Geez! I really hate that I'm not updating that much anymore! :( But I'm seriously not stopping this story! Hope you guys are still interested considering that it's been a couple months :) Enjoy the new chapter!
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 7:04 P.M. (Deserted Island: Barnyard)
Zander peered desperately from above in the tree branches as a pale dark blue swept over the landscape. Night was fast approaching and still no sign of her…the winds blew at a more rapid rate causing the branches from underneath Zander's sticky feet to sway gently as he clutched the body of the tree. He didn't get it at all. His tracker told him specifically that someone was in the vicinity but there was nothing below him.
All he saw was a cross-section of old roads that haven't been used for years and a dusty red barn with hundreds of chips on it…and a house? A modern home that you would usually see in the suburb streets of New York, but compared to the batch of homes he witnessed before, this was a pleasant sight.
"Maybe…maybe she's in there!" Zander whispered in bewilderment as he watched three bright red stars flicker on the bright screen. Why are there three? Maybe she's with some of her friends! He thought hopefully as he slowly scaled down the tree like a ninja. He cautiously maneuvered through the dim lit trees in order to keep himself from running into one while keeping his eye out for any undesirables like…Lucy. The name made him shudder as if ice cold poison was flowing through his veins at the very moment. He wouldn't let her die like Stevie. Never like Stevie!
The howling winds brushed past him causing him to shiver once he made it to the exit of the woods and squinted his eyes towards the farmhouse windows. After a minute, he finally spotted someone…actually two people's silhouettes through the window. However, some type a material was blocking every entrance so it was hard to look in, but he knew that there was someone definitely in there.
He leapt into the bushes below like a prowling panther in the night and looked between the leaves to get a better look. Nothing… He carefully got through the dug up pits and trenches surrounding the house before tiptoeing through the unlit shadows. He checked his tracker once more in order to see if there were any more, but there were only three thankfully. He felt his nerves get the best of him and he broke into a cold sweat as he inched up against the pale blue painted side of the farmhouse. His throat tightened in anticipation and his breaths felt heavy as they escaped his lips.
"The weather on this island…it's unbearable," Zander hissed quietly as the cold winds came rushing up against him and the side of the house. It was over 100 degrees this afternoon; hot as the Sahara Desert …now it's coming into evening and it's probably 40 degrees now. Must be from the ocean. Zander thought as he caught a sudden whiff of the salty sea due to the wind flooding his nostrils.
"Easy now," a voice soothingly said from within the building. Zander paused immediately and brought his ear to the wall for more. "You feel any better now? Rested?" it said again in a muffled way due to the wall. Who is that?
Beck! Thought Zander with a wide grin, but who were the other two? He obviously was taking care of someone…but whom?
"I'm fine. I'm fine," a more feminine voice reassured with a kind tone. "Just a little stiff…I'll feel a lot better now though, thank you both."
Tori? Zander let the grin manifest into a beaming smile once he heard the two most familiar voices in the world. He finally found someone he could turn to…
But wait! Who was the last one? Beck…Tori…who else?
"Here Tori," a stern voice piped up with a familiar ring to it. "You hold onto this little beauty! Robbie's little gun…keep yourself safe from here on out. Beck doesn't do a too good job at it."
"Hey! Lay off will ya," Beck chuckled; obviously embarrassed. Katniss maybe? Zander wouldn't know for sure until he went in there, but what if they weren't letting anyone else in? What if they gunned me down because they didn't trust me?
"So…Katniss?" Tori softly spoke from inside, however it was hard to hear due to the loud winds' constant roaring.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Well, it's almost 7:30. Shouldn't we be heading out? Seek better shelter?" Tori's voice was coated with drowsiness and the entire conversation was muffled greatly.
"No…trust me, it's a pretty risky thing to do." Katniss replied with a sigh of irritation.
"Why?" Beck asked in confusion.
"Because, you know how many of those 'shelters' will become scarce thanks to the lovely danger zones? And do you know how many people will be hunting for them? It's a deadly confrontation waiting to happen and that's just what the audience wants! Trust me…I know," Katniss explained to the clueless duo. The howl of the winds whipped down the empty roads and caused dirt to fly like dust into the angry air.
Zander kept his arm tightly glued to his mouth and nose as the storm of dirt flew in his direction. He gagged even though his nose was covered and he felt his throat constrict quickly. The wind has never been this bad before…
"Best that we stick to the woods you two. Trust me, when it comes to the woods…I'm your girl," Katniss laughed joyously before footsteps suddenly began echoing through the bottom floor. They must be making their way to the front now.
