Chapter Text
The misty camp nestled among the forest was home to all that were taken. A collection of individual cabins that survivors and killers stayed in while they were busy in the rounds. Two large cabins stood in the middle for survivors or killers. Both sides had a designated “main cabin.” In the killer’s cabin specifically, the killers hung out and talked about various things. Things such as their performance during previous rounds, memories from their lives, or the latest gossip.
“Did any of you know that we were getting a new survivor today?” Ink asked. She and her sister, Octo were sitting on the couch together. Being assigned to the Mist was no easy task. They literally just had to babysit 80-ish people, and many said people were more than twice as old as them. It sounded easy, but there was always something stupid going on, like that time the Boss tried to kill Evelyn… again. It sucked, but the siblings grew to not care. They were used to it by now.
Kiara, the Ghost, was floating above the couch next to the siblings. She was reading some romance novel and was completely zoned out. Upon hearing Ink’s question, though, she perked up. That was enough to zone her back in, as Kiara was always the most excited about new arrivals.
“What do you mean ‘new survivor?’” Instead of excitement, there was confusion in her voice. She closed the book before lowering herself to actually sit on the couch. “This is the first time I’m hearing anything about it.”
“I don’t know either…” Ink stared at her laptop's screen. Usually, they would be notified a new person was coming a month in advance, but… “This person was taken a few hours ago and is set to arrive today.” She brushed some of her white hair away from her face before looking at Octo. “Did you find anything else, Tako?”
“No… not really.” Octo replied as she scrolled through the survivor’s file on her own laptop. All she found was the general info of the survivor, “Her name is De… wait a f*cking minute..” her eyes grew wide. Octo looked up from her laptop and began looking around the cabin. Ink just knew that she had found something, but she was too shocked to say it.
Octo’s eyes finally locked on the Empress, who was having a conversation with her girlfriend and the Apostate. Then she looked at her screen, eyes filled with an unknown emotion. “Holy sh*t…”
“What is it?” Ink asked slowly, leaning to look at the screen.
“Inki…” Octo said in a low whisper, “The new survivor is Tanasha's ex..”
“Demeter Agnes?”
“Yeah”
“You've got to be kidding me..” Ink put her head in her hands, “How many bad ex partners need to be here?!” That last part was louder than expected. The only other person listening to this conversation was the Ghost, who was more focused on her novel, but now the whole cabin was aware that someone's ex was coming to the Mist. They were also aware that this ex was a terrible person. A murmur arose from the other killers, wondering who this person could be.
Octo put her arm around Ink, some of her light brown hair falling on the other's shoulder, “I'm sure there's more bad exes to come, but we can't beat ourselves because of one more.. right?”
Ink sat up straight, putting her own arm around Octo. “I know…” She stared off into space for a bit before she spoke once more, “I'm sorry for blowing up.” Octo smiled as a way of forgiveness.
The white haired sibling took her laptop and moved it aside so she could stand up. She was still in the spotlight, with everyone staring at her. They needed to know.
“Octo, go tell the survivors the news,” Ink ordered. “I'll tell these guys.”
“Got it!” Octo jumped up and ran out of the cabin.
The moment she left, Ink took one look around the cabin. God, this was awkward. She looked like she was giving a presentation on figurative language, and being in the middle of the cabin made it worse. She didn't know where to look, and everyone's gaze on her was like having a laser go through your body.
She inhaled… and slowly exhaled.
“We have another survivor coming, if any of you couldn't put the pieces together… And…” Ink stared at the floor, “This person is also an ex partner of… one of you.”
Ink stopped staring at the floor, and instead chose to look at the Empress in the eyes. “Now, Tanasha,” she said as she watched the Empress's eyes widen, “I am going to apologize to you, for what comes later. But I will not give two sh*ts if you kill this person outside of a round. The Mist will obviously care, but screw th-”
“Can you get to the point already?” Ye-jun asked, clearly bored of some kid talking to all of them. Whispers could be heard from the others.
Ink turned, almost like a robot, to face the Idol's direction. Her face remained neutral, but deep down she was pissed off. “You can go back to your Dae-jung shrine after I'm finished, but luckily, you won't have to wait that long!” She turned back around to face Tanasha, who looked anxious. She held Jules' hand, which seemed to calm her nerves a bit.
“Once again Tanasha, I apologize. I hope you're ready for an anger-inducing reunion, because our newest arrival is none other than the Queen, Demeter Agnes.”
The Empress stared at, well, nothing. Demeter… She hadn't heard that name in so long. Tanasha thought she had moved on. She was done with her past life… right?
Apparently not, the memories that she stuffed in the back of her mind were coming back to her. The first meeting, the ranting, the plan, her ‘husband's’ death, the betrayal, and finally, the execution. Her execution. It was scary to think that if the Mist never took her, she'd be dead. Or she’d probably be taken as a ghost, but that would be weird since Kiara was already one. Death by betrayal…what a stupid thing.. she thought.
But weirdly, Tanasha never felt enraged at the mention of Demeter's name. Maybe she was saving all her anger for when they actually reunite, to bash that traitor’s head into the ground or something.
But that wasn't the elephant in the room. The next round was starting, and Tanasha was chosen as the killer. A part of her was scared, and a part of her was angry. Which part did she lean towards? She didn't know.
Tanasha just hoped her emotions wouldn't affect her performance.