Noah slowly opens his eyes. When he looks around him,he knows he is in his cottage. But the most surprising part… is to find Courtney and Duncan waiting for him in the room.

" H… Hello… " He says first,unsure of the situation.

" Oh you're awake ! " Courtney expresses herself happily,heading to check Noah's heat.

" What's up ?!" Duncan says armscrossed,acting like the gentle bad guy he is.

" W-What happened… " Noah tries to move but Courtney keeps him on the bed,sitting on it.

" You collapsed since a while now. Please stay a little bit more in the bed. You need rest,after what you've been through. "

" What I've been through… I guess… It wasn't a dream ? "

" No. " She says sadly.

" Son of a bitch… So,where are the others ? "

" DJ stayed with the totem,Harold and Leshawna went to the arcade room,Bridgette and Geoff to the beach and Gwen and Trent found a theater nearby. "

" And what about Beth ?! Is she okay ? "

" Yes,she is in her cottage too. You should thank Leshawna. "

" Well… " He states indifferently before to set his feet on the door floor,finally. " I'll remember that. Thanks. " Then he gets up and grabs the book near him before to head to the exit.

" Where are you going ? "

" It would be bad if we let DJ alone with the dead body. I'll join him and we'll see what we can find. "

" Hey Noah. " This time it is Duncan who speaks,unexpectedly. " Don't forget to go check for Beth. "

" Since when you became careful ? "

" Since Courtney forced me to… " Suddenly,the teenager girl knocks Duncan's arm with her elbow.

" Anyway,take care and be careful. "

Noah leaves the room and heads first to the totem area.

As said,he finds DJ taking care of a very small blue bird on his right shoulder,feeding him with seeds.

" DJ… What are you doing ? "

" Noah ! Are you okay ? "

" Yeah yeah. I'm fine. Let's just find a way out of here. "

Okay… The tall black man goes to search the area. But when the smarter teenager looks at the totem… the body has disappeared. All it remains from it… is the man's blood all over the top of the totem.

" Hey ! The body disappeared. "

" Oh crap ! I forgot ! Yeah,I found the totem like that when I came back. I was naturally surprised too. But I told to myself that it was surely one of the contendants who moved him for whatever reason. "

" Maybe he wanted to hide the corpse,to prevent anyone from seeing it again. "

" Anyway,let's not think about this ever again. Will you help me find an exit ? "

" I may help you a little… " Both search the area. After ten minutes of investigation,DJ sits on one of the benches while Noah slowly walks in front of the totem,resourceless for finding a way out.

" We pretty much looked everywhere… I think… " DJ concludes.

" You're right… Maybe gotta… "

" Hey guys ! " Max Jack Layton,appearing from the top of the totem,screams.

" Not you again ! What is it ?! " Noah asks angrily.

" Sorry sorry sorry sorry ! Just wanted to… exceptionally help you ! "

" Help us ?! How ?! Giving us one more reason to kill each other ?! "

" Yeah… I could do that… But that would ruin the beauty of my plan. So no ! I won't do that ! Instead… " Then he lies his chin and arms on the head ot the tall object while he sets his feet on one of the wings. " I just wanna tell you… that totem… hides a pretty nasty secret. "

" What kind of secret ? "

" The kind… Worst history ever ! Created to honor precisely five men… Five men… who murdered,raped,kidnapped,enslaved and tortured a lot,a lot and a lot of people ; all of that only to satisfy themselves ! "

" … You're lying,right ? " Noah concludes,incredule.

" Maybe. Maybe not. " Max answers,teasing. " But the most important part… is that I,Max Jack Layton,personally modified this totem right here so that you get more chance to escape with your killing… "

" Even with all your help,we will still refuse to kill anyone ! " Noah assures firmly.

" What if you were the only one ?! Hahahahahahahhaha. " Layton quickly disappears before Noah could add something else.

" The freak… He thinks he can get us to kill… "

" Good job,Noah ! You didn't let him get in your head. " DJ congratulates his teammate.

" Alright… Now what remains to do is to explore the rest of this island… But first I gotta go to see Beth. Could you search for the others and see what they're up to ? "

" Okie dokie ! " DJ gets up and,like a cheetah,runs out of the area. Meanwhile,Noah calmly heads to Beth's cottage.

