Chapter 4: Sun,Sand and Sickness (Part 2 - Sick,Twisted and Disgraceful)

(Coyler's Note: Another day,another upload. I wonder how you guys are enjoying this. The views do be high,but interaction low. Oh well,guess you guys,gals and everything in between are leaving things up to the mind of The Coyler. Before we start I just wanna give a shoutout to my mate Onceler Studios. He's a real sound guy who writes his own stuff and who occassionally helps with my own stuff. Does things like test reading and assist with coming up with ideas. Also helped with editing Episode 1 of Total Despair Academy on YouTube like a real GigaChad. He's also the basis for the character of Elias in Total Drama Take 2,so there's a fun fact for you all. Anyway,enough of the exposition and self inserts,let's get on with the reading show. Coyler,out!)

Misty air hung in the atmosphere of Jabberwock Island. Brick,Alejandro and Lindsay had come down with an illness known as the "Despair Disease" and as such were recovering on the 3rd Island. Topher,along with Scott,Harold,Heather,Amy and Ella had been close contact with the sick and so decided to stay and take care of the others. Meanwhile on the 1st Island,Bridgette,Lightning and Scarlett were going about their regular business and attempting to find a way to escape.

Inside the hospital,everyone was sound asleep. It was a lot more cool and damp than it was the previous days,as if rain was slated to start pouring down. In Lindsay's room,both Lindsay and Topher were calm,still and quiet. Lindsay was wrapped up in soggy blankets that were wet with humidity. Topher was lying on the same chair he had sat himself in the previous night for his movie session. It had gone pretty well for the most part,they laughed,ate and talked about life. It was almost like they both felt as if they weren't on an evil island of robot bears and death,but rather at home on a weekend night. Topher had for once forgotten that he was in this killing game,if only for a brief moment of time. That and he had found it fun spending time with a girl for the night. Obviously the two didn't get up to anything,but they both enjoyed each other's company. It was 10am when he finally stirred awake. His clothes were essentially layers of cloth and water and he had sleep gunk in his eyes. "Oh man,that was a real uncomfortable place to sleep" he mumbled to himself. He stood up and stretched,spinning his waist with his arms out and bending over to touch his toes in order to loosen up. He put a hand on his shoulder and rubbed the back of his neck, "God dam I feel like a pretzel". His stomach grumbled. "Hmph,I am kinda hungry. Maybe I'll head out for some food?" he asked himself. He slid his shoes on, "First I'll go to the motel and get changed. I remember asking Heather and Amy to get spare clothes for our rooms yesterday. As he walked towards the door,he looked back at Lindsay. She was still and damp,sweat in small beads on her forehead. He watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. He sighed, "Probably best I get something for her too. I know,I'll leave a note just saying what I'm doing. Would suck if she woke up and couldn't find a trace of me,she'd probably get the wrong idea and freak out" he said to himself. Picking up a piece of paper he scribbled down the words:

"Gone out for food and fresh clothes. Be back when I'm back. - Topher".

He smiled triumphantly, "Heh heh,such a way with words Tophman" he said,congratulating himself. He left the hospital without making the faintest sound. Since he was the only one up he didn't want to wake up the others. As he walked towards the hospital,he could hear banging around inside the Titty Typhoon. "Hmm? How odd. I can hear noise in hear like I did last night" he thought to himself, "Could it be Heather attempting to make my cocktail again?". He decided to grab the door handle and walk in to investigate,but found that the door wouldn't budge. Confused,he pulled and pushed but couldn't get it to open. The rustling continued before it suddenly came to a stop. Now concerned,Topher banged his fist on the door. "Oi! Who's in there?" he shouted. No response came. "I say,WHO'S IN THERE?!" he shouted once more. Once again he was met with silence. Topher was now annoyed. He had heard strange banging the previous night,was hearing the same banging again that morning,the doors weren't budging and the banging had quickly stopped as soon as he had called out. His clothes were still wet and hanging down,and while he was still tired and hungry,he knew something bizarre was going on. "Alright,I know somebody is in there!" Topher yelled, "These doors have been locked,so you're trapped in there. I've got some others here with me to guard your only exit! Stay in there and risk getting beat up or come out quietly with your hands up!" he barked. Another moment of silence passed and nothing happened. He rubbed his hands and dashed off to the motel to change his clothes. He knew if it came down to a rumble he'd have no chance in bad clothes that might hinder his mobility. He arrived at the motel as fast as he could. He was told the previous day to go to Room 202 in order to find his stuff. As he approached,he noticed something lying on the ground and picked it up. "Weird,seems to be a room key?" he thought. He put it in his pocket in case someone had lost it. Upon getting changed and giving his face a wash in the bathroom he left his room.

