Chapter 13 - Willow

Willow opened his eyes, looking at the panel of light that replaced the window. What was it for? They were only on the first floor, so were the administrators scared that they would run away? He sighed, rolling around on his side and rubbing his eyes. They were less puffy now, the less he had time to think. He didn't want to cry again, but it was hard. His hands had stopped shaking at the green house, but he couldn't stop staring behind him, scared that Ren would turn on him.

Somehow, he had fallen asleep in the green house. Now, he tasted blood in his mouth again. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to cry. He could hear his heart beat in his chest, and his breathing was heavy. He had calmed down at night, but in the morning, his uncontrollable nervous fit had started again.

The door burst open, the sound ringing in the hallway.

"Hey, wake up," Ren hollered. Willow jumped, sitting up.

"Please, you're going to make me hyperventilate," Willow muttered, relaxing his shoulders and shaking his head to wake up. "Morning, Ren." Despite his terror for Ren, he was still a man. Still a cold blooded murderer. He took deep breaths as calm and collected as he could.

Ren sighed, plopping onto the bed, setting a plastic cup with a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste on the bed stand. Willow picked up the one beside it, closing the door behind him quietly. He listened to his footsteps on the ground, and the sounds of voices in the rooms beside his. He opened the door to the boy's bathroom, setting his cup on the sink and looking at himself in the mirror.

He pulled the bottom of his eyes downwards, staring at his eyebags. His eyes themselves weren't as red as two days ago, but his bags had gotten darker. He sighed, combing his hair the best he could with his hand and turning on the water, lost in thought. He didn't notice as the door opened and 309 entered silently, at the sink next to him.

As he dumped out the water from his cup, he jumped, finally acknowledging the other boy. 309 looked over, confused. There were bandages at his neck, his left cheek still swollen.

"Good morning," Willow muttered. 309 nodded. "Ah- I realized I never caught your name." 309 nodded again, motioning to his mouth.

"Your name is… what?" 309 shook his hand, making an X with his fingers and pointing to his mouth again. Willow's eyes widened. "Ohhh. Uhm… I'm sorry." 309 waved, as if brushing it off, before looking away, turning off his water. Willow shut the door, heading back to his room.

"-Anyways, it seems you have been getting nowhere with figuring out who your traitor is." Scarlett tapped Willow's shoulder, making him wake up from his daze. She pointed to the intercom, signifying that they were getting to the important part. "I'll give you a hint, alright?" The intercom cleared his throat.

"Hmm, the most interesting contestant right now – 301. After three days, I hope you all know each other well enough already. So, this information may already be known, but I suppose I would say it anyway. Interpret it as you wish.

Ian Hall - thirty seven years old." All heads spun to Will, who had tensed up, rubbing his arm awkwardly. Willow recognized that name – on the first night, while Will convinced Hannah to murder Axel and 302. 

"As you may know, he committed seven counts of third degree murder, but murder is not the only crime you can commit." The intercom paused for dramatic effect, all breaths held and eyes on Will, who's smile had dropped now.

"Sexual assault. Domestic violence. Child abuse. Illegal drug usage. Abuse of alcohol. Several accounts of violence."

Will shook his head, his eyes closed.

"Lastly, Mr. Hall has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

...Keep in mind, contestants, the crime counts listed in the beginning may not be all crimes the person in question may have committed. But! Just because they committed extra crimes doesn't mean their murder count is wrong. Well, that's all for today! While we wait for other groups to finish up, I'll give you temporary free time. Have fun and good luck!"

As the click in the intercom sounded, signifying the end of the announcement, the white room stayed silent. Willow clasped his hands together, peeking nervously towards Will, who had an unreadable expression on his face. Ren grabbed Willow's arm, pulling him closer and whispering in his ear.

"What's dissociative identity disorder?" he hissed. Willow looked at his face in an "are you serious" way, putting a finger on his lips as Will opened his mouth.

"It's…" Will started, biting his lip. He looked down, his blonde hair over his eyes. He sighed, his hand covering his mouth. "It's not wrong."

"Is it true that you have DID?" Emma asked. Will looked up, shrugging.

"I wouldn't know," he replied. "Maybe." Emma pursed her lips, crossing her arms and nodding a little.

Scarlett coughed. "More importantly, you lied about your name. You're a forty year old man who beats his child and wife. A neglectful alcoholic." She bit her lip, staring at him bitterly. "You've been the worst person here so far."

"Only my secrets have been revealed."

"So you're admitting it!" Scarlett shouted. "You admit that you abuse your family!" Will didn't respond, looking away.

"It's a long story."

"Well, no matter how long your story is, nothing justifies the crimes you do." She turned around bitterly, storming out of the white room. "I've started to see what kind of person you really are, Ian Halls." Emma followed her out, casting one last wary look at Will before closing the door.

After they left, the white room was quiet. Will took a deep breath, excusing himself as well. One by one, the rest of the group filed out.

"Are you coming?" Ren asked. Willow shrugged, shaking his head. Ren nodded, leaving Willow to sit there by himself.

Will was… a forty year old man. No- not Will, Ian. Convicted of child abuse, domestic violence, drug use… now murder. An alcoholic. He was only 301. Willow hugged his legs, thinking about his own secrets. Did the… killing game know all of it? Did the authorities know all his dirty secrets?

Willow… didn't want to think about it. He didn't even know what he could possibly hide. Before his secrets are revealed, would he be able to defend himself?

Footsteps came from the entrance of the door, the sound of breathing. He looked up, two different colored eyes peeking from the cracks. Willow smiled a little, waving, motioning for 309 to come in.

309 sat beside him, tapping his left and middle finger on top of his right, then shaking his hands. Willow was a little taken aback.

"I-I'm sorry- I don't understand sign language." 309 did the same motion again but slower, pointing to Willow at the end. "Me?" 309 nodded, tapping his two left fingers on top of his right again. Willow didn't think doing that more times will ever make him understand better. 309 sighed, brushing his hair aside briefly and holding out his hand. Willow placed his hand on top of 309's and with one finger, 309 drew out 4 letters. N. O. A. H.

"Ah- is that your name?" 309 nodded again, tapping four fingers together and writing the name on Willow's palm again. 309 pointed towards Willow. "Oh! My name is Willow." Willow held out his hand, and Noah shook it, nodding silently. He stood up suddenly, grabbing Willow's arm and pulling him up, towards the exit.

"H-Hey, wait! Where are we going?" Willow asked nervously. Noah didn't respond, simply allowing Willow to stumble after him.