A few minutes later…

Noah arrives right in front of Beth's cottage. But before to step in,he hesitates a little. He isn't frghtened of her or in love… He is actually worried… to not know in which state he would find her. The « motive » of Layton sure had a lof of impact of her mental that she completely collapsed,forcing her teammates to bring her back to her cottage.

Now,Noah alone is standing in front of this door,holding a water bottle in his right hand and a piece of biscuit in the left one. After a period of patience,he opens the door delicately and finds… Beth crying onto her bed,with a lot of handkerchieves around her,like a battlefield. Her eyes were full red and she is hiding her face,keeping crying,surprisingly unaware of Noah's presence.

This one,pitiful,slowly walks forward before to put the food onto the table and sit on the edge of the bed,next to his friend. Then he very gently touched her shoulder to get her attention.

" Sorry. I'm not in the mood… Please go… "

" That bastard really fucked us up,right ?! " He tries to find a way to talk with her to compassionate with the girl.

" Pa… Ma… What did he do to them… " She shouts,crying.

" Go ahead… It's okay to cry. Whatever he did to your parents,I'm sure it's just bullocks. "

" How can you be so sure ?! Didn't you see your family… And your cat ?! "

" Actually… I remembered something while I was coming here. You see… At first,I really thought it was my cat. But then,I was thinking a lot when suddenly… I remembered something… curious. "

" What is it ? "

" My cat died two years ago ! "

" What ?! But… "

" Yes. I know that's unbelievable. But I assure you it's the truth. My cat already died before I came here. I didn't even know why I suddenly forgot. The fact is… the head he was showing… Maybe it was a fake. When a cat dies,two years later,it becomes a skeleton… logically. "

" Indeed. " Beth agrees.

" So… I am confident that fucker was screwing with us again ! "

" So… Is there a chance my parents are still alive ?! "

" Probably… But I don't wanna give you false hopes ! "

Suddenly,a smile forms itself onto Beth's mouth,followed by a last tear sinking out from her right eye. " Thanks for telling me that… "

" I promise… We will find a way to get out of here… without killing anyone. "

" Is that possible,Noah ?! "

" Yes it is. " Then he extends his hand to her… and both shake their right hands.

" Until we find a way out,let's not commit any murder. "

" I'll make sure of that… Now,should we head out ? "

" Where ? "

" Maybe we should begin by the beach. You coming ? "

" Yes… I… I would like to stay with you… Not because I like you or something… But … I am kinda afraid that someone… "

" I know. Actually… I'm afraid someone tries to obey to Max' rules. "

" But I'm sure they won't try anything on us together… Beth smiles sheepishly. Plus it would be pretty immature to kill the first day ! "

" But the bad bews is that we are allowed to kill until two comrades. " The sly smile of the geek suddenly falls,to give space for worry.

" Oh… So please,stay close to me. " Then they shyly look at each other. Unexpectedly,no romance could be seen in their eyes,it was only a feeling of shyness,being with someone of the opposite sex. Noah slowly steps back.

" Just so we agree… We stay friends… Right ? "

" Right ! " Beth unhesitantly answers,not ready for getting a boyfriend. After this dialogue,the duo heads to the beach.

" You still didn't tell me… Why the beach first ? "

" I thought I could take some fresh air for once. "

" That's a good idea… "

A minute later…

Noah and Beth arrive in the beach. The first thing they perceive… is Geoff and Bridgette sitting onto the beach,their planks at their hands and literally face to face,ready to deliver a light kiss to each other. They were wearing blue mixte swimsuits,which can be worn by everyone. But just as their lips nearly touch each other,Noah chokes,forcing them to notices Beth and Noah.

" Wow ! I didn't know you were in love of each other ! " Beth comments.

" W-W-What are you talking about ?! " Geoff objects. The face red,the embarrassed smile… Everything let you know they are in love of each other. " I was just coming to get my report,then she came by and purposed me to surf. I couldn't allow myself to refuse to surf on those nice waves ! "

" Yep… " Noah only says,untrusting him. " Anyway,have you found anything ? "

" Well,you know…. I have discovered two things. First of all,when I wanted to surf with my short and my half-naked body,that toy came and ruined my day : he said that,in order to go to the water,we must use an adequate swimsuit. And second of all,I tried to swim far away… "

" What were you expecting,doing that ?! "

" Finding a way out,idiot ! Anyway ,I barely got away… that a malicious shark tried to eat me but instead sent me back to the beach. What a drag ! "

" Layton really predicted everything. " Bridgette comments.