While running out of the parking area he noticed Amy walking towards the motel,stretching her arms and yawning. "Yo Amy! What're you doing out?" he called out. Amy was caught off guard seeing him. "Just back from the 1st Island" she snapped, "Woke up early,was hungry and got breakfast. Simples" she explained. "Did you see anyone walk outta the bar?" Topher asked. Amy shook her head, "Nope,saw nothing". Topher sighed before nodding, "Right,well you can hold off before going back to bed. Something's up in the bar and I'm gonna find out,so you'll have to come along to back me up" he explained. Amy grumbled, "What?! Why does it have to be me?" she moaned. Topher folded his arms, "Because I can't be assed to wake the others up. You entered my peripheral vision first,so you get to do the job. Now c'mon!" he snapped,as he dragged her off. Once they reached the bar,Topher put his ear to the doors. He couldn't hear anything inside and assumed that the person he had heard was still inside. The doors were locked,so it was the only logical answer. "Ugh,it's locked! Let's do something else!" Amy whined. Topher rolled his eyes, "Like hell we are" he retorted. "Seems like there's no other option,I'm kicking down the door!" he thought to himself. "What are you doing?" Amy asked,looking at Topher taking a few steps back. "Problem solving" he said calmly. After putting some distance between himself and the doors,he took a deep breath before charging at them. Extending his leg he booted the doors,causing them to fly open. Pieces of wood flew onto the ground inside. Amy was impressed, "Huh,didn't expect that to work". "Being honest" Topher panted, "Neither did I". They peared into the darkness,unable to see anything. "Man,can't make out anything in there" said Topher. "Maybe there's a light switch on the wall somewhere" Amy suggested. Topher stuck his arm in and felt around for a switch. Eventually he found it and hit the button. Some low level lights hummed into action,spreading some dark but visible orange hues across the bar. It was then that Topher and Amy were greeted by something truly despair inducing.

-Under a beam of warm orange light,the damaged yet dead body of Scott Cropson the Ultimate Farmer hung eerily in the air,dangling from a rope above the dirty stage. A bloodied bag covered his face with ginger hairs scattered across the ground-

Topher gasped, "Oh no,Scott!" he yelled. He felt frozen to the spot,as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. While the face wasn't completely clear,it was unmistakable that it was Scott. While he was in shock,Amy leaned up against the wall. She was noticeably sweating,looking nervous. "Y-you alright?" Topher asked. Amy didn't give a verabl response,only shrugging her shoulders. As the two tried to compose themselves,footsteps could be heard approaching. "So you weren't trying to give Topher a blowjob?" a voice rasped. "No! He made the first version of a cocktail,it looked disgusting and I didn't wanna try it" another voice snapped. "But did you drink it?" the male voice asked. "Yeah. Surprisingly it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. Let's stop in here and I'll make you one before we go to the hospital,maybe I can replicate it" said the female voice. The voices and footsteps got closer and closer to the doors. Eventually they entered,the voices respectively belonging to Harold and Heather. At first they were confused at the dark and the presence of Topher and Amy,however after glancing at the stage they both gasped in horror. "Oh fuck! Who's that?!" Harold shouted. "It's the farm boy" Amy replied,grimly. As soon as Heather and Harold had entered,an all too familiar voice was blared over the loudspeakers across the islands.

