Mason didn't offer any words back to Shawn. He just shook his head, the best approximation of "don't worry about it" he could manage. He flinched when Shawn blew the whistle, but he let him blow. Seemed like he needed it.
Instead he looked over at Lexi. The girl seemed pensive about any course of action, so he beckoned her to Shawn with a jerk of his head. Maybe they needed to come together at this time.
Shawn said he was going to stay. Mason looked off to where the wounded girl had limped away.
"Someone should go after her." Mason wasn't quite sure if to see if she was ok or to
finish the job?
He swallowed.
Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
Open: Day 5, Noon.
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Courtography
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Shawn was staying but Mason wanted to go. Where should she be? She had always stayed until she needed to go which she always eventually did. If she left with Mason she'd either get shot, or they'd get herded into a smaller area until she either died or came out alive.
Then if she stayed with Shawn at the beach the same thing would happen, right? The beach would be a dangerzone and they'd leave, or one of the girls would show up and shoot at them again, or endgame would come and the beach would be the final place and Lexi and Shawn would be left with everyone coming for them.
But at least then they could take a stand for themselves instead of being thrown to an unknown place with who knows how many people waiting to ambush them.
"I want to stay," she whispered quietly.
Then if she stayed with Shawn at the beach the same thing would happen, right? The beach would be a dangerzone and they'd leave, or one of the girls would show up and shoot at them again, or endgame would come and the beach would be the final place and Lexi and Shawn would be left with everyone coming for them.
But at least then they could take a stand for themselves instead of being thrown to an unknown place with who knows how many people waiting to ambush them.
"I want to stay," she whispered quietly.
It looked like they were staying after all. Shawn nodded at Alexis and Mason. Mason said something about following Nate's blood trail and Shawn responded the best he could.
"I just wanna give Mae and Renée a better resting place, first. Out of this sand." His voice was straight forward and mellow.
He looked toward the beach shore buildings.
"If you want to go after her right now, dude... I won't stop you. I just need a little time to clear my head. I think Nate Chauncey does too..."
He felt the reasoning was obvious and best left unsaid.
Shawn went over to the two girls and began to gently, move their bodies to the shacks. Maybe they'd help and get the whole thing over with.
"I just wanna give Mae and Renée a better resting place, first. Out of this sand." His voice was straight forward and mellow.
He looked toward the beach shore buildings.
"If you want to go after her right now, dude... I won't stop you. I just need a little time to clear my head. I think Nate Chauncey does too..."
He felt the reasoning was obvious and best left unsaid.
Shawn went over to the two girls and began to gently, move their bodies to the shacks. Maybe they'd help and get the whole thing over with.
Points were made. Good points. Mason stared off into the distance where the girl he had shot had disappeared. His gaze drifted back to the bo...to Renee. He set his gun down on a rock where the sand wouldn't get into it. If someone was going to take it, fucking let them. There was more important shit to deal with.
Mason walked over, bent, and helped Shawn with Renee, holding her gingerly under the armpits. He almost vomited when her head lolled to one side as gravity fought him.
"God..."
Mason walked over, bent, and helped Shawn with Renee, holding her gingerly under the armpits. He almost vomited when her head lolled to one side as gravity fought him.
"God..."
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Courtography
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Lexi looked away while they moved the bodies. It was just...she couldn't imagine touching them. They used to be alive...and now they just weren't. Ended after moments of gunfire.
That could have been you. This time. So many times. So many guns.
Like with Karen.
Karen had shot in her presence twice. Maybe not trying to kill her, well definitely the second time, but the first time she probably would have been killed if she had stayed to help David after Sidney was gone.
Tim had pointed a gun at her until the Detroit guy did the same thing to Tim. Tiffany had shot up a storm at Harold. Guns to save her from the creep. Guns trying to end her life. Kind of odd how no one threatened her with other weapons, it was always guns. Other than Harold's ask of a "hug", but luckily she would never learn exactly what he had wanted to do.
But guns. Guns almost seemed like the real power, they protected people, they killed people, and there wasn't anything Lexi could do to change that. Well, until now. Now was the first time she had anything besides her hook since she came to the island. Shawn had given her the pistol. But would it work when everyone else had guns too?
She hoped so. She was beyond hoping that no one else would die. It was too late for that. Too late to talk about escape either. Doomed. Shawn and Mason might help her, but that was all there was. As far as she knew there was no new group to fall into if the worst happened.
They were the only ones she could trust. No. She could trust herself too. She had to.
That could have been you. This time. So many times. So many guns.
Like with Karen.
