Endless Cycles

[Chapter 5]

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Brandon was beginning to worry. People were starting to go against Ryan's orders, and people were teaming against him. Brandon went to the dining hall for lunch and glanced around at the room. It was split between two groups; Ryan's and Adam's.

He took a deep breath and tried acting like everything was normal, but was approached by Ryan.

"Hello Brandon." He smiled. Brandon smiled back nervously.

"Hey Ryan..." He said,

"I couldn't help but notice you sitting here alone, why not come join me?"

"Thanks... But I really don't want to pick sides in this..." He replied. "Sorry.."

"Oh I understand completely." He grinned "You wouldn't want anyone to target you." Brandon nodded, a bit nervous.

"Well may I at least eat with you? No teams involved or anything."

"Oh uh... Sure I guess." Ryan nodded and sat across from him.

"So how are you?" He asked. Brandon shrugged.

"Making it through I guess... You?"

"You know how it is." He replied. Brandon nodded. The two stayed quiet for a few minutes before Ryan spoke up again.

"Oh I almost forgot!" Ryan said aloud. Brandon looked at him curiously. "A new room opened up. I think you'd be interested in checking it out."

"Wow thanks Ryan! That's awfully nice of you." Brandon smiled.

"Oh anything for a friend." He smirked.

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After lunch, Brandon decided to check out the new room. Going down the same hall as the hospital. As he passed it and saw the new room at the end of the hall, the door opened. Brandon looked around and shrugged, going inside. He found it was just a game room. He didn't get why Ryan thought he would like it so much, but he looked around anyways.

The room itself had maroon walls and a white carpet and a pool table in the center. A few arcade games were there as well, but nothing sparked his interest. Shrugging, he decided to go to the library to read for a bit.

The only other people at the library were Tiffany and Ethan. Luckily they were quiet, so Brandon would be able to read in peace. Unfortunately, he was interrupted when Adam came in. He smiled at Brandon and went over to him.

"Hey Brandon! Fancy seeing you here." Brandon rolled his eyes.

"Hi Adam. What is it?"

"Well I couldn't help but notice you sitting with Ryan earlier..." He began.

"Like I told Ryan, I won't be taking sides in this. Thanks for the offer."

"Listen, just hear me out." Adam interrupted. Brandon sighed. "We're all going to die if we continue to let Ryan control over us! He wants to be the only one left. Please, he's dangerous Brandon..."

Brandon shook his head "I'm sorry, I still can't pick sides in this. If I do I'd automatically be targeted, and I think the whole thing is stupid anyways." Adam sighed and stood up.

"Alright. Fair enough... Don't say I didn't warn you though." He said, making it sound like a threat, and he walked away. Brandon sighed and picked his book back up.

"It's annoying isn't it?" Tiffany spoke up. Brandon looked up from his book.

"Yeah tell me about it." He said. "If anything it'll just get people killed quicker."

"Yeah..." She replied "Both Adam and Ryan tried bribing me as well, but I rejected them. It's kind of scary rejecting both of them, I feel like it kind of adds me as a target." Brandon nodded in agreement.

"Same here." Said Cry. The two looked at his white, emotionless mask. Brandon hadn't heard Cry speak before. He almost thought he was a mute, like Ethan and Sub. Brandon supposed he was just quiet.

"Damn, they're really trying to convince everyone." Tiffany sighed.

"Yeah... It's unfortunate. I mean, we're all supposed to be against each other, so I guess the game-makers are getting what they wanted after all." Cry replied.

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Brandon felt unsafe. Sure, he felt unsafe before, but now it was much worse. The only people he knew wouldn't kill were Tiffany and Cry. They were the only one's Brandon felt comfortable around. After the library, they had all eaten dinner together, and had some good conversations about one another.

Brandon discovered that Tiffany had a husband at home, and Cry had a boyfriend. Not only that, but Cry even told why he wore his mask, which was because he was insecure about face. Brandon felt bad for him, for he had nothing to feel insecure about! He had a boyfriend who loved him, he was humorous, and wasn't a douchebag.

Besides that, everything else was terrible. Both Ryan and Adam continued to try and gain Brandon as a teammate, even though he said he wouldn't numerous times. It was the absolute worst. Everywhere he went it was either Adam or Ryan in his face, trying to bribe him in one way or another.

Brandon walked down the hallway, towards the hospital. Recently, he'd been feeling a bit sick, but it wasn't anything major. It was mostly just stomach aches from anxiety, so he'd get a bit of medicine for it every now and then. As he came up to it, he noticed Ryan speaking to someone inside. Brandon looked inside, making sure he wasn't to be seen, and saw that it was Adam.

What were Adam and Ryan doing talking? Perhaps they were arguing? Brandon pressed his ear against the door, trying to listen in on the conversation. He only got a few murmurs here and there, but he was able to make some of them out.

"... So it's a deal then?" Ryan asked.

"Yes... I'll make sure it gets done one way or another.... Won't know what hit them." Adam shook hands with Ryan, and the two headed for the door. Brandon picked and ran to the closest room, which was just an extra closet for cleaning tools.

He watched as Ryan and Adam went their separate ways, and after they were out of view, he slowly came out of the closet. As he stepped out, something hit him in the back of the head, and he blacked out.