A single bulb illuminated the only light of the pitch black room. Seven oddly shaped wine glasses full of a clear liquid sat on top of a tall transparent round table.

"We're off schedule. We've been waiting," hissed Levi. He emerged from the darkness wearing a black collared shirt with two daring buttons undone and a pair of black jeans.

Four flawless models followed behind, all dressed in goth clothing and fishnet fabrics. People appearing from the dark? What was this? A vampire ritual? Some sort of demon gathering?

Cray pointed an accusing finger at Snapback. "It was her fault."

"Was not!" she snarled, shoving him. He was about to take a step before Levi wedged between.

"I swear I'm killing both of you if you both don't shut up," he growled.

"She needed the full treatment, sir. I didn't think she'd take that long, but... I underestimated her appearance," Snapback said, resting her hand on my shoulder. "But I made her gorgeous, so there's no need for complain." A pang of shock almost caught off my solemn face.

Levi weighed my new appearance and stroked his cleanly shaved chin. "Gorgeous?" His perfect pointed nose wrinkled. "Try decent."

Nearly flinching, I rose my chin, and crossed my arms. "I thought you said you were behind schedule?"

Annoyed, his nostrils flared and he snatched my wrist rather hard. Dragging my body to the table, I straightened my back as the other four Snipers stared with hatred. I noticed Casper was one of them, dressed well with an ink leather jacket and jeans, his stare replaced by a tiny smile. His blonde hair was slicked to the side today.

I smiled back. Levi threw a sharp glare towards Casper. "We shall start," he commanded. I jerked my wrist off of him and stood broadly with everyone else. Confidence boosted through my system. I might have been considered weak in that gym, but from now on, I was to remain strong.

Levi waved his hand over the table and a green grid appeared on the surface. "This week's game of haja sangue includes all of China." He tapped the screen. "Here's one hundred targets." Photos of diverse people scattered across. One consisted of a man stepping out of a limo. Another was having a casual chat on the phone. He double tapped. A photo of a bald man wearing a tux was gladly accepting an award. "Tonight, we're gonna make this man our bitch."

Cray rubbed his hands together, staring at the photo like food. "The golden goose."

Needles of confusion kept poking my mind to ask for an explanation. "Your brows are scrunched," Levi stated. I blinked and cocked my head to the side. "You're confused, aren't you?"

Denial was aimed, but I retracted, and crossed my arms. "The fact that I've never done this before should clearly state your answer. Because in my perspective, I expect half of you to flash your vampire fangs and admit this is feasting night."

Cray snorted. "The only one with fangs at this table is Vamp."

A gorgeous pale girl had an evil grin scrawled across her oval face, two sharp teeth gleaming. She curled her blonde locks around her white fingers while toying with a knife. "They add a hint of fear, no?" she spoke, her voice slithering a husky, playful tone.

"She's not actually a vampire," Snapback whispered, leaning down my ear. I watched as Vamp skillfully twirled the blade around her finger. "She just got them carved into fangs when she was twelve, the age she became a Sniper."

Vamp suggestively licked the knife at Levi. He arched a brow. I gave Snapback a short nod, and she leaned away as Levi spoke. "Since we have a newbie at the table"-I kept a boasted chin-"I'll explain how this works."

"Fresh meat," coughed Cray.

I leaned on the table, watching the screen as it switched back to the hundred photo profiles. "At least half of these people will die tonight," he said with a nonchalant tone.

The serious expression was wiped off my face. "Fifty people?"

"At least," he confirmed. "Usually we range to seventy-five, but that depends of the type of Snipers we have tonight. The system"-he moved his finger over, and all seven of our faces appeared-"will divide us by random into one team of three, one team of two and two individuals will go solo."

"Where's Snapback?" I asked, searching the screen. "She's not on there."

"That's because I don't play these Sniper games," she answered, staring at her nails. "Killing isn't my type of thing. Unless you're Cray, I would never harm you."

Casper chuckled at Cray. "I remember when she sliced your balls with a cheesegrader." Cray glared and we laughed.

"Not funny," he grumbled.

"No, just fucking golden," Levi laughed.

"Just get back to the game," Cray spat with a withering look that could freeze Hell.

Levi chuckled. "Okay, okay." He tapped the screen and the hundred profiles appeared again. "See them?" I nodded. "These bastards are people who either didn't make their payments, backstabbed, double-crossed, blackmailed, cheated, or claimed they were better than us." His face darkened, the coat of humour disappeared. "No one is better than us."

My tone soaked with confusion, I asked, "But why don't you just get your lower rankings for that kind of work? Don't you have better things to do?"

Levi laughed, a twinkle of amusment glinting in his honey eyes. "Here at Snipers, we do things as a team. And when you're already millionares, why not make your job more fun?"

