Backwards Into Hell

Part Two: The LFG

Jake's Diary

Tuesday 26th October

There was no answer when I knocked on Lily's door, and considering I had other things to do, I changed direction and locked myself in my room. Maybe I'd pass a note under her door later.

Anyone else might worry after she didn't turn up at breakfast, but Lily wasn't the type of person that needed people. That was how she dealt with the apocalypse—boarding herself in her room and working on her art.

Meanwhile, perching on the end of my bed, I spent a while wondering what to do next. This would likely be the only spare time I'd get for a few days, and I had to use it wisely. I had to plan.

Who to kill next?

Not David of course, because he was becoming far too useful. That said, Anais was annoying, and Darren threatened to rupture our entire group. I took a deep breath, holding my fingertips between my knees.

Abe?

He was old enough, sure.

Lottie?

But I liked Lottie.

Lily?

No.

The faint sound of a whistle echoed. It was an old folk tune and, much like the pied-piper, The Old Man strolled to the foot of my bed. Instinctively, I slid away. He didn't seem to notice.

'I thought you might have some questions,' he said, readjusting his new clothes, which were no longer Roman, but medieval.

'The voices.'

'Good, isn't it?' He grinned and sat next to me but as he did, a chill crawled up my neck like he was made of ice. 'Now you can see what your friends are thinking.'

I shook my head. 'It's too distracting.'

'Hmm.' He'd expected that answer. 'But it will come in handy. Trust me.'

I looked at my feet. Trust him? I'd trust him as far as I could spit.

'Why's it so loud?'

'That's just emotion. People don't always think in words, so there's a sort of... background noise. You'll get used to it.'

I nodded, wishing he'd leave as we fell into silence. There was a lot to think about.

'I'm not just here to answer your questions.' He stood and started working through my room, examining himself in the mirror and pulling at his wrinkles. 'You've been going through a dry spell lately.'

'What?' My cheeks heated.

'It's been over twenty-four hours.'

Twenty-four hours since Delilah. Shit.

He pulled out my drawers and glanced through my clothes. 'This should go unspoken, but the further you get into this process, the more... perks you receive. Understand?'

He turned and fixed me with a glare so strong my skin was buffeted with cold hail.

'I understand.'

The thought of killing no longer filled me with the same sense of dread, and numbness crept in as I thought of Rachel. She'd love this Island.

'Good. I'll see you after the next one. And Jake?' He slammed a drawer shut and the whole room rattled. 'Don't take too long.'