Shuffling toward the end of the next cubicle, she waited for him to come along. Topher slowly looked around the corner just as Gina had, and swiftly followed her. He felt a little out of place having her take the lead. Not wanting to stereotype the situation, but he felt like as man, he should take the lead. That way if there was any threat, she could cut and run while he dealt with it. He also didn't want to see Gina dying. Especially not like their coworker whom he couldn't even recognize after these guys did their thing to him.
Caught up in her own thoughts, Gina didn't feel Topher's gaze upon her. She was searching for coworkers, and trying to make sure they were alone and not about to be ambushed by a few armed men. Hearing another scream, Gina and Topher stiffened. It didn't seem to have come from this floor. Were other people under attack, as well? After a few moments of being stagnant, the pair continued to wander around their office. Cautiously, glancing around cubicles and corners, they saw almost no sign of anyone else in the place. Had it not been for some stray pieces of paperwork scattered around cubicles or the odd chair carelessly thrown out of office, then Gina would have been sure all of them were on their lunch breaks. Those few people who actually left were the lucky ones. They wouldn't have to deal with whatever group was assaulting the office. Instead, they'd get a whole new appreciation for life, followed by the statement of 'it could have been me in there'. Maybe they'd mourn the loss of their coworkers along the way, and some may even end up getting survivors guilt. Gina didn't know what she'd have even if she were to survive.
Passing by a cubicle, Gina saw a pool of blood, and a not so lucky coworker she recognized to be Sarah. Not that her radiant blonde hair had shown through its now blood stained state. The only defining characteristics Gina could see, was her outfit. Part of her wanted to just stay rooted to the ground, but Gina knew that they were likely to be found if she were to do such a thing. She even placed her hands over her mouth to muffle the slightest hint of a whimper coming from herself. Hopefully that wasn't enough of a tip for their attackers. Bracing herself, she was about to move ahead, but found herself stopped by Topher. Shaking his head, he wouldn't let her go first. "Follow my lead."
Ordinarily, acts of 'chivalry' wouldn't have exactly swayed her, but Gina was about ready to jump into his arms if it meant her safety. "Neil." Gina finally clued in to the fact that he hadn't left the office for lunch. Was he still here, alive?
"I am kneeling. It's kinda the point, so they don't see us..." Topher trailed off, wondering why she was reminding him to do so.
"No. Not 'kneel', Neil. Our boss? He's here, and...we should go and check on him." Gina was fairly worried on whether or not Neil was still alive. Who would've thought her biggest problem for today would have been beyond just making it into an elevator? It completely made the fact that she could have been in deep trouble absolutely irrelevant.
"Good idea." Topher and she stopped, when they heard movement. It was getting closer, and they dove into the nearest cubicle. Gina and he tucked themselves under a desk, with Topher shielding her just in case the intruder found them. As the footsteps drew ever nearer, Topher braced himself. He didn't want them to find Gina, so he began to walk out of their hiding spot.
"What are you doing!?" Gina grabbed his forearm, trying to keep him from getting hurt.
"Making sure you're okay. Sit still. Be quiet- and you'll be fine." Topher gently pulled his arm out of her grasp, stood up, and pushed a chair so that it would block anyone's view of her. Leaning against the wall of the cubicle, he hugged it tightly. Who knew that childish games like 'hide and seek' would actually come in handy for your adult years?
Gina didn't feel comfortable having her safety assured. She wanted to move from her spot, but Topher seemed confident in the fact that he could keep them safe. Well, the words he used were 'you'll be fine'. But Gina didn't want for just her to be fine. About to move, she stopped when the footsteps stopped, and a man walked in. Topher instantly grabbed him, and stopped when he looked ready to hit the man in question.
"Neil!?" Topher was surprised, letting go of Neil's collar.
Neil winced, instantly putting a hand over his injured leg. He'd been lucky to just make it out of his office, and Topher was wandering around, trying to fight these...things? "You're alive?"
"Sit down." Topher did his best to silently spin around the swivel chair, and made Neil sit in front of him. "They got you?" It was a stupid question on his part. Obviously the men had gotten to him- he was wounded. Topher took off his dress shirt and used it to keep pressure on the wound and help minimize the bleeding from Neil.
"You've seen them!? Those...things? God, I didn't think I was going to get away..." Neil trailed off, wincing when Topher was patching him up.
"Things?" Gina asked, coming out of her hiding spot on seeing that it was just Neil. Whomever was in their office, it was clear they were just out for blood. Who had anyone here pissed off to the point that they were to be murdered?
"What do you mean by 'things'? They're people- right? A bunch of people running around...killing people...?" Topher didn't want to scare Gina, or himself- but he wanted to be certain what Neil meant.
