Eye of the Storm Part-3

"So what now?"

Me, Edward, Aiden and Noah stood there silently for a whole minute before Edward broke the silence. The weight of the situation is palpable in the air. The tension is thick as we exchange worried glances, each contemplating the next course of action.

"We can’t let David get away with that flash drive. It contains crucial information that could endanger us, especially if it falls in the hands of Limbo"

Aiden's concern was valid, there was no guarantee that David wasn't the part of Limbo, even if he wasn't it's obvious that the one who inherited his body is, or at least have some sort of motive of his own.

"But how do we even find him? Tracking him down won’t be easy."

Noah voiced his concern, to which Jack's artificial voice resounded in a response.

[I have tracked his location, it's hard to pinpoint since he is jumping through time, just just universes]

"It's a race against time now, we have to find him before he accomplishes whatever he is planning"

Edward responded with his usual demeanor.

"Yes" Aiden heaved a sigh "I'm afraid I would have to ask you and Freddy to retrieve that flash drive for us"

I looked at Aiden, trying to avoid giving any hints of suspicion over my face. The others silently nodded while he explained.

"Me and Noah will complete the machine with the back up I have prepared, while Freddy and Edward will have to ensure the safety of that flash drive"

It made sense, but something felt off. Looking at it rationally everything fits, Edward was a soldier so had the most combat experience while I inherited it from the memories of a lab soldier. David was normal when we met him, he didn't have any unnecessary memories and him turning insane could be chalked up as a mere coincidence.

He took our flash drive to prevent us from completing the machine, and fuel his twisted ideology, and now Me and Edward will have to chase him throughout the multiverse to bring the flash drive back.

On the surface it's plausible, but if David was so smart then why didn't he consider the possibility of Aiden keeping some sort of backup. There is also a chance that he thought the backup was incomplete.

Simply put, there were too many inconsistencies in this. Rationally I shouldn't go on this, but my instinct tells me to trust Aiden.

"Freddy Let's go"

I was broken out of my thoughts by Edward who had stalled up everything we needed.

"Yeah"

I decided to trust my instinct this time, even If I refuse to go then what? What if Aiden is innocent, blaming him will just consume more time and will prevent the machine from completion.

There could also be a chance that David predicted all of it and acted in such a way that I would act like this, and delay the completion of the machine. No matter what I think my mind raced in circles reaching no objective conclusion in the end.

"See you after the Glitch"

Those words seemingly slipped my mouth as the spatio-temporal glitch enveloped our bodies, transferring us through time and space.

March 9

Beside the busy and bustling road, stood a silent alleyway, covered with a large trash can and the shadow of the large buildings surrounding it, thus preventing the outsiders from viewing exactly what is happening in it.

Suddenly the seemingly normal space within the alleyway glitched, and soon enough a tear in space formed. Within that tear emerged the form of a well built man, dawning a blue hat, a backpack on his shoulders and holding a menacing chainsaw.

As David materialized in the bustling alleyway, he left his weapon and his backpack in the alley and came out in the light to witness the chaotic scene unfolding before him. The hustle and bustle of the city abruptly shattered by the screeching of tires and the sickening thud of impact. A speeding vehicle had careened out of control, plowing into an innocent girl who had been crossing the street.

Time seemed to slow down as the tragedy unfolded before David’s eyes. Panic surged through the crowd, a wave of frantic screams and desperate pleas filling the air. People scattered in all directions, their primal instincts taking over, seeking safety from the unexpected disaster. But David stood rooted to the spot, an island of calm in a sea of chaos.

The lifeless form of the young girl lay motionless on the asphalt, her once vibrant spirit extinguished in an instant. Blood pooled around her broken body, a stark contrast against the cold pavement. A hush fell over the scene as bystanders recoiled in horror and disbelief.

David’s expression remained unchanged, his face an enigmatic mask devoid of empathy or remorse. He watched, almost detached, as the tragedy unfolded before him. To him, it was just another glimpse into the frailty and vulnerability of human existence.

While the crowd fled, their flight fueled by fear and survival instincts, David remained still, his eyes fixed on the lifeless girl. He contemplated the fragility of life, the transience of existence. It was as if the girl’s tragic end resonated with his own distorted perception of the world.

