The Golden Hotel

Possibilities [2]

"Say what?" Faith glared back. Something snapped inside of her and she was sure that it was her patience string. "'Scuse me, let's not be so judg-y here. I'm just helping out by sharing what I've thought of!"

Meg loudly scoffed. "Puh-lease! I'm not buying that kind of excuse. It's obvious that you're trying to be the star of the show! It's like you're trying to manipulate us by making us believe every single word that you've said. It's too suspicious!"

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Faith balled her shaking hands into a fist, holding back the urge to slap her across her face. "I didn't mean to upset you. You must be used to taking all the spotlight to yourself, huh? Well, guess what? This isn't a dance competition! It's not my fault that your brain is so slow at figuring things out!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Break it up!" Theo went in between the two fighting girls and held up both of his hands, keeping them away from each other. Then he stared at Meg, giving her a warning. "What the hell's wrong with you? Don't you dare take another step or you will regret hurting Faith."

Yves wanted to step in and stop their cat fight, but Klein had already rushed beside Meg, pulling her away while Kacey did the same to Faith. He kept fidgeting on his place, standing watch as they continued to clash. Hopefully, this wouldn't result to any fatal injuries.

"Let's not threaten the lady. Daren won't be happy about this!" Klein tried to calm Theo down, lightly pushing his chest. "I-I'm sorry for Meg's behavior! Just please, no fighting! Can we talk about this in a civil way? Yeah?"

Theo tightly clenched his jaw. He looked like he was ready to punch the lights out of Meg even if she was a girl. Those blazing eyes said so and it easily made Klein cower. Theo had more muscles than him, so it was best to not provoke him right now.

"Teach her some manners first." Theo angrily pointed at her.

"Manners my ass." Meg sarcastically laughed. "Can't handle a blunt attack, lover boy?"

"It wouldn't hurt to be polite, barbie." Kacey's blood began to boil. She couldn't stand her nasty attitude any longer. "Faith is innocent. She may be the smartest in this group, but she wouldn't dare to kill a person, not even a rat!"

"Why are you so defensive?" Meg rolled her eyes midway. "Then tell me, why didn't she answer Theo's question a few days ago if she really is innocent?"

Faith held back the tears forming in her eyes as silence cloaked the room. Her blatant accusation got under her skin and she didn't understand why Meg was suddenly acting this way towards her. Had she offended her in some other way?

Maybe she knew all along that she had lied about saying that she merely thought of their deaths and who would survive when she actually thought of the killer's real identity. She chose not to say anything for safety reasons.

Taking a deep breath, she looked away and wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks. "I-I need a moment . . ."

Without a word, she darted right past them and ran out of the kitchenette.

"Faith!" Theo worriedly tailed behind, knowing that she was having a dilemma and how it frustrated her to the core.

"Where are you two going!" Kacey attempted to follow them, but Yves blocked her way.

"Leave them alone. We need to stay here where everyone is safe." Then he fixed his eyes on Meg who didn't seem to care about what she had done. If a stare could kill a person, she would have fallen over dead. "What the f**k was that all about? If you get yourself killed . . ."

"Then she's to blame!" After swinging her arms up and down, she stomped her feet towards the exit and deliberately bumped his left shoulder. "Move! I'm heading over to my room."

Kacey, Klein and Yves were left there stunned and speechless, throwing uncertain glances. They didn't know what to do but the only option that they could choose was to wait for them to cool down and return safe and sound.

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Meanwhile, in Room 24,457, Maxine, Olwen, Jared, Hans and Daren were gathered around in the living room. They had been discussing about the upcoming game and the real identity of the killer, oblivious to what had happened at the other room.

"Forgive me for saying this, ladies, but in my opinion, Kacey is a potential killer." Daren looked at them with guilt reflecting in his eyes.

