MURDER GAME

chapter 2

A lot of people were always running away from the same direction, probably where Dem is.

“Looks like your boyfriend is quite possessive.” Liam laughed, almost a mockery towards Dem.

I sigh. “Dem is not possessive, and he isn't my boyfriend!” I defensively said.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand.

“Wh-” I was about to shoot them when I realized it was Zachary. “Zachary?”

“Hide! I swear, Dem is going to kill you!” Zachary said, his eyes were worried and anxious.

Liam slapped Zachary’s hands away from mine.

“One of your fan boys?” Liam asked, judging Zachary— head to toe. “One of us?”

“One do you mean by that?” I asked Liam.

What does he mean by one of us?

“Y’know, messed up here.” He pointed at his head.

I glared at him, “No! And I'm not messed up in the head, it's just you!”

Zachary ignored Liam’s comment and grabbed me by my hand again before walking away and dragging me. Why does everyone keep on dragging me without consent?!

But… we were already too late.

Zachary’s cheek got wounded by the passing bullet that is meant for his head.

I turned around to see Dem— covered in blood and the scent of bloodlust.

“Hand her back to me.” Dem spoke, almost like the demonic voice we keep on hearing. “She's mine, mine!”

Zachary pointed a gun at Dem. “She's not yours.”

That angered Dem— maybe a bit too much.

“Woah woah woah! Dem, what's up with you?” I tried to calm him down.

Liam just stood there, not minding anything and admiring the show. Dem isn't focused on killing everyone now— just Zachary.

“Sage, come to me or everyone here is dying by my hand.” Dem said, threatening me.

I couldn't care less anyways.

You know what, I give up!

“Zachary, I'll come with him, he's not going to harm me.” I whispered to Zachary, who is full pledge ready to die for me.

Am I really this attractive?

“How can you be so sure, huh?” Zachary asked me.

Well, Dem said he would be saving me for last— so I still have a few more days to kill him. Right?

“Let's talk after this round, I have something to negotiate with you… so don't die.” I said to Zachary before moving his hand away from mine.

I started walking towards Dem, but he just dropped his gun and hugged me. YUCK! BLOODS!

“You said you'd meet me! You lied, you lied!” Dem said, annoyed but… somewhat sacred? “You lied, Sage!”

I was surprised— why is he taking this so seriously?

Past trauma?

“H-hey, it's okay… I'm sorry?” I tried comforting him, but I guess that's not my forte.

Before he could say anything, he dropped unconscious on the floor. He got a nosebleed and his hand was clinging to my shirt, even though he was unconscious.

“What happened to him?” I asked Liam.

Liam just shrugged, “how would I know? Ask the doctor.”

I raised a brow. Do we have a doctor here? Or is it a player?

“004, he's a doctor.” Liam said.

Wow! So I really do have a built-in subtitle on my face!

“001 is me.” Liam said. “Surprise?”

“Nope.” I answered. To be honest, I can't picture anyone as 001 if it's not Liam. “Who is 002?”

“The woman Dem killed when we were in the cube, Klara. She's an ex-military soldier, one of us.” Liam said.

Zachary then pointed a gun at Liam. “How do you know that?”

Liam laughed. “Wait, wait, wait, wait!”

Me and Zachary looked at him, curious why he is laughing— and why he knows that stuff about other people here.

“There’s secret roles given to some players, mine is the information gatherer. They gave me the ability to know some informations about other players, like how 002 is an ex-military, has daddy issues, and an only child, or like how 004 is a doctor, a father with three kids, and a f****d up doctor at that.” Liam revealed another mystery in this world.

I gulped.

Now things are more complicated than before!

“How many special roles are there?” Zachary asked.

“Hm, so far… the only roles I saw are Sage's, 007’s, and yours Zachary.” Liam said. “It's not that easy to know, since you need to observe the person's behavior before you get to unlock the information about their roles. If you're good at hiding your role, then I won't know.”

Zachary sighed. “So you know about mine?”

Liam nodded. “From the moment you saw Sage, yes… I knew.” Liam looked at me, smirking. “You're protector. You're hard to kill, one bullet can't kill you.”

I raised a brow. “H-how does that work?”

