((Continued from No Rest for the Weary.))
His head was pounding, his heart was racing, and he felt as though he couldn't breathe, but Ricky Callahan kept pushing forward. They'd left the hotel some time ago, and they hadn't stopped running since. He hadn't even looked back. The truth was, he'd been afraid to look back. He was afraid of what he'd find. Essentially, the moment that he grabbed Whitney Acosta by the wrist and drug her out of that hallway, he'd condemned two of his allies to death. Vesa was still back in the hotel, probably still fighting with that psychotic blonde who'd been hellbent on killing Ricky only a few hours ago. And Gail... he didn't even know where Gail was anymore.
He'd continued on in a full-on sprint down the sidewalks of the more urban part of the island since he left the hotel. He only knew that he had finally managed to put some distance between himself and the hotel and that he still had Whitney firmly by the wrist. Slowly, Ricky's mad dash turned into a jog and finally, to a stop. His hand fell limply to his side, releasing the exhausted Whitney Acosta's wrist in the process, and he doubled over, wheezing for breath. Whitney wasn't far behind him. She leaned against a nearby fence, gasping for breath as well.
"You... okay?" Ricky managed to wheeze out after a moment of effort.
His only response was a winded "Uh-huh" and a light nod from his companion. He wasn't really sure why he'd run all the way from the hotel at full-speed, but he figured that since Vesa more or less became a martyr at the hotel -- or so he assumed -- that the least he could do to honor his friend was to respect his request to get out of the hotel, and fast. He finally rose from his hunched over stance and joined his fair-haired companion alongside the fence. She was still gasping for breath, but was slowly starting to regain her composure.
He cast a sidelong glance at his companion for just a moment, but abruptly cast his attention elsewhere as she looked up at him. He scanned the surrounding area slowly, taking it all in. He'd been here once before... in fact, this was where everything had taken a downward spiral for him. It wasn't too far from here, either, that he'd first met Kayla Ravoy... he'd ran into Whitney Acosta soon aferward, and then inevitably killed his best friend in an attempt to save her. Ricky shuddered visibly as the thought ran through his mind once again.
The only constant that seemed to have remained was that Whitney was still with him. Kayla was gone. Gail was gone. Jackie had long since passed away. Eric was dead. John had died. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he recollected all the events that had occurred in such a short amount of time. Never in his entire life had he imagined that something could emotionally traumatize him so much over such a short period. It was like everything had been taken away from him within the past seven days, and it had completely blindsided him. He never even saw it coming.
"What's wrong?" Whitney inquired quietly.
She didn't really have to ask. After all, what wasn't wrong? They'd gone from this big group of people down to two. The fact that they'd been too late to save Matthias from a painful death hadn't completely set in yet. Whitney'd barely had time to think about it in all the chaos that had unfolded in the aftermath. Still, it should've hurt a lot more than it did. Over the past couple days, it was like she'd almost been desensitized to all the death that had gone on around her. That worried her most of all.
"Nothing," he muttered quietly.
The expression on his face told her differently. He looked so lost in thought that she didn't want to intrude, and he didn't seem like he was willing to share whatever was going on in his mind. Maybe she shouldn't ask, it wasn't really her business anyway.
"What now?" she questioned.
Ricky closed his eyes for a moment. The sun was starting to set on another day on this god foresaken island. Thankfully, being in the residential district, they had their pick of houses to invade for the night. That seemed like the best idea. Maybe they could finally get some rest in one of the houses. At least they had the security of locked doors, and they could hear if a window was broken out or something. Overall, it seemed like their best bet.
"We've got our pick of places to stay for the night," he started, "Let's just find somewhere to stay. At least then maybe one of us can get some rest..."
"Okay..." she responded reluctantly.
Ricky set off down the road, looking for a house that seemed suitable enough. Whitney was at his heels once again. The more time she spent with Ricky Callahan, the less it seemed she knew about him. One moment, he was ranting and raving about taking her to the end and letting her win the game, the next moment, he had this attitude like she was just in the way. She just couldn't figure him out at all...
Unanswered Prayers
Open to friend or foe
Unanswered Prayers
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From: Somewhere
Anna and Huy had run for hours on end. The hid, rested, and ran. That's all they ever did. They were so weak. Anna didn't know what to do anymore. She felt like she was just not up to the challenge. And Huy.... She knew she liked him. Maybe it was just friendly, but it felt like it was something more. She was.... Attracted to Huy. But she doubted he felt the same. Who wanted to go out with a pizza face like her.
She sighed as the two walked through the residential district. She didn't know what to do anymore. She was one of the last remaining students on the island. Only about 20 remained. She felt sickened by that. Her sister was the second to be killed, and here she was, at the end.
A noise sparked her attention and she grabbed Huy's arm. She put a finger to his lips when he went to speak up and pulled his softly along. She saw what looked like a boy and a girl. Upon closer inspection, she found it was Whitney Acosta and Ricky Callahan. Two students from Franklin.
"Are they friends?"
Anna and Huy had run for hours on end. The hid, rested, and ran. That's all they ever did. They were so weak. Anna didn't know what to do anymore. She felt like she was just not up to the challenge. And Huy.... She knew she liked him. Maybe it was just friendly, but it felt like it was something more. She was.... Attracted to Huy. But she doubted he felt the same. Who wanted to go out with a pizza face like her.
She sighed as the two walked through the residential district. She didn't know what to do anymore. She was one of the last remaining students on the island. Only about 20 remained. She felt sickened by that. Her sister was the second to be killed, and here she was, at the end.