" No way out… Did you see something at distance ? "

" No ! I found nothing ! It was also hard without glasses. " Geoff responds.

" So isolated… What are we gonna do now ?! "

" Hey ! Do you wanna take some waves to pass the time. "

" No thanks. I ain't the surfer type… "

" That would be really glad ! But Noah and I have things to do already. "

" It's okay. Next time we meet here,I'll teach you how to surf.

" Thanks ! " Beth and Bridgette separate after. Beth joins Noah who is thinking deeply.

" We checked the cabans,the hotel,the beach and the totem area… It remains only the arcade room and the theater. Let's go to the arcade room first. "

" I'll follow you. "

A few seconds later…

As Noah and Beth get inside the arcade room,they find Harold and Leshawna surrounding one of the arcades. Harold is standing in front of the screen while Leshawna,behind him,witnesses him winning the game. In the screen ,Noah sees a small adventurer,drawn into pixels,jumping onto enemies or over rocks,in order to find a very expensive treasure.

" What game is this ? " He asks undiscreetly.

" That's Hannibal Jones,the world's most badass archeologist of all time ! " Harold shouts,focused on his game.

" That strangely reminds me someone… "

" How do we play it ? " Beth asks sheepishly.

" Easy : Move left/right,jump and use the sword. "

" Isn't there a better weapon,like a gun ? " Noah asks,uninterested.

" The developers only gave him a sword to force the player to take risk attacking the enemy. "

" Hm… I see. Is there nothing else in here ? " Noah steps away from the little group.

" Nope. Just arcades. " Harold shouts.

" Well… I should get to the theater. "

" Noah,I think I will stay a moment with them. You go to the theater without me. "

" Alright. You take care. "

" Take care of yourself too. " Both friends bump their fists before to go to separate ways.

A minute later…

Noah arrives at the theater. He finds the couple Trent and Gwen searching seriously the place. Noah joins both of them ?

" Have you found anything ? "

" The only thing there is… is those accessories for the theater. " Trent comments,taking out from the box a large red curtain.

" There are a lot of stuffs in there : knifes,clothes,various weapons,fake food… " As she sums it up,she unconsciously presses her hands onto the edge of the box. At that moment,Noah spots some bandages rolled around her left hand.

" Wait… How did you wound your own hand ? " He courageously asks. That questions takes Gwen by surprise but the woman directly answers back.

" I forgot to tell you… that those weapons are… pretty real. " She jokes ironically.

" While she was searching the box,she suddenly cut herself while picking up this sword over here. " Trent points at a classical iron sword lying to the floor,next to the standing curtain and especially with the tip covered of Gwen's blood.

" Normally we use fake weapons to do theater… " Noah casually walks to the sword and picks it up. He takes his time analyzing the blade while thinking deeply to something. After doing some reflexion,he puts the sword down and addresses the couple.

" Layton did this in purpose to force us to kill. "

" The bastard… I really don't understand why he wants so much to see us kill each other ! " Gwen complains,armscrossed.

" I thought we had established that already : he is mentally sick ! "

" You're right. What normal person would go that far ?! "

" His only objective is to make us kill each other. " Trent answers. " For whatever reason. So,as long as nobody kills,he gets bored and nothing happens. So we must keep looking for a way out. For now… " Suddenly he shows up,wearing a jacket from the Middle Age and seducing Gwen like in the old time.

" Ms. Gwen,would you do the honor to deliver a sweet kiss to my delicate lips please ? "

" Of course,sir. " Both kiss like kids playing in a movie. Suddenly,Noah ruins the moment.

" Honestly… That was shit. They didn't talk like that… I'll return to my cottage. " Noah walks away and heads to the exit… until he falls on the floor. Trent instantly helps him.

" Thanks… What was that… " He looks at his foot and discovers the responsible : a rope that was rolled up and put on his way unwillingly. He gets us then kicks the rope to get it out of the way. Then he definitely leaves the theater.

