Hotel Umbra (Started)

Zander Foster

The guy and I traded several blows, his starting to weaken, his nose bleeding- suddenly the guy fell to his knees, clawing at a rope around his throat, Viola standing behind him. The guy turned a bluish color, and fell to the ground- Viola kept squeezing.

Kill the son of a- wait...that'll be on her conscience forever.

"Viola, no," I grabbed her hand and pulled her from the room.

Suddenly she stopped

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"We forgot to lock him up," she said worriedly. I chased after her, as she ran back to the room- the guy wasn't there.

"I think it's better for us to go," I said gently. The son-of-a-bitch is dead if he comes back.

I led her down most of the stairs, until we were on the second story flight, and then I sat down. Viola let her head fall onto my shoulder- I looked at her, worriedly, horrified to find a big scratch across her neck. I hugged her tightly as she sobbed.

"It's going to be alright," I said, rubbing her arms.

She gradually stopped sobbing, snuggling deeper into my arms. I held her for several long minutes, enjoying her small body wrapped in my arms, but eventually I stood.

"Come on, you've had a big day- I bet you'd like a shower, mm?" I asked. Girls take showers alot, don't they? They always smell nice...that was probably a stupid thing to say.

She giggled. "Showers don't reverse time."

My face burned with embarrassment. "Erm, well, yes...come on."

I led her to my room, she hesitated as went through the door.

"I-I can't, I mean...I'll go to my-"

"You're not leaving my sight again, not until I find that redheaded freak and- I mean...never mind. You can take your shower here, I promise I'll stay out...there's a lock on the door too," I laughed nervously.

I locked the door behind us, flipped on all the lights, and checked every inch of my room- under the bed, behind the couch, in the closet, under the sink, but there was no freak. I sat down on the bed.

"I'll be right here," I stated.

I let my switchblade fall onto the bed beside me. "You're perfectly safe here."

She smiled.

Lucy Harold

There were screams. Not only was this guy on the other side of the door gasping for air, but there were loud calls for help.

"Ellie..." I whispered, clutching my knees against my chest.

We were in the bathtub, hiding as best as we could.

"Sh, he can still kill us." I heard her voice shake.

You'd never think once in your life that you would actually die soon. Until now. The screams grew louder and closer.

"Did you get all the esca-pers." the guy heaved.

"Yeah, some had to die. What happened to you?"

It seemed like kidnappers/hostagers/whatevers were rather human other than their theory of "fun".

It was still dark in the bathroom, you could see something from the light under the door, but not much. I was shaking scared.

"Almost chocked to death by these freaks. Freakin' wrapped a rope around..." he gasped for air, "...my neck and be-at me up." he sounded weaker by the word, good. But the other guy must die.

Shane Delowski

The moment's right there. In my face. Literally. But I couldn't. We were in danger and we couldn't just do whatever we wanted now. We had to go be superheros kind of. We needed to save the people. But when will be my next chance? What if she dies?!

She won't die.

Not on me.

Not before I get to kiss her. I do not want to kiss her dead body. I can't even think of her being breathless, lifeless, dead. Or hopefully it could be a Snow White story. first kiss and back to life. God, what if I die? I wouldn't be able to have her. Ever.

She was not even centimeters away from my face. I felt her breath, I heard her heart beat. Her eyes were just so magnificent. Her lips perfect and ready for mine.

Forget all your doubts.

Leaning in, I lied my lips on hers. At first she didn't move, she was frozen. But then, she became alive. Her lips caressed mine. I loved this moment. I could live in this moment for forever. It was warmth, it was faith, it was love.

Red-headed Kidnapper - Earlier that night

"You idiot!" my boss hissed. "You let farm boy and the bookworm choke you with a rope?!"

"He jumped me!" I protested. "How was I--"

"Shut up!" the boss snapped. "And now they know what you look like...God, you are so incompetent! Just straight up stupid."

It was dark, so I couldn't see my boss, but I could just imagine her shaking her head.

