Orlando, Florida

July 2nd, 2019

Roughly 10:00pm

Mitch Hults...killed by falling from the roller coaster.

Taylor Raddysh...beaten and strangled to death.

William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen...crushed under a broken thrill ride.

Ben Thomas...beaten and tortured to death.

Brett Howden and Brayden Point...stabbed to death.

And now Otto Somppi...flung from the dangerous, broken carousel ride.

Who is next? Who is killing? Why and how? So many questions and the time is pushing part ten o'clock pm as the group leaves Otto's body, not wishing to view the grotesque scene anymore. They head back for the ramp. Hostility caving to fear. Bravery dwindling into horror. No one smiles, laughs or acts out. Just glares and inner thoughts racing through each player's stunned mind.

Brendan silently leads them back into the castle and into the center area, before heading down the last and final hallway. No speaks out or splits. It is clear that the killer is breaking them each as they wander through the last tunnel in silence and emerge upon a second bridgeway. The other end of the tunnel spits out more of the railway that races across the end of the bridge on the other side, before vanishing into brush that circles the back of the castle and the park's property.

In a half-hearted, broken voice, Brendan grumbles out, "Whoever can make it, there's gotta be an exit somewhere here in the back of the property. We just have to find it..."

"What's the point? Probably locked or thorn-sealed..." Ross growls out, sadly. "We were brought here to die! Might as well just...enjoy what little hours or minutes we have left with one another."

Boris and Alex come up to him and put a hand comfortingly on his shoulder.

"Rossy, it'll be okay," Alex coos out.

Ross sighs.

"I mean the killer can try to get butterflies," Yanni begins to remark, lifting his head up proudly.

Vladdy pats him on the head. "You're the best guard cat, Yanni."

"Shut up, Vladislav," Jo grumbles. "If we've given up hope, I just wanna be next! Fuck the group together thing! I can't be around here ANYMORE seeing and listening to Princess and Butterflies and really all of you!"

"I'm not stopping you," Brendan mutters.

"I'll just go sit at the entrance or whatever and wait to die," Jo adds on, clenching a fist to his side.

With that, the moody, hostile Montreal forward storms back across the bridge and into the tunnel and then heads down the wide, main central tunnel connected to the circular room. A flame from one of the torches hung on the wall near the entrance to the tunnel pulses as he passes it, before he quickly vanishes down the dimly lit pathway.

"Anyone else gonna just give off killer red flags and leave?" Brendan remarks.

"I'm close to leaving, but not there yet," Colby snarls. "I ain't no killer."

"Look, now that he's gone and can't bark at me, I think Jo's the actual killer. Someone should go with him," Timo remarks. "Dare I say I'm agreeing with Blondie over his pick. Not just because of his hostility, but let's look at some facts?"

Jonne folds his arms and smirks at the others. "Detective Hand Paws with some truth, hit 'em up, Timmy-o."

Timo rolls his eyes. "What did I just tell you about making fun of me...?"

"You walk right into it, Timo," Jonne says with a casual shrug of his shoulders.

"Anywayyyyyyy, as I was saying, Vladdy's got a point with Jo being our potential killer. Just, hear me out on this, one: he's a Hab. Habs don't like two teams: Maple Leafs and Lightning and look who's been killed: two Maple Leafs and Lightning system players? Another is that Jo doesn't like feminine men, Nylander and Howden obviously remind him of Vladdy, so to prevent being obvious right away, he's killed them. I think the next victim is going to be Alex Barre-Boulet."

"I'LL CUT A BITCH ASS HABITANT!" Boris roars. "Lay a finger on my Blueberry and I'll chop his dick off and feed it to Yanni Gourde and Timo Meier!"

Alex puts his hands on his hips and gives his head a slight toss. "He'll have to get through Katzy first, and Katzy's the strongest male bodyguard boyfriend here. So, I doubt he'll dare to lay a hand on me, Timo."

"Yeah, I'd be really scared of Katzykins, if I were Jo trying to murder BouBou, that's for sure." Jonne stifles laughter. "He's got big enough balls." His voice gets higher in pitch as he desperately struggles not to burst out laughing.

"TAMMELA!" Boris grumbles, folding his arms. "Don't make me deck you..."

Jonne wipes tears from his eyes.

