“We don’t really have much for furniture…” Marin said. “I guess the TV will have to go on the nightstand for now. We also don’t have much in the way of seats except for these two bean bag chairs…Hosting for this many people is going to be tough.”

  “Everyone else’s dorms are set up the same way more or less, so I doubt anyone would be expecting us to have a bunch of La-Z-Boys,” I said. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Marin said. “We should make a stop at the cafeteria to get some snacks too. Snacking and gaming go hand-in-hand after all!”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “I’m also going to make some no-bake cookies. I feel like if the Ultimate Baker is going to host a party, then she should definitely bake something.”

  “‘No-bake cookies?’ Doesn’t sound like you’ll be doing much baking at all.”

  “Well, since the party will be here before we know it, I have to make something that won’t take a lot of time. Who knows if anyone is going to come un-fashionably early.”

  “That’s true. Alright, let’s grab some snacks.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Marin said.

  I can’t help but feel a little nervous, but not as nervous as I normally would be, I guess. I’ve always despised parties. As a teenager, I always begged my mom to not have a party for me every year because I hated being the center of attention. Something about having everyone look at you and gauge your expressions when you open their gifts or when they sing “Happy Birthday,” just always feels embarrassing. I’ve always preferred to be a background character, as cringy and lame as that sounds. The fact that I got through high school was victory enough for me due to all the ways that school tests someone’s ability to fit in and not be completely socially inept. Ever since being here though, I can’t help but feel less nervous and awkward than usual. Maybe I’m finally adapting.

  I started grabbing some snacks from the counter in the cafeteria and Marin made her way back to the kitchen which was empty due to Alex looking after the shop. After I finished grabbing what I thought we’d need, I set it all on the table closest to the door before joining Marin in the kitchen just in case she needed a hand with anything. I also wanted to talk to her about something.

  “How’s it going in here, Chef?”

  “I’m finishing up right now,” Marin said. “I’m just waiting for them to set, and then we can head back to the dorm.”

  “Sounds good. Hey, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course! I’m an open book, Ryder.” she said, opening her arms. She loved to talk with her hands. That’s definitely something I’ve learned about her.

  “After we went over everyone’s totals as a group, there were quite a few people who would most likely be able to afford an escape ticket after the next game if they played well. Do you think anyone will pull the trigger?”

  “Oh…Yeah, it’s tough to say. I want to believe that everyone will not want to risk everyone else just for their own freedom, but…I don’t know…”

  “Have you thought about buying one?”

  What I wanted to know most was whether or not she would tell me the truth or lie to me. I like Marin, and I trust her, but…does she trust me?

  “Well, after the money we spent on this party, we both probably won’t have enough until after the third game.”

  She seemed to be deflecting.

  “Yeah, but…have you thought about it?”

  “Would I be a bad person if I said ‘yes’?” Marin looked really embarrassed and ashamed.

  “No, you wouldn’t,” I responded. “If you said you haven’t thought about it, then I would know you weren’t being honest. It’s natural for humans to value their own lives.”

  “Human nature is scary…” Marin said. “I find myself having way more negative thoughts ever since we’ve been here. Thinking that maybe I could do things that I never would have had in me before.”

  If she’s willing to divulge this much, there’s no way she’s lying. I guess she does trust me. Sharing this information would do nothing but sabotage her own image after all.

  “I feel the same way. You’re not alone. I’m sure the others do too.”

  “Does that mean that no matter what we do…Levi will get what he wants?” Marin asked.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “I don’t know. It’s going to be a hard thing to stop. In my head, I can always think of tons of ways to kill someone even with all of Keon’s strict restrictions. I think it’ll be difficult to stop, and difficult to predict who might do it next.”

  “You’re scaring me, Ryder…”

  “I’m sorry! I really shouldn’t speak so negatively when everyone is already so vulnerable. Forget I said anything.”

  Marin then walked up to me and put her arms around my waist, nuzzling into my shoulder. Her tears were wetting my shirt.

  “M-Marin…?!”

  “I’m sorry…” she said. “Um…Can you grant a selfish request of mine?”

  “O-of course! I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “Can you…keep me sane?”

  I felt a chill up my spine as she made her request. If she breaks down, it won’t take long before I do too. For now, I must do what I can to keep us both afloat.

  “I will,” I said. “Just leave it to me.”

  “Th-thank you…You have all of my trust, so please don’t break it…”

  “I won’t. I promise. We should get going. We’ll probably need time to get mentally prepared for the party.”

