Endless Cycles

[Chapter 10]

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16. There were 16 people left. Eight people dead, and 16 of the 24 were alive. This made Brandon feel sick. Four people had committed murders, and four had been victims of those murders.

Brandon sighed and walked down the quiet halls. He was making his way downstairs to relax a bit before the group had a meeting. They had agreed to plan meetings at least twice a week. Instead of having one leader decide all the decisions, they would vote on important things. Brandon came to the library and noticed a few others reading and speaking quietly to each other. He sat down alone and began to read.

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Brandon and everyone else had gathered for their meeting. Everyone sat in the dining hall and waited silently for Brandon to speak.

"Hey everyone, uh, thanks for coming... As you probably know, we can't just have one leader--"

"And why not?" Tom asked.

"Because, it causes fights if someone disagrees with something." Brandon replied calmly. This shut Tom up, and he continued. "We should have three main leaders. I of course will be one, but I need two others. Any volunteers?"

Almost automatically, both Ant and Tom raised their hands. They glared at each other.

"Why don't you put your hand down you murderer?" Tom said.

"I didn't murder anyone you prick!" Ant growled. "Last time I checked I didn't shoot Seto."

"I saved your life!" Tom shouted.

"Alright alright that's enough. Neither of you will be leaders seeing as how you argue so much... Now, anyone else?" Brandon asked, sighing a bit. No one did. "Come on guys don't make me choose." He begged. Ian sighed and raised his hand hesitantly.

"Thank you Ian... Anyone else?" Brandon noticed Smiffy raise his hand.

"Why not? I mean since no one else is going to do it." Brandon smiled.

"Thanks. Okay, now that we've got our leaders, first order of business... What do we do when we find out a murderer, if we do?"

Smiffy spoke up. "Obviously kill them."

"See I don't think we should kill them." Ian said. "What's the point if we become killers ourselves?"

"Oh of course you would say that." Smiffy rolled his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ian asked accusingly.

"Well I mean, you're the one all over Ant, who supposedly killed Ryan, so of course you would protect him." Ian's face flushed a deep red.

"Alright that's enough Smiffy." Brandon sighed. "We really need to fix this situation."

"Maybe instead of killing them we keep them as prisoners?" Ian suggested.

"This is a killing game! Only one of us is gonna win in the end, why not just get it over with?" Smiffy sighed.

"I agree with Ian. I understand your point Smiffy but we can't just slaughter them. But we shouldn't do something as drastic as keeping them as prisoners, perhaps just have someone watch them at all times?" Brandon suggested. Ian nodded, but Smiffy still seemed reluctant.

"Alright, I suppose that's better, but if they try anything the guard has the right to kill them."

"Deal." Brandon said. "Does anyone else object to this?" Silence. "Alright. Then it's settled." The meeting was dismissed and everyone began to leave the room.

After the meeting, Brandon decided to have a rest in his room before dinner. He locked the door behind him and crawled into bed, drifting into a light sleep.

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Brandon woke up to a scream. He shot up from bed and ran out the door. He noticed others do the same, and he ran downstairs.

As he came to the source of the scream-- which was in the library-- he saw Tiffany covering her mouth and staring down at something. Brandon looked over her shoulder and his eyes widened. Ethan and Sub were laying on the floor, both covered in blood. Sub was staring blankly at the ceiling, and Ethan was looking to his left. Two deaths? No... There was no way.

"Both of them? Dead?" Brandon asked. Soon the others arrived, and the investigation began. Brandon, Ian, and Smiffy were looking for clues with the help of Jerome and Adam. As Brandon looked at the bodies, he looked at Ethan. He was staring at something before he died, but what?

Brandon followed his eyes and noticed that before Ethan died he wrote an 'R' with his own blood beside his body. An R? Brandon continued to look for clues but found nothing else.

"Hey Brandon come look at this." Jerome said, and Brandon made his way over. Jerome had found a red cloth in Sub's hand.

"Interesting... Thanks Jerome." He smiled. Jerome nodded and continued to look.

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Soon enough, the investigation was finished, and Brandon was prepared to give his accusations. Once everyone was together he began.

"As you know, Sub and Ethan both died. I have my suspicions of who it is, but there was no way for one person to commit this murder. The murderer must've had an accomplice, who I also think I know." He pulled out the red cloth. "This was found in Sub's hand by Jerome. I noted that no one is wearing red clothing, but there are a few red accessories, such as my beanie and tie. Not only this, but while looking at Ethan, I found that before his death he left us a message." Brandon paused. "He left an 'R', painted with his own blood beside his body during his last moments. Now, who could possibly have a name that begins with an R, and also wears something red? Smiffy? Do you know?"

Smiffy nodded. "Ross? Care to explain." Ross stayed quiet, but looked angry.

"Oh but you weren't alone, because you had the help of your friend Trott as well." Trott's eyes widened.

"Admit it, you killed Ethan and Sub." Smiffy narrowed his eyes at the two. Trott nodded slowly, but Ross stayed quiet.

"Jordan, Adam, take them away. Each of you watch one of them please." The two nodded and rushed to take Ross and Trott away.