New Chapter! Enjoy!
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 1:22 A.M. (Deserted Island)
Kacey Simon, the cheerleading captain for the Garside Goddesses, was maneuvering through a thicket of dense green plants that resembled those you'd see in foreign lands. Her usually flawless dark hair seemed tousled from all of the running around she had to endure ever since this fateful morning and her creamy light brown skin seemed tainted with dirt and the weather's elements.
Her weapon, The AK-47, was tucked tightly into the popular girl's shaking duffle bag. The constant sound of stubborn leaves rustling filled her hidden ears as she sped through the moist vegetation that seemed to grow from every direction.
"No more…No more," she whimpered as tears rolled down her flushed cheeks like rain drops while her perfect white teeth nibbled carelessly on her lavish lips nervously. Kacey came to an abrupt stop after feeling her chest burn from exhaustion. The moonlight sent in a soft glow that seemed like a ray of heaven seeping through the over towering trees' leaves overhead. Her heart was pounding against her chest at a flying pace as she took incredibly deep breaths of the refreshing air this island had to offer.
She came to a realization this afternoon that if she didn't get moving from her haven…she would have been found whether it was someone she wanted to see or someone she wished she never came across.
She half-heartedly threw her sports bag containing her essentials for the 'Battle Royale' game to the rough ground along with her glittering backpack. The nozzle of the gun was poking out of the top of her duffle bag like a thin cylinder head with its barrel pointing at her tired form…almost mocking her. She couldn't believe that this disgusting 'thing' was her weapon…she would've been better off with a pillow…she hated the fact that the dirty grounds and the itchy grass was ruining her hair.
"What are you looking at?" she joked in-between her vast breaths. It wasn't until a tint of orange began to reflect off of the metallic gun's tip gradually. Kacey suddenly widened her own bottomless brown eyes when she saw the soothing color grow in size. "What…What's going on?" she whispered as the tangerine color began to expand its glow from the bear's eye to the entire area in just a matter of seconds. She felt a warm sensation fill the previously cooling air as she turned her head slowly around with a look of absolute incredibility.
A magnificent fire was roasting only miles away from her destination and it was the size of a soccer field…maybe two? She couldn't believe it…smoke was exhaled into the pitch black skies by the fire like an infamous chimney from a factory.
The tears on her alluring face became the colors of the sunset as she stood there admiring the work of Jake Collins…but she didn't know that.
Elsewhere, Josh Nichols had been sitting in the luscious grass blades since this horrid afternoon on top of one of the many groves. His ink black hair was combed backwards in the usual style he would always wear it and his emerald green eyes were peacefully staring over at the horizon that made a line between the towering mountains and the divine stars in the sky.
Josh was always described as having an admirable personality. The girls would always refer to him as the 'Cute Teddy Bear' due to his affectionate and kind nature while many of the boys would refer to him as 'Colonel Nice Guy' thanks to his passion for video gaming.
Drake was leaning back against a slanted oak tree in a careless way as always with his eyes closed calmly; his bright purple headphones were stuck in his ears as he jammed out to one of his favorite tunes. Music was Drake's passion…he even formed his very own band during his first year at Garside along with Kendall.
The 'Too Cool For School' brunette and the good hearted blonde would always have jam sessions out in the school parking lot after hours with an audience gathered around them. However, Drake was more of a 'Rock On' type of musician while Kendall was a melodic acoustic lover…but together they always managed to create an amazing sound.
Drake's hair swept over his closed eyes as he continued to lie back as if he were dozing. His dress shirt along with Josh's were some of the only ones that still resembled their normal school uniforms and their bags were laid carefully next to one another near the edge of the grove. Josh took a deep sigh as he looked back at his step-brother with a small innocent smile before nudging the lazy boy's skinny leg with his elbow.
"Hey," Josh said quietly with a pure smile as he continued to poke his brother's calf. "Drake…hey."
Drake slowly opened his eyes before pulling out one of his vibrating headphones with his eyes slightly widened attentively, "What's up?"
"Are you scared?" Josh asked softly with his hands resting in his lap as he sat Indian style.
"Oh Come on Josh," Drake groaned with a cocky smile, "Do you know who you're talking to? Remember? Mr. Cool."
