(Zachary Beck, continued from DRUGS SAVED MY LIFE)
Zach took in the news as the announcements blared across the island again. He was sitting on one of the cabin porches with a disappointed expression on his face.
The first announcement caught him by surprise right away. Thomas, who Zach had tried to assault and subsequently chased off by, was killed by Sakurako.
Guess his little girlfriend wasn’t faithful.
As Zach thought this, a small bit of guilt came crawling back into his mind. Perhaps if Zach had better control over his emotions in that instant, maybe he could have worked things out, and maybe Sean wouldn’t have been...
Zach quickly brushed those feelings aside. What’s done is done.
The second announcement to catch his attention, was Yuka Hayashibara being killed by Erika Stieglitz. Wasn’t she with Michael and Teresa? If Zach remembered her correctly, Erika had killed Yuka’s sister.
“I wonder,” Zach muttered to himself, “Did she try to avenge her sister?”
Before he could dwell on that any further, the next announcement caught his attention. Lucas Abernathy, who had provided Zach with props for his pranks, was dead. Well damn. Guess he couldn’t count on the possibility of running into him anymore.
The last announcement to catch his attention was to be expected, but the way it was described is what irked him. According to the way the announcement implied it, Abe had killed Forrest on a whim. Zach was not mentioned to have been involved. On top of that, Abe got the prize for the best kill that morning.
Now that the announcements were done, Zach could sulk to his heart’s content. He was tired from walking all night, running out of food, and still had only one weapon to defend himself.
What a Lovely Day
Day 10, Post Announcement; Open
B018: Ned Jackson- 
G039: Yuki Hayashibara- 
B034: Zachary Beck- 
"Kat, please."
((Willow carried herself without confidence.))
Willow's new gun was heavy but it was reassuring. It was a new seal of protection from people even if it was a very clumsy and strange gun. She only had two loads of bullets and with a third inside the gun, she needed to make every shot count. Her arms were getting tired from carrying it, trying to follow Kat throughout the houses.
Her ally wasn't speaking, she wasn't saying anything. She was just going in a straight line without saying any words or comments or anything. She hadn't spoke since the announcement, she hadn't said anything. Willow was worried.
"Please Katrina." Her voice carried throughout the alley. "Please talk to me."
Willow needed Katrina, but Katrina didn't need Willow. This wasn't the time to realize that. Willow struggled to keep up, her throat felt like it was squeezing up.
"Please."
((Willow carried herself without confidence.))
Willow's new gun was heavy but it was reassuring. It was a new seal of protection from people even if it was a very clumsy and strange gun. She only had two loads of bullets and with a third inside the gun, she needed to make every shot count. Her arms were getting tired from carrying it, trying to follow Kat throughout the houses.
Her ally wasn't speaking, she wasn't saying anything. She was just going in a straight line without saying any words or comments or anything. She hadn't spoke since the announcement, she hadn't said anything. Willow was worried.
"Please Katrina." Her voice carried throughout the alley. "Please talk to me."
Willow needed Katrina, but Katrina didn't need Willow. This wasn't the time to realize that. Willow struggled to keep up, her throat felt like it was squeezing up.
"Please."
((Katrina Lavell continued from Under a Watchful Eye))
Katrina pushed the bike along the path, trying to keep it balanced with all the bags on it. Sierra's rifle was slung over her shoulder, with the nodachi weaved in the bag straps. Focusing on keeping the bike from tipping over with the weight of their bags was something that she was glad to put her brain towards. After all, it wasn't as difficult as thinking about the recent announcement.
After they left the cliffs, Katrina and Willow went to the village and found a home to spend the night in. It was the next morning that the minor bit of peace they had ended. The names were rattled off. Ivy and Myles were dead, removing a notable duo from the class. Emmett and Jonathan were mentioned early on as well. The killing had to be slowing down at that rate.
But of course, the very next name ruined it all. Yuka was dead, killed by Erika. When she heard it, Katrina froze. It was over. Katrina could never atone for killing Yuka's sister. She'd never get the death she wanted. She may have helped push Yuka to death by cutting off her fingers. All Katrina could feel was guilt and shame.