"But there's more facts I have pointing toward Jo..." Timo continues. "After all, isn't he known to write and send threatening letters to Vladdy?"

"Yes!" Vladdy remarks.

"How is that any different than the poem and the creepy ass cut out slips with the various lines from it that are jammed into the balled up hands of the dead players?" Timo sits on his haunches and licks his shoulder, proudly.

"Nice detective work, Troll Tiger, give me paw," Jonne comments, forcing the laughter down finally. He holds his hand out for a high-five.

Timo looks up, his tongue sticking out of his mouth. "I'll take that as a compliment." He then lifts his paw up to high-five Jonne, only from the Finn to pull his hand back.

"Too slowly. Sorry, no cheating to win with high-fives," Jonne chuckles.

Timo rolls his eyes. "How did I know you were going to do that...?" He heaves a sigh.

"All good points. I think we keep a sharp eye on BouBou for the next hour or so and make sure to stay aware, in case Jo is lurking around to kill," Brendan remarks. "Now, let's see what's across the bridge here..."

They set across the tracks and enter a foliage heavy archway with the words 'Animal Cove' etched across in wood. There is a thick, luscious curtain of vines that dangle down, concealing the area beyond it.

Brendan reaches out to part the vines, when a loud and ferocious roar splits through the air. He pauses and steps back in shock. Then he whirls around, glaring at Timo and Yanni. "Why the roar, tigers? I know it wasn't the fluffball..."

Colby rolls his eyes. "Oil lover."

"MCAULEY!!" Brendan snaps. "Need I remind you of who is in the NHL thanks to their chirps and who is NOT?!"

"OH, OUCH! Coco, need some ice? Cause he burned you badly..." TT taunts with a childish giggle.

Vladdy halts on the railroad tracks and looks down at them. He then glances up at Ville. "If Jo is really behind this...? Mesky, it's not true...he wouldn't kill sweet BouBou...because of me? I don't think I could have that on my conscious."

Ville hugs Vladdy. "Hey, it's okay. Relax."

"I'll show you, King of the Chirps!" Colby boasts and morphs into his tiger form, bravely bounding forward and through the vine-entrance with his tail held highly behind him.

"Oh...no..." Yanni comments, sitting back on his haunches. He puts his paw over his nose, looking up at the sky, just as the moon slips behind a thick cloud. "Butterflies, Colby."

"So, we're officially to the 'comparing who's dick is larger' phase, eh?" Jonne chuckles, slyly. "I believe I take home the cake for that one."

"No one is comparing dicks, Jonne," Ross grumbles.

"Dicks aside...I'll go get him," Timo remarks. "He is, after all, a boneheaded Shark like myself."

"No, he's my child," Yanni comments, getting to his paws. "I'll go get him! Besides, if any butterflies is to happen, I'm the best butterflies equipped to butterflies the butterflies. You know?" He raises his head up proudly.

"I don't understand...but go for it!" Brendan remarks. "He's just a little cub and part of me REALLY cares for his well-being!"

"And the other half?" Boris grumbles.

"The other half wants to wring his neck!"

Yanni pads forward and slips through the vine. Instantly, there is a second loud roar, followed by an elephant-like trumpet and then a gasping yelp.

Brendan proceeds to peer through the vines, when Yanni scampers back out with Colby dangling from his mouth. He darts behind Vladdy's legs and drops Colby from his mouth, his fur standing on end.

"What the hell is behind here?" Brendan inquires.

Yanni licks his fur down as the elephant trumpet comes again. "Zoo."

Colby attempts to dash for an escape, but Yanni halts him with a paw and hold him in place. "Oh come on, I was gonna fight the lion!"

"NO!" Yanni snaps. "Remember you are MY child first and foremost, young man!"

Colby slips free and dashes for the vine, but he is grabbed by TT.

"Coco, no, no, no."

Brendan shakes his head and walks through the vines. "If it's just animals..." He vanishes to the other side.

Jonne and Roope follow him with Timo and then TT with Colby. Vladdy pats Yanni on the head and they walk back through with Ville. Boris, Alex and Ross are last to emerge. As soon as they do, they find themselves looking at a small, compressed zoo park. A giant tree is in the center, it's branching hovering over many animal habitats and cages.

Brush has overgrown, concealing a few of the cages.