A noise sparked her attention and she grabbed Huy's arm. She put a finger to his lips when he went to speak up and pulled his softly along. She saw what looked like a boy and a girl. Upon closer inspection, she found it was Whitney Acosta and Ricky Callahan. Two students from Franklin.
"Are they friends?"
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((continued from Fruits of Thine Labor))
Huy thumbed through the operating manual for the revolver (which was actually of the silenced variety) and got a basic idea of how to wield it. He also took a minute to load five of the strange-looking SP-4 7.62 rounds into the cylinder and snap it shut. This late into the game, he and Anna would be in deep shit if they didn't have a firearm between them. The morning announcements were becoming more and more frequent with gunshot deaths. Huy was glad that they'd taken the opportunity to upgrade, but it still left him with a dark feeling in the pit of his stomach.
'This was a prize for killing Sam Sorenson...'
Sickening as it was, he still wouldn't hesitate to take this 'prize' and use it to defend Anna from every gun-toting fucking psycho asshole on the island. With any luck there could still be some survivors left with a shred of sanity. All they had to do was find them. Then maybe...
...maybe they could team up and escape. Hijack a boat or something. Kidnap Danya. Anything. There were of course two key factors that had to be taken into mind. Number one, they had to do get rid of the collars. That was a no-brainer. Number two, they had to find people to help them before it was too late. The number of students was steadily dropping. Right now it was two against...shit, he didn't even know. A hundred?
Anna grabbed his arm and pointed out that there were two others in the distance. As they got closer, he quickly recognized one of them by her near butt-length blonde hair. It was Whitney Acosta, she was a cheerleader from Franklyn. Huy wasn't particularly aquainted with her, but because she was a fellow popular sports figure in the school(cheerleading counted for some reason) he knew who she was. Maybe he even knew a little bit about her from his basketball buddies, but how much could one trust mindless jock-talk in the locker room?
He couldn't make out exactly who the boy walking beside her was (the red Adidas jersey seemed familiar), but he figured that since they weren't attacking eachother they would probably be, at least, approacheable. Plus, they weren't packing anything serious, but Huy wanted to believe he would have tried anyway.
"I hope so," he whispered, immediately changing the volume of his voice so that it would catch the attention of Whitney and the other guy without startling them. He held the revolver up in front of him by the trigger guard with his finger, with the barrel facing towards the sky. His other arm shot up as he realized it would better establish their wishes not to fight. "Whitney!" he called, just loud enough for the others to hear. He didn't want to divulge their location to the whole island. "Whitney, it's Huy! And Anna! We're not playing!"
Huy thumbed through the operating manual for the revolver (which was actually of the silenced variety) and got a basic idea of how to wield it. He also took a minute to load five of the strange-looking SP-4 7.62 rounds into the cylinder and snap it shut. This late into the game, he and Anna would be in deep shit if they didn't have a firearm between them. The morning announcements were becoming more and more frequent with gunshot deaths. Huy was glad that they'd taken the opportunity to upgrade, but it still left him with a dark feeling in the pit of his stomach.
'This was a prize for killing Sam Sorenson...'
Sickening as it was, he still wouldn't hesitate to take this 'prize' and use it to defend Anna from every gun-toting fucking psycho asshole on the island. With any luck there could still be some survivors left with a shred of sanity. All they had to do was find them. Then maybe...
...maybe they could team up and escape. Hijack a boat or something. Kidnap Danya. Anything. There were of course two key factors that had to be taken into mind. Number one, they had to do get rid of the collars. That was a no-brainer. Number two, they had to find people to help them before it was too late. The number of students was steadily dropping. Right now it was two against...shit, he didn't even know. A hundred?
Anna grabbed his arm and pointed out that there were two others in the distance. As they got closer, he quickly recognized one of them by her near butt-length blonde hair. It was Whitney Acosta, she was a cheerleader from Franklyn. Huy wasn't particularly aquainted with her, but because she was a fellow popular sports figure in the school(cheerleading counted for some reason) he knew who she was. Maybe he even knew a little bit about her from his basketball buddies, but how much could one trust mindless jock-talk in the locker room?
He couldn't make out exactly who the boy walking beside her was (the red Adidas jersey seemed familiar), but he figured that since they weren't attacking eachother they would probably be, at least, approacheable. Plus, they weren't packing anything serious, but Huy wanted to believe he would have tried anyway.
"I hope so," he whispered, immediately changing the volume of his voice so that it would catch the attention of Whitney and the other guy without startling them. He held the revolver up in front of him by the trigger guard with his finger, with the barrel facing towards the sky. His other arm shot up as he realized it would better establish their wishes not to fight. "Whitney!" he called, just loud enough for the others to hear. He didn't want to divulge their location to the whole island. "Whitney, it's Huy! And Anna! We're not playing!"
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"Whitney!"
Somewhere in the very near distance, a voice seemed to call out from out of nowhere. Ricky immediately stepped in front of his blonde-headed companion, gun drawn. Better safe than sorry, after all. Ricky didn't have to call out to the unknown individual to identify himself. He volunteered all the information without Ricky even having to ask. Whitney breathed a quick sigh of relief at the realization that the two figures hiding somewhere in the distance were Huy Tran and Anna Dibenidetti. Finally, a familiar face...
Ricky, too, was breathing a sigh of relief, although he wouldn't let his gun drop to the side... not yet, anyway. He didn't see any reason not to trust Huy and Anna, but this far into the game, on this island, putting blind faith and trust in people could only get you killed, and quickly. Whitney cast a sidelong glance at her companion and frowned slightly. She had been relieved to hear a friendly voice, but Ricky didn't seem quite so trusting.