"Mr. Cool…right, how can I forget," Josh rolled his eyes at his brother's arrogance before turning his attention back to the beautiful sight that nature had to offer him. Drake gave a sincere sigh as he stared at the calm boy before him.
"Why? Are you?"
Josh turned his head back over to Drake with a slight pursing of the lips while shrugging his broad shoulders in response. "A little…I mean, who wouldn't be?"
"Yeah…it's been pretty hectic around here. I mean did you see the look on Amanda's face when that knife-"
"Drake…I really don't want to talk about that," Josh uncomfortably whispered while shifting in his spot on the soft grass patches. His memory of what happened that night was still incredibly vivid like a motion picture…Amanda's eyes shockingly staring up at the knife planted in her forehead…the horrified screams echoing throughout the bright classroom…Amanda's body crashing onto the floor from her seat…Mike's tragic death. It was all still deep rooted in the sweet boy's head. The only thing that came close to witnessing the gruesome deaths was hearing his friend's names over the recurring reports.
Mindy…the sweet boy thought with horrible depression. Mindy was dead…He wanted to find her, but it was too late. He found her just a few hours ago on the soft sandy shores. Her entire body (usually stiff and conserved) was covered in horrendous dark red holes that leaked blood into the salty seas and tainted the foamy waves. He spotted Simon, Ned and Owen's bodies as well and thought the absolute worst…
Did they…get in some kind of argument? Did Mindy fall victim to these jerks? Did she accidently get caught in the middle of their violent brawl?
It didn't matter now, but Josh felt like he couldn't even rest peacefully now that the girl that made him feel whole was gone…he was only half of what he truly was.
"My bad," Drake gave him an apologetic look before giving a warm smile to comfort him. Drake and Josh had been step-brothers ever since they were little and their parents met on that unforgettable Valentine's Day. Such a coincidence for two soul mates to meet on Valentine's Day…
The two teenage boys were abruptly pulled from their conversation when they spotted bursts of bright orange and red spew into the sky like sloppy fireworks. A flash of blank white light blinded their eyes as the sound of rumbling deafened their ears. Josh quickly jumped backwards like a frightened puppy while clasping his ears and his eyes were shut tight to prevent them from being fried.
Drake was shouting in unexpected fear as he covered his face with his fresh white dress shirt sleeve with his pale fingers stretched out. The light soon died down within seconds and both of the boys slowly uncovered their eyes to witness the destruction before them. Just beyond the barren field sloping from the grove was an extravagant fire brewing like a gigantic campfire.
"Holy shit," Drake gasped as the fire's glow masked his impressed face.
"Language!" Josh scolded with his eyes fixed in a glare before returning his attention to the beauteous roast that was ravaging in the distance. "Whoever did that…props to them."
Lulu was just reemerging from her haven within the safety of the damp cave with her handheld gaming device in one of her small hands. Her ebony hair swayed gently behind her and tickled her back with every step she took. Her eyes were transfixed; almost in a sort of daze as she played her favorite game to keep herself calm…Unicorn Warrior. She knew that it was intended for little girls and it seemed a little out of her range but it was just a guilty pleasure of hers. Some people have TV Shows they shamefully watch, some people have foods they shamefully devour, but Lulu had Unicorn Warrior. A game where you are trusted by the King of Ranibowland; King Rainbow, to seek out Pavarotti…the evil witch of darkness and sadness, and defeat her to get a special prize. Sure…it was for girls 4+ Up…but that doesn't mean a full grown teenager can't enjoy it, right?
There were also several other unicorns you would have to steer clear of because they were faithful minions to Pavarotti and her deeds of misery.
"C'mon friend! We have to rescue Princess Buttercup from the clutches of Pavarotti and her henchmen in order to save the kingdom!" Moola, the magical unicorn fairy squealed high pitched in distress. Lulu nodded frantically as she tapped the buttons frantically.
"Y-Yes! Moola! Must s-save the rainbow kingdom to prevent da-darkness from taking over! I…Lulu Johnson, will be the most heroic savior Rainbow Land has ever known!" Lulu announced while victoriously staring up at the night sky as if she were one of the soldiers of magic in the game.
The crashing waves rolled up in tumbling white waters onto the sandy shore as Lulu hobbled along the chilled sand with her gleaming kitchen knife peeking from her bag. Lulu was losing her firm hold on reality as she sank deeper and deeper into the videogame.
