𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒈𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆
𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕
𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆
♧.♤.♡.♢
I leave the security room and get back into the wild. So many bodies lying lifeless on the ground. The red blood is more prominent than any other color. The iron scent fills my nose and makes me want to throw up. For a moment I feel like stopping. Like giving up and falling not wanting to participate in this carnage anymore
But I keep searching. Because this isn't about saving my life anymore, this is way bigger
When I reach the fifth floor, I hear gunshots and someone shouting from the corridor on my left
'Joe!'
I instantly recognize Tata's voice, so I run and turn around the corner. I see him standing in the middle of the way, his back facing me. Someone with a gun is pointing at him
'Tata!' He doesn't hear me and runs to the guy in front of him. Straddling him down on the ground as he hits him multiple times in a row until the boy falls unconscious
I am shocked by his sudden gain of confidence but smile, I walk up to him. 'Told you you were a big boy' I say chuckling and patting his hair
'Ameya?' He looks at me surprised. 'We need to find Arisu' He tells me panicked
'Calm down okay, I know where he is but we have to find Usagi first' I tell him and he nods
He gets up and we walk around the many hallways trying to find the sportive girl. But unfortunately, the girl we found at the other end of the hallway isn't Usagi but a girl who made an alliance with the militants
Tata begins to run, confidently, thinking he stood a chance but the girl shoots a few times missing the young boy from only a few millimeters
I feel my protective instinct taking over, needing to protect the young boy. 'Tata, get down!' I yell at him and he immediately falls to the ground. I don't waste a second and pull the trigger, almost missing her but the bullet lands in her shoulder and she falls to the ground in pain
I run to the boy, his head is still down and his body is shaking. I put my hands under his arms and help him get back. 'Hey, hey, hey! Tata you okay?!' I ask concerned he might actually have been shot
He nods rapidly a few times. 'I'm fine, I'm okay' He says
I let him go and run my hand through my hair relieved. 'Good'
'Tata!' Another voice calls from the end of the other hallway. I turn around and face Usagi once again
She runs to us ignoring me but hugs the little boy. 'Tata, are you okay?'
'Yeah Ameya saved me' He reassures her and she looks at me
With my two fingers against my forehead, I wave to her as a sign of greeting. 'Arisu is somewhere on the fourth floor of the main hall' I tell her straightforwardly but she looks at me eyebrows furrowed not trusting me
'I believe her Usagi', the boy tells her
'You shouldn't. She betrayed us. It's her fault if Arisu's in danger' She tells him angrily
'She's a heart player, what did you expect? And yet look at her, she here saving me and helping you save Arisu', he says
She looks at me unsure. 'It better be the truth' she says with gritted teeth
I nod at her and look at the boy again. 'Here, take this' I hand my gun to Tata but he looks at it hesitating. 'You got this'. He takes a seconde but finally takes the gun
'See you later, I still have a witch to find' I tell them before parting ways
I succeeded in finding Usagi to tell her where Arisu was being held. Now they had to do the rest alone and I had to find the witch
⛤
I run again, feeling my legs hurting from how many stairs I had to climb up and down. I reach the lobby's balcony and look down. Momoka's body hasn't moved. The witch, who could be the witch? Who's the least likely to be the witch?
Most obvious would be the militants, the executives and her friend
Least obvious, everyone else from the Beach or someone out
But that's still too many possibilities. I need to think deeper into the game. Come on Ameya think like the witch, think like the mastermind of this game. What would I do if I had to create the hardest of heart games?
If I created the game I wouldn't make the witch one of the members of the Beach. It would be too easy, either the witch would break and reveal themself, or the possibility of accidentally having a militant kill the right person is too big
If I really wanted to be sadistic, I'd create this game in a way where they don't actually need to kill anyone, but let them think they have to. I'll let them kill each other until there isn't anyone standing anymore
Because if I was the mastermind I'd want to cause as many deaths as possible. And the way to make this is to put the answer right under their nose but let madness take over their sanity so they wouldn't even notice. I'd make the witch the only person they wouldn't even think of
I'd make the witch... the victim
Fuck, Momoka is the witch!
