((Corey Esposito continued from Can't watch TV here, guys. The reception's terrible.))
They slowed down only once they were clear of of the hospital. By the time they'd stopped they were well in the woods. Corey scratched his head. He then decided to just head in one direction until they found another location. After all, they'd already gotten what they were looking for in the hospital. Now they... hmm...
Corey reflected on what it was they were going to do now, other than the obvious 'find Daniel'. The question was, how were they going to find him? Hope that they would coincidentally bump into each other on the island? The chances of that were slim, and if they moved around too much they could totally miss each other accidentally.
So, as night closed in and they reached the broken down housing, Corey had a course of action in mind.
Shelter.
It definitely wasn't the best, he knew. The place was shoddy as all hell, but it was definitely better than trying to camp in the woods, where they could be taken down from any direction. Corey looked inside each one as he walked down until he found one that was reasonably intact.
"Let's settle here for the night," he said, "and we'll look for Daniel tomorrow."
Corey was keeping the last watch of the night. He wasn't feeling too particularly tired, so he didn't get that much sleep. He could see that the sun was up, so he got up from his seated position in the house and made his way outside. He needed the fresh air.
He didn't need the loud crackling noise that permeated the atmosphere of the island. As much as Corey didn't want to hear any of this tripe, he felt he had to. There could be important information that would keep them alive.
Danya came on and announced that eight people had died in the last day. He blinked. He listened for names. Of killers, of victims. One name in particular stood out to him. Daniel Whitten. Danya didn't outright say he was dead, but the implication was obvious.
oh
He sat against the wall, next to the door.
"Crap."
Well, what the fuck? They'd failed their mission before they could even properly start it. Corey wanted to yell in frustration. He knew that everyone in the group were friends with Daniel. Corey knew that this was going to end badly for them. He felt helpless.
He couldn't do anything.
He looked up at the sky, unmoving, trying to process the information he'd just been given.
Lying on the Streets
-
CondorTalon
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 6:17 am
((Rachael Langdon continued from Can't watch TV here, guys. The reception's terrible))
The group had eluded the shooting in the hospital, allowing Rachael to calm herself down. It was hard to imagine that someone could have been killing someone on the upper floors of the hospital, but the sounds she heard suggested that it could have really been murder. She ran all the possibilities through her head, and figured that it was best to run.
When the group finally left the forest and found the East Living Quarters, Rachael was ready for this day to be over. She had done a lot of walking that day. Her clothes were stained with sweat, her hair was getting frizzy, and she was beginning to feel tired. She wanted to eat, drink, read, and sleep peacefully and wake up to the sound of the U.S. military raiding the island and freeing them.
It didn't look like that would be happening, so Rachael simply took her place with her friends in their hideout.
When it came time for Rachael to keep watch, she felt very nervous. She was supposed to be the first line of defense in case someone dangerous tried to kill her and the guys. They didn't have too many weapons between the four of them. There was Michael's gun, but Rachael had no idea if she could use it, much less be able to hold it. She just left it aside and tried to forget about it.
Rachael spent her shift writing on one of the sheets of paper she took from the hospital. She placed it on the clipboard and found a working pen. She wasn't sure of what to write at first. The idea of writing a will terrified her, since she felt it would be akin to admitting defeat. She decided to spend her time writing various lines and story ideas. She knew she couldn't use too much paper, so she tried to write small. It was hard to stay focused, so she mostly ended up writing gibberish.
Her sleep was heavy as well. She didn't realize how tired she was when she ended her shift, but sleep came quickly. Her dreams were very scattered and nonsensical. It wasn't until the large, decrepit house began talking about two cans of coke and a cheeseburger that she woke up.
Apparently, the announcements had just finished playing. Rachael slowly got up from her sleeping position and began to rub her eyes. It looked like Corey was still on guard, so she'd check on him. He might have heard the whole announcement and could tell her what happened.
She got up, trying to brush any wrinkles off her clothes, and made her way out of the room.
The group had eluded the shooting in the hospital, allowing Rachael to calm herself down. It was hard to imagine that someone could have been killing someone on the upper floors of the hospital, but the sounds she heard suggested that it could have really been murder. She ran all the possibilities through her head, and figured that it was best to run.
