Delusions of the Mind

Day 8- Dead End

Fifty-eight of us are left, we’re all growing suspicious of one another, as each killing happens when no one is around to see the assailant. How many more of us are going to die before we find a way out.

“Evan!” Ben’s voice cut through the chilling night air.

“Over here, what do you need?” I question, still gulping down deep breaths.

“Where is Keylan? He isn’t going to be happy about what’s going on inside that tent, neither will either of you.” He stated, exchanging a look between Emilia and myself.

“What’s going on now? I’m sure whatever it is, it involves me.” I remark, ignoring the look crossing Emilia’s face.

“I would much rather explain with Keylan here.” Ben retorted, scanning the area for him.

“Keylan, went to inspect our surroundings. He think’s there is something missing with each murder that occurs.” Emilia replies, putting an end to Ben’s questions.

“Ok, well Ariella is attempting to frame Evan again. This time claiming there was a dispute between Maverick and Evan.” Ben quickly explained.

“Please tell us this isn’t true!” Emilia exclaimed in anger, “Tell us that Ariella is making up this argument you had?”

“I wish I could, but the truth is that Maverick planted a piece of jewelry in my items a couple of days ago.” I sigh, why did Ariella find it necessary to frame me? Even if the argument was made up it now gave everyone a reason to suspect me each time Gabriel killed someone, but who was he using to complete the murders?

“Guys, our biggest problem isn’t Ariella, it’s finding out who committed each murder. No one wants to admit we’re dealing with a possible serial-killer.” I state, looking at the crowd, now pouring from the big top. The anger radiating off each individual person while Ariella led the group.

“You snake! You had an argument with him! You killed him to silence him!” Ariella shouted.

If this group of people, who I had worked with would blindly follow Ariella’s instructions without the full story, could we save them?

“That argument was staged, you know this Ariella, you watched it play out! I was with Ben; I had no time to steal his necklace!” I shouted back at her.

“Wait?! This whole argument, started over something that happened while you were with me?!” Ben asked, turning to look at Ariella, “You knew! You knew, I wouldn’t lie! You knew Evan was with me, yet you let Maverick frame him! Why?!”

“I wanted him removed from the show! The only way to do that was to stage a conflict between him and Maverick!” Ariella revealed, watching our peers back away from her.

“You put my best performer through hell? Why?” demanded Antonio.

“Why you ask? Why does a scorned woman do anything? All I wanted was Evan’s attention, to be his, yet he set his sights on another!” Ariella yelled.

“You made a choice out of jealousy instead of what was best for our circus?!” Antonio stated dumfounded, regaining his composure, “You are relieved from you position as ringmaster, you can go back to knife throwing, but not in my circus. Once lock down is lifted, I want you gone!”

“Simply because of me not accepting rejection well?” Ariella mocked.

“No, because of the fact, you’re trying to start a war between my troop!” Antonio yelled, as his anger began boiling just under the surface.

The gasps rippling through those who follow Ariella’s every move, making the rest turn around and stare. This fight was obviously causing panic to arise. Would those who followed Ariella be dismissed as well or had Antonio not made that choice as of now.

Leaving the crowd to find Keylan along the edges of the warehouse. Watching from a distance as he made another lap around before I called out to him.

“Keylan!” I shouted, jogging up to him, patting his back, “How did it go? Did you find anything useful?”

“Nah man, every pathway through the woods leads to a dead end. Escaping through them would take too long, as we would have to travel off the beaten path.” Keylan replied.

“Damn! I was hoping to have good news after the fight between Antonio and Ariella.” I stated, as I shook my head.

“What were they fighting about now?” Keylan asked, waiting for an explanation.

“About me murdering Maverick. Why she wants me removed, same old stuff, except the batty b***h got canned this time.” I remarked, flashing a grin at him.

“It’s about damn time Antonio figured out what we all knew.” He replied, “That b***h needed to go.”

“Her supporters think otherwise.” I retorted.

“They always will, they were her favorites. The cunt couldn’t do anything right but f**k people over.” Keylan remarked.

It was hard not to agree with him. Keylan was always the type to say what he thought without a filter. A lot of people saw that as his weakness, but I saw it as his strength. That reason alone made him a valuable friend to keep around, as he would never be fake with anyone.

“Hey, do you think we will ever make it out of here?” I suddenly ask.

“Honestly man, I’m not sure. There are a lot of people we would need to save to even begin to think of ourselves making it out. I say if we save those around us, then it’s worth it to lose our lives, but not everyone would think that way. We’re only on day eight, and people are ready to turn on others throwing caution to the wind. They are ready to sacrifice people for their own sake. If we could convince them to work with us, we may all make it out. Worst case scenario, only half of us make it out, by surviving. Question is do you think we can survive however long we have to last?” Keylan replied.

His answer obviously had plenty of thought put into it about everyone else, and not just us. Could he be right? Could we all survive the time frame we had left, did the math add up? The only thing I knew, was that I was now counting down until we were released, we still had ninety-two days left to survive.