Killing Game Quarter

Chapter 6: The Sleepless and The Broken Part 6

Once Urkstin and I had finished our paintings, I suggested getting something to eat, since it was getting close to nighttime based on my own hunger. We both agreed and made our way to the cafeteria together. Once we arrived there, I was surprised to see a lack of people there, and a quick glance at the clock told me why no one was there.

“Oh s**t, it’s already almost nighttime.” I called out, causing the both of us to grab our food and rush back towards the cell block. We both said our goodnights as we entered the block, and split off to enter our own cells. I walked into my own, and sat down at my desk, eating and drinking coffee. 

From the corner of my eye, I spotted it again.

‘I would like to see you try’ Written on the paper. Even ripped in half, I could feel the menace emanating off of it, and I wiped it off my desk to try and get rid of it. Once I had finished eating, it was only a few moments before a familiar announcement came on.

“Attention Contestants,” The Loudspeaker rang, leaking out that familiar condescending tone, “It is now nighttime. Hopefully you are all in your cells.” 

After that, the Loudspeaker shut off, and I hopped into my bed to try and sleep through the rest of the night. Slowly, I drifted into sleep, as the comforting feeling of losing myself in slumber overtake me… 

But then it came back to me.

The memories.

The nightmares.

The bodies.

My parents.

All of it rushed back into my head, and flashed in my mind, forcing me out of my sleep, gasping for air.

… 

I tried again. I tried to go back to sleep, and the same images came by again. I woke up again, feeling so much worse, being forced to remember those terrible things just from sleeping. 

I got out of bed, and tried to concentrate on my surroundings. I slowly made my way to my desk, and sat down, trying not to think about any of it. I had no way of knowing what time it was, so I just sat at my desk, trying not to fall back asleep.

Eventually I picked up the two halves of the paper I tossed away, and got out a pencil, before writing down two questions.

‘Who is the person on the Loudspeaker’

‘How do we get out of here?’

Both questions were written sloppily, but I couldn’t have been bothered to fix it, as I started to write down theories and ideas on the papers, trying to figure out answers, and countermeasures for this killing game. Unfortunately, barely any of them were eligible because of how tired I was, but in my fatigued mind, they were brilliant and thought provoking.

During the entire night, I slipped in and out of consciousness, waking up right after breaking into the dream state of sleep, due to those terrible nightmares. I don’t know how many times I fell and woke up again, but by the time the morning announcement came on, I was not feeling any less fatigued.

“Attention Contestants,” Broke me out of any reasonable sleep I might have been getting, as the Loudspeakers rang as they turned on, “It is now morning. I hope you all slept well.”

That was the first time I had ever heard the morning announcement, but it was not a welcome change. My brain was fried and I stumbled my way out of my cell, turning to see everyone staring at me, presumably in shock.

“This is certainly a surprise. Grand rising Ms. Aka.” Liam spoke, exiting his cell with a yawn. I gave him the most half assed wave I could muster, as I started wobbling down the stairs with everyone else.

“Aka Shaka Laka’s awake?!” Poppy shouted, zooming out of her cell, meeting with the rest of the group, “How the hell didja manage that?” 

“Guess I just got lucky.” I slurred, as we all exited the cell block as a group, for the first time since we first woke up here.

“So, is today motive day?”Akira questioned, looking between myself and Mia.

“If the person behind this follows the same pattern for these motives, then most likely.” Mia responded, crossing her arms.

“I do sincerely hope that we are all mentally prepared for whatever will be announced today.” Liam said, looking around at all of us. I tried to avoid eye contact as best as possible.

“Even if we all are, there’s no way to predict what kind of sick motive they’re going to give us.” Mia retorted.

“Might as well be optimistic.” Poppy muttered, glancing over to me.

“That reminds me actually, Urkstin, how was your painting?” Liam questioned, looking back at Urkstin.

“Oh! Well, I haven’t finished it, but it’s a painting of a bike, and it looks all psychedelic!” Urkstin announced, proud of his painting.

“Well now ya got my interest. I wanna see it after breakfast!” Poppy responded, “I’m sure Aka does too, right?”

“Huh?” I murmured, not even listening about the painting I’ve seen already, “Oh, yeah, sure.”

“She sounds so enthusiastic.” Mia remarked, as we reached the cafeteria. We all walked in, and gathered our food, sitting down and eating.

“So, before the motive gets announced, did you guys wanna have another friendship circle talk?” Urkstin suggested.

“Ooo, yeah yeah! I have a topic we can talk about!” Poppy chirped, hopping up.

“What is it?” Liam prompted.

“Wellllll, since I know there’s been a lot of stuff goin’ around about our loved ones, and loss, and..” She trailed off, realizing that she was getting off topic, “But anyways, I think we need a more friendly environment about all of that, so I say we talk about our favorite childhood memories!”

…Please no. My mind started working again as I chugged down a cup of coffee, and after hearing Poppy’s idea. I looked around at everyone else, most of whom were nodding.

“I appreciate that idea, and I do think it would help us learn more about each other, and bring out more positive feelings.” Liam backed up the suggestion, and I could feel my heart sinking. Surprisingly, there was another person who looked worried about this topic...