The cat... talks... mayhaps?

Hello! This is Blue here. Had to move to this account a while back due to my email not being the best one to use on a tumblr account.

She/her!

MINOR.

Don't bother spreading hate on my account, you WILL get blocked. I am a proud supporter of POC rights, trans rights, queer rights, women's rights, and the like.

Current brainrot: project hail mary

Fic writer! AU masterpost coming soon!

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I spoiler tag the best I can for major reveals! Have any spoiler tags you need to on

Tag tour

#blue talks - put-together analysis, theories, etc as well as updates

#blue talks (derogatory) - all the silly incoherent posts

#DR anachronism - my fangan, originally a tetro fic living under the #histories rewritten AU tag.

#non canon anachronism stuff - all non-canon anachronism art and writing, such as birthday art and MH:IR

#vanishing 16 AU - Tetro ghost AU

#murderers' row AU - Hama-centric time loop AU (I love him you guys)

#blue's tetro AUs - assorted AUs without a title. Current population: 3 (Watari Tamba Tsuno Hayashi magical girl AU ft. Penguin Yanagi and supervillain Hasegawa and Okazaki, tetrojackets AU, warrior cats AU)

#blue's wips - original fiction!

#blue's ___________ reblogs - the fandom reblogs

#blue answers asks - in which I answer your much wanted questions!

#blue asks a question - polls

#mh international reach - au of an au made with oomfie, included under #non canon anachronism stuff

#tetro reborn au - the ocfication of the tetro AUs... which will soon move to #DR: maximum security

#there is joy and whimsy about - joy and whimsy!

Yes, despite the current situations, the Tetro aus AND PJ:EG analysis/theory posts will remain up. They were things I liked at the time, but don't expect them to continue on in the state they were in at the time.

[TW: Discussion of parentification, implied mentions of racial and misogynistic discrimination, discussion of familial abuse, discussion of death and suicide.]

[MAIA]: Yo. 

[MONODOODLE]: Hello, Maia! You’ve been selected as the tenth of your peers to recieve a student spotlight. 

[...]

[MAIA]: … okay. 

[MONODOODLE]: You’re not excited? 

[MAIA]: I just wanna get this done and over with. 

[MONODOODLE]: Me too. So right into question one--what is your favourite colour?

[MAIA]: [scoffs] seriously? That’s it? 

[MONODOODLE]: Yep! 

[MAIA]: Uh… red.

[...]

[MONODOODLE]: That’s it? 

[MAIA]: Yeah? 

[MONODOODLE]: I figured you’d be the type to go a little fancier with it. Like… vermillion. Or wine. Or burgundy. 

[MAIA]: Those are all just… red for weird people. I like red. It’s classic. 

[MONODOODLE]: Okay. Question two--why did you choose to defend Evan in the trial, knowing you and your loved ones would likely die for him?

[...]

[MAIA]: I… didn’t really wanna think about that part. 

[MONODOODLE]: I figured. 

[MAIA]: I guess I just wanted to be useful for once. I wanted to go out protecting someone. And I feel like I failed him. [mumbling] Like I fail everyone. 

[MONODOODLE]: Are you going to keep having a pity party or can we be done with this? 

[MAIA]: Just keep going. 

[MONODOODLE]: Question three--what is your opinion on your family? 

[...]

[MAIA]: … I fucking hate them.

[MONODOODLE]: Oh!

[MAIA]: And I feel like shit for it, okay? But I hate them. Jack’s an asshole. My mom’s too drunk all the time to realize. Nicole’s smart enough to know but doesn’t do shit about it. Kai does nothing but whine and throw tantrums and Oliver’s taking after Jack already. So, yeah. I fucking hate them.

[MONODOODLE]: I’ve never had a family. 

[MAIA]: Lucky you. 

[MONODOODLE]: Question four--what do you regret the most outside of anything that occured in the game? 

[...]

[MAIA]: … I miss my dad. I miss him a lot. 

[MONODOODLE]: Was that really your fault, though? 

[MAIA]: It was. And I don’t buy anything about people saying it wasn’t. Maybe he was already unstable before, but I pushed him over. And that’s something I’ll carry for the rest of my life.

[...]

[MONODOODLE]: … Question five--who are you most concerned about, and the least? 

