Novels2Search

36. Tracker

The [Ox] was murdered last night.

I take my tower apart and try each person’s door. His room’s unlocked and I’m greeted with the usual thin layer of blood.

In its reflection, I witness my own perplexed face.

[https://i.imgur.com/prFaox7.png]

We had all known that the [Ox] was Town. If I were truly Seer, then I’d have either checked the [Horse] or the [Rabbit], which would confirm who was Wolf.

Then since the remaining Town knows that I’m Seer, they’d trust me and vote for who I’d accuse. I’m not really Seer, so I don’t have that report, but the Wolf would have thought I was legitimate and should have noticed my survival would lead to their end.

I make my way to the kitchen. I don’t know how to make good pancakes, so I just pour myself some cereal. I fetch a milk carton from the fridge; I miss the bowl and milk pools onto the table. For the second time I understood.

Oh…

I’ve been looking at this from a game perspective. I had forgotten whether the Town wins or the Wolves do, all that matters is survival.

My mind is on fire. Thoughts trace across it as if from a lit fuse. The reason to spare myself the [Snake], who is Seer, and keep me alive would be-

BUZZ

A loudspeaker interrupts my thoughts.

During the last day, we will play by special rules. You will vote using your role card.

The role card’s display flashes red.

You will be free to move throughout the entire resort during this time. If you fail to kill before time expires, you will be penalized.

Please enjoy this final round of Werewolf.

Enjoy...? I said to the [Rat] that I wanted to enjoy it. But to be commanded to enjoy it by the Gamemakers drains any pleasure I can scrape; by speaking those words they'd snuffed any vestige of rebellion from having liked certain parts of this terrible place.

But I still have to move myself forward, even if it's by their design.

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[Yuri]: This isn’t like any game of Werewolf I’ve played. The [Rat] was right to trust me still.

[Yuri]: As long as I strike first, I’ll win. I won't fall for it.

I find them in the Library.

I had already searched the first floor. The Trial Room was locked; and though I had heard a strange swishing sound from within it, I had ignored the oddity.

This last vote is just too important.

[https://i.imgur.com/Ldnczjz.png]

The [Horse] had just arrived. She’s panting; she must have run across the grounds. The other girl is sleeping on the table.

[https://i.imgur.com/u8pPlRR.png]

[Rabbit]: Yawn… oh…

She stretches, arching, arms raised far above her head. The low lamplight gives the library, a cozy warmth, and the dust floating in the air makes this feel like a dream.

[Rabbit]: I was waiting… for you two…

[Yuri]: And what if we didn’t come?

[Rabbit]: She has a lot of energy.

She points at the Horse.

[Rabbit]: And you have weirdo energy…. so…

She points at me. If I didn’t already have a weird expression on my face, I definitely do now.

[Yuri]: Right. So we have just under two hours to talk things through.

I hold out my Card. What’s present is not only the voting log, but also the timer, ticking down slowly but surely.

1:59:44

1:59:43

1:59:42

[Rabbit]: Yeah…

She shakes her head, hair falling everywhere. Then she slaps her cheeks with both hands.

[Rabbit]: Yeah! I’m ready to rumble. Finish things off.

Her eyes are wide and sparkling, and her face is flushed.

[Horse]: Eh? Were you awake like this the whole time?

[Rabbit]: It’s the final countdown. If I’m not awake now, then when will I ever be?

[Rabbit]: Let me know when you’re ready. I have something to say to you both.

[Horse]: Wait! I do as well!

This isn’t good.

I can understand people as a group, or as players each with their own objectives and goals. But when it comes to someone’s character, their personality, I’m caught off guard.

I thought that she would give me more time to think. But she's forced me to confess.

I gather my courage, and speak.

[Yuri]: I’m the last Wolf. The murders, the votes - I’m responsible for everything.