CH2: Into the Fortress

So when it came down to it, I got captured by them. Well, at least I didn’t side with their weird group or just get eliminated in a stupid way, so I’m not complaining either. Tina keeps quiet on the way to the gym and looks around curiously. She can’t seriously be that out of it. I don’t exactly remember seeing her at the start of the game, but I also do not remember many others either. She has my **** rifle and holds it in a funny way against her chest with both hands. We reach the gym doors and head inside.

I walk into the gym and see the blue haired girl from earlier meeting us. “Oh… Lilah… did you not want to join us?” She asks and I walk straight past her and vault the barricade they have. It’s not like I want to be rude or anything, but I just don’t feel like talking right now. They have expanded the fortress with school tables and now it looks actually very impressive and huge. I would be surprised if Calliope’s people could attack it somehow. I am pushed along and we go up to the stage where the drama club would have their plays. It is also heavily barricaded and I see that one other Retreater I saw before. She has white hair and seems to be just sitting around. She looks up at me a little scared and I am starting to think that many of these Retreaters are these shy types. Except Erika of course who reminds me about who’s in charge by pressing her gun on my back again. The two of them transport me behind the stage to the drama club room.

The backstage is more barren than it would be if the school was a fully functional building. There’s still clothes racks and some tables around. I also see the backside of the short leader of the Retreaters. Kendall is looking up at what looks like a hatch in the ceiling. It’s a fire exit and looks so far up that it would be very hard to reach. I also take note of her lovely butt. She has wide hips and a round bottom, which makes her figure look like a pear almost.

She turns around and I look away to not get caught staring again. “Uhh… who are these people, Erika? I don’t want our prisoners back here!” She walks over to Erika and looks up at the taller woman with her hands on her wide waist. “Oh… I didn’t know.” Erika answers and gets pushed by the short antsy girl. Looking around some more I can see that they have an alright supply storage. It seems that Erika has been busy. “Well! Take her out! Out! I want to talk with you!” She pushes Erika and the ponytail girl seems quite bothered. I am pulled out of the backstage and Tina follows me out as well. I guess Kendall is worse than I thought. She always has a bitter and somehow cocky expression.

Erika returns to the backroom and Tina looks at the gun curiously. I can’t help but ask Tina something as she looks around cluelessly. “Do you really have any idea what you are doing? I mean, joining these people?” I ask and she turns to me with a surprised, dumb expression: “Huh? I think so. It sounded nice to me. I don’t really want to shoot anybody.” She says with her tranquil voice. “I also would rather not have prisoners either. How are you feeling? I hope not hungry. It is odd though. We have been here for two days and I have not felt hunger for all this time.” She has a point. I haven’t either. It is odd. “So, is that it? Then why not be a prisoner like me?” I ask and cross my arms as she smiles and looks at the ceiling: “Oh… I’m afraid I couldn’t explore as much then, could I? I am sure there’s answers around here somewhere for my many questions. Hmm, is your name Lilah? I heard that one person call you by that name just now. I hear you defeated Samantha. Quite a feat.” She smiles again calmly and I can’t help but just feel weird with her.

I also get a better look at her at last. Tina is a little shorter than me and has nice blonde hair and that scruffy cap she wears. I’m not saying it reminds me of Grace, but there’s some uncanny connection there which makes me a little upset to think about. “What is up with the hat?” I ask and she looks up at the rim and takes the hat off: “Oh. You see. It shields my eyes from the sun. I am very sensitive to the sun, I'm afraid. I’m sensitive in other places too. Like here.” She motions to her crotch and I look away embarrassed – I shouldn’t have asked. “Oh. Hmm… I’m sorry, I’m terrible with people. You might’ve noticed. Hmm… perhaps I should go elsewhere. I will leave you alone now.” She says and hurries off while pressing her hat back on her head. I feel a little bad. She goes over to the white haired girl who gets spooked as she walks to her. Tina is definitely a special case.

I’m now back close to the backstage door and the door is ajar. I know I was told to stay away, but I am kind of curious to look and maybe catch some conflict with Erika and her boss. It’s not like I have anything else to do either, do I?