((Reiko Ishida continued from Coming Home))
Perched near the edge of the cliff face, Reiko sat, feeling the ocean as it thumped against the rocks below. She broke off a little block of chocolate before wrapping the rest of it and secreting it away in her bag again. She let it slowly melt in her mouth, sugar was something she'd sorely missed over the past week, but Sarah's supply had returned access to her.
It had only been for a day, but Reiko was happy that she'd been able to spend time with Sarah again. To know that she hadn't quite lost everything, that someone still loved her despite all the damage she'd done...
Unfortunately nothing that good could last, and now she was on her own again. Alone, on this island, while Sarah was safe. Somewhere miles away, beyond the horizon, her girlfriend was probably being fed and treated. And Bridget was probably keeping her company, making sure she didn't do anything stupid... Like try to steal a boat and come back to get her.
Reiko smiled at the thought. She wouldn't put it past her.
The last announcement had come and passed, with a new man behind the speakers. He listed off all the dead, including Sarah and Bridget, supposedly having died in the escape attempt. She would have been worried, but Reiko knew bull shit when she heard it. They were just covering their asses, trying not to let slip that they'd lost, for once.
Still, she would have been lying if she pretended hearing their names didn't get to her a bit. The announcement probably should have created a little bit of doubt. But somehow she knew that Sarah was still alive. Call it a hunch, or intuition, or whatever, but Sarah Xu was still alive. Reiko was certain of that.
For a few moments she focused on listening to the waves crashing on the rocks below. It was nice that amid all the chaos, she was able to find a moment of peace. A moment to reflect on her many past mistakes, and to prepare herself for future ones. She may have been clinging to the idea of 'self-defense' before, but no more. There would be no more excuses on her end. If she was condemned to stay on this island, then she wasn't going to roll over and die just so some other asshole could go home.
Reiko would fight, she would do whatever it took to survive, and she would get the fuck off this island. If that meant she would have to win, then so be it. She would tear down every last person left to be with her Sarah again, and nothing was going to stop her short of death, she'd make sure of that.
Reiko Ishida was back in the game, whatever that meant.
Refraction
((Samya Franklin continued from Eep.))
Lost. Samya was lost, separated from Zach, confused and upset and so very alone. She'd missed the rescue attempt, but, from the sound of things, that had been for the best, had saved her life. Zach was still here too, so all hope was not lost. She just had to find him once more. Find him and never let him slip away again. He couldn't leave her. Not after everyone else.
And everyone else was truly gone. Melissa was dead, murdered by Nick Reid, who had in turn been killed. Aislyn had died a long time ago, and Vivien too. Felicia had gotten herself involved in the whole escape mess, and had perished there. Claire was still out there somewhere, maybe, but Samya had no idea where. Zach was the one she could hope to reunite with. It had happened before. He'd be able to take care of himself. Better than she'd been able to manage so far, at the very least. He'd hopefully be near here, somewhere.
She still had her weapon, at the very least, the weapon she didn't really know what to do with. She was still hoping she could use it in defense if it came to that. She was still hoping it wouldn't.
And now she was at the cliffs, at the edge of the island, hoping to gain a little perspective, to maybe see someone or something she could recognize, or at least to get some time alone, but instead there was a figure there. She blinked, and she got her weapon out, but didn't point it yet. Couldn't be too safe, but wanton aggression? That just wasn't her.
Lost. Samya was lost, separated from Zach, confused and upset and so very alone. She'd missed the rescue attempt, but, from the sound of things, that had been for the best, had saved her life. Zach was still here too, so all hope was not lost. She just had to find him once more. Find him and never let him slip away again. He couldn't leave her. Not after everyone else.
And everyone else was truly gone. Melissa was dead, murdered by Nick Reid, who had in turn been killed. Aislyn had died a long time ago, and Vivien too. Felicia had gotten herself involved in the whole escape mess, and had perished there. Claire was still out there somewhere, maybe, but Samya had no idea where. Zach was the one she could hope to reunite with. It had happened before. He'd be able to take care of himself. Better than she'd been able to manage so far, at the very least. He'd hopefully be near here, somewhere.
She still had her weapon, at the very least, the weapon she didn't really know what to do with. She was still hoping she could use it in defense if it came to that. She was still hoping it wouldn't.