Cray rested his hands on the table. "Each person, or what we call, a target, is worth one kill. If one member of your team members murders a target, that equals one kill for each team member. It's unfortunate if you get chosen to go solo, meaning you're going to have to work fast. Unless working with others slows you down."

Casper glanced at me and waved his hand over the screen. "The objective of the game is to get the most kills from midnight to sunrise."

Taking a moment to collect this data, I questioned, "What about the Snipers who end up going solo? That's not fair."

"It is," Levi said, a smile dancing across his scarelt lips. "The game begins at midnight, and ends at sunrise, exactly seven in the morning. One hour before sunrise is what we call the rush hour. Once rush hour starts, the alliances are broken, and it's every man for himself. It's the chance for the solo Snipers to catch up with their kills."

"It's the most heated moment of the game," Casper said. "When all the drugs ware off, and everyone is back to their normal state."

My eyes unravelled a spark of surprise. "Drugs?"

"You think killing and getting revenge is the only fun part of the game?" Levi smirked. He motioned towards the seven wine glasses.

"Each of these glasses contain a different drug. Four of them possess a harmless liquid, like water. One of them possess a drug that makes you see illusions, and depending on your body, creates drowsiness and fatigue. The other has a deadly poisonous substance and will slowly eat away your cells until an antidote is reached. The antidote is somewhere in this city and if you can't reach the cure within two hours after ingestion, you will die. The last glass possesses a drug that we like to call RBR."

"My favourite," Cray joked, and licked his lips. "RBR: Red Bull Remix."

I laughed at the odd name. Levi continued, "That's what most of us call it because it's effects are similar to Red Bull. When ingested, it's as if the person just had ten cans of Red Bull, and ten cups of coffee. A chemical is sent to their blood, triggering the body enough energy to run for hours. Imagine a ball of electricity bouncing around your system the entire night. It heightens your speed, your mind, and not to mention your stamina."

"It's the drug everyone wants," Casper finished. "But remember, all these drugs ware off an hour before the end of the games, everyone settled back to their normal state for rush hour."

Mischief flickered across Levi's his features. "Better than then lure, ass whipping, killing, and destroying property, huh?" he said.

"Uh...s-sure." My heart lodged in my throat. Killing? A knot of worry tied around my stomach, squeezing tightly as I lost my breath. I had never killed someone. The only murder I've ever witnessed was when Casper killed the flightless bird. And I was hardly able to breath after that. Let alone eat chicken again. I would have the hands of a murderer.  The notion had me swallow a lump of worry. Could I do it? Could I take someone's life?

"Now back to the number of kills," Levi instructed and tapped the screen. The bald man from earlier who was accpecting a trophy appeared. "This gang leader Max"-Levi tapped the man's smiling face-"He's been getting too many second chances, screwing up enough deals and even having the balls to cheat me. This bloody bastard is worth ten kills." His face darkened. "However, because of how much protection he has, you can only attack him during rush hour where he isn't as confined."

"His gang is two rank below ours," Snapback whispered, her perfect nails scratching the table.

Casper then handed us our own individual necklaces with what looked to be a green computer chip at the end. Everyone put it over their necks as did I.

"When rubbing your thumb over the chip," Casper explained, "a digital screen will appear showing the hundred profiles of targets, a map of China, the countdown until sunrise, and current number of kills each person has. If the screen shows the hundred profiles and a certain profile is blank, that means the target has already been eliminated."

"You must stay within the border of China for the seven hours," Cray added.

"So, darling," Levi said, now standing on the opposite end of the table. "Give a quick brief of how this game works."

Relieved I had been paying attention, I put on a confident smirk and answered, "A system divides us into one group of three, one group of two and two Snipers who go solo. This is chosen by random."

"There are one hundred people or what you call targets. If you murder one person, you get one kill. If you're in a team, and one of your team members gets a kill, all members of that team get one kill too. But, you can only kill gang leader Max during rush hour. If you kill Max-it would have to be independently-you get ten kills because of his importance. Whoever gets the most kills before sunrise is the winner."

I tapped the glass in front of me. "There are seven of these glasses for each of the Sniper players. Four contain a harmless liquid. One contains a colourless drug that makes you drowsy and see illusions. Another contains a deadly poison that slowly kills, the antidote somewhere in the city. If the antidote is not reached by the next two hours, you will die."

"The last glass contains RBR which gives you energy the entire night, increasing your speed, aim and stamina. My guess is that we each choose a glass by random?"

Levi nodded. "The affects of the drug will work five minutes after ingestion that being enough time for the chemicals react."

I continued. "The drugs lose their abilities or affects the closer you are to sunrise, it completely gone in time for rush hour. Rush hour is the last hour before sunrise. It's when the alliances and teams are broken and it's every man or woman for him and herself. For example if Casper is on my team, and then rush hour starts, the kills he gets are now his. I don't get a kill because we aren't a team anymore."