A haunting silence enveloped the alleyway, broken only by the distant wails of sirens, growing louder with each passing second. Emergency responders were on their way, but for David, their arrival held no significance. He was an observer, an outsider to the human experience, untouched by the grief and anguish that echoed through the hearts of those around him.

His indifference was a chilling reminder of his detachment from the ordinary emotions that bind humanity together. It was a glimpse into the mind of a man consumed by a twisted obsession, driven to push others closer to the edge of mortality.

And so, as the world around him reeled in shock and sorrow, David stood as an embodiment of darkness, an enigma wrapped in the cloak of indifference. The tragic scene before him would only serve to fuel his insatiable desire to push everyone towards their inevitable end.

As the chaos subsided and the alleyway regained a semblance of normalcy, David’s gaze locked onto a figure disappearing into the distance. It was Freddy, the Freddy of the past, blissfully unaware of the impending glitch that would forever alter his perception of reality. A small, sinister smile curled upon David’s lips, a reflection of the twisted delight that emanated from within.

Without a moment’s hesitation, David retraced his steps, returning to the heart of the alleyway. His gaze shifted to the chainsaw lying against the wall, gleaming with a wicked aura. He reached down and grasped the cold metal, his fingers curling around the handle with familiarity. The weight of the weapon felt strangely comforting, a tool that symbolized the unraveling of lives and the shattering of illusions.

Beside the chainsaw, a nondescript backpack lay waiting. David swiftly slung it over his shoulder, the weight of its contents a secret known only to him. With a final glance at the scene, he activated the device in his pocket, initiating his teleportation to an unknown destination.

In an instant, David vanished from the alleyway, leaving behind an air of malevolence and impending doom. The echoes of his presence lingered, a phantom reminder of the darkness that had been unleashed upon the world. The alleyway stood empty, a silent witness to the twisted dance of fate.

The alleyway, once a mundane passageway, now bore the remnants of David’s presence. A lingering sense of foreboding clung to its walls, an intangible stain that whispered of the impending horrors yet to unfold.

March 9

We find ourselves in a desolate alleyway, the sound of distant sirens echoing through the empty streets. Jack, our trusted AI assistant, led us here while he traced the location of David.

[According to my calculations, David was here just moments ago. The residual energy signature is still strong. He couldn’t have gone far.]

"We’re getting closer"

It seems we still have hope but why would he come here, it's obvious that with the help of the storm we can navigate through time as well, but why would he come near my apartment building.

"Stay on guard"

I could only warn Edward, it seems the David I encountered first when I got into this mess was the David of the future.

"Jack, where did David teleport to?"

I was lucky to have Jack with us now, his connection with all the QS-Bands helped us in finding out the location of David.

Jack’s electronic voice resonated with a hint of uncertainty.

[Sunday. March 11]

Time seemed to freeze for a brief moment as the weight of Jack’s response settled upon me. A surge of realization and horror coursed through my veins, causing my mind to race with desperate thoughts. March 11, Sunday—the day my apartment building collapsed. It was the day that marked my involvement in all this mess.

David was hunting me with a chainsaw that day, it all fell into place right now.

My eyes widened, and my breath caught in my throat. The memories flooded back, vivid and raw, each painful moment etched into my soul. The devastation, the helplessness, the shattered remnants of my once-peaceful existence—it all resurfaced.

The sudden spike of memories caused me to lose my rationality, this is one loophole that Limbo exploited pretty well in the past.

Edward sensed the sudden shift in my demeanor, he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his voice laced with concern.

"Calm down, I understand he is set on killing you-the past you, but don't lose yourself before trying"

My voice quivered as I struggled to find the words.

"How are we going to save everyone from that explosion that's going to occur?"

"We won't"

I looked towards Edward with a mix of shock and curiosity upon his stern response. Seeing the need that he would have to explain himself he continued.

"Drifters don't follow the normal rule of the multiverse, thus no matter how many normal humans David kills in the past it won't cause a paradox, but if he manages to kill the you in the past-who never died on march 11th-then it would collapse the future we had, the timeline would be rewritten and we don't know what would await us then"

I had a mix of fear, and a bit of determination laced upon my face. I couldn't help but fear the possibility of my future being overwritten by something unknown, well humans have always feared the unknown.