[MAIA]: I’m really worried about Ellie. Really worried. She’s faking her own death, and that’s got a lot of potential to go wrong. 

[MONODOODLE]: To say the least. 

[MAIA]: Uh. Duh. As for the least… uh, I think Xavier’s got his shit together the most. I’m honestly freaking out a little bit. 

[MONODOODLE]: Is anyone not freaking out? 

[MAIA]: … Well, no. 

[MONODOODLE]: Question six--do you wish you did more “childish” things when you still could, and if so, what?

[MAIA]: Oh. wow. That’s a really good question. Hm.

[MONODOODLE]: You’re avoiding it. 

[MAIA]: Shut up. 

[MONODOODLE]: Just say it. 

[MAIA]: I guess I just wish I had more time. You know? 

[MONODOODLE]: Not really. 

[MAIA]: I feel like I kind of had to grow up faster than a lot of others. I think I was six the first time I realized I wouldn’t be treated the same. And I realized that I was the only one in my family who was going to do something about the way we were, so… 

[...]

[MAIA]: I did everything I could. I promise.

[MONODOODLE]: And you’ve been doing everything you can ever since. 

[MAIA]: Have I? 

[MONODOODLE]: Of course you have. 

[MAIA]: … thanks, Monodoodle. 

[MONODOODLE]: Anyway! Question seven--how do you feel about being able to leave soon? Do you actually trust Trevor to be able to get you out? 

[MAIA]: I don’t. I don’t trust this at all.  

[MONODOODLE]: Why? 

[MAIA]: Because it’s the same thing every time. I get something I want dangled right in front of my face and it gets ripped right away. 

[MONODOODLE]: Why?

[MAIA]: [angrily] Because people are assholes, okay?!

[...]

[MAIA]: U--um… I mean…

[MONODOODLE]: No, I like that answer. Question eight--if you were to revive anyone at the cost of another student’s life, who would it be that you would sacrifice, and why? 

[MAIA]: Well, I think I’d bring back Charlotte. Or Evan… but I guess if Charlotte wasn’t gone, Evan wouldn’t have lost it, so I think by default that means Evan lives. And… I think I’d sacrifice Jaime in her place. 

[MONODOODLE]: Jaime?!

[MAIA]: I mean, I don’t think he does anything. But that does give us the concept that Kenny’s gonna freak ‘cause Jaime’s gone… eh. Maybe Daisy. One of the irrelevants, either way. 

[MONODOODLE]: Cold.

[MAIA]: I’m not cold. 

[MONODOODLE]: You’re pragmatic?

[MAIA]: Yeah. How’d you know?

[MONODOODLE]: I believe Kathleen Suzuki said precisely the same thing. 

[MAIA]: Don’t talk about her. 

[MONODOODLE]: Why? 

[MAIA]: ‘Cause she was a bitch, and also she’s dead. So… weird feelings about that. 

[...]

[MONODOODLE]: That’s a little weird. 

[MAIA]: I know. I just don’t like talking about her. 

[MONODOODLE]: Fine by me. Question nine--Who do you think locked Xavier in the freezer? What could their motive be?

[MAIA]: Honestly, I think they were just being a dick. And if I had to guess? Fucking Jaime again. 

[MONODOODLE]: You really don’t like him, huh?

[MAIA]: It’s not like that. He’s just losing it. And Kenny’s not even dead yet. 

[MONODOODLE]: Yet?

[MAIA]: Not like that! I’m not gonna kill him!

[MONODOODLE]: That’s not what I said. 

[MAIA]: You implied it! And, I mean, Xavier treats Kenny like total shit. Like. From an ass. I’d want to lock him in the freezer if he did that to Ellie or Fox. 

[MONODOODLE]: Question ten. 

[MAIA]: Oh thank god. 

[MONODOODLE]: Do you think you’ll ever get to be something you want to be?

[...]

[1 day until [Lilac]]

--

- [Breaking Point] -

- [DAISY’s room, 7:04] -

--

[DAISY]: Fuck!

[DAISY swiftly sweeps the files off her desk and collapses in her chair, sobbing. XAVIER flinches away from her.]

[XAVIER]: You’re… not looking too hot. 

[DAISY]: Of course I’m not! How does Trevor expect us to survive this!?

