TIME: R O U N D T W E N T Y O N E
I can't breathe. It- It all happened way too fucking fast.
D-Daian... is fine! He's fine! He's alive and well, they just... took him away for... for...
"Five minutes, snap out of it. That boy won't be a hindrance to your performance. Play the game the way you're supposed to."
They shove me in clothes that are too warm and thick to be comfortable. I'm not used to being fully covered up like this.
This is so fucking dumb- I need to find Daian. I can't do this without him. I need to find my Comet.
My arm is grabbed and I'm forcefully dragged to where I'm supposed to be.
"LET GO OF ME- GIVE DAIAN BACK TO ME!!"
"You saw the audience enjoy their meal, did you not?"
I look at the guard with abject horror.
"Sh-shut the fuck up... They didn't enjoy shit 'cause he's still fucking alive!"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, mutt."
I can't fight back because before I know it, I'm on stage with Stas.
I look at them a bit frightened, knowing I probably look like shit right now.
Due to my own mental state, I can't get a read on them. It doesn't matter, I'll win and kill Kay myself.
This is not a game now, nobody can save you.
Spent up all your change, and now your turn is done.
We won't be afraid, 'cause we're the ones who made you.
Knock you out the frame, we won't stop until you're gone,
The score goes back and forth, neck and neck. Stas is in the lead one second and I take over the next. Back and forth, back and forth. I was right in believing Stas would be wonderful competition, but I can't savor it.
All I can think about is Daian. He's alive. He has to be.
Everything is spinning. I'm dizzy as hell and I honestly want to lose just to be free from this fucking migraine, but that's just wishful thinking. I have something I want to do. I have something I need to do. I can't lose here.
I know you want to win, Stas, but I'm sorry.
And I don't stop until I get what I want.
But I'ma be the face of a generation,
Kids wit' no patience or directions,
Never doubt or question my effort,
Game on, game on, hope you people ready.
I'm reloaded and my trigger finger steady.
Stas' song is interesting. And if it weren't for our circumstances, I'd think they want to die. I wouldn't blame them, but I know they want to win. I know they're trying to.
My dizziness and the migraine is only getting worse. This is nothing, though. I won't let my body stop me from winning. I was taught endurance. I was taught how to fight. I will fight to the very bitter end if it comes to that.
I won't go down quietly, they're gonna have to bury me face fucking down.
I've traveled plenty seas, spent many hours
To make myself be the best I can be,
So you gon' show respect when you talkin' to me.
That number one spot legacy I see is my hit.
And what you take, what you is, what you leave behind,
Here, at the last hook, I'm in the lead again. I'm pulling ahead more than I was before. I'm winning.
Everything still hurts. It's getting worse. I can feel everything starting to shut down and give out. I can't pass out here. I can't, not yet.
This is not a game now, nobody can save you!
Spent up all your change, and now your turn is done!
We won't be afraid, 'cause we're the ones who made you.
Knock you out the frame, we won't stop until you're gone,
My throat closes up and I feel sick. Panic is surrounding me from all sides and I can't see anything. I want to scream and cry and shout but I can't get my throat to work.
I'm angry, it hurts. I'm panicking, it hurts. I want my brothers, it hurts. I want my mother, it hurts.
A pistol is thrusted in my hands. I have to kill Stas.
I'm sorry, I'll try and be quick.
My feet are unsteady and I'm shaking. I can feel myself choking and hot tears falling down my face. I hesitate.
For some reason, I see Kay. I see my brother falling into the crowd, and I scream as I shoot. It hurts, it hurts so bad. It feels like I'm tearing my vocal cords.
I miss their head. I hit their shoulder.
I miss their head. I hit their thigh.
I missed every single fucking shot.
I'm so sorry, it's not your fault, Stas.
Through my blurry vision, I can see them laying collapsed on the floor in a pool of their own blood. They raise their hand and point at me weakly with a finger gun, before bringing it to their head and tapping. I can't see what their face looks like, but I think I know what they're feeling now, what they want.
There's a small moment of clarity where the adrenaline tunes out all other pain, noise, and emotion. I steady my hands and my stance and aim for their head, pressing the trigger.
The pistol doesn't go off.
I press the trigger again, still a dud.
I try messing with the magazine but I can feel that clarity slipping away. I can feel myself slipping away.
No, I have to at least grant them death. It's the least I can do.
Fuck no I can't pass out now, this isn't-
I feel myself swaying, before it goes dark and I hit the ground.
Oh, my Lord, take this hand, save me from the gallows.
Hear this news, bear my gold, lay me in the shallows.
Evil'll come if you call my name, the wicked day shall rise.
The river's sins gonna wash me clean, the river don't run dry.
Oh, my Lord, take this soul, lay me at the bottom of the river.
The devil has come to carry me home, lay me at the bottom, the bottom of the river.
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