Kings Gambit

Chapter 47 - Suffering

Angel, Jasper, Leo, Claire, and Matt... When did this place become so empty?... This game has lasted for around a month now, or maybe less. Time has lost all meaning here. I couldn't tell you if it was day or night. The clocks might be off for all I know. But I know that the end is in sight, that the game will end. But not without sacrifice.

"So Claire, what did you want to talk about?" Leo raised an eyebrow. His long sleeve shirt was ragged and torn. To my right side was a distant and empty Matt leaning on the wall, hit shoulder pads chipped, and skull T-shirt faded. At least he's alive, for now.

"J-Jasper isn't here yet," She stuttered.

"Who cares about that rat anyways?" Angel scoffed. Dried mascara streamed from her eyes, and her hair tangled.

"I understand the sentiment, but I want everybody here. Even if it includes... him." Claire grabbed onto her frail arm. Her red dress was tattered and stained, and her long brown hair parted.

"Just be patient," Matt spoke solemnly, his voice scratchy and strained. His face was stained with old tears.

Swing

The door finally opened, revealing the man of the hour. His black and white cape was torn, his eyes grey with heavy bags. But his mouth formed a menacing smile.

"Well, isn't this a party?" He grinned.

"Wish you weren't invited," Angel turned in the other direction.

"Everyone's here," Leo reiterated.

"Right... Um, the food is pretty much gone at this point. Haha. um." Claire's eyes darted back and forth, unable to complete a full sentence.
"We know that much," Leo looked down at the floor.

"Y-Yeah, I know. I was going to suggest. Maybe, maybe we could give up?" Claire gulped with a despairing smile.

"What?" I replied sternly.

"I-I-I know it sounds ridiculous. But do you want to spend the last days of your lives in fear?... I don't... I don't want to play this game anymore. Why should we continue? What's the point in trying? It would be better to have fun and relax on our last days..." Claire couldn't hold eye contact.

"Oh? So you plan on just avoiding this game entirely? What a stupid yet interesting decision," Jasper smirked.

"I don't care about what you have to say, J-Jasper... if no one participates, then you can't make a move either," Claire argued.

"Then we all just starve to death, right? How boring." Jasper looked at his fingernails with a smile. I looked around at everyone, but nobody else spoke up.

"I didn't plan to starve to death... I was thinking... We could have a party. Then we would show each other our role cards for a quick d-death." Claire stuttered.

"You're telling us to commit suicide together?" I squinted my eyes.

"Isn't it better than killing each other?... I can't be the only one...." Claire started to cry.

"I'd enjoy that... I'm dead anyways. Rather have fun than be the next victim in a gruesome murder." Matt spoke without strength.

"But we're this close to the end! Is it really okay to stop here!?" Angel yelled out to Claire.

"Angel, what do you have left out there? Is it really going to be better on the other side!? T-Think! We've been here for over a month... And nobody has come to help us...." Claire sobbed.

"I..." Angel looked down at the floor.

"To think that you guys would lose the will to live. If a party is what you want, then use the stage in the basement." Jasper shrugged as he leaned on the wall with one leg. His eyes were black and brown.