Chapter 14: Cooldown

1:05 P.M. Day Five

Outside

Courtyard

Elle sat on the fountain, her pith helmet - now sporting John's bandana over top it - resting in her lap, staring alternatively at her feet and the woods in front of her. When they'd returned to the mansion grounds, she had broken away from the others and opted to take some alone time. Her tears had dried by now, but her emotions were still settling. As though they ever would.

"Hey now," She looked around and saw Kinsei approaching her, a smirk on his face. "What's got you so down, Mrs. Confirmed Bachelorette?"

"Fuck off." She turned her gaze back downward, not wanting to even acknowledge the bastard's existence.

"Nah, too good of a view here." he responded blithely, crossing his arms.

She said nothing, merely staring down at the helmet and her boots.

There was silence for a minute, him continuing to silently stare at the broken girl.

"Did he have to die like that?" she asked quietly.

"Pardon?" The Alchemist asked.

"Did you have to feed him to a giant plant?!" The depressed Paleontologist asked again, louder as her eyes started tearing up again. "We-we don't even have a body to bury!"

He raised his hands defensively. "Hey, I don't design the executions, that's all on the crossdresser. I just performed the ritual that grew the plant out of that dead treant."

"w-What?!"

"But that's not important." He waved dismissively. "What is important is: you're still alive. You get to keep going. Or you can go lie undressed in the forest and see if the Mole Men decide to come up for air and potentially claim you as their own." He shrugged. "It's your choice, though even I'd hesitate on suggesting the latter; the Mole Men are disgusting. And usually don't dig around this part of the island anyways."

There was more silence as she looked away from him.

"Well," he finally made to leave, "if you're done pointlessly taking up my time and distracting me with your loud moping, I'll just-"

"I uh," she swallowed, "I have a question, actually. A different one, I mean."

"Oh?" Now Kinsei was actually curious. "Let's hear it, then."

"a-Are there any dinosaurs on this island?" She asked (was that a hopeful tone in her voice?). "Like, you seem to have everything else here, did you revive a few dinos, or any knockoffs thereof?"

"No." He stated bluntly. "Sorry. No dinosaurs, no whatever the things in Jurassic Park actually were with their added-in frog DNA, no hybrids, not even any human-dino hybrid things (I think)." He looked down at the ground in thought on that last point.

"Oh." And she was downcast again. "K. Sorry. t-Thought I'd ask."

"Eh. It's fine." He gave her a sly look. "Maybe we can see about bringing something in if you survive this game."

She looked at him, suspicious of where he was going with this.

"I mean, the staff may be big now, but we could always use a dinosaur expert if we decide to branch into that area. And we've recruited from game survivors before." He grinned knowingly at her. "Especially ones that have really felt despair."

And now she was glaring at the bastard. "Leave."

He shrugged. "Eh. Just something to stew on." Finally, he turned around and left for the mansion door.

Elle turned her attention back to her helmet. After a few more moments of blissfully painful silence, she shook herself and returned the helmet to her head, fists clenched.

She had no plans of killing or joining this insane staff. But she would survive. For the sake of John's memory, she would accept nothing less.

2:00 P.M. Day Five

First Floor

Dormitory

Shawn paced in front of his door.

He had been doing this since they'd gotten back, and nothing had changed.

He didn't know what to do.

The paleo-bitch had told about his past.

Who else knew what he once was?

And even putting that aside, he couldn't remain out of his room; in the time he'd been out, someone had died and he'd nearly been blamed for it.

Again.

It was safer in his room, that was obvious.

It'd been a mistake to leave his room, clearly.

And yet...

The IV drip will help
What if he's contagious
Won't make it past ten

He shuddered.

No.

He refused to stay in a locked room, just waiting around to finally die.

Not anymore.

Not when he could finally breathe without a machine.

Not when he could finally walk unaided without collapsing from the sheer pain.

But staying outside was still risky.

But staying locked up was his hell.

He didn't know what to do.

He just didn't.

And he honestly, hated that.

