Prison of the dead (Labyrinth of Monsters' sequel) A hermitcraft/3rd life fanfic

Chapter 18 - Etho

:)

Everyone hates me.

The SODEAD and their friends hate me for killing Skizz and 'causing' Impulse to kill himself.

Bdubs hates me for still being in the NHO. 

Most other people hate me for being too good at everything. 

And now, as Doc enters our room, and slams the door behind, a couple of days after Scar's murder, I know he's going to yell at me for existing too. 

'Next time.' He begins, just as I predicted. 'When I'm in a bad situation, you're actually going to help me.'

'So, are you in charge now?' The last thing I should do is argue back, and lose one of the 2 friends I have left. 

'They made me clean every inch of blood out of that place, even after they'd dragged Vex-boy's body down every single path.'

 'You did kill him.'

'He attacked first. He was waiting for me to be there, and then jumped out and ambushed me! He wanted me dead! It was self-defense, Etho.'

'I know.' I respond simply, standing up. 'Maybe you shouldn't have provoked him.'

'How?!'

'A good way to make friends is to not murder them.'

'If you're talking about that other vex, then I had every right to kill him.'

'And... was Scott's death equally moral?' 

'I wanted to see how our creator friend would react. Is that illegal?' 

'So you killed Scott. When he was already defenceless.'

'He was nearest! It's a coincidence that he wasn't armed.'

'I doubt that Jimmy would think the same.'

'Jimmy wasn't even there! As I recall, he'd already been murdered.'

'Grian told him, and he was there.'

'How do you know? Were you also in their little meetings?'

'No. I was eavesdropping. Because I was awake, curious, and bored.'

Doc stops his pacing and glares at me, clearly infuriated by my calmness. I look nonchalantly back at him.

'You killed a lot of people.'

'Alright then. Martyn's death was an accident, Cub and Ren's were in self-defense, and I've already explained Jimmy and Scar's deaths. See!? Not. Guilty.'

'And working Impulse to suicide?'

'Someone had to protect the camp.'

'They weren't coming anywhere near. As far as I'm concerned, the people in the maze weren't meaning to be dangerous.'

'Is that why you killed Skizz?'

'I'm not going to talk about Skizz's death.'

'Why not? Too ashamed?'

'I'm not going to talk about Skizz's death.' I repeat, firmer. 

'And if you're going to leave me, like Bdubs did.'

'You'd just killed one of his closest friends. People don't tend to like you when you kill their friends. Trust me. I know from experience.'

'IT WAS SELF DEFENSE!'

'Then why were you smiling?! Why did you look over at me just before you did it and smile. Act like you were happy that you were murdering him. He was harmless. You'd already hurt him enough.'

'I was putting him out of his misery.'

'Is that what you call murder now?' I walk away, towards the door. Doc runs after.

'ETHO! Come back!'

'Nope! I'm not dealing with you any more. Bdubs had the right idea. Good. Bye.'

I shut the door with a finality behind me. With a sigh, I close my eyes, leaning against it. I know this was right. Doc needs to learn how to be a decent person. And if that's the hard way, then so be it. 

The lights flickers above me, before turning off, until only one remains on. I look towards it, seeing three figures there. I don't need to see their faces to know who they are. 

The SO DEAD. 

They're here.

My throat tightens as I realise what they mean to do, and I begin to back away. There's a knife in my pocket that I was draw. I don't have a bow, or any easy means of escape other than running. Even that won't work. Jimmy's almost faster than me, as is Martyn. 

There's no getting out of this. 

'Etho.' Skizz growls. 

'Hmm?'

They're wearing masks. I can faintly see them in the light. They seem to be white, with large jagged smiles and hollow eyes. Martyn and Jimmy's are covering the right side of their faces, while Skizz's covers the left, clearly showing the scar that Doc cut across his cheek. I also notice that Martyn has the giant axe he seems to like fighting with these days. 

'You killed me in cold blood, watched as Martyn was almost gored, and let Scott walk into the maze without stopping him or telling anyone.' Skizz continues, voice a challenging snarl. My breathing's heavy. I still have the advantage of 10 blocks between us if I want to run. Martyn's axe will slow him down. Jimmy? Jimmy will still be a problem. I continue to step back, feet light on the ground and ready to flee if need be. My hand is reaching slowly for the knife in my pocket as well, but it won't be enough to fight all three of them.

'Would you rather I killed Scar, your friend, or ended up killing Cub and thus Impulse at the same time? And Martyn, would you have liked it if I'd murdered Ren to save you? And Jimmy, do you really think that Scott would've listened to me?' It's the only argument I have. I step back again. 

'We're not leaving until you're dead, Etho.'

'Then we'll all be here a very long time.'

'Do you think you can run?' Martyn almost laughs. 'Do you think you can get out of this situation?'

'If you want to kill someone, kill Doc.'

'Doc's next. But only when he's found your body. Only when he knows how much it hurts to lose a best friend.' Jimmy growls back. 

'Doc's no longer my friend.'

'What?' This seems to throw them. 

'I just told him he wasn't my friend. Killing me will do nothing.'

I want them to believe it, even though I don't actually know how truthful it is. Hopefully I'm far enough away to hide the utter terror in my eyes. Skizz merely smiles.

'It'll hurt more now he knows he doesn't have a change to redeem the friendship.'

I run.

I hear three sets of footsteps behind, as all of them chase after me. I know I won't stumble, or slip up in any way as I make my mad dash towards safety. 

But there's one thing I haven't accounted for. 

I run straight into their trap. A dead end. A solid wall. I'm an idiot. A complete idiot. Why didn't I realise there would be a wall? 

I claw at the stone desperately, before turning, just in time to see Martyn punch me in the face. There's a loud crack as my head connects with the wall, and everything goes black.

Death and murder :)

My favourite.