"You did kill the manager lady, though, right?" she asked, her voice dripping with venom.

"Yeah, she's in the closet," I answered. "That European history buff found her. Right in front of a bunch of people, too."

"Good," the boss remarked. "For reals hate him."

"So what now?" I asked.

"For you?" the boss asked. "Nothing." I heard a muffled gunshot--

Ferdinand Arias

Annie's body fell out of the closet and onto the floor, revealing a giant bloodstain on the side of her blouse. I reached down and grabbed something--a knife, stuck in Annie's throat.

Then I did scream. I ran backward so quickly that I almost tripped over my own feet. As I stumbled back into the middle of the lobby, I ran into someone--Jake, that other girl's ex.

Jake grabbed my arm and spun me around roughly. He was a good six inches taller than me, and he looked absolutely livid. "What did you do?!" he demanded. He grabbed my shirt collar and pinned me against the wall. "Where's Ellie?!"

Viola Murtaugh

Zander was so sweet of him to let me stay in his room, but honestly, I have to go get my clothes before I take a shower. Laughing as his switchblade falling on to the bed, I smiled. So much for being safe. That guy. He makes me laugh.

"Well, I better go get my clothes then." I say, grabbing the handle.

"I'll come with you." Zander says, following.

"Oh, no, that's alright. Its just -" I was interrupted by him.

"Shh. I'm coming with you. As I told you before, I'm not letting you off my sight." he said, and we make our way to my room.

I open it to see my room just the way it was, before and I make a grab for my luggage and laptop. Dragging it all out, I closed my room, putting the keys to my bag.

"Let's go?" he asks, smiling.

"I'm not sure..." I say, by the idea of to be in Zander's room and he shakes his head, laughing.

We enter his room again, inform him that I'm going for a shower. I walk into the bathroom and close the door behind me.

x--x (After the shower)

I came out and I was just wearing a denim shorts and a turquoise green top, with my hair french-braided. I came out to see Zander watching television and he looked at me, and smiled. I smile back.

"What're you watching?" I ask, sitting next to him.

"Oh, just the news. Just seeing if that red- headed guy was there on television." he said.

"I don't think so. He looked like he was new and came from a "wanted" gang." I said, sighing.

"Whoever he was, when I get my hands on him, I'll thrash him up." he said.

"Oh! Tough Zander coming out of his shell? Finally!" I said, teasing him a little.

"What?" he says and I chuckles. He chuckles too, looking at me.

I look back at him, with a small smile. There's a moment's pause when he leans over, as his warm lips lock onto mine. I can feel his energy coming, I can every bit of his love. I return it, soon realizing that we were in love.

