((Ricky and Whitney continued from: You can feel what you don't see...))
It had been a long and miserable trek across the island through the pouring rain, but they had made it. Somehow, they had made it. The sun was beginning to set over the horizon as Ricky Callahan, Whitney Acosta, and the remainder of their little entourage of "troops" trapsed through the pale white sands of the western shore toward the marina. For something so normal, the marina had never looked more ominous to Ricky Callahan. They had called him this morning, and it was getting very, very late. Were they even still there?
Coming to a halt in front of his friends, Ricky turned to face them, still putting on that false face of confidence he'd tried to hold over the course of the past seventy-two hours. Despite everything, it was like he could feel it all slipping away. His "window of opportunity" for escape seemed like it had long since closed behind him, and he couldn't help but wonder if they hadn't completely blown it already. Maybe if he'd just tried to escape alone from the beginning, instead of trying to rally forces or whatever he thought he was doing, maybe then he wouldn't be here.
But they still would.
Would Eric be dead still? Even if Ricky had escaped, would somebody else have killed Eric? If Ricky hadn't been there, would Whitney still be alive? The doubts that plagued the back of his mind wouldn't cease, no matter how much he told himself that he couldn't have escaped alone anyway. In front of all the deep thoughts, though, Ricky continued to smile. He nodded toward the nearby greenery lining the coast of the shore. They couldn't follow him into the marina, but whether or not he came back, he had to make sure that his friends were in a safe place.
Last time you left, you came back to find John missing and Jackie dead. Are you sure you're willing to risk it again? ... But you have to, don't you? All of a sudden, you're the rock. You're the person everybody depends on. It's an awkward feeling for someone like you, isn't it? It's definitely not something you're used to. Still, despite the circumstances, it's sort of nice to feel needed. You told everyone you'd protect them, so you owe it to them to keep that promise, don't you? So, what are you waiting for, hotshot? GO.
"Okay. They'll detonate your collars if you follow me in, and we don't want that, so... just, head that way, and stay hidden, no matter what, alright?"
It hadn't come out as eloquently as he might've hoped, but the basic instructions were simple enough. Turning away from the girls, Ricky drew in a long breath and strode toward the marina and the unknown fate that might await him inside. He couldn't help but feel tense and almost nauseated. After all, the last time he had encountered any of Danya's entourage, her team had blown apart one of his classmates. It certainly wasn't a comforting thought. Still, he had to continue on.
~~~
Sonia Nguyen sighed annoyedly as she sat in the canopied boat docked in the harbor. The rain was coming down in torrents, and it had been a rather nasty boatride from the patrol ship just off the coast of the island to get to the mainland. Sonia's mood was just as gray as the sky above. She had wasted an entire day sitting on the coast of this wretched island awaiting the arrival of some little punk who thought he was too good to come claim his prize, or something. She didn't know, she didn't care.
Why did I have to come out here? Especially on a day like today? The weather is god awful and I'm getting tired of waiting. Why couldn't someone ELSE come today? He could've sent Steven or Marvin or even... ugh. Even sending HIM would be better than pushing me out on such an absolutely disgusting day. I'm far too talented a player in this little game to waste my time sitting here.
"Uh, Miss Nguyen?" one of the men fully clad in black suits addressed her, receiving the "evil eye" in response.
"What?"
"He's approaching, ma'am."
It's about time.
"Let's get on with it then, please. I've half a mind to cap this little bastard in the head myself for making me wait so long."
Several of the armored guards clambored off the boat. Sonia picked up the small green cloth packet that concealed the new weapon for Boy #27, her own weapon, a small and easily concealed pistol, and an umbrella before following behind them. She didn't want to deal with this student, she didn't want to answer any questions he might've had. All she wanted to do was give him his weapon and be on her way. Hopefully, Boy #27 wouldn't be looking to answers, or to mix it up, either. She simply wasn't in the mood.
~~~
Here goes nothing.
The single thought ran through Ricky's mind as he approached the marina. Through the dense rain, he could see a troop of black-clad men filing off of one of the boats nestled in the harbor. Ricky drew in another deep breath and continued his approach. Much to his surprise, as he neared the group, the same woman he'd encountered during the Franklyn abduction stepped forward, a small pistol pointed straight at his chest.
"Boy number twenty-seven," she stated harshly, "Drop your weapons to your side immediately."
In an instant, Ricky's daypack went sailing down to his side and he stepped away from it, his arms held high in the air. He didn't want to tangle with this woman. He didn't even want to be here. All he wanted to do was pick up his so-called "prize" and leave. The woman nodded and approached him, the pistol never waivering from its fixed position pointed at Ricky's chest.
"You're late," Sonia snapped, "Very late. Just who do you think you are anyway?"
"I'm... I'm sorry," Ricky mustered, not sure how to respond.
"You're sorry? I've waited here all day long for you. You should really learn a little respect, Mr. Callahan. We're supposed to be awarding you for your efforts. The other two practically came running, but you dawdled around. Not wise. I've half a mind to pull the trigger."
"..." He really had no response for that. He simply stood there, trying to contain the look of defiance that threatened to spread across his features at any moment. He had half a mind to do something, too. He wanted to tell her to take whatever she had in that little green baggie she was waving around and shove it up her ass. He didn't want their charity, nor did he want to be a pawn of their game. Still, saying that the actions he wished to perform weren't wise would be an understatement.
In the next moment, Sonia threw the small bag toward him. Having played baseball all through high school, Ricky almost subconsciously reached up and caught it before it could hit the sand. He looked back up to the asian woman as he held the small bag in his hands. Her pistol still never faltered. So, what now? He had so many questions. Why were they doing this? What was the point? He knew better than to ask. She didn't look like she was up for answering questions.
"We're done here," she instructed, "Take your things and get out. Now. Your collar will be reactivated in three minutes and will detonate."
She didn't have to tell him twice. He cast one final look back at her, the horde of troops at her disposal, and the boat, and took off in a full-fledged sprint across the murky sands, snatching up his other bag in the process. Despite the intense fear that threatened to overwhelm him, the gears in Ricky's mind were turning, and he was already beginning to formulate a plan. He could see the spot now where he'd told the girls to hide, and dashed toward it, the small bag clenched tightly against his chest. He didn't know what was in it, or where to go from here, but right now, none of that mattered. Ricky Callahan was beginning to formulate an idea.
"Gail? Whitney? Kayla? Are you here?"
A Brewing Storm
A Brewing Storm
I am an archival account used by staff to port old posts from handlers no longer active. If you are this handler, get in touch with staff and we can get your posts back for you! Lyndi avatar by Kermit.
((Continued from I do not like thee, Mr. Danya!))
The trek across the island was just as painful and miserable for Vesa Turunen as he continued to run, looking for a place to escape. He could run from the dead girl he had left behind in the forest several hours earlier, but there was no way he could run from the demons that were beginning to congregate in his already fragile mind. And as the rain began to fall around him a little harder, it was beginning to take a toll on his body as well as he stopped to cough, the water getting into his mouth and forcing him to spit out a little at a time. Vesa had listened to the announcement as well...the mentioning of his name as one of those that had taken life enough to drop the imposing boy to his knees as he buried his head into his arms and cried; his long golden locks provided enough cover so that no one could see his face. But if anyone would have been able to see...or better yet, hear him, they could see a bit of a weakness in him.
