Sequence #2

Killer Konnect

Sequence #2

After an hour of research (or rather, several minutes of research followed by an hour of existential anxiety), the boy approached the girl with the fruits of his efforts, a clear nervous expression on his face.

Kon

Sooo… If you're so keen on eliminating your psychopathic brethren, there's one name that springs to mind as the obvious place to start.

Kira

Don't lump me in with them if you want to keep your head.

Kon

What a coincidence! It's like you read my mind! I think we should start with the infamous leader of the Chain-Linked Devils… Jack The Rider.

Kira

The pumpkin-headed freak…

Kon

So the witnesses claim. Unfortunately it seems like he's very good at making sure no photos or video of him get out. He also has an entire legion of goons to help with that.

Kira

If they're just normal thugs, I can handle them.

Kon

T-There's that smile again…

Kira

What are you talking about?

Kon

Are you not even aware of your own bloodthirst? I'm not sure if that's better or worse!

Kira

It's their own fault if they get in the way. When someone runs onto the highway, do you blame the semi-truck for spreading them across the pavement?

Kon

What a visceral description! And a girl whose not even a hundred pounds yet should not be comparing herself to a semi-truck!

Kira

Which would you rather be locked in a room with?

Kon

What a nonsensical question! A semi-truck can't fit in a room!

Kira

Also…

The girl lightly stabs the boy's arm with a disgruntled expression.

Kon

W-What!? Why!?

Kira

You said 'yet'... Don't insinuate that I'll ever get fat.

Kon

If the bar for 'fat' is just a hundred pounds, the human race is in serious trouble!

Kira

Don't talk to girls about their weight, isn't that common sense?

Kon

The day I take common sense advice from a serial killer is the day I subscribe to /r/flatearthsociety!

Kira

That sidebar says you already are.

Kon

IRONICALLY! I like to indulge in their stupidity from time to time! It's refreshing! Like watching a turtle that can't flip itself over!

Kira

Or someone wriggling in their own blood… I think I get it.

Kon

Those are not the same thing, you little psycho!

Kira

But when I see it… I got that hot tingle in my face… Is that not what you're talking about?

Kon

Like a sugar high? The kind you get from eating too much frosting?

Kira

Now that you mention it…

Kon

If your brain has correlated those sensations, you're the enemy of diabetics everywhere!

Kira

Jack The Rider… they say he wields an unbreakable chain.

Kon

That's his cursed artifact, yeah? Just because the chain is indestructible doesn't mean he is. A whip is a long-range weapon, just teleport in close and he's toast with a pinch of cinnamon on top.

Kira

Hm… That makes sense.

Kon

Of course it does! It's my own brilliant plan!

Look at this scrawny little girl! Jack The Rider will tear her apart and then I can get back to my precious little life of isolation and degeneracy!

All I have to do is convince her that she can take on an entire biker gang by herself… with any luck, we won't get anywhere near Jack!

She'll die and I can escape on my merry way! It's the perfect plan!

Kon

Right? And Jack's the only killer we already know the rough location of. Just follow the obnoxious motorcycle noises. Failing that, they're known to hang around the pier.

Kira

The pier… that's near where the boardwalk is…

Kon

Uh… Yeah? The ocean's the ocean, good job.

Kira

We can recon… survey the whole area… from the ferris wheel.

Kon

The f-ferris wheel? A serial killer wants to go to the carnival!?

Kira

What's wrong with that?

Kon

What's wrong!? It's like knowing that Snow White was Hitler's favorite movie! It just doesn't compute!

Kira

Let's hold a vote. I say we're going to the carnival.

Kon

I say it's a waste of time!

Kira

I win. 3 to 1.

Kon

Where'd the three come from!?

Kira

My knives sided with me.

Kon

I call nepotism! The knives are clearly biased!

Kon recoiled as the knives were held up to his throat.

Kira

Can you say that again? I don't think they quite heard you.

Kon

I s-said our democratic process is a marvel to behold! And might I add that they're looking especially pointy today!

Kira

They might be inclined to forgive you if you buy us cotton candy.

Kon

C-Cotton candy!? That's clearly just for you! They don't have mouths!

Kira

Get up. We're going.

Kon

N-Now!? B-But…

Kira

What?

Kon

T-The carnival is filled with people! P-People with eyes!

Kira

…And?

Kon

I can't! I'd rather be locked in here with a serial killer for the rest of my life than go out there! Atleast in here it's only the one person!

