16. 16 – Alyss
16 – Alyss
T here is no mirror in this shitty excuse for a communal bathroom.
Only a row of open shower heads and stainless-steel drains built into the floor. Even the toilets are open.
“Lyss.” Chess sounds even more irritated than he did five minutes ago. “You still in there? I’m gonna count to five—,”
My cheeks are a vibrant shade of crimson as I stride out. Chess takes one look at me and audibly chokes, his head swinging around as he physically moves in front of me to block me from the view of the others. “Absolutely fucking not .”
“Yes,” I deadpan, shoving him out of the way. “Because out of the giant walk-in wardrobe back there, I picked this out myself.”
The sky-blue dress barely covers my ass, the white petticoat beneath fluffing up the frilly skirt so it stands out in a circle around my hips.
I stalk past Chess, face flaming as I approach my bed. Hatter and Buck both turn to look at the same time, and… I have to pause. “Uh. You look…,”
Hot . They look hot as fuck, the pair of them. Buck slides his thumbs beneath his black braces. They highlight a surprisingly chiseled chest over a crisp white shirt and black trousers. But his eyes are on me.
“Well,” he says slowly. His dark gaze sweeps me up and down, taking in the blue corset, the white pinafore and matching stockings, the black patent shoes. “There is an upside to this little situation after all. Don’t you look like an absolutely delicious snack, trouble?”
I snort, but my stomach flips at the heat that lingers in his eyes. “Hopefully nobody plans on eating me.”
“Never say never,” Buck murmurs, wiggling his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t be the first time it’s been requested.”
I swallow down the nausea that threatens at the implication. “Well. That’s disgusting.”
Chess gives him a filthy look as he steps up behind me. “Shut up.”
As for Hatter… I swallow. “Nice coat. And… hat.”
He glances down at the deep green tailcoat. It fits him perfectly, cinching at the waist and flaring out. He twists the black velvet top hat between his hands. “It’s all part of the game.”
“To make us look like fucking idiots?” Chess mutters. I cast him a side glance, taking in the navy-blue silk shirt that contrasts perfectly with his blond hair, the cream waistcoat and matching bowtie.
My mouth dries as he catches me looking and raises his eyebrow. Quickly, I snap it shut. “What do you think’s going to happen now?”
Buck and Hatter exchange grim glances. Hatter places the hat on his head. “They’ll take us to the game location. We’re probably below it somewhere.”
“And then?” My heart starts to pound.
Buck sighs. “We try our very best not to die a horrible death for the entertainment of whichever rick pricks are watching us. Or just lay down and wait for it to happen. Whatever works.”
“Stay with me,” Chess murmurs firmly. His face is ashen when I look at him. “Whatever happens, Lyss. Promise me.”
Hatter shifts. Neither Chess nor I miss that it’s in my direction. He nods at Chess, his chin lifting. “The more people watching her back, the better, right?”
Chess gives him a hard stare. Hatter meets his look with one of his own, his shoulders stiffening beneath his coat. “You’re not the only person who cares about what happens to her, you know.”
“You just met her,” Chess hisses. “And you’re the reason she’s here in the fucking first place.”
I shift in between them, my back to Hatter as I place my hands against Chess’s chest and push . He moves back a few inches. “We really have bigger things to worry about than this right now. Can we just agree to work together?”
“Every man for himself,” Buck murmurs. He winks at me. “Sorry, trouble. You’re pretty, but so is my face.”
Fair enough.
For a split second, Hatter and Chess look united in the shared look of disgust on their faces.
“Hatter isn’t the reason I’m here.” I ignore Buck, looking up at Chess’s tortured expression. “You know that.”
He stares over the top of my head, his face glacial. “Fine.”
Just for a moment, Hatter steps closer, until I’m pressed between them. I blink, an unexpected wave of… something , clenching in my stomach as I take a breath, feeling them both against me.
Not the right moment for a pussy flutter, Alyss.
Swallowing, I slip out from between them. “Excellent. Although I’m not a fan of the damsel in distress narrative, just for the record.”
“Be a fan of whatever narrative you want,” Chess mutters. “You’re still staying between us.”
Fair enough. I’m also not an idiot. I might not be completely helpless, but without weapons and in these fucking ridiculous shoes, I’m more likely to be a liability than anything else.
My pulse begins to thud as that mechanical voice sounds over the speaker again. We line up by the door, the four of us at the back. Buck goes first with Hatter behind him. I follow, Chess close behind.
Most are silent, ashen and shaking. One tall, balding man in a ridiculous frilly overcoat and breeches looks as if he’s about to vomit, his face tinged green. In front of Buck, the scarred twin – Kayden – is staring stonily ahead as his twin mutters in his ear, both of them dressed in identical wine-colored shirts. His eyes flick to mine as I pass them before he turns away, jaw tightening.
“ Silence .”
The thudding of my heartbeat sounds in my ears as the doors swing open. A row of guards stand there, guns trained as they gesture at us to follow.
My legs start to shake.
This can’t be real.
Chess’s hand brushes my back, as if sensing my panic, but he doesn’t risk speaking. He keeps it there, anchoring me as we walk in a line down a grim, concrete corridor. More of that strip lighting lines the low ceiling above us, a dying bulb flickering as we pass beneath.
I force myself to breathe in, breathe out.
Hatter’s back swims in my vision, and it’s Adam I can see instead. Head bowed, as he’s escorted into a sick, twisted game that ended up killing him.
Were you here? Did you walk this route too?
And now – in my eagerness, my desperation, my damned fucking stupidity , Chess is walking the same way.
Chess was wrong when he said Hatter was to blame.
The only person to blame here is me.
Don’t let anything happen to him.
I’m not religious – never have been. But in that moment, I offer a silent prayer to whatever deity might give enough of a fuck to listen. Maybe Adam can do something.
Keep them safe.
All of them. Even Buck. He glances back over his shoulder, his expression stoic as he catches my eye.
He nods at me, and it’s strangely reassuring.
We walk for several minutes until we reach a large elevator, the gray walls lit with more of that harsh lighting. The only splashes of color come from us, the eleven of us in these ridiculous outfits.
The guards stand to the side, one gesturing. “Get in.”
It’s a tight fit as we all shuffle and then push for space. Chess wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, Hatter and Buck closing in around him to surround me. The sound of harsh breathing is the only noise as the elevator slowly ascends with a loud, creaking noise.
“Be ready for anything,” Hatter whispers, almost under his breath. “Keep your eyes open for surprises.”
I glance down at my shiny black shoes. Clunky, with a low heel, they’re the worst possible shoes to run in if I need to.
I used to be a damn good runner. Once.
My hand slips over Chess’s. Squeezes.
I’m sorry.
He squeezes back.
Not your fault.
My throat tightens. There are things – so many things – that I could have, should have said to him these past six months.
And now there might not be any time left.
He holds me tightly, his strong arms reassuring. Solid and steady, as he always has been.
“ Chess —,”
His name is a desperate sound, a plea for forgiveness ripped from deep in my chest. But our time has run out.
The lights above us flicker.
And go out.