The Hate of Men Will Pass

[Laurels]

((Louisa Bloom continued from Closing))

Louisa sat down near the bank of the stream. She and Kyle had been walking for a while, and they had decided to take a break at the stream. After a long night, she was also beginning to feel really tired. She hadn't gotten a lot of sleep in the last few days, mostly dozing off every so often, but hadn't gotten a full night's sleep in a long time.

Louisa removed her shoes and dipped her feet in the stream. It was cold, but Louisa felt instant relief. The sun was beginning to rise, and Louisa knew they had to be close to an announcement. Until then, Louisa just wanted to rest and avoid the game as long as possible.

Louisa closed her eyes. She hoped that if she tried hard enough, she could avoid thinking about the game. It remained to be seen if that would work or not.

[Lord_Shadow]

((Kyle Williams continued from Closing))

Kyle stood guard and kept his eyes scanning the area. No need to be careless while taking a break. They had walked for a fair bit so far. The stream was a nice distraction from the task at hand. But Kyle was still so very aware of what he had to do. The end was in sight, and the Program was almost over with.

"Louisa," Kyle said, still scanning the horizon, "I've got another question. Just something I wanted to know. You and Carlyle, how well did you know each other?"

[Laurels]

Huh? Why does he want to know that?

Out of nowhere, Kyle asked Louisa about Carlyle. Maybe he was just trying to distract himself from the game, or maybe he was just curious. Still, it couldn't hurt to respond.

"I'd say we knew each other pretty well," she said. "We had a few common interests, such as writing and cycling, so we'd usually chat about those subjects."

Louisa began to move her feet in the stream.

"Of course, had I known we would end up here, I would have tried to get to know him better. I guess I feel that way about a lot of people now."

[Lord_Shadow]

Louisa answered how Kyle expected her to. Nothing surprising. But that was to be expected.

It wasn't all he wanted to know, however.

"I get that. But, I meant more like..." He took a deep breath "how close were you two? I don't know if it's just me, but I get the feeling that you two had some sort of connection or something. I dunno."

He wondered why he was bringing this up now. It wasn't important. It didn't matter. Was it to distract himself from his rage, or resolve? Why did he even care to mention it.

Because this time now might be the last time he saw his last friend alive. And because, he really wanted to know.

That was why.

And that was stupid.

He sighed. "Forget it, I don't know why I mentioned it. We need to focus on the task at hand anyway. What are we going to do and all."

[Laurels]

Louisa raised her eyebrow in confusion. Was Kyle seriously asking if she and Carlyle had a romantic connection? Louisa never really thought about it. Sure, Carlyle was a nice guy and had a rugged charm to him, but she never really saw them as being romantically close.

Kyle then tried to change the subject, expressing his desire to discuss more about what they are going to do. Louisa pulled her feet out of the stream, grabbing her knees and pulling them close to her chest.

"I really don't think we have much to discuss," she said. "At this point, the plan is just 'don't get killed until we know we're the last ones left.' That shouldn't be so difficult at this stage."

"But, if you are really curious about Carlyle, I'm pretty sure we were just friends. I mean, if I felt any closer to him, maybe I would have asked him out. I just don't know if that would have happened or not."

"I mean, did he say anything about that?"

[Lord_Shadow]

Kyle felt relieved to hear that Carlyle and Louisa had just been friends. He didn't show it, because he wasn't sure how Louisa would take that. She pointed out his pathetic attempt to change the subject. And then asked him if Carlyle had brought anything up.

"No. He never said anything about that as far as I can recall."

He averted his gaze from Louisa. He was acutely aware of how uncomfortable he was thinking about this. But at the same time he felt he had to express it.

"I mean, he acted pretty much the same way you have. So you were just friends huh? Can't say I wouldn't have wanted that myself before this place." He coughed.

"Umm. This may sound weird but what... what do you think he thought about me?"

If he was going to die sometime later, whether by his hand or another, Kyle had to be true to himself.

[Laurels]

Louisa felt slightly disappointed. It seemed like Kyle had something big to ask her, but it looked like he was really just interested in talking about their former friend. She didn't blame him. They were close to the very end, and now was the time for any reflection of their lives and what they did in the valley.

"I'm not entirely sure," Louisa said in response to Kyle's question. "I mean, I can't know entirely what Carlyle thought, and it's not like we had any private moments together here."

Louisa's eyes darted to Kyle then back to the ground.

"But I'm sure he thought you were a good friend. I mean, you guy stayed together the entire time, didn't you? That had to count for something."

"So, um, what made you ask about Carlyle to begin with?"

[Lord_Shadow]

"Well," Kyle took a deep breath, "I think I fell for him."

His face turned red and he turned around to watch the surroundings.

"I mean, he was a great guy and all. And I guess I didn't notice my feelings until now. But, I do. Now that is. And I needed to make that known to you because..." He closed his eyes, and thought about everything that had happened until this moment.

"I don't know if you believe in the afterlife Louisa. But I do. And on the chance that we all get to see each other again, I was hoping you'd be okay if I took a chance with him."

He gripped the taser.

"It's stupid I know. Why would I even think that at this time. But I guess, I guess I just want to make sure we'd still be friends. Still be cool, after all this. Sorry, if this comes as a shock to you."

[Laurels]

Louisa's eyes widened when Kyle mentioned that he fell for Carlyle. She never suspected that Kyle was into guys from the short time they had been together. Even if he wasn't gay, she never thought he would be attracted to Carlyle.

That's when Kyle changed the subject. He told her about his belief in the afterlife, and the hope that they'd see everyone there when they died. He apparently was uncertain if she would still be friends with him after the fact. Louisa nodded.

"It's a bit of a shock, but it's not the first time someone came out to me," Louisa said. "I mean, if you were in love with Carlyle, then that's perfectly fine. I'm just sorry you had to see him die."

Louisa began to tap her fingers against her knees.

"I really do hope we get to see everyone again. I've never been to certain that an afterlife exists, but after all of this, I would hope to end up in some new plane of existence that's much more peaceful than this one."

"I mean, there are things I still want to say to everyone. It'd be nice to speak to them again."

[Lord_Shadow]

"Well, I'm actually not gay, just to clarify. I don't know if you think that I think I meant that you're not attractive or anything. I don't mean that." He fidgeted for a second, shifting his weight. "It's just that I like who I like and I loved whom I loved. Orientation had nothing to do with it. But, uh, thanks by the way." Kyle half-heartedly smiled.

He loosened his grip on the taser, his face started going back to its normal coloration.

"We'll see them all again, I hope. And I mean everyone. Like, I really think we need to talk to Gwen after all this is done. Let her know that we never intended for that to happen, any of us."

He cleared his throat. Then shook his head.

"That being said, it still doesn't change how furious I am about all this. I know that no one who we've lost would approve, and I am certain you don't want to see me do it, but I can't let those former classmates who took part in this get away without punishment any longer. Whoever is left, if their hands are stained with blood and they remain drenched with sin, vengeance will rain down upon them." He narrowed his eyes, looking to the horizon. "And it will be swift, mark my words."

"If there's nothing else, then I suggest we get moving. Who knows when the next announcement will come on? I know I wasn't wrong in my thinking before, I just had the wrong timing. We're going to the place where it all began, and we're ending this sick game there."

[Laurels]

"Oh, I'm sorry," Louisa said. "I guess I can understand your reasoning behind that."

Louisa found herself blushing. Kyle wasn't gay, but just had an attraction to Carlyle. That was perfectly understandable.

Kyle continued to go on about how he was certain he'd kill anyone who posed a clear danger and had no qualms about killing them. Louisa simply nodded as he spoke.

"I understand why you'd say that, but try to be careful," she said. "You don't want to become the person you're trying to kill."

"Also, if it's alright with you, can we just stay here a little longer? I'm kind of tired and wouldn't mind a bit of rest. We can take turns being lookout."

Louisa rubbed her eyes. She didn't realize how exhausted she was after being on the move for almost four days.

[Lord_Shadow]

"Right, I'll make sure that doesn't happen." Kyle said, to reassure her that he wouldn't become a monster himself. When she asked if they could stay a while longer, he initially frowned. They were so close to the end now. Why stop? But she was right, they needed this final respite.

"Alright then, we'll stay a while longer. Rest yourself, I'll keep a lookout first."

Kyle went a little further up the stream. He knew they were watching him, he no longer cared.

"God... it's almost time. See you real soon I hope. Forgive me, for what I must do."

[Laurels]

"Alright. Be careful," Louisa said to Kyle.

She pushed herself back from the stream a little bit, trying to ensure that she couldn't easily step into the waters. She kept her knees close to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She rested her head against her knees and closed her eyes. She doubted she'd get much sleep, especially in such a position, but it felt good to briefly relax. She'd probably be able to wake up easily if any danger came.

I probably won't feel this calm ever again. I have to enjoy this.

[Lord_Shadow]

Alone with his thoughts. And for once in his life, Kyle dreaded his time alone. Memories rose, of friends lost. Old emotional scars picked at, his mind meticulously going over every detail.

He wanted no more than to empty his mind of all that, but he could not. No peace, not while this breath clung to this spirit. Not while broken spirit held fast to weary body. Not while tired machine of flesh had yet strength, little as it may be. He cursed himself a thousand times, and a thousand times a thousand. If only he had been: faster, stronger, more persuasive, more direct, less frigid, less apathetic. A million faults and failures bombarded his soul.

Kyle felt the weight of them all.

"Eloi, eloi..." He faintly started. Yet his heart did not let him finish. Somehow, he knew he was not abandoned. Through all the anger and confusion, he knew that he was being watched over. Yet it still brought no comfort to him to know that. He was still so very...

Cold.

So cold.

He sat down on the ground, closed his eyes, and laid the pitchfork across his lap. Only one thing he knew of could help ease his mind, if only a little.

e4 - d6

Nc3 - Bf5

[Laurels]

After a few minutes, Louisa opened her eyes again. It didn't look like she'd be able to sleep like she'd hope. The valley was still pretty cold, something that caused her to shiver every so often. Dipping her feet in the stream only served to make them colder. She eventually stirred herself out of her position and stood up.

She began to look around. Kyle must have moved away from the area in his patrol. Louisa decided to go find him, if only to have pleasant company around.

He couldn't have gone too far. He wouldn't leave me completely at this point.

After a bit of walking, Louisa saw Kyle sitting on the ground. She wasn't sure if she should disturb him yet. He looked much calmer than she did presently. Why disturb that?