5:45 P.M. Day Five

First Floor

Dining Hall

Dinner was once again subdued, and smaller than usual. Even ignoring the five people dead, several people had clearly decided to skip the evening meal for one reason or another (Teresa had mentioned just turning in early). Currently, only Victoria, Brooke, Kelley, Sabishī, Eric, and Gary were seated around the table, silently eating some sort of Novoselician dish that was apparently a cross between chicken strips and fish sticks (no, none of them understood it). A surprisingly good combo, but no one could really enjoy the taste at the moment (except maybe Kelley, if reluctantly considering the circumstances).

The sound of thin boot-heels clicking on the floorboards caught everyone's attention. They turned to find Clarisse walking in, her cool blue eyes flitting over the reduced group. Silently, the platinum-blonde made her way into the kitchen (returned to normal and with no trace of dead bodies, obviously), got herself a plate of the fish/chicken, and slid into a seat at the end of the table (far from where the others were grouped together). She crossed her legs and picked at her food, seeming to be lost in thought.

A minute of silence passed the room's occupants, most of whom returned to silently eating.

Then Clarisse looked up at the rest. "So, what's everyone's plan for when we get out of here?"

Whatever they'd expected the Markswoman might say or ask, that wasn't it.

"What?" Kelley asked, somewhat confused.

"Why are all of you moping?" Clarisse demanded of them, looking around the table. "What's to be gained by that, huh? If we just let ourselves get weighed down by all the shit, we might as well just start calling this place home sweet home right now. I for one don't plan to just wallow, and wouldn't want anyone else to in my place. So I ask again: what are you guys and girls planning to do when we all escape from this island?" She shrugged. "For me, I plan to go home, help out around New York, maybe start up some sort of trick-shot show to get extra cash. How 'bout the rest of you?" Her gaze once more flitted over everyone, now in a more genuinely curious manner.

There was a moment of quiet as everyone processed the Markswoman's words. Then, Kelley spoke up. "w-Well tha' d'pends. This'll be aft'r we've gotten cured, righ'?"

Clarisse shrugged. "Well obviously. I'm fine as is, but we obviously need to hold down that Biologist and make him cure the three of you. And probably anyone else who wants it."

Taking this in, Kelley thought for a moment before replying. "Hon'stly, I'll probably just go back t' the farm. Find some other way t' get more help."

"Fair enough, keeping it simple never hurts." Clarisse nodded. She looked over at Gary. "And what about you?"

Gary smiled a little. "I was thinking of going to Egypt, try and learn a bit more about where all the Pharaohs went. They still haven't found Cleopatra, y'know."

Victoria smiled at that as well. "Sounds fun. Any chance I could come with? Last I heard the place was still recovering from the Tragedy, they could use someone wanting to be a doctor."

"Well, hopefully."

Eric took the opportunity to speak. "I was thinking I might go traveling, actually. See the rest of the world, help out here and there, y'know stuff like that."

"I was considering traveling as well." Sabishī mentioned. "Maybe put this talent to good use, provide some sort of rest to all of Despair's victims."

Brooke nodded at that. "Sounds nice." She shrugged. "Me, I'll probably just head back to Florida, help out at a wildlife preservation group or something."

"Does Future Foundation have something like that?" Sabishī asked, curious.

"Probably, but America has its own version of that organization set up." Brooke explained. "Would probably see if I could join up with them."

"Well, that sounds like fun." Clarisse stated with a smile, having helped herself to dinner while everyone spoke. She took another bite, humming. "On another note, this chicken is delicious, right?!"

There was a chorus of agreements. "I think that part's the fish, but yeah." Gary added, chuckling.

The ice over everyone having successfully been broken, the group continued talking happily throughout the rest of the meal.

7:10 P.M. Day Five

Outside

Forest

She walked calmly through the forest, leaves and twigs cracking and snapping like little bones under her boots (she honestly wouldn't be surprised if there were small bones around here, actually). She moved without fear in the light of the setting sun, unconcerned of attracting any wildlife, as she reached the agreed-upon location. Finally, as clouds started to cover what little sunlight remained, she found what she'd been promised.

