[ THREE: game on ]

     REI SCOURED THE the lower level of the parking-lot, determined to outperform each and every player present in this game.

Transcending her peers was something she'd done for years and years of her life. She was a unique vessel, non-replicated and shiny, housing an unnatural greed for omniscience inside of her. She believed that there was more to life than what met the naked eye, aspiring to peel back its earthy layers to find the magma boiling beneath, steaming and brimming with knowledge and secrets. Perhaps this alternate reality was just the same, but she'd have to endure this game of life and death to attain the freedom she longed for.

     "I'm taking levels two and three. I'll let you know if I see anyone heading down." Rei nodded presently to Minoru. He was prowling around, movements animalistic, waiting for a member of the blue team to trap in his claws.

"Okay." He winked at her, light auburn hair obscuring the hungry glint in his eyes. He needed it cut, Rei thought. "When you get tagged, just scream my name and I'll come save you."

She glared at his handsomely smug face. "Let the flag out of your sight and I'll break your jaw."

Rei didn't wait around for a (probably sarcastic) retaliation, choosing to make for the incline rather than stairs to make it to the second level. She spotted a few blues on their half of the border, lingering and readying to cross the line.

From upstairs, yells of agony echoed against the stone pillars of the lot, indicating that people had been tagged and stunned. She prayed silently that it wasn't Kuina. One of the decoys - the pencil-skirt lady - grabbed onto her arm and pressed her mouth to her ear. Rei cringed at their closeness.

"I'll distract whilst you cross the border into the upper levels. I think Kuina said that the flag was probably up there." The lady explained hurriedly.

"Okay." Rei nodded. "Let's go then."

The lady didn't move, however. Rei cleared her throat.

"Any time today would be great."

Shaking, the lady turned to her. She looked lamb-like, lips gaping and trembling with apprehension. "Wait ... I don't want to die."

Rei released a short breath, uncaring to hide her irritation. Now really wasn't the time to be pathetic.

"You won't die if you shut up and use your brain." She snapped, impatient.

The lady blinked, mouth falling even more agape. She looked embarrassed - the way she had when Minoru had shunned her. Rei felt guilty for a split second, softening the blow with syrupy comfort.

     "I'll get the flag and you won't die. Promise."

The lady nodded, the tension in her muscles unknotting as she swallowed thickly. She muttered a short prayer before taking off running across the border, immediately sparking the attention of the blues as they scampered after her. She made for the ramp, sparing Rei a desperate glance over her shoulder. A sacrificial lamb, she thought. How unfortunate.

One of the blues still lingered, however, watching her intently. She noticed his intruding gaze drop to her chest, hips and exposed stomach as he smirked lustfully. He was swaying slightly on his feet - was he drunk? Her lips curved downwards with disgust as she began scheming.

Rei walked forwards until she was right on the verge of the border, ready to execute her plan. He mirrored her, staggered-stepped, and they stood face to face.

"Where's your flag?" She began, overly-sweet and innocent.

"Why should I tell you?" He slurred, tone flirty and raunchy. The reek of whisky fanned across her face from between his teeth. Definitely drunk.

This would be simple for her. Even simpler due to his intoxication.

"We'll all die if we don't find the other's flag. Would you rather that or we at least clear this game, huh?"

The man's stare didn't falter and neither did Rei's as her lips upturned. She could sense her poison spreading across his skin, his mind, swirling with the bitter alcohol and altering his thoughts. He nodded his head.

"So, you want to level the playing field?"

"You're so clever." Rei lied, pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear happily. "That's exactly what I want."

The man's cheeks reddened at the compliment but Rei was growing impatient. The sound of desperate shouts, thunderous footsteps against concrete and the ticking time bomb pushed between her temple urged her forwards. She spun her words quickly, silk-like and fools gold, to end this game of charades.

"I'll tell if you tell. Think of it as a simple exchange. A trade." She cocked her head to the side, gaze slowly moving from his left eye to his right. She noticed his adam's apple bob, and his smirk morph to a delighted smile. His eyes lit up as if he'd won the bonus on one of those gambling machines, pupils dilating and swimming with pure want. She almost laughed at how utterly pathetic he was, disguising her moment of discomposure as a cough.

"I guess that does make it fair."

Finally.