When the group finally left the forest and found the East Living Quarters, Rachael was ready for this day to be over. She had done a lot of walking that day. Her clothes were stained with sweat, her hair was getting frizzy, and she was beginning to feel tired. She wanted to eat, drink, read, and sleep peacefully and wake up to the sound of the U.S. military raiding the island and freeing them.
It didn't look like that would be happening, so Rachael simply took her place with her friends in their hideout.
When it came time for Rachael to keep watch, she felt very nervous. She was supposed to be the first line of defense in case someone dangerous tried to kill her and the guys. They didn't have too many weapons between the four of them. There was Michael's gun, but Rachael had no idea if she could use it, much less be able to hold it. She just left it aside and tried to forget about it.
Rachael spent her shift writing on one of the sheets of paper she took from the hospital. She placed it on the clipboard and found a working pen. She wasn't sure of what to write at first. The idea of writing a will terrified her, since she felt it would be akin to admitting defeat. She decided to spend her time writing various lines and story ideas. She knew she couldn't use too much paper, so she tried to write small. It was hard to stay focused, so she mostly ended up writing gibberish.
Her sleep was heavy as well. She didn't realize how tired she was when she ended her shift, but sleep came quickly. Her dreams were very scattered and nonsensical. It wasn't until the large, decrepit house began talking about two cans of coke and a cheeseburger that she woke up.
Apparently, the announcements had just finished playing. Rachael slowly got up from her sleeping position and began to rub her eyes. It looked like Corey was still on guard, so she'd check on him. He might have heard the whole announcement and could tell her what happened.
She got up, trying to brush any wrinkles off her clothes, and made her way out of the room.
((Timothy Abrams continued from Can't watch TV here guys. The reception's terrible. ))
Well, it was nice to find a place to stay. Timothy had no idea who was shooting back there, but at least they got away without getting hurt. The following night was pretty painful. He'd always been a light sleeper even at the best of times, and the fear and paranoia engendered by the situation didn't help at all. Finally, a loud noise woke him for what seemed to be the tenth time. As the announcements began, he tried to calculate how much sleep he got the previous night. He couldn't exactly tell, but it couldn't have been much more than three or four hours, not counting the time that he had spent on watch. He stopped himself once Danya started naming the dead.
The announcement started out fine. He didn't really know the people named, so while he felt a little bad for their situation, he wasn't too badly affected. Then came the one name that he knew.
Daniel.
Timothy was never close to Daniel like Michael was, but he still thought that they were friends, at least. It was hard for him to imagine life without Daniel around. It just wasn't fair. He tried as hard as he could to hold off from crying. No matter the situation, he couldn't let the others see him bawling. It just wasn't right. Hansel was kind of a jerk, but Timothy would never have imagined him killing anyone.
After a few moments, he saw Rachael get up and go find Corey. That was reasonable, he guessed. Their whole planned had revolved around finding Daniel, and now that just wasn't possible. At the very least, they had to make some new plans. Michael seemed to be asleep at least, which was good, he guessed. Michael had always been impulsive, and Timothy didn't want to think about what he'd do if he had actually heard the announcement. He cringed as he imagined telling him about it. How do you just tell someone that their best friend died? He certainly didn't want to be the one who had to do that. After a quick look around, he followed Rachael out of the room.
Maybe the others would have an idea what to do.
Well, it was nice to find a place to stay. Timothy had no idea who was shooting back there, but at least they got away without getting hurt. The following night was pretty painful. He'd always been a light sleeper even at the best of times, and the fear and paranoia engendered by the situation didn't help at all. Finally, a loud noise woke him for what seemed to be the tenth time. As the announcements began, he tried to calculate how much sleep he got the previous night. He couldn't exactly tell, but it couldn't have been much more than three or four hours, not counting the time that he had spent on watch. He stopped himself once Danya started naming the dead.
The announcement started out fine. He didn't really know the people named, so while he felt a little bad for their situation, he wasn't too badly affected. Then came the one name that he knew.
Daniel.
Timothy was never close to Daniel like Michael was, but he still thought that they were friends, at least. It was hard for him to imagine life without Daniel around. It just wasn't fair. He tried as hard as he could to hold off from crying. No matter the situation, he couldn't let the others see him bawling. It just wasn't right. Hansel was kind of a jerk, but Timothy would never have imagined him killing anyone.
