to all the ones i've loved / legacy killers, d1 suite, day 4

Like the flames he was accustomed to, Bastian Fray’s ghost disappears as quickly as it had materialised. With the final swing of my weapon, the rest of the holograms disintegrate, too, freeing the three of us from the momentary nightmare. The only evidence that anything sinister had been in the room with us are the bruises on our skin and the overturned tables and chairs from the scuffle.

“That was so fucked.” Not to mention incredibly unoriginal. Zombie tributes? Like that’s never been done before. I look back over at my bed and see Tigs take a seat on the side of it. Now that the fighting is over, she sags under the weight of her previously disclosed heartache. Her gaze drifts over the bedsheets, like she wants to crawl back under there and sleep for a week.

Such a mood.

I decide to leave her for a minute, and instead home in on the newcomer to our pack.

“It’s good to see you again.” I mean it, truly, but I can hear the hint of bitterness creeping into my voice as I address Nessa, remembering the coldness she’d spoken to me with only hours earlier. “Are you okay?” It’s a loaded question. We both know she isn’t. But maybe some nasty part of me just wants to see her squirm, for a brief moment.

I don’t wait for her response, not caring if it comes across as rude. Honestly, I just kinda want to get out of here before Geiger decides to fire up his stupid A.D.S system again. I turn to the door and try out the handle, but it’s still locked. There’s not even a keyhole to pick with a bobby pin. “I guess you’re stuck with us,” I tell Nessa, and the pettiness is gone. I smile warmly at her at the same time that Tigs does. Her smile is a little more unhinged than mine, though. I turn away from it, still haunted by the image of Maia’s blood smeared across her mace.

With the knowledge that we’re stuck in my bedroom for an unspecified amount of time, I decide to take the chance to rummage around at the bar area. I’m not necessarily thirsty – it’s more just something to do to pass the time and keep my hands occupied. Surely there was something here to distract Tigs and keep her thinking about scum like Roe, and keep Nessa from spiralling at the reality of being alone for the first time in her life. I take my role as the older sister very seriously, I’ll have you know! I’d had an excellent mentor to learn from back home, after all.

So when I spy the bottle of red wine hiding in the dusty corner of the cupboard, I have half a mind to leave it where it is. Doesn’t seem very responsible big sister of me to expose the others to what is sure to turn into a night of messiness and regrets.

But the offer is too tempting. It's practically here begging to be drunk! And I love messy!!

Also, how had I not found this before?! Had Sacrifice been keeping this from me? The sly bitch! I laugh in disbelief, giddy at the change in our fortune. I spin around to show off my discovery and lock eyes with Nessa.

Look, I know there’s probably something incredibly irresponsible about offering alcohol to a fourteen year old, but then again, I started drinking when I was thirteen and a half, so if anything, she’s just a little late to the party! Even so, I bypass her initially and plop down on the bed next to Tigs, uncorking the wine bottle as I yell at the top of my lungs, “Time to get white girl wasted!!” I hold the bottle out to Tigs, offering her the first sip. “Make sure Nessa gets some too, if she wants!” No pressure, of course, but I have a feeling she won’t pass up the opportunity. I know how it feels to have overbearing siblings trying to control your life, too. If she couldn’t let loose in here, when else would she get the chance?

“We should get to know each other better! Have our own sleepover! Have either of you played ‘Never Have I Ever’?”

Tigs’ blank stare tells me all I need to know. Nessa's, too, for that matter. I take a long, dramatic sigh and run a hand across my face. The poor things have been so deprived of the teenage experience. Makes me real sad!

“It’s like a drinking game you play at parties and use as an excuse to get drunk. You just have to say something you’ve never done before, and if anyone in the room has done it, they have to drink. And you can’t lie!” I shrug like it’s the simplest thing in the world to understand. “You’ll get the hang of it, promise! I’ll start!” I jump to my feet to drag Nessa over the bed and sit cross-legged on it with her. Just like a sleepover! “Never have I ever stolen anything.”

actually scavenges stage one tho

umzz2NwuA31-7

2 | antique sword prop [sword]