Rei broke into a grin and she reached out, hooking her arms around the man's shoulders. His skin-crawling gaze dropped to her lips and she suppressed the urge to free herself and vomit. Did he really think she was about to kiss him? Alcohol really made you delusional.

     He attempted to pull her closer but she resisted, heart beating, grip tightening, a viper ready to strike.

"Easy now." She halted, tone laced with warning. "You say first, then I'm all yours."

"Top level. The green-haired one. He has it in his mouth. He's the strongest so he's protecting it."

"Thank you so much." Rei gushed, eyes darkening, skeleton almost trembling with excitement. "I'll be sure to visit your grave later."

The man's jaw swung open in shock as her fingers locked behind his neck and yanked his body forward onto her side of the border. She tossed him to the floor as if he was a bag of flour and he landed with a heavy thump on his front, spilling profanities, choking, his glowing blue button exposed. Before he could beg for her mercy, she stomped on it with her foot and watched as the man writhed and stuttered under the electric shock - a fly trapped in a burning light.

Rei smirked, satisfied, and took off up the ramp. Just as she was about to reach the top, she recognised Kuina's voice. She was struggling.

More sounds of crackling electricity and pain rung out on this level and Rei stopped cautiously before stepping into the action. All of the decoys had been tagged, the blues outnumbering them heavily. Kuina was caught up in a fight with one of them, and Rei watched as they dragged each-other back and forth over the border, trying to gain the upper hand to tag the other.

Rei ducked behind a car, reevaluating her strategy. She knew three flag hunters would've been more sustainable. This was a massacre. She was so gonna kill Minoru.

She watched in silent fury as Kuina's skin-headed opponent landed a kick to her abdomen and the girl flew backwards, landing limply, gasping for air. As much as she wanted to help her right now, she had to time her attack just right. Springing on them when they were vigilant was a death wish - she'd have to catch them off guard.

"Downstairs!" The skin-headed woman instructed the blues. She bent down, dragging Kuina's resisting body across the border, ignoring the insults hurled. "Get the flag and I'll finish this bitch off."

Rei pressed her body up against the car as the blues ran past, whooping and hollering in complacent glory as they made for the lower levels. After couple minutes of apprehension and straining to hear who was winning the battle underground, they came sprinting back, heavy breathed and evidently victorious.

"We have the flag!" An elated female voice sung whilst the others laughed and conversed.

"They thought just 'cause they're buff and intimidating they could throw us off. That ginger asshole will rot in hell now."

Rei seethed silent red irritation. Fucking Minoru.

"Take it upstairs." The skin-headed woman's voice now. "I'll decided whether this one dies in pain or not."

Now was her time to make a move. She sprung upwards, grabbing the nearest blue and shoving them to the ground. They screamed out in shock but she moved quickly, her fingers clasping their leg, dragging them mercilessly to her side of the border. She slammed the button with the butt of her shoe. The other blues had leapt back in alarm, retreating to their side, celebratory party ruined.

"Rei!" Kuina caught her eye wildly, sweat dripping from her forehead and fresh grazes littering her marble skin.

The PA suddenly chimed. "Ten minutes remaining."

The skin-headed woman cackled. "You really think you can take all four of us?"

Four. So they'd lost a couple.

"Only four?" She signalled with her hand subtly to Kuina, who was still untagged. These people really were stupid. "This should be easy."

"You little-"

The woman's insult was cut short as Kuina's foot drove forcefully into her shin. Their fight resumed, but this time, Kuina had the upper hand. Rei made for the other side instantly, facing a blue who was flexing his neck, ready to take her on.

     He lunged at her and she blocked his arm, grasping and twisting it and driving her foot upwards. He was fast, however, trapping her leg and throwing her to the concrete. She landed hard, the fall knocking the wind from her lungs. He was on her in an instant, desperate fingers scrambling for her button. Rei grit her teeth, rolling away. Her punch connected cleanly with his cheek as he tried to pin her down again and in the split second he was stunned, she leapt to her feet, reclaiming oxygen.

     "You're a tricky one, aren't you?" He hissed, working his jaw, wincing at the bite of her finger's work.

     Rei pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, hyper-aware of the way her body felt as if it was aflame. The thrill of the fight was something she'd grown to love, the infliction of raw pain an indicator that she was truly alive.

