Chapter Six - Silent as a Stone

And guess who's back! If you guessed anyone who is not Dagger, you are wrong. :p Hopefully you didn't though! Anyways, yes, I am back with another chapter of this less-than-happy story. This chapter is hopefully going to be a bit less "traumatizing" than the last one (I use the term loosely, as I know that it probably does not actually classify as traumatizing), but I'm not an expert on what can be considered that, so I won't say that it is for sure. I can at least report that there is nothing that I think will be particularly triggering except for a few references to previous events in chapters that I referenced might have triggers in them.

This chapter will be a bit shorter, but you'll see why. However, let's skip any more of my rambling before I give anything away and see who is up to bat against the Gamemaker next!

A wretched soul, bruised with adversity, we bid be quiet when we hear it cry; but were we burdened with like weight of pain, as much or more we should ourselves complain.

~ Shakespeare

Ivan's Point of View

I'm not sure how I knew I was next on the Gamemaker's list. I've had the feeling since two nights ago, whenever I watched Kim shoot himself and Rose fail her challenge because she wasn't the one to shoot him. It made trying to help her as she completely broke down ten times harder, because that thought just kept nagging in the back of my head.

Now it's finally hear, and I'm not sure what to make of it. I haven't heard a ton about what the others went through, besides Rose. Most of them kept it rather under wraps, and by most of them, I mean the only other two to have to do something: Lila and Kim. However, from what I do know, they either got a phone in their box that the Gamemaker called or a cassette player recorded by the Gamemaker. I don't have either. Instead I have a piece of paper with instructions written out on it. There isn't even an explanation about what will be happening, just a simple instruction sheet.

Still trying to take it all in, I reread the note once more.

Congrats, Ivan. You're up next.

Step 1 - Make your way to the address written on the back of this paper. Arrive on site at eleven o'clock pm, or I will have to assume you aren't coming.

Step 2 - Once there, go around to the back door and knock once.

Step 3 - Wait for a moment, then knock twice.

Step 4 - Wait for a moment, then knock thrice.

Step 5 - Wait for someone to open the door for you, and then your challenge begins.

Let your game begin.

The address isn't too far from my house. I'll have to leave in about five minutes if I want to make it with time to spare. Still, this whole thing seems awfully concerning, especially with no explanation as to what will happen. How concerned do I need to be right now? What is going to happen to me?

I have to tell someone, just in case things go horribly wrong at this location. I have to make someone aware so that I don't just disappear off the map like everyone else. But who could I even tell? Mylène, the women I would trust my life on, has been taken. I have to do whatever this is to save her life, even if it costs me mine. Still, it rules out telling her. I'd tell Nathaniel or Juleka, but both of them have been caught to. Rose? No, she just had enough trauma strike her. I can't push anything else onto her, or the little women will shatter.

But who is there left to tell? As I look in my phone messages, searching for someone to trust within the group, when my eyes land on Marinette's name. She's strong, and helped so many people already. Even if she might not forgive me for playing a hand in Kim's suicide - gosh, the mere thought that it is partly my fault that boy is gone is a kick to the gut - I know that she will listen. She's my best option it now.

Ivan: Hey Marinette, how are you holding up?

Marinette: I'll live. How about you?

Ivan: Same as you.

Ivan: I got my challenge.

Marinette: What is that monster making you do?

That's the most venomous comment I've ever seen Marinette make towards someone. I can't imagine what she must sound like when discussing the Gamemaker in person. It's actually a terrifying thought.

Ivan: Not sure yet. I just got a list of instructions to get into a place, and an address.

Marinette: Want me to come with you?

Ivan: No, I'm okay.

Ivan: Besides, I don't think you'd be allowed.

Marinette: Probably not. But be careful, okay?

Ivan: Of course. I have to bring Mylène home.

Marinette: I know you can do it.

Ivan: Look, I'm going to do whatever it takes. So if it's the worst...

