Part 74: Sprung the Trap

[BGM: Dance of the Snakes]


So what are we doing in here?

Just looking for anything out of place.

The group spread out throughout the room. Someone needed to open the closet. If it took too long, Rooster was probably going to step in. However, lucky for us, Bunny opened it by himself without any prompting. When he did, out fell Snake's stripped corpse, to the shock of everyone. The room was once again in chaos at the discovery of another dead body. Sheep's death was no longer an isolated incident, but the beginning of a pattern. Everyone here suddenly had to ask themselves 'am I next?' ...Most everyone, at any rate.

Before too long, though, the investigation began once more.

And there goes our prime suspect. Because of course we can't just have an open-and-shut case. Life never gives out freebies like that, not when you're on a losing streak like this.

I'm just confounded by the state of the corpse. I mean... why strip the man?

Why indeed.



Well, glass half-full, now we can check that earlier question pretty easily.

I thought we had dropped that.

What gave you that impression?

Okay, correction, I had hoped that we dropped it.

It's clear he was stabbed to death. I mean, even I noticed that.

So... shouldn't there be blood around here?

There is, on the floor right here. It's been wiped away, but poorly.



With everyone focused on the immediate crime scene, there was no way they were going to 'find' the last bundle of evidence they needed to 'solve' it. Guess I'd handle it. I harmlessly wandered over to some cabinets and started opening them, one by one. In one of the cabinets, I found the bundle of evidence I had left, so I grabbed it and called out to the others.

Hey, guys, look what I found!

What is it?

It looks like we now know where Snake's clothes are. ...And here's his Snake mask... and here's a bloody kitchen knife. This knife is definitely what killed Snake.

Mouse, where did you find all this again?

I was trying to be helpful, so I was looking around the scene. I opened some cabinets, and this was stuffed in one of them.

Gotcha. Good work.



But what could this mean? Like, why is that there?

Rooster saw Snake walk over to where Sheep was found, right? If he killed Sheep, then who killed him?

It couldn't have been anyone in this group. It has to be someone still missing.

Horse, are you suggesting that this murder took place while we were gathered around Sheep's body?

I think it's an assumption that Snake killed Sheep just because he showed up there. Maybe he saw the murderer killing Sheep, and then he was silenced.

If that was the case, why would the crime scene be all the way over here?

Dog's probably right. I have to imagine there could only be one person capable of this cruelty. The damn killer.... Murdering Snake, then Sheep?

Now that's interesting.



Mouse, why do you think they killed Snake first, and not the other way around?

Fuck.

Seriously, how bad at this could I be? But it's fine, I could recover. Just needed to think fast. Plausible excuse...



Oops! Great job, Mouse! This is actually still connected to all of the choices from the previous update, but it was kind of hard to be vague about this part, so I left it off the thread poll. Only one of these answers is an acceptable response, and that one is...

Think about the weapons used in each crime. The kitchen knife comes from the cafeteria, and was used on the victim found in the art room. The statue comes from the art room, and was used on the victim found in the hallway.

When you look at it from that perspective, the order of events seems pretty obvious. The killer brought the knife to the art room, killed, left the knife, took the statue, killed, and left the statue.

The alternative would be rather odd. It'd mean the killer brought the statue from the art room, killed, left the statue, got a knife, then returned to the art room they had got the statue from, killed, and left the knife.

Well, you're definitely making some assumptions there. But you're right, it would make more sense if Snake was killed first.

Hey, am I the only one still weirded out by the fact that our killer is some sort of dirty perv? I mean, we practically have a room full of detectives at this point. Is nobody going to point out what that means?

We're thinking about it Rooster, we're just also stumped by it. It doesn't seem to have any purpose; at least, none that we can see.

[BGM: Ox's Logic]


No, I believe I've figured it out.

You have?

Yes. Thinking about it, there's only one sequence of events that makes all of this make even a lick of sense.

The only thing I can think of is the fact that Rooster seeing Snake was not a mistake, but rather a function.

Now this is an interesting proposal. Do go on.

Snake was indeed the first victim. Our killer murdered him, with this kitchen knife. But that wasn't all. They were out for blood.



In case it's not obvious, our killer's likely one of the traitors. They plan to kill everyone and escape alone. And so, they came up with a plan.

If they could get people to think Snake was the murderer, and then 'vanish' Snake, we'd all have a common enemy. Snake would be the boogeyman, the unknown threat hiding somewhere in the school. They could blame all future killings on him.

But, to do that, they'd need to see Snake by the crime. So they took Snake's mask and his clothes, and dressed up as him.

I don't know exactly what happened next; maybe they killed Sheep with the statue first, then just waited for a time when they could be spotted walking to the crime. Maybe they really walked with that statue by Rooster, happened to see Sheep, and clonked her there.

Whatever the case, they set up Snake with the disguise. However, they'd have to join up with the group soon enough to avoid suspicion.

So when they doubled back to the art classroom, they abandoned their disguise as fast as they could, then joined the rest of us.

[BGM: Silence]


Th-that's crazy! There's no way something like that could really happen, right?

