Joey moved over to the corner farthest from the body. If the terrorists were to come and pick her it up, he would be able to hear them. It was getting late now, and he was exhausted. He pulled out a power bar and turned to face the wall. The faded posters were far more pleasant to look at, and could even be interesting if he stared long enough. Combined with fatigue and the distinct taste of energy bar, his mind would be distracted enough.
"Let's crash then. I'll stay here in case somebody comes for the body, you guys can sleep next door."
He sipped his water. He didn't have many water bottles left. It wasn't even like he could budget them, he had no idea how much longer he would be alive. Things had seemed almost hopeful until today. The announcements. Their failure to confront and talk to Theo on time. The body. The fact that he'd spoken face to face with a murderer just a day ago. It was too much to swallow.
He swallowed, the large bite of bar squeezed itself down his throat. He winced and coughed before taking another sip of water. The bars were too solid and chewy to take such big bites of. The next one would have to be smaller.
Fuck it. He couldn't eat.
Joey signed and wrapped the bar up as much as he could before throwing it back in the bag. He slipped his knife underneath the bag for easy access just in case a terrorist showed. Grunting slightly as he flopped his big torso down, he rested his head on the bag and begged for sleep to come.
...
The second announcements came like a cheery, terrible weather forecast. The fucking guy might as well have been reading them the specials for dinner that night. Somebody got killed with a snow globe, something about gravity, communication... Joey folded the bag over to cover his ears. If there was ever a wake up call he wished he could sleep through, it was this one.
He tried to tune it out, but the familiar names couldn't be filtered away. Francis was dead, Miranda speared somebody, Jaquilyn Locke was playing? SUMMER? Was she with Baxter? Was Baxter okay?
And Theo. Theo was now a triple killer. Fuck everything and anything, the kids were killing each other. Paulo's name didn't seem to have come up, but Joey's bag filter may have just filtered it out. He looked up at Meera and Rosemary. They were as directionless as ever, and lucky they hadn't actually been apart of anything announcement worthy. It was only a matter of time before there were more danger zones and they'd be forced into the same area as the killers.
Becca's body was still there. Either the terrorists didn't collect the bodies, of they didn't want to fuck with Joey the powerhouse. If anybody here could diffuse a bomb, it was her. Meera might be smart, but Rosemary was a certified tutor, who had proved her smarts to Joey on several occasions.
He went to where the girls were sleeping, they had probably had the same awakening he did. There was no time for good mornings.
"Rosemary. We need to get these collars off."
Nobody Wants This
Max and Becca/Paulo
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umop-ap!sdn†
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:15 am
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler umop-ap!sdn. 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.
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MrMissMrs Random†
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:39 am
Rosemary had a fitful night of rest. Waking up earlier than the others, but not knowing what to do she sat in silence, crisscross applesauce on the floor. Joey had offered to sleep by Becca that night, of which she was grateful for. But how could even begin to remove her collar? How sure were they it wasn't still activated, ready to explode once they tampered with it? Would it even give off a beeping sound in warning or would the collar just go off?
Putting her head in her hands Rosemary had this train of thought go back and forth in her mind until the announcements came on. More names, more killers and more of the dead. When they reached Becca's name, though, her ears perked up.
Did they just call her death a joke? They thought it was funny someone shot her in the chest, and left her there to die.
This was the first time she felt anger, true anger towards the sickening broadcast. Yesterday only shocked her and made her afraid, but the feeling pooling up in her stomach wasn't nausea anymore. Her fists balled up in her lap.
Becca was not a joke the terrorists could talk about. All they saw was a body on a screen, did they even understand what it was like to see a body for the first time? It was... wrong. Every bit of it wrong. Maybe the people who brought them here just didn't care, and that's why they took their class.
Her anger subsided when she heard the name Naomi Bell. That hit her hard. How could Naomi be dead? She was a natural leader, even if she could be pushy at times, it cooled the hot feeling in her chest and stomach.
Summer she... but why? They were supposed to be friends. Why would she do that to Naomi?
Venice was the blow that hit the hardest. She was on the swim team, she was always nice to people; even people most people decided not to be cordial to. And she was shot, just like Becca.
Tears had started to make tracks down her face, the rest of the announcement becoming background noise. She wasn't supposed to cry, she had to be brave, be smart. She had to do something, dammit!
She had scrubbed the tears off her face just in time for Joey to come rushing in.
"Rosemary. We need to get these collars off."
That was her answer. Her call to do something. She wiped her nose while mechanically going through her pack until she found the first aid kit with the surgical mask inside. She pulled in on, getting up she took the butterfly knife out of her pocket and flicked open the blade.
This was the something she could do, and this was the time to prove it.
"I know." She replied to Joey, and began to walk to the other building, where the body was waiting for them.
Putting her head in her hands Rosemary had this train of thought go back and forth in her mind until the announcements came on. More names, more killers and more of the dead. When they reached Becca's name, though, her ears perked up.
Did they just call her death a joke? They thought it was funny someone shot her in the chest, and left her there to die.
This was the first time she felt anger, true anger towards the sickening broadcast. Yesterday only shocked her and made her afraid, but the feeling pooling up in her stomach wasn't nausea anymore. Her fists balled up in her lap.
Becca was not a joke the terrorists could talk about. All they saw was a body on a screen, did they even understand what it was like to see a body for the first time? It was... wrong. Every bit of it wrong. Maybe the people who brought them here just didn't care, and that's why they took their class.
Her anger subsided when she heard the name Naomi Bell. That hit her hard. How could Naomi be dead? She was a natural leader, even if she could be pushy at times, it cooled the hot feeling in her chest and stomach.
Summer she... but why? They were supposed to be friends. Why would she do that to Naomi?
Venice was the blow that hit the hardest. She was on the swim team, she was always nice to people; even people most people decided not to be cordial to. And she was shot, just like Becca.