"No. God no! They're not people...I don't know what the hell they are. I just was lucky to get away." Neil heard skittering around the office, and he didn't want to stick around for when they came back. Standing up, he walked to the doorway of the cubicle and looked out. It was clear. He didn't want to risk an elevator ride down, so Neil was going to opt for the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Topher asked, wondering why Neil was trying to wander off.
"I'm getting out of this building. And if you've got any sense- you'll go, too. They'll find us. Trust me, they will." Neil didn't hang around to hear whether or not they'd follow him. He wasn't about to stick around and get caught again by these monsters. Looking around corners, he limped his way across the office to the stairwell door. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, the man 'jumped' and turned to stare at Gina and Topher.
"We're coming with you." Gina had to admit she was curious who 'they' were. Neil seemed to believe that they weren't human, and she wasn't so sure about that. He was injured and could likely be going into shock or hysteria from said encounter.
"And on the way, you can explain what you mean by 'not people'." Topher added. He'd never seen someone so scared, least of all Neil.
Neil just nodded and slowly opened the door. There was minimal creaking, and noises reminiscent of animals were heard skittering through the office. "RUN!" He shoved open the door, and grabbed the pair, bringing them in. Slamming the door shut, he instantly made his way upstairs. There appeared to be activity on the stairwell and him slamming that door wouldn't have helped anything.
"What the hell was that!?" Topher asked, running up the stairs with Gina, noticing the Neil was struggling, he helped the man up to the fourteenth floor.
"You took the words right out of my mouth..." Gina had only seen the vaguest glimpse of...whatever it was, and Neil wasn't kidding when he said 'not human'. Were they animals? Some sort of mutant breed? As far as she knew, chemical warfare still wasn't allowed in the world.
"No idea. I just know that they're fast, and you don't want to get in their way." Neil opened the door to the fourteenth floor and hurried them along. Gina and Topher didn't hesitate once, especially when they heard those sounds in the stairwell.
"Is that how you got that wound?" Topher asked, wondering how he'd gotten out of a skirmish with one of those things he'd seen.
"Yeah. And I-" Neil began to speak, but a loud banging against the door had all three running.
Gina was focused on finding somewhere they could camp out. Where would be safe? If these things could break their way through a solid steel door, then what chance did they have? The stairs were out- and the elevator didn't seem like much of a better choice. They were far too high up to even attempt scaling down the building or jumping.
"In here!" All three were ecstatic to see and hear waving. Especially since they heard the door fly off its hinges. A coworker they all knew to be 'Quint' was trying to help them.
Gina was the first to run inside, Topher right behind her. Waiting for a few moments, all of their hearts sank when Neil didn't come. His screams and the carnal noises they heard made it fairly evident he'd been lost. Quint shut the door, and their other coworker Keith barricaded it. "After all that..." Gina let out a mild scream as they rammed against the door and began to viciously claw against their only means of keeping out the creatures.
"I know." Topher placed a hand on her shoulder, he felt like it was definitely a 'waste'. Grimacing at the sounds from the other side of the door, he didn't know what to do. Offering Gina any and all sorts of comfort he could was the best he could do.
"Not to be downer, guys...but do we have a way out of here?" Gina asked, walking around the perimeter of the room. Inspecting every inch of it, she couldn't find anything that could help them to escape. A typical break room that didn't have weapons or any other means of escape- just two doors that at this point were going to get the group killed. She prayed that they couldn't slink in through the ceiling. Not that the tiles appeared to be moving at all but Gina didn't want to stick around and find out if they were capable of such a thing.
"Not a one." Quint shook his head, "Sorry." He let out a heavy sigh.
"We've looked- and there's nothing. There were more of us...you know...a little while back." Keith made sure the other doors barricade was holding up- they didn't need to deal with another incoming attack.
"So, we're screwed. Good to know." Topher leaned against the counter with the sink. "We can't go up- that'd be stupid...the elevators would obviously draw their attention...and god knows if anyone else is trying to use them or if these things are actually inside of it, just waiting for us to be dumb enough to try and go inside." Thinking aloud, Topher rubbed his temples, trying to come up with a sensible solution. Gina looked freaked out- Keith and Quint weren't especially helping things, and he didn't want to add to her hysteria. But what could they do? One of the only plans he could formulate was some of them running out ahead, and trying to draw these things away while the others escaped. That is, if they escaped.
"I don't think they're that smart." Quint spoke up, "I mean, if you think about it...they're like...animals, right? These things are running around, eating people...tearing them apart. They're acting territorial- as if we're the ones intruding on their place. Or, maybe they think it's open season on us..." Just where the hell did they even come from?