[XAVIER]: We did it once. 

[DAISY]: Gabriel and Henry didn’t. 

[...]

[DAISY]: Every single time this happens, on the sixth day, somebody kills. Somebody dies. It was Gabriel and Henry. Then it was Tom and Charlotte. Then it was Maggie and Kat and Nadia. Then it was Ryan and Evan. Who will it be this time? 

[...]

[DAISY]: Answer me, Xavier. 

[...]

[XAVIER]: I guess Trevor just trusts the seven of us. We did it four times already. We didn’t break under starvation and exhaustion. We didn’t break under poison. We didn’t break under heat and dehydration. We didn’t break under drowning. We won’t break under this. 

[DAISY]: Are you sure? 

[...]

[DAISY]: Are you sure, Xavier?

[...]

[XAVIER]: No.

--

- [High Risk, High Reward] -

- [Auditorium, 8:00] -

--

[TW: Discussion of child abuse, discussion of child neglect, discussion of drug use, discussion of severe injuries, mentions of parental death, mention of suicide, discussion of starvation and consumption of non-edible objects, possible pica triggers, depiction of a firearm]

[MAIA]: Just one more of these. Please, god, let this be the last one…

[FOX slumps down on a bench next to her.]

[FOX]: Trevor’s always been timely. I trust him. 

[MAIA]: Are you sure he can do this?

[FOX]: If he’s as lucky as I hope he is. 

[MAIA]: So… this is what it all hinges on? Luck?! 

[FOX]: It’s what everything hinged on here. 

[...]

[MAIA]: Can’t argue with that, I guess.

[JAIME]: I mean… I agree with her, to be honest. 

[MAIA and FOX startle.]

[MAIA]: When did you get here?! 

[JAIME]: I was here before you. [To FOX] That’s the first time I’ve seen you startled by anything. 

[KENNY drags himself into the room. JAIME’s gaze softens.]

[JAIME]: Kenny.

[KENNY]: Oh, joy. What did you say to them? 

[JAIME]: Nothing. 

[MAIA]: Not yet. 

[JAIME]: What’s that supposed to mean? 

[KENNY]: I think it means exactly what the rest of us think it means. 

[ELLIE is the next to enter the room. She sits down next to MAIA and FOX.]

[ELLIE]: Can you guys… I don’t know, suck it up and stop fighting?

[...]

[ELLIE]: Hm. It’s impressive how I can shut you up that quickly. 

[DAISY and XAVIER don’t say anything as they enter. Finally, MONODOODLE walks in, dragging a large bag beside her. As she drops it… the rewards spill out.]

[KENNY]: … Why is all our shit on the floor now?

[MONODOODLE]: We’re using it for today’s game. 

[KENNY]: Well, it’s ours.

[MONODOODLE]: I’m giving it back! I’m just shuffling it around. 

[KENNY]: You can’t do that. 

[MONODOODLE]: I do whatever I want, thank you. Today, we’ll be playing something I call High Risk, High Reward. 

[DAISY]: Is that a title or a description? 

[MONODOODLE]: It’s… uh, both. You’ll be asked to identify who out of all the students--living or dead--that the statement belongs to, and if you guess right, you’ll get their reward. First of all… Xavier Hassan, please step forward. 

[XAVIER steps up.]

[MAIA]: You’re quiet. 

[XAVIER]: Not much to say. 

[MONODOODLE]: Please identify the student who, at the time of their death, was a closeted homosexual. 

[...]

[XAVIER]: Uh… 

[KENNY]: I feel like that’s not really our business. 

[XAVIER]: … I… uh… 

[...]

[XAVIER]: [hesitant] … Nadia? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is incorrect. Please sit down. 

[XAVIER]: Fuck. [sighs]

[KENNY]: I… think she might’ve had a boyfriend? 

[MAIA]: That’s not right. That’s not right at all. 

[KENNY]: Well, excuse me!

[MONODOODLE]: Daisy Foster, please step forward. 

[DAISY]: Steppin’ on over. 

[MONODOODLE]: I think you say that every time. 

[...]

[MONODOODLE]: Please identify the student who took the place of their missing team captain.

[DAISY]: I… that’s gotta be Evan, right? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with his name labelled from the bag. 