Luckily for the big Finnish boy, there was no one around as he made it to the other end of the island from where he was before, stopping to take a breath. Looking around to make sure no one was after him, Vesa set his dayback on the sand of the beach and pulled out one of the water bottles he had plucked from Sylvea Hill and opened it. But as he looked out over the ocean as he took a sip, another thought came to him. He had heard that Andi Ayala, the boy he had initially met when he came to and began exploring the island, had killed someone as well...but that wasn't what troubled him.
Vesa continued to gaze over the water as the thought of confronting Ricky Callahan began to form in his head. Not only was he one of those that had killed...but the one he killed is what disturbed Vesa the most. Though he didn't have one to call a best friend on the island, he knew that Ricky and Eric Silvestedt were best friends; that was no secret to him. But he also had it figured out that he wanted to be the one to kill Eric once he found out what the object of the game was...it was also no secret at Franklyn that he and Eric had bitter feelings toward each other. Perhaps not to the point of all-out hatred, but it was close enough to concern a good number of students as well as a couple teachers.
He took another swig before setting the bottle back into the pack and trodding along, only stopping to catch his breath as he leaned against a small embankment along the beach. He could see the marina nearby and was thinking that it would be a good place to wait out the rain...but something told Vesa that it wouldn't be a good idea to go any closer. He could also see figures off in the distance as well, yet he didn't want to call out to them in case they were hostile.
So many thoughts ran wild through Vesa's head as he continued to ponder while leaning against the embankment. "Mikä kas noin?" (What now?) he asked himself aloud.
The trek across the island was just as painful and miserable for Vesa Turunen as he continued to run, looking for a place to escape. He could run from the dead girl he had left behind in the forest several hours earlier, but there was no way he could run from the demons that were beginning to congregate in his already fragile mind. And as the rain began to fall around him a little harder, it was beginning to take a toll on his body as well as he stopped to cough, the water getting into his mouth and forcing him to spit out a little at a time. Vesa had listened to the announcement as well...the mentioning of his name as one of those that had taken life enough to drop the imposing boy to his knees as he buried his head into his arms and cried; his long golden locks provided enough cover so that no one could see his face. But if anyone would have been able to see...or better yet, hear him, they could see a bit of a weakness in him.
Luckily for the big Finnish boy, there was no one around as he made it to the other end of the island from where he was before, stopping to take a breath. Looking around to make sure no one was after him, Vesa set his dayback on the sand of the beach and pulled out one of the water bottles he had plucked from Sylvea Hill and opened it. But as he looked out over the ocean as he took a sip, another thought came to him. He had heard that Andi Ayala, the boy he had initially met when he came to and began exploring the island, had killed someone as well...but that wasn't what troubled him.
Vesa continued to gaze over the water as the thought of confronting Ricky Callahan began to form in his head. Not only was he one of those that had killed...but the one he killed is what disturbed Vesa the most. Though he didn't have one to call a best friend on the island, he knew that Ricky and Eric Silvestedt were best friends; that was no secret to him. But he also had it figured out that he wanted to be the one to kill Eric once he found out what the object of the game was...it was also no secret at Franklyn that he and Eric had bitter feelings toward each other. Perhaps not to the point of all-out hatred, but it was close enough to concern a good number of students as well as a couple teachers.
He took another swig before setting the bottle back into the pack and trodding along, only stopping to catch his breath as he leaned against a small embankment along the beach. He could see the marina nearby and was thinking that it would be a good place to wait out the rain...but something told Vesa that it wouldn't be a good idea to go any closer. He could also see figures off in the distance as well, yet he didn't want to call out to them in case they were hostile.
So many thoughts ran wild through Vesa's head as he continued to ponder while leaning against the embankment. "Mikä kas noin?" (What now?) he asked himself aloud.
"I'm here Ricky."
Gail's quant reply came quickly but faintly. The trek had been difficult thus far, and the three hadn't taken time to rest today. Given current events, Gail wasn't sure how much sleep she would get anyway. She was merely looking to Ricky for guidance, but she had found her own force of will, inner strength and motivation. How much of that was the realization that death could befall her at any turn was questionable, but some of her resolve had been gained through the dying inspiration from Jackie Kovacs.
As Ricky slid over behind their makeshift hiding spot she noted a look of grim inspiration. She hadn't overheard much of the conversation that had occurred between the two, but as far as Gail assumed, in her fledgling optimism, everything had gone fairly well. They hadn't tried to kill Ricky, and he now had an extra bag. Gail felt a prickling curiosity about the new bag that Ricky now possessed, and how it would play into their escape from the Island.
She merely laid her eyes on Ricky Callahan dutifully, wondering what plans he had in mind and slowly looking to the other two girls, previously not members of the quartet. She had found out very little about the two in their silent trek to the marina, but she was developing a sort of distaste for the actions of Kayla and a strange distrust of Ricky's other friend, Whitney. Gail could sense a few resounding familiarities between herself and Whitney, but the lack of knowledge concerning the other girl concerned her a bit, and the silence did nothing but perpetuate that though.
Kayla, on the other hand, was just someone that Gail would not be seen with outside of the Island. She was the type Gail would actively avoid as the bad crowd' and Whitney was in some ways, similar to Gail, which also gave her a sense of worry. Knowing that she was probably thinking many of the same thoughts...
"Are we leaving now?" Gail pleaded to Ricky. "I don't think we should stay around for too long, they might activate our collars or something."
Gail swallowed hard in an attempt to stomach the thought. Why kids? That was really all they were. The thought had been bothering her since the very first day.
I'm sure the terrorists could have gotten their point across with the same experiment conducted on adults, but we don't deserve this...
Gail's quant reply came quickly but faintly. The trek had been difficult thus far, and the three hadn't taken time to rest today. Given current events, Gail wasn't sure how much sleep she would get anyway. She was merely looking to Ricky for guidance, but she had found her own force of will, inner strength and motivation. How much of that was the realization that death could befall her at any turn was questionable, but some of her resolve had been gained through the dying inspiration from Jackie Kovacs.
As Ricky slid over behind their makeshift hiding spot she noted a look of grim inspiration. She hadn't overheard much of the conversation that had occurred between the two, but as far as Gail assumed, in her fledgling optimism, everything had gone fairly well. They hadn't tried to kill Ricky, and he now had an extra bag. Gail felt a prickling curiosity about the new bag that Ricky now possessed, and how it would play into their escape from the Island.
She merely laid her eyes on Ricky Callahan dutifully, wondering what plans he had in mind and slowly looking to the other two girls, previously not members of the quartet. She had found out very little about the two in their silent trek to the marina, but she was developing a sort of distaste for the actions of Kayla and a strange distrust of Ricky's other friend, Whitney. Gail could sense a few resounding familiarities between herself and Whitney, but the lack of knowledge concerning the other girl concerned her a bit, and the silence did nothing but perpetuate that though.
Kayla, on the other hand, was just someone that Gail would not be seen with outside of the Island. She was the type Gail would actively avoid as the bad crowd' and Whitney was in some ways, similar to Gail, which also gave her a sense of worry. Knowing that she was probably thinking many of the same thoughts...
"Are we leaving now?" Gail pleaded to Ricky. "I don't think we should stay around for too long, they might activate our collars or something."
Gail swallowed hard in an attempt to stomach the thought. Why kids? That was really all they were. The thought had been bothering her since the very first day.