As the realization hit me, my eyes widen and I smile brightly. 'I have to find Chishiya'
⛤
I left the balcony in a hurry and ran to the screen room. I flew the door open 'Chishiya I found the witch!' but I stare at an empty room. 'Chishiya?' I ask worriedly, but no answer, he isn't there
I walk closer to the screen and try to find him in the footage. I look at every screen, every image, every hallway, room... And I find him. Of course, that's where he would be, the rooftop. I was about to turn around when I notice something else on the screen. He isn't alone, somewhere in the shadow stands Niragi
I have a bad feeling, panic rushes through my veins and I storm out of the room once again and look at the stairs and sight. 'More climbing, great'
I climb the stairs two by two, I am exhausted, my legs burn, my throat is dry, I am sweating but I don't stop, I can't stop, I don't have the time. So I keep running, I keep climbing. I don't even pay attention to what is going on anymore. The whole Beach could be on fire I wouldn't notice. All I had in mind, was going to that rooftop
And I finally make it. My hand is on the doorknob, I am out of breath and feel like I am about to pass out. I twist it and open the door
There they are. Chishiya's left side is facing me, while Niragi is in front of him, rifle in hand. I hear Chishiya speak
'I'm talking about who the witch is, of course. What else do we need to care for?'
'So you're insinuating that I am the witch right? Sorry but that's not possible' Niragi says laughing
'Only the executives have information on the main power supply management. In the first place, only you guys have the key to access the underground. So I'll kill all executive members, starting with you'
My heart accelerates. I don't like where this is going. This can't end well
Niragi aims his rifle in Chishiya's direction. 'Do you think that I can't aim at a short range with this rifle?'
Chishiya only says. 'Yep'
Then everything happens too fast
Chishiya runs to Niragi, but just before he could be shot, he throws the deck of cards in the air distracting Niragi for a second. A bullet escapes Niragi's rifle and misses Chishiya by an inch as he jumps in the air
He takes out of his vest the plastic gun I saw him traffick
He pulls the trigger and a giant flame erupts out directly on Niragi
'Nooooooo!' I cry out as I run to reach Niragi, but as he tries to fight the fire, he trips and falls over screaming in pain
I drop down just before the edge and watch him go down. My eyes burning with tears seeing his body drowning in fire
My breath speeds up, my heart is aching, my vision is blurry. I can't hear anything else other than his screams of pain. I can't smell anything else other than his burning flesh
No. It can't be real. This isn't- It's a nightmare. I must be asleep. I-I can't-
I feel a light touch on my shoulder 'Ameya...'
I turn around violently and throw his hand away 'Don't you dare touch me!' I cry out hyperventilating. 'You killed him' More tears escape my eyes
'Ameya please listen to me-'
But I stand up and push him not wanting to listen. 'You killed him!'
'Ameya, plea-' I push him again and again. He doesn't even try to stop me, he let me take out my pain on him so I stop and take a step closer to him. My eyes are burning as I look at his cold ones
'Why did you do this?' I ask feeling like a fire is rising in my chest
'He wasn't the one you used to know anymore. Even you went to kill him earlier'
'Yes, but I didn't! I didn't because even after everything he did I still fucking cared about him!' I yell feeling a mix of sadness and anger
'You shouldn't have' He says calmly but with how close our bodies are I could feel his heart storming in his chest
'Well obviously I don't have control over what my heart cares about, otherwise, I would have left you a long time ago' I say crying
'Emotions as weakness' He says coldly. But this isn't right. He can't give me the same treatment, he gives the others. I know better
'Even if you supposedly don't feel anything, you're smart, you know what is right and what isn't'
'This is pathetic Ameya, you know better than to let someone have power over your heart'
I shake my head. 'You are the pathetic one Chishiya, with your stupid stone-cold heart.'
My sadness is now long gone. Now I am furious. I am burning
'And why is that? No one is born like this so your behavior has to do with something that happened. Is it your daddy? Hasn't he given you enough attention? Is it because you had to force yourself to be numb during your medical studies? Is it because you don't want people to see how pathetic and empty you are?!!!!'
I stop and take a deep breath, he hasn't moved, just stares at me, but his eyes were saying so many things and he knew I could read behind his eyes.
I put my finger on his chest. 'You are no one to decide whether your life is worth more than another' I let my hand fall. 'You say you hated Niragi but you are no better than him. And that's why you killed him, you hated him because he reminded you of yourself. And you couldn't take it'
He knows I am right so he looks down as I take a step back
'I really thought I could trust you.' I say just above a whisper. 'I hate you'
He looks at me again and for the time I can see something in his eyes, that I had never seen before
Pain
⛤
It was a heart game and mine had paid the price. Now that Niragi was gone, what was left of me was pure rage. Fire spreads fast, and his set me ablaze. All I wanted was for this game to be over. I will be the one to end it
I walk down the stairs of the lobby and hear someone whistle at me. I turn around and see the last person I wanted to find, Yuri
'Mamamia you look good like that. It's a shame I couldn't get a hold of you before tonight. But luck seems to be on my side' he says licking his lips
But right now is clearly the worst moment for him, especially after all I have been through tonight
I walk in his direction
'Wow, so you want a round two then sugar? Will you scream and cry like the first time?' he asks arrogantly and I smile
'Oh definitely'
I run and launch myself at him pushing him to the ground. I throw the first punch but he is quick and puts his arms in front of his face to block my hits. He then flips us over so he is now over me
'Oh I'm getting some flashbacks' he says as he holds my hands over my head
He might be stronger than me but that's nothing compared to the fury inside me. So I turn my head to my left side, open my mouth and sink my teeth into his flesh, tasting the metal liquid. He screams in pain and lets go of my hands. I take advantage of it and push him off me. I get up and wipe my mouth
'You're crazy!' He says approaching me angrily.
