New Update! Sorry for the wait :D What will the remaining students do now?
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 4:17 P.M. (Deserted Island: Farmhouse)
Beck's POV
The rice and beans feel extremely satisfying as I swallow it in heaping spoonfuls. It's been…who knows how long since I've had something this delectable and filling. The aroma spills through the fashionable living room like a rumbling cloud and floats off the walls. I finish dumping the last bit of the delicious meal into my watering mouth and it gets sent down my throat; sending a comforting feeling down my spine. I feel stuffed from the food and look around the bright kitchen as my eyelids begin to feel extremely heavy…I haven't gotten any sleep now that I think about it.
Katniss is hunched over the sink with her hands scrubbing the dirty dishes. The water peacefully sprays into the steel sink and to the side of it was another bowl of food (possibly for Tori once she wakes up). Her dark hair is back in a tight braid that dangled down her back like a tail as she focused diligently on the dishes. I gaze over at the shotgun on the table that almost caused me to go deaf and feel a hint of sorrow flow through me after remembering all of my friend's tragic demises in just today's time.
"Hey Katniss," I hoarsely say with a little bit of tiredness showing in my tone. She turns her head slightly in my direction and simply nods in response while thoroughly scrubbing the dishes. "Uh…what happens? What happens to everyone once the winner is declared?"
She sighs and knits her eyebrows together like she was revisiting a painful memory. Of course I feel bad for asking her these questions…she's already been through enough, but I have to know.
"Once the victor of the competition is sent back to their hometown or city, a group of biohazard specialists come in and clean the place out. Dead bodies are packed up and shipped back to their families in coffins…that's pretty much the only respect that the government will show," she roughly whispers while she gazes at the designed tablecloth that covers the window pane in front of her. "The belongings that the student brought with them are even shipped back so that the families can determine whether or not they should keep them or package them up in a memorabilia…"
The house is silent as can be and the winds from the outside blow gently against the locked front door. After entering, Katniss boarded the doors shut in order to keep any undesirable classmates out. After realizing everyone wasn't as innocent as I thought (Kevin...Robbie and even True) I officially decided to stop with the whole hero act. The sound of the wind is actually soothing though. Everything felt unreal right now, but I feel safe with Katniss for some reason. Even though I had some concerns and suspicions about her when I first met her after she shot Robbie in the gut. Those have disappeared and were replaced with trust and hope.
"Katniss? Did…did you have your own alliance when you played the game?"
"Believe it or not, I actually did," she grins in sadness while turning around to face me. "But it wasn't all perfect and happy. We all turned on each other…by the end of the game, only a few of us were left. Paranoia Beck. That's the thing that can tear a strong bond apart unless you fully trust that person with your life…"
I stare at her in disbelief…did she kill her own friends? No…I can't ask her that! No way. I can't make her revisit all of that…
"Are we all still going to be friends once we get back?" I ask slowly with fear in my voice while awaiting her reply. She slowly grins at me and nods with closed eyes.
"Duh, of course…I guess you'll need someone smart if you want to outrun the government," she grimly sighs with her small smile. She's right as rain…without her, the government will track us all down like lost dogs who are ready to be thrown into the pound. In fact, I remember a long time ago during December when something like this happened to a couple. Me and my dad were at the mall shopping during the last minute in order to get some presents for the relatives on his side of the family. My mom cut me off as well as her family and didn't want to have anything to do with me now that she found her new husband. But that's besides the point…
While we were in the food court listening to Christmas music echo throughout the bustling mall, a pair of surly men stormed over to a small table. It was a small table near the back, next to a long hallway that led to the bathrooms and it was occupied by a married couple. They were quietly enjoying their dinner with smiles along with their newborn baby but it was rudely interrupted when one of the men harshly grabbed the woman by her small arm. He hoisted her up roughly and began to drag her off but then the husband began to scream profanities at them while grabbing for his wife. She was crying frantically while reaching out to him.
