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“It was putting Freddy out of his misery. He was sick or something.” Eliana steps closer, her movements distracting me. “We have to do the same. It’s the most humane thing. We can’t risk him hurting us either. He’s not thinking the same.”
“You better not be implying what I think you are,” Alicia snaps, interjecting herself into Eliana and Adam’s conversation. “If Jack is sick, Chase can heal him. It’s his job.”
I grind my teeth and press harder into Jack. “I’m a doctor not a fucking miracle worker. I have nothing to go on. No tests. Medication. Nothing.” The last thing I need is for the others to believe I can work magic. I’m a man of science, and I know my limitations. This is one of them.
“He’s not Jack anymore,” Eliana says, standing up to Alicia. “And Chase is right. What exactly do you think he can do? Look at that thing. We can’t let him stay like that.”
It’s clear on Eliana’s face that she is implying a mercy kill. Seeing and hearing Jack in agony as his body breaks and destroys itself gets to me as well. I’m a man of compassion and mercy. It’s why I lost my medical license and practice. I gave someone the humane death they asked for.
“You’re crazy!” Alicia throws her arms up. “We can’t do this.”
“We aren’t doing this,” Tiffany says, speaking up. “Both of you shut up and let Chase work. He’ll figure this out.”
She’s going to be disappointed when she realizes I agree with Eliana. It is in Jack’s best interest not to remain in this state until his body destroys itself completely. I won’t tell anyone, though. I don’t want to fight them. They’re too emotional to understand. Not only is Jack a threat, but he could be contagious. We don’t know what we’re dealing with and only that we’re dealing with something dangerous.
“Chase, what do you need, man?” Adam asks, planting himself between Eliana and the other two women.
“Space. Get them back.” I crack my neck and think things over once more just to be certain. I never imagined I’d be in this position again or how easy the decision is. I plan to show Jack compassion and mercy. This time, it won’t only be for my patient. It’ll be for us. I can’t trust that whatever mutates Jack won’t spread.
The others around me argue over what to do, so I take matters into my own hands. I don’t need to wait for them. Jack changes rapidly until he writhes in a grotesque half-human state. Reaching for the hunting knife sitting with the few supplies we have left from the survival bag, I grip it in my fist and prepare to end Jack’s life as swiftly and as painlessly as I possibly can.
I just need to get him into the right position. I would much prefer a different method, but this is the only one I know of with what I have. This might change everything. They’re going to know what kind of doctor and man I truly am. I don’t see another way. I need to protect us. I need to ensure Jack finds peace from this suffering. This is no way for him to live. He’s already dying. His wounds were bad and he lost too much blood.
I tighten my jaw and look at Davian and Tristan. “I need you to help sit him up. Tristan, come pin his legs down. I need to reposition myself. Watch out for his hands and teeth. I don’t know what the hell is happening to him, but if he’s contagious...” I let my words trail off, allowing them to fill in the blanks with their own imagination.
Alicia and Eliana continue to argue, and Evander gets between the two of them next. Adam looks ready to do something crazy to get Alicia to back up. I already know that dude likes Eliana, and I don’t know how I feel about it. Well, I’m jealous that she shows anybody else even an ounce of attention, but I can’t exactly blame her. She doesn’t belong to me. It’s just...
Jack growls, sounding like an animal, and he gnashes his teeth, trying to bite. It kicks me into action, stealing my attention from Eliana. I scramble to my knees and crawl around Tristan, taking his place. I don’t even wait for him to pin Jack’s legs. I have to do this now and quickly.
Grazing my fingers over the back of Jack’s head, I feel my way to the base of his skull. I have to get this right. If I miss even by a little, he’ll just lose control of his body and not die. I want to end his life while I destroy his nervous system.
“I’m sorry, Jack. This is the only way to stop your suffering. I hope you understand,” I murmur, praying nobody hears me before I adjust my hand.
“Chase, what are you doing?” Davian asks, his voice lowering. He must’ve heard me.
“What I have to do.” I don’t give him a chance to speak up or try to stop me. Aiming the hunting blade, I jam it into the base of Jack’s skull, severing his spinal cord and ending his life.
He doesn’t even make a sound as his monstrous form collapses, going to limp in my arms. Utter silence hangs in the air, and I realize that everyone stares at me as I pull the blade from Jack’s body.
“Chase! Are you fucking kidding me? You killed him!” Alicia shouts, wringing her hands together. “You bastard!”
She charges me, but Eliana rushes her, shoving her hard enough to send her sprawling across the sand. Fisting his hand, Ian tries to grab onto Eliana, and Evander swings his arm and punches him in the face.
“Davian, take Chase and get out of here. I’ll come to find you when things cool off.” Evander points at me. “We’re going to have a fucking talk. You got it?”
Alicia places her hands on her hips. “I want to talk now. What he did—”
“He did the most humane thing. You don’t understand what’s going on here. You haven’t seen what I’ve seen.” Eliana shifts in the sand, her sudden protectiveness hot as fuck.
“Enough! Everyone needs to chill out!” Tristan yells. He turns to me. “You and Eliana go take a stroll.” Pointing at Alicia next, he adds, “Pick someone and head in the opposite direction. Stay on the beach. The rest of us are going to fucking clean up and bury these bodies. We can’t have them near our camp. It could attract more animals.”
“How is this even fair? They should be the ones to handle it.” Tiffany speaks up, her lips curling in disgust.
Ian grabs her arm. “You won’t have to do any of that. Come on. Let them work it out.”
I inhale a deep breath and push to my feet. I only allow Davian to take the knife from me because I don’t want to fight him. All I wanted to do was take Jack’s pain away and protect us, and that’s what I did. I don’t regret it.
Eliana trudges her way toward me and holds her hand out. “Let’s go see if we can find some more supplies. They’re right. We need to take a break from this bullshit.”
