Crunch.

There was a sensation that she couldn’t give words to.

Crunch.

As Alice’s trembling eyes looked up with much difficulty, she found her companion, Raphaela, staring down at her. Raphaela’s eyes curved up like crescent moons, her gaze a mix of scorn, contempt…and glee. The smile pulling up her lips could barely contain itself from bliss, trembling. Her whole expression seemed to scream, “Serves you right!”

Ah, will someone else decide on my death as well?

Alice couldn’t help but dryly think, her thought almost robotic, as if giving up all hope. Will I never be in control of my own life? Am I going down like this? Is this the end?

Her eyes wanted to close, her body and mind giving up.

Crunch.

She could barely hear the crunching noise, the sound of her flesh and bones being eaten by monsters, as her ears rang from shock and pain. Her vision was dotted by grey spots as she began to lose consciousness.

Only the pain was a constant.

Time seemed to stop as she looked up at that smile once more. The second stretched on as scenes flashed in her mind. Instead of her whole life flashing before her eyes, she seemed to only see regrets.

She had always been pretty, with soft pink hair reminiscent of cotton candy. Her big blue eyes seemed to reflect the ocean, a light hue that always seemed to sparkle. With a gentle smile that never discriminated and was nice to everyone, she was always meek and cute. Men naturally wanted to protect her and would do anything for her. Even other girls were protective, and so Alice found herself always following others.

Even if in her mind she were certain of something, other people always seemed even more certain. Whenever she tried expressing herself, it always came out hesitant and lacking any confidence. Her voice was soft, and many times she went unheard. She quickly agreed with the majority, and gave up on her own thoughts, even when internally she was pretty sure she was right.

She generally was.

Many times, she was proved right, but she never gained confidence, never said “I told you so.”

She couldn’t even say no.

She was a coward.

Thoughts of the monster attack streamed into her mind. Their large grotesque figures as they smashed through buildings, picking up people like ragdolls that they pierced with sharp fangs. Back then, humanity didn’t know much about the monsters, their types, levels and weaknesses. They were completely unprepared.

Alice had been a simple office-worker when it happened. Without being able to say no, she had taken on the work of her co-workers, and ended up staying late into the night at work.

She had been all alone on that floor.

The sound of the window smashing into pieces rang in her mind with the memory. A monster had jumped through, eyes hungrily scanning for prey.

Alice clearly remembered seeing the pale blue dot placed under its jaw, near the throat. She clearly remembered thinking, Ah, if I pierce that, it will die?

So, why hadn’t she picked up that scattered piece of glass and stabbed it there? Why did she run instead towards someone she knew? Why did she beg for help?

Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why… The thought repeated itself in her failing mind.

Although no one else could see that pale blue dot, it had later been found to be that specific monster type’s weakness. It wasn’t even one of the stronger ones. Why did she run?

Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why…

Why did she always feel like she couldn’t do anything? It was like she was an observer. She quietly watched those around her, as if it were a movie. Mindlessly, she would follow others, only screaming her thoughts in her head like an angry viewer yelling at the TV. Why couldn’t they see what she could? And why did she never do anything? Why did she simply watch, leaving everything to others?

Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why…

Her mindlessly repeating thoughts finally stopped. Why didn’t I stab that monster? She was calmer. Even as the monsters continued to rip her flesh apart, her eyes sharpened. Am I going to continue to let others control my life? With steady eyes, she looked up once more.

Raphaela had hidden her twisted smile, instead placing a mask of innocence as tears glistened her eyes. She grabbed onto the sleeve of someone in a begging motion, saying, “We have no choice. We need to leave her behind.”

A glint flashed across Alice’s calm blue eyes. Will I let this bitch control my death?

Alice clearly remembered the sensation of being pushed. When she twisted around in shock, falling to the ground, Raphaela’s twisted smile etched itself into her mind. It was like a scene from a movie.

As if it had never been there, the smiled disappeared as she had cried out in shock, “Oh no!”

Alice remembered reaching out her hand in desperation, the hungry monsters, that had been hot on their trail as they ran, catching her with their jaws and pouncing on her as they fought for a piece.

The monsters were now preoccupied with their meal, and so her group of companions had stopped, staring back in shock.

Raphaela’s wicked lips moved, “She is useless anyway. She’ll only drag us down, as always. We need to survive at least, right?” Her smile widened evilly with uncontainable bliss. The others didn’t seem to notice this, but they were running out of time.

And so, they left her.

A pool of blood was forming under Alice, and more dots of grey covered her vision. Her eyes began to waver shut, as if she couldn’t chase the sleepiness away…

She didn’t even know how much of her body was left at this point.

Crunch.

She knew that death was only a matter of time.

Crunch.

She didn’t even know how she was still capable of thought.

Crunch.

So, I’m dying…this is the end?

“…”

A feeling that seemed to be lying dormant inside of her all her life began to bubble up to the surface. It was hot, filling up her increasingly cold body – or what was left of it – with a sudden heat.

Like I’d let that happen!

The increasing darkness that seemed to lull her mind to sleep was suddenly cleared away with the powerful thought, a scream in her mind. It’s my life! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! A maniacal repetition took over her thoughts once more. I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! Her teeth gnashed together.

I…WON’T DIE!

A boom of sudden energy exploded from within her body, and the munching monsters were sent flying away.

A familiar screen appeared before Alice; the system message reminiscent of a game.

“…” Her crazed thoughts stopped.

< New skill unlocked.>

Even with half her face gone, Alice smiled wickedly.

<Would you like to activate the skill?>

Without any hesitation, Alice opened her mouth and screamed, “Yes!”

Although no sound could come out, the system read her thoughts and activated the skill.

The flash of white increased in size until nothing was left.

The system granted powers based on one’s personality and desires. Just what had Alice awakened?

.

.

.

.

< SSS-class Skill “Control is Mine” activated.>

<Control over death acquired. Control over time acquired. Target is escaping death by going back in time.>

<3, 2, 1…>