Kings Gambit

Chapter 53 - Jester

BOOM

Vibrations from afar awoke me from my drifting consciousness; a loud explosion echoed through the hallways of this empty mansion. Blowing the dust from the walls and railings down on the floor, I lay, starving and exhausted. I'm not dead?... Am I still alive?... What was that explosion? What happened?

My mind raced with thoughts as I mustered the energy to open my eyes. Golden railings, red carpet, sparkling diamonds, yellow and white wallpaper. Has this place always been so colorful? It's like I've been living in black and white for ages now...

My eyes began to shut once more as I drifted back into the sleeping world. Angel... Jasper... Leo... Where are they? I haven't seen them since the trial... I figured that Leo would've done something by now. But it's been quiet... Too quiet... The explosion must indicate someone's death, a last-ditch effort to win... Did Angel kill? Did Jasper? Or did Leo decide to finish this game once and for all? I'm too tired to think properly... I want to drift away...

Crack

My stomach hurt as a force of energy coarse through my body. I rolled over on my back as I glanced at the culprit responsible for my pain.

"You going to lie there forever?" Leo stood over me with a look of disgust. His leg was still in the air after kicking me.

"God... And here I was, hoping you were the victim of that... Gasp... explosion..." I curled up from the pain, Leo kneeled to my face, and with direct eye contact, she shoved something in my mouth.

"Just shut up and eat something. I can't have you dying on me now." He stared back with determination. His eyes were fierce, and his body movements were sharp. I took bites of what seemed to be a granola bar as a tiny bit of energy sparked within my dying body. It's almost like he has no clue what happened... what happened... wait... if Leo's here, then...

"Is Jasper or Angel dead?..." My words trailed off

"That's what I wanted to figure out. I never expected them to bounce back so fast." Leo bit his lip.

"There's no way; there's no way!" I shouted as I mustered the will to stand up; Leo looked at me with distrust.

"How am I supposed to know you aren't acting right now?" He spoke. I looked over at him.

"What do you mean, acting?" I scoffed.

"An explosion happens, and you're conveniently lying on the floor half dead? That's an amusing alibi," He scratched himself.

"Well, why don't we stop wasting our time here and figure it out," I spat before slowly descending the red-carpeted stairway. The shine of the diamonds on the railings flashed in my eyes.

"It just doesn't add up! No way Jasper would do shit in his condition, and Angel isn't that stupid!" Leo yelled out from atop the stairs as I reached the bottom.

"I don't know! Why are you yelling at me?" I replied. The explosion came from downstairs... It Must have been the new area...

"Angel must've killed Jasper..." Leo placed his thumb in his mouth, "But if you were the one to kill him, then you could just kill me when I vote wrong." Leo spoke out loud.

"We could just vote you out anyway if that were the plan; it would be three people left." I scoffed.

"Not with my role, you can't; this will be the last trial, so I get a slight advantage. Can't you tell how on edge I am from this? It was far too unexpected!" Leo spat. I stopped in place.