Louisa wiped her eyes. It was bad enough that she was crying, but now Kyle was as well. They were all going to collapse in a puddle of tears if they kept it going. The other guys were right. They needed to find a place to go, away from the forest. There weren't many places left for them to go, but the four of them were likely to find at least one location they could wait out the evening.
"I'm fine with those places," she said in response to Carlyle's ideas. "I don't know which way we have to go to get to either of those places, but I'm sure we can figure that out."
Or we might be up for a night of wandering the forest. With twelve left, it might be hard to find any others this way. I guess some time walking around might be good. Maybe clear my head a little.
The Hecate Sisters
Open
G014: Mayumi Tendou
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MurderWeasel
- Posts: 3449
- Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:56 am
- Team Affiliation: Jewel's Leviathans
Watching the others was not such an easy thing. Robin knew them, of course, and what she was witnessing was something she had not been exposed to since the start of The Program: classmates interacting with each other in a kind of normal, friendly way. Everyone she'd met had caused trouble, or been so different from how'd she'd known them in the halls of Patriot High, but now Robin saw that it didn't have to be that way. Carlyle was so recognizable, so much like he'd always been in class and at lunch, and with a sinking feeling Robin realized that that was something she had lost. Hannah wouldn't have recognized her. And what oh what would her mother think?
But that didn't matter, because Shawn was here, and Robin could find the anger within her, and she could turn it on these others, too, could use it to burn them for having what she could never again posses.
At first, she figured she'd kill Louisa, because the others seemed happy about finding her, but a moment's thought led her to reconsider. Louisa was not a very bright girl, with her crummy poetry and her infatuation with the downtrodden kids. She wouldn't be a huge threat. If Robin shot her, though, the others would probably want revenge, and then she'd be back in a three-on-one fight.
What she needed was to shock them into inaction, so they'd let her do what she needed to. So one of the boys would die.
Carlyle was bigger, and he was standing closer to the rifle, and Robin would need that if she was going to do to Shawn what she wanted. Carlyle was also so much like he'd always been, and the time for them to be high school students was long past. He belonged back in the early stages, the opening hours, and since he couldn't claw his way back there he belonged in the ground.
So Robin ducked out from behind the tree, a smile on her lips, and she didn't care that Shawn and the others were seeing her scarred face, because she was doing what she wanted and she would have it all and more. She took a few steps at a jog, straight at Carlyle, and then she paused, raised the gun, and pointed it straight at his torso.
She braced, pulled the trigger, breathed in as the smoke wafted from the gun and her ears echoed with the aftershock of the shot.
"Nobody move or they die next," she called, voice hoarse and loud but sounding a little small amid the ringing. "Hands where I can see them."
She took two more steps towards the rifle. She'd need to grab it in a hurry, but first she had to make her intentions crystal clear. She turned her attention to Shawn for a second.
"Hey there, Shawn," she said, her smile growing wider. "You're coming with me."
But that didn't matter, because Shawn was here, and Robin could find the anger within her, and she could turn it on these others, too, could use it to burn them for having what she could never again posses.
At first, she figured she'd kill Louisa, because the others seemed happy about finding her, but a moment's thought led her to reconsider. Louisa was not a very bright girl, with her crummy poetry and her infatuation with the downtrodden kids. She wouldn't be a huge threat. If Robin shot her, though, the others would probably want revenge, and then she'd be back in a three-on-one fight.
What she needed was to shock them into inaction, so they'd let her do what she needed to. So one of the boys would die.
Carlyle was bigger, and he was standing closer to the rifle, and Robin would need that if she was going to do to Shawn what she wanted. Carlyle was also so much like he'd always been, and the time for them to be high school students was long past. He belonged back in the early stages, the opening hours, and since he couldn't claw his way back there he belonged in the ground.
So Robin ducked out from behind the tree, a smile on her lips, and she didn't care that Shawn and the others were seeing her scarred face, because she was doing what she wanted and she would have it all and more. She took a few steps at a jog, straight at Carlyle, and then she paused, raised the gun, and pointed it straight at his torso.
She braced, pulled the trigger, breathed in as the smoke wafted from the gun and her ears echoed with the aftershock of the shot.
"Nobody move or they die next," she called, voice hoarse and loud but sounding a little small amid the ringing. "Hands where I can see them."
