[CG] genesis again // murdoch

[Deleted]

all that I've got, pieces and pages
talking a lot, sorry I'm faded
think I've forgot, you love me
you love me
you love me

"Mr. Fenn?"

Ae perks up, syringe in hand and a wall of every medicine Iona would ever need looming above them both. Murdoch Fenn lies with his chest to the air, the bullet proof vest shot clear through. Player 004 got him good, that's for sure. To examine it further, ae is surprised to see it held together at all - they'd have to up the budget next season if they wanted to keep pulling these tricks. 

Iona aids Murdoch up, helping the mentor sit straight with a coat wadded up and propped under his back. "Apologies for what you're feeling, we had to sedate you for the autopsy. Normally I would let you sleep, but," ae clasps aes hands together as ae purse aes lips. "Slaughter is doing everything in her power to get you to make an appearance for the meet and greet. By the way, you got 6th place."

Not too bad. He was the projected winner by a mile, what better narrative for a first season than a former gamemaker bringing glory to the Capitol. Ae did not know what they planned to do from here with 5 kids from the districtd, they should have never changed the order of the games. Iona starts for the other side of the vault, gathering everything they'll need to start prepping the other four bodies for cryostasis.

"There should be a change of clothes on my desk. See if you can stand, Mr. Fenn."

[rook]

murdoch fenn

Bang, bang. Game Over. Took a bullet to the chest and I walked it off like it was a Sunday morning hangover, although this was more Bloody and less Mary.

6th place - an embarrassment. I was supposed to win this with little difficulty, I was assured the competition would be desperate and weak, and although true maybe we underestimated just how good a motivator desperation really is.

My wound stings, even with the best treatment money can buy that's gonna leave a nasty scar. Bulletproof vests only protect you so much - it's still like being hit full-speed by a charging rhinoceros. The force alone can do serious damage. Still, I've taken worse, and I'm still breathing for now, so let's focus on that.

Looking around at the frozen bodies of the recently deceased I'm rejuvenated with a sense of victory and purpose. I beat all of these people, not in competition but in life. I'm still here.

I'm not one of their experiments, I'm still the real deal, the same unaltered flesh and blood. I'm not Slaughter's latest on-ice corpse, primed to be brought back from the dead - I never died. I'm still breathing. Took a bullet to the chest like a champ, walked it off, and I'd do it again if it meant quality testing these new Games and reporting back with amendments.

"I need to speak to Slaughter." I say, trying to bring myself to my feet.

It's difficult, and my legs shake, but I refuse the help. Pain shoots up from my hip and across my chest like fire spreading from tree to tree, the sources of my pain are conjoined across my raging nervous system. It's raw suffering, but I chew through it and stagger over to the pile of clothes.

Closeness to death is what makes me feel alive.

[Deleted]

"I need to speak to Slaughter."

Iona hadn't expected Mr. Fenn to get up so quickly, and so unstably at that. Ae had not tried hard to help, but Murdoch waved them off regardless, garnering his balance on his own. 

"Very well. I'll page them down."

---

Once I got the call that Murdoch was up, I got my ass down to the chamber real fast. Not only was I rooting for the guy, he's my mentor, so I hate seeing him fail. It feels contagious somehow. Ever since I first started working on this project he'd been keeping tabs on it, but I never thought it'd progress to him playing in the Game himself. 

Making my way to the nurse's station of the chamber, I can't help but laugh at post-death Murdoch walking around aimlessly. I unlock the door and crack my head in, "YOOO! Good morning, champ!" He looks like shit, man. "How'd it go in there?" I ask, already knowing the answer. Terribly, he lost. On top of that, he lost to delinquent districters. 

"Oh, and if you're feeling any homicidal urges, that's normal! Just let me know so I can leave. Sounds fair?"

[ x ]