Adrien deGyle's corpse was laid out on the ground, missing his mask and the knife that had been embedded in his chest. Not that it was needed, she'd brought her own.

Smiling, she approached.

A screech and a rustle rung out, followed by a second set.

Stopping immediately, Alexis remained still as two short creatures - the Gremlin twins, if she had to guess - scuttled out of the trees and made their way to her and the corpse. One - a more masculine-looking creature - ran right up to Alexis herself. She remained still as a statue as the gremlin sniffed at the boot leather around her leg. Alexis surreptitiously grasped the handle of her knife, ready to act if the thing tried something.

However, before it could do more than sniff like a curious dog, a high-pitched grunt was heard. Tuning to the sound, they both saw the other, feminine, gremlin pulling at Adrien's right arm, stabbing at the shoulder with her beak-like mouth to try and loosen the limb from the rest of the body. Apparently not wanting to be left out, the male gremlin screeched and ran over, hopping onto Adrien's chest and adding its own claws and beak-mouth to the tearing.

Alexis could only stand silent and watch, mildly morbidly fascinated as the gremlins slowly but surely tore the Opera Phantom's arm off. As soon as it was loose, the girl gremlin promptly ran off in the direction of the hedge maze back at the mansion grounds, the boy gremlin giving an offended grunt before chasing after her into the darkness.

... Well, that occurred, the Brazilian thought sardonically as she - cautiously - made her way over to the corpse. At least the body is still mostly intact from all that.

Kneeling down and resting her chin on her knees as she swept her gaze over the departed Opera Phantom, Alexis found herself thinking over how things had reached this point. Starting from her conversation with the Alchemist after Adrien had dared mentioned that atrocious game...

Flashback

1:25 P.M. Day Four

First Floor

Library - Second Level

"For my own reasons, I'm planning to see someone dead." Alexis explained, eyes shifting to make certain they were alone and couldn't be heard. "I just wanted to make clear some things."

"Oh?" Kinsei asked, curious as to what the Latin-American Mythologist wanted to know. "Well by all means, ask away, you beautifully eager beaver."

She smirked slightly at the compliment. "For starters," she began, "would I be the one executed if I only set up someone to kill or be killed?"

"Ooh, straight for the throat, love it." He looked to be enjoying this conversation. "The answer is no; as long as you, personally, aren't the one to deal the killing blow, you'll be safe even if you gave someone that knife of yours and ordered them to stab themselves."

"Good to know." She'd suspected that would be the case, but better to be safe than sorry. "Next question then; do you and the staff have any 'motives' planned to be released anytime soon? Those tend to crop up sooner rather than later in these sorts of killing games."

Kinsei hummed, as though in thought. "Hmmm, at least one is on the metaphorical docket, should really prove enticing for anyone who wants to skip a trial. I've also got a particular idea in mind, something that you might be able to help with, actually, if you were so inclined."

"Well, after something as curiosity-catching as that vague description, how could a girl say no?" Alexis asked sarcastically, fiddling with her necklace. "I don't suppose you could hold off on such things until after the next trial is done, hmm?"

The Alchemist shrugged. "If whatever you've planned sees results, sure, I'll talk to my dad. I've got a couple of days."

"Wonderful." She turned to go, only to turn back to the Alchemist a step later. "And," she added, "if a certain Italian happens to end up dead, could you, perhaps, leave the body somewhere instead of however you dispose them? Such as, say, an area outside where it won't be harmed by the local creatures too much?"

"Well, depending on what you plan to do with that body, sure," Kinsei agreed, "I'll see what I can do."

A sadistic grin etched itself onto the girl's face, mimicked upon the boy's as well. "Excelente."

Flashback

10:15 A.M. Day Five

First Floor

Billiards Room

Adrien sent one billiard ball after another down the holes, thinking.

He wasn't sure what would come next, but he felt certain that, despite the apparent road bump in the Dining Hall, he and Alexis had genuinely bonded last night, and not just physically (though that had obviously happened too, and in a few ways). They may have only just met recently, but he liked to think he was good at reading a situation such as this. When they got off this island, he was considering-

The door opened with a knock.