They kept screaming for each other until a gun went off and the husband was slumped into the steel chair. His body was sprawled over the table and blood was forming around him while the woman began screaming in terror. Of course…people already knew what was happening. She was an escapee of one of the Battle Royale competitions. She was a fugitive and had hidden from the government quite well until it all caught up with her. The baby was sitting in his pea green stroller, crying in an upset from all the commotion. He probably had to be kept in foster care sadly…
Some people who were walking past in groups with shopping bags in their arms, ran in a panic while others stared in horror after the man was killed coldly shot and left to rot in the mall. The wife screamed at the top of her lungs while being pulled out of the building and I just sat there in complete confusion. My dad was holding me close to his chest and buried me in his coat as we sped out of the mall; into the blistering cold of the New York air.
This occurred to me that if we do escape, we'll be running forever. Is this all really worth it? Of course it is. I won't be a part of this fucked up little TV show for others entertainment. No way in hell!
"Have you ever seen an episode of The Program Beck?" Katniss asked me which suddenly pulls me from my daze. Have I? Wait…yeah, only once!
"Yeah…I only saw a part of it but Ms. Linston made me shut my eyes and leave…" I say with a low voice as I remember the situation perfectly. It was a few years ago and I was thirteen.
"Hello! Welcome to the 56th Battle Royale Competition! Now folks, the new results are in and new bets have been placed…how exciting eh? We are now entering the second day and twenty-seven people are already eliminated, leaving only five to claim the title as champion. Sadly, our big star of the show was taken out by strangulation…but there is still some action left!" The giddy announcer laughed into the microphone as a Cam zoomed in on the island…the same one that we are on.
As the screen showed the island in the crystal blue sea, a fancy designed scoreboard like the ones you'd see while watching football or baseball appeared. Five students were shown on the screen with smiling faces…possibly their school pictures. Next to each of their pictures were how many bets have been placed on them, how many competitors they have killed (eliminated just makes it sound…too watered down) and their game info (Age, height, blood type and even background information).
"So far…Derek is in the lead with a total of eight while his classmates follow close behind him! This could be a tight one folks!" he shrieked in excitement. It sickened Ms. Linston to say the least and caused her to shoo me from the room.
Somehow, I thought it was just another sport by the way they portrayed it. However, now that I'm now a little contestant in this 'sport', I realize how sick our sweet government really is. Treating the deaths of innocent kids as if it's entertainment!
"Then you know that it's literally supposed to be all fun and games," Katniss says with a laugh. I find the whole laughing…pretty ridiculous in a situation like this, especially when it's a topic so disturbing.
"I hate it…Didn't these bastards see it? Didn't they witness the horrors about this competition when they were kids?" I ask with an appalled voice.
"Why should they care anymore? It's not like they have to play anymore," she tells me with a huge sigh. She's right though. They shouldn't have to care now that they're grown men…kind of grown at least.
I can't wait to get out of this little game! We'll show those bastards that they don't own us…that we can make our own decisions and actually outsmart them.
22 Students Remaining
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 4:36 P.M. (Deserted Island: Low Plains)
"Jake? You think…will it be able to work again?" Andre was shaking as the suspense built inside of him. He didn't want another failed plan…not again. He stared over Jake's shoulder with wide eyes as the hacking genius began typing madly on his computer once again. Jake had drops of sweat going down his forehead as the afternoon began to turn into evening. They were losing precious time…especially now, time is the most precious thing they have besides their lives.
"Yeah…Andre, I should be able to rewire this thing back up hopefully," he said the last part with a hint of doubt in his voice. "How did they…find out? It's impossible-" that's when it him. He grabbed Andre's arm and reached for his collar immediately causing the other boy to leap back awkwardly.
"W-what're you doing man?" he quietly whispered while Jake had his fingers on the edges of his collar (examining every inch of it).
I should have known! He thought with a huge laugh as he scrambled back to his laptop and started to type as fast as he could. Andre looked over at him with a puzzled look and wiped his wet forehead with the sleeve of his white (and now brown from all of the dirt) school shirt. He had no idea what Jake had planned now and decided to just keep quiet and watch him work.
"Hey Andre? You think you can keep an eye out while I get some rest?" Jake asked with his back turned.
