Chef in the Apocalypse

Lianna jumped from the 10 story high apartment building without hesitation, leaving behind everything in that moment. She looked like a dove which had finally spread its wings after a lifetime in captivity, experiencing the joys of flying for the first time.

Jayce watched on with shock, taking in the beautiful sight. The sadness and yearning she was exhibiting earlier was nowhere to be found, replaced with acceptance of her fate.

His point of view changed once again, appearing on the streets below and watching Lianna freefall. As she was racing towards the ground, a sudden shockwave struck the city. The screech of breaking windows and structures being destroyed entered his ears, shocking him.

’What the hell was that?’ he thought for a moment, yet Lianna’s body hit the pavement hard just seconds later. The dull thud of her frail body hitting the ground was jarring, sending a jolt of discomfort through Jayce’s body.

He walked over to Lianna’s unmoving body, his face full of pity. ’You poor thing.’ he thought to himself. The impact had resulted in her death, after all no one could survive a fall from such a height before getting the system.

Yet in the next moment, a soft green glow enveloped her, healing her wounds. It was like time was reversed, the blood that had escaped her ears and nose returned, and the bruises on her skin disappeared.

This magical scene continued for a few more moments, extensively healing her once battered body. Lianna gasped for air, pushing herself off the ground and looking around in confusion. Eventually she calmed down, yet instead of looking happy, she looked downcast.

Now draped in a green robe, Lianna looked lost, as if she was upset that she was still alive.

’It didn’t work. I don’t want to go back, it’s too painful.’ Jayce heard Lianna’s voice enter his mind, as if he could listen to her thoughts.

Jayce felt a twinge of uncomfort and sadness well up within him, seeing the pitiful state of the woman. He knew that it would make no difference, but he still went and sat next to her in hopes of comforting her.

Of course she did not notice his presence, this was a memory after all. She lifted her knees to her body and hugged them, something she would often do when she was sad or lost.

’What do I do? I don’t want to live here anymore.’ Once again her inner thoughts entered his mind. The words were filled with exhaustion and apathy, a testament to how much she had suffered.

She sat in silence for the next 5 minutes unmoving, not even taking notice of what was happening around her. Yet Jayce saw some movement in front of him, grabbing his attention.

"Huh?" Jayce was taken aback for a moment, seeing himself round a corner and stopping suddenly. He had been so distracted with Lianna’s plight that he had not even pieced together where they were just now. He quickly checked the surroundings and confirmed it.

This was where he had first met Lianna in this life.

Which means he knew what would happen next. A Goblin appeared suddenly from one of the collapsed buildings, baring its teeth towards his younger self. Jayce had a thought flicker in his brain at the sight, ’Was I really that sallow and skinny?’

He saw himself panic initially, reaching behind his back to grab at nothing. Jayce facepalmed, he wasn’t that keen on watching his first fight in this world. He turned to Lianna who was still in the same position, her depression was radiating outwards, and now tears had begun to fall from her eyes.

Before long, his younger self had killed the Goblin after a big struggle, he heaved in large breaths and winced after every step. ’Pathetic.’ Jayce murmured in his heart.

"Oi! We can’t stay here any longer."

Jayce cringed at those words, feeling as if they were too aggressive. He saw himself reach out to grab at Lianna, yet she recoiled in fright. "N-No, stay away!" she shouted.

Yet Jayce heard her voice inside his mind, ’He’s going to hurt me again! I don’t want to feel any more pain.’

"Look, I just saved you from this monster. If we don’t hurry, there will be more of these monsters clambering in the streets." Jayce could see a lack of patience on his younger self’s face, yet when he received no reaction from Lianna, the expression changed once again.

He calmed himself, before slowly reaching out his hand, "What’s your name?"

Lianna felt the change of tone in his voice and raised her head slightly, looking into his blue eyes.

’Is he not going to hurt me? He looks nice. Is he really not going to hurt me?’ Lianna’s voice entered his mind once more. Jayce grit his teeth, his whole perception of their first meeting changing.

"My name is Lianna." her voice was trembling, coming out as a whisper.

Jayce’s younger self smiled soothingly, like an older sibling who had come to rescue his sister. He said in a soft voice, "Lianna, will you come with me to find shelter? I can explain the situation once we get there."

’Is he lying to me? Does he just want to lure me somewhere else?’ Lianna was torn, she had suffered so much in her life that she didn’t know what she could trust. Her gaze moved from the outstretched hand to the corpse of the Goblin which was laying not far away.

Her eyes widened, finally realizing the predicament she was in. She had never seen a monster like that one before, scaring her even more. She suddenly remembered that the man had told her that he had killed the beast and that there might be more.

’He saved me? But why? What did I do to deserve being saved?’

"F*ck!" Jayce cursed loudly, hearing the fragile thoughts of the woman he had taken for granted for all this time. She had been abused her whole life, never being shown love by anyone but her own sister. Even shying away from help because she had never known kindness.

Eventually Lianna cautiously extended a hand, her delicate fingers interlocking with Jayce’s. The moment their hands met, she felt warm and reassured, something that she had not felt since the last time she had seen her sister.

’It feels warm... Just like sis’