Tears had started to make tracks down her face, the rest of the announcement becoming background noise. She wasn't supposed to cry, she had to be brave, be smart. She had to do something, dammit!
She had scrubbed the tears off her face just in time for Joey to come rushing in.
"Rosemary. We need to get these collars off."
That was her answer. Her call to do something. She wiped her nose while mechanically going through her pack until she found the first aid kit with the surgical mask inside. She pulled in on, getting up she took the butterfly knife out of her pocket and flicked open the blade.
This was the something she could do, and this was the time to prove it.
"I know." She replied to Joey, and began to walk to the other building, where the body was waiting for them.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler MrMissMrs Random. 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.
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watcher in night†
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:29 am
More deaths. More killers.
The announcement that Meera had been dreading since the first had come and gone, and had left them all in mute silence after the echoes of Danya's voice had faded away. She could barely keep track of all those who'd killed and died on the island in the past day, but she knew that none of them were suicides.
Things had seemed okay. Hopeful, even. But then the announcement had come, proving once again that this deadly game was for real. The killing hadn't stopped, and it would only continue.
Soon they all could fall victim to one of the killers.
At least they knew now who had killed Becca. Danya had made her death out to be some kind of fucking joke. She could still hear the terrorist's voice grating in her ears, and Meera realized she was clenching her hands into fists. Someone had to make these people pay for what they'd done.
Of all of the deaths, Venice's hit her the hardest. Another swimmer, shot by some sicko in the chest. But the death that shocked her the most was Naomi's. If anyone was going to lead them all off the island to safety, it had been Naomi Bell. She'd been a natural leader, but if Summer Simms of all people had killed her on the second day, what chance did any of them have at uniting the rest of the students.
Meera felt sick and frustrated. She, like everyone else, was utterly powerless to do anything about this, to change anything that was going on, to stop the killing. She thought of Garrett Wilde, who was trying to do just that. He hadn't been announced, and she wondered what he was doing now.
She thought he should have stayed with them. It was pointless to try to stop the killing without violence. Two days, and so many classmates were already dead.
One thing was certain, he clearly hadn't managed to talk down Theodore Fletcher. He'd killed a third time. It was clear he was deliberately hunting down and murdering people now, and wasn't simply panicked and fearful. She hadn't known Xavier Contel well, but he wasn't the sort of person to provoke a fight.
Someone needed to stop Theo. As in, kill him, because otherwise he would stop at nothing to kill his way to the top.
But that someone wouldn't be Meera. Her weapon was useless, and she'd be an easy target for anyone with a gun or sword or--
"Rosemary. We need to get these collars off."
It was Joey. He'd arisen and walked over to them, looking urgently at Rosemary. Quickly Rosemary got to her feet and pulled on a surgical mask. She drew the knife from her pocket, and opened the blade.
"I know," Rosemary said, simply. Then she turned and walked toward the other building.
There was nothing more to say. Meera climbed to her feet and followed them. It was time they put their plan into action.
The announcement that Meera had been dreading since the first had come and gone, and had left them all in mute silence after the echoes of Danya's voice had faded away. She could barely keep track of all those who'd killed and died on the island in the past day, but she knew that none of them were suicides.
Things had seemed okay. Hopeful, even. But then the announcement had come, proving once again that this deadly game was for real. The killing hadn't stopped, and it would only continue.
Soon they all could fall victim to one of the killers.
At least they knew now who had killed Becca. Danya had made her death out to be some kind of fucking joke. She could still hear the terrorist's voice grating in her ears, and Meera realized she was clenching her hands into fists. Someone had to make these people pay for what they'd done.
Of all of the deaths, Venice's hit her the hardest. Another swimmer, shot by some sicko in the chest. But the death that shocked her the most was Naomi's. If anyone was going to lead them all off the island to safety, it had been Naomi Bell. She'd been a natural leader, but if Summer Simms of all people had killed her on the second day, what chance did any of them have at uniting the rest of the students.
Meera felt sick and frustrated. She, like everyone else, was utterly powerless to do anything about this, to change anything that was going on, to stop the killing. She thought of Garrett Wilde, who was trying to do just that. He hadn't been announced, and she wondered what he was doing now.
She thought he should have stayed with them. It was pointless to try to stop the killing without violence. Two days, and so many classmates were already dead.
One thing was certain, he clearly hadn't managed to talk down Theodore Fletcher. He'd killed a third time. It was clear he was deliberately hunting down and murdering people now, and wasn't simply panicked and fearful. She hadn't known Xavier Contel well, but he wasn't the sort of person to provoke a fight.
Someone needed to stop Theo. As in, kill him, because otherwise he would stop at nothing to kill his way to the top.
But that someone wouldn't be Meera. Her weapon was useless, and she'd be an easy target for anyone with a gun or sword or--
"Rosemary. We need to get these collars off."
It was Joey. He'd arisen and walked over to them, looking urgently at Rosemary. Quickly Rosemary got to her feet and pulled on a surgical mask. She drew the knife from her pocket, and opened the blade.
"I know," Rosemary said, simply. Then she turned and walked toward the other building.
There was nothing more to say. Meera climbed to her feet and followed them. It was time they put their plan into action.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler watcher in night. 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.
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umop-ap!sdn†
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:15 am
((I have no idea what's going on with Paulo but will edit accordingly as needed.))
The body was just as it had been the day before, maybe looking a little stiffer. Joey couldn't get close to it. It was too terrible. The blood pooled around it seeped into the clothes, and a smell was now noticeable. He wondered if their bodies would smell the same. He wondered if they would all be in one place, or scattered around. If they would all be killed, or take out each other. He shook his head.