Karen had shot in her presence twice. Maybe not trying to kill her, well definitely the second time, but the first time she probably would have been killed if she had stayed to help David after Sidney was gone.
Tim had pointed a gun at her until the Detroit guy did the same thing to Tim. Tiffany had shot up a storm at Harold. Guns to save her from the creep. Guns trying to end her life. Kind of odd how no one threatened her with other weapons, it was always guns. Other than Harold's ask of a "hug", but luckily she would never learn exactly what he had wanted to do.
But guns. Guns almost seemed like the real power, they protected people, they killed people, and there wasn't anything Lexi could do to change that. Well, until now. Now was the first time she had anything besides her hook since she came to the island. Shawn had given her the pistol. But would it work when everyone else had guns too?
She hoped so. She was beyond hoping that no one else would die. It was too late for that. Too late to talk about escape either. Doomed. Shawn and Mason might help her, but that was all there was. As far as she knew there was no new group to fall into if the worst happened.
They were the only ones she could trust. No. She could trust herself too. She had to.
With a little help from Mason, Shawn was able to move Mae and Renée into the buildings, taking a little burden of self-imposed responsibility off his shoulders. It was the respectful and right thing to do, for two of his close friends and it was supposed to make him feel a little better right? It did-sort of. Still, Shawn wasn't feeling all that great and needed some time alone to think in his usual comfort spot; nature.
Shawn sat on the sand on the edge of the beach, close to the water, gazing over at the horizon to see the sun turn the sky blue as the waves lapped against the shoreline. All was quiet aside from the calm crashing of the sea-surf and crowing seagulls. His legs were up, knees pointing upward, his arms crossed and rested over them.
His mind flashed between thoughts back home, about his family or friends and painful thoughts of what happened over the past three or so days here. He tried his best to enjoy himself in what he felt could possibly be the last moments of his life. He tried to help everyone, but everything kept going crazy and out of control. Even one of his good friends had turned to killing people. A friend that had hugged him and the girl she killed once upon a time. Those thoughts now made him feel sick. He felt like he was one of the only sane ones around on this island. Him: the eccentric hippie boy, being the level headed one out of everyone. How was that for a twist? He shook his head and almost grinned. Spectacular freaking situation this was.
Then he remembered, strangling Jaszmine Johnson with the snake. Shawn literally choked the life out of a girl with a dead snake whom he named Brian Eno. That certainly wasn't normal. Maybe the game really was changing him after all?
Instinctively, his hand whipped at the sand, sending particles flying through the air. Shawn pulled it back, putting his hand atop his knee again and squeezed, followed by a defeated sigh.
He had to stop doing this. Being so darn buggered by everything. Didn't he say to himself that he was going to make the most of his possibly last few days of life and maybe have a little fun? Yeah. It would be a waste to just spend it, raging or feeling depressed. If anything, he'd be seeing those people he lost and failed to save soon anyway, right - if heaven or the afterlife was a real thing. Heck, for all he knew maybe people became infinite light energy and would, like; become one with universe or something far out like that!
Right Shawn-boy, you keep looking at the bright side. You're on TV. TV dude! Make the best of it.
Shawn lifted his head and forced a smile, as tough as it was. Then he stood up to fetch for his bag to look for Brian Eno. He had forgotten all about his snake friend for a while now. Brian probably smelled awful by now. Pulling the pack open, Shawn saw first, the circular metal object; the collar they were going to use to find a way off this island, but it was too late now. Merely looking at it pissed the young guy off, due to the painful memories attached to it. He grabbed the matal device and stared at it, noting the dried up blood crusted across it and knew what he was supposed to do with it now.
He stood up... and then the familiar sound from the announcements blared on.
Shawn stood still, looking over at the ocean, half-listening and making mental notes of what happened. Apparently, Madelyn had also choked a boy named Brennan, whom Shawn remembered was Alicia's boyfriend. Nothing she was doing was an accident, that much was obvious. Vincent, the guy who took out Ben-o had succumbed to his wounds, leaving Shawn feeling thankful that he had managed this long without getting physically injured beyond everyday cuts and bruises. And then Amber was announced dead; killed by her own friend; Odile Jones aka final Detroit kid standing.
With a sneer, Shawn laughed, shaking his head at the absurd thought that the one Detroit kid alive, was probably the one who least deserved to be.
Shawn Morrison looked at the circular metal object in his hand in the pitchers position and launched the crusty old collar into the ocean, watching it sink out of view, to the sea floor. It wasn't needed anymore. Renée was probably right. She knew this show better than anybody.