And now she was at the cliffs, at the edge of the island, hoping to gain a little perspective, to maybe see someone or something she could recognize, or at least to get some time alone, but instead there was a figure there. She blinked, and she got her weapon out, but didn't point it yet. Couldn't be too safe, but wanton aggression? That just wasn't her.
(Zach Jamis continued from The Cavalry Arrives)
The taste of sugar was on Zach's tongue. It was bitter. He hated it.
It appears that Zach Jamis had no idea what he was going to do. He had figured he would just wander around for a bit. There were no girls to save. No people to complain at. Yep. Life was a bore and Zach had no homework he could not do. That was, of course, until he stumbled onto the cliff and saw that one chick.
He had seen her at the boat. It was that one chick, Reika. At least he thought that was her name. Zach was no prejudice bastard but he couldn't tell either of those fucking sisters apart. Whenever he had to ever speak to him, he would just muffle the last syllable so he could save some face. So wait, which one was this? Was this the music chick or was it that other bitch who hung around with all those other bitches like any popular bitch in high school? It could have been either of them. Zach seriously had no idea. Reika... Reiku? Was that the other sister's name? Shit. This was like name your kids Casey and Kasey. No matter what you do, if you call their name both of them are going to think you're talking to them.
Wait, didn't one of them die way back when?
Well. That sucks. Zach would have felt guilty if he actually gave a shit. Oh how dreadful. Someone you knew died? Wow, how sad. There wasn't anyone else who has experienced that kind of turmoil on this fucking island. This is what sugar does to do. Makes you into a raging, selfish idiot. If Zach decided to show himself, he could only hope she didn't launch into a pretentious speech about how her sister died, and how the players were monsters and how she doesn't deserve to die. Her, her her, always her problems. What a pushover.
Maybe he could rob her. She wasn't a sobbing Aileen so Zach wouldn't feel bad about being a jerk. Punch her in face, "Hey, bitch, gimmie your lunch money," walk away. He did that once to a kid during middle school and that had worked. Got ten bucks. It was a good day.
Wait. Wasn't she the one who was swatting a bunch of motherfuckers down like flies?
Well. Fuck that shit. Scrap that idea. Zach doesn't want to mess with some fucking crazy bitch. No thanks japanese Jane Wayne Gacy, I would not like to be buried your incredibly small crawlspace. Thank you, so nice of you to offer. Now that he thought about it, those fucking purple glasses made those sisters look like clown back home. Maybe he shouldn't have been so surprised one of them would start slashing young boys.
Zach had never dealt with a killer before - discounting that other boy Naoko, he was alright. He certainly didn't want to start now.
Inhale. Exhale. Zach trembled.
He looked down at his empty machine gun, pressing his back against the tree. He was still a ways off from her - far enough not to get a close look at her, close enough to know that she wasn't doing anything important. If he just waited for a really long time, maybe, just maybe a seagull might come out and peck her to death. Or maybe she might trip on a rock and smash her face in. He could only hope for something ludicrous like a lightning strike. After all, he didn't want to be hiding against a tree for the rest of his time here.
Or maybe he should just walk away. Yes, that sounded like a better idea. Best get the fuck away from Crazy McDrinksBlood before she decided to go Black Dahlia on Zach's ass. She was about five steps away from that shit anyway because, after all, she pretty much killed like ten bastards in cold blood. Zach didn't want to risk fucking with her if the chances of her being rational were so low...
...maybe this paranoia was why they didn't let killers on that boat. Jesus. He was starting to regret not taking that boat asshole's offer.
He looked back for only a second.
That's when he saw her. At least, he thought it was her.
Sam.
Zach froze. He said nothing.
The taste of sugar was on Zach's tongue. It was bitter. He hated it.
It appears that Zach Jamis had no idea what he was going to do. He had figured he would just wander around for a bit. There were no girls to save. No people to complain at. Yep. Life was a bore and Zach had no homework he could not do. That was, of course, until he stumbled onto the cliff and saw that one chick.
