57
I shake my head and frown as Valérie makes herself comfortable on Evelyn’s bed, her suitcase with all her gowns spilling out most of its multi-coloured contents onto the floor nearby, her make-up already littering the bedside table.
She wasn’t here an hour ago when I’d left to take a shower.
I wasn’t dirty, but I needed time to check my stitches were still OK and wash Evelyn’s blood off me in preparation for the challenge tonight.
The blood was metaphorical. None had spilled on me.
Which was a very good thing, because I might have thrown up everywhere again if it had.
The last thing I need is to have a reputation as the competitor who vomited the most, but the fact is, I can’t stand blood.
I never even buy raw meat in the grocery store because I can’t bear the thought of touching it.
Fortunately, today with Evelyn that hadn’t been a problem; I’d simply swung the scalpel I’d concealed in my hand, taking her in the jugular.
As she’d gasped and dropped to her knees I’d withdrawn my makeshift weapon, jumped into the spa and cut Thorun free from the filter where she was pinned underwater by her long plait.
Mostly I’d needed the shower just to soothe my rattled nerves, berate myself for my actions, and strategize my next move.
Thanks to Thorun’s idiocy, and mine, I’ve now lost my one house kill.
I’d hoped to keep that until further towards the end and use it tactically if I made it to the final three.
Instead, I’d sacrificed it to save the Icelander.
Why? Maybe because Valérie’s hysteria caught on, maybe because I owed Thorun, maybe it was the look on Evelyn’s face as I approached.
Mostly it was the latter. That and my previous conversation with the bachelor.
Now, clean and still ruminating, I’ve stepped back into the bedroom to find that I’ve not only given away an advantage, but I have a new roommate.
A most unwelcome one at that.
“Why?” I groan.
“I’d prefer to sleep away from two people who left me to drown on the bottom of a river,” Valérie shrugs.
“Also, you’re tough and fearless, even if you are a heartless killer.
And you and I have both been targeted by those disgusting little redheads, so we should be on the same team.
If there’s another bedroom challenge you have a fourth member again. ”
“God save us,” I sigh.
“Plus,” she goes on. “Thorun is obviously suffering from shock. She’ll need a friend when she gets out of the infirmary.”
“She clearly has one,” I snort. “You literally dragged me outside today. She owes you her life.”
“She owes you her life,” Sona shakes her head, her tone subdued. “You cut her hair to free her from the spa filter. You stabbed Evelyn, even though you didn’t need to.”
“Yes,” I give her a measured look, “I did.”
I study Sona where she sits hugging her pillow. She’s been in a weird mood since she’d guided me to our tent, and I can’t shake the feeling that she was privy to Evelyn’s plan.
“Did you know Evelyn was going to eliminate Thorun today, Sona?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a terrible friend,” Valérie gasps. “I thought you two were close. This is awful, this game is awful. How can you even continue here? You should leave. You should go move into the bedroom with Claire and Silke.”
“Shut up, Valérie,” I shake my head at her and turn back to Sona.
“I killed Evelyn because you two were beginning to collude against me,” I shrug. “She gave me the excuse I needed today.”
‘And it was easier than I’d imagined. I swung the blade without a second thought, adrenaline and fear for Thorun driving it hard and fast. Then I’d saved Thorun only to have her fall to her knees to embrace Evelyn as she choked out her dying words.
I don’t know what she whispered; I don’t care.
As far as I’m concerned one minute she was alive, the next she wasn’t. ’
“We didn’t collude,” Sona gasps.
“In the tunnels,” I keep my expression neutral, “you shared several looks here and there that told me you didn’t trust me. Also, I had a personal reason to want her dead.”
“What did she do?” Valérie breathes. “Did she try to kill you, too? My God, she was diabolical; she joins with those terrible twins, she plans a murder with Sona, she pretends to be friendly, she...”
“No,” I cut off her diatribe. “She told the bachelor some information that only those in this room were privy to.”
‘That I’d killed my best friend.’
“How do you know it was her?” Sona frowns.
“Because Thorun’s values wouldn’t allow her to betray a confidence; you wouldn’t because you’re a coward, and Evelyn would to gain an advantage.
I warned you when we shared information for the challenge that I would kill anyone who spoke a word of what we know about each other outside of this room. I’m true to my word.”
“Yes,” Sona nods, “you are that. But you must acknowledge that after your bloodthirsty attack today everyone will see you as the biggest threat.”
“Not at all,” I reply calmly. “Everyone will fear me.”