Which One Is Dead?

Cynthia carefully approached the large shed in which they were keeping Roy. Not many people were allowed inside, but today she was going to get inside somehow. It had been 3 days since she had seen him last when he tried to escape out of the bathroom window. 

She approached the shed and noticed the large oak tree next to it had a gun and shoes next to it, but strangely there was no guard. She heard movement inside near the door and she ducked behind the opposite side of the tree.

She heard the woman quickly rush out, pick up her shoes and then rushed across the grass. She poked her head around the side of the tree to see Barbra running around the side of the house in a loose-fitting dress. 

After she was sure it was clear, she picked up the gun she left and walked into the shed. Roy arms were hanging by a thick rope tied around a post in the center of the celling. He was breathing hard and his shirt was untucked. His pants had obviously just been pulled back up. Roy looked at her for a moment and then looked back at the ground.

She took a hard gulp before she spoke. “I- “.

“What the hell do you want?” he said sharply.

“Well, I…” she said. She was suddenly a loss for words. She paused for a moment before blurting out something. “I could have sworn Barbra was married to Susan.”

“She still is.”

There was a moment of silence. She didn’t expect the meeting to be this awkward. “What… what happened?” she asked. “I know you must hate me, rather, all of us for doing this to you. I feel like everyone is lying to me. 

My best friend went missing a couple of days ago. Plus, they won’t even let me see or talk to you, even though I’m the one who found you. They also are trying very hard to limit the amount of people who even know you exist. What’s really going on?”

He gave a small laugh. “Why does it matter? Who cares? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Does it have to do with the disappearance of my friend Laura? I haven’t seen her since that day either. No one will tell me where she is and I know she couldn’t have gone far. She still has a broken leg.”

He looked at her. “She’s probably dead.”

“That’s not funny, Roy.”

“I’M HANGING UP IN A SHED LIKE A BUTCHERED HAM, YOU THINK I FEEL LIKE JOKING?” he screamed. He took a deep breath. “She’s dead. Makes sense too. She was probably a waste of supplies.”

“How would you know that? Where’s your proof?”

“Proof? You want proof? Why don’t you ask your mother? Better still, I can show you.”

“Show me what? The truth?”

“Better. I can show you the reality of this place. Cut me down and I shall lift the veil of lies from your eyes. I notice you have a gun, so there’s no need in me running away. Trust me. I will show you what you want.”

Cynthia considered his offer. On one hand, his desperation for escape would make him say anything. On the other hand, since she was in control, she had nothing to lose and saw nothing wrong with humoring him. She took some hedge clippers and freed him. Then she pointed the gun to his head. “Go on and lead the way.” she said. “But I’m warning you, no funny business.”

“Of course not.”

As soon as they stepped out of the shed, they saw Barbra searching around the tree. “Where is it?” said Barbra. “I know I left it here somewhere…”. She looked and saw what Cynthia was doing. “Cynthia?! What the hell you think you’re up to freeing him? Is that Susan’s gun?”

Cynthia, quickly pointed the gun at her. “Stay back!” said Cynthia. “I’m done with the lies you and the others have been telling me! I don’t know what it is, but something strange has been going on for awhile and I need to find out what!”

Barbra raised her hands in the air. “Woah now… take it easy yougin. You really think freeing this liar is going to get you to the truth? If you want the truth, I can tell you.”

“Shut up! I know you’re one of the people I can’t trust!”

“So, you’re just gonna let this guy kill your mom. After what he’s seen, I’m sure that’s his plan.”

“W-what?” she looked at Roy. “Is this true?” she asked.

“Yes.” said Roy. “I haven’t lied to you yet, so I might as well be honest, but I have a damn good reason!”

Cynthia pointed the gun at him. “There’s no way I’d ever let you do that! What reason could you have? What did you see? Everyone is hiding secrets from me!”

“Now just calm down.” said Barbra.

“DON’T TELL ME TO BE CALM!” said Cynthia. “Go stand next to him until I’ve figured this out!” Barbra slowly moved over to Roy. “Now, why the hell would you kill my mother? She’s all I have left!”

“Well since Barbra seems to know, why don’t you ask her?” said Roy.

Barbra began to sweat. “What the hell is he talking about Barbra?” she asked. Barbra stayed silent. Cynthia cocked the gun. “Barbra!”

“She’s been killing people, ok?” said Barbra. “Some of us help her get rid of those that waste our supplies.”

“No.” said Cynthia. “No, that’s impossible, I don’t believe you!”

“It’s true.” said Roy. “And the only way to save everyone is to kill her.”

Cynthia pointed her gun back at Roy. “YOU ARE NOT KILLING MY MOTHER!” she said. “My mother isn’t a murder!”

“She is! And I can prove it! Come with me and we can stop these senseless killings and save a lot of people!”

“No!” yelled Barbra. “If you let him go, he’ll kill your mother and destroy everything we worked so hard to make here! That what you want?”

“If you trust her everyone will end up dead anyway! You and everyone here are in great danger! She just admitted to knowing that your mom’s a murderer!”

Cynthia pointed her gun back and forth between Barbra and Roy.

“I…I…just shut up! Shut up so I can think!” she said. Barbra slowly took a step towards her and Roy instinctively did the same. “Stay back!” said Cynthia.

“There’s nothing to think about.” said Barbra as she continued to inch forward. “Just give me Susan’s gun and we can make sure your mother stays alive.”

“Everyone you know will die.” said Roy as he moved closer. “You need to decide who you trust.”

“I don’t trust ether of you!” she screamed. Suddenly Barbra sprinted toward her and Roy quickly caught pace. “I said stay back!” she yelled. In pure reaction, Cynthia fired the gun and the bullet pierced the skull right between the eyes.