Normally the announcements would end about this time, but the host guy kept going.
He was in the finals, one of the six left standing: Nate, Madelyn, Odile, Alexis, Mason, and himself. Somehow through all of it, he made it. He was close now, but could he kill them? He wasn't sure. Odile and Madelyn maybe, but the rest? Again he wasn't sure. But then he was taken off guard...
Shawn was popular? A fan favorite particularly for... ehem, the female viewers, he guessed from the host guy's implications. Certainly a confidence boost to say the least. Shawn couldn't help but break out a boyish grin beneath blushes after the awkward attention he was sure the cameras were capturing right now.
To his final surprise his mentor spoke up once more following the announcement:
"This is it, Shawn. Final hand. Time to call. I can't do anything to help you that I haven't already tried. Just keep your eyes open and your reflexes sharp. I know you've got the potential. Everyone's rooting for you. Just make sure you don't choke."
Shawn nodded, as if in response to his mentor. His family - they were rooting on him too. Could he do it: Win?
He didn't want to do what he knew he had to, to get there, not with innocents like Alexis around. She and Mason were around here, somewhere on this beach. He sighed again.
Danger Zones were announced. The beach was one of them, but Shawn rested back onto the sand, next to his bag, pulling out the snake instead.
"What should I do, Brian?"
Shawn sat on the sand on the edge of the beach, close to the water, gazing over at the horizon to see the sun turn the sky blue as the waves lapped against the shoreline. All was quiet aside from the calm crashing of the sea-surf and crowing seagulls. His legs were up, knees pointing upward, his arms crossed and rested over them.
His mind flashed between thoughts back home, about his family or friends and painful thoughts of what happened over the past three or so days here. He tried his best to enjoy himself in what he felt could possibly be the last moments of his life. He tried to help everyone, but everything kept going crazy and out of control. Even one of his good friends had turned to killing people. A friend that had hugged him and the girl she killed once upon a time. Those thoughts now made him feel sick. He felt like he was one of the only sane ones around on this island. Him: the eccentric hippie boy, being the level headed one out of everyone. How was that for a twist? He shook his head and almost grinned. Spectacular freaking situation this was.
Then he remembered, strangling Jaszmine Johnson with the snake. Shawn literally choked the life out of a girl with a dead snake whom he named Brian Eno. That certainly wasn't normal. Maybe the game really was changing him after all?
Instinctively, his hand whipped at the sand, sending particles flying through the air. Shawn pulled it back, putting his hand atop his knee again and squeezed, followed by a defeated sigh.
He had to stop doing this. Being so darn buggered by everything. Didn't he say to himself that he was going to make the most of his possibly last few days of life and maybe have a little fun? Yeah. It would be a waste to just spend it, raging or feeling depressed. If anything, he'd be seeing those people he lost and failed to save soon anyway, right - if heaven or the afterlife was a real thing. Heck, for all he knew maybe people became infinite light energy and would, like; become one with universe or something far out like that!
Right Shawn-boy, you keep looking at the bright side. You're on TV. TV dude! Make the best of it.
Shawn lifted his head and forced a smile, as tough as it was. Then he stood up to fetch for his bag to look for Brian Eno. He had forgotten all about his snake friend for a while now. Brian probably smelled awful by now. Pulling the pack open, Shawn saw first, the circular metal object; the collar they were going to use to find a way off this island, but it was too late now. Merely looking at it pissed the young guy off, due to the painful memories attached to it. He grabbed the matal device and stared at it, noting the dried up blood crusted across it and knew what he was supposed to do with it now.
He stood up... and then the familiar sound from the announcements blared on.
Shawn stood still, looking over at the ocean, half-listening and making mental notes of what happened. Apparently, Madelyn had also choked a boy named Brennan, whom Shawn remembered was Alicia's boyfriend. Nothing she was doing was an accident, that much was obvious. Vincent, the guy who took out Ben-o had succumbed to his wounds, leaving Shawn feeling thankful that he had managed this long without getting physically injured beyond everyday cuts and bruises. And then Amber was announced dead; killed by her own friend; Odile Jones aka final Detroit kid standing.
With a sneer, Shawn laughed, shaking his head at the absurd thought that the one Detroit kid alive, was probably the one who least deserved to be.
Shawn Morrison looked at the circular metal object in his hand in the pitchers position and launched the crusty old collar into the ocean, watching it sink out of view, to the sea floor. It wasn't needed anymore. Renée was probably right. She knew this show better than anybody.
Normally the announcements would end about this time, but the host guy kept going.