"This island…This is island must be Rainbow Land! Everyone is serving the evil witch, but if I destroy them…I will be one step closer to defeating Pavarotti and sending her back to the darkness!" Lulu began to laugh darkly as she envisioned her classmates as the unicorns of dark sorcery…the ones she had to defeat. "All of them must be beaten…True…she was killed by the evil witch! Must avenge True!" She threw her gaming device into the pouch of her backpack before wrapping her fingers coldly around the handle of the Butcher knife; the metal reflecting the moonlight.
"Lulu! Oh the Great Unicorn Warrior! My daughter…you must save her from the witch's evil grasp!" Lulu heard King Rainbow boast in her head causing the delusional girl to start taking in disturbing breaths as she twisted her lips into a sick smile.
"Yes sir…I will do anything to win the game…anything," Lulu whispered grimly as she stroked the deadly blade in her hand. Lulu was becoming obsessed. She was putting her own creative twist on the frightening game.
Her entire mindset became altered, making her believe that she was actually in her timeless game. "I will defeat her and win!"
After Lulu finished her psychotic spiel, a loud ringing flooded her ears that almost caused her to go completely deaf as well as a bright white flash almost blinding her. She shrieked in absolute shock as she sank to her knees in the comforting sand.
"What sorcery is this!" she screamed hysterically with a crazed smile upon her face. "Another trick of the evil witch?"
Lulu slowly unveiled her expanded eyes that seemed as though they would pop from their sockets at any given moment due how much they were bulging out. "Pretty," she moaned with a slight series of insane chuckles leaving her mouth as she fixed her eyes on the furious blazing fire.
"So pretty…don't you agree your highness?"
As the fire continued to capture the attention from many who laid their eyes upon it, Lucy Stone managed to hightail it with her life still intact. She felt the warm breath of the inferno wash over her skin like Dragon's breath and felt herself tingle from the sensation.
"Isn't this the life?" Lucy scoffed as she sped through the brightly lit trees; her outline was illuminated by the blazing flames' soft glow. Her sickle still had splotches of crimson red on the banana curved blade due to her previous kills from yesterday (Trina & Kirby) and her other pillaged weapon selection was still hidden within her duffle bag.
"Someone got a little creative I see," Lucy giggled lowly while prancing through the woods that were filled with the consistent sound of fire crackling as if it were laughing in amusement.
18 Students Remaining
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 1:31 A.M. (Deserted Island: Great Plains)
As the enormous mixture of heat and beauty continued to roar in victory, Jake was trying his absolute hardest to get onto his knees in order to take a better look at his 'baby'.
Who da man! Who da man! Jake laughed hysterically within his woozy head as he stared lovingly at the bright fire. It spat streams of gleaming orange trails of blazing fire into the yellow tinted grass patches surrounding it and Jake felt the magnificent heat radiate from it as if he were in front of his old-fashioned fireplace back home.
The roaring of the fire resembled a lion's growl which sent shivers up the impressive boy's injured spine. "Still got it…Jake Collins still got his cool moves. Or should I say h-hot…moves," he started to laugh pathetically at his wise cracking joke with a smile of happiness. "I know…l-lame joke…but who cares!"
He looked around to see if anyone was in sight…no one. Felix is nowhere in sight…no one is. That was until he caught a glimpse of two bright white figures. One was cloaked in a bright white robe and his hair was styled in a savvy presentation of dreads. His entire face gleamed in joy as he smiled at Jake. It was Andre.
"Andre…We could've done this…It worked my man!" Jake cried in pure bliss towards his friend's spirit who just stood there with a smile. The other ghost had frizzy blonde hair that was surprisingly tamed in a pulled back ponytail and she seemed like a giant compared to Andre…it was the tallest girl in Class 3-C, Hayley Steele. Both of them stood there blissfully in the fire's glow with wide smiles as they looked over at Jake.
"Hayley…A-Andre. We coulda b-brought…them down! Turned the tables ya know what I mean?" Jake screamed with tears of joy streaming from his eyes as he strained his eyes in order to take their presence in. The two friends peacefully nodded their heads before letting out a nice harmony of laughs that made Jake's heartbreak. He missed them…oh, he missed them so much.