Kira

…Do you have… problems?

Kon

D-Do I have problems!? Serial killers don't get to ask questions like that!

Kira

Are you going to tell me or do I have to let it spill out of you?

Kon

Hng… I… I don't like crowds, okay!?

Kon

That's close enough to the truth…

Kira

…That makes sense.

Kon

It does!?

Kira

That's why you live like this, right? To hide from people?

Kon

I'm not hiding! I'm living my life, they're living theirs! We're just doing it in separate places!

Kira

Whatever. If that's the case, just don't look at them.

Kon

H-Huh?

Kira

Just keep all your attention focused on me and it'll be like we're the only ones there, right?

Kon

What kind of logic is that? We wouldn't need therapists if things were that easy!

Kira

Besides… there are places even in public where you can hide away. Where people won't notice you. I'm good at that. I can show you.

Kon

…

Kon

What's the deal!? That almost sounded… nice!?

…Whatever. She's probably just going to kill me if I refuse. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner we can get to the part where the Chain-Link Devils do her in.

I just have to put up with it for now… then I'll never have to go outside again.

Yeah… I can do this.

Kon

Fine… We'll go to the boardwalk or whatever. But I still say it's pointless.

Kira

…

Though he was sure he was mistaken, he could've sworn he saw her give a genuine smile… the only one not inspired by the thought of blood.

Kira

Good, let's go then.

Relaxing her grip, her knives morphed into shifting blobs of smoke, shrinking down into small beads and attaching themselves to the girl's ears.

Kon

Gahawaht!?

Kira

You didn't seriously think I just walk around town with them out, did you?

Kon

I did not predict that the magical teleporting knives could transform into earring studs, no. I must have missed that part of the lecture.

END SCENE

NEXT SCENE

-City Streets-

Kon

No, this way.

Kira

You seem weirdly familiar with the backstreets for someone who never leaves their room.

Kon

This ain't exactly uncharted territory! You never hear of Google Streetview? What a casual.

Kira

Oh, you're one of those paranoid types…

Kon

I've been coerced into helping a serial killer! It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you!

The girl delivered a solid kick to the back of the boy's knee.

Kira

Keep it down, numbskull.

Kon

T-There's nobody back here! That was the whole point, remember?

Kira

You never know whose listening.

Kon

Oh, but I'm the paranoid one?

Kon

The one time a police patrol would've been appreciated and they're nowhere to be seen… Typical piggies.

Kira

What is the point of the goggles anyway?

Kon

Tsk. Why do guys have nipples? Must there be a reason for everything?

Kira

…Why do guys have nipples?

Kon

Why don't you ask your biology teacher? Not my department.

Kira

Never had one.

Kon

You're not missing much. School's not a place for smart people. Lemme guess, you're a streetsmart downtrodden girl with a weally sad backstowy?

Kira

Do you have a deathwish? Stop making fun of me.

Kon

But alas, you can't kill me! Who'd buy you your cotton candy then? Or would you just off the minimum wage scrub manning the station and take it?

Kira

I wouldn't do that…

Kon

I suppose not! You'd get caught pretty quickly if you just killed your way out of every minor inconvenience. Must be annoying.

Kira

I only kill targets.

Kon

That's what they all say! What a flexible defense! And who decides whose a target? Does her name start with Ki- and end with -ra?

Kira

…

Kon

That's what I thought. Again, genius.

Kira

You don't know anything about me.

Kon

If I had it my way, I'd know even less! You think you're just making up a silly story for the internet, but then it comes to life and takes you hostage!

Kira

You're still going on about that? I'm real!

Kon

Yeah, I got the memo on that. About four times and counting in the arm.

Kira

Wait… something smells good…

Kon

Ah, the distinctive aroma of corndogs and funnel cakes. We must be getting close.

They exited the back alley and approached the boardwalk entrance.

Employee

Welcome! Oh, are you two an item?

Kon

Ha! Buddy, you couldn't pay me for that. This is more akin to being handcuffed to a feral tiger.

Employee

Oh, sorry to hear that. I hope things work out. You seem cute together.

Kon

J-Just take this card and dispense with the wristbands, wage-slave!

Employee

Hey, it'll be you someday, kid.

Kon

That's what you think.

Employee

Here's your bands, enjoy your visit.

Kira

…What are these for?

Employee

Uh, they show you paid to enter. Is this your first time?

Kira

We have to wear these?

Employee

That is how it works, yes.