"Yep, we can always count on Ms. Everdeen to get the job right," Beck laughed along with her even though the wind made it hardly possibly to hear them.
"You got it! Now…I've got all of our luxury beauties right here to give us that home like feel. Pillows, blankets, a few cups and plates, water bottles that were strewn around the cabinets and even some canned goods. We're definitely set."
"Are you sure we should leave? I mean that wind sounds pretty bad," Tori spoke rather loudly due to the fact that the wind began shaking the window panes. Katniss shook her head and grunted causing her night colored braid to sway slightly.
"It'll be fine. Besides, if we stay here any longer someone will be bound to come across our sweet home and try to pry it from us dead or alive…wind, rain or sweet shine we're outta here," Katniss announced with determination in her voice.
Katniss tugged the rusty doorknob and budged it against the sudden forces of wind after de-boarding the doors. An angry cloud of dust flood their noses as they took their first steps outside and trees violently swayed in all directions as if they were trying to complete some odd dance number. Tori and Beck followed suit with Beck's body covering Tori; protecting her against the harsh elements. Katniss peered around each and every corner to check to see if everything was in the clear and luckily nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
"All clear," Katniss announced loudly in order to be heard over the whipping winds. Suddenly a shadowed figure leapt from the darkness and through the howling winds. The figure kicked the shotgun straight from Katniss' rough grip causing her to jump in absolute shock. Green leaves blew wildly in all directions from the towering trees and Katniss' braid flailed behind her head like a frantic whip. "What the hell!" she cried; a shocked look still plastered onto her toned face as the assailant landed onto the grand in a readied stance.
The shotgun flew through the dirt filled air and landed onto the ground making a clanging noise. Tori backed away in a fearful way as the figure took a few steps forward, still hidden in the darkness.
"Katniss!" Beck cried in an upset as the scene before them unfolded in a horrifying way. Katniss threw her head left and right in order to figure out what to do…she had to get the shotgun! She steadied herself with a small smirk forming on her face.
"So…you want to play do you?" Katniss chuckled darkly while staring straight at her attacker with narrowed eyes.
The attacker's eyes gleamed in the moonlight as he jumped forward without warning causing Katniss to duck and barrel roll to the side with a grunt. She was able to get to her knees in a scramble and flew towards her glamorous gun. Her fingers wrapped around the smooth handle and she quickly brought herself up to her feet without a second going by.
As she brought the barrel of her shotgun up to her target, she realized that she was too late…
"Gah!" she barked in pain as something hard slapped her chin from below causing her head to swing back in an instant. She fell onto her back with a thud and the pain in her jaw felt intense. "Damn! How did you-" before she could finish her sentence, she saw the same object come down on her like a falling pillar and without a second to spare, she rolled quickly to the side and leapt onto her feet. Short breaths quickly left her as the battle ensued and Beck held Tori back with his hands wrapped around her in a protective way.
Katniss squinted through the dirt as the weapon began rising above the attacker's head and reflected the shine of the moon. A pole! A wooden pole?! Thought Katniss in disbelief as it began to swing down upon her.
Well then…you picked the wrong girl to mess with pole boy! Katniss dodged another slap of the wooden stick and thrust the gun forward with a loud scream of anger. Finally, the 'enemy' was brought into the light at last.
"You better put that damn stick down now or I'll…I'll have to pull the trigger! Don't make me do it you hear me! Stand down now!" Katniss barked right into his pale face.
"W-what?" he responded with a quiet voice which Katniss couldn't quite understand that much. Beck, however, felt his face flood over with relief once he realized who this was. Tori's tense form became much calmer and she formed a bright smile.
"Zander?" Beck whispered in disbelief as the figure awkwardly walked closer to the trio. He didn't answer back instead, he tossed his pole down onto the ground swiftly before opening his dry mouth to speak again. The pole banged against the ground and Katniss (still wide-eyed in confusion) brought the nozzle of her deadly gun up in hesitation.
"Hey guys," Zander chuckled nervously as the wind continued to violently whirl around them.
"Zander! Alright!" Beck cheered with a beaming smile causing Tori to giggle in happiness. Zander returned the favor by smiling back in joy. His hair was tossed around from the wind and his pale face was coated with sweat…
"Beck…great to see you," Zander laughed brightly. Katniss stood to the side with a dumbfounded expression on her face. Her eyebrows arched as the three others began hugging and exchanging sentences with one another.
"Really! You mean…you've been working together?" Zander asked in a shocked tone. Tori and Beck simply nodded in unison; each bearing a flawless smile as they explained their story to the martial arts expert. "Tori too…wow! It's great to see you both."
