WEEK TWO: EXECUTION

[cluedin]

WEEK TWO: EXECUTION

Some of you may have slept well knowing you did the right thing. Other of you may have tossed and turned, struggling with feelings of guilt and unease. Regardless of which group you fit into, it doesn't change the fact that on Sunday morning all guests will find themselves compelled to head to the front door. When all have gathered, the door will swing open and allow the group to witness a scene on the front lawn.

Hunter has been set out in his metal cage, isolated from the rest of the group. It isn't long before Peach, Plum and Pumpkin appear from another part of the yard. They don't have their wheeled box this week, and as they stop in front of the cage, the trio begins to speak.

"We gather here today to possibly say goodbye to our dear friend, Hunter.

Hunter was a normal boy
Whose way of thinking brought great joy
He never quite felt like he belonged
Yet he's the one who keeps being strong
He became a creature without much thought
Who sought out a friend and took his shot
And despite the vote he may still not die
If only because Hunter knows how to survive."

Three pairs of eyes turn and lock on a face in the crowd.

"45, it's time."

It seems as though 45 doesn't have a choice. The moment the girls summon the chosen party, they will find themselves walking forward against their best judgment. All other guests will be unable to step past the threshold, but nothing's stopping them from leaving either.

Comments

[cluedin]

[Once 45 approaches the girls, the three linger in front of the cage. Unlike past weeks, 45 doesn't have a box to select from. It's Peach who speaks up then.]

You brought your own tools, right? ...we'll be waiting. [The girls step off to the side...and Hunter's cage slowly swings open.]

[recrypt]

[ She'll just tilt her head briefly to acknowledge the girls with a faint smile. ]

I wouldn't have volunteered if I wasn't prepared, mm? ♪ Thanks for checking, though.

[ She's in easier to move in clothing for once, a nice athleisure outfit consisting of skirt, leggings, top, and jacket. Strapped to her leg people might notice both a gun of some sort...? and, perhaps more importantly, a small syringe filled with a mysterious blue liquid.

Anyway, she's seen this twice before now. Open up, cage. Let's get this over with ]

[counterclocked]

[As the cage opens, a few things become obvious. He's changed even further from last night; his eyes are still a pale white, but now there's a decidedly gray discoloration to his skin. The smell of decay hangs thick in the air as he takes his first few steps out of the cage - and that's when he sees 45 come forward. Perhaps more importantly, that's when he sees the syringe. Both produce an instant reaction.

A creature driven entirely by instinct, he's rushing forward at her, snarling and moaning. He isn't slow or shambling at all, and his first motion is meant to take her off balance, biting and scratching if he manages to collide with her.]

[recrypt]

[ Gross, but still not an ELID; still not the worst thing she's seen. It's like Tuesday evening was practice for this! ... Only she can't just shoot him to put him out of his misery, now can she?

She's not going to bother trying to talk to or reason with him- Nikki proved it pretty pointless, and even Asch's special circumstances didn't amount to much more. The best thing she can do is to make it quick- which is what she's aiming to do when she doesn't step back in the least, instead waiting until he's almost at her before she darts quickly to the side, hopefully letting his rush get him off balance, and raising her arms to deliver a sharp, downwards elbow strike to the small of his back. ]

[counterclocked]

[The blow connects, and it sends him down to the ground. He hisses in anger as his hands reach out to break his fall. It doesn't keep him down for long, though. Before another second has passed, he's lunging towards her legs, trying to knock her off balance and bring her to the ground as well.]

[recrypt]

[ If he wants to bring her to the ground she's going to try to preempt him and fall on her terms- that is, splaying her weight across him such that hopefully, it'll serve to help restrain him for long enough to get what needs to be done done. The movement's a little complicated by the syringe on her leg, but, well, it's not like putting it in her jacket or hanging it around her neck would have been any better.

It's a good thing she's not quite as light as she looks? ]

[counterclocked]

[For as frantic and frenzied as his movements are, she still outweighs him by a great amount. He scratches and snaps his teeth and kicks and pushes at her, but it more than likely won't manage to get her to budge.