Kira

These don't have tracking chips, do they?

The employee recoiled back in fear of her intimidating glare.

Employee

N-No! Of course not!

Kira

…Okay, but I know your face.

Employee

W-What does she mean by that?

Kon

Don't worry about it. You're a nameless background character. You're more safe than me, honestly.

Employee

Hey! I'll have you know that I'm studying architecture!

Kon

Uhuh…

Employee

My brother got married last month! I've got stuff going on!

Kon

You're touchier than a guy in an unmarked van. We're just gonna go now.

Employee

I PAY TAXES! I'M A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY!

The pair hustle past the increasingly agitated underpaid carnival worker.

Kon

That guy had more hangups than a laundromat. C'mon, let's get you your cotton candy or whatever.

Kira

Hey, what did he mean by 'item'?

Kon

The poor delusional fool thinks he's in an RPG. It's so sad.

Kira

H-Hey! I'm not that stupid, just tell m-

Kon

Uh, look over there! A comically oversized stuffed animal!

Defying all reason, that actually worked as the girl immediately turned to look at the prize wall of a nearby carnival game.

Kira

It's a tiger…

Kon

Yeah, so?

Kira

I like tigers… I want the tiger.

Kon

So stab the guy and take it, don't hold back on my account.

Kira

I told you, I don't do things like that.

Kon

What, stab people? My arm would like a word.

Kira

That guy isn't a target.

Kon

…

Kon

Oh, I get it. Serial killers often have a type. They'll often only kill people who fit their criteria. A surprising number of them have it out for prostitutes. What losers!

So then… if minimum wage carnival fair workers don't get her off, what kind of person does? For my sake, it'd better not be 'guys with goggles'...

Kon

Well then, I guess you're just going to have to play the game.

Kira

Hm… Okay then.

Kon

Hey look, it's a dart game.

Employee #2

Hi there! Would you like to play, miss?

Kon

I won't miss.

Employee #2

Er… May I see your wristband?

Kira

Why?

Employee #2

Is this your first time? I need to scan your wristband to charge your card.

Kira

It's his card but its fine.

Kon

To a point! Don't rob me blind! My body still needs nutrients! Impromptu outings were not in my budget!

Kira

It's fine, I only need one try.

Employee #2

My, aren't you confident? Well here are your darts. Your target score is shown up there. Good luck.

The electronic sign above the glowing dartboard read 368.

Employee #2

You have ten shots to get as close as possible to the target number.

Kira

And that will get me the tiger?

Employee #2

Oh, that's one of our biggest prizes. You'd need to hit a target number five times for that! But each win earns you another free try!

Kon

I'd say that's cruel but that tiger plush is bigger than she is, so maybe it's not that unreasonable.

The girl glanced at the explanation of the zones to the side of the board.

Kira

That's fine.

Kira quickly threw the darts. Immediately she landed six perfect bullseyes, one in the triple-20, and one in the eight zone, adding up to 368.

The sign flashed WIN in colorful letters before showing the next target score of 222.

Kira effortlessly landed shots. Four in the bullseye, one in twenty, one on two.

Kon

Insane… They just go where she wants them to! It barely looks like she's even aiming!

The next score, 179.

Three bullseyes, a twenty, a nine.

The employee was starting to look nervous, pulling at their collar.

Employee #2

O-Oops! Looks like the center zone is broken! Aw, you must've hit it too hard, miss.

Kon

Bullshit it is! I bet this whole thing is rigged!

Employee #2

Feel free to contact our legal team if you feel so strongly about that, sir!

The target score showed 500.

Kon

T-That high without the center zone!?

Kira

It's not a problem.

Kira managed to perfectly strike and land eight darts into the triple-20 zone, plus one extra in the normal-20.

Kon

A-All those darts in that tiny-ass zone!?

The employee looked very more nervous, clearly reaching for a switch underneath their podium.

Kon

H-Hey! What's under there? Lemme see!

Employee #2

That would be sexual harrassment, sir.

Kon

How many childrens' dreams have you crushed?

Employee #2

Oh my, looks like the top half of the board is busted! You've got a crazy strong arm there, miss!

Kira

Grr… Stop telling me to miss!

The target score showed 357, only the bottom half of the board was lit up.

Kira managed to fit seven darts into triple-17 zone, which rang up as a win.

Kon

Uh, seventeen times three… is fifty-one so… Yep! That tracks!