Rosemary was going to remove this collar. She was going to figure out how they worked, and they would all be free. It would then just be a game of avoiding the terrorists until rescue came. Or maybe it would become a war between the students and the terrorists. They only needed one make a deal. If they could only get off the fucking collars and stand a chance. Rosemary needed to hurry, he couldn't take the anxiety.
"Alright, let's get that one off, and then our own. I'll betcha they aren't even armed."
The body was just as it had been the day before, maybe looking a little stiffer. Joey couldn't get close to it. It was too terrible. The blood pooled around it seeped into the clothes, and a smell was now noticeable. He wondered if their bodies would smell the same. He wondered if they would all be in one place, or scattered around. If they would all be killed, or take out each other. He shook his head.
Rosemary was going to remove this collar. She was going to figure out how they worked, and they would all be free. It would then just be a game of avoiding the terrorists until rescue came. Or maybe it would become a war between the students and the terrorists. They only needed one make a deal. If they could only get off the fucking collars and stand a chance. Rosemary needed to hurry, he couldn't take the anxiety.
"Alright, let's get that one off, and then our own. I'll betcha they aren't even armed."
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MrMissMrs Random†
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:39 am
((GM collars, will change if need be.))
Rosemary was glad that she had decided to put on the mask. It covered her mouth and nose from direct contact to the stench coming off Becca's body. Her legs felt weak, but her mind was clear. This was something she had to do, it was there only chance.
Joey was urgent about her starting the procedure. What he was saying made her feel even more nervous, as she took a couple of deep breaths and looked down directly at the collar. There had to be a clasp or mechanism of some sort that made it easier for the terrorists to have put them on all of them en masse.
Fingering the center of the collar, she gave the front an experimental tug, where Becca's pulse once beat. They were tight- it felt like they made sure not one of them could slip off. She continued to move her fingers along every inch of the collar, but couldn't discern any exact groove. Danya had said the collars were designed not to break unless someone truly meant to set it off.
Taking another breath, Rosemary lifted her knife, and began to move it across the collar, hoping for a magic lock to somehow be deactivated with this.
It was a few minutes of her prying and accidentally making cuts along the rest of the body's neck and collar bone, it was strange because only the barest hint of liquid came out from the cuts. Becca had bled all that she could already.
Then, she found a point, near the bottom of the blade that could be a weak spot. Her heart leaped up in joy. This could be their chance- if she figured this out then they could get more and more collars off, then the terrorists would have to come after them, they could find a way to contact the outside the world, and then they could get home.
Mom, Dad...
"I found a spot." she announced, hoping that the people with her were watching. "I-if this works you need to make sure you know how to do this too. In case something happens.
She was worried that the terrorists were watching her every move at this point. What she discovered a way to get the collars off and then straight afterwards all three of them get there heads blown off before they could tamper with them?
Thinking back to the names, Rosemary pushed forward. She refused to end up as another name on the announcements. The terrorists that took them were in for a rude awakening.
As she thought this she shoved, almost stabbed the knife tip into the collar.
Beep. Beep.
That sound in any other situation would be mundane, slightly irritating, like a ring from a cellphone. But then it was getting faster.
"Get out. GET OUT!" She screamed, moving away from the body with Joey and Meera behind her, she continued to scream 'get out' as they ran out of the store.
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeeeeeep-
They barely made it out before the collar blew what was left of Becca Everett's neck to bits.
Rosemary was glad that she had decided to put on the mask. It covered her mouth and nose from direct contact to the stench coming off Becca's body. Her legs felt weak, but her mind was clear. This was something she had to do, it was there only chance.
Joey was urgent about her starting the procedure. What he was saying made her feel even more nervous, as she took a couple of deep breaths and looked down directly at the collar. There had to be a clasp or mechanism of some sort that made it easier for the terrorists to have put them on all of them en masse.
Fingering the center of the collar, she gave the front an experimental tug, where Becca's pulse once beat. They were tight- it felt like they made sure not one of them could slip off. She continued to move her fingers along every inch of the collar, but couldn't discern any exact groove. Danya had said the collars were designed not to break unless someone truly meant to set it off.
Taking another breath, Rosemary lifted her knife, and began to move it across the collar, hoping for a magic lock to somehow be deactivated with this.
It was a few minutes of her prying and accidentally making cuts along the rest of the body's neck and collar bone, it was strange because only the barest hint of liquid came out from the cuts. Becca had bled all that she could already.
Then, she found a point, near the bottom of the blade that could be a weak spot. Her heart leaped up in joy. This could be their chance- if she figured this out then they could get more and more collars off, then the terrorists would have to come after them, they could find a way to contact the outside the world, and then they could get home.
Mom, Dad...
"I found a spot." she announced, hoping that the people with her were watching. "I-if this works you need to make sure you know how to do this too. In case something happens.
She was worried that the terrorists were watching her every move at this point. What she discovered a way to get the collars off and then straight afterwards all three of them get there heads blown off before they could tamper with them?
Thinking back to the names, Rosemary pushed forward. She refused to end up as another name on the announcements. The terrorists that took them were in for a rude awakening.
As she thought this she shoved, almost stabbed the knife tip into the collar.
Beep. Beep.
That sound in any other situation would be mundane, slightly irritating, like a ring from a cellphone. But then it was getting faster.
"Get out. GET OUT!" She screamed, moving away from the body with Joey and Meera behind her, she continued to scream 'get out' as they ran out of the store.
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeeeeeep-
They barely made it out before the collar blew what was left of Becca Everett's neck to bits.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler MrMissMrs Random. 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.
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watcher in night†
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:29 am
Rosemary was working busily at the collar while Meera and Joey watched. Meera's attention was only half focused on the body, however. She glanced over her shoulder now and then to make sure their group was still alone. The last thing Meera wanted was for some classmate to stumble along them right now and get the wrong idea. In this situation, any confrontation could explode into violence.
Rosemary seemed to have found a weak point on the collars.