"What do you think?" he inquired quietly, much to her surprise.
"I... I don't know..." she responded quietly, "I don't think they're our enemies, but..."
"But what?" he inquired again.
Huy came out into the open, holding his gun in a non-threatening manner. Ricky responded by lowering his own gun, but not taking his eyes off of his potential enemy. Huy wasn't giving Ricky any reason not to trust him, but Ricky didn't want to rush into anything and be proven wrong, either. His eyes trained themselves on Huy, but he remained silent.
"I don't know..." Whitney muttered again, "They said it on the announcement, he killed somebody... and they gave him a prize for it... so maybe he's playing... I just... I don't know..."
"I killed someone to get this, too..." Ricky shot back, "That mean you don't trust me, either?"
"No," she responded almost too quickly, "I trust you."
"So hold him to the same standard... I'm not special. I haven't given you any reason to trust me..."
... You're right, Ricky. You only saved my life. That's no reason at all...
His attention turned back to Huy and Anna. He kept his gun lowered to his side, indicating that he posed no threat so long as Huy didn't do anything stupid. Huy said they weren't playing. Maybe it was gullible and ignorant on his part, but Ricky believed him. He and Huy hadn't been the best of friends in school, and they'd only socialized indirectly through some of the other athletes, but still, he'd always seemed like a good guy. Maybe it was because he had Anna at his side, but Huy seemed to mirror Ricky a lot in terms of their current situation.
"We're not looking for any trouble," Ricky responded, "We're just trying to find somewhere to stay. I'm glad to finally see a friendly face."
Whitney didn't say anything, just offered the asian boy and his companion a tired smile.
I don't understand you, Ricky Callahan... not even a little bit. Nothing you do makes sense. But still... I wouldn't want to leave you behind. You've been here for me through this whole game, even if you show it in a strange way. Maybe I'll understand what goes through that head of yours someday... hopefully... I'll live long enough to figure you out. That's why I've got to keep on surviving. That's why we've got to stick together, no matter what...
Somewhere in the very near distance, a voice seemed to call out from out of nowhere. Ricky immediately stepped in front of his blonde-headed companion, gun drawn. Better safe than sorry, after all. Ricky didn't have to call out to the unknown individual to identify himself. He volunteered all the information without Ricky even having to ask. Whitney breathed a quick sigh of relief at the realization that the two figures hiding somewhere in the distance were Huy Tran and Anna Dibenidetti. Finally, a familiar face...
Ricky, too, was breathing a sigh of relief, although he wouldn't let his gun drop to the side... not yet, anyway. He didn't see any reason not to trust Huy and Anna, but this far into the game, on this island, putting blind faith and trust in people could only get you killed, and quickly. Whitney cast a sidelong glance at her companion and frowned slightly. She had been relieved to hear a friendly voice, but Ricky didn't seem quite so trusting.
"What do you think?" he inquired quietly, much to her surprise.
"I... I don't know..." she responded quietly, "I don't think they're our enemies, but..."
"But what?" he inquired again.
Huy came out into the open, holding his gun in a non-threatening manner. Ricky responded by lowering his own gun, but not taking his eyes off of his potential enemy. Huy wasn't giving Ricky any reason not to trust him, but Ricky didn't want to rush into anything and be proven wrong, either. His eyes trained themselves on Huy, but he remained silent.
"I don't know..." Whitney muttered again, "They said it on the announcement, he killed somebody... and they gave him a prize for it... so maybe he's playing... I just... I don't know..."
"I killed someone to get this, too..." Ricky shot back, "That mean you don't trust me, either?"
"No," she responded almost too quickly, "I trust you."
"So hold him to the same standard... I'm not special. I haven't given you any reason to trust me..."
... You're right, Ricky. You only saved my life. That's no reason at all...
His attention turned back to Huy and Anna. He kept his gun lowered to his side, indicating that he posed no threat so long as Huy didn't do anything stupid. Huy said they weren't playing. Maybe it was gullible and ignorant on his part, but Ricky believed him. He and Huy hadn't been the best of friends in school, and they'd only socialized indirectly through some of the other athletes, but still, he'd always seemed like a good guy. Maybe it was because he had Anna at his side, but Huy seemed to mirror Ricky a lot in terms of their current situation.
"We're not looking for any trouble," Ricky responded, "We're just trying to find somewhere to stay. I'm glad to finally see a friendly face."
Whitney didn't say anything, just offered the asian boy and his companion a tired smile.
I don't understand you, Ricky Callahan... not even a little bit. Nothing you do makes sense. But still... I wouldn't want to leave you behind. You've been here for me through this whole game, even if you show it in a strange way. Maybe I'll understand what goes through that head of yours someday... hopefully... I'll live long enough to figure you out. That's why I've got to keep on surviving. That's why we've got to stick together, no matter what...
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At the sound of Huy's voice Whitney's companion (it was Ricky Callahan, he was on the football team) produced a small handgun and pointed it in their direction. Whitney did nothing. Huy felt his chest tighten up, but he stood his ground without moving a muscle. He would know very shortly if Ricky was playing or not.
Fortunately it was the latter. After a brief exchange of words between the two--which seemed like an eternity when one was frozen at gunpoint--Ricky lowered his gun and explained their situation, adding that he considered him (or Anna) a 'friendly face'. Huy breathed a sigh of relief. As a sign of good faith, he deposited the nose of the revolver into the back of his pants and gestured for Anna to follow him over to the others.