"Yea'! Laugh to yer' heart's content guys! Had me goin' also! I missed you guys!"
Jake immediately began to laugh heartedly along with them before grabbing his metallic collar forcefully. "Damn this piece of crap! Hey! I know you fuckrags can hear me! You there Einker! Bastard! We almost got you dick face! Hahaha! Hear that! We almost barbequed your ass!" Jake screamed madly into the collar with a confident smile painted onto his face as well as hideous splashes of red blood.
"Had you…almost…had," Jake felt himself become fatigued as the pain surged through him once again causing him to collapse onto the ground.
"Jake!" a voice wailed from afar…it sounded like Katniss. Jake felt his stomach begin to burst again as he hissed in complete agony. "Jake!" the voice cried once more as a series of footsteps began to quickly mix in with the sound of fire popping. Jake slowly opened his eyes and was met with the face of Katniss Everdeen; her silvery eyes gazing into his as she placed her hand gently underneath his head.
"Kat…thought you left me," Jake grinned as he looked up at her. Katniss responded with a smile before giving him a soft shake.
"Are you insane! I would never leave my teammate behind."
"Teammate? Pretty rad…So…that bow…it was you?" Jake asked with a soft whisper as his voice began to become hoarse from all the yelling. Katniss simply nodded her head with a smirk as the strands of hair poking out of her braid swayed in the wind along with the foggy smoke.
"You bet…I had to do something. Couldn't just leave you here to die could we?" she stated her brow arched in question.
"Guess not. T-Thanks…Kat," he graciously thanked her with a smile as he watched the heroic girl's entire body become outlined in an enticing orange glow from the fire. "Katniss Everdeen…the girl on fire."
"What?" Katniss laughed in confusion.
"You…you're on fire Kat. K-Keep it up," Jake hoarsely chuckled. He began to cough rather gruesomely causing blood to ooze from the corner of his mouth. "I'm not gonna last…"
"Don't say that! You hear me Jake! Just stay with me a little longer!" Katniss scolded with a cold tone of fear as she held Jake closer to her. The sound of more feet scurrying across the soft grass filled Jake's ears once again and this time he realized it was now Beck, Tori and Camille .
"How is he?" Beck asked quietly with a tone of concern; his eyes wide in a panic.
"Not lookin' too good B-Beck my boy," Jake answered for Katniss with a chuckle, "Don't know…how much longer I can…manage."
"Jake! Please hold on!" Tori cried with tears stinging her vision.
"Thanks Tor'…but I don't think I can," Jake sighed with his eyelids fluttering tiredly. Tori couldn't bear it any longer. She leapt forward and gave the boy a loving hug as she sobbed emotionally into his blood soaked shoulder.
"No…Don't go! No more dying! No more crying and no more pain! Please don't leave Jake!" Tori cried horribly with her voice slightly muffled. Katniss' heart sank as she witnessed the heartbreaking scene before her. Beck felt his eyes begin to water as Jake's pathetic form began to hug Tori back with tear falling from his eye.
"At least I got him…" he softly whispered into her ear, "We got him…together."
Tori nodded into his shoulder as she trembled from her intense crying. "Together…" Jake repeated with a blissful smile as he thought about his two deceased friends again.
"J-jake! Jake! It's you!"
"Yo Andre. Sorry for the lame jokes, how're you holdin' up buddy?" Jake beamed.
Jake saw Andre smiling beyond the field with Hayley by his side as if they were angels about to take flight. "Andre…don't go without me…Just wait a little longer 'aight. Not long until…we all go together."
Katniss was extremely puzzled by the entire situation as tears filled her vision and Camille (quiet as can be) sat there on her knees with her ghost-like hands placed on her thighs with the same expression on her glowing face.
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
"Ms. Steele…" Jake laughs painfully as his two friends' ghosts start to smile peacefully as a bright light emits from both of them. "Time to go already? C'mon…Andre…don't leave a brother hangin',"
Andre's spirit only waved goodbye in response before holding onto Hayley's hand as if he was signaling to her that it was time to depart. Her glowing eyes of peace began twinkle as she looked over to Jake with her usual smile. She held Andre's soft hand as the light began to burn over them intensely like a heaven's ray. As the gleaming light devoured the two lost souls Hayley looked back over to Jake's exhausted form and mouth the words, 'Goodbye my friend'.
