((Reiko Ishida continued from Refraction))
11 days, and counting. 11 days since Reiko had been on this island, kidnapped along with her class. 11 days since she had started to play this game, ensuring her fate to die on this island. 11 days, and she was still alive. She may not have been in the greatest shape in the world, but she was still alive and fighting. She just had to make sure she kept herself out of sight. The last thing she needed right now was to come across someone who was trying to eliminate the competition.
The last announcement mentioned there was less than 50 of them left. That number was quite staggering, to say the least. From over 200 of her classmates, less than 50 were still alive. Well, ignoring the 20 or so people who had escaped. Judging by the last announcement as well, they were starting to close off the area they were allowed to be in, forcing everyone closer.
Reiko found herself approaching a small building, one that looked to be unoccupied. The reason for that was probably due to the dead bodies at the entrance, but this hardly bothered her. She had seen her share of bodies by now, and after 11 days being surrounded by them, the stench hardly bothered her. Entering the building yielded another body, this one in much better shape than the ones outside. Reiko ignored this too, stepping over to the couch and sitting down. The place was cozy enough if you ignored the bodies. Maybe she could camp out here for awhile, stay out of sight. At least until it was declared a dangerzone.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
((Joe Rios continued from Never To Be Found))
It was quiet.
The only scenery- a building. Joe paced around, almost passing it.
Eleven days. They'd had their ups and downs. He'd made a few allies- and promptly lost most of them, but that's how things go. He'd lost Rose. He'd assuredly alienated everyone he gave a shit about back home, but that's how things always go on this island.
Fuck, he didn't even know where he was on the planet. Probably somewhere in the Pacific. Guadalcanal, maybe, or perhaps a little off the coast of Vietnam. Would be fitting; it had been fucking Joe up pretty bad. The place was a shithole and he wanted to get out more than anything, even if that meant dying.
The building leered at him. A faded sign labeled it as a ranger station. He didn't even look at Aston.
"Seems like a good place to hole up," he said, trying to hide the fact that his will was fading just as much as the sign.
It was quiet.
The only scenery- a building. Joe paced around, almost passing it.
Eleven days. They'd had their ups and downs. He'd made a few allies- and promptly lost most of them, but that's how things go. He'd lost Rose. He'd assuredly alienated everyone he gave a shit about back home, but that's how things always go on this island.
Fuck, he didn't even know where he was on the planet. Probably somewhere in the Pacific. Guadalcanal, maybe, or perhaps a little off the coast of Vietnam. Would be fitting; it had been fucking Joe up pretty bad. The place was a shithole and he wanted to get out more than anything, even if that meant dying.
The building leered at him. A faded sign labeled it as a ranger station. He didn't even look at Aston.
"Seems like a good place to hole up," he said, trying to hide the fact that his will was fading just as much as the sign.
(Aston Bennett continued from Never to Be Found.)
Aston let Joe lead for awhile. She needed time to think. She had plenty on her mind.
They came across a building. Joe was the first one to notice it. Aston had lost focus a long time ago.
The building look like shit. Aston was wary, but she thought she was just being paranoid. Ghosts rising from long-covered graves.
"Yeah. Better than nothing."
Aston shrugged. Placed the gun in her pocket.
"... you want to take lead? Got to make sure it's safe, right?"
Aston really wanted to rest. Just rest. She was so tired...
Aston let Joe lead for awhile. She needed time to think. She had plenty on her mind.
They came across a building. Joe was the first one to notice it. Aston had lost focus a long time ago.
The building look like shit. Aston was wary, but she thought she was just being paranoid. Ghosts rising from long-covered graves.
"Yeah. Better than nothing."
Aston shrugged. Placed the gun in her pocket.
"... you want to take lead? Got to make sure it's safe, right?"
Aston really wanted to rest. Just rest. She was so tired...