She took two more steps towards the rifle. She'd need to grab it in a hurry, but first she had to make her intentions crystal clear. She turned her attention to Shawn for a second.
"Hey there, Shawn," she said, her smile growing wider. "You're coming with me."
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CondorTalon
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:22 am
It had all gone to hell in a hand-basket too quickly.
Shawn should have said something. He should have trusted his eyes, he should have told them that he saw someone, he should have done something. Now it was too late, now Robin was back and she had the gun and-
BANG.
His ears rang. There was no impact against his body, no pain, and his eyes frantically darted down his body to check for a wound. Nothing. Shawn was perfectly okay...
Until he realized she hadn't been aiming for him in the first place.
Shawn gritted his teeth. This wasn't how it was supposed to go at all. She wasn't supposed to find them. He wasn't supposed to bring this death to their group. This wasn't. Right.
Shawn wanted to yell at Robin, to tackle her down, to stop her from doing anything but she had already shot and the rifle was at her feet and moving suddenly in any capacity would likely get him shot.
So he just walked forward, slowly, his hands raised in the air.
Shawn should have said something. He should have trusted his eyes, he should have told them that he saw someone, he should have done something. Now it was too late, now Robin was back and she had the gun and-
BANG.
His ears rang. There was no impact against his body, no pain, and his eyes frantically darted down his body to check for a wound. Nothing. Shawn was perfectly okay...
Until he realized she hadn't been aiming for him in the first place.
Shawn gritted his teeth. This wasn't how it was supposed to go at all. She wasn't supposed to find them. He wasn't supposed to bring this death to their group. This wasn't. Right.
Shawn wanted to yell at Robin, to tackle her down, to stop her from doing anything but she had already shot and the rifle was at her feet and moving suddenly in any capacity would likely get him shot.
So he just walked forward, slowly, his hands raised in the air.
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Lord_Shadow
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:43 am
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
Kyle didn't want to end his embrace of Louisa. Having her in his arms, knowing she was safe, was a feeling he didn't want to lose. But it was his reluctance to end the moment that lead to his being able to stop what came next.
They were agreeing upon where to go, all seemed well. Then came the blur of motion. The figure holding a gun made itself clear. She raised the gun, toom aim, and fired.
Kyle screamed to get down, he was too late. Far too late.
Carlyle had been hit, Robin was demanding the rest of them stay still or get shot. She then demanded Shawn come with her. He obliged.
He stood in shock, having let go of Louisa. His expression was blank, his mind empty.
Only one thought was left in his head.
"You let this happen. It is all your fault.
IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT KYLE!"
He slumped to the ground, buried his head in his hands, and wept. He wished it could all just go away.
They were agreeing upon where to go, all seemed well. Then came the blur of motion. The figure holding a gun made itself clear. She raised the gun, toom aim, and fired.
Kyle screamed to get down, he was too late. Far too late.
Carlyle had been hit, Robin was demanding the rest of them stay still or get shot. She then demanded Shawn come with her. He obliged.
He stood in shock, having let go of Louisa. His expression was blank, his mind empty.
Only one thought was left in his head.
"You let this happen. It is all your fault.
IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT KYLE!"
He slumped to the ground, buried his head in his hands, and wept. He wished it could all just go away.
There was once a dumb psuedo-news line here. Now there's this pretentious nonsense. YOU1 DID THIS, YOU1 KNOW WHO YOU1 ARE!
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
((Skipping with permission))
Louisa looked up from Kyle's shoulder and saw a figure run out. The figure fired their gun at Carlyle, causing Louisa let out a scream as she was freed from Kyle's embrace.
No! Not now!
The assailant, Robin Pounds, was now threatening the group, demanding Shawn come with them. Louisa wanted to run over to Carlyle in that moment. There was a chance to help him, or at least comfort him in his final moments. But Robin was pointing a gun at them. Three people were supposed to be dead because of her. If Louisa did anything suspicious, Robin could open fire on them all. She wasn't going to be the reason Kyle and Shawn were dead.
Louisa turned and saw Kyle on the ground crying. She kept her hands in front of her chest and open. She had to be careful with what she did in the next few moments.
"Carlyle! Just hold on! Please!" she shouted to her friend.
Louisa knew there was a chance her words meant nothing. But if Robin wouldn't let her approach Carlyle, she knew her words had to.