"A BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED! I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW THE DRILL BY KNOW! IT'S TIME TO INVESTIGATE AND FIND AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN BEFORE THE SUPER FUN CLASS TRIAL! YOU MUST REALLY LOVE THEM CONSIDERING YOU GUYS KEEP MURDERING EACH OTHER! GOOOOOOOOOOD LUCK!"

"Looks like he's really dead" said Harold. "No shit sherlock" Amy retorted. "I can't believe someone else has been murdered" said Topher,as he stared at the crime scene, "Like no matter what we do or say there's nothing to stop this endless cycle of violence". "Oh course you can't stop the violence! In my domain we only serve despair!" a voice cackled. Turning around,the group saw Monokuma standing in the entrance,light beaming around him and stretching out his shadow. "Allow me to guess: You've come to bring us the Monokuma File?" Harold asked,pointing at the bear. "Right you are Harold!" Monokuma chortled,holding some tablets above his head. He tossed them out and they were caught by Topher,Heather and Harold though Amy dropped hers on the ground. "Alrighty,the clock is ticking so get to investigating!" Monokuma ordered. "Hey wait!" Topher replied, "What about the Despair Disease? What about Alejandro,Brick and Lindsay? Surely they can't help to investigate when all three are practically knocking on death's door". Monokuma grumbled, "Aw relax kiddo,those buffoons are just peachy fine! The disease completely eradicated as soon as the body discovery announcement was played" he explained, "Everyone is all back to excellent health so don't fret about social distancing or whatever it was you were doing". The others glared at the bear as he strutted out of the room, "I'll see you all laterrrrr!". Taking this all in,and allowing the gears in his head to turn Topher turned to Harold,Heather and Amy. "Alright,best that we get this started" he began, "Harold,go wake up Ella and the others in the hospital,then head to the 2nd Island" he said, "Amy,you seem to be really on edge. You go back to the hotel and get Bridgette,Scarlett and Lightning to search around the 1st Island and Jabberwock Park" he continued, "Heather,I want you to stay here with me and help me to investigate". The three all agreed,and headed their separate ways. Topher inhaled deeply, "Okay,it's time to go to work!" he thought to himself.

Topher monologue: The victim is Scott Cropson,the Ultimate Farmer. Time of death is roughly around 11pm last night. Scouring the crime scene,we can't seem to make out the exact cause of death. There appears to be broken glass and alcohol all over the place,as well as turned over stools. The body was found hanging from a rope above the stage in the Titty Typhoon night club. On top of the stage we found ginger hairs and a bloody stepladder. Oddly the corpse had a plastic bag covering the head and face. Before entering the doors were seemingly locked and had to be kicked down,however upon closer inspection it appears that the doors were superglued shut. I also found a key this morning that seems like it's for the motel. Could the killer have possibly been someone posted on medical duty? We inspected the corpse after lowering it to the ground and found large gashes across the top of the head and back of the neck. There's also really bad rope burn as if he was strangled to death.

Heather monologue: While Presenter Boy looked around the main room I took the duty of searching the storage room round back. For some reason there was a ladder lying on the ground,with the top touching against the right hand side wall. A ventilation duct also had it's covering removed which struck me as odd. Upon heading outside and going round back again it looks as if the outside vent cover was also removed and placed into the inside where it couldn't be seen. How strange.

Amy monologue: We searched the 1st Island but didn't really find much. I just sat back and let the others do all the work,I was tired y'know? Oh well,I'm sure Topher and the others will just carry us through the trial like they always do. As long as it ends with me still alive I don't really care about all the mystery solving and putting the pieces together. Just sorta seems like mindless busy work. At least back home my stupid sister Samey does all this stuff for me.