"Rest?" Andre repeated with a tone of confusion. Why would they need rest? It was only 4:41…
"Come over here and I'll give you the things to look out for," he ordered lightly and caused Andre to give him a look of 'What are you thinking?!'. However, Andre decided to play along even though he had no idea what was happening at the moment.
"What set of-" Jake smacked his hand over the dark-skinned boy's lips and smirked at him as he pointed to the computer screen. Andre looked at in and his eyes widened in excitement as he did so.
NO TALKING MAN. I KNOW HOW THEY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE HACKING.
Andre looked at him for a little while before catching on and grabbed a notebook from his backpack. He ripped a piece of paper from his blue notebook and began writing something quickly.
HOW?! HOW DID THEY FIND OUT JAKE?
Andre showed his little message to Jake and shrugged his shoulders for emphasis. Jake nodded and began typing again before showing it to Andre.
THESE DAMN COLLARS HAVE A MIC BUILT IN! THAT MEANS THAT THEY CAN HEAR EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE BEEN SAYING…WHICH MEANS THAT THEY NEW THAT WE WERE HACKING INTO THE SYSTEM.
Andre grabbed his collar and swallowed hard even though his throat felt horribly dry. He began diligently scratching words onto his lined paper and showed it to Jake.
SERIOUSLY! OH MY GOD! WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS? DON'T YOU THINK…THEY KNOW ABOUT THEIR PLANS TOO?
Jake nodded after reading and sighed in disappointment before revealing his response on the screen.
YEAH. HOPEFULLY WE TELL THEM IN TIME. IF THEY KNEW ABOUT OUR PLANS THEY WOULD'VE BLOWN US UP…MAYBE WE'RE TOO POPULAR WITH THE AUDIENCE BRO.
Andre stifled a small laugh and smiled wide before writing down his message.
ANY OTHER PLANS? I'LL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES JAKE!
Jake smiled with enthusiasm and nodded frantically while typing his message.
ACTUALLY, YEAH THERE IS. IT'S A LIL' IFFY THOUGH…I'M PLANNIN' TO TAKE THE SCHOOL OUT WITH A BANG IF YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'. NO SCHOOL…NO SYSTEM…NO COLLARS…HOMEFREE!
Andre furrowed his eyebrows at Jake and shook his head in disagreement, but wrote his thoughts down to get the point across.
BLOW UP THE SCHOOL? HOW MAN?! THE SCHOOL IS A PERMANENT DANGER ZONE! BESIDES, HOW'RE WE GONNA FIND O BOMB ON A DESERTED ISLAND?
WE MAKE ONE BOZO! SEE THIS?
Jake held up a dog tag necklace he was wearing and as he pulled it from underneath his dress shirt, the chain clanged against the collar. That's going to be a sweet sound for Mr. Eikner back at the school. On the dog tag chain, there was a small capsule…What did it have to do with anything.
WITH THIS…WE'LL BLOW THOSE BASTARDS INTO OBLIVION! IT'S A SMALL IGNITION KEY BRO. SO POWERFUL THAT IT CAN SET OFF ANYTHING WITH THE RIGHT MATERIALS.
Everything was completely silent except for the constant typing and sound of pencil led being scratched against paper. There were so many flaws with this plan though…how could they make it out?
BUT THE SCHOOL! IT'S A CONSTANT DANGER ZONE. HOW WILL WE GET CLOSE ENOUGH?
STILL WORKING ON THAT! DANG ANDRE! GIVE A GUY A BREAK HERE.
Jake began laughing lightly as he showed Andre the message and saw the look of embarrassment spread across the other boy's face. That's when they heard a sudden noise from with the thick leaves that led into the inner forest. Andre jumped slightly and moved backwards with his heart thumping wildly in his chest.
Jake glared at the leaves as they shook briefly and brushed one another. He had his hand on his designated weapon that was hidden in his bag (A Can of pepper spray…how fantastic!)
"Hello?" the voice squeaked from within the bushes. Jake had a tight grip on his weapon and Andre brought out his weapon (a fork…they were so dead). The figure stumbled out of the bushes and that's when the two boys let out a huge sigh of relief. It was Hayley Steele…the smiley girl in their class that was on good terms with everyone. She stepped backwards a bit after seeing the two boys gripping their weapons for dear life. "Don't hurt me! Please!" she shrieked with wide eyes as they brimmed with fresh tears.
