Everyone instantly surrounded me when I got back. I guess it was obvious I was quite shaken up. It was quite embarrassing really. No one else had the same reaction.
Blanche came back grinning.
"What happened?"
"Did he hurt you?"
I take in a deep breath. How do I tell them?
"He's planning on killing us."
No one says anything. Beau's eyes tear up. Hunter is just intensely staring at the same spot on the ground. Blanche doesn't move. Our suspicions are officially confirmed. Before this moment we really didn't know what was going to happen. Perhaps, after he thought we "learned our lesson" he would release us. There really is no hope left. My heart aches as I think about never seeing the light of day again.
Finally Blanche speaks:
"So no one actually commits suicide here?"
I shake my head.
"He asked us such personal questions to convince the world we killed ourselves. On his property. He will probably leave our bodies on his front lawn. Everyone will think we did it to our-"
I can no longer take it. I begin to cry uncontrollably, unable to say another word. Blanche puts her arms around me as her eyes too, began to water. So did Beau. And Hunter. Out of all the people in the world, I never thought that these would be the ones that I would spend the last moments of my life with. My childhood best friend, who became an absolute bitch, my awful ex boyfriend, Beau: a funny guy who unfortunately met Hunter, and Poésie, a girl I got to know for the first time in my life no more than two days ago, who has passed out moments after we entered the house. If only she never mentioned picking locks. If only Hunter never suggested truth or dare. If only my parents didn't invite them over.
Suddenly, Beau speaks up.
"There is still hope for Poésie."
We all look over at her, in the same place she has been for so long. On the mattress, completely passed out, last thing she remembers is getting locked in the basement.
"We need to do everything possible to get her out."
Blanche says.
Her words surprise me. It was her idea to invite Poésie, a girl she didn't even know, just to make fun of her. It's crazy how much Blanche has changed during this whole situation.
"I already mentioned it to him. I told him Poésie is the only one who has no idea about who he truly is. Letting her go is completely harmless to him. We really need to persuade him though."
I say.
Hunter yawns.
"Right now I'm absolutely exhausted. None of us have gotten any proper sleep so far."
Beau nods.
"Let's rest and figure out how to get Poésie out of here."
I lay down on the rock hard mattress, shivering, with nothing to cover my bare arms. I really doubt we will ever get any proper sleep while we're here. Despite the temperature, the stiff mattress, and the lights that we can't figure out how turn off, I really am exhausted. I quickly fall asleep.
I wake up, I'm guessing an hour or two later, I really lost all track of time. I get up, checking if anyone else is awake. Hunter and Beau are fast asleep. But Blanche... Blanche is sitting up against the wall on her mattress... crying?
"Blanche?"
I whisper.
She quickly turns to face me. I sit next to her.
"What's wrong?"
She wipes her eyes.
"I've just been thinking... I really don't want to die as the bitch I am."
I'm shocked.
"Blanche you're not a..."
I can't even finish the sentence.
She laughs.
"You can't even convince me otherwise."
She's right.
"I've just realised that Poésie is only here because of me. Because I invited someone to bully, to feel better about myself. And because of that, the poor girl has been passed out for God knows how long. We don't even know if Peterson will agree to let her live. And it's all my fault."
I don't know what to say. I really never thought I would ever see Blanche so self aware.
"And it's not only Poésie. I've been a bitch to everyone. To you, my best friend for so long. I stopped talking to you because I found friends more popular. When they talked shit about you, I didn't even defend you. I don't even like them Dove. And I doubt they like me very much either."
I'm crying again.
"I know apologising really isn't enough but it's probably the best I can do in this situation. Dove, I am so so sorry."
Is Blanche apologising? How do I even respond?
Before I can say anything something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. I turn to the mattress closest to the cage door. My heart is racing.
"Blanche, Poésie is gone."