Looking up, he saw Alexis herself enter, looking oddly discomforted. "Adrien. h-Hi, I was looking for you."

Adrien smiled. "Hey Alexis." He stood up from the table, making his way over to her. "What can I do for y-"

He was a bit surprised when she suddenly threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck, shivering.

He wasn't sure what to do for a moment, then he wrapped his arms around her and started comfortingly stroking her back. "Hey hey, what's wrong?" He whispered.

"i-It's John." she whimpered, sounding close to tears. "w-We, we knew each other, before this island, b-before that, g-girlfriend of his. H-He was h-horrible, s-so horrible." She swallowed, trying desperately to keep herself together. "Th-The things he did, that he th-threatened to do back then..." she shuddered, "I-I was so af-fraid to admit anything before now. I d-didn't know who to t-trust."

"Hey, hey, it's okay," he said, gently grasping her shoulders as he looked down at her, "whatever he did, he won't do it again, I promise. Let's go get the others-"

"NO!" She screamed, clutching his arms desperately, looking terrified. "If we just go to the others, it'll be our word against his, and neither of us are exactly the most befriended people here." She explained. "We, we need to do something else about him."

"Well what else can we do, then?" he questioned.

Alexis looked around, making sure the door was closed. Then she turned back to him and whispered. "I, I found a length of rope in the library yesterday. I think a staff member left it behind by accident. If, if we fashioned it into a noose, and caught him off guard -"

"What?!" Adrien asked, caught off-guard by the suggestion. "w-We can't just kill someone, we-"

"ADRIEN!" She shouted, getting his attention. "After the things he's done, the things he's probably doing to that 'girlfriend' of his, believe me when I say he does not deserve to live."

Adrien was quiet, processing everything that had been said to him, the sheer sincerity in Alexis' eyes. Then, resignedly, he nodded his head.

Grateful, she planted a kiss on his lips before pulling back. "We just need to wait for him to actually be alone, c-catch him, make it look like a suicide, then we hide in the Art Gallery or something. Together we can-"

"No," he interrupted, "no, if anything happens, you shouldn't risk yourself. I'll handle this, alone."

She looked at him before nodding understanding. "Then we'll meet up in the Gallery. I can probably convince Mackenzie to 'witness us there' or something." She let out a slightly bitter chuckle. "I can be quite persuasive when I want to be."

"I've kinda noticed, yeah." he smirked.

They shared another kiss, before making their way to her room.

They had a plan to iron out, and he had a rope to tie.

Present

And after sharing more made-up sob stories, he'd been in quite the state of anger. Enough that he stopped questioning her or having any doubts about what was to come, at least. Apparently it had managed to last up to him actually catching the other boy alone, which she was grateful for (and not just because he'd avoided saying anything specific to the paleobotanist before dying).

It had, admittedly, been something of a toss-up as to whether or not he'd kill or be killed, but the end result was the same: the Italian would be dead by the time the trial ended. If it actually looked like he'd get away with the murder, she planned to just 'confess' to having some sort of evidence to convict him. It would be her word against his, but she thought she could pull it off. Though, obviously, she was fine with not needing to.

She would, however, need to remember to thank Kinsei for that length of rope. She had no idea where he found it, but it did the trick well enough. And she was still curious as to what in particular he needed her assistance on.

But first, to business (or pleasure, the best things always combined the two).

My honest condolences, Adrien, she thought to herself, looking over the lifeless body, but in my defense, you did bring up that wretched, utterly insultingly inaccurate video game right in front of me. And as you can clearly 'see', I just couldn't abide that. She mentally shrugged to herself. Whatever posthumous condolence it might be, I think I did genuinely like you, to some small degree; at the least, I actually enjoyed last night rather well. She allowed a smirk to grace her features on the last point.

Pulling out her knife, she began her work. Missing arm or not, no sense in wasting a potential sacrifice, after all.

It would be a long, fun, night.

[11 participants remain]

A/N: Well, I think that Alexis' true colors have shone through quite clearly now. Next time, the group finally explores the second floor.