Jake quickly threw his useless can of pepper spray back into his bag and smirked at her while Andre smiled wide in excitement.
"Hayley!" he laughed with a bright face. "Whatcha doing here girl? You okay?"
Hayley let a smile fall on her face in relief and let her bright white teeth shine as she skipped over to the dynamic duo. She hugged Andre for dear life as she cried in overwhelming joy.
"Thank goodness! Andre! I'm so happy I found you!" she squealed in happiness before letting her eyes fall onto Jake who was sighing in irritation. "Sorry Jake!"
She ran over to him with a bright smile while throwing her long arms around him. She was actually the tallest girl in Class 3-C and James was the tallest boy…they both were called 'Biggest Kids' in the yearbook. Jake grinned at her and raised an eyebrow.
"So…you plan on staying huh?"
"Huh? Oh…if you don't want me too then-" Andre cut her off with an angry tone and threw an arm around Hayley even though she surpassed his height.
"Don't be ridiculous! Hayley can stay…right Jake?" he glared Jake down while Hayley smiled at him. Jake shook his head with that smirk still on his mischievous face.
"I wasn't saying that she couldn't…It'd be nice to have a girl's point of view on this little plan."
"Plan? You mean…you know how to get out?" she whispered in awe. Andre quickly covered her mouth which earned him a shocked slap from Hayley, but he simply pointed to the collar while pointing to his mouth. Hayley understood immediately and grabbed a sheet of notebook paper from her bright pink folder.
A WAY OUT! FOR REAL! HOW? WHAT DID YOU TWO HAVE IN MIND?
Her handwriting was beautifully neat but both of the boys glanced at one another before answering her question proudly.
JAKE KNOWS! HE'S PLANNING TO BLOW THE SCHOOL UP TO SMITHEREENS!
Andre laughed while watching Jake bow proudly as if he just finished a stage performance, but Hayley simply shook her head with a small smile on her face. Her dirty blonde hair shook madly on her head while she did this and she brought her pencil down to the paper.
THAT'S CRAZY! BUT…I'M IN! I DON'T CARE HOW HARD IT'S GONNA BE! I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU TELL ME IN ORDER TO MAKE IT WORK.
She smiled widely while revealing her neat message to the two others. They both nodded in excitement before Jake sank to the lush grass to type on his laptop. He picked it up with a famous smirk and showed it to Hayley who was gleaming in the limited rays of light.
WELCOME ABOARD MS. STEELE :D
22 Students Remaining
Sunday: June 2nd, 2010 – 4:49 P.M. (Deserted Island: Northern Mountains)
Grace King had been wandering the island all morning and afternoon long while listening to her iPod like a complete airhead. She only stopped whenever the time said that there was a minute left until the next update for danger zones. It was actually a miracle that she was able to stay alive this long actually.
"My loneliness is killin' me! I must confess! I still believe…when I'm not with you I lose my mind! Give me a sign! Hit me baby one more time!" Grace sang the Britney Spears hit in a loud tone while kicking her legs up into the air as she lay on her back. The golden sunlight washed over the mountain and even bathed the platform up ahead. Suzie and Moze's bodies were still there but they seemed at peace…they looked calm while under the rays of light.
Grace was grossed out completely by it though and squealed in absolute disgust, but ran off to the opposite side of the mountain in order to keep hidden. The only problem was that she would be extremely easy to ambush considering the fact that she was paying much more attention to her music…
The one thing that the blonde was exceptionally good at was spying. Oh yes…spying was the thing Lucy loved about Ms. King. Grace had been able to collect all the dirt on her classmates, along with scandalous photos. In the 9th grade, she spied on every single one of her classmates in order to get a great story on each of them for her sleazy column in the school paper that every one loved reading. Lucy usually sent Grace out to spy on rival gangs from different schools as well in order to find out what they were up to. She was probably the most loyal to Lucy Stone and was like her second-hand girl.