After a few moments, he saw Rachael get up and go find Corey. That was reasonable, he guessed. Their whole planned had revolved around finding Daniel, and now that just wasn't possible. At the very least, they had to make some new plans. Michael seemed to be asleep at least, which was good, he guessed. Michael had always been impulsive, and Timothy didn't want to think about what he'd do if he had actually heard the announcement. He cringed as he imagined telling him about it. How do you just tell someone that their best friend died? He certainly didn't want to be the one who had to do that. After a quick look around, he followed Rachael out of the room.
Maybe the others would have an idea what to do.
((Michael Mitchellson: Continued from Can't watch TV here, guys. The reception's terrible.))
Michael mostly kept to himself after his group had left the hospital, brooding. He couldn't ditch the guilt, the feeling that he had abandoned whoever was being shot at. He could've fucking done something, but everyone else had fled with their metaphorical fuckin' tails between their legs. There could be someone who was dead right now because there had been no one there to save them.
What if it really was Daniel, back there? Daniel, bleeding out alone in some abandoned hospital room, praying for someone, anyone to find him? After all Daniel'd done for Michael over the years, had he abandoned his best friend when he needed Michael the most?
He's not dead. There's no fucking way he's dead. Daniel's smart, he'll find some way to ride out the storm until we can get to him. The bastard knows that I'd never forgive him if he died before me, anyway.
-
After a time, the group reached their shabby shelter for the night. Michael'd volunteered to take first watch, watching over his friends and Corey (He'd finally gotten around to asking Asshole his name) as they slept. Tried to sleep, at least. Michael doubted that anyone on the island would manage to get a good night's sleep.
Except the ones who are dead. Nothing's gonna wake those guys up.
Agh. Think happy thoughts, Michael. Happy thoughts. He spent the majority of his shift writing down a totally, one-hundred percent accurate account of his time this far on the island, making sure to include illustrations of such awesome events as his final showdown with Crabzilla. He sure showed that radioactive motherfucker who's boss.
It managed to succeed in keeping Michael from thinking darker thoughts.
He must have been more tired than he thought. When Michael was relieved of his shift, sleep came quickly, deep and dreamless. Michael rarely dreamt, a fact that annoyed the shit out of him. Everyone else got to have kickass dreams about how zombies killed the video star, why not him? No justice.
-
Morning came, finding Michael lying peacefully on the floor, using his bag as a pillow, hat placed safely next to him. He'd always been a deep sleeper. He showed no signs of stirring as the others woke up around him.
Michael mostly kept to himself after his group had left the hospital, brooding. He couldn't ditch the guilt, the feeling that he had abandoned whoever was being shot at. He could've fucking done something, but everyone else had fled with their metaphorical fuckin' tails between their legs. There could be someone who was dead right now because there had been no one there to save them.
What if it really was Daniel, back there? Daniel, bleeding out alone in some abandoned hospital room, praying for someone, anyone to find him? After all Daniel'd done for Michael over the years, had he abandoned his best friend when he needed Michael the most?
He's not dead. There's no fucking way he's dead. Daniel's smart, he'll find some way to ride out the storm until we can get to him. The bastard knows that I'd never forgive him if he died before me, anyway.
-
After a time, the group reached their shabby shelter for the night. Michael'd volunteered to take first watch, watching over his friends and Corey (He'd finally gotten around to asking Asshole his name) as they slept. Tried to sleep, at least. Michael doubted that anyone on the island would manage to get a good night's sleep.
Except the ones who are dead. Nothing's gonna wake those guys up.
Agh. Think happy thoughts, Michael. Happy thoughts. He spent the majority of his shift writing down a totally, one-hundred percent accurate account of his time this far on the island, making sure to include illustrations of such awesome events as his final showdown with Crabzilla. He sure showed that radioactive motherfucker who's boss.
It managed to succeed in keeping Michael from thinking darker thoughts.
He must have been more tired than he thought. When Michael was relieved of his shift, sleep came quickly, deep and dreamless. Michael rarely dreamt, a fact that annoyed the shit out of him. Everyone else got to have kickass dreams about how zombies killed the video star, why not him? No justice.
-
Morning came, finding Michael lying peacefully on the floor, using his bag as a pillow, hat placed safely next to him. He'd always been a deep sleeper. He showed no signs of stirring as the others woke up around him.
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CondorTalon
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 6:17 am
((GMing approved.))
Corey was snapped out of his thoughts by Rachael coming through the doorway.