Lynn Caradean

I'm frozen. Absolutely frozen. But then happiness overrides the shock and I'm enjoying the kiss, and my arms are slowly winding around his neck, and my fingers are brushing the nape of his neck where baby soft hairs are. I felt so safe in the kiss, like nothing bad could ever happen to me if I remained kissing him the whole time. His arms were on my hips, and I felt like he was literally keeping me from rising off the ground. Eventually, we broke apart, leaning our foreheads against the other's, drinking in what had just happened. He turned his head and nuzzled it into my neck, feather light kisses brushed against the skin. "We need to go, Shane."
"Mhmm." He murmured, not stopping what he was doing.
"Shane."
"Lynn."
"We. Need. To. Go."
"Ugh." He groaned and looked away, his eyebrows drawn together in a cute pout. "Fine! Just FINE." He stepped back and I suddenly felt very cold. With his body not warming mine, I felt like I might wither into a cold ball of nerves and worry. As we walked to the door, a thought occurred to me and I stopped in my tracks. "What's our game plan, Shane? I'm not really a big fan of looking for two girls who are screaming 'Help' unarmed."
"Good point..." He said, walking back to me. "So we need to find weapons... But where?"
I walked back into the room and looked around, finally finding the binder that had menus, a map, TV guides and a list of the activities offered at the Hotel. Flipping to the activity guide, I scanned the list. "The armory is where we need to go. It says here they have real guns for shooting practice, Knives,and Bows and Arrows."
"Brilliant," he said quietly, "Do you know how to use any of that stuff?"
"It can't be too hard... Maybe we'll practice really quickly first?"
Shane laughed. "Don't worry, Sweetheart. I used to hunt back home. I know how to work a gun."
"Thank God." He smiled at me and held out his hand. "C'mon, let's go. Where is the armory?"
"Other side of the Hotel."
"Lovely." He grimaced. "That means a lot of walking."
"C'mon, let's go now before we decide it'd just be better to stay in this room forever."
"Maybe," Shane said, pulling me too him and kissing my cheek, my forehead, my nose, my chin, anywhere that wasn't my lips-- "We should stay here."
"No. We have to go," I said, pulling away.
"Don't I get a kiss first?" He pouted, following me out of the room. I sighed and turned around, placing my arms on his shoulders, I leaned in for a quick kiss, our lips brushing together softly. "There you go. Now let's leave."
"Okay!Okay!" He grumbled and followed me out into the hallway. Once we got out there, all the mockery and laughter was gone. I suddenly felt very venerable and scared. "Shane?" I whispered softly, stepping up behind him and reaching out to touch his back.
"Shush, darling. It'll be fine." He whispered, turning around and hugging me, massaging my lower back. I buried my head in his chest, drinking in his scent of a faint cologne, aftershave and soap. And a little sweat too. It was intoxicating, and I never wanted to smell anything again, or feel anything besides his warm arms around me and his firm chest under my forehead. Hell, I never wanted to hear or taste, or touch anything that wasn't Shane either. But I had too. I pulled away and held his hand tightly. "I'm fine." I said, just a little shakily. I'm fine... Somehow, I don't think he believed me.

Jake

“Where is she!” I demand an answer. “She is not in her room, or with that Jade girl. Something is wrong. What did you do?” I ask penning him against the wall.

“I do not know, let go of me.” he says.

A faint scream from the air vent fills my ear. “Did you hear that?” I ask.

“I do not know. I did not hear anything.” he says dumbly. I throw him on the ground.

Ellie

My body is shaking with fear as I hear there voices. They sound familiar, but I cannot put my finger on it. Lucy tell me to keep it down, but my sobs get louder and louder. I begin to hyperventilate and I have no control anymore. “You need to calm down.” She say squeezing both of my wrists.

Zander Foster

Viola laughed, looking at my knife, and then turning towards the door. "Well, I better go get my clothes then." She grabbed hold of the doorknob.

"I'll come with you," I stated, quickly beside her.

"Oh, no, that's alright. Its just -" Viola started.

"Shh. I'm coming with you. As I told you before, I'm not letting you off my sight." I interupted, opening the door for her, carefully peering out into the hallway before I let her go out.

We quickly got to her room, me carefully checking her room as I had mine, and then watching as she gathered her belongings. She drug her luggage out into the hallway.

"Let's go?" I asked, smiling, grabbing her luggage.

"I'm not sure," she teased.