[DAISY] [sarcastically] Woo hoo. 

[DAISY picks up the hockey puck from the bag.]

[MONODOODLE]: You could at least pretend to enjoy this. 

[DAISY]: That’s what I was just doing! 

[KENNY]: I’d argue that was more sarcasm than anything…

[DAISY]: Whose side are you on here? 

[MONODOODLE]: Kenneth McKellar, please step forward. 

[KENNY cracks his knuckles and steps into the circle. He huffs out a bitter laugh and lets out an all-too-familiar--]

[KENNY]: Hit me.

[He flinches. Five weeks earlier, Nadia had said the exact same thing in the second game.]

[KENNY]: Er--um--j’s go ahead. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student is a chronic smoker? 

[...]

[KENNY]: … I’m sorry, is? They’re alive? What? 

[...]

[KENNY]: Is anyone going to come forward about it? 

[...]

[DAISY]: No.

[MAIA]: Not me. 

[KENNY]: … Xavier…?

[MONODOODLE]: That is incorrect. 

[KENNY]: Motherfucker…

[MONODOODLE]: Fox, please step forward. 

[...]

[FOX]: I didn’t… ask for you to call me that. 

[MONODOODLE]: I’ve given up. 

[FOX]: … Um. Thanks. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student’s father perished of a heart attack only two months prior to the beginning of the killing game? 

[...]

[FOX]: I’m going to go out on a limb and say it wasn’t one of us. Maia, your dad died… how long ago? 

[MAIA]: … Seven years. 

[FOX]: And Daisy? 

[DAISY]: Why are you asking this? 

[FOX]: Because I wanna figure it out. 

[...]

[DAISY]: Thirteen years. 

[FOX]: Okay. 

[XAVIER]: Ryan’s dad also died a while ago, so not him. Mine’s still alive. 

[JAIME]: And mine. 

[KENNY]: Mine’s alive too. 

[FOX]: Unfortunately, mine as well. 

[...]

[FOX]: I’m gonna hazard a guess and say… Tom? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct.

[FOX cheers.]

[KENNY]: … Ah, shit. 

[MONODOODLE]: Please take the item with his name labelled from the bag. 

[FOX removes the gun from the bag. KENNY purses his lips and tightens his hand around JAIME’s. JAIME gently strokes the ridge of his wrist with his thumb.]

[MAIA]: Careful with that. 

[FOX]: I’m fiiiiine. 

[MAIA]: I know you’re fine. I just want you not to shoot someone in the face. 

[FOX]: I’m not gonna! 

[MAIA]: … yeah, yeah… 

[MONODOODLE]: Ellie Goldman, please step forward. 

[ELLIE steps into the circle.]

[MAIA]: … Are you okay? 

[ELLIE]: … I’m fine. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student was inspired to enter their occuption when losing a legal battle against their teacher? 

[...]

[ELLIE]: Legal battle? It’s gotta be Nadia, then. 

[MONODOODLE]: That’s correct. 

[MAIA]: That’s depressing is what it is. 

[MONODOODLE]: Please take the item with her name on it out of the bag. 

[ELLIE reaches into the bag.]

[ELLIE]: I don’t want this. 

[FOX]: … Guess whatever was in that died with her. 

[ELLIE]: I guess. 

[...]

[ELLIE]: … When we get out, I’ll give it back to her family. 

[FOX]: If you can find them. Where’d she live again? Illinois? 

[ELLIE]: Someone can. Maybe Trevor will.

[FOX]: He will. I know he will. 

[MONODOODLE]: Jaime Halley, please step forward. 

[JAIME]: Um--small question. What happens if someone gets their own statement? 

[MONODOODLE]: That won’t happen. 

[JAIME]: Are you sure? 

[MONODOODLE]: I’m the one making the game. I’m pretty sure. 

[...]

[JAIME]: Yeah, okay. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student had published a major project just days before being killed? 

[...]

[DAISY]: That’s pretty depressing. 

[JAIME]: Gabriel? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with his name on it from the bag. 

[JAIME]: I’m… not a guitarist, though.

[MONODOODLE]: Tough luck. Take it. 

[JAIME takes the guitar out of the bag.]

[MONODOODLE]: Maia Preston, please step forward. 

