Nowhere To Go || Bad Omens

four

They all reconvened at the campground, the silent fear that they would be asked to stay outside lingering amongst them. Noah's heart twinged at the sight of Nick holding Melanie in his arms, but she did need physical support and nothing can really be exclusive in a situation like this. What, like they were going to waltz out of here and get married? They'd be lucky enough for one of them to live at all, he thought, which made his stomach turn more.

"Good job at surviving your challenges," the voice congratulated, making them all scowl at the sky. "You get another night in the bunks, but not without a price. Noah and Nick, go to the deliberation room." They looked at each other, wide-eyed, Joakim coming over to take over the duty of helping Melanie stand up straight. "The rest of you can enjoy the bonfire and the food in the cooler for now." Melanie let her mind wonder to how they manage to move things onto the field without them seeing anything, but accepted the seat on the stoop.

Why would the host choose the two that she loved to go into the room?

-

Nick took the seat by the door, making Noah the first person to ever occupy the other seat.

"Welcome to the deliberation room," the voice said calmly, making them both scowl at the cameras. They felt something lock their legs into the chairs, that being a new tactic, but they didn't know that. "In the deliberation room, you will be asked straight forward questions that ideally are yes or no questions, but feel free to elaborate. If you decline to answer or give a non-answer, the chair will shock you. The last shock is fatal, so you have to be willing to die for your loyalty."

Noah and Nick looked up at each other and shook hands, a silent agreement that nothing leaves the room and nothing affects them after this.

"To pass a token of positivity, out of the two that have been in here so far, you have both been voted as the strongest players here, so good job on that," the voice acknowledged. They both gave small smiles to the other, but straightened up quickly. "Noah, is your last name Sebastian?"

"Yes," Noah concurred quickly.

"Good. Nick, is your last name Folio?"

"Yes," Nick answered just as quickly.

"Good. Now Noah, who do you think is the strongest player?"

Noah let his mind wonder, going through the experiences in here so far. "Melanie," he answered honestly.

"Would you say that even if you hadn't built a connection?" the voice prodded, making his blood boil.

"Yes. She's a fighter and has done well for herself," Noah answered honestly.

"Interesting. Nick, who do you think the strongest player is?"

"I would also say Melanie. She fought just as hard as I did even on a bum leg today," Nick answered honestly.

"Do you think your connection to her has an influence to that answer?" the voice taunted, making Noah realize his suspicions were right.

"No."

"Hmmm," the voice hummed. "Nick, who do you think the weakest player is?"

Nick thought about it, but his mind was made up pretty quickly. "Lily."

"What makes you say that?" the voice asked quickly.

"Just a... feeling. I can identify everyone else's strengths but not hers."

"That's cruel," the voice taunted, as though the voice wasn't doing the cruelest thing here. "Noah, who's the weakest?"

"I'd have to say Lily for the same reasons," Noah said honestly.