"Feral animals. That'd be the easiest thing to relate them to." Keith nodded, shuddering at the memory of one tearing apart a coworker in front of him. He didn't want to think about what they did to Neil. "They definitely think we're 'food' for some reason. I want to know where the hell these things came from and what they are."
"A question I don't think we'll get the answer to." Topher really didn't want to stick around and find out if they could speak. That'd be the last straw of 'strange' things he'd seen and experienced for today. From the glimpses he'd seen, they came off almost like...dinosaurs- no matter how absurd that observation was.
"I don't think I want to know." Gina admitted, watching the doors. The thrashing had stopped, and it seemed they were in the clear for the moment.
"I'm with ya on that one." Quint really hated the idea behind knowing what they were. Some mysteries were better left as they were. He also didn't think he could handle knowing, anyway.
"I know what you're thinking- and it's crazy." Keith frowned at Topher. The man definitely had an idea on his brain that would make the others uncomfortable.
"Just hear me out on it." Topher spoke up. "The noises have stopped- those things must have moved on to something, right? Maybe they're busy with something else...and it gives us a window of time. If we open up the door opposite to the one Gina and I came through and someone sneaks out...then the others can make a break for it." Although he hated the sound of his own idea, as he found the survival chances of said volunteer to be almost nonexistent, Topher was just thinking of Gina. If she could make it out, then maybe it would make things worth it. This 'volunteer' would of course be himself. He didn't see Keith nor Quint volunteering and he didn't necessarily blame them. A suicide mission wasn't necessarily the best way to persuade people, anyway.
"Yeah? And who goes?" Quint looked around the room, shaking his head. He tried not to linger on anyone in particular- and he really hated the idea altogether. Topher was absolutely right on that end of things. The idea was stupid. Why should anyone be sacrificing themselves? Although, when weighing it against their probable chances for survival, it did seem like a very noble and feasible way to make sure at least someone made it out of this fiasco.
"Don't look at me." Keith shook his head. He wasn't about to play himself off as a hero. Especially not to try and impress Gina at the moment. He could barely keep himself alive, let alone try and protect someone else by throwing it away.
"I'll go." Topher, Quint and Keith were all surprised by Gina's volunteering. "Believe me- I don't want to go...but I also don't fancy the idea of anyone putting their life on the line for my own. It's not fair. Just because I'm 'the woman' doesn't give me a free ticket to not put myself in harms way. Besides, I know that all of you can outrun me in a heartbeat and I'd be just slowing you down. Especially in these stupid heels." Gina didn't like her chances for survival, even with someone deciding to be a martyr for the rest of the group. But if she could somehow save someone else by doing this- then she'd do it.
"You don't have to do that." Topher was the first to speak up. He wholeheartedly listened to her reasoning behind things, but he also didn't want her to put her life on the line. Maybe it was selfishness on his part- but he didn't want her to die.
"And neither does anyone else. But I'm willing to do it." Gina adjusted her glasses, staring down the taller man. Even if he felt some odd sense of 'duty' or whatever it may be to protect her- she felt just as inclined to help others. There was no guarantee anyone would make it out of this situation, but she hoped that someone at the very least could. That way...someone would be able to tell the story. Tell her sister what happened up to the point of her death. Maybe she'd take solace in her older sister having helped someone escape.
"It's too dangerous! I'll go." Topher didn't even want to hear her say the words, let alone actually go about doing it.
"How is that anymore fair than I going?" Gina put her hands on her hips, frowning at Topher. He was being a stubborn ass about things, and her anger was currently overriding any fear she had felt. Maybe it was a good thing. Considering it had taken her mind off the fact that they were cornered in a small room together.
"I didn't say it was 'fair'. I said it was 'dangerous' and I'd rather I go than you." Topher truly meant it. If she ended up getting herself killed- he'd never forgive himself.
"Yeah? Well I'd rather nobody die for me." Gina emphasized words just as he had before her. If he truly wanted to argue and waste time, then she'd run around in these tedious circles with him.
"Who says I'd die? Maybe I'd keep these things busy and wait until my chance came around so I could catch up to the rest of you." Topher wasn't going to back down on his side of things. Even if Gina wanted to keep going- he'd already made up his mind.
Gina opened her mouth to say something else, but stopped short. He did have a good point. Clearly she could give him a bit more confidence. Maybe it was the situation she was in that forced her to think of grim outcomes. Could anyone really blame her? "If you go- I'm going with you."
Judging by how serious she was, Topher didn't even bother to try and argue. She'd made up her mind. "Fine." Topher nodded, conceding to her.
"Good. Now help me move these things out of the way." Gina didn't want to end her 'woman power' speech by asking a man for help- but she needed it. Topher didn't even hesitate to help her move the water cooler nor the table and fridge. Both had tried to do it as quiet as possible, so as to not rouse the creatures from outside into a frenzy.