[MAIA stretches out her arms and steps forward.]

[MAIA]: Ready when you are. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student is a chronic smoker? 

[MAIA]: Ah, shit. That one again. 

[XAVIER’s eyes go wide with realization.]

[XAVIER]: … Ellie.

[ELLIE does not respond.]

[XAVIER]: Ellie. That lighter--was it yours? 

[MAIA]: Is it Ellie? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with her name on it from the bag. 

[MAIA]: … Ellie. 

[ELLIE]: I don’t wanna talk about it. 

[MAIA removes the lighter from the bag, looks at it with contempt, and crosses her arms.]

[MAIA]: I’m not giving this back. 

[ELLIE]: Yeah. I know. 

[MAIA]: [pointedly] Well, glad to see we’ve got that figured out, then. 

[ELLIE lowers her head.]

[ELLIE]: Yeah. We do.

[MONODOODLE]: Xavier Hassan, please step forward. 

[XAVIER steps into the circle.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student ate pillow stuffing out of desperation because they were unable to eat or drink for a week and a half?

[MAIA]: Xavier? 

[JAIME]: Nobody can get their own statement. Remember? 

[KENNY]: Don’t be a dick, Jaime.

[JAIME]: Sorry. 

[XAVIER]: … Maggie said something about that. At the intervention. Didn’t she? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. 

[...]

[XAVIER]: G--god… I knew it was bad, but…

[MAIA]: She didn’t say it was that bad. 

[KENNY]: And she managed to forgive her mother afterwards, too. [sighs] I never could’ve.

[MONODOODLE]: Daisy Foster, please step forward. 

[DAISY cracks her knuckles.]

[DAISY]: Ready when you are. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student once hid a broken ankle for nearly a month until being taken to the hospital by a stranger? 

[...]

[JAIME]: That’s not safe. 

[DAISY]: Well, yeah, captain obvious. So not you. I think it’s… something Maia would do? 

[MAIA]: Nope. 

[MONODOODLE]: That is incorrect. Kenneth McKellar, please step forward. 

[KENNY]: Ready. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student was a closeted homosexual?

[KENNY]: … Uh… Kat? 

[MONODOODLE]: That was incorrect. 

[DAISY]: I mean, it’s kind of obvious. Surprised you guys aren’t getting it. 

[KENNY]: Wow. Helpful. 

[MONODOODLE]: Fox, please step forward. 

[FOX skips into the middle of the circle.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student regularly went without perscription glasses for purposes of obscuring their identity?

[FOX]: That’s Charlotte. 

[KENNY]: Charlotte needed glasses? 

[FOX]: Mhm! It’s in her file. 

[MONODOODLE]: That answer is correct. Please take the item with her name on it from the bag. 

[FOX removes the lockpicking set from the bag.]

[ELLIE]: No fair. You have an advantage. 

[MAIA]: Don’t you just want to be done with this?

[...]

[ELLIE]: Honestly, fair. 

[MONODOODLE]: Ellie Goldman, please step forward.

[ELLIE steps into the circle.]

[ELLIE]: Alright. Let’s go!

[MONODOODLE]: Which student sees themselves as responsible for their father’s suicide? 

[...]

[ELLIE]: Um… it’s Maia. 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with her name on it from the bag. 

[ELLIE removes the fire dancing sticks and gives them back to MAIA.]

[ELLIE]: Here. And I’m sorry. 

[MAIA]: Don’t be. 

[ELLIE]: It’s not your fault, Maia. Really. 

[MAIA]: Thanks, but--

[MONODOODLE]: James Halley, please step forward. 

[Without a word, JAIME steps into the circle.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student had her canine teeth removed by her mother as soon as they grew in? 

[FOX covers her mouth. JAIME turns to look at her.]

[JAIME]: … Fox. It’s Fox.

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with her name on it from the bag. 

[FOX]: I don’t wanna talk about it. 

[JAIME]: Well, yeah. Neither would I. 

[JAIME passes her her stuffed Fox. FOX smiles at him--without showing her teeth.]

[FOX]: Thank you.

[MONODOODLE]: Maia Preston, please step forward. 

[MAIA]: I’m here. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student worked four seperate jobs at a time, on top of remote schooling? 

[...]