Vladdy blinks as he finds himself staring at a barn to his right side. He spots a black and white cow standing the barn pin, munching on some hay.

"Okay..." Vladdy mutters.

Ross points to the side of the barn, where a group of habitats are. Noisy chatter erupts from them. "Look, monkeys!"

"And a puma and clouded leopard over here!" TT shouts out, pointing toward the left side of them where two tall and spacious habitats are.

Colby squirms in TT's grip. "C'mon man, quit manhandling me and let me roar back at that lion!!"

Brendan shakes his head. "Okay, for real, McAuley, you're gonna go roar at a LION, like a mature, adult LION? YOU, a cub, are gonna go roar...at..."

Colby pushes at TT's hands. "I'M NOT A CUB!!"

Yanni throws his head up and unleashes a terrifying roar into the air. There is a brief moment of silence as his roar echoed into the distance. But he is then greeted by a similar one matching his. "Tigers, here! Butterflies!!" He bounces on his paws.

"Awwww friends for Yanniboo," Vladdy cooes, clasping his hands together and putting them under one side of his face.

"Wait, if this is based off the poem," Ville suddenly blurts out. "What was the next line? What if we figure that out? We know that and watch Alex, we should certainly guarantee survival, right?!"

"That's true...but I don't think anyone here truly paid attention to the poem or read it..." Brendan remarks, looking down at his feet.

"Well, that's no help," Ross replies, shaking his head.

Boris growls and tenses up as a strong breeze ruffles the bushes near the entrance to the Animal Cove area of the theme park.

"Protective, ain't he?" Alex smugly remarks, folding his arms across his chest. "No way that asshole gets anywhere near me and these luscious curls of beauty. Katzy just doesn't allow it."

"Still, can't be too cautious, BouBou..." Ross scolds. "You never know if someone can..." He slips between Boris and Alex and taps the brunette man on the shoulder. "Slip in for the kill!" He wraps his arm jokingly around Alex's neck.

"Only need to be cautious around you, jerk! Let go of me!" Alex snaps, shoving Ross' arm away from him and spinning out of the hold.

Vladdy chuckles. "You three...I'm so lucky that soon Mesky and I will be official!" He leans against Ville, gazing up at him. "He's my true love! My Prince Charming! The love of my life!"

Ville glances down at him, smiling. His smile twists awkwardly and the wispy blond Ranger takes notice of it.

What, does he not love me back? He better! I know he loves me! He agreed to go on a date...

Yanni nudges Vladdy's hand, causing him to snap his head to look down. They pause in step. Vladdy drops down to look into Yanni's eyes, while Ville continues on, bothered by his thoughts. But as soon as they do, Yanni's ears perk up and he peers around Vladdy, growling at an unseen force.

Vladdy attempts to look behind him to see what has grabbed ahold of his tiger's interest.

That's when Yanni dashes off from Vladdy.

Vladdy slowly gets back up to his feet, staring in the direction they'd come from. He glances over his shoulder at the group, noticing that they are still focused on Alex, with the exception of Ville, who is suddenly alive and excited by something.

Ville continues ahead, spotting the Cheetah exhibit. "Hey, Vladdy, look! It's our favorite animal!"

Vladdy whirls back around and opens his mouth to shout a response to him, when a gloved hand shoot over his mouth and pulls him off to the side and gradually away from the group.

Ville rushes up to the enclosure in excitement, spotting two cheetahs nuzzling each other.

Vladdy tries to shout out for them. To alert someone of what is happening to him, but the gloved hand over his mouth muffles any possible cries for help. He kicks backward and struggles, desperate to get free from the grip on him.

"Don't worry, I'm taking good care of your precious tiger, sweetheart. You just couldn't take the hint in New York, could ya. I know you know the truth! You're gonna lure out my next victim, cause he's, well, he's seen wayyyyyy too much. Just my luck he's such a stubborn asshole Canadien. But how long can he stay quiet for...surely you know...?" a gruff voice growls into his ear.

Vladdy is then thrust against the solid metal frame of the dormant locomotive train ride car and pinned in place by the man.

"Oh, and I'm not Jonathan Drouin."

With that, he removes his hand from Vladdy's mouth and swiftly wraps a scarf around his mouth, pulling it tight behind his head and securing it in place. Then he binds Vladdy's wrists together with rope and then his ankles.