I notice him putting more pressure on his left foot. I injured in right hand, aka his dominant hand. So now, if he wants to throw a punch at me he has to do it with his weak hand, which means putting pressure on his left leg
Since he isn't used to that position, he is way more clumsy. So it leaves me more time to react and as his left hand is about to hit. I duck and avoid it and take the opportunity to hit him in the crotch. Earning a growl from him
But I am not done, just as he composes himself again and is about to swing once more. I kick his left knee making an awful sound as it breaks
He falls to the ground and I jump on him. I reach into my back pocket and take out my butterfly knife. I flip it open
'Who's the one screaming and crying now sugar?' I say and stab him in the stomach. I take the knife out and stab it again, earning more screams at each wound I create. The screams are addictive, it feels good. So I keep stabbing him. I feel his hot blood on my hands, on my face and I can't get enough
I stab
stab
stab
stab-
I feel two hands pulling me away but I fight against it. I want more
'Ameya! Stop it!'
I was about to stab once more but stop when I realize it was Tata. I look at him and see the fear on his face, but I don't care, I have something else in mind. I look at his hands and see the precious object I gave him
I reach for it and take it away without leaving him the time to understand. Hold the gun with my two hands, aim it at Yuri
And shot that motherfucker in the head
Outside, the Fire of Judgment had doubled in size. With some legs and arms sticking out of it, a real bonfire. I push myself off the bloodbath I've created, my body is covered in blood and my heart is still aflame. I make one with landscape
I didn't even realize it but the time is almost over, there are fifteen minutes left. Some of the people left are gathered back in the lobby but they look absolutely terrified. I know what I did and what I look like right now could be shocking, but it's not me they seem to be worried about
I feel a presence by my side and when I look to my left I see Aguni standing there. Behind us stands the other militants, all holding guns aimed at the terrified players
'Kill them all' He orders
The players take a few steps back thinking if they are a few meters away the bullets might not be deadly. But no bullets are fired
I hear a militant speak behind me. 'Jun... I can't do this anymore'
'We've gone too far to stop' His friend tells him. 'There's no way we can return to our original lives after killing so many people'
And to this, Aguni kicks him in the knee making him fall. 'You heard me, right? Anyone who goes against me is a witch' He says aiming at the man on the ground
'Please don't shoot me!'
The witch. I had forgotten all about it. I had forgotten why this mass killing was happening
'Stop the killing already!' Someone shouts from behind the players. They pull apart and Arisu walks in helped by Usagi
I make eye contact with the girl and she nods at me, I do the same in return
'Let's end this game' he says 'I- I was confined by you guys, the enter time, even when the murder occurred. I'm sure you know. I couldn't have been the witch. If you are not the witch, then there is no need to kill me. Please cooperate with me and search for the witch!'
Aguni walks to him and hit him in the face with his gun and kicks him away. He goes for him again but Usagi tries to stop him
'Stop it!'
But he simply pushes her to the side. He takes Arisu by his shirt and lift him up to his feet
'Now I know' The girl says. 'The reason you attacked Arisu, even though he is the only one with an alibi. That's because you're the witch!'
I laugh at her assumptions. Aguni hits the boy again and he falls on the girl 'Arisu!'
A man from the crowd then speaks up. 'You... Are you the witch?' he asks the leader
'Yes, I am the witch' Aguni reveals
But I know he isn't. Yet the fact that he lies about it and tries to make the people kill him is strange. There is something behind it. Like there is something behind Hatter's death...
The militants then all aim their guns at him and he lets his gun fall down before walking over to a militant and press the gun against his chest
'Shoot me' But the boy doesn't 'DO IT!'
'Shoot him!'
'Aguni is not the witch' I speak up. 'This is a ten of Heart game! A game that toys with people's feelings'. They all look at me. 'It's not a game you win by killing Aguni!'
He turns to look at me
'You are not the witch. So why? That's because you have another motive. The one you killed, was not Momoka. It was Hatter' I pause and look into his eyes, after Hatter's death, his eyes changed, his all self changed.
'You are not dumb. Yet you wanted to kill everyone right from the start. That's not like you. You must have had another motive in mind.