"It's good to see you too," he said, and he meant it, but it felt like every moment of good fortune was downplayed by the grim atmosphere of the island. It was like no matter how good the news was, it always ended up just being swallowed by the gaping black hole in his heart. All the same, "You been holding up ok?"
Fortunately it was the latter. After a brief exchange of words between the two--which seemed like an eternity when one was frozen at gunpoint--Ricky lowered his gun and explained their situation, adding that he considered him (or Anna) a 'friendly face'. Huy breathed a sigh of relief. As a sign of good faith, he deposited the nose of the revolver into the back of his pants and gestured for Anna to follow him over to the others.
"It's good to see you too," he said, and he meant it, but it felt like every moment of good fortune was downplayed by the grim atmosphere of the island. It was like no matter how good the news was, it always ended up just being swallowed by the gaping black hole in his heart. All the same, "You been holding up ok?"
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Anna didn't realize she was holding her breath until she felt it pass through her lips. Whitney and Ricky weren't looking to fight. Thank God. She didn't know how she could fight people from her school. She was pretty much hugging Huy's hip for the duration of their short conversation. Shyly hiding from the pair. She spoke up only after they were finished.
"Um... maybe the four of us could work together?" She asked shakily. She didn't know why, but she couldn't trust them. Maybe it was the fact that she had heard Ricky's name on the announcements. Then again, Huy had also killed someone. She attempted to relax herself, but to no avail. She gripped Huy's arm tightly and watched the two warily.
"It would probably be for the best..."
"Um... maybe the four of us could work together?" She asked shakily. She didn't know why, but she couldn't trust them. Maybe it was the fact that she had heard Ricky's name on the announcements. Then again, Huy had also killed someone. She attempted to relax herself, but to no avail. She gripped Huy's arm tightly and watched the two warily.
"It would probably be for the best..."
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Huy's question about how Ricky had been holding up caused an exasperated sigh to pass between his lips and Ricky simply shook his head. This whole game had been so trying on both his body and his mind that he couldn't even begin to count the things that were wrong with that question. Nothing had been okay from the moment he'd woken up on this island. Then again, he knew that Huy was aware of that fact. Everyone was aware of that fact. Ricky wasn't the only one who'd been through hell on earth, so there was no point in ranting and raving about it.
"We've been surviving," he responded, assuming that answer would suffice.
Anna spoke up, much to Ricky's surprise. She'd barely exhaled since Huy called out to them, let alone spoke up. She offered the suggestion of teaming up, but her body betrayed her words. Teaming up would suggest that she trusted them, and her constant clinging to Huy conveyed an entirely different message. Then again, Ricky couldn't really blame her. Whitney had been skeptical of Huy after hearing his name on the announcements. She probably thought about Ricky what Whitney thought about Huy.
"Mm..." Ricky responded quietly, shutting his eyes for a moment. His attention turned to Whitney, who had been fairly quiet through the duration of he and Huy's conversation, "What do you think?"
She looked at him confusedly for a moment. Why was he consulting her on all these decisions? She truly didn't know what to do. She was scared of making the wrong decision... scared of the consequences that might follow. She looked Huy and Anna over thoroughly. Something was telling her that she could genuinely trust these people. They seemed to parallel Whitney and Ricky in an almost eerie way. Maybe that was the reason she felt such a connection with them. Still, due to their current circumstances, she couldn't trust them completely. But four people were better than two in a situation like this.
"Anna's right," she responded finally, "We should stick together. It's been a long time since we've run into anybody normal... I'd like to be with somebody we don't have to worry about turning on us. We know Huy and Anna... that's more than we can say for everyone else we've run into."
She hadn't been consciously making an effort to take a shot at his allies, although that was probably how it came off. Everyone that Ricky had aligned himself with throughout his stay on the island -- at least from the time that she'd run into him on -- had been complete strangers, and bad things wound up happening. It was nice to see somebody they finally knew, and Whitney didn't want to part ways with them.
"Right," Ricky responded, "My gameplan was to find somewhere to crash for the night. Nobody's had a decent rest in days. At least with four of us, two can stand guard while the other two rest. Sound good to everybody?"
"We've been surviving," he responded, assuming that answer would suffice.
Anna spoke up, much to Ricky's surprise. She'd barely exhaled since Huy called out to them, let alone spoke up. She offered the suggestion of teaming up, but her body betrayed her words. Teaming up would suggest that she trusted them, and her constant clinging to Huy conveyed an entirely different message. Then again, Ricky couldn't really blame her. Whitney had been skeptical of Huy after hearing his name on the announcements. She probably thought about Ricky what Whitney thought about Huy.
"Mm..." Ricky responded quietly, shutting his eyes for a moment. His attention turned to Whitney, who had been fairly quiet through the duration of he and Huy's conversation, "What do you think?"
She looked at him confusedly for a moment. Why was he consulting her on all these decisions? She truly didn't know what to do. She was scared of making the wrong decision... scared of the consequences that might follow. She looked Huy and Anna over thoroughly. Something was telling her that she could genuinely trust these people. They seemed to parallel Whitney and Ricky in an almost eerie way. Maybe that was the reason she felt such a connection with them. Still, due to their current circumstances, she couldn't trust them completely. But four people were better than two in a situation like this.
"Anna's right," she responded finally, "We should stick together. It's been a long time since we've run into anybody normal... I'd like to be with somebody we don't have to worry about turning on us. We know Huy and Anna... that's more than we can say for everyone else we've run into."
