The Burden on Her Shoulders

Then End Part 2

Rosalyn hides in her room most of the day, only coming out for meals. But the next night at dinner, tensions rise.

"How could he be contaminated?" Andre asks. "Stu never went outside. He was with me most of the time." He almost begins crying again.

"People do strange things when they're stuck inside 24/7." Coco comments, messing with her hair. "I've started masturbating with my off hand."

There is a brief chuckle around the table but Rosalyn chooses to tune out the rest of the conversation. Her attention is caught be Mead saying, "Nobody's coming for anybody. Not unless you break the rules."

Mallory wheels in a cart with a large bowl.

"This is a difficult time for everyone." Venable starts. "As a small consolation, we have a special treat." She removes the lid from the bowl.

Everyone is shocked, but Rosalyn is more suspicious than anything. She stays silent as the Grays give everyone a bowl of the stew. Most of them immediately dig in, but the girl swirls her spoon around the bowl, studying the contents. She listens to them enjoy the dinner until Andre says, "Tell me this doesn't look like a finger." She looks over at him, sees him holding a bone.

Everyone but Evie has stopped eating at this point, and Andre becomes hysterical. "This stew is Stu!" Evie continues eating as the others spit up the stew. Venable immediately denies the allegations, but Rosalyn knows she can't be trusted.

Sensing the impending drama, Rosalyn retreats to her room again.

~

The next morning, Rosalyn is greeted by the suddenly cheerful faces of the other occupants. The song had changed shortly after she left and they now thought that they would be rescued, but no one came. And time dragged on for eighteen months until the alarm sounded and an unexpected visitor arrived.