I'm sure the terrorists could have gotten their point across with the same experiment conducted on adults, but we don't deserve this...
Ricky returned form the Marina without any gunshots or explosions following him, meaning something had not gone exactly bad, a worry that had nagged at Kayla since they arrived. The Marina and the surrounding area were depressingly desolate, though Kayla knew that just might be her mood. Ricky asked if the two of them were nearby and Kayla chose not to respond. She had taken to tracing shapes in the sand with her fingers and letting the world wash ove her. Shortly after Gail answered to Ricky, Kayla did the same.
"Yeah. I'm here." She let out quietly.
She stood up and looked at him, waiting for something. he was clutching a small bag to his chest, Kayla supposed that it was the weapon he was given. She was curious but couldn't bother herself to ask, and sort of stared into nothing until she became interested enough in the weapon to overcome whatever was blocking her from speaking.
"What is it?"
Getting the question out, there was a passing relief as though she had just put down a heavy load. She sincerely doubted she could find the will to speak again, but proved herself wrong several moments later, when a figure in the distance crossed her vision and she couldn't help but mention it.
"There's someone over there."
"Yeah. I'm here." She let out quietly.
She stood up and looked at him, waiting for something. he was clutching a small bag to his chest, Kayla supposed that it was the weapon he was given. She was curious but couldn't bother herself to ask, and sort of stared into nothing until she became interested enough in the weapon to overcome whatever was blocking her from speaking.
"What is it?"
Getting the question out, there was a passing relief as though she had just put down a heavy load. She sincerely doubted she could find the will to speak again, but proved herself wrong several moments later, when a figure in the distance crossed her vision and she couldn't help but mention it.
"There's someone over there."
Vesa could hear the voices off in the distance...could it be that at least one of his friends was here? He heard the name 'Ricky' uttered by someone and thought about moving closer, but there was something that was keeping him from advertising himself more. He knew that Ricky had turned on his best friend and was just as capable of turning on him...or anyone that associated themselves with him, so he was more wary than usual as he reached into his pack. Looking around, Vesa did his best to clean the blood off of his knife; it looked admirable but there were a couple splotches that couldn't be removed, even with the rain beating down.
"Is that...really him?" he thought, rubbing his chin. Even a big guy like Vesa couldn't help but to approach the situation with caution as he held the knife firmly in his hand. But then, something told him that this was in fact the same Ricky Callahan that he hung out with...that he compared the similarities of their favorite sports with...that he told stories over hamburgers at Benson's with.
And the same Ricky Callahan that literally stabbed his best friend in the back not too long ago.
"That's your boy, Vesa...the ball is on your side of the court..."
Not thinking or assessing the potential threat in front of him, Vesa put the knife back in his daypack and started waving.
"Ricky...Ricky Callahan?!? Is that you?" he shouted, hoping to bring some attention to himself, "It's me...Vesa!"
"Nice move, Einstein...you really have a death wish, do you?"
"Is that...really him?" he thought, rubbing his chin. Even a big guy like Vesa couldn't help but to approach the situation with caution as he held the knife firmly in his hand. But then, something told him that this was in fact the same Ricky Callahan that he hung out with...that he compared the similarities of their favorite sports with...that he told stories over hamburgers at Benson's with.
And the same Ricky Callahan that literally stabbed his best friend in the back not too long ago.
"That's your boy, Vesa...the ball is on your side of the court..."
Not thinking or assessing the potential threat in front of him, Vesa put the knife back in his daypack and started waving.
"Ricky...Ricky Callahan?!? Is that you?" he shouted, hoping to bring some attention to himself, "It's me...Vesa!"
"Nice move, Einstein...you really have a death wish, do you?"
Much to his relief, all three of the girls had remained huddled in the shrubbery near the embankment. Nobody seemed to be in great spirits, but given the circumstances, Ricky could understand completely. He offered a lighthearted smile to the girls, but they didn't seem interested in formalities. Instead, they had questions. Questions that he needed to answer, it seemed.
"Are we leaving now?"
"Yeah, Gail. We'll get out of here in a minute."
They'd spent practically all night out in the rain, and even in the dry summer heat, the wet substance that continually splashed against the ground was taking its toll on Ricky's body. He'd give anything for a warm shower right about now. He'd give anything to go home and flop down in front of the television and not have to worry about someone shooting him in the back.
"What happened up there?" Whitney inquired quietly.
It was the first thing she'd really said since they headed out from the residential area. The three girls had sat in practically utter silence since Ricky entered the marina. She didn't know why, but she didn't exactly feel comfortable around Kayla and Gail. Maybe it was because she didn't quite know their relationship to Ricky. Maybe it was because she just wanted Ricky to herself. Still, getting jealous in a place like this, during this kind of situation... it wasn't something Whitney could allow herself to do.
Besides, Whitney... it's not like he's your boyfriend or anything. He's probably not even into you. He barely even acknowledges your existence, after all.
Ricky's face lit up at the question. It hadn't been a particularly nice experience at the marina. In fact, quite the opposite was true. He genuinely hoped that if he ever saw Sonia Nguyen or any of Danya's organization again, it would be at their funeral. Still, he had gained a couple things from the encounter. First and foremost, he had gained whatever the little green pack he clutched to his chest contained. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, he saw it. His potential escape. Before he could tell them about it, though, Kayla inquired about the weapon.
Ricky hadn't stopped to breathe since he had darted through the muddy sands of the shoreline, much less stopped to look at his "award" for slaughtering his best friend. Ricky shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and carefully pulled apart the strings holding the back closed. Inside lay a small pistol, an instruction manual, and several clips of ammunition. Ricky removed the gun and held it up to show the girls. It may have been bad, but the gun almost gave him a sort of confidence he didn't have before.
"This is my reward, apparently. It's not something I really want, but at least now maybe I can protect us. All of us."
Ricky smiled his characteristic half smile and nodded toward the girls, and Whitney couldn't help but smile a little as well. In a grim way, it was one of the very few things she had to be happy about on this island. Her mind went back to the events that had unfolded earlier, though, and the expression that had crossed Ricky's face when she mentioned it. Maybe it wasn't even worth bringing up.
"We should get out of the rain soon," she stated simply, "I'm exhausted, and I'm soaked."
No sooner did the words escape her lips than Kayla interjected. Kayla's statement, however, was a little more urgent than Whitney's had been. As she directed her attention toward a certain area of the beach, Whitney's gaze followed alongside it. There was someone over there. Someone big and... and waving? He was yelling, too. Wait a second... was that Vesa?
"Ricky...Ricky Callahan?!? Is that you?"
Ricky's attention, too, turned toward the large figure that was standing nearby, flailing his arms around wildly to get their attention. His vision narrowed slightly, but his expression lightened a little when he realized who the figure in the distance was. They hadn't been best friends, that much was certain, but he and Vesa had been cool in high school, and Vesa seemed like a harmless guy... but hadn't his name been in the last announcement?
"Whitney."
Before she even realized it, she saw the once again sealed green pack rocketing toward her. Reflexively, she reached up and caught it before throwing Ricky a questioning glare. Why on earth would he hand the gun over to her without so much as a second thought about it? Better yet, why didn't he have it out and at the ready? She'd like to think that Vesa could be trusted, but after everything she'd seen -- especially after watching Eric relentlessly attack his best friend -- her mind doubted her.