She hadn't been consciously making an effort to take a shot at his allies, although that was probably how it came off. Everyone that Ricky had aligned himself with throughout his stay on the island -- at least from the time that she'd run into him on -- had been complete strangers, and bad things wound up happening. It was nice to see somebody they finally knew, and Whitney didn't want to part ways with them.
"Right," Ricky responded, "My gameplan was to find somewhere to crash for the night. Nobody's had a decent rest in days. At least with four of us, two can stand guard while the other two rest. Sound good to everybody?"
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Huy nodded in response to the plan in question, refraining from asking about Ricky and Anna's previous encounters. It seemed like it would be asking a little much of them at the moment given their fatigued state. Still, he felt it would be necessary to get caught up on who the group would or wouldn't be able to trust. Then they could go about gaining allies and forming an escape plan. Flawless as Danya's game seemed, he was sure there had to be a weak spot. Everybody just had to get their heads together while they still had time.
"We should get out of the open," he suggested. He glanced at the rows upon rows of windows on one side of the street, behind any of which there might have been someone watching them.
"We should get out of the open," he suggested. He glanced at the rows upon rows of windows on one side of the street, behind any of which there might have been someone watching them.
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Anna watched the duo who would soon become their allies warily. She couldn't understand it, but there was something foreboding about it all. She felt like something bad was going to happen. Like something would go wrong. Of course, at the mention of resting, she sighed contently. She couldn't remember the last time she slept. She felt tears running down her cheeks and wiped them, away with the sleeves of the sweatshirt. These were her friends. She had nothing to worry about.
"So good.... Good to have friends." She felt like bawling. But she kept herself at bay.
"I'm so glad... so glad we don't have to fight!" She felt more tears run down her cheeks and smiled brightly at the two. She still clung to Huy, but now it was more out of happiness than fear.
"So good.... Good to have friends." She felt like bawling. But she kept herself at bay.
"I'm so glad... so glad we don't have to fight!" She felt more tears run down her cheeks and smiled brightly at the two. She still clung to Huy, but now it was more out of happiness than fear.
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Ricky nodded affirmatively when Huy suggested they get out of the open. The sun had set over the horizon by now, and the darkness that enshrouded the area seemed foreboding. The horrors of the island seemed to have long since faded... Ricky didn't hear the agonizing screams of his dying classmates... he didn't hear the rattle of gunfire, or the pained cries of the wounded. Maybe, it was the complete and utter silence that was so disturbing. Anna began crying, confessing how glad she was not to be alone anymore. Ricky couldn't help but allow a small grin to form on his features. He mght not have expressed it aloud, but he was glad to have found allies.
Still, it didn't stop him from worrying about his former companions.
Where were they now? Most of them were long since dead and gone, but there were still those that were alive. Vesa... and Gail... would he hear their names on the morning announcement? The grim truth was that he probably would. He looked to Huy and Anna intently, then scanned the nearly identical brick houses lining the street in front of them. Something about the houses was inviting, but at the same time, utterly horrifying. It was like a game of Russian Roulette. The odds of you losing -- in this case, picking a house that was already occupied -- were slim, but it would happen to somebody, and given the bad luck he'd had on the island so far, Ricky could only assume it would be him.
"Which one?" he inquired suddenly to his blonde-headed companion, causing a confused expression to form on her features.
Whitney genuinely didn't know which house to choose. In a way, it didn't really matter. She was so desperate for rest that she would've camped out in the woods. She couldn't imagine being able to perhaps sleep in a bed, even if it was just one more time. As more and more time passed, Whitney started to lose hope. It had been over a week now, and the odds of them escaping the island and getting out of the game kept becoming slimmer. The government couldn't find them, or rather, they didn't know how to get them out. The collars gleaming around the necks of her companions reminded her just how grim their situation was.
It was a smart move, she had to admit. The collars acted as many things, including a hostage device. As long as the remaining students on the island had activated collars, the terrorists could kill everyone alive at any given point with just the push of a button. It was a horrifying thought, and it was probably what kept the American government from coming in to save them. If anybody was going to save them, they'd have to save themselves. Internally, she wondered if they'd be able to do it. What would make them succeed where countless others had failed? All they had... was faith.
"That one..." she decided eventually, pointing toward one of the smaller houses on the street, "It probably wouldn't draw much attention, it isn't as eye-catching as some of the other ones."
Ricky nodded in confirmation. He checked the ammunition on his gun once again and, after confirming that he had indeed refilled the clip, motioned for the trio to follow him into the house. Once again, Ricky was being forced into the role of the "hero", the "protector"... something he didn't see in himself. He approached the house quietly, listening intently for any little noise in or around the abandoned home. He heard nothing. His hand reached down for the doorknob, and slowly twisted it. Almost to his surprise, the door came open.
Slowly, he entered the residence, scanning the entire area for potential enemies. Ushering the rest of the group in, he shut the door behind him. First of all, they needed to check the house to make sure there was no one else hiding inside. Then, it needed to be barricaded up. After that, they could finally rest. Ricky had a plan figured out. When it was just the two of them, Ricky had planned on forfeiting any rest for himself so Whitney could finally get some. Now that Anna and Huy were around, he thought that perhaps he could get some much needed rest as well.
"Alright... we need to make sure nobody else is in here. Lock the doors, lock the windows, make sure the place is clear. We can sleep in shifts... Huy, we can stand guard while the girls sleep... that's okay, right ladies? I think... that's the best thing to do."
Still, it didn't stop him from worrying about his former companions.