“Noticed how 007’s aim is always precise, but Zachary didn't get hit once? That's because of his role as the protector. He is the embodiment of LUCK.” Liam explained. “Even if he does get hit or shot, it won't kill him— because it's magic.”

Magic?

Like the guy said before, maybe this world is just fiction or magic.

“What about Dem?” I asked. “W-what’s his role?”

Liam looked at Dem, still unconscious and clinging onto me.

“He is the Demon.” Liam said.

I raised a brow again.

Demon?

“What does that do?” I asked, getting more and more curious about these roles that we are getting.

“007-”

“Dem.” I corrected him. “His name is Dem.”

“Right, Dem… uh,” Liam scratched the back of his neck. “He is like a demon, his strength and agility is four times higher than his normal stats, which is concerning because Dem is an athlete.”

Right, information gatherer.

“He's one of us, but more more MORE dangerous.” Liam spoke. “One of the benefits of having a Demon as your role is that you can have a weapon what or when you please.” Liam explained more.

Okay, so that explains where the gun he used to shoot Klara came from.

“W-what about mine?” I asked.

Liam just laughed like a maniac. “Yours is something that cannot be spoken of, there's three roles that cannot be revealed— even if the information gatherer knows it. Too bad for you, I don't want to die yet.”

Die?

Is my role really that… sacred?

“T-then… Help me check Zek’s role, if he has one.” I said.

Zek surely know something about this game or whatever this f****d up place is! If I know what his role is… maybe… just maybe I'll find some clues about why I'm here or why anyone is here.

“Who is Zek?” Zachary asked.

I sigh. “A dead body.”

Liam and Zachary were taken aback. “A dead body?” they both asked at the same time.

“Yes, a dead one… now is a dead one.” I said.

“Right…” They both looked at each other, a bit confused and scared.

“Then, Zachary, you stay here and look after 007— I mean, Dem.” Liam said, pointing at Dem who is unconscious.

Zachary nodded.

Me and Liam walked towards the dead body— it's a bit unsettling but a bit thrilling at the same time.

“If it's dead, can you not know if they have a role or not?” I asked.

“It's easier to know if they're dead.” Liam answered, now serious.

Oh..

That's MORE unsettling.

Liam held Zek’s hand. His cold and lifeless hand.

“He has a role.” Liam answered. “He is a spy.”

I raised a brow. “And that does?”

“It's knowledgeable about some stuff outside these games we're playing, but not so much. It just does orders, and there's no way it can disobey his boss.” Liam answered. “Maybe his boss is a player too?.”

I nodded.

Yup, that guy probably has an important role.

Suddenly, we heard more gunshots.

I almost forgot we're playing this f*****g dangerous game.

We returned back to Dem and Zachary who were giving each other death glares. “Are you guys having a lover quarrel?” Liam asked, breaking the tension.

Both Dem and Zachary made a disgusted face.

“Mga gago.” I laughed.

Liam laughed too, but he was the only one who could understand Tagalog.

“When is this game going to end?” I asked.

How many more people does it want dead?

“That depends on the person playing, if all the players experienced the illusion, the game will end.” Liam explained.

To be honest, his ability is super useful. Maybe it's better to have him on our side, he knows a lot about me, Dem, and Zachary anyways.

And the illusion? gosh, I can't even explain how real that seemed for me. I mean… I saw him.

Zachary raised a brow. “What illusion?”

Liam just gave him a glare, his jaw dropped. “Oh my gosh, don't tell me you're immune to the demon’s tricks?” He groaned and complained.

“Demon? Dem?” I asked.

Dem gave me a confused look. “Demon? Me? Ouch?”

“Uh, it's a role given to you, don't you know?” I asked Dem.

He shook his head, confused about what I'm talking about.

Liam then started to scratch his head. “Now this is getting confusing, can we open one topic at a time please?” He begged. “And can you all hear me out?”

Me and Zachary nodded, while Dem just stayed silent.

Liam sighed.