The evening…

Noah tries to sleep in his cottage. But despite all his will,he just can't shut his eyes longer than two minutes. So he desperately rolls onto the bed while desperately… Despair. Despair… The crazy dude succeeded to insert that word in his whole mind. Despair. Each time he can't sleep,his despair rises quicker. Noah has to do everything to prevent that.

" How can I get rid of that ?! Maybe if I walk for a moment,I will sleep easier. "

And then,with his usual clothes,the teenager walks out for a moment. He takes time to admire the beautiful landscape he managed to perceive in this night… when he hears an arguing. He slowly runs to the source of the noise… When he suddenly finds Duncan grabbing Brian's neck by his left hand and tackles him on the wall. The victim,instead of acting like anyone would do,only contents to laugh… while the punk man holds a knife in his right hand,ready to kill…

" DUNCAN ! DON'T DO THIS ! " Noah pleads angrily while going to interfere. But he is stop at distance by his friend.

" It isn't what you think ! That bastard was heading to Courtney's cottage with this knife. "

" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA ! HAHA ! I knew you would come… Duncan. "

" What ?! "

" I did what I did… Not to kill Courtney… All I wanted was to confirm… That everyone was in his cottage. Seems like I was wrong. So Duncan,allow me to ask you something… "

" Don't you dare turn this discussion on your advantage ! "

" At least tell me… What were YOU doing ? "

" That doesn't matter ! And what about you ?! You think you can get out of this one after that ?! "

" No,not at all. Again,all I wanted was to attract you to my trap. "

" What trap ? " Noah asks,suddenly interested.

" It doesn't matter. Starting now… I'll keep that knife. You,get out of my sight. " And then he violently shoves Brian out of Courtney's cottage.

" But… Are you sure we should keep this knife with Duncan ?! " Brian asks,still with his mysterious face.

" What's your problem with me ? "

" I mean… I'm sure you tried to do the same thing as… "

" Shut up ! You know what… Noah'll keep the knife ! That a problem ? "

" Not anymore. "

" Now fuck off ! And don't ever do that again ! " And all the three of them leave to their cottage before midnight rings.

" What just happened ? " Noah thinks,wildly confused. " I can't make sense of it at all ! "

And with his head newly full of questions,Noah tries another time to sleep. And miraculously,his eyes finally shut themselves up definitely.

The next morning…

At the cafeteria,Noah,eating some waffles,witnesses everyone arriving inside,even Duncan and Brian. This one sits alone at the corner of the room,degustating some pancakes. Meanwhile,the rebel boy sits in front of Noah.

" Last night… That jerk tried to kill Courtney ! "

" … Are you sure ? " Noah asks,still confused.

" Of course ! Otherwise,why would he do that ?! "

" He talked about a trap for you,I reckon… "

" You actually believing him ?! He's telling you shits ! Are you sure we can trust his words. It's obvious he only wanna get out of here ! "

" I don't know… "

" Me I do ! " Max Jack Layton suddenly appears onto Noah's breakfast,violently stomping his waffles. " All I know is that… everyone doesn't seem to be here. "

" What do you mean ? "

" Everyone doesn't seem to be here. " The statue repeats. So Noah does a fast count.

" Me,Duncan,Brian,Harold,Bridgette,Geoff,Gwen,Courtney,Trent,Leshawna,DJ… Wait ! Where is Beth ?! "

Everyone looks around the room… But she is nowhere to be found.

" Maybe she returned to the bathroom. " Geoff wonders.

" Impossible. I just got out and no one got inside after. " Bridgette contradicts.

" Unless she is at the totem… Watching the souvenirs from her family. " DJ advices.

" Nope. I hid them really well. " Trent informs. " No way she would know where I hid them. "

" So where could she be ? " Gwen asks.

" Actually… " Harold begins shyly. " I think Leshawna and I must tell you something. "

In the arcade room…

" At the end of the level,we arrived inside a weird room,with all sorts of various animals. I directly knew the game was hacked. But that wasn't the only surprise. When we continued playing,there was a woman who came out from a door and suddenly all the animals ate her without reason. I dunno why… but that pretty traumatized Beth. "

" I know she is the sensitive kind… But it's just pixel… Small cubes. It isn't real. " Leshawna says.