     He initiated his move again, reaching for her. Rei span away, dodging easily. She whirled around to play her turn, but he was already two steps ahead.

     A stinging sensation danced across the upper left side of temple as a sharp elbow connected with her face. Blood sprung from her eyebrow and she winced as it coated her eyelashes, running down her cheek.

Suddenly she was eighteen years old again, uniformed, thrown into the middle of the ring, blood smeared across her lips and teeth. Head aching, heart torn and bones snapped. Don't back down! I don't care if it hurts, don't you fucking dare back down!

She blinked, a quiet rage swimming at the bottom of her stomach, blood on her tongue.

     The guy was already swinging his final blow and she ducked it, driving her fist into his abdomen with all the strength she could muster. She felt her knuckles connect with the curved arch of a ribcage, a calculated hit, sending him to the ground and retching. Rei kicked him across the border pitilessly and activated the button. She watched him curl up in agony before straightening up.

     She tightened her ponytail, taking a deep breath and moving her attention to her teammate.

Kuina was safely across the border, her victim face-up and bloodied.

"Good job." Rei commented as Kuina pinned the woman down and pushed the button.

"I thought I was truly fucked for a moment there." Kuina sighed, watching the skin-head's eyes roll back, exposing her whites at the electric shock. She looked like one of the fishes on display in the market, pale body encrusted with ice. "You're my Prince Charming, huh?"

"Not quite yet." Rei put a hand on her hip, ignoring the pain in her head. "We need to finish off these two first - well three if you count the bitch that's hiding upstairs with the flag."

Kuina spun to her, eyes sparkling. She pushed Rei's shoulder excitedly. "You figured it out!"

Rei shrugged nonchalantly, smirking back at her teammate. "Wasn't too difficult."

"You remind me of a friend of mine," Kuina almost laughed, but then her expression shifted to one of concern once she noticed Rei's injury. "Wait ... you're bleeding."

She reached up to press her fingers against Rei's eyebrow, absorbing the blood. She flinched.

     "It's nothing."

     Kuina removed her fingers, wiping the blood on her jeans. "Alright. So, what now?"

The remaining blues stared back them, bodies pressed up against the far wall of the parking-lot. Kuina grimaced as she flexed her tricep, pacifying the strains gnawing at her arm.

"We haven't got long to get the flag. We'll tag the decoys on the way back down, can't waste any more time." Rei instructed and Kuina nodded in agreement. "Let's get these two now."

The two strode forwards and the blues fled. Rei made for the blonde woman whilst her teammate the taller guy. She was sure that Kuina had some martial-arts experience by her refined fighting style. It was measured and precise, almost like a dance, contrasting Rei's more hardened and agony-inflecting technique. Kuina was a gazelle and Rei the leopard; an unlikely partnership but a compatible one.

"No wait!" Kuina grabbed her arm just as Rei was about to make a move for the blonde. "Only six minutes left. I'll take these two myself, you get the flags."

"You sure?" Rei questioned, though she knew it was the right call. Besides, Kuina was more than capable of handling herself.

"Yes, now go!"

Rei didn't hesitate, taking off towards the ramp whilst Kuina made sure the blues didn't follow, cornering them.

The top level was empty, albeit the parked cars. Rei shivered at the sudden cold, larger slices of exposure cut from the concrete walls sucking in the night air like a vacuum. She moved attentively, eyes swinging left and right to catch a glimpse of the final blue. Debris littered the floor from the cracked ceiling above and the strobe lights flickered as if they were faulty. She took a mental note of both these details.

     "There you are."

Rei stopped. A figure stalked out from behind one of the cars. She moved forwards, slowly, analysing him.

The flag was in the boy's mouth. It tucked between his teeth, blue and beckoning as it flapped limply under his capture. He was unnaturally tall, hair spiked upwards and bleached acid green. His skin pulled taut against his muscles, inked with black tattoos spiralling, designed to hypnotise.

He sported a wristband too - another member of Kuina's group.

Rei's fingers curled into a fist. The red flag was in his grasp too. Her jaw tightened, trying to figure this puzzle out. He was now leaning against the car he'd emerged from nonchalantly. No point going for him when he had cover. She needed to draw him out, surprise him.