"Make sure you know how to do this too," she told them, before resuming hacking away with knife at the collar.
Meera leaned in to get a closer look, trying to avoid staring into Becca Everett's sightless eyes. Rosemary had indeed found a weak point on the collar, and was working faster now. Meera studied the cuts she made with the knife, and watched as she plunged the knife tip deep into the collar.
Beep. Beep.
The collar began to let out an oddly mundane beeping sound, like the ringtone on a cell phone. And it was quickly growing faster.
Meera's eyes widened, and immediately she realized they were definitely in danger. Reflexively she took a few steps back from the collar. She opened her mouth to shout a warning to the others.
Rosemary got to it before her. "Get out. GET OUT!" she yelled, as the frantic beeping of the collar continued to sound, louder and faster than before.
That was enough for Meera. She turned and ran for the door, racing out of the building as fast as she could. Joey and Rosemary came right behind her, and they'd barely made it out before she heard a bang from within the building as the collar detonated.
For a few moments she simply stood there, shellshocked by what had occurred. She could see the same looks of shock mirrored on the others' faces. Everything around them seemed silent and still for a moment.
"Well that...failed," said Meera, shakily. "Guess they- the terrorists meant what they said about collar detonation."
Rosemary seemed to have found a weak point on the collars.
"Make sure you know how to do this too," she told them, before resuming hacking away with knife at the collar.
Meera leaned in to get a closer look, trying to avoid staring into Becca Everett's sightless eyes. Rosemary had indeed found a weak point on the collar, and was working faster now. Meera studied the cuts she made with the knife, and watched as she plunged the knife tip deep into the collar.
Beep. Beep.
The collar began to let out an oddly mundane beeping sound, like the ringtone on a cell phone. And it was quickly growing faster.
Meera's eyes widened, and immediately she realized they were definitely in danger. Reflexively she took a few steps back from the collar. She opened her mouth to shout a warning to the others.
Rosemary got to it before her. "Get out. GET OUT!" she yelled, as the frantic beeping of the collar continued to sound, louder and faster than before.
That was enough for Meera. She turned and ran for the door, racing out of the building as fast as she could. Joey and Rosemary came right behind her, and they'd barely made it out before she heard a bang from within the building as the collar detonated.
For a few moments she simply stood there, shellshocked by what had occurred. She could see the same looks of shock mirrored on the others' faces. Everything around them seemed silent and still for a moment.
"Well that...failed," said Meera, shakily. "Guess they- the terrorists meant what they said about collar detonation."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler watcher in night. 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.
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umop-ap!sdn†
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:15 am
((GM approved, subject to edits))
It exploded. It actually exploded. Rosemary's hands and front were now blood spattered, and Becca's head was now separate from her body. The collars worked. The collars removed heads.
Football was a sport of fearlessness. Joey had always been able to swallow fear when it mattered, and charge into the kid facing him. Even as a short guy, Joey had always known that he had the heart and the balls to put up a fight. That was all this was. A fight between him and the terrorists. Between them and the terrorists. Rosemary had failed once, but they had purpose. They had resolution. They had drive.
"You have to try again."
She started to argue, but he interrupted. They needed a miracle.
"Just...don't do... whatever you did... that time."
Keep it simple, keep everybody calm. They needed a volunteer. He pulled her hands away from the mess and looked her in the eye.
He'd heard different versions from different coaches and trainers. He needed to get Rosemary into the warrior mindset, now. He offered a weak smile to Meera, who was nearby.
"We gotta overcome fear to truly be free... Right?" He turned around and leaned his head forward.
She had this. She'd messed up once, she wouldn't again. She couldn't. She was too smart to. Rosemary Michaela had kept him motivated through finishing his seemingly impossible homework, he was returning the favor. They would all be thankful in a few minutes once his collar was off. They'd stop the killing and show everybody that it wasn't the only option.
"Joey, I can't! What if-"
"N' what if we don't get them off? We get murdered by our fuckin' fri-classmates, or we get fuckin' blown up anyways!"
He was shaking now. This was it. Something was going to happen, and it was going to change everything. Everything.He was going to be Joe Caputo, the kid who stepped up and helped figure out how to outwit the terrorists. He'd be on every talk show, being asked about this moment. He'd be immortalized, a public figure, a head note in a history book detailing how Survival of the Fittest was shut down forever. He, Rosemary, and Meera would be dubbed some catchy nickname and get medals of courage or something.
Rosemary still needed the encouragement. He didn't feel her fingers on his neck, now the end of the scissors poking at the temporary necklace. What had she always said to him when geometry got difficult, what did she need to hear?
"Take a minute, get yourself together..."
She needed to succeed. She would succeed. Even if she got it on her third try, that wouldn't be good enough for him. The collar was coming off. It would fall away from his neck and he would be surprised by how much the skin underneath itched and how cool the air felt on it.
"...and you'll get it on the next try."
It exploded. It actually exploded. Rosemary's hands and front were now blood spattered, and Becca's head was now separate from her body. The collars worked. The collars removed heads.
Football was a sport of fearlessness. Joey had always been able to swallow fear when it mattered, and charge into the kid facing him. Even as a short guy, Joey had always known that he had the heart and the balls to put up a fight. That was all this was. A fight between him and the terrorists. Between them and the terrorists. Rosemary had failed once, but they had purpose. They had resolution. They had drive.
"You have to try again."
She started to argue, but he interrupted. They needed a miracle.
"Just...don't do... whatever you did... that time."
Keep it simple, keep everybody calm. They needed a volunteer. He pulled her hands away from the mess and looked her in the eye.
He'd heard different versions from different coaches and trainers. He needed to get Rosemary into the warrior mindset, now. He offered a weak smile to Meera, who was nearby.
"We gotta overcome fear to truly be free... Right?" He turned around and leaned his head forward.