Ever since I arrived at the Beach, I thought it was strange. If you had this many firearms, the militants would have gained control over the Beach a long time ago. Yet that didn't happen until now. Until Hatter dies and you were forced to take a role you didn't want.
In reality, you weren't in conflict with Hatter at all. Didn't you both actually help each other? You wanted to make sure that the other militants wouldn't go on a rampage. You tried to hold them back'
I walk a little closer to him
'You and Hatter. You were best friends in reality, right?' I ask and see his eyes flicker, indicating I was right. 'Then why did you kill him? For some reason, you couldn't forget Hatter for what he did. You wanted to stop Hatter and his madness.'
Arisu walks next to me. 'You wanted your best friend to regain his senses'
'What would you know!?' he shouts at him and holding his collar and punches him
Tata and Usagi try to stop him in vain and go back for Arisu. But the boy talks to him 'I understand the pain in your eyes. You killed your friend. And so you wanted to kill everyone at the Beach because they were the ones that made your friend go crazy'
'Your broken feelings. The game master made use of them' I tell him 'That's why this is a Heart game'
'Shut up!' He cries out and let go of Arisu to look at me
'If that's true, then Aguni just wanted to kill everyone regardless of the game?' A boy from the crowd asks
'And we went along we that?' Another one from the militants says feeling ashamed
Usagi looks at me. 'Then who is the witch?'
'It's a Heart game. What would be crueler than to make us look for the victim's killer, when the killer is actually the victim herself? No one had to die. The witch is Momoka herself'
'Momoka struck the knife into herself?' A girl asks
'Yes. If I were a Heart game master, I would come up with this idea' I tell her
Aguni comes to me furiously and pushes me 'What a joke! I am the witch!' He turns to face the others. 'You guys want to kill me, right?'. But they all back away so he goes for one and starts a huge fight
'Listen up everyone!' Asahi, Momoka's friend, yells and everyone stops. 'I'm the dealer of this game!' As soon as the sentence leaves her lips, the red laser goes through her head and she drops dead
The whole hall is silent, she just revealed that she was part of the organization. That a player was behind this game. If she was among us all this time, then who else do we have to beware?
'It was a reverse grip!' Ann says breaking the silence, entering the Hall with Kuina's help. I smile sadly when I see her.
Ann's holding in the air the knife that took Momoka's life. 'Fingertips with a reverse grip were found on the knife. This means, Momoka grabbed the knife herself and stabbed it through her own chest.
She's the witch.'
This definitely ends Aguni's attempt to make people believe him
'Was Momoka really the game master?' A girl asks
'That girl also said she's the dealer' A boy points to Asahi. 'So were we just being toyed with by them?'
'But she's human, just like the rest of us. Ordinary humans...' Tata says
'The two of them... They might have been controlled by someone else too' Usagi says
But I lose track of what they are saying when I notice Chishiya standing on the side, looking at me proudly with a sad grin. I keep starring at him, and he keeps starring at me
What brings me back to reality is someone screaming. 'The fire is spreading!'
I broke away from his gaze and look to where the fire is. And the whole facade of the lobby's balcony is burning down to ashes
'RUN!'
'Move the body to the Fire of Judgment!' Kuina yells. 'Hurry up!' This is the last step, If it isn't accomplished in the last two minutes. We're all dead
A boy rushes to Momoka's body, but his own body drops dead from a gunshot. Another one falls. More gunshots
I look into the fire and see someone with a torch and a gun. A shirt around their face, his face... Niragi... He is still alive
'I should have just burned down the whole Beach with the fire of Judgment! With this, I'll clear the game!' He yells and throws his torch, then fires again yelling. Everyone runs away in all directions trying to escape Niragi and the fire
But he suddenly stops and looks at somewhere in particular. Or more like someone... I turn to look at who he is looking at and see Chishiya standing there, only a few feet away from me, his hand raised triyng to reach for me
'You fucker! You tried to kill me! But I am still standing. And I will kill you' He lifts his gun up, aims in Chishiya's direction
My brain stops and my heart takes control. I don't know what I do, but I make the most important game move
And because in chess, the Queen's job is to protect the King
My body moves on its own and I found myself standing in front of Chishiya, my back facing him as I face the lethal weapon
Only a second after I feel the most excruciating pain in my left side chest, close to my heart. Ironic isn't it? I feel my whole body weaken, my legs failing to hold my weight as fall to the ground
I never thought I would die for someone else. That I'd feel like their life would be worth more than my own. That I'd rather die for them than leave without them
Yet here I am taking a bullet for Chishiya, laying down, the castle burning around me
His eyes were the last thing I saw before I drifted away
⛤
𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒕
𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