Voices outside. Two of them, at least. That didn't mean there was only two people. There may have been others who weren't talking for whatever reason. Still, they were heading towards her hiding place, which wasn't good to say the least. She thought she'd picked a place that no one else would want to go, but clearly the girl was wrong. The rifle was still packed in her bag, and it'd take too long to unpack it, leaving her with just her pistol. Three shots. It wasn't much, but maybe it would be enough to scare them off.
As quietly as she could, Reiko crawled towards the window. She peered outside, seeing the two figures. The girl instantly recognized one of them, Joe Rios. The boy who had apparently gone to elementary school with her, who's name she had heard a few times on the announcements. That wasn't good for her. It meant he would have no problem attacking her. Somehow she knew that trying to talk wouldn't help. So rather than be attacked, she was going to fire first.
Gripping the firearm in both hands, Reiko crossed the space between the window and the door. She would have just opened the window and fired, but it seemed to be nailed shut or something. So instead, she found herself standing at the front door, hand on doorknob. Before she could even think about what she was doing, the girl flung the door open, pointing her weapon in the direction of the two, before firing a shot and ducking behind the wall next to the entrance. She probably missed, but either way, they hopefully got the message.
As quietly as she could, Reiko crawled towards the window. She peered outside, seeing the two figures. The girl instantly recognized one of them, Joe Rios. The boy who had apparently gone to elementary school with her, who's name she had heard a few times on the announcements. That wasn't good for her. It meant he would have no problem attacking her. Somehow she knew that trying to talk wouldn't help. So rather than be attacked, she was going to fire first.
Gripping the firearm in both hands, Reiko crossed the space between the window and the door. She would have just opened the window and fired, but it seemed to be nailed shut or something. So instead, she found herself standing at the front door, hand on doorknob. Before she could even think about what she was doing, the girl flung the door open, pointing her weapon in the direction of the two, before firing a shot and ducking behind the wall next to the entrance. She probably missed, but either way, they hopefully got the message.
A shot rang out. A single gunshot, the bullet tearing through the air and narrowly missing Aston's head, the sound deafening in spite of the small caliber.
Joe's mind went into overdrive, adrenaline pumping in his brain. Time seemed to slow down as he looked in the direction of the gunshot, and saw Reiko Ishida take position behind the wall next to the entrance of the building, still holding her smoking pistol.
Without thinking, he crouched down, let the daypack slide off of his arm, took a three-point stance, and charged forwards, roaring with pure rage.
Joe Rios had been referred to as the Grim Reaper before. In a certain circle on the island, Death was actually his name, the only name anyone knew him by. He'd initially disliked it, and he had tried very hard to cast it off, but with his newfound goal he'd actually come to accept it; it suited him.
He needed to fight to keep psychos like Reiko from winning. He needed to fight to redeem himself, and most importantly of all, in this instant, he needed to fight to protect Aston. It was a good goal, and it was one worth risking his life for, even if it meant potentially breaking his promise to her. She took priority, not him.
Joe's mind went into overdrive, adrenaline pumping in his brain. Time seemed to slow down as he looked in the direction of the gunshot, and saw Reiko Ishida take position behind the wall next to the entrance of the building, still holding her smoking pistol.
Without thinking, he crouched down, let the daypack slide off of his arm, took a three-point stance, and charged forwards, roaring with pure rage.
Joe Rios had been referred to as the Grim Reaper before. In a certain circle on the island, Death was actually his name, the only name anyone knew him by. He'd initially disliked it, and he had tried very hard to cast it off, but with his newfound goal he'd actually come to accept it; it suited him.
He needed to fight to keep psychos like Reiko from winning. He needed to fight to redeem himself, and most importantly of all, in this instant, he needed to fight to protect Aston. It was a good goal, and it was one worth risking his life for, even if it meant potentially breaking his promise to her. She took priority, not him.
Reiko had missed. She could tell because of two reasons. The first was the lack of pained screams that usually followed shortly after being shot, or that of the ally if the other had been hit in the head or something. The second was enraged yell as one of them charged her. The girl looked out from her position behind the wall, seeing Joe barreling towards her in a fit of rage.
