EXTRAS Thanatophobia -Death Game by Majority- [On Hiatus]

(Sec 2-1) Feeling Antsy (Alt Ending)

Zill's POV

Negotiation

As I entered the lobby, I noticed something strange. Rusty was pacing around the room, biting his thumb. When he noticed me, he called me over.

Rusty: Hey Zill, Wanna... trade tokens...?

He was much quieter than usual. He seemed to force those words out of himself. He was sweating bullets as he couldn't look me in the eye.

Rusty: How many... you want? I'll... I'll give ya 40. Just give me 10. You have 10, right...? Not a bad deal for ya, I'm sure. You got those tokens, right?

I stared at him for a good moment. I wanted to say no. I wanted to refuse but... it was a good deal.

Zill: Y... Yes...?

I couldn't stop those words from coming out. Rusty stared at me with wide eyes. Suddenly he yelled.

Rusty: Just 10 tokens is fine! Just trade 'em to me! I'll... I'll give you 40... It's perfect for you...

He began to breath heavily.

Zill: True... That's a good deal for me- ngh!

My mouth moved on its own again. A sharp pain pieced my brain. Rusty didn't seem to notice.

Rusty: Sure is. Definitely good for you. What am I thinking?

What's happening to me? Those tokens...

Zill: What's wrong with you Rusty? You're acting really strange.

Rusty cringed.

Rusty: Strange... me... Course not... I'm just a little tired. That's it...

Zill: But why 40? That's just an uneven trade.

Rusty's eyes widened as he stammered.

Rusty: W-Why the hell are you making a big deal 'bout this? My tokens have no value to me. Better for others to have them, y'know. Let's just trade. Right now!

The air grew heavy as the room began to darken. I felt it again... Those tokens... The darkness in my heart. My greed... My need... I can't let it win. Rusty's definitely planning something.

Zill: Hold on a sec...! This is definitely weird...!

Rusty growled.

Rusty: You're just imagining things! It's just a normal trade! I wouldn't just screw you guys over... Trust me...

He stared at me... not with rage... it was desperation.

Zill: But...

Rusty: Please, Zill... I'll... give you 40 tokens, you just have to give me 10. Will ya trade?

He stared at me waiting for my response. 40 tokens... for just my last 10... No... We could probably use those later... NO.... If we can find that exit ticket... NO... We could leave this place behind and get back to Kayla... NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Zill: I get it. Let's just trade.

I handed him 10 of my Me-tokens as he handed me 40 of his. He sighed out heavily and forced a grin. He looked a little paler as his eyes shrunk a bit.

Rusty: Hehe... Welp... I've got places to go... See ya!

He then walked away, his body quivering, toward the hallway with that weird vending machine. I,on the other hand... just froze there... my heart beat pounding in my head. I stumbled onto a nearby couch. I sighed heavily, feeling whatever possessed me earlier slowly left. My tail wrapped around me, as if trying to comfort me. I took a quick glance at him... a frown was plastered on his face. My body trembled like it would fall apart at any moment. I felt sweat begin to pour down my face. I can't believe that just happened. Why...? Why did I do that?! It felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest at any moment. I was filled with a dark inky aura that drowned me in nothing but sorrow and self pity. I bit my lip until I drew some blood. I felt my eyes begin to well up. I wanted to cry... I wanted to scream but... Other than my self hatred... My mind also wandered to Rusty. His behavior was, needless to say... strange... Almost... eerie. Ever since we lost the laptop... Rusty has been acting differently. I noticed that he went toward that vending machine hallway. I should go look at what he's doing. I gathered all my strength to fight off my self-loathing. I slowly stumbled toward the hallway. Then I froze at a sound that echoed through the hallway. The sound of tokens being inserted into a vending machine. I saw Rusty, huddled over by the vending machine, slowly inserting one token after the other.