Chou laughed at our horrified expressions, and I had to cover my mouth as I felt today's meal climbing back up my throat. This hadn't been the first time I witnessed death, but it was a whole other level when the person wasn't even old enough to walk or form words. I was disgusted, angry, but most of all, terrified. If Chou was enough of a monster to slaughter an infant, she definitely wouldn't hesitate for the rest of us.

Yukiko was clinging onto Kimiko with a terrified expression, Reiko was on the floor, sobbing. Koichi, Mitsuo, Itsuki, Nise, and Aimi looked horrified, but I noticed the survivors were different from the rest. They didn't look surprised, or even that scared. They all just had a sad, defeated expression. Apart from Mai, who did in fact look terrified and was clinging to her girlfriend.

"All this despair from a simple useless child?" Chou tilted her head after her laughing fit. "Is this how people are supposed to act? Pitying the young? Wanting to protect them? Huh, I envy this baby."

"That was my son! My son!" Reiko exclaimed, glaring up at the mastermind with tears streaming down her face. "You'll burn in hell for what you've done, you witch! I couldn't just lose my husband and daughter, you had to take Daiki away from me too!"

"Mmhm, hey, it's not my fault my spinner landed on him. It was completely random!" Chou said with a snicker. "I don't pick favourites like Michi did, I see you all as equals~!"

I caught Nise glaring daggers at Chou, which seemed really unlike her. Then again, she had every right to with what was happening.

Chou shook her head. "Nah, that doesn't sound right coming from me... only one person can call him that." She cleared her throat. "Anyways~ if no one is killed in a week, I'll have to just do this again! Every one of your lives is at stake, so don't you think you can get away with doing nothing!"

And with that, the screen flicked off.

Everyone was silent for a few moments before Itsuki took a deep breath, speaking up. "I know this was horrible, but... we can't give up. This just means we have to look harder for a way to get out... I think everyone should help... I know Jirou wouldn't want me to lose hope...."

"He's right." Koichi said, stepping forward. His hands were in the pockets of his green jacket, and though he looked disturbed, he seemed confident as well. "Let's all find a way out together. If it worked in the last killing game, we can do it too!"

"I'm not so sure about that." Toki spoke up, staring at the ground. "Last time, it was different. The mastermind never directly killed anyone, everyone could've lived if no one decided to kill. But Chou..." She paused for a moment. "She murdered the most innocent form of humanity right in front of our eyes, with the excuse that he was chosen at random. Do you really think she would hesitate to slaughter us all if she found it necessary?"

Yukiko looked at her with a shocked expression. "W-what are you saying...? We should just all kill each other?"

Toki slowly shook her head. "Of course not, the best scenario would be for us to all escape together." She looked around at everyone, a small frown on her face. "But if anyone decides it isn't worth the risk... I won't hold it against them."

With that, Toki left the room, and was soon followed by a few others. All I could feel was a sinking dread in the pit of my stomach. The weight of despair.