𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 ➵ (𝐓𝐖𝐃)

𝐗𝐕

Ada

⚘.

Hershel wanted to help the sick people suffering at the prison, and I understand that, but my job is right here helping the people who need a different kind of comfort. In these stressful times, these poor children who've already lost enough, do not need to be worrying about the illness. I want them to have something to feel better, even if there wasn't a sickness in them that needed curing, they deserve that comfort too. So, of course, I decided to gift them with the sound of music. It's the most comforting thing I can think of. And, Carl gave the guitar to me in my most desperate times, when I needed to get away from the world, which is what all of us need right now.

Currently, we are stuck in the most intense, brutal battle of our lives.

Musical Chairs.

Children were awfully competitive when it came to simple games such as this. It scared me a little how brutally they would snatch up the chairs, and the way they would scream if someone took a chair before they got to it. The amount of pent-up anger in their tiny little bodies just came out during this game. It was supposed to be a calm, happy way to pass the time in quarantine, yet the outcome of my good intentions was completely jarring. Their behavior shocked me, yet I still found myself playing my guitar faster and faster, building up the anticipation for me to stop. If this was the only way to distract them, I fear the chairs may be broken by the end of this game. As well as a few bones. 

With only two of the kids left by the end of it, I felt nervous about the outcome. Sweet little Maria, and mean little Daniel were the only two left. I was afraid they'd kill each other. But, if I ended the game now, I fear it would only make things worse for myself.

Biting my tongue, I played continuously, smiling and trying to keep up the good vibes in the room. To no avail, the two remaining players glared at each other as they walked slowly around the singular chair. Slowly and slowly they walked. Faster and faster I played. 

I dragged on and on, stalling the inevitable attack. Who would pounce first? Who would prevail? Who would be defeated?

I stared at them, unconsciously playing by now, until I came out of my daydream. Finally allowing the victor to be decided, I ceased playing, held my hand in place, and encased the room in silence.

The room didn't stay silent for long. Immediately after I finished the room erupted into chaos of yelling, pushing, and shoving, with cheers from the onlookers on the sidelines. I gasped as I watched the horror that took place in front of me. 

I covered my eyes with my hands, frightened by their dramatics, and the laughs from the other children, until finally, the room erupted into claps and cheers. 

I moved my hands slightly, peering through the spaces in between my fingers, and saw the lone victor sitting on the chair. Maria held up her hands and laughed, "I win! I win!" she cheered.

The loser, however, was on the floor holding his stomach, not as amused as his opponent.

Maria got up from her seat to stand over him and she stuck her tongue out and blew raspberries in his face. The other victors also began to taunt him viciously. 

"You lost to a girl?"

"Boooo!"

"Loser, loser!"

He continued to lie on the floor, looking extremely upset, so I decided to step in. It was a savage game already, and it made it even more barbaric to treat him this way.

"Okay, okay, let's calm down now." I pleaded with the children, pushing them away from Daniel. He had tears in his eyes, which the other kids had noticed by now.