He was in the finals, one of the six left standing: Nate, Madelyn, Odile, Alexis, Mason, and himself. Somehow through all of it, he made it. He was close now, but could he kill them? He wasn't sure. Odile and Madelyn maybe, but the rest? Again he wasn't sure. But then he was taken off guard...
Shawn was popular? A fan favorite particularly for... ehem, the female viewers, he guessed from the host guy's implications. Certainly a confidence boost to say the least. Shawn couldn't help but break out a boyish grin beneath blushes after the awkward attention he was sure the cameras were capturing right now.
To his final surprise his mentor spoke up once more following the announcement:
"This is it, Shawn. Final hand. Time to call. I can't do anything to help you that I haven't already tried. Just keep your eyes open and your reflexes sharp. I know you've got the potential. Everyone's rooting for you. Just make sure you don't choke."
Shawn nodded, as if in response to his mentor. His family - they were rooting on him too. Could he do it: Win?
He didn't want to do what he knew he had to, to get there, not with innocents like Alexis around. She and Mason were around here, somewhere on this beach. He sighed again.
Danger Zones were announced. The beach was one of them, but Shawn rested back onto the sand, next to his bag, pulling out the snake instead.
"What should I do, Brian?"
Mason stayed outside the building after the bodies were properly moved. He didn't know where everybody was. Shawn had gone out to the beach or something. Lexi might have still been in the building. In any case, he was content to sit with his arms wrapped around his knees, the handgun in his left and pointed at the sand.
There was feedback as the announcements blared on. The mention of his kill was one of the first ones, solidifying his status as a fresh killer. Renee was further down the list, solidifying his status as a tremendous fuck-up.
He shook his head, chewing the inside of his lip. The voice in his collar talked.
"Mason: "This is it. The final showdown. The climax of the story. Mason, you've been an excellent knight so far, and now the chance has come for you to shine. It's tragic that you've lost so many companions along the way, but persevere. A happy ending may be only a few hours of hardship away. I think you can do it. Good luck. Do what needs doing."
Mason punched the wall next to him, hard enough to make his knuckles throb. It was a wonder he didn't break his knuckles.
"Kinda fucking knight can't save anybody! Kinda fucking happy ending is this!?" He half-shouted, springing to his feet and pacing like a caged lion. He grit his teeth, hard enough to make his jaw hurt.
He grabbed a hold of his anger, tried to bury it, balancing himself by putting a hand on the wall. He closed his eyes, fighting back tears. All of this, such bullshit. Such fucking bullshit. But they were too far now. Too fucking far by half. They were in a danger zone.
"Shawn, Lexi. Let's get out of here!"
He adjusted his pack, waiting for the others.
There was feedback as the announcements blared on. The mention of his kill was one of the first ones, solidifying his status as a fresh killer. Renee was further down the list, solidifying his status as a tremendous fuck-up.
He shook his head, chewing the inside of his lip. The voice in his collar talked.
"Mason: "This is it. The final showdown. The climax of the story. Mason, you've been an excellent knight so far, and now the chance has come for you to shine. It's tragic that you've lost so many companions along the way, but persevere. A happy ending may be only a few hours of hardship away. I think you can do it. Good luck. Do what needs doing."
Mason punched the wall next to him, hard enough to make his knuckles throb. It was a wonder he didn't break his knuckles.
"Kinda fucking knight can't save anybody! Kinda fucking happy ending is this!?" He half-shouted, springing to his feet and pacing like a caged lion. He grit his teeth, hard enough to make his jaw hurt.
He grabbed a hold of his anger, tried to bury it, balancing himself by putting a hand on the wall. He closed his eyes, fighting back tears. All of this, such bullshit. Such fucking bullshit. But they were too far now. Too fucking far by half. They were in a danger zone.
"Shawn, Lexi. Let's get out of here!"
He adjusted his pack, waiting for the others.
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Courtography
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Lexi spent the next few hours sitting on the beach letting the cool sea breeze waft over her. It was nice in a way, just watching the waves. Like she had on the other beach, before she found Shawn and Karen showed up and brought everything to hell again. What wasn't nice was knowing that they were still on death island, and that two of their group had been killed in the past few hours.
The sun rose up higher in the sky, until it was bearing down overhead.
Then the announcement played. Horrible jokes in there as always, letting them know there were only six of them left. Only six. That was close to the finale wasn't it? She thought it normally went to that at the final four. There were plenty of names she didn't recognize among the dead. Not many Silver Dragon students had died this time. There was Tim, who had held her at gunpoint, Mae and Renee, two members of the group. And then Mikaela who had died in an accident.