Marinette: No. No one else is going to die in this game.

Ivan: Just make sure that if things go south and I'm gone to win, Mylène knows I did it for her.

Ivan: Make sure she knows I love her.

Ivan: And make sure she is safe and doesn't blame herself.

Marinette: You won't die, Ivan.

Ivan: Please, Marinette.

Marinette: I'll tell her that if things go south.

Marinette: But I won't have to because when this is all said and done, you are going to be there to hold her close and tell her all of that yourself.

Ivan: I have to get going now. I'm not going to lose by being late.

Marinette: Stay safe.

Taking a deep breath, I shut my phone off. Now someone knows what I'm heading into. Now there's someone I can talk to about this mess if I get out alive. Now there's someone who can take care of Mylène if I die so that I can save her. I can trust Marinette with this.

Filled with determination, I hurry to my car. I do my best to not allow myself to think too much on the drive to the location. Instead, I just focus on the drive and my GPS, which chimes into the silence every now and then to give me the directions. I refuse to let myself dwell on what my task might be. Speculation will only scare me, and I cannot risk freezing up. I cannot risk Mylène's life. She is worth everything to me, and without her my life is empty. If I die to save her, so be it.

I would do anything to save her.

Finally, my GPS announces, "Your destination is on your left."

Taking a deep breath, I pull up on the curb, not caring whether it's legal to park here or not. I can barely see anyways. Who knew the night would become so dark so fast? I can barely make out this building, which is in the darker, shabbier areas of town. The street lights aren't close enough to illuminate my destination for me.

I ignore it, instead determinedly walking up to the building and placing my hand on the wall as I try to find my way around to the back. Thankfully I find the corner and manage to make it to the back. My eyes have properly adjusted at this point, so I can make out the door, and I walk up to it as bravely as possible. The instructions said to knock once, then wait, then knock twice, then wait, then knock three times, and then I wait till someone opens it for me.

So that's what I do. I'm left standing out there for a few moments, and just when I'm starting to get nervous that I messed it up, a blindfold comes slamming down over my eyes.

"Wha-" I begin to exclaim, only for a hand to cover my mouth and shut me off.

"Quiet down, Ivan Bruel." The voice that greets me sounds exactly like Mylène's, but I know it's not. There's something off about it. Is this the Gamemaker? "We're headed inside."

I hear a door creak open, and then I'm not so graciously shoved inside and pulled along for a bit. Finally, the hand comes off my mouth, and I'm able to breath properly again. The air feels cold and damp; I hate it. Where even are we?

Sadly, the blindfold stays on as Mylène's voice echoes in my ears again. "I'm glad you're here, Ivan. You've completed the first part of your task, but there's more if you're aiming to save your friend's life. Let me explain the choice you have. On the one hand, you can walk out now. Your assigned partner will die, but you will be safe from any sort of harm. On the other hand, you can stay and face your challenge. I will lay you out on an operating table, and your vocal cords will be cut. I know that when you were younger, you used to be rather quiet. But you won Mylène over using your voice and since then you've just learned to talk more and more. Can you handle losing that?" He chuckles, and I feel sick to my stomach. That's what this sicko wants? "Once it begins, it'll be painful. But I don't mind. I like to hear people scream. Thankfully for you, none of your friends will hear you scream, because I'm not keeping them here." That rules that out, but I expected that. This guy is too smart to keep them in a place he tells us to go. "Once the operation begins, you can end it any time by throwing up a peace sign with one of your hands. If you do, your friend dies, and you'll probably have permanent damage to your voice. But it will end the pain occurring right then."

I force myself to remain calm. This is for Mylène. "Just do it." How am I going to handle losing my speech altogether? I'm not sure, but if it's for Mylène, then I will do it.

"Then let's get started." The Gamemaker announces with a snicker.

And in a few moments, the most unbearable pain I've ever felt courses through me, and I begin to scream. That's certainly not the last noise I expected to hear leave my mouth.