"No…I don't…Have much longer…please wait a little longer…we can go together," Jake began to whimper as fresh salty tears trickled down his bruised cheeks. Andre simply shook his head in opposition before speaking.
"You can't give up Jake…They need you," Andre said with his cheery and friendly tone as he motioned to Beck, Tori, Katniss and Camille. "Point Guard, just like Kendall remember? You the man Jake…"
Jake felt his lungs ache as he let out a soft chuckle. "Just think! You, Beck, Katniss, Kendall and Zander! The most epic team to ever walk the Earth!" Andre cheered which made the dreads on his head bounce hysterically.
"Yeah…You're amazing Jake and don't ever forget it. We'll always be with you okay?" Hayley mused with an innocent laugh as both of their spirits began to brighten from the white light of the afterlife.
"Always…be with…me?" Jake repeated with a series of whimpers as he felt sadness over sweep him. "No…I c-can't…Game over…n-no more playtime. I w-wish I…could, but…damn," Jake seethed as he felt the bullets burn like ember inside of him. "Sorry Beck…Sorry Tor'…Kat, Camille…I'm so s-sorry but…rain check?"
"Jake," Camille softly whispered as she placed her hand on his bloody shoulder. "Just let go…I know you want to…it's okay."
Jake looked up at her with a face smudged with blood, sweat and tears. He couldn't help but smile at her words before letting out more agonizing laughs. "I…I wish I…was nicer to you…fuckin' Orphan my ass…you're a pretty cool chick Camille…pretty hot too and I'm not talking about the beauty of a roast we got goin' over there."
"H-Hot?" Camille squeaked with an embarrassed look on her face as she placed her hands (tainted with Jake's blood) over her open mouth. "Thank y-y-you!" she squeaked even louder while trying to hide the redness burning through her cheeks. Everyone laughed at the scenario before hearing Jake cough once more; dark red blood spraying from his mouth in tiny droplets. Tori squirmed at the sight uncomfortably as she watched the thin drops maneuver down Jake's cheek bones.
"Felix? Is that b-bastard dead?" Jake groaned as he squirmed on Katniss' lap.
"Better be. After that blast…it'd be a miracle if he wasn't," Beck chuckled while brushing his shaggy hair from his sparkling eyes that were reflecting the fire's blaze. Jake gave Beck a small smirk; his lips moistened with blood as he gazed up at the star crazed skies. The exuberant amount of smoke leaking from the top of the fire caused the clouds to turn a hideous shade of gray.
Beck looked up to match where Jake was dazedly staring and spotted the beautiful sight of the smoky sky. Katniss looked over with an arched brow as she began to notice Tori's hideous knee; blood loosely flowing from the terrible wounds.
"Tori!" Katniss trilled; her eyes gazing at the gaping holes the bullets made in Tori's quivering kneecap. Tori only replied with a small 'hm?' before looking down at the sight with wide eyes.
"Oh, that? I…I don't need any special help…Jake's our top priority right now," Tori claimed with a shrug as if the wound was absolutely no big deal. Yeah right…
"God Tori…At least let me bandage it," Katniss sighed as she looked down to her pockets and began to pat herself down for any signs of belongings. Aha! Katniss chimed in her throbbing head as she felt something in her dress shirt pocket. It felt like a roll of tape…medical tape perhaps?
As she toyed with the button of the pocket there was an abnormal sound coming from rumbling fire. A sound that seemed like a crazed fit of laughter. Camille immediately jumped up onto her two feet in reflex with her eyes fixed on the origin of sound, but she couldn't figure out where it was coming from.
"Do you guys hear that?" Camille muttered lowly as she squinted her eyes in order to catch a glimpse of anything unusual. Everyone stopped and listened carefully as Katniss finished bringing out the convenient life-saving strips of tape.
"What?" Beck began as he heard the laughs get steadily louder and mix with the crackling giggles of the explosion's flames. It was hard to point out, but Camille was on point…the sound was nearing them. They were unsteady chuckles that seemed to be coming from a boy…an incredibly unstable boy to be exact.
"Katniss…Get the h-hell…away from here!" Jake spat with tear filled eyes as the sound grew louder. Katniss shot a look of horror right at Jake before holding him affectionately.