There were, of course, recognizable killers too. Madelyn had continued her killing spree, Mae had apparently killed someone before she died, and Nate had killed Renee. Something she had already known.
Then a twist. Everyone left was the last member of their team. Leonardo would tell them who was left. She knew what that meant, it was time for the Endgame. They never bothered to read off a list of all left and descriptions until they were doing that. With six left though, that was different.
First there was Nate, who had killed Renee. Apparently she had a rough time from what they said. "Abused". Then Shawn, the wonderful hippie boy who had saved her life. He was only a little bit away, also listening to the announcement. He was a favorite it sounded like, not to mention a favorite of girls it sounded like.
Well it makes sense, he is pretty cute...
Then her own name came up, from the "unloved" green team. Had her teammates not been interesting? It didn't really matter, but she had to wonder. He taunted her, having to point out her near escapes from the players. And of course a challenge, to see if she could kill someone when the time came. Could she? From the sounds of it she might be the only non-killer left.
The producers probably hated that. Sometimes prior to her own showing she had noticed how it was mostly innocents who managed to escape. Maybe the producers gave them that chance to remove people they considered boring and give the remaining season spotlight on the killers. Not that she really knew.
Madelyn was left, a newer player. They had gone to school together, but hadn't really known each other. Purple team, like Karen. Obviously people on Purple were crazy, maybe they had picked teams that way, or maybe they had a bloodthirsty mentor cheering them on, kinda like how her own mentor had warned her against playing.
Then Mason, her other remaining ally, and almost friend. She wasn't sure how to think of Shawn and Mason. They hadn't been friends prior to it all, and she wasn't sure that working together here was really friendship. It didn't really matter, she realized. It sounded like finals time, and, most likely, all but one of them would die.
The next name was familiar as well, but not from school. It was Odile, one of the girls who had tried to protect her the first day. Before she started killing. What had made her do that? Why? What made her start? Even this last announcement said she had killed one of her friends.
Then it was over. There were the six. They had to go to the hotel, a building she had never been to. It would have been so much better if they had picked this beach or the docks, she had been to those. Maybe that was the point, maybe the others didn't know it either and wanted to put them on unfamiliar footing. Heck if she knew, she hadn't watched the show much before. Mostly escapes and just passing footage beyond that.
The speaker cut, and a familiar, quieter voice came to her. Her mentor again. She was proud of her for not hurting anyone. Proud of the message that it sent, that killing others wasn't the only way. And it wasn't. She had made it to endgame, without having to kill and murder. That was something to be proud of wasn't it? Being able to survive without ending someone else's chances? That was good, but everyone else would be willing to kill now, Madelyn and Odile and Nate. All killers. Shawn and Mason had too, but they had protected her.
She removed the pistol from under her clothes and held it in her hand. Could she use it? He had asked her if she could. What if she couldn't? Then she'd have to die and- and she didn't want to die. She wanted to be able to just run away from this place and not deal with the killers. Not deal with people she used to have English Class with. Not with the few of them that had saved her life.
Mason came from the building. Ready to go. They had to now of course. They had detonated collars before the finals before, she remembered. Not often, most people at that point were all too willing to get out of a danger zone. She started walking with the two boys.
To the end.
(Alexis Allwell continued in Oracular Spectacular)
The sun rose up higher in the sky, until it was bearing down overhead.
Then the announcement played. Horrible jokes in there as always, letting them know there were only six of them left. Only six. That was close to the finale wasn't it? She thought it normally went to that at the final four. There were plenty of names she didn't recognize among the dead. Not many Silver Dragon students had died this time. There was Tim, who had held her at gunpoint, Mae and Renee, two members of the group. And then Mikaela who had died in an accident.
There were, of course, recognizable killers too. Madelyn had continued her killing spree, Mae had apparently killed someone before she died, and Nate had killed Renee. Something she had already known.
Then a twist. Everyone left was the last member of their team. Leonardo would tell them who was left. She knew what that meant, it was time for the Endgame. They never bothered to read off a list of all left and descriptions until they were doing that. With six left though, that was different.
First there was Nate, who had killed Renee. Apparently she had a rough time from what they said. "Abused". Then Shawn, the wonderful hippie boy who had saved her life. He was only a little bit away, also listening to the announcement. He was a favorite it sounded like, not to mention a favorite of girls it sounded like.
Well it makes sense, he is pretty cute...
