forum V O T E / Psychological Thriller / Closed

Started June 26, 2018 by @WriteOutofTime

tune

Xander walked into the kitchen and saw Enzo. “Can we talk? In private?” He whispered. He glanced at the cereal box sitting on the counter hungrily, but then snapped his gaze away.

(is this still open?)

(nope, sorry)

Enzo shakily set the two cereal bowls in his hands down on the counter. "Yeah," he said softly.

Xander glanced around to make sure no one was watching or listening in. "I know you need to make it out alive. They said only a select few would make it, which means… which means… we could probably have it so that you, me, and Lixi would all get out alive. We just have to form an alliance. You may not trust me. After all, first time we met, I was hostile, but then again, I was convinced I was about to come face-to-face with my kidnapper. I just… I want to get this over with before I form any sort of emotional attachment to anyone else, and forming a small alliance may do just that. We can get out and make it quick- no ties, no more drama than necessary. We just get out of here."

Enzo calmly regarded him, considering for a long moment. Although Xander made a good point, it went against his morals. But, he had a duty, to protect Lixi, and more importantly to make it back safe for his nephew. His duty was more important than his feelings. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense to me." He paused. "But I think we need to agree that Lixi's life is more important than either of ours. And, if it comes down to it and I've gotta choose between you or me, I'm choosing myself. As long as that's clear, we have a deal."

Paige watched the clock. 30 minutes of breathing…

"Yeah, of course… I don't think I have anyone who needs me back home. Sure, they'll be sad, and sure, I want to live, but they'll get over it," Xander replied weakly, "A-and I want to protect Lixi, for sure. She's just so young to be put through this." He gave a quick glance around the room again. "Well, that means we also have to decide who to vote. Who poses a threat?"

John tapped his fingers lightly, anxiety growing. Would they vote for Paige, or did the people have a different agenda? He supposed it didn’t matter, Paige could make the decision herself. John sighed and walked up to Paige, “This is probably a stupid question, but how are you feeling?”

River walked over to John and paige

“Hey,” John nodded at River’s approach, “How are you doing too?”

Paige looked up. "Fine. Surprisingly calm." She noticed River approach. "Hi."

“Hey.” She waved

“Are you— I’m only asking this because I want to know if you feel the same way I do, but… Are you scared of dying?” John asked quietly.

“I am.” She replied knowing he wasn’t talking to her

John sighed then lowered his voice to a near whisper so only Paige and River could hear, “You know Lixi really likes Enzo, right? I just- I’m terrified. Because just because of how Lixi clings to Enzo confirms the facts that she’d vote me compared to him. I’m sure Enzo would do the same. I just feel like I’m a sitting duck waiting to be shot,” John pressed his eyes together for a moment to stop himself from panicking further, “I guess nineteen and sixteen and I’m estimating somewhere around fifteen aren’t young enough to make Enzo want to save us too.”

He didn't tell the group that it would be me today. That…
"Well, today's one less day to worry about that," Paige replied softly.

Lixi felt very uneasy by all the small and private conversations that were happening around her. It made her a bit isolated and lonely. After taking a bite out of her cereal, she pushed it away before putting her head on the table with her arms in front of her so it blocked out all the sound. Dad, I know that you can't hear me, but I miss you and I want to go home so I can watch that next Marvel movie you always wanted to watch. Now I am about to die, but I don't want to even if I'll see Mom. I don't want you to be alone and lonely. I'm trying and now I regret all the bad things I've done, to you to me and to my friends. If I don't make it out alive, there is this man named Enzo, he is my friend. Lixi took a sharp intake of breath after her little mental monologue. It decreased the weight on her shoulders a bit, but it only made her miss home more, her little sneke, dad, her bed., the treehouse in the backyard.

He didn't tell the group that it would be me today. That…
"Well, today's one less day to worry about that," Paige replied softly.

I’m just terrified for the long term. Have you two ever watch the game show called Survivor? They- They vote each other of the island and the last person standing wins a large check, basically. They form alliances and usually the alliance with the largest numbers gets to decide who’s going home. Or in our case, who’s dying. And I’m just… concerned. What if Lixi and Enzo end up voting together?” John desperately looked at Paige and River. He needed to convince them, “If they got one more person, we would be voted off one by one. And Paige, I really do know that you don’t care if your voted off… but- but I do. If we don’t vote together now, we’ll die.” John pleaded quietly to them. He figured River might vote with him, if she wasn’t voting with Enzo already, but Paige… If Paige went now, then Paige couldn’t help him, nor River. If she went now, they might just be fated to die. John swallowed, waiting for their dooming or saving replies.

Xander saw Lixi sitting alone and walked up behind her. "Um… hey… I think you should know Enzo and I have formed an alliance, and we're doing anything in our power to protect you." He suddenly stopped when a powerful wave of dizziness hit him, forcing him to sit down. It had been at least three or four days since he'd last eaten, and it was getting to him.

Lixi gave him a look of concern as he sat down. "What about you and Enzo?" Lixi asked before getting him a glass of water. "You don't look too good."

"Thanks," Xander said before explaining the situation. "Enzo and I are going to start voting for the same people. If we all vote separately, who dies next is going to be fairly random. So we're allies." He picked up the glass of water and took a few sips.

Lixi bit her lip. "Why can't we just vote for ourselves?"

Enzo joined Lixi and Xander in the lounge. "I wish we could, conejita, but that didn't work out so well last time." He looked at Xander. "We need to figure out who didn't vote for themselves. That person should die next."