I laughed and shook my head, carefully escourting her to my room once more- once again checking to be sure it was safe. She informs me that she was taking a shower, and marched into the bathroom. I pulled on my clothes, and sat on the bed- flipping the TV on.

~~~

Half an hour later Viola emerged, wearing denim shorts and a greenish-blue top, her hair braided down her back- she smiled.

"What're you watching?" She asked, plopping down on the bed beside me.

"Oh, just the news. Just seeing if that red- headed guy was there on television." I said.

"I don't think so. He looked like he was new and came from a "wanted" gang." Viola sighed.

"Whoever he was, when I get my hands on him, I'll thrash him," I growled, as I fingered the small cut on Viola's neck.

"Oh! Tough Zander coming out of his shell? Finally!" she teased.

"What?" I asked.

She started laughing, and I did too- as I peered into her clear eyes. She looked beautiful. I leaned towards her, hesitating- she encouraged me, and I pressed my lips against hers, awkwardly. I pulled away and stood.

"What's the matter? Did I do something wrong?" Viola asked, seeming hurt.

I shook my head. "No."

"Well what's the problem then?"

"We're moving too fast," I stated. "I only met you yesterday. I'm not comfortable with this yet."

She narrowed her eyes and turned her back to me. "Fine then."

I sighed. "Viola, I-"

"No, it's fine, I get it," she snapped, and stormed out of my room.

I shoved my feet into my boots and followed her into the hallway, calling to her to stop. She decidedly ignored me the rest of the day, but I followed her around anyway- not taking any chance of the red-headed freak kidnapping her again.

Spoiler

If you want Viola to forgive Zander, that's great- if not he'll probably try to win her back, and end up spending the night whereever she does. He'll sleep on the ground though- be gentlemanly and let Viola have the bed.

Spoiler

Haha xD Okay.

Viola Murtaugh

Zander pulled away and stood up with puzzling looks which worried me. He seemed to have regretted what he'd done, or maybe what we'd done.

"What's the matter? Did I do something wrong?" I ask him, a little hurt.

"No." he said, shaking his heads.

"Well, what's the problem, then?" I asked him again, carefully.

"We're moving too fast, I only met you yesterday. I'm not comfortable with this yet." he said.

What?

Angry, I gave it a thought. He's right but I felt a little anger surging up inside me that I kept narrowing my eyes. I know he's just a friend, but allowing me to sleep in his room kind of gave me another thought. Guess I was wrong. I turned to look at him.

"Fine, then." I said, annoyed.

"Viola, I -" but I cut him off before he could apologize.

"No, it's fine, I get it." I said, and stormed out of the room feeling hopeless.

I thought he was a good guy, and I can't believe a person like me would fall for a guy like Zander so fast. Why did I kiss him? I shouldn't have done that! An independent, well-educated and brought up with a millionaire family, who installed her will good qualities and values, actually kissed someone she just met a day ago.

Sobbing a little for my behavior done, I walk through the halls for Annie Marino. The spa's, libraries and everything else here is closed. Not even the reception systems were switched on. This time, I walked a little more carefully with my eyes and brain, fully alert and I made sure to not be kidnapped by anyone.

I heard footsteps following me. I knew who it was.

"Zander, leave me alone, please." I said, pleading.

He didn't say much than walk towards me. "Viola, let me explain."

I shook my head, not wanting to hear anything. I couldn't do this anymore. I can't. Relationships have never been my thing but he was just so friendly, caring and loving.

"No Zander. I can't listen to you anymore." I said. I'm not falling for another stupid act.

"Let's just forget whatever happened, alright?" he said, and took my hands. "I'm sorry."

I looked at him, expressionless. I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do, I don't even know if I can stop staring at him. So, I stopped myself and pulled my hands away and walked off, leaving Zander behind.

In a distant room, I heard cries of two girls whose voices seemed so familiar to me. They were banging, screaming, kicking on the door and crying. I frowned, and hid behind the wall just to check if anyone was there guarding the small corridor. When the coast was clear, I sneaked up and went to unlock the door.