She had this. She'd messed up once, she wouldn't again. She couldn't. She was too smart to. Rosemary Michaela had kept him motivated through finishing his seemingly impossible homework, he was returning the favor. They would all be thankful in a few minutes once his collar was off. They'd stop the killing and show everybody that it wasn't the only option.
"Joey, I can't! What if-"
"N' what if we don't get them off? We get murdered by our fuckin' fri-classmates, or we get fuckin' blown up anyways!"
He was shaking now. This was it. Something was going to happen, and it was going to change everything. Everything.He was going to be Joe Caputo, the kid who stepped up and helped figure out how to outwit the terrorists. He'd be on every talk show, being asked about this moment. He'd be immortalized, a public figure, a head note in a history book detailing how Survival of the Fittest was shut down forever. He, Rosemary, and Meera would be dubbed some catchy nickname and get medals of courage or something.
Rosemary still needed the encouragement. He didn't feel her fingers on his neck, now the end of the scissors poking at the temporary necklace. What had she always said to him when geometry got difficult, what did she need to hear?
"Take a minute, get yourself together..."
She needed to succeed. She would succeed. Even if she got it on her third try, that wouldn't be good enough for him. The collar was coming off. It would fall away from his neck and he would be surprised by how much the skin underneath itched and how cool the air felt on it.
"...and you'll get it on the next try."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler umop-ap!sdn. 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.
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MrMissMrs Random†
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:39 am
She was covered in blood. Her hands were stained red and little bits of gore stuck under her fingernails and she wanted to cry.
Her hands were shaking as Joey held on to them. He wanted her to do it again, this time on Joey himself. She screwed up- she screwed up big time with Becca. Why did he still believe she could do this?
But what other choice did they have. Joey was right, either they kept trying to remove the collars or they would all die anyway. There was no other choice.
Rosemary didn't want to think about Becca's head, her eyes open probably and still looking at all of them with the judgment only the dead could show.
"Take a minute, get yourself together...and you'll get it on the next try."
"Joey..."
Don't make me do this. Please, I don't want to do this. I don't want it to be my fault if you-
But she took deep breaths, not voicing the pleas in her head. She couldn't stop, not when not just their own but everyone's lives were at stake.
"O-okay. I'm g-going to get it off." I will this time. There is no other way.
And with that, she tried again. She worked on the collar longer this time, more careful about putting her now bloodied tool too close to Joey's Adam's apple. He didn't fidget or outwardly show any discomfort as she worked, which made her feel worry and relief at the same time. Her hands along the collar were slippery, more prone to jerking. One time the knife even fell right out of her hand. But Joey made no complaints. He was anticipating the moment it was off, when he would be freed from under the terrorists control.
Eventually, her blade reached a point in the collar that felt edged, almost worn and weakened.
"I'm-I'm going try again. Okay?" Rosemary said aloud, but nobody said anything back. Her, Meera, Joey, especially Joey, prayed that this was the key to their salvation.
Rosemary worked the butterfly knife in, making a jimmying motion, a slight 'click' noise coming off. And no beeping.
Rosemary let out a breath of air from her mouth, a big smile coming up to her face as she looked at Joey's.
She had done it.
Tossing her blade aside, Rosemary moved her hands up to fully pull the collar free. However, all that happened was a her giving Joey's neck a tug. The collar was still attached. Her face fell.
"No,"
Beep.
"Oh no, god no, no, no!" She screamed, not moving away as she yanked at Joey's collar, trying in vain still to take it off.
Her hands were shaking as Joey held on to them. He wanted her to do it again, this time on Joey himself. She screwed up- she screwed up big time with Becca. Why did he still believe she could do this?
But what other choice did they have. Joey was right, either they kept trying to remove the collars or they would all die anyway. There was no other choice.
Rosemary didn't want to think about Becca's head, her eyes open probably and still looking at all of them with the judgment only the dead could show.
"Take a minute, get yourself together...and you'll get it on the next try."
"Joey..."
Don't make me do this. Please, I don't want to do this. I don't want it to be my fault if you-
But she took deep breaths, not voicing the pleas in her head. She couldn't stop, not when not just their own but everyone's lives were at stake.
"O-okay. I'm g-going to get it off." I will this time. There is no other way.
And with that, she tried again. She worked on the collar longer this time, more careful about putting her now bloodied tool too close to Joey's Adam's apple. He didn't fidget or outwardly show any discomfort as she worked, which made her feel worry and relief at the same time. Her hands along the collar were slippery, more prone to jerking. One time the knife even fell right out of her hand. But Joey made no complaints. He was anticipating the moment it was off, when he would be freed from under the terrorists control.
Eventually, her blade reached a point in the collar that felt edged, almost worn and weakened.
"I'm-I'm going try again. Okay?" Rosemary said aloud, but nobody said anything back. Her, Meera, Joey, especially Joey, prayed that this was the key to their salvation.
Rosemary worked the butterfly knife in, making a jimmying motion, a slight 'click' noise coming off. And no beeping.
Rosemary let out a breath of air from her mouth, a big smile coming up to her face as she looked at Joey's.
She had done it.
Tossing her blade aside, Rosemary moved her hands up to fully pull the collar free. However, all that happened was a her giving Joey's neck a tug. The collar was still attached. Her face fell.
"No,"
Beep.
"Oh no, god no, no, no!" She screamed, not moving away as she yanked at Joey's collar, trying in vain still to take it off.
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watcher in night†
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:29 am
Beep.
The mundane, now horrifying sound came again just as Rosemary tried to pull the collar free from around Joey's neck.
"Oh no, god no, no, no!" Rosemary screamed, her fingers still clasped around Joey's collar, trying in vain to tear it free. Blank panic overrode any other thoughts Meera had as she realized in that split second what was about to happen.
