Who Is the Loser

I snapped my eyes open; the cold metal ceiling stabbed painfully at my gaze. The air was thick with the mingled scent of disinfectant and decay—this was the unmistakable smell of the Base. I struggled to sit up and looked around; the familiar temporary dormitory came into view. The electronic calendar on the wall showed the date—15th July, 6 a.m. My heart clenched suddenly; this date, this time, I will never forget. In my previous life, it was on this very day that the base fell. To cover the main force's retreat, a decoy team was needed to lure away the zombies. Georgina Sue and I each led a team, becoming candidates for the decoy squad. Governor Zachary Sinclair, Howard Sinclair's father, used a deadly competition to decide the fate of our two teams. The team that kills more zombies stays; the team with fewer kills is sent on the doomed decoy mission. In my previous life, I chose to sacrifice myself and my teammates. I thought this would buy Georgina Sue and the others at the base a chance to survive, but in the end, all I received was betrayal. While my teammates and I fought desperately in the corpse tide to draw fire, the base's gates were shut tightly. Georgina Sue and Howard Sinclair stood atop the city wall, coldly watching as we were devoured by zombies. In my dying moments, Georgina Sue's words — "Victor Carter, thank you for taking the trouble off our backs" — struck me like a blade, piercing deep into my heart. "Victor Carter, you're awake?" A familiar voice came from the doorway. I looked up and saw Georgina Sue entering. She wore a clean combat suit, her face bearing a gentle smile, but her eyes hid a deceit I now knew all too well. "The competition is about to start," Georgina Sue said, approaching me and reaching out to touch my shoulder, but I instinctively pulled away. Her hand froze midair; a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes before she restored her gentle expression. "Victor Carter, I know this mission is dangerous," she whispered, her voice deliberately trembling. "But among us, someone has to make the sacrifice." "Look, in my team, there are still a few kids just coming of age; they have a long road ahead." I looked at her and remained silent. In my previous life, it was her words that moved me—I had voluntarily offered for my team to take on the decoy mission. "So, Victor Carter," Georgina Sue continued, her eyes full of hope, "could you... go easy on us in this competition? For those children's sake, and for mine." I lowered my head, hiding the hatred in my eyes, then lifted it again, my face revealing the same "determination" as in my previous life. "Alright," I said, my voice steady and unwavering. "I will yield to you, protect you, and those children." Georgina Sue's face lit up with a radiant smile; she hugged me tightly: "Victor Carter, I always knew you were the kindest! Thank you. Once this crisis is over, I will repay you properly." She turned and walked away, her steps light, revealing none of the pride swelling within her. I sat on the bed, my hands clenched tightly into fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. Georgina Sue, Howard Sinclair, Zachary Sinclair, and those indifferent Base residents. What you owed me in the last life, this life I will reclaim with interest—every last bit! Competition? Decoy mission? This time, I will no longer be the foolish sacrifice. I will make you taste the bitter fruits you planted with your own hands!