" Why would she be shocked by this… " Noah begins to think like a detective. " The only way that would traumatize her except by the visual is… Trent ! Let me see Beth's stuffs. "

" Are you sure ? "

Then Noah grabs Beth's box and opens it… Bt as soon as he put his hand inside,he takes out a picture of her and surely her parents. But Noah focuses on the mother.

" Wait a minute… That's it ! The woman there… It's the same as in the game. "

" So that's why she was so shocked ! " Duncan concludes. " She thought it really was her mother. "

" But now… Where is she ?! " Courtney asks. " And also… Who could make something just too real… Only to harass her… "

" Me of course ! " Max suddenly appeaes on the screen of another arcade.

" Fucking asshole ! Get out of here ! " Duncan calls him out.

" But it's so nice being into a screen ! Have you never wanted to do that ?! "

" Done joking ! Where's Beth ?! " Noah courageously interrogates the statue.

" Well,lemme think… If you wanna find Beth,you gotta get your hands dirty… Or rather… Wet ! Hahahahahhaha. " Then the screen turns off.

" Get our hands dirty or wet.. What does that mean ? "

" Maybe he meant… It would be a reference to the mud area I found yesterday ! " Geoff suggest.

" When did you find it ? " Bridgette asks.

" While I was walking. You remember ?! Then when I wanted to strenghten my shoes,I suddenly tripped and fell to the mud. I quickly cleaned myself with the water of the beach. "

" So that's why you were wet when I returned to the beach ! "

" Yeah,I didn't have time to properly clean my clothes. "

" I don't mind. You were extremely hot when you were all wet… " Bridgette seductively gets closer to Geoff and both nearly kiss each other… When Duncan interrupts the moment.

" Sorry,friends but one of our friends is missing ! Could you focus ?! "

" Sorry ! " Geoff apologies.

" So… We got two places : the mud area and the beach. " Noah speaks next. " We just gotta split up… "

" And what if she came back to the hotel and nobody is there ?! " DJ warns.

" That's right ! So we make three groups… "

" I wanna be at the motel… to keep an eye to the bastard Brian ! " Duncan volunteers.

" I volunteer to head to the mud area. " DJ speaks next.

" I would like to check the beach… In case she wanted to get some privacy… or she needs help. " Noah says.

" Unless… You wanna take a closer look at her underwe… " Geoff begins to say before Noah shouts to him.

" SHUT UP ! "

" Anyway… I will stay at the motel. " Courtney speaks at her turn.

" I will stay too. I will pick up my guitar at the same time. " Trent volunteers.

" I should go with DJ. Who knows what's gonna happen… " Gwen purposes.

" I'll come along too ! " Leshawna volunteers.

" Me and Geoff volunteer to support Noah. We are more familiar with the place. " Bridgette speaks up.

" Guess I will go play more gaes in the arcade room. " Harold,the last contendant,speaks up while leaving.

" So here's the teams : Hotel : Duncan,Courtney,Trent. Beach : Me,Bridgette and Geoff. Mud : Leshawna,DJ and Gwen. Now,we're good to know. If you're done searching,meet us next to the totem. Now go ! "

In the beach…

" I wonder where Beth went. It's not usual from her to… What ?! " Bridgette stops talking,spotting something unusual in the water.

" What did you find,honey ? " Geoff interferes.

" Let's see… It's… It's… Some red liquid… Oh no… " Noah's face suddenly falls.

" Red liquid… Noah,you know what it is actually… " Geoff,able to predict what they might find,warns Noah.

" Even if I don't wanna believe it… I gotta go see by myself. Stay here… " Noah,trembling,steps closer to the red substance. He shakes the water with his hands,then he digs his right hand inside. He feels… He feels like a hand… Fearing the worst case scenario,Noah grabs that mysterious hand and pulls it to the surface.

And at that moment… he wishes he was wrong : in front of him lies… Beth's dead body. The only thing she was wearing… was her pink underwear. Her glasses were missing,her eyes and mouth wide open and especially her belly,chest and neck full of stab wound… at least twenty five.

When Geoff and Bridgette discover the body at the same time as Noah…

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !

To be continued…