Louisa looked up from Kyle's shoulder and saw a figure run out. The figure fired their gun at Carlyle, causing Louisa let out a scream as she was freed from Kyle's embrace.
No! Not now!
The assailant, Robin Pounds, was now threatening the group, demanding Shawn come with them. Louisa wanted to run over to Carlyle in that moment. There was a chance to help him, or at least comfort him in his final moments. But Robin was pointing a gun at them. Three people were supposed to be dead because of her. If Louisa did anything suspicious, Robin could open fire on them all. She wasn't going to be the reason Kyle and Shawn were dead.
Louisa turned and saw Kyle on the ground crying. She kept her hands in front of her chest and open. She had to be careful with what she did in the next few moments.
"Carlyle! Just hold on! Please!" she shouted to her friend.
Louisa knew there was a chance her words meant nothing. But if Robin wouldn't let her approach Carlyle, she knew her words had to.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
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Pippi
- Posts: 1122
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2018 6:32 pm
- Location: I'm Pip!
- Team Affiliation: Stephanie's Buccaneers
Carlyle was stood right next to the gun, just about to pick it up, when he heard the soft padding of footsteps in front of him. Looking up, it took him about a second to recognise the figure as Robin Pounds. It took him another second for his brain to process that she was holding a gun. It took one more second for Carlyle to reach for his rifle, his one means of defence.
Those three seconds were all it took for Robin to point the gun at him and send a bullet hurtling into his body.
The pain was instantaneous and unlike anything Carlyle had ever felt before. Worse than falling from his bike, worse than slipping and scraping himself whilst rock climbing, worse than... well, anything. Carlyle made one, last, desperate grab for the rifle, right hand now covering the area of the wound, before he fell down onto his side. He guessed the impact would have felt hard and painful at any other time, but there was now a constant, overriding pain that blotted everything else out.
Slowly, with every movement driving daggers into him, Carlyle rolled onto his back, pulled his hand away from his torso. All he could see was red. Red hoody, red image on his shirt, red palm and growing red stain. This wasn’t supposed to happen. They were supposed to get to safety, find some way of escaping, all of them. But life had a habit of not going the way you wanted, at all, and Carlyle guessed he’d realised that as soon as the school’s name had been announced to take part in the program. There was nothing he could do any more but watch as he bled to death.
At least he couldn’t hear any more gunfire. There were the expected screams, but at least Robin wasn’t firing at his friends. Small comfort, but it was something. At least Louisa, Shawn and Kyle were safe for now. He heard Louisa call out to him, telling him to hold on, but Carlyle knew that wasn’t going to happen. He had maybe a minute left. There wasn’t any other way of telling it.
He just hoped he could see their faces one last time.
Those three seconds were all it took for Robin to point the gun at him and send a bullet hurtling into his body.
The pain was instantaneous and unlike anything Carlyle had ever felt before. Worse than falling from his bike, worse than slipping and scraping himself whilst rock climbing, worse than... well, anything. Carlyle made one, last, desperate grab for the rifle, right hand now covering the area of the wound, before he fell down onto his side. He guessed the impact would have felt hard and painful at any other time, but there was now a constant, overriding pain that blotted everything else out.
Slowly, with every movement driving daggers into him, Carlyle rolled onto his back, pulled his hand away from his torso. All he could see was red. Red hoody, red image on his shirt, red palm and growing red stain. This wasn’t supposed to happen. They were supposed to get to safety, find some way of escaping, all of them. But life had a habit of not going the way you wanted, at all, and Carlyle guessed he’d realised that as soon as the school’s name had been announced to take part in the program. There was nothing he could do any more but watch as he bled to death.
At least he couldn’t hear any more gunfire. There were the expected screams, but at least Robin wasn’t firing at his friends. Small comfort, but it was something. At least Louisa, Shawn and Kyle were safe for now. He heard Louisa call out to him, telling him to hold on, but Carlyle knew that wasn’t going to happen. He had maybe a minute left. There wasn’t any other way of telling it.
He just hoped he could see their faces one last time.
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MurderWeasel
- Posts: 3449
- Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:56 am
- Team Affiliation: Jewel's Leviathans
Shawn was cooperating. Carlyle was bleeding on the ground, and didn't look like he'd be getting up. Louisa and Kyle were stunned into immobility. Everything was, for once, working out just as it was supposed to. Robin's grin was getting wider by the second, stretching her dry lips. She flicked her tongue over them to keep them from cracking.
