Game of Death

15: Close your eyes

''I'm sorry. What?!''

Toni sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

''When I got voted to be the leader here, I made a promise to always ask my people and alliances for their advice. That means they somewhat have the power'' Toni explained.

''Can't you make an exception?'' Betty asked but Toni shook his head. ''The minute I let survivors stay here without letting my people and alliances speak, they'll think I'm plotting against them'' He added.

''When is that exactly?'' Cheryl asked. ''Right now'' Toni answered.

''Joaquin called our three alliances and they're here'' Sweet Pea said as he came into the room. ''Thank you'' Toni thanked the guy and he left. ''Come on, they want to see you'' Toni turned to his friends with a guilty expression on his face.

The four friends followed Toni into a big room where there were four thrones. Above each throne was a description and logo lasered onto the metal plaques.

Three people were already sat down.

''Joaquin, will you please introduce everyone?'' Toni asked as he sat down on the biggest throne and Joaquin nodded.

''Everyone please take a seat as this conversation is also being shown on all the local TV channels'' Joaquin said and everyone sat down.

Reggie, Betty, Veronica and Cheryl sat down on a bench next to each other, nervously waiting.

''As for the introduction; Evelyn Evernever from the power of wind, also known as Edgar Evernever's former wife''

A younger redhead stood up and sat back again.

''Holy shit'' Veronica whispered to the other three next to her.

''Nick St. Clair, leader of the Technician community''

A middle-aged man with a significant smirk stood up and sat down.

''Nerd'' Reggie whispered.

''Michael Minetta, leader of the water people''

A darker-skinned man stood up and sat down.

''And last but not least; Antonio Topaz, leader of beasts and master of all five clans''

''Wait. Five?'' Betty asked the three next to her.

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Toni cleared his throat and stood up. ''Kamerades, today I have called you together for important voting to determine whether the survivors are allowed to stay'' He said.

''I say kill 'em!'' Nick said as she stood up.

''Nicholas, this is not how it works'' Joaquin said.

''We first need to hear reasons'' Toni added.

''Why would we let them live? What if they're bitten?'' Evelyn asked.

''Bitten?'' Betty asked.

''You didn't tell them?'' Michael asked Toni and he sighed.

''I'm sure they're not bitten'' Toni said, changing the subject.

''Are you sure, Boss?'' Sweet Pea asked as he rolled up Reggie's arm sleeve to reveal a giant mark with a bit of blood surrounding it. Everyone gasped.

''What?! I don't know how that got there. I swear!'' Reggie panicked.

''He's telling the truth'' Veronica backed him up.

''Sir, with all due respect, we don't have evidence that it's fake. We have no other choice than to kill him'' Dilton told Toni and Toni sighed in response.

''Let them get a check-up at Ethel. Take the other on to the tower'' Toni said, avoiding the look of his friends.

The four survivors looked at their friend with their mouths agape.

''Hey!'' Reggie yelled as Sweet Pea put him in cuffs.

''Let me go you fuckers!'' Reggie cursed as he tried to break free.

''This could go easy or hard. You decide'' Toni told Reggie.

Reggie looked at him angrily. ''I knew you weren't loyal to your friends! You're a fucking traitor!'' He yelled at Toni and now he was done.

''Enough! I've kept it easy for you but you've clearly proved that you belong in the isolation'' Toni raised his voice.

''Get him out of my sight'' Toni told Joaquin as he left the room with two guys following him. Joaquin nodded and escorted everyone out.

Lastly, the three girls were standing there in shock.

Joaquin sighed as he walked up to the girls.

''Let's go'' He said with a sombre tone as he led the girls to the door by putting his arm out.

''You're not going to cuff us?'' Cheryl asked.

''Boss told me to go easy on you'' Joaquin replied as they walked through the halls, him in front as the three girls were following him.

''You know, ever since he kept us under his wing, he couldn't stop worrying about you'' Joaquin said as they kept walking.

''Really?'' Betty asked and Joaquin nodded.

''He always told me how he loved each and every one of you including a feature'' He added with a chuckle.

''Can we hear them?'' Veronica asked. ''Why not?'' Joaquin said before he spoke again.

''Uhm, let's see. Josie, he loved how she was pretty quiet but still very kind''

''Betty because she's very good at detective work''

Betty smiled to herself.

''Veronica because she's I quote 'a total badass'''

Veronica smiled slightly.

''Cheryl because she's the love of his life, he says''

Cheryl smiled hugely and melted at the thought of Toni.

''Archie because he's fearless''

''Jughead because he's a great leader''

''And lastly...'' He sighed. ''Reggie''

''Reggie was his best bud. Until all the drama. He loved that Reggie always had his back no matter what. But every time something happens, it seems that everyone turns on Toni''

Joaquin finished.

The three girls looked in shock.

''I didn't know he talked about us'' Cheryl said.

''He still does. Every night, he tells me how he hopes you guys survived and that one day, you would come to see him. He said he would keep you under his wing and protect at all costs. But now, that all seems unrealistic'' Joaquin finished with a sigh.

''Sorry to ask. but how do you know Toni?'' Veronica asked.

Joaquin chuckled before he began to speak.

''I was the first one he took under his wing. I gave up on whatever was left of me and my life. But he gave me hope. He gave me his food when I was starving. He made me tools so I could hunt. We were best friends. I could always count on him. And I hope that someday, he'll figure out that he has saved so many people'' Joaquin said and if you looked closely, a tear rolled down his cheek.

''Toni's a fucking hero'' Joaquin added.

They reached the medical wing of the building.

''Hey Ethel, I'm sure Fangs already told you'' Joaquin told a girl who was Ethel, the three girls assumed.

''Yeah. One was bitten, right?'' She asked. ''We don't know yet but it seems like it'' Joaquin answered.

''Give them process 1 nothing too crazy'' Joaquin told her. ''Are you sure?'' Ethel asked him.

Joaquin looked over at the three girls.

''I trust 'em'' He said before he left.

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