No, I think Ox is right. It all adds up when you think about it like that.

In that case, I think we can narrow our killer suspects down to two.

We can?

Of the people who could plausibly imitate Snake with a mask on, there are only three in this building. Rooster was already accounted for by Pig. That leaves... Dog and Bunny. The killer has to be one of you two.

[BGM: Rabid Rabbit]


That's absurd! Ridiculous! I mean, Ox, you're really grasping at straws here, don't you think?

I think the theory makes sense.

You do?

By the way, I should've mentioned earlier – I have an alibi for the crime.

What?

You do?

Mhm. I thought searching alone might be a bad idea, so I tagged along with Horse, much to his annoyance.

Horse, can you confirm this?

Indeed. It is regrettable, but Dog cannot be the killer.



Well then, I guess that just leaves one person left.

I knew Bunny was suspicious! I never trusted that phony smile of his.

A plastic man. The type to kill in cold blood.

H-hey now, you can't be serious, right? This is absurd! You can't arrest somebody on such flimsy reasoning!

This isn't a court of law, Bunny. It's a death game, where we need to make hard decisions. In my opinion, Ox has raised reasonable doubt that you are the killer. So we can't just let that go.

So, uh, what should we do? I mean, even if he is suspicious, we can't just kill him off of this, right?

I know! There's some jump rope in the gym. Why don't we tie him to a chair and leave him in the cafeteria?

That seems a sensible enough arrangement.



Sensible enough? That's not even remotely-

Bunny began to back away, but before he could put any distance, Horse grabbed a hold of his arm.

You do not get to flee that easily.

Oh come on, Bunny. Why are you resisting if you've got nothing to hide?

…

...You're right, you're totally right. Honestly, in high tension situations like this, it's natural for people to reach incorrect conclusions. I can't say you're not making a mistake, but if the group thinks this is for the best, I'd be happy to be confined.

Then it's settled! I'll go get the rope.

[BGM: Silence]


Before we knew it, Bunny was indeed tied up on a chair left in the cafeteria. It was a funny sight, if you forgot the circumstances. He certainly didn't look amused.

Well then, I suppose we should just get back to it then.

Yeah, we sure lost a whole bunch of time here, didn't we?

The others should have still been working, right? They can pick up our slack.

Let's just plan to regroup and recount our Minor Trinkets in 2 rounds' time, got it?

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. And like that, everybody split up and returned to searching for Minor Trinkets. ...Well, almost everybody. Two people only walked briefly away from the cafeteria, right before turning around and heading right back to where we just were.

[BGM: Rat's Awakening]


Ah, Mouse! Glad to see we're on the same wavelength.

Indeed. That went about as well as could be expected.

Huh?

I have to give you credit, Mouse, they really took that story hook, line, and sinker. It worked like a charm!

Ah, we got lucky. Things could've gone wrong in so many different ways.'

H-hold on... you two are the killers?!

And circle gets the square! Nice work on picking up on those context clues, buddy.

Rooster, don't be a dick to him. We're doing all this because we have to. If you start to enjoy it, you'll really become irredeemable.



Eh, not for this guy.

Trust me, I knew his deal before we even got abducted. I'm not gonna have any sympathy for this prick.

Oh?

Eh, long story, not really the time for it. Maybe when we get out of here.

Sympathy? Hold on, you two aren't really considering killing me, are you?

Them's the breaks, Bunny.

I really am sorry about this. But, you know, you're all tied up there... It's about as good an opportunity as we're going to get.

Woah, woah, woah! Guys, let's just think about this for a minute.

Whichever one of you has the CLEVER personality – you can win with two other people, right? I'm useful! I'm a cop, I know how to deal with situations like this. You just reconsider your current position, and I'll join your side, honest!

And you're going to need someone with my skills if you're going to want to take down someone like Horse, someone like Tiger. So just ditch the DUMB one and help me out!



Well Rooster, he makes a compelling argument. Maybe I should make him my new partner.

Hey, are you serious here? Don't be stupid, he'll just hand you over to the group as soon as he gets free. Mouse, don't tell me you're falling for this!

Easy there, I was just messing with you.

Oh, right. I knew that.

What do you mean, you were just messing with him? Mouse, you can trust me, I swear!

Eh, I don't think I want to work with someone willing to sacrifice the whole group, if I'm being honest.

You're willing to sacrifice the entire group!

Yeah, and I wouldn't want to work with me either.



Alright, enough chitter-chatter. People could walk in at any moment. Mouse, after you.

What do you mean, after me?

You're the one killing him, right?

Why would I be the one killing him?

I already did Snake and Sheep, that's 2 for me and 0 for you. You should start pulling your weight around here.

That makes no sense!

Yeah, it doesn't!



Since you're already used to killing, you should keep doing it. Even if I'm complicit in all this, I want to go as long as I can without physically murdering anybody.

Oh come on! That's a bunch of nonsense.

It is nonsense!

Shut up, you.

Rooster turned and kicked Bunny in the shin.

Anyways, Bunny's already bound up tight for you. This is a free kill – it's the middle space of a BINGO card.