He wondered how Rachael was feeling, now that Daniel was dead. Surely, she must have been hit hard by it, but her face was showing no emotion. Corey was thinking that she was good at hiding her emotions until
"Hey, I just missed the announcements. What happened?"
That one statement hit Corey like a ton of bricks.
Rachael had missed the announcements. She didn't realize Daniel was dead.
Corey realized that, sooner or later, the truth would come out. They would eventually come across Daniel's body, or someone would spill the beans. Then what?
His eyes momentarily looked to Tim, who was coming up behind Rachael. Had he been up for the announcements? He could invariably be dropping the bomb on two people. He had to, though. It was better to do it now rather than later.
Then came the problem of how to say it. No matter how he worded it in his head, it came out wrong. It would be futile to try to use any degree of politeness, eloquence, or tact when talking about a dead friend. He stood for a while, simply trying to decide how to say what he was about to say.
Then,
"Daniel's dead."
Corey was snapped out of his thoughts by Rachael coming through the doorway.
He wondered how Rachael was feeling, now that Daniel was dead. Surely, she must have been hit hard by it, but her face was showing no emotion. Corey was thinking that she was good at hiding her emotions until
"Hey, I just missed the announcements. What happened?"
That one statement hit Corey like a ton of bricks.
Rachael had missed the announcements. She didn't realize Daniel was dead.
Corey realized that, sooner or later, the truth would come out. They would eventually come across Daniel's body, or someone would spill the beans. Then what?
His eyes momentarily looked to Tim, who was coming up behind Rachael. Had he been up for the announcements? He could invariably be dropping the bomb on two people. He had to, though. It was better to do it now rather than later.
Then came the problem of how to say it. No matter how he worded it in his head, it came out wrong. It would be futile to try to use any degree of politeness, eloquence, or tact when talking about a dead friend. He stood for a while, simply trying to decide how to say what he was about to say.
Then,
"Daniel's dead."
Rachael stepped outside the hideout and saw Corey standing before her. She quickly cleared her throat before speaking.
"Hey, I just missed the announcements. What happened?"
Rachael saw Corey quickly look behind her. She quickly turned and saw Tim standing behind her. Corey hadn't responded quite yet. Rachael bit her lip. Whatever was preventing Corey from answering her question had to be pretty bad. Then, he spoke.
Daniel's dead.
In an instant, everything turned silent. Rachael felt her heart grow heavy as she took in Corey's words. There was no denying the honesty in his words. There were only two Daniel's in their class, and if it had been the other one who had died, Corey wouldn't have spoken about him in such a particular way.
There was only one answer. Daniel Whitten was dead. Someone had actually died in this game, and it was him. The boy who was one of her first friends when she moved to Seattle, who had been one of her closest confidants in life, who gave her a club to express her love of literature, and who had confessed his feelings to her in that gazebo was now dead.
Rachael found her legs beginning to shake. It was getting harder to stand up, and she could feel her throat beginning to close. Her eyes began fluttering as tears began to form.
"D-d-d-daniel...d-d" she stuttered
She couldn't finish speaking before finally breaking down. Rachael covered her mouth and crouched to the ground. Tears began to fall down her face as she let herself become swallowed by grief.
"Hey, I just missed the announcements. What happened?"
Rachael saw Corey quickly look behind her. She quickly turned and saw Tim standing behind her. Corey hadn't responded quite yet. Rachael bit her lip. Whatever was preventing Corey from answering her question had to be pretty bad. Then, he spoke.
Daniel's dead.
In an instant, everything turned silent. Rachael felt her heart grow heavy as she took in Corey's words. There was no denying the honesty in his words. There were only two Daniel's in their class, and if it had been the other one who had died, Corey wouldn't have spoken about him in such a particular way.
There was only one answer. Daniel Whitten was dead. Someone had actually died in this game, and it was him. The boy who was one of her first friends when she moved to Seattle, who had been one of her closest confidants in life, who gave her a club to express her love of literature, and who had confessed his feelings to her in that gazebo was now dead.
Rachael found her legs beginning to shake. It was getting harder to stand up, and she could feel her throat beginning to close. Her eyes began fluttering as tears began to form.
"D-d-d-daniel...d-d" she stuttered
She couldn't finish speaking before finally breaking down. Rachael covered her mouth and crouched to the ground. Tears began to fall down her face as she let herself become swallowed by grief.