[MAIA]: … Fox, didn’t you say something about Ryan doing that? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with his name on it from the bag. 

[MAIA takes RYAN’s books, tied with a ribbon, from the bag. She stares at them for a moment…]

[MAIA]: … You should have this. 

[... And hands them to XAVIER.]

[...]

[DAISY]: Y--yeah… yeah, he should. 

[MONODOODLE]: Xavier Hassan, please step forward. 

[XAVIER]: In the building. 

[MONODOODLE]: You do not need to comment. 

[...]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student once hid a broken ankle for nearly a month until being taken to the hospital by a complete stranger? 

[XAVIER]: Is it… Kat? 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with her name on it from the bag. 

[XAVIER]: Fuck yes! [laughter] 

[MAIA]: Xavier!

[XAVIER]: Oop--sorry. 

[The cigarette tin is… lighter than it was before. Less rattling from the pills inside. He glances at DAISY, but chooses not to say anything. She doesn’t meet his gaze.]

[KENNY]: Ah--no. We’re locking that in the medbay. Don’t want any more chaos. 

[XAVIER]: Bet. Catch. 

[XAVIER throws him the tin. He fumbles to catch it the best he can.]

[MONODOODLE]: Daisy Foster, please step forward. 

[DAISY does as told without saying another word.]

[MONODOODLE]: This is why she’s my favourite. 

[KENNY]: Wow. Okay. 

[MONODOODLE]: Which student was a closeted homosexual? 

[DAISY]: It was Henry. 

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with his name on it from the bag.

[DAISY]: See? Watch and learn.

[MAIA]: If I didn’t know you, I’d think you were enjoying this. 

[MONODOODLE]: Kenneth McKellar, please step forward. 

[KENNY steps up.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student is known by their peers as “absent father to a dolphin?”

[JAIME]: Oh, dear god. 

[KENNY laughs.]

[KENNY]: Jaime--and how did he even manage that?!

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with his name on it from the bag. 

[JAIME]: … Just don’t think too hard about it.

[KENNY]: Here.

[KENNY gives JAIME his CD player.]

[KENNY]: Don’t know why you still use this.

[JAIME]: … I just like it. 

[KENNY]: Suit yourself. 

[MONODOODLE]: Fox, please step forward. 

[FOX hops to the front.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student began following their current career path with guidance from both their parents, who work with them? 

[FOX]: It’s Kenny!

[KENNY]: U--uh… um… [awkward laugh.]

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the item with his name from the bag.

[FOX]: … Aw. 

[MAIA]: Nepo baby. 

[KENNY]: I am not!

[MONODOODLE]: Ellie Goldman, please step forward. 

[ELLIE steps into the circle.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student’s mother was a well-known model and actress?

[ELLIE]: Wait--that’s Daisy, right? 

[DAISY]: Um… yeah.

[MONODOODLE]: That is correct. Please take the reward with her name on it. 

[ELLIE]: Here, Daisy. 

[ELLIE gives DAISY her reward. Mischief purrs against her foot.]

[DAISY]: Thanks. 

[XAVIER]: Mine’s the only one left. 

[MONODOODLE]: James Halley, please step forward. 

[JAIME steps into the circle.]

[MONODOODLE]: Which student’s friends attempted to drown him as a younger teenager? 

[...]

[JAIME]: Uh… Xavier. 

[MONODOODLE]: That answer is correct. Please take the item with his name on it from the bag. 

-- 

- [Safe] -

- [Medbay, 9:30] -

--

[KENNY and JAIME sit on the bed beside each other.]

[...]

[KENNY]: That was fucked up. 

[JAIME]: Sure was.

[KENNY]: How’d you become an absent father to a dolphin, though? 

[JAIME]: I was not an absent father! That’s just what they call me. 

[KENNY]: I need to know the story behind that nickname now. 

[JAIME]: Well… uh, so a dolphin gave birth at the aquarium I work at. I didn’t know this until two days after the baby was born, because I’m the last to find out about these things. And it was my turn to watch the baby, and I left for about five seconds, and…

[...]

[JAIME]: It was kinda cute when they weren’t making fun of me for it. 

[KENNY]: What?

[JAIME]: That seahorse would literally only eat when I was in the room. And I didn’t know this until my next shift, okay? 

