Chapter 2: Empty Stomachs and Hollow Promises Part 7

As I continued to explain, almost everyone in the room seemed more and more convinced about my story. This was excluding Mia, who still seemed to just be gloating about how right she was.

"C.B, I thought about that too-" She murmured her congratulations to herself again as she took the key out of her pocket.

"Look, I'm really sorry for not telling you all earlier. I just want to get Ceáser out of there." I continued my apology, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders with every word I uttered. Mia let out a heft sigh.

"It's water under the bridge. You weren't doing anything inherently malicious, and his existence will help us learn what kind of punishment we receive for breaking the rules." Mia explained, standing up, "Can you show us where the room is?"

"Oh, right. Just follow me." I said, heading for the door, waiting for everyone else. Once we all were ready, we left the cafeteria and headed down the hallway, towards Ceáser's room. As we walked, the group had a few questions for me to answer.

"What in the heck did he say to you guys that made you leave him? Must've been pretty harsh." Akira asked, curious as to Ceáser's potential behavior.

"Well, he was being uncooperative and loud, and he-"

"He called her a bitch, like, five times at least." Poppy chimed in, trying to back up our abandonment.

"Yeah and that. All in all, he just seemed very untrustworthy. He spat out quite a few threats and they didn't seem very idle" I finished, backing up Poppy's alibi. Everyone seemed to believe us, as they all nodded.

"I can understand and respect the prospect of not wanting to free him from his shackles." Liam added.

"I-I just h-hope he's o-o-ok." Jinju stuttered.

"Oh, actually that begs the question," Joseph started, "How did you guys get out of your shackles?"

"I wasn't chained, and that key ring was just hangin' on the wall so I snatched it and freed Aka." Poppy explained.

"That sounds awfully convenient," Mia chimed in, a lot more upbeat about her theories being mostly right.

"Yeah, almost as convenient as keeping him locked up in that room because of these stupid rules." I added in, getting more and more upset at my judgment about Ceáser, and getting angrier at the asshole behind all of this.

Concern for Ceáser continued to arise in our conversations as we walked, a bit of a distraction from our hunger pains, but not one that lasted very long. Before long, all of our energy was used up walking and talking, leading to us all silently trudging along towards the room.

Once we had finally reached the room, I sped up ahead, feeling a looming sense of dread throughout the hallway.

"This is it." I said, walking up to the door. As soon as I did, I noticed that there wasn't a note like there was the other day. Confused, I tried the door handle, and jumped when I was able to pull it open slightly. I let go instinctively, and turned to everyone.

"It's unlocked?" Jambo asked, looking as confused as I was. I took a deep breath, realizing I had been holding in my breath ever since we arrived, before I spoke.

"Seems like it. Maybe the punishments are a one time thing." I optimistically said, trying to ignore the sense of dread looming over us.

"L-let's go then!" Jinju responded, sounding excited and anxious to help.

"Right..." I replied, turning back to the door. Once I reached for the handle again, I noticed how much I was shaking. I guess I was just that nervous about seeing what I had done to Ceáser, like his punishment, or physical condition.

All of those factors were piling up for me, but in a quick motion, I gripped the handle and swung open the door, and entered the room with everyone else.

"Ceáser?" I called out, letting the room come fully into view. Once it did, I saw the one thing I was fearing the most…

…

Inside that room, there was something sitting, slumped up against the wall.

The room reeked of death.

There was blood.

Drag marks across the floor leading to their foot, which was coated in the red liquid.

There was a bloody knife lodged in their shoulder, staining their entire overcoat a dark red.

And there were two pieces of paper stapled to their eyebrows, covering his lifeless face.

I took all of this in...while staring down the corpse of Ceáser Bálad.

…

…

Oh, dear God.

That was the only thing I could think of. Some of the others gasped, or screamed, or ran over to him to see if he was ok, but I couldn't move or say anything. I stared down Ceáser Bálad's corpse, and didn't know what to think. However, the sound of the loudspeakers coming on confirmed what everyone was trying to deny.

"Attention all Contestants. A body has been found. I will give a briefing on what is to come once everyone has met up where the body is located, so make your way there quickly."

"No no no no no..." Jinju whimpered, while he, Jambo, and Liam all ran up to the body, still trying to feel for a pulse or any signs of life, while trying not to freak out. Mia rushed over to them and started to shout about them touching the body and potentially ruining evidence, her voice shaky and fragile. Poppy turned away in disbelief, and Risa dropped to the floor in shock. Everyone was doing their own thing, and I could barely focus on anything until I heard a voice call out.

"I thought you said he was alive when you left!" Jambo yelled out, while everyone's gazes of fear and panic all shifted to Poppy and I. All I could do was simply stand there, silent and slack jawed, still staring at Ceáser, while one thing ran through my mind millions of times.

This was my fault.