"No…" she choked as raw emotions began to surface. "I'm…I'm not leaving."
"Kat…you've got some shear pizzaz…I like th-that. But you gotta know when to put the arrogance on hold," Jake laughed as he stared right into her silver eyes that were doused with tears.
"Damn it…I'm not…Arrogant! I just don't…I don't want you to die okay!" Katniss bellowed in hysteria. Beck had already felt his insides twist as he tried to make a decision…but he was torn.
How could he leave Jake to die, but how could he stay and suffer the same exact fate?
Camille felt the suspense build as a blurred figure began to emerge from the smoky air that blanketed the glowing plains. Felix was the only possibly answer.
"We have to go," Camille stuttered as she heard the metallic clanking sound reverberate from the deadly Uzi in his tight grasp. "Now!"
"Katniss…the Girl on F-Fire…go…" Jake breathed slowly in pain. Katniss felt a tear leak from her glistening eye as she laid him down and turned in hesitation.
"Jake…I'll never forget you," Katniss whispered in-between her light sobs.
"Same here…Kat," she heard him smile through his set of words and with that she jetted off with Camille at her side. Beck stared absentmindedly at Jake's lazy form and began to place a hand on his shoulder as he smiled hopedfully at his friend.
"Always gonna be the smart-mouthed wise guy…right Jake?" Beck laughed sadly while trying to hide the tears forming a thin stream down both sides of his cheeks.
"Betcher ass," Jake smirked as he mustered all of his strength to place his tarnished hand over Beck's, "And I ain't talkin' about me."
"Jerk," Beck chuckled, "I'll miss you bud."
"Yeah…gonna miss you too…make sure…you keep yer' promise."
"Promise?"
"Between you and Mike…don't break it Beck. Keep her safe…for Mike's sake," Jake breathed quietly.
"No…Mike…No!" I sob uncontrollably. "What about Tori?" I whisper but then I figure it out, "Protect her? You want me to keep her safe?" he nodded and gave a slight groan.
Jake moved his hand over to Beck's heaving chest and lifted the dog tag necklace Beck was wearing up in the gleaming light. 'BECK' was engraved solidly on the metal tag that hung proudly from the shining chain. Blood smeared on it was Jake began to run his thumb over it.
"Don't forget," Jake beamed… "When I see Mike…I'll tell him that I reminded you."
Beck hastily nodded with a sad smile on his face before getting up to leave in rush. "Jake…I'll never forget."
"Good…now get outta…h-here ya doof," Jake hoarsely cried causing Beck to hesitantly speed off in Katniss' path. "Now…to deal with the Richie Prick."
Jake held the blood stained gun he still had clutched against his shallow chest and tried with all of his might to lift himself up on his wrist. His vision was horribly tampered with as everything began to blur and move around as if the world was tilting to-and-fro. He raised it up to Felix's face as the rich boy became clearly unveiled from the smoky haze.
"I don't think so," Felix bluntly said after laughing darkly. He pointed the barrel of the machine gun right at Jake's chest which were expelling shallow breaths and the pulled the trigger.
Jake didn't even know what was going on…his ears were bleeding heavily at this point and the ringing shots were permanently deafening him. All he remembered were bullets ripping through his ruined body mercilessly; Blood spewing from his mouth as his eyes open wide in shock. He flew back like a weightless toy as the firing ceased and Jake's legs were twisted around like pieces of old wire.
Jake's eyes lazily stared forward as he slumped back against a pile of dirt made from the explosion and felt all of the warm blood flow from his body…anymore blood loss and he would be lighter than a feather.
"Ow…" Jake croaked; his voice weak and barely audible. "N-Not good…"
"You're dad…he was right about you."
The sound of his aunt's voice softly echoes within his mind as his vision becomes blurred like some sort of steamed window.
"Aunt…Julia?" Jake whispered in confusion. "What…gah! The hell are you doin'?"
The woman was dressed in tight fitted jeans, a fluttering navy blue blouse to highlight her figure and wore a pair of solid black sunglasses to obscure her flawless identity. The truth is…Jake's entire family was a part of an activist group that went against the government…Jake admired the idea ever since he was a little naïve kid.
"He worried that you'd be like your grandfather…a pathetic weasel who kisses the asses of these government monkeys. That you'd never know what it felt like to live life…your life."