"Hang onto that, alright? You guys stay here, I'm gonna go talk to him. If you see him do anything suspicious, you guys get out of here. At least that way, you'll have something to defend yourself with."
"You're serious?" Whitney inquired. It didn't seem like the most brilliant of ideas, given the circumstances.
"Yeah. If anything happens, just run. I think we can trust Vesa but... but I don't know anymore."
Here you go again, Mr. Hero. You're trying to play Superman and save everybody. How do you know Whitney won't turn around and shoot you in the back the second you walk toward him? You might like her, or whatever, but what makes you think you can trust her so much? What makes you think you can trust Gail or Kayla. They won't come through for you. If Vesa attacks you, it'll be the end of you. But still, here you go again, putting on some front, trying to act macho for a bunch of girls you barely know. You're getting in over your head, Callahan.
Ignoring the persistent nagging voice in his head, Ricky emerged from the shrubbery and began to approach Vesa, although very cautiously.
"I'm not playing, Vesa. I'm not looking for any trouble. I hope you aren't either."
"Are we leaving now?"
"Yeah, Gail. We'll get out of here in a minute."
They'd spent practically all night out in the rain, and even in the dry summer heat, the wet substance that continually splashed against the ground was taking its toll on Ricky's body. He'd give anything for a warm shower right about now. He'd give anything to go home and flop down in front of the television and not have to worry about someone shooting him in the back.
"What happened up there?" Whitney inquired quietly.
It was the first thing she'd really said since they headed out from the residential area. The three girls had sat in practically utter silence since Ricky entered the marina. She didn't know why, but she didn't exactly feel comfortable around Kayla and Gail. Maybe it was because she didn't quite know their relationship to Ricky. Maybe it was because she just wanted Ricky to herself. Still, getting jealous in a place like this, during this kind of situation... it wasn't something Whitney could allow herself to do.
Besides, Whitney... it's not like he's your boyfriend or anything. He's probably not even into you. He barely even acknowledges your existence, after all.
Ricky's face lit up at the question. It hadn't been a particularly nice experience at the marina. In fact, quite the opposite was true. He genuinely hoped that if he ever saw Sonia Nguyen or any of Danya's organization again, it would be at their funeral. Still, he had gained a couple things from the encounter. First and foremost, he had gained whatever the little green pack he clutched to his chest contained. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, he saw it. His potential escape. Before he could tell them about it, though, Kayla inquired about the weapon.
Ricky hadn't stopped to breathe since he had darted through the muddy sands of the shoreline, much less stopped to look at his "award" for slaughtering his best friend. Ricky shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and carefully pulled apart the strings holding the back closed. Inside lay a small pistol, an instruction manual, and several clips of ammunition. Ricky removed the gun and held it up to show the girls. It may have been bad, but the gun almost gave him a sort of confidence he didn't have before.
"This is my reward, apparently. It's not something I really want, but at least now maybe I can protect us. All of us."
Ricky smiled his characteristic half smile and nodded toward the girls, and Whitney couldn't help but smile a little as well. In a grim way, it was one of the very few things she had to be happy about on this island. Her mind went back to the events that had unfolded earlier, though, and the expression that had crossed Ricky's face when she mentioned it. Maybe it wasn't even worth bringing up.
"We should get out of the rain soon," she stated simply, "I'm exhausted, and I'm soaked."
No sooner did the words escape her lips than Kayla interjected. Kayla's statement, however, was a little more urgent than Whitney's had been. As she directed her attention toward a certain area of the beach, Whitney's gaze followed alongside it. There was someone over there. Someone big and... and waving? He was yelling, too. Wait a second... was that Vesa?
"Ricky...Ricky Callahan?!? Is that you?"
Ricky's attention, too, turned toward the large figure that was standing nearby, flailing his arms around wildly to get their attention. His vision narrowed slightly, but his expression lightened a little when he realized who the figure in the distance was. They hadn't been best friends, that much was certain, but he and Vesa had been cool in high school, and Vesa seemed like a harmless guy... but hadn't his name been in the last announcement?
"Whitney."
Before she even realized it, she saw the once again sealed green pack rocketing toward her. Reflexively, she reached up and caught it before throwing Ricky a questioning glare. Why on earth would he hand the gun over to her without so much as a second thought about it? Better yet, why didn't he have it out and at the ready? She'd like to think that Vesa could be trusted, but after everything she'd seen -- especially after watching Eric relentlessly attack his best friend -- her mind doubted her.
"Hang onto that, alright? You guys stay here, I'm gonna go talk to him. If you see him do anything suspicious, you guys get out of here. At least that way, you'll have something to defend yourself with."
"You're serious?" Whitney inquired. It didn't seem like the most brilliant of ideas, given the circumstances.
"Yeah. If anything happens, just run. I think we can trust Vesa but... but I don't know anymore."
Here you go again, Mr. Hero. You're trying to play Superman and save everybody. How do you know Whitney won't turn around and shoot you in the back the second you walk toward him? You might like her, or whatever, but what makes you think you can trust her so much? What makes you think you can trust Gail or Kayla. They won't come through for you. If Vesa attacks you, it'll be the end of you. But still, here you go again, putting on some front, trying to act macho for a bunch of girls you barely know. You're getting in over your head, Callahan.
Ignoring the persistent nagging voice in his head, Ricky emerged from the shrubbery and began to approach Vesa, although very cautiously.
"I'm not playing, Vesa. I'm not looking for any trouble. I hope you aren't either."
I am an archival account used by staff to port old posts from handlers no longer active. If you are this handler, get in touch with staff and we can get your posts back for you! Lyndi avatar by Kermit.
"Holy shit, it really is him...don't do anything stupid now."
Vesa stopped waving when he could make out the figure that was approaching and confirmed that it was Ricky. He gathered his breaths, having been reduced to panting after his flight from the forest and the initial nervousness that the figure would not be Ricky...or worse, would come and attack him. But now that he was somewhat reassured that it was a friendly face that was coming his way, Vesa began to edge out away from the embankment to meet Ricky, a wide smile on his face that read of relief.
"Ricky." he said simply, trying to figure out what he wanted to say. He knew that there was someone else nearby as he heard female voices in the brush by the shore. But the only thing Vesa could think of was that he had found someone he knew before the disaster that set them all on the island.
Wiping the water out of his eyes, a thought had come to Vesa's mind suddenly as he looked over at Ricky.
"The others..."
He knew that more of his friends and those he knew from school were still out there, but he knew that Eric had already been taken out as he spoke again. "There's something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait. Have you seen Whitney and Matti at all?" Of course, Vesa was making a reference to Whitney Acosta and Matthias Kovalenko, to which he hasn't seen or heard from. To his knowledge, they were still well and in the game...but then...
"Who's that over there...in that bush? Friends, I assume?"
Vesa stopped waving when he could make out the figure that was approaching and confirmed that it was Ricky. He gathered his breaths, having been reduced to panting after his flight from the forest and the initial nervousness that the figure would not be Ricky...or worse, would come and attack him. But now that he was somewhat reassured that it was a friendly face that was coming his way, Vesa began to edge out away from the embankment to meet Ricky, a wide smile on his face that read of relief.
"Ricky." he said simply, trying to figure out what he wanted to say. He knew that there was someone else nearby as he heard female voices in the brush by the shore. But the only thing Vesa could think of was that he had found someone he knew before the disaster that set them all on the island.
