(Extra TW for this chapter: implied drug usage)

***

I can't help it; I scream.

Tyler lies motionless on the ground, blood oozing from the bullet hole in his head.  [REDACTED] hadn't even used the voodoo dolls this time; he flat-out shot Tyler like it was nothing.  It's scary, how a football player can be so massive, strong, powerful... but at the end of the day, they have the same weakness as the rest of us.

A bullet to the head is still fatal.

I cautiously step around his large, limp body, still astounded by how just last week, I was in the stands at a football game watching as he demolished opponent after opponent.  (Obviously I was there for my boyfriend, not Tyler, just making that clear.)  And now here he is, dead on the floor, having just been shot by a serial killer forcing us to answer trivia questions.  This whole thing is absolutely absurd and surreal.  I feel nauseous.  Really nauseous, actually.  I use the wall to steady myself, but it doesn't prevent the vomit from spilling out of my mouth onto the ground, landing dangerously close to my white sneakers, which have already been stained by blood from being in this h*llhole.

"Alright, it's time to keep moving." [REDACTED] has finished fixing his voice filter and hood, and he drops a one-eyed red doll into the puddle of blood beside Tyler.  

I finish throwing up, then compose myself.  I cannot be the one to overreact right now, it would be way too embarrassing.  I exchange looks with Gabriella, and we exit the room together.  Honestly, I'm so glad my best friend is here with me.  It makes being here a tiny bit less terrifying, even though I'm very much traumatized having witnessed four murders plus the severing of a finger.  Still, if you're ever in a situation like this, make sure to have a friend with you.

"Anywho... which of the following Taylor Swift songs uses the word 'love' the most number of times in its lyrics?  One, 'Mine', two, 'Today was a Fairytale', three, 'Teardrops on My Guitar', or four, 'Our Song'."

I immediately start speeding through the lyrics of each song, and quickly remember that the answer is number two.  I look towards Gabriella, who glances up from her whiteboard to meet my eyes.  It's clear that she knows the answer, too.  I exhale quietly before writing down my answer.

"Looks like we've got some real Swifties in here," [REDACTED] comments when he sees me and Gabriella's boards. "And this is where the saying 'girls rule, boys drool' comes from." He gestures towards the incorrect answers on Eryn and Nathan's boards.  

I stay right next to Gabriella as we enter a new room.  There's a small table with a flickering oil lamp, and there's a stack of chairs in the corner.  [REDACTED] sets a chair on either side of the table and tells Nathan and Eryn to sit.

"This game is less skill or strategy and more about communication.  At least, that's what it is on a good day for you two." [REDACTED] looks at each player before continuing "This is a game I call 'Decisions, decisions'.  Let's say there is a heaping pile of cash sitting on the ground next to you two.  You have two options- take the cash or don't.  If you both take the cash, you both die.  If you both don't take the cash, neither of you die.  And if one of you takes it, the one who didn't dies.  Maybe you two want to talk it out first."

I then notice two small boxes attacked to the wall.  They are split open to reveal nails embedded in their walls.  [REDACTED] carefully sets a blue shark doll in one and a yellow octopus doll in the other.

"Alright, go ahead, talk to each other if you want."

Neither Nathan nor Eryn makes eye contact at first.  Finally, Eryn builds up the courage to speak.

"Nathan," he says slowly.

"Eryn," Nathan replies coolly, finally locking his heterochromatic gaze on his opponent.

"This isn't the best situation for either of us to be in, and you know it.  I think the right decision here is for us both to not take the cash and to spare each other." Eryn's voice trembles slightly as he speaks.  I'm not sure why this is the part of the whole murder-trivia-thing that makes him the most nervous.

"What makes you think I'd do that?" Nathan asks, his expression revealing nothing.

"Nothing, really.  I'm just willing to put our... rivalry... aside for the sake of sparing each other's lives.  I couldn't live with the guilt if I caused your death, even if we aren't on the best of terms-"

"No sh*t, *sshole.  You're a f*cking traitor, that's what you are.  You've been nothing but a sorry little b*tch, and you deserve everything that's coming to you." Nathan leans forward, his teeth gritted, and his expression of utter rage.