The employee winced and reached under their podium one last time. This time, the board started glitching out, zones being lit up at random before turning back off.

Employee #2

W-Woah! Sorry about this! I have nooooo idea what's happening with this thing!

The target scored displayed as 1000.

Kon

You're not even trying to hide it anymore! There aren't even enough darts for that!

Employee #2

Our legal team would be delighted to address any concerns you have.

Kon

Maybe some people out there deserve to get stabbed…

Kira

Mhmm…

Focused and unperturbed, the girl tensed herself and sent the darts flying as the zones rapidly shifted between active and inactive states.

5, 16, 11, 2, 1, 14, 19, 17, 15… and the final dart pierced straight through the target score display, breaking it where the third zero had been shown, reducing the target score to 100.

The lights flashed, the screen read NICE WIN and confetti burst forth from the top of the booth.

Employee #2

B-B-But… I… I d-don't… Eugh… Um…

Kira

I get the tiger now, right?

Kon

Yeah wagie, cough it up.

Employee #2

*sniff*

The employee reluctantly removes the oversized tiger plush from the prize rack and hands it off to the girl. Behind them, a printer activates and a sheet of paper creeps into sight. The words TERMINATION NOTICE are clearly visible. The employee breaks into tears as they remove the paper from the device and take off running.

Kon

You're better off, this place was a dead end!

Kira

Soft…

Kon

What an impractically large object. It's more chair than toy.

Kira

You carry it.

Kon

W-What!? Why me with my scrawny noodle arms!?

Kira

Shut up. It's not that heavy.

Kira

It's fine! Besides, if you're carrying this, everyone will look at it and not you, right?

Kon

T-That's… Huh.

Kon hesitantly carried the massive stuffed tiger on his back.

Kon

It's true, everyone's totally fixated on the tiger. They're not even glancing at the guy carrying it.

Kira

Hungry now.

Kon

H-Hey! Wait up!

Kon

Dammit! That brat is practically waltzing around with my wallet on her wrist!

The pair wandered to a food stall. Where another employee stood to greet them.

Employee #3

Hello there. What can I get you? Might I recommend our freshly-fried corndogs?

Kira

Corndog… I hate corn… And why would anyone eat dogs?

Kon

It doesn't have either of those things in it! Are you even from this planet!?

Kira

Then why is it called a corndog!?

Kon

Don't ask me! Hey wagie! Why *is* it called a corndog?

Employee #3

Why, it's named after the inventor. Cornelius Dogen, esquire.

Kira

Okay… I get it now. That makes sense.

Kon

My bullshit radar is firing off like a rocket!

Employee #3

Speaking of, might I interest you in a rocket-pop? Perfect for a warm summer night.

Kon

Don't encourage her to spend more of my money!

Kira

N-No… I'm saving room for the cotton candy.

Kon

That's the spirit! Keep it low! In both cost and calories!

Kira stomped on his foot in annoyance.

Kon

Tch! Ow!

Kira

I told you, I'm never getting fat!

Kon

W-Why do I always add more words when fewer words do trick…?

Employee #3

Speaking of fat, can I interest you in-

Kon

Enough with the sales pitch, just dispense with the deep-fried delectibles!

Employee #3

Very well, sir. And would you care for a drink to go along with your order?

Kon

STOP TRYING TO SE- U-Uh, actually, yes, that would be great. I'll have a Mr. Green.

Kon took a refreshing sip of his soda.

Kon

I'm so glad this, my favorite drink, wasn't discontinued! I'm not even sure why I said that!

Kira curiously bit into the corndog.

Kira

Mhm… It's good…

Noticing the included cup of ketchup, she dipped her stick bound item into it. For a moment, she seemed mesmerized by the red substance sticking to the food and being displaced from its container.

Kon

Look at that… I can almost smell the bloodlust emanating from her. It smells… tomato-y…

Kira

Mhm…

Kon

Wait, weren't we supposed to be doing recon!? How dare you attempt to lure me into a false sense of security!

Kira

Jack's not going anywhere…

Kon

He leads a motorcycle gang! They move around, that's the whole point!

Kira

No, he won't. Jack the Rider only kills on weekdays. It's Friday night so he should be done now.

Kon

Huh? Oh right, I think I remember reading that somewhere.

Kira

Will you calm down? Carnivals are for fun, right?

Kon

Fun? Maybe for you! I'm the one being held hostage by a psycho and her freakishly large tiger minion!

Kira

Don't talk about Taigara that way, he's sensitive about that.

