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I still remember my biggest screw up…after all this time it's still fresh on my mind. It was a woman who came in bleeding on the stretcher, something about a car accident, and I was called in for her surgery. I was tired after a long day, and I should've passed it off to someone else…but my pride got in the way.
I did the operation, but something went wrong along the way. Her head was bleeding so much, and I was so tired, my hand slipped or something, because after the operation…she wasn't the same. I couldn't let something like this ruin my reputation if her family decided to sue. I was the only one in my family who was providing money, I couldn't let something happen to my little sisters.
My saving grace was a previous condition she had, some kind of mental disorder, which I didn't pay much attention to. I blamed it on that, claimed it flared up again, and had her sent off to a psych ward. Out of sight, out of mind. But it didn't turn out that way. Every single night after that, I would have nightmares of her. Calling out to me, telling me she knew what I did.
I kept it together in front of coworkers and family members, but deep inside I knew I had fucked up. But I was still selfish, I wanted to keep everything. My life, my job, my money, my family, my reputation. I gave her up for all of that, and that decision still haunts me to this day.
Tiger 9:30 A.M. Eighth Day
The next morning was tense, it was the first time I had seen everyone gather up for breakfast like this since the first day. Not a single person looked like they had slept well, and some even had tear streaks down their faces. Even Snake had cracks in his usually perfect facade.
"...I want to say sorry." Someone spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere that had permeated the room. It was Rooster, locking eyes with Snake from across the table.
"I shouldn't have accused you like that. This situation has been frustrating for me…for all of us. And I took it out on you because I wrongfully assumed you did it. I don't have an excuse for my behavior, but I hope we can at least move past it for the time being." She states, looking down at her hands guiltily.
"It's fine, I don't blame you." He says quietly, though there's a slight clenching of his fists that tells me otherwise. When the room goes quiet again, I decide it is time to reveal the information I had been keeping quiet about til now.
"Her body is gone, just thought I'd let you know." My words are enough to have multiple sharp eyes flick over to me.
"Did you seriously go to check it out?" Ox questions, his gaze slightly reproachful.
"I didn't think any of you were going to do it, so I went ahead on my own to make sure her body wasn't still there." I shrug. Everyone turns mildly uncomfortable at my words, avoiding looking at me.
"Ahem, I have an announcement to make." Suddenly, Horse stands up and clears her throat, gathering everyone's attention.
"While everything that has happened has been, quite frankly, horrible. Through this disaster, we have found out more information than before. First and foremost, there has to be a way out." She states, leading the room to devolve into gasps of shock. I simply roll my eyes. Wasn't this already obvious?
I glance to the side at Snake, but he's frowning into his food. I poke him in the side, and he snaps to attention, turning his face toward me. I point to Horse, who is still standing up, and he turns his vision toward her as I lean in toward his ear.
"She's talking about there being a way out," I whisper. He subtly shakes his head as an expression of disbelief crosses his face for a second.
"Should we be talking about that here?" He whispers back, I shrug my shoulders, and lean back in my chair as she continues speaking.
"The staff with the animal masks have to be getting in and out somewhere, as long as we can find that place, we can sneak out." She says confidently, slamming her fist down on the table.
"Hm? But should we be talking about a sneaky plan here?" Sheep questions, tilting his head and putting a finger to his cheek.
"Ah…I forgot." She admits, looking around hesitantly, her face burning with shame. How could she forget about the cameras? She was as outraged as everyone else when Mr. Cat first revealed they existed.
"Putting all that aside, I think we should talk about what happened. It was a very stressful thing, and if we don't deal with our feelings regarding what happened, it could lead to a similar situation." Dog pipes up.
"You don't have to dance around it, two people got murdered, it's as simple as that." Rooster states, gritting her teeth.
"...Hk!" Rabbit inhales quickly at her words, blinking back the tears.
"I understand you feel that way, but there are children in the room." Ox admonishes her.
"Right…sorry." She apologizes, glancing at Rabbit and Boar guiltily.
"I agree, though, our focus today should be resting," Monkey says, agreeing with Dog. With that, the rest of breakfast is silent, and when Snake gets up to leave, I follow him out.
"Why are you following me?" He asks bitterly, once we're far enough away from everyone.
"You said before that you were collecting weapons, I wanna see them," I reply, already shivering with anticipation. I wasn't allowed to see weapons before, and seeing the knife the other night had only given me a taste of what I was missing.
"And why should I do that? Why should I let you see them? What if you take one or plan to take one later?" He huffs.
"Don't be like that, you know I wouldn't use one for something like that." I pout.
"Do I? I only met you a few days ago, and to be honest, you've been nothing but suspicious." He snaps.
"And I thought we were friends." I sniff. He suddenly stops in place, leaving me crashing into his back.
"Ouch, what was that for?" I ask.
"Look, I don't know what you want from me. I'm not the kind of person you're expecting me to be. I'm just a normal fucking person who was living a normal fucking life. And frankly, if I make it out of here, I don't want anything to do with you guys after this." He says harshly, turning around and shoving a finger into my chest.
"I mean…it's not like I have a lot of expectations for you, I just find you more interesting than other people here. Is it not enough that I just want to spend time with someone interesting?" I ask him, moving in closer. He flinches back, slightly, subtly.
"I…do what you want." He waves me off and turns back around, continuing on.
"...Alright," I mumble to myself, a small smirk on my face. I'll do just that.