He had seen her at the boat. It was that one chick, Reika. At least he thought that was her name. Zach was no prejudice bastard but he couldn't tell either of those fucking sisters apart. Whenever he had to ever speak to him, he would just muffle the last syllable so he could save some face. So wait, which one was this? Was this the music chick or was it that other bitch who hung around with all those other bitches like any popular bitch in high school? It could have been either of them. Zach seriously had no idea. Reika... Reiku? Was that the other sister's name? Shit. This was like name your kids Casey and Kasey. No matter what you do, if you call their name both of them are going to think you're talking to them.
Wait, didn't one of them die way back when?
Well. That sucks. Zach would have felt guilty if he actually gave a shit. Oh how dreadful. Someone you knew died? Wow, how sad. There wasn't anyone else who has experienced that kind of turmoil on this fucking island. This is what sugar does to do. Makes you into a raging, selfish idiot. If Zach decided to show himself, he could only hope she didn't launch into a pretentious speech about how her sister died, and how the players were monsters and how she doesn't deserve to die. Her, her her, always her problems. What a pushover.
Maybe he could rob her. She wasn't a sobbing Aileen so Zach wouldn't feel bad about being a jerk. Punch her in face, "Hey, bitch, gimmie your lunch money," walk away. He did that once to a kid during middle school and that had worked. Got ten bucks. It was a good day.
Wait. Wasn't she the one who was swatting a bunch of motherfuckers down like flies?
Well. Fuck that shit. Scrap that idea. Zach doesn't want to mess with some fucking crazy bitch. No thanks japanese Jane Wayne Gacy, I would not like to be buried your incredibly small crawlspace. Thank you, so nice of you to offer. Now that he thought about it, those fucking purple glasses made those sisters look like clown back home. Maybe he shouldn't have been so surprised one of them would start slashing young boys.
Zach had never dealt with a killer before - discounting that other boy Naoko, he was alright. He certainly didn't want to start now.
Inhale. Exhale. Zach trembled.
He looked down at his empty machine gun, pressing his back against the tree. He was still a ways off from her - far enough not to get a close look at her, close enough to know that she wasn't doing anything important. If he just waited for a really long time, maybe, just maybe a seagull might come out and peck her to death. Or maybe she might trip on a rock and smash her face in. He could only hope for something ludicrous like a lightning strike. After all, he didn't want to be hiding against a tree for the rest of his time here.
Or maybe he should just walk away. Yes, that sounded like a better idea. Best get the fuck away from Crazy McDrinksBlood before she decided to go Black Dahlia on Zach's ass. She was about five steps away from that shit anyway because, after all, she pretty much killed like ten bastards in cold blood. Zach didn't want to risk fucking with her if the chances of her being rational were so low...
...maybe this paranoia was why they didn't let killers on that boat. Jesus. He was starting to regret not taking that boat asshole's offer.
He looked back for only a second.
That's when he saw her. At least, he thought it was her.
Sam.
Zach froze. He said nothing.
Reiko continued to stare out into the water in front of her, in no real rush to go anywhere. With her luck she wouldn't even need to go anywhere before someone showed up and attacked her or something. Even her own girlfriend had met her by pointing a rifle at her. So it didn't surprise her too much when she heard rustling behind her. The smaller girl glanced behind her back, seeing one of the girls she didn't recognize holding a gun.
Reiko didn't wait for long, turning her cross-legged sitting position into a kneel, facing the new girl. Her hand shot to the grip of the pistol tucked in behind her belt, removing it and holding it in two hands. She didn't point it at her just yet, since she didn't seem to be hostile. There was no telling how long that would last though. Reiko had a way of having things turn violent on her.
So, now what? Reiko stared at the other girl, waiting for her to move, not saying a word. A part of her just wanted to embrace the darker side of this game, to just point her gun and shoot the girl, get it over with and move on. Something stopped her from doing this though. She knew her goal was survival, so she could be back with Sarah. She also knew if she survived by wantonly killing everything in sight, Sarah would never forgive her. So really, the only way she was getting out of this would be if the other girl attacked first.
Reiko lifted her gun, aiming it at the girl, but keeping her finger off the trigger. "I suggest you don' try to do anything too stupid right now." Yeah, she wasn't very good at sounding threatening, but it's not like she didn't have the 'cred' so to speak to back it up.
Reiko didn't wait for long, turning her cross-legged sitting position into a kneel, facing the new girl. Her hand shot to the grip of the pistol tucked in behind her belt, removing it and holding it in two hands. She didn't point it at her just yet, since she didn't seem to be hostile. There was no telling how long that would last though. Reiko had a way of having things turn violent on her.
