Immortal In A Death Game-Chapter 178: Echoes of the Parking Lot

"Uh... hi?"

"Hello...?"

Awkward.

Despite his lack of social skills, Adam knew an awkward situation when he saw one, and this definitely qualified. He could feel the tension. He didn’t know why Katherine had helped him, but it was obvious she wanted to leave. Her quivering lips and darting eyes made that clear as she searched the parking lot for an escape.

Her hands and feet were jittery, and Adam knew that if he said something, she might jump in shock. He noticed all these signs because he was watching her closely. Really watching her.

And Adam wasn’t oblivious to this at all—he knew what he was feeling.

It was a shame. Somehow, Adam wanted to talk to her. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he felt, but it was different from how he’d felt around other women. And he’d just met Katherine.

Was it because she was an actress? Was he like everyone else, curious about the famous face on billboards and TV?

But no... it wasn’t just that.

Adam glanced at her face again, feeling something inexplicable. There was a sense of familiarity that he couldn’t quite shake at all.

Of course, she looks familiar—you’ve seen her several times because she’s an actress. Stupid. Huh... Right.

Several more seconds passed in silence, and Adam waited for several more. But when no more words came from Katherine’s quivering lips, Adam decided to end their mutual discomfort.

"So, uh..." Adam weakly pointed at his motorcycle, which happened to be parked just a few slots away. "...I guess I’ll go now, Ma’am. Is there any way I can repay you somehow, but I don’t really have anything on me right now. Do you... maybe want cash?"

You stupid fucking idiot, Adam. Do you really think a Hero who’s also a famous actress needs cash? You. Fucking. Idiot. Just because you have a high-paying job now, you think you can just flail your cash everywhere?

Adam blinked several times, holding his breath as he studied Katherine’s face. She was now looking at him like he was crazy. If there was any time he wished the Game gave him the ability to disappear instead of endlessly growing stronger, it was now.

You socially inept mongrel. There is a beautiful actress in front of you and you’re fumbling it. You fumbling idiot. Shut up.

"Right..." Adam stepped back, putting on his new cowboy hat and tipping it. "...Thank you again, Ma’am. Goodbye."

And with that, he turned around.

What was that?! Are you a cowboy? And why do you keep buying cowboy hats? You even bought one back in Dallas. And what the... All these incredibly beautiful and wealthy women are drawn to you like moths to a flame, and you keep fumbling. Wait—do you think they’re drawn to you because you look young? Are they what you could call cougars?

Honestly, you’re not bad looking yourself, Adam. You know that. Shut up.

This was bad. This was really bad. Adam felt his heart start to drum, and the voice inside his head and screamingly sang along with it. The last time he felt like this was during the first years of hiding from the Hospital, when his mind was filled with nothing but worry and doubt.

Why was he feeling like this again?

He couldn’t let his inner thoughts take control. Not again.

Stop being so dramatic, Adam. You don’t have a split personality. And going back to the topic. What...? Do you think that if you weren’t handsome, you’d be receiving this kind of attention?

Do you think if you were ugly, those women would’ve spoken up for you? No. No. You don’t think that at all. Shut up.

You even think you’re the most handsome guy in the RLRD. Well, that’s true. No. Shut up. Halo effect, Adam. Halo effect.

Adam’s thoughts were spiraling beyond control, digging into parts of his brain he didn’t even know existed. If this continued, he might unlock another voice he definitely didn’t want speaking to him.

He shook his head, clearing his throat to drown the voice as he finally walked away.

That’s right, Adam. You can’t afford to be distracted right now. You—

"Adam, wait!"

Before he could make it halfway to his motorcycle, he felt a hand pulling on his wrist.

He looked back, and the first thing that caught his eye were the tears trailing down Katherine’s flawless face. Her lips still trembled, but the edges were now curved.

"Ma’am...?" Adam almost choked at the sight. He looked around, afraid someone might misunderstand what was happening—after all, with everything going on, the last thing he wanted was to be involved in making a celebrity cry.

"Are you—"

"It’s... me," she whispered, her voice and breath stuttering as she looked into his eyes. Her hands slowly reached for his face, and Adam backed away... at first.

Only at first, only for a moment. But then, something happened that caused him to pause—no. Everything around him paused.

A memory. A fragmented memory finally coming together.

Adam! It’s...

He gasped, almost high-pitched, as the blurred face from his memory began to clear. The face of the woman who desperately told him to run...

...it was the face in front of him.

"Oh..." His eyes immediately began to water, and he studied every millimeter of her face to fill the void that had long been dug out and forgotten.

"Oh..." he muttered again. Without knowing it, he held Katherine’s hands and pressed them to his cheeks.

"Oh..." he whispered again, feeling a warmth he hadn’t felt in twenty years. A warmth he didn’t even know he was seeking.

And for that one single second...

...Adam felt like a child again.

The edges of his lips curled downward, and another gasp escaped him.

With all the strength he could muster, or maybe even beyond that, he whispered...

"...Sister."

"Adam!" Katherine immediately wrapped her arms around him—and she didn’t just cry, no.

She wailed. An almost raw and desperate wail, echoing through the empty parking lot.