Where were they now? Most of them were long since dead and gone, but there were still those that were alive. Vesa... and Gail... would he hear their names on the morning announcement? The grim truth was that he probably would. He looked to Huy and Anna intently, then scanned the nearly identical brick houses lining the street in front of them. Something about the houses was inviting, but at the same time, utterly horrifying. It was like a game of Russian Roulette. The odds of you losing -- in this case, picking a house that was already occupied -- were slim, but it would happen to somebody, and given the bad luck he'd had on the island so far, Ricky could only assume it would be him.
"Which one?" he inquired suddenly to his blonde-headed companion, causing a confused expression to form on her features.
Whitney genuinely didn't know which house to choose. In a way, it didn't really matter. She was so desperate for rest that she would've camped out in the woods. She couldn't imagine being able to perhaps sleep in a bed, even if it was just one more time. As more and more time passed, Whitney started to lose hope. It had been over a week now, and the odds of them escaping the island and getting out of the game kept becoming slimmer. The government couldn't find them, or rather, they didn't know how to get them out. The collars gleaming around the necks of her companions reminded her just how grim their situation was.
It was a smart move, she had to admit. The collars acted as many things, including a hostage device. As long as the remaining students on the island had activated collars, the terrorists could kill everyone alive at any given point with just the push of a button. It was a horrifying thought, and it was probably what kept the American government from coming in to save them. If anybody was going to save them, they'd have to save themselves. Internally, she wondered if they'd be able to do it. What would make them succeed where countless others had failed? All they had... was faith.
"That one..." she decided eventually, pointing toward one of the smaller houses on the street, "It probably wouldn't draw much attention, it isn't as eye-catching as some of the other ones."
Ricky nodded in confirmation. He checked the ammunition on his gun once again and, after confirming that he had indeed refilled the clip, motioned for the trio to follow him into the house. Once again, Ricky was being forced into the role of the "hero", the "protector"... something he didn't see in himself. He approached the house quietly, listening intently for any little noise in or around the abandoned home. He heard nothing. His hand reached down for the doorknob, and slowly twisted it. Almost to his surprise, the door came open.
Slowly, he entered the residence, scanning the entire area for potential enemies. Ushering the rest of the group in, he shut the door behind him. First of all, they needed to check the house to make sure there was no one else hiding inside. Then, it needed to be barricaded up. After that, they could finally rest. Ricky had a plan figured out. When it was just the two of them, Ricky had planned on forfeiting any rest for himself so Whitney could finally get some. Now that Anna and Huy were around, he thought that perhaps he could get some much needed rest as well.
"Alright... we need to make sure nobody else is in here. Lock the doors, lock the windows, make sure the place is clear. We can sleep in shifts... Huy, we can stand guard while the girls sleep... that's okay, right ladies? I think... that's the best thing to do."
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Huy followed the group into the house, his hand reaching toward his back and resting on the butt of his revolver. He'd never fired a gun in his life, but he'd give it an honest shot (no pun intended) for the sakes of Anna, Whitney and Ricky. They had to remain strong as a team. That whole "united we stand" bit. He really did feel stronger.
Ricky seemed to resonate an aura of leadership that completed the package. It went without saying that they would have to make sure no one was in the house, that it was secure, that someone kept watch, but Ricky did more than just state the obvious. He prioritized the issues at hand and worked out all the details. "I'm on it," Huy nodded, locking the door behind him and closing the shades on the front window after locking that. He gave Anna half-a-smile, which expressed his optimism regarding both their new companions and shelter. Moreso their companions, seeing as the morning announcements could dissolve their sense of locational security with another permanent dangerzone.
Huy withdrew his flashlight from his daypack. It would be an obvious tip-off to anyone in the area if they were to go and flick on all the lights. He wished they had all arrived much earlier in the day, when sunlight alone was adequate enough to search the house. Not to mention the darkness made it hard to distinguish friend from foe.
Ricky seemed to resonate an aura of leadership that completed the package. It went without saying that they would have to make sure no one was in the house, that it was secure, that someone kept watch, but Ricky did more than just state the obvious. He prioritized the issues at hand and worked out all the details. "I'm on it," Huy nodded, locking the door behind him and closing the shades on the front window after locking that. He gave Anna half-a-smile, which expressed his optimism regarding both their new companions and shelter. Moreso their companions, seeing as the morning announcements could dissolve their sense of locational security with another permanent dangerzone.
Huy withdrew his flashlight from his daypack. It would be an obvious tip-off to anyone in the area if they were to go and flick on all the lights. He wished they had all arrived much earlier in the day, when sunlight alone was adequate enough to search the house. Not to mention the darkness made it hard to distinguish friend from foe.
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Ricky watched as Huy immediately followed orders, flicking on his flashlight to illuminate the room and heading out to check the windows and close the blinds. Ricky turned to Anna and Whitney and gave them a light nod before also removing his own flashlight from his daypack and dropping the pack on the floor. No sense in weighing himself down while he searched the house. If there was someone inside, it'd only get in the way. He tucked the gun into the back of his pants and gazed up at the stairwell that lead to the second floor of the house.
"Okay... you guys check downstairs," he dictated to Huy and Anna, "Close the blinds, make sure you lock everything... it goes without saying, but don't turn on the lights. Whitney... c'mon."
Whitney turned to look at Ricky, a confused look forming on her features for just a moment. She wasn't so sure about venturing upstairs with him. They didn't know what was up there, whether it was just darkness devoid of anything or whether some unseen terror was hiding in one of the upstairs rooms. The thought made her a bit nervous, but Ricky's presence calmed her down a little bit. She gave him a slight nod and followed him as he headed up the stairwell and onto the top floor of the house.
