Wonderland

Chapter Eighteen: "A Deal's A Deal"

Sean held his breath as all eyes went to Bandit. King Dice picked up one of the cards and flung it so fast and hard that the corner stabbed into the table between Bandit's fingers as his hand grabbed the pot. Bandit's hand froze a moment, before he scooped up the pot. King Dice stood up from Devilplier's lap, snapping out angrily. "You cheated!" Phantom hefted up his cane, jumping to his feet as he braced his cane behind Bandit's chair leg to try and keep him from pushing it out. Instead, Bandit slid out of the chair and under the table, trying to make a run for the stairs. He didn't get far though as a long black tail wrapped around his ankle and yanked him off his feet. Bandit gruffly huffed as his chest hit the ground, causing the soul coins to roll across the floor. When the tail began to pull him back, Bandit snatched the Ring of Wonderland and put it into his mouth. Phantom and King Dice rushed toward him, yelling out in almost perfect unison. "NO! Don't you dare!" Phantom grabbed Bandit by the shoulders and flipped him onto his back. King Dice dropped over Bandit, his hands going for Bandit's throat and nose. Bandit thrashed his legs, but his grunts were drowned out by King Dice yelling out. "Open your mouth! NOW!"

Sean and Illinois tugged against their restraints, but only Sean could plead out to them. "STOP! Leave him alone! He won!" Phantom started slamming Bandit against the ground by his vest, ignoring Sean as he snapped out. "Spit it out, Kid! Or I'll cash you in early, you little shit!" Realizing that he was getting nowhere with them, Sean looked to Devilplier. Devilplier was the only one who didn't seem even a little concerned by Bandit's attempt to escape or his attempt to swallow the ring. Casually pulling the cigar from his mouth, he exhaled a steady stream of smoke from his thinly parted lips. Tugging on the restraints more, Sean tried pleading to him by saying desperately. "Don't kill him, please!" Devilplier's gleaming golden eyes darted to look at him and Sean inhaled sharply. Something about his eyes continued to give him goosebumps and made him tremble in fear. Licking the tip of one of his canine fangs beneath his upper lip, Devilplier asked him in a deep buttery voice. "Why? His life means nothing to me. I'm hoping he swallows it. It will be more fun to cut it out of him." Thinking frantically, Sean blurted out. "How much is my pearl worth to you?"

Illinois thrashed and muffled out loud distress at his words. Devilplier straightened up in his chair, cooing out wickedly. "You've got my attention." Sean gestured to Bandit who looked like he was on the verge of passing out, upon rushing out. "Save him and we'll talk." Devilplier's eyes narrowed on him, but without looking away, his tail tightened on Bandit's ankle and yanked him back between King Dice's legs and out of their grips. Bandit sat up, gasping for air and coughing around the ring that was still in his mouth. The others turned to look at the Devil with angry glares, yelling out. "What are you doing?!" Phantom stood up, adding darkly. "Devil, if he swallows that and I have to void a contract by killing him early, I'm going to mount your wings on the wall of my sound stage!" Devilplier slowly kneeled in front of Bandit, locking merciless eyes on him as he answered Phantom. "He's not going to swallow it. He knows what I'll do to him if he does. Besides... I doubt he'll want to run your rigged horseraces for the rest of eternity. So, death... is not in the cards for him." Devilplier put a finger under Bandit's jaw, tilting his chin up as he purred to him smugly. "Isn't that right, Bandit? How is Diesel? Think he's ready to outrun the Devil's Train yet? Don't think I have forgotten. You keep making deals and you'll spend your years away... for nothing."

Sean gawked at Bandit. It suddenly made sense. Bandit was always chasing the train because he was indebted to it. He lived on the train and when his contract was up... he'd be a permanent addition or fuel for it. Devilplier looked away briefly, purring out almost to himself. "What does that make it now...? A total of thirty years off your life? You burn through years faster than I burn through cigars." Bandit trembled when Devilplier met his eyes again. Devilplier let out a deep throaty chuckle, telling him maniacally. "You won't reach your forties, Bandit. I hope saving all your friends was worth the cost of your life. But I doubt it..." Sean's heart ached watching Bandit bow his head as he tried to hide his distress. Devilplier then stood up to his full height, asking Sean coolly. "Now that you know that. Is his life still worth your pearl, Oyster?" Sean tried to look at Bandit, but he was avoiding everyone's eyes. Lifting his chin, Sean told Devilplier firmly. "Yes. I'll give you a single pearl. But I want some things in return." King Dice and Phantom started to interject warnings, but Devilplier raised a hand to silence them. Phantom stomped his foot and began to pace impatiently. While King Dice just stood very still with his eyes on them.