Feelings of inadequacy and regret continued as the next names mentioned were Claudeson and Tyrell. She thought she'd just hear that Tyrell killed Claudeson, but then it was revealed Tyrell was dead as well.
Katrina couldn't even cry. Both people she wanted to look for were dead. One right after the other. It was all over. No resolving half-measures, no atonement through death. No forgiveness.
Katrina insisted they move on, pushing Willow to pack their things, load the bike, and start moving through the village. Katrina didn't want to talk. Even though Willow was asking her, all Katrina wanted to do was keep moving.
"Sorry," she said to Willow. "I'm just not in the mood right now."
Katrina continued to push the bike, her gaze forward but empty. But, of course, there looked to be something in the frame, just ahead on one of the porch of a nearby house.
Katrina pushed the bike along the path, trying to keep it balanced with all the bags on it. Sierra's rifle was slung over her shoulder, with the nodachi weaved in the bag straps. Focusing on keeping the bike from tipping over with the weight of their bags was something that she was glad to put her brain towards. After all, it wasn't as difficult as thinking about the recent announcement.
After they left the cliffs, Katrina and Willow went to the village and found a home to spend the night in. It was the next morning that the minor bit of peace they had ended. The names were rattled off. Ivy and Myles were dead, removing a notable duo from the class. Emmett and Jonathan were mentioned early on as well. The killing had to be slowing down at that rate.
But of course, the very next name ruined it all. Yuka was dead, killed by Erika. When she heard it, Katrina froze. It was over. Katrina could never atone for killing Yuka's sister. She'd never get the death she wanted. She may have helped push Yuka to death by cutting off her fingers. All Katrina could feel was guilt and shame.
Feelings of inadequacy and regret continued as the next names mentioned were Claudeson and Tyrell. She thought she'd just hear that Tyrell killed Claudeson, but then it was revealed Tyrell was dead as well.
Katrina couldn't even cry. Both people she wanted to look for were dead. One right after the other. It was all over. No resolving half-measures, no atonement through death. No forgiveness.
Katrina insisted they move on, pushing Willow to pack their things, load the bike, and start moving through the village. Katrina didn't want to talk. Even though Willow was asking her, all Katrina wanted to do was keep moving.
"Sorry," she said to Willow. "I'm just not in the mood right now."
Katrina continued to push the bike, her gaze forward but empty. But, of course, there looked to be something in the frame, just ahead on one of the porch of a nearby house.
Zach looked down at his sandals. The soles looked totally worn out from all these days of walking. How they managed to keep intact, plus how Zach had gone so long without getting a blister, was anyone’s guess.
Just then, Zach heard the pleading of a girl nearby and looked up. He could see two females in the distance, one he hadn’t seen up to this point, the other he hadn’t seen since waking up on the first day. And, was that a bike? They are bikes on this island? Where the hell did they get a fucking bike?
Willow was trying to get Katrina to talk to her. Katrina, however, clearly wasn’t feeling quite chatty. Zach could understand that. He wasn’t in the best of moods either.
That was when Katrina had noticed and locked eyes with each other. That’s when Zach noticed the rifle over her shoulder, and the sword she had since the first day. Zach’s grip on the billhook tightened.
“Um. Hey,” Zach said awkwardly, “How’s it going?”
Just then, Zach heard the pleading of a girl nearby and looked up. He could see two females in the distance, one he hadn’t seen up to this point, the other he hadn’t seen since waking up on the first day. And, was that a bike? They are bikes on this island? Where the hell did they get a fucking bike?
Willow was trying to get Katrina to talk to her. Katrina, however, clearly wasn’t feeling quite chatty. Zach could understand that. He wasn’t in the best of moods either.
That was when Katrina had noticed and locked eyes with each other. That’s when Zach noticed the rifle over her shoulder, and the sword she had since the first day. Zach’s grip on the billhook tightened.
“Um. Hey,” Zach said awkwardly, “How’s it going?”
"Super duper well," Willow said, smiling, "we've never been better."