Kon

Y-You've already named him!?

Kira

Taigara looks tough, but he's actually a big pushover. The runt of the litter.

Kon

Do tigers even have litters? And don't you dare make up a backstory for him!

Kira

Don't be stupid. Taigara has lived his own life, long before he was cruelly nailed to that prize board.

Kon

This backstory got surprisingly dark. Well, that's a seri-

Kira elbowed him in the stomach as onlookers looked on.

Kon

U-Uh! I said, that's a seriously compelling backstory! Aha…

Onlooker #1

Did that girl just elbow that dude in the gut?

Onlooker #2

I'm choosing to ignore that part!

Kon

No! That's the part you should've been paying attention to! Oh, the one time I want people to look at me and they aren't! Irony is the cruelest mistress! Like Esdeath if she were a concept!

Kira

Where's the cotton candy? I don't see it on the menu…

Kon

There's a dedicated machine for that, I'm sure it's around here somewhere.

Kira

Mhm… We should go on the ferris wheel to get a better look.

Kon

I'm starting to question if you even wanna kill Jack…

Kira stepped on his foot.

Kira

Not so loud! Look!

Following the point of her finger, Kon observed a couple of leather-clad thugs near the whack-a-mole machine. As expected, they were whacking the mole significantly more intensely than was likely accounted for by the designers.

Kon

O-Okay maybe this is a recon mission after all.

Kira

That's what I kept telling you… Just act normal.

Kon

There's nothing normal about any of this! Look at that poor mole! That could be me! Except you know, less hairy!

Kira

Just ignore them. The only one who knows my secret is you. They're not going to attack us on sight if we don't provoke them.

Kon

That's true… But wait! Maybe I should make a scene… that way these goons can clobber her and I'll run off on my merry way!

Kon

Ngh… No, she can probably take this many guys without a problem. As much I hate to admit it, I'm stuck with her until we find Jack…

Kira

…

Kon

Huh? What's the problem? Why'd we stop?

The pair stopped at the stall designated for cotton candy… however the metal grate was closed and the sign read; OUT OF ORDER.

Kon

Ah. Yeah, tough luck. Shit happens.

Kira

…But I want it.

Kon

What do you expect me to do about it? If it's broke, it's broke.

Kira

Mm…

Kira took a deep breath and turned away in a pout.

Kon

W-What's with that endearingly childlike reaction!? Aren't you a vicious killer?

Kira

We'll come back tomorrow… And try again.

Kon

Y-You're giving up on the recon that easily!?

Kira

I'm not in the mood anymore…

Kon

So you're just gonna let Jack go!?

Kira

For tonight… I should only fight when I'm at my best. That's the rule.

Kon

What rule!?

Kira

I-If I try to fight him now, I'll be distracted… Besides…

Kon

What?

Kira

I've been thinking… Taigara won't fit in the ferris wheel cabin.

Kon

Y-You just realized that…?

Kira

He's so cute… I got distracted.

Kon

You gave off such a laser-focused first impression but it turns out you're as ADHD as they come! How have you managed to ki-

Kira covered his mouth and pushed him behind a nearby wall as a group of thugs approached.

Thug #1

Haha, good thing we got the night off tonight!

Thug #2

Can't wait for the boss' surprise on Sunday! Where'd you think he went anyway?

Thug #1

Beats me. But it musta been important if he didn't want anyone followin' him.

Thug #2

I ain't worried. Boss never steers us wrong.

Thug #1

Hey, you hungry? I'm thinkin' I'm in the mood for nachos.

The thugs walked past the pair unaware, and Kira took her hand off of Kon's mouth.

Kira

So Jack's not even here…

Kon

Grr…

Kon

Dammit, Jack! You had one job! Are you seriously telling me I have to let this psycho-killer crash at my place all weekend!?

Kira

…What's that angry look for?

Kon

Aha… I'm just… So disappointed the cotton candy machine's broken…

Kira

…Really? You like it that much?

Kon

O-Oh yeah, definitely! Easily in the top five things I love to put in my mouth!

Kira

Hm…

Kon

Er… Did I lay it on too thick?

Kira

Whatever, let's just head back.

Kon

S-Sure… but I dunno how we're getting this big lug through the door…

Kon begrudgingly carried Taigara through the back streets on the way to his apartment complex. All the while Kira had an annoyed look on her face, deprived of her first cotton candy experience.

SEQUENCE #2: END