So, now what? Reiko stared at the other girl, waiting for her to move, not saying a word. A part of her just wanted to embrace the darker side of this game, to just point her gun and shoot the girl, get it over with and move on. Something stopped her from doing this though. She knew her goal was survival, so she could be back with Sarah. She also knew if she survived by wantonly killing everything in sight, Sarah would never forgive her. So really, the only way she was getting out of this would be if the other girl attacked first.
Reiko lifted her gun, aiming it at the girl, but keeping her finger off the trigger. "I suggest you don' try to do anything too stupid right now." Yeah, she wasn't very good at sounding threatening, but it's not like she didn't have the 'cred' so to speak to back it up.
The girl had gotten her gun out. That was because Samya had realized that she just couldn't do it. She couldn't hurt someone who hadn't absolutely and completely shown that they were trying to kill her. That was the only reason the other girl had had time to draw her weapon: there was no time pressure at all. Just as Reiko's gun leveled at her, so too did Samya's lower, pointing at the ground. Even though she could recognize this girl now, even though she had a pretty good idea of what she'd done, she couldn't live with blowing her away as a preemptive measure.
"Stupid?" she said. "Nah, not me, Reiko. I just want to find my friend. Zach Jamis. I thought he might be here, but I guess not. I can go, if you want. No reason we have to have problems."
Yeah, that was how to handle it. Lay things out nice and simply, and then disengage. Had Zach been around, maybe she'd have had some more courage, been able to stare Reiko in the face and demand that she be the one to go, but, really, that bravado would've just gotten everyone killed. No, no, she wouldn't have been so rash, Zach or no. She didn't want trouble, didn't want a fight. She just wanted to make it out of this alive.
This? This game, this day, this encounter. All of those things. She wasn't going to get shot here. Not if she could help it. She just hoped Reiko could see reason.
"Stupid?" she said. "Nah, not me, Reiko. I just want to find my friend. Zach Jamis. I thought he might be here, but I guess not. I can go, if you want. No reason we have to have problems."
Yeah, that was how to handle it. Lay things out nice and simply, and then disengage. Had Zach been around, maybe she'd have had some more courage, been able to stare Reiko in the face and demand that she be the one to go, but, really, that bravado would've just gotten everyone killed. No, no, she wouldn't have been so rash, Zach or no. She didn't want trouble, didn't want a fight. She just wanted to make it out of this alive.
This? This game, this day, this encounter. All of those things. She wasn't going to get shot here. Not if she could help it. She just hoped Reiko could see reason.
Reiko stayed in her position for a moment, before finally lowering her weapon. In another time, she may have shot, but now, now wasn't the time. She couldn't bring herself to kill someone who wasn't going to fight back. It just didn't feel right. The girl shoved her weapon back into behind her in her belt, reverting to her cross-legged position, only this time facing her company.
"You can go or stay. Just don't cause me problems and I won't cause you any." Reiko said finally, moving her eyes off the girl and onto her bag. Pulling it's bulk over to herself, she pulled out the chocolate she was eating from before, zipping the bag up after doing so. Breaking off another piece, she popped it in her mouth, looking back at the other girl.
"Chocolate?" Reiko offered. She wasn't entirely sure why she did, because chances were no one would take her up on her offer at the best of times. Even still, she felt like she needed to do something to prove she had no intention of harming her. Not right now. She didn't want to do something to hurt Sarah this quickly after leaving her.
"You can go or stay. Just don't cause me problems and I won't cause you any." Reiko said finally, moving her eyes off the girl and onto her bag. Pulling it's bulk over to herself, she pulled out the chocolate she was eating from before, zipping the bag up after doing so. Breaking off another piece, she popped it in her mouth, looking back at the other girl.
"Chocolate?" Reiko offered. She wasn't entirely sure why she did, because chances were no one would take her up on her offer at the best of times. Even still, she felt like she needed to do something to prove she had no intention of harming her. Not right now. She didn't want to do something to hurt Sarah this quickly after leaving her.
And Zach waited.