Willow's handle on the gun was firm but not steady. She knew she wouldn't drop it, but there was no way she could aim it and actually land a shot. Since the ammunition was limited, she couldn't be trigger happy.
She turned to Kat, again. 'Not in the mood' wasn't a good excuse.
Well, it kinda was. Willow bit her bottom lip. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with Katrina other than to let do whatever she wanted to do. Katrina and Willow had been through a lot together, but they weren't what they could be called friends. Yes, they shared some interests, and yes, they enjoyed each other's company. These were facts of this domestic cohabitation on this island.
But if it weren't for the background setting of their final dance, Willow and Katrina and probably Sierra and Roxie would have never talked or done anything together. They would probably all look at each other from the corner of their eyes, waiting impatiently for them to leave to make place for their actual friends.
Since friends were a limited and exhausted ressource here, you had to take whatever you could get. So, Willow took Katrina and Katrina took Willow. That was their relationship, and Willow wasn't sure where she would stand if Katrina decided that she wanted to go home and win.
"Anyways," she turned back toward the boy, "are you going to be a little bitch or are you going to be like a decent human being?"
Willow's handle on the gun was firm but not steady. She knew she wouldn't drop it, but there was no way she could aim it and actually land a shot. Since the ammunition was limited, she couldn't be trigger happy.
She turned to Kat, again. 'Not in the mood' wasn't a good excuse.
Well, it kinda was. Willow bit her bottom lip. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with Katrina other than to let do whatever she wanted to do. Katrina and Willow had been through a lot together, but they weren't what they could be called friends. Yes, they shared some interests, and yes, they enjoyed each other's company. These were facts of this domestic cohabitation on this island.
But if it weren't for the background setting of their final dance, Willow and Katrina and probably Sierra and Roxie would have never talked or done anything together. They would probably all look at each other from the corner of their eyes, waiting impatiently for them to leave to make place for their actual friends.
Since friends were a limited and exhausted ressource here, you had to take whatever you could get. So, Willow took Katrina and Katrina took Willow. That was their relationship, and Willow wasn't sure where she would stand if Katrina decided that she wanted to go home and win.
"Anyways," she turned back toward the boy, "are you going to be a little bitch or are you going to be like a decent human being?"
Katrina stopped walking once they could clearly see who it was. It was Zach. Katrina didn't know much about him, but at this moment, she couldn't even think about whether or not he was on the announcements or not. Her mind was still full of thoughts about Yuka and Tyrell to even think straight.
Willow seemed to be taking charge of the discussion with Zach. Zach did have a weapon on hand and in his hand, so Katrina knew that even with their caravan of goods, they couldn't take it too easy. Anything could change in an instant here.
Willow asked Zach if he was going to be a bitch. Katrina merely turned away and scratched the back of her head. She still didn't know what to do or say, so she figured doing nothing would be better.
Willow seemed to be taking charge of the discussion with Zach. Zach did have a weapon on hand and in his hand, so Katrina knew that even with their caravan of goods, they couldn't take it too easy. Anything could change in an instant here.
Willow asked Zach if he was going to be a bitch. Katrina merely turned away and scratched the back of her head. She still didn't know what to do or say, so she figured doing nothing would be better.
“That depends,” Zach responded, standing up, “Are you?”
Brilliant comeback, genius.
Zach looked at the bike, the bags hanging off the handle bars, the rifle around Katrina’s shoulder, the gun in Willow’s hand. Zach was clearly at a disadvantage. Now was definitely not the best time to pick a fight.
“So, where did ya get a fucking bike?”, he asked, “Is there a Walmart around here or something?”
He was joking of course, but he was curious. If there was somewhere with bikes around here, maybe he wouldn’t have to worry about his legs getting tired. His sandals would be numbered if went on any longer.
“So Katrina,” Zach said, turning his attention to her, “What happened to Yuko’s plan? Wasn’t she hoping to stop the game somehow?”
You’re poking a hornets nest, you know that right?
Brilliant comeback, genius.
Zach looked at the bike, the bags hanging off the handle bars, the rifle around Katrina’s shoulder, the gun in Willow’s hand. Zach was clearly at a disadvantage. Now was definitely not the best time to pick a fight.