Wiping the water out of his eyes, a thought had come to Vesa's mind suddenly as he looked over at Ricky.
"The others..."
He knew that more of his friends and those he knew from school were still out there, but he knew that Eric had already been taken out as he spoke again. "There's something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait. Have you seen Whitney and Matti at all?" Of course, Vesa was making a reference to Whitney Acosta and Matthias Kovalenko, to which he hasn't seen or heard from. To his knowledge, they were still well and in the game...but then...
"Who's that over there...in that bush? Friends, I assume?"
((My apologies, I just got back from away. Life has been a bitch lately))
Ricky dangled the gun in front of the three girls. To Gail, the offering was a double edged sword, she knew the weapon could be used to protect them but she didn't like the idea of shooting anyone. Nevertheless, she was beginning to think that some of these people on the island deserved to be finished off. Even as sinful as that thought resounded in here ears she still knew that the situation was increasingly calling for new concessions.
Gail looked up at the two boys, both of them brawny and locked in discussion. The other boy, whom she most definitely didn't recognize, was a huge pillar of a man with long blonde hair and a muscular build. He reminded her of a Viking or some sort of lumberjack.
Taking Ricky's diplomatic lead and seeing the boy motion over to where the girls were; she stepped forward to great the new arrival. Her time on the island had taught her to air on the side of caution; she made her approach to the boy slowly. She sincerely hoped that the boy would join them in their attempt to escape, but after what she'd seen so far, she wasn't going to make reservations for anyone on this hellhole.
Soaked in rain water as the heavy drops pelted down like sleet with her arms crossed defiantly across her breast, to shield from the cold and the fear, she stepped forward to meet the new arrival.
"Hi, I'm Gail Smith," she shivered visibly and failed to offer a handshake. "It's really starting to come down, Ricky. We should get out of here and into some shelter. It's cold."
Gail peered around the shoreline, fearful of the ever present terrorists. She looked back to the others, still huddled and shaking in the rain. Her gaze turned to the new comer; her eyes turned fierce.
"Let's get out of here," she whispered coarsely to Ricky. "Do you think we can trust him?"
Ricky dangled the gun in front of the three girls. To Gail, the offering was a double edged sword, she knew the weapon could be used to protect them but she didn't like the idea of shooting anyone. Nevertheless, she was beginning to think that some of these people on the island deserved to be finished off. Even as sinful as that thought resounded in here ears she still knew that the situation was increasingly calling for new concessions.
Gail looked up at the two boys, both of them brawny and locked in discussion. The other boy, whom she most definitely didn't recognize, was a huge pillar of a man with long blonde hair and a muscular build. He reminded her of a Viking or some sort of lumberjack.
Taking Ricky's diplomatic lead and seeing the boy motion over to where the girls were; she stepped forward to great the new arrival. Her time on the island had taught her to air on the side of caution; she made her approach to the boy slowly. She sincerely hoped that the boy would join them in their attempt to escape, but after what she'd seen so far, she wasn't going to make reservations for anyone on this hellhole.
Soaked in rain water as the heavy drops pelted down like sleet with her arms crossed defiantly across her breast, to shield from the cold and the fear, she stepped forward to meet the new arrival.
"Hi, I'm Gail Smith," she shivered visibly and failed to offer a handshake. "It's really starting to come down, Ricky. We should get out of here and into some shelter. It's cold."
Gail peered around the shoreline, fearful of the ever present terrorists. She looked back to the others, still huddled and shaking in the rain. Her gaze turned to the new comer; her eyes turned fierce.
"Let's get out of here," she whispered coarsely to Ricky. "Do you think we can trust him?"
The rain and cold was starting to affect Vesa as well. He was visibly shivering as he regarded Gail with a smile, but all the while, he was keeping a close eye on Ricky after he waved the gun in front of her and what he could perceive were others nearby.
"I'm Vesa," he replied to the girl, offering a hand to her, "It's nice to meet you, Gail." But no matter what gestures of friendship he could offer, Vesa was still wary of the fact that there were more nearby. "Perhaps I got lucky with the tree-hugger," he thought to himself, "but I can't count on things to be easier from here on out. She probably heard the announcement...she knows I've killed someone and she's probably scared beyond her wits. Maybe being such a large, imposing figure is going to hurt me...but we'll worry about that later..."
The only thing that was on his mind was getting out of the rain; being from a land known for being a gateway to the Arctic, Vesa could handle the cold. But he knew that finding a safe haven to wait out the storm was imperative as Gail voiced her desire to get out of the rain. He turned back to Ricky with an insistent glare, though he maintained the smile on his face.
"Hey Ricky, know of anywhere we can go to get out of the rain?" he asked...just as another thought came to him.
"At least it's been raining long enough to get the blood off yourself and your clothes, Vesa..."
"Vittulan väki...te jälleen..." (Oh, for fuck's sake...you again...) Vesa murmured to himself at that thought while hoping for Ricky to come up with something.
"I'm Vesa," he replied to the girl, offering a hand to her, "It's nice to meet you, Gail." But no matter what gestures of friendship he could offer, Vesa was still wary of the fact that there were more nearby. "Perhaps I got lucky with the tree-hugger," he thought to himself, "but I can't count on things to be easier from here on out. She probably heard the announcement...she knows I've killed someone and she's probably scared beyond her wits. Maybe being such a large, imposing figure is going to hurt me...but we'll worry about that later..."
The only thing that was on his mind was getting out of the rain; being from a land known for being a gateway to the Arctic, Vesa could handle the cold. But he knew that finding a safe haven to wait out the storm was imperative as Gail voiced her desire to get out of the rain. He turned back to Ricky with an insistent glare, though he maintained the smile on his face.
"Hey Ricky, know of anywhere we can go to get out of the rain?" he asked...just as another thought came to him.
"At least it's been raining long enough to get the blood off yourself and your clothes, Vesa..."
"Vittulan väki...te jälleen..." (Oh, for fuck's sake...you again...) Vesa murmured to himself at that thought while hoping for Ricky to come up with something.
Ricky had gone silent since Vesa had inquired on Whitney and Matthias. The fact that Matthias hadn't been with her when he'd ran into her -- no, saved her -- in the residential district had barely crossed his mind. Maybe it wasn't so much what Vesa had said as the way he had said it. "Whitney and Matthias". Somehow, it bothered him. Still, he just gave Vesa a halfhearted smile. No reason to get all worked up over nothing, he supposed.
Besides, Ricky, why should you be jealous of Matthias? You never asked her out, so who cares if they were together? You don't even know that they were together. It was just speculation on your part, wasn't it? Why don't you ask her, I'm sure she'll tell you... but you couldn't do that, could you? You don't have the balls. You're afraid of what she'd say. So you're gonna continue to do what you always do. Sit on the sidelines and let life slip through your fingers because you don't have the courage to take the initiative and do something for yourself.
Ricky blocked the nagging voice out of his head. Before he had time to answer Vesa's question about the figures hiding in the bushes, Gail came forward. Inwardly, Ricky swore. He was hoping that they would stay hidden until he could determine whether or not Vesa was friend or foe. After all, he had heard the giant's name in a previous announcement. Ricky didn't want to jump to any conclusions about Vesa's involvement in some girl or another's death, because he himself had killed somebody.