"Uh, I gotta say...not a big fan of this plan..." Quint spoke up, startling the pair at the door.
Keith instantly put his hand over Quint's mouth. "Don't mind him. He's having cold feet. But when we get out that door...we'll be out of here, trust me." He didn't want to jeopardize their chances of survival just because Quint was having a few reservations about things. Their main objective should be escaping the office building, not arguing about who gets to play the hero.
"Just make sure you guys are ready." Topher let out a sigh. Looking to Gina, who nodded to him. "We're going to go first, and when we do...after you hear those goddamn things coming after us...you guys better run like your lives depend on it- because they do." Slowly twisting the doorknob, he and Gina didn't want for an answer from either male. He threw open the door and began to sprint. Gina had clearly opted to leave on her high heels, as he could hear them furiously clacking from behind him. Daring to look behind, Topher saw her struggling to remotely stick next to him, while they were gaining on her. Shit.
Lightning raced out the door in the basic direction of the scream. What greeted her wasn't necessarily the most pleasant of sights- a woman, lying in a pool of her own blood on the floor. Who or what did this? Hesitantly walking inside of the office, she looked around in all directions. Whatever it was appeared to be gone, but she knew fully well that the individual could still be here. Keeping herself on guard, she moved over to the victim and studied the wounds on her body. By her guess, she wasn't exactly dealing with 'humans' as the cause of this problem. Did a wild animal get loose in the building, somehow? Some of the defensive wounds on her body appeared to be caused by a gorgonopsoid or something along those lines, but Lightning knew that to be an absolute impossibility- she'd extincted that species. As far as she knew Gods new world didn't have plans for feral creatures, so what the hell did this?
Looking around for more evidence, she instead found the employee ID of the woman in question. Claire. Was this some kind of sick joke? A woman who shared her name (not that Lightning ever went by that name anymore) was murdered in her very office building. Could it have been someone with a grudge, who thought she'd run in fear because they began murdering her coworkers? If that were the case, then they had absolutely no idea who they were dealing with. Just because she still had the outward appearance of a human and walked among them, didn't mean she was just a mortal. The sound of breathing brought her out of her thoughts. Lightning was stooped on the ground, and pretended to be ignorant of the rather loud noise. Whomever her attacker to be was- he seemed comfortable. Hearing them come ever closer, Lightning braced herself. She'd have to subdue him, or it.
Hearing a snarl of sorts, Lightning turned around and found herself staring at a creature she'd never faced before. It launched itself at her, and she instinctively rolled out of the way. Catching another glimpse as it jumped by, she found the source of the woman's wounds- it had elongated claws that could more than do the job she'd seen. Glancing at her surroundings, Lightning was sorely disappointed at the lack of weapons. Though it was an office building, so what could she really expect? Grabbing the 'sharpest' object she could find off the woman's desk - a letter opener - Lightning made a flurry of slashes in the air to let the monster know she meant business. It began to stalk around the room, as if testing her willingness to assault it. Slowly going from left to right, occasionally leaping forward and slashing right back at the woman.
"That all you got?" Lightning asked, scoffing at the creature. Were she not in such a confined space, she would have opted out for a fire or ice spell to debilitate the creature. But there was the potential to destroy the building if she did so. "Color me impressed." Lightning looked up at the ceiling, watching it run over at her, and leap down to attack. Dodging the attack, she sliced it with the letter opener. It let out a howl of pain and snarled once more at her. It began to stalk forward and go in circles just like before, and Lightning was losing her patience. "Haste." Uttering the word, she instantly felt her renewed stamina. Leaping at each other at the same time, Lightning landed a fatal blow on the creature, while it managed to cut a hole in the side of her skirt. Looking down at the slit in the side of her skirt, it was a decided improvement. The damned thing was too tight, if anything, it indirectly gave her increased mobility from the failed attack. Which was a blessing, especially if there were more- then she'd have to be quick.
On hearing another scream, Lightning ran through the office, and found herself cornered with more. Some people she recognized from the break room were all congregating in the large meeting room. Several desk chairs were thrown around the room, and many were huddled into a corner. It looked like they were about to push 'sacrifices' to the monsters. "Hey!" Lightning drew all of their attention, running her red tinged palm against the length of the letter opener, she buffed it with the element of 'fire'. Several of them came for her, but the others appeared keen on their original victims. Lightning did her best to evade, kill and handle the creatures while ensuring they didn't kill off anymore of her coworkers. Despite her best efforts, some decided that she was too much of a threat and ran back over to the others, forcing her to use magic. The many who was pushed out in front of the others was the one she focused on. "Protectga." Simultaneously buffing herself along with him, she leapt over the table, just in time to hear their screams of terror and shock when he didn't die.