"Damn it!" Meera shouted, lunging forward to grab Rosemary by the shirt. "Rosemary! Get back!'
The mundane, now horrifying sound came again just as Rosemary tried to pull the collar free from around Joey's neck.
"Oh no, god no, no, no!" Rosemary screamed, her fingers still clasped around Joey's collar, trying in vain to tear it free. Blank panic overrode any other thoughts Meera had as she realized in that split second what was about to happen.
"Damn it!" Meera shouted, lunging forward to grab Rosemary by the shirt. "Rosemary! Get back!'
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umop-ap!sdn†
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:15 am
Joey looked back at Rosemary's relieved face as she reached for the collar. His shoulders relaxed, his heartbeat was picking back up. The hardest part was just about over. Her fingers poked between his skin and the metal and began to remove it.
He was tugged forward. He took a small step, not anticipating the pull. He started to look down, confused when it sounded.
"No."
Beep.
It was identical to the tone that had come from Becca's collar. This one sounded louder. Closer.
Rosemary's fingers forced more of themselves between Joey and the collar. He could see the panic in her eyes. He could hear it in her voice. He could feel it in her pulls.
She was hurting him... and he was about to die.
beep.
He looked back and forth between them frantically. Meera was grabbing at Rosemary's shirt to pull her back. She knew too. He saw it on both of their faces. Everything sounded as if it was being heard from underwater. Foggy. Faded. Distant.
His body didn't know what to do with the adrenaline.
beep.
As much as he wanted the collar to break in her hands and free him, it felt like his neck would snap long before any part of the collar gave. He grabbed Rosemary's wrists and pulled them away. They went limp in his hands, he pulled them out.
beep.
She was frantic. Lucky them for being able to still decide what they wanted to feel. Panic, guilt, fear. They had time to figure it out. He just had moments left.
beep.
He couldn't pick to an emotion. Denial, panic, and terrible disappointment all fought over which emotion was dominant.
beep.
Meera was still holding the shirt. Joey nodded, Rosemary was too close.
beep.
He pushed her back. The explosion wou-
beep.
-ld take off her fing-
beep.
-ers if she-
beep. beep.
His hands flew to the collar.
beep. beep.beep.
With a final tug, he accepted that it was not coming off. He tried to shout over the successive, quickening beeps.
"DON'T WORRY!" He stepped back quickly away from them, stopping once his back hit the wall. "FIND ANOTHER WAY!"
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeeeeeep-
He hardly heard the start of the detonation.
B034, JOEY CAPUTO: DECEASED
He was tugged forward. He took a small step, not anticipating the pull. He started to look down, confused when it sounded.
"No."
Beep.
It was identical to the tone that had come from Becca's collar. This one sounded louder. Closer.
Rosemary's fingers forced more of themselves between Joey and the collar. He could see the panic in her eyes. He could hear it in her voice. He could feel it in her pulls.
She was hurting him... and he was about to die.
beep.
He looked back and forth between them frantically. Meera was grabbing at Rosemary's shirt to pull her back. She knew too. He saw it on both of their faces. Everything sounded as if it was being heard from underwater. Foggy. Faded. Distant.
His body didn't know what to do with the adrenaline.
beep.
As much as he wanted the collar to break in her hands and free him, it felt like his neck would snap long before any part of the collar gave. He grabbed Rosemary's wrists and pulled them away. They went limp in his hands, he pulled them out.
beep.
She was frantic. Lucky them for being able to still decide what they wanted to feel. Panic, guilt, fear. They had time to figure it out. He just had moments left.
beep.
He couldn't pick to an emotion. Denial, panic, and terrible disappointment all fought over which emotion was dominant.
beep.
Meera was still holding the shirt. Joey nodded, Rosemary was too close.
beep.
He pushed her back. The explosion wou-
beep.
-ld take off her fing-
beep.
-ers if she-
beep. beep.
His hands flew to the collar.
beep. beep.beep.
With a final tug, he accepted that it was not coming off. He tried to shout over the successive, quickening beeps.
"DON'T WORRY!" He stepped back quickly away from them, stopping once his back hit the wall. "FIND ANOTHER WAY!"
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeeeeeep-
He hardly heard the start of the detonation.
B034, JOEY CAPUTO: DECEASED
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MrMissMrs Random†
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:39 am
As the collar went off and the life of Joey Caputo came to an end, Rosemary had stopped screaming. She sank down on her knees, with Meera still holding on to her hoodie, staring at the red and matted stump of flesh that used to have Joey's head on top of it. But it was gone now. Joey was dead and it was all her fault.
She looked at her hands, fingers spread wide, stained red with the blood of Becca, and now Joey. she tried to do something, she tried to fight back with knowledge instead of bloodshed, and that only ended with two desecrated bodies and the boy she had gotten through Geometry dead.
For first time in the third time tears had come to her eyes on the forsaken island, Rosemary let out a sob. Her mouth opened wide to bring out the full brunt of her despair. Snot smeared on the surgical mask that she ripped off, tears falling on her bloodied hands, but were not enough to make them clean.
It's my fault... It's all my fault...
She looked at her hands, fingers spread wide, stained red with the blood of Becca, and now Joey. she tried to do something, she tried to fight back with knowledge instead of bloodshed, and that only ended with two desecrated bodies and the boy she had gotten through Geometry dead.
For first time in the third time tears had come to her eyes on the forsaken island, Rosemary let out a sob. Her mouth opened wide to bring out the full brunt of her despair. Snot smeared on the surgical mask that she ripped off, tears falling on her bloodied hands, but were not enough to make them clean.
It's my fault... It's all my fault...
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler MrMissMrs Random. 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.
((Sorry, been dealing with some shit. You guys feel free to prod me if you need me to post faster. Better than me re-inserting after four cycles, lol))
He had only stayed with them because he hadn't really made any plans as to what he was going to do. So far, Paulo only knew he had to find Alda. Probably Cooper. In fact, the whole damn crew. They'd find a way to get out, that was all there was to it.