She didn't even have to think about it. Joe was a threat, and if he was going to be a threat, then Reiko was going to treat him the same as anyone else on left on this island. Anything that was a threat had to be eliminated. She was going to get home, and she was damned if this was going to stop her.
Her intentioned in her mind clear, Reiko raised the gun again, squeezing the trigger twice in rapid succession, The firearm that she had been carrying with her for so long finally empty of it's contents. Almost as soon as the slide locked in place, Reiko tossed the weapon to the side, retreating back into the building without closing the door and trying to find her things again.
She didn't even have to think about it. Joe was a threat, and if he was going to be a threat, then Reiko was going to treat him the same as anyone else on left on this island. Anything that was a threat had to be eliminated. She was going to get home, and she was damned if this was going to stop her.
Her intentioned in her mind clear, Reiko raised the gun again, squeezing the trigger twice in rapid succession, The firearm that she had been carrying with her for so long finally empty of it's contents. Almost as soon as the slide locked in place, Reiko tossed the weapon to the side, retreating back into the building without closing the door and trying to find her things again.
(GMing approved by Rocky)
Reiko had fired twice more.
The bullets thumped into Joe's midsection, lodging themselves in his body. There was no pain; adrenaline did its job and dulled it. Joe felt blood pouring from the wounds and knew instantly that he was a dead man running. Reiko was out of ammo; Joe knew this because he saw her throw the gun away. A dumb move if there had been bullets remaining; however, Reiko was not dumb, so simple process of elimination led Joe to this conclusion.
The wounds, grievous as they were, did not stop his charge. As he gained on Reiko, he bent down and increased his speed, slamming shoulder-first into the small of her back and sending her sprawling on her stomach.
Joe stood up, walked to her side, and rolled her onto her back with his foot. Like lightning, he mounted her with his knees planted on her chest.
"¡Jodiendo... manflor... puta!" he yelled, lapsing into Spanish for the first time in years as he punctuated each word with a punch to the small Japanese-descended girl's face. "¡Me cagaré en la boca de su hermana en el infierno, maldito tortillera! ¡Voy a joder a tu manflor cadáver en la otra vida, maldita macha!" he bellowed, breaking his rhythm as he continued to beat her.
Reiko had fired twice more.
The bullets thumped into Joe's midsection, lodging themselves in his body. There was no pain; adrenaline did its job and dulled it. Joe felt blood pouring from the wounds and knew instantly that he was a dead man running. Reiko was out of ammo; Joe knew this because he saw her throw the gun away. A dumb move if there had been bullets remaining; however, Reiko was not dumb, so simple process of elimination led Joe to this conclusion.
The wounds, grievous as they were, did not stop his charge. As he gained on Reiko, he bent down and increased his speed, slamming shoulder-first into the small of her back and sending her sprawling on her stomach.
Joe stood up, walked to her side, and rolled her onto her back with his foot. Like lightning, he mounted her with his knees planted on her chest.
"¡Jodiendo... manflor... puta!" he yelled, lapsing into Spanish for the first time in years as he punctuated each word with a punch to the small Japanese-descended girl's face. "¡Me cagaré en la boca de su hermana en el infierno, maldito tortillera! ¡Voy a joder a tu manflor cadáver en la otra vida, maldita macha!" he bellowed, breaking his rhythm as he continued to beat her.
Reiko had just cleared the steps separating the entrance way and the main floor when she felt something slam into her back, sending her sprawling to the ground face first. The air in her lungs escaped with a whoosh, and the girl found herself gasping, trying to pull air back into them. She felt herself being rolled onto her back, and just as she managed to take a few struggling breaths, Joe was on top of her.
And then the fists started falling.
This wasn't the first time she had found herself in a situation like this. Reiko managed to get her arms in front of her face, somewhat lessening the impacts from the blows, if only slightly. She struggled and shifted her weight around, trying to throw the much larger boy off her, but to no avail. She even managed to get her knees up a few times into his back, striking as hard as she could, but still nothing.