"Same to you Zander," Tori beamed greatly, "How is everything?"
"Um…I think you already know the answer," Zander groaned with a wryly smile.
"I see…" Tori sighed in disappointment; her smile quickly faded. "Let's get inside! The weather is horrible out here!"
They all scuffled inside with their arms above their faces in order to block the oncoming waves of dirt flying through the air. The smell of rice and beans still wafted in the clean air and the sweet warmth of the living room greeted all four of them. Katniss marched into the kitchen while glancing at Zander every once in a while which made him beyond uncomfortable.
"Are you thirsty? Hungry? Got an awful lot of this dinner to spare…same goes for the water also," Katniss said in a softer manner to make Zander feel more at ease.
"Oh, no thank you," he politely refused while looking around the cozy room. The sound of wind slapping the sides of the house intruded his ears uncomfortably but it was a nice break from being out in the wild for all that time…
"Is something wrong?" Tori asked in a sweet voice.
"Oh…no it's just…I never would've guessed that you three would have teamed up together like this," Zander replied with a whisper. Beck merely shrugged his shoulders, but offered a huge smile.
"Trust me, neither did we. It's cool though! Seriously Zander, don't let Katniss' attitude fool you…She's saved me more times than I can count! Plus, she knows a way out of this game," Beck babbled in excitement. Tori nodded in complete agreement causing Zander to knit his eyebrows together in astonishment.
"Is that so?" he replied still amazed from all the stories that Beck spilled on him from their run in with Kevin to the entire True Jackson dilemma. He averted his eyes to Katniss who just stood there by the dim lit open door that led to the kitchen.
"That's me. Ms. Miracle," she chuckled from all the praise she received. Zander smiled at her admiringly before taking a breath; letting the clean air cleanse him. He sat down on the salmon colored coach that still felt warm from Tori's previous nap…
"So…do we leave without our heads then?" he asked with a small smile on his face causing Katniss to tilt her head to the side as if she were thinking.
"Collars are still in the works. We were going to talk to that Jake guy about them…hopefully he's as smart as you all make him seem," she sighed with a grin on her face. Her braid swooped over her left shoulder like a beautiful tail. "Till then…why don't you sign on with our group? You're extremely skilled, and that can really come in handy especially when things get a little out of hand."
"Yeah, sorry about the whole fight…can't be too careful you know? Katniss right?" Zander walked over to her with his hand raised in a hand-shake position. She stared at it for a few seconds with a grim look, but grinned at him as she took his hand willingly and gave it a firm shake.
"Just glad you didn't kill me with that little stick of yours," Katniss joked teasingly causing a shade of red to appear on his face. "I see you're a friend of Mister Can't-we-all-just-be-friends- and-sing-kumbaya…seriously, how do you put up with all of it?"
"What? You mean Beck? Huh…yeah…that's him alright," Zander agreed while looking Beck over with his brown eyes. Beck stared at him with a hurt look before groaning in displeasure.
"Ha ha…very funny Zander. Man, since when did you grow a funny bone eh?" Beck replied with his hand on the back of his neck. Zander responded with a hearty laugh before turning his attention elsewhere. His brows resembled thin brown lines as he crinkled his forehead.
"I have to admit…Beck is a bit gullible at times- no, all the time actually. He's naïve…oh, dim also! Did I mention that? Yeah, he's definitely not in the smart category. Man, and let's not forget that big streak of arrogance! Jeez, Beck is a king of pride-"
Zander became quickly cut off once Beck nervously interrupted the rant. "Great Zander! Thanks for the defending…"
"What? D-did I push it too far?" he replied in embarrassment. Tori sat excitedly on the salmon couch with her bright face held high as the conversation continued.
"Yeah…you kind of did," Beck told him with a deep sigh escaping his gaping mouth.
"Oh, I'm not…I'm not really used to this-um…It's like the yearbook signing all over again." An awkward silence filled the room like a horrid air as faces began to glance at another. Zander's pale face suddenly changed to a brilliant pink from embarrassment as he struggled for the right words to say, but instead… "He's uh…very gullible too! Like extremely gullible! Also, he's too quick when it comes to trusting and-"
"God! Drop it would ya," Beck howled in humiliation causing Zander to jump back in shock. His entire body was coated with drops of sweat but he managed to calm himself and sit down on the sturdy couch next to Tori's frail looking form. She must be worn out…he thought while skimming over her with his brown orbs.
"Rude…can't forget that one," Zander managed to whisper, obviously offended by Beck's sudden outburst. Everyone quickly looked at him with arched eyebrows before smiling brightly at the predicament. Everything seemed like it was normal at this point. Just a group of friends having a great time together. Sharing an unforgettable memory. However, this competition cast a huge shadow on all of it.