"He…He said that?" Jake groaned with his face still blank as he watched a blurred Felix stagger towards him. "Shot…gotta make…da shot. Point guard…"
"Point Guard, just like Kendall remember? You the man Jake…"
"Damn straight!" Jake groaned as blood oozed from his wounds. "Better dan…Kendall."
"Damn it Beck
The entire scene flashed before Jake's tired eyes.
They were in the heated gymnasium for basketball practice. The big and final game was fast approaching and the entire team was hastily getting in their best moves and tactics to ensure that they take home the glorious trophy and title.
Beck was suspended in the air with a grin on his bright face. The entire team was fixed on the popular boy's floating body with pure awe as he clutched the rubber ball tight in his grasp. Within seconds, Beck slammed the ball violently into the net and caused the entire gym to shake from the sound.
Mike was standing there underneath the net with his neck craned with a look of admiration as Beck descended brilliantly from the net. Andre, Kendall and James stood there with highly impressed looks once Beck planted his feet back on the polished gym floor.
"That was insane," Jake chimed in with a thoroughly impressed smirk on his smug face as he rested his hands on the back of his shaved head. "But…you do know that that wasn't part of the play we came up with?"
"Course I know that," Beck replied with a slight laugh as he straightened his tired back. The cheerleading squad was practicing in the back of the gym echoing chant-like cheers while doing tremendous flips and acrobatic moves that seemed almost too deadly to endeavor.
"Then why are you doing it? Becky…we gotta when this game brosky," Jake sighed with his hands still clasped behind his head; the ignition necklace he proudly wore was resting peacefully on his rising chest.
"I know we have to win this game…but we've been doing the same play forever. Don't you guys think it's time to switch things up a bit?" Beck gave the rest of the team a wink that only meant one thing…Beck Oliver had a plan. Whether it was good or bad…it all didn't matter.
"Something new?" Kendall began to repeat while scratching his head in a thinking state; his blonde hair ruffling from underneath his fingertips. "Beck…are you sure?"
"We all know that I've been wantin' to shoot a basket at the game," Kevin chimed in with his fists pumped in determination. Everyone looked straight at the motivated boy and began to shake their heads simultaneously.
"Don't worry Kev'. With a new tactic, we can make sure that you lead the Garside Guardian Angels to victory," Beck clapped the dirty ball as he stared straight at Kevin's sweaty form.
"Well…then sign me up brother!" Kevin sang in excitement causing the rest of the team to roar in agreement. Zander had his arms crossed as he surveyed the situation and began to chuckle to himself.
The limber cheerleaders couldn't help but listen into the conversation and began to jump up and down to add to the excitement with their arms raised causing everyone to burst with laughter. Tori was standing right next to Cat as they both waved their pom-poms around in swift motions while following Kacey's lead. Her brown eyes were stuck on Beck as she continued her routine and she couldn't help but smile. Her hair (pulled back in a tight curly ponytail) was swaying around her thin body as she moved with the other girls in perfect synchronization.
"Hm…I know Kendall is the captain of the team, but I still don't feel all too warm and cozy about this little idea," Jake said in low tone as he grinned in thought. "Whaddya think Mr. Knight?"
"I like it!" Kendall smiled brightly at the idea, "I think it's about time the Guardian Angels did something different."
Logan shouted from the bleachers with a shy voice, "Should we? I mean we can't just go on a whim like this."
"Oh c'mon Logie! Live a little," James laughed as he gave a nice small smile to his smaller best bud; spinning a spare ball on his long finger.
"Yeah Logie," Jake mocked in a baby voice.
"Shut up Jake," Logan pouted sinking back into his spot on the bleachers with his cheeks still tinged with red with embarrassment after being referred to by his 'kiddy' nickname.
"So it's settled! We try something new for the final game!" Mike burst out while draping his pale arm around his taller big bro' (Beck). Everyone on the team nodded in a quick second causing Beck's face to glow in joy.
"Awesome! I'll make sure we take home the big trophy for our school! I'll make sure we go out with a big bang for our senior year!"
Jake smiled lightly as the flashback halted in his dizzy brain. "Beck…a-always tryin'…to give…the d-damn motivational speeches."
"I know we have to win this game…but we've been doing the same play forever. Don't you guys think it's time to switch things up a bit?"