"Let's follow him then"

I don't have time to waste, thus we quickly made our next jump.

March 11

David’s steps echoed through the dimly lit corridors of the apartment building, his heart pounding with sinister anticipation. The weight of the chainsaw in his hands served as a cruel reminder of the impending violence that awaited. A twisted smile curled upon his lips as he passed by doors, each one concealing unsuspecting lives oblivious to the imminent danger lurking within their midst.

His mind was consumed by a singular purpose—to annihilate Freddy, to snuff out his existence and revel in the chaos that would ensue. David’s plan had been meticulously crafted, each step taken with calculated precision. Bombs had been strategically placed throughout the building, ticking away the moments until their destructive power would be unleashed.

The hallways bore the mark of David’s presence. Bodies littered the floor, a macabre testament to his callous disregard for life. Each life extinguished was a perverse act of defiance against the fragility of human existence, a symbol of his twisted desire to plunge the world into chaos.

David’s movements were both swift and stealthy, his senses heightened with an unhinged focus. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of fabric, sent shivers down his spine, amplifying his anticipation. He relished in the knowledge that Freddy, unaware of the impending doom, would be caught off guard, left defenseless against the storm that awaited him.

Unbeknownst to David, Freddy’s situation was far from ordinary. He had already been thrusted into the impending madness. But in David’s warped mind, he was the orchestrator of destiny, the harbinger of destruction.

As David reached the final stretch of the building’s corridors, a sense of sadistic triumph washed over him. The stage was set, the symphony of chaos poised to play its final notes. His grip tightened around the chainsaw, its teeth glinting menacingly in the dim light.

With each step, David approached the climax of his deranged performance. The bombs he had planted throughout the building hummed with an eerie anticipation, ready to unleash their deadly payload. His heart thrummed with a mixture of excitement and maniacal glee.

As David neared Freddy’s apartment, the air grew thick with foreboding. The weight of his actions bore down upon him, the realization of the horrors he was about to unleash sinking into his consciousness. Yet, in the depths of his twisted mind, he found solace and delight in the chaos he would create.

With a sinister smile curling upon his lips, David stood outside Freddy’s door, his finger poised upon the doorbell that would ignite the final act of this twisted tale. The building quivered under the weight of impending destruction, awaiting the climax that would forever alter the lives of those within its walls.

March 11

My eyes widened in disbelief as I realized we were not in the familiar alleyway outside my apartment building. The glitch had flung us to a far-off location, leaving us disoriented and separated from our intended destination. Frustration gnawed at my core, but I understood there was no time to dwell on our misfortune.

"Jack, what happened? Why are we here?"

Jack’s mechanical voice shimmered as he processed the situation.

[It appears that David’s disruption of temporal energy caused a divergence in our intended location. The glitch in the fabric of spacetime has thrown us off course, leaving us stranded in this unfamiliar place.]

Edward’s brows furrowed, his mind raced to find a solution.

"We need to get back to the apartment building and stop David before it’s too late."

My gaze hardened, determination fueling my every word.

"Agreed, but we can’t rely on our own abilities alone. We need to call for reinforcements. Jack, activate the SOS signal and alert the current timeline’s Edward and the team."

It was playing out exactly the way it had for the first time, I just switched places.

As I pressed the SOS button on my QS band, I was slowly being consumed by a sense of urgency. I knew that time was slipping away, and the life of my past self hung in the balance. The signal would be our lifeline, our plea for aid in the face of impending doom.

[SOS signal sent]

Moments ticked by with agonizing slowness as me and Edward tried to make our way to the apartment, my heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and determination. We are far away from our intended location, caught in a race against time.

March 11

As the dust settled and the deafening silence enveloped the wreckage, David’s rage burned hotter than ever. The explosion that was meant to eradicate his prey had failed, and fury coursed through his veins like a wildfire. His eyes darted across the twisted metal and scattered debris, his mind focused on one thing—finding Freddy.