"Guess you know me inside and out…huh Zander?" Beck grinned with a small chuckle escaping his tired lips. Tori did nothing but stifle a long set of giggles that couldn't be helped as the scene continued to go on.
"You do know that I suck at this," was all he replied with, returning a soft laugh as well. Katniss smirked warmly at the sight before throwing in her own famous comments as well. Katniss Everdeen always says what she wants…
"Yeah…you kind of do," she laughed while patting his damp back in a firm manner. Zander awkwardly stood there with a frozen expression after he stumbled forward from the sudden backslap.
"Thanks a lot. Anyways, I'm glad you all came this far…really impressed to say the least. I had a small hunch that you would though," Zander beamed in absolute optimism causing Beck to return a bright smile.
Beck…couldn't have seen it any other way. Always finding a way through it all…
"You don't know how glad we are!" Beck cried in complete joy while he embraced Zander with a firm hug earning a few awes from Katniss with a teasing tone poisoning them.
Cool Zander. I'm glad that I see who my true friends are…
Zander glanced over to Tori who was smiling in a gentle fashion while tucking a swaying strand of hair behind her caramel ear. His friends…they were all he needed…just like Stevie…friendship was all he needed to live on.
"Uh, Zander? Zander?" Beck shook the martial arts loving boy tenderly in order to get his attention. Zander snapped out of his trance in an instant and gave them all a smile. "Are you okay man?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. No worries…"
Actually, he was more than fine…he was saved!
21 Students Remaining
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 7:46 P.M. (Deserted Island: Abandoned Courtyard)
The cold soil felt relieving against the skin of Felix Garcia which was hot from the long day out in the torturous midst of the island sun. He slowly opened his dirt covered eyes as slowly as he could before realizing something…something so important and so vital. He was still alive!
He immediately raised himself up while checking his entire body but felt no pain whatsoever. "How can this be?" he gasped in relief as he stared at the bullet holes that covered his school shirt…however, no signs of blood seemed to be protruding from the rich boy's open gunshot wounds.
"That vulgar emo shot me! A stroke of luck! I'm not out yet!" he cried in victory. Felix stumbled like a drunken man onto his two feet with a dazed look as he continued to pat down his stomach a second time for reassurance. A dull pain erupted from his abdomen and he quickly growled in irritation. "Must have been from that damn bullet slamming into me like that!" he hissed while doubling over as if he were about to vomit.
That god damn bitch! He thought darkly. Her pale face flooded his blurred mind as well as the swelling face she made as his leather belt violently gripped her throat. "So close! I was this close to taking that disgusting piece of trash out!"
To put it bluntly, Felix was the most arrogant person that ever walked the halls of Garside. He always had his nose high in the air as if he was welcoming a family of flies, and he never associated with anyone who he thought was 'vulgar' which was pretty much everyone in the school. The only exception was Robbie and even Kirby…unfortunate for them obviously.
They despised him like everyone else did and tried their best to put up with him; including rants about classmates that lasted hours or ways to improve the admission for the school in order to keep the vulgarity to a minimum. He hated the cheerleaders because of their airhead nature…he hated the basketball team because of their barbaric and brainless behavior…he hated the school geniuses because of their mindless efforts to get good grades since they were'nt ever going to get anywhere in life due to their vulgarity…he especially hated the nice ones. He hated them with a passion because he thought that they were hideous peasants that were trying to take the fast track in life by kissing other people's behinds…that's why they were so nice.
"Vulgar! All of them…absolutely disgusting," he growled while clutching his stomach. "They don't deserve to live…I do! At least I am going to grow up to be something important and not a street hooker!"
Keep your voice down! You might attract another buffoon Felix… he thought alertly. He quickly scanned the entire area before checking the timer around his filthy neck. 7:53! He began to panic after realizing that he had just seven minutes until he was submitted to an instant death. As heavy breaths escaped his mouth, he haphazardly jolted to the trees with his pack slung over his shoulder in a sloppy manner, but that was the least of his worries.
"Where can I go now?" he spoke curiously. He flew by lanky trees as the brilliant moon cast its bright light over the forest. Streams of white came in through the dark treetops and the sounds of insects and exotic animals filled his ears.
"Wherever I go…I have to survive…I must kill whoever I come across!"
21 Students Remaining
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 7:59 P.M. (Deserted Island: Barnyard)
"This is perfect!" Beck cried in amazement, "We'll be unstoppable if this keeps up!"