These girls to be locked up just like how I was a few hours back. I try to smash the lock but I couldn't. I took a hairpin out of my hair, and tried to fiddle it across the lock. I had just lost 10 minutes of time, when the lock clicked open.

Spoiler

Hey, guys. I'm not going to be posting tomorrow or day after. Only if I have the time because I've got my Science and Math test and I've got to study for it. So, you guys move on. Thanks.

Shane Delowski

There was an armory. And it was huge, laying in the basement level. It looks like people have been here, the mannequins on the other side of the glass shot at. We saw shelves of guns, bows & arrows, switchblades, knives, and even swords all around us. On the wall behind us were safety suits. Bullet-proof vests, glasses and Ear Muffs. Those were used to cover the sound of the shot.

"Oh my God," Lynn whispered, her eyes engulfed by the weaponry.

Right away, I went up to the shot gun shelf, grabbing on down. I grabbed some ear muffs and a pair of glasses, sliding them on. Walking up to the shooting range which wasn't too far, I adjusted myself.

I shut my eyes, calming myself. Opening them, I pulled the trigger. Nothing. I checked the cartridge, no bullets. Wait. Looking at the weapon, I realized it was a fake.

"Lynn, it's a fake." I yelled, not sure if she was near.

Looking around, Lynn wasn't anywhere.

"Lynn?" I dropped the weapon, feeling my heart race. "Lynn, baby, where are you?"

Oh God. No. Where is she?

"Lynn! Don't do this to me! Where the hell are you?!" I yelled, running through the armory.

"Are you looking for this?" I heard a man, deep voiced ask.

Lucy Harold

"Shut up. If you wanna live then shut the hell up." I hissed at a whisper to Ellie.

I heard some noises coming from behind the door. And so did Ellie. She started to shiver.

"Shh, Shh,"

Something clicked and the door opened. A girl with a french braid came up to us. A boy followed behind.

Ferdinand Arias

As I scrambled to my feet, I saw Jake reach into his pocket and pull out a switchblade. A switchblade?! What in God's name was wrong with this guy?!

I stumbled backward and grabbed the knife that had been used to kill Annie. Holding it in both hands, I froze for a moment, transfixed by the blood stain. Then I shook my head, and forced myself to focus. Think, Ferdinand. You're smarter than him. Now, hands up. I put my right foot forward, raised the knife to eye level, and held my other arm in front of my face, palm inward, to protect my wrist.

As Jake ran at me, his switchblade raised, I took two tiny steps, and then dove left, catching Jake across the cheek with my knife. He stumbled, but recovered and spun around, taking a swipe at my face. I tried to pull my knife across to block, but Jake's blade hit my other arm, sending spikes of pain all the way up to my shoulder. I clenched my jaw and jabbed at him again, but he swung at me and knocked the knife right out of my hand.

Jake pulled his switchblade back and struck down at me, but I grabbed his arm and twisted, in a desperate attempt not to get stabbed. Jake dropped his blade and fell, his entire frame following his arm. He landed hard, but twisted and reached for my ankle--

And then he fell forward, a bullet wound in the back of his head.

I shouted, and sprinted for the giant staircase. I didn't care about the cut on my arm anymore; I just had to get out of there. Keep moving, I told myself. Just keep moving. On the way up, I passed Teddy and Jade--I almost didn't recognize Jade; she had pulled her hair back into a French braid. "Gun!" I shouted to them. "Get out of here!" Then I stopped at the top of the stairs, noticing what a perfect view of Jake I had. If I were going to shoot him...

I looked down at Jade. She stared back up at me, and then pulled a pistol out from behind her back. "Don't you dare move!" she snapped.

I turned and ran.

Lynn Caradean

I'd just been looking at the bows and arrows, thinking how cool it'd be to use one when it happened. A cold clammy hand gripping over my mouth. I tried screaming, but something seemed to be caught in my throat, preventing any sound from escaping. I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe. All I could feel was the cold barrel of a gun pressed against my temple and the hot, stinky breath of a much larger man on my neck. "Now listen, little girly. You're gonna to exactly what I tell you to do and stay as still as you can or you're gonna get your brains blown off, mkay?" I nodded slowly, tears of fear running down my face. "Lynn! Don't do this to me! Where the hell are you?!" I heard Shane shout.