I wonder if he's sizing me up too... he heard I killed Eric. He had to have heard it.
Whitney, meanwhile, continued to watch on as Gail brazenly stode out from the shrubbery around the embankment to join Ricky's side. She clutched the gun Ricky had thrown her to her chest and continued to observe the scenario in front of her. What kind of idiot strolls out into the open when she has no idea what's gonna happen next?
Maybe she just did it to impress him.
The jealous, cynical little voice in the back of Whitney's mind was nagging at her. What other reason could Gail have for willingly walking out into the open like that except to prove something to Ricky? Just what was she trying to prove, anyway? That she was brave? That she would stand by his side? An aggravated sigh escaped the blonde's lips as the thoughts coursed through her mind. She barely even knew Gail, but at this precise moment, she knew that her little heroine act was grinding on her nerves. Severely.
"C'mon Kayla," Whitney insisted, not waiting up for the redhead as she stepped forward from the shrubbery, "She's already blown our cover anyway, there's no point in hiding anymore."
Tucking the bag containing the gun into the back of her pants pocket, Whitney trekked through the pouring rain to where Ricky and Gail were standing next to Vesa. Just as she approached, she caught the tail end of the conversation the three were having, collaborating to find shelter from the rain. She gave Vesa a curt nod and turned her attention back to the bushes momentarily.
"I don't... mean to accuse you of anything, Vesa..." Whitney started quietly, prompting Ricky to turn his attention in her direction as well, "But... your name... Danya said you killed somebody. Everybody here is willing to keep an open mind, but I want to know what happened."
I've got blood on my hands too.
Whitney's words, although directed toward Vesa, once again spurred the idle thoughts in Ricky's mind. He had killed Eric, and just like Vesa owed them an explanation surrounding the death of Sylvea Hill, he owed Vesa an explanation about Eric's death. Still...
"This really isn't the time or the place," he intervened, "We really should find shelter first, don't you think?"
A light sigh escaped Whitney's lips as Ricky interjected with another idea. She wanted to protest. After all, she hoped that Vesa could be trusted, but she had a right to be skeptical, right? He had been in the announcement. He had killed somebody. Had she not witnessed Eric's death right before her very eyes, she'd have been a lot more skeptical of Ricky's involvement in it as well. She hoped Vesa could be trusted, but she wasn't willing to lock herself up with a murderer.
"I guess..." she might've agreed, but the tone in her voice certainly didn't. Ricky seemed to notice this, and cast her a questioning look, but didn't respond to her.
"Anybody have any ideas?" Ricky offered. They'd been looking to him for answers, but he was just as clueless as the rest of them. "Maybe something... I don't know, less obvious? Everybody's looking for shelter right now, and I don't want to run into any unwelcome visitors."
Besides, Ricky, why should you be jealous of Matthias? You never asked her out, so who cares if they were together? You don't even know that they were together. It was just speculation on your part, wasn't it? Why don't you ask her, I'm sure she'll tell you... but you couldn't do that, could you? You don't have the balls. You're afraid of what she'd say. So you're gonna continue to do what you always do. Sit on the sidelines and let life slip through your fingers because you don't have the courage to take the initiative and do something for yourself.
Ricky blocked the nagging voice out of his head. Before he had time to answer Vesa's question about the figures hiding in the bushes, Gail came forward. Inwardly, Ricky swore. He was hoping that they would stay hidden until he could determine whether or not Vesa was friend or foe. After all, he had heard the giant's name in a previous announcement. Ricky didn't want to jump to any conclusions about Vesa's involvement in some girl or another's death, because he himself had killed somebody.
I wonder if he's sizing me up too... he heard I killed Eric. He had to have heard it.
Whitney, meanwhile, continued to watch on as Gail brazenly stode out from the shrubbery around the embankment to join Ricky's side. She clutched the gun Ricky had thrown her to her chest and continued to observe the scenario in front of her. What kind of idiot strolls out into the open when she has no idea what's gonna happen next?
Maybe she just did it to impress him.
The jealous, cynical little voice in the back of Whitney's mind was nagging at her. What other reason could Gail have for willingly walking out into the open like that except to prove something to Ricky? Just what was she trying to prove, anyway? That she was brave? That she would stand by his side? An aggravated sigh escaped the blonde's lips as the thoughts coursed through her mind. She barely even knew Gail, but at this precise moment, she knew that her little heroine act was grinding on her nerves. Severely.
"C'mon Kayla," Whitney insisted, not waiting up for the redhead as she stepped forward from the shrubbery, "She's already blown our cover anyway, there's no point in hiding anymore."
Tucking the bag containing the gun into the back of her pants pocket, Whitney trekked through the pouring rain to where Ricky and Gail were standing next to Vesa. Just as she approached, she caught the tail end of the conversation the three were having, collaborating to find shelter from the rain. She gave Vesa a curt nod and turned her attention back to the bushes momentarily.
"I don't... mean to accuse you of anything, Vesa..." Whitney started quietly, prompting Ricky to turn his attention in her direction as well, "But... your name... Danya said you killed somebody. Everybody here is willing to keep an open mind, but I want to know what happened."
I've got blood on my hands too.
Whitney's words, although directed toward Vesa, once again spurred the idle thoughts in Ricky's mind. He had killed Eric, and just like Vesa owed them an explanation surrounding the death of Sylvea Hill, he owed Vesa an explanation about Eric's death. Still...
"This really isn't the time or the place," he intervened, "We really should find shelter first, don't you think?"
A light sigh escaped Whitney's lips as Ricky interjected with another idea. She wanted to protest. After all, she hoped that Vesa could be trusted, but she had a right to be skeptical, right? He had been in the announcement. He had killed somebody. Had she not witnessed Eric's death right before her very eyes, she'd have been a lot more skeptical of Ricky's involvement in it as well. She hoped Vesa could be trusted, but she wasn't willing to lock herself up with a murderer.
"I guess..." she might've agreed, but the tone in her voice certainly didn't. Ricky seemed to notice this, and cast her a questioning look, but didn't respond to her.
"Anybody have any ideas?" Ricky offered. They'd been looking to him for answers, but he was just as clueless as the rest of them. "Maybe something... I don't know, less obvious? Everybody's looking for shelter right now, and I don't want to run into any unwelcome visitors."
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"I don't know," Gail held herself as she shook violently in the rain. "I just want to get out of the cold."
Her teeth were chattering and the rain continued to pelt down, making her normally graceful appearance look like melted plastic. She looked at the two, not really caring at the moment that either of them had killed anyone, she hadn't put a name to the large blonde boy yet anyway, despite the fact she had heard his name in the announcements. It was pointless considering she didn't recognize his face.
Gail looked nervously over to the other girls, Whitney and Kayla, surely they could all just put the past aside for a moment. Her normally severe moral code was pitched out the window a while ago. With Jackie dead, Ricky having killed someone, and being stuck in this situation in the first place she was at a crossroads. She knew inside that they were all good people; they were just stuck in a bad place.
She looked at Vesa. He had killed, that was the truth, but so had Ricky, and given the state of some of the other students on the island, death was mostly a merciful release. She could only imagine the mental anguish of some people, they'd all seen bad things, and truth be told, Gail was surprised at how well she was holding up, but other people didn't exactly have the comfort of friends, and a loving family waiting back at home.