“So, where did ya get a fucking bike?”, he asked, “Is there a Walmart around here or something?”
He was joking of course, but he was curious. If there was somewhere with bikes around here, maybe he wouldn’t have to worry about his legs getting tired. His sandals would be numbered if went on any longer.
“So Katrina,” Zach said, turning his attention to her, “What happened to Yuko’s plan? Wasn’t she hoping to stop the game somehow?”
You’re poking a hornets nest, you know that right?
"Okay, you're little a bitch." She raised her gun. "Got it."
Willow wasn't sure if she liked the feel of the gun. It wasn't quite the same as the taser - no, stun gun - or the whip. It felt strange, dangerous, almost repulsive.
But she wasn't sure if it felt good. It felt like something that poked through mind, reminding her that she could end someone life as quickly as pulling the trigger.
"We're not in the mood," she looked at Katrina, "I mean she's not."
Her gaze was straight. It directly peered into Zach's eyes. Willow tried to be intimidating, but she was still puny. A girl with a weapon that could end lives was still scary, even if she was fragile.
"I am, however, in the mood to pick a fight." The gun was anchored at her shoulder. "So go on. What else do you want to say?"
Willow wasn't sure if she liked the feel of the gun. It wasn't quite the same as the taser - no, stun gun - or the whip. It felt strange, dangerous, almost repulsive.
But she wasn't sure if it felt good. It felt like something that poked through mind, reminding her that she could end someone life as quickly as pulling the trigger.
"We're not in the mood," she looked at Katrina, "I mean she's not."
Her gaze was straight. It directly peered into Zach's eyes. Willow tried to be intimidating, but she was still puny. A girl with a weapon that could end lives was still scary, even if she was fragile.
"I am, however, in the mood to pick a fight." The gun was anchored at her shoulder. "So go on. What else do you want to say?"
Oh, that's who Zach is. Katrina had almost completely forgotten that he was there at the lighthouse on the first day. And, of course, he remembered that she left the lighthouse with Yuko. Katrina wasn't sure what happened to Zach over the last ten days, but from the way he asked her about Yuko's plans, it looked like he was pissed off at Katrina for killing Yuko. Of course. Just because Yuko's immediate family on this island was dead didn't mean there weren't people left who hated Katrina for that.
Katrina sighed as Willow continued to antagonize Zach. She finally shook her head.
"Look, I don't want to fight. Zach, it all fell apart because I was an idiot. Willow, let's not try to get into fights. Can we just go our separate ways without doing anything we'll regret?"
Katrina gripped the handlebars of the bike.
"For crying out loud, it's been ten days of this nonsense. Can't we just, you know, not? For one day?"
Katrina sighed as Willow continued to antagonize Zach. She finally shook her head.
"Look, I don't want to fight. Zach, it all fell apart because I was an idiot. Willow, let's not try to get into fights. Can we just go our separate ways without doing anything we'll regret?"
Katrina gripped the handlebars of the bike.
"For crying out loud, it's been ten days of this nonsense. Can't we just, you know, not? For one day?"
Shit. This was not how Zach wanted things to go down. He should’ve kept his fucking mouth shut. Zach stood his ground, but he couldn’t think of what to do next. He glared at Willow, trying not to lose the brave face he was putting on. She clearly had the advantage in terms of range and fire power. He kept his only means of defense tightly gripped.
Just then, Katrina piped up. She blamed herself for what had happened and pleaded for Willow not to start a fight. Okay, this is good. Zach didn’t want to fight either, not when he was poorly armed. If Katrina doesn’t wanna fight, maybe she can talk Willow out of it. He needed to choose his next words carefully.
“Yeah,” Zach said, “After ten days of this shit, I think we’re all pretty sick of it. Why don’t we take a break?”
Just then, Katrina piped up. She blamed herself for what had happened and pleaded for Willow not to start a fight. Okay, this is good. Zach didn’t want to fight either, not when he was poorly armed. If Katrina doesn’t wanna fight, maybe she can talk Willow out of it. He needed to choose his next words carefully.