Stooping for a moment, she scooped up the rifle. Now she had teeth to back up her threats; luckily, the others didn't seem to have realized she'd fired her only bullet at Carlyle. Of course, there was no telling if his weapon was even loaded, but that would be something to worry about later. For now, she was taking what she wanted and getting clear.
"Come on, Shawn," she said. "This way. You walk in front. Nothing funny, and I won't shoot anyone else."
Because at the end of the day, what Shawn cared so much about was protecting the helpless, and Robin had the others dead to rights. She could probably have opened up on them with the rifle if it had bullets in it, but she wasn't at all sure she'd've been able to finish off everyone before one of them reached her, and besides, they weren't important in the end. Let the other killers do their own work; what she wanted was Shawn, and now he'd have no choice but to follow her lead.
Slowly, right hand supporting the pistol and keeping it trained on the others, left carrying the rifle, Robin backed up. She was sure Shawn would be right there with her, and soon they'd finish their business personally, like it should have been in the first place.
((Robin Pounds continued in 68°))
Stooping for a moment, she scooped up the rifle. Now she had teeth to back up her threats; luckily, the others didn't seem to have realized she'd fired her only bullet at Carlyle. Of course, there was no telling if his weapon was even loaded, but that would be something to worry about later. For now, she was taking what she wanted and getting clear.
"Come on, Shawn," she said. "This way. You walk in front. Nothing funny, and I won't shoot anyone else."
Because at the end of the day, what Shawn cared so much about was protecting the helpless, and Robin had the others dead to rights. She could probably have opened up on them with the rifle if it had bullets in it, but she wasn't at all sure she'd've been able to finish off everyone before one of them reached her, and besides, they weren't important in the end. Let the other killers do their own work; what she wanted was Shawn, and now he'd have no choice but to follow her lead.
Slowly, right hand supporting the pistol and keeping it trained on the others, left carrying the rifle, Robin backed up. She was sure Shawn would be right there with her, and soon they'd finish their business personally, like it should have been in the first place.
((Robin Pounds continued in 68°))
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CondorTalon
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:22 am
Robin was leading him away rom the group. Leading him away so that she could have him for herself. And then what? Shawn felt, for the first time since he awoke, that he was really going to die.
It wasn't a good feeling.
He heard Kyle weeping behind him, Louisa shouting to Carlyle to hold on.
He shut his eyes, and clenched his fists. He took a deep breath. Two. Three.
"Don't worry about me, guys," he said, addressing them, "Everything will be fine."
He took a few more steps forward.
"I'll be alright."
He looked back at Kyle, on his knees. Louisa, shouting over to Carlyle. He was on the ground, a pool of red forming beneath him, his life slowly leaving his body.
"Carlyle... I'm sorry..." he whispered.
((Shawn Bowe-Crooke continued 68°.))
It wasn't a good feeling.
He heard Kyle weeping behind him, Louisa shouting to Carlyle to hold on.
He shut his eyes, and clenched his fists. He took a deep breath. Two. Three.
"Don't worry about me, guys," he said, addressing them, "Everything will be fine."
He took a few more steps forward.
"I'll be alright."
He looked back at Kyle, on his knees. Louisa, shouting over to Carlyle. He was on the ground, a pool of red forming beneath him, his life slowly leaving his body.
"Carlyle... I'm sorry..." he whispered.
((Shawn Bowe-Crooke continued 68°.))
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Lord_Shadow
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:43 am
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
Kyle remained on the ground, still crying as Shawn left with Robin. He cried away the hope that finding Louisa had given him. There was nothing tht he could do for Carlyle now. His friend was dying and he was powerless to stop it. He had been worthless in the end. The encounter before had been a fluke. Nothing less than total and complete cowardice was what Kyle had shown just now.
And to add insult to injury he was too selfish and afraid for his own life to comfort his friend and brother in his last moments. Kyle felt nothing but bitterness and hatred in his soul. Though he still wept, it was not with tears of fear but of anger.
He got up after he was sure Robin had left, wiped away the tears. He walked to Carlyle.
"I-I'm not sure if you can still hear me now, Carlyle. But I need to say I'm sorry. I should have done something, anything. I'm so sorry." He knelt, and took Calyle's hand in his. He bowed his head and sent what remained of his soul with his friend.