Gail pondered over the island map. Emblazoned in her mind from all the times she'd spent staring at it and marking down danger zones.
"What about the Pagoda?" Gail poised the question and continued to chatter and shake. "It's fairly close and it should provide decent shelter from the storm. At least there we can rest for what's left of the night. Okay?"
Her teeth were chattering and the rain continued to pelt down, making her normally graceful appearance look like melted plastic. She looked at the two, not really caring at the moment that either of them had killed anyone, she hadn't put a name to the large blonde boy yet anyway, despite the fact she had heard his name in the announcements. It was pointless considering she didn't recognize his face.
Gail looked nervously over to the other girls, Whitney and Kayla, surely they could all just put the past aside for a moment. Her normally severe moral code was pitched out the window a while ago. With Jackie dead, Ricky having killed someone, and being stuck in this situation in the first place she was at a crossroads. She knew inside that they were all good people; they were just stuck in a bad place.
She looked at Vesa. He had killed, that was the truth, but so had Ricky, and given the state of some of the other students on the island, death was mostly a merciful release. She could only imagine the mental anguish of some people, they'd all seen bad things, and truth be told, Gail was surprised at how well she was holding up, but other people didn't exactly have the comfort of friends, and a loving family waiting back at home.
Gail pondered over the island map. Emblazoned in her mind from all the times she'd spent staring at it and marking down danger zones.
"What about the Pagoda?" Gail poised the question and continued to chatter and shake. "It's fairly close and it should provide decent shelter from the storm. At least there we can rest for what's left of the night. Okay?"
Vesa shrugged at Ricky's response to his inquiry about Matthias and Whitney, though it did throw him off a bit. It wasn't but more than a week ago that they were all friends...joking about what had happened over the past school year and talking about plans for the summer...so he couldn't understand why he was all of a sudden suspicious. He glanced over at Gail every now and then, but there was nothing on the towering Finn's mind except one thing.
"You need to get Ricky in a position where you can separate him...then let him know how you feel about him stealing YOUR kill."
He was about to say something when Vesa saw Whitney emerge from the bushes and approach them. A big smile started to form on his face when he saw her...at least one of the two was still alive as he turned to her.
"Whitney...thank God you're still alive," he said simply, "Have you seen Matti by any chance? I think I'm starting to worry about him..." But she threw him another curveball when she started to inquire about the girl he killed...about what happened. Vesa turned his head away from her as the thoughts of having to kill Sylvea were returning. "Oh shit, what do I tell her? Do I tell her the truth...or do I make something up...like it was some kind of accident or something..." He then sighed and turned back to Whitney with a disdainful look on his face as if he were a young boy having to answer to his parents over a broken window.
"I...I tried to help her," he told her, "she looked like she was hurt. I started talking to her...an-and then she pulled a gun on me...I had no other choice, Whitney. It was either I kill her or she kills me...I..." He closes his eyes, letting his long hair shroud his face as his voices begins to break. "...I am not...a monster..."
But then he turned to Ricky again; he knew that he had some explaining to do as well. There was something deep inside of Vesa that wanted to grab Ricky and push him up against that embankment...but he knew there were other things more important than extracting information out of his good friend. He listened to Gail's suggestion, then turned toward the pagoda that loomed in the distance and smiled, shaking the hair out of his eyes.
"I think that's a good idea," he said eagerly, "doesn't look like it's that far...so what is it, guys?"
((Continued in No Rest for the Weary))
"You need to get Ricky in a position where you can separate him...then let him know how you feel about him stealing YOUR kill."
He was about to say something when Vesa saw Whitney emerge from the bushes and approach them. A big smile started to form on his face when he saw her...at least one of the two was still alive as he turned to her.
"Whitney...thank God you're still alive," he said simply, "Have you seen Matti by any chance? I think I'm starting to worry about him..." But she threw him another curveball when she started to inquire about the girl he killed...about what happened. Vesa turned his head away from her as the thoughts of having to kill Sylvea were returning. "Oh shit, what do I tell her? Do I tell her the truth...or do I make something up...like it was some kind of accident or something..." He then sighed and turned back to Whitney with a disdainful look on his face as if he were a young boy having to answer to his parents over a broken window.
"I...I tried to help her," he told her, "she looked like she was hurt. I started talking to her...an-and then she pulled a gun on me...I had no other choice, Whitney. It was either I kill her or she kills me...I..." He closes his eyes, letting his long hair shroud his face as his voices begins to break. "...I am not...a monster..."
But then he turned to Ricky again; he knew that he had some explaining to do as well. There was something deep inside of Vesa that wanted to grab Ricky and push him up against that embankment...but he knew there were other things more important than extracting information out of his good friend. He listened to Gail's suggestion, then turned toward the pagoda that loomed in the distance and smiled, shaking the hair out of his eyes.
"I think that's a good idea," he said eagerly, "doesn't look like it's that far...so what is it, guys?"
((Continued in No Rest for the Weary))
Matthias?
Honestly, she'd been more concerned about herself up until recently. Whitney hadn't expected Vesa to inquire about Matthias, nor did she have an answer prepared for when he did. She just offered him a light smile and shook her head. He had just missed Matthias, really. He'd been with her for, what, the first two days on the island? Then he'd just disappeared, and she hadn't seen him since then.
"Matt was with me at first," she started quietly, "We were looking for his little sister, he thinks she's here somewhere. We went down to the residential area to search for her, thinking she might've barricaded herself in a house or something... and that's when we got split up. I ran into Eric, and Ricky just happened to be around. If he hadn't been there, Eric probably would've killed me. He was gone... you know? You could tell by the look in his eyes... he just wasn't there anymore..."
She sighed lightly. It was painful, if not flat out horrifying, having to remember the incident back in that house.
"Anyway... we met up with them..." she motioned to Gail and Kayla, "And we got out of there. I haven't seen or heard from Matt since. He hasn't been in the announcements yet though, so he's still alive and out there somewhere."
Well... I hope we don't run into him again.
It might've been a cruel thought on Ricky's part, but he didn't want to deal with Matthias Kovalenko at all. It'd just make a bad situation even worse, and that wasn't something that Ricky wanted. Maybe it was jealousy speaking, but Ricky didn't want Matthias around period. He wouldn't go so far as wishing him dead, but he certainly hoped that they didn't bump into him again. Apparently, the answer seemed to appease everybody, and Gail voiced her thoughts on going to the pagoda for shelter. It was definitely a thought. The rain had all but stopped coming down and the island was beginning to shroud itself in fog.
"No..." Whitney muttered quietly, "I don't think that's such a good idea."
"Why not?" Ricky inquired.
"It's just... I think we should go to the hotel instead," she responded.
"... the hotel?"
"Yeah... think about it. Sure, the pagoda is closer, by far... but the thing is, I'm willing to bet that there's only one way in and one way out. That means it'd be easy to barricade, I guess, but the probability of running into somebody else over there is a lot higher. If we went to the hotel, even if there was somebody else hiding out there, it's really big... what're the odds that someone else would pick the same room as us? I just think it's safer."
She did have a point. The hotel was very large, with multiple entrances and exits. That made the probability of people hiding out there, or coming inside, a lot higher... but the multitude of floors and different rooms made it pretty unlikely that somebody else would just so happen to pick the very same room as they had. Ricky didn't have much more time to ponder on the idea as Danya's voice boomed across the island once again. He didn't recognize most of the names this time. Maybe that was a good thing.