"Stop yelling," Katniss sighed in irritation causing Beck to smile apologetically. "Are you sure that you are up for it Zander?" Zander stood there awkwardly as time ticked on. Tori had her brown eyes fixed intently on him as she awaited his final answer. He honestly didn't know…he had to continue and search for that important somebody…but this was probably his only chance to form a team with someone that he greatly trusted.
"Z-Zander?" Tori squeaked. Beck's beaming face slowly dissipated into disappointment once he saw the look in Zander's gleaming eyes.
"You…You don't want to join us do you?" Beck said rather bluntly. Katniss shrugged her slender shoulders like she knew this would happen and tilted her head.
"It's fine if you don't want to Zander. Trust me…well, how can you to be honest? You hardly know me," she chuckled quietly with her hair swaying behind her. Zander felt his face heat up as Katniss locked eyes with him. "I mean…you know me well enough to nod and say 'sup' to, but not enough to trust me with your life. Plus, I'm the one with the details on how to get out of here…how do you know that I'm lying or telling the truth? That's right, you don't…so it doesn't shock me at all that you're so hesitant."
"What!? Katniss…that's not it all, you know. I trust you! Tori too! And if I do…then Zander does right?" Beck frantically says with desperation in his eyes.
"You are so naïve…Of course he doesn't," she replies in a calm tone and grins in amusement.
"No! That's not true it's- "
"Beck…calm down. Just chill okay?" Zander laughed joyously while holding his stomach. "She's just making assumptions and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm actually looking for someone...you've got Tori and Katniss…but I still need to keep looking."
"But…you found us," Tori states in confusion.
"Yeah, but there's someone I have to find," Zander spoke lowly with his face reflecting a solemn and serious attitude.
"Who Zander? Who is it?" Beck asked him with a concerned look.
"I already…I found her first but, she…she was," Zander's eyes slowly filled with tears as Stevie's death emerged in his mind. Tori immediately picked it up and sent him an encouraging smile. She picked up his hand from the cushioned armrest and held it like a mother would.
"Stevie? You found Stevie? You found her huh?" Tori asked in soft and kind voice as Zander broke down in front of her.
"Y-yeah…but, Hardcore Stone! S-s-she f-found her first," Zander cried after being sat down on the salmon couch by Beck. Tori felt a horrifying feeling run through her after hearing that name…Hardcore Stone. Lucy Stone. She slowly looked over at Beck who had the same expression.
"You mean…Lucy's playing?" Beck asked in a low voice.
"I think so, and she killed my best-friend but…at least I got to say good-bye. I got to see her smile one last time before she left this world…before she left me. Lucy's playing…playing to win and nothing is going to stop her. You guys better be careful if you're planning to escape," Zander warned with hot tears still draining from his soft pink eyes.
"We will…God Zander, I'm so sorry!" Tori sobbed while clutching him and holding him close to her.
"Just remember that none of it is your fault. I had to learn that the hard way," Beck smiled grimly as he recalled the unpleasant encounters has made over the course of the day.
"I know…I just can't go through it again," Zander replied; wiping the tears from his beet red face. The howling winds finally quieted and Katniss hastily zipped her bag open and dug through the various items within it.
"We know man. Just tell us how we can help okay?" Beck smirked confidently.
"Aha! Look I don't mean to be rude…like it matters, but we seriously need to get going before any more obstacles come our way," Katniss blurted from her spot with a map held in her hands. She was tracing some kind of pathway with a short leaded pencil…
"Okay, I should get going anyway…lot of searching to do ya know," Zander half-sobbed and half-laughed as he stood up. Tori looked at him with sympathy; spotting the sadness he felt.
"Let us come with you. We'll help you search," Tori beamed with a wide smile. Katniss gave her a look of suspicion while scratching notes onto her map violently. "It's quicker that-"
"No," was all that came from him. "No, I can't let you do that Tori…you're hurt remember and I'm gonna be moving all over the place. It's only better that you stay here. I'll be fine on my own."
Damn! Beck thought as water began blurring his vision. He never cried this much, but this 'game' brought out so many emotions…he never felt more overwhelmed. He looked down at his blood covered hand and gazed at the shining metal he was holding. The gun…
"Zander, take this," Beck thrusted the weapon into his sweaty hands with a smile on his dirt covered face. "We still have the shotgun, plus, that stick isn't going to help you out as the game goes on."
With that, Zander grabbed hold of the gun hesitantly with shallow breaths but still held a smile up on his dirty face. "I hope we can run into each other again," he replied with a hopeful tone while giving Beck a one-armed hug. Tori embraced him as well with a warm smile on her face as Katniss stood idly by with a touched look.