It doesn't stop him from trying, though, furious as he is. One of his hands moves up to tighten in her hair so he can pull her closer with a snarl, his teeth moving towards her shoulder as he does. At the same time, his free hand starts to reach out to where the syringe is strapped to her leg.]

[recrypt]

[ She hisses when he does that, using one hand to try to force his upper body back down onto the ground as she rears back despite the hand in her hair. He may be pulling some clumps out- who knows.

His other hand gets dangerously close to the syringe before she twists, bringing that same knee up to the middle of his back to try to keep him pinned as she retrieves the syringe. ]

Hold still. It's for your own good, after all. ♪

[ Unless he bucks her off, she's going to stab it into the most convenient exposed flesh. Hopefully they're not too picky about where it's actually injected. ]

[cluedin]

[As 45 injects Hunter with the mysterious blue liquid, his body grows rigid as he collapses to the ground. He trembles, shaking and writhing for a brief moment before growing still. Several moments pass...and then the color comes back to his face and his eyes open.

Together, Hunter and 45 will find themselves rising to their feet, being forced back toward the mansion. As they step through the threshold the door will softly close behind them. All will be gathered in the front hall once more.

Every last inch of the mansion has been cleaned from the weekend and all traces of evidence has been erased. In addition, the effects you've experienced all week have disappeared. It seems as though the trials and tribulations of this weekend have come to a close.

In addition, should you try to ring the pink, purple, or orange bells...you will finally receive an answer.]

[recrypt]

[ Wow, that was fun. Sure is interesting trying not to kill the zombie for a change.

She's just going to attempt to disappear into the mansion to let everyone else catch up with Hunter and will be doing just that unless someone stops her. Bye! ]

[survivaltricks]

[not exactly stopping her, but. definitely looking her way before she disappears]

[and mouthing "thank you" in her direction]

[recrypt]

[ there is just the briefest of nods in acknowledgement in response ]

[counterclocked]

[Haha.

As soon as he's feeling more human and he's ushered inside the house... He looks up at the crowd gathered here, expression plainly filled with guilt. He looks like he's either going to start crying or be sick, maybe both, but before either can happen:]

Sorry. I'm sorry—

[Something in his voice cracks. He's attempting to move past the group without another thought, not looking anybody in the eyes as he rubs at his face hurriedly.]

[survivaltricks]

[Akira watches the struggle calmly, albeit with every muscle in his body tightly wound, hands clenched at his sides, stomach broiling with anxiety. and when 45 stabs the needle into Hunter's flesh, the mysterious blue liquid disappearing as it's injected, for a moment he forgets how to breathe]

[and then]

[and then. . .]

[. . . and then Hunter writhes and squirms, and the color returns to his face, and he stands up and walks back to the mansion with 45, and Akira feels his entire body just. . . slump]

[so anyway the moment Hunter makes it back to the mansion Akira is literally going to bolt towards Hunter and slam into him in a fierce hug, hello friend. NO ESCAPE FOR YOU]

[counterclocked]

[He freezes as soon as Akira makes contact. He wasn't really prepared for this kind of reaction, and his expression tightens, even though he doesn't reciprocate.]

Don't... You don't have to...

[It's unclear how he means to end that plea, but it's there, weakly said.]

[survivaltricks]

Don't.

[don't argue, just shut up, just-- just let him be relieved. even when Hunter doesn't reciprocate, Akira's grip on him tightens, possessive and protective]

It wasn't your fault.

[voidbreaker]

[ Ash is just gonna go to leave, but he does purposely go close enough to Hunter to give a solid couple of pats on the back as he goes. ]

You're fine, Hunter.

[counterclocked]

[He flinches from the contact, honestly, as well meaning as it is. He does hesitate, like he wants to say something else, but - nah. He's out. Sorry Ash!!]

[miscakes]

[...

akechi will just step aside to let him nyoom past the group.

bye, hunter.]