"Come on over, sweetheart, what's taking you so long? We can end this now." His laugh was deep, mocking.

"Are you gonna sit there and let your teammates die? We've tagged them all." Rei mused, buying time to think. She didn't have long.

The boy tossed his head back, laughing. "You think I care about them? I want to be the only winner of this one."

Rei exaggerated a sigh, examining the area. "You really are pathetic."

"What did you call me?"

It clicked in her mind.

"I said you're pathetic."

"You'll be the pathetic one when a laser is shot through that pretty little head of yours in about ..." he looked to the clock. "Four minutes."

The strobe light.

"I wouldn't be so sure."

She picked up a large chunk of large debris from the floor, examining it carefully, calculating the projectile. It had to be perfect.

"What you gonna do? Take your anger out on a car?" He laughed again, though Rei noticed him tense slightly in the shoulders. "You're a lot dumber than you look."

"Am I?" Rei questioned, a coy smile creeping its way to her lips. "Look up."

He did. She hurled the rock with all her strength, and it smashed it's target cleanly, exploding the plastic shell and raining hot, spitting sparks onto the boy. He shrieked in pain and stumbled to the ground, releasing the flags as the electricity tortured his exposed body like cigarette butts. Rei sprinted across the border, retrieving the red flag hastily. She then slid across the bonnet of the car and landed, crouched, to snatch up the blue.

"Rei! Hurry!" She heard Kuina stammer from below. The green-haired boy, however, had arisen, a lion's snarl on his pained face.

"You bitch!" He growled, skin scarlet red, staggering forwards.

"Shit."

     She turned, sprinting down the ramp and straight to Kuina's twitching body, slamming the button to stop the shock. She dragged her upwards, breathless and exhilarated. Both of the other blues were also shocked, and Rei wondered if Kuina had managed to take one down whilst under the influence of the electricity. She sure as hell was strong.

"Go free the others that are tagged."

Kuina nodded, running off as best she could as her body fought to recover from the sting of the shock.

"One minute remaining!"

     Rei mentally blocked out her fatigue and powered her legs into motion, the clumsy footsteps of the green-haired boy behind driving her forwards. She made it to the lower level unscathed, eyes narrowing at the sight of the groaning boys littered in front of the base.

     "Idiots." She snapped, freeing them all.

     Minoru groaned, rolling over and pushing himself to his feet. "It was his fault." he pointed to the skinny wristband boy.

     "You asshole! It wasn't-"

     They were silenced by the thump of a hardened punch delivered to the face. The green-haired boy's nose snapped sideways, blood spurting from it like a scarlet fountain. The shaved-headed man shook his hand to dull the sting, watching as the boy went limp on the floor. Unconscious.

    Rei stared, half-shocked, half-annoyed that she'd been too distracted to finish him off herself.

     "Shit. Good hit, Aguni." Minoru chuckled, dragging the sole his shoe across the green-haired boy's disfigured face. "I hated this bastard anyway."

     "Thanks." Rei nodded to Aguni. He met her gaze before it lowered to the flags. A ghost of a surprise rippled across the stoic sea that was his expression. Had she impressed him?

     "Five seconds remaining!"

     Rei jolted back to reality and slammed the two flags down inside the base, stumbling backwards as the timer hit zero.

Nobody spoke for a minute, apprehension stirring the humid night air. Then, Kuina came running down with the rest of the red team, relief flooding her features.

     "Guys-"

     She skidded to a halt as a laser beam cut through the stone ceiling. It penetrated the green-haired boy's skull, a putrid, burnt smell arising as hot blood sizzled from the bullet-sized wound in his forehead.

     Rei stepped back, scrunching her nose up at the stench of it. Disturbed, she averted her gaze.

The PA rung out cheerily. "Game clear, congratulations."

     Kuina stepped over the corpse to Rei's side, slinging an arm over her shoulder.

     "Holy shit, I knew you'd do it."

     A few of the other team members bowed their head in thanks and Rei smiled, tight-lipped, back. The pencil-skirt lady tackled her in an embrace, showering her with blessings and thankings until Rei had to unhook herself before she was positively suffocated.