"F*cking excuse me?!" Eryn shoots back. "You've been a toxic pr*ck to me since day one, and I'm embarrassed by how long it took me to realize what a manipulative piece of sh*t you are."

"Ooh, I love drama," [REDACTED] says to me and Gabriella. "Can I interest either of you ladies in some snacks while we let this play out?"

"Yeah, no," I immediately decline. 

When we shift our attention back to the boys, their voices are now raised, and they're both standing up.

"YOU KNOW WHAT?  I'M GLAD I TURNED YOU AND YOUR DEALER IN," Eryn yells.

"YOU THINK THAT I GOT IN TROUBLE?  MONEY IS POWER, ERYN!  WHICH WAS WHY THAT TEACHER CAUGHT YOU MAKING OUT IN THE BATHROOM WITH THAT JUNIOR," Nathan shouts.

"THAT'S WHY?!" 

"YOU REALLY THOUGHT I'D LET YOU GET OFF THE HOOK THAT EASILY AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ME?!"

"OH PLEASE, YOU'RE STILL TRYING TO BLAME IT ON ME AFTER ALL THIS TIME?!  SEE, YOUR TOXIC-*SS MANIPULATION IS THE EXACT REASON WHY WE BROKE UP!" Eryn tenses up right after he says that. "Well sh*t."

"Oh snap, this is getting good," [REDACTED] comments.

Nathan is eerily silent for a moment.  And when he speaks, his tone is oddly calm. "I suppose you might've been right, Eryn.  And as for wanting to keep all of that a secret... I should've expected that it would get out eventually.  Anyways, I'm sorry... for losing my temper like that.  Just this once, I'll make it up to you... by not taking the cash."

Eryn doesn't move for a moment.  Finally, he nods and begins to scribble on his whiteboard.  

"D*mnit, I was hoping for more drama," [REDACTED] complains. "Anyways, I guess I have to check your boards or whatever."

But as soon as he sees Nathan's whiteboard and his body posture shifts ever-so-slightly, I realize exactly what happened.

Nathan chose to take the cash.

Eryn seems to realize what happened at the same time that I do, and his expression falls.  He's victim to Nathan's manipulation once again.  He lets out a deep sigh, realizing his fatal mistake way too late.

Nathan stands up and approaches the spiked box holding the yellow octopus doll before [REDACTED] can make a move.  His brown-and-blue eyes dig into Eryn, but his expression remains almost entirely blank except for a slight flicker of sadistic triumph.  Eryn stands up, knocking his chair over as he takes a step towards Nathan, opening his mouth to say something, but Nathan has already slammed the spiked doors in on the doll.  Red blossoms begin to bloom across Eryn's body, spanning from his legs to his arms.  But the worst one is right in his neck, and as he tries to say something, he begins to choke on his own blood.  Blood drips down his limbs and onto the ground, forming small puddles.  As Eryn gasps for air, Nathan just stares at him.  I can't do anything but stare as well.

Eryn steadies himself against the wall, trying to find the strength to say something.  He's choking, blood spilling out of his mouth as he looks Nathan dead in the eyes and manages to get out four hoarse words.

"Go to h*ll, Nathan."

Nathan holds his gaze. "I'll see you there, Eryn."

Then Eryn slumps to the ground, unmoving except for the blood still trickling out of the wounds from the spikes.  I shake my head, shocked at what I just witnessed.  I look towards Nathan, who is already turning to leave.  Even [REDACTED] is stunned, staring at the bloody mess in front of him and trying to process what the f*ck just happened.  I look at Gabriella, and she meets my gaze with terrified brown eyes.  I squeeze her hand reassuringly as I try to steady my breathing.

I thought [REDACTED] was a monster, but there's no doubt that Nathaniel Young is on that exact same level.

(1440 words)

This was a fun chapter to write :)

Well, only three left!  Who do you think will win?