((Mild GMing Approved))
Timothy felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as Rachael started to cry. He knew that she and Daniel "liked" each other, and he could tell that whatever he was going through at the moment was nothing compared to what she was feeling. All he could do now was watch as she broke down in front of him. He swallowed, hard. What could he possibly do?
After a few moments, he cautiously reached forward and put his hand on her shoulder. That seemed to work in books and movies, anyway. He opened his mouth to speak, to say something that could make her feel better.
...
He had nothing. Really, what can you say in a situation like this? How do you possibly calm down someone down like this? It was hard enough for Timothy to hold back the onrushing torrent of his own emotions. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like for Rachael. Visibly distraught, he looked back to where Michael was sleeping. He didn't expect things to be any better for him once he woke up.
Sighing, he took his hand off of Rachael's shoulder. Consoling grieving people was clearly not within his capacity right now. If he couldn't help Rachael, then he definitely wouldn't be able to help Michael either. Damn it. He just felt so useless.
After a few painful moments, he turned to face Corey. If there was one time in his life that he needed assistance, it was now. He swallowed, trying unsuccessfully to suppress the pained expression on his face as he spoke.
"How are we..."
He took a deep breath before continuing. God, he felt so incompetent!
"How are we going to tell the guy in the next room that his best friend is... gone..."
With that, the feelings that Timothy had been holding back all came rushing in at once. He moved backward from the others, looking away to try to hide the tears that had begin running down his face.
"S-Shit..."
Timothy felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as Rachael started to cry. He knew that she and Daniel "liked" each other, and he could tell that whatever he was going through at the moment was nothing compared to what she was feeling. All he could do now was watch as she broke down in front of him. He swallowed, hard. What could he possibly do?
After a few moments, he cautiously reached forward and put his hand on her shoulder. That seemed to work in books and movies, anyway. He opened his mouth to speak, to say something that could make her feel better.
...
He had nothing. Really, what can you say in a situation like this? How do you possibly calm down someone down like this? It was hard enough for Timothy to hold back the onrushing torrent of his own emotions. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like for Rachael. Visibly distraught, he looked back to where Michael was sleeping. He didn't expect things to be any better for him once he woke up.
Sighing, he took his hand off of Rachael's shoulder. Consoling grieving people was clearly not within his capacity right now. If he couldn't help Rachael, then he definitely wouldn't be able to help Michael either. Damn it. He just felt so useless.
After a few painful moments, he turned to face Corey. If there was one time in his life that he needed assistance, it was now. He swallowed, trying unsuccessfully to suppress the pained expression on his face as he spoke.
"How are we..."
He took a deep breath before continuing. God, he felt so incompetent!
"How are we going to tell the guy in the next room that his best friend is... gone..."
With that, the feelings that Timothy had been holding back all came rushing in at once. He moved backward from the others, looking away to try to hide the tears that had begin running down his face.
"S-Shit..."
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CondorTalon
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 6:17 am
((Skipping with permission.))
"That's a good fucking question," Corey replied, "and I don't have a good answer for it."
He closed his eyes, trying to focus, and determine what the best course of action was.
Rachael was crying on the floor, Timothy had trouble articulating, and no doubt Michael wasn't going to be happy at all.
Corey had to be the voice of reason, here. He had to be the leader, which sucked because he wasn't good at leading, not in the best of circumstances and definitely not here.
"I don't want to lie to him," he said, after a pause, "That would be the worst thing to do, pretend that everything is fine while everything falls apart. But..."
Corey wished he could just pretend everything was fine.
Because he had no idea what to do now.
"That's a good fucking question," Corey replied, "and I don't have a good answer for it."
He closed his eyes, trying to focus, and determine what the best course of action was.
Rachael was crying on the floor, Timothy had trouble articulating, and no doubt Michael wasn't going to be happy at all.
Corey had to be the voice of reason, here. He had to be the leader, which sucked because he wasn't good at leading, not in the best of circumstances and definitely not here.
"I don't want to lie to him," he said, after a pause, "That would be the worst thing to do, pretend that everything is fine while everything falls apart. But..."
Corey wished he could just pretend everything was fine.
Because he had no idea what to do now.