Grace loved to sneak around and follow people…it was better than reading those juicy tabloids she loved so much. She did her job so well that she successfully peeped into every single one of her male classmates' rooms…of course they didn't know that, but the fact that she did made it even creepier. Grace actually knew more about any of her classmates than their close friends and family ever did, just by peeking into their personal space.
As she jammed out to another pop tune, she dazed into a small mirror that she had in her bright yellow jansport. She was fixing her golden hair even though it was absolutely useless since no one would see her…or pay attention to how appealing she looked at a time like this. She hummed with her eyes fixed on the mirror while flicking the strands of her hair behind her head.
"Ew, my hair has gross leaves in it!" she whined while chewing her gum and gave a look of disappointment. Her lips were puckered as she brought out her glittering lip gloss and tucked the gum underneath her tongue.
Ever since the games have begun, Grace had been encountering bodies left and right. This morning she came across Mindy, Simon, Owen and Ned on the beach (Gross is all she had to say about it). Now that she was safe up in the mountains where no one could find her…she knew that she was as good as safe. After dolling her herself up (even though it was pointless), she decided to rest there in the swaying blades of grass that were at least two feet high.
"All done!" she giggled while placing her little makeup kit into the backpack. Circus by Britney Spears had come up next and caused a giggle to come from Grace's lips. She was a huge Britney fan, and longed to meet her mostly because she represented a woman who viciously claimed her place on the food chain. She was an icon to Grace…
"Hope mommy's okay. Running that club all by herself. Man, what would she do without me?" Grace giggled while chewing her gum inconsiderately as the sunlight coated her entire school uniform. Grace's mother owned a strip club downtown in New York City, and it was quite popular with the losers in the town. Grace, however, was a regular performer and always knew how to make a guy happy and satisfied even if the feeling wasn't mutual. Lucy loved that factor about Grace…it only meant that she didn't have to fake her feelings all the time by herself.
Grace particularly knew how to make guys do whatever she wanted just by a touch.
"Stupid bitches! I paid for a show and you won't even let me touch y'all!? What a buncha bull!" a sleazy customer screamed with a beer gut while slamming his lumpy fist on the pink table. The dancer who was performing that night was becoming impatient with this 'gentleman' and reported him to the owner (Ms. King herself). "What? You think you're better than me er somethin'? Yeah right you hooker! You better give my moneys worth ya hear!"
Ms. King was becoming extremely upset by all the fuss and even witnessed some customers leaving due to the behavior this man put on display. Without making a sound, the jewelry covered woman snuck into the backrooms where the performers stayed. She delicately slipped into the room labeled 'GRACE KING: THE ONE AND ONLY' where her daughter was readying herself for the next show.
"Grace honey?" her mother whispered from the door frame with a distressed look.
"What is it mommy? A problem so soon?" she giggled while applying a cover of bright red lipstick. She was in a skin clad outfit with a sparkling boa around her smooth neck as she averted her eyes to her mom in the mirror. Her 'mommy' was fiddling with her long cheetah patterned nails while licking her lips.
"It's Joey…he's harassing Ella out on the stage again. He seems to be as drunk as a sailor out there and he's even ruining our audience's mood!" she shrieked with an upset tone as she dabbed some glitter on her frail cheeks.
"Aw, why does that mean boy have to spoil everything? He knows that touching is not allowed…at least in the theater that is. Don't worry mommy, I'll handle the meanie."
Grace swiveled from her rotating chair and kissed the mirror; letting the mirror show another red lipstick stain on its glass.
"Joey!" Grace laughed with a smiling face as she walked into the dark pink theater. Lights were madly flashing and the area reeked of alcohol. The bright pink tables glistened with sparkles and the stage lit up like a club dance floor. The environment was pink enough to make even the most sober person drunk in an instant…maybe he is drunk now that you think about it. Only he's not drunk from the alcohol…
Joey looked over with rage in his eyes while tugging at Ella still violently. Ella looked over at Grace in great relief and Joey reluctantly let her go with a loud grunt of irritation.