"I need to do something, Louisa. Something terrible." He picked up the pitchfork and got up. "Forget survival, forget innocence, forget purity. Now is the time for justice. Murderers like Robin have run amok long enough without being put in their place. If you can't forgive the path I'm going to take from now on, I understand. I pray you live to the end for all of us." He looked back at Carlyle.
"But not me. Now I will become Justice for the dead. Every murderer who has yet to repent and absolve themselves of their actions will be punished by my hand. And if I ever see Robin again, God give her mercy, because I won't."
He turned back to face Louisa.
"If this is where we part ways, so be it. Just know that I will always treasure the time we spent together. You, me, and Carlyle."
And to add insult to injury he was too selfish and afraid for his own life to comfort his friend and brother in his last moments. Kyle felt nothing but bitterness and hatred in his soul. Though he still wept, it was not with tears of fear but of anger.
He got up after he was sure Robin had left, wiped away the tears. He walked to Carlyle.
"I-I'm not sure if you can still hear me now, Carlyle. But I need to say I'm sorry. I should have done something, anything. I'm so sorry." He knelt, and took Calyle's hand in his. He bowed his head and sent what remained of his soul with his friend.
"I need to do something, Louisa. Something terrible." He picked up the pitchfork and got up. "Forget survival, forget innocence, forget purity. Now is the time for justice. Murderers like Robin have run amok long enough without being put in their place. If you can't forgive the path I'm going to take from now on, I understand. I pray you live to the end for all of us." He looked back at Carlyle.
"But not me. Now I will become Justice for the dead. Every murderer who has yet to repent and absolve themselves of their actions will be punished by my hand. And if I ever see Robin again, God give her mercy, because I won't."
He turned back to face Louisa.
"If this is where we part ways, so be it. Just know that I will always treasure the time we spent together. You, me, and Carlyle."
There was once a dumb psuedo-news line here. Now there's this pretentious nonsense. YOU1 DID THIS, YOU1 KNOW WHO YOU1 ARE!
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
((All GMing approved))
As soon as Robin and Shawn walked away, Louisa hurried over to Carlyle's body. Kyle had also moved over, and taken Carlyle's hand in his, asking for forgiveness. Louisa looked over Carlyle's body. There wasn't any way to save him. Robin had made sure of it when she shot him up close.
Louisa couldn't believe she was watching another friend die. She was so wrapped up in her emotions that she wasn't able to help him.
Just like with Maxim...
Louisa then grabbed Carlyle's other hand and held it softly. These were Carlyle's final moments, and she had to make sure he was okay.
...but I can at least comfort this friend as he dies.
"I'm sorry, Carlyle," she said. "But don't worry, it's going to be fine now. We'll all see each other soon. Just know that we love you so much."
Louisa tightened her grip on his hand. She wasn't going to let go. Not yet.
Louisa still held Carlyle's hand as Kyle stood up and announced his intentions. She was amazed at the anger Kyle displayed, something she hadn't seen before. He grabbed the pitchfork and told her that he was going to kill Robin and any killer who showed no regret for their actions. Louisa suddenly felt frightened.
Good God, was this what I was like when Maxim died?
Kyle also told Louisa that he was fine if she wanted to separate. Louisa looked back at Carlyle, then back at Kyle.
"Kyle, I'm not leaving you. Not ever again. But you can't just toss aside all your morals and give in to hate. I did that, and that's how several people died."
Louisa tightened her grip on Carlyle's hand as tears began to fall from his eyes.
"I reunited with Maxim right as Brian attacked us. I was unable to do anything as he stabbed my best friend to death. Then I lost it. I followed him across the valley, and in my anger and grief, I shot him in the head. It was the worst thing I've ever done in my life, and I don't feel any better for doing it."
Louisa's hand began to shake.
"Please, Kyle. Please have some clarity now. Don't completely lose yourself to the pain. I don't want to see you die in such a state."
Louisa covered her eyes with her free hand and began to sob.
As soon as Robin and Shawn walked away, Louisa hurried over to Carlyle's body. Kyle had also moved over, and taken Carlyle's hand in his, asking for forgiveness. Louisa looked over Carlyle's body. There wasn't any way to save him. Robin had made sure of it when she shot him up close.
Louisa couldn't believe she was watching another friend die. She was so wrapped up in her emotions that she wasn't able to help him.