Rachael felt a hand placed on her shoulder, but she could hardly react to it. She still couldn't believe that Daniel was dead. Her mind played various images of Daniel to her, from their meetings in Book Club to times they hung out. The moment in the gazebo stood out in particular. She stayed wishy-washy over the whole affair, unsure if she was ready to pursue Daniel seriously. Now he was dead, and she wouldn't be able to be honest with him.
Corey and Tim were unsure about telling Michael about Daniel's death. Rachael rubbed her eyes and sniffled.
"We're going to have to tell him," she said, her voice wavering, "but we need to be certain of how he will react first. We can't let him go insane trying to avenge Daniel, but we can't lie to him at all."
Rachael stood up and continued to rub her eyes.
"So...who killed Daniel?"
Corey and Tim were unsure about telling Michael about Daniel's death. Rachael rubbed her eyes and sniffled.
"We're going to have to tell him," she said, her voice wavering, "but we need to be certain of how he will react first. We can't let him go insane trying to avenge Daniel, but we can't lie to him at all."
Rachael stood up and continued to rub her eyes.
"So...who killed Daniel?"
Timothy sat as he listened to the others, breathing heavily. Everybody else seemed to be calming down now, anyway. He figured that he had might as well answer Rachael's question, seeing as he had had several unpleasant conversations with Hansel before.
"It was Hansel Williams. He was one of those, um, anti-science religious type people, kind of reactionary if you know what I mean? I can't imagine why he would want to kill Daniel though."
Timothy fiddled with his glasses. Alright. Time to start thinking logically about what to do next. He wasn't keen on chasing after a confirmed gun-toting killer, even if his friend had fallen victim to him. He didn't think Michael would agree though. They definitely didn't need their group's only armed member running off on some sort of revenge quest...
He swallowed hard as he realised what he was thinking. On one hand, Timothy knew that Michael deserved to know the truth. On the other, telling Michael now might jeopardise the survival of the entire group. It's not like they couldn't tell him later, right? Surely he'd understand. History was full of people who had been forced to make sacrifices for the greater good.
Finally, Timothy decided to pitch in his opinion.
"Well, we don't have to lie, exactly. We just don't have to tell him until later, after we've thought about exactly what to say. Daniel wouldn't want for us to accidentally rile him up into getting himself killed, right?"
He chewed his lip nervously as he waited for their responses, hoping that he wasn't about to make a terrible mistake.
I'm sorry, Daniel.
"It was Hansel Williams. He was one of those, um, anti-science religious type people, kind of reactionary if you know what I mean? I can't imagine why he would want to kill Daniel though."
Timothy fiddled with his glasses. Alright. Time to start thinking logically about what to do next. He wasn't keen on chasing after a confirmed gun-toting killer, even if his friend had fallen victim to him. He didn't think Michael would agree though. They definitely didn't need their group's only armed member running off on some sort of revenge quest...
He swallowed hard as he realised what he was thinking. On one hand, Timothy knew that Michael deserved to know the truth. On the other, telling Michael now might jeopardise the survival of the entire group. It's not like they couldn't tell him later, right? Surely he'd understand. History was full of people who had been forced to make sacrifices for the greater good.
Finally, Timothy decided to pitch in his opinion.
"Well, we don't have to lie, exactly. We just don't have to tell him until later, after we've thought about exactly what to say. Daniel wouldn't want for us to accidentally rile him up into getting himself killed, right?"
He chewed his lip nervously as he waited for their responses, hoping that he wasn't about to make a terrible mistake.
I'm sorry, Daniel.
Ow. Fuck sleeping on the ground. Fuck not having my awesome bed. Fuck the terrorists for- actually, just fuck the terrorists in general. Would it have killed them to give us a sleeping bag or something, though?
Michael's whole body seemed to be sore. He stretched, rubbed his eyes, then grabbed his hat, plopping it onto his head. Priorities. That hat had seen a lot of shit already. It wouldn't do to accidentally leave it behind. It had to have gotten experience points to bump it up a couple levels, and everyone knows that men with powerful hats did great things.
Shit, everyone else woke up before me. Not that it's anything new. Can't blame a guy for liking his sleep, can you?
Shrugging, Michael stood up and joined the others. It didn't really matter, in the long run. The others would tell him if any shit had gone down. He waved, then pulled the notepad out of his pocket. "A good fuckin' morning to you all. Did I miss anything important while I was running a program to mimic sleep, thus tricking you poor suckers into thinking I'm actually human?"