“Yeah,” Zach said, “After ten days of this shit, I think we’re all pretty sick of it. Why don’t we take a break?”
While Zach had been studying the art of pranking, Willow had been studying the art of the blade. Or at least, the art of the gun. Whatever, at the end of the day, she had the gun and he didn't. It was basic gun mathematics or something. It made the game boring but it made the game safe, so she had to do what she needed to do until Katrina was solidly secured in the finalist spot.
But there was a problem. It was the shape of a girl and its name was Katrina. Willow sighed, lowering her shoulders as she side-eyed her ally. She sighed, lowering her gun. It was pointing toward the floor but her neck was still tensed, incapable of retreating from the danger.
"Sure."
She squinted.
"But I got my eyes on you."
She turned her head toward Katrina.
"Seriously though," she moaned softly, "please, I just want to talk."
But there was a problem. It was the shape of a girl and its name was Katrina. Willow sighed, lowering her shoulders as she side-eyed her ally. She sighed, lowering her gun. It was pointing toward the floor but her neck was still tensed, incapable of retreating from the danger.
"Sure."
She squinted.
"But I got my eyes on you."
She turned her head toward Katrina.
"Seriously though," she moaned softly, "please, I just want to talk."
Katrina exhaled and looked down at her feet. She kicked a bit of the dirt with her now-grimy looking shoes. Zach wasn't going to do anything, and Willow was willing to cooperate too, although that apparently came along with the requirement that Katrina talk to her.
What did her mom used to say? Words unsaid are like shooting stars? If missed, they're gone forever, but if given the right amount of attention, they'll remain forever? Yeah, Katrina was sure it made more sense to her mom's audiences.
But being completely antisocial wasn't like Katrina. Her entire nature and (former) hopeful career required some amount of extroversion. She couldn't deny Willow conversation forever.
"Okay, we can talk," Katrina said. "Sorry. I just needed a moment to process the announcement today."
What did her mom used to say? Words unsaid are like shooting stars? If missed, they're gone forever, but if given the right amount of attention, they'll remain forever? Yeah, Katrina was sure it made more sense to her mom's audiences.
But being completely antisocial wasn't like Katrina. Her entire nature and (former) hopeful career required some amount of extroversion. She couldn't deny Willow conversation forever.
"Okay, we can talk," Katrina said. "Sorry. I just needed a moment to process the announcement today."
“Oh yeah, I get ya,” Zach said. His grip on the billhook lessened slightly. He didn’t know if one of them would suddenly go back to holding him at gun point.
“Some of the announcements came as a shock to me,” he continued, “One of my, er, friends, got shot by his girlfriend.”
“Friend” was definitely an inaccurate word to call Thomas, hence why Zach staggered his phrasing a bit. Zach thought back to the last time he saw Thomas, anger painted on his face, aiming his gun as Zach fled from what he had done to Sean.
Why did Sakurako shoot him? Maybe because he was becoming unstable? Did he lash out and try to kill her? Or did she plan on betraying him eventually? Zach wasn’t sure, how could he be? He wasn’t with them for very long.
“Also, Lucas, Lucas Abernathy, the movie buff, he’s dead too,” Zach said.
Zach thought back to the time at the restaurant. He was making a deal with Lucas for an upcoming prank on Wyatt. That would’ve been such a riot had it not been for Joey Quintero. Lucas A. was a cool guy, easy to talk to. If Zach needed a prop, he was the first guy he’d go to. Now he’s gone. The world had lost a potential new director.
“So, did also hear about Yuka Hayashibara?”, Zach asked, “You think she tried to get revenge for her sister?”
“Some of the announcements came as a shock to me,” he continued, “One of my, er, friends, got shot by his girlfriend.”
“Friend” was definitely an inaccurate word to call Thomas, hence why Zach staggered his phrasing a bit. Zach thought back to the last time he saw Thomas, anger painted on his face, aiming his gun as Zach fled from what he had done to Sean.
Why did Sakurako shoot him? Maybe because he was becoming unstable? Did he lash out and try to kill her? Or did she plan on betraying him eventually? Zach wasn’t sure, how could he be? He wasn’t with them for very long.