Just like with Maxim...
Louisa then grabbed Carlyle's other hand and held it softly. These were Carlyle's final moments, and she had to make sure he was okay.
...but I can at least comfort this friend as he dies.
"I'm sorry, Carlyle," she said. "But don't worry, it's going to be fine now. We'll all see each other soon. Just know that we love you so much."
Louisa tightened her grip on his hand. She wasn't going to let go. Not yet.
Louisa still held Carlyle's hand as Kyle stood up and announced his intentions. She was amazed at the anger Kyle displayed, something she hadn't seen before. He grabbed the pitchfork and told her that he was going to kill Robin and any killer who showed no regret for their actions. Louisa suddenly felt frightened.
Good God, was this what I was like when Maxim died?
Kyle also told Louisa that he was fine if she wanted to separate. Louisa looked back at Carlyle, then back at Kyle.
"Kyle, I'm not leaving you. Not ever again. But you can't just toss aside all your morals and give in to hate. I did that, and that's how several people died."
Louisa tightened her grip on Carlyle's hand as tears began to fall from his eyes.
"I reunited with Maxim right as Brian attacked us. I was unable to do anything as he stabbed my best friend to death. Then I lost it. I followed him across the valley, and in my anger and grief, I shot him in the head. It was the worst thing I've ever done in my life, and I don't feel any better for doing it."
Louisa's hand began to shake.
"Please, Kyle. Please have some clarity now. Don't completely lose yourself to the pain. I don't want to see you die in such a state."
Louisa covered her eyes with her free hand and began to sob.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
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Pippi
- Posts: 1122
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2018 6:32 pm
- Location: I'm Pip!
- Team Affiliation: Stephanie's Buccaneers
It was getting harder and harder to see. The fact sent a small jolt of panic through Carlyle. He’d accepted that he was about to die, there wasn’t any way of telling himself otherwise, but the fact that it was actually happening... there was no way anybody could be prepared for this.
He could hear footsteps. Two sets of them moving slowly. He guessed that was Shawn and Robin leaving. At least Louisa and Kyle were safe, then. A few seconds, more footsteps, slightly faster paced, which he guessed belonged to Louisa and Kyle. Or maybe he was mistaken. Maybe Shawn and Robin were still here, and Robin really had only been killing accidentally. It would be fitting really. Start the game with an accidental kill, and go out via the same means.
Carlyle wasn’t exactly a great believer in karma, but if it did exist, then he guessed that this was karma for his shooting of Gwen. Even after all this time, even though he and all his friends knew it was an accident, he hadn’t truly forgiven himself for doing so.
It still didn’t seem fair, somehow.
Carlyle could feel Louisa and Kyle’s hands holding his own. He could vaguely see them, tell who it was by their voices. In a sense, he was lucky. He wouldn’t be dying alone. His friends were here with him until the end. It was more than could be said for Gwen, at least.
“S-sorry... guys... guess my time’s... up...” Carlyle muttered, trying to force a smile onto his face. He was going to die, there was no use lying to himself. He wasn’t even sure if Louisa and Kyle could hear him, wasn’t certain if the words were truly coming out of his mouth or if he was just thinking them. That wasn’t the important part. Carlyle just wanted to die as himself.
He hoped that Louisa was wrong, that they wouldn’t see each other anytime soon, because Kyle and Louisa and Shawn didn’t deserve to die in some lonesome place far away from home.
Home. Carlyle’s mind briefly flickered back to home. He wondered what his family’s reaction would be. Mom, dad, Hayley and Isobel. They’d be in mourning, obviously. But would they have forgiven him for Gwen? Would they be proud of him, for what else he’d done during the Program?
I... I did alright... didn’t I?
Carlyle had never been that afraid of death. It wasn’t something he contemplated every day, but something about the unknown put him at ease. There could be anything beyond death. Heaven, reincarnation, Valhalla, literally anything. Carlyle had always believed that there was something after death, although he’d had no idea what.
He guessed now was his time to find out.
M04-CARLYLE SHOTTON-DECEASED
He could hear footsteps. Two sets of them moving slowly. He guessed that was Shawn and Robin leaving. At least Louisa and Kyle were safe, then. A few seconds, more footsteps, slightly faster paced, which he guessed belonged to Louisa and Kyle. Or maybe he was mistaken. Maybe Shawn and Robin were still here, and Robin really had only been killing accidentally. It would be fitting really. Start the game with an accidental kill, and go out via the same means.