The hexagonal green shapes appeared, slightly damaged from the attack. Had she used 'protect' it likely wouldn't have been that much of an improvement. These things were weak, and Lightning prayed none of them came across a stronger variety. Having a small showdown with the remaining few, she killed them with relative ease. To her surprise, the people stayed as opposed to run off in an attempt to save themselves. Did they think that somehow they'd be able to stay and fight? It was too dangerous- and she wouldn't let them. "Go." Lightning instructed the group, clearly not having to tell them twice as they ran past her. She followed them, just in case. They appeared to be 'safe' in their descent of the stairwell- but one couldn't be too careful.
"D-did you know that those things were coming?" The male that Lightning had cast protectga on struck up a bit of conversation with her. Whether or not it was to pass the time or calm his nerves, she didn't know. But it would likely help the group out, and Lightning decided to answer his question.
"No." Lightning shook her head, "I don't even know what they are."
"Then how did you take care of them so fast?" He hoped he wasn't overstepping any boundaries or coming off as accusing her of something.
"Honestly? They were in my way, and hurting people- I couldn't just let them walk around." Lightning didn't much care for whatever these things were and they seemed to share that view on humans on the whole.
"But to put yourself in danger like that...how could you do it? I couldn't do something like that."
Once he said that, Lightning heard Hope as she spoke those infamous words to the man. "It's not a question of 'can' or 'can't' somethings in life you just do." Not to mention her Guardian Corps training really helped in this situation. If she'd actually had a sword, let alone her blazefire sabre then things would have turned out much differently. Those things wouldn't have even stood a chance. Not to mention her edge due to having 'divine' status. Glancing over at the man, he seemed appeased by her explanation. He didn't push her for anything else, and Lightning didn't bother trying to strike up any more conversation. Eventually reaching the bottom, she walked them to the lobby entrance and turned around.
"You're not coming with us!?"
Lightning shook her head and didn't bother to face any of the people. "There are people up there...and they need help." She could hear all of their prayers cascading upon her. Many of them pleaded for their very lives, and were close to death. Some were lost causes, that not even she could appeal. Although she hated to think like that, Lightning knew it was naive to believe she could save anyone. Not staying and wasting any more of her time, she ran up the stairs. Starting from the nearest floor, she cleared it of any demons and quickly moved on to the next. Lightning couldn't be everywhere at once, but she was really trying. "Haste." Resorting to using that buff, she shuffled around another level, and killed a few more. That seemed to be all of the people she could find. Not that there were that many left over, considering it had been an office lunch break.
Hearing more people run through the stairwell, she hurried along. A door slammed shut, and these creatures were furiously bashing against it. Gritting her teeth, Lightning tried to make it. Even when she heard the door smash open, she still hurried to the best of her abilities. Making it to the floor in question, she vaguely heard another door slam shut and arrived too late to save another. They were already tearing into the body of the person in question, showing almost no interest in her. Maybe they didn't even notice her presence, considering all of them had their hands full in trying to destroy every last shred of the male in their claws. Lightning still decided to engage the offending creatures. There were people inside of that room, and just because she couldn't save the soul of one didn't mean others couldn't be helped.
Lightning began to walk forward, and frowned when one of the heels on her shoes broke. Taking it off, she tossed it away. Removing the other one, she shook her head. Even when the monsters came for her. The first one to lunge at her, was the one she impaled through the head with her high heel. Judging from its lack of scream, it died instantly. The others crawled along the wall, lunging for her all at once. Lightning side stepped and killed the first and most brave one, kicked the second out of her way, and clotheslined the third mid-flight. Impaling it through the chest once it landed, it squirmed for a moment or two until Lightning added more force into the letter opener. This seemed to do the trick, as it stopped struggling against her and lay limp on the floor. Just as she finished with her prior opponent, the last one tried to attack her while she was distracted, casting fire, she knocked it back. Removing the letter opener, she stalked forward and stomped on it with the heel of her foot, and finished the creature off.
Hearing a few more screams, and several sets of footsteps, she ran off in that direction. Who was stupid enough to venture out and actually face these things head on? With the absence of magic it didn't seem relatively possible to handle them- especially with the severe lack of weaponry in the office. Did they have some death wish? People certainly loved to dive head first into dangerous situations, and why, she didn't know. Right as she came around the corner, a ruckus began in the cubicles. A few of the creatures had managed to crash into and knock a few over, it seemed. Whomever they were chasing seemed to be quite the accomplished sprinter- as they were able to keep a fair distance ahead of the predators from behind. Lightning eventually caught up to a straggling creature and made short work of it. Getting right back up, she knew there wasn't much time until whomever was running ran out of stamina or luck and ended up a meal. The slamming of yet another door- not that this one appeared to be sturdy, as Lightning only caught the end of a struggle. It had been broken in, the screams of a woman and grunts of a male were about all that she could make out before running through the threshold.
