Fire Starter

Amber went back into her room. She looked out the door, and Micah was still stood in the hallway giving her dirty looks, so she just went inside. She looked at Akemi's bed, and figured that if she ever needed to change her bedclothes, she could use hers, right? Not like she'd be using them. She lay on her bed, her body still shaking from the watch. It felt like knives penetrating every part of skin, followed by electrocution. But she was more focused on Akemi. Her watch had a new notification, giving her old information. Seventeen years old, on level two, and in here for arson attacks on random derelict buildings. She tried muttering something to herself, but her mouth was still numb. Walking still hurt, so she just decided to go to bed. But as she was trying to sleep, she couldn't shake the feeling that she caused Akemi to die. But…she would have died anyway, right? Like Leonie said, she wasn't the most charismatic or athletic person here. She eventually went to sleep, thinking about how her or Aurora were going to survive this.

"Okay, mister. You are gonna tell me about these 'Ishtarites' or whatever." Eric asked, blocking the door to the bathroom.

"Depends. Can I have my pen back?" Huang asked, putting a hand to his chin.

Eric took the pen out of his pocket and handed it back to him, and Huang gave a small smile as he began to speak.

"The Ishtarites are a small religious organization devoted to finding beauty. Be it nature, life, or others."

"Okay, great." Eric replied slowly. "So why would you be thrown in here?"

"Well, around two years ago, I was the one chosen to lead the group."

"So what, you went mad with power? Having five wives and leading assassinations on other groups, or whatever?"

"Oh, perish the thought in regard to wives! The entire reason I was chosen is my disinterest in all that. They figured it would allow me to have a more objective viewpoint and spot any issues earlier, you see."

So…why did you join a love cult if you weren't into any of it?"

"They asked nicely." He replied with a small smile.

"Got it." Eric replied, confused. "So…what about the assassinations I mentioned?"

"Ah, I was hoping you'd forget." Huang sighed. "Well, the group is dedicated to love and beauty will naturally attract some more…unsavoury individuals. And once that happened, I was forced to deal with them."

"Like, by yourself, or with a team?"

"About five people or so. And once the government found out, they weren't too pleased. From what I heard, someone in a position of power tried to have their way with a member of the group. Tale as old as time, less so the part where he got caught and dealt with."

"So…was Vanessa one of these assassins?"

"Nay. She was simply someone I brought to discussions, who was unfortunately with me when the police came."

"Oh." Eric replied, scratching his head.

"Actually, Eric. I need to ask you something. It's instructions, should I die later on."

"Come on man, do we really need to talk about-"

"We do." Huang interrupted, his words slicing through Eric's.

"Let me guess, look after Vanessa if you die?"

"No. Vanessa is stronger than anyone here thinks, most noticeably herself. Should I die, I want you to let her go grieve, then observe as she blossoms into one of the strongest people this game has ever seen. If she needs assistance, assist her. And let her assist you."

"Got it?" Eric sighed. "Wait, are you planning on dying?"

"I will do my best to survive. It is merely that the quality of people here is such a high standard, and I feel I may not be able to catch up."

"I mean, we have five people now. So I think we're fine." Eric replied.

"Yes. Yes we may be." Huang nodded. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I feel a bath is in order."

"Hey, you survived."

Kapil entered the room, silently sitting on his bed, completely ignoring Lloyd.

"Come on, man." Lloyd continued. "How's the injury?"

"It's fine." Kapil replied bitterly.

"Well, that's something." Lloyd nodded. "Any plans for the next challenge?"

"Survive."

"Right, right. Well, my alliance offer is still ready, if you're down."

"Who's in it, again?"

"Me, you, your sister, Amber, Gemma, and Aurora."

"That's six people." Kapil replied coldly.

"What's your point?"

"Only five people can leave."

"I mean, five is the maximum amount of people who survived. If the six of us work together, I bet we can all make it. And if not…eh, I'll figure something out."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Simple. You know that Gemma lady? Black girl with the pink sweater?"

"The one who's with you?"

"Yeah. If I have to kill one person here, it's her."

"And the other contestants?"

"I don't know, vote em out? Prepare for killing them? We'll have to kill somebody at some point."

"I see." Kapil sighed.

"Hey, don't act like I set this whole thing up! Look, both of us seem like family men, right? So we're both prepared to kill for them, let's be honest."

"Really?" Kapil replied. "I didn't expect you to care about that."

"Hey man, when the cameras come off, I spend time with my parents. Help my silblings with math homework. That's just the Clifton way."

"I see." Kapil nodded.

"Look, just be aware that I ain't gonna vote for you." Lloyd replied with a soft smile. "Sleep on it, and if you accept, I'll lend you a hand. Metaphorically."

"Ugh, that was annoying." Leonie walked in, exasperated, falling face first onto her bed.

"What was?" Kalea asked, drinking a can of High Ace coffee. The instant coffee for when those completley devoid of tastebuds needs a pick-me-up

"Don't play dumb, babe. That thing you did with Akemi. Smilers tore her apart."

"Oh right, that. So what's happening to us?"

"We're only getting paid half for this one."

"That it?" Kalea asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Yeah, because nobody really cared about Akemi. But if that was someone important our asses would have gotten destroyed." Leonie sighed, handing Kalea a small sheet of paper.

"This the current value of all the contestants?" Kalea asked.

"Read it for tomorrow, it's gonna be messy." Leonie mumbled as she got under her bedsheets.

Kalea turned on her lamp as Leonie turned off the light and began reading the list. Amber, Ulrich and Lloyd were all at the top, which she expected. They were all definitely making it past the halfway point. Near the bottom were the likes of Odebode, Micah and Kapil. If she was religious, she'd pray for them, but despite the coffee in her hand, she felt nothing but lethargy. And so, she went to sleep. Maybe by the time she woke up, she would finally get used to this job.