Zill's POV
Discussion Begin
Rusty: The person who should be The Challenger should be someone who can be trusted the most, right?
Rusty confidently smiled and pointed at himself.
Rusty: To go straight into it, I think it should be me.
Damian: Of course you'll say that.
Rusty growled.
Rusty: I'm serious ya know! I actually have experience with guns.
Jack: Is that true?
Rusty: Hell yeah! I actually got a hold of one and practiced shooting bottles in my free time. If this challenge has anything to do with guns, I'm your best bet.
Jill: You do have a good point.
Damian: So you've had practice? Then I'll get straight to my point too, I can't trust you to be the challenger.
Everyone looked toward Damian. Rusty looked insulted.
Rusty: Why not?
Jill: The mood has gotten pretty tense... If it means anything, I'm neutral right now. I don't want any of us to carry the burden of Challenger.
Jack: I still think Zill is the Best Challenger. He's one of the most determined and dependable people I know. We've known eachother since we were really young.
Zill: Hmm. Damian. Why don't you think Rusty would be the best possible Challenger?
Damian looked tense. He looked Rusty dead in the eye.
Damian: So we already know that this challenge will have to do with guns, yeah?
Rusty: Obviously.
Damian: And we know that the targets are going to be everyone else but the challenger, right?
Rusty:Where are you going with this?
Rusty face shifted to one of confusion.
Damian: This challenge doesn't have to do with skill or experience. Look around the room, there are dolls... Dummy Targets.
Rusty: Dummies...?
Damian: The challenge is based on whether you shoot one of us... or a doll.
Rusty began tensing up.
Damian: In this challenge, a calm mind is what matters... not actual skill. I mean... the targets can't move after all.
Rusty put on a big grin.
Rusty: I'm always calm, believe it or not.
Damian: Even if you're pointing a gun at someone?
Rusty tensed up.
Damian: I know from experience that holding power over someone, whether that be magic or a weapon, can be stressful. I mean, if the person you're exercising power over dies by your own hand...
Damian stopped... realizing what he was saying. All of us looked at him with concern. He broke eye contact.
Jack: Damian... Did you hurt someone?
Damian didn't respond.
Rusty: No... Did you kill someone?
Damain began tensing up.
Zill: Damian... Is that why you didn't volunteer to be The Challenger yourself?
His lips remained sealed.
Zill: Dammit Damian! Answer us! We won't be able to get anywhere at this rate! I won't let anyone hurt you!
Damian looked surprised when I said that.
Damian: What?
Zill: We're friends. We may not be as close as Jack and I... and you did use to be a pain in my ass sometimes but that doesn't change that.
Damian paused. He soon began laughing.
Damian: Hehehe. HAHAHA! Seriously?! After all I've done to you!
I looked at him with all the seriousness I could muster. His smile faded, before returning.
Damian: I've... killed someone with my magic. Ever since then, my life's sort of been at rock bottom.
We all looked at him in shock.
Damian: I know... the antichrist... killing someone feeling bad... pathetic...
Zill: I... I'm sorry for making you say that.
Is he visiting the person he killed? Is that why he wants to become a better person?
Rusty: So... that's how it is...
Jack: Wait! Wouldn't something like that make the news?!
Damian flinched. Jack makes a point. If Damian really killed someone... it would cause chaos in Safe Haven.
Damian: Yeah... sorry... I made it about me.
Rusty: Nah, it's fine... I may not be the best challenger. You're right. I don't think I can accidentally killing someone.
Jack: Does that mean you agree? Zill should be the challenger?
Rusty: N-no! What about Jill?! She's a head guardsman! She must've killed may demons and stuff!
Jill:... I can't
Rusty: WHAT?!
Jill: I'd much rather not use a weapon I'm unfamiliar with... and I don't want to hurt Jack, Damian, or Zill.
Rusty: ARE YOU SERIOUS?! YOU AIN'T CONFIDENT.
Damn. Even with everyone else's words, he won't let up. I have to convince him myself.
Rusty's War of Words
I just have to pick out any holes in his argument. Rusty's determination is felt throughout the room.
Rusty: Can Zill really handle this?! This ain't fun and games. I can't trust anyone with no experience with guns!
Zill: Experience has nothing to do with this challenge! Damian said so earlier! What matters is a cool head.
Rusty faltered for a second.
Rusty: What about Jack?! Jill, how about you?! Maybe even Damian!
Zill: None of them are as confident as I am. Plus Damian has trauma and I won't force him to do something like this.
Rusty: But... even still...
Zill: Would you really trust someone who isn't confident with your life?
He tensed up.
Rusty: J-just because he's motivated to do something! It doesn't mean anything! Do you guys not trust ME?! Are you really confident?
Zill: I am confident! I said it once, and I'll say it again! I CAN DO THIS!
Rusty: AUgh!
His voice started to get raspy.
Rusty: There could be worse challenges to come! Maybe with monsters and stuff... right? Are you really okay with putting everything on Zill?!
Zill: Jack and Damian already acknowledge me! They acknowledged me from the start!
Rusty's breathing became heavy.