Lightning didn't catch a glimpse of the male nor the woman, she was far too focused on ridding them of the threat at hand. Whistling to get every creatures attention, she backed up to the end of the room and tried to lead them off. Maybe those two would be fine- at this point in time, all Lightning could do was hope. Well, that and evade the multitude of creatures coming her way. Just how many of them had been allowed into the office building? And, more importantly, who or what had sent these creatures? Did they have a purpose, of some sort? Was this just a random occurrence? No...more than likely not. Her reaction time was a little slow due to her distraction, and Lightning felt a slight stinging on her shoulder. Instinctively covering the area, and looking at where a wound should be, she found herself relieved and disturbed to find no remnants of blood, let alone any sign she'd been harmed. Save for the tear in her shirt, that is. "Right." Lightning scoffed, as they hissed at her. "Let's see what you can do!" Charging forward, she flipped over the first one to leap at her and impaled it. Kicking another just as it got brave, she began to perform her Army of One skill. Instead of focusing on merely one target, she attacked all of them in unison. Save for the lack of blazefire sabre, this was every bit like her Guardian Core days. Amodar would more than likely be proud, if he could see just what she was doing- not that she hadn't failed in protecting a few civilians along the way.
Leaping into the air, she sliced one in half and made quick work of a few more. Barrage after barrage of attacks, she was the only one left standing. It was only then that after her adrenaline died down and the calmness after a fight, did Lightning come to realize someone was sobbing. The woman was crying. Bracing herself for a grisly sight, Lightning slowly stepped through the room. Carefully ducking under a fallen light fixture, and evading some sparking wires from above, she made her way over. Finding herself staring at Gina, and a male coworker she'd never stolen more than a glance at, it was clear that she'd been too late. Running her fingers through her hair, Lightning closed the remaining space between herself and the pair, kneeling in front of Gina. "I was too late. I'm sorry." Trying to be as contrite as possible, Lightning hoped she didn't come off as arrogant or 'cold' and uncaring toward the situation at hand. It was clear that the man in front of Gina was someone she had treasured dearly. But there was nothing to be done for him. Though he may still be alive, he was beyond even her healing at this point. His soul would flow back to the Chaos, and what would happen from the Unseen Realm- she didn't know.
Lightning's words didn't seem to register at all with Gina. All of her focus was upon Topher, and cradling the man beneath her. His head was propped up on her thighs, and she was trying to make his last moments comfortable. "Why did you do it? You had your chance- you shouldn't have wasted it on me!" A single tear escaped down her cheek. They had been running for their lives, to try and spare Keith and Quint from the fate of their coworkers from both above and below- but he saved her. Gina had faltered and they were just about to finish her off, but Topher had pulled her up and taken her place. To her, it seemed like a stupid choice on his end of things. Maybe it was because she never really cared for the 'chivalry' thing. Not that it really seemed to matter right now.
Topher smiled a bloody smile, "You gotta make it outta here...for your sister." Although he wanted to say more, his dying status was severely limiting him from doing so.
At the mention of her younger sister, Gina let out a pained cry. Her hands tightened around the bits of his shirt she held within them. "We were supposed to make it out of here...you and me..." Gina's voice cracked a bit, as more tears fell down her face. Some of them even trickled down onto Topher's, and she felt like an idiot. This was all completely her fault.
"Sorry." Topher apologized, "Looks like...we'll have to rain check that one. How about...we get that drink, some time?"
"We'll get all the damn drinks you want- if you just...hold on...and make it through this..." Gina knew that it would be all in vain, even if her knight in shining armor were to promise such a thing.
At her promise, he held his smile. Glancing over at the pink haired woman beside both of them, he had one request. Since she seemed keen on these things, he thought she'd be his best bet. "Get her out of here, will you?"
Lightning found herself surprised at being personally addressed while they were having their private conversation. It was his last moments, and he chose to waste some of that precious time on her? But Lightning wouldn't dare to refuse a dying request, let alone the prayer she heard from within his soul. He truly wanted her to save Gina, and make sure she made it out of the ordeal. Though Lightning wasn't sure if she could do such a task, considering more creatures were flooding the building, and it wouldn't be quite so simple as walking her out like the others, but she wouldn't say 'no'. "I'll do my best."
"T-thank you..." Topher spoke his last words, a smile still on his face, even as the light left his eyes.
Shutting her eyes, Lightning looked away and felt the power her acceptance of his prayer gave as it flowed through her. Looking to the sky - which was more the ceiling in this case - Lightning knew that his soul had passed on to the Unseen Realm. Gina's sobs helped to facilitate that very fact. Once she looked down, she found herself staring face to face with the other woman. Something very much seemed to be on Gina's mind.