I rubbed the chip on my neck and a green digital screen appeared. "This shows all the hundred profiles, and if one profile is blank, that means he or she has been murdered already. It also contains a map of China, the countdown until sunrise, and the current number of kills each Sniper has. Now this game starts at midnight and ends at seven in the morning; exactly sunrise. You cannot leave China, all the targets within this country."

I smacked my hands together and stared at the Snipers for other comments. "And that's how this game works. Anything else?"

Some seemed impressed while others held cold glares. Levi tapped his chin, his thumb grazing his smooth, shaved skin. "Rules. Rule number one, there are no rules."

Excited, Cray's almost raven eyes twinkled with eagerness. "Meaning you can kill any way you want. Plus, you're allowed to fight with other Snipers. There are no, 'I call dibs for this kill'."

"Oh! Lastly," Casper said. An eager look flashed across his face too. "Whoever gets most kills is crowned the new Royal Sniper and will get to keep any rare weapon of their choice from The Vault. Loser is suspended as a Sniper for two weeks, meaning no missions and no leaving the facility under any circumstances. As well, they would have kitchen duty, forced to clean the torture room and not to mention, sulk in shame."

"Suspended? Raw fear leaked through my chest. Losing also meant not being able to handle the Snipers, let alone be one. Instant death by Levi if he knew I wasn't fit to be a Sniper. I had to win. Losing was not an option.

Levi grew a dark smile in my direction. "And don't think about escaping. That tracker we put inside you is already in your blood. We will find you if you decide to run."

I gave a meek nod. "No running away. Totally."

He did a strange finger pattern on the screen. "Now the rules are done, it's time for team picking." The table projected a 3-D screen, all seven of our faces rotating. He raised his hand and flicked his wrist, our faces switching and spinning faster like the Wheel of Fortune.

I watched as the system slowly began to categorize us. I didn't know what I wanted, but I simply hoped I wouldn't be alone. First were the Snipers going solo. "Wonderful," Vamp grinned as her photo was under Individuals. Her gold locks bounced as she threw the knife, catching it swiftly. The Sniper boy was the other solo Sniper, his gothic makeup and cheek piercings I found intimidating.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath the whole time and exhaled. At least I wouldn't be alone. The faces continued to juggle around until the single team of two appeared. Cray and the girl who had white pigtails. Cray however, wore a grumpy look, both of them exchanging dirty glares.

I pleased smile broadened across Vamp's pink lips. "I think this will be a lovely game tonight," she slithered.

I didn't understand why she was so happy until it clicked. Cray and white ponytail chic weren't good companions. Levi and Casper were stuck with me, my guess being she thought I'd slow them down. Goth boy probably wasn't harmful, so to Vamp, this would be an easy victory.

"Shut up, Vam," Cray snapped. "Say one more thing and I'll rip out your precious fangs."

"Oh no!" She put a dramatic hand to her head. "Cray-Cray is goin' crazy! What will I ever do?"

Casper snapped his fingers, breaking the tension between the two. "Guys, times running out, and midnight is approaching. Can we just carry on with the game?" The two Snipers swapped death glares and looked back to Levi who was surprisingly not interfering. Glancing at the leader now, he seemed puzzled as he stared at the projected screen. "Levi," Casper hissed.

He broke his drifting chance and found all eyes trained on him. "Right," his voice was strained for a moment before he adjusted his sleeves and collar. "So"-his voice deepened back to normal-"now we got the teams, let's drink." He tapped the screen three times and then the table surface rotated, the glasses spinning until they came to a slow halt.

Everyone except Snapback picked the glass in front of them, and raised it in the air. The clear liquids jiggled, all looking identical. Hesitating, I felt Levi's hard gaze starting at my motionless hands. "Darling, we must drink."

I stared down at the liquid. This was either harmless, will make me drowsy and see illusions, slowly kill me, or give my body a dose of Wonder Woman. I swallowed hard and clutched the fragile glass using one hand. Rising it, I prayed the shaking cup wasn't too noticeable.

"To another surviving week of victory for the Snipers, and for many more!" Levi cheered. "Haja sangue!"

"Haja sangue!" everyone repeated, and clinked glasses.

The wall of hesitation closed in again, and I glanced up to see people drinking. Except for Levi who stared, waiting for me. My heart skittered around my chest. "Here goes nothing," I whispered, and gave him my biggest smile before tipping the liquid forward.

A sweet, vibrant taste seeped into my tongue. The drink left a trail of bubbles tingling down my throat. The aroma held a hint of the drink's sweetness, resembling... strawberries? I took another sip, letting the taste linger. It was much sweeter the second round.

Ready for thirds, I had an odd feeling and noted the Snipers were watching. Their glasses only half full, I quickly put my drink back. Expecting the affects, I remembered they started to work five minutes after ingestion.

"You like?" Levi asked, a playful laugh glinting from his eyes.

I gave a sheepish smile. "Uh, yeah. Very... sweet."