Vladdy screams and works the ropes around his wrists as he is immediately scooped up and hauled over the man's shoulder. He pounds on the man's back, trying to plead with him through the gag to let him go, but he is soon carried through the vine curtain and dumped on the tracks.

Tears form in Vladdy's eyes as he watches the dark figure quickly bind him to the railroad tracks. Then the man hovers over him and whips out a silver pistol, clearly intentional before Vladdy's eyes.

"Now...I gotta make the second half of the next line of the poem come true..." He then turns and Vladdy tries to get himself free and crane his neck around to see. But suddenly whimpers greet his ears.

Then the man cackles and a flash of white bounds over Vladdy's head and for the vine curtain, vanishing from sight, just as there is a loud CRACK!

Suddenly there is a loud train whistle, as the gears of the once dormant locomotive at the station erupts to life and the wheels creak as they begin to slowly rotate. Ville perks up and whips around, his eyes flying open wide.

"What the--?" He spins around, looking through the group. "Vladdy?!" He then takes off at once, heading for the entrance, terror and panic racing through his mind.

Brendan attempts to stop him, but he is cut off by a shrill scream and then a loud, earsplitting gunshot.

There is a brief moment of silence as the remaining people share nervous looks with one another, before bolting after Ville. They spot him, hovering over something a few feet from the entrance.

The train's whistle blasts out a loud horn and then Ville jumps over the hurdle and shoves through the vine entrance. He screams in agony as the train's whistle comes again. This time as though it has passed by and is now taking the trip around the back of the castle.

The others reach the limp figure of what Ville had jumped over, finding a blood-soaked, lifeless Yanni Gourde lying on the ground. A muzzle is tightly strapped around his head, intentional.

Colby howls into the air and jumps down from TT's shoulder. "Yan...Yanni?" He pads forward, his tail tucked between his legs. He nudges Yanni's body a few times, tears coming to his eyes. "C'mon...get up!"

"Awwww, he's having a Lion King moment," Alex says, tears gushing down his face. "I WON'T cry!" He whirls around and buries his head into Boris' shoulder.

Colby jumps up and pushes at Yanni's side with his paws. "I am your pesky little asshole son and I demand you to stop faking this sad ass shit RIGHT NOW!" He then bites the strap of the muzzle and rips it off, sending him and it flying backward.

He recovers, jumping back up to his paws, with the muzzle dangling from his teeth. He shakes his head, growling and flings it to the side.

"Colby..." Brendan whispers, biting his lip as he notices the bullet hole in the white bengal tiger's fur on his neck.

Colby pads back up and nuzzles his way under Yanni's limp paw. "Please..."

"Coco," TT mutters out, looking down at his feet and pouting his lip.

Roope and Jonne make their way to the vine curtain and peer through it. On the other side, stands Ville, frozen in fear, clutching tightly to the frail, pale fingers of someone who is lying on the railroad tracks. The two Finns slowly walk up to their fellow Finn, who is in utter shock and horror.

The first thing they notice is all the blood splatter.

Not a good sign.

Then...

Lying on the tracks, mangled and bloodied is the dead body of - almost barely recognizable - Vladdy Namestnikov. A shiny silver tiara rests on the far side of the tracks. There are chewed up rope shreds strewn about the track, a clear sign that Vladdy had been tied down against his will.

Ville finally breaks his silence and shock. The tears break the dam and he lunges forward taking Vladdy up into his arms. He begins to sob out, "He was so young...and beautiful...and I was a fool for never telling him..."

Jonne and Roope turn their heads away, placing hands on either shoulder of Ville.

Roope spots the familiar slip of paper, tucked intentionally under the tiara. He pats Ville and then carefully steps over the tracks, heading for it. He bends down and yanks the paper out. He then returns to Jonne and reads the line of the poem to him:

"Thirteen professional hockey players were struggling to survive,

One was shot, while one was tied to the tracks of Seven Heaven and then there were eleven."

****

Man this one was super hard to do...

Did anyone guess sweet, lovable gay Vladdy and Butterflies the Tiger, Yanni as the potential killer in the end? If so, sorry, neither of them are the killer either... :)

Time to make another guess (and feel free to comment guesses below) as we will soon move onto the next murder here!!