Freddy cautiously navigated the scene of disaster, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. He surveyed the destruction around him, a testament to the chaos that David had wrought. The sight of the lifeless driver in the car, impaled by the jagged remains of shattered glass, sent a chill down Freddy’s spine. It was a grim reminder of the ruthlessness with which David pursued his prey.

David’s grip tightened around the steering wheel as he yanked the lifeless body out of the car, tossing it aside callously. His steps were fueled by a twisted sense of purpose, his determination unyielding. He could almost taste the thrill of the chase, the exhilaration of closing in on his prey.

With each step, David’s fury intensified, mingling with a sadistic pleasure that coursed through his being. He relished the sight of destruction and chaos, finding satisfaction in the chaos he left in his wake. The world around him seemed to blur as his focus narrowed on one objective—to hunt down and eliminate Freddy once and for all.

Freddy, undeterred by the chaos around him, braced himself for what lay ahead. His eyes met David’s, a flicker of sympathy concealed beneath his steely gaze. He knew the depths of David’s madness, the darkness that consumed him. But at that moment, Freddy’s resolve remains unshaken. He was determined to survive, to get out of this situation alive no matter what.

As David closed in on his prey, his steps quickened, his heart pounding with anticipation. The adrenaline surged through his veins, heightening his senses and sharpening his focus. Every fiber of his being was consumed by the single-minded goal of ending Freddy’s life, a perverse satisfaction he believed would finally bring him solace.

The screeching of a car echoed behind David, this presence a silent reminder that he would not allow Freddy to face this deranged hunter alone. The debris under their feet crunched and shifted, a symphony of destruction that mirrored the chaotic dance of their fates. When the car gracefully drifted between successfully intervening between them, standing as a shield for Freddy against David.

March 11

We maneuvered through the bustling city streets, our urgency palpable as we weaved through the sea of cars and pedestrians. The distant wails of sirens blended with the cacophony of horns, creating a symphony of chaos that mirrored the turmoil in our hearts.

My eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for a means to hasten our pursuit. And there, like a beacon of opportunity, a parking lot came into view, filled with an array of vehicles. I didn't waste any more time and swiftly made our way towards it.

Our hearts pounded as we frantically assessed the available options. Our gazes settled upon a sleek, black SUV—a perfect blend of speed and maneuverability. Edward reached for the door handle, his movements swift and precise, while I kept a watchful eye, ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice.

With the engine ignited, the purr of the powerful machine resonated through the air, mingling with our racing pulses. The leather-clad seats welcomed us, offering a semblance of comfort amidst the chaos. The tires screeched against the pavement as we accelerated, propelling forward.

The cityscape blurred past us, the lights and towering buildings merging into a hazy backdrop. Edward’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white, as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Every twist and turn of the road became a calculated dance, a symphony of skill and instinct, as he pushed the stolen vehicle to its limits.

My eyes darted between the road ahead and the navigation device, my fingers constantly tapping on the screen in a race against time. The blips on the screen guided our path, leading us closer to David’s location.

The rhythm of the city pulsed around us, the constant hum of life intermingled with our racing thoughts. My breath came in shallow gasps, adrenaline fuelling my body as we pressed on.

Through the rearview mirror, I caught glimpses of the city’s frantic response to the chaos that unfolded. Pedestrians paused in their tracks, their eyes following the streak of the stolen vehicle, a momentary disruption in the rhythm of their daily lives. But for us, there was no time to dwell on the fleeting glances or the questions left in our wake.

As we neared our destination, our focus sharpened. The vehicle weaved through the labyrinthine streets, inching ever closer to the looming confrontation with David. Every second that ticked by only intensified our emotions, until eventually we had David on our sight.

We were on a road that connected to the main highway, the same highway where David was giving chase to Freddy and Edward of the past, our plan was simple.

"Smash into David's car"

Edward merely nodded on my words, the screech of tires echoed through the streets as Edward swerved the stolen vehicle with precision, aiming directly for David’s pursuing car. The impact was jarring, metal against metal, a collision that reverberated through our very bones. The force of the crash sent shockwaves through the vehicles, causing it to spin out of control, its twisted metal frames careening dangerously along the highway.

In that split second, chaos engulfed the scene. Shattered glass sprayed like a sparkling rain, and the acrid scent of burning rubber mingled with the heavy odor of gasoline. The highway became a battleground.