Laying there on the ground, being soaked in another person's blood as they used her face as a speed bag, Reiko did the last thing she could think to do in that situation. Just as Joe's fist descended for another blow, Reiko reached out with her hands, somehow managing to grab it by the wrist. Pulling the arm down, Reiko brought her head up from the ground, sinking her teeth into his arm. She felt the skin break under the pressure, and a trickle of blood began to flow from the wound. She hung on as best she could, not daring to let go lest she give him a chance to resume his attack.
And then the fists started falling.
This wasn't the first time she had found herself in a situation like this. Reiko managed to get her arms in front of her face, somewhat lessening the impacts from the blows, if only slightly. She struggled and shifted her weight around, trying to throw the much larger boy off her, but to no avail. She even managed to get her knees up a few times into his back, striking as hard as she could, but still nothing.
Laying there on the ground, being soaked in another person's blood as they used her face as a speed bag, Reiko did the last thing she could think to do in that situation. Just as Joe's fist descended for another blow, Reiko reached out with her hands, somehow managing to grab it by the wrist. Pulling the arm down, Reiko brought her head up from the ground, sinking her teeth into his arm. She felt the skin break under the pressure, and a trickle of blood began to flow from the wound. She hung on as best she could, not daring to let go lest she give him a chance to resume his attack.
Joe's arm was stopped in mid-punch by Reiko sinking her teeth into it. A pause.
The adrenaline stopped and the pain started. A dull, throbbing pain in his stomach from the gunshot wounds at first, and then a sharp stabbing pain in his wrist from Reiko's teeth. He grabbed her hair with his other arm and pulled her mouth off of his forearm, tearing a chunk of flesh out with it and causing more pain. Every nerve in his forearm that was still intact was screaming, and it gushed blood. Joe winced, but used every bit of willpower he had to ignore it. Getting rid of Reiko was more important, and he would be far less intimidating if he was expressing just how much pain he was in.
"Fuck off," he said to Reiko, very loudly. "And don't you fucking dare go anywhere near Aston again, or I swear to God I will fucking haunt your ass."
The adrenaline stopped and the pain started. A dull, throbbing pain in his stomach from the gunshot wounds at first, and then a sharp stabbing pain in his wrist from Reiko's teeth. He grabbed her hair with his other arm and pulled her mouth off of his forearm, tearing a chunk of flesh out with it and causing more pain. Every nerve in his forearm that was still intact was screaming, and it gushed blood. Joe winced, but used every bit of willpower he had to ignore it. Getting rid of Reiko was more important, and he would be far less intimidating if he was expressing just how much pain he was in.
"Fuck off," he said to Reiko, very loudly. "And don't you fucking dare go anywhere near Aston again, or I swear to God I will fucking haunt your ass."
Whatever she had hoped to accomplish by biting her attacker, it seemed to work. His attacks stopped, and he got off her, allowing her to escape, but not before her forcefully yanked her head away, causing some bits of flesh to go with it. The girl scrambled away from him, wincing as every movement caused painful shocks in her torso. From the feel of things, she may have re-aggravated some injuries, not to mention her arms were numb from blocking so many of the blows. blood leaked from her nose from where the frames of her glasses cut into the bridge, and two of her three lip piercings had been torn out. Needless to say, Reiko wasn't looking so great at that moment.
Adrenaline was rushing through her system right now though, and she managed to gain an upright position. Spitting the blood and flesh that had found it's way into her mouth, some of it her own, the girl found her nail board, holding it in both hands and waiting for the inevitable retaliation. Except it never came. Joe hadn't moved from where he was on the floor, instead telling her off.
Reiko stood there for a moment, somewhat perplexed. She had never seen anyone on this island give up so easily after they were clearly winning. She didn't understand it, but that didn't mean she was exactly about to question it either. Grabbing her bag, the girl slung it over her shoulder, before edging her way towards the back door. Reiko made sure to keep her eyes on Joe the entire time, just in case he tried to pull a fast one on her, but he made no such movements. Fumbling with the doorknob, she finally managed to get it open, and as soon as she did, took off from the building as fast as her battered body allowed her.