"You...how did...how'd you make it through all of this?" Gina saw a bit of wear and tear on Lightning, but none of it seemed to have harmed her. She must have been an accomplished fighter to not get a single scratch. Especially with opponents just like this one.
"I...I was military, a long, long time ago." Lightning didn't want to go off on some grand explanation. Especially to somehow who had clearly just lost someone precious to them.
"Oh." Gina just nodded, it made perfect sense.
"Let's get moving." Lightning helped up the reluctant Gina and began to lead her through the office building. They had plenty of ground to cover and she wasn't sure how many more hostiles they had. The air between them was quiet, and Lightning wasn't so sure that was a good thing. "Your friend...he was a good man." She did her best to strike up conversation.
"Yeah...he was. Topher was a very good man." Gina was doing her best to put herself back together. "Shouldn't we be whispering?"
"No." Lightning shook her head, "These things will find us regardless of how quiet we're being. It's only a matter of time, really." Glancing over, she could see and hear the fear in Gina's voice/face. Serah was right when she said Lightning didn't wear her heart on her sleeve- she was obviously inept when it came to the comfort of others. She hadn't meant to startle her companion, but that was just what had been accomplished. "I can take care of anything that comes our way. We'll be fine." They didn't know each other very well and that was evident from the fact that Gina didn't have much stock in whether or not they'd make it to see tomorrow.
"How can you be sure of that? Even military training has its limitations." Gina appreciated the confidence Lightning was portraying, but she wasn't sure that it was realistic.
"Not mine." Lightning shook her head, looking over a corner of yet another destroyed cubicle, she waved the other woman over once the coast was clear. "I was high-ranking amongst my regimen." In fact, she'd been given a promotion before all of the l'Cie hell. Not to mention the 'promotion' at the hands of Yeul, the Chaos, and Etro herself. Then there was God, who made her into the being that she still remained as. 'Savior' was really only a front for 'Death Goddess'. Her feelings on Nova Chrysalia had been on point when she felt no longer like a human. But her lack of emotions had been a cause of her own doing.
"Let's hope that's enough for us to survive this..." Gina was doing her best to silently follow Lightning. She didn't hear anymore shuffling or signs that they weren't alone, but Gina didn't want to risk them being attacked due to her own stupidity. She couldn't bare someone dying because of her- not again.
"It'll be more than enough." Lightning wasn't about to let herself fall, and she had made a promise. Glancing over her shoulder at Gina, she made sure that the woman was closely following herself. Not that she doubted her resolve to live, it was just that Gina was more then likely in shock. After losing someone close to yourself, that was the most human response. To pretend as if it didn't happen, and try to act casually. Even if it came off as 'cold' or 'strange'- some people just coped differently.
"Where...where are we going?" Gina asked, leaning against a wall to try and catch her breath.
"You may not be the only one left on this level- I'm going to check everywhere possible." Lightning explained in a short, frank manner. If there were anymore remaining people, then they certainly were being smart about not shouting out and making a big ruckus. Not that Lightning actually heard anymore creatures lingering in the office space.
"There's no one else." Gina shook her head. "Two coworkers made their escape while Topher and I distracted these...things- they were all that was left." Suppressing a small shudder at the mention of Topher, Gina did her best to compose herself.
"Let's hope they made it out alright, then." Lightning liked the idea behind his sacrifice not being in vain. These two were brave in their distraction of forces they couldn't even begin to deal with. Being just office workers, Lightning assumed they didn't have much expertise in otherworldly means. She also couldn't really blame them, as the New World had seemed despoiled of this activity. That is, until now.
"Yeah...you're right." Gina honestly couldn't think of the other, far worse outcome. Folding her arms, the woman couldn't brush away a nagging feeling inside of herself. Looking around, and trying to unsuccessfully suppress yet another shudder, she tried to calm herself down. It had to be some sort of foolish, naive hysteria due to the close brush with death she'd had only a few moments prior. The death of friends and coworkers...but this was a fear that she just couldn't shake. Something felt 'wrong' maybe it was just something in the air.
"What's wrong?" Lightning looked over at Gina, something definitely seemed to be 'wrong' for the woman.
"Something feels 'wrong'. I can't explain it." Gina shook her head, "I'll be fine...what's the plan?"
"Since there are no more of you lingering around, I say we get you out of here. No point in sticking around, right?" Lightning asked, brushing herself off and getting ready for the pair of them to go. If no more people were left in the building, then all the better. She could completely sweep the building once Gina was gone and then not stick around for local law enforcement. What with the mass murders in the building Lightning didn't want to be pinned with such crimes. Rolling her shoulders, she looked at Gina. Her eyes widened a bit, and her mouth ever so slightly hung open. Gina didn't seem to share her shock or any signs of fear. Maybe because she was beyond such feelings, in her current condition.