It wasn't creepy to be watching two girls talking. Yeah. Zach was only being cautious, why do you gotta break his balls over it?! He convinced himself that he was only doing it because Sam was involved. After all, Sam was the only friend that he actually gave a shit about after all the years of alienating everyone close to him. Who wouldn't be worried? Zach had a What he didn't want to admit was that he was a little worried that Ms. Asian John Wayne Gacy-san decided to cut her down and hide the evidence in her crawlspace.
And he waited. He waited. Inhale. Exhale. Nothing happened.
For a moment, Zach almost wanted something to happen. At least it would give him a reason to wait this long like a creepy stalker. He grumbled under his breath. The things he did for friends. Friends? Hah. He didn't need any friends. He didn't need any body. Zach Jamis was Zach Jamis. He could handle any shit on his own. He didn't need people pitying him, or pretending to be his friend just cuz they felt bad for him. Felt bad for him? Fuck you, you're the one who's pretending to be someone's friend. God damn... what was that movie? With the freaky white chicks who were like robots or something? Whatever. Not like it mattered. Fuck friends, fuck everything. Zach could do everything himself. He didn't need Sam.
And he waited. And waited. Inhale. Exhale.
You would think John Wayne Gacy-san would have noticed the smoke. He was downing this cigarette like greased lightning. And even if that weren't the case, Zach wasn't exactly all that far back in the woods. He figured Sam would at least notice him. He was practically waving to her, blowing her a kiss with the other. What the fuck man...
And he waited. And waited.
Zach huffed. Yeah, sure, be all civilized. See if he cared. What the hell was he even doing there? He should be off avoiding people. This was just a waste of -
Wait. What the hell was the bitch doing? She was handing Sam something - chocolate?
"Don't do it Sam."
Zach stepped out. Zach turned to Gacy-san
"S'mighta laced that shit with cyanide."
It wasn't creepy to be watching two girls talking. Yeah. Zach was only being cautious, why do you gotta break his balls over it?! He convinced himself that he was only doing it because Sam was involved. After all, Sam was the only friend that he actually gave a shit about after all the years of alienating everyone close to him. Who wouldn't be worried? Zach had a What he didn't want to admit was that he was a little worried that Ms. Asian John Wayne Gacy-san decided to cut her down and hide the evidence in her crawlspace.
And he waited. He waited. Inhale. Exhale. Nothing happened.
For a moment, Zach almost wanted something to happen. At least it would give him a reason to wait this long like a creepy stalker. He grumbled under his breath. The things he did for friends. Friends? Hah. He didn't need any friends. He didn't need any body. Zach Jamis was Zach Jamis. He could handle any shit on his own. He didn't need people pitying him, or pretending to be his friend just cuz they felt bad for him. Felt bad for him? Fuck you, you're the one who's pretending to be someone's friend. God damn... what was that movie? With the freaky white chicks who were like robots or something? Whatever. Not like it mattered. Fuck friends, fuck everything. Zach could do everything himself. He didn't need Sam.
And he waited. And waited. Inhale. Exhale.
You would think John Wayne Gacy-san would have noticed the smoke. He was downing this cigarette like greased lightning. And even if that weren't the case, Zach wasn't exactly all that far back in the woods. He figured Sam would at least notice him. He was practically waving to her, blowing her a kiss with the other. What the fuck man...
And he waited. And waited.
Zach huffed. Yeah, sure, be all civilized. See if he cared. What the hell was he even doing there? He should be off avoiding people. This was just a waste of -
Wait. What the hell was the bitch doing? She was handing Sam something - chocolate?
"Don't do it Sam."
Zach stepped out. Zach turned to Gacy-san
"S'mighta laced that shit with cyanide."
She was just about to take the chocolate. Just about to sit down and maybe make some peace for a change. It'd be nice. One last little treat before everything went wrong again. But of course, someone had to come along and ruin it.
Of course, Samya didn't mind in the slightest, given who it was.
It was Zach. She'd lost him, thought she might never see him again, but somehow he had caught up with her. He was here, and he was with her, and he was... he was standing in front of someone who had killed a whole lot of people. It was one thing for Samya to say she wouldn't throw the first blow, to accept that she might die, but it'd be a whole other story to let Zach get killed for her.
"Hey," she said. "It's okay. I'm sure she was't doing anything like that, right?"