Zill: My confidence hasn't been shaken! Trust me Rusty!
Rusty: Do you not trust others?! Can you really win?! You might even end up shooting your own friends too y'know!
Zill: That's exactly why I definitely won't mess this up! Not just Jack and Jill! Not just Damian! But you to Rusty! We may not be friends but I won't let you die!
Rusty stopped yelling. He took a minute to catch his breath.
Rusty:... You know... you have a point. I never thought of it before. You, Damian, Jack, and Jill... you guys are practically strangers to me. I mean, I bullied most of you...but they're your friends... If not, they are associated with them, right?
He looked toward Jill and she nodded.
Rusty: Can... Can I trust you to save your friends?
Zill: Of course! You can count on me!
Rusty's War of Words End
Rusty and I's breaths are heavy.
RustyL Phew... I'm exhausted.
Zill: Yeah... I mean... I've been in plays before but I never had to yell like that.
Rusty: To be honest with you... It's kind of refreshing.
Zill: Huh? Really?
Jill: It seems our discussion has come to an end. Shall we vote now?
Damian: Right. I know you guys are tired, but let's get started.
Discussion End
Voting Results
Zill: 4 Votes (Zill, Jack, Damian, Rusty)
Rusty: 1 Vote (Jill)
Damian: No one disagrees, right?
Rusty: Zill... Save me first... I can't die here.
He actually looked scared. Is it because-
Jack: You really want to see those orphans, huh?
Rusty's face said it all.
Zill: I will, okay?
His smile returned.
Rusty: Thanks, man. Hahaha! I know it's greedy butI want to make those kids confident one day!
Jack: Alright, I'll leave the rest to you ZIll. I mean, even if you end up shooting me, my curse won't let me die.
Jack laughed awkwardly.
Zill: I'll make sure you wont get shot. That goes for all of you!
Damian sighed.
Damian: Were you always like this?
He confused me.
Zill: Like what?
Damian: This cool?
I was shocked.
Jack: Did you just admit that Zill is cooler than you?
Damian: W-well, I never said that!
Jill: Anyways, shall we take our seats?
... Jill... Why did you- No. Now's not the time to think about the meaning of her vote. There are bigger fish to fry! Everyone got to their seats.
Zill: Hey Meisterin! We're ready!
Meisterin: Woah! That took forever! I guess it's time for me to explain the challenge now, right?
I took a deep breath.
Zill: Go ahead.
Meisterin: You found the gun in this room earlier, right? And you should've also found dummy bullets in a different room. You've got some live bullets and some dummies. That's a total of 9 bullets you can load into this revolver. You gotta fire all 9 bullets into everyone - living and doll - in any order you can load into this revolver. You gotta fire all 9 bullets into everyone - living and doll - in any order you like. Also, the bullets are fired in clockwise order... but once you load 'em, the barrel'll spin and stop! Which means the starting bullet is a mystery! If you fire all the bullets and all the creatures survive, you win! I call it Russian Roulette! ...'Cause that's just basically what it is.
Rusty: Russian Roulette?!
I felt my heart beat pulse in my ears. I took another deep breath to calm down.
Zill: So, I just have to put the bullets into the gun and shoot, right?
Meisterin: Yep! Also, you are not allowed to fire at a doll you already fired at nor are you allowed to leave those seats. If any of you break those rules... your lives will be forfeit.
The air in the room suddenly got tense. I can't fail them. I felt my tail wrap around me.
Meisterin: Alright! Then let's begin! First, load up the gun how you like it!
I put the bullets in this order: real, fake, fake, real, fake, fake, real, fake, fake.
Meisterin: Alright, lock in the barrel! And let the barrel spin!
I did as she said. The atmosphe-
Meisterin: Shaka-shaka-shaka-shaka...
Jill: Is it really necessary for you to do that?
Meisterin: Nope!
Jack: Reminds me of how Damian used to be.
Damian cringed.
Damian: Was I... really that bad?
Jack: YOU'RE MUCH BETTER NOW!
Jack... you just jumped around his question. I readied myself.
Zill: Everyone ready?
They all gave me various looks. Some gave nods. Others simply stared. I took a deep breath and aimed at a doll.
*Click*
The doll was unharmed.
Jack: Zill... please don't waste all the dummy bullets on the dolls.
Zill: Don't worry. I got this.
I took aim at another doll.
*BANG*
The doll's head flew off.
Damian: W-woah.
Everyone flinched. I took aim at Rusty. He was sweating bullets.
*Click*
Rusty: Phew... Now I'll be okay.
Rusty survived.
He sighed and relaxed. I then took aim toward Jill. I want her to trust me. She looked eerily calm.
*Click*
Jill:... Good job, Zill.
Jill survived.
She relaxed. I took aim at another doll.
*BANG*
The doll's head flew off.
Alright... I'll save Damian next. I also want him to trust me. I aimed at Damian. He tried to stay still but his eyes gave it away... he was nervous.
*Click*
Damian: Whew... I was nervous there for a sec.
Damian survived.
He looked thankful. Now you Jack. I aimed toward Jack. He looked back toward me with a slightly worried smile.