Day turned to night as the students kept searching. Having found everything they could in the bar,Topher and Heather decided to sit down and take a break. "Fancy a drink?" Topher asked,jumping behind the bar. Heather gave a small smile, "You bet I do". Pouring out two glasses of "Topher in the Bar" the two were silent as the enjoyed their drinks. Soon Heather broke the silence. "So...you upset about the Foghorn Leghorn biting the big one?" she asked him. Topher nodded, "Ayup. I'd gotten to know the guy really well. He was a big help during the second investigation,the third investigation,the last class trial and did well assisting us during the sickness lockdown. I also spent some freetime with him,as well as tagging along for his plot to see some of the girls during the beach party you tried to hold" he laughed,talking about the last few days, "He was a nice guy,a good laugh. I dunno man,it just felt nice having a guy I was getting on the level of great mate level". Heather laughed to herself, "You sure you aren't just gay?". Topher scoffed, "What? No! Right if I was gay it would be more obvious,you wouldn't see me wearing skinny jeans or watching Twilight" he snapped, "Like being honest,if I'm watching anything with vampires it's either Castlevania or JoJo". "You're such a nerd,definitely giving Harold a run for his money" Heather chuckled. Topher shook his head as he leaned against the countertop, "People act like being a nerd is a bad thing,but there's nothing wrong being who you are and standing up for what you believe in...like a midget playing basketball" he said,stoicly. Heather laughed and hit her hand on the table, "Did fucking Shakespeare join the killing game when we weren't looking?". Topher scratched his neck, "What can I say? Some say my genius is almost...frightening". Topher and Heather finished their drinks as Monokuma's voice came back onto the loudspeakers.

"GEE WIZ IS THIS BORING! TIMES UP BOYS AND GIRLS,SO IT'S TIME FOR YOU ALL TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO MONOKUMA ROCK ON THE CENTRE ISLAND FOR...WAIT FOR IT...THE C-C-C-CLASS TRIAL!"

They both shifted their eyes towards each other. "Guess we should get going?" Topher suggested. "Obviously,let's head over before that dumb bear tries to blow us back to the past" she said,upturning her glass. Jogging to the Centre Island,the met the others. Alejandro,Brick and Lindsay were there,looking much better than they had before. "Ah,Topher my man!" Brick waved, "Nice to see you again soldier". "Ditto dude,glad you're feeling better" said Topher as he shook the soldier's hand. "I tell ya,not dying the other day still has me shocked. I was certain it would be me heading to that place in the sky" Brick explained, "Thanks a bundle for bringing me that medicine,Ella told me all about it!". "I am thankful as well,it was quite helpful" added Alejandro,joining the conversation, "Though I do heavily apologise for my...um...state,from yesterday" he winced,looking embarassed. "Relax man,we all get a little loopy when under the weather" said Brick,placing a hand on his shoulder, "However I hope we can avoid being loopy today. Harold told us all about what happened to Scott. Truly awful,such a good comrade". "Yeah,it sucks" said Topher, "But don't worry...we'll do whatever it takes to make sure we find out who did this to him" he declared sternly.

Rumbling could be heard as one of the carvings on Monokuma Rock opened up to reveal an escalator. Stepping on and ascending upwards,Topher was in thought. As he climbed into the rusty elevator,he could only stand and fold his arms as the eleven students plummeted down,down,down into the darkness. "Scott. He was an asset to our group and wanted to go home to his family. He did his belt to us,even wanting everyone to join forces to prevent any more murders to defeat Monokuma and the Mastermind running this game" Topher thought to himself, "But someone had to go and end his life before his time was right to go. Everything is going to be on the line here,mainly our lives. But as long as air is in my lungs and blood courses through my veins,we WILL find the culprit behind this dastardly murder. It's time for the fourth class trial!".

-TO BE CONTINUED-

(Coyler's Note: Another update finished,another student dead. Sorry if this was short but the investigations normally are to be fair,I imagine the next upload will be a fair bit longer. Scott dying is something I can assume people either totally saw coming or didn't see coming. I enjoyed writing for him but knew his time was up. Though I suppose it keeps the tradition of good characters dying in the 4th Chapters of DR games,big R.I.P to Gundham and Gonta the best animal bois. Hope you all enjoyed this latest upload,can't wait to get to work on the Class Trial. Before I go,some questions are being left. Who has killed Scott? Will Heather become a really bad alcoholic? And what exactly is the recipe for a "Topher in the Bar"? Some of these questions might be answered next time on Total Despair Academy! Coyler,out!)