"Zander. That doesn't stop you from coming with us," she pointed out.
"What do you mean?" Zander asked her in confusion with his pole in one hand while his 'new acquired' gun stayed tightly gripped in the other.
"I mean that you can still join up with us after you've found whoever you are looking for. Here, take this," Katniss pulled something small from her large duffle bag and held it out to Zander with a hopeful glimmer in her eye. "This is a bird call. We used to use them all the time where I was from…someone real special gave this to me and they're perfect for signaling."
"Oh, t-thank you," he stammered after it was placed in his sweaty palm.
"Just remember to use that once you've found who you're looking for…then I want you to hideout near this house after we return the favor," Katniss ordered while holding out another bird call.
"Gotcha!" he responded confidently. Katniss gave him a pleased nod before placing the small toy into her large bag once again.
"Wait! Zander, before you go…take some of this with you," Tori chimed in with a container of the meal they had and an extra bottle of water they swiped from True's pack. With an unsure look, Zander took the container and gave her of smile of appreciation. "Oh, there's more! Here."
"A blanket?" he asked puzzled but took hold of the fleece sheet.
"It gets cold at night you know. Hope this all helps Zander," Tori beamed after taking a deep breath. Her skin reflected the dim lighting from inside the house causing her to look more radiant than before radiant.
"Thank you Tori…seriously thank you very much."
"It's no problem," she replied with a cheerful tone. After Zander put the delicious meal into his bag and the water into his bag and tucked the blanket under his arm, he turned to both of them and gave them a positive grin to ease the tension.
"I'd better be going…You were lucky to have found Katniss and Tori, Beck. Get them out okay. Don't fail them like I failed Stevie okay?"
"Promise," Beck gave a sad look as he fist bumped him half-heartedly. Zander nodded with his eyes blurred with wet tears before turning for the door but was interrupted by a pair of arms grasping him from behind.
"Zander…whoever you're looking for…they're so lucky to have a guy like you. They're so lucky to have a boy that cares so much…"
"I dunno about all that Tori," Zander flushed madly and his cheeks turned a bright shade of pink.
"Look at you guys! Getting the poor guy all embarrassed! Let him go would ya Tori? He's got someone to find…trust me…I know how important that it is," Katniss spoke from the corner in a loud voice which caused Tori to let go immediately with a light chuckle leaving her.
"Alright! Right afterwards you come back to us and we can all escape together. Kendall, Logan, James, Carlos, Cat and Carly will be with us too! We'll show them all that Class 3-C can't be taken down!" Beck pumped his fist in enthusiasm.
"Same ol' Beck Oliver…" Zander laughed with his cheeks still red and stained with tear drops. "I know we're going to miss graduation because of all this, but I want you to know that I admire you Beck…you've never been afraid to live your life the way you wanted to even if it got you killed. After all this and once we get back home…we can all talk…all of us…have the moments we had before this nightmare happened."
"Definitely. Guess this is good-bye for now Zander," Beck choked due to his emotions finally getting the best of him. Zander did absolutely nothing. Nothing but a simple smile of peace and a turn for the door. His footsteps echoed throughout the comforting room until he opened the door in a slow and painful way.
Creak…
That was that…Zander gone again…off to look for his special someone.
21 Students Remaining
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 8:23 P.M. (Deserted Island: Woodland)
Jade's throat itched in annoyance from her dehydration as she raced through the trees in order to escape the clutches of any other killers out there. Her mouth was begging for more of the clear water to come and soothe her but she couldn't stop now.
"Just a little…more!" she panted horribly as her solid black boots thumped against the dead leaves underneath her. The fluorescent moon beamed from above and sent a gleam of color from her highlights to the trees around her. Just…a little…more! She screamed in her throbbing head.
Just then…she heard something. A bundle of twigs being snapped and with that she turned her head around swiftly. Her hair flew in front of her pale face and she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Another damn squirrel!" she hissed, obviously referring to another annoying classmate like Felix.
"Not even close honey," she heard a soft voice say calmly behind her… She spun around and came face to face with (of course) Lucy. She knew that this time would come, but why now?
"God! You scared me!" Jade barked at her with her hand pressed against her heaving chest.
"Sorry. Why are you running? Run into something gnarly?" Lucy asked with a small laugh to make Jade feel better, but Jade wasn't going to fall for any of her tricks…she knew her too well. Plus she was in no mood for any guessing games.
"For your freakin' information, I almost died! Fucking Garcia almost had me by the neck!" Jade gave her a nasty look that said 'You're so freakin' Stupid!'. Lucy's eyes shot open wide after hearing this and she began to giggle innocently.