Olwen sighed with defeat. She couldn't deny and hide the fact that she had overheard a past conversation between Kacey and Judy. "Back in the restaurant, I heard Kacey telling off Judy to die. I know they were only horsing around but . . . I'm not so sure anymore now that we are all facing this life-threatening problem."

"She can get really cranky and stuff but she's actually vegan," Maxine confidently told them, "and nice."

"Bah!" Jared slouched his body on the couch and frowned. "Can we knock off and chill for a second? My brain juice is squeezed."

Right after they had nodded in agreement, the doorbell rang, and they threw puzzled looks at each other. Daren was about to volunteer to answer the door but Hans got up from his seat.

"I'll go."

Once he brought himself in front of the door, he reached out for the knob and twisted it open. Faith came squeezing in a hurry that he had to step aside. Surprisingly, her face was stained with tears.

"F-Faith? Why are you—"

"Where are they?" She wiped her cheeks and sniffed. "Olwen and Maxine."

"Ah . . . In the living room."

Hans didn't get the chance to ask again when she quickly left his side. It bothered him to see her vulnerable when she would usually flash a sweet smile and show her intelligent side. Something could have happened at the other room and they were about to find out what was going on.

He was about to close the door when a hand stopped it from shutting. This time, Theo slipped inside, catching his breath. Hans didn't want to think that her best friend was the main reason of her tears. Jumping into a conclusion wouldn't be mature of him. Exhaling through his nose, he asked:

"Did something happen? Faith just . . ." He pointed at the living room.

"Long story." Theo patted his shoulder once, implying that they should follow her.

Hans closed the door and quietly went straight to the living room along with Theo. They stopped on their tracks as soon as they saw Maxine soothing Faith with a motherly hug, standing at other end of the couch. But the supposed attention on her shifted to Theo. He earned ten pairs of inquisitive eyes.

"Talk." Olwen glowered at Theo. She stood up and placed her hands on her hip, waiting for a valid explanation. "Why is she like this?"

Theo kept his mouth shut, hesitating at the idea of telling them about what had happened now that he was within Daren's punching range. Or it could be worst. Three guys were inside the room. He had no chances of winning in case they would challenge him to a brawl due to his poor choice of words. But no. That shouldn't be a problem. These guys seemed mature and not the type to judge people.

"Pardon me for what I have to say but Meg," he made eye contact with Daren, "firmly thinks that Faith is the killer."

"So she accused her. Just her?" Olwen's view changed and her forehead creased. At first, she thought that it had got something to do with Theo, but it was rather the other party.

She made her cry . . .

"Well, you know, cat fight." Theo shrugged his shoulders. "Insults here and there. I kinda warned Meg about her sharp tongue to make her stop. That's about it."

He was ready to endure some defensive comments from Meg's friends, but he could tell from their scrunched up faces that she was a bit difficult.

"Psh!" Jared waved his hand, dismissing the circumstance between the two girls. "Forget about it! Meg's a wild gal. Daren 'ere is always burdened with taming his kitty. She's probably jelly at the sight of you lovey-dovey couples in there."

"Kitty? Couples?" Theo blinked, totally lost about what he was saying.

"Klein-y bro and Kay-cee!" Jared smirked. "Our dude has fallen head over heels. Eh, can't blame him for going so fast like a bullet train."

Daren pinched the bridge of his nose and loudly sighed. "That aside, I apologize for my girlfriend's rude behavior. She's on her red flag. Our situation might've pissed her off more other than . . . those." Then he turned to Faith with a wry smile. She was already crossing her arms, standing quietly next to Maxine. "Sorry about Meg. I hope you two can still get along."

"I won't promise." She shook her head.

"Fair enough." Daren nodded.

Theo could finally steadily breathe and relax his muscles. He wouldn't want to deal with a moody woman like Meg. Despite everything, what they should worry about the most was the death game later in the afternoon.

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"Bored? No? Yes? Too bad, dear.

You just missed a clue. I best

recommend not to skip!" 

-KILLER

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