“Also, Lucas, Lucas Abernathy, the movie buff, he’s dead too,” Zach said.
Zach thought back to the time at the restaurant. He was making a deal with Lucas for an upcoming prank on Wyatt. That would’ve been such a riot had it not been for Joey Quintero. Lucas A. was a cool guy, easy to talk to. If Zach needed a prop, he was the first guy he’d go to. Now he’s gone. The world had lost a potential new director.
“So, did also hear about Yuka Hayashibara?”, Zach asked, “You think she tried to get revenge for her sister?”
"Yeah," Willow looked at Kat. Her plan had been shattered. Willow was glad about it. She never wanted Katrina to die like that. Did Willow want Katrina to die, actually? She wasn't sure. "We heard."
"She," Willow paused. She still had her fingers in her bag. She smiled but continued to speak, "Yuka was upset last time we saw her."
Understatement of the year award goes to Willow! It was an easy award to score anyways. She needed to get any victories she could gather before her final one. Willow tapped her fingers on the gun, avoiding the trigger. She enjoyed the little noise it made when she picked at it with her nails.
Willow looked back toward Zach. The billhook looked pretty nice if a bit withered. Willow wanted to get her greedy paws on it since Katrina didn't trust her with her knife slash sword slash whatever.
"Sorry about your friend," she said sweetly, "who was it?"
"She," Willow paused. She still had her fingers in her bag. She smiled but continued to speak, "Yuka was upset last time we saw her."
Understatement of the year award goes to Willow! It was an easy award to score anyways. She needed to get any victories she could gather before her final one. Willow tapped her fingers on the gun, avoiding the trigger. She enjoyed the little noise it made when she picked at it with her nails.
Willow looked back toward Zach. The billhook looked pretty nice if a bit withered. Willow wanted to get her greedy paws on it since Katrina didn't trust her with her knife slash sword slash whatever.
"Sorry about your friend," she said sweetly, "who was it?"
Katrina listened as Zach explained his reaction to the announcements. He apparently lost a friend, and also noted Lucas Abernathy's names on the announcements. Katrina winced a bit as he mentioned Yuka dying to avenge her sister. Yuka probably did. If she was prepared to kill Katrina over Yuko, it wouldn't be surprised if she died to Erika over Yuki. Katrina had to wonder if maiming Yuka back on the beach probably helped cause her death. She would be crippled against a multikiller like Erika, and the thought made Katrina feel sick.
Willow asked about Zach's friend, and Katrina disassociated from the moment a bit. She had to think about where they were now. They were more than halfway through this nightmare, and with the numbers dwindling, those who were left were probably all out for blood. At this point, no one was wholly safe or innocent, and Katrina would have to assume that anyone who did want them dead would probably want her dead not because of Yuko, but because they were so close to the end.
It probably didn't matter to Zach, but Katrina felt he at least had to know this.
"Yeah, Yuka probably did attack Erika out of vengeance," Katrina said. "She attacked me because of Yuko. I don't know who's left that would be after me because of Yuko's death, but they're probably out there. So..."
Katrina wasn't sure what else to say. Zach deserved to know that she and Willow were likely to be targets. It was up to him to decide if he wanted to continue to fraternize with them.
Willow asked about Zach's friend, and Katrina disassociated from the moment a bit. She had to think about where they were now. They were more than halfway through this nightmare, and with the numbers dwindling, those who were left were probably all out for blood. At this point, no one was wholly safe or innocent, and Katrina would have to assume that anyone who did want them dead would probably want her dead not because of Yuko, but because they were so close to the end.
It probably didn't matter to Zach, but Katrina felt he at least had to know this.
"Yeah, Yuka probably did attack Erika out of vengeance," Katrina said. "She attacked me because of Yuko. I don't know who's left that would be after me because of Yuko's death, but they're probably out there. So..."
Katrina wasn't sure what else to say. Zach deserved to know that she and Willow were likely to be targets. It was up to him to decide if he wanted to continue to fraternize with them.