"Switch things up…Win the game…hell yeah Beck…always comin' up with the big ideas," Jake groaned in horrible pain as he reminisced. "My dad…woulda liked…Beck. Everybody liked…Beck…'cept fer Simon…or Psycho-Bitch Lucy and her gang of skanks…but other than that…his record and 'like status' was g-golden."
Jake's bloody body was still uncomfortably slumped against the dusty heap of dirt as Felix began to approach In a menacing form. "Game Over…piece of filth! I hope you burn in hell!" Felix crowed with his eyes filled with a violent lust.
"Point Guard, just like Kendall remember? You the man Jake…"
Andre's voice was bouncing around Jake's head like a hyper rubber ball and Jake couldn't help but grin in defiance as he gazed up at Felix. "Yeah…point guard…never miss…gotta make the shot…for Andre…for Hayley…gotta make da shot!" Jake brought the nozzle of his gun back in a trembling state while chuckling like a dying cat. "Game shot mother-fucker!"
"What the!" Felix's eyes grew wide as Jake pointed the gun straight at the spoiled boy's face with zero hesitation. "You little piss-off!"
"Oh stuff it up your tight little ass!" Jake spat with his infamous smirk as he began to pull the trigger. A burst of red light popped from the gun's metal tip causing the air to rip from the sound. Felix stood there for a second almost dazed while pointing the submachine gun at the whiz kid's body.
Did I get him? Holy shit! Did I make the shot! Jake cried in anticipation as he stared up at his lethal attacker. The crowd's goin wild! The clock is at zero! Did he make the shot or not!?
Everything went blank as the fire beside them continued to burn with intense passion. "Wait…what…what is," Jake's entire stomach was shredded like a pack of meat…Felix had fired the gun at the exact same moment Jake did. The only difference…Jake missed. "Missed…missed the big s-shot…" he hacked violently causing velvet liquid to flow from his mouth like heated waterfall. "Missed…heh…p-pretty shitty…guess I'm n-not…that great of…a-a point guard. D-Definitely n-not better than K-K-Kendall."
Jake's entire body sank to the grass until his entire back was flat against the fire-reflecting grass blades. A stream of tears began to leak from his trembling eyes as he tasted the disgusting flavor of copper in his mouth…he despised it.
"Shitty…point guard…Jake Collins…you are definitely n-not the man."
Felix stood over the dying boy with a satisfied grin before turning on his heel to leave. Jake, however, felt his life slipping away…second by second.
"Let…you down guys. Let everybody d-down…Let…E-Every…body…down…" Jake's snaillike breaths began to hitch until there was nothing left. He had stopped breathing…his lifeless eyes were reflecting the orange glow of the gorgeous fire and were staring straight up at the star-filled skies. His bloody arm was limp like a noodle at his side and his hand still held the smoking gun he fired only moments ago.
"Yeah…You're amazing Jake and don't ever forget it. We'll always be with you okay?"
…Okay…
Boy # 13: Jake Collins (ELIMINATED)
17 Students Remaining
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 2:09 A.M. (Deserted Island: High School Classroom)
"Sir!" a lieutenant blurted from his post at the computers after checking the 'who's alive and who's dead' reports.
"What," Mr. Eikner sighed after puffing his burning cigar. The smoke tainted the air which used to smell like dry erase markers and Windex…but now it smelt like death, blood and…cigar smoke.
The soldiers stay silent at their posts still trembling from the situation that occurred only a little under an hour ago. "That Felix Garcia boy…if he hadn't shown up…we would have been killed by that bomb sir!"
"Yes…Yes…Very unfortunate wasn't" Mr. Eikner shook his joyful head as held the cigar in-between his fingers like an old-fashioned grandpa. The soldiers only stared at him in disbelief…one even swallowed in a way where everyone in the room could hear it. "There has been an incident involving hacks before… In 1997…did those government blokes get an earful from the president when that happened."
"You mean-"
"Yep…there has been a time where there have been escapes, but this…this is not going to be one of those times!"
17 Students Remaining
Jake's dead...He was one of my faves and I couldn't help but feel sadness when writing his death :'( ...So what did you guys think? Leave your review and make sure to stay tuned for the next chapter of the 61st Annual Battle Royale Competition!