The borderlands... and him || Alice In Borderland

The aftermath

I let myself relax, slumping against the wall and resting my head. It's over. I made it. We made it.  My body aches and my head is throbbing but it's done. I survived. The tagger's horse mask had fallen off. She was a middle-aged woman, probably around my mum's age, with curly hair. Sitting with her back against the wall, she looked...scared. There was a blinking collar around her neck, the beeping sounds from it getting faster and faster. 

"Uh excuse me-" BAM. The blood was everywhere. Over the walls like someone threw a red paintball. I don't know why this was the first thing my mind went to but it did. Splatters stained the floor and even my clothes.

That wasn't because of me was it? Did she die because we won the game? Fear. Fear was in her eyes. Did she know she was about to die? I shut my eyes. The blood was everywhere, i couldn't keep looking at it. She was scared. The beeping noises, the blood, her head half off. I open my eyes. The blood is easier to look at than the repeating scene in my head. Everyone is silent. Hoodie laughs. I stare at him. How can someone be so cold-hearted to laugh at this? Arisu stands up, walking out of the room,

"I can't do this." I'm about to get up after him but it still hurts to move. I try to push myself up but i fall back down. I don't feel anything anymore. Only numb. The building is silent. Climber girl stands up next and silently walks out. Get up Kamiko. Finally, i push myself up and walk towards the room's doorway. Hoodie is still leaning against the doorframe, watching... me? I ignore him but stop when i hear his voice,

"You're welcome, by the way." I turn around. 

"For what? Saving my life? Watching as other people die? Having no heart what-so-ever? I have no idea who you think you are but there's nothing i have to thank you for." I still feel like sticking with him means I'd survive this world but i don't care anymore. He's nothing more than arrogant and selfish.
I exit the room and step out onto the building's walkway. Arisu's sitting next to the door speaking to climber girl standing next to him. I miss the first half of his sentence, but I hear him say,

"I killed her." He thinks that too? They both notice me standing next to them. Climber considers her words before saying,

"Everyone was made to participate in the game. It's no one's fault." Arisu glances at her before asking,

"Just what is this?" I don't think he expects anyone of us to know. He's been trying so hard to be the protective older brother for me, ever since i came here. It's clear though, that none of us know this world or what's going on. 

"Who knows? I don't know either," climber girl sighs and starts to walk towards the stairs. "But," she pauses a few steps away. "It amazes me that I'm willing to do anything just so I can survive." She turns back to look at us. "If we weren't willing, we might as well die." She gives me a quick smile and nod before walking away. Arisu watches as she goes. 

The building lights turn off. He drops his head, exhausted. But it comes back up just as quickly,

"Karube." My eyes widen as I remember his shout during the last minute of the game. Arisu gets up and runs to the stairs, shouting for Karube as he goes. I'm about to follow after him when i hear Hoodie guy, still inside the safe zone, say something.

"Hmph, interesting."

Don't get involved Kamiko, there's no point in going back in there. With him. It'll take 2 seconds, i tell myself, checking back in the room. Hoodie is leaning over the tagger's body, inspecting a piece of paper. I walk closer, 

"What's that?" He doesn't even look over at me before asking,

"Back again?" This dic- 

I push down my irritation. This piece of paper means something, I can feel it. It's important.