[KENNY]: How did you manage to form an unhealthy attatchment with a dolphin within…?

[JAIME]: Couple days.

[KENNY]: … A couple days of it being born?

[JAIME]: I don’t know. I think they just knew I was safe. 

[...]

[KENNY]: … Yeah. Safe. Let’s go with safe. 

--

- [If Anything’s Left] -

- [Library, 10:04] -

-- 

[DAISY stares at the now-empty memorial. XAVIER walks up beside her.]

[...]

[XAVIER]: It sucks. 

[DAISY]: Ryan worked so hard on that. Jaime doesn’t even care about it anymore. He’s so fucking self-absorbed…

[DAISY continues mumbling to herself.]

[...]

[XAVIER]: You good? 

[DAISY]: I’m fine.

[XAVIER]: You don’t seem fine. 

[DAISY]: Why are you talking?

[...]

[DAISY]: Just leave, Xavier. Leave, okay?

--

- [Student Spotlight: Maia Preston] -

- [Interview Room, 12:30] -

--

--

- [Sisyphus] -

- [Classroom, 15:04] -

--

[MAIA sits on a classroom bench, watching the clock, with her arms wrapped around herself. ELLIE walks in.]

[ELLIE]: … Don’t be like that. 

[MAIA]: Like what? 

[ELLIE]: You’re reminding me of Charlotte right now. 

[...]

[ELLIE]: She was like sitting that for two days during the poison motive. Her… last two days. I think she knew she wasn’t going to make it. 

[...]

[MAIA]: … I miss her. I miss her so much, El. 

[ELLIE]: I miss her too. 

[MAIA]: None of them deserved to go like this. They all had so much ahead of them. 

[ELLIE]: So do we. 

[...]

[MAIA]: Are you sure about this, Ellie? 

[ELLIE]: I’m sure. 

[MAIA]: Are you completely sure that Trevor can get us out?

[ELLIE]: Completely. 

[...]

[MAIA]: You’re too nice for your own good, Ell.

--

- [Begged] -

- [Chemistry Lab, 18:08] -

--

[FOX enters the chemistry lab. It reeks of vinegar and acid. She wrinkles her nose]

[FOX]: [whispering] Trevor? 

[...]

[FOX]: You probably can’t hear me. You’re probably driving. 

[...]

[FOX]: I miss you. I’m really scared. And sorry. I’m sorry, Trevor. I’m sorry for stealing your stuff. I’m sorry I was mean to you. I’m sorry I did this. I ruined your life, probably. And Ellie’s. And Maia’s. And Kenny’s, and Daisy’s, and Xavier’s, and Jaime’s, and…

[FOX starts crying]

[FOX]: And Gabriel’s, and Henry’s, and Tom’s, and Charlotte’s, and Maggie’s, and Kat’s, and Nadia’s, and Ryan’s, and Evan’s. And… and it’s so fucked up to say it, but I did it ‘cause I figured it would mean I had friends. For once in my life, I just… wanted a friend. But they all--they all hate me. 

[Quiet sniffling escalates into full-blown sobs. FOX falls to her knees.]

[FOX]: I’m a terrible person… I’m a terrible person… I’m a killer, Trevor! I killed them! 

[FOX gasps for breath.]

[FOX]: … I’m never getting away from them, am I?

--

- [The End] -

- [Fourth floor hallway, 23:24] -

--

[KENNY slumps down against the wall, next to the loose ceiling board.]

[KENNY]: … Anytime, Ellie… anytime…

[...]

[The announcement does not go off.]

[KENNY]: Come on. What’s happening? 

[DAISY sits down next to him. She does not say anything.]

[KENNY]: You okay? 

[DAISY]: What do you think? 

[KENNY]: … Good point. 

[...]

[KENNY reaches his hand out for DAISY’s.]

[KENNY]: I’ll stay in contact with you. 

[DAISY]: And the others?

[KENNY]: Of course. 

[DAISY]: I feel like shit. 

[KENNY]: It wasn’t your fault, Daize. 

[DAISY]: … I could’ve done so much more to…

[KENNY]: We all did our best, okay?

[MAIA comes up the stairs. She jumps when she sees KENNY and DAISY.]

[MAIA]: Looks like you all had the same idea as me. 

