As we ran through the streets people were killing, running, arguing, panicking, and much more. Tom was bringing me somewhere but I didn’t know where. I stumbled a bit as a gunshot rang out. It was very loud so I knew it was nearby.

  “ Where are we going? “

  His head was like a swivel, constantly turning as his eyes scanned everything.

  “ Turner’s Restaurant. I know a guy there that will be able to help us. “

  I know the restaurant. I went there a couple times but it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It was around 8 minutes from us, but I couldn’t see how it would help us. Shelter was good though. A restaurant was bound to have food as well.

  As we were running I felt something grab my leg causing me to fall. The snow cushioned my fall, and I looked behind me. My heart dropped as I saw a goblin gripping my legs. It’s nails were nearly piercing my pants and I felt a vague sense of pain. I stared at it’s grinning face, and quickly took out my pepper spray. I sprayed it in the eyes.

  The goblin screamed in pain as it let go of me. It used its hands to cover its eyes. I turned my body and kicked it in the throat, launching it off my other leg. I felt someone grab my arm and lift me on my feet.I turned around and saw it was Tom.

  “Come one, we need to get there before things get any worse! “

  With that said we both started running. I had a bit of trouble keeping pace with him, but I managed well enough. A couple minutes later I felt a warm feeling shoot through my body again. However this time it was accompanied by a voice in my head.

  { Congratulations! You have reached level 1 and unlocked the system. You have also unlocked the innate abilities Fire Manipulation and Healing Flame. Every level you gain will grant you 5 status points. Say “Status” to see your status screen. }

  ‘ What? Is there a voice in my head? I don’t think I'm going insane. With everything that’s going on voices in my head aren’t very important. Tom seems to know something about all of this so I'll ask him later. ‘

  With that I continued to run longer than I thought possible. Soon Turner’s Restaurant came into view. It was sandwiched between a couple other restaurants. The building was made of bricks, had glass windows, and a pair of wooden doors with a sign overhead saying “ Turner’s Restaurant”. The most concerning thing was the fact that the doors were open. As we neared sounds of a struggle could be heard. We entered and I saw 2 young men, a young woman, and an old man fighting against 6 goblins. They were fighting from a door that led to the back of the restaurant. The tight space being the only reason they were winning. They were using a chair to block the goblins while throwing knives, plates, and other things at the goblins.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  The most concerning fact was that when we entered, all eyes turned to us. We had just finished running for around 10 minutes. I wasn’t exactly the most athletic person so I was already feeling a little light headed. The snow outside certainly didn’t make the trip any easier.

  I didn’t have time to reflect on that though as 3 goblins came running at us. I took out my pocket knife and pepper spray in preparation. Tom pulled out a gun I didn’t even know he had. Not to mention it had a flashlight on the side, that’s ignoring the fact that there was also a blade on the bottom of the barrel. I highly doubted such a weapon could be bought or found.

  I was brought out of my thoughts as two loud bangs could be heard. I covered my ears,closed my eyes briefly, and bent down a little. My ears rang a bit as I looked at what happened. Tom had shot two to of the goblins, who were now on the ground. The other was pinned to the ground with it’s head in his grip. Tom slit the throat of the goblin as I stared in a daze at the sight.

  “ BEHIND YOU!”

  I heard the voice of the old man, who spoke louder than I thought possible. I turned to the side only to catch a glimpse of a goblin. Before I could react there was a hand on my face and something tripped me. I instinctively used my arm to prevent my head from slamming into the ground.

  A burst of pain shot through my arm. I tried to move but the combined weight of two goblins was pinning me down. Fear coursed through me as I felt my body heat up. As I struggled I felt like my body was on fire. I heard another gunshot ring out as everything suddenly became bright.

  I heard the screams of pain of a goblin followed. As the feelings of pressure lightened, I quickly pushed myself up on my side. I felt the body of a goblin slide next to me. I looked at the goblin that was on my leg and I froze. The goblin had severe burns all over its body. It was bumping into things as it flailed around.

  I felt a sense of weakness, but I managed to stand up with shaky legs. I held into a nearby chair as the goblin’s cries grew weaker. Eventually it collapsed on the ground, unmoving. Before I could even question anything a voice from before appeared in my head.

  { You have killed a lvl1 goblin, giving you 5xp. (5/20) }

  ‘That voice again! What’s even happening? First these goblins appear. Suddenly everyone is running and screaming. People are shooting, killing, being killed. Some voice is talking in my head. I somehow managed to burn a goblin, and I don’t even know what this all is about.’

  Too many things have happened far too quickly. I set my things on a nearby table, before falling to my knees. I felt tired, weak, and my vision was blurry. I could feel myself drifting into unconsciousness. My hands were dragging my pocket knife across the table, directly to me. However, I could no longer control my body as everything went black.