This is the perfect opportunity to get accustomed to it in case you need to do it later.

...Okay, how about rock paper scissors?

Rock paper scissors?!



Fine. But I'll have you know I'm a rock-paper-scissors master! 3! 2! 1!

Rock.

Goddammit!

Ha! Rock never loses!

Yeah, yeah, whatever. You probably cheated or something. But fine, I'll do it.

Rooster approached Bunny.

Rooster, Rooster please, you don't want to do this, I can get you an-

[BGM: Silence]


Bunny's pleas were interrupted when Rooster wrapped his hands around Bunny's throat. I turned away. This wasn't going to be a pleasant sight. There was the sounds of struggling, and an awful choking noise. Then, after a disturbingly long time, I didn't hear anything.

You done yet?

Yes I'm done, you baby. You can look now.

I turned over, and sure enough, Bunny had gone limp in the chair. That's one and a half kills on my soul.

Well, that was unpleasant. We should probably get out of here now. Would be bad to be seen with the body.

Hold on Mouse, we're not just going to leave things like this.

Oh?

For some reason, Rooster walked over to the kitchen. He returned with another knife.

What, are you going to desecrate the body?

Are you kidding me? I'm not some monster.

[BGM: See No Evil]


Instead of Bunny's body, Rooster began cutting up the jump rope tied around him.

Uh, what are you doing?

Helping Bunny 'escape'.

Escape?

Look, if Bunny just sits here, dead, then he's another victim. But if he gets out of these ropes and escapes, he's still a 'suspect'.

Oh, I get you. That's oddly smart, Rooster.

Oddly? I'm filled with great ideas.

For instance, you know how when you want to watch a TV show, you alwa-

Okay, less pitching, more murder cover up, okay?

Yes ma'am.



Rooster finished cutting off the ropes, and freed Bunny's corpse from the chair. It took a bit of work, but he ended up dragging it into the nearby restroom. After that was dealt with, Rooster and I put some distance between us and the cafeteria. We went to a hallway on the second floor, a hallway with three classrooms in a row.

We entered the one furthest down the hall. It looked just like a normal classroom. Textbooks, desks, chairs, the like. Funnily enough, there were a number of Hot Wheels in a little bucket on the teacher's desk, but that was about as weird as it got. There were also a number of dioramas sitting on the windowsill. Most looked like normal school projects.



However, one of them jumped out to me.

Huh... What's this?

'Z. Abadi?'

Hey, this picture kind of looks like Tiger!

You're correct.

The project was done on Tiger. Comparing it with the other projects, I immediately realized this wasn't like the others. This was a clue. But not in the traditional sense. The diorama talked about the Olympian, but not about her athletic abilities. It talked about the case of her dead mother, who fell over Abadi's balcony. The court case reached a verdict of 'justified self-defense'. However, there were other pictures and documents attached to the board. A picture taken on a phone of some knife. A picture of Tiger shaking hands with somebody in a suit. A history of bank transactions. At the bottom, in big bold text, Brian had written out his point:

CONCLUSION? Z. ABADI = MURDEROUS CLIENT.

Hm. The 'murderous' part I could understand. Context clues and whatnot. What was throwing me off was the word 'client'.



Rooster, what do you make of all this?

Hmm. Seems a little dark for a school project, don't you think?

Why do I bother with you.

Still, Tiger seems real scary, looking at this. Not at all like she seems now.

Indeed. I guess most people here are hiding something like this.

And you aren't?

No! Me being here is a total mistake!

A mistake?

Long story. Anyways, what about you? Do you know why you're here?

What? Nooo.

Rooster, we're partners now. I've seen you do worse. You can tell me.



Well, if I'm being honest, I have an inkling of an idea. But I'm pretty sure Brian's pissed at my parents, not me.

Your parents?

I don't really want to get into it.

Why wouldn't he just kidnap them?

That's, uh, that's not really an option anymore.

Oh. Oh.

Yeah, well, I'm not saying I'm a saint or anything, but speaking totally honest, I don't think I did anything that would get Brian to bring me here.

If anything, I'd think I would be more on his side than anything else.

You know, it's ironic.



If we really were the two most innocent people here, and we were the ones who ended up having to kill the others.

It would be. I wonder if it was intentional.

[BGM: Silence]


K-kill the others?

At some point, Pig had walked into the classroom. She must've overheard some of our conversation.

Oh, that. Mouse and I were talking about an online game.

An o-online game?

Yeah. We just realized that we knew each other through the game. And we were talking about our guildmates, how the-

[BGM: Fire Breath]


Mid sentence, Rooster rushed up over to Pig and wrapped his hands around her throat. She tried shouting out, and I couldn't have that, so I ran up to Rooster and covered her mouth with my hands. Ugh, it felt horrible, Rooster strangling her while I covered her mouth. I couldn't look right at the sight, I turned my head and just pushed down. Eventually, the struggle died down. Rooster and I stepped back, and Pig lay on the floor, motionless. We were both breathing heavily.

God. What shit timing, right?

I didn't have time to shoot the shit with Rooster. This was an unplanned, panic kill.

The type people got caught doing.