Then her own name came up, from the "unloved" green team. Had her teammates not been interesting? It didn't really matter, but she had to wonder. He taunted her, having to point out her near escapes from the players. And of course a challenge, to see if she could kill someone when the time came. Could she? From the sounds of it she might be the only non-killer left.
The producers probably hated that. Sometimes prior to her own showing she had noticed how it was mostly innocents who managed to escape. Maybe the producers gave them that chance to remove people they considered boring and give the remaining season spotlight on the killers. Not that she really knew.
Madelyn was left, a newer player. They had gone to school together, but hadn't really known each other. Purple team, like Karen. Obviously people on Purple were crazy, maybe they had picked teams that way, or maybe they had a bloodthirsty mentor cheering them on, kinda like how her own mentor had warned her against playing.
Then Mason, her other remaining ally, and almost friend. She wasn't sure how to think of Shawn and Mason. They hadn't been friends prior to it all, and she wasn't sure that working together here was really friendship. It didn't really matter, she realized. It sounded like finals time, and, most likely, all but one of them would die.
The next name was familiar as well, but not from school. It was Odile, one of the girls who had tried to protect her the first day. Before she started killing. What had made her do that? Why? What made her start? Even this last announcement said she had killed one of her friends.
Then it was over. There were the six. They had to go to the hotel, a building she had never been to. It would have been so much better if they had picked this beach or the docks, she had been to those. Maybe that was the point, maybe the others didn't know it either and wanted to put them on unfamiliar footing. Heck if she knew, she hadn't watched the show much before. Mostly escapes and just passing footage beyond that.
The speaker cut, and a familiar, quieter voice came to her. Her mentor again. She was proud of her for not hurting anyone. Proud of the message that it sent, that killing others wasn't the only way. And it wasn't. She had made it to endgame, without having to kill and murder. That was something to be proud of wasn't it? Being able to survive without ending someone else's chances? That was good, but everyone else would be willing to kill now, Madelyn and Odile and Nate. All killers. Shawn and Mason had too, but they had protected her.
She removed the pistol from under her clothes and held it in her hand. Could she use it? He had asked her if she could. What if she couldn't? Then she'd have to die and- and she didn't want to die. She wanted to be able to just run away from this place and not deal with the killers. Not deal with people she used to have English Class with. Not with the few of them that had saved her life.
Mason came from the building. Ready to go. They had to now of course. They had detonated collars before the finals before, she remembered. Not often, most people at that point were all too willing to get out of a danger zone. She started walking with the two boys.
To the end.
(Alexis Allwell continued in Oracular Spectacular)
Mason called out for them to leave the area from the boardwalk lining the beach side buildings. His tone was notably agitated for good reason.
Alexis had also been settling near the beach it seemed, when Shawn caught of eye of her heading over to Mason from somewhere nearby.
Shawn thought back to his first day on the island over in the rainforest. He was an innocent then too. His only goal was to enjoy his self and hope he was lucky enough to survive the ordeal and make it back home alive somehow. He'd never thought he would actually hurt anyone. Then the encounter with Jaszmine Johnson happened and that glitter in his eyes slowly began to float away. He'd shot at people. Several times already, he had been ready to hurt again. To end lives.
Lexi, she never did lose that glitter. She was the one real innocent and truly docile one left. In a way, she reminded Shawn of his peaceful self. The boy who never dreamed he'd be doing the things he knew he had to do. She hadn't hurt anyone and now he might have to end her life too? No. He absolutely refused.
There was something about that peaceful spirit he needed. The very fact that he knew Alexis was still around, kept him grounded. It was great knowing that even this far into the game, there was still someone who wouldn't give in. It gave Shawn faith and hope for human nature. He needed to keep Alexis safe, even if it meant keeping her away from him. He really didn't know what he would do.
Shawn stood up, dusted himself off and slung Brian Eno's slithery body over his shoulder, covering his snake friend beneath his blazer. He picked his bag of weapons up and headed toward his two allies; the only two people he thought he could trust, but even then it was iffy. There was no telling whether someone was just going to stab you in the back like Amber did to Bobby. Even friends couldn't be trusted, especially after witnessing someone who at one point, could have been considered a friend, turn into a bloodthirsty and irredeemable killer for selfish reasons.
For all he knew, even the peaceful Lexi might just have been waiting for the last possible moment, after everyone else significantly injured one another to start finishing everyone else off. He shivered at the very thought of such a demented strategy. Could he really trust his life with the two this far into the game? It would be incredibly naive of him not to have an ounce of caution.
The waiting Mason and Alexis started moving immediately once Shawn arrived.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up; I know my way to the hotel. There's just something I need to do... I'll meet you there."
