This concept is haunting me so I’m putting it here. Winner Martyn who doesn’t jump to his death. At least, not yet.
Winner Martyn who carries Grian’s body from the square hole, then Gem’s, and buries them next to Pearl’s grave. Winner Martyn who ignores the jeers of the ghosts that surround him until they taper off when he gathers the bodies, one by one. Winner Martyn who Listens to the ghosts as they tentatively begin to direct him to their own bodies, who tell him where to bury them. Cabin Core near a body of water, the Rejects at the base of their mountain, Impulse and Cleo at what remains of Ren’s grave.
Winner Martyn who only climbs up to the square hole when all is quiet, rings slipped onto bloodied, dirt coated fingers, and basks in the gentle heat of dawn. The moon is put to rest as the sun begins to rise, and Martyn dies to the sound of Cleo’s laughter, the taste of icing on his tongue, and the smell of warm bread.