  Marin nodded her head, let go of me, and then we went towards our dorm with her cookies and some snacks in our grasp. Arriving at the dorm, we made our final preparations. Marin set out the snacks, and I set up the WiiU and synced the controllers to the console. Marin and I played a quick game in order to get warmed up before everyone else got there. She wasn’t doing very well, but I managed to get first place easily. I was always pretty good at Mario Kart. About five minutes before the clock struck seven, we heard our first knock at our door. Marin forced a smile on her face and then went towards the door to let in our first guest, Sabrina.

  “Hey, Sabrina! Welcome to our humble abode!” Marin said, cheerfully.

  “I’m not too early, am I?”

  “Not at all! You’re right on time. Make yourself right at home! We have snacks and I made some cookies.”

  “Thank you for your hospitality,” Sabrina said, then she turned to me. “Hi, Ryder…Is this seat taken?” She said while pointing to an empty spot on the ground next to me.

  “Not at all. Feel free,” I said, gesturing at the ground.

  Sabrina made the spot next to me her own, and then Marin took the spot on the other side of me for a handful of seconds before the next round of people showed up. Carmen came by herself, and then Atticus, Cyrus, and Robbie showed up together as a group. Everyone was fawning over Marin’s desserts as usual, which were gone before we even started the first race, much to the chagrin of Sabrina, who, in her tsundere way, pouted while also claiming she didn’t care that she ended up not getting one. We then started the races, and I got to see everyone’s competitive spirits shine in a much less consequential environment compared to the sports tournament.

  (Ryder, Marin, Atticus, and Cyrus playing.)

  “Can everyone please slow down?!” Marin said.

  “You’re a formidable foe, Ryder,” Atticus said. “I’m supposed to be the video game master, but here you are making me sweat.”

  “Where is everybody!?” Marin yelled. “I haven’t seen another player since we started!”

  “Well…at least I’m not last,” Cyrus said.

  (Ryder, Sabrina, Carmen, and Atticus playing.)

  “What is this little box I’ve picked up?” Sabrina asked. “Also, how do I slow down?”

  “How are you asking these questions when you’re in first place!?” Atticus said.

  “I guess she’s just a master at everything she tri- HEY! WHERE DID THAT GREEN SHELL COME FROM?!!” Carmen yelled.

  “Sorry…” I said.

  “I’m going to thumb your eyes out of your head, Ryder,” Carmen said.

  “You will do no such thing!” Sabrina yelled.

  (Marin, Cyrus, Robbie, and Sabrina playing.)

  “My controller is definitely dysfunctional!” Robbie said. “There’s no chance I would’ve hit that obstacle with a working controller!”

  “I used that controller last round, and it worked fine,” Carmen said.

  “Then why did you get last place?” Robbie asked.

  “SHUT UP!” Carmen barked.

  “Why are we playing on 150cc?! I can’t keep up!” Marin said. “This is why roads have speed limits!”

  “So, I just have to wait for everyone else to finish?” Sabrina asked.

  “How are you already done!?” Marin yelled.

  “Hey, I might get 2nd place this round!” Cyrus said. “That’s called consistent improvement, fellas.”

  (Ryder, Robbie, Carmen, and Atticus playing.)

  “I refuse to lose to you again, cretin!” Atticus said.

  “Haven’t heard that insult in a while. What is this? The 1500s?” Carmen said.

  “Unhand me you giant monstrous plant!” Robbie yelled.

  “Jeez, Ryder. You can’t be stopped as long as Sabrina isn’t playing,” Cyrus said.

  “That was only because he was taking it easy on me,” Sabrina blushed.

  After a few more matches filled with yelling and threats, it started getting late and people started filing out of our dorm. Sabrina was the last to leave at just a few minutes before the nightly body search was conducted. There was nothing found in the search as usual. Marin and I made it back into our dorm exhausted from both the basketball game from the morning and the party we had just hosted.

  “I feel like I need at least 12 hours of sleep after the day I just had,” Marin said, plopping down on the beanbag chair.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean,” I said. “I’m completely exhausted.”

  “Looks like tomorrow we’re going to start our training for the soccer game…” Marin said. “Back to the grind…”

  “Yeah. We aren’t going to be getting many days off here it seems.”

  “Hey, Ryder…”

  “What’s up?”

  “Do you think you could kill someone?”