The big man shuffled us to the side, holding me in front of him. "Looking for this?" he asked, and I could practically hear the leer in his voice.
"Lynn." Shane breathed. I wanted to scream, to beg him to save me, beg him to help. But I stood still and quiet, tears escaping from under the lids of my closed eyes. "Let her go!" Shane said, and I could hear the tremor, the fear, the... Oh God... I was going to faint. I could feel it coming.
"Oh, I don't think I can do that," said the man.
"Let. Her. Go." I couldn't see Shane, but I could imagine him, rising up to his full height, fists balling at his sides.
"Nah..." The man pressed the gun painfully against my skull and I gasped a little.
"Lynn? Lynn, baby, are you okay?" Shane asked, in answer I just gripped the lids of my eyes tighter. I could not answer, I'd be killed in seconds. "Let her go."
"Didn't I tell you no?"
"Please. She's done nothing wrong. She's a young girl! Don't hurt her!"
An evil oily laugh came from the man, and with that, I felt my world slipping away. I couldn't take it. It wasn't worth it again. I let go and fell into the dark, empty world was there was no men with guns, and where I wasn't unhappy.

Shane Delowski

Every bit of me hurt as she hit the floor, dead.

"Lynn!" I screamed, feeling tears drop down my face.

"Son of a bitch..." the murderer hissed.

"You killed her! How could you kill someone so young, so innocent, so beautiful." I cried out, feeling anger drip on my tongue.

Shaking his head, he shut his eyes and pointed the guy at me.

"Shoot me you bastard! Shoot me!" I yelled. My heart was beating quickly, trying to break open my chest. "Kill me you murderer! What; are you scared? Scared of what? You little pussy!" I added on.

Then he looked at the shotgun in my hand. I almost forgot I had it.

"Drop the weapon." he said harshly.

His crazy red hair, pale face and white jumpsuit got me a bit frightened. It reminded me of clowns. Oh, they could kill.

Picking the gun up, I got it into position. I could see his head, perfect aim. It kind of sucks fighting with me, I had experience with shooting. If he wouldn't kill me, I'll kill myself. I wanted to be with her. But if he wouldn't kill me, I'd kill him, for revenge.

"I said drop the weapon or she dies!" he pointed the gun at Lynn, the trigger ready.

"She's already dead!" I yelled, feeling the pang in my stomach.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot..." he chuckled.

That evil being dare to chuckle. The gun moved away as he gripped his stomach, it was two feet away from her head. I already had great aim at his head so I pulled the trigger. At first it was just silence as the bullet ran into his head, right between his eyes. Then came a slam, face forward with the ground. He was gone.

I dropped my gun and ran up to Lynn's limp body.

"Oh baby. Lynn. I love you so much." I whispered, petting her warm forehead. I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

As my hand ran down her face, I reached her neck and felt something. A pulse.

"No," I didn't want to hope.

I heard her breath rise as fall. She was still alive.

Lucy Harold

We managed to escape with these two people, they saved our lives. They were scared and mad at each other. Not my business really. Just noticed the tension.

"Where do we go now? How do we escape the hotel?" Ellie asked in a hurry.

All of us were running around the basement level. It was dark and eery, only one lamp every five feet.

"How about the others? How do we save them?" I remembered Shane.

Zander Foster

"Zander, leave me alone, please." Viola begged.

I walked towards her. "Viola, let me explain."

She shook her head. "No Zander. I can't listen to you anymore.

"Let's just forget whatever happened, alright?" I took her hands. "I'm sorry."

She looked at me, her face completely void of emotion. She pulled her hand away and walked off.

Damn it!

I hurried after her.

Viola froze, suddenly pressing her back against the wall. I followed suit, and watched her closely. I barely heard the cries of two girls, banging, screaming, crying.

My god, does he have more girls captive?

Viola carefully walked to the door and tried to kick the knob off, but couldn't. I started towards her. She took a pin out of her hair and began fiddling with the lock.

"Get away from me!" she screamed. "There are people trapped."

"Let me help."

"No! I don't need your help."

Ages later the door finally clicked open, and we saw two girls huddling in the corner. They leapt up, seeming relieved.

"Where do we go now? How do we escape the hotel?" Ellie asked.