“So first of all, Dem and Sage don't know about their role— so there's a chance that your memories were wiped off OR they purposely didn't tell you guys your roles. But Dem, yours is pretty obvious, you probably felt how your body is much stronger than normal, and how you can command any weapons you want, like the gun you used to kill Klara, and the guns you used to kill the others.” Liam spoke, pacing back and forth like he is trying to solve a century-worth mystery.

Dem cuts him off, “roles? I thought that these abilities of mine were just a given, that everyone has them.”

Oh, that explains why he ran so fast and dragged me— because he thought I had the same ability as him.

Dem then raised a brow. “So, what's my role?”

“demon.” The three of us spoke.

Dem blinked twice, “a what now?”

“A demon, dude.” Liam rolled his eyes.

“W-why? Damn it! This is freaking insulting.” Dem groaned. “Is it because of my name, like are they targeting me?”

Liam shrugged.

“But it seems like you don't know about your role, so that means… your role could be SOOOO important but you just don't know how to use it.” Liam rolled his eyes again, like he just saw Dem spilled a milk.

“What's up with him, Sage?” Dem looked at me, a bit annoyed.

“He is an information gatherer, low-key, kinda creepy and weird.” I answered. “And Zachary is this some protector thing, he is kinda like Superman? He can't die.”

“Oh wow, an immortal, huh?” Dem glared at Zachary, Zachary did the same too.

Wow, how childish of them.

“So there's two theories why Zachary can't see the ‘illusions’, one— because of his role as the protector, that he is invincible when it comes to the demon’s illusions, or… he doesn't have a bad past.” Liam pointed it out.

I listened carefully.

“Illusions are from the past we don't want to relive… or we want it back, the regrets that we want to forget but keep haunting us. I saw Sage’s illusion, and Dem’s illusion was probably when he went on a killing spree, I had mine before any of you— and Zachary? Nothing.” Liam ‘tsked’.

We all looked at Zachary.

“Well… I certainly… have a bad past, I guess?” Zachary answered.

I guess?

“Well… to be honest, I can't remember a thing.” Zachary gave us an apologetic smile. “I just got here, and that's it.”

Liam and I gave each other a look.

Yup, maybe that's why he doesn't have an illusion.

“So there's people who got their memories erased, but… why?” Liam gave the three of us a confused glare. “Can I check your memories?” Liam asked.

Before I could even nod, Dem spoke and volunteered himself.

“I don't know what you'll do man, but whatever makes this mystery f****d up, I'm down.” Dem stepped in front.

“Woah woah woah! Don't come near me dude, you scare the s**t out of me.” Liam took five steps back. “I can just get inside your memories without touching you, you i***t!”

Dem immediately started to point a gun at Liam. “How would I know?!”

Liam started panicking.

Maybe it's best not to put them in the same room.

“I'll do it.” Zachary volunteered. Dem gave Zachary the look of the devil when he said that, maybe he felt like Zachary was competing with him.

Liam shook his head and stopped Zach. “What's there to look at when you don't even have a memory?”

“Fair enough.” Zachary said, giving up almost instantly.

Zachary looked at me, almost apologetic.

What's there to be sorry about?

Liam spoke again, looking at Dem. “Just don't panic, it'll kick me out of your memories.”

Dem nodded, and looked at me. He smiled, a genuine one at that.

Then, he collapsed.

Liam raised a brow. “That was quick, he didn't panic.” He laughed. “He must really trust you, Sage.”

I raised a brow.

“Huh? What's that gotta do with me?” I asked.

“He looked at you, he chose you to be the last person he sees.” Liam said like it was a romance poetry he was reading.

I scoffed. “You make it sound like it's a good thing.”

“It is.” Zachary spoke. “To think that demons can actually feel this kind of feeling, I guess I misjudged him.”

I shook my head.

What feeling? Tbh, I don't want to know.

But I think I already know, I just don't want to acknowledge it.

“Manhid.” Liam mumbled.

I rolled my eyes.

“Don't act like you're my therapist, Liam.” I glared at him.

“Not your therapist, but I am one.” Liam said, giving me goosebumps. Oh, so he's a real therapist? Not just a stranger who likes reading people like it's their personal hobby.

I walked away. “Just finish your job, I'll check for other survivors— and get some fresh air, even though this maze is full of thorns.”