Of course, she couldn't be sure of that. She just wanted things to stay alright, though. She wanted everything to be okay, just for a little while longer. She made sure she was still holding her gun, made sure she could snap it up if she had to. Just in case.
Of course, Samya didn't mind in the slightest, given who it was.
It was Zach. She'd lost him, thought she might never see him again, but somehow he had caught up with her. He was here, and he was with her, and he was... he was standing in front of someone who had killed a whole lot of people. It was one thing for Samya to say she wouldn't throw the first blow, to accept that she might die, but it'd be a whole other story to let Zach get killed for her.
"Hey," she said. "It's okay. I'm sure she was't doing anything like that, right?"
Of course, she couldn't be sure of that. She just wanted things to stay alright, though. She wanted everything to be okay, just for a little while longer. She made sure she was still holding her gun, made sure she could snap it up if she had to. Just in case.
Someone else arrived on the scene, someone who was familiar with her present company it seemed. He also accused her of poisoning the chocolate or some shit like that. She wasn't that subtle. If she'd wanted to kill someone, she wasn't going to waste time trying to befriend them. Reiko shrugged, breaking off another piece of chocolate and eating it.
"Suit yourself." the small girl said through the mouthful of chocolate. She kept her eyes on the others, making sure she kept herself ready for anything. Making mental note of the locations of her weapons, Reiko simply sat in place. She would be ready if they decided suddenly that having superior numbers would make for a good chance to try and overpower her.
Her focus shifted between the two, eventually landing on the male. He was the one she needed to worry about. If anything was going to go down, he'd be the one to start it. Reiko's hand strayed to the nailboard, resting lightly on it. She made no other moves, but even just that small movement would hopefully be enough to send the message. She didn't want a fight, but she wasn't going to go down quietly either.
"Suit yourself." the small girl said through the mouthful of chocolate. She kept her eyes on the others, making sure she kept herself ready for anything. Making mental note of the locations of her weapons, Reiko simply sat in place. She would be ready if they decided suddenly that having superior numbers would make for a good chance to try and overpower her.
Her focus shifted between the two, eventually landing on the male. He was the one she needed to worry about. If anything was going to go down, he'd be the one to start it. Reiko's hand strayed to the nailboard, resting lightly on it. She made no other moves, but even just that small movement would hopefully be enough to send the message. She didn't want a fight, but she wasn't going to go down quietly either.
"You don't know that Sam," Zach gave Sam the slightest of glances. "For all you know that shit's loaded with cyanide. She's killed twenty people, you don't know what she's gonna do to keep the rush going."
He turned to Reiko, squinted at her. She was just staring at him and Sam. Zach eyes wandered down to Gacy-san's nailboard, partially hidden. Even so, Zach saw the handle of it. And he could only imagine what she was planning to do with it. He broke the silence.
"... you want to kill me?"
Zach grimaced.
"Gonna splatter my head, rip my heart out and eat it? You gonna get nuts, Gacy-chan?"
Zach swung his arms out. Zach was being dramatic.
"Then go nuts. No one's stopping you. If you wanna kill me, just go ahead. Do it."
He was asking for it.
"I dare you."
He turned to Reiko, squinted at her. She was just staring at him and Sam. Zach eyes wandered down to Gacy-san's nailboard, partially hidden. Even so, Zach saw the handle of it. And he could only imagine what she was planning to do with it. He broke the silence.
"... you want to kill me?"
Zach grimaced.
"Gonna splatter my head, rip my heart out and eat it? You gonna get nuts, Gacy-chan?"
Zach swung his arms out. Zach was being dramatic.
"Then go nuts. No one's stopping you. If you wanna kill me, just go ahead. Do it."
He was asking for it.
"I dare you."
"Hey," Samya said. "Hey, let's all calm down here."
What was Zach doing? Was he trying to cause trouble and get killed? Surely he wouldn't have given up. Not Zach. No, he had to have some angle here. He had to have a goal in antagonizing Reiko.
It clicked. He was trying to protect Samya. He was doing this so that, if Reiko really was dangerous, she would go after him instead of Samya. That was sweet of him. He was keeping her safe, and he was also making wise tactical choices. Samya was better armed. She could actually do something about it if Reiko snapped and started shooting. She had a gun. She was close to the other girl. She could probably do a lot of damage from here.