Even the sound of that man's voice makes me nauseous...
His list of the dangerzones confirmed that they weren't in one, nor would they be if they headed to either destination. In fact, it seemed as though Danya had selected dangerzones on the exterior of the island... forcing them inland.
"So... the hotel, then?" he inquired.
"I'm sorry... I just think it'd be better. There's something about the pagoda... it just doesn't seem safe."
She could barely see it in the distance through the immense fog. Still, it just seemed too barren and eerie. It wasn't somewhere Whitney particularly wanted to hole herself up in. At least with the hotel, they had the security of locked doors. Maybe then, they could take turns watching the door or something and everyone could get some rest.
"Wherever we're going, let's just go," Ricky stated flatly.
He was tired, hungry, soaked to the core, and absolutely exhausted. At this point, he didn't really care where they went. Nodding toward the group behind him and assuming they would follow in tow, he set out toward his next destination.
((Continued elsewhere.))
Honestly, she'd been more concerned about herself up until recently. Whitney hadn't expected Vesa to inquire about Matthias, nor did she have an answer prepared for when he did. She just offered him a light smile and shook her head. He had just missed Matthias, really. He'd been with her for, what, the first two days on the island? Then he'd just disappeared, and she hadn't seen him since then.
"Matt was with me at first," she started quietly, "We were looking for his little sister, he thinks she's here somewhere. We went down to the residential area to search for her, thinking she might've barricaded herself in a house or something... and that's when we got split up. I ran into Eric, and Ricky just happened to be around. If he hadn't been there, Eric probably would've killed me. He was gone... you know? You could tell by the look in his eyes... he just wasn't there anymore..."
She sighed lightly. It was painful, if not flat out horrifying, having to remember the incident back in that house.
"Anyway... we met up with them..." she motioned to Gail and Kayla, "And we got out of there. I haven't seen or heard from Matt since. He hasn't been in the announcements yet though, so he's still alive and out there somewhere."
Well... I hope we don't run into him again.
It might've been a cruel thought on Ricky's part, but he didn't want to deal with Matthias Kovalenko at all. It'd just make a bad situation even worse, and that wasn't something that Ricky wanted. Maybe it was jealousy speaking, but Ricky didn't want Matthias around period. He wouldn't go so far as wishing him dead, but he certainly hoped that they didn't bump into him again. Apparently, the answer seemed to appease everybody, and Gail voiced her thoughts on going to the pagoda for shelter. It was definitely a thought. The rain had all but stopped coming down and the island was beginning to shroud itself in fog.
"No..." Whitney muttered quietly, "I don't think that's such a good idea."
"Why not?" Ricky inquired.
"It's just... I think we should go to the hotel instead," she responded.
"... the hotel?"
"Yeah... think about it. Sure, the pagoda is closer, by far... but the thing is, I'm willing to bet that there's only one way in and one way out. That means it'd be easy to barricade, I guess, but the probability of running into somebody else over there is a lot higher. If we went to the hotel, even if there was somebody else hiding out there, it's really big... what're the odds that someone else would pick the same room as us? I just think it's safer."
She did have a point. The hotel was very large, with multiple entrances and exits. That made the probability of people hiding out there, or coming inside, a lot higher... but the multitude of floors and different rooms made it pretty unlikely that somebody else would just so happen to pick the very same room as they had. Ricky didn't have much more time to ponder on the idea as Danya's voice boomed across the island once again. He didn't recognize most of the names this time. Maybe that was a good thing.
Even the sound of that man's voice makes me nauseous...
His list of the dangerzones confirmed that they weren't in one, nor would they be if they headed to either destination. In fact, it seemed as though Danya had selected dangerzones on the exterior of the island... forcing them inland.
"So... the hotel, then?" he inquired.
"I'm sorry... I just think it'd be better. There's something about the pagoda... it just doesn't seem safe."
She could barely see it in the distance through the immense fog. Still, it just seemed too barren and eerie. It wasn't somewhere Whitney particularly wanted to hole herself up in. At least with the hotel, they had the security of locked doors. Maybe then, they could take turns watching the door or something and everyone could get some rest.
"Wherever we're going, let's just go," Ricky stated flatly.
He was tired, hungry, soaked to the core, and absolutely exhausted. At this point, he didn't really care where they went. Nodding toward the group behind him and assuming they would follow in tow, he set out toward his next destination.
((Continued elsewhere.))
I am an archival account used by staff to port old posts from handlers no longer active. If you are this handler, get in touch with staff and we can get your posts back for you! Lyndi avatar by Kermit.
[Jotun-
Kayla hasn't been posted with in over a month. She'll be declared inactive if she isn't roleplayed as within the next few days. I apologize for the inconvenience, but we're too far into the game to have this many inactives on the roster.]
Kayla hasn't been posted with in over a month. She'll be declared inactive if she isn't roleplayed as within the next few days. I apologize for the inconvenience, but we're too far into the game to have this many inactives on the roster.]
I am an archival account used by staff to port old posts from handlers no longer active. If you are this handler, get in touch with staff and we can get your posts back for you! Lyndi avatar by Kermit.
[I was kind of waiting for a destination, I've had this post for a few days.]
Kayla watched in silence as Ricky and the tall blonde boy spoke, with some tension between them. Kayla didn't understand it and didn't care to dwell on it, and only absent-mindedly followed Whitney. Kayla felt a distant nagging from the back of her mind and her response to it was to empty herself of emotion. She had been trying to pin the mixed emotions she felt on Jackie's death, but couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying to herself. There was something else to this island that was bothering her, outside of the horror that each student brought to each other.
Her companions struggled with their own demons. Vesa got emotionally defensive about a girl he had killed, Kayla had not noted her name and did not much care, as horrible as she knew that should be. This was overlapped by a discussion of where they would go next. Kayla had no suggestions, each place was the same as the others and probably was not much safer. Even still, they could probably handle it. At the cost of more lives... but what if they were going to die anyway.
Kayla huddled up on the ground, sitting on the sand. Finally, she muttered.
"Just pick somewhere."
She wans't sure if she was heard, but Ricky proceded to lead them away, to the Hotel or wherever they decided. Kayla stood up awkwardly and followed, facing the ground.
(Continued elsewhere.)
Kayla watched in silence as Ricky and the tall blonde boy spoke, with some tension between them. Kayla didn't understand it and didn't care to dwell on it, and only absent-mindedly followed Whitney. Kayla felt a distant nagging from the back of her mind and her response to it was to empty herself of emotion. She had been trying to pin the mixed emotions she felt on Jackie's death, but couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying to herself. There was something else to this island that was bothering her, outside of the horror that each student brought to each other.
Her companions struggled with their own demons. Vesa got emotionally defensive about a girl he had killed, Kayla had not noted her name and did not much care, as horrible as she knew that should be. This was overlapped by a discussion of where they would go next. Kayla had no suggestions, each place was the same as the others and probably was not much safer. Even still, they could probably handle it. At the cost of more lives... but what if they were going to die anyway.
Kayla huddled up on the ground, sitting on the sand. Finally, she muttered.
"Just pick somewhere."
She wans't sure if she was heard, but Ricky proceded to lead them away, to the Hotel or wherever they decided. Kayla stood up awkwardly and followed, facing the ground.
(Continued elsewhere.)