"Flashlight," he stated simply.
"What?" she responded.
"Your flashlight... you have it, right?" he reiterated, receiving a curt nod from her in response, "Turn it on."
"... 'kay," she answered, reaching into her pack and removing the large flashlight from within. A flick of the switch later, a beam of light emitted from the end of it.
The second floor of the house wasn't particularly large. It seemed to consist of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a small little hallway that led down to a bay window. It'd make a good vantage point if they wanted to see whether anyone was approaching the house. Ricky made a sharp left and entered the first bedroom. Judging by the looks of it, it was probably the master bedroom. A large, king size bed sat in the middle of it, the sheets pulled tightly across the bed. The room was very clean, and everything seemed to be put away neatly in its place. To the immediate left was a door leading into what was probably the master bathroom.
Ricky began dragging his flashlight across every square inch of the room, examining the interiors of the closet, underneath the bed, and every other location he could think of where some unwanted visitor might be hiding. Whitney seemed to do nothing but stand in the doorway as he did this, her flashlight beam barely moving from its stationary position on the floor. Ricky entered the master bathroom and returned a moment later, obviously confirming that the area was clear. He cast a sidelong glance at his companion, who hadn't said a word, and waved her over.
"What's wrong?" he asked after a moment.
"It's nothing," she responded quickly.
"Okay..." he retorted.
"It's just... do you think we made the right decision... back at the hotel... we just... we just left Vesa for dead. We left Gail behind... we left everybody. I just wonder if that's what we should've done, you know?"
"Yeah..." Ricky responded, his voice trailing off momentarily, "It's been bothering me too. But, you know what? We did what we had to do. If we would've stayed, we probably wouldn't be here right now. At least, that's what I keep telling myself..."
He sighed audibly. He'd held it all in for so long, and even now, he didn't feel like he could really talk about all the feelings that constantly plagued him on the island. He offered Whitney a fatigued smile and quickly ushered her out of the room. They could talk later. Right now, they needed to make sure something wasn't going to pop out of the woodwork and murder them all. He headed into the other bedroom, the one on the right-hand side of the stairwell, and began searching through it for any sign of trouble. Whitney continued to stand in the doorway, barely searching the room. Truthfully, she was afraid of what she might find. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be anything upstairs. Ricky emerged from searching the rooms a few minutes later and waved the blonde-headed girl downstairs.
"Clear up here," he called down to Huy and Anna.
"Okay... you guys check downstairs," he dictated to Huy and Anna, "Close the blinds, make sure you lock everything... it goes without saying, but don't turn on the lights. Whitney... c'mon."
Whitney turned to look at Ricky, a confused look forming on her features for just a moment. She wasn't so sure about venturing upstairs with him. They didn't know what was up there, whether it was just darkness devoid of anything or whether some unseen terror was hiding in one of the upstairs rooms. The thought made her a bit nervous, but Ricky's presence calmed her down a little bit. She gave him a slight nod and followed him as he headed up the stairwell and onto the top floor of the house.
"Flashlight," he stated simply.
"What?" she responded.
"Your flashlight... you have it, right?" he reiterated, receiving a curt nod from her in response, "Turn it on."
"... 'kay," she answered, reaching into her pack and removing the large flashlight from within. A flick of the switch later, a beam of light emitted from the end of it.
The second floor of the house wasn't particularly large. It seemed to consist of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a small little hallway that led down to a bay window. It'd make a good vantage point if they wanted to see whether anyone was approaching the house. Ricky made a sharp left and entered the first bedroom. Judging by the looks of it, it was probably the master bedroom. A large, king size bed sat in the middle of it, the sheets pulled tightly across the bed. The room was very clean, and everything seemed to be put away neatly in its place. To the immediate left was a door leading into what was probably the master bathroom.
Ricky began dragging his flashlight across every square inch of the room, examining the interiors of the closet, underneath the bed, and every other location he could think of where some unwanted visitor might be hiding. Whitney seemed to do nothing but stand in the doorway as he did this, her flashlight beam barely moving from its stationary position on the floor. Ricky entered the master bathroom and returned a moment later, obviously confirming that the area was clear. He cast a sidelong glance at his companion, who hadn't said a word, and waved her over.
"What's wrong?" he asked after a moment.
"It's nothing," she responded quickly.
"Okay..." he retorted.
"It's just... do you think we made the right decision... back at the hotel... we just... we just left Vesa for dead. We left Gail behind... we left everybody. I just wonder if that's what we should've done, you know?"
"Yeah..." Ricky responded, his voice trailing off momentarily, "It's been bothering me too. But, you know what? We did what we had to do. If we would've stayed, we probably wouldn't be here right now. At least, that's what I keep telling myself..."
He sighed audibly. He'd held it all in for so long, and even now, he didn't feel like he could really talk about all the feelings that constantly plagued him on the island. He offered Whitney a fatigued smile and quickly ushered her out of the room. They could talk later. Right now, they needed to make sure something wasn't going to pop out of the woodwork and murder them all. He headed into the other bedroom, the one on the right-hand side of the stairwell, and began searching through it for any sign of trouble. Whitney continued to stand in the doorway, barely searching the room. Truthfully, she was afraid of what she might find. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be anything upstairs. Ricky emerged from searching the rooms a few minutes later and waved the blonde-headed girl downstairs.
"Clear up here," he called down to Huy and Anna.