Me and Edward emerged from the wreckage, our bodies aching from the impact but the resolve unbroken. Adrenaline surged through my veins.

David, disoriented but relentless, fought against the daze that threatened to cloud his vision. With a menacing glare, he emerged from the wreckage of his car, his expression twisted with fury and determination. The chainsaw in his hand gleamed under the sunlight, a macabre extension of his malice.

"Give up, David!" I was tired of this chase already.

A chilling smile curled on David’s lips as he advanced toward us, his footsteps measured and deliberate.

"Death is coming, and you can't stop it"

Death is coming? It was the same thing that was etched upon my body when I woke up on March 10th. Was that also David who did that?

The air crackled with tension as we braced ourselves, ready to face our nemesis head-on. The highway became our battleground, the asphalt beneath their feet vibrating with the weight of our struggle.

With each step closer, David’s movements grew more fluid, his actions calculated. The chainsaw in his hand buzzed with anticipation, its teeth hungry for the taste of flesh.

As we clashed, the world seemed to fade into the periphery, leaving only the fierce struggle between predator and prey. Each swing of the chainsaw was met with an evasive maneuver from me, my agility and reflexes pushed to their limits. Edward, ever the steadfast ally, circled around, seeking an opening to strike.

Amidst the chaos of our confrontation, sparks flew, a symphony of steel meeting steel. The sounds of our struggle reverberated.

David used his chainsaw to attack Edward, I hurriedly went into the fray to save Edward upon which he turned around and kicked me, it was a faint. I had anticipated that but I couldn't take a risk when our enemy got a chainsaw.

My body fell to the ground. We had planned to capture David alive in hope to get info about Limbo but it seems we would have to scratch that plan. I anticipated David to attack me while I was on the ground, thus I had carefully held the pistol I had.

However he didn't attack neither us nor Edward, instead he hurriedly entered his car and drove away, driving towards the same place Edward and Freddy's car disappeared into.

"C'mon"

Edward gave me a hand as he entered the vehicle, and we began chasing him once again. I was about to peek my body out of the sunroof and shoot his vehicle when I saw the glitches around David's broken car.

"Shit..."

A tear in space time formed as it whisked David away.

I watched in disbelief as David’s car shimmered with a blinding light, warping and distorting before my eyes. Within seconds, the vehicle vanished, leaving behind only the faint echoes of its engine and the lingering scent of burnt rubber.

"No..." my voice trailed off, filled with frustration and a tinge of desperation. "He got away again..."

"Where did he went to Jack?"

Edward wasted no time in asking to which Jack also complied.

[March 9]

I hurriedly dialed up March 9 into the QS-Band and initiated our jump. Soon the glitches surrounded us whisking us away to David's location.

March 9

The screeching sound of tires filled the air as Edward desperately tried to regain control of the speeding vehicle. Panic and adrenaline surged through my veins as I glanced out of the window, witnessing the horrifying collision about to unfold. Time seemed to slow down, each passing moment etching itself into my memory.

The innocent girl, oblivious to the impending disaster, innocently crossed the bustling road. Her eyes widened with terror as she caught sight of the careening vehicle hurtling towards her. In that split second, my heart sank, realizing the horror that was about to unfold. I instinctively reached out, as if trying to stop the inevitable, but it was too late.

The impact was catastrophic. Metal met flesh with a sickening thud, and the vehicle mercilessly trampled over the girl’s fragile form. My grip tightened on the door handle, and the knuckles turned white as I witnessed the horrifying sight unfold before me.

I looked at the other end of the zebra crossing. My past version stood there, horrified upon the girl's death. My eyes trailed off the left, finding the emotionless David staring at the lifeless corpse that we left behind.

Time resumed its normal pace, but the world around me seemed to fade away, my focus solely fixed on David. Standing at the side of the road, an emotionless expression etched upon his face, David observed the aftermath of the tragedy he had orchestrated. His eyes cold and distant, he seemed unaffected by the brutality that had just occurred.

We teleported here while we were chasing David, and the brakes of this vehicle had already given in due to our crash earlier, thus resulting in us hitting that innocent girl.