It was then that Michael noticed that his companions looked much more somber than usual. He vaguely recalled that previous versions of the shittiest television show in the world had morning announcements that gave the names of the dead. Shit. Terrible timing. Michael silently, desperately hoped that no one from the book club had been killed, none of his other friends from school, and especially not-
Nope. Nope nope nope nope. You've been over this, Michael. Daniel's a smart dude, and he's so goddamn nice that nobody'd have the heart to hurt him. It'd be like kicking a puppy. A puppy that looked at you with those fuckin' adorable puppy eyes, wagging its tail, nothing but innocence and goodwill towards mankind in its heart.
Ignoring the metaphor that had sorta got away from him, all Michael could do was wait for his friends to assure him that no, nothing was wrong, everyone was still alive, it was all just a big misunderstanding, those dumbass terrorists kidnapped the wrong class and was gonna make up for the mistake with cake.
What a fucking wonderful world that would be.
Michael's whole body seemed to be sore. He stretched, rubbed his eyes, then grabbed his hat, plopping it onto his head. Priorities. That hat had seen a lot of shit already. It wouldn't do to accidentally leave it behind. It had to have gotten experience points to bump it up a couple levels, and everyone knows that men with powerful hats did great things.
Shit, everyone else woke up before me. Not that it's anything new. Can't blame a guy for liking his sleep, can you?
Shrugging, Michael stood up and joined the others. It didn't really matter, in the long run. The others would tell him if any shit had gone down. He waved, then pulled the notepad out of his pocket. "A good fuckin' morning to you all. Did I miss anything important while I was running a program to mimic sleep, thus tricking you poor suckers into thinking I'm actually human?"
It was then that Michael noticed that his companions looked much more somber than usual. He vaguely recalled that previous versions of the shittiest television show in the world had morning announcements that gave the names of the dead. Shit. Terrible timing. Michael silently, desperately hoped that no one from the book club had been killed, none of his other friends from school, and especially not-
Nope. Nope nope nope nope. You've been over this, Michael. Daniel's a smart dude, and he's so goddamn nice that nobody'd have the heart to hurt him. It'd be like kicking a puppy. A puppy that looked at you with those fuckin' adorable puppy eyes, wagging its tail, nothing but innocence and goodwill towards mankind in its heart.
Ignoring the metaphor that had sorta got away from him, all Michael could do was wait for his friends to assure him that no, nothing was wrong, everyone was still alive, it was all just a big misunderstanding, those dumbass terrorists kidnapped the wrong class and was gonna make up for the mistake with cake.
What a fucking wonderful world that would be.
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CondorTalon
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 6:17 am
Michael was awake.
No, that wasn't a good thing. Corey wasn't ready. They needed more time to think of a way to break the news.
They didn't have enough time.
"When the time comes, all I'm saying is... I can't be the one to do it. At best he wouldn't believe me. At worst..."
He didn't want to think of it. Corey was smart enough to know that it was a bad idea to piss off the guy with the shotgun.
He looked back at Michael.
"Whatever we're doing... we should enact it now," he said. He gave a half-hearted wave to Michael, trying to dispel some sort of expectation that he looked like he was having.
No, that wasn't a good thing. Corey wasn't ready. They needed more time to think of a way to break the news.
They didn't have enough time.
"When the time comes, all I'm saying is... I can't be the one to do it. At best he wouldn't believe me. At worst..."
He didn't want to think of it. Corey was smart enough to know that it was a bad idea to piss off the guy with the shotgun.
He looked back at Michael.
"Whatever we're doing... we should enact it now," he said. He gave a half-hearted wave to Michael, trying to dispel some sort of expectation that he looked like he was having.
Hansel Williams. He was that guy from Texas who liked to dress like a cowboy. He was the one who killed Daniel. Rachael was baffled as to why he would kill Daniel. She thought someone that religious wouldn't be so willing to kill without reason. Daniel was such a nice guy, and there's no way he could provoke someone into killing him.
None of it makes any sense. Not a single bit of sense
Rachael was surprised when Michael exited the shelter. She felt herself become incredibly nervous. She was still crying and sniffling from before. Michael would have to see her red face and eyes and have to know something happened.
Rachael simply turned away. Corey mentioned that they'd have to do something now. She wasn't sure what she could do. She simply covered her face and tried to relax. If the game was going to take one of her best friends this early, it wasn't likely to get easier. She'd have to get used to it sooner than later.