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Without hesitation Huy complied to Ricky's direction, which he felt no need to contest whatsoever. Really he was just grateful to have friends in this horrible place. Even if there was always the possibility of betrayal. It all came down to trust, and Huy would trust Ricky and Whitney until they gave him a reason not to. It wasn't exactly the smartest way to go about it, but if he was suspicious of them then why not Anna? She was the one going through those terrible mood swings.
'Maybe because--'
Huy froze in silent terror as his flashlight beam reflected the glowing eyes of a raccoon outside the window, on the backyard fence. Within an instant he was once again at ease, however the tingly feeling in his spine and the sides of his face lingered. The raccoon dissappeared quickly into an adjacent yard (or at least beyond the window) without a sound. It was strange that although the humans were engaged in an all out war, the wildlife on the island (save for maybe worms) was just functioning as it always had. Or close enough.
Either way he was glad he hadn't reacted at all noticeably over a false alarm. It was true that the revolver was silent, at least according to the manual, but what would that say about his reflexes if he were to shoot first without even identifying the target? He was still on a mission to save people, dammit, and unless it was someone like that now infamous Mariavel Varella or Franco Sebberts, or maybe even Damien (he seemed fairly nuts) he would have to maintain control over his trigger finger.
It wasn't long before Ricky called down that the coast was clear. Huy quickly remembered to lock the back door before responding back to him, "All clear down here!"
'Maybe because--'
Huy froze in silent terror as his flashlight beam reflected the glowing eyes of a raccoon outside the window, on the backyard fence. Within an instant he was once again at ease, however the tingly feeling in his spine and the sides of his face lingered. The raccoon dissappeared quickly into an adjacent yard (or at least beyond the window) without a sound. It was strange that although the humans were engaged in an all out war, the wildlife on the island (save for maybe worms) was just functioning as it always had. Or close enough.
Either way he was glad he hadn't reacted at all noticeably over a false alarm. It was true that the revolver was silent, at least according to the manual, but what would that say about his reflexes if he were to shoot first without even identifying the target? He was still on a mission to save people, dammit, and unless it was someone like that now infamous Mariavel Varella or Franco Sebberts, or maybe even Damien (he seemed fairly nuts) he would have to maintain control over his trigger finger.
It wasn't long before Ricky called down that the coast was clear. Huy quickly remembered to lock the back door before responding back to him, "All clear down here!"
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Anna followed Ricky, Whitney, and Huy into one of the many brick houses that lined the streets. Somehow, she felt sick when she entered. She put it all on her nerves, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong. She was scared. She didn't know why though. Maybe it was because they were in the final days of the game now. She was scared of dieing. Of Huy dieing. Of Whitney or Ricky dieing. She didn't want to lose her friends.
Ricky and Whitney went upstairs to scan the house. Anna and Huy were left to check the downstairs. She grabbed her flashlight from her bag and followed Huy. She searched around for a basement door, but she didn't find one. Weird. Soon, Ricky called down that the upstairs was clear. Huy responded with the same. Anna felt obliged to tell Huy about her feeling of worry, but she didn't want to upset him. She suddenly got a chill and slid Jaime's hood over her head.
'Jaime...' She sadly fingered the hoodie as she thought of her sister. She hoped she was happy, wherever she was.
"Hey guys..." she began once they were all assembled again. "I think each of us should carry a weapon, or at least something to defend ourselves. Whoever's on watch should have the guns, and whoever's asleep should get one of the other weapons." She waited to hear what they thought. She thought it was a good idea.
Ricky and Whitney went upstairs to scan the house. Anna and Huy were left to check the downstairs. She grabbed her flashlight from her bag and followed Huy. She searched around for a basement door, but she didn't find one. Weird. Soon, Ricky called down that the upstairs was clear. Huy responded with the same. Anna felt obliged to tell Huy about her feeling of worry, but she didn't want to upset him. She suddenly got a chill and slid Jaime's hood over her head.
'Jaime...' She sadly fingered the hoodie as she thought of her sister. She hoped she was happy, wherever she was.
"Hey guys..." she began once they were all assembled again. "I think each of us should carry a weapon, or at least something to defend ourselves. Whoever's on watch should have the guns, and whoever's asleep should get one of the other weapons." She waited to hear what they thought. She thought it was a good idea.
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Huy couldn't help but overhear Anna calling softly for her sister. He said nothing, but all the same he wished there were something he could do to bring Jaime back. Right, impossible...
'But Jaime would have wanted me to protect Anna for her,' he reminded himself, which at least made him feel a little better. They returned upstairs to the others, fairly confident that no one was lurking around in the dark corners of the house.
Anna suggested that she and Whitney keep a weapon with them, which made sense to him. "Fair enough," he nodded, holding the axe out for her. The pistol would more than make up for its abscence. Besides, he kept thinking about killing Sam every time he looked at it. It was unnerving.
"But if someone manages to take both of us down," he added, glancing at Ricky and his firearm, "I think you and Whitney should get out of here."
'But Jaime would have wanted me to protect Anna for her,' he reminded himself, which at least made him feel a little better. They returned upstairs to the others, fairly confident that no one was lurking around in the dark corners of the house.
Anna suggested that she and Whitney keep a weapon with them, which made sense to him. "Fair enough," he nodded, holding the axe out for her. The pistol would more than make up for its abscence. Besides, he kept thinking about killing Sam every time he looked at it. It was unnerving.
"But if someone manages to take both of us down," he added, glancing at Ricky and his firearm, "I think you and Whitney should get out of here."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Cyco. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.