Unicorn on the Gallows

[MK Kilmarnock]

Nathan reached for his beloved blue Chevrolet laying there on the carpet beside Kelly. The other car had gone somewhere, and Nathan was afraid he would never see it again. Madison pulled him away from his prized possession. He thought, maybe, they might go upstairs and get their stuff, because everybody was fighting. It was just like he learned in school: When in danger, the best thing to do is run away and look for help.

But when Nathan needed help, he looked for Madison. He had no idea who Madison would turn to. Maybe there was a teacher here, somewhere, wherever they were.

When they ran by the stairs, Nathan stumbling and panting, still scared and desperate to keep up, he tried to make a turn. Madison would not let him. They went outside into a strange and unknown place instead. He was still scared, scared of being lost and scared of how everybody got sick, and there was lots of yelling and screaming and hitting. He clutched onto the only thing that had been steady and safe thus far.

Nathan huffed and puffed, because he simply could not run as fast or as long as Madison could. He could not figure out what they were running from, other than 'danger'. There was danger where they had been. That was why, when Madison fell down, even though he wanted to take a break, Nathan begged her to get back up to her feet.

She was all he had. Maybe they would come back for his toys and clothes later.

((Nathan Coleman, continued elsewhere))

[Somersault]

There were many things that had been happening in Kelly's life. Most were things that she was fine with, like schools, hangouts, archery. Things that she, if asked, would say she liked, even if she rarely thought about them with a lightness in her heart, unlike the feeling she got upon the sight of fur, of large brown eyes centered in the face of a canine companion who had little to no idea what was truly going on. Ignorant, maybe, but blissfully so, able to believe that people were good, people were kind, that people wanted what was best for other people.

How long she knew that wasn't the case, Kelly wasn't sure, but it still was something that pressed at her, prodded at her, lingering beneath the surface of every smile, wave, greeting, because as much as she knew that people were selfish, people wanted to better themselves, people were-could be- awful, frankly, she still wanted their faces to light up when they saw her, eyes bright as the stars when they saw her come over to greet them. Because that's what they had always known, and she had never been one to buck tradition.

It pressed, it pulled, just as Madison's hands around her neck did the same. Among the blackness that had come over, she could hear a crunch, ever so distant, as if she was underwater and watching this all play out from beneath the surface.

It helped, then, that the sight of Madison's mangled face was almost like a sea monster, bestial siren hiding beneath the mermaid, even as the spots in her vision danced like strobe lights. It looked wrong, a mangled painting, defaced, the work of a raving artist, but even though she dimly felt something syrupy begin dribbling down her forehead, even though the speckles of vomit were still dribbling down, she still wasn't scared.

Because she had done that. She could do it again. Maybe.

The next hit sent Kelly back to the floor, tossed off like a broken ragdoll as Madison rushed over to Nathan, but she just watched as the unlikely duo stumbled their way out of the house and into the storm. Watched each unsteady gait, the panic written into their faces, carved in by poison pens.

Little bubbles of panic arose within her with each step they took, thoughts of them sharing what they saw, what they'd been through, and worst of all, what she'd done. The looks on people's faces when they heard that Kelly, yes, Kelly, all smiles, pats on the shoulder, poisoned a whole group of people, left a girl to die in her own bodily fluids.

She breathed, hummed, focused. Opened her eyes, and let the bubbles burst.

They would all find out eventually, right? On the announcements, deeds condensed to a five-second soundbite. It wouldn't be great, but it could be okay. They'd know, they'd be angry, but only one person could leave. And the people here might not understand, but...

Her gaze shifted to the camera nestled in the corner of the room. They could understand, they would, if only she could tell them. Share her story, her side.

Mechanically, she pushed way up off the floor, dusted herself off. Felt the ache in her head, a bruise certain to form, but that was a worry for later. She walked, then, out of the living room, into the hallway, making sure not to make eyes with Mer-the victim, her victim, before continuing up the stairs.

Before Kelly reached the master bedroom, though, she turned her head to the camera on the ceiling above. She opened her mouth to speak, but at first, only air came out.

Sorry? They'd want her to say that, but she didn't know if she really felt it.
I'll make it right? There was no right here, not anymore.

Thoughts and comments moved through her mind like horses on a field, before one slipped, clear as day, even if the voice used to say it sounded chalked up and choked.

"I'll make sure this wasn't in vain."

---

The camera watched as the girl turned her gaze from itself to the door. Witnessed her turning the knob, making her way into the bedroom, but wait-

Another glance towards the camera. This time, no words, but a slight upturn of the lips.

Then, blankness, and the bang of the door being closed shut.

((Kelly Nguyen, continued elsewhere))

[Jilly]

And then there was one.

One remained in the accursed
room as the final stretch of daylight
gave way for night, the rain as
unrelenting as ever.

Neither here nor there

Neither dead nor alive

((But, perhaps, somewhere in between.))