That's why he had given no resistance to them using Becca as a guinea pig. If it meant getting them closer to a way off the island, that was cool. That was just bueno. He had shit riding on it. He hadn't heard Alda's name on the announcements. That was something. He had heard about who had topped off Becca. That was something else.
But they fucked up. Becca wasn't much of anything at that point. But they still kept going. Paulo had started to tell them if was a dumb fucking idea to do it live, but there were off to the races before he could get anywhere.
And then they were one group member fewer.
Paulo didn't watch the bomb go off. As soon as he knew what was happening he turned away. He was treated instead to the sight of Rosemary losing it. He wasn't sure if that was the lesser of the two evils.
"Holy fucking shit, man." He said. It was really all he could say, at the moment.
He had only stayed with them because he hadn't really made any plans as to what he was going to do. So far, Paulo only knew he had to find Alda. Probably Cooper. In fact, the whole damn crew. They'd find a way to get out, that was all there was to it.
That's why he had given no resistance to them using Becca as a guinea pig. If it meant getting them closer to a way off the island, that was cool. That was just bueno. He had shit riding on it. He hadn't heard Alda's name on the announcements. That was something. He had heard about who had topped off Becca. That was something else.
But they fucked up. Becca wasn't much of anything at that point. But they still kept going. Paulo had started to tell them if was a dumb fucking idea to do it live, but there were off to the races before he could get anywhere.
And then they were one group member fewer.
Paulo didn't watch the bomb go off. As soon as he knew what was happening he turned away. He was treated instead to the sight of Rosemary losing it. He wasn't sure if that was the lesser of the two evils.
"Holy fucking shit, man." He said. It was really all he could say, at the moment.
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watcher in night†
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:29 am
It shouldn't have happened.
Though she didn't like it, Meera had accepted all of the deaths she'd heard Danya announce, accepted the fact that elsewhere on the island her friends, enemies, and pretty much her whole class were being forced to kill each other. But she could not accept what was right before her, what she didn't want to look at but couldn't hear her eyes away from. It didn't matter she could see the truth, because Joey Caputo should not be lying dead before her. He'd been so vibrant, so...full of life. It would have been impossible for her to imagine just a few minutes earlier that he would end up as lifeless and cold as Becca Everett.
And yet he was. They'd made one mistake, and now he was gone. Joey was dead, Rosemary was crying, and it was all Meera could do to hold it together herself. She wanted to cry, scream, hit something, but none of those things would bring Joey back, or help them in any way.
Paulo uttered a short string of expletives, otherwise lost for words. Meera was too stunned at the moment to even curse in shock. The moment Joey had died kept replaying in her head in slow motion, like a gory death scene in a bad horror flick. Except ten times more visceral, more real.
Meera should have stopped them. She knew she should have said something now. After what had happened with Becca, she should have had more reservations about trying again. But, swept away by the heat of the moment, by her fierce desire to see the collars removed. So she'd instead encouraged them to try it again, might've even volunteered herself if Joey hadn't right away.
I should've known better, she thought, eyes blurring with tears. The collars...it was a stupid idea from the beginning.
Joey's last words had been an instruction. He'd told them to find another way. If Meera had any regard for the friend they'd just lost, it was her duty to help Rosemary do that.
But she couldn't think about that right now. The wound was too raw, Joey was gone too soon, for her to think about any kind of long-term plan right now. She and Rosemary needed to get out of the streets, and fast. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Meera realized one hand was still clenched tightly to Rosemary's hoodie. She let go abruptly, then dropped to her knees beside her only remaining friend and ally on the island.
Meera found herself at loss for words. She wanted to reach out to Rosemary, tell her that Joey had wanted this and that none of it was her fault. But Meera knew that, however true those words were, that they would sound empty and useless. She herself felt guilty enough about what had happened, and she hadn't been holding the knife. She could only imagine what Rosemary was feeling right now, and the thought of being in her position was so painful that Meera found she had to stop imagining.
She forced herself to focus on the problem.They needed to get away from here, before the sound of the second explosion drew more students to the town. Meera couldn't face other people right now, even non-hostile students.
Oh, right. And Joey had been carrying bags, with rations, as well as some kind of curved knife. They'd have to grab those too before they left. Couldn't just leave them there for anyone to stumble upon. Mechanically she walked over to retrieve the bags, avoiding looking at Joey as much as she possibly could. She checked the bags and realized the knife was probably in one of his pockets.
Gritting her teeth, Meera forced herself to look at Joey's crumpled form as she reached into his pockets. The blood was drying, and his head and neck, what hadn't been blown apart, was an unrecognizable mess. Meera looked away almost at once, feeling a chill run down her spine. She closed her eyes, but she couldn't get the sight out of her head.
Meera's hand closed around the hilt of Joey's curved knife. She slipped it in a front pocket of her jeans.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to Joey, forcing herself to stare at the body one final time. Then she walked over to Paulo and Rosemary.
"W-we should probably get away from here," she said to them. "Anyone could have heard the two explosions and might be on their way to investigate."
Though she didn't like it, Meera had accepted all of the deaths she'd heard Danya announce, accepted the fact that elsewhere on the island her friends, enemies, and pretty much her whole class were being forced to kill each other. But she could not accept what was right before her, what she didn't want to look at but couldn't hear her eyes away from. It didn't matter she could see the truth, because Joey Caputo should not be lying dead before her. He'd been so vibrant, so...full of life. It would have been impossible for her to imagine just a few minutes earlier that he would end up as lifeless and cold as Becca Everett.
And yet he was. They'd made one mistake, and now he was gone. Joey was dead, Rosemary was crying, and it was all Meera could do to hold it together herself. She wanted to cry, scream, hit something, but none of those things would bring Joey back, or help them in any way.