((Reiko Ishida continued in Reflection))
Adrenaline was rushing through her system right now though, and she managed to gain an upright position. Spitting the blood and flesh that had found it's way into her mouth, some of it her own, the girl found her nail board, holding it in both hands and waiting for the inevitable retaliation. Except it never came. Joe hadn't moved from where he was on the floor, instead telling her off.
Reiko stood there for a moment, somewhat perplexed. She had never seen anyone on this island give up so easily after they were clearly winning. She didn't understand it, but that didn't mean she was exactly about to question it either. Grabbing her bag, the girl slung it over her shoulder, before edging her way towards the back door. Reiko made sure to keep her eyes on Joe the entire time, just in case he tried to pull a fast one on her, but he made no such movements. Fumbling with the doorknob, she finally managed to get it open, and as soon as she did, took off from the building as fast as her battered body allowed her.
((Reiko Ishida continued in Reflection))
Joe haphazardly staggered out of the building.
He was in unimaginable pain from the fact that he had three new holes in his body, two from 9mm bullets and one from Reiko's teeth. He was almost certainly going to bleed to death within an hour at most.
This didn't bother him. Even if he had broken his promise to Aston by getting mortally wounded, he had still saved her life. He continued walking, came back to where his daypack had fallen off of his shoulder, and sat down next to it. Aston had not moved very much.
"Hey," he said. "Sorry I fucked up."
On the same token, even if he had saved Aston's life, he broke his promise to her.
He was in unimaginable pain from the fact that he had three new holes in his body, two from 9mm bullets and one from Reiko's teeth. He was almost certainly going to bleed to death within an hour at most.
This didn't bother him. Even if he had broken his promise to Aston by getting mortally wounded, he had still saved her life. He continued walking, came back to where his daypack had fallen off of his shoulder, and sat down next to it. Aston had not moved very much.
"Hey," he said. "Sorry I fucked up."
On the same token, even if he had saved Aston's life, he broke his promise to her.
And for a time Aston froze. Couldn't move a muscle.
Guilt. Fear.
Aston was so fucking glad to kill before. Now it was a struggle.
And after that, it was over. Joe stumbled out.
Aston heaved for breath. She felt like she was the one who was shot
"... Joe."
She didn't have time to focus on Joe's promise. She was too focused on hers.
She had hesitated, and she froze the entire time.
Aston had done this. Joe had done his best. It was Aston who fucked up.
She didn't even see what had happened.
She wanted to ask him if he was alright. She knew that he wasn't. Wasted breath.
"Who did this?" She asked. Breathless again.
Guilt. Fear.
Aston was so fucking glad to kill before. Now it was a struggle.
And after that, it was over. Joe stumbled out.
Aston heaved for breath. She felt like she was the one who was shot
"... Joe."
She didn't have time to focus on Joe's promise. She was too focused on hers.
She had hesitated, and she froze the entire time.
Aston had done this. Joe had done his best. It was Aston who fucked up.
She didn't even see what had happened.
She wanted to ask him if he was alright. She knew that he wasn't. Wasted breath.
"Who did this?" She asked. Breathless again.
"Reiko Ishida," Joe said. "She fired a shot at you and narrowly missed blowing your brains out, so I tackled her and beat the shit out of her. She shot me twice and bit a pretty big chunk out of my arm in the process, but it's okay. I saved your life, even if it meant I broke my word to you, and that's what matters."
Joe tried to smile, but could only manage a pained grimace. He counted himself lucky that he wasn't hit in the lungs; from the throbbing pain, he guessed that he was hit in the left kidney and small intestine, but being untrained he couldn't tell for sure. A decent-sized amount of blood coming up his throat and out his mouth confirmed his guess.
"Besides, she'll be dead soon anyways. She's out of ammo, and a board with a few nails in it isn't exactly a great weapon," he said, blood dripping down his lower lip.
A pause. Joe's breathing was becoming ragged and he could feel the end coming soon.