     Yes - they'd won, but the image of scalded flesh flashed at the forefront of her mind and she struggled to suppress her survivors guilt. She knew that she'd have to deal with it if this world was really what she feared it was - to become a stranger to death all over again. Becoming cold would be easy, but her primal, girlhood desire to become vulnerable and understood again would make the battle between head and heart a whole lot more challenging.

     Rei turned to Kuina, shifting back to reality. "Couldn't have done it without you."

     Minoru scoffed, deliberately interrupting. "Is this love-fest finished yet? Let's head back, my body fucking aches and I need a drink."

     "Aches? You did absolutely nothing, moron." Kuina laughed.

     Minoru's eyes flashed with humiliation as he peeled off his vest. "We had the muscle job. All you two did was waltz up there, looking pretty, and collect the flag."

Kuina raised her eyebrows. "If it wasn't for her, you'd be dead."

     "Beginners luck." He directed his sardonic grin at Rei. "It'll pass."

     She stared at him pointedly. The only person she'd met with a bigger ego than Minoru was her own father. Rei tucked her lower lip between her teeth, biting back an insult.

     Kuina rolled her eyes. "You never had it in the first place."

     Minoru glared daggers at Kuina, shoulder connecting with her's roughly as he made for the exit.

     "I said, let's go."

     "Knew you were all talk, couldn't even protect a piece of fabric." Rei mused lightly, remembering his patronising attitude. Minoru spun around, lunging at her.

     Aguni yanked him back and she watched with an antagonising smirk.

"You're too immature to work with." Aguni spat at the younger boy. "Fix up or you'll be dead next time."

     Minoru didn't meet his eye, cursing as shrugged Aguni's hand off furiously. He strode towards the parking-lot exit, not looking back. Rei peered at Aguni who stared back at her, unclipping his vest, seemingly unimpressed. He then began after Minoru and the rest of the group followed, huddled together.

     Not even a thank you for saving his life?

     "He's always like this - don't take it personally." Kuina muttered, sensing her disbelief.

     "I figured. What a charming personality."

     Her phone chimed and she pulled it out of her back pocket, hands slippery.

"We will now supply all remaining players with a five-day visa."

     Visa. That's what Kuina had been talking about before. So, this meant she had five days until it ran out, and she suspected the punishment for overstay was a laser to the cranium.

     "Come on." Kuina prompted wearily and the two trudged back into the vacant streets of Tokyo after discarding of their vests. Rei grabbed her bag from under the car, brushing it down and flinging it onto her back. She couldn't wait to get out of here so she could wash off the blood caked to her face and even more so - sleep.

The wristband group were together, examining a five of clubs card before Aguni tucked it in his back pocket. Interesting, Rei considered. The cards must be of some value if they were being collected.

"We're heading back now." Kuina gestured over to them as they began to walk in the opposite direction that Rei had entered the parking-lot.

"To your community?"

Kuina scoffed. "I wouldn't call it that. Rather cult-like if you're a true Hatter extremist."

"Hatter?"

"Shit - sorry. He's the leader. Anyway, we help each-other clear games and it's kinda nice there, I guess. Better than fending for yourself out on the streets. Plus, we have electricity which means we can actually shower and have cooked meals. It's a little strange but you get used to the people and the routine."

Rei nodded, processing the information she'd been fed. What Kuina was describing sounded like some faux-utopian bullshit. How could she possibly know what she was walking into? Sure, she sort of trusted Kuina - but she'd hinted that there were more like Aguni and Minoru. They certainly hadn't been grateful of her contribution. She'd held her own in the game just fine - it wasn't like she really relied on them. The leader, Hatter, also sounded slightly suspicious. Did he choose who went to what game? Who lived and who died? With a leader always came a hierarchy, and the thought of having to climb from the bottom to the top was painfully tedious.

     "You should come with us, you'd be a great addition." Kuina added hopefully.

     Rei shrugged lightly. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine on my own for now. Maybe soon, though?"

     Kuina looked visibly disappointed, popping her faux cigarette back between her pursed lips. "Oh, okay then. It's the Seaside Paradise hotel, the one near the river. If you do decide to turn up, just say you know me and Hatter'll hear you out."

     "Yeah, I know the one." Rei forced a smile. "I'll see you soon, Kuina."

     "I hope we cross paths again." Kuina bowed her head before disappearing around the corner.

