The body of Scorch was gone now, swallowed by the floor like the others.
Only six remained.
A silence hung over them, thick as fog. The kind of silence that breathes down your neck and makes you afraid to speak first.
"Day Four Begins."
Ethan sat with his hands on the table, trying not to tremble. He'd finally come forward—and now he felt more exposed than ever.
And no closer to the truth.
A Knife Called Doubt
"You said Owl was the Werewolf," Violet said. Her tone wasn't accusatory—yet.
"I said he was the most suspicious," Ethan corrected. "And we voted. As a group."
"But he wasn't the wolf," Reaper said coldly. "Or Scorch would still be here."
Ethan winced.
"I've told you who I checked," he said. "Scorch was clean. Bloom's clean. Reaper's clean. That leaves—"
"Me and Violet," Ghost said suddenly, his voice soft but unsettling. "How convenient."
Ethan stared at him. "I haven't checked you. Yet."
"And yet, here I am. Still breathing," Ghost replied. "You've had three nights. Three. And somehow, the wolf is still alive."
His smile was subtle. Calculated.
Ethan suddenly realized how little Ghost had spoken this whole time.
"You're accusing me now?" Ethan asked.
"I'm pointing out facts. The longer you've been 'in control,' the more people have died. And not the wolf."
Violet's voice cracked. "Ethan isn't the killer."
"Are you sure?" Ghost turned to her. "He said he scanned you. You believed him without proof. That's loyalty… or partnership."
Ethan's stomach dropped.
Ghost was good.
Too good.
Fractures in the Group
Reaper stood and paced slowly. "We're down to the final hours. One wrong vote, and the wolf wins."
She looked around the room.
"We know there's still a Hunter somewhere," she added, eyes locking onto each of them. "Maybe they should act today. Kill the person they think is the wolf."
Bloom swallowed. "That's dangerous."
"Not as dangerous as another wrong vote," Reaper replied.
Ghost tilted his head. "If we shoot wrong, we die. So maybe we should ask: who has the most to lose right now?"
All eyes slowly turned to Ethan.
"You're all looking at me," Ethan said, standing. "Fine. Then I'll say it. I've told the truth every step. I've been methodical, even if unlucky."
He pointed at Ghost. "You've been quiet this entire game. Letting others argue. Playing peacemaker. But the second I reveal my role, you start turning people against me."
Ghost shrugged. "Maybe I'm just tired of being passive. Maybe the wolf wants us to trust you."
"And maybe the wolf is smiling right now," Ethan snapped.
A Bullet in the Chamber
Reaper stepped forward. Her hand went into her coat.
The air tensed.
She pulled out a sleek black revolver.
Gasps.
"You're the Hunter," Bloom whispered.
Reaper nodded.
"One shot," she said. "One chance. If I die after this, so be it. But I'm done guessing."
She pointed the gun—
At Ghost.
Ethan's breath caught.
Reaper pulled the trigger.
BANG.
Ghost's head snapped back. He collapsed instantly, motionless.
The room was dead silent.
The screen flickered.
"Ghost has been eliminated."
...
…
"Ghost was… Human."
Fallout
"No!" Violet clutched the table, her voice breaking.
Ethan just stared in numb horror.
Reaper said nothing. Her shoulders sagged slightly.
The Hunter's job was done—and she had failed.
"Hunter has used their ability. No second shot remains."
"Night begins. Close your eyes."
Ethan trembled as the lights went out.
Only five left.
And one of them—the wolf—was laughing in the dark.