Roblox Flicker - Act Two

4 - Shame

The gentle whirring of the generator interrupted the morning silence, as an ablicant burst of light illuminating the room. Participants slowly woke up, one by one, receiving shock from the sudden exposure to light. No one would be aware of the time, though it simply just did not feel right to be awake for everyone. The scent of decay danced through the air, which was once pure. This bothered several, causing them to complain the second they awakened.
Confused, disgusted murmurs echoed through the house. They would all file into the main room, immediately noticing the revolting scene left before them. It was almost as though time had stopped - everyone remained so perfectly still, and their expressions of terror remained sculpted into their faces as though they were life sized sculptures. Silence drifted through the room, only low murmurs, horrified sobs and whimpers interrupted.
Sighing, John knew he had to be devastated with the group. He pulled on a saddened expression, masking his bloodlust for the moment. He'd pace, lightening up slightly at the sight of finding Liling and placing his hand on her shoulder, bidding her a good morning quietly as the rest of the participants investigated the scene.
The brutality of the first death brought shock to the participants, John almost found it amusing. His own handiwork causing such distress sent a sickening pleasure through his veins. The noise level piped up, an abrupt increase in hostility between the participants arose. They accused each other, though they didn't seem to accuse John at all. He shook his head, his expression hardening, observing their behaviour. He began to zone out, disturbing fantasies rapidly flashed through his mind as he waited. Though, he could barely wait.

After several wasted moments of meaningless, unjustifiable accusations, it would be announced that it was time to vote someone who the crowd believed was evil out of the game and out elsewhere, though no one seemed to know what happened to the candidates who were exiled.
Composing himself, John brought his shoulders back, inhaling. Liling looked up at him, then back at the mass, clasping her hands behind her back. The rambling would just continue, until a participant cleared her throat to make an announcement. Fixating, John's expression dulled to see Zahrah standing on a chair.
"Everybody," Zahrah began in a raised tone, "listen to me! I have a clue from last night!"
Intrigued, the participants silenced to hear the clue. Zahrah would then continue.
"It said this - exactly this. One of the following are evil: Amani, Haneen or Vinny."
Murmurs filled the room, echoing almost eerily, until the silence was broken by a dropped note, laying by John's feet. His eyebrows perked up, beaming curiosity reflected in his eyes. He'd crouch and pick up the note, unfolding it carefully. On the beaten paper, an amused, ominous smirk knitted across his face as he read the horribly printed note, signed off by Haneen. Glancing toward Haneen, a silent participant, wrapped in an elegant headscarf and a dark gown, her face flushed up.
"Don't read it aloud!" She pleaded him, tears welling up as she chuckled nervously, more so out of fear, locking eyes with him. There was a tint of dread and agony in her eyes, almost as though she knew her fate if she were to have her note read aloud. Almost embarrassed for her, John adjusted the paper in his hands, clearing his throat.

"Don't vote me out please. I'm evil, yes, but I'd like a chance to win at least." John read, perplexed. He scrunched up the note, forming a fist and throwing it aside, dusting his hands off. "Don't embarrass yourself like that. You're pathetic, Haneen."

Haneen burst into tears, hunching over in panic,. She'd get onto her knees. "Oh, oh - what's going to happen to me now?" She sniffled, barely intelligible, her voice trembling with her body.

Zahrah rolled her eyes. "We're voting you out, dumbass! Don't even TRY with a sob story! YOU'RE EVIL!" She pointed an accusing finger. "This is a killing game, not a pity party!"
Jean Claude gave Zahrah a nod of approval, then fixating his glance onto the fool. "Our expectations were low, but HOLY FUCK." He ran his hand down his face slowly and tiredly, embarrassed. Haneen felt a ring of guilt and regret, as though she had failed.

This caught the attention of Liling, her expression hardened. She'd approach Haneen who had retreated in a protective ball formation, in a shameful, emotionally weak state, crouching down and giving her a reassuring hug without a word. She had taken note of Haneen's fear and anxiousness - though John saw through this, it was almost as though he knew her strategies like the back of his hand. He found her admirable for such. He knew Liling was doing such a compassionate act to gain the trust of the other players, which even he could agree was a clever tactic that could bring one of the two into victory.
Amidst the commotion, the votes would finally be finalised. The solitary room's door would forcefully open, as people in masks would drag Haneen outside. She frantically cried out, choking on her tears, struggling against their escort. Hansen's distress touched the hearts of many. Many except John. His feelings remained neutral, to him, it felt like nothing had even happened, though he wouldn't understand why he had such little reaction. He was accepting of this. Haneen was not worthy of his attention since the beginning, she was just yet another inconvenience to John. Even so, when she let out her final blood curdling scream, he wouldn't even flinch. The sound of bodily fluids splattering against the ground could be heard from inside the room, striking distress in several of the game's participants. Haneen left nothing in her journal behind, not even a trace left of her for her memory to carry on. This took no toll onto John, he had to kill quickly before it came to everyone's realisation.

"OH MY GOD!!" Minji wailed in the corner, shrieking suddenly in an abrupt panic, almost unnoticed by the mob until she made such a sound. She hugged her knees, letting her tears flow over them. Her figure trembled violently, her breaths began to sound closer to gasps of distress and panic. Jean Claude and Amani were at her side, rather than Zahrah. Minji looked up at Amani, tears pouring out of her eyes, descending down her red, swollen-looking cheeks.

"Amani, I'm going to be targeted next, save me."

The room's eyes darted toward the girl, a bawling mess. John's eyes narrowed, taken aback. It was as though the girl had read his mind. It was exactly that he was considering. It was as though she stated it just as it crossed his mind. Why could this be?