Zachary didn't stop me, not that he could anyways.

I started walking aimlessly, but I memorized the ways I walked so I can return back to those three idiots.

After walking, the smell of roses and blood doesn't really seem that bad. I walked past some dead bodies, some were familiar— some were not.

Some were teenagers— some were adults. Some were equipped with weapons— some were not and seemed like they were there just to be the prey. Some died by getting shot, but most of them were stabbed to death.

Suddenly, I saw a God— no … a human?

White hair, paper white skin, tall, has freckles, and blue eyes that look like snow.

I was mesmerized.

Is it a girl or a boy?

Bloody hands, but it suits that person.

“Hello?” He looked at me. He didn't seem like he was going to hurt me. A guy with a pretty face— he kinda reminds me of Dem. “Are you here to hurt me?” He asked, innocently.

“That depends…” I answered.

“So you're not?” He asked again.

“Like I said, that depends.” I answered again.

“Depends on what?” He asked.

“If you're going to hurt me first.” I looked at him, not backing out.

“Typical answer.” He criticized my answer. What are you? My professor? “But better than hurting me.”

I nodded.

“So… who are you?” I asked. “I never saw you in the cube, I would remember you since you have that kind of face.”

He smiled. “I was there in the cube, it seems like you didn't see me.”

Huh… he must be far from my sight then.

“You saw me?” I asked.

He shook his head.

I looked behind him.

Wait… is that Rosa?!

“You killed that person behind you?” I asked. I gulped, she was my classmate— but I didn't expect her to die that fast after she pulled that stunt awhile ago.

He nodded. “She tried hurting me first. She seems like she's drugged.” He pointed at her dead body. “You know her?”

I nodded. “A classmate.”

“Your name?” He asked. “I'm Killian, Killian Crimson.”

“How ironic.” I laughed.

Crimson with white and ice-y color? Sure, it must be referring to his bloody hands.

“I'm Sage.” I introduced myself.

“It's nice meeting you Sage, I have a feeling we'll be meeting each other sooner than expected.” He gave me a smile. “Don't you think so?”

“If you're thinking that maybe we're soulmates, sure— I won't mind having a pretty husband.” I joked. But… It seems like he doesn't understand a ‘joke’.

He blinked twice, thrice… “Should I marry you right now?” He asked, almost like a kid who heard a dad joke for the first time.

“Kill!” I heard a female’s voice. “Kill! Where are you?!”

Kill? Killian?

I looked at Killian.

“I am here, Diana.” He said softly and calmly. “What's gotten you so worked up?”

When the Diana girl arrived, she immediately gave me a side eye. “Who is she?” She asked Killian.

Killian looked at me. “My wife.”

My… WHAT?! WIFE?!

I was seriously taken aback that I didn't get to say anything.

“A wife?” Diana asked. “Oh, hello.”

Wait, she believed him?!

“Hi…?” I mumbled.

“Kill, I think you need to bid goodbye to your wife for a while, we're getting chased by them.” Diana said before grabbing Killian’s arm and running away.

Before they left my sight, Killian gave me a warm smile.

What the hell?

So I'm here collecting men who are mentally unstable? What am I? A magnet?

I shook my head, I shouldn't collect more allies… the chances of being betrayed will increase. I can't afford to feel that s**t again.

I walked… and walked.

Dead bodies piled like a trophy those murderers find entertainment.

Some bodies were familiar… some weren't.

I noticed some were still breathing but at the edge of death, while some were brutally murdered.

“Hey, little girl.” I heard a familiar voice.

I immediately looked at my side, seeing an old man, maybe around 40 years old? The same guy who gave me a gun.

I pointed the gun he gave me at him. “Are you going to kill me?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I just survived the illusion, I'm not in the mood to see blood,” he trailed off. “And it'd be too ironic if you kill me with the gun I gave you.”

I didn't put my gun down. “How do you know about the illusion?”

“Pretty obvious, a cheap trick of that demon.” He laughed like he was mocking the demon whom he spoke of. “Your mentality is not strong, huh? Since you can't even fight an illusion.” He mocked me. “Tied to the past?”

That pissed me off.

I shot the wall next to him. “Past or not, it's none of your business.”