"Carlos! You almost died in the hands of that retard?" she mocked with her highlighted hair swaying back and forth. Her dark violet eye shadow made her look even more menacing which didn't seem possible.
"No…Felix," Jade didn't even have to finish, Lucy already burst into laughter. "Shut up! I'd love to hear how you're time on this lovely island has been so far."
"Not to shabby to say the least," Lucy sighed with her hands clasped together; obviously to show that she wasn't going to do anything. Yeah…sure. Jade wasn't going to fall for any of it. The useless small talk. The cheery banter. It was all a plot and Jade knew it.
"Really? Are you sure that you haven't escaped the clutches of death…or had someone in that clutch?" Jade asked with a low tone causing Lucy to stifle her breaths.
That's right…I got you now Ms. Stone.
Just then, Lucy regained her posture and calmly said, "Thankfully no," with an arched brow to express relief. The hardcore punk was about to turn into the actress we all know and love… "I was terrified during the first night, and I tried to look for you but the next morning I saw Molly's body-" Lucy stopped abruptly once the tears began to come to her eyes.
"You found Molly?" Jade whispered in horror in order to play along with her.
"Uh-huh…gunshot right to the eye…Kirby too. I tried to find you Jade but as the day went on and I heard Grace's name…I- I went crazy! I had to find you! You were all I had left when it came to family," Lucy continued her little 'scene'.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that…" Jade replied with comfort in her voice. The sound of silent sobs were all that filled Jade's ears and she couldn't help but keep in a laugh or two at the sight.
How pathetic! Does she seriously think that I'm gonna buy this shit?
"Jade…once I saw you through the trees I was a little scared. I thought you'd turn on me, but I realized that you're my sister and you'd never do that…You're all I have. We need each other Jade," Lucy walked forward with her arms wide open for a hopeful embrace and her dress shirt collar was drenched in tears.
"Nice try. Now get the hell away from me bitch," Jade growled while pulling out her TMP. Lucy stopped almost suddenly with her mouth open agape.
"J-Jade! What are you doing!?" Lucy cried frantically with her teary eyes glued to the gun. Jade smirked and cocked the deadly gun; aiming it straight at her forehead.
"How about I shoot you exactly where you shot Molly? Would you like that Hardcore Stone?"
"What are you t-talking about?"
"Do you really think I'm that stupid! I've been hanging around you for years and I've seen you play this whole game before! Just cut the crap already!" Jade barked at the trembling 'Bad Girl'. Lucy did nothing but start to giggle like an insane freak after she realized her plan had failed.
"Looks like you got me Jade, you caught me red-handed," Lucy continued to laugh while wiping the staged tears from her brown eyes. Jade didn't respond in any way whatsoever. She just held her ground and kept her TMP aimed carefully at her. "You always knew me. You knew who I really was Jade. That's what I love about you."
"Why? Why did you kill Molly?" Jade asked in absolute fury, "She was the only person I considered to be a true friend! You were never someone I considered to be a friend! You never cared about any of us...but why would you kill her!?"
"Easy. She was so fucking gullible! Her and her little Prince douche of a boyfriend! When it came to Grace…luckily the collar took that airhead out so I didn't have to worry about her. As for you Jade, well…guess we'll just have to wait and find out what happens next."
"You bitch! You psycho bitch! How many others have you killed!" Jade hissed in anger. Lucy didn't answer. Instead she fixed her gaze upon the blue haired girl and smiled like the devil…a smile that showed who Lucy truly was. A monster. "Answer me damn you!"
"Alright, as long as we're being honest…Trina…Stevie…and now, you," Lucy's voice was poisoned with darkness as she spoke that last part and reached quickly into her bag and pulled something out. A sudden jolt of electricity sent Jade into a state of shock causing her to send her gun flying into the bushes.
DAMN! She thought with terror and saw Lucy diving towards her with…a sickle gripped tightly in her hands. Jade's eyes bugged from her head and she quickly rolled to the side causing the leaves from underneath her to crunch violently in response. She held her head up instantly and saw Lucy on her knees with the sickle held up high and ready to strike at any given moment.
"Pretty sick right? Compliments to Trina Vega," Lucy chuckled darkly while holding the stun gun in her other free hand. As she clicked it, blue sparks flew from the tip and sent crackling sounds through the serene forest. "You know Jade. I'm really going to miss you…who am I kidding! I couldn't care less!"
"Not on my watch!" Jade spat as she kicked Lucy right in the face with the blunt heel of her boot and sent her into a tree stump. Jade flew to her feet and sped off. Her throat still burned terribly but that was the least of her worries…
"God Damn it!" Lucy screamed in annoyance while holding her throbbing eye from the kick from Jade. She threw her banana curved blade into her bag with a toss and pulled out the gun she stole from Molly. Wait… she thought with a sinister smile creeping across her face.