Alexis had also been settling near the beach it seemed, when Shawn caught of eye of her heading over to Mason from somewhere nearby.
Shawn thought back to his first day on the island over in the rainforest. He was an innocent then too. His only goal was to enjoy his self and hope he was lucky enough to survive the ordeal and make it back home alive somehow. He'd never thought he would actually hurt anyone. Then the encounter with Jaszmine Johnson happened and that glitter in his eyes slowly began to float away. He'd shot at people. Several times already, he had been ready to hurt again. To end lives.
Lexi, she never did lose that glitter. She was the one real innocent and truly docile one left. In a way, she reminded Shawn of his peaceful self. The boy who never dreamed he'd be doing the things he knew he had to do. She hadn't hurt anyone and now he might have to end her life too? No. He absolutely refused.
There was something about that peaceful spirit he needed. The very fact that he knew Alexis was still around, kept him grounded. It was great knowing that even this far into the game, there was still someone who wouldn't give in. It gave Shawn faith and hope for human nature. He needed to keep Alexis safe, even if it meant keeping her away from him. He really didn't know what he would do.
Shawn stood up, dusted himself off and slung Brian Eno's slithery body over his shoulder, covering his snake friend beneath his blazer. He picked his bag of weapons up and headed toward his two allies; the only two people he thought he could trust, but even then it was iffy. There was no telling whether someone was just going to stab you in the back like Amber did to Bobby. Even friends couldn't be trusted, especially after witnessing someone who at one point, could have been considered a friend, turn into a bloodthirsty and irredeemable killer for selfish reasons.
For all he knew, even the peaceful Lexi might just have been waiting for the last possible moment, after everyone else significantly injured one another to start finishing everyone else off. He shivered at the very thought of such a demented strategy. Could he really trust his life with the two this far into the game? It would be incredibly naive of him not to have an ounce of caution.
The waiting Mason and Alexis started moving immediately once Shawn arrived.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up; I know my way to the hotel. There's just something I need to do... I'll meet you there."
((Just to GTFO of the danger zone))
Mason didn't know what it was Shawn had to do, but he didn't have time to stick around to find out. He kept pace with Lexi, to safety.
Safety.
Funny.
((Mason Ross continued in Oracular Spectacular))
Mason didn't know what it was Shawn had to do, but he didn't have time to stick around to find out. He kept pace with Lexi, to safety.
Safety.
Funny.
((Mason Ross continued in Oracular Spectacular))
Sorry Mae. Sorry Renée. Sorry for letting you down. Good-bye, guys.
Shawn sighed, pulled the sheets over their faces and sat down, rocking back and forth.
No beep.
He'd expected one by now. Almost wanted to hear it. But he had family, who still loved and cared for him and wouldn't want to see him give up and die.
All other bags, extra food, clothes, first aid kits, fan service cupid costume - out. Only one set of each was needed, being that today was most likely the final day, live or die. He checked for weapons next, tossing the ones he didn't need any more onto the floor. No one left would be able to use them again. Nodachi, colt single action army and even the corded circular saw, that he laughed about after finding in Zach's bag which he had been assigned and thrown out from day one, were all things weighing him down; those were thrown out too. He strapped the shotgun over his shoulder. Everything else went in the bag.
Still no beep. Interesting.
They weren't kidding about him being a popular contestant were they? He could already imagine the outrage had the producers detonated his collar right before their finale show began, knowing the masses. In the end, these people wanted a show. Sure, maybe they'd give him a little lenience, but unless he did something interesting, people were going to get bored. Funny enough, boredom could mean death for someone on TV.
That's when an idea came together in the young hippie's mind. One that would take a bit of acting.
Shawn went toward the table which held the bodies of his two deceased friends and found Mae's katana, along with her whistle. He put the whistle in his pocket and headed over to the nearest camera, located on a counter next to the cash register, brandishing the katana and holding it up to his own head. The camera zoomed in.
One. Two. Three.
Locks of Shawn's hair fell onto the surface of the counter. Gradually, Shawn continued to slice off long lengths of his hair in proper view of the camera, until his once flowing mane was reduced to a short cropped style. Shawn quietly placed the katana on the counter, brushing both of his hands through his new haircut and then staring directly into the camera.
"So, what do you think? I was planning to cut it soon anyway and I figure this could be the last time I ever get the chance to get that new look, so why not... You only live once."
It was a clichéd phrase, but considering his situation, Shawn couldn't help but laugh out.