"Now Joey…what did we tell you about touching the dancers?" Grace sighed in a sing-song fashion while keeping Ella's trembling form close to her. Joey simply scoffed at her and looked to the side as if he'd been scolded for taking a cookie from the cookie jar by his mother. "Hey, why don't we have some drink? Discuss the issue in a civil way."
"Already have a damn drink! I paid for a show…I just want something to remember her by!" He barked while slamming his fist down causing Grace to sigh in disappointment. This happened a lot in the club and Grace was used to it by now.
"Here. I'll just fix my own drink okay? Save you the trouble," she giggled while wrapping her subtle fingers around a vodka bottle. She poured it into the clear wine glass with a sexy smile on her face.
"That's my wine ya bitch!" he hollered while grabbing the glass from her after she took her last sip. Grace rolled her eyes and ran her hand up to his thigh which caused Joey to squeak in shock. His voice was drowned out by the bass pounding music that flooded the theater and the lights flashed wildly; the pink glowed every second from the lights and gave off a feeling of dizziness.
"Next time, I get a hard grip and let's just say…you want feel the need to touch a woman anymore," Grace's became serious but her playful tone almost sent another message. "Is there going to be a next time Joey?"
Joey felt her grip get painfully tighter which caused him to jump from the pain. He frantically shook his head with his eyes closed and his lips quivering.
"Good, now will you leave please? And if you come back…I'll tell your sweet wife about all the affairs you've been having with some of our dancers."
"How…h-how did you know…about-" he was in shock…how could she have known? Is she keeping a constant eye on him (in the club and out of the club)? It was just Grace's natural talent. Spying on people without them noticing and without their consent of course. Grace laughed stupidly while bringing out a few photos that proved her threat perfectly and caused Joey to shudder in complete horror.
"Need I say more…and you need some serious weight training dude!" she hollered with a wide grin. Joey leapt onto his feet with wide eyes and staggered out of the exit and into the streets while cursing loudly but the music wouldn't allow them to be heard.
Ella smiled with great appreciation before returning to her dressing room to retire for the night and head home. Ms. King had seen the entire confrontation unfold from the backdoor and couldn't be more proud of her daughter. Sometimes…parenting is an unanswerable question to some (Ms. King's parenting is one).
This entire game was really screwing that factor up though. Grace's quiet spy tactic. She hadn't seen anyone that she wanted to bother following…she came across so many and no one peeked her interest. Kendall and his group passed by on the shore…sure he's always been a choice for Grace (Tall and athletic…let's not forget musically gifted). She also saw Beck, Tori and that badass…Katniss! Katniss Everdeen.
"Man, she must have had a bad childhood with such a stupid name," Grace chuckled hysterically while still jamming out to her music. "Were her parents high or something when they named her? Katniss? Really!?"
Katniss loved her name actually. It made her feel unique…because it was unique! She adored the feeling of being different and loved the feeling it gave her to be strong. It built her confidence growing up.
"So many hotties to watch out for! Got that martial arts dork…Zander. He's too quiet for me and too shy for my taste. Jake, however, is just what I look for in a cute guy. A smartass attitude and the bad boy looks to follow! Oh, sweet little Jake Collins…if only you were here with me. God, the things I'd do to you," Grace groaned with a laugh while biting the tip of her pale finger as she thought about these dirty deeds. She was quickly pulled from her thoughts once she saw a figure dashing down the mountains with a large gun in hand.
Grace paused her blasting music in order to get down low and squint through the bushes for a better look. Flowing locks of brown hair…a face that resembled a pale doll…a pair of ice cold eyes that had absolutely zero amounts of emotion in them. It was the acting queen, Camille Roberts with her machine gun in her grasp as she sped down the mountain and held Grace's gaze.
"Camille? Where is she headed? Well…Well…guess I'll have to follow and find out."
22 Students Remaining
Hope you liked the new chapter! Well...what do you think about the government and how they track individuals down...do you think escaping is worth it like Beck says? What do you think will happen with Jake and Andre's new plan now that they have Hayley Steele aboard? What are your thoughts on Grace King? Will she successfully follow Camillie...or die trying? Find out in the next chapter!? :D