Rei watched her leave before releasing a breath. She grabbed the strap of her backpack tightly, trying to organise her scattered thoughts. The game felt like a fever dream now, and exhaustion wrapped it's arms around her frame, seeping all the way to into her bones. Blood and sweat stuck to her skin grimily and she licked her lips, tasting the metallic tinge of it and pushing it around her mouth.

She felt Kuina's absence at her side momentarily and she wondered if she'd made the right choice in playing the lone wolf. She sighed. This wasn't like her at all to let her decisions mull and rot like abandoned fruit on a summers day. Rei blamed it on the fatigue, turning on her heel and walking back towards the heart of the city purposefully. She always trusted her instincts - this was no time for questioning them.

Besides, since when did Bashira Rei need anybody in this world?

┈┈┈┈┈┈

SHE TIPPED HER chin upwards, pouring bottled water onto her cut, wincing at the dull throbbing sensation kicking around her head.

Rei'd found some old camper-van parked in an apartment complex garage. It had been left unlocked, overbrimming with everything she needed to survive the night.

     She'd pushed noodles into her mouth earlier, the food steaming hot thanks to the small gas stove in the van, and Rei had savoured every mouthful as it's warmth spread across her stomach like a comforting hug. The food made her feel better, providing a temporary moment of sanctuary from the disturbing image of the green-haired boy.

     Blinking a few times to clear her eyesight, Rei set the water bottle down and dabbed her wound with an antibacterial soap she'd found in the first-aid pack in the cupboard. Though her medical knowledge was by no means extensive, she knew the basics - most vitally how to treat an open wound so she didn't fall under infection and die a futile death. Her fingers worked nimbly as she dried it, applied some potent smelling ointment and smoothed a small band-aid onto her eyebrow.

Body completely overcome with exhaustion, she climbed into the bed built into the rear of the vehicle. Despite the night being a humid one, the caravan housed a steadfast chill. She pulled at the thin duvet, wrapping herself up tightly the way she used to when she was younger. One of the small candles she placed on the counter still flickered and swayed its belly, amber and soft, lulling her into sedation.

Rei tried not to think for once, allowing her mind and body to still completely numb. She focused on her breathing, the way her chest rose and fell, the measured thump of her heart.

Her peace was short lived.

Barely seconds after blacking out, the sound of a body heaving its weight against the door and a series of hushed commandments jerked her awake. Rei scrambled upwards, instinctually reaching for something to defend herself with.

Throwing open the cutlery drawer, she selected the sharpest knife she could find. The hilt of the blade pressed into her palm firmly and she evened her breaths, watching the door and bracing herself for the attacker to burst through.

After a final, heavy blow, the door slammed open and two figures bustled in. Two familiar figures. Rei lowered the knife, perplexed.

"Aguni? Minoru?"

Aguni nodded a signal to the younger boy who didn't hesitate in reaching forward and clamping his fingers over her forearm, yanking Rei towards him.

"What the fuck are you doing? Get off!" She struggled, swinging the knife in an arc to graze the skin of his forearm.

"Shit!" He raged, twisting her arm until her grip weakened and she cried out in agony, knife clattering to the floor.

He kicked the shiny object towards Aguni, far away from her desperate hands. The older man scooped it up, shoving Minoru out of the way. He grabbed Rei's neck and she couldn't suppress the whimper leaving her lips at the force of the action, his fingers painfully rough against her exposed skin.

Was this some sort of punishment?

     She didn't have time for calculations, feeling the cold nip of a knife press against her throat. She froze, looking directly into the deadpan eyes of Aguni.

     "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

MAYA'S NOTE.

5000+ words I AM SORRY

BUT I won't complain about the length too much because this was genuinely SO SO SO fun to write🍄 (I hope you didn't get bored tho lol). I'm definitely gonna enjoy describing the games I come up with because it's honestly so interesting aaa

What's your thoughts so far on characters/plot/anything at all? Theories or questions? I would love to hear from you all :))

++ thank you for supporting my work (again) your comments/votes make me smile so much. They are also a great motivator to get my shit together and write as well so ty ty ty! (•́ᴗ•̀)♡

I'll see you in the next chapter where some more familiar faces will be introduced hehe ...

Love, Maya🐇