"Didn't lose any fans, did I? Didn't like me just for the hair did'ya? Or maybe you liked me for that thing I had with Mae, or the escape plan I had with Renée? Well, both of those girls and my sexy-rad lion's mane are gone. So what now? Do I still entertain you?"
Just then, Brian Eno's head popped into view of the camera as Shawn held the snake and spoke through it with a high pitched voice.
"They want to see you survive to the very end, Shawn. You can do it, just don't be sad okay? They like you a lot better when you're happy."
"Dude, Brian. Totally." Shawn said while nodding and placing the snake back over his shoulder. He stood up, dusted himself off and looked at the camera with a serious expression in his eyes and a smile on his face. It was time for another Shawn Fact.
"Fact: I'm not that same boy anymore. All the Shawn Morrison fans out there are getting a new and improved Shawn Morrison - A Shawn Morrison who doesn't give a shit."
Maybe it wasn't completely true, but it was definitely what they wanted to hear and that was all Shawn needed to do. He swung his backpack over his shoulders, tied the golden bandanna around his new hairdo and walked toward the exit. Just a few seconds later he stopped to look back at the camera and subsequently placed a finger right on the lens.
"So stay tuned for the Season Finale, folks. I have the feeling this one is going to be, real interesting."
[[GLD4: Shawn Morrison Continued To the Season Finale! Oracular Spectacular.]]
Shawn sighed, pulled the sheets over their faces and sat down, rocking back and forth.
No beep.
He'd expected one by now. Almost wanted to hear it. But he had family, who still loved and cared for him and wouldn't want to see him give up and die.
All other bags, extra food, clothes, first aid kits, fan service cupid costume - out. Only one set of each was needed, being that today was most likely the final day, live or die. He checked for weapons next, tossing the ones he didn't need any more onto the floor. No one left would be able to use them again. Nodachi, colt single action army and even the corded circular saw, that he laughed about after finding in Zach's bag which he had been assigned and thrown out from day one, were all things weighing him down; those were thrown out too. He strapped the shotgun over his shoulder. Everything else went in the bag.
Still no beep. Interesting.
They weren't kidding about him being a popular contestant were they? He could already imagine the outrage had the producers detonated his collar right before their finale show began, knowing the masses. In the end, these people wanted a show. Sure, maybe they'd give him a little lenience, but unless he did something interesting, people were going to get bored. Funny enough, boredom could mean death for someone on TV.
That's when an idea came together in the young hippie's mind. One that would take a bit of acting.
Shawn went toward the table which held the bodies of his two deceased friends and found Mae's katana, along with her whistle. He put the whistle in his pocket and headed over to the nearest camera, located on a counter next to the cash register, brandishing the katana and holding it up to his own head. The camera zoomed in.
One. Two. Three.
Locks of Shawn's hair fell onto the surface of the counter. Gradually, Shawn continued to slice off long lengths of his hair in proper view of the camera, until his once flowing mane was reduced to a short cropped style. Shawn quietly placed the katana on the counter, brushing both of his hands through his new haircut and then staring directly into the camera.
"So, what do you think? I was planning to cut it soon anyway and I figure this could be the last time I ever get the chance to get that new look, so why not... You only live once."
It was a clichéd phrase, but considering his situation, Shawn couldn't help but laugh out.
"Didn't lose any fans, did I? Didn't like me just for the hair did'ya? Or maybe you liked me for that thing I had with Mae, or the escape plan I had with Renée? Well, both of those girls and my sexy-rad lion's mane are gone. So what now? Do I still entertain you?"
Just then, Brian Eno's head popped into view of the camera as Shawn held the snake and spoke through it with a high pitched voice.
"They want to see you survive to the very end, Shawn. You can do it, just don't be sad okay? They like you a lot better when you're happy."
"Dude, Brian. Totally." Shawn said while nodding and placing the snake back over his shoulder. He stood up, dusted himself off and looked at the camera with a serious expression in his eyes and a smile on his face. It was time for another Shawn Fact.
"Fact: I'm not that same boy anymore. All the Shawn Morrison fans out there are getting a new and improved Shawn Morrison - A Shawn Morrison who doesn't give a shit."
Maybe it wasn't completely true, but it was definitely what they wanted to hear and that was all Shawn needed to do. He swung his backpack over his shoulders, tied the golden bandanna around his new hairdo and walked toward the exit. Just a few seconds later he stopped to look back at the camera and subsequently placed a finger right on the lens.
"So stay tuned for the Season Finale, folks. I have the feeling this one is going to be, real interesting."
[[GLD4: Shawn Morrison Continued To the Season Finale! Oracular Spectacular.]]