Jack: Looks like... you're saving me this time.
I gave him a smile back. I was worried to, but I didn't want to show it.
*Click*
HE took a deep breathe of relief.
Jack: Thank goodness. I felt like I was going to implode from the stress.
Jack survived
Now to deal with the ;ast two bullets. They should be a real one then a fake one, right?
I took aim at a doll
*BANG*
The doll's head flew off.
Now for the last doll. I took aim and-
*BANG*
The doll's head flew off. Spraying blue liquid everywhere in it's area.
My tail wrapped tighter around me.
Zill: Wh- what?
Meisterin: Oh...
Rusty: Wait... wasn't that 4 gunshots?
Meisterin: Ohh...
Jack: B-but wasn't there 3 real bullets?
Meisterin: Ohhh! fantastic! Now that's a job well done! No complaints here, you win! Fair and square! Seems a puzzle like this was a piece of cake for you!
Zill: HEY WHAT GIVES?!
Meisterin: Hmm...
Damian: There were 3 red bullets and 6 blue bullets. Aka, 3 real and 6 dummies... right?
Meisterin: Oh... that... I never said that there were 3 real and 6 dummies. I just said some. It's not your fault if you mistake a real bullet for a dummy because of its color.
Rusty: THE HELL?!
Jill: That isn't fair.
Meisterin: What are you mad about? You won the challenge, didn't you? Truly brilliant. You deserve a hand!
Suddenly, a hand flew by my face.
Zill: AHHHH!
Meisterin: And so, here's my right hand. Hahaha! Be glad! and accept it! See ya!
The painting suddenly stopped moving. I felt my eyes shift green in rage. I growled.
Zill: Grrr...
Jack: C-calm down, Zill. There's nothing we can do now. Besides... You saved us!
I calmed down. My eyes shifted back to normal and my tail uncurled itself. I hope I never see that woman again.
Zill: Thank you.
Rusty: Damn man, you got my respect. I regret underestimating you!
Jill: Good Job Zill.
Everyone walked up to me, thanking me. Damian approached the hand.
Damian: "Find my body"... wasn't it?
Zill: That's right! Vagenza and I found a Doll Torso and Doll Leg earlier. Vagenza should have the leg.
Rusty: Put it here, I'll carry it in a box for now.
Damian placed the arm into the box.
Rusty: I'll find Vagenza, to give me the leg. Where's the torso?
Zill: It should be in the back of the cafeteria. You'll find it eventually.
Jack:... Speaking of Vagenza... He never came back, did he?
The air in the room went tense.
Damian: Right... Where did he go?
Rusty: I'll find him. I have to get the leg anyways.
He left the room with the box.
Jack: I... I'll go with Zill this time. We should stay together.
I guess he never got a chance to confess, huh? I guess he wants to get out of this situation.
Zill: You don't need to ask J-man. I got your back.
Jack sighed and gave me a sad, small smile.
Jack: Thanks Zill.
Damian: Well, let's go.
Jack: H-hold on! Can I talk to you Damian?
Jack sounded concerned. Is this about what Damian said earlier? They left. I was going to go after them but-
Jill: Oh Zill.
Zill: Hmm?
Jill: I wanted to thank you again and apologize. You took on a great burden and saved us all. I'm sorry I voted against you.
I sighed.
Zill: Don't worry about it. It's only natural in this situation.
Jill: Zill... you really are someone special, huh? Jack, Damian, and many of the others look up to you. You are determined and dependable. But your greatest quality is your good heart. Please try and keep it. In situations like this, the burdens will pile up... the stress will build... and that will end up with you harming yourself. Do not carry those burdens alone.
It sounds like she's speaking from experience.
Zill: I'll... keep that in mind. You didn't vote for me earlier, why is- Jill... huh?
It hit me like a bus. Jill look at me with concern.
Jill: Zill?
Why now? Why did I only notice now? Why did I only remember now?
Jill: Is something wrong?
My world feels like it's unraveling. Jill...is my stalker!
Jill: Are you okay?
Zill: Ah well... I-I'm good.
I can't even talk. I can't let her suspect me! She can't realize that I know! Jill... Why are you stalking me?! Who are you?!
Jill: Zill?
Jack: Zill! Are you feeling alright?!
Thank God! I sighed and turned to Jack.
Zill: Jack, I'm good. Just a little drained.
Jack: Do you want to lean on my shoulder?
Zill: I feel like I just need to walk... Let's go.
Jack: A-alright...
As Jack and I exited the Game Room, I tried to process my thoughts. Jill is my stalker? Why? Why is she here? What's going on?
Jack: Hey Zill... are you doing okay?
I sighed and regained my composure.
Zill: I'm feeling better already.
Jack: Are you sure?
I pulled him in with one arm.
Zill: Yeah J-Man, really... If I start complaining, feel free to help.
Jack sighed.
Jack: Alright Zill. If you start complaining, I'll be there!
I... can't tell him yet. Does... he not recognize Jill as my stalker. Then... who did he fight? Jack and I left the room and continued to search this place.