Paulo uttered a short string of expletives, otherwise lost for words. Meera was too stunned at the moment to even curse in shock. The moment Joey had died kept replaying in her head in slow motion, like a gory death scene in a bad horror flick. Except ten times more visceral, more real.
Meera should have stopped them. She knew she should have said something now. After what had happened with Becca, she should have had more reservations about trying again. But, swept away by the heat of the moment, by her fierce desire to see the collars removed. So she'd instead encouraged them to try it again, might've even volunteered herself if Joey hadn't right away.
I should've known better, she thought, eyes blurring with tears. The collars...it was a stupid idea from the beginning.
Joey's last words had been an instruction. He'd told them to find another way. If Meera had any regard for the friend they'd just lost, it was her duty to help Rosemary do that.
But she couldn't think about that right now. The wound was too raw, Joey was gone too soon, for her to think about any kind of long-term plan right now. She and Rosemary needed to get out of the streets, and fast. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Meera realized one hand was still clenched tightly to Rosemary's hoodie. She let go abruptly, then dropped to her knees beside her only remaining friend and ally on the island.
Meera found herself at loss for words. She wanted to reach out to Rosemary, tell her that Joey had wanted this and that none of it was her fault. But Meera knew that, however true those words were, that they would sound empty and useless. She herself felt guilty enough about what had happened, and she hadn't been holding the knife. She could only imagine what Rosemary was feeling right now, and the thought of being in her position was so painful that Meera found she had to stop imagining.
She forced herself to focus on the problem.They needed to get away from here, before the sound of the second explosion drew more students to the town. Meera couldn't face other people right now, even non-hostile students.
Oh, right. And Joey had been carrying bags, with rations, as well as some kind of curved knife. They'd have to grab those too before they left. Couldn't just leave them there for anyone to stumble upon. Mechanically she walked over to retrieve the bags, avoiding looking at Joey as much as she possibly could. She checked the bags and realized the knife was probably in one of his pockets.
Gritting her teeth, Meera forced herself to look at Joey's crumpled form as she reached into his pockets. The blood was drying, and his head and neck, what hadn't been blown apart, was an unrecognizable mess. Meera looked away almost at once, feeling a chill run down her spine. She closed her eyes, but she couldn't get the sight out of her head.
Meera's hand closed around the hilt of Joey's curved knife. She slipped it in a front pocket of her jeans.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to Joey, forcing herself to stare at the body one final time. Then she walked over to Paulo and Rosemary.
"W-we should probably get away from here," she said to them. "Anyone could have heard the two explosions and might be on their way to investigate."
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MrMissMrs Random†
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:39 am
Rosemary was still at her spot on the ground as Meera made the motions, gathering the bags and supplies they needed. Even going up to get the kukri. Where Joey was he wouldn't be needing it anymore.
Because he's dead. He's dead and I killed him. My hands made his collar explode. She thought, wondering if she could just curl up into a ball on the ground and become nothing, just have the earth swallow her up so she wouldn't have to feel this sickening guilt and pain.
Meera came back to her after grabbing what they had left, saying they had to go. A part of her wanted to have Meera and Paulo leave her. Let her rot away with Becca and Joey; but that was never an option.
I have to live... now more than ever we have to get out of this. I can't give up, even if I want to now. I can't. She had Meera to think about; what would happen if she lost not one but two allies in such a short amount of time? She could never give up, not if her parents still had hope that she would get back home alive. And now, she had another reason not to die- she had to give Joey's parents closure. If she could give anything to them, she had to give them that after what had happened.
Rosemary lifted her arm to unzip her bag, taking out a shirt to try and rub the blood off her hands and clean her face up slightly. After doing the best she could, she got up to her feet to pick up the butterfly knife she had tossed aside, before looking at the carnage that the record store had become.
"Is there any- anyway we can let them rest in peace?" Rosemary asked, her voice choking up. "I don't want to leave them like this."
Because he's dead. He's dead and I killed him. My hands made his collar explode. She thought, wondering if she could just curl up into a ball on the ground and become nothing, just have the earth swallow her up so she wouldn't have to feel this sickening guilt and pain.
Meera came back to her after grabbing what they had left, saying they had to go. A part of her wanted to have Meera and Paulo leave her. Let her rot away with Becca and Joey; but that was never an option.
I have to live... now more than ever we have to get out of this. I can't give up, even if I want to now. I can't. She had Meera to think about; what would happen if she lost not one but two allies in such a short amount of time? She could never give up, not if her parents still had hope that she would get back home alive. And now, she had another reason not to die- she had to give Joey's parents closure. If she could give anything to them, she had to give them that after what had happened.
Rosemary lifted her arm to unzip her bag, taking out a shirt to try and rub the blood off her hands and clean her face up slightly. After doing the best she could, she got up to her feet to pick up the butterfly knife she had tossed aside, before looking at the carnage that the record store had become.
"Is there any- anyway we can let them rest in peace?" Rosemary asked, her voice choking up. "I don't want to leave them like this."
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It was one bitch of a mess, to be sure. Messes needed to be cleaned up. But hell, even when he was considering burying Becca, Paulo didn't have any idea how he was supposed to go about doing it. This, none of this made any kind of sense to him.
"We ain't got any shovels." He said in response Rosemary. The implication was evident, and as much as he tried to hang onto a little of that "tough motherfucker" thing, the disgust at his own unspoken suggestion they just leave the bodies there was evident in his tone and on his face.
"Don't know what we can do." He said.
"We ain't got any shovels." He said in response Rosemary. The implication was evident, and as much as he tried to hang onto a little of that "tough motherfucker" thing, the disgust at his own unspoken suggestion they just leave the bodies there was evident in his tone and on his face.
"Don't know what we can do." He said.