There was absolutely no reason for it to come to that, though. She didn't want to die, didn't want to see Zach die, didn't even want to see Reiko die.
"Come on, Zach," she said. "We can just go. We can stop bothering her and go."
What was Zach doing? Was he trying to cause trouble and get killed? Surely he wouldn't have given up. Not Zach. No, he had to have some angle here. He had to have a goal in antagonizing Reiko.
It clicked. He was trying to protect Samya. He was doing this so that, if Reiko really was dangerous, she would go after him instead of Samya. That was sweet of him. He was keeping her safe, and he was also making wise tactical choices. Samya was better armed. She could actually do something about it if Reiko snapped and started shooting. She had a gun. She was close to the other girl. She could probably do a lot of damage from here.
There was absolutely no reason for it to come to that, though. She didn't want to die, didn't want to see Zach die, didn't even want to see Reiko die.
"Come on, Zach," she said. "We can just go. We can stop bothering her and go."
Reiko sat in silence during the boy's little tirade, calling her "Gacy-chan". She had no idea who or what he was referring to, though the "chan" part was a painfully obvious attempt to provoke her. The more he talked the more it did seem like a good idea for her to just get rid of him. No one would really miss him, especially if this was how he was all the time. At the same time it wasn't in her best interest to go all slasher villain either.
The girl spoke up before she got a chance to say anything, which was probably a good thing. She also made the most sense right now, suggestion they left. It worked for Reiko. More time stuck here with these two was less time she had to do other things. The chocolate went back into her bag, which she hoisted on her shoulder. She grabbed the nailboard in her hand, standing up. Once again her focus shifted between them.
"I suggest you listen to your friend." Reiko said, her eyes clearly settling back to the boy. "Unless you'd rather I force my way through."
The girl spoke up before she got a chance to say anything, which was probably a good thing. She also made the most sense right now, suggestion they left. It worked for Reiko. More time stuck here with these two was less time she had to do other things. The chocolate went back into her bag, which she hoisted on her shoulder. She grabbed the nailboard in her hand, standing up. Once again her focus shifted between them.
"I suggest you listen to your friend." Reiko said, her eyes clearly settling back to the boy. "Unless you'd rather I force my way through."
Zach really wanted to wreck a bitch. Smug fucking serial killer. That nailboard didn't look all that tough. He could take a hit to the head with that, no problem.
Sam understood. Zach really wished she didn't. It made him feel like he was in control of the situation.
Zach didn't say anything after that.
He just nodded.
"Alright. Whatever."
He waved to Sam. They were leaving. That was that. Zach wanted to say something witty but he couldn't think of anything. It was over. Finished. So he was going to leave.
Sam and him were together again. Hopefully for the long hall.
(Zach Jamis continued elsewhere...)
Sam understood. Zach really wished she didn't. It made him feel like he was in control of the situation.
Zach didn't say anything after that.
He just nodded.
"Alright. Whatever."
He waved to Sam. They were leaving. That was that. Zach wanted to say something witty but he couldn't think of anything. It was over. Finished. So he was going to leave.
Sam and him were together again. Hopefully for the long hall.
(Zach Jamis continued elsewhere...)
Finally the two of them were leaving. Or at least one of them was. Since they probably weren't going to suddenly stop her from leaving as well, Reiko figured it was time for her to move on as well. She had spent enough time there already. It was time for her to move on as well.
Reiko collected her bag, swinging it's bulk around her shoulders. Holding her nailboard in her hand still, she walked in the opposite direction that the boy went, not really sure where she intended to go. Not like she ever planned these things in advance.
((Reiko Ishida continued in Out of Sight, Out of Mind))
Reiko collected her bag, swinging it's bulk around her shoulders. Holding her nailboard in her hand still, she walked in the opposite direction that the boy went, not really sure where she intended to go. Not like she ever planned these things in advance.
((Reiko Ishida continued in Out of Sight, Out of Mind))
It all fell together. No one died. No one fought. She was with Zach, and maybe, just maybe, it could still be okay.
With the crisis averted, Samya followed Zach away from the cliffs.
((Samya Franklin continued in No One Here Gets Out Alive))
With the crisis averted, Samya followed Zach away from the cliffs.
((Samya Franklin continued in No One Here Gets Out Alive))