Only a Game (Olympus Drive Chronicles)

Chapter 53: And then there were none

Dean

We called someone about the murder and dismemberment. I'm doing my best to stay moderately sober and let everyone else be moderately sober. It's honestly easier since I did a number on those guards earlier.

"So where do we think MuderMcMurder dude will go next?" Maya asks, as she sorts through food we lifted from the kitchen. I'm lounging on the sofa and Ariadne is across from me.

"He wants my dad—but not yet. I didn't know he'd do that," she says, chewing a nail.

"It's not your fault," I say, sitting up, "You were trying to be nice helping him escape. You thought he would go after your dad."

"It wasn't fair he was locked up! I didn't know he'd hurt her---he and my dad deserve each other," she sighs.

"Helping him escape was justified. You didn't know he'd murder her," Maya comforts, bringing me a donut.

"I should have. He wants to make him live without her, just like he had to," Ariadne says, quietly.

"Yeah and that is not your fault----look at me—not your fault," I say, "It's his. Your dad was wrong in kidnapping him. You were doing the right thing. Don't let anyone else spoil that."

"Yeah but it had the wrong consequences---I should never have left Teddy alone in there," she sighs, putting her face in her hands, "I'm messing everything up. I thought I was doing what's right but I'm only making it worse."

"Hey, at least you're trying. Her death is not your fault—we're going to solve this, and then we're going home to America," I say, confidently.

"How are we going to solve it though? I thought I was---and now Teddy is trapped in that stupid Labyrinth and refuses to come out," she groans.

"That's his fault---you tried to tell him," I point out.

"I should have told him the truth—"

"He probably wouldn't have believed it," Maya says, very nicely.

"Even so," Ariadne sighs, "This is so messed up."

"I know. But we're going to stay together, and make sure none of us get murdered. Is there anyone else on MurderTime's hit list?" I ask. I forget the guy's name. I know I was told.

"I don't know! I didn't think my step mother was on it---I should have," she groans.

"Hey---you are not responsible for some one else's crimes---you were trying to do the right thing, that isn't wrong," I say.

"It is when the person I helped get out commits murder!"

"Should he have been locked up to begin with?" Maya asks, coming to sit next to me.

"No," Ariadne mumbles.

"Look, if someone is on trial, for murder, a murder that they didn't commit---and they get off because the jurors agree they didn't do it---which they didn't---are the jurors now responsible for that person's future actions?" I ask, "Are they responsible if the person they let out goes and drunk drives and kills someone the next day?"

"No," Ariadne says, sniffing up her tears.

"Okay then, you're not any more responsible for what Metion did—"

"I knew he had a grudge against my dad—"

"Which is kind of justified—that's between them. You are not responsible for other people's actions. And I don't think your step-mother would want you to blame yourself either," I say, "Okay? She knowingly imprisoned this dude as well—I'm not saying she deserved that but—she knew to an extent she was in danger here. And she knew you were likely going to help him get out."