“It was nice talking with you girl, but this round is almost up. Better hurry up to your friends.” He spoke. “That Liam guy? Watch out, he ain't the person who you want to trust.”

I raised a brow.

“Why?”

“Because he ain't a normal killer, he's very shitty and witty.” He laughed again, this time… a bit unsettling. “Known him, since he's my student.”

wow, another lore drop?

Why… is everyone connected?

“You're a therapist or a psychology professor?” I asked.

He smirked. “A murderer, darling.”

Suddenly, we heard a siren.

The demon!

“THE GAME HAS ENDED.”

“OUT OF FIFTY PLAYERS, TWENTY-SIX REMAINED.”

“PLEASE GO BACK TO THE SQUARE PLAYERS.”

And then the screen shut.

I looked at the old man. “Name?” I asked.

“Andrew, Andrew Blackbell.” He spoke, like a murderer ready to see blood again. “For what little fairy?”

“Even if I kill you, I at least need my prey’s name.” I spoke before walking away, away from that man with a bloodthirsty aura.

I walked back to the others.

Dem is still unconscious, Zachary carrying him.

“Took you long enough, princess.” Liam rolled his eyes.

I rolled my eyes back, I'm not losing. “Yeah yeah, dad.”

We finally found ourselves back to the square. We were the friends people there, some are probably still stuck in the maze. Finally, a few minutes later a few arrived too, most of them were unfamiliar faces. I guess I never noticed them before because of how many we were… and now down to twenty-six.

After a few more minutes, all twenty-six are here. No one looked weak, some were giving a murderer vibe… some looked like they experienced world war 1 and 2.

Wait…

I remember him!

The blonde guy with freckles and glasses! He looks… absolutely different. Bloody shirt, broken glasses, and messy hair. His gaze… was different. Did the games really changed his perspective of the world?

“Looking at Aaron?” Liam asked me. He whispered, not wanting to draw that much attention from these sickos. “He changed hasn't he?”

I looked at Liam and nodded.

“He never changed, Sage. He has always been like that.” He chuckled. “You're bad at reading people.”

I raised a brow. “Anything worth mentioning about him?”

“He's a sick freak in the head. A pervert, pretending to be an angel… innocent and friendly, someone who probably can't hurt a fly. But he's the total opposite, he murders pretty ladies after taking advantage of them.” Liam spoke, like he is reading a murder case article. “He's… more of a demon than an angel.”

I scoffed, annoyed and angry. “For someone whose name means peace, he sure is getting under my nerves.”

Liam shrugged. “Better thank my very good ability then.”

I noticed Killian next to Diana again.

“Hey, check that guy.” I gestured to Killian. “And that girl.”

Liam raised a brow, quietly checking my expression and body behaviors looking for a sign… a sign to get into my head and read me like an open book. “A crush?” He laughed.

“You're not getting a reaction out of me, Liam. Do your damn job.” I glared at him.

He laughed. “This is my job, reading people.”

“Not me, them!”

“Woah woah, chill out princess, no one wants a barking dog here inside with them.” He put his hands up, teasing me with his sarcastic behaviors.

I can feel my blood boiling. “Did you just compare me to a dog?”

“A cute one at that, maybe… a Chihuahua?” He laughed.

I raised my fist, and he immediately laughed and stepped back. He is still teasing me, huh? Too much for being a calm and reserved therapist.

“Killian… ah, a prince.” Liam raised a brow. “That's nice.”

I gave him a confused look. “His role is a prince?”

Liam slowly looked at me and smirked. “No, he is a real full-blood f*****g prince.”

My jaw dropped.

A DAMN REAL PRINCE?

“Is the girl also a princess?” I asked, looking at Diana. Brunette wavy hair, deep brown eyes that look like she's mother earth’s daughter. Well behaved, and she obviously looks like she can fight.

“No, she's pretty normal. They both don't have a role, which is surprising. Obviously they can both fight, they are freaking smart too, their stats are awesome.” Liam’s eyes sparkled. “I've never seen someone with no role so… perfect.”

“Diana?” I asked.

“Killian von Khrushchev. Our Russian prince…”

Russian?