"Where is David"

A mixture of anger and disbelief surged through Edward’s question. He couldn’t comprehend the depth of David’s depravity, the callousness with which he had engineered such a devastating event.

[His location seems to be in two different universes]

"What!" Edward was too focused on stabilizing the moving vehicle to think straight but I understood what exactly happened.

"He played us"

Edward gave me a side glance, demanding me to explain what I meant by that.

"When I first got into this mess I lived on March 9 twice, I thought I was stuck in a loop but it was just a different universe with the same day. There are two universes with March 9, one is occurring now-the one in which I experienced march 9 for the second time, while the other have already occurred yesterday in a different universe-where I experienced march 9 for the first time"

Edward's expression softened, and soon morphed into one of shock.

"Which means..."

"Yeah, David visited this universe first, then began hunting me while moving forward in time, and now he went back in time to a universe with March 9 currently. But he was also here, thus confusing Jack"

He played us. Another haunting revelation is that the accident of the girl was caused by me, and I am pretty sure the one in the first loop was caused by David.

In that moment, I saw the true face of our adversary, an embodiment of evil masked by a facade of calmness.

The realization hit me like a freight train. David’s actions were not driven by a desire for power or revenge; they were born out of a sadistic pleasure, an insatiable hunger to inflict pain and suffering.

As the world around us slowly began to stir, the chaos and anguish of the tragic accident enveloped the scene. Sirens wailed in the distance, the sound growing louder with each passing second.

"Jack, where is David now?"

I am beginning to understand David, and I am pretty sure he has drifted to someplace where we can find him now, basically he is baiting us.

[March 8]

The reply came soon enough, and I quickly selected the universe where he was.

"You ready?"

Edward nodded before I wisked us away once again.

March 8

As the swirling vortex of teleportation dissipated, We found ourselves inside a dimly lit room. Our speeding vehicle quickly came to a halt when it smashed into the wall.

Looking outside the car our eyes widened in shock as we took in the gruesome sight that surrounded us. The room was filled with the lifeless, mangled bodies of innocent victims, their limbs contorted in unnatural angles, blood splattered across the walls and floor.

A sense of unease crept up my spine as I realized the chilling resemblance of the room I am in. It seemed similar to the club I used to frequently visit, the place where I escaped from all of my problems and drowned in the delight the drugs gave me.

"Hopefully this is the final time"

Edward held his pistol, staying under the cover of the vehicle while his eyes darted off around the room to find David.

In the eerie silence of the room, broken only by the distant sound of music from the floor below, we scrambled to assess our situation. Our minds raced, desperately seeking a way out of this macabre nightmare. But before we could formulate a plan, a sudden jolt shook the car, propelling us forward.

The car came out of nowhere, and we didn't have to guess who was driving it. The car was littered with bodies giving the description on how he hid it in this dimly lit room.

With a sickening lurch, the car careened towards a large glass window. The impact seemed inevitable, our fate sealed by the forceful push from David's vehicle behind us. Time seemed to slow as the shards of glass loomed closer, their fragmented edges glinting ominously in the dim light.

"Hold on!"

Edward’s voice rang out with a mix of fear and determination as he braced himself for the impending collision. Instinctively, both of us reached out for anything within our grasp, seeking a lifeline.

Our bodies surged forward as the car crashed through the window, the sound of shattering glass echoing in my ears. Wind whipped against our faces, blending with their startled cries as we hurtled through the air.

Outside the shattered window, the cityscape blurred into a dizzying whirlwind of lights and shadows, our senses overwhelmed by the disorienting chaos. Time seemed to stretch, elongating the seconds before our eventual descent.

In that fleeting instant, fear mingled with a surge of determination within me. He refuses to let this be the end, to succumb to the twisted game orchestrated by David.

"Jack teleport us anywhere"

As gravity reclaimed its hold Jack was our only option for survival, our bodies plummeted towards the unknown below.

[Initiating Jump]

This fucker...

I could only curse Jack, if not a specific location is provided it takes a while to find a suitable place to jump.

Time seemed to stand still as our descent neared its climax, my mind filled with a flurry of thoughts and emotions. Dread mingled with a flicker of hope, the glimmer of a chance to defy the odds and emerge victorious.