I looked around, the darkness of the basement eerie and cold. I've got to get these girls out of here- safely.

"How about the others? How do we save them?" Lucy asked.

I stopped and turned towards her. "There's more?" I asked incredulously. My god, how many women does this sicko have locked up?

"Yeah, Shane and-"

There was a gunshot.

Dear god...

"You don't think-" Lucy's voice cracked, she was crying. "You don't think he's-"

"No, of course not," I tried to say lightly. "It's probably just...the...furnace."

"The furnace?" Ellie asked skeptically, her eyes wide with fear.

"Yeah. We're...um...we're in the basement."

"It's summer," Ellie pointed out, tears streaming down her face.

"Fine, it's the central air then," I said.

"It's not convincing if you change your alibi half way through," Viola wailed.

I looked at them, panicked. I had never known how to calm girls down- whether they were scared or angry with me- and here I was surrounded by three crying girls.

"It's...alright..." I said slowly, awkwardly patting each of thier backs.

Viola allowed me to take her under my arm, and the other two girls followed suit.

"There, there...dears..." I continued, very slowly, choosing my words carefully, afraid that I'd cause an explosion.

In a moment I had gathered my thoughts. "You girls stay right here. Don't move. Okay?"

They all snivelled but nodded.

"Sit down guys," I encouraged, as I untangled myself from thier arms.

They sat down, pressing thier backs against the walls.

"Stay here," I reiterated.

They nodded.

I ran towards where I thought I heard the gunshot, kicked the door in, and fell flat on my stomach- searching the room for the gunman. I saw Shane bent over a girl, the redheaded freak lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

I ran over to him.

"How's she?" I asked doubtfully.

"Alive, barely," he whispered.

"Can you carry her?"

He looked up at me, his face streaked with tears.

"Never mind, I'll get her. We've got to get out of here, before his little friends come to check on him. Viola, Ellie, and Lucy are in the hall- help me with them, will ya?" I asked, as I gently lifted Lynn in my arms, and started out the door.

He nodded and helped usher the girls down the hallway.

Ellie

Zander and Shane usher us down the hallway. I can see it on his face that he has no idea what to do. He does not know where to go. We are on an island it is not like we can go that far. Then there were gun shots. We all freeze. “What are we going to do?” Lucy asks. “We cannot go out there we might get shot.”

“What if someones hurt. They could die.” I say.

“We are going to die if we go out there. We cannot risk it.” Viola says.

“We can't get out of this hotel without getting noticed. We are like sitting ducks if we stay here.” Shane says.

“Well what do you suppose we do?” Lucy ask.

“I don't know.” Shane says.

Jade Fairchild

Great. Just great. That European geek just had to go sticking his nose in other people's business, didn't he? And now I'd gone and blown my cover...

I heard another gunshot from the armory, and swore loudly. Reloading my pistol, I ran to the armory--

Only to find it empty, except for the redhead, who was lying in a pool of his own blood.

I growled something incoherently. That meant Lynn and Shane were gone--and Ellie, and Lucy, and probably farm boy and the bookworm, too...

As I walked out of the armory, I spotted them--all of them, Lynn being carried by the others, and Shane holding a shotgun. They were walking the other way--they hadn't seen me yet.

I took careful aim at Shane's gun, and took a shot. My bullet hit it square in the handle, knocking it right out of his hand. As it dropped, the shockwaves ran up Shane's arm, and he doubled over, clutching his elbow.

I raised my pistol and pointed it at the one in the middle of the group--the bookworm, Viola. "If anyone moves," I snapped, "she dies."

Ferdinand Arias

Ignoring the blood running down my arm, I ran toward the gunshots, knife still in hand. The noise led me to the armory, where I found a body on the floor. I stopped in my tracks and covered my mouth, trying not to retch. There was so much blood...

I looked away deliberately, and began searching for something to replace the knife. I was about to grab a gun, but then I looked back at the body. I didn't know if I could actually shoot someone--not if it was going to end like that.

Instead, I grabbed a crossbow and three bolts. I had shot a crossbow before, but aiming could be difficult. I'd have three shots to hit Jade--three shots, and then I was dead meat.