None of it makes any sense. Not a single bit of sense
Rachael was surprised when Michael exited the shelter. She felt herself become incredibly nervous. She was still crying and sniffling from before. Michael would have to see her red face and eyes and have to know something happened.
Rachael simply turned away. Corey mentioned that they'd have to do something now. She wasn't sure what she could do. She simply covered her face and tried to relax. If the game was going to take one of her best friends this early, it wasn't likely to get easier. She'd have to get used to it sooner than later.
Timothy wiped his eyes with his sleeve as Michael entered the room. Thankfully, his face wasn't too red. This plan might work after all.
He swallowed hard as he walked over to Michael's position. Was he really doing the right thing here? It was for the good of the group, wasn't it? It was just mathematically correct. The needs of three people outweigh the needs of one. Right?
No matter how he rationalised it, he still couldn't feel good about his decision. He just hoped that Michael would forgive him when the truth actually came out. He walked over and wrote on the notepad in a shaky hand.
Ha ha, you got us. We were just discussing were to go next. Any ideas?
Timothy forced himself to smile, to try to make it seem like everything was alright. It didn't feel like it was working, but he still had to try.
He swallowed hard as he walked over to Michael's position. Was he really doing the right thing here? It was for the good of the group, wasn't it? It was just mathematically correct. The needs of three people outweigh the needs of one. Right?
No matter how he rationalised it, he still couldn't feel good about his decision. He just hoped that Michael would forgive him when the truth actually came out. He walked over and wrote on the notepad in a shaky hand.
Ha ha, you got us. We were just discussing were to go next. Any ideas?
Timothy forced himself to smile, to try to make it seem like everything was alright. It didn't feel like it was working, but he still had to try.
The mood was still pretty fucking tense, Rachael seeming especially upset for the few moments Michael had gotten a glimpse of her face before she turned away, but Tim's note set his worries at ease. Everything was about as cool as it could be.
There had to have been an entertaining session of "Crazy terrorist fucker cackles while listing the poor dead bastards and the evil bastards that did them in", but as Tim hadn't said anything, Michael didn't want to press the subject. He did want to ask who had killed, who had been killed, but he also didn't want to force the others to talk about it if they weren't willing.
If anyone I knew was dead, they'd tell me, right?
No fuckin' way they wouldn't. This was a healthy, lie-free environment, nothing but peace and goodwill towards mankind. It was like those shitty reality shows that Michael totally didn't watch when he was bored enough. Keeping secrets inevitably lead to your group imploding in an entertaining but unpleasant to actually be near explosion of shittiness.
His friends were smarter than that. Corey was, too. Probably.
Getting his mind off that particular trainwreck of thoughts, Michael responded to Tim. "Man, not like we know where we're supposed to be heading anyway. Let's just do this shit Elder Scrolls style. Pick a random direction and pray that you stumble onto a side quest, or even better, a Daniel."
Daniels were the plot artifacts that you had to collect to complete the main quest, of course. Sadly, since no one gives a shit about the main quest, the poor Daniels will be left alone to whimper alone in dungeon corners for all eternity. The world certainly was a cruel place.
There had to have been an entertaining session of "Crazy terrorist fucker cackles while listing the poor dead bastards and the evil bastards that did them in", but as Tim hadn't said anything, Michael didn't want to press the subject. He did want to ask who had killed, who had been killed, but he also didn't want to force the others to talk about it if they weren't willing.
If anyone I knew was dead, they'd tell me, right?
No fuckin' way they wouldn't. This was a healthy, lie-free environment, nothing but peace and goodwill towards mankind. It was like those shitty reality shows that Michael totally didn't watch when he was bored enough. Keeping secrets inevitably lead to your group imploding in an entertaining but unpleasant to actually be near explosion of shittiness.
His friends were smarter than that. Corey was, too. Probably.
Getting his mind off that particular trainwreck of thoughts, Michael responded to Tim. "Man, not like we know where we're supposed to be heading anyway. Let's just do this shit Elder Scrolls style. Pick a random direction and pray that you stumble onto a side quest, or even better, a Daniel."
Daniels were the plot artifacts that you had to collect to complete the main quest, of course. Sadly, since no one gives a shit about the main quest, the poor Daniels will be left alone to whimper alone in dungeon corners for all eternity. The world certainly was a cruel place.