Gina saw the look on Lightning's face and tilted her head ever so slightly. What was wrong? "Let's go, yeah?" Stepping forward, she was involuntarily stopped. A heaviness overcame her, and Gina wasn't sure what had happened. Was she going into some sort of shock? Lightning seemed hesitant, when her hand balled into a fist and flexed a few times over. As if she was indecisive over something. Was there a creature behind her? Were they both in some sort of deep trouble? All of her questions were answered, once Gina found herself lifted off the floor and tossed across the room. Her head hit the wall, and she was instantly rewarding with an ensuing darkness.
Lightning looked over at where Gina collided, and back to the spot where something had grabbed the woman by the back of the head and tossed her clear across the room. Whatever it was, the creature disappeared. Running over to Gina, she wanted to check if the woman was alright. Her face had been covered by her long brunette hair, and her glasses had fallen off from the collision. "Gina! Gina...are you alright?" Lightning asked, trying to see if the woman was still alive.
Gina let out a light groan. "To be honest with you...I've had worse."
Lightning felt relief at seeing the woman was actually alright. "Let's get out of here."
"Not arguing on that one." Gina took Lightning's outstretched hand and stood up. Retrieving her glasses, both women made their way over to the exit. Gina lightly limped, and leaned on Lightning occasionally for support. Whatever the hell had just attacked her- she didn't want a repeat of. Wandering through the completely destroyed former office space, the pair periodically stopped just so Gina could catch her breath. Lightning even perked Gina up against a wall once or twice just so she could clear some obstructions along the way. Once that had been achieved, she went back to Gina and the pair resumed their trek through the space. Narrowly avoiding some low hanging light fixtures, they were nearly there.
Compulsively glancing out of the large windows, Lightning was surprised to see how many people were ignorant of what was happening inside of the building. So many careless people going about their days, while everyone inside was having a hellish nightmare. Looking up in the glass, Lightning barely caught a glimpse of the creature from behind them. It went for Gina and swiftly impaled her through the torso. The woman let out a gasp of both pain and surprise, just as the assault happened. Disappearing just as quick as it had come, Lightning was at a loss. Its disturbing laughter rang about the office space, but now wasn't the time for such things. "Cure."
"If only it were that easy..." Gina semi-appreciated the humor in Lightning's statement.
"You're beyond my healing." Lightning would have attempted a curasa or curaja- even a curaga, but that wouldn't have helped Gina's condition. Especially not with how far the claws had protruded through her torso.
"Yeah...guess a med kit isn't gonna fix this one..." Gina shook her head, wincing at the pain.
"That's not what I meant." Lightning shook her head.
"Do you...do you think he's waiting for me?" Gina asked, looking up at Lightning.
"Who?" Lightning asked, wondering if Gina was sinking into delirium.
"Topher." Gina spoke in a whisper, letting in a shallow breath as she spoke. The pain in her gut was becoming duller and duller.
"Anything's possible. His soul could have already sunk back into the Chaos by now...but he could be waiting in the Unseen Realm for you." Lightning wasn't sure what Topher had chosen. He could be waiting for her, or he could have already moved on to reincarnation. It was all up to him, and she had no idea what kind of person he was, let alone what he could be thinking.
"Chaos...? You don't think he's waiting for me, in heaven?" Gina asked.
"Heaven?" Lightning tested out the unfamiliar term. Humans of the New World loved to speak about their ideations of 'Heaven' and 'Hell'. "There is no 'Heaven' nor 'Hell', Gina. There is only death, and our acceptance of open arms into the Unseen Realm and the Chaos. This friend of yours...if he's anything like you say he is...then I know he's waiting for you."
"It sounds like a nice thought..." Gina's breaths were becoming fewer and fewer and her speech was becoming far more muddled. Even the smile on her face was fading. "How do I look?"
"Ready." Lightning could see that. Gina's struggling with life was now over. "Go. Join him. Don't waste another moment in this place."
"What about you...?" Gina asked, concerned for the woman.
"Me?" Lightning shook her head. "Don't worry about me. I've had worse struggles. And I'll get the thing that did this to you- that I can promise." Gina lightly nodded to Lightning, and with that, the woman died. The laughter returned, and Lightning turned her attention away from the dead woman. Instead of a crippling sadness, she instead felt an anger surging through her. People were sacrificed for no reason in this place. Murdered, at the hands of something with sentience. A monstrosity that she'd personally deal away with. Once her eyes landed on the creature, Lightning stood up, ready to deal with it.