[KENNY]: Naturally. Nothing else to do. 

[DAISY]: Don’t you think it’s suspicious that we’re all gathering up here? 

[KENNY]: Eh. Teenagers gather all the time. 

[MAIA]: I’m sure they do. 

[ELLIE appears at the end of the hall and runs up to the group.]

[KENNY]: Ellie, aren’t you meant to be--

[The girls shush him. KENNY goes quiet.]

[ELLIE]: … I just wanted to say goodbye. In case it doesn’t work. 

[MAIA]: What? Ellie, you said you were confident!

[ELLIE]: I was confident I could get you out. 

[MAIA]: Ellie--

[MAIA’s voice breaks. She pulls ELLIE into a tight hug, sobbing against her shoulder. KENNY looks at her with remorse.]

[KENNY]: … We can figure something out. 

[MAIA pulls away, raising her head, and stares at him with confused, teary eyes. A single braid, now frizzing and matting with age, slips out of its place behind her ear.]

[MAIA]: Wh…?

[KENNY]: I’m worried for you, Maia. We all are. 

[MAIA]: My family needs me. 

[DAISY]: I know. But this is one of those times where you need to put yourself first.

[...]

[Before DAISY can say anything more, MAIA pulls her and KENNY into the hug. KENNY flinches, but she melts into it.]

[DAISY]: Aw. C’mere. 

[KENNY looks up, awkward and tense, to see JAIME coming up the stairs. They lock eyes… and he approaches. He lays his hand on KENNY’s shoulder, and puts his other on MAIA’s.]

[ELLIE]: I’m gonna miss you all. I’m gonna miss you so much. 

[JAIME]: We’ll stay in touch. I promise. 

[DAISY]: You promise? You honestly promise? 

[JAIME nods. Not the frantic, explaining nods he does when he’s answering a question, but sure. Firm.]

[JAIME]: Yeah. I do.

[XAVIER, when he arrives, does not join the hug, but he sits closely, pressed firmly against DAISY’s side. There are tears in his eyes as he intertwines her fingers with his own.]

[DAISY]: Xavier?

[...]

[XAVIER]: I think you guys have been one of the best things to ever happen to me. 

[DAISY]: Xavier…

[DAISY starts crying. She pulls him into the hug. He’s still for a second, not really knowing what to do, until he leans into it.]

[XAVIER]: I’m so different. It’s weird. 

[DAISY]: We all are. 

[Footsteps. The group goes silent. MAIA raises her head to find FOX standing at the top of the stairs, tense, not making eye contact with anyone. Scared. It’s an odd expression on her.]

[...]

[MAIA gestures for her to join them.]

[FOX]: I don’t deserve to leave. 

[JAIME]: You do.

[DAISY]: You’re good enough to leave, Fox. We all are.

[...]

[That’s all it takes. FOX runs up to them and joins the hug, on the verge of tears.]

[FOX]: … is it normal to feel… weird about this?

[...]

[MAIA]: I mean, I think Maggie would say that this was our life for so long it feels normal. So… yeah. I guess. 

[FOX]: I don’t know what the world is like outside of here.

[ELLIE]: You don’t…? 

[FOX]: … I grew up here. In that lab. The dark one.

[JAIME’s eyes go even wider. It all falls into place. The restraints. The drain. The chemicals. FOX’s love of the macabre. Her missing teeth. He pulls her close.]

[JAIME]: O--oh god… I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. 

[She starts crying against his shoulder. He follows not long after.]

[KENNY]: It’s so much better than you’ve been told it is. 

[FOX]: … How do I know? You’ve all been through so much out there. 

[...]

[ELLIE]: Because we’re still here.

[FOX]: What? 

[ELLIE]: There has to have been a reason all of us wanted to pull through so badly. It’s because we wanted to go back out there. So, you know it’s a good place. In the grand scheme of things, y’know?

[...]

[JAIME]: [softly] … I just want to go home. 

[DAISY]: … Tomorrow night, I’ll be safe… I’ll be safe, and I can sleep in my own bed…

[XAVIER]: It’s stupid, but… I just want to go home and have dinner with my parents. I haven’t done that in years. 

[MAIA]: I want my life back. 

[KENNY]: I just want to be me again. I want to be Kenny again. 

[...]