She peered into the shadowed bushes and fished for the gun Jade dropped. Finally, after a few pulls, she freed it. "I'll get you beautiful," she whispered as she looked over her shoulder and saw Jade's figure weasel past the narrow tree trunks.
Jade heaved and basically was swallowing the air in order to keep going but she couldn't. Her dehydrated body was about to shut down…
"Daddy! Play with me!" a little girl's voice cried in happiness in Jade's mind.
"D-dady," she said quietly as her mind wandered.
"Daddy please! I wanna play barbies!" the little girl giggled with her two beautiful barbies in her hands. One wore an extravagant ball gown while the other wore a jewel encrusted wedding dress. This little girl was Jade…Jade when she knew how to live life without putting a price tag on it.
"Not now Jade!" her father hissed from his phone. "I'm sorry sir…what was that…oh no just my irritating daughter…yes sir…no I can still talk." It was always like this. Mr. West sits there talking on his phone for hours for his business while Jade wanders the house trying to think of things to do. He never even shared a meaningful moment with her…
"Daddy?" Jade's eyes soon filled with tears as she slowly walked towards the door and left his room. "He hates me…daddy hates me!"
Never has Jade known her mother…she died when she was very young and her father hid every single picture of her as if she never existed. All Jade knew was that her mother was breathtakingly gorgeous.
"Maybe I remind him of her. Maybe that's why he hates me," Jade told herself constantly in order to give her father an excuse. She told herself that when he missed her dance recitals. She told herself that when she graduated from kindergarten to the 1st grade. She told herself that when she first started at Garside. She was even going to tell herself that once graduation came and she was admired by another empty seat that was labeled Mr. West (daddy).
Jade had no one to turn to. Once he remarried a blonde twenty-five year old when Jade was eleven, she gave up on him and seeked another life far away from her so-called 'Home'. Lucy was that other life sadly.
"Hey," the young girl greeted Jade with a devious grin. Jade responded with a simple nod but couldn't find it in her heart to get closer than that. She was thrown into the life of drugs, prostitution and even gangbanging…but it was better than what her father offered her which was absolutely nothing.
"Screw him!" Jade cried with tears filling her sapphire blue eyes. "Who the hell needs him? Probably is glad that I'm gone! Him and that bimbo are probably pouring glasses of wine right now and watching this competition. Watching me fight for my life and hoping that I fail! Seeing me right now and toasting for my death!"
Gunshots sent her completely from her daze and she felt her back rip apart almost. Drops of blood drizzled from the corners of her pale mouth as it stayed completely open. Her gleaming eyes were filled with sorrow as she tried to get the simply utter the words "Daddy please help me".
She felt her legs go completely numb and fell to the ground causing her face to hit the leaf covered ground harshly. The sticky red substance continued to leak from her dry lips and her entire backside felt like a set of knives were deeply embedded into her. Dark red pooled around her and she knew that she wouldn't last for long.
"Mom…I…I'm sorry! I-I'm sorry that I couldn't…live for you!" she cried in hysteria but choked from the horrible pain that was setting in. She heard a set of slow but torturous footsteps from behind and felt a surge of anger. She wanted to kill her…she wanted to be the one to put Lucy in her place, but she fell to be her victim just like everyone else.
"Aw, I'm sorry Jade," Lucy cooed as she kneeled down to see Jade's painful expression for her entertainment. "Do me a favor would you…tell your mommy I said hi."
That was it. Jade wanted to tear her apart but it was too late…Jade's eyes began to close and her horrible thirst for water no longer bothered her. On the positive side, she was finally able to meet her mother.
Girl # 11: Jade West (ELIMINATED)
20 Students Remaining
AHHH! I'M NOT GONNA GIVE UP ON THIS STORY! I was soo busy with school starting but I'm never going to stop! Anyways...what did you think!? I wanted to make this chapter a little longer in order to make up for it... I hate that I killed off Jade :( And don't worry Lucy is gunna get what's coming to her soon! What about Zander? Who do you think he's looking for? Did you you want him to join up with the trio? What do you think will happen with the rest of the class as the game continues? Will they fight? Will they look for a way out? Or will they team up? Find out in the next chapter of the 61st Battle Royale Competition!
:D P.S. I'm seriously going to try and update more but school is going to be my main priority :) Don't worry! I'll most likely have one new chapter up every week and maybe more as time goes on ;) Hope you liked this chapter!