"Mind if I make a couple last requests?" he asked. "I know it's silly, but there are a couple of things I wanna get out of the way."
Joe tried to smile, but could only manage a pained grimace. He counted himself lucky that he wasn't hit in the lungs; from the throbbing pain, he guessed that he was hit in the left kidney and small intestine, but being untrained he couldn't tell for sure. A decent-sized amount of blood coming up his throat and out his mouth confirmed his guess.
"Besides, she'll be dead soon anyways. She's out of ammo, and a board with a few nails in it isn't exactly a great weapon," he said, blood dripping down his lower lip.
A pause. Joe's breathing was becoming ragged and he could feel the end coming soon.
"Mind if I make a couple last requests?" he asked. "I know it's silly, but there are a couple of things I wanna get out of the way."
Aston wanted revenge.
She wanted to kill someone. She was mad.
She wanted to prove to herself.
She wanted a lot of things. She knew that it was just naive to expect everything. She would just have to wait for the announcement.
Morbid. Aston shivered. No, Joe was going to live.
She hoped.
She nodded. She could have helped, patched him up. She had her hands in her bag. Would it really matter? She brought the first aid kit out.
"... You're going to be fine. Just hold still. No need for requests."
No matter how many times she said that in her head, she force herself to believe it.
She wanted to kill someone. She was mad.
She wanted to prove to herself.
She wanted a lot of things. She knew that it was just naive to expect everything. She would just have to wait for the announcement.
Morbid. Aston shivered. No, Joe was going to live.
She hoped.
She nodded. She could have helped, patched him up. She had her hands in her bag. Would it really matter? She brought the first aid kit out.
"... You're going to be fine. Just hold still. No need for requests."
No matter how many times she said that in her head, she force herself to believe it.
((Seel, PM me if this is out-of-line. You approved GMing earlier but I'm not sure if it's still okay.))
Joe felt himself fading, but willed it away with all of his strength.
have to help aston through this can't die now can't die now can't die now can't die now
"That's... that won't help. I got fucked up worse than I look, and if you haven't noticed I look like Hell took a bowel-shattering shit all over me," Joe said earnestly, his breathing noticeably labored. He clenched his left fist and unclenched it. The one Reiko hadn't torn a chunk out of. He couldn't move his right.
good something to focus on so much for art though why the fuck am I thinking about that won't pass out won't die just yet have to stay alive just for another minute. i didn't save aston just to watch her go insane with my last breaths have to help her
"I... know you don't want to think about this, but you know what, fuck it. I just want two things right now," he said.
running out of time running out of time need to get it over with
He stood up and staggered forwards. A bit of blood, mixed with stomach acid, flowed out of the corner of his parched mouth. Aston got up and held him steady. He took a step back and stretched out his arms, his left wrist flopping down.
"First off, give me a hug." A pause. "I know... it sounds-" he took a deep, but ragged, breath- "-real fuckin' stupid, but we both... damn well need it," he said, quieter.
Joe felt himself fading, but willed it away with all of his strength.
have to help aston through this can't die now can't die now can't die now can't die now
"That's... that won't help. I got fucked up worse than I look, and if you haven't noticed I look like Hell took a bowel-shattering shit all over me," Joe said earnestly, his breathing noticeably labored. He clenched his left fist and unclenched it. The one Reiko hadn't torn a chunk out of. He couldn't move his right.
good something to focus on so much for art though why the fuck am I thinking about that won't pass out won't die just yet have to stay alive just for another minute. i didn't save aston just to watch her go insane with my last breaths have to help her
"I... know you don't want to think about this, but you know what, fuck it. I just want two things right now," he said.
running out of time running out of time need to get it over with
He stood up and staggered forwards. A bit of blood, mixed with stomach acid, flowed out of the corner of his parched mouth. Aston got up and held him steady. He took a step back and stretched out his arms, his left wrist flopping down.
"First off, give me a hug." A pause. "I know... it sounds-" he took a deep, but ragged, breath- "-real fuckin' stupid, but we both... damn well need it," he said, quieter.