Marinette's Point of View

"Marinette, you have to go to bed." Tikki whispers beside me, nudging my shoulder.

I shake my head. "I can't. Ever since Ivan told me he'd got his trial, I haven't been able to think of anything else. I'm terrified for him. It's been what, four hours since it was supposed to happen? What if he failed? What if he's dead?"

Before Tikki can say anything else, I notice my phone go off, and practically dive for it.

Ivan: I finished my trial.

Marinette: What happened?

Ivan: I can't talk about it.

Ivan: Not now.

Ivan: But Mylène is safe.

I breath a sigh of relief, holding my phone close to my chest. He did it. She's alive. Our second victory against the Gamemaker has happened in the hands of Ivan.

Tikki nudges me, regaining my attention. "Now will you go to bed?"

I nod, standing up from my desk and glancing at my bed. "Yes, I will."

And there we go! Our second win. What did you think of this chapter? Like I said, it was shorter, but I think it was worth it to be shorter because dragging it out seemed unnecessary. Was it good? Bad? How do you feel about the challenge? I felt that there needed to be one a bit easier on all of our souls for a bit. cx We'll be seeing a bit more of Ivan reacting to this later. Any bets on who will be the next one to face a challenge? We have Jalil, Nathalie, Nino, Chloe, and Marinette left. What's your favorite challenge been so far? Least favorite? Are you happy Ivan won? Do you have any guesses as to what other challenges might be? Let me know in a review!

pinksakura271 : Don't worry, I don't blame you! c: And definitely agreed, I'm happy with this new name. No guarantees on Lila and Nathaniel. As for Lila fans, yes, I can definitely see why that's frustrating. I'll admit that I definitely hated her at first, but I'm more okay with her now. Plagg will at least make an appearance in the epilogue, and I agree, he is one of the only contestants in Adrien's life. Don't worry, Kim is not my favorite either, but it was definitely interesting to write his perspective! I won't say anything on the subject of where Marinette's challenge be is order wise, not that it will affect anything, but still. I gotta keep some secrets. :p We will be seeing repercussions for Chloe, don't worry. Thank you about the Shakespeare quote! I like it a lot. I agree that Marinette's jealousy was misplaced, but keep in mind that Chat did the same thing in Copycat. c; Also, by Volpina Marinette and Adrien have gotten closer as friends, so I personally feel that if Chat is justified in his actions, so is Mari. And oh my, that's an intense poem. Keep in mind though that technically Adrien has done the exact same thing to Marinette. He's completely oblivious to Mari's crush on him, and Ladybug is completely oblivious that Chat actually loved her. Also, I don't believe Chat doesn't have any support. As the one who can deevilize the akumas, it makes sense for Ladybug to be more popular, but Chat doesn't seem to have this problem. I'd love to continue the discussion in a PM if you'd want to though! c: And ah yes, Rose must suffer too. Even if Nathalie is right, it's still a sad end. As for a chapter with the ones the Gamemaker has, we won't be seeing any of those till the challenges are complete. Then we will be seeing their perspectives on things. :p I have to drag it out as long as possible!

Marichat77 : I'm glad you like it! Sorry for a shorter chapter. And ah yes, that is a good question. I'm not totally sure where all my ideas come from, if I'm honest. I'd say a lot of it stems from my own fears or just the thought of "what would be devastating for people to read? What would I, as a fan, hate to see but feel the need to keep reading anyways?" You know, that sort of thing. c:

Mikael0000 : Thank you! I'm glad this is getting a positive response. cx Sorry this chapter wasn't quite as dark though! I promise we'll be delving further into that again later. :p

gleamqueen : I'm glad I got that reaction! It was meant to be infuriating when they all assumed someone had to die. And oh my! That's awesome that I got a verbal reaction like that! xD And thank you. I love angst. cx

And there we have it! You had an easy ride this chapter, but next chapter we'll be climbing back into the dark aspects of the story.

~ Dagger