Carlyle wasn’t exactly a great believer in karma, but if it did exist, then he guessed that this was karma for his shooting of Gwen. Even after all this time, even though he and all his friends knew it was an accident, he hadn’t truly forgiven himself for doing so.
It still didn’t seem fair, somehow.
Carlyle could feel Louisa and Kyle’s hands holding his own. He could vaguely see them, tell who it was by their voices. In a sense, he was lucky. He wouldn’t be dying alone. His friends were here with him until the end. It was more than could be said for Gwen, at least.
“S-sorry... guys... guess my time’s... up...” Carlyle muttered, trying to force a smile onto his face. He was going to die, there was no use lying to himself. He wasn’t even sure if Louisa and Kyle could hear him, wasn’t certain if the words were truly coming out of his mouth or if he was just thinking them. That wasn’t the important part. Carlyle just wanted to die as himself.
He hoped that Louisa was wrong, that they wouldn’t see each other anytime soon, because Kyle and Louisa and Shawn didn’t deserve to die in some lonesome place far away from home.
Home. Carlyle’s mind briefly flickered back to home. He wondered what his family’s reaction would be. Mom, dad, Hayley and Isobel. They’d be in mourning, obviously. But would they have forgiven him for Gwen? Would they be proud of him, for what else he’d done during the Program?
I... I did alright... didn’t I?
Carlyle had never been that afraid of death. It wasn’t something he contemplated every day, but something about the unknown put him at ease. There could be anything beyond death. Heaven, reincarnation, Valhalla, literally anything. Carlyle had always believed that there was something after death, although he’d had no idea what.
He guessed now was his time to find out.
M04-CARLYLE SHOTTON-DECEASED
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Lord_Shadow
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:43 am
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
Seeing Louisa in the state she was, combined with her words pleading for him not to go down his path, tore at Kyle's heart. What was he doing? What was he saying? Had he not promised Carlyle that he wouldn't take part in this?
The plan was to find Louisa, then go with Shawn, Carlyle, Louisa, and himself and wait this thing out. Be the last people left in the valley. Where did Kyle think he could get off trying to get revenge?
But he still had that rage within him, and he couldn't shake it. His voice cracked as he tried to articulate his thoughts. "It can't be that simple. I can't just let this go because you ask me to! Carlyle died because Robin went uncontested. Maxim died because Brian was allowed to go on with no one to stop him!"
He screamed in frustration.
"This place is MAKING ME CRAZY!" He tossed the pitchfork to the ground.
And then he went and knelt beside Louisa, placing a hand on her head.
"I can't promise I won't kill those bastards if we come across them. But I'll do my best to stay true to our intentions. Not for you, or Carlyle, Shawn, Josie, or anyone else. I'll try because someone has to show everyone what a sham the Program is."
He felt the anger, and the despair. But he would try to rekindle that hope.
The plan was to find Louisa, then go with Shawn, Carlyle, Louisa, and himself and wait this thing out. Be the last people left in the valley. Where did Kyle think he could get off trying to get revenge?
But he still had that rage within him, and he couldn't shake it. His voice cracked as he tried to articulate his thoughts. "It can't be that simple. I can't just let this go because you ask me to! Carlyle died because Robin went uncontested. Maxim died because Brian was allowed to go on with no one to stop him!"
He screamed in frustration.
"This place is MAKING ME CRAZY!" He tossed the pitchfork to the ground.
And then he went and knelt beside Louisa, placing a hand on her head.
"I can't promise I won't kill those bastards if we come across them. But I'll do my best to stay true to our intentions. Not for you, or Carlyle, Shawn, Josie, or anyone else. I'll try because someone has to show everyone what a sham the Program is."
He felt the anger, and the despair. But he would try to rekindle that hope.
There was once a dumb psuedo-news line here. Now there's this pretentious nonsense. YOU1 DID THIS, YOU1 KNOW WHO YOU1 ARE!
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
Louisa looked up as Kyle continued to rant. It didn't look like she could change his mind about killing the players. If anything, that was practically the lesson Louisa was being given repeatedly here in the valley. She was constantly finding out that people wouldn't do as she asked or said. She could be articulate, but not everyone would obey. She knew she could never be a politician at this rate, much less a philosopher.
When Kyle threw the pitchfork in anger, Louisa let out a small cry. He then knelt down beside her and touched her head, telling her that he would show what a sham this game was.
"If anyone can show what a sham this is, I get it would be us," she said, wiping her eyes.
"I guess the biggest sham would be to deprive them of what they want. No blood, no suffering, no madness."
Louisa fell silent. Then, she lifted her head up.
No winner.
"Kyle, do you have something to write with?"
When Kyle threw the pitchfork in anger, Louisa let out a small cry. He then knelt down beside her and touched her head, telling her that he would show what a sham this game was.
"If anyone can show what a sham this is, I get it would be us," she said, wiping her eyes.
"I guess the biggest sham would be to deprive them of what they want. No blood, no suffering, no madness."
Louisa fell silent. Then, she lifted her head up.
No winner.
"Kyle, do you have something to write with?"
G014: Mayumi Tendou
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Lord_Shadow
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:43 am
- Team Affiliation: Emmy's Selkies
She was disappointed in him, he guessed. Kyle hadn't said he wouldn't kill people. Louisa half-heartedly agreed with trying to show up the Program for what it was. And then she surprised him by asking for something to write with.
He blinked and shook his head. "Not even, I don't think anyone got anything like that."
Then he looked at the pitchfork.
He looked back at Louisa. "There's always blood. Somehow though, I don't think it would be appropriate for whatever message you have in mind."
Kyle went and retrieved it anyway. He had not idea what Louisa had in mind, but he felt compelled to help her at least with that. Maybe it would help him work through his anger. "If it needs to be a static message, I could probably scratch out a strongly worded letter on the ground. One of the cameras should see it. Just tell me what you want to say."
"Or you could do it yourself if you want," he said holding out the pitchfork "I don't mind."
Somehow the absurdity of the situation was actually helping to relieve his frustration, despite it all. He only wished that the help woud carry.
He blinked and shook his head. "Not even, I don't think anyone got anything like that."
Then he looked at the pitchfork.
He looked back at Louisa. "There's always blood. Somehow though, I don't think it would be appropriate for whatever message you have in mind."
Kyle went and retrieved it anyway. He had not idea what Louisa had in mind, but he felt compelled to help her at least with that. Maybe it would help him work through his anger. "If it needs to be a static message, I could probably scratch out a strongly worded letter on the ground. One of the cameras should see it. Just tell me what you want to say."
"Or you could do it yourself if you want," he said holding out the pitchfork "I don't mind."
Somehow the absurdity of the situation was actually helping to relieve his frustration, despite it all. He only wished that the help woud carry.
There was once a dumb psuedo-news line here. Now there's this pretentious nonsense. YOU1 DID THIS, YOU1 KNOW WHO YOU1 ARE!
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
1. Yeah you, you nefarious ne'er-do-well you.
It looked like Kyle didn't have anything to write with. How disappointing. Louisa now wished she kept a pen on hand during Announcement Day.
Well, doesn't look like I have many options left.
Louisa shook her head when Kyle offered her the pitchfork.
"No, it's fine. I'll just write it on the ground with my finger. Look close so you can see."
Louisa brushed some of the pine needles on the ground away. She pressed deep into the dirt with her finger and began to write. She couldn't make it too big or the cameras would see, so she needed to position herself in a way to cover it up.
Louisa continued to write until she was satisfied with her message.
WE DENY THEM A WINNER. IF WE'RE ALL THAT'S LEFT, WE WALK INTO A DANGER ZONE.
Louisa looked up at Kyle. She wasn't sure how he would take this message, but she sincerely hoped he wouldn't take it too horribly.
Well, doesn't look like I have many options left.
Louisa shook her head when Kyle offered her the pitchfork.
"No, it's fine. I'll just write it on the ground with my finger. Look close so you can see."
Louisa brushed some of the pine needles on the ground away. She pressed deep into the dirt with her finger and began to write. She couldn't make it too big or the cameras would see, so she needed to position herself in a way to cover it up.
Louisa continued to write until she was satisfied with her message.
WE DENY THEM A WINNER. IF WE'RE ALL THAT'S LEFT, WE WALK INTO A DANGER ZONE.
Louisa looked up at Kyle